Boiling Point Podcast

Hitch a Ride

 

Introducing Flo Devellennes and HitchPlanet

 

Entrepreneurship is all about having an experience that spurs an idea, which can lead to a business. This was the exact series of events that happened to this week’s guest, Flo Devellennes.

 

Flo moved to Canada from the UK back in 2010 with the plan of having a year long working vacation. Flo worked as a freelance graphic designer in the west coast, but also had a passion for skiing. On his off time, Flo would travel from Vancouver, British Columbia to the hills of Whistler for some of the greatest ski hills in the world. However, what Flo noticed on his path between the two places on the Sea to Sky highway sparked an idea, which completely changed the trajectory of his life. He noticed there were many people on the side of the highway attempting to hitchhike exactly where he was going and on further research he noted that there was a large challenge of transportation for people along the same highway.

 

Flo’s solution was to create a website that would work as a go between for those with empty seats in their car and others looking for rides to the same places. Six years later, HitchPlanet coordinates ride sharing in both the west coast and the Maritimes with plans to further expand. Check out this week’s episode to see how a spark in your imagination could evolve into a future opportunity.

 

 

In this episode

 

• Flo lets us in on how the idea for HitchPlanet evolved.
• He discusses how the platforms current version which includes seat and service fees, social media links, and experience ratings helps to create dependability and accountability for its users.
• Flo believes that Hitch Planet’s immense organic growth comes from making a product people want that is useful.
• We discuss how ego needs to be removed from design as it is all up to the customer’s wants and opinions.
• We also discuss where the emergence of the sharing economy came from and why now?
• Greg and Dave remember their own personal hitchhiking experiences from the past and recognize how HitchPlanet would have made their rides faster and safer.
• Flo emphasizes the importance of building a team of supporters, and collaborators to get a venture like this off the ground.
• Greg loves the idea of people using online platforms to transcend the status quo of their current business.
• The thought of the experiences of our lives initiating business solutions to challenges energizes Dave.

 

Links

- HitchPlanet Website

- HitchPlanet on Twitter

- HitchPlanet on Facebook

- HitchPlanet on Instagram

- HitchPlanet on YouTube

- Flo on LinkedIn

- Flo's Website

- Flo on Twitter

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Finding the Right Problem to Solve

Introducing Janet Scott and Enterprise Saint John

In running a business there are constantly problems that need to be solved. However, sometimes you find yourself hitting a bit of a brick wall. Perhaps you haven’t even figured out what the problem REALLY is and sometimes you might need some help in figuring that out.

Janet Scott is the director of business and community development with Enterprise Saint John and finding solutions to problems is something she is a pro at. In 2015, Janet received recognition as a 40 under 40 rising star in economic development by DCI International.  She was also selected to participate in Next New Brunswick’s 21 Leaders for the 21st Century program to encourage young people to help set the agenda for the future of the province and was named a YMCA Young Leader to Watch.

 

With Enterprise Saint John, Janet helps people start businesses, grow businesses, and attract business to the region. One way they help businesses succeed is to work through the power of problem solving. Check out this episode to understand the process you need to use to effectively navigate challenges and develop implementable solutions.

 

In this episode

• Greg and Dave reflect on their 100th episode party at Big Tide Brewing and the amazing Hemmingsway Vealey Great Ale they developed for the occasion.
• We meet their old friend and Saint John champion Janet.
• There is a discussion of the enormous changes that have happened in Saint John over the last 16 years and just how this came about.
• Janet also talks about what might be next for the city.
• We discuss how Saint John has become a great city to network for both personal and business purposes and how it can be more effective for business than the larger centers.
• Dave recalls a recent business trip to Toronto and just how much less he would be able to accomplish on a daily basis if he had to conduct his business there.
• There is a discussion on start-up culture in the region.
• Greg thinks that the region’s legacy family businesses have actually built an infrastructure and make it easier for start-ups to emerge.
• We discuss how millennials fit into the equation.
• Janet discusses catalyst innovation and how it helps nail down problems and their solutions.
• Greg and Dave try to figure out if they are generators, conceptualizers, optimizers, or implementers.

 

Links

- Enterprise Saint John Website

- Enterprise Saint John on Twitter

- Enterprise Saint John on Facebook

- Enterprise Saint John on Linked In

- Janet on Twitter

- Janet on Linked In

- Bassadur Applied Creativity

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Brewing Up a Boiling Pint

Introducing Wendy Papadopoulos and Big Tide Brewing

It is funny how life works. Sometimes you can connect the dots looking back and it all makes sense, but you would have never guessed where you would have ended up at the beginning of your journey. Wendy Papadopoulos is a great example of this.

Wendy is now the brew master at Big Tide Brewing, Saint John, New Brunswick first and only brew pub when it opened. Wendy got her start after finishing her undergraduate degree in microbiology and took her first post-university job as an assistant brew master in Canmore, Alberta. After ten years and progressing through the ranks at the brewery, Wendy returned to New Brunswick and took a job working in economic development, then communications, then investment attraction, and then small business support. Wendy even taught a university class on how to start a small business.

This path eventually brought her back to her passion for brewing beer at Big Tide. Check out this episode of Boiling Point to see how the collection of knowledge and experiences you have had can combine into your next big venture.

 

In this episode

• Wendy surprises Greg and Dave with a growler of Tool Shed Root Porter.
• We hear about the New Brunswick craft beer scene tends to view competitors as collaborators and how the scene has exploded over the last number of years.
• There is a discussion how this collaborative environment may be a regionalized phenomenon.
• We hear how a collection of ideas scribbled on a napkin turned into the multi-award winning Big Tide Brewing.
• Wendy lets us in on her past and what lead her to the position she is at today.
• We discuss how it is important for each Big Tide beer to have an interesting name, label, and story behind it.
• Dave, Greg, and Wendy devise a plan to make the world’s first podcast beer, Boiling Point Ale.
• Greg wishes he could have more beer, but needs to drive. He notes that listeners who have an entrepreneurial spirit, but might not have the ability to leave their day job can still get something started.
• Dave noes that when you look back at your life you can start to see all of the knowledge and experience you have gathered and that is the fuel to starting your own potential business.

 

Links

- Big Tide Brewing Website

- Boiling Point Ale Video 

- Big Tide on Twitter

- Big Tide on Facebook

- Big Tide on Instagram

 

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A Better Balm

Introducing Rebecca Hamilton and W. S. Badger Company

There are no better products than those developed out of a dire need. That was exactly how today’s guest, Rebecca Hamilton, product Badger Balm was created. Badger Balm is a family business and B-Corp that was founded in 1995 by Rebecca’s father Bill. Bill was a serial entrepreneur and carpenter who needed something to sooth his cracked hands after working outside in the cold New Hampshire winters.

Today, Badger has a number of organic body care products and Rebecca is the company’s co-owner and vice president of innovation & social impact. Badger has a commitment to sustainable sourcing and building true one-on-one relationships with the producers of their ingredients. Not only does this create a product that is top-notch, but also it humanizes their supply chain and gives every product and its ingredients a story that must be told.

Check out this week’s episode to see how sustainable sourcing and relationship building can develop a product that has a great story and you can be proud to use. Also, check out this episode for insights on how a successful family business can be run.

 

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his daughter, Kaiya’s love for Earth Day and Badger’s products.
• Rebecca tells us why each Badger product has a different whimsical design.
• We learn why Badger was a great fit to becoming a B-Corp.
• Rebecca tells us how the company was developed and how it has progressed over the years.
• We talk about the importance of sustainable sourcing and how shortening the supply chain and making long-lasting relationships with suppliers can help your business.
• We learn the story behind the olive oil that Badger sources, the story behind it, and why the decision was made to use it.
• Rebecca highlights the power of humanizing the supply chain and doing business transparently.
• We also discuss family businesses and how to run one effectively.
• Rebecca tells us how leadership coaching helped her family work great in business and in the home.
• Dave appreciates Rebecca’s thoughtful approach and learned a great deal on how the family business can effectively run.
• Greg talks about his experience doing the B-Corp assessment for Hemmings House Pictures. He also talks about how there are so many great products out in the market but when you see a B-Corp stamp it means that you are buying from a company that is measuring their impact.

