Meet Chris Schmidt, the original creator of Snapchat geo-filters and today, the CEO and Co-Founder of Pluto Ventures - a venture-backed artificial intelligence company that is leveraging the hyper-personalized online world and using our body dimensions to customize goods and services.

Get in on the ground floor of their new fashion-first social platform that captures your body dimensional data, and then uses that information to enhance your shopping experience. (Think - no more matching your body type to the reviews section because AI does it for you - in a much more reliable way!)  AND the best part… Chris speaks for the first time ever - here on our show - about Pluto Ventures and how this new platform came to be over the last 3 years! 

The founder, Chris Schmidt, is a pretty unique young guy. He started his first business at the age of ten. And right after university, he founded the world's first Snapchat filter company, Geofilter Studio.

In case you didn’t realize who was behind all your first Snapchat filters - let me tell you more. Geofilter Studio exploded at an unprecedented rate of 24,000% and grew to 85 employees in the first year. They were the fastest-growing company in all of Canada in 2017 and became the largest filter producer in the world.  

In this episode, CEO and Founder Chris Schmidt speaks about his innate entrepreneurial nature, how to build a strong workplace culture, and what it’s like to be creating modern - some may say millennial and even Gen Z - tech solutions. 

So if you want to know what’s next in start-up tech, be sure to tune in to this episode of Start Canada Podcast with Chris Schidt - the founder of Geofilter Studio, Pluto Ventures, and more!

Listen now online here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or find us on most major podcast platforms. Prefer video? Watch now on YouTube HERE!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

* 0:33 to 5:42 Get to know Chris Schmidt, multiple business founder* 5:43 to 11:00 Becoming a young leader* 12:10 to 18:09 Creating the biggest snap chat filter company - Geofilter Studios* 18:10 to 23:00 Selling a successful scale-up  * 23:01 to 25:20 SPEED ROUND* 27:19 to 30:10 Creating Pluto Ventures * 30:25 to 35:17 *Exclusive Announcement* What has Chris and Pluto Ventures been building for the last 3 years? Answer: Parallel (Teaser: they are using body dimensional data to customize your shopping experience!)* 35:18 to 38:55 Make money as an influencer on Parallel* 39:01 to 46:20 Behind the scenes of a disruptive start-up; Building without customers and building great company culture* 46:30 to 54:28 Funding and tips for starting a business* 54:30 to 57:00 What's next for Chris Schmidt

Follow Our Guest – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

* https://www.pluto.ventures/ and https://www.joinparallel.io/* Instagram @ChrisSchmidt and @JoinParallel.io * Twitter @ChrisSchmidt and @PlutoVentures and @JoinParallel* LinkedIn @Schmidt-C and @PlutoVentures and

Meet Amy Tung, Founder of I Am Love - a social enterprise that is constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to help our community thrive. Launched in 2018, the primary premise of I Am Love was to create jewelry with meaning, created by youth and sold to raise funds for local charities. On top of that, they’ve helped many organizations to build, execute, and accelerate their fundraising success.

Amy’s calling has always been around reaching out and supporting others, including smaller local charities who lack the necessary funding. Spreading love was always her goal. And the organization was growing rapidly - until it came to a screeching halt in 2020. 

Now their focus has changed to helping the community at a grassroots level. Taking note of the many vulnerable people - and women specifically - who lost their sources of income during the pandemic, they have pivoted from a fundraising-first model, toward providing more support from the ground up. They now work to create employment opportunities and skill building in the post-covid-19 job market, for women facing barriers. 

In this episode, CEO and Founder Amy Tung speaks about her personal journey starting a social enterprise, pivoting due to Covid-19, and how her community minded focus led to genuine personal growth. 

If you are curious about what it’s like to start a social enterprise, or have simply been dying to get to know Amy Tung, don’t miss this episode of Start Canada Podcast with the founder of I Am Love!

Listen now online here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or find us on most major podcast platforms. Prefer video? Watch now on YouTube HERE! 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

* 0:33 to 6:54 Get to know Amy Tung and I Am Love* 6:55 to 12:45 Going all in as a social enterprise * 12:50 to 15:30 How the Pandemic led to new support* 15:31 to 19:25 Combating the stigma of mental health* 19:26 to 23:35 Empowering women with work * 23:40 to 26:40 What is love?* 26:45 to 29:15 The power of being curious * 29:16 to 32:30 Evaluating your relationship to money * 32:40 to 35:00 SPEED ROUND* 35:01 to 44:10 Feedback and networking with the right people* 44:11 to 47:44 Getting started and staying intentional* 48:45 to 53:55 Learning to accept praise and the entrepreneurship journey* 54:30 What's next for I Am Love and Amy Tung 

Follow Our Guest – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

* iamloveproject.ca and xoxoiamlove.com * Facebook @XOXOiamlove and @AmyJTung* Instagram @iam_love_project and @amy_tung_* LinkedIn @AmyTung

Follow Start Canada Podcast – And Share What You Learned From This Episode:

* Facebook: @StartCanadaPodcast* Instagram: @StartCanadaPodcast* LinkedIn: @StartCanadaPodcast* Twitter: @MargauxAMiller* YouTube:

Meet Felicita Ovadje - a practicing attorney and freelance makeup artist. With an eye for excellence, she identified a gap for products designed for people of color in the North American beauty industry and decided to be that change. Founded in 2014, Felicita launched Felicheeta Artistry - pivoting in 2020 to become both an ecommerce and a brick and mortar space for customers to find makeup brands owned by people of color, created for women of all skin tones.  

Felicita is passionate about the success of Immigrants and persons of Colour; she is focused on  playing her part by creating a one-of-a-kind retail store promoting BIPOC brands in a safe space. Her dream is to have a store in every city in North America.

In this episode, Felicita Ovadje speaks about the evolution of beauty products for people of color, about balancing her passions, and provides great tips (both legal and otherwise!) of things to consider when starting a business. 

If these topics call out to you, then don’t miss this episode of Start Canada Podcast with the COO and founder of Felicheeta Artistry. 

Listen now online here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or find us on most major podcast platforms. Prefer video? Watch now on YouTube HERE! 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

* 0:33 to 9:44 Meet Felicita Ovadje of Felicheeta Artistry* 9:45 to 12:40 Growing up with overachievers * 12:40 to 17:42 Finding balance in life and business* 17:43 to 22:10 Learning from loss * 18:50 to 22:10 Defining your brand* 23:20 to 29:23 Relationships with BIPOC makeup brands* 35:08 to 37:00 SPEED ROUND* 37:01 to 44:36 Big Goals and Being Grateful * 44:37 to 49:40 Opening a brick and mortar store vs ecommerce only* 49:41 to 55:25 Tips to starting a business* 55:26 to 58:22 Makeup tips - Keep lipstick off your mask

Follow Our Guest – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

* FelicheetaArtistry.com* Facebook @FelicheetaArtistry* Instagram @FelicheetaArtistry * YouTube @FelicheetaArtistryInc

Find Your Start – Episode Resources Mentioned by Our Guest:

* Dark Shugar wigs and brand FA carries * Felicheeta Artistry store at Grant Park Mall  

Follow Start Canada Podcast – And Share What You Learned From This Episode:

* Facebook: @StartCanadaPodcast* Instagram: @StartCanadaPodcast* LinkedIn: @StartCanadaPodcast* Twitter: @MargauxAMiller* YouTube: @StartCanadaPodcast

Start Canada Podcast is supported by:

* Scotiabank* Manitoba Technology Accelerator *

Meet Ben Buckwold, CEO and Founder of ESL Library - a company empowering language teachers to teach their best class, with exceptional content and a custom platform used by language teachers in more than 10,000 schools around the world.

In this episode of Start Canada Podcast, Ben speaks about being the first ESL learning app in the world, knowing when to pivot, and the importance of building great content. From the staff side, we get tips for building a great team, remote morale boosting, and the positive people effects of giving back to the community.

