Tecla Kalinda is on a mission to solve Canada’s trillion-dollar problem – starting with our kids.

I’m not materialistic. But when you don’t have anything, you see what money can do for you in your life.

With an eye to ushering a new generation of financially empowered youth, Tecla Kalinda, a Senior Analyst at the Bank of Canada, founded ZalaSmart: a financial education company geared to helping kids gain the skills to manage their money and grow generational wealth.

Since launching in 2018, Tecla has established strategic partnerships with youth-centered organizations like the Ottawa Public Library and their 33 locations, For Us Girls, Global Shapers, Girl Guides of Canada, to make ZalaSmart accessible to young people, no matter their means.

We caught up with Tecla on talking to kids about money, why entrepreneurs need to delegate, and how we can solve Canada’s trillion-dollar problem.

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This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Invest Ottawa. We teamed up to produce this special series in celebration of AccelerateOTT, Ottawa’s flagship entrepreneurial conference.

Visit www.accelerateott.ca to learn more.

“Everyone thinks you're competing with them, but you're really in competition with yourself.”

She raised $1.4 million and co-founded Black Women Talk Tech along the way. Today, Esosa Ighodaro-Johnson wants to help you get out of your own way.

From banking executive to tech founder, Esosa has learned the power of community. With Black Women Talk Tech and Roadmap to Billions, she unites Black women tech and scalable business founders across the United States to bridge critical knowledge gaps — helping them grow their business and build independent wealth, establishing legacies that can change the world.

We caught up with Esosa to find out how she pivoted from the conservative world of finance to tech, and why self-awareness and failing forward are the key to success.

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This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Invest Ottawa. We teamed up to produce this special series in celebration of AccelerateOTT, Ottawa’s flagship entrepreneurial conference.

Visit www.accelerateott.ca to learn more.

Makini Smith is an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of A Walk in my Stilettos. As a mindset coach and Proctor Gallagher certified consultant, Makini helps you turn your goals into accomplishments. Not only does she share her message through her coaching practice, she also speaks at events, conferences and live functions where she deeply connects with people + their stories. Makini has shared your expertise on global media platforms, including Chatelaine, xoNecole, iHeart Radio, CBC, Vice News, a Times Square billboard, to name a few.

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Lola Plaku is the founder and CEO of Lola Media Group – a firm focused on artist management and brand development. And she is also the founder of Girl Connected - a mentorship program for women looking to build in the music and entertainment industry.

You’ll learn:

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Stephanie Harrison is the Founder and CEO of The New Happy – a platform that is focused on lasting happiness and how we can actually focus on changing the world for the better.

Stephanie is focused on delivering the best content and does so every week, on Sundays. You can check out her newsletter here. You can expect writings and research where she will help you to redefine happiness (for yourself) so that you can flourish.

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Subscribe to the Power of Why on Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to a special *recap*episode of the Power of Why. We are officially wrapping up season 3 of the show with some conversations that we’ve had this season with creatives, executives, business operators.

These are all conversations captured on the Power of Why with guests who are so focused, brave, creative and thoughtful. Here they are:

If there is a particular episode that resonated with you – search the power of why + their name to listen to the full episode.

For the month of August, we will be showcasing replay episodes with some past guests who have blown me away.

In September, we will be back with season 4.

Mark Goudie is the President and CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG). He’s had quite the corporate career, formally educated as an accountant. Mark has advised clients on value creation strategies with PwC Canada. And with time, he moved into the sports and entertainment industry as CFO and Vice-president of Finance & Administration with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and the Canadian Tire Centre.

Today, Mark oversees all facets of OSEG’s business operations including Ottawa REDBLACKS Football Club (CFL) and the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club (OHL), concerts, major events, TD Place and the Lansdowne Live retail district.

I hope that Mark’s career is an example that your path is your path.

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Note: We will be taking the month of August off - a summer hiatus, if you will :) We will be back on September 2nd, 2021 to launch season 4 in New York City. Until then, Naomi.

Ben Branson-Gateley is Founder and CEO and founder of Charlie HR. Charlie HR is a market leading Human Resources Information System (HRIS) platform for small businesses in the UK. Ben has experience building 3 companies during his working years and then started Charlie HR, alongside his 2 co-founders back in 2015.

Ben is also the host of the Culture Ops podcast where he speaks to founders, operators, heads of People and HR about their work experiences.

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Note: We will be taking the month of August off - a summer hiatus, if you will :) We will be back on September 2nd, 2021 to launch season 4 in New York City. Until then, Naomi.

By day, Dennis Mathu is a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, where he advises clients on operations, strategy, and finance transformation. By night and on weekends, he is a content creator on YouTube with his girlfriend Steph. He is your go-to for personal finance and career-related topics.

Fun fact: Back in 2013, Dennis and I actually went to the same university for our undergraduate studies. We were friends in uni, and had a couple classes together, so it’s beyond exciting to see where he has taken his passion for film and exploring what this new age of technology has to offer.

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Note: We will be taking the month of August off - a summer hiatus, if you will :) We will be back on September 2nd, 2021 to launch season 4 in New York City. Until then, Naomi.

Reagan Bradley is a brand strategist who helps businesses connect with their customers through the power of thoughtful storytelling. Her brand strategies help people market authentically online, so they can do more of what they love.

Reagan has five years of agency experience. She’s also built brands and websites for clients in the cannabis, professional education, cybersecurity, and creative industries. She is passionate about community building. In the past, Reagan founded Women Who Weed — a leadership community for pro-cannabis women. And she also helped grow Local Talks to one of most sought out professional development events for entrepreneurs in Ottawa.

As a recent Ottawa transplant living in Vancouver, Reagan spends her weekends exploring mountains and rollerblading up and down the seawall. You can follow her adventures on Instagram.

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