 

Links

- Rebecca on Twitter

- Rebecca on Linked In

- The Badger Website

- Badger on Facebook 

- Badger on Twitter

- Badger on You Tube

- B Corporation

 

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Teaching Empowerment

Introducing Barry Ogden

One of our hosts, Greg Hemmings, has had a number of entrepreneurial mentors over the years including one of his high school teachers. Barry Ogden left an impression on Greg going all the way to grade 10 when Greg was a student in his Entrepreneurship class. Not only did Barry inspire Greg, but also his community over the years. Barry is not the type to sit by and let the world fix the problems he sees; he takes action and gets the job done.

This has been proven to be true from the countless initiatives he has taken on in order to inspire pride from the Saint John community. These initiatives include breaking world records with marigold gardens planted by students, reviving interest in the city’s past through rebuilding Loyalist House and creating a replica of the Marco Polo sailing vessel, and developing a football league so that the city could have a team of its own. Barry even painted his own crosswalks after two children were hit and the city was taking too long to find its solution.

Barry’s entrepreneurial spirit has even been recognized by one of the city’s leading businessman, Gerry Pond, so much so that Gerry wrote the book, Ogden’s Odyssey. Check out why it is important for us all to have the entrepreneurial spirit even if we aren’t planning to start a business in this week’s episode of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• Greg reminisces on high school days.
• Barry lets us in on the history of the Marco Polo and what inspired him to build a recreation without any government money.
• We also hear about how Barry helped rebuild Loyalist House and the Canada Games stadium.
• Barry discusses the millions of dollars he has raised in the city and his motivation for doing so.
• We discuss way pride in where you come from is such an important piece to any community.
• There is a discussion on how entrepreneurs are really just problem solvers with positive attitudes.
• Barry tells us why giving children the gift of empowerment is so crucial in developing the entrepreneurial spirit.
• Greg talks about what fills him with pride of Saint John.
• We hear how painting a few crosswalks got Barry in the middle of a national media story.
• Barry tells us a little bit about his relationship with Gerry Pond and how the idea of a book about him came about.
• Barry also tells us how he achieved a goal of bringing a football team to Saint John and what it meant to the local youth.
• We also hear how the best way to beat poverty is through empowerment.
• Greg talks about how it is empowering to be an entrepreneur and how these skills need to be taught to kids at the youngest age possible.
• Dave is inspired by Barry’s ability to take action to solve societal problems

 

Links

- Barry on Linked In

- Barry on Twitter

- Ogden's Odyssey on Blurb

- Seawolves Football

- The Atlantic Football League

- The Marigold Project

- The Marco Polo

- The Loyalist House

- National story on Barry painting sidewalks

 

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Wealth for Good

Introducing Bob Manning and Owens MacFadyen Group

Today’s Boiling Point guest says there are three ways you can make a positive impact; you can give of our time, you can share your experience, or you can give of your resources or money. Bob Manning gave us his time and nuggets of experience in this week’s episode. Bob has over 20 years of business experience, working in multi-national, national and regional organizations. He has held executive-level business planning, operations and marketing positions in the information technology sector, and consulted to and helped manage start-up companies in Atlantic Canada. Throughout his career, Bob has achieved success by helping organizations deal with the challenges of growth, through the application of disciplined planning and effective management.  This positive businessman was upset over a recent Globe and Mail article that seemed to skewer Saint John, New Brunswick and one of its most successful business families, the Irvings. The article seemed to say that the region would have been better off without the billionaire family and also “picked a scab” by writing a very negative outlook for New Brunswick. Bob knows that New Brunswick has its challenges, but he sees a ton of positives as well. In response to the Globe and Mail, Bob penned his own article asking for the region to start ignoring the negative rhetoric and start supporting the positive stories.

Bob is currently working as a Wealth Advisor with Owens MacFadyen Group. The company has a vision of building capacity within a community that embraces a pioneering spirit, is passionate about excellence and the realization of maximum potential, and has the courage to commit to legacy building. Bob’s clientele consist of successful entrepreneurs, senior executives and professionals with the aim of setting them up to achieve personal and community goals.

