Making Your Mark Podcast

🔥 Quick insight from Stella Filippatos on how to evaluate your career through a simple but powerful lens.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Stella explains why you should either be earning, learning — or, ideally, both. Her framework helps professionals optimize their path, make intentional moves, and avoid stagnation. A smart perspective for anyone navigating career growth and seeking clarity in their next step.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Kim Handysides on how creatives can respond to the rise of AI.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Kim shares her perspective on why adaptation, authenticity, and strategy matter more than fear when facing technological change. Her timely insight is especially relevant for artists, freelancers, and creatives navigating the future of work in a rapidly evolving industry.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Johnny Luk on resilience, ambition, and public life.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Johnny reflects on running for UK Parliament twice — and losing both times. What he gained instead was perspective, resilience, and clarity. His advice to young people is a reminder that success isn’t always about the seat — sometimes it’s about the story you carry forward.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Kate Good on the shift from world-class competition to the corporate world.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Kate shares what she discovered about the fundamental differences between elite sport and marketing — and how she had to adapt her mindset, expectations, and definition of success. Her story is a must-listen for anyone navigating high-performance transitions and redefining what achievement means in a new arena.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🎙 What does it take to lead, adapt, and thrive in today’s world?

Season 2 of the Making Your Mark Podcast explored exactly that — through powerful conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, public servants, athletes, healthcare professionals, and more. In this special recap episode, host Mark Bundang reflects on standout moments from Episodes 11 to 19. From building a mobile auto service business and navigating career pivots, to advocating for nurses, confronting AI in the creative industry, and running for public office, this season was packed with real stories and practical wisdom for anyone striving to make their mark.

🧠 Themes you’ll hear in this episode:

- Career reinvention and personal growth

- Integrity and brand building in challenging industries

- Work-life balance and mental wellness

- Leadership through failure and purpose

- Entrepreneurship, healthcare, and the future of creative work

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Season Two Overview

00:31 Improvements and Learnings from Season One

01:52 Highlighting Guest Stories and Lessons

02:42 Resilience and Identity: Kate Good's Take on the Mental Game

04:54 Politics and Public Service: Johnny Luk's "Why" for getting into it

07:38 Creativity and Entrepreneurship: Kim Handysides' Approach

09:18 Personal Growth: Stella Filippatos says to speak for yourself

11:28 Doing it her way: Samantha Bateman's Story

13:41 Integrity and Professionalism: Anne Pertus' Perspective

16:02 Resilience and Kindness: Kim Gutierrez' influences that got her into nursing

18:24 Work-life balance is what you make it: Derick Kulibaba's perspective

20:49 Integrity and flexibility in the auto mechanic service industry: Saaj Patel

23:12 Thank you to Season 2 guests and looking forward to future episodes

26:14 Asking for your help

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Trades to entrepreneurship, mobile auto service, and building a business on your own terms are at the center of Saaj Patel’s story. After years working in dealerships, Saaj made the bold decision to leave stability behind and launch SP Mecano, a mobile automotive servicing business built around convenience, integrity, and customer trust.

Saaj opens up about transitioning from technician to business owner, learning the office and operations side of entrepreneurship, and discovering the freedom that comes from doing things his way. Whether you're in the trades, considering self‑employment, or exploring the leap into entrepreneurship, this episode offers grounded, practical insight into building a business from the ground up.

