It's Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast

In this insightful episode of It's Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon DeKoning welcomes Sam Shar, CEO of Trendsetters Consulting, to discuss the realities of business leadership, digital transformation, and navigating today's rapidly evolving technology landscape. Sam shares his unexpected transition from a successful career in luxury real estate to taking over his father's technology consulting company following his passing. Faced with the challenge of leading an established business in an unfamiliar industry, Sam focused on strengthening client relationships, modernizing operations, and building trust with employees. His experience highlights the importance of adaptability, hands-on leadership, and maintaining meaningful personal connections, even in an increasingly digital world.

Sharon and Sam dive into what digital transformation actually means for business owners and why implementing new technology isn't always the answer. From choosing the right CRM to introducing artificial intelligence into everyday operations, Sam emphasizes that technology should solve a specific problem, improve efficiency, or deliver measurable results. They discuss the growing excitement surrounding AI, the risks of adopting tools simply because they're trending, and the importance of proper training and employee adoption. Sharon shares real-world examples from It's Time Promotions, including developing custom software to connect multiple locations and exploring AI to streamline quoting and research. Together, they explore why identifying business bottlenecks, testing solutions, and measuring return on investment are essential steps toward successful innovation.

The conversation also explores the difference between having a great business idea and successfully executing it. Sam explains why introducing change in manageable phases, gathering employee feedback, and tracking key performance indicators can make the difference between a successful implementation and an expensive mistake. They also discuss business growth, outside investment, mergers and acquisitions, and the trade-offs entrepreneurs face when considering external funding. Whether you're exploring AI, investing in new software, improving internal processes, or looking for ways to grow your business, this episode offers practical insights into making smarter decisions, embracing change, and ensuring that every investment contributes to long-term success.

About Sam Shar

Sam Shar is an entrepreneur, technology executive, advisor, and investor who serves as CEO of Trendsetters Consulting, a technology consulting company founded by his father more than 30 years ago. Before entering the technology industry, Sam built a successful career in luxury real estate in Beverly Hills. Following his father's passing, he stepped into leadership of the family business, navigating the challenges of learning a new industry while maintaining established client relationships and guiding the company through its next chapter of growth.

Today, Sam leads Trendsetters Consulting with a focus on technology strategy, digital transformation, infrastructure, project management, business analysis, and operational execution. His approach emphasizes understanding each client's unique business needs before recommending technology investments. With a strong belief in relationship-driven leadership, thoughtful innovation, and measurable business outcomes, Sam helps organizations navigate complex technology decisions while keeping efficiency, profitability, and long-term success at the forefront.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• ChatGPT – Artificial intelligence tools for research, productivity, and business applications
• Claude – AI assistant for research, analysis, and business tasks
• Apple Intelligence – AI capabilities integrated into Apple devices
• Waymo – Autonomous vehicle technology
• Tesla – Autonomous driving and robotaxi technology
• Coinbase – Cryptocurrency trading and investment platform
• QuickBooks Online – Cloud-based accounting software
• YouTube – Online tutorials and educational resources

Key Moments:

• 01:39 From Luxury Real Estate to Leading the Family Business
• 04:43 Taking Over a Business: Leadership, Change, and Growth
• 07:30 Why Face-to-Face Relationships Still Matter in Business
• 09:31 Digital Transformation: Solving Problems, Not Just Buying Technology
• 14:49 Choosing the Right Technology Without Wasting Money
• 19:45 Beyond the AI Hype: Finding Real Business Value
• 21:07 Measuring ROI: Is Your Technology Investment Paying Off?
• 39:38 Outside Investors, Mergers, and Maintaining Business Control
• 40:51 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Learning from Business Challenges
• 50:49 How Trendsetters Consulting Helps Businesses Grow

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Sam Shar | Trendsetters Consulting: 

• Website: tsci.net 
• Instagram: _sam_shar_ 
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: Sam Shar TSCI

This week, we're sharing a previous episode featuring Lissa Daub for everyone's enjoyment. Revisiting past insights matters as we move forward. 

