How to make it in Toronto

In this weeks 3 tips for success on How to Make it in Toronto, we break down the top 3 success principles every modern entrepreneur needs to grow their brand, increase visibility, and turn their vision into real results. Whether you’re building a business, scaling your career, or trying to stand out in a noisy world, these three strategies will help you get seen, get trusted, and get ahead.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build a personal brand that attracts opportunities

• Stay consistent and disciplined even when things feel hard

• Create community and connection that leads to growth, influence, and income

This week's 3 tips for success is all about mindset, momentum, and actionable frameworks you can start using today. If you’re committed to becoming the best version of yourself and making an impact, this one is for you.

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, Karl sits down with Doug Crowe — bestselling author, publisher, and media insider whose company Author Your Brand has helped over 500 authors hit #1 on Amazon.

Doug shares how he went from Northwestern graduate and Dale Carnegie award winner to working with C-suite executives from Apple, NASA, P&G, Louis Vuitton, and the NFL, helping them turn their experience into bestselling books and personal brands that open doors.

They dive deep into the power of storytelling, how Doug overcame personal and professional challenges, and the insider secrets behind building an authentic brand that converts influence into impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your story stand out in a crowded world, this episode is your blueprint. Doug also offers a free 20-minute storytelling assessment for our listeners — details inside the episode.

🎧 Tune in now to discover how to transform your journey into a story the world can’t forget.

📍 Connect with Doug:

• dougcrowe.com

• authoryourbrand.com

🎁 BONUS for our listeners:

Doug is offering a  20-minute storytelling assessment — email him at [email protected] and enter "KARL" in the subject line to get started.

What does it take to turn a borrowed $85,000 and a struggling FM radio station into one of Canada’s largest telecommunications empires?

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, we dive deep into the remarkable story of Ted Rogers, the visionary founder of Rogers Communications.

From humble beginnings and early failures to bold risks and relentless innovation, Ted’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, foresight, and belief in one’s vision. Learn how his background in law helped him navigate complex industries, how he transformed challenges into opportunities, and the key resources and principles that fueled his rise.

If you’re an entrepreneur, business professional, or creative chasing success against the odds — this story will remind you that innovation, persistence, and passion can rewrite your destiny.

🎧 Listen if you want to learn:

• How Ted Rogers turned vision into reality

• The power of resilience in entrepreneurship

• What makes a true innovator stand out

• How to grow from failure to empire

In this success story on How to Make it in Toronto, we dive into the fascinating success story of Ozempic, the revolutionary drug developed by Novo Nordisk that has transformed the worlds of diabetes care and weight management.

We explore how this once niche pharmaceutical innovation became a global health and business success, reshaping lives, sparking conversations about wellness, and turning into one of the most in-demand medications on the planet.

You’ll learn how Ozempic was created, the science behind its effectiveness, the challenges Novo Nordisk faced, and how it became a cultural and commercial powerhouse across Canada and beyond. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, health professional, or someone interested in innovation and global impact—this episode offers valuable insight into how strategy, science, and timing can redefine success.

AI can transform your business—if you choose the right tool. In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, I share 3 key tips every entrepreneur & professional should know before adopting AI.

🎧 Tune in now!

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, host Karl sits down with Leandro Cartelli, CEO and Co-Founder of Lana Talent. With 15+ years of experience leading Talent Acquisition at global companies like Accenture, Boehringer Ingelheim, PedidosYa, and DeliveryHero, Leandro has built a career on connecting businesses with top talent.

Now, through Lana Talent, he helps growing companies find the right people who not only perform but also align with culture and values.

Leandro shares his unique approach to hiring — blending strategy, data, and a human touch — while breaking down what startups and scaling businesses need to know to attract, retain, and empower top-tier talent. If you’re building a team or preparing for growth, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

👉 Follow
🔗 LinkedIn: Leandero Cartelli
📸 Instagram: Lana Talent
💻Connect: lanatalent.com

In this episode of How to Make It in Toronto, we sit down with Robin Nathaniel — TEDx speaker, author, award-winning media strategist, and founder of GPS, LLC. With accolades like the Telly Award Gold and the Midi Money Major Award, Robin has built a career working with global brands like vidIQ, DIESEL, NBC Universal, and Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning talent.

