The Karmali Exchange

Let’s face it . . . there’s a lot of shady shit out there.

Enter the Better Business Bureau.

For over 100 years, they have empowered consumers to find companies they trust. Their stamp approval is only given to businesses that show the highest commitment to integrity, ethical business practices, and customer service. But at a time when finding a trustworthy business is only a Google search away, is the BBB still relevant?

I invited President and CEO Mary O’Sullivan-Anderson, Chair of the Board of Directors Riley Paterson, and Vice-Chair Nate Edwards on the show to talk about the non-negotiable traits of a trustworthy business, how to get accredited with the BBB, and what’s actually in it for you. 

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“Entrepreneurship sounds sexy, but it’s a learning process.” - Zahra Al-Harazi, founder and CEO of Skillit, author, speaker, and consultant.

And there’s no guidebook.

You’re going to love this guest. Zahra is an immigrant to Canada who established herself as one of the most powerful female entrepreneurs in this country.

We talk about key competencies for entrepreneurs, what true grit really means, and the difference between passion and purpose.

If you got tired of working for someone else and are hustling to do things differently, this episode is for you.

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Meet Dr. Bill Cherniak, Emergency Room Physician and CEO & Founder of Rocket Doctor. He's the future of healthcare.

In his words, "It took a global pandemic to pull medicine kicking and screaming out of the dark ages and into the 21st century." Now, his virtual platform connects patients to physicians . . . right from the comfort of their own home.

We talk about pioneering a new way to do business, adapting to a changing world, and solving your customers' pain points (in this case, both literally and figuratively).

We also talk about the privatization of healthcare and if the government is helping or hurting.

And don't miss out on my thoughts on how to leverage companies like Rocket Doctor to attract great talent to your company.

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A recent survey says that 75% of business owners are optimistic about the future of their business. But if I’m being honest . . . I’m not sure if I buy it.

In this episode, I sit down with Andreea Bourgeois, Director of Economics with CFIB, to discuss the future of business and how to actually measure optimism. We talk about the COVID benchmark, going with your gut, and getting creative about running your business.

Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, I can’t wait to hear what you think about this episode.

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Going green is all the rage . . . but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?

It’s a question I wanted to ask Jess Douglas, CEO and Director of Green Impact Partners Inc., in the latest episode of The Karmali Exchange.

His answer? “If you do the right thing profitably, you can do it for a long time.”

Our conversation covers a lot of ground including the importance of education, how to challenge the status quo, and the government’s agenda when it comes to being green. Plus I get Jesse’s take on the carbon tax.

So if you’re a business owner who wants to be environmentally friendly but also be successful, you don’t want to miss this episode!

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What does it mean to be a 'Keeper of the Brand'?

It means looking out for opportunities to promote your business.

It means being good at crisis management.

It means protecting your company through the good and the bad.

In this episode, I talk to PR expert Paula Worthington about communicating your company's values, responding to criticism, and the dos and don'ts of building your brand.

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What are the issues that matter to entrepreneurs?

Carbon tax. CEBA loans. Universal basic income.

And who better to talk about them than Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the CFIB?

So if you feel like the government is giving business owners the stick without the carrot, listen to this episode to find out what to do about it.

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Can you learn anything about running your business from a charity?

The fact is that charities and non-profits are some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative organizations out there. They have to think outside the box when it comes to generating the funds they need to achieve their mission and serve our communities.

That's why I'm excited about my guest, Sharon Hapton. Sharon is the founder and CEO of Soup Sisters, an organization that has produced literally millions of bowls of soup to feed families in need. And how they do it is fascinating.

Want to get involved? Check out what the Soup Sisters are doing and how you can help here: https://www.soupsisters.org/donate-with-miso-money-in-soup-out

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Finding your purpose as an entrepreneur. It’s easier said than done. But purpose is one of the 5Ps that separate the business owners who make it from the ones who don’t. Who better to talk about it than the founder and CEO of Purpose Investments, Som Seif? 

Som is one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs in the financial service industry. Before he turned 40, he founded a successful company, was forced to sell that company, and decided to get back in the ring and start a second business in the same industry.

Through it all, he was able to maintain his vision: to make investing simple, intuitive, and more affordable for everyone. Ever heard of Wealthsimple?  That’s him.

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'Calm down' . . . 'Don't let your true feelings show' . . . 'Don't let emotions cloud your judgement' . . . As business owners, we hear stuff like this all the time. These kinds of comments make it seem like emotions are a weakness. But the fact is business owners aren't robots. We're thinking, feeling, physical people. Take one of those elements away and you're not seeing the whole picture. As my guest Catherine Bell, Author/Founder of The Awakened Company says, “we're at our best when we feel.”

Great leaders know the difference between feeling and reacting. People want to work for a boss who shows emotions, but who doesn't have emotional outbursts. Someone who lets them know where they stand, but doesn't fly off the handle. Someone who communicates, but doesn't yell. What kind of leader are you?

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