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Sharon sits down with Lissa Daub, founder of Strong Impact Academy, certified Value Builder and Business Freedom Strategist, to unpack what makes a business truly valuable—not just profitable. Lissa shares how many entrepreneurs unknowingly fall into the “owner’s trap,” where the business becomes so dependent on them that they can never fully step away. Together, Sharon and Lissa explain why building with the end in mind matters whether you plan to sell in three years or thirty.

Throughout the conversation, Lissa breaks down the key drivers behind a sellable business, including recurring revenue, customer diversification, reduced owner dependence, customer satisfaction, strong reputation, and clear differentiation in the marketplace. They talk about why knowing your sellability score matters, how Google reviews and customer surveys can impact business value, and why waiting until you are ready to sell is often too late to start thinking strategically.

This episode is filled with valuable takeaways for business owners who are tired of being the bottleneck in their company and want to create a healthier, more sustainable business. If you have ever felt like you built yourself a job instead of a business, this conversation will challenge your thinking and give you actionable ideas to start building a business that creates freedom, not burnout.

About Lissa Daub

Lissa Daub is the founder of Strong Impact Academy. As a certified Value Builder and Business Freedom Strategist, she helps entrepreneurs build businesses that are both profitable and sellable. Her work is rooted in personal experience, having grown up in a family business and later witnessing her parents sell their businesses after decades of hard work with little financial return. That experience shaped her mission to help owners create real value from the years they invest in their companies.

Today, Lissa works with ambitious business owners across Canada and beyond to help them understand what their business is worth, improve the key drivers of business value, and reduce the risks that can hold them back from growth or future sale. Her approach combines strategy, education, and practical tools that help entrepreneurs move from owning a job to owning an asset.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Lissa Daub | Strong Impact Academy

• Website: Strong Impact Academy
• LinkedIn: Strong Impact Academy
• LinkedIn: Lissa Daub
• Instagram
• Facebook
  
  

Mental health challenges aren’t always obvious. Sometimes the people carrying the heaviest load are still your highest performers. In this episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, Sharon DeKoning sits down with Matt Martens to talk about burnout, workplace mental health, resilience, and how business owners and leaders can recognize when someone may be struggling. Drawing from his years in oil and gas, leadership experience, personal journey, and work as a facilitator with Empowering Minds, Matt shares why noticing changes in behaviour can be an important first step.

Matt and Sharon discuss the subtle signs of burnout, including changes in appearance, communication, mood, work habits, and behaviour. They explore why leaders don’t need to become therapists or have all the answers. Their role can simply be to notice, ask thoughtful questions, listen without immediately trying to fix the problem, and help connect someone with appropriate resources. Matt also explains the importance of creating space for recovery, setting boundaries around work and technology, developing self-awareness, and understanding that resilience isn’t about pretending everything is okay.

The conversation also turns the lens toward business owners and leaders themselves. Who watches out for the person who is watching out for everyone else? Matt shares his own experiences with counselling, personal challenges, burnout, and recovery, and explains why taking care of your mental health can be preventative maintenance, not simply something you address during a crisis. For entrepreneurs, managers, employees, and anyone carrying a heavy workload, this episode is an important reminder to pay attention to the people around you while remembering to put on your own oxygen mask too.

About Matt Martens

Matt Martens is a facilitator with Empowering Minds and a featured presenter for the You Make the Difference Foundation, where he is helping communities build greater awareness around mental health, suicide prevention, and becoming a “first identifier” for someone who may be struggling. Before stepping into this work, Matt spent much of his career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry. A journeyman in welding, steamfitting, and gas fitting, he went on to work as a consultant and later spent 18 years with a midstream company, eventually moving into leadership.

