Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

What if the secret to high-performance leadership was not about you, but about how you fuel those around you?

In this energizing episode, Chris Thomson sits down with Ulysse Deschênes, one of Canada’s top young operators, to reveal what really drives ambitious students to outpace even their own goals.

Discover how Ulysse’s journey from ambitious student-athlete to standout business leader was powered by authenticity, relentless self-improvement, and a passion for building up others. This episode digs into the gritty reality of early challenge, the brutal lessons of team leadership, and the unexpected power of shifting focus to your crew.

Miss this episode, and you miss proven roadmaps for turning vision into results and a culture that multiplies success, real talk from someone who lives it. Listen now to claim the tactical, heart-first wisdom others will be scrambling to catch up to next year.

• 00:15 – The mindset shift that turned personal growth into team transformation
• 05:51 – How a total beginner leveraged daily improvement to accelerate results
• 11:49 – The bold goal leap that broke through self-doubt
• 13:53 – The unexpected cost of ignoring authenticity and follow-up
• 16:04 – The art of developing future leaders from within your culture
• 19:11 – Why inspiring others became Ulysse’s new metric for success
• 21:00 – The system that turns team members into empowered mini-owners
• 24:40 – The underrated power of long-term relationships for exponential growth
• 29:41 – The brutal truth about consistency and bouncing back from setbacks

Ulysse Deschênes is a top operator and coach-in-training in the Student Works Management Program, recognized for scaling his business to over $285,000 and mentoring a high-performing crew. With a background in marketing and finance from Ashesay, he is known for blending grit with a gift for developing leaders and authentic teams.

🔗 LinkedIn

• Student Works Management Program
• selfcompassion.org
• Dr. Kristin Neff, "Self-Compassion"

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Are you lying to yourself about what it really takes to succeed?

In this energized conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Gabriel Milling, VP of Sales at ECG Brands, whose career leaped from fine dining busboy to leadership heights in record time. Together, they unpack the surprising habits, hard-won failures, and transformative relationships that fueled a business from $2.6M to $70M in seven years.

Get inside the heads of leaders who quietly dominate their industries, not because they play it safe, but because they master the art of coaching, integrity, and powerful self-mastery.

Miss this episode, and you risk running your business on autopilot, not excellence. Listen now before your next big opportunity passes. Only here will you hear the real, behind-the-scenes story of how tomorrow's leaders are built.

• 00:06 – The shared language that instantly sets top alumni apart
• 03:29 – How fine dining shaped a bulletproof client mindset
• 06:14 – The accountability lesson that exposed his limiting beliefs
• 09:00 – Why successful people really get ahead (and what most never see)
• 13:15 – The breakthrough moment every true coach waits for
• 16:22 – The brutal reality of selling when your old “student” advantage disappears
• 22:07 – The slice of humble pie that flipped his success script
• 24:24 – The hard truth about coaching versus leading sales
• 28:06 – What separates consistent million-dollar franchisees from the rest
• 30:36 – How failing forward led to his greatest growth
• 34:17 – The habits that crush burnout and keep leadership sustainable

Gabriel Milling is the VP of Sales at ECG Brands, including Rydell Roofing and Deckify, where he drives revenue and coaches emerging leaders nationwide. A former top operator and coach at Student Works, Gabriel channels his diverse experiences, from luxury hospitality to national franchise growth, into building high-performance sales and leadership cultures.

🔗 LinkedIn

• Rydell Roofing
• Deckify
• Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa
• Austin Trudeau
• Olivier Letourneau
• Simon Benoit
• Stefan Milošević
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Fyodor Dostoyevsky (literature reference)
• Ayn Rand (philosophy reference)

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the only thing standing between you and a million-dollar breakthrough is how fast you’re willing to learn from chaos?

In this electrifying conversation, Luke Montemurro, a third-year math prodigy at Queen’s University and Student Works superstar, reveals the real playbook behind scaling a student-led business from zero to $1 million.

Discover how he went from rookie mistakes and 11 pm breakdowns on job sites, to architecting a “machine” that runs without him and crushes revenue goals. These are the surprising, behind-the-scenes habits, tools, and mindset shifts that transformed his stress into unstoppable momentum.

Listen now, because every minute you delay is a lost advantage. Unlock strategies that will spare you burnout, put you years ahead of your peers, and give you the inside track to profit and freedom exclusively shared in this episode.

