In this episode of Ottawa Business Matters, host Sam interviews David Colletto, the CEO of Abacus Data, a polling company that engages with thousands of Canadians weekly to gather insights on various topics, including consumer behavior, political opinions, and work culture. David shares the importance of leveraging good data for making informed decisions in business and beyond, highlights the diverse range of clients Abacus Data serves, from Google to local nonprofits, and emphasizes the value of polling in understanding public sentiment. Additionally, David discusses his involvement in community initiatives, including the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa River Keeper, stressing the importance of contributing to the city's vibrancy and quality of life. The conversation also touches on Ottawa's welcoming nature, the benefits of an active lifestyle, and David's personal reflections on making impactful life choices.

In this episode of Ottawa Business Matters, Rick Chase, VP of Gifford Carr, discusses the company's evolution as one of the largest independent insurance providers in the province, offering diverse services from home and commercial insurance to financial planning. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Gifford Carr's strong roots in Ottawa underscore its unique position in an increasingly amalgamated industry. Beyond business, Chase delves into his community involvement, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between business and community, his participation in charity events like the Ottawa Senators Gala and Hockey Helps the Homeless, and his role in fostering a support system through the Ottawa Board of Trade. The discussion also touches on the impact of the pandemic on recognizing the interconnectedness of business, health, and community well-being, stressing the importance of inclusivity and collaboration among various stakeholders in facing current and future challenges.

In this episode of 'Ottawa Business Matters,' host Sam is joined by Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, to discuss the vital role of businesses in Ottawa's economy and the city's future growth. The episode covers the recent Mayor's Breakfast featuring Premier Doug Ford, the importance of the relationship between Ottawa and Queen's Park, and upcoming initiatives like the City Building Summit and the downtown action plan. The conversation delves into the Ottawa Board of Trade's involvement in the Ontario budget process, the significance of the federal budget, and the Board's efforts to include diverse voices in economic development discussions through various platforms. The show also teases the '40 Under 40' event celebrating young leaders, emphasizing the inclusion of young perspectives in city-building efforts. Lastly, a significant focus is placed on mental health, particularly in the context of leadership roles, with gratitude expressed towards Lisa MacLeod for her openness and advocacy in this area.

On Ottawa Business Matters, host Sam Laprade and guest Lisa MacLeod, the MPP for Nepean, discuss recent developments in Ottawa including Premier Doug Ford's visit, announcing a new Barnsdale exit build in coordination with the City of Ottawa and a $37 million acceleration fund for home building. MacLeod, celebrating her 18th year in office, reflects on the growth of Ottawa regions like Barhaven and the significance of this funding in addressing the housing crisis and supporting municipal infrastructure developments. The conversation also touches on the economic growth derived from business expansions like the Amazon facility and the importance of mental health support, especially noting MacLeod's own challenges and advocacy for women in politics amidst harassment issues.

On this episode, the theme is 'radical collaboration' within the community, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Guest Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, discusses the board's initiatives and partnerships, emphasizing the role of business in driving economic growth. The podcast also explores Ottawa's culinary scene, with Stefanie Siska of C'est Bon Ottawa advocating for culinary tourism and the richness of local food culture. Discussions with other guests, including Cyril Leeder, president and CEO of the Ottawa Senators, and Jesse Card from Youth Ottawa, underscore the multifaceted nature of business and community engagement in Ottawa, showcasing successes and opportunities for synergy within the region. Finally, Stefanie Siska of C'est Bon Ottawa takes us on culinary adventures across Ottawa.