Matt’s passion for mental health advocacy is deeply personal. His experiences with burnout, isolation, counselling, major life challenges, and his own mental health journey helped shape his desire to support others. Today, he is focused on helping people recognize changes in those around them, start difficult conversations with compassion, and connect people with the resources they need. Matt and his wife are also building Martens Pet Cremation Services.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Empowering Minds
• You Make the Difference Foundation
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Call or text 9-8-8 in Canada for suicide crisis 24/7)

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Matt Martens | Martens Pet Cremation Services : 

• Website: Martens Pet Cremation Services
• LinkedIn: Matt Martens
  
  

In this inspiring episode, host Sharon DeKoning welcomes Lisa Dublin, executive coach, speaker, founder of Optimum Success Strategies, host of Basement Chronicles, and performance poet. Lisa shares her journey from Saint Lucia to Edmonton and how she combined coaching, speaking, writing, and entrepreneurship into a career centred around helping people live and lead with confidence. Together, Sharon and Lisa explore the realities of entrepreneurship, including imposter syndrome, failure, making money, finding your strengths, and having the courage to keep going when something doesn’t work the first time.

Lisa introduces her powerful three-question postmortem framework: What worked? What didn’t work? What will I do differently next time? She explains how this simple process turns mistakes into practical learning opportunities while preserving what is already working. The conversation then moves into public speaking and commanding a room, where Lisa encourages entrepreneurs to shift their attention away from themselves and toward the people they are there to serve. From sales calls and presentations to podcasts and social media, she reminds listeners that speaking is ultimately a conversation and that confidence grows when you focus on your message, your audience, and the value you can provide.

Sharon and Lisa also dig into the authentic advantage and why filtering your personality can limit your influence. Lisa explains that authenticity reveals your values, naturally attracting people who connect with what you stand for while repelling those who don’t, and that can be a good thing. They discuss finding your unique voice, accepting yourself without placing yourself above or beneath others, building relationships through the principle of “know + like + trust = buy,” and finding work that sits in your zone of genius. Lisa’s message for entrepreneurs is clear: learn from what doesn’t work, communicate with confidence, embrace what makes you uniquely you, and pursue the work you genuinely love.

About Lisa Dublin

Lisa Dublin is an executive coach, speaker, trainer, certified life coach, founder of Optimum Success Strategies, host of Basement Chronicles, author, and performance poet. Originally from Saint Lucia, Lisa moved to Edmonton in 2013 and has built her work around helping people live and lead with confidence. Through coaching, speaking engagements, writing, and her signature Speak with Confidence program, she helps individuals strengthen their communication skills and step more confidently into their leadership.

Lisa describes her approach as rooted in “cringey honesty”—the belief that the vulnerable, uncomfortable, and imperfect parts of our stories can become some of our greatest assets. Her work combines communication, personal development, authenticity, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping people discover and pursue their calling.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• Master of One by Jordan Raynor

Key Moments:

[00:02:12] Lisa Dublin’s Story & Entrepreneurial Journey

[00:06:25] Learning from Failure: The Three-Question Postmortem Framework

[00:10:04] Knowing Your Strengths & Learning What to Delegate

[00:11:25] How to Command a Room with Confidence

[00:17:36] Shift the Focus from Selling to Serving Your Customer

[00:19:01] “Know + Like + Trust = Buy”

[00:20:10] The Authentic Advantage: Why Being Yourself Builds Influence

[00:27:24] Finding Your Unique Voice & Owning Your Values

[00:40:09] Creativity, Performance Poetry & Returning to What You Love

[00:45:27] Speak with Confidence, Getting Unstuck & Lisa’s Coaching Approach

Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions

Contact Lisa Dublin | Optimum Success Strategies : 

• Website: lisadublin.com 
• LinkedIn: Lisa Dublin
• Podcast: Basement Chronicles

In this inspiring episode, Sharon sits down with Chanelle Chalazan, a young entrepreneur who started her jewelry business at just 13 years old. What began as a hobby and a few listings on Facebook Marketplace quickly gained traction, leading Chanelle into trade shows, e-commerce, billboard campaigns, media appearances, and a Canada-wide tour, all while attending high school full-time. She shares how passion, affordability, product quality, and a willingness to put herself out there helped turn a small idea into a growing Canadian brand.

Chanelle gets practical about the realities of entrepreneurship, from bootstrapping and testing customer demand to choosing social media platforms, building a professional website, working with suppliers, and deciding where to invest in advertising. She explains why entrepreneurs can’t simply wait for opportunities to find them and shares her experiences reaching out to media outlets, pursuing trade shows, experimenting with radio and billboard advertising, and overcoming assumptions about her age. Throughout her journey, networking, consistency, and building credibility have been essential to continued growth.

The conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship and having the right people in your corner. Chanelle credits her dad as her biggest mentor and supporter while emphasizing the value of surrounding yourself with knowledgeable professionals and learning from other business owners—even your competitors. With ambitious plans to continue expanding her brand across Canada and beyond, Chanelle’s message to entrepreneurs of any age is clear: start small, know your goals, keep learning, build a strong support system, and don’t be afraid to ask, “What’s next?”

About Chanelle Chalazan

Chanelle Chalazan is the young entrepreneur behind Chic & Charmed Boutique, a Canadian jewelry brand she began at just 13 years old. Starting by making jewelry herself and selling through Facebook Marketplace, Chanelle quickly discovered demand for affordable, waterproof jewelry and began expanding the business through trade shows, e-commerce, advertising, and media exposure. Her entrepreneurial journey has since taken her to events across Canada, while her story and business have attracted attention from major media outlets.

Now 16, Chanelle continues to manage much of the business herself—from online orders and customer communication to social media, advertising, product design, and trade show planning—all while attending high school. With plans to grow the brand throughout Canada and potentially into international markets, Chanelle brings an impressive combination of ambition, curiosity, confidence, and a commitment to continuous learning.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

00:00 – Meet Chanelle Chalazan: Building a Business at 16
02:39 – From a Love of Jewelry to a Growing Business
04:21 – Trade Shows, Customer Demand & Expanding Across Canada
06:45 – Networking, Media Exposure & Building Brand Awareness
13:34 – Mentorship, Family Support & Learning from Competition
15:45 – Scaling Production & Finding the Right Suppliers
19:32 – Social Media Strategies for Growing a Business
21:25 – E-Commerce, WordPress & When to Invest in a Website
24:14 – Bootstrapping, Reinvesting & Building a Business Team
27:38 – Overcoming Age Assumptions & Building Credibility
29:42 – Billboards, Radio & Marketing That Gets Attention
34:07 – Balancing School, Future Growth & Chanelle’s Advice for Entrepreneurs

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Facebook Marketplace
• WordPress (WordPress.org)
• WooCommerce (WooCommerce)
• Zeal Media — this is the Saskatoon-based agency Chanelle referenced. (Zeal Media Inc)
• PATTISON Outdoor Advertising (Pattison Outdoor)
• Global News
• CTV News
• CityNews
• Retail Insider

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Chanelle | Chic & Charmed Boutique: 

• Website: chicncharmedjewelry.com 
• Instagram: @chicandcharmedbychanelle
• Facebook: Chic & Charmed Boutique by Chanelle
  
  

In this energizing episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon DeKoning sits down with high-performance coach and author Jill Payne to explore one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs and high achievers: managing their energy. Jill explains why constantly working harder isn’t necessarily the answer and introduces her “Be a Dime” philosophy, using a scale of zero to ten to become more aware of the energy you bring into your work and life. Through her practical BFD framework (Body, Focus, and Dialogue) Jill shows how small shifts in posture, attention, and self-talk can change how we experience even the most stressful situations.