If you are building an online resource based business, or you want to pivot to one, be sure to tune in to this episode of Start Canada Podcast with the founder of ESL Library!

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet David Dang, Social Media and Digital Marketing Expert whose Instagram business page EntrepreneurshipFacts has over 2.2M followers.

In this episode, we cover how to use social media to kick start a business or test a new idea, how to build an audience on Instagram, and how to stay motivated and on track. If you are ready to take your social media to the next level, be sure to catch this episode of Start Canada Podcast with David Dang!

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet Katie Hartle, Founder and CEO of FriendMatch - a unique company that is exactly as it sounds - think online dating but strictly for platonic friendships instead. In a time where loneliness is at an all-time high, Katie has built a community over 100 countries to help tackle just this, answering the question "How to Make Friends" for more than 5 million people - and counting.

In this episode, we cover the human side of business, how to build a lean start-up, tips for growing a community, and so much more. If you have an idea you believe in - be sure to catch this episode to be inspired to get started today!

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube OR take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet Cheryl Zealand, Founder and CEO of Cranked Energy Bars - a protein bar company carried by over 100 Manitoba retailers and set for national expansion.

If you are starting a food based business from your home kitchen and want to learn to build your brand - tune in to this episode for tips from Cranked Energy Bars!

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube OR take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts. Just search: Start Canada Podcast

Meet Glenda and Rory Hart, Co-Founders of the Canadian Birch Company. They create products from organic birch sap and craft the world’s finest pure birch syrup.

In this episode, Host Margaux Miller taps into the ins and outs of the birch syrup industry, inquiring into dealing with food products and getting into retailers, and garners advice for working with programs like the Scotiabank Women Initiative.

If you are starting a food based business and you want to skip some hurdles of learning the hard way - then be sure to catch this episode!

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet Anthony Halyckyj, the Founder of 204 Meal Prep - a subscription box meal kit company that delivers convenient meal options direct to your door. In our conversation, Anthony shares with us the hurdles of the subscription business model, the experience of purchasing his main competitor, and even some tips for eating healthy.

If you’ve ever wanted to know the ins and outs of a subscription box meal prep company - then this episode is for you! 

If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube HERE or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

* 0:33 Meet Anthony Halyckyj, Founder of 204 Meal Prep* 3:25 Starting a Subscription Box Meal Kit Company * 10:05 Meal Prep for Professional Athletes * 15:20 Moving from Side Hustle to Full Time Entrepreneurship * 27:00 Managing Hypergrowth * 29:55 Subscription Box Business Model with Perishable Items* 39:15 SPEED ROUND* 40:50 Fitness and Nutrition Tips* 47:15 Acquiring The Competitor, Prairie Box* 56:00 Giving Back and the Future of 204 Meal Prep

———

Follow Our Guest – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

* 204mealprep.com* Facebook @204mealprep* Instagram @204mealprep* Twitter @204mealprep* LinkedIn @Anthony-Nicholas

Find Your Start – Episode Resources Mentioned by Our Guest:

* Prairie Box* Winnipeg Blue Bombers* Simon Sinek’s Book: Start With Why* Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard* The Leftovers Program 

Follow Start Canada Podcast – And Share What You Learned From This Episode:

* Facebook: @StartCanadaPodcast* Instagram: @StartCanadaPodcast* LinkedIn: @StartCanadaPodcast* Twitter: @MargauxAMiller* YouTube: @StartCanadaPodcast

Start Canada Podcast is supported by:

* Scotiabank* Manitoba Technology Accelerator * Tech Manitoba

Meet Michelle and Caroline, two business leaders from either side of the entrepreneurship coin. From the start-up side, Michelle Leona is the Owner and Head Brewer of Wolseley Kombucha - a women-owned and operated business kombucha brewery. From the support side, Caroline Ksiazek, the Regional Lead in the heart of Canada for Futurpreneur - Canada’s only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39.

Our guests provide great tips on how to leverage the power of your network and use mentorship to get ahead, as well as tips for securing grants and funding for your Canadian business. www.startpodcast.ca