Finding Your True North

In this episode of Follow Your True North, host Paul Gill sits down with Édouard Vilver, a software engineer turned founder, to explore how purpose, legacy, and automation can transform both a life and a business.

Édouard shares how COVID became the unexpected catalyst that pushed him from a stable career (including years at the National Bank of Canada) into entrepreneurship—after seeing friends and community businesses struggle without an online presence. What started as pro-bono help (websites, calendars, emails, basic systems) evolved into Meriaky, a company built to help solopreneurs and small businesses save time, scale faster, and create impact through automation and AI.

At the heart of Édouard’s “True North” is one word: Legacy—a principle forged at his grandmother’s funeral, where he witnessed firsthand what it looks like to leave an imprint on hundreds of lives. This conversation is a deep reminder that building something meaningful requires both heart and strategy: passion, vision, and measurable execution.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Édouard’s journey: France → Montreal → founder life

• How COVID revealed a gap in small business infrastructure

• What Meriaky does: automation that frees up time and increases capacity

• Why “time is the entrepreneur’s most valuable asset”

• The moment Édouard realized he needed to become “selfish” with his growth

• Building confidence: communication, leadership, and personal development

• Advice for entrepreneurs: Passion + Vision + Scientist mindset (data + iteration)

• The real meaning of balance: daily tradeoffs and intentional sacrifices

• Leveraging partnerships and team-building to move faster

• Why legacy is built through consistent choices, not luck

📣 Call to Action

If this episode encouraged you:✅ Subscribe to Follow Your True North⭐ Leave a review📤 Share it with an entrepreneur who needs clarity, systems, or inspiration

Until next time—keep pursuing your True North.

In this episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill sits down with Dean Jensen, CEO of SoFlo Acquisitions, for a powerful conversation on faith, service, entrepreneurship, and redefining private equity with conscience.

Dean shares his personal journey—from growing up sailing through literal storms on the open ocean to navigating the figurative storms of business, family life, and leadership. At the heart of the conversation is a bold mission: protecting Main Street workers from destructive private equity practices by acquiring HVAC companies and transitioning them into employee-owned businesses through ESOPs.

This episode explores what it truly means to lead with service, why passion should follow skill (not the other way around), how to manage chaos without losing clarity, and why success is built through consistency, discipline, and long-term vision—not overnight wins.

If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or leader searching for alignment between profit, purpose, and people, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• What “True North” means for entrepreneurs and leaders

• Faith, family, and service as foundational principles

• Why traditional private equity often fails Main Street

• How ESOPs empower employees and preserve legacy

• Passion vs. skill: redefining career and business advice

• Delegation, leverage, and scaling without burnout

• The myth of work-life balance vs. real time management

• Staying calm under pressure and making decisions in crisis

• Why success requires mastering the “boring” daily work

• Raising capital with both returns and social conscience

📣 Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you: ✅ Subscribe to Finding Your True North

⭐ Leave a review

📤 Share this episode with someone building a business—or a life—rooted in purpose

Until next time, keep pursuing your True North.

In this powerful episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill sits down with Rozbeh Sororian, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MW Law and a wellness advocate guiding high-achievers toward lasting balance. Rozbeh shares his journey from software sales to private equity law—and how burnout and bold self-awareness shaped his personal philosophy of harmonizing hustle with health.

You’ll learn why becoming the dream matters more than chasing it, how systems create sustainable success, and why spiritual grounding and physical wellness are non-negotiable for true leadership. Whether you're building your career or rebuilding your center, this conversation will inspire you to lead from alignment, not ego.

Topics Covered:

• Merging high-performance with mindful living

• Building a life (and network) of value

• Daily practices to stay spiritually and physically aligned

• Communication and storytelling as entrepreneurial superpowers

• Navigating burnout and rediscovering purpose

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Roozbeh Sarurian

00:57 Roozbeh's Journey and Career Path

04:23 Defining True North: Spirituality and Health

08:34 Overcoming Burnout and Finding Balance

11:22 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Spirituality and Execution

15:58 Balancing Long-Term Vision with Short-Term Demands

20:18 Future Aspirations and Merging Wellness with Success

🎧 Listen now—and reconnect with the habits and heart behind your own True North.

In this episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill interviews Mark Beal, founder and CEO of Second Chance Homes. Mark shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur in real estate. He discusses the importance of mindset, financial literacy, and the transformative power of setting clear goals. Mark emphasizes the significance of legacy and the impact one can have on others, while also providing valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of balancing personal and professional life, as well as the continuous pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.

Takeaways

• Mindset is crucial for success in life and business.
• Financial literacy is essential for making informed decisions.
• Real estate can be a low-barrier entry point for wealth building.
• Setting specific goals helps in achieving desired outcomes.
• Legacy is a driving force behind entrepreneurial efforts.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.
• Balancing family and work is a non-negotiable priority.
• Delegation is important, but some roles cannot be delegated.
• Focus on solutions rather than problems to achieve goals.
• Discipline and self-control are vital for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Mark Beal's Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success

05:54 The Shift to Real Estate: Discovering New Opportunities

11:22 Finding Purpose: Aligning Business with Personal Values

16:48 Vision Mapping: Setting Goals for Success

22:07 True North: Defining Personal and Professional Purpose

27:42 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Embracing Growth and Resilience

29:44 The Importance of Family and Legacy

33:25 Navigating the Real Estate Landscape

37:11 The Journey of Continuous Learning and Growth

42:42 Discipline and Self-Control in Entrepreneurship

45:41 Connecting and Collaborating for Success

In this episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill interviews Damaris Mejia, founder and CEO of Value Healthcare and DDM Global Holdings. Damaris shares her journey from a young educator to a successful business mentor, emphasizing the importance of finding one's purpose and true north. She discusses the challenges of navigating life and business, the significance of emotional intelligence, and the role of creativity in entrepreneurship. Damaris also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights her commitment to community service and education.

Takeaways

• Damaris has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring.
• Her journey into business was influenced by her family's entrepreneurial background.
• Finding purpose is crucial for fulfillment in work and life.
• Positive thinking can help navigate difficult situations.
• Emotional intelligence is key to effective leadership and teamwork.
• Creativity is essential for business success in the age of AI.
• Continuous learning is vital for personal and professional growth.
• Understanding different personalities improves communication and teamwork.
• Damaris aims to connect mentors with young people to guide them.
• Community service and education are central to Damaris' mission.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Damaris Mejia

02:56 Damaris's Journey to Entrepreneurship

07:57 Finding Purpose and Spirituality

12:03 Navigating Life's Challenges

18:11 Advice for Entrepreneurs

25:52 Mastering Emotions and Team Dynamics

30:57 Future Aspirations and Mentorship

In this episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill interviews Anthony Brown, founder and CEO of Griot Water and Synergy Heals. They discuss Anthony's journey from a medical interpreter to a social entrepreneur focused on providing clean water to vulnerable communities. Anthony shares his guiding principles, the challenges he faced, and the importance of aligning business with a greater purpose. He offers advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizes the need for balance in life, and reveals his future plans with Griot Water, a project aimed at making a global impact.

Takeaways

Anthony's journey began with a passion for helping others.

Synergy Heals aims to provide clean water to vulnerable communities.

True north is about serving humanity and raising consciousness.

Challenges can lead to new opportunities and missions.

Entrepreneurs should focus on what makes them happy, not just money.

Balance in life is essential but often elusive for entrepreneurs.

ADHD can be managed with the right strategies and support.

Future projects like Griot Water aim to impact millions.

Investing in social causes can offer tax incentives.

Pursuing one's true north is a lifelong journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anthony Brown and His Ventures

02:47 The Journey to Synergy Heals

05:11 Finding Your True North

07:26 Realigning with Purpose

09:54 Advice for Entrepreneurs

12:25 Balancing Family and Work

14:49 Health and Wellness Insights

17:06 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the True North Podcast, host Paul Gill interviews Tameka Bryant, CEO of Trade, who shares her inspiring journey from a young grant writer to a successful entrepreneur in the real estate sector. Tameka discusses her guiding principles, the importance of giving back, and the challenges she faces as an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the need for trust in one's hustle and the significance of balancing long-term goals with immediate demands. The conversation also touches on Tameka's future projects, including a hotel development in the Dominican Republic, and concludes with a lightning round of quick insights.

Takeaways

Finding your true north is essential for success.

Tameka started her journey in the nonprofit sector at a young age.

She wrote her first grant application at 16, securing $500,000.

Giving back to the community is a core principle for Tameka.

Trusting your own hustle is crucial for entrepreneurs.

Investors look for confidence in potential partners.

Time blocking helps manage distractions and maintain focus.

Developing projects overseas presents unique challenges.

Balancing long-term vision with short-term demands is key.

Personal connections and family support are vital in entrepreneurship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tamika Bryant

03:10 Tamika's Journey and Background

05:53 The Birth of Trade International

08:38 Guiding Principles and True North

11:26 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

14:31 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

17:13 Future Plans and Projects

19:47 Lightning Round and Personal Insights

In this episode of Funding Your True North, host Paul Gill engages with entrepreneur and creative visionary Mikael Woodward. They explore Mikael's journey through challenges, his entrepreneurial ventures, and the importance of faith and mentorship in guiding business decisions. Mikael shares personal stories of overcoming adversity, the significance of creating rather than consuming, and the spiritual aspects of entrepreneurship. The conversation emphasizes the need for resilience, the understanding of money as energy, and the value of connection in both personal and professional realms.

Takeaways

• Obstacles are not in the way; they are the way.
• Embrace challenges to grow stronger.
• Faith can guide business decisions and personal life.
• Creating more than consuming leads to happiness.
• Positive affirmations can reprogram your mindset.
• Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Balancing long-term vision with short-term demands is key.
• Communication is vital in both business and personal relationships.
• Money is energy and can be used for good.
• Connection with people is the essence of business.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Funding Your True North
• 00:00:19 Miykael's Entrepreneurial Journey
• 00:00:47 The Philosophy of Obstacles
• 00:01:43 Business Ventures and Vision
• 00:04:29 Defining Moments and True North
• 00:09:03 Guiding Principles and Faith
• 00:12:54 Overcoming Challenges
• 00:21:51 Balancing Vision and Demands
• 00:29:28 Advice for Entrepreneurs

In this powerful episode of Finding Your True North, host Paul Gill sits down with Rozbeh Sororian, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MW Law and a wellness advocate guiding high-achievers toward lasting balance. Rozbeh shares his journey from software sales to private equity law—and how burnout and bold self-awareness shaped his personal philosophy of harmonizing hustle with health.

You’ll learn why becoming the dream matters more than chasing it, how systems create sustainable success, and why spiritual grounding and physical wellness are non-negotiable for true leadership. Whether you're building your career or rebuilding your center, this conversation will inspire you to lead from alignment, not ego.

Topics Covered:

• Merging high-performance with mindful living

• Building a life (and network) of value

• Daily practices to stay spiritually and physically aligned

• Communication and storytelling as entrepreneurial superpowers

• Navigating burnout and rediscovering purpose

🎧 Listen now—and reconnect with the habits and heart behind your own True North.