Maverick Makers Podcast

Meet Tina Singh—Occupational Therapist, Digital Creator, mom of 3… and the powerhouse behind Bold Helmets.

When Tina couldn’t find a helmet that fit her Sikh kids’ top knots, she didn’t just settle—she built one. In 2023, she launched the first safety-certified multi-sport helmet designed for Sikh children, and since then, Bold Helmets has been breaking barriers in inclusivity, one head at a time.

You may have seen her on Dragon’s Den, or read about her in the Top 25 Women of Influence (2024) and Streets of Toronto’s most inspiring women list—but Tina’s just getting started. A new hero product drops later this year 👀💥

Because when identity meets innovation, bold things happen. 🧠💡🛡️

On this week's episode of the Maverick Makers Podcast - we dig into Duwayne Robinson’s story—and it’s all heart.

Born to Jamaican immigrants. Raised on resilience.

Duwayne’s journey hasn’t followed a straight line—but it’s been built on hard work, hustle, and human connectione very step of the way including, Labor jobs, Night shifts, Hot kitchens, Corporate leadership, A 12K-strong YouTube community and Creative ventures that never stopped calling.

He didn’t wait for permission to grow—he just kept showing up.

If you’re looking for proof that perseverance pays off, or a reminder that leadership is about people, not titles—Duwayne’s the real deal.

What happens when you walk away from a “safe” corporate job with no backup plan… just a gut feeling and a KitchenAid mixer?

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, host Michelle Daides sits down with Suzy Gazzellone—a former banker turned baker whose leap of faith led to a wildly successful cake business, a beautiful family, a debut cookbook (Secrets From a Baker), and over 20 TV appearances (yes, she pitched herself!).

Suzy shares her deeply personal story—from facing fertility struggles and career blocks, to discovering the healing power of baking and building a life filled with sweetness, creativity, and purpose.

We talk about:

-Why baking became her therapy
-Her journey to writing a cookbook
-The courage to pivot careers (even when it makes zero sense on paper)

Suzy’s story is proof that sometimes life’s biggest challenges become the ingredients for your greatest transformation.

In this deliciously inspiring episode of Maverick Makers, host Michelle Daides chats with Chantal Bekhor, the founder of VG Gourmet—a brand that’s changing the way we think about plant-based eating.

Before launching VG Gourmet in 2015, Chantal was an elementary school teacher with a love for cooking and a deep belief in the power of a plant-based lifestyle. Frustrated by the lack of wholesome, ready-made vegan options, she took matters into her own hands (literally!)—crafting burger recipes in her home kitchen using real vegetables, beans, walnuts, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. No preservatives, no fillers, no fake meat—just real food done right.

Her philosophy is simple: if you want people to eat better, you have to give them something that’s both practical andgourmet. That’s exactly what she’s done—with products now in over 2,500 stores and restaurants across Canada, and a growing number of raving fans who send thank-you emails just for making their weeknight dinners easier and healthier.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Chantal’s story is one of passion, persistence, and staying true to your roots—even when the industry is pushing the opposite. Whether you're plant-based curious or a longtime foodie, this convo will leave you inspired to eat—and live—a little more intentionally.

Tune in now and discover how a teacher-turned-founder is feeding a fresh kind of plant-based movement, one mouthwatering bite at a time.

Get ready for another juicy episode of the Maverick Makers Podcast - Host Michelle Daides speaks with Jennifer Hanna, founder of Ignite People Solutions—and a true powerhouse when it comes to developing leaders who actually make an impact.

Jennifer isn’t about fluffy leadership jargon. She’s about evidence-based, measurable growth. With a background in the Learning Sciences and behavior change, she knows exactly how adults learn—and what it takes to move leadership from theory to real-life transformation.

We dig deep to really understand what makes a great leader.

Jennifer’s passion for creating lasting change is contagious—and her insight is a game changer for any org that wants more than just buzzwords.

In this episode of Maverick Makers, host Michelle Daides sits down with Jake Karls, the bold and brilliant Co-founder & Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares—the better-for-you chocolate brand that’s flipping the traditional food industry on its head.