00:00 Welcome to Ottawa Business Matters: Amplifying Local Business Voices

00:39 Spotlight on Sueling Ching: The Powerhouse Behind Ottawa Board of Trade

01:37 The Essence of Radical Collaboration in Ottawa's Business Ecosystem

03:58 Pillar Partners: Elevating Ottawa's Business Advocacy and Development

13:38 Youth Ottawa: Fostering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

25:31 Cyril Leeder: Insights from the Ottawa Senators' Leadership

25:45 Celebrating Community Contributions and Ottawa Senators Insights

27:04 A Heartwarming Senators Game Memory

28:06 The Excitement Around Ottawa Senators' Future

28:55 The Importance of Community Engagement

30:51 Humble Beginnings and Career Journey

33:49 Embracing the Buzz of Hockey Games

37:26 Culinary Adventures with C'est Bon Ottawa

42:39 The Role of Ottawa Tourism in Promoting Culinary Experiences

48:54 Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Importance of Storytelling in Food

See the full transcript here

Exploring Culinary Delights with C'est Bon Ottawa

In this conversation, Stefanie Siska, co-founder of C'est Bon Ottawa, discusses the company's offering of hands-on cooking classes and walking food tours in the Byward Market area, led by renowned chef Georges Laurier. Celebrating its 12-year venture, C'est Bon Ottawa aims to connect people with the rich culinary scene and local businesses, fostering a deeper appreciation for food and cooking. Stefanie also highlights her role as the chair of Ottawa Tourism, emphasizing the importance of culinary tourism and sharing stories that enhance the dining experience. Additionally, she speaks to the vibrant food culture in Ottawa, surrounded by culinary hotspots like Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto, and the city's evolution into a foodie destination supported by a rich array of local ingredients and culinary programs.

This episode features a conversation between Sam Laprade, host of Ottawa Business Matters, and Jesse Card, the Executive Director of Youth Ottawa, discussing the interconnection between youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and business in Ottawa. Youth Ottawa, for 27 years, has been engaging young people through various programs, financial resources, and mentorship to help them chart their own futures. The discussion highlights the partnership between Youth Ottawa and the Ottawa Board of Trade, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship among youths and how connecting them with experienced business professionals can foster mentorship and opportunity creation. Jesse Card also discusses the rebranding of their signature event to 'Ottawa 21 Under 21' to align with these goals and the general synergy between Youth Ottawa's initiatives and the broader business community.

On Ottawa Business Matters, Cyril Leeder, the President and CEO of the Ottawa Senators, discusses his long-standing connection to Ottawa, his return to the Senators, and the impact of sports in the community. Leeder reflects on his personal journey, including his small-town values, and emphasizes the importance of community involvement for businesses, especially sports teams like the Senators. He shares a touching story about making a young fan's experience memorable, highlights the team's future plans and confidence in the new leadership, and talks about the potential move of the arena to downtown Ottawa. Leeder's humble approach to his significant role in the Ottawa community and his belief in leaving things better than he found them shine throughout the interview.

In this episode of Ottawa Business Matters, host Sam Laprade interviews Sueling Ching, the president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade. The conversation highlights the importance of 'radical collaboration' among businesses, elected officials, and economic partners for the prosperity of the community, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The Ottawa Board of Trade, acting as a hub for these partnerships, focuses on advocacy, economic development, and promoting diversity within the business community. They discuss how the Board's partnership with various sectors and regional collaborations, including with Gatineau, contribute to the economic growth of Ottawa. The importance of having diverse voices in business leadership to achieve better outcomes for the community is also emphasized. Additionally, the episode teases future guests, such as Cyril Leeder and Jesse Card, indicating a broad scope of discussions on Ottawa's economic and community development.

In this episode of Ottawa Business Matters, Sam Laprade hosts Riaz Sidi, a distinguished 40 under 40 recipient and the founder of SIDI.IO, a rapidly growing digital marketing company. Riaz shares his journey from starting as a solopreneur in his basement to becoming the leader of one of Ottawa's fastest-growing companies, highlighting the breakthrough success with Facebook and Google ad campaigns that significantly boosted client businesses. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the impact of being recognized by the Ottawa Business Journal, and the crucial role of networking and community involvement through the Ottawa Board of Trade. Riaz also offers encouragement and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of fostering talent and collaboration within the Ottawa business community to rebrand the city as a thriving hub for both big and small businesses.