• 00:35 – The childhood drive that made lemonade stands a launchpad for leadership
• 04:14 – The brutal wake-up call inside “a room of 200 six-figure entrepreneurs.”
• 06:33 – The painful moment of realizing sales are easy… but production isn’t
• 07:55 – Surviving the firestorm: The night everything almost fell apart
• 10:11 – The one skill no one talks about that separates winners from the rest
• 14:44 – Why most people stall and how he shattered the ceiling
• 19:01 – Behind the curtain: The machine that replaced Luke in his own business
• 22:12 – The unexpected Facebook strategy that now prints sales
• 28:18 – The 2-minute rule that transforms Facebook leads into real revenue
• 30:12 – The million-dollar mindset shift: What truly matters in scaling up

Luke Montemurro is a third-year math student at Queen’s University and a top operator with the Student Works Management Program. He has rapidly scaled his painting business to target $1M in total revenue by graduation, building a true team-driven “business machine.” Known for his authentic leadership, relentless drive, and practical sales strategies, Luke Montemurro is rewriting what student entrepreneurship can look like.

🔗 LinkedIn

• Facebook Ads / Meta Ads
• John Cameron (advisor, Facebook ads specialist)
• Queen’s University
• Instagram
• Reddit

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ever wondered why some grads break through while others get stuck spinning their wheels? If a safe resume and a perfect 10-year plan have fallen short for you, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this best-of collage edition, Chris Thomson gathers the most revealing stories from alumni and leaders like Zack Kembar, Rob Signoretti, Lance Spitzig, Michael Glinter, Brennan Basnicki, and Alim Bhanji to answer one pressing question: What does it really take to launch a remarkable career in today’s unpredictable market? You’ll get behind-the-scenes insights on networking, pivots, rejections, and bold moves that catapult ordinary candidates into leadership.

Listen now to avoid another year of frustrating job hunts, missed opportunities, and feeling behind while your peers surge ahead. Don’t miss this exclusive career advantage with real stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

• 00:00 – Why skills alone won’t get you in the door and what really does.
• 01:14 – An unexpected downturn forces Rob Signoretti to make a life-changing choice—will he pick safe or smart?
• 03:12 – The secret advice from a mentor that made all the difference.
• 03:54 – Lance Spitzig breaks down the high-stakes, competitive reality of landing a top law job.
• 05:55 – Michael Glinter reveals why chasing prestige isn’t enough and the power of betting on yourself.
• 08:22 – Brennan Basnicki survives rejection and takes a wild, almost impossible shot that pays off.
• 10:13 – Alim Bhanji on the defining criteria for any next-level career leap.
• 10:50 – The magic of landing somewhere you never expected and never settling for “just a job.”

Zack Kembar is an investment banking professional who broke into Goldman Sachs amid a recession, proving grit and networking trump pedigree every time. | Episode 167: From Student Works Painting to VP at Goldman Sachs…The Key Success Factors That Helped Me

Rob Signoretti is a Student Works alumnus whose career in tech sales spans giants like Xerox, Canon, and Dell—a masterclass in leveraging your network for real results. | Episode 202: Cultivating a Growth Mindset, Pivoting Quickly, and Bucking the Trend

Lance Spitzig is a legal professional with a top-tier Bay Street firm, demystifying the “official” path from law school to successful practice. | Episode 120: How to Pursue a Successful Law Career

Michael Glinter is a seasoned leadership and staffing consultant who’s built two decades of credibility helping others find their lane and thrive. | Episode 188: How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Main Hustle

Brennan Basnicki is Partner at Auspice Capital Advisors, known for transforming “no direction” into an enviable finance career. | Episode 371: From Student Works to Auspice Capital Advisors Partner

Alim Bhanji is Chief of Staff at Rogers Sports and Media, whose career pivots show the power of following impact and curiosity, not just a checklist. | Episode 264: From Student Works to Rogers Sports & Media

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ever wonder why so many driven young leaders stall out before reaching real greatness? What secret really takes raw ambition and forges it into a six-figure reality?

In this episode, Chris Thomson sits down with Student Works Management Program veteran Brayden Willmott, a former Team Canada skier turned business builder. From battling complacency and ego to creating over $230K in sales and aiming for a $600K breakthrough, Speaker A pulls back the curtain on the emotional and practical shifts that totally changed his trajectory.

If you crave proof that action, radical accountability, and world-class habits can catapult your results, this episode is your fast track. Listen now to dodge the hidden traps that sabotage most young entrepreneurs and unlock exclusive, battle-tested wisdom you won’t find on any other leadership podcast.

• 01:41 – How skiing at elite levels generated the competitive fire for entrepreneurship
• 04:18 – The itch ambitious athletes feel when easy jobs just don’t satisfy
• 06:05 – The painful trap of complacency and how “good weeks” can fool you
• 08:01 – Why most people fail: The scariest moment before taking meaningful action
• 13:12 – The accountability hack that forced ‘boots on the ground’ ownership
• 16:00 – Why “simple actions” are the hardest, and how to finally go all in
• 20:59 – What it really takes to shatter resistance and become a top 5 operator
• 27:26 – The hidden superpower of confidence you never learn in school

Brayden Willmott is a third-year finance student at the University of Guelph and a veteran franchise operator with the Student Works Management Program. An ex-Team Canada skier, Brayden leveraged his athlete’s discipline to generate over $230K in business revenue, leading teams and shattering his own goals. His story is a powerhouse mix of competitive grit, vulnerability, and relentless personal growth.

🔗 LinkedIn | Facebook

• Alex Hormozi (on “shiny object syndrome,” action)
• Jozo’s Program at Blue Mountain
• Gartner
• University of Guelph
• Team Ontario / Team Canada Skiing

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Do you feel like you’re drowning in to-dos, but real results keep slipping out of reach? What if the secret to breakthrough productivity isn’t doing more, it’s doing more of what matters most?

In this gripping Leaders of Tomorrow collage episode, Chris Thomson curates frontline wisdom from high-achieving alumni and coaches like Zack Kembar, Landon Roberts, Jadan Hauser , Jakob Graham , Paul Prevost, Aris Lloshi, Jamie-Lee Bongard, Jamie Lee Bongard, and Amer Abu Shakra . They reveal the rituals, mindsets, and non-negotiable standards powering multi-six-figure businesses and top academic performance even with full plates and real-world distractions.

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or leader hungry for edge, this episode delivers the urgent playbook for protecting your priorities, conquering procrastination, and building a life you love. Tune in now because letting time slip away is no longer an option, and nobody else will set your standards for you.

• 00:00 – The moment a “silly” planner started running Zack Kembar’s life (and why he never looked back)
• 02:17 – Amer Abu Shakra ’s shocking self-imposed “rules” that unlocked business and school success
• 03:12 – Jadan Hauser on crushing school, business, and balance all at once—by scheduling fun last
• 04:09 – Jakob Graham confesses to “half-assing” until time discipline changed every aspect of life
• 05:13 – Paul Prevost explains why the most overwhelmed students often win big—if they manage it right
• 06:04 – Landon Roberts shares the performance “cheat code” most entrepreneurs ignore
• 08:19 – Aris Lloshi breaks down the art of strict scheduling (and why weekends are his secret weapon)
• 09:59 – Jamie-Lee Bongard’s family-first calendar (and how it sets her up for unstoppable momentum)

Amer Abu Shakra – Co-founder of Contracting.com, Amer built a multimillion-dollar business through resilience, vision, and record-breaking performance early in his career. | Episode 309: The Six Rules of Success that Helped me Break the All-Time Sales Record at Student Works

Jadan Hauser – Standout second-year operator in the Student Works Management Program, Jadan is known for his disciplined structure, self-leadership, and high performance as a young entrepreneur. | Episode 410: How to Master Time Management for Entrepreneurial Success

Jakob Graham – Three-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program and incoming coach, Jakob focuses on leadership, humility, and growth through real-world experience. | Episode 440 | Why You Don’t Need to Be Ready to Start Leading

Paul Prevost – Student Works Management Program participant who discovered a passion for leadership and coaching through building his own business. | Episode 432 | How to Transform Uncertainty into Business Success

Aris Lloshi – Student Works operator who built a $460K business as a student and is preparing to coach the next generation of entrepreneurs. | Episode 434 | How to Build a $460K Business as a Student

Landon Roberts – Former varsity athlete and standout Student Works participant, Landon applies discipline, resilience, and high-performance habits to entrepreneurship. | Episode 416 | How to Turn Athletic Discipline into Entrepreneurial Success

Zack Kembar – Student Works alumnus and global finance professional, Zack brings experience in resilience, structure, and high-performance environments. | Episode 411 | How to Develop Resilience in a Competitive Industry

Jamie Lee Bongard – Owner of three Keller Williams franchises, Jamie integrates structured time blocking, clear priorities, and intentional family time into her leadership approach. | Episode 403 | How a 17-Year-Old’s Vision Turned Into a Billion-Dollar Legacy

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if mastering a few simple habits could transform your life, multiply your freedom, and let you have it all?

This episode features an electrifying conversation between Chris Thomson and Dylan Puchniak, a record-breaking Student Works alum who left engineering for real estate and now dominates both sides of the Ottawa-Gatineau market. Discover why finishing what you start is just the beginning, and how building systems, owning your time, and relentless personal development unlock extraordinary results.

Whether you’re craving more money, meaning, or true life design, Dylan’s journey reveals the invisible levers top performers pull and the silent mistakes that stall even the brightest stars.

Listen now or risk missing the mindset shift and tactical edge that turn ordinary routines into lifelong advantage. This is your exclusive chance to hear proven, battle-tested strategies not taught anywhere else.

• [00:01:21] – The moment Dylan’s “simple” life vision blew wide open
• [00:05:33] – Why student works “ruined” Dylan and set him free
• [00:08:53] – Skydiving, Bali, and the real cost of your dreams
• [00:10:34] – How money turned into the ultimate lever for freedom
• [00:12:27] – Turning coffee chats into a game-changing new career
• [00:15:53] – The “commission breath” that kills deals and destroys trust
• [00:23:25] – How a year off created Dylan’s biggest regret (and his comeback)
• [00:30:07] – The shocking power of one 2-hour daily habit

Dylan Puchniak is a top-producing Realtor based in Ottawa and Gatineau, licensed in both Ontario and Quebec, and known for setting records since his days at Student Works. He is recognized for his white-glove service, award-winning performance, and personal brand of leadership that fuses elite systems with human-first relationships. Dylan also leads a real estate photography and videography business, and is a passionate sports advocate building connections with the Ottawa Senators.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook

• Royal LePage
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• DISC assessment
• Dan Sullivan’s Strategic Coach
• Ottawa Senators
• Quebec real estate regulations
• Kolbe Assessment
• LinkedIn Learning

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ever wondered how some leaders rise from devastating beginnings to shatter records and inspire others?

This episode is a full-access pass into the life and mindset of Ashley Ayles, a Student Works Management Program operator from Fredericton, who went from a turbulent childhood to boldly aiming for a million-dollar business, all while in university.

Host Chris Thomson peels back the layers on Ashley’s truly rare transformation: how family trauma, scarcity, and self-doubt fueled her drive, and the surprising systems and habits that turned a struggling start into explosive growth. If you crave real talk on doing hard things, overcoming failure, and building unshakable confidence, listen now.

Unlock today’s episode to avoid years of silent struggle, discover proven tools for accelerating your leadership journey, and hear an exclusive blueprint you simply won’t find anywhere else.

• [00:00:00] – From zero experience to instant sales obsession: Ashley’s surprising favorite part of business
• [00:04:00] – Surviving abuse and low income: The real pain behind early grit
• [00:08:46] – “Don’t put old Ashley in a corner”: Accepting the past, shifting the present
• [00:11:08] – Massive hiring fails: Settling for mediocrity and what it cost
• [00:16:15] – Chaos cured: The small systems that changed everything
• [00:17:09] – The $10K mistake that nearly blew it all—emotions vs. execution
• [00:24:25] – What really drives you to smash goals long after the finish line?
• [00:27:07] – Scaling up: Inside the bold plan for a million-dollar team

Ashley Ayles is a Student Works Management Program operator based in Fredericton, NB, recognized for achieving nearly $300,000 in business sales in her rookie season while balancing full-time classes. She’s now on a mission to build a million-dollar enterprise, all rooted in personal transformation, high-trust recruiting, and empowering other young leaders to rise. Known for real talk, unstoppable drive, and her bold vision for what’s possible, Ashley is rapidly becoming a standout figure in the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook | Instagram

• Julia Murphy
• SICO Stain
• LinkedIn Learning
• JT (January Training)
• Airbnb

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Have you ever felt like your biggest obstacle is your own uncertainty about the future? In this electric conversation, Chris Thomson welcomes powerhouse alum Chad Humphrey, a history grad who became a national leader in medical device sales after nearly walking away from his dreams as a young entrepreneur.

