Uncharted Waters

Nathan describes the amazing value of Connections in a person's life. His Connections have taken him through the sporting world with national and international success, including olympic gold. He shares his view of the path forward being led by the principle of “believing in yourself” as the primary component whether it is in respect of sport, education or work. Nathan also gives us a little insight into his early fascination with the investing world and his intention to continue to pursue it. He is focused on a path forward that includes near term and long term sporting goals along with continued interest in the mysteries of the business world. He sees the value of Connections to be critical to success. A very interesting episode with a bright young man, with an even brighter future. Enjoy!

Timeline:

1:11 Covid19 Influences/worries on High School Grads

3:55 What does Online-University look like for the coming year

5:32 Sport - Curling and the 2020 Youth Olympics

8:10 Team Canada “team building” “leadership”

10:56 Olympic Takeaway - “Believe in Yourself”

13:59 Imposter? How did I get here

16:25 The OLympic Donut experience - The value of getting to know the world

20:46 The Olympic Gold Medal win!

22:22 Curling outlook - short term - long term

24:14 The “Gushue Effect”

24:57 Newfoundland’s Potential (Covid - Tech - Diversification)

28:16 How Global NL can contribute - contact - mentorship - storytelling

32:28 Investing interest - 12th birthday present - Buffett - Letters

37:31 Nathan’s Billboard

41:44 Nahtan’s question for Global NL - ambition and patience

Josh Davis provides a wide-ranging discussion of the first 10 years of his working life, which leads the listener to an understanding of what he calls the Transition Generation. He discusses his Mun Eng experience, initial NL work success and family life, leading to an exciting work/life balance in Houston. Josh explains that he has learned a lot about life choices in this period. The discussion touches on a wide range of very interesting topics that inform the Push/Pull of an NL graduate as he moves through the Jungle Gym of work and family life. You will find Josh’s insights intriguing.


Podcast Outline:
1:10 Introduction

2:20 Moving to Houston from Newfoundland

5:23 Dynamics of moving work locations

9:17 MUN Engineering experience and impression

12:35 Railroad tracks and jungle gyms post education

14:41 You can’t be what you can’t see

18:32 Two or three more Verafins - spending problem not a revenue problem

22:12 Josh's optimism about the future of Newfoundland

27:52 How can the GlobalNL Podcast support the agenda?

31:30 The future of GlobalNL

38:12 Josh’s billboard “shorten your planning timeframe”

41:02 The push and pull of life

Florian Villaume is responsible for Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (MCE). Florian completed his Mechanical Engineering education in his native France, following that up with further education in Quebec where he completed a Masters in Fluid Mechanics. He describes his curious early career path working in Africa with Canadian Engineers Without Borders and how that unique experience shaped his thinking with respect to Leadership/ Development and the direction of his working life. The importance of having the courage to trust one’s instincts, coupled with the tools developed from early education, along with being able to sense the “energy in the room” leads this podcast to some very interesting recommendations for young and old entrepreneurs to ponder. The three key messages that he believes drive entrepreneurial growth in NL will intrigue you. Enjoy.

Content:
- Welcome - Podcast focus: 1. Florian Background, 2. MUN MCE, 3. Career Path
- Florian sets the stage with a brief overview of his education both in his Native France and in Quebec, along with a description of a fascinating early career path, which starts with working with Canadian Engineers Without Borders in Africa.
- Working with farmers in Africa leading to the appreciation of the importance of Innovative thinking.
- Florian describes what impact going from a Masters in Fluid Mechanic one minute to a Volunteer in an African village and how that experience has changed his life.
- Key Leadership elements are discussed including head vs heart, drive, trusting instincts and energy in the room.
- Today's “Zoom World” discussed where its features leave the participants with meeting outcomes, the intangibles of not meeting in person are noted, including the feeling which comes with “watching a TV show in black and white.”
- Florian discusses the natural transition for him, from the entrepreneurial drive he developed through his work in Africa to working at MUN. He describes the three key messages that lead his thinking every day.
Florian provides an over of the MCE and the significant growth and support for entrepreneurial thinking at the university and across faculties.
The role of Global NL in support of MUN is discussed.
The need for support from ex-pat NL professionals discussed with energy and emphasis. Florian repeats his strong belief in the potential for Entrepreneurial growth in NL.
- Global NL discussed at length wrt current activity and further support as things develop.
- Career Paths and the Jungle Gym effect discussed.
- Florian’s “BillBoard”

Colin describes his remarkable journey through post secondary education choices and early employment. His current professional focus with respect to the world of “Sustainability/Climate Change '' is fascinating. Colin's discussion of how financial and corporate interests have changed to reflect the new reality is enlightening. His perspective on the merits of Global NL are encouraging. Enjoy!

Podcast Outline:

Min 1 Introduction
Min 2 Why I went away for Post Graduate education choices?
Min 3:53 Current Employer Ernst & Young
Min 5:32 GreenHouse Gas Emissions Regulatory Setting
Min 8:07 Why choose Engineering (Significance of relationships along the way)
Min 15:23Evolution of the “Sustainability Manager” position
Min 17:10 Recommendations as to how to approach entering a “sustainability” career
Min 23:13Carbon Pricing Globally, Nationally, Provincially
Min 28:11 Newfoundland and Labrador “Carbon Tax” approach
Min 31:00Muskrat Falls discussion
Min 37:40The “Energy Efficiency” and the Boomerang Effect
Min 41:19 Why support Global NL?
Min 56:00Summary Podcast message wrt “Sustainability/Climate Change”

Jeremy Andrews (Co-founder at CoLab Software) discusses hardware start-ups in Newfoundland with Zach Green (Co-founder of Mysa Thermostat) and Brett Vokey (Founder of BreatheSuite).

Greg and Kingsley sat down and talked about GlobalNL's mission and goals for 2019.

Looking back on season 1 of The Leap.

David Stewart currently lives in Palo Alto, California but is originally from Thetford Mines, Quebec. David shares stories from his broad ranging career journey. He began by studying as a Lawyer at McGill and then found himself at an early stage startup just prior to the “.com” crash. He also founded a non-profit immigration clinic as well as worked in the Consulate General of Canada office in San Francisco. David is now an independent consultant that connects Canadian companies, institutions and individuals to Silicon Valley.

In the interview we reference two Bay Area networks, the Digital Moose Lounge (www.digitalmooselounge.org) and the C100 (www.thec100.org); please see the links above for additional details.

Joe Teo is the founder and CEO of HeyOrca!, a software start-up based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Joe shares his story about moving from Malaysia to Newfoundland to study business at Memorial University & eventually starting his company upon graduation.

Podcast Outline:
Min 1- Introduction
Min 2 - Why he decided to start a company
Min 3 - Why did he choose MUN/NL?
Min 6:30 - TIming and why he started HeyOrca!
Min 14 - Biggest challenge starting HeyOrca!
Min 16 - Managing Global teams
MIn 18 - What was easier than you thought about starting a new company?
Min 19:30 - Growing a company (marathon vs sprint)
Min 22:30 - Mission of HeyOrca!
Min 26 - Favorite Podcasts
Min 27:30 - What message would you put on a billboard where would you put it?
Min 29 - How could MUN business and engineering schools work closer together?
Min 34 - Favourite Book?
Min 35 - Why do you track yearly progress?
Min 38 - How can GlobalNL add the most value to members?

Links related to this podcast:
Small empires by Alexis Ohanian:
https://www.theverge.com/small-empires
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuZUAcn5dgM

Podcasts:
This week in startups - https://thisweekinstartups.com
HBR - https://hbr.org/podcasts

Favourite Book:
Crucial Conversations - https://amzn.to/2Eo86wC

Other Links:
HeyOrca!: https://heyorca.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosephTeoLS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephteols/

Anne Whelan, originally from Jerseyside, is the CEO of Seafair Capital - a St. John’s based company that invests in community and home health, wellness and safety. In this episode, Anne tells us how she applied strategic thinking and global learning to innovate in public service in Newfoundland and Labrador.