Charbel Daniel, President and CEO of Northwood, discussed the organization's mission to provide dignified living for seniors in Nova Scotia.

Northwood operates multiple facilities for long-term care, home care, and affordable housing, with a significant portion (90%) funded by the government. Daniel emphasized the importance of sustainability and affordability, noting that Northwood's affordable housing rents range from $600 to $1,500, well below market rates. He highlighted the organization's innovative approach, including partnerships and strategic land acquisitions, to maintain affordability. Daniel also stressed the importance of community and relationships with residents, aiming to provide a dignified living experience.

To learn more about Northwood: http://www.northwood.care

To get in contact with Charbel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charbel-daniel-60671563/

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Dorothy Spence, Founder of Imaginal Ventures discusses her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the shift from a logical, analytical career to a more conscious, values-driven approach.

In this episode, Dorothy explains the concept of a "conscious business operating system," which integrates human dynamics and business mechanics to help businesses scale their impact. Imaginal Ventures focuses on women innovators and healthcare companies, using a trust barometer to measure and improve internal trust. Dorothy highlights the importance of core values, behavioural commitments, and transparency in business practices. She also shares insights from her Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, stressing the value of long-term vision and trust.

To learn more about Imaginal Ventures: https://imaginalventures.com/

To get in contact with Charlotte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothy-spence-65454412/

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Charlotte Jewer, Community Engagement Specialist at East Coast Credit Union (ECCU), discusses the organization's unique approach to banking, emphasizing its cooperative structure and focus on member needs over profits.

ECCU has a $1.4 billion portfolio and invests $830,000 annually back into the community. They support local businesses, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability through initiatives like green loans and partnerships with organizations like Feed Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. ECCU also offers a $150,000 Community Compass Grant for social enterprises and cooperatives. Charlotte highlights the importance of aligning social purpose with business strategy and the personalized service ECCU provides to its members.

To learn more about East Coast Credit Union: https://www.eastcoastcu.ca/

To get in contact with Charlotte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-jewer-halifax/

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This episode features Michelle Reid, an advisor for corporate sustainability and B Corp at BDC!

Michelle discusses the role of BDC in supporting social entrepreneurship. BDC is the only B Corp-certified bank in Canada and offers various resources, including advisory services and mentorship, to entrepreneurs.  Michelle highlights the importance of the B Impact Assessment tool for sustainable business practices and the growth of B Corps, with over 9,100 globally and 31 in Atlantic Canada. Michelle emphasizes the holistic approach of BDC, supporting entrepreneurs across sectors and stages, and the potential for policy incentives to encourage more businesses to pursue B Corp certification.

To learn more about BDC: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about

To get in contact with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-reid111/

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Mike McGlone, General Manager of Afishionado Fishmongers, discusses his 30-year career in fish-mongering, along with the incredible opportunities for the Nova Scotian seafood industry!

 Afishionado focuses on local, sustainable, and responsible sourcing, working with small-scale fisheries and independent retailers. They offer a subscription service for weekly fish deliveries and have won awards for their smoked salmon. In his chat with your hosts, Matt and Anuj, Mike emphasizes the importance of transparency and relationships with fishermen, highlighting their impact on thousands of lives in rural communities. Afishionado aims to expand its reach and improve packaging for better sustainability. Mike also discusses the challenges of logistics in the Nova Scotian fishing industry and the need for consumer education on sustainable seafood practices.

To learn more about Afishionado: https://afishionado.ca/

To get in contact with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mcglone-22681540/

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Shawna Henderson, CEO of Blue House Energy and Be Free Homes, shares her journey from entrepreneurship to leading a company that provides online training for building science!

Shawna highlights the need for sustainable housing and the challenges of the construction industry, including a workforce shortage of 100,000 people. Henderson emphasized the importance of passive solar design and the role of online training in up-skilling professionals. She also discussed the potential of factory-built housing and the need for a licensing system to ensure safety and quality in the industry.

To learn more about Blue Energy: https://bluehouseenergy.com/

To get in contact with Shawna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnahenderson/

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Justin Cantafio, Executive Director of Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia, discusses the importance of local food systems and farmers markets as economic and community hubs!

In this conversation with your hosts, Matt and Anuj, Justin highlights the cooperative's 20-year history, supporting over 40 markets and 1,500 owner-operated businesses. Justin emphasizes the need for equitable funding models and the economic impact of local food systems, noting that 85% of Nova Scotia's food is imported. He also discusses the Nova Scotia Loyal program, which incentivizes local food consumption, and the Taking Root program, which supports newcomers in starting businesses at farmers' markets. Justin's passion for using food systems to solve post-modern systemic inadequacies bleeds throughout the conversation.

To learn more about Farmers Markets Nova Scotia: https://farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca/

To get in contact with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-cantafio-4a397627/

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Your hosts Matt and Anuj sit down with guest Louisa Horne to chat about a sustainable way to assist and facilitate end-of-life care!

The three discuss the importance of addressing end-of-life transitions with empathy and expertise, emphasizing the need for a safe space to talk about death and the end of life. They highlighted the significance of Epilog's work in addressing the emotional and practical aspects of end-of-life transitions and discussed the potential for disruption in the funeral industry through a focus on environmental sustainability. Louisa also emphasized the importance of planning for end-of-life care and funeral arrangements in an environmentally friendly manner and discussed evolving funeral traditions and practices.

Louisa is the founder of Epilog and describes herself as a Natural Burial enthusiast and Senior Transition Specialist, privileged to support families with a variety of transitions.

To learn more about Epilog, https://epilog.ca/about-us

To get in contact with Louisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-horne-icd-d/

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This week's conversation revolved around sustainability and social impact in the wine industry.

Joining us as a guest is Keltie MacNeil, Director of Sustainability & Community Engagement at Benjamin Bridge. Matt and Anuj discuss the importance of interconnectedness and nuance in addressing Nova Scotia's social issues, highlighting the need for dedicated roles and inclusive practices. They also touched on the challenges of growing grapes in a cool-climate region and the sustainable practices adopted by Benjamin Bridge, to produce world-class sparkling wine. Some practices Benjamin Bridge is proud of include a four-day workweek and B Corp certification, and the need for continuous evolution in the face of emerging challenges like climate change.

To learn more about Benjamin Bridge, visit: https://benjaminbridge.com/

To get in contact with them: https://www.linkedin.com/company/benjaminbridge/

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Matt Thomson and Anuj Jain are back, this time to discuss the challenges and opportunities of navigating the middle space between art and business in social entrepreneurship.

They are joined by guest, Marc Almon Founder + Partner, Culture Link CIC, as they highlight the importance of community engagement, government relations, and public relations. The three chat more about the need for empathy and compromise in navigating industry challenges. They also discussed the current state of Nova Scotia's creative industry and growth potential, as well as the importance of cultural diversity and social impact. The three touch on the challenges of financing social enterprises and share their experiences with creative financing strategies and key collaborations.

To learn more about Culture Link CIC, visit: https://www.theculturelink.org/

Marc founded Culture Link CIC with partner Rob Power to launch Light House, a $14 million 100,000 sq ft creative hub in downtown Halifax featuring a television studio, performance hall, dance studio, and office space for cultural non-profits. Light House officially opened in 2023.
In 2020, Marc founded Impact Culture Capital CIC, an alternative investment fund manager that connects Nova Scotian investors to local investments that do good in the community. Marc’s mission is to champion change agents who seek to engage, inspire and achieve.

To get in contact with Marc, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcalmon/

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