Financial Monitoring = More Sleep

Introducing Owen Green 

Passionate, driven entrepreneurs often need to focus on what they are good at. This could mean being visionaries, or taking part in the grind of everyday business. For many though, the evening can be filled with worry when they realize that their books are a mess, or they don’t know if they can afford to make payroll AND invest into that new opportunity.

That is where people like Owen Green come into your life and allows you to have sweet dreams. Owen is an accountant and co-owner of Adams Green, as well as the Hemmings House CFO. After years of experience in “big business” accounting, Owen was looking for a change of pace. He began to realize that many small and medium sized businesses didn’t have the resources to afford designated accounting divisions, but was often in the position of needing someone to manage their financial situation. Many of the leaders of these businesses needed to spend the majority of their focus on the day-to-day and couldn’t give the proper attention their books deserved.

The opportunity, as Owen saw it, was to efficiently provide financial divisions to smaller companies of like-minded values. Now, as Canada’s only financial service B-Corp, Adams Green is helping businesses in their community thrive while making it’s own social impact.

In this episode.

• Owen tells us how he got the idea for Adams Green after a job interview for a job that would have been unfulfilling.
• He tells us how building confidence was a huge stepping point to making the leap into entrepreneurship.
• Owen reminds us of the importance of asking for help and the amazing results that comes about.
• We hear about his reservations for going into business including drumming up sales as an introvert.
• We hear how setting up Hemmings House as a B-Corp started Adams Green on its own B-Corp path.
• We also hear about the social impact Adams Green is making in their community.
• There is a discussion of work/life balance versus work/life integration.
• Dave likes the idea of a purpose driven account and suggests that the sooner you have your company’s financial situation looked at, the sooner you can move forward.
• Greg remembers how deflating it can be worrying about your books when you are looking to make your next steps with your business. He tells us how Owen has supported his company’s growth and how the service is really helping the community.

Links

- Adams Green Website

- Adams Green on Facebook

- Adams Green on Twitter

- Adams Green on Linked In

Pounce on your Opportunities

Introducing Ken MacLeod

Sometimes the only thing holding you back from achieving any goal is your own hesitation. No journey has ever happened where someone hasn’t taken the first step. Ken MacLeod and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra know all about this.

Back in 2002, Ken’s daughter had finally been accepted into the NBYO after applying for her third time. When Ken was dropping her off at a summer camp weekend, when he heard that the NBYO had been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. There was only one problem; the orchestra was not in the financial position to accept the invite.   However, Ken thought, “how can we not say yes?” and started working toward raising the $140,000 it would take to join the show. At the time, the orchestra comprised of 70 musicians and one orchestra. They had an annual budget of $25,000 and only two part-time staff members. The orchestra would perform five concerts with a total of 1,000 patrons. Not only did Ken raise the money for the Carnegie Hall concert, but over the years and under his leadership the orchestra now has 800 kids with a budget of $2.5 million, 55 employees, 82 concerts yearly, with 31,000 patrons. 

Ken credits the success from recognizing opportunities when they come and pouncing on them. He sees decisiveness as the number one quality of leadership and through his lack of hesitation the NBYO has won an East Coast Music Award, been nominated for three others. They have also been the subject of two nationally televised documentaries (including Sistema Revolution produced by Hemmings House Pictures). Most importantly the NBYO has produced social change for underprivileged children by increasing their focus, cooperation, and discipline, as well as, improving their academic performance and school absenteeism. 

Check out this week’s Boiling Point to learn why it is important to jump at your opportunities and to see how a small group of people can make real social change.

In this episode

• Ken tells us how he got involved with the NBYO and how he knows Greg.
• We hear about the amazing transformation the NBYO has had in the last decade.
• Ken tells us how pouncing at opportunities is the real key to success.
• Ken tells us how a revolutionary program in Venezuela impacted the NBYO and how both programs have become a shinning example to the world.
• We discuss how classical music is not just for the elite and can actually be the spark toward social change.
• We learn how the NBYO and El Sistema have changed the lives of kids in New Brunswick.
• Ken discusses the perils of hesitation and how leadership is just ordinary people doing extraordinary things one-step at a time.
• Ken also tells us what is next for the NBYO.
• Dave appreciates Ken’s approach to leadership and his practical way of seeing opportunity and taking steps toward it.
• Greg is inspired by how Ken puts in so much time toward something that isn’t his fulltime job and how a small group of people can make such a huge impact.
• Greg also tells our audience how they can see Hemmings House’s “Sistema Revolution”

Links

- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra Website

- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on Facebook

- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on Twitter

- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on YouTube

- El Sistema Websites

- Watch Sistema Revolution (Canadians Only)

Conservation Capitalism

Introducing Jeff Schnurr

The saying goes, “there is more than one way to skin a cat.” The same is true for conservation. The choice doesn’t have to be between jobs and preservation because there is a middle ground. Jeff Schnurr knows this, and his organization, Community Forests International, both aids in the conservation of forests and is a moneymaking entity. 

After he completed high school in Sackville, New Brunswick, Jeff started tree planting and traveling the world. He ended up in Pemba, Tanzania (an island in the Indian Ocean), where over the years his efforts led to trees being planted, renewable energy projects, as well as agriculture projects. The goal was to work with the community in Pemba and develop new ways for people on the island to live on the land and make an income. Through the efforts of Community Forests International, over 1.5 million trees, over 100 football fields of agriculture have been produced.

Jeff has since taken what he has learned from the Pemba projects and translated them back to New Brunswick and developed a way practice sustainable forestry while storing carbon and selling carbon offsets. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how conservation and capitalism can work in harmony.

In this episode

• We hear how Jeff got involved with worldwide conservation.
• Jeff discusses the great things that are happening in Pemba, and how he has taken what he has learned back to Canada.
• We learn how not all forestry is harmful and practices that actually improve the health of the forest.
• We discuss the middle ground of conservation and capitalism.
• Jeff describes his interesting business model and what carbon trading is all about.
• He also tells us how he focuses his attention with projects happening on both sides of the world.
• Jeff also tells us about how it is easy to find people when you have an organization based on a belief.
• We learn why New Brunswick was low-hanging fruit for Community Forests International and what comes next for the organization.
• Dave loves how Community Forests International has an educational component and learns how much potential we have in our woods.
• Greg loves the idea of taking on conservation with an entrepreneurial approach.

Links

- Community Forests International Website

- Community Forests International Facebook

- Community Forests International Twitter

Discover Saint John

Introducing Victoria Clarke

Victoria Clarke has an enviable job for all of those who live and love Saint John, New Brunswick. Back in July, Victoria took the job as Executive Director of Discover Saint John, the destination marketing organization for the place that the Boiling Point calls home. For many, Saint John is a city you drive past on the highway on your way to other destinations. However, for those in the know, Saint John is a hidden gem consisting of authentic, genuine people, unique surroundings, and quaint businesses and services. Like Victoria says, Saint John is like the prettiest girl at the dance with low self-esteem; sometimes those who live in the city forget just how great they have it.

Part of Victoria’s mandate is to encourage those in the business world to bring their conferences and annual general meetings to Saint John. The city is a terrific spot for such events because of the close proximity of hotels, world-class restaurants, activities, and some of the most welcoming people you could find. Those who come in from the bigger cities are impressed with all this little place can offer in convenience and quality.

Check out Boiling Point this week for a love-in for the city we hold so dear, Saint John.

In this episode

• Dave starts us out with a little story about running into Victoria in a hotel parking lot.
• We talk about what we love about the city of Saint John and what makes the city so unique.
• Greg makes a pitch to sell his waterfront cottage in Quispamsis.
• Victoria reminds us of some of the great activities and sights that tourists and stay-cationers can take part in.
• We talk about the unique personality of the city and its people.
• Victoria reminds all Saint Johners to be ambassadors of their city.
• She also tells us how Discover Saint John can be an asset to planning your unique event.
• Everyone shares one of their own quirky Saint John finds.

Links

- Discover Saint John website

- Discover Saint John YouTube

- Discover Saint John Facebook

- Discover Saint John Twitter

Understanding DisAbilities

Introducing Shawn Smith

Shawn Smith grew up believing he was a dumb kid. Though he tried in school, he didn’t receive the marks he had hoped for. He failed grade eight and made 32 attempts to complete his 18 credits for high school. It wasn’t until the age of 30, that he was finally diagnosed with ADHD and was given a prescription for Ritalin that he realized that his difficulties were not from a lack of motivation but a lapse in communication.

Shawn has since received his masters’ degree in education and counseling and fights the stigma of disability with his organization, Don’t Dis My Ability. He now helps families, individuals, and companies that deal with the issue of disability with a message that it isn’t motivation that is lacking but communication. He offers tools to those that are currently struggling with disability, which can turn a problem into an opportunity with an asset-based mentality. Tune into this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to hear how we are all brilliant in our own way.

In this episode

• We recognize the importance of National Inclusion Month.
• Shawn tells his story of growing up thinking something was wrong with him and how it all changed with his diagnosis at age 30.
• Shawn explains what he means by saying it isn’t what is wrong with him but what is right.
• He explains why often there is not an absence of motivation but proper communication.
• We hear a tale of an employee that Shawn worked with in New Brunswick, and the amazing turn-around that happened.
• Shawn explains a few of the tools he uses to produce results.
• He explains what he means by an asset-based mentality.
• Shawn also tells us about apps and animations being developed along side previous BP guest Gene Fowler.
• We also hear about a camp for children with learning disabilities that Shawn is currently working on.
• Dave is moved by Shawnn’s ability to share a story in order to help people understand an issue.
• Greg believes that employers need to continue to educate themselves and always strive for empathy with their employees and that everyone is brilliant in their own way.

Links

- Don't Dis My Ability

- Gene Fowler's BP Episode

The Era of Creative Leadership

Introducing Nelson Cabral

Businesses that specialize in the creative understand that a creative leadership style can be very advantageous to a company culture. However, this leadership style can often be missing in in traditional industries. The old-style, top-down leadership structure of the past just isn’t working anymore for some businesses and the old guard of traditional leaders is looking for an innovative approach to change their company cultures.

Nelson Cabral is one of the people leading the charge to change the way we lead. Nelson spent many years traversing the different creative industries. He was a former creative director at an advertising firm, a film director, and even a musical theatre leading man. Now, Nelson is a public speaker, trainer and seminar leader, and his company Cabral Creative is teaching the skills of creative leadership to numerous companies. 

A study from IBM a few years back surveyed CEOs from around the world found that creativity was the number one, most important quality from any leader. Tune into this week’s Boiling Point to find out how you and your organization could improve with creative leadership.

In this episode

• Nelson suggests a new way for Greg and Dave to greet our guests.
• We hear how Nelson is a creative leadership triple threat and what his over two-decade experience in the advertising business taught him about creativity.
• We discuss how EVERYONE can be creative, not just “creative-types”.
• Nelson explains how many leaders get stuck in their typical way of leading which is predictable and risk-adverse.
• We distinguish what creative leadership looks like.
• Nelson brings us through his “Creative Storm” and how it aids in changing company culture.
• He tells us that leaders need to set the stage for creativity but not necessarily perform on it.
• We discuss why creative leadership is so important now and some examples of those leading the creative leadership charge.
• Dave is impressed with Nelson’s energetic approach and how the coaching approach can be very similar to the creative leadership approach.
• Dave also notes that it may be easier to change your current company culture than to just move on to somewhere else.
• Greg emphasizes how everyone can be creative, not just “creative-types”.

Links

- Cabral Creative 

- NelsonCabral.ca

- Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull 

Where your passions will take you

Introducing Mark Hemmings

Almost every younger brother looks up to his older sibling, and there is no exception in the Hemmings family. Greg’s older brother, Mark, shaped his likes, choices, and life. They shared similar interests and even found themselves in similar industries coincidentally.

Mark is an internationally renowned photographer that specializes in travel, fashion, commercial, and architectural photography. In 1997, Mark was a student at the University of New Brunswick-Saint John, when he was hired by the university to travel to Japan to recruit English-as-a-second-language students. Mark turned out to be a horrible recruiter, but left the country with a new passion. Mark had started taking pictures, really, for the first time in his life and fell in love with the art. Photography is a passion that he falls in love with more each and every day.

Mark now works around the world at his craft and was also able to fuse two more of his passions into his career, which are travel and teaching.   Mark holds photography workshops around the world for those of any skill level and piece of equipment. His workshops span the gamut; his students travel to such places as Mexico, Japan, Eastern Europe, and South Korea.

Check out this week’s episode to learn how you can turn your passion into your career.

In this episode 

• We hear how Greg and Mark got into very similar industries completely separately.
• Mark tells us how a trip to Japan changed the course of his life.
• He tells us how he got is start in photography in the movie industry.
• Mark tells us how he teaches students how to capture amazing images regardless of their skill level or type of equipment.
• He tells us about how his love of photography grows every day.
• We hear how Greg is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none, and how Mark seems to be a master of anything he touches.
• Mark tells us how technology changes in the photography industry keep his passion fueled.
• He also explains how his work must always honor the people, city, and culture of the places he photographs and about his favorite gig in Transylvania.
• Dave admires Mark’s spiritual side and how he uses his art to change the world.
• Greg believes that you don’t have to be a professional to get that great feeling and results of art and that technology has little to do with the output of art.

Links

- MarkHemmings.com

- Mark's Instagram

- Mark's Twitter

- Mark's Facebook

The Badge of Awesome

Introducing Josh Martin 

Sometimes the knocks that life throws at us are the pivot point to a better way. Josh Martin knows all about this. At 27 years old, Josh was diagnosed with leukemia and given a 50/50 chance at survival. One of the first nights in hospital for his chemo treatments, Josh started to compile a list—his reasons to fight. The list was a combination of items that made his life awesome and the stream of consciousness quickly developed into 118 items.

The experience with cancer also ignited Josh’s aspirations. He wanted to chase his dreams and do what he was passionate about. To Josh, this was story telling. He left his job as a project coordinator with an international development organization to chase his dream, become an entrepreneur, and write. Now Josh is also a motivational speaker and the creator of Badge of Awesome.com. 

Take the time to listen to this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to be inspired to take your next step toward the person YOU want to be.

In this episode

•  Dave tells us how he came across Josh by chance.
• Josh tells us about Badge of Awesome and the type of humorous and advice content it has.
• Josh tells us about his “wake-up call” from cancer and how it inspired him to follow his passions.
• Greg mentions how many of his friends are also in “early mid-life crisis” mode.
• Josh offers us a great thought from Martin Luther King Jr. about taking the first step.
• He also reminds us that we don’t need to have a “near death” experience to make positive changes in our life.
• Josh tells us that we should all take time and space to reflect and gives hints for building a tribe.
• He also tells us about his simple treasures project.
• Dave reflects on how certain experiences drive change and how the bumps in the road in life can be made into something positive.
• Greg echoes that crisis can allow for amazing changes and that you don’t need to know your destination but just have to take the first step.

Links

- The Badge of Awesome Website

- Badge of Awesome on Twitter

- Badge of Awesome on Facebook

B Corp Adventure

Introducing Nora Livingstone

What do you do when you have a thirst for travel and adventure, as well as a heart for the welfare of animals? You start a business. At least that is what Nora Livingstone did. 

Back in 2012, Nora was approached by her veterinarian friend about starting a business that would link ethical animal groups around the world to people interested in lending a helping hand. Nora jumped at this opportunity despite a lack of experience in business because it fulfilled her lust for adventure and altruism.

Together they founded Animal Experience International. Their goal was to be asked by organizations helping animals around the world to find helping hands, and the way to gather people was by building trust. One great way to establishing trust was a B Corp designation on their business that would prove they are ethical and they are truly helping the animals and the communities surrounding them.

Nora’s top tip for new entrepreneurs is the power of “the ask”. There are so many people that are willing and able to lend assistance if you just open the doors to your world. This philosophy has allowed Nora to have a confidence that if she doesn’t know the answer to problem, that through her network she will eventually figure everything out.

In this episode

• Nora tells us about just a few of the experiences she has had around the world helping countless types of animals.
• Nora tells us the importance of knowing whether your volun-tourism operator is ethical and justice-focused.
• We hear how becoming a B Corp has given Animal Experience International increased credibility with its customers.
• Dave recounts an unfortunate snake farm tour.
• We learn that AEI’s customers range from youth to the elderly.
• Nora explains how adventure leads to the coolest opportunities.
• She also tells us about the power of “the ask” and what it has meant for her and her company’s growth.
• Greg appreciates Nora’s adventurous spirit and suggests that entrepreneurs treat their business with the same enthusiasm.
• Dave likes the confidence Nora gains from admitting when she doesn’t know something, but is going to figure it out.

Links

- Animal Experience International's website

- Animal Experience International's Twitter

- Animal Experience International's Facebook

- Animal Experience International's Instagram

- Nora's Twitter

- B Corp Website

- Hemmings Houses' "Melting Lands"

Melting Lands from Hemmings House on Vimeo.

Reengineering your Passion

Introducing Greg Faxon

There are many people out there that need some help reorganizing their lives and businesses. Some people are in an unfulfilling job, and others are in the midst of a startup and need guidance. Even seasoned entrepreneurs need a kick-start from time to time to reengineer their business to work for their needs. A great way to navigate the path of where you are to where you want to be is to invest in a coach.

Greg Faxon is an executive coach who experienced a lot of dissatisfaction at his previous job. It wasn’t that it wasn’t a great job; he was working in market research and consulting around the world. Greg knew that he was a long way from the boardroom and some parts of his job just made him feel brain dead. He decided to make a change for the better by hiring his own personal coach, which eventually led him down the path of opening up his own coaching business. Now, Greg finds himself helping the very same type of people that he was like not too long ago.

Check out this week’s episode of Boiling Point to get the scoop on coaching and lessons on how you can take the next step toward your own personal gratification.

In this episode

• Greg Hemmings tells us how he met and got to know the other Greg.
• Greg Faxon tells us his origin story of what made him go into coaching.
• Greg goes on to tell us how he was inspired while jogging through the zoo and the parallels he saw between himself and the wolves.
• He tells us how hiring his own coach expedited his personal journey, uncovered hidden fears, and set him on a path toward success.
• We learn why coaching is a better way to go than just reading a book or taking a seminar in personal development.
• Greg tells us about his B.R.A.V.E. Business Framework.
• We learn how our host, Greg’s favorite part of the coaching experience was the accountability it provided.
• We also learn what this accountability means and that it isn’t just a “homework buddy”.
• We also hear how Greg got an important message on bravery from Seth Godin.
• Dave likes Greg’s cerebral approach and his ability to educate quickly so that people can understand what they are consuming.
• Greg Hemmings appreciates that though accountability was his favorite part of the coach relationship that it must be the type of accountability that eliminates co-dependence. 

Links

- Greg's Website

- Greg's Facebook

- Greg's Twitter

- Greg's YouTube

- Seth Godin's Website

Prepare to be Civilized

Re-introducing Derek Riedle

Sometimes you come up with an idea that is so timely that you feel you must seize your opportunity. Derek Riedle had one of these eureka moments recently, but did not sit by and wait for someone else to grab the opportunity. Derek is the head of Revolution Strategy and also the co-producer (along with our own Greg Hemmings) of Hemmings House’s new series, “The Real Houses of…” However, Derek’s new idea had him so excited that he went from concept to launch in a half of a year.

Derek saw a disconnect between the way that cannabis culture was being expressed in popular media and the true face of the people that partake. The stereotype of the lazy, slacker pot smoker doesn’t reflect on millions of successful, motivated people that use cannabis recreationally. While there has been content developed for the cannabis community, Derek saw a void for the millions of upscale, high income, educated and profession smokers. So, starting last week Derek and his team launched Civilized, which provides content for the elevated cannabis culture. The online publication doesn’t just discuss cannabis however; there are articles about travel, business, entrepreneurialism, science and technology as well because the elevated cannabis culture doesn’t define themselves by what they smoke.

Check out this week’s bonus episode to find out how you to can become Civilized.

In this episode

• Derek tells us about his steps into the digital publication world.
• We here how civilized leverages both Derek’s home base of Los Angeles and his hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick.
• We here how Derek’s knack of spotting trends led him to launching Civilized.
• Derek tells us about a unique, and early opportunity to talk with singer Melissa Etheridge about her new brand of cannabis infused wines.
• Derek tells us about his success with finding start-up investment and how you still have the opportunity to get in at the ground floor.
• We also learn about the amazing team of content creators and advisors that Derek was able to gather.
• Dave is inspired by Derek’s capability to see an opportunity and seize it.
• He also appreciates Derek’s choice to find opportunities around the world but to include his hometown in the execution.
• Greg notes that Derek has proven that things like this can be done and quickly.

Links

- Civilized Website

- Civilized on Facebook

- Civilized on Twitter

- Revolution Strategy

- The Real Houses of... Website

A Vision for Social Entrepreneurship

Re-introducing Marcel LeBrun

Last episode was so nice, we got Marcel twice. Marcel LeBrun is back to discuss his feelings on company missions or visions and social entrepreneurship.   The former CEO of Radian 6 has a passion for the topic of poverty, but not just poverty of material things. Marcel tells us how what he is currently working on is recharging his entrepreneurial batteries and makes many great points on how to get your company’s people invested in a vision for the better.

In this episode

• We hear about some of Marcel’s current passions including a camp for children and his 12 Neighbors Campaign.
• Marcel expands on his notion of how businesses were created to serve others.
• We here how the mission or cause a company serves has become almost more important than the money it can make from Marcel’s point-of-view.
• Marcel points out some attributes of great leaders.
• He discusses how “doubling sales” is a great goal for a company, but not a mission.
• Marcel also emphasizes how employees want to join a cause, not just a job and how any good company mission should connect a vision with action and execution.
• Marcel tells us about the facets of poverty that he didn’t understand until recently and how it has blown his mind.
• Greg is inspired by Marcel’s passion and the care he has taken with the community and notes how it is the entrepreneur’s responsibility to be careful with our success and strive for a positive impact on the community.
• Dave notes that we don’t have to wait until we are in a “position to help”. Maybe it is time to act now even in little ways.
• Greg is reminded of the late Wayne Dwyer saying that you don’t wait for the things you want in life to happen. Start living the life you want to live.

Links

- Part One of Marcel on Boiling Point

Growing as a CEO

Introducing Marcel Lebrun

Is a CEO born or made? Marcel LeBrun believes the former and he should know because he was given the opportunity to grow into the position. Marcel is a native New Brunswicker and a graduate of the University of New Brunswick’s computer engineering department. After school, Marcel took a job at New Brunswick’s telecom company, NBTel. What he didn’t know at the time was that NBTel would prove to be an incubator for a number of exemplary entrepreneurs. 

NBTel had a philosophy that inspired innovation. Being a phone company that only owned about 3 per cent of the Canadian market, the company had a choice of working within an economy of scale or an economy of innovation. They took the innovation path in order to stay relevant. NBTel also had a culture whereby they took chances by promoting people that had all of the capability but perhaps not the experience. Marcel was one of these people without the experience, but had all the capability in the world to succeed. When Marcel was 28 years-old he was in the right meeting at the right time and he was given the opportunity to become CEO of Imagic TV, which made software for telecom companies. Marcel learned his position by doing it and eventually was given the opportunity to become CEO for Radian 6, one of Canada’s leading tech acquisitions.

Check out this week’s episode for lots of great nuggets of wisdom from a CEO that learned by doing.

In this episode

• Marcel talks about the self-described entrepreneur, and when is it appropriate to consider yourself one.
• He goes on to talk about how he became an entrepreneur accidentally.
• Marcel tells us how his experience at Imagic TV allowed him to take an opportunity to help revolutionize the marketing world with Radian 6.
• He tells us how NBTel provided a culture that acted like an incubator for future entrepreneurs.
• There is a discussion of seasoned entrepreneurs vs. green horns and whether a great entrepreneur is born or made.
• Marcel explains how a new entrepreneur should, “expect trouble”.
• We talk about how a business is a social organism and that it’s main purpose is to benefit the community.
• Marcel talk about the importance of making contentment a choice.
• He tells us that the important question for every entrepreneur is to ask themselves, “Why am I doing this and for what purpose?”
• Dave is inspired by Marcel’s notion of thinking beyond you as an entrepreneur.
• Greg enjoys the concept of not defining the what, but the what for?

Links

- Boiling Point with David Alston

Facilitating Forward From Failure

Introducing Wayne Jagoe

Wayne Jagoe is an ideas man.  In fact, in every email his signature signs off with yours in ideation.  Unique ideas are a facet of every entrepreneur’s life and business, but so is self-awareness.

Wayne has experienced a lot in his entrepreneurial life.  He grew up with the restaurant industry, had a cooking show on CBC, had the first online dining guide in 1997, and started an ad agency using business databases.  However, when his ad agency failed, he was heartbroken.  After much self-reflection, Wayne discovered that he was a much better at being creative and coming up with ideas than executing on them.  This awareness of what he was good at and what he wasn’t was just what Wayne needed to shed the shackles of embarrassment from failure to come out the other side.  Through his tough times, Wayne has been able to emerge stronger and now is the owner of Belton Labs where he develops ideas that he can sell to businesses for them to implement and he also conducts sessions and workshops on creative thinking and problem solving.

Check out this week’s episode of Boiling Point to learn how to emerge from troubling times, or to consider new strategies for solving some of your business’s current problems.

In this episode

• Wayne gives us a brief history of his background.
• He tells us about how his business failing really did a number on him.
• Wayne tells us how he found his way out of his slump to come out even better.
• Greg mentions how celebrating failure and learning from it isn’t that easy for entrepreneurs to swallow.
• Wayne tells us about a process for brainstorming and about LEGO serious play.
• We hear about Wayne’s “Unlocking the Genius Within” sessions and workshops.
• Dave notes that a great idea is wonderful, but no so much when it cannot be implemented.
• Greg notes that his creative juices seem to be at their peak when he is using his “kid brain” and lets himself play.
• We hear about how jam sessions at Hemmings House have helped to release tension and let solutions percolate.
• Dave mentions the same effect when he comes back from playing hockey.
• Dave is inspired by Wayne’s ability to captivate a group of people while in conversation.
• Greg points out that we need to remember what Bob Marley said, “Every little thing is going to be alright.”

Links

- Wayne's website

- Belton Labs

- Wayne's Facebook

- Wayne's Linked In

- Wayne's Twitter

Screening you Screen Time

Introducing Ross Laird

Technology can be great for work and relaxation.  However, sometimes our screens can become a form of addiction that takes us out from being present in the moment.  This is exacerbated by the fact that now our screens are everywhere; they are at home, work, and even our wrists and pockets.  This allows us the chance to slide into addictive personality traits, and even more so for the youngest amongst us.

Ross Laird is a writer, consultant, teacher, and creative artists that often consult on addiction.  Like many others in the addiction field, Ross experienced the effects and loss from addiction amongst his family members.  People in his circumstance will often take two paths; they either join their family members in their addictive traits or they try and heal the addiction.  Ross took the second path.

This week’s episode will discuss some of the pitfalls of technology and what can be done to avoid our screens becoming enslaving.

In this episode

• Greg explains how he met Ross during to a talk for around 40 technically engaged entrepreneurs.
• Ross discusses the differences between healthy technology use and addictive use.
• Ross explains how the addiction to technology and addictions in general is a strategy for emotional management.
• We hear of strategies to curb adolescents’ technology use.
• Ross explains how technology negatively affects our regulation development and what the devastating results can be.
• Ross suggests finding real world equivalents to the exciting or risky behavior often experienced in the online gaming world.
• Greg reflects on a time when kids played outdoors and how this has changed with the emergence of “pretend fear”.
• Dave is encouraged by Ross’s stand on encouraging moderation.

Links

- Ross's Website

- Ross on Twitter

- Ross on Linked In

- Wallace McCain Institute

Opportunity in Challenges

Introducing Chris Boudreau

Constraints and challenges in life can be looked at two ways; they can be seen as barriers and limitations or as opportunities and creative inspirations.  One man that takes the latter approach is Chris Boudreau.  Chris is a serial entrepreneur living in New Brunswick and also Dave’s peer coach.  Chris cofounded Leveling the Curve Energy with his partner, Hélène Eusanio. 

LTC has a mandate to fill a gap by connecting new technology for renewable and carbon reduction power generation.  According to Chris, one of the main problems with making our power grid more renewable is challenges and constraints like money and available technology.  His company takes on these challenges by developing new technologies that disrupt the status quo and make renewable energy happen in a meaningful way.

In this episode

• Chris introduces us to his company and what it is trying to do to provide a healthier energy future.
• Chris tells us how his company plans to use compressed air underwater to power turbines.
• We also hear about his companies unique plans for tidal power generation that will allow for 24/7 generation.
• He explains the problems with the current tidal power technology.
• Chris also tells us about what the companies plans are to tackle the “peak time” energy generation problem.
• There is a discussion on the competitive advantage to being based in a non-major center like New Brunswick versus the New Yorks and Torontos of the world.
• Chris tells us that failure is an option, but fear is not.
• Dave is inspired by Chris’s entrepreneurial quality of perseverance and patience as well.
• Greg agrees with Chris that if you are not passionate about what you do, or at least believe in what you do, it’s time to get out.

Links

- Chris's email

- Chris's Linked In

- Chris's Twitter

- Chris's Facebook

- LTC Energy Website

The “Heart” of Leadership

Introducing Dr. Marc Pelletier

Entrepreneurial skills are not exclusive to those who run their own businesses.  In fact, a lot can be learned from the leadership of non-entrepreneurs.  Dr. Marc Pelletier is a great example of this.  Marc is a native New Brunswicker and an expert cardiac surgeon.  Marc moved back to New Brunswick a few years ago to pursue a better work/life balance after stints in Halifax, Montreal, Stanford University, and Toronto.  His new role is Head of Cardiac Surgery at the New Brunswick Heart Centre.  

As a leader in the New Brunswick health care system, Marc position blurs the line between doctor, civil servant, and businessman in order to reach the best outcomes for both his patients and the government’s wallet.  His ability to interchangeably switch his thinking from doctor to businessperson has allowed more and better surgeries to take place in the province.  Taking the business approach he learned in the American health care system, Marc has been able to encourage the government to hire more nurses and doctors instead of shipping patients to other provinces at a cost of $3 million annually.  This episode is a great one to listen to for anyone looking to use the entrepreneurial mindset at whatever task they are looking to take on.

In this episode

• We are pleased to announce that CBC’s Dragon’s Den blog has named us one of the top eight entrepreneur podcasts.  Thanks to Andrew Miller for bringing this to our attention.
• We hear about Marc’s background as a cardiac surgeon.
• We draw parallels between the entrepreneurial space and healthcare management.
• Marc gives us an anecdote of how he was able to conduct more surgeries in New Brunswick in a cost neutral fashion, but allow for more healthcare workers in the province.
• He also discusses the transition from practitioner to leader and what that meant to him personally.
• Marc discusses the benefits of implementing facets of the privatized system to our public system without “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
• There is a discussion that more “business skills” need to be taught to those who may not be headed toward a stereotypical “business” job.
• Marc also brings up the benefits and drawbacks of both the Canadian and American healthcare systems and what it means to an ambitious or entrepreneurial-minded doctor in Canada. 
• Greg notes that there are exciting opportunities when you have to be creative to hurdle limitations and constraints of a system.
• Dave hopes there are more healthcare leaders like Marc who both care about their patients and are also mindful on dollars and cents.

Finding Opportunity to be Extraordinary

Introducing Pete McMath

Sometimes business ideas come from revelations you have in your daily life.  This is exactly what went down with this week’s Boiling Point guest, Pete McMath.  Pete was working in guitar repair and sales in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  In his day-to-day, he would commonly come across customers that had issues with their instruments and particularly were less than impressed with their instrument cases.  For most musicians, their instrument is more valuable then the money it costs and damage received during transport can feel disastrous.

The instrument case business hasn’t changed a lot over the decades.  While typical luggage has evolved to have things like wheels and carbon fiber protection, most instrument cases have stayed the same like grand mom’s old polyester suitcase.  Pete knew something had to be done to protect people’s prized possessions and the result has been Timbre Cases.  Pete now takes ideas from the auto and aerospace industry to provide tougher and lighter cases that keep its’ contents safe from wear and tear.  Now he has orders coming from around the world and continues to build a business that strives to offer not just an instrument case, but also an extraordinary product.

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his adventure hiking the Appalachian Mountains with Pete.  (Greg didn’t go quite as far as Pete’s 4-month, 1200-mile trek).
• Pete tells us how Timbre Cases began, and how the evolution has been organic from the start.
• He reminds us that it is often not about the cost of a musical instrument, but its value.
• He tells about his constant design process to keep things fresh.
• Pete then tells us the tricks and tips he used to get his product out there.
• He also comments on the vast amount of support he has received in New Brunswick and how (for him) being a bigger fish in a small pond works.
• Pete also mentions how having other musical giants such as Sabian Cymbals in his backyard has helped his company’s evolution.
• Pete explains why entrepreneurs need to eliminate assumptions, be extraordinary, and work harder then everyone else.
• Greg is inspired by Pete’s ability to grab an opportunity when he saw a need in the market.
• Dave notes that Pete is wise beyond his years and echoes his sentiments on being extraordinary.
• Greg also points out that you need to check out all the neat stuff that is going on in your community and then invites our listeners to his hot tub party.

Links and References

- Timbre Cases Website

- Timbre Cases on Twitter

- Timbre Cases on Facebook

- Pete on Twitter

- Email Pete

- Timbre Cases' Kickstarter

- The Purple Cow by Seth Godin

- Dave Carroll's United Breaks Guitars 

- Sabian Cymbals

Increase Profit with Sustainability

Introducing Bob Willard

 When it comes to making your business more sustainable, it really doesn’t matter what your motivation is.  It would be nice to think that entrepreneurs are making decisions on sustainability for altruistic reasons, but in business, often the bottom line is what matters.  Regardless of reasoning, the important thing for our planet is that the right decisions are being made and that those decisions can actually increase your profits substantially.

Bob Willard is a man leading the charge to get businesses on track with sustainability and showing them how these efforts will make them more money.  Bob spent over three decades with IBM Canada before taking early retirement to begin his second career as a speaker and author.  During the majority of his career at IBM, Bob was blissfully ignorant to the issues with sustainability until there was a proposal to open a water treatment plant near a nuclear generation station in his home community.  In his attempts to change the plan for the water treatment plant, Bob realized how many big issues that were out there to tackle and he knew that it would require the expertise of business to make the biggest positive impact.  Bob started and finished a part time master’s degree at the University of Toronto, and for his masters paper he took on a subject his professors didn’t think existed… a business case for sustainability. 

Bob has since came out with his book, Sustainability Advantage and now speaks around 100 times a year.  His suggestions can conservatively increase profits for almost any company around 50-80% within three to five years just by doing things that other companies have already done.  By doing nothing, you could jeopardize your current profits by about 35%.  Listen to this week’s episode to get your company on track and future fit.

In this episode

• Bob tells us how he went from working at one of the worlds leading computer companies to a champion of sustainability.
• He tells us why a company’s motivation to become sustainable shouldn’t matter.
• Bob tells us about some big companies doing some big things in the field of sustainability, but wants them also to realize that they have a long way to go yet.
• We hear about Bob’s new project, the Future Fit Benchmark.
• Bob also fills us in on some of the best political parties, countries, and businesses to support for their sustainability efforts.
• Greg mentions how “companies for good” seemed like it was almost fiction 15 years ago and how everything has changed from that perspective.
• Dave mentions how people run companies, and generally people are not evil and have the right intentions.
• Greg and Dave put out the call for guest suggestions from our audience.

Links

- Sustainability Advantage

- Bob on LinkedIn

The Business of Art 

Introducing Kate Wallace

Artists and entrepreneurs have more in common than what would be perceived from the outside.  Both have to be creative, industrious, and freethinkers.  However, often times there is a separation from the arts community and the business community.  There is often even separation within specific artists within a community.  Kate Wallace is the type of person that likes to break down these walls and connect artists to artists, artists to the business community, and artists to society in general. 

Kate is the executive director of Artslink NB, an organization that was founded to bridge connections for artists in New Brunswick.  There is a lot that artists can learn from entrepreneurs and vice versa.  Sometimes solutions to business problems need a creative angle and artists need the money from commissioned pieces from the business world. 

One thing Artslink NB is doing to help artist become financially independent with their work is by offering a pilot program called the Catapult Arts Accelerator.  Taking a hint from the tech world, the accelerator offers advice and business skills to artists that can help them reach new markets and further their practice.  Artists don’t often use the word “customers” and, in fact, the thought of commercializing their work makes many artists feel like they are selling out.  This is just not the case.  All through history artists have been commissioned by the wealthy to make pieces in homage them, their families, or their businesses.  However, when the business side of an artist’s operation is nailed down, the truth is creativity can flourish and the moniker of the “starving artist” need not apply.

In this episode

• Kate tells us when, why and how Artslink NB got started and the important things they do to connect artists to others in the community.
• Kate explains why arts are so important to greater society.
• She explains the accelerator and what it means to the artists that take it.
• She also dispels the theory that arts in New Brunswick (or anywhere else for that matter) can live up to the arts in any other major metropolitan area and that the biggest thing for an artist to have is confidence in their work.
• Kate wants the general population to know that artists are professionals and should be treated as such.
• She also wants the general population to not be intimidated by art and instead embrace it has an expression of their culture.
• Dave brings up the book A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink and the importance of using right brain thinking.
• Dave also appreciates that he had such a rich exposure to the arts at a young age.
• Greg tells business people and artists to meet for coffee and see what they can learn from one another.

Links

- Artslink NB Homepage

- A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink

- Artslink on Facebook

- Artslink on Twitter

- Kate's Bio

Your Path will Emerge

Introducing Kyle Parsons

Looking toward the future, the paths our life takes doesn’t necessarily seem to be interconnected.  However, with the right attitude and openness to new experience we can often look backward and see how our completely unrelated experiences have been linked to a present outcome.  Call it serendipity, fate, happenstance, or destiny, we often find that indirect roads from point A to point B seem to come about 

This is just like the story of Kyle Parsons and his company Indosole.  This San Franciscan had previously interned at New Balance shoe company, worked in surf shops managing the sandals section, and had spent time working at a recycling plant in the east coast.  Somewhat unrelated right?  However, Kyle’s disjointed experiences seemed to gel during a family surf trip to Bali back in 2004 when he was on the hunt for a fresh pair of sandals. 

Coming upon a local market, Kyle saw a really cool pair that was made by local artisans.  The unique thing about these sandals was that the bottoms were made from recycled motorcycle tires.  They weren’t the most comfortable, but they were stylish and cool, and upon further research Kyle found out that tire waste was a huge problem in Indonesia.  His past experiences and a chance meeting got the gears grinding in his mind and he returned to Bali in 2006 with the plan to start his own footwear company that would aid the environment, help out the people of Indonesia, and make him some money. 

Kyle has since grown his B-Corp from receiving suitcase loads of footwear to container loads and has the goal to repurpose a million tires and keep them from adding to landfills.  Check out this episode of Boiling Point to be inspired by the positive impacts you can make using your past experiences and the right attitude.

In this episode

• Kyle tells us the story of Indosole and how he never saw himself previously as the head of footwear business.
• He goes on to tell us about the growth of the company and how a suitcase of sandals being imported is has become container loads.
• Kyle explains how tires are not the only thing he repurposes for his shoes and his commitment to the Indonesian community.
• He explains how he got the financing to start the project while working as an on-the-road sales rep.
• Kyle also tells us how he gets around needing the celebrity endorsement that many footwear companies rely on and how this idea helps to foster community.
• He also tells us about an incredible opportunity to intern for Indosole in Bali.  Surfs up!
• Greg is inspired by Kyle’s journey and asks how many challenges are right on our doorstep that we could turn into mission based businesses if you let “the rubber hit the road” and have “lots of sole”.
• Greg and Dave both note how seemingly unrelated events can turn into something so big.
• Greg recalls how chance encounters ignited his passion and got him partially to where he is today.

Links

- The Indosole Website

- Indosole's Good Humans

- Music from Indosole Good Human Dustin Thomas

- Indosole Retail Locator

- Indosole on Facebook

- Indosole on Instagram

- Indosole on Twitter

Growing with your Sustainable Brand

 Introducing Derek Sabori

 It is quite the journey when you start answering the phones for free and eventually progress to a vice president of global sustainability.  That is the path that Derek Sabori took though.  Derek works with the massive lifestyle and clothing brand, Volcom and has been with the company since 1996.  He comes to the Boiling Point by way of a chance meeting with Greg Hemming at the Sustainable Brands conference they both attended in June.

Derek’s position has him managing all parts of Volcom’s business sustainability from fabric choice to land use, waste to compliance.   His message to young people entering the business world, it is okay to connect your inner values with your career.  Hear about Derek’s journey in this episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Derek tells us how he went from being an art major to a vice president of a major company.
• He tells us about how Volcom sees sustainability as a major part of their operation.
• Derek explains how patience is a major part of making changes within a global brand.
• We hear how Volcom builds a real community behind its brand.
• Greg comments how it is possible to grow with a great company that has a great open culture.
• Dave notes that as you grow older you don’t need to change the person you always were.

Links

- Derek on LinkedIn

- Derek on Twitter

- Derek on Instagram

- Volcom's New Future

- New Future on Facebook

Founding Story of a Change Maker

Introducing Justin Perkins

The universe works in amazing ways.  By being observant and using your intuition the path of your life can become an amazing and impactful adventure.  One person that has followed such a path is Justin Perkins.  Justin is a native of Boulder, Colorado and is the senior director of brand engagement and business development with Care2.com, as well as the founder and president of the Olomomo Nut Company.

Care2 was one of the first “social good” websites to emerge back in 1998 with 30 million members and has petitions signed by hundreds of millions of people.  Olomomo was a hobby business Justin started back in 2008 that is now getting national distribution throughout natural grocery stores in the United States and soon Canada.  Both companies are certified B Corps.

Justin’s passion for social impact was sparked by a trip to Guatemala when he was a teenager.  It was a big shock for him to see how different the world was from mountainous paradise of Boulder.  Seeing how the rest of the world lived prompted his curiosity, and brought on questions like, “what does it all mean?”  His curiosity took him to Brazil to study international development and to South Africa for several months where he had a life-changing experience with a man named Billy that led him on a path to creating a non-profit.  This experience was so deeply impactful for Justin that he new he had to pursue something similar in his career path; only in such a way that he could also make a buck as well.

Tune into this episode of the Boiling Point to see how openness to new experiences and serendipity can open a path to a life full of meaning and passion.

In this episode

• Justin fills us in on the great things happening with Care2.com and Olomomo.
• Greg and Dave are mesmerized by Justin’s entrepreneurial origin story.
• Justin tells us about his friend Billy and how a chance meeting at a guitar store in Cape Town, South Africa changed his life forever.
• We hear how Care2 is taking on issues from Bill Cosby to corporate slavery.
• Justin explains how Care2 assists socially responsible companies as well as non-profits.
• Dave believes it is remarkable how Justin uses his intuition and how his life seems like a “choose your own adventure” book.
• Dave also comments on Justin’s curiosity for the world and how one half hour is not nearly enough to get the whole story.
• Greg sees how adventurers, artists, and entrepreneurs are all the same type of people. 

Links

- Care2.com

- Olomomo Nut Company

- Olomomo on Twitter

- Care2 on Twitter

- Justin's email (Care2)

- Justin's email (Olomomo

Bring on the Business Sustainability

Introducing Nick Aster

For too long sustainability was a niche topic discussed mostly by activists.  However, now there seems to be a shift in the tides where business is coming to the table to make a real impact.  One of the reasons for this is due to the hard work of people like our guest this week on the Boiling Point, Nick Aster.

Nick is the founder of TriplePundit.com, which is an online business sustainability publication he started as a passion project around 10 years ago.  After completing on of the first MBA programs in the subject of business sustainability, Nick wanted to get the word out on all he had learned and on some exciting people.  Five years later, Nick was able to quit his former job and work TriplePundit.com full time. 

Nick has seen the evolution of business sustainability from a niche topic to a cautious optimism as large corporations are starting to buy in and make their own impacts.  No longer does it seem that business sees activists as agitators, but now collaborators toward a better world and increased profitability.  Sure, for some of these companies it might be just great PR or lip service, but more often then not these companies are taking the issue seriously.

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his visit to the Sustainable Brands conference in San Diego (where he met Nick).
• Nick tells us why he believes there has been a change in mindset from big companies toward participating in sustainability.
• He tells his motivation to make an online publication like he has and about its growth to 500,000 readers a month.
• Nick and Greg talk about being mission based media companies.
• Nick also talks about an interesting conversation he had with a massive corporation at Sustainable Brands that had him greatly encouraged.
• Nick tells us the greatest starting places for your business to start its path toward sustainability.
• He also tells it why it is