What if retaining your best people wasn’t about perks or pay, but about purpose and leadership?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I’m joined by Francie Jain, Founder and CEO of Terawatt Group Coaching, to explore how leaders can build cultures where people don’t just stay, they grow. With over a decade of leadership strategy and coaching, Francie breaks down the root causes of employee turnover and how expert-led group coaching is reshaping how companies support and engage their teams.

We discuss why traditional retention strategies fall flat, what high-performing cultures have in common, and how leaders can create workplaces that inspire loyalty, growth, and genuine connection.

In This Episode:

• Why employees actually leave
• The ROI of leadership coaching
• How to build a culture of growth and trust
• The role of group coaching in retention

Website: https://www.soniacouto.com/Podcast

IG Channel: https://www.instagram.com/tenacitywithsoniac/

IG Host: https://www.instagram.com/techiesoniac

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@techiesoniac

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TenacitywithSoniaC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniacouto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555526145296

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when a creative mind meets cutting-edge tech? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Emmy-winning TV producer turned founder, Erich Archer, to unpack how he transitioned from storytelling on screen to solving real business problems with AI.

Erich shares the behind-the-scenes journey of launching Smarty Pants, an ecosystem of over 100 custom GPT tools powering automation and innovation for startups, nonprofits, and creators. We talk about the mindset shift from creative to tech founder, how to identify real pain points in business, and why AI isn’t replacing humans, it’s amplifying them.

In This Episode:

• The leap from media to tech entrepreneurship
• Building useful AI tools from scratch
• How GPTs can accelerate business growth
• Lessons from launching 100+ tools without a tech background

Sponsored by Konverge

Custom software solutions, proudly built in Canada for over 31 years. Learn more at konverge.com

This one’s for builders and the curious. Please share it with someone exploring how to harness AI in their business.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if the key to startup success wasn’t scaling fast, but starting smaller and smarter?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Peter Bonney, founder of Vendorful, a SaaS platform revolutionizing B2B procurement and enterprise sales. Peter shares his unfiltered founder story, from building too broadly and burning out to rebooting with clarity, focus, and AI.

We explore how Vendorful now helps teams eliminate thousands of hours of manual work on RFPs and security questionnaires and the mindset shift that made it all possible.

In This Episode:

• The biggest mistake Peter made in his first startup
• Why your MVP should be messy (and small)
• How AI is transforming B2B workflows
• Starting over with clarity and lean thinking

Sponsored by Konverge

A Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Visit konverge.com

Do you know a founder navigating pivots or platform strategy? Share this episode; it might save them months of guesswork.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when ancient plant medicine meets modern wellness entrepreneurship?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Trish Mock, founder of GOOD PSYCHE, a wellness company that blends the wisdom of medicinal mushrooms and herbs with contemporary healing practices. Trish shares her powerful journey from growing up on her family’s medicinal herb farm to launching a mission-driven brand grounded in holistic health.

We talk about what it takes to grow a wellness company from the ground up, the challenges of educating a modern audience, and the deeper purpose driving GOOD PSYCHE’s evolution.

In This Episode:

• Trish’s journey from farm life to founder
• The role of medicinal plants in modern wellness
• What it takes to build trust in a wellness brand
• The emotional and practical sides of launching a purpose-driven company

Sponsored by Konverge

Custom software innovation, proudly Canadian for over 31 years. Explore more at konverge.com

Do you know someone who is launching a wellness or purpose-led brand? Share this episode with a founder who leads with heart and healing.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it mean to lead with authenticity? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, host Sonia Couto sits down with Justin Wenzel, founder of JWX, to explore how redefining leadership transformed his life and the lives of those he leads.

Justin opens up about growing up in the automotive industry, where his career path was laid out before he even had a say. From excelling in car sales to silently battling addiction and burnout, Justin shares the pivotal moment he decided to break the mould and take control of his story. His transition from surviving in a high-pressure environment to thriving in his own business is a must-have for anyone questioning the traditional definition of success.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, we dive into the world of dating apps with Anthony Tulai, the Founder and CEO of Hopp Dating—an app that's shaking up the industry by eliminating endless swiping and meaningless chats in favor of real-life connections.

Anthony shares his unique journey from studying Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo to launching a dating app that prioritizes authenticity and in-person meetups.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, I sit down with Jared Jennings, founder of Phantom Brands, to talk about what it takes to build a sustainable and successful business.

Jared’s journey from a corporate 9-to-5 job to running a thriving brand agency wasn’t a straight path—it was filled with challenges, pivots, and invaluable lessons.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when success comes at the cost of your well-being? In this inspiring episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, we sit down with Miguel Ribeiro, a passionate entrepreneur who found himself on the brink of burnout after years of relentless hustle. Miguel opens up about the pivotal moment that forced him to re-evaluate everything—his business, health, and definition of success.

Together, we explore how he rebuilt a thriving business and a life rooted in purpose, resilience, and balance. From redefining his boundaries to creating systems that support sustainable growth, Miguel’s journey is a powerful reminder that building a business is possible without burning out.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone chasing a big dream, this episode is packed with insights on how to prioritize your well-being while still reaching for success.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, we sit down with Jason Sherman, a seasoned entrepreneur, author of Strap on Your Boots, and the founder of Spinnr and Vengo AI. Jason shares his journey of resilience and innovation, from overcoming the growing pains of entrepreneurship to pivoting when the stakes were high.

We explore how his app, Spinnr, leverages AI to combat the loneliness epidemic and how Vengo AI transforms consumer interactions. Jason also dives into the challenges and sacrifices of being a founder, offering invaluable advice for navigating self-doubt, burnout, and professional hurdles.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or curious about how AI reshapes human connection, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Is your business running you, or are you running your business? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, we discuss intelligent scaling, strategic pivots, and building a company that aligns with your life—not consumes it.

Nicco Leonne, founder of Nemean Pride Consulting, proves that you don’t have to wait until retirement to live your dream life. After working in corporate consulting and earning his MBA at NYU-Stern, Nicco built a thriving remote-first business that allows him to travel the world with his family while helping companies streamline operations, finance, and HR.

Nicco shares his hard-earned lessons on entrepreneurship, from hitting central growth plateaus to successfully pivoting a business model. We explore why many founders struggle with burnout, how to systematize growth, and what CEOs should be focusing their time on to scale smartly—without sacrificing freedom.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tenacity-with-sonia-c/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands