Thinking about incorporating your business? Before you file the paperwork, make sure you understand what’s really at stake. The decision between a sole proprietorship, partnership, or incorporation can shape everything from your taxes and liability to your long-term financial success.

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, we sit down with Ronke Omorodion, principal lawyer at Lexion Legal and widely known as “the entrepreneur’s lawyer.” With more than 13 years of experience supporting founders and startups, she breaks down what every business owner should know before choosing a legal structure — and why this decision is one of the most important you’ll make as an entrepreneur.

The conversation explores the pros and cons of each business type and what those choices mean for your personal protection, taxes, and growth potential. You’ll hear how the right structure can set your business up for success — and how the wrong one can create legal and financial challenges down the road. She also emphasizes the importance of getting legal advice early, reminding founders that they don’t have to figure it all out on their own. The right guidance can save time, money, and unnecessary stress while giving you confidence in the path ahead.

At Lexion Legal, the team helps Alberta entrepreneurs tackle their legal needs with energy, innovation, and authenticity. They’re not just a law firm — they’re trusted partners committed to getting things done, and getting them done right.

Beyond her practice, Ronke holds leadership roles with the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch and dedicates her time to mentoring teens and supporting not-for-profit organizations. When she’s not advocating for business owners, she’s enjoying family adventures, nature walks, or a good crime movie with her partner and sons.

Whether you’re launching your first venture or thinking about restructuring your business, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to make informed legal and financial decisions that align with your goals.

Website:https://lexionlegal.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronke-omorodion-56b68370/

Financial literacy means more than understanding spreadsheets and statements. It’s about seeing the full picture of your financial health and how it connects to the life and business you’re building.

In this special Financial Literacy Month episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun invite you to talk money and explore why the term financial literacy sometimes misses the mark. They’re reframing the conversation toward financial wellness, because it’s not just about learning the language of finance; it’s about feeling confident using it.

Financial wellness recognizes that our relationship with money is emotional, cultural, and deeply personal. It’s about aligning financial understanding with purpose, values, and well-being, not just profit. Shauna and Shannon dive into what this mindset shift means for women entrepreneurs, why it’s critical to see beyond the numbers, and how The Finance Cafe is helping women gain both the confidence and clarity to lead their businesses with intention. When we view money through the lens of wellness, we give ourselves permission to grow in knowledge, confidence, and courage.

What if the next generation of entrepreneurs didn’t have to unlearn bad money habits, but instead grew up confident in their financial choices?

In this episode of The Finance Café Podcast, Shannon Pestun sits down with 12-year-old entrepreneur Abby Adams, whose curiosity, drive, and financial awareness are far beyond her years.

At just twelve, Abby has built her own dog walking and care business, balancing the demands of clients, scheduling, and marketing with the same determination as a seasoned entrepreneur. What began as a way to help her community has become a lesson in responsibility, resilience, and financial knowledge—showing that age is no barrier to ambition.

Guided by her mom, Tara Adams, founder of Abridge Consulting, Abby is learning what it means to run a business with purpose—from earning and saving to investing for her future. She’s even met with a financial advisor to understand how to make her money work for her, proving that financial empowerment can start early.

In their conversation, Shannon and Abby explore what it means to take ownership of your finances, how confidence grows through experience, and why the fundamentals of business—relationship-building, curiosity, and hard work—are universal, no matter your age.

What if access to capital wasn’t the biggest barrier for women entrepreneurs? What if the system itself was designed to recognize your potential, your innovation, and the impact you’re already creating?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon sits down with Arielle Land, Director of Operations at Movement51, to explore how the organization is rewriting the story of venture capital—one woman founder at a time. Through initiatives like the Founders Lab, and their ongoing work in education and investment readiness, Movement51 is creating pathways for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and lead with confidence.

Arielle shares how Movement51 is tackling the equity gap in funding, helping founders understand the language of investors, and building an ecosystem that supports inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurship. She also talks about what makes a business truly investment-ready, how to align your values with your growth strategy, and why understanding venture capital doesn’t mean losing sight of your mission.

Whether you’re an early-stage founder curious about funding or a seasoned entrepreneur ready to scale, this conversation reminds us that venture capital doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be empowering. When women have access to the right knowledge, networks, and capital, the possibilities for impact are endless.

Arielle Land, Director of Op @Movement51LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielleland/

Instagram @arielleland   

Corporate socials

@Movement51

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movement51/posts/?feedView=all

Website: https://www.movement51.org/

What if the end of your year didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming? What if, instead of stressing about budgets, taxes, and unfinished goals, you could pause, reflect, and take intentional action to finish the year with clarity and confidence?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun guide entrepreneurs through five powerful questions to reconnect with both their business and personal goals before year-end. Rather than hustling toward the finish line, they invite you to slow down, reflect on your progress, and align your numbers with your values in a way that feels empowering.

Through honest reflections and practical insights, they explore what success looks like right now, which numbers truly matter, what tasks or ideas need attention before year-end, and how to celebrate your wins while also asking for the support you need to move forward. Think of this conversation as a money date with yourself—a chance to pause, check in, and create the clarity you need for the season ahead.

This episode is a reminder that financial wellness isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the confidence and peace of mind that comes when your goals, values, and actions align.

Explore online programs at The Finance Cafe to learn how to read financial statements, understand cash flow, and connect your numbers to your values. Use code PODCAST10 for an exclusive listener discount.

What if your business finances didn’t feel overwhelming? What if, instead of losing sleep over bookkeeping and cash flow, you had a trusted partner helping you make confident decisions about growth?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Sukhanpreet Dhanotta, Partner at Grewal Guyatt LLP, to talk about why building the right financial support team is one of the smartest moves a business owner can make. Sukhanpreet shares how accountants can do so much more than balance the books—they can provide clarity, uncover opportunities, and guide you through the decisions that shape your company’s future.

With more than 15 years of experience as an auditor and advisor, Sukhanpreet has worked with businesses ranging from early-stage startups to multi-million-dollar international companies. At Grewal Guyatt LLP, one of the fastest-growing mid-sized CPA firms in the GTA, she leads the assurance division and brings deep expertise in accounting, tax, and strategy. Outside of her career, she’s a proud mom of two young kids and embraces the everyday adventure of balancing family and work.

Shauna and Sukhanpreet dive into the signs that it’s time to bring on financial support, how to find an advisor who truly understands your business, and why investing in the right partner allows you to step into your role as CEO with confidence. This conversation is a reminder that financial management isn’t just about keeping the numbers straight—it’s about giving you the clarity and freedom to focus on growth, strategy, and building the business you envision.

Linkedin: Sukhanpreet Dhanotta, CPA, CA

Website: https://www.grewalguyatt.ca/

What if running your business didn’t feel like a constant juggling act? What if, instead of being tied to the day-to-day, you could focus on growth, strategy, and thriving as a CEO?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Melanie Seneviratne, founder of Your Fractional COO Inc., to talk about how small business owners can implement systems and processes that actually work—for their business and for their sanity. Melanie shares how thoughtful operations, smart delegation, and repeatable systems can free business owners from overwhelm, giving them clarity, control, and the ability to focus on what truly matters: growing their company.

Melanie knows what it takes to build businesses that run efficiently. With over 25 years of experience in legal, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, she has quadrupled revenue in a law firm and now helps entrepreneurs scale sustainably while reclaiming their time. Through her hands-on approach, she works directly with business owners and teams to put processes into place that simplify operations, strengthen decision-making, and reduce stress.

Shauna and Melanie dive into practical strategies for business owners ready to take control of their operations—from cleaning up cash flow and automating repetitive tasks, to building repeatable systems, simplifying sales and client onboarding, and prioritizing CEO time. This conversation is a reminder that operational systems are not just behind-the-scenes tasks—they are essential tools that allow your business to thrive while giving you the space to step back and lead with intention.

