Hustle & Grind

Chalkboards to Boardrooms: The Courage to Start, The Wisdom to Exit

Today on the Hustle & Grind Podcast, we're joined by an entrepreneur whose journey has taken her from the classroom to the boardroom.

Erika Oakes is the co-founder of Os & Oakes, the London-based retail and e-commerce brand she built alongside her brother from a simple idea into a well-known and beloved business. What started as an online children's clothing company grew into a thriving brand with a loyal community, a retail storefront, and a powerful online presence before eventually leading to a successful exit.

But Erika's story started long before entrepreneurship. She began her career as a teacher, helping students learn and grow before discovering her own passion for building businesses. That entrepreneurial path eventually led her to the startup and innovation ecosystem, where she now helps founders navigate their own journeys through her leadership role at TechAlliance, supporting entrepreneurs and startups across Southwestern Ontario.

In this episode, we dive into the realities of building a brand from scratch, what it's really like working alongside family, the lessons learned through scaling and selling a company, and how her experience as both an entrepreneur and mentor has shaped her perspective on business today.

Please welcome Erika Oakes

Baseball, Bins, and Being Kind

Cleveland Brownlee didn’t just arrive in London, Ontario — he built a legacy here. From an Atlanta kid grinding through Division II baseball, to hitting 13 bombs at an open tryout, to becoming one of the most recognizable community leaders in the city… this story is wild.

What starts as a baseball journey quickly turns into something bigger: mindset, service, resilience, and the long‑game discipline most entrepreneurs never master. Cleveland breaks down the self‑talk that carried him through failure, the “office mindset” he brings into the batter’s box, and the Lil Wayne lyric that became his personal mantra.

But the real twist? Baseball didn’t just shape his identity — it opened the door to his entire business career. A fundraiser, a chance meeting, and a promise from a local CEO changed the trajectory of his life. And instead of chasing the big leagues, Cleveland built his own version of them right here in London.

This episode hits on everything: community leadership, purpose‑driven business, work‑life balance, and why helping others — even when nobody’s watching — is the ultimate competitive advantage. If you’re building something, leading something, or trying to become someone… this conversation is a must‑listen.

Today on the show we’re talking with a true service-industry staple: Marty Salliss, the owner and driving force behind Salliss Plumbing & Heating — a London, Ontario business that’s been keeping taps running and furnaces firing for over two decades.

Since launching back in 2001, Marty has grown Salliss Plumbing & Heating into one of the most trusted names in plumbing, HVAC and emergency repair in the region, with a reputation for showing up, doing the work right, and treating every customer like they matter.

In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to run a hands-on trades business in a competitive market, how customer service and honesty have shaped his company culture, and why thinking differently — even about something as mundane as a service van — can lead to big gains. We also learn something very interesting about Marty that many may not know - his community service as an Auxiliary Member of the OPP is next level!

Stick around — Marty brings practical wisdom, real-world grit, and a little unexpected tech to the table.

We are so excited to have Sabina Manji on the pod!!!

Sabina, is the editor and publisher of The Mom & Caregiver in London, Ont. She is also host of the Really Authentic Women RAW Podcast, the podcast for Really Authentic Women & Men alike!

A lifelong Londoner, an irrepressible entrepreneur, and also a committed volunteer with Lexus of London Golf Classic, her infectious energy and engaging personality has always been in her heart to give and support others❤️.

Get ready for a great dose of positivity and motivation!!

In this solo episode, Ryan gets real about the parts of entrepreneurship most people never talk about. He shares the messy, non‑linear path from corporate life to running his own marketing agency — including building a business around himself (“I built a company around me… and I couldn’t scale”), losing a friendship over a failed app, and realizing that passion without market demand is “just an expensive hobby.” This is the raw, unfiltered version of entrepreneurship you won’t find on Instagram.

Jay Gray owns Forest City Auto Glass with his wife Elena, an innovative business that is disrupting their industry in a big way!

However, Jay started his career quickly accelerating to executive roles with some of the top Fortune 500 corporate companies! And also, Ryan and Jay both worked corporately together decades ago. . .talking to each other here after not seeing each other for over 10 years! In this fascinating episode, Ryan talks to Jay about his incredible journey from Corporate Rock Star to Innovative Business Owner. . .who is building an auto glass empire!!

What does it take to leave a "safe" career. Is it really safe working for someone? Or can you do just as well grinding and working for yourself? What is the formula for success in any business? We explore with Jay, his blueprint for growth and success.

Creating lasting relationships with customers, that is built on the foundation of trust! Doing things that support your business model, but that you may not realize. Creating important collaborations with other businesses, that are WIN/WIN scenarios, that help push your business to another level. . .and so much more!

Jay is a mastermind in business growth - no matter what business that is! This episode is jam-packed with amazing business tips!!

Check It out!!!

This one’s special. Ryan sits down with three of his business partners — Eric, Cassandra, and Joel — to break down how they accidentally built one of the fastest‑growing roller hockey communities in Canada: Roller Hockey London.

What started as a side‑hustle passion project has turned into an 8‑year movement with hundreds of families, a thriving youth program, international opportunities, and a culture that feels more like a festival than a sports league.

In this episode, the crew gets into:

It’s part entrepreneurship, part sports nerdery, part “build cool stuff with people you like.”

Redefining London Events: The Mobile Bar Mogul’s Story

From corporate grind to mobile bar mogul — Joel Richer breaks down the real challenges and rewards of stepping into entrepreneurship. Hear how he and his crew are redefining events in London with curated festivals, creative networking, and a fresh approach to community building.

Bulles et Bieres website

When Gary Brown of KEMBRO Design Studio mentioned Bob Vila (the most trusted man in home improvement and tv legend) in the first minute of this episode, we knew this was going to be a banger!!!👊👍

What a blast we had with Gary on this episode! This guy has done it all, and we were fascinated with his in-depth knowledge, attention to detail and customer first approach!

From starting on the ground level delivering materials and building entrance ways, to working at COPP'S Buildall, learning front line customer service, then working at WINMAR and learning everything that has to do with restoration.

Gary started his renovation company as a lone wolf, then met his current business partner, and the two of them have created KEMBRO Design Studio!

From the intricacies of running a renovation business to creating a true customer first approach - this man takes what any homeowner dreams up, and makes it a reality. . .the Bob Vila of London?

We also say the Dreamweaver of London!! Sit back and enjoy our conversation with the nicest guy around in the renovation industry, Gary Brown!!

From Bottled Water MLMs to Retail Burnout! Ryan and Scott revisit their craziest business attempts: bottled water MLM pitches, retail stores bleeding cash, and the rise of social shopping. They give each model a grade and share the lessons every new entrepreneur needs before diving in.

**Audio fixed - Stereo enabled**