Chad unpacks hard-won truths about relentless resilience, life-changing mentorship, and the high-stakes lessons only learned on the edge of failure. From selling candy bars to orchestrating multi-million dollar operating room builds, his story proves you don’t need a linear path to build a radically successful career.

Listen now so you don’t waste another year feeling stuck. Discover how elite leaders transform setbacks into unstoppable momentum and why this episode reveals battle-tested strategies you won’t hear anywhere else. The best opportunities are hidden in the moves most people fear. Seize them today.

• 09:08 – The “pack it in” moment and the gut-punch advice that changed everything
• 13:02 – Cold-calling in the dark: When success depends on pure grit
• 14:39 – Authentic sales secrets: Why being yourself creates high-value impact
• 19:26 – Inside the Med Device Interview Gauntlet and the surprise career pivot
• 22:13 – “What the bleep are you doing?” How to take huge risks (and win respect)
• 28:16 – From hard hats to boardrooms: Radical reinvention at every career stage
• 34:34 – The painful failures that haunt you and why they make you irreplaceable
• 41:09 – Crisis ready: The preparation habit elite leaders never skip

Chad Humphrey is the National Sales & Application Specialist for Digital Health Solution at Getinge, and a senior leader in the medical device space with two decades in sales, operating room design, and digital health transformation. After launching his career as a Student Works operator, Chad built his expertise at global giants like Coca-Cola, Mars Wrigley, Medtronic, and Stryker. He is recognized for his transformative impact on surgical technology solutions across Canada and his commitment to people-first leadership and mentorship.

🔗 LinkedIn

• Coca-Cola
• Mars Wrigley
• Tyco
• Medtronic
• Stryker
• Karl Storz
• Getinge

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if your biggest growth breakthrough is just one bold decision away?

In this exclusive episode, Chris Thomson sits down with 2024’s top StudentWorks rookies, Christian Corben and Mikhail Lopez, to uncover the hidden habits, resilience rituals, and mindset strategies that propelled them to nearly $50K in sales before winter’s end. These up-and-coming leaders reveal the real obstacles—internal and external—that threaten every ambitious entrepreneur and share the surprising stories you won’t hear in any business class.

If you want to shortcut years of struggle, avoid rookie burnout, and tap into the proven methods driving runaway success, this episode is your playbook. Listen now before you settle for mediocrity—because these insights are field-tested, battle-proven, and only revealed here.

1. [00:05:12] – The unexpected truth about “starting disorganized” and leveling up anyway
2. [00:08:00] – Why the most driven rookies work for the best mentors (and how they get hired!)
3. [00:13:31] – Shocking: How a high school rookie booked nearly $300K, against all odds
4. [00:16:16] – When ambition meets time limits: The silent killer no one sees coming
5. [00:22:24] – The story of a dog attack, lost weekend, and an unbreakable mindset
6. [00:28:20] – The little-known books and podcasts that banished wantrepreneur thinking
7. [00:37:30] – Uncommon networking: Why your peer group is your secret weapon
8. [00:45:55] – The 7-word morning mantra fueling nonstop rookie victories

Christian Corben is a first-year Laurier student and the standout top rookie window cleaning operator at StudentWorks Management Program, distinguished for booking nearly $300K in high school. Known for his resilience, leadership maturity, and ability to rally strong teams, Christian embodies the future of Canadian entrepreneurship.

🔗 LinkedIn

Mikhail Lopez is a top rookie painting operator at StudentWorks based in Montreal, recognized for his results-driven approach, his prior experience with powerhouse alumni like Lucas Legados and Aris Lloshi, and his commitment to continual personal growth. Mikhail is a rising force in young leadership circles.

🔗 Facebook

1. Jim Collins (author)
2. Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday (book)
3. Beyond the Hammer (book)
4. The Way of the Superior Man (book)
5. Whoop (wearable for recovery tracking)
6. LinkedIn Learning
7. Indeed (job platform)
8. Laurier University

1. Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
2. Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
3. Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
4. Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
5. Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.