Trevor Muir sits down with Angela Stojanov and Cheryl Willard from Versus to explore how to build a strong company culture and create teams that genuinely care for each other. They share stories from shaping a company culture from the ground up and the real challenges of hiring and team building. This business podcast episode delivers entrepreneurship insights, business advice, success stories, and motivation, helping you develop a strong entrepreneur mindset and pursue financial freedom. Angela and Cheryl also share actionable lessons from CEO interviews, founder stories, executive coaching, startup advice, leadership skills, business strategy, and scaling a business, including leveraging tools like the Culture Index, recruiting for cultural fit, and fostering authentic, people-centered leadership. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: Trevor welcomes Angela Stojanov & Cheryl Willard from Versus 1:15 – Building culture from day one and prioritizing team alignment over resumes 2:40 – How Versus evaluates candidates for both technical skills and cultural fit 5:00 – Angela & Cheryl’s involvement in pre-screening and multiple interview touchpoints 7:00 – Lessons from hiring successes, mistakes, and the importance of genuine evaluation 9:10 – Using the Culture Index to understand team dynamics and place the right people in the right roles Connect with Angela: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-stojanov/ Connect with Cheryl: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-willard-004635236/ Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: https://www.trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/trevor-muir-b7231356 About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Leadership isn’t a mic or a title. It is responsibility, courage, and showing up even when it is hard. Hosted by Trevor Muir, The Lean Into Lead Podcast brings honest conversations with leaders who face hard truths and lead with conviction. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadershipskills

Trevor Muir talks with Barbara Reppert about real team leadership, why most leaders struggle, and how to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. Entrepreneurship, business advice, success stories, leadership skills, and entrepreneur mindset drive this business podcast conversation. Barbara Reppert is a Certified Executive Coach, CPA, CMA, and founder of Reppert Coaching & Consulting with 25+ years of corporate and leadership experience, including serving as a Chief Financial Officer early in her career. She has coached executives and teams to improve communication, accountability, organizational culture, and performance. Barbara helps leaders address the people dynamics that most CEOs, founders, and executive teams struggle with but rarely talk about publicly. In this episode you will get practical lessons on why culture isn’t a poster on the wall, how to have hard conversations with empathy and clarity, and why leaders must treat people as humans — not things. Barbara breaks down the real reasons leaders fail to connect, how to build accountability into culture, and what happens when people know exactly where they belong. This episode delivers motivation, real examples of business strategy challenges, and actionable leadership lessons for anyone who wants to grow a business without sacrificing human connection. Chapters: 0:00 - Barbara’s unconventional career journey 3:00 - Caring as the foundation for accountability 6:00 - Building a strong, values-driven culture 9:30 - Management vs. leadership: the right tools for the right problems 13:00 - Vulnerability, impostor syndrome, and emotional leadership 17:30 - Outcomes of intentional leadership: self-selection and thriving teams Connect with Barbara Reppert: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarareppert/?originalSubdomain=ca Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: https://www.trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/trevor-muir-b7231356 About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Leadership isn’t a mic or a title. It is responsibility, courage, and showing up even when it is hard. Hosted by Trevor Muir, The Lean Into Lead Podcast brings honest conversations with leaders who face hard truths and lead with conviction. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadershipskills

In this episode of The Lean Into Lead Podcast, host Trevor Muir sits down with Beau Atkins, founder of Evolve Family Law, to uncover how entrepreneurship, business strategy, and innovative thinking are reshaping the legal industry. Beau shares his journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to launching a law firm built on transparency, flat-fee billing, and best business practices—not traditional legal norms. Listeners will gain insights into the realities of entrepreneurship, the highs, the lows, and the “pain tuition” that comes with building something meaningful. This episode delivers actionable business advice, leadership skills, and founder stories that highlight the entrepreneur mindset, motivation, and strategies for achieving financial freedom. Beau also dives deep into how AI is transforming his practice, from internal efficiency to client experience, and why embracing technology now is crucial for scaling a business and staying ahead in a competitive landscape. Packed with CEO interview insights, startup advice, and practical lessons, this conversation is essential for anyone looking to rethink their approach to business, law, or innovation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, legal professional, or curious about the future of AI in business, this episode shows how risk-taking, intentionality, and technology can create a law firm and a career, like no other. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction & Welcome 1:08 – Beau’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings & Mindset Shift 6:21 – Lessons from Failure & Perseverance in Entrepreneurship 10:12 – Founding Evolve Family Law & Disrupting the Legal Industry 14:04 – Flat-Fee Model, Client Benefits, and Creating Certainty 18:29 – AI Integration, Legal Tech Innovation & Future of Law Whether you’re an entrepreneur, legal professional, or curious about the future of AI in business, this episode shows how risk-taking, intentionality, and technology can create a law firm—and a career—like no other. Connect with Beau Atkins: Website: https://www.evolvelaw.ca/ Instagram: @beau_atkins Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: https://www.trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" The Lean Into Lead Podcast brings raw, unfiltered conversations about leadership, responsibility, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful. Hosted by Trevor Muir, each episode focuses on real stories from people who have made hard decisions, taken risks, and built lives that align with who they really are. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadership

It was all working. The business was scaling. Life looked exactly how it was supposed to. And then one night in Tokyo changed everything. Ally Stone is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and founder of The Inspired Leader. She became an entrepreneur at 22 and helped scale a hospitality company from 1 location to 17, growing it into a $40 million business with over 550 team members. After a life-altering moment involving her husband’s sudden medical crisis, she stepped away from that success to build a new path focused on leadership, culture, and human-centered performance. Today, she works with organizations across North America and has spoken at 30+ conferences, helping leaders build businesses where people and performance actually work together. 0:00 - The night that changed everything 2:10 - Becoming an entrepreneur at 22 3:02 - Scaling to a $40M business with 550 employees 5:13 - The moment that forced a new path 10:45 - Walking away from success (and the fear) 16:47 - What The Inspired Leader actually does Connect with Ally Stone: Website: https://www.theinspiredleader.com Instagram: @allystone_ Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: https://www.trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" The Lean Into Lead Podcast brings raw, unfiltered conversations about leadership, responsibility, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful. Hosted by Trevor Muir, each episode focuses on real stories from people who have made hard decisions, taken risks, and built lives that align with who they really are. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadership

Entrepreneurship, business advice, and leadership skills are at the core of this episode of The Lean Into Lead Podcast. Trevor Muir talks with Kelly Beattie from Beyond Connections about overcoming burnout, building high-performing teams, and creating a culture that empowers people. Kelly shares her journey from 23 years in corporate leadership to guiding organizations through executive coaching, startup advice, and scaling a business successfully. Learn actionable insights on aligning personal and organizational values, preventing burnout, improving communication, and fostering motivation in your team. This episode is full of success stories, practical strategies for entrepreneur mindset, and tips for achieving financial freedom while leading with impact. Chapters: 0:00 – Values, Burnout, and Taking Back Control 1:08 – How Leadership Started Early & What It Really Means 6:00 – Leading Large Teams at 21 with Heart and Skill 10:08 – Leaving a Steady Career for Purpose and People 12:30 – Core Values, Identity, and Culture Work that Changes Teams 18:00 – Caring with Head and Heart and What Success Really Looks Like Connect with Kelly Beattie Instagram: @beyondconnections Connect with Trevor Muir Website: https://www.trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Leadership isn’t a mic or a title. It is responsibility, courage, and showing up even when it is hard. Hosted by Trevor Muir, The Lean Into Lead Podcast brings honest conversations with leaders who face hard truths and lead with conviction. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadershipskills

Entrepreneurship, business advice, and leadership skills are at the core of this episode of The Lean Into Lead Podcast. Trevor Muir talks with Bari Mohammed about embracing change, leading diverse teams, and building a leadership style grounded in integrity and values. Bari shares his journey from a decade in oil and gas to pursuing an MBA and transitioning into high-impact leadership, offering insights on CEO interview lessons, founder stories, executive coaching, startup advice, and scaling a business. Learn actionable insights on overcoming fear, aligning personal and organizational values, leading with positivity and excellence, and fostering strong relationships in your team. This episode is full of success stories, practical strategies for entrepreneur mindset, and tips for achieving financial freedom while making bold career moves and leading with impact. Trevor Muir is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author helping leaders turn their "someday into today." He is Director of Global Business Development with Surepoint Group, founder of the Surepoint Someday to Today initiative, and author of "Addiction to Poetry." Through the Lean Into Lead podcast, Trevor creates space for raw conversations about vulnerability, authenticity, and heart-centered leadership. 0:00 - Why most people never reach their potential 1:34 - From engineering to global oil and gas projects 4:48 - The real fear behind starting over 8:18 - Moving into leadership and bigger responsibility 14:05 - What changes when you lead entire business units 25:17 - “Just do it” mindset that changed everything Connect with Bari Mohammed: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulbari-mohammed-pmp/ Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: trevormuir.ca Instagram: @trev.muiricane Book: "Addiction to Poetry" Lean Into Lead brings real conversations on leadership, founder stories, executive coaching, and startup advice. If you care about business strategy, leadership skills, and building something that lasts, you’re in the right place. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #entrepreneurmindset

You still remember that feeling when you knew you weren’t just built for a 9‑to‑5. That gut pull. That restlessness. That was where this conversation actually starts—right there in the tension between stability and bigger ambition. Entrepreneurship, business advice, and motivation don’t start with polished plans. They start with hard choices, curiosity, and the drive for financial freedom. Then it becomes real. Nick Willard grew up in the trades at age 13 and spent 30+ years building real‑world skill in electrical and instrumentation work before he ever thought about founding his own company. Today, he runs Versys Group, a technical services business built on team strength, strategic leadership, and a commitment to meaningful impact that extends far beyond profit. Together with host Trevor Muir, they dive into entrepreneur mindset, founder stories, and CEO interview insights—covering the choice to leave security, the trials of leadership, the culture that actually makes businesses work, and startup advice, leadership skills, and business strategy for building a life around what matters most without burning out. Nick Willard is the founder and CEO of Versys Group, a Calgary‑based industrial commissioning and technical services company delivering electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical solutions with ISO‑aligned quality systems across North America. Before leading Versys, Nick spent three decades in the energy sector, progressing from trades apprenticeship into leadership with deep field experience and a focus on building people‑first teams. Chapters: 0:00 – The feeling you know you’re meant for more than the usual path 3:30 – Why franchising like Booster Juice was a shortcut to business lessons 7:15 – Handling staff turnover and tough decisions at 21 11:00 – How leadership culture shapes teams that win 15:02 – Creating flexibility as a CEO so you can actually live life 19:40 – Turning personal challenges into community impact 25:10 – Why setting big goals is table stakes for growth Connect with Nick Willard: Website: https://www.versysgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-willard-69419930 Connect with Trevor Muir: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-muir About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Where real people share real leadership lessons for real life and real businesses. Conversations built for people who want to lead with clarity, strength, and heart. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #businessadvice #entrepreneurmindset #successstories #ceointerview #leadershipskills

In this episode of Lean Into Lead, Trevor Muir sits down with Kelly Paisley, CEO of The I.T. Company, for a raw conversation on what it really means to lead with heart while running a business. If you're looking for business advice on building culture over chasing profits, letting go of control, and showing up as a human being for your team, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth from someone who hit rock bottom and rebuilt himself into the leader his son could look up to. Kelly Paisley is the CEO and Managing Partner of The I.T. Company Ltd., Airdrie, Alberta's largest IT provider celebrating over 15 years in business. Kelly co-founded the company with Andrew Bennett after the two worked together as an internal corporate IT team before starting an internet cafe and gaming center. What began as IT support "for beer and dinner" for friends starting businesses grew into a full managed services company serving engineering, legal, accounting, oil and gas, and logistics industries. Kelly is a mentor for the City of Airdrie's SMARTstart entrepreneur program, a self-taught technician since before the internet existed, and a dad who spends time with his son boxing, playing baseball, reading, and attending comic book conventions. His leadership philosophy: "I'm not growing a business. I'm building a culture." Trevor Muir is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author helping leaders turn their "someday into today." He is Director of Global Business Development with Surepoint Group, founder of the Surepoint Someday to Today initiative, and author of "Addiction to Poetry." Through the Lean Into Lead podcast, Trevor creates space for raw conversations about vulnerability, authenticity, and heart-centered leadership. Chapters: 0:00 - Why Entrepreneurs Have a Problem With Authority 3:00 - From Internet Cafe to IT Company 7:00 - The Responsibility of People Depending on You 10:00 - Leading Through Divorce and Personal Trauma 15:00 - Radical Acceptance: Everything Is Exactly as It Should Be 20:00 - Building Culture Over Growing Business 24:00 - Why You Should Let Your Staff Fail 27:00 - The Hiring Lesson: You're Also in Charge of Firing 30:00 - Last Words: Always Make the Right Choice Connect with Kelly Paisley: 🔗 Company: The I.T. Company (theitco.ca) 🔗 LinkedIn: Kelly Paisley Connect with Trevor Muir: 🔗 Website: trevormuir.ca 🔗 Book: "Addiction to Poetry" About Lean Into Lead: Raw conversations, real leadership, real responsibility. Lean Into Lead explores heart-centered leadership and the courage it takes to show up authentically for your team, your family, and yourself. ⚡ Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadership

You think you are chasing success. But sometimes you are actually outrunning yourself. Entrepreneurship looks powerful on the outside, but inside it can quietly drain you if your identity is tied to the role instead of the person. This business podcast conversation is about that tension. About ambition, burnout, and what real motivation actually costs. Gem Dentith fainted on a commuter train while pregnant, working inside the UK Home Office. That collapse forced a full reset. Today, Gem Dentith is a CEO, executive coach, and author of Undressed, leading Gem Dentith Global and working with startup founders, senior leaders, and government executives across the UK and internationally. With 15+ years in change and transformation roles, including program and portfolio leadership inside the UK government, she has coached high-growth tech startups and C-suite leaders on leadership skills, entrepreneur mindset, and nervous system regulation. Her work blends neuroscience, executive coaching, and business strategy to help leaders build success stories and build toward financial freedom without burning out. This conversation covers entrepreneurship, business advice, founder stories, and the inner mechanics that shape leadership. From startup advice and scaling a business to identity and resilience, this is a CEO interview that gets personal. Chapters 0:00 - The Train Collapse That Changed Everything 3:30 - Why Traditional Jobs Never Fit 9:50 - Burnout While Pregnant 16:08 - Studying Neuroscience to Rebuild 20:15 - Coaching Startup Founders and CEOs 26:57 - Leadership Identity and Rooted Confidence Connect with Gem Dentith: Instagram: @iamgemdentith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemdentith Connect with Trevor Muir: Website: https://www.trevormuir.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevormuir LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormuir Leaning Into Lead is a business podcast focused on real leadership, real responsibility, and honest conversations about entrepreneurship, business strategy, and the entrepreneur mindset. Hosted by Trevor Muir. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #entrepreneurship #executivecoaching #financialfreedom #burnoutrecovery #leadershipdevelopment #womeninbusiness

You think you have it all figured out—the career, the business, the paycheck, the security. But sometimes success can blind you to what really matters. This conversation dives into that mirror moment when you don’t recognize the person staring back. Entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and building the right mindset look great from the outside, but without clarity of purpose and leadership, they can leave you feeling hollow. Patrick Callaghan co‑founded and scaled a multimillion‑dollar construction company after leaving a secure corporate job, gaining firsthand experience in startup advice, business strategy, and scaling a business. Leading the company took a toll on his personal life, showing the importance of burnout recovery and strong leadership skills. Today, as a certified Life Mastery Consultant, executive coach, and speaker, Patrick helps leaders and founders navigate identity crises, redefine success, and cultivate an entrepreneur mindset rooted in motivation, purpose, and intentional action. This is a CEO interview that gets honest about rock‑bottom moments, identity loss, and what it takes to rebuild yourself while maintaining real leadership and accountability. Expect business advice, startup mindset reflections, executive coaching insights, and founder stories that are rare on other business podcasts. Chapters: 0:00 - Transform Your Life After Hitting Rock Bottom 3:15 - Escape Corporate and Launch Your Business 9:45 - Survive Cash Flow Crises Like a CEO 14:30 - Lead Effectively While Protecting Your Team 19:00 - Overcome Personal Burnout & Breakdown 23:15 - Redefine Success and Reclaim Your Identity Connect with Patrick Callaghan: Website: https://patrickcallaghan.ca Instagram: (not publicly listed as official) LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/patrick-callaghan-a557b4319 Connect with Trevor Muir: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormuir About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Where raw leadership conversations meet real life. Hosted by Trevor Muir, this business podcast focuses on the challenges leaders face when scaling a business, redefining success, and building an intentional life. Powered by NXC Podcast Network Hashtags: #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #entrepreneurship #businesspodcast #founderstories #ceointerview