Jill and Sharon dig into the pressure business owners put on themselves, from worrying about payroll and deadlines to feeling responsible for employees, customers, and everyone around them. Jill explains why high achievers can also be their own harshest critics and how negative self-talk quietly drains capacity. They discuss shifting from worry toward the ideal outcome, validating difficult emotions before trying to solve them, and replacing the constant internal urgency of “hurry up” with a calmer, more sustainable approach. Jill also explores self-regard and why caring for yourself means not only knowing what you need, but actually responding to those needs.

The conversation expands into leadership, relationships, and workplace culture as Jill explains that “how you lead yourself is how you lead others.” Rather than lowering your own energy to meet someone on a negative channel, she encourages leaders to manage their own energy first and give others the tools and space to manage theirs. For entrepreneurs who are used to running at full speed, this episode offers a practical reminder that feeling better isn’t something you earn after the work is finished. Taking care of your energy can help you become a more resourceful, confident, positive, and effective business owner, and enjoy the life and business you’re working so hard to build.

About Jill Payne

Jill Payne is a high-performance coach, speaker, author of Be a Dime, and creator of an energy management framework designed to help people intentionally shift how they feel and show up. Originally from Nova Scotia and now based in Victoria, Jill has spent approximately 15 years coaching and speaking about performance, energy, and personal development.

Her work has reached high performers ranging from Olympic athletes to organizations including Google and NASA. Through her “Be a Dime” philosophy, Jill teaches people to evaluate their energy on a scale of zero to ten and use their Body, Focus, and Dialogue to consciously move toward a better channel. Her approach combines self-awareness, self-regard, emotional intelligence, and practical energy management strategies that can be applied in business, leadership, relationships, and everyday life.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Be a Dime by Jill Payne

Key Moments:

[00:01:20] Meet Jill Payne: Why Energy Matters for Business Owners

[00:03:35] Be a Dime: The 1–10 Energy Scale

[00:05:04] Body, Focus & Dialogue: The BFD Energy Framework

[00:09:55] How Your Energy Changes the Way You See Problems

[00:13:59] Feeling Drained? Tend to Yourself Before Your Work

[00:18:33] Stop Outsourcing Your Self-Worth

[00:23:34] Bringing Better Energy to Stress, Sales & Financial Pressure

[00:29:34] Managing Other People’s Energy Without Losing Your Own

[00:39:15] Redefining Your Personal Marker of Success

[00:41:27] Managing the Noise, Staying in Your Lane & Protecting Your Energy

[00:48:36] Are You Actually Tired—or Just Low on Energy? 

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Jill Payne | Be a Dime: 

• Website: jillpayne.ca 
• Instagram: @be_a_dime
• YouTube: Jill Payne
• LinkedIn: Jill Payne
  
  

What happens to your business when you're ready to walk away? Whether retirement is years down the road or an unexpected life event changes your plans, having an exit strategy is something you begin planning years in advance, not building at the last minute. 

In this insightful episode, Sharon welcomes Jeffrey Cullen, an Accredited Senior Business Broker with Sunbelt Business Brokers and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Jeffrey explains why most businesses aren't actually ready to sell, why confidentiality is critical during the selling process, and why waiting until you're burned out can significantly reduce the value of everything you've worked so hard to build. He also shares what buyers truly look for, how business brokers determine a realistic selling price, and why understanding your financials, customer concentration, and operational systems can dramatically impact your company's value.

Throughout the conversation, Sharon and Jeffrey dive into the importance of building a business that can thrive without the owner. They discuss creating documented systems, developing strong leadership teams, reducing owner dependence, diversifying customers and suppliers, and preparing financially and personally for life after business ownership. Whether your exit is five years away or fifteen, this episode provides practical guidance to help you build a stronger business today while preparing for a more successful transition tomorrow.

About Jeffrey Cullen

Jeffrey Cullen is an Accredited Senior Business Broker with Sunbelt Business Brokers in Edmonton and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). With a background as a mechanical engineer, MBA graduate, management consultant, and university business instructor, Jeffrey has spent decades helping entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, navigate succession planning, and successfully transition ownership.

Today, Jeffrey specializes in confidential business sales, business valuations, and exit planning strategies. He works with owners across Alberta to maximize the value of their businesses, avoid common selling mistakes, and guide buyers and sellers through the complex process of business transitions with confidence and professionalism.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Sunbelt Business Brokers – Edmonton
• Exit Planning Institute (EPI)
• Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)
• Business Valuation Services – Sunbelt Edmonton
• Finish Big by Bo Burlingham 
• Your Baby's Ugly by Justin Goodbread 

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Jeffrey D. Cullen, MBA, CEPA | Accredited Senior Business Broker: 

• Website: sunbeltcanada.com
• Instagram: @bizbrokerjeff
• Facebook: Jeffrey Cullen
• LinkedIn: Jeffrey Cullen
• Phone: (780) 469-3535 

What happens when a former Fortune 500 executive decides to dedicate her expertise to helping small businesses succeed? In this insightful episode, Sharon DeKoning welcomes Gretchen Richards, founder of Dynamic Business Capabilities LLC, to explore the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face as they grow. Gretchen shares why she left the corporate world behind and why she believes small businesses are the true backbone of our communities and economies. Together, they discuss the importance of avoiding burnout, maintaining energy as a leader, celebrating wins, and creating intentional habits that support long-term success.

The conversation dives into strategic planning for entrepreneurs, highlighting the difference between setting long-term goals and creating short-term action plans. Gretchen explains how business owners can stay focused without becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty, emphasizing the value of quarterly planning, continuous learning, and building a personal growth plan. Sharon and Gretchen also discuss accountability, target dates versus deadlines, and how entrepreneurs can stay motivated while pushing beyond their comfort zones.

The episode wraps up with a practical discussion on systems, delegation, process improvement, and creating repeatable workflows that support business growth. Gretchen shares why systems are essential for scalability, how leaders can empower their teams through mentorship and accountability, and why measuring key metrics is critical for making informed decisions. Whether you're a startup founder, small business owner, or leader looking to improve operations, this episode offers actionable insights to help you build a stronger, more sustainable business.

About Gretchen Richards

Gretchen Richards is the Founder of Dynamic Business Capabilities LLC and a seasoned business strategist with more than 35 years of experience helping organizations improve operational performance, scale effectively, and increase profitability. Beginning her career as a software engineer, Gretchen worked with major telecommunications companies and Fortune 500 organizations, gaining extensive expertise in systems, operations, leadership, and business growth.

Today, Gretchen dedicates her work to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through coaching, consulting, and operational strategy, she helps businesses implement practical systems, improve accountability, avoid burnout, and create sustainable growth plans. Her passion lies in helping business owners build companies that run more efficiently while allowing them to focus on what matters most.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Draw.io (Process Mapping Tool)
• EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
• Loom (Video Tool)
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• High Performance Habits by Brendon Bouchard 
• BNI Lloydminster

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Gretchen Richards | Dynamic Business Capabilities: 

• Website: dynamicbusinesscapabilities.com
• LinkedIn: Gretchen Richards

In this insightful episode, Sharon welcomes financial advisor and entrepreneur Melanie Cheek for a candid conversation about the financial habits, mindset shifts, and planning strategies that can transform an entrepreneur’s future. Melanie shares her personal journey from financial stress and debt to becoming a trusted advisor helping others orchestrate their wealth. Together, they explore why so many Canadians grow up without financial education, how our beliefs about money impact our decisions, and why replacing phrases like “I can’t afford that” with more empowering language can create meaningful change.

The discussion dives into practical tools entrepreneurs can use to keep more of their hard-earned money, including Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), First Home Savings Accounts, business deductions, health spending accounts, and retirement planning strategies. Melanie explains why entrepreneurs should think differently about saving, how to create a spending plan instead of a budget, and why even small contributions can build significant wealth over time. She also shares valuable insights on reducing taxes legally, understanding financial products, and making informed decisions about RRSPs, TFSAs, and other investment vehicles.