 

In this episode

• We hear Bob’s thoughts on the Globe and Mail article about Saint John.
• Bob tells us why and how his opinion differs with the Globe and Mail.
• Greg tells us about a similar article he penned regarding supporting the positive stories of Atlantic Canada.
• We hear about Owen MacFadyen Group and how they differ from larger financial services companies.
• Bob explains why tailored financial management works better than a “cookie cutter” solution.
• We hear about Bob’s past life as an executive in the tech sector.
• We discuss how your ability to give back to a community is tied to how much money you can contribute.
• Bob tells us why he favors small, repeatable gains rather than high risk/high reward investing.
• Dave remembers how his investing in high-risk ventures didn’t work out so well and sees the importance of sound wealth advice so that we can do the things that we are really passionate about.
• Greg thinks about critics of the function of capitalism and how they don’t think of the opportunity for people who are impact driven and that the accumulation of wealth is not necessarily selfish.

 

Links

- Owens MacFayden Group Website

- Owen MacFayden on Linked In

- Bob Manning on Linked In

- Globe and Mail Article on New Brunswick and the Irvings

- Bob Manning's response

- Greg's article on NB, The Millennial Dream Province

- The Millennial Dream

 

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From Glass Ceiling to GlassSKY

Introducing Robyn Tingley and GlassSKY

We all know diversity and inclusion is important in any workplace. So why do some of our sectors of our economy have such a difficult time recruiting and retaining women. While women have became an important part of the workforce in many industries, there is a serious lack of females in science, technology, engineering, and math.

People like Robyn Tingley are trying to change this dynamic. Robyn was born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada and started her professional career with the province’s telecom company. She was later tasked to a lead role in human resource and public relations for Ingram Micro, a leading distributor of computer and technology products, in both Europe and North America. After having her children, she looked for a change and decided to return to New Brunswick and inspire women and girls through her new organization, GlassSKY.

GlassSKY is dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women and believes that females should be encouraged to reach their full potential in all industries. They do this through motivation, coaching, and mentorship as well as investments in scholarships, microloans, and in research.

Find out how to inspire the young women in your lives in this episode of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• Robyn fills us in on the globetrotting path of her career.
• She tells us why she feels so passionate about inspiring women and girls.
• We hear about the three ways that GlassSKY inspires change for women.
• Robyn tells us about the importance of female role models in traditionally male career paths.
• We learn how employer education is a big part in changing male dominated industries.
• We discuss how technology education should be more prevalent for all genders at a very young age.
• Greg discusses a potential documentary about gender inequality in certain industries.
• Robyn discusses the role of school guidance councilors and how they need to make sure they are non-gender specific when suggesting career paths.
• There is a discussion of how we are more enlightened today, but there is a long way to go for equality for all.

 

Links

- GlassSKY website

- GlassSKY on Facebook

- Robyn on Linked In

- Learn about the Millennial Dream

- Watch HHP's Code Kids

 

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The Business Approach to Giving

Introducing Wendy McDermott and The United Way of Greater Saint John

We all know that there are tremendous social challenges in our communities no matter where you come from. For those of us who seek to be change-makers, it is often be difficult to sift through all of our giving opportunities to see where our greatest impact would be. This challenge can be even more difficult if you are a non-profit organization who funds other non-profits.

Amy McDermott is the executive director of the United Way in Greater Saint John. When she took her post a few years ago, the United Way was going through some changes to make their charity more impactful. Wendy was instrumental in shaking up the United Way so that it was more results driven and donation friendly. She did this by making organizations seeking United Way funding to take a business approach. Each organization would have to write a “business plan” outlining their challenge, the solution, its value proposition, and the risks associated. Those chosen for funding would then need to have deliverable results within 12 months to show exactly how the funding helped the greater community. The United way outlined a few key challenge targets they wished to tackle including (but not limited to) literacy, and independence for women affected by domestic violence. The results have been astounding both from an impact standpoint, and from increased contributions.

Here about how a business approach to giving can help your community in this 100th episode of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• We hear how Wendy was chosen to lead the Greater Saint John United Way.
• Wendy discusses how everyone knows about the United Way, but very few know what it does and how she went about changing that.
• She discusses how a business approach to giving has helped the United Way and its community.
• We discuss how there is no “silver bullet” in fighting poverty.
• Wendy tells us about specific results with women who left domestic violence to seek independence.
• We discuss the “wealth advisor” model in relation to non-profit giving.
• Wendy tells us how the new model can be a double-edged sword, as results don’t necessarily covey the emotional side of giving.
• Greg shares a story he came across when filming vignettes for the United Way.
• Greg, Dave, and Wendy believe you should give as much thought and attention to your charitable giving as you would your stock portfolio.

 

Links

- The United Way of Greater Saint John Website

- The United Way of Greater Saint John Facebook

- The United Way of Greater Saint John on Twitter

- The United Way of Greater Saint John's YouTube channel (Featuring Videos from Greg)

- Wendy on Linked In

 

 

 

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Confronting the Elephant in the Room

Introducing Amy Rupert and The Integreship Group

Leaders of any stripe can often have a difficult job; a number of decisions they make can seriously affect others. What can be worse is when a situation arises that where your leadership intuition or your survival in business is at odds with your personal conscious or morality.

Amy Ruppert is one of the world’s most renowned business coaches. She started at a time when most people thought coaches were just for athletes, but in her career she has helped the profession grow by doing such things as help set up the International Coach Federation and set up one of the first coach training schools. About a year and a half ago, Amy realized that she was being put into a position by some corporate clients to help executives cope in toxic situations, but not helping leaders evolve. Amy’s solution was to collaborate on the book, “Who’s the Boss: Confront the Elephant in the Room”, as a model to follow when you find yourself in situation where you are conflicted by your business survival and personal ethics.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are balancing your leadership and your integrity, this is the Boiling Point Episode for you.

 

In this episode

• Greg reflects on his time meeting Amy during the beginnings of Hemmings House.
• Amy lets us in on her experience and history in the coaching industry.
• She tells us about a coaching session where she decided, “I can’t do this anymore.”
• Amy explains why she couldn’t let companies use her services to help executives cope in toxic situations and what needs to be done instead.
• She explains what she means when she says that you cannot change what others do and think but you can choose how to respond to situations.
• Amy explains how talking about “the elephant in the room” is similar to when talk shows started bringing on parents who admitted that occasionally they wish they could just throttle there kids.
• Dave recalls a recent coaching session where a client mentioned that they were more stressed now than during two tours in Dessert Storm.
• Amy discusses how the psychological concept of flight or flight works when you feel your career is threatened and what the results can be.
• Dave recalls situations where Amy was able to listen to him and talk him “off the ledge”.
• Greg acknowledges that we all need to realize that when people are at their “breaking points” there is a lot of biology happening behind the scenes.

 

Links

- The International Coach Federation

- Buy "Who's the Boss: Confront the Elephant in the Room" on Amazon

- The Integreship Group Website

- Integreship on Twitter

- Integreship on Facebook

- Integreship on Linked In

- Amy on Twitter

- Airplane Journals on YouTube

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Connecting to Clients with Content

 

Introducing Michael Katz and Blue Penguin Development 

Not much can be more engaging than a good story. What is even better is when you can connect a great story to a challenge your company solves. Michael Katz does this sort of connection on a daily basis with his company Blue Penguin Development. Michael creates engaging content for companies who are looking to truly connect with their current and potential clients and he is particularly thrilled by bad content that needs fixing. The truth is, in most instances, your company is probably not much different than your competitors, but what can set you a part is how you tell your story.

Check out this week’s episode to see how you can attract the clients you want with content they want to consume.

 

In this episode

• Michael tells us how he ended up in a position he never thought he would be as a solo entrepreneur.
• We hear why GOOD company newsletters are effective at gaining the clients you want by prequalifying them and building a personal connection.
• Michael tells us how a newsletter can be one part of your company’s social media strategy.
• We discuss how a newsletter may not be as sexy, but it is an effective relationship-marketing tool.
• Michael tells us the difference between gaining clients with content vs. cold calling.
• We discuss some of the reasons why people don’t create content for their clients and how theses obstacles can be overcome.
• We discuss long form content versus social media.
• Greg gets suggestions on how he could create a Hemmings House newsletter.
• Michael tells us how gaining clients from content is similar to picking a family doctor.
• We also hear why it is important to have content that is consistent with your personality and point of view.
• We are reminded that most content is not for our peers but our clients and should be written as such.
• Greg is inspired to kick his company’s newsletter into high gear.
• Dave is reminded of how his newsletter has assisted his marketing in so many ways.

 

Links

- Blue Penguin Development Website 

- Michael on Linked In

- Michael on Twitter

 

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