In this conversation, Tareq Hadhad shares his inspiring journey from Syria to Canada, detailing the challenges faced by his family as they fled war and rebuilt their lives through entrepreneurship.

He discusses the founding of Peace by Chocolate, emphasizing the importance of community support, the philosophy behind their brand, and the operational strategies that have led to their success.

Tareq highlights the significance of listening as a leader and the impact of their mission-driven approach on both their business and the community.

Key Takeaways

• Tareq Hadhad's family faced immense challenges as refugees from Syria
• Community support was crucial in establishing Peace by Chocolate
• The philosophy of peace is central to their brand identity
• Entrepreneurship provides freedom and a legacy for future generations
• Quality and ethical sourcing are priorities in their operations
• Success is measured by happiness and community impact, not just profits
• The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs
• Tareq emphasizes the importance of hiring smarter people to foster growth

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In this conversation, Karina Lagarrigue shares her experiences and insights on global mobility, multiculturalism, and the challenges faced by expatriates, particularly mothers. 

She discusses her research on sensory processing sensitivity and its implications for families undergoing relocation.

The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the emotional and psychological aspects of mobility, as well as the need for supportive environments to ensure successful adjustments for expatriates and their families.

Key Takeaways

• Karina identifies as a highly mobile, multicultural individual
• She moved 20 times before the age of 18, shaping her identity
• There is a growing community of expatriates due to increased global mobility
• Her research focuses on sensory processing sensitivity among expatriates
• 20-40% of expatriate assignments fail due to adaptability issues
• Mothers play a crucial role in the emotional dynamics of expatriate families
• Understanding the environment is key to supporting expatriates

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 In this conversation, Andrea Linsky, the Director of Emissions Neutral Buildings at Alberta EcoTrust, discusses her background, the mission of Alberta EcoTrust, and the importance of emissions neutral buildings.

She highlights the Emissions Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX) as a significant initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta's building sector.

Andrea shares insights on industry engagement, strategic planning, operational highlights, and the quantitative and qualitative results achieved through ENBIX.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and community engagement in driving sustainability efforts in Alberta.

Key Takeaways

• Andrea Linsky is the Director of Emissions Neutral Buildings at Alberta EcoTrust
• Alberta EcoTrust has been working for over 30 years to improve environmental sustainability
• The vision of Alberta EcoTrust is to create a thriving environment for people and nature
• Every building is unique and has its own story in terms of emissions reduction
• The Emissions Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX) is a key initiative for Alberta EcoTrust
• Industry engagement is crucial for the success of ENBIX
• Operational tools are being developed to assist builders in reducing emissions
• Quantitative results include numerous training sessions and events held across Alberta
• Building strong partnerships is essential for achieving sustainability goals

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 In this conversation, Janice Baskin, manager of the Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN), discusses her role in fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs and service providers in Edmonton's innovation ecosystem.

She highlights the importance of community engagement, the impact of strategic planning, and the operational activities that contribute to the growth and visibility of ERIN.

Janice emphasizes the need for unbiased collaboration and the removal of self-interest to achieve collective success in supporting startups and entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration among post-secondary institutions is a unique aspect of ERIN's approach
• Janice believes in community and giving back to foster success
• Visibility and accessibility are key metrics of success for ERIN
• Strategic planning involves engaging with the community and building relationships
• Operational activities include monthly events and community initiatives
• ERIN has seen significant growth in membership and grant distribution
• The organization focuses on unbiased collaboration without self-interest
• Community initiatives funded by ERIN have a positive impact on local startups
• Building trust takes time and is essential for long-term success

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In this conversation, Heather Fry, Director of Industry Training at Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), discusses the critical role of the transportation industry in combating human trafficking.

She shares insights on the realities of trafficking, the importance of education and awareness, and highlights success stories that demonstrate the impact of their training programs.

The conversation also delves into the strategies employed by TAT to engage transportation professionals, operational highlights, and the recognition of individuals making a difference in the fight against trafficking.

Key Takeaways

• Human trafficking is often misunderstood and it's often a homegrown problem
• Real-life success stories highlight the impact of training
• The transportation industry can be a valuable asset in combating human trafficking
• Bystander intervention can save lives
• TAT has trained over 2.3 million individuals since 2009
• Partnerships with companies like UPS enhance outreach efforts
• The Harriet Tubman Award recognizes significant contributions to the cause

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In this conversation, Sean Hoff, founder of Moniker, discusses the evolution of his company, which specializes in corporate retreats and team-building experiences.

He shares insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic forced the travel industry to adapt, leading Moniker to innovate with virtual experiences.

Sean emphasizes the importance of teamwork, leadership, and maintaining a positive attitude during challenging times, ultimately highlighting the success and growth of his business despite the obstacles faced.

Key Takeaways

• Sean Hoff founded Moniker to create memorable corporate retreats
• COVID-19 forced the travel industry to pivot to virtual experiences
• Moniker successfully adapted by offering engaging online team-building activities
• The company grew during the pandemic, hiring more staff to meet demand
• Team dynamics and leadership were crucial in navigating challenges
• Transparency and sharing wins helped boost team morale
• The importance of creativity and innovation in business adaptation
• Maintaining a strong company culture is vital for long-term success
• Listening to team members can lead to valuable solutions
• Success is measured not just in revenue, but in team cohesion and morale and the fact that the core team is still in tact 5 years after covid

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In this conversation, Kimberly Lyall shares her journey as a young CEO who faced a significant crisis when her finance manager embezzled funds, leading to a near-bankruptcy of her organization.

Through resilience, a focus on purpose, and community engagement, she was able to lead the rebuilding of the organization, turning it into a successful entity that thrived on trust and innovation.

Kimberly emphasizes the importance of understanding one's 'why', the value of relationships, and the necessity of self-care for leaders.

Key Takeaways

• Kimberly believes in the potential of every individual to impact the world
• Crisis can be a catalyst for growth and clarity in purpose
• Rebuilding trust is essential after a crisis
• Honestly engaging with your clients can provide valuable insights
• Operational changes should align with the organization's mission and values
• Taking risks can lead to innovative solutions
• Support from board members and family is crucial for senior leaders during tough times
• Self-care is important for sustainable leadership

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In this conversation, Cheryll Watson, CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta, discusses her journey as a community builder and leader.

She highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and financial literacy in addressing the decline of entrepreneurship in Canada.

Cheryll shares insights into the strategies and operations of Junior Achievement, emphasizing the role of mentorship and the impact of their programs on youth.

She also discusses the significance of team dynamics, employee engagement, and measuring success through KPIs and Net Promoter Scores, ultimately expressing her passion for making a difference in the lives of young people.

Key Takeaways

• Cheryll Watson is a community builder and CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta
• Entrepreneurship is declining in Canada which emphasizes a need for programs like Junior Achievement
• Junior Achievement focuses on financial literacy, entrepreneurship education, and work readiness
• Mentorship is a critical component of Junior Achievement's programming
• The Alberta Business Hall of Fame connects young entrepreneurs with established leaders
• Cheryll emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and employee engagement
• Junior Achievement delivers 42,000 learning experiences annually
• Net Promoter Score is one metric used to measure satisfaction among teachers and volunteers.
• Cheryll finds fulfillment in her role, stating it's the best job she's ever had

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonsheppard/

In this conversation, Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global, discusses the establishment and impact of the regional economic development organization.

He shares insights on the strategies employed to attract foreign direct investment, the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, and the operational components that have contributed to the organization's success.

Bruce emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to economic development and the long-term vision for the Edmonton Region.

Key Takeaways

• Edmonton Global aims to transform the region's economy through foreign direct investment and export support
• The establishment of Edmonton Global was a multi-year process involving collaboration among municipalities.
• A data-driven approach is essential for identifying globally competitive sectors
• Key sectors for investment include clean energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, health sciences, and global logistics
• Collaboration with local municipalities is crucial for identifying and supporting businesses.

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonsheppard/

In this conversation, James Keirstead shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing his experiences from founding Levven to navigating market challenges and achieving significant milestones, including a partnership with PulteGroup.

He emphasizes the importance of resilience, understanding customer value, and the collaborative efforts of his team in driving innovation and change in the smart home technology sector.

Key Takeaways

• James Keirstead is driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and community support
• His journey includes significant experiences in manufacturing and business development
• Levven focuses on innovative wireless control systems for homes
• The company faced challenges with market regulations and adoption of new technologies
• Partnership with PulteGroup marks a significant validation of Levven's business model
• Change management is crucial for introducing new technologies to traditional industries
• Building relationships with contractors and builders is essential for success
• Iterative growth and learning from setbacks are key to long-term success

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonsheppard/