Episode #116 - Omar Khan - Freedom Through Knowledge by Patrick Francey

“How we portray the brand, how we market the brand, how we communicate everything around that brand needs to be in sync. You need to get the whole organization understanding what that ethos is and be consistent in its application and its communication. And you really need senior leadership to align to that.” – Bryan Semkuley   

Connect with Connect with Bryan Semkuley:

LinkedIn

Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:

BrandVation

Global Minds Network

The Third Angle

Labatt

Pebble in the Sky by Isaac Asimov

The Other Side of Innovation: Solving the Execution Challenge by Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble

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SHOW NOTES

[02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest: Bryan Semkuley.

[02:54] Two old friends, Bryan and Patrick first get caught up with each other. With a long list of adventures and accomplishments, Bryan shares what he’s up to today and the projects he’s working on.

[05:58] In his world of consulting and advising, Bryan’s focus is mostly brand marketing and innovation through product development, improved processes, and communication strategies to name just a few.

[07:10] Bryan brings us back to post-University days where he joined Labatt brewing company, not just for drinking the beer but as a Market Analyst and later in Sales. A gratifying and fulfilling start to his career, Bryan got a deep-rooted understanding for the complexities of the brewing business which created a solid foundation for his future as a brand promoter and marketer.

[11:30] Beginning with the end in mind. Bryan attributes his mindset back to his teenage years, dreaming of how he could have a million dollars by the time he was 65. With goals and milestones set along his journey, Bryan consistently set his course with that dream firmly in place.

[14:08] Nature and nurture, they both played a role in shaping Bryan’s trajectory and mindset. With care and encouragement from both of his parents Bryan understood the value of working hard, educating oneself and keeping a competitive edge. He enjoyed the challenge of elevating his skillset to match a competitor’s and get the most from any of his endeavours, be it sports or career.

[16:12] The growth mindset he learned from his father guided Bryan in his early career with Labatt to show up and be recognized by leaders and mentors as someone who would benefit from exploring and experiencing more than his day-to-day job might offer. Bryan, with the further encouragement of his wife Kathy, accepted and took advantage of the special projects and opportunities that came his way which expanded their world enormously.

[20:44] With a constant stream of growth and learning opportunities, Bryan felt no desire to move on from Labatt and instead focused and capitalized on the new challenges he was being given and was inspired to contribute to. The competition of business was very analogous to the competition of sport.

[24:25] Bryan describes how he showed up as a leader during that time. Driven to achieve with a strong, silent, and genuine style and a firm recognition of his team and their development. The leadership paradox: as a leader he worked for his team, not the other way around, to set them up for success which in turn escalated the corporation’s success.

[26:11] A leader by nature, Bryan has often found himself in leadership roles. From kindergarten to sports to career, only as he began to take on more corporate leadership roles did he start to dive into more intentional self-development.

[28:36] Bryan shares the whirlwind course that his career path took, which brought him and his family some tremendous opportunities from Canada to the United States and finally t...

Episode #115 - Bryan Semkuley – Leading the Brand of Consistent Innovation by Patrick Francey

“I feel that it is so very important to invest in the community. We are business owners here and we generate our income here, so it’s important to give back, and to show that we are giving back. I’ve heard from other tenants who have said that ‘we feel a sense of pride, we feel a sense of ownership that we’re doing something positive to make an impact in the community’.” – Natasha Feghali   

Connect with Connect with Natasha Feghali:

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Facebook

Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:

Natasha Feghali

Hard Times Create Strong Men by Stefan Aarnio

A History of Central Banking and the Enslavement of Mankind by Stephen Mitford Goodson

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

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SHOW NOTES

[02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest: Natasha Feghali.

[03:22] Natasha and Patrick kick off their conversation with Natasha’s elevator pitch!

[04:51] Natasha talks about her entry into the world of education, the influence her parents offered from their experiences as well as the opportunities she has created to bring her love of education around the globe.

[08:55] Natasha’s father was already broadly investing in Lebanon and upon immigrating to Canada he quickly met Natasha’s mother whose family was heavily invested in Canada, and so the tradition continued. Now Natasha and her siblings are carrying on the family legacy.

[11:11] Seeking creativity in all her endeavours, Natasha identified a gap within the new generation of investors which is education. So, she set about creating a video series both in support of their business journey and to bring an additional element of creativity and contribution to hers.

[12:54] A time to learn and re-learn. Natasha and Patrick discuss some of the realities she has both observed and experienced over the past year with a pervasive lack of self-responsibility and increased expectation in the rental client universe. Real estate investing is a people business and property owners must never lose sight of due diligence, emotional intelligence and running it as such – a business.

[17:53] Natasha discusses what she is seeing in the Windsor, Ontario market with new investors jumping in, keen to make the bucket loads of cash they are hearing about, only to find out there is much more to it when they get into hot water. Mentorship is the critical gap Natasha seeks to fill.

[20:13] Maximizing profit: Natasha discusses her strategy with storage units as well as her future plans to realize her dream!

[23:20] Philanthropy is at the heart of Natasha’s investment business and she describes the impact it has not only on the community at large, but also her community of tenants.

[25:09] What lights Natasha up, what is her purpose? Though her goals shift as she grows and opens to new experiences, Natasha is crystal clear on the direction she is moving toward – freedom.

[26:44] Entrepreneurship is both in Natasha’s nature, coming from a long line of real estate investors in her family, with an added element of nurture from her parents, who encourage and support her entrepreneurial spirit, while also giving her space to make mistakes.

[29:29] In the spirit of mentorship, Natasha offers some guidance for new investors who are considering a dive into the business of real estate investing. Start learning, take action, get out of your own way.

[33:27] Natasha describes her passion for being of contribution through education along with her whys and her dreams for creating a thriving business in real estate which will foundationally support her financial longevity.

[37:10] Intentionally seeking out and joining communities of ...

Episode #114 - Natasha Feghali - Exuberant Educator & Entrepreneur by Patrick Francey

“It all comes down to diversity of thought and diversity of opinion being expressed. The more people are exposed to different ideas, the more they will be willing to accept and be able to listen to those ideas and then come up with a challenging viewpoint to those ideas. And in doing so they challenge themselves to formulate new, more integrated versions of reality.” – Ilan Srulovicz   

Connect with Connect with Ilan Srulovicz:

Instagram

YouTube

LinkedIn

Facebook

Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:

Égard

What is Freedom video #freedomiseverything

What is a Man? A response to Gillette

Speak Truth - A message that needs to be heard

Antifa

The Boy Who Could Fly by James Norcliffe

Hope There’s Someone Chloe Castro vs. Alaric Green

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REIN Canada

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SHOW NOTES

[02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest: Ilan Srulovicz.

[03:41] Ilan and Patrick get right on into it as Ilan succinctly describes what he does and how he and Patrick became acquainted.

[5:47] Ilan tells the inception story of Égard watch company which was inspired by his father’s support and Ilan’s desire to acknowledge that in a unique and creative way.

[7:34] Ilan talks about the pre-selling strategy he employed to kick start the interest and sales and of his watch design: the story he built around it with a dash of exclusivity. The story around the watch, and the watch itself caught the eye of William Shatner whom he partnered with on a new design. Using a then-new crowd funding strategy to the pre-sale campaign of their new offering launched a whole new level of success for Égard.

[09:54] Ilan explains the emotional driver behind choosing a watch to design over any other product. The feeling that underpinned it was unmistakable.

[12:15] A connection over passion. Ilan expands on how he came to partner with William Shatner on his watches through a well-articulated story and a shared passion.

[13:54] Ilan walks through the narrative, the vision, and the unique aspect of Égard plus what he believes every entrepreneur needs: two why’s. He further discusses his approach to building the business, and important lessons from his learning process.

[18:30] Moving forward to today, Ilan discusses the evolution of the company and why they chose to relocate from California to Florida from a business and a personal perspective.

[22:31] Individual responsibility. Ilan expresses his ideology around personal responsibility, freedom, the videos he has created in support of those views and mass censorship.

[27:00] Patrick and Ilan have a robust discussion around the reaction to this pandemic and the polarization it has created, as one of the most detrimental outcomes to our society. Who sets the status quo and what becomes of those who challenge it on either side? Freedom of speech has always been the catalyst for real, positive change and now the narrative steers toward erasing the past and stifling freedom. Living in our echo chambers is a dangerous position and challenges open and diverse viewpoints which inspire critical thinking.

[33:30] Ilan talks about the background and passion of the short films he has created and produced which sparked a bit of controversy, and lot of important messaging. His primary driver is to humanize situations to counteract broad, detrimental generalizations. We must lift one another.

[39:49] For a company to be out of integrity with their core messaging and pander to the popular trends of the moment, is to produce a result that is damaging both to their credibility and often society as a whole. Ilan would argue that it is the role of companies to strive for advertising that supports ...

Episode 113 - Ilan Srulovicz – Creative Entrepreneur. Unwavering Truth Seeker by Patrick Francey

“When you exercise your curiosity and you come to someone without an agenda, you get so much more back. You’re going to learn from that person, it’s going to spur ideas, it’s going to help you change your thinking.” – Sean De Vries   

Connect with Sean De Vries:

LinkedIn

Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:

The Bachelor Canada

Million Dollar Neighbourhood

My Octopus Teacher documentary

A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer

Morning Pages

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Connect with REIN Canada

REIN Canada

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SHOW NOTES

[02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest: Sean De Vries.

[03:17] Sean and Patrick get rolling with a quick peek into what Sean’s up to in television land, in the space of real estate investing and why he decided to try his hand in the investment world.

[06:54] A jack of all trades, Sean has worn many hats in the world of television and production. He breaks down how that unfolded and talks about some of the shows he has created and/or been part of.