Sharon and Melanie also discuss protecting what you’ve built through life insurance, succession planning, and business continuity strategies. The conversation expands into entrepreneurship, delegation, networking, hiring experts, investing in coaches, and creating a business that supports your life rather than consumes it. Whether you’re building your first business, preparing for retirement, or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions, this episode offers practical advice and powerful mindset shifts to help you move forward with confidence.

About Melanie Cheek
Melanie Cheek is a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and educator who has been helping Canadians build wealth and create financial confidence since 2013. Drawing from her own experiences overcoming debt, financial stress, and entrepreneurship challenges, Melanie is passionate about teaching practical financial strategies that are often missing from traditional education.

Through Melanie Cheek Financial, she works with individuals, families, and entrepreneurs to develop customized financial plans, reduce taxes, protect their assets, and create sustainable wealth-building strategies. Melanie is known for her approachable style, commitment to financial education, and dedication to helping people make informed decisions about their money and future.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)
• First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
• Health Spending Accounts (HSA) for incorporated business owners
• BNI Networking Groups
• Reset Collective Mastermind Community
• Startup Lloydminster
• Mile IQ
• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
• Womanition
• The Secret
• The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success  by Deepak Chopra
• Talk Money to Me by Kelley Keehn

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Melanie Cheek | Melanie Cheek Financial: 

• Website: www.melaniecheekfinancial.com 
• Email: [email protected] 
• Facebook: Melanie Cheek Financial
• Phone: (780) 604-3711

Many business owners invest significant time and money into their websites, yet struggle to generate consistent leads or sales. In this insightful episode, Sharon DeKoning sits down with website revenue architect Gerry Black to uncover why most websites underperform and what business owners can do to fix them. Gerry shares his journey from journalism and sales into marketing strategy, where he discovered a passion for helping entrepreneurs avoid costly website mistakes and turn their online presence into a true business asset.

Gerry explains one of the most important statistics in online marketing: only 5% of first-time website visitors are ready to buy immediately. The remaining 95% are researching, comparing options, and looking for solutions. This reality changes how business owners should approach their websites. Rather than focusing solely on attracting traffic, Gerry emphasizes the importance of creating clear messaging, communicating a unique value proposition, and answering the critical question every prospect asks: “Why should I choose you over all my other options?”

The conversation dives into Gerry’s three-part Website Revenue Architecture framework: capturing attention, generating engagement, and creating conversion opportunities. He shares practical strategies, including lead magnets, email nurturing sequences, testimonials, educational content, blogs, videos, webinars, and LinkedIn optimization. Gerry also discusses how trust is built online through consistent communication and authentic customer success stories, allowing businesses to nurture prospects until they are ready to buy. Whether you’re a small business owner, service provider, or entrepreneur looking to improve your website results, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help turn your website into a predictable revenue-generating system.

About Gerry Black

Gerry Black is a website strategist, marketing consultant, and creator of the Website Revenue Architecture framework. With a background in journalism, advertising sales, and telecommunications, Gerry combines persuasive copywriting skills with real-world sales expertise to help entrepreneurs and service-based businesses improve their marketing results.

Today, Gerry specializes in helping business owners identify the hidden weaknesses in their websites, strengthen their messaging, and build systems that consistently generate leads and revenue. Based in Barrie, Ontario, he works with businesses across North America, helping them create websites that do more than look good. They actively contribute to business growth.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini
• Gerry Black's free guide: Seven Website Leaks That Are Costing You Sales
• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

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Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: 

• Website: itpromo.ca
• LinkedIn: Sharon DeKoning
• Facebook: It’s Time Promotions
• Google: It’s Time Promotions
  
  

Contact Gerry Black | Marketing Writer: 

• Website: mareketingwriter.ca 
• LinkedIn: Gerry Black