Jake is not your typical business leader. He’s raw, real, and radically honest about what it takes to build a brand that actually breaks through. From launching a snack empire out of a kitchen to becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Jake shares what it means to lead with heart, make noise in a noisy world, and bring full-on personality to your business.

What you’ll hear:

-How Jake and his co-founders grew Mid-Day Squares from scratch—literally

-Why storytelling and transparency are their superpowers

-What being the “Chief Rainmaker” really means

Get ready for a high-energy, no-fluff convo that’ll leave you fired up to chase your own maverick dreams.

In this episode of Maverick Makers, host Michelle Daides sits down with Janelle, a Toronto-based real estate expert whose journey from television production to property transactions gives her a unique edge. With a background in HGTV renovation shows, Janelle blends her knowledge of construction, design, and market trends to make buying, selling, and investing as stress-free as possible.

But Janelle’s story goes beyond real estate. Diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, she underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery before ultimately becoming cancer-free. Her experience ignited a passion for supporting others on similar journeys, leading her to work with ReThink Breast Cancer. This life-changing chapter has shaped her mission to live life to the fullest and help others do the same.

As a Certified Master Negotiator, Janelle shares insights on navigating the real estate world with confidence, whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor. She also opens up about life in Toronto’s Junction neighborhood, balancing career and family, and her dedication to giving back.

Tune in for a conversation filled with expert advice, resilience, and inspiration for making bold moves—both in business and in life!

Learn more about Janelle

Get to know Michelle!

Connect with Host Michelle Daides on LinkedIn.

Dive into the world of content with Maverick Makers Content Creation Collective.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Maverick Makers: Off The Cuff! In this episode, we bring back two former guests and dive deep into the power of self-love, trusting your intuition, and embracing joy with our incredible experts—Personal Transformation Coach Karla Smith and Peak Performance Coach Leanne Monaghan.

-The foundations of self-love and why it’s essential for personal growth

-Practical tips to cultivate self-love and break through self-doubt

-The role of intuition in decision-making and how to trust your gut

-Actionable steps to create a life aligned with your true self

Karla Smith – A Personal Transformation Coach and Self-Love Expert, Karla empowers highly supportive women to prioritize themselves, embrace balance, and cultivate lasting joy. She is the creator of The Monday Mantra Collective and the Morning Mantra card deck.

Leanne Monaghan – A Peak Performance Coach who specializes in helping individuals unlock their full potential through mindset shifts, intuition, and high-performance strategies.

Tune in for an honest, off-the-cuff conversation filled with wisdom, laughter, and transformational insights!

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

Follow us on social media for more behind-the-scenes moments and empowering content!

Have a question or topic suggestion? We’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Maverick Makers, host Michelle Daides sits down with Megan Silk, co-founder of Gingerbug, a brand revolutionizing soda with gut-healthy, certified organic ingredients. Alongside her husband, Bren Silk, Megan turned a passion for fermentation on their off-grid farm into a thriving consumer brand, now available coast to coast in Canada.

Megan shares her unexpected journey into the world of consumer packaged goods, her experience pitching on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, and the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business while raising five children. She also gives us a sneak peek into Gingerbug’s plans for U.S. expansion and offers insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about innovation, resilience, and the power of following your gut—both in business and in health!

Learn more about Gingerbug!

In this unscripted and unfiltered episode of Maverick Makers: Off The Cuff, host Michelle Daides welcomes back Matt Cundill, Owner and Operator of the Soundoff Media Network. From the long game of podcasting to entrepreneurship, travel, and a deep love for soccer, no topic is off-limits.

Matt shares his insights on what it takes to sustain and grow a successful podcast, the latest industry trends, and how creators can stay ahead of the curve. But the conversation doesn’t stop there—Michelle and Matt dive into their love of travel, reminiscing about the magic of Europe, with a special focus on Spain. From the rich culture and incredible food to the vibrant energy of cities like Seville and Malaga, they explore what makes Spain such a captivating destination.

Whether you're a podcaster, entrepreneur, or travel enthusiast, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration.