In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Trevor sits down with Brian Budd, a seasoned entrepreneur whose path has taken him from high-level software sales into the volatile world of capital markets and mining, and later into the healthcare-focused fitness industry. Brian shares his journey with raw honesty, reflecting on what it meant to walk away from a secure corporate job to pursue something less certain but far more meaningful.

He talks about the steep learning curves of investor relations, raising capital for non-revenue-generating ventures, and the relentless pursuit of building something from the ground up. When COVID hit, Brian's medical fitness business, built to help people with chronic illness, was just about to break even. The pandemic forced closures, caused massive financial loss, and ultimately led to selling his home and starting over in his 50s.

What makes Brian’s story powerful isn’t just the setbacks; it’s the strength he found in his family, the lessons learned through failure, and the humility he carries forward into his current career in real estate. This episode is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of vulnerability.

You can find Brian right here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmbudd/

This episode was hosted by Trevor Koot. Editing and Production was done by Alex Harris. 

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Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

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Entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a business idea—it’s about recognizing a problem and stepping up to solve it. In this BFH Highlights episode, we dive into my conversation with Bailey Parnell, founder of Skills Camp and expert in leadership development.

Bailey discusses how she discovered a major gap in soft skills education and turned it into a business. She shares a tough conflict-of-interest conversation she had while balancing her job and startup and how a powerful mindset shift helped her reframe risk and take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. On the topic of leadership, Bailey identifies why leadership isn’t just about skill—it’s about people and how AI is shaping the future of leadership and emotional intelligence.

There is a lot in this episode, even as just highlights.

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In this powerful episode, Tyler Boyd shares his raw and deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From launching his first business at 12 years old, running an excavation company with over 100 employees, and nearly losing everything overnight when his bank unexpectedly pulled his line of credit—Tyler’s story is one of resilience, grit, and hard-earned wisdom.

He opens up about the emotional toll of failure, the public scrutiny he faced, and the painful responsibility of laying off employees. But through it all, Tyler fought back. With no credit and few resources, he rebuilt from the ground up, launching Bowline Logistics, which has since grown to nearly 80 employees and 40+ trucks on the road.

Now, Tyler prioritizes purpose over profit, focusing on his team, his family, and using his experiences to mentor struggling entrepreneurs. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, learning from failure, and redefining success beyond just business growth.

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Leaving a high-paying corporate job to start your own business is terrifying—but for Anna Solnickova, it was the best decision she ever made. In this BFH Highlights episode, we revisit my conversation with Anna, a fractional CFO who took a leap of faith, built a thriving business, and now helps other entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions.

Anna shares:
✅ The soul-searching process that led to her career pivot
✅ The financial reality of entrepreneurship—going from six figures to zero
✅ Why chasing revenue without profitability is a dangerous trap
✅ The role of relationships in long-term business success
✅ How companies struggle with (and can improve) DEI and workplace culture

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Growing up amidst the wide-open fields of southern Saskatchewan, Alex Miller learned the tenets of hard work early on but soon realized that his future lay far from the farm. Alex's journey took an unexpected turn when he ventured into engineering, only to discover a lack of passion for it—a revelation that ultimately led him to the vibrant world of real estate. The essence of entrepreneurship comes alive through Alex’s story: a blend of strategic planning and rapid action, all fueled by perseverance and a robust work ethic. He reflects on how each setback served as a learning opportunity, enriching his path with experiences that would shape his approach to business and community building.

Alex’s passion for modular construction and affordable housing unfolds as a fascinating tale of purpose-driven innovation. From the early struggles of economic downturns to redefining his business through strategic partnerships, Alex shares how he and his team navigated through challenges to make a meaningful impact on their community. The episode captures the poignant moments of collaboration with the Métis community for an elders lodge and the invaluable lessons in leadership that followed. 

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In this BFH Highlights episode, Trevor sits down with Sharad Khare, a creative entrepreneur who turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business. Sharad shares how he navigated a major career pivot during the 2008 financial crisis, overcame self-doubt with the help of mentors, and built a purpose-driven business that has allowed him to document some of the most fascinating people in the world—including global icons like the Dalai Lama. Packed with lessons on authenticity, resilience, and the power of relationships, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to turn their passion into a meaningful career. 

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Mike Rowlands shares his journey from an "accidental entrepreneur" to a trailblazer in social purpose-driven business development. With wisdom earned through two decades of triumphs and challenges, Mike dives into why relationships are the foundation of success, how values-based branding can future-proof a business, and why companies must look beyond profits to make a real impact. Whether you're running a corner store or chasing unicorn status, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink what business can—and should—be. 

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This is Business is Fcking Hard with special guest host, Jeff King (he insisted we say that). On this episode we are flipping the script. Jeff steps in to interview podcast host, Trevor Koot. Trevor shares his business journey from starting companies that didn't do anything to growing companies too quickly. We hear about how Trevor's strategy of "I'm sure it'll all be fine" has made the business journey harder than it needed to be. Lots of lessons in this episode, but mainly, do your homework.

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Dive into the inspiring journey of Teresa Grobecker, a trailblazing entrepreneur and innovator. Teresa shares how she turned a “placeholder hobby” into a thriving real estate brokerage while balancing family life and navigating the challenges of leadership. She opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the importance of building a support network, and her honest take on the potential—and pitfalls—of blockchain technology. Packed with valuable lessons, Teresa’s story highlights the power of resilience, adaptability, and staying true to your purpose, even in high-pressure situations. 

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Karri Green-Schuermans, co-owner of Vancouver’s iconic Chambar restaurant, joins us to reveal the gritty realities of the restaurant business. From the power of adaptability to the ripple effects of economic shifts, Karri shares how she’s kept her doors open—and her values intact—in one of the toughest industries around. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves food, resilience, and community. 

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