Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

How do you go from facing major setbacks to finishing the season strong? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with three high-achieving operators from Student Works: Zach Weiler, Chris Bennett, and Landon Roberts. Each of these young leaders faced significant challenges in their first year with Student Works but turned things around with determination and strategic thinking to achieve outstanding results.

Zach, Chris, and Landon share their unique journeys, from the frustrations of managing crews and hitting production snags to the personal growth that came from facing these challenges head-on. They talk about the mindset shifts, systems, and habits that allowed them to go from average results to extraordinary performance. 

Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or looking to push through a difficult season, this conversation offers insights into what it takes to finish strong and set yourself up for long-term success.

Curious about how these leaders went from struggling to thriving? This episode will inspire you to reflect on your own obstacles, rethink your strategies, and take action to reach your full potential. Listen now!

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• The importance of mindset shifts in overcoming business challenges
• How systems and good habits can lead to more sustainable success
• The value of over-hiring and proper crew management
• Why perseverance and finishing strong matter in entrepreneurship
• The role of mentorship and asking for help in achieving your goals
• How communication and delegation help in growing a business efficiently
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Ever wonder how skills from one discipline can shape your success in a completely different field? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson talks to Victor Turcanu, who made the leap from being a national-level athlete to a thriving career in law. 

Victor shares how his experience in the Student Works program laid the groundwork for his legal career, teaching him invaluable lessons about discipline, leadership, and entrepreneurship.  discusses how the business acumen he developed during his time as a franchise operator continues to serve him as a corporate and franchise lawyer. 

Victor explores the challenges of balancing risk management with fostering client growth and why relationships are key in both business and legal success. Whether you're interested in law, business, or personal development, this episode offers insights into the importance of blending multiple skill sets to achieve success in any field.

Victor explains how the entrepreneurial mindset has been vital to his career growth and why mentorship and continuous learning are critical for anyone looking to excel in the legal profession. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How the Student Works program provided Victor with a strong foundation in business and leadership
• The unique challenges of managing risk as a corporate and franchise lawyer while supporting client growth
• Why building strong relationships is essential for long-term success in law and business
• The advantages of having a business background when practicing law
• Victor’s advice on how young professionals can build fulfilling careers by seeking mentorship and growth opportunities
• The parallels between high-performance athletics and succeeding in the legal field.
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

What does it take to set a record and break the limits you thought you had? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson welcomes Chris Caruso, one of our operators who broke the all-time window cleaning record. Chris shares his journey from being a window cleaner for Student Works to breaking the all-time window cleaning sales record—earning over $210,000 in a single season. 

Chris offers insights into his challenges, personal growth, and the power of pushing yourself beyond comfort zones to achieve new heights. Chris talks about the physical, emotional, and mental lessons learned from working so hard that he reached his limit—and why that limit became a crucial moment of growth. 

This conversation isn’t just about business success; it’s about understanding yourself, striving for balance, and learning when to ease off the throttle to achieve long-term fulfillment.

Curious about how a young entrepreneur juggles intense workloads, motivates a team, and still manages to find meaning beyond just hitting targets? This episode offers a candid look at the highs and lows of scaling a business and how a powerful "no excuses" mindset can create transformative experiences. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Pushing beyond your limits can teach you invaluable lessons about balance and self-awareness
• The power of a "no excuses" mindset when breaking records and achieving big goals
• Learning that success is not just about hitting numbers—it's also about maintaining personal well-being
• The importance of creating a supportive culture and treating team members well to ensure long-term success
• How being adaptable and patient can lead to better leadership and business growth
• The value of self-compassion, especially when pursuing demanding goals.
• Transforming hard-earned lessons into a new approach for future seasons.
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

What does it take to build a successful business from the ground up and turn it into a multi-million dollar enterprise? In this episode, I sit down with one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs I know, my close friend and longtime colleague, Rick Eastwood. You’ll hear how friendships, like the one we’ve shared since our Student Works days, can shape not only your personal life but also your professional journey in ways you’d never expect.

Rick Eastwood, one of Canada's top entrepreneurs and the CEO of The Central Group, shares the ups and downs of growing a business from $5 million to nearly $200 million. From starting as a Student Works manager to leading one of Canada's 50 Best Privately Managed Companies (as recognized by Deloitte), Rick has seen it all. This episode dives deep into the entrepreneurial mindset, business pivots, and how strong networks can make or break your success.

Curious about the critical moments that almost led Rick to failure? Want to know how Rick navigated losing 60% of his business or how he attracted the top talent that fuels his success today? Tune in to hear Rick’s invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and building lasting relationships in business.

Don't miss this chance to gain insights from a top leader who has mastered the art of staying relentless in the face of challenges. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why friendships and business partnerships can be key to long-term success
• How to reinvent a business after major setbacks
• The power of surrounding yourself with top talent and how to attract it
• The importance of not letting a single client dominate your revenue stream
• How strategic planning and data analytics drive profitability
• The role of perseverance and patience in building a thriving business
• And much more…

Resources

Student Works

Rick’s LinkedIn

Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant

What if the things you thought you were good at turned out to be your biggest blind spots? In this episode, Chris talks to Alex Irvine, a top performer in the program. He built a $275,000 business and earned a place in the President’s Club. Now, as a full-time coach, he shares how his experience with Student Works helped him grow as a leader and develop the systems that allow him to thrive in business and life.

During the episode, you will discover how Alex Irvine’s journey through the Student Works Management Program uncovered surprising truths about leadership, organization, and personal growth. It’s not just about running a business—it’s about recognizing where you need to improve and learning how to scale up without burning out.

Curious about how the Student Works program prepares young entrepreneurs for the real world? Want to learn how to lead, delegate, and build a strong team from the ground up? Alex’s insights into scaling a business while maintaining balance offer a roadmap for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level.

Tune in for actionable strategies and inspiration, and share this episode with anyone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey!

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• Learning what you don’t know is the key to scaling your business
• Why recruiting quality people will make or break your business
• The importance of creating systems that last beyond the first few weeks
• How self-compassion and stress management help you become a better leader
• Why personal development is as crucial as business skills in entrepreneurship
• How leaning into fear and doing what scares you drives the most growth
• The role of mentors and coaches in accelerating your leadership journey
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

What separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up? It’s not just talent or luck—it’s mindset and strategy. In this episode, we explore how building systems, taking risks, and embracing setbacks can set you on a path to long-term success. It’s about more than making money—it’s about designing a life you love.

Today, I sit down with Cameron Herold, an entrepreneurial coach, keynote speaker, and thought leader who, like me, started in the world of student painting. Cameron began his journey with College Pro Painters, a company with shared roots into Student Works. From running franchises to scaling massive enterprises like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Cameron has experienced it all and is here to share the lessons that helped him build a multimillion-dollar career.

Curious about how Cameron turned small businesses into multimillion-dollar enterprises? Want to know how you can do the same, starting with the skills you already have? We dive deep into those questions, along with the hard-earned lessons Cameron picked up along the way—including why failing is often the first step to success.

If you’re ready to take control of your career and learn from one of the best in the business, this episode is for you. Listen now and enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• The mindset shift that turns failures into valuable lessons
• How reverse-engineering goals can make even the most ambitious business dreams achievable
• The systems Cameron used to scale 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from $2M to $106M in revenue
• Insights on why your entrepreneurial journey should be about more than just money
• The critical role of time management in building a successful business
• How to embrace your unique skills—even those schools might have overlooked—to fuel your business success
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Cameronherold.com

Cameron’s LinkedIn

Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief podcast

Books written by Cameron:

Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool for Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future

The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO

The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs: Elevate Yourself to Elevate Your Business

Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in 3 Years or Less

Meetings Suck: Turning One of the Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable

Free PR: How to Get Chased by the Press Without Hiring a PR Firm

Books recommended  by Cameron:

Think and Grow Rich

The Richest Man in Babylon

How to Win Friends and Influence People

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Julia Murphy, a young leader whose journey highlights the challenges and rewards of personal and professional growth. 

Throughout the conversation, she shares how embracing responsibility, managing teams, and handling multiple tasks helped her navigate both her business and academic life. You'll learn about her development as a leader who thrives in demanding environments and seeks to bring out the best in those around her.