We explore Robin's journey from media studies in New York to hosting major podcasts on the Bleav Network and 19 Media Group, and how he blends creativity with strategy to help creators thrive in today’s digital world. He also shares insights into AI’s role in content creation, personal branding, and what it really takes to build meaningful influence online.

Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or aspiring strategist — this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

Get a copy of Social Media Sync 📚

Here’s what you’ll learn inside:

→ How to build authentic digital connections

→ How to create content that’s algorithm-proof

→ How to show up like a human in the age of AI

👉 Follow:

🔗 LinkedIn: Robin Nathaniel

📸 Instagram: robbinmarx

▶️ YouTube: @LandTheTalk
💻Connect: robbinmarx.substack.com

In this episode, we sit down with Al Zdenek — Founder and Executive Chair of Cake Club, a celebrated financial planning leader, and author of two acclaimed Forbes books. Al shares his remarkable journey from building and exiting a highly successful financial firm to overcoming bankruptcy and emerging stronger than ever.He breaks down practical strategies for wealth management, the essentials of sound financial planning, and his mission to help people live fully in the present while securing their future. Al’s decades of experience and genuine passion for helping others achieve financial freedom make this a must-listen conversation.If you’re ready to learn how to build, protect, and enjoy your wealth — and get inspired by a story of resilience and success — this episode is for you.👉 Follow Cakeclub™:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
▶️ YouTube

Tune in now on all major platforms!

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, we sit down with John Long, the CEO of Thynk AI, to explore his incredible journey from the HVAC and Real Estate industry to leading one of the most forward-thinking AI platforms in tech.John shares how he made a career change, and what inspired him to launch Thynk AI — a company transforming how hotels and resorts leverage data and artificial intelligence.We dive deep into:His shift from HVAC entrepreneur to tech entrepreneurshipHow to simplify complex technology to solve real business problemsThe leadership lessons that helped him scale across industriesThe role of resilience, optimism, and family in long-term successWhether you're a founder, creative, or professional exploring new paths, John’s story will inspire you to think bigger and take bold steps toward your goals.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and everywhere you stream podcasts.

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, we sit down with Steven Puri — a true renaissance entrepreneur whose journey takes us from software engineering at USC to winning an Academy Award for Independence Day, to overseeing Hollywood blockbusters like Die Hard, The Wolverine, and 24 at major studios like 20th Century FOX and DreamWorks.

Steven shares the three core themes we focus on in this podcast:

1. How he got started

2. How he overcomes failure and keeps going

3. The resources and mindsets that help him thrive

We dive into the creation of his first business, Centropolis Effects, a CGI powerhouse that helped shape modern film and was acquired for $15 million. But Steven’s journey didn’t stop there. After experiencing the highs of executive life in Hollywood, he returned to entrepreneurship — and faced failure head-on. In this episode, he unpacks what those failures taught him, how to take accountability, and the power of persistence.

Today, Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company, a platform that helps remote workers overcome procrastination and distraction, so they can stay focused, energized, and connected. He shares how Sukha is transforming the way we approach work — not just with tools, but with a supportive community.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to turn setbacks into stepping stones

• What all successful people understand about failure

• The habits and tools that high performers use to manage time and energy

• How to lead teams with empathy and clarity

• The essential entrepreneurial skills: knowing your customer, solving real problems, and listening deeply

Steven also shares his go-to productivity tools (his calendar + Google Tasks), tips for building great companies, and leadership insights that every founder and creative should hear.

🎧 This is truly one of our best episodes yet — packed with wisdom, actionable advice, and an inspiring story of reinvention. Whether you're building a business, pivoting careers, or just looking for a motivational reset, this episode is for you.

Connect with Steven Puri:
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn: Steven Puri

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.