He opens up about:

• Choosing the trades over culinary school

• Building a career in dealership automotive servicing

• Launching his mobile car service business

• Navigating the challenges of self‑employment

• Creating a brand based on flexibility, freedom, and integrity

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Saaj Patel’s Journey

02:17 Transition from Culinary to Mechanics

03:33 Experiences in Mechanics School

06:36 Career Development at the Dealership

08:27 Favorite Aspects of Mechanics

13:02 The Leap to Self‑Employment

15:01 The Benefits of Being Your Own Boss

17:51 Trade‑offs Between More Money and More Time

19:25 Learning the Office Side of Owning His Business

20:21 Surprises of Self‑Employment

22:42 Lessons Learned from Year One

26:06 Wouldn’t Go Back to Working for Someone Else

27:47 Nobody Will Treat Me Better Than I Treat Myself

30:29 Flexibility When the Economy Isn’t Doing Great

32:13 The SP Mecano Brand Has Integrity

37:57 Saaj’s Vision for SP Mecano

39:24 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

40:37 How to Reach Saaj Patel

42:54 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores trades‑to‑entrepreneurship transitions, mobile auto service businesses, self‑employment challenges, and the realities of building a flexible, integrity‑driven brand. Ideal for listeners navigating trades careers, early‑stage entrepreneurship, or the leap from stability to independence.

Purpose, mental wellness, and rebuilding life after loss are at the center of Derick Kulibaba’s story. A Montreal entrepreneur and coach, Derick transformed personal tragedy into a mission to support others through movement, community, and resilience.

Before founding Seconds Out Boxing, Derick built a successful corporate sales career. But life’s hardest moments shifted his priorities, leading him toward coaching, wellness, and creating safe spaces for people navigating their own struggles. Through Kuli Box and Seconds Out Boxing, he now empowers others to rise through physical and mental strength.

He opens up about:

• Losing his first wife and the emotional aftermath

• Creating Kuli Box and launching a new chapter

• Building Seconds Out Boxing from the ground up

• How corporate experience shaped his new path

• Redefining success, wellness, and the power of coaching

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Derick Kulibaba

01:42 Derick’s Background and the many places he’s made his mark

04:34 The tragic loss of his first wife

07:30 The birth of Kuli Box

12:47 Transitioning from tragedy to growth

16:46 Establishing Seconds Out Boxing

19:22 Understanding work‑life balance

22:54 Knowing when to move on

28:48 How corporate life can work against balance

33:52 Health, wellness, and alternative medicine

37:24 Finding purpose in boxing

39:22 The importance of self‑care

40:23 Creating a supportive community through Seconds Out Boxing

42:54 Seeing corporate life differently after leaving it

45:11 How to reach Derick Kulibaba

48:09 Asking for your help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores purpose, mental wellness, resilience, entrepreneurship, community building, and navigating life after loss. Ideal for listeners interested in wellness journeys, coaching, boxing communities, and personal transformation.

Nursing resilience, frontline reality, and the emotional toll of COVID‑19 shape the journey of Filipino‑Canadian nurse Kim Gutierrez. From hesitating to pursue nursing to becoming a travel nurse in the U.S. and later serving on Montreal’s frontlines, Kim’s story highlights the courage required to thrive in one of the most demanding professions.

Kim reflects on the pressures of nursing school, the challenges of travel nursing, and the human cost of working through a global crisis. She shares how cultural identity, family influence, and firsthand pandemic experience shaped her purpose as both a caregiver and an advocate for respect, recognition, and fair treatment for nurses everywhere.

She opens up about:

• Why she initially hesitated to pursue nursing

• The challenges & rewards of being a travel nurse

• The emotional toll of working through COVID‑19

• The resilience of Filipino nurses

• Why nurses deserve recognition, respect & fair pay

• Lessons from the frontlines and advice for future nurses

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Personal Connection

02:22 Kim's Mother's Influence on Her Nursing Career

03:55 Journey into Nursing: Inspiration & Education

07:14 Why Choose a Bachelor's in Nursing?

11:46 Travel Nursing: Opportunities & Challenges

19:56 Innovations in Patient Care During COVID‑19

25:44 The Emotional Toll of the Pandemic on Healthcare Workers

27:11 The Resilience of Filipino Nurses

29:22 Lessons from the COVID‑19 Frontlines

30:41 Nurses Are Not Maids: Breaking Stereotypes

34:57 How Nurses Should Be Recognized & Valued

39:07 Advice for Future Nurses

42:39 Conclusion

44:27 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores nursing resilience, frontline healthcare realities, travel nursing, and the emotional impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Ideal for listeners interested in nursing careers, healthcare advocacy, Filipino‑Canadian stories, and the human side of working through crisis.

How do integrity, transformation, and community shape a successful career? Anne Pertus, co‑founder of The Pillars, has built her professional journey around meaningful change, human‑centric leadership, and the power of finding your tribe. Her path spans large corporations, boutique consulting firms, and entrepreneurship — all grounded in the belief that shortcuts aren’t worth sacrificing integrity.

In this episode, Anne shares how growing up in a constantly changing environment shaped her adaptability, why community matters in both business and life, and how strong relationships fuel transformation. Whether you're interested in consulting culture, leadership, change management, or building a supportive network, Anne’s story offers grounded wisdom and practical insight.

She opens up about:

• Growing up in a constantly changing environment

• Why integrity matters more than quick wins

• Transitioning from corporate life to boutique consulting

• The catalyst for launching her own firm

• The importance of community, chemistry, and support networks

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anne Pertus

01:02 Growing Up in a Constantly Changing Environment

03:06 The Pillars: A Boutique Consulting Firm Focused on Transformation

05:05 Why Taking Shortcuts Isn’t Worth It — Integrity Over Quick Wins

09:13 The Transition from Large Corporate Life to Small Consulting Firms

11:34 The Catalyst for Going Out on Her Own

14:27 The Importance of Community & Support Networks

16:24 “Des Atomes Crochus” — The Chemistry of Strong Relationships

18:47 What Makes The Pillars Unique in Business Transformation

23:58 Building a Unique Consulting Culture & Leadership Approach

28:54 Anne’s Personal Health Journey & Advocacy for Well‑Being

32:40 How to Connect with Anne

34:14 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores business transformation, human‑centric leadership, consulting culture, and the role of community in career growth. Ideal for listeners navigating career transitions, leading change, or building meaningful professional relationships.

Resilience, purpose, and building a business through adversity are central to Samantha Bateman’s story. As the founder of Integria Consulting, Sam has spent 20 years growing a purpose‑driven executive search firm rooted in service, second chances, and a deep commitment to helping people find meaningful work.

Sam shares how early hardship shaped her drive, why she chose entrepreneurship over the safe corporate path, and how she built Integria through economic downturns, uncertainty, and moments that tested her resolve. Whether you're an entrepreneur, recruiter, job seeker, or someone navigating career challenges, her journey offers grounded lessons in grit, leadership, and purpose.

She opens up about:

• Building a business through adversity

• Why she chose entrepreneurship over stability

• The mindset behind “It has to work”

• Supporting marginalized job seekers

• Purpose‑driven leadership and service

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Samantha Bateman

02:04 From Growing Up in the West Island to 20 Years of Integria Consulting

03:57 Juggling Full‑Time Work While Completing a University Degree

06:04 Saying No to the Easy Path & Building Her Own Way

10:24 What Fuels Sam’s Entrepreneurial Spirit?

14:10 The Origins of Integria Consulting

17:09 The Mindset of “It Has to Work, I Can’t Stop Until It Does”

20:52 The Role of a Spouse or Partner in Career Success

24:32 How a Political Science Degree Came in Handy in Business

26:45 The Turning Point When Integria Started to Gain Momentum

28:59 One Person Willing to Take a Chance on You

32:40 Weathering the 2008–2010 Downturn as a Small Business

34:25 Sometimes People Just Need One Break to Change Their Lives

39:36 Empowering Marginalized & Underemployed Job Seekers

42:31 The Importance of Connection, Service & Purpose‑Driven Leadership

47:39 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores resilience, purpose‑driven entrepreneurship, executive search leadership, and supporting marginalized job seekers. Ideal for listeners navigating career challenges, building a business, or seeking meaning in their professional journey.