Discover how mentorship and coaching have played critical roles in reigniting Julia's passion. She explains how her newfound love for problem-solving and managing people helped her shift her career focus and find fulfillment in guiding others to success.

This episode serves as an empowering example of how persistence, adaptability, and a strong support system can drive meaningful growth and success.

Don't miss another episode of The Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Julia's previous part-time job at Moxie and the frustration of being paid the same as less-engaged colleagues.
• Her experience of managing a small team and the challenges she faced in scaling her business in her second year.
• The importance of continuous improvement and the lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful projects.
• The importance of building connections and learning from experienced operators.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Have you ever wondered what transitioning from a corporate leader to a successful entrepreneur takes? In this episode, I sit down with David Barron, one of our former Operators of the Year from the early 90s, who has done just that—and more. David shares his journey from leading sales teams at some of the world’s biggest tech companies to building and selling his own business, CertaPro Painters.

But this episode isn’t just about business success; it’s about the lessons learned along the way. From navigating the early days of the internet boom to the emotional complexities of selling a business, David’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to carve their path in today’s fast-changing world.

Tune in to hear how David balanced his ambition with family life, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and the role humility plays in long-term success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

David’s story is one of perseverance, strategic thinking, and continuous learning. We dive into his experiences of growing businesses, the power of systems and people, and the often overlooked emotional aspect of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your leadership skills, David’s journey offers a treasure trove of lessons. Listen now and enjoy!

What you Will Learn In This Episode:

• The importance of balancing hard work with strategic thinking in business
• How surrounding yourself with the right people can make or break your success
• The value of systems in scaling a business and ensuring its longevity
• Why humility and a willingness to learn are crucial traits for any leader
• Insights on the emotional journey of selling a business and moving on to new ventures
• How to navigate the challenges of work-life balance while pursuing ambitious goals
• Practical advice on preparing your business for sale and maximizing its value
• And much more…

Resources

Student Works

David’s LinkedIn

CertaPro.com 

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Dianne McCoubrey, Vice President of Global Business Development for Grypp Corp Ltd., as well as the mother of Hailey and Taylor McCoubrey, a pair of successful operators in the program.

Dianne shares invaluable insights on career development and the importance of selecting the right opportunities. She highlights how understanding the dynamics of an industry can lead to better decision-making and career satisfaction.

You'll discover a unique method of assessing companies by interviewing both employees and customers to gauge the true value and potential of a product. 

Chris and Dianne also explore the long-term benefits of building relationships and being adaptable in a rapidly changing world. 

This episode offers a fresh perspective on how to navigate the complexities of the modern job market and thrive in any professional setting.

Don't miss another episode of The Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why aligning your passions and strengths with a role or company is key to long-term success.

Resources:

Dianne's LinkedIn

Grypp Corp.

Student Works

Are you in your 20s and wondering how to make the most of this pivotal decade? In this episode, I dive deep into why your 20s are the "defining decade" and how the decisions you make now can set you up for a lifetime of success. Whether it's choosing the right career path, building a network that matters, or understanding the power of patience, I share insights that can help you navigate this period with confidence.

Drawing from years of experience and wisdom gained from coaching hundreds of young leaders, I explore the importance of making deliberate choices in your early career. You'll hear about the common mistakes people make, the power of compounding success, and how to create value in the marketplace. Plus, I’ll share real stories of individuals who have successfully navigated these challenges and emerged stronger.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking insights that you won't want to miss. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to pivot, tune in to learn how to take control of your future and make this decade truly defining.

If you're ready to make the most of your 20s and set yourself up for a lifetime of success, this episode is for you. Listen now and enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• Your 20s are the defining decade that sets the stage for your future success
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• Building a strong, value-driven network is crucial in your early career
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• Patience is key to long-term success—overnight success often takes decades
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• Choosing the right industry and staying focused can propel you to the top
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• The power of compound interest applies to your career, not just finances
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• Working in a startup vs. a corporate environment offers different risks and rewards
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• Continuous learning and personal development are essential throughout your career
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• And much more…
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Resources

Student Works

Amazon One Medical

Income Explorer, 2021 Census 

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now