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

Instagram: @yourfcoo

Facebook:@yourfcoo

Website: https://yourfcoo.com 

Efficiency Checklist

What if your marketing wasn’t just a series of campaigns, but one of the most valuable assets your business owns? What if, instead of chasing quick wins, you focused on building something that would keep working for you years from now?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon sits down with Sarah Carmichael, Founder & CEO of Bees and Honey Creative, to talk about the long game in marketing, why consistency matters, how brand equity is built, and the small, intentional actions that can move the needle over time.

Sarah knows what it takes to create strategies that work. She has led marketing from startup launch to acquisition, doubled lead generation for a technology investment firm, and now runs a fractional marketing agency helping businesses without in-house teams get results. As Calgary Co-Ambassador for the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization, she is also passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and building strong business communities.

Shannon and Sarah dig into the myths that can hold entrepreneurs back, such as thinking you need to post daily on social media or that one big campaign can carry you for the year. They explore how marketing and finance intersect, why diversifying your platforms is essential, and how leaders can show up authentically in their brand.

This conversation is a reminder that marketing is not a side task, it is part of your corporate strategy. When you align it with your business goals and commit to showing up consistently, you create an asset that grows with you, supports your vision, and keeps your business top of mind in any market.

Website: https://www.beesandhoneycreative.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcarmichaelyyc/

Instagram: @beesandhoneycreative @miss.sarahcarmichael

What if the value of your business wasn’t just in the products you sell or the clients you serve, but in what you’ve built behind the scenes? What if creating a business that could run without you was the key to building lasting value?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Candice Hartwell, Partner at VEER Business Advisors, to talk about business goodwill, sweat equity, and what it really takes to build a business that holds value beyond the founder.

Candice brings deep experience in sell-side advisory and internal ownership transitions, working with small- and medium-sized business owners to help them plan for what comes next. She’s an award-winning accountant, a former commercial lender with BDC, and a passionate advocate for financial wellness, especially for entrepreneurs navigating big decisions.

Shauna and Candice unpack the difference between personal goodwill and business goodwill, and why it matters more than you might think. They talk about how to start shifting value away from the founder and into the systems, people, and structures that make a business scalable, sellable, and sustainable.

This is a reminder that your business is more than just your day-to-day hustle. When you start thinking long-term - about legacy, transitions, and the ability to step away (even just for a vacation!) - you begin building something that can truly last.

https://www.veeradvisors.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicehartwell/

What if small mindset shifts could change the way you show up in your business—and unlock the clarity and confidence you’ve been craving in your financial decisions?

In this empowering episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shannon and Shauna explore five simple yet powerful shifts that can help women entrepreneurs feel more in control of their finances and more connected to their business. Inspired by a participant who described the experience of learning to read her financial statements as unlocking a “superpower,” this episode is a reminder that financial confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about knowing what matters and taking intentional steps forward.

From turning uncertainty into curiosity and replacing overwhelm with small habits, to pricing with clarity and building a support system, we walk through the real, actionable shifts that have transformed the experiences of women entrepreneurs across the country. These aren’t lofty strategies, they’re everyday mindset changes that create real impact.

Along the way, they reflect on some of the most insightful moments from past episodes, including conversations with Katy Baker, Alicia Fowler, and Alla Brisky, that continue to inspire and support women on their path to financial wellness.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they needed to have it all figured out before starting. You don’t need perfection to lead your business with purpose. You just need the right tools, a little curiosity, and the belief that you are more capable than you think.

Previous Episodes:

Navigating Through Financial Uncertainty with Alicia Fowler

2025: A Year of Financial Wellness

Pricing for Profit with Katy Baker

5 Tips on Managing Your Cash Flow

Behind the Vault: Business Advice from a Business Banker with Alla Brisky