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Do you know your WHY? It’s the reason you do what you do and why people buy it. Jenn and Chris believe so strongly in the power of defining your business’s purpose, that they’re even sharing their own personal WHYs with you. Finding your WHY can and will change your business for the better. Let Jenn and Chris tell you how! If you need help getting started, Jenn recommends an amazing purpose mapping exercise. Visit https://purposemapping.com/backstage-pass/ and give it a go! As always, if you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook. Why not give us a rating on iTunes if this episode inspired you to find your WHY? Thanks for listening!   Topics - Kitestring’s WHY (1:37) - Purpose Mapping (4:02) - Seeing Client’s Truth (7:57) - Gary Vee’s Advice (11:14) - Finding Your Why (12:13)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

As a small business, you can’t always write a big cheque to your favourite charity. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to support the causes you care about without breaking the bank. Listen as Jenn and Chris break down the ways a small business can give back to their community. They also talk about launching Kitestring’s 10 Hearts Program as a way to commemorate ten years in business and support the community initiatives that their staff members are passionate about. We hope this episode inspires you to find small ways to give back in a BIG way! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - The 10 Hearts Program (1:30) - Buy Local (5:03) - Share Skills (6:16) - Sponsor a Team (7:44) - Sponsor an Event (10:50) - Charity Drive (13:31) - Other Ways to Give Back (15:11)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Gaffes, goofs, mishaps, and blunders – this episode is chock-full of them! Our hosts are opening up about their most embarrassing business moments. Ever send an email or text to the wrong person? Or forget someone’s name? Or done your “laundry” in a public bathroom? Yup. Chris and Jenn can relate. Don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes. Come on, our hosts definitely deserve 5 stars for sharing their most awkward moments with you!   Topics - Married? (0:51) - Cold med mishaps (1:54) - Bathroom accident (4:57) - Bad with names (8:18) - Live TV blunder (10:48) - Email mistakes (12:46) - “House of farts” (14:39) - Motel story (17:20)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Chris and Jenn are on the hunt for the top small business trends for 2018. Gen Z and micro influencers are the talk of the town! Cheques are out and electronic payments are in! Artificial intelligence isn’t just for science fiction movies anymore! Our hosts also share their feelings on the recent surge in online videos and make a case for “Saturday Morning Selves.” Whether you’re a trendsetter or a trend follower, you’ll want to take a listen to this week’s episode! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.    Topics - Target Gen Z (1:18) - Micro Influencers (9:35) - Cashless Payments (13:57) - AI (17:57) - Video and Other Trends (20:58)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Jenn is out sick this week so Chris has invited a special guest to play the role of his better business half – Brandon St. Amand! You’ve heard Kitestring’s third partner as a guest on the podcast before, but now he’s jumping into the co-host spot for another round of rapid-fire questions.  What does it mean to have a small town work ethic? What were Chris and Brandon’s first impressions of each other? And are daily donuts really Brandon’s least favourite part of working at Kitestring? Brandon tells all in this week’s episode! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.    Topics - Favourite food? (1:24) - If he wasn’t at Kitestring, what would he do? (2:30) - Frustrating things about Chris and Jenn? (4:23) - Favourite and least favourite things about his job? (5:50) - Project he’s most proud of? (6:24) - Favourite music genre? (7:35) - Parenthood, family, growing up (8:40) - What does he do on his commute? (12:43) - First impression of Chris? (13:35) - How would he spend lottery winnings? (15:29) - Technology he couldn’t live without? (17:30) - Biggest lesson over the last year? (20:47) - At the end of his life, what does he look back on? (22:06)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

When Jenn read Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters, she couldn’t wait to recommend it to Chris. The book is about the relationship between visionaries and integrators – a framework that fits our two hosts perfectly. It’s a relationship that requires an intimate knowledge of how each person works and what the other is trying to say (even when you’re only communicating through GIFs). Learn what Jenn says is the “gift” of her partnership with Chris and why a business should have both a visionary and integrator. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - About Rocket Fuel (2:04) - Visionary & Integrator (6:18) - Communication (10:11) - Responsibility of role (14:30) - Can you find them? (17:22)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

“The Bitch is Back”…is back! Chris is up for Round 2 and it’s Jenn’s turn to ask the questions. What are Chris’s biggest motivations? What bothers him most about being a business owner? Which celebrity would he choose as a mentor? And because Jenn loves Chris’s epic childhood stories (she says they’re her best party trick), she wants to know whether he would go back in time to change any of them. Like Chris says, this episode is a lot like therapy. So tune in and enjoy being a fly on the wall! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.    Topics - Motivations? (1:07) - Most looking forward to in marriage? (2:36) - Marriage fears? (4:33) - Business owner bothers? (6:00) - Why is his resolution to be a better leader? (7:52) - Which childhood memory would he change? (11:20) - Celebrity mentor? (13:40) - What is the one thing about Jenn that frustrates Chris the most? (17:15) - At the end of his life, what does she look back on? (20:00)    Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Time for the lightning round! In this two-part podcast event, Jenn and Chris are taking turns asking each other a series of rapid-fire questions. Jenn’s up first in Part 1. What is she most proud of? What’s her biggest fear? What’s the one thing about Chris that frustrates her the most? Stay tuned until the end for a final question and answer that left both of our hosts feeling a little misty-eyed. Hey, we told you this season was going to be all about feelings! Don’t miss next week’s episode when it’s Chris’s turn in the hot seat. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - What is Jenn most proud of? (1:40) - Biggest regret? (3:21) - If she wasn’t a business owner, what would she do? (4:34) - Favourite colour? (5:18) - What would she do if she won the lottery? (5:37) - Biggest fear? (7:16) - What is the one thing about Chris that frustrates Jenn the most? (8:44) - How would she change the business? (11:23) - At the end of her life, what does she look back on? (12:36)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

A great mentor can change your life, but as Jenn and Chris have learned, not all mentors are created equal. When you’ve been stung by a lousy mentor or coach, it can be hard to trust someone new. However, the benefit of having a supportive mentor makes the search for finding the perfect person worthwhile. Our hosts tell you what you need to know before you make the investment. Wondering what makes a good mentor? Or how a mentor is different than a coach? Don’t sweat it. Jenn and Chris have got your back. Know someone in search of a mentor? Share this episode with them! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - Being the mentee (2:01) - Jenn as a mentor (6:58) - Coaches (9:50) - Finding the right person (14:45) - Advice (20:50)    Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Is your employee in a rut? Is work no longer feeding their soul like it used to? What can you do as a small business owner? Jenn and Chris say it’s time to ask your team member a simple question: “What’s Up?” These conversations of “right person, wrong seat,” are never easy (especially when your employees are like family), but that’s why fostering a culture of honesty and truthfulness can make difficult discussions a whole lot easier. Jenn and Chris talk about that and the huge responsibility of being a “mood shifter” in this week’s episode. Know someone who might enjoy this episode? Share it! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - “Right person, right seat” (0:58) - Culture of truthfulness (6:20) - “Mood shifters” (12:05) - Takeaways (18:35)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

“That time we fired a client.” The process of breaking up with a client is never easy, but it may be necessary for the health of your business. Drawing on their own experiences, Jenn shares why she believes these moments come into our lives to make us grow and Chris explains the importance of understanding the impact that a disrespectful client can have on your business. Together, our hosts also talk about the traits that respectful client relationships have in common. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - “That time we fired a client.” (2:13) - The process (8:25) - Firing a long-term client (13:39) - Takeaways (23:05)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

It’s something that every business owner deals with. So why aren’t more people talking about it? Jenn and Chris are tackling the tough topic of business financials. They get candid about their own financial challenges and why money conversations are uncomfortable until you decide that they’re not. Stay tuned ‘til the end when our hosts share the lessons they’ve learned and how you can apply them to your own business. Money sucks. But this episode doesn’t! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - “Let’s talk about money” (1:04) - Shame and burden (7:54) - Uncomfortable conversations (11:42) - Transparency with team (15:11) - Changing your mindset (16:53) - Culture and financials (18:50) - Lessons learned (21:46)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

‘Tis the season to sparkle! At Kitestring, that sparkle is shared everyday and comes from the team’s collective values. On this holiday edition of the podcast, Jenn and Chris are talking about their team values and the role they play in their business. Listen in as they read from “The Little Book of Sparkle” and make a case for why every business (no matter the size) should define their values. They also let you in on one of the team’s most cherished rituals: the weekly “Laroche” award that’s given to the Kitestringer that goes above and beyond the call of duty. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - Kitestring Values (3:18) - Value Defining Exercise (6:50) - Sharing Common Joy (10:40) - “The Little Book of Sparkle” (15:54) - The Origin of “Laroche” (17:15) - Do you need to define your values? (21:47)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

There are two (or in this case, three) sides to every story. This week, Jenn and Chris are talking about their better business third, Brandon St. Amand. Following up on last season’s interview with their third partner, our hosts reflect on how their relationship as Kitestring’s big three has grown over the last ten years. They also chat about the importance of allowing everyone to play to their strengths, get serious about what to do when your partner doesn’t feel like a partner, and why anyone can benefit from a good helping of humble pie. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - “The Third Wheel” (2:43) - How are you growing as an entrepreneur? (11:58) - Be humble (14:59) - Where do we go from here? (18:38) - Finding the good (22:58)       Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Jenn and Chris are proud to have assembled a force that knows how to pull together through the hard times. Our hosts share what they learned from a recent staff feedback survey and how the results changed the way they communicate more transparently with their team. They also talk about how an exercise in defining the Kitestring values was directly inspired by their team members and why entrepreneurship is a lot like being a parent. If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.   Topics - Transparency (2:00) - Defining Values (7:28) - Entrepreneurship and parenting (9:53) - Team building (11:50)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

This week, Jenn and Chris are breaking the stigmas surrounding mental health and business. For so many people, dark periods can sneak up gradually and are barely detectable until the situation becomes serious and intervention is needed. Both Jenn and Chris share their own personal experiences and how it’s been in these dark times that they’re most grateful for the support of their partnership. They also discuss the difficulty of being leaders while struggling with mental health and why, in their experience, it’s best to be honest with your staff about how you’re feeling. And for those that don’t have business partners, Jenn and Chris share advice for solopreneurs that are looking for ways to relight their sparkle while still running a business. It’s a heavy episode, but we hope you find comfort knowing that no one needs to suffer alone. Remember, it’s going to get better! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes. Topics Dark days and mental health (1:30) Work as a contributing factor (4:05) Jenn’s story (4:38) Supportive partners (9:30) Leadership and mental health (11:10) Chris’s story (16:00) Creativity and depression (20:40) Advice for solopreneurs (24:04)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Welcome to season three: The Mixtape! To kick things off, Jenn and Chris are getting real. This episode is all about being honest with their feelings on partnership, entrepreneurship, and whether Chris should sing every episode’s title (you can probably guess the answer to that one). Over the hiatus, Kitestring celebrated its tenth anniversary (!) so naturally our hosts are feeling nostalgic. Jenn and Chris reflect on how they’ve grown as business owners and how their benchmarks for success look different ten years on. You’ll also learn hear Jenn talk about “happy ears syndrome” and why Chris compares being hooked on business to drinking when you’re young. Season three is just getting started. We hope the premiere was worth the wait and that you’re just as excited as we are to keep going! If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes. Topics Looking back on 10 years of business (2:17) “Happy ears” (4:47) Creating something bigger (6:50) Hooked on the business (11:00) Growing a thick skin (12:42) Firing a client (16:13)

Hifyre, a Hamilton-based digital product studio, used to be a one-man show until Matt Hollingshead welcomed Alex Verdurmen as a business partner in 2011. In a first for the podcast, Jenn and Chris explore what a partnership looks like if you didn’t start off as partners in the first place. Take a listen as the Hifyre guys take you through their entrepreneurial journey. Alex gives his perspective on entering into a partnership in the middle of a business’s path instead of at the beginning. You’ll also learn why Matt says partnership fit is “like a good hug.” Before wrapping up, everyone gets candid when talking about the most enviable and frustrating parts of working with their respective business partner. It’s an honest discussion that will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of your own professional relationships. Thanks for listening! If you like what you hear, leave us a five star rating on iTunes. To learn more about our friends Matt and Alex, visit Hifyre.com. Topics Meet Hifyre (1:00) Not a partner from the beginning (5:15) Finding balance and fit in a partnership (9:25) Committing to a focus (12:15) Staying on the cutting edge (14:15) Pros and cons of small agency size (17:48) “What is a quality you wish you had from the other person?” (21:45) “What’s the most frustrating part?” (24:06) Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING kitestring.ca

Fresh off a string of losses, Jenn and Chris are back this week to talk about failure and losing. When you pour your heart and soul into something and still come up short, it can be downright discouraging. But is there value in losing even if it feels terrible? Debriefing on their recent experiences, our hosts try to figure out whether anything can be learned from those challenges. What they come up with is a list of key takeaways that will help leaders and their teams better manage the disappointment that comes from defeat. Like Jenn says, “Losing sucks, but it’s not horrible.” When you’re done listening, why not leave us a five star rating and review on iTunes? After all, it’s the least you can do for a couple of losers. Have a topic you’d like us to tackle? Share your podcast ideas by tweeting @KITESTRING. Thanks for listening!   Topics “Let’s talk about losing.” (1:40) “What can we learn from losing?” (6:46) “Why do we hate to lose?” (8:09) “Leaving all your cards on the table.” (11:53) Final thoughts and key takeaways. (12:50)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING

Follow your passion. It’s common career advice, but what happens when you feel like you’ve found your place and people, but not your passion? To discuss this topic, we’ve invited our own Manager of Business Development, masterful builder of relationships, and all-around Kitestring cheerleader, Kelly Riley-Dunbavin! Kelly has flourished in her current role where she composes brilliant proposals and is passionate about all things Biz Dev, but that enthusiasm wasn’t always on display in the first position she held at our company. Join Chris and Jenn as they follow Kelly’s awesome journey at Kitestring and describe how finally finding her “sweet spot” has benefitted the entire Kitestring team, as well as herself. Our team also discusses the importance of being honest with your employer, the concept of “right people, right seats,” and hiring for fit. You may even be treated to some of Kelly’s trademark British slang along the way! Have a topic you’d like us to tackle? Share your podcast ideas by tweeting @KITESTRING. Thanks for listening!   Topics Joining the Kitestring team (3:00) Finding your place, but not your passion (8:12) Being open and honest with your employer (9:40) “Right people, right seats” (11:00) Discovering your passion (13:11) Hire for Fit (20:30) Living authentically (23:00)   Links mybetterbusinesshalf.com/ facebook.com/kitestring @KITESTRING