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Entrepreneur, early stage investor, and Founder of Relative, Mark Petch, joins me for an intriguing conversation on the podcast today. A consultancy that helps businesses with profitable growth, Relative is one of a number of companies that Mark has led over the years. As you will hear, his vast amount of experience in both leading and working for businesses has garnered him an extensive amount of knowledge, particularly in advising how to connect with customers in more engaging and meaningful ways, that he brings to this episode today. In this interview, Mark offers his marketing recommendations for entrepreneur business owners at this point in the pandemic, and introduces the Maple Network Exchange as well as Funnelytics and his involvement with them. He goes on to identify some common marketing strategy mistakes that business owners make, details his startup investments as well as other investments, how he protects his income, and his vision for the future of his businesses. As is the tradition here at the podcast, our guest concludes the interview with his definition of financial independence. Filled with the wisdom that his entrepreneurial experience has taught him, Mark has so much information and sage advice to share with all listeners here today.

Jean Desgagne, retired banking executive and CEO of Stablecorp, joins me on the podcast today.  Created as a partnership between 3iQ, Canada’s leading crypto asset manager, and Mavennet, a recognized leader in the blockchain development space, Stablecorp is behind the issuance of QCAD, the first ever fully-compliant Canadian-dollar stablecoin designed for the mass market. Jean led the launch of QCAD by managing day-to-day operations and leveraging his deep network and expertise gained from three decades in Canada’s financial services industry as President and CEO of The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited and several TMX Group companies. Currently, he is also a Board member of CAA and CPA Ontario. Our conversation begins with Jean offering an extensive explanation of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, how they work, as well as his description of QCAD. He then goes on to discuss Stablecorp’s profit opportunity, his vision for the next 3-5 years, and his own investment strategy, particularly regarding the startups and AI in which he invests. Jean draws the episode to a close by sharing what he does with whatever time he has away from his work. While he may not be the typical interviewee for this podcast, Jean’s vast experience both in business and in life will undoubtedly prove highly valuable for all listeners in today’s informative episode.

Joining me on the podcast this week is Lamont Wiltshire, Chief Executive Officer at the Wiltshire Group, a group of companies that delivers construction, real estate and development in the GTA. Founded and headed by himself and his business partner, Odeen Eccleston, The Wiltshire Group is the parent company of its award winning subsidiary companies made up of Wiltshire Homes, a custom home builder, WE Realty, a full-service brokerage, and WE Developments, which delivers construction management, commercial and multi-residential projects and strategic land us. In today’s highly informative interview, Lamont shares his perspective on a possible real estate bubble and crash, his recommendations to make homeownership more affordable for younger buyers, and the impact of the pandemic upon living and working in the GTA. He then goes on to describe his subsidiary companies and how they integrate together, their current projects, and how such projects are financed. Our conversation finishes up with Lamont describing his business partnership with Odeen Eccleston, what’s next for his companies, and his definition of financial independence. Listen in as Lamont offers his uniquely insightful glimpse into the world of homebuilding, land development, and real estate here today.

My very special guest on the podcast this week is ChristianCafe.com President and Co-founder, Sam Moorcraft. After receiving his MBA, Sam engaged in a variety of occupations such as forest management, direct marketing, consulting, project management, and a number of entrepreneurial endeavors. Eventually, he joined forces with his brother and fellow MBA recipient, Philip, to found and build ChristianCafe.com into what is now the largest privately-owned Christian singles site online. Over the course of more than 22 years as a business, this site has helped untold thousands of singles connect, and is responsible for over 25,000 marriages! In our conversation today, Sam explains how he came to start this online dating service way back in the 1990’s, what it looks like today, the premium service it provides its clients, as well as details about its subscription base and busiest usage times. He goes on to share the impact that the pandemic has had on the business, the fees it charges, how he keeps up with much larger competitors and evolving technology, and what is next for the company. Sam finishes up by offering his advice for young entrepreneurs, detailing his and his wife’s savings and investments, and, as with all guests, revealing his definition of financial independence for him and his family. A remarkably successful entrepreneur, Sam Moorcroft shares his fascinating journey and experience-fuelled advice with Richard and listeners here today.

Founder and CEO of Hear Me Cheer, Elias Anderson, joins me on the podcast this week. Having left his university Engineering program to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, Elias has enjoyed great success with his current company, which was created as a response to the inability for fans to attend live sporting events during the pandemic. A true entrepreneur at heart, he is also the Founder of two other companies, ChampTrax and Sporting World, and, today, he shares his truly remarkable story of success in a very short amount of time with us all. In today’s interview, we look at exactly what Hear Me Cheer is all about, the engineering that has gone into it, its rapid success, and how it makes money. We also discuss where its funding came from, what’s next for it, what has surprised Elias during his journey, and the future of Hear Me Cheer post-pandemic. Elias finishes up by detailing his and his company’s financial status and his advice for other entrepreneurs of his age group. Creating a product that so readily addresses a current need has proven not only successful in the short term but also holds great potential for the future, providing a valuable case study for other entrepreneurs to analyze, and Elias is only too happy to present it all in today’s conversation.

Kevin Mako, President of Mako Design and Invent, joins me today for a fascinating discussion about his equally fascinating business and so much more. Built by Kevin completely from the ground up with no financing and no debt, Mako Design and Invent has grown to be the center of physical product design, turning great product ideas into booming businesses, nationally in the US and Canada, and is well on its way to do the same in England and China. Kevin is a true entrepreneur whose many other accomplishments include becoming a Fellow at the Brookfield Institute for Entrepreneurship, an advisor at Next 36 and Sage Canada, and the President of Mako Group, Inc., which specializes in investing in startups and scaling businesses. In this interview, Kevin describes how he came up with the idea for his rather unique business, his journey to his current position, what his business looks like today, and some of the difficulties he encounters when operating in both Canada and the USA these days. He also relates the story of one of his highly successful projects, how his company gets paid, the range for getting an idea to the final product, and the most surprising moment in his journey thus far. His low point and how he pulled himself out of it, what’s next for him and his team, and some of his ‘hacks’ for scaling are also discussed. Kevin draws the episode to a close by sharing information regarding his income management as well as his definition of financial planning. With his mission to build positive world-changing businesses through his organically grown grass-roots company, Kevin is an entrepreneur whose immense faith in his work over the years has fostered a willingness to risk it all to ensure its growth and ultimate success, as you will learn here today.

My special guest on the podcast today is Stephen Worrall, founder of Integrated Clean Air Services, and industry expert in the field of HVAC hygiene and Indoor Air Quality. A former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and a veteran of the 1st Gulf War, Stephen is very much a lifelong entrepreneur with a keen interest in financial services who has written and spoken about cryptocurrencies and blockchain at several events. He also sits on several industry committees and is a member and Committee Chair with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. In today’s episode, Stephen shares how he got started in the clean air business, what he means by the ‘golden quarter’, what his company looks like today and how they attract customers. He also discusses the role his wife plays in the company and how they are growing the business, and offers an extensive exploration of crypto and blockchaining technology, his involvement in it, and his work with Consilium Crypto. Stephen goes on to reveal his plans for the future, the low points in his journey thus far and the lessons learned, and finishes up by describing his savings and investments as well as his definition of financial independence. Stephen’s keenly entrepreneurial mindset is on full display here today as he recounts his own remarkable story, providing important information and advice for us all along the way.

Marc Wilson, Founder and Lead Advisor at Athletic Venture Advisors, a firm supporting the sports & sports technology industry by focusing on emerging startups, small business and investors, joins me on the podcast today. Within these industries, Marc and his team provide personal and company engagements, including, but not limited to, Business Development, Mentorship, Strategic Partnerships, Advisory Board Involvement, Investment Assistance, Deal Flow, Due Diligence, Recruitment, Venture Capital Involvement, Private Equity Assistance, Athlete/Entrepreneur Assessment, etc. In our interview today, Marc describes his company, the work in which it engages, including a case study of one of its clients, and the path he’s taken to get where he is now. He also shares what has surprised him the most over his career, the low points and how he has rebounded from them, his income management and his definition of financial independence as well. He concludes our conversation by offering his thoughts on angel investing and investing in startups. Building a successful business in an area for which he so obviously has a passion, Marc’s story here today is filled with information, advice, and inspiration for all.

Joining me on the podcast this week is Josh Kumar, Partner at Aird & Berlis LLP. A member of the firm’s Tax Group, Josh’s practice focuses on litigation and dispute resolution with the Canada Revenue Agency and Department of Justice, and also includes tax planning for private companies and individuals. He has extensive experience representing taxpayers in the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and he also holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. In today’s interview, Josh shares what drives him to complete his goals, his current practice, the most common issues he encounters that require his tax expertise, and the expectations of a junior partner. He also describes a typical week for him, some traditional and alternative methods of charging clients, current challenges for the legal profession, and a low point in his professional journey. Our conversation draws to a close with Josh offering his advice for new lawyers, as well as reviewing his income management, financial planning, and his definition of financial independence. Combining his CPA and lawyer expertise, Josh’s intricate knowledge in both these areas shines through brilliantly in today’s remarkably informative episode.

Sara Erskine, Partner at Weintraub Erskine Huang LLP, is my guest on the podcast this week. Sara’s practice is focused on commercial disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency, receiverships, proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), securities law, labour and employment law, administrative law, constitutional law and class action litigation. She regularly represents clients before regulatory tribunals including the Ontario Securities Commission, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and a broad range of professional disciplinary tribunals. Sara publishes papers in the area of securities law and class action litigation, is frequently invited to speak at legal conferences, and routinely presents to industry associations on managing the business risks associated with civil and employment disputes, and securities regulation. Today, Sara discusses starting her own firm, the type of cases they will handle, and her vision for it over the coming years. She also shares details about their marketing strategy to attract new business, the systems and processes she’s developed, what an average day and week look like for her, and how they charge their clients. The current challenges facing the legal profession, Sara’s advice for new lawyers, her financial planning and  income saving, investing, and protection are also addressed, and our conversation concludes with Sara’s definition of financial independence. Armed with extensive professional knowledge and familiarity with the entrepreneurial experience of starting her own firm, Sara has so much to offer listeners here today.

Joining me this week on the podcast is Robert Glasgow, Partner in the International Trade and Disputes Group at McCarthy Tetrault. In this role, Robert regularly provides advice to clients regarding the application of Canadian trade and customs law, and also provides valuable service to clients across a wide range of matters, from sanctions to controlled goods to anti-dumping and countervailing trade remedy disputes. Robert also has an extensive practice regarding government procurement where he employs his in-depth knowledge of procurement law and his understanding of the impact of Canada’s various free trade agreements and the obligations they impose on public bodies conducting a procurement. As an active member of the legal community, Robert is a frequent speaker at industry events, contributes regularly to a broad range of publications, and is involved in a variety of mentorship opportunities. In our conversation today, Robert shares the many places in the world in which he has lived, the lessons learned through this experience, as well as details regarding his practice today and what a typical week entails. He also discusses his team at McCarthy, the biggest challenges facing the legal profession today, the ways in which he and his family manage their income, and the steps he has taken in estate planning. Robert draws our interview to a close by offering his definition of financial independence and his perspective on achieving it. A highly articulate individual with a fascinating history, Robert shares his vast amount of knowledge and expertise with listeners here today in this highly informative episode.

Garth Dingwall, a partner at Abrahams LLP, is my guest on the podcast this week. Garth has a broad practice focusing primarily on commercial and civil litigation, has acted in a variety of corporate commercial matters, and has a keen interest in business law. As you will hear today, he has a great deal of experience and skill in resolving disputes for his clients in the most effective and efficient manner so that they can remain focused upon managing their businesses and living their lives. He has successfully represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Ontario Court of Appeal. In today’s interview, Garth details his journey to becoming a lawyer, his reasons for moving from his own business to a larger firm, the role of a litigator, and some examples of the types of disputes with which he has worked recently. He also discusses some of the biggest challenges he sees in his work, how he maintains work-life balance, the low point in his career, and some aspects to consider before hiring a litigation lawyer. While he goes on to describe how he saves, invests, and protects his income, I also respond to some of his questions regarding my perspective on financial planning and the importance of disability and critical illness insurance. As open to asking questions as he is to answering them, Garth makes for an excellent guest here today, bringing to light so much information that will prove both fascinating and informative for listeners.

Joining me this week on the podcast is Mahyar Makki, Partner - Tax, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Class Action Litigation, at Quantum Business Law. In addition to class actions and business disputes, Mahyar’s practice involves all aspects of tax dispute resolution, commencing at the objection stage with the Canada Revenue Agency, right to the appeals stage at the Tax Court of Canada and to the Federal Court. He also works with high net worth clients for wealth preservation, estate freezes, butterfly transactions, corporate reorganizations and establishment of domestic and international trusts. In our conversation, Mahyar describes his areas of responsibility at his firm, offers advice for business people regarding preserving their wealth, and explains butterfly transactions, purifying companies, corporate reorganizations, and international trusts. He also shares what has surprised him the most in dealing with the CRA, the low point he has experienced pursuing his career, his advice for those looking to open their own business, and how he saves, invests and protects his income. Our interview draws to a close with Mahyar providing his definition of, and plan to achieve, financial independence, and, at his request, I offer mine as well. Our conversation is a wide ranging and fascinating one, but all listeners should realize that Mahyar’s comments here today do not represent recommendations, and anyone thinking of tax law should seek their own personal advisors before implementing any of the topics discussed in the podcast.

This week, my guest on the podcast is Susannah Roth, a Partner at O’Sullivan Estate Lawyers. Susannah’s practice focuses on multijurisdictional and cross-border estate administration, and she has been recognized in both the 2019 and 2020 editions of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Leading Practitioner in Estate & Tax Planning (Repeatedly Recommended) and Estate Litigation (Repeatedly Recommended). She is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 in Trusts and Estates, and is also a columnist in The Lawyer’s Daily, published in Canada by LexisNexis, on estate administration, estate planning and cross-border issues. In today’s interview, Susannah enlightens us all on the role of an estate administrator, the importance of having a will and when to get one, her practice and its clients, and the O’Sullivan Estate Lawyers’ marketing system. She also shares her perspective on the biggest challenges facing estate lawyers these days, and discusses one of her biggest personal challenges  – sadly, one that we share - the loss of her partner in life and the impact that has had upon her. Our conversation concludes with Susannah offering her advice for those who are newly widowed, and what financial literacy means to her now. Thoroughly versed in the legal aspects of estate law, and, tragically, all too familiar with its personal impact, Susannah demonstrates her extensive amount of knowledge, wisdom, and true courage in today’s unforgettable episode.

Ryan Martin, founding partner of Aura LLP, joins me on the podcast this week. Once a full-time gigging and session musician and singer/songwriter, Ryan is now an experienced lawyer practicing in real estate, corporate/commercial and estates, where he represents businesses of all sizes, from the purchasing and selling of some of the largest franchises in Canada, to start-ups in the retail technology and construction sectors. In his real estate practice, his clients range from first-time homebuyers to clients with large-scale real estate investment portfolios in both Canada and abroad, and he is one of a handful of Ontario lawyers who specialize in co-ownership real estate law. In today’s interview, Ryan describes his professional journey, shares details about his firm, including how he grows business and the budgets they have for marketing, and offers his advice to other lawyers thinking of opening their own firm. He also shares what has surprised him the most throughout his journey, details his savings and investments, and concludes with his definition of financial independence as well as his plans to achieve it. Highly personable and engaging, Ryan shares his rather unique path in life with listeners today, infused with valuable information and advice along the way.

Joining me on the podcast today is Joel Guberman, Senior Immigration Counsel at CILF-Caruso, Guberman, Appleby. For over 35 years, Joel has been practicing in the field of immigration law, advising his clients on immigration issues related to conducting business across international borders, including applications for visas and work-permits. He also advises on matters such as North American free trade, treaty investors and treaty traders, and other issues related to worldwide skilled worker immigration. According to the “International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers” (the official research partner of the International Bar Association) Joel is a leading lawyer in Canada for corporate immigration matters and is on its “most highly regarded individuals” list internationally. In our conversation today, Joel describes how his career in immigration law got started, the biggest challenges he feels Canadian business owners face when selling to the US market, immigration process solutions for these businesses, and Canadian visas for Americans. He also delves into the intricacies involved in obtaining green cards and resident status in the US, the moves that he has made throughout his career, the biggest challenges in the legal profession today, and what has surprised him the most over the years in his work. Maintaining his focus on his specialty while his practice grows, his main role in the practice, how his team attracts new business, and his advice for those going into immigration law are also discussed. Joel finishes up by detailing his saving pattern, his highly articulate definition of financial independence, and what the future holds for him. Joel’s expertise in, and love for, what he does shine through brilliantly during this informative and instructive interview today.

My thoroughly fascinating guest today is Mohamad Fakih, CEO of Paramount Fine Foods. Originally from Lebanon, Mohamad eventually made his way to Canada with very little money, and has gone on to create a highly successful empire and legacy through his commitment to putting people first. In addition to his current CEO role, he is the Chairman of Fakih Foundation, the Voice of UNHCR Canada, an award winning entrepreneur, and above all, a passionate and well respected philanthropist and activist. As you will hear, his story is an inspiring one filled with lessons for both business and life in general. In this dynamic interview, Mohamad describes his life before purchasing Paramount, how he became involved with it, his definition of the culture he and his employees maintain there, and the community involvement in which they all participate. He also shares how he has managed the massive growth of Paramount Foods, its main revenue source, what a typical day is for him, and what’s next for him and his businesses. Mohamad goes on to explain what Halal food is, details the investments he makes, and offers his advice for business owners and those considering becoming entrepreneurs. Our conversation concludes with Mohamad sharing his definition of financial independence, and making a passionate plea to others to contribute to a better collective legacy for our children.

Joining me on the podcast this week is Evan Kubes, President of Rumble Gaming and co-founder of MKM Group. Heading Canada’s first, and one of the world’s most influential, law firms dedicated to esports and content creators, Evan is considered a thought leader in the industry, and he is often featured in publications like Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and Global News. Evan’s innovative work has also led to him being recognized as a top influencer manager and esports agent by Business Insider. In today’s episode, Evan shares his journey to his current position, explains esports, gaming and the role that firms such as his play in the field, and reveals how his firm connects with clients. He also discusses how Rumble makes money, offers his advice for others wanting to get involved in the esports scene, details how he invests and protects his income, and finishes off by providing his definition of financial independence and how to achieve it. A talented and knowledgeable visionary, Evan has many keen insights into this relatively new business which he shares with listeners here today.

On this week’s episode, I am joined by Robert Price, Founder and CEO of Bode Canada, an online real estate brokerage that is really disrupting the industry as it makes selling real estate simple, transparent and more economical. Robert is a former executive at Axia FibreNet working with them in the telecommunications space for over 11 years before they sold to Bell, and he also comes from an entrepreneurial family, with his father being the former CEO of Husky before starting Axia. In our conversation today, Robert discusses Bode Canada’s role as a disruptor in the real estate industry and its goal to empower their customers. He also shares a great deal of information about Bode, including its current status and finances, plans for expansion, biggest challenges as a startup, and its original and potential future funding. Robert goes on to offer his perspective on companies such as Zillow entering the Canadian market, the low points in his journey with Bode and what he would have done differently, and how he explains Bode to real estate agents and brokers. Our interview draws to a close with Robert sharing the ways in which he invests and protects his money, and his definition of financial independence. In an industry that has experienced very little change over the years, Robert and Bode Canada present a fresh alternative, and he shares the details of this novel approach with listeners here today.

SP Nutraceuticals Co-founder, Christina Barbato, joins me on the podcast this week. Once a lawyer working in downtown Toronto, Christina left her job to work full-time with her company, SP Nutra, which takes scientific discovery and transforms it into consumable products that can treat disease. In her role, Christina takes these discoveries through patent and trademark protection, hires consultants to work through formulations, regulatory approvals and clinical trials, and finds well-suited partners with a shared vision to deliver these products to the world. Today, Christina discusses her transition from law to the drug discovery business, relates the story of SP Nutraceuticals and its work, explains their product Metavo, and details her company’s funding and investors. She also delves into how a company like hers is valuated, how they market and grow their business, their biggest challenge these days, and her advice for those thinking of following her example. Our conversation concludes with Christina’s vision for the next 5 years, how she saves, invests, and protects her money, and an explanation of the ‘rule of 72’.