[11:40] Taking it back a bit further, Sean shares his journey from university to a short spell in journalism that was a great bootcamp for the art of storytelling, then ultimately on the path he felt aligned with the most and felt the most passionate about.

[14:28] From an early age Sean knew the direction he wanted to take with his life without knowing why. The underlying theme was always about the story – creating it and telling it in a visual form.

[16:37] Storytelling from a business perspective is another skill Sean developed. Whatever the venture that we’re excited about, developing a show or raising capital, the story development and execution is just as important as the product itself.

[19:25] The methodology of storytelling. Sean shares some practical guidance around the craft of storytelling and applying it to any situation. Authentic enthusiasm and passion about what you are presenting is essential to the other person being interested enough to want to engage with you.

[31:10] That entrepreneurial chutzpah came at an early age for the youngest of five kids! Sean’s strengths didn’t lie in being an employee or abiding by rules dictated by others, but he did get excited about being able to tell stories that hadn’t been told already and that people would pay attention to. The encouragement Sean got from his father contributed to his confidence to follow his chosen path.

[34:00] Circling back to real estate, Sean talks about how it occurs for him in a different way than television and how he came to the type of investing he does.

[37:25] Sean shares just a teaser about what’s on the production horizon for him! Sean and Patrick discuss a documentary that has all the elements of great storytelling.

[40:18] The Idea Machine: Sean shares two solutions he uses to manage his perpetual writer/creator/idea blocks.

[41:52] Sean talks about his exercise and morning routine, a time when he feels the most effective, and the rhythm of writing. He shares one particularly critical writing technique with which he starts every day. Sean and Patrick go on to riff about the power of journaling and the space it creates for our brain.

[47:21] Sean outlines what his ideal day looks like and how he intentionally creates that.

[50:15] Morning person or not the art of discipline, focus, and routine, for Sean, has been a game changer. He shares a story about his friend who has also found creating a morning routine elevated and improved his business game. The difference of being proactive vs. reactive.

[52:17] How do diet and sleep show up in Sean’s life? Intentionally or reactively? Patrick and Sean each talk about their experiences and what is imp...

Episode 112 - Sean De Vries - Devoted to the Art of Storytelling by Patrick Francey

Connect with Terrie Schauer:

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

vLinkedIn

Blog

Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:

Mindful Landlord by Terrie Schauer

Big Five Personality Test

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

Anxiety, Phobias & Panic by Reneau Z. Peurifoy

Logotherapy

The Mindful Wealth Podcast

12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

Connect with REIN Canada

REIN Canada

[email protected]

Facebook

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SHOW NOTES

02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest: Terrie Schauer

[04:45] Terrie and Patrick get the show rollin’ to hear Terrie’s elevator pitch, her turn from Montreal to France and back again plus why she reinvented herself as the “Mindful Landlord.”

[06:52] The two pivotal influences that steered Terrie toward the pursuit of real estate and property management concurrently with her University studies.

[09:20] Terrie came by her entrepreneurial mindset honestly being surrounded by a family of entrepreneurs. Conversations about business and her father’s company were common around the dinner table and everybody got involved. Although early signs pointed Terrie away from business, to her surprise her life course headed right in that direction.

[12:01] Terrie’s inherent personality, systems thinking, and character poised her to quickly take on the role of house manager in University days which informed her future experience and success.

[13:24] From manager to rental property provider. After successfully running student housing from other people’s properties, Terrie decided she was going to get some skin in the game and pursued a new venture. A triplex in a rather cracked out neighbourhood of Montreal brought opportunity for ingenuity, creativity, tenacity, and a desirable business model to market.

[18:07] Before moving to Marseilles to pursue her dream in semi-professional kickboxing, Terrie capitalized on the value increases in her neighbourhood and with the equity she had accumulated purchased a second building five minutes away to broaden her student community and a create a spirit of fun.

[20:56] In a business space where she wears multiple hats, Terrie is still most gratified by her vision for managing a property’s potential. To see an area, a building, and visualize its highest and best use, optimize its potential and bring it to fruition.

[23:09] Terrie provides insights into Montreal’s rental market, a very tenant focused market where tenancy laws don’t account for much personal responsibility. Most of Terrie’s coaching clients are also focused either in Quebec or are looking to get a foothold in the interesting investment opportunities that Quebec offers.

[26:54] Terrie offers examples of some of Quebec’s most glaring differences to other Canadian rental markets to illustrate how tenant-centric the laws truly are. From no ability to collect a damage deposit to lack of eviction remedies, rental property providers have their work cut out for them. Thankfully, the screening process can still provide strong filters.

[31:22] In the landscape of the Quebec rental market, Terrie talks about building types, patterns for investing, and what she sees for the evolution of real estate investing; less about increased rent control and restrictions (they are already about as tight as they are going to get) and more about the practice of working within them to take advantage of a thriving market.

[35:35] Patrick and Terrie touch in on the effect of this past year’s events in a city that is the most densely populated in North America and the economic challenges they pose post-mortem from such lengthy and intense shutdowns.