What happens when a kid from Vancouver gets an HTML book, a computer lab, and a competitive streak that never shuts off?

In this episode, Norman sits down with Manny Bahia, entrepreneur, founder, operator, father, and co founder of Daily Hive, formerly Vancity Buzz. Manny shares how a side project built with friends in a basement grew into one of Canada’s most recognizable digital media brands, eventually being acquired by ZoomerMedia in 2022.

This conversation goes deep into entrepreneurship, digital media, AI, pressure, patience, fatherhood, and what it really feels like after a major business exit.

Manny talks about building Vancity Buzz from the early days of blogging, why content and community mattered more than chasing money too early, and how the rebrand to Daily Hive was both necessary and painful. He also shares the lessons learned from legacy media criticism, SEO losses, scaling a newsroom, and understanding how media shapes the way people think and feel.

The conversation also explores the future of AI, why the next edge may not just be better data, but understanding the humans reacting to it, and why human connection may become even more valuable as technology continues to evolve.

This episode is for founders, creators, entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone trying to build something meaningful while staying grounded in what matters most.

In this episode:

Manny’s early obsession with the internet and building websites

How Vancity Buzz started in a basement

Why content is still king

The rise of Daily Hive

The risk of rebranding and losing SEO momentum

What legacy media got wrong about digital media

How founders survive pressure and uncertainty

Why startups are like living organisms

The role of patience in business and life

What the Daily Hive acquisition actually felt like

Manny’s move into AI and human behaviour

Why people may crave more real connection in an AI driven world

How fatherhood changed the way Manny runs a company

Why the journey matters more than the exit

Guest

Manny Bahia

▶️ Instagram: @mannybahia_

▶️ LinkedIn: Manny Bahia

▶️ https://brilliantmedia.ai

Host

Host: Norman Burgos

▶️ @normanburgos_official

▶️ https://www.getalphafit.ca

▶️ @getalpha_athletics

Discounts & Partners

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Other Partners:

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Credits

🎬 Filmed by: Burkstreet Media www.burkstreet.com

🎼 Intro Song: There Must Be Discipline by Akira The Don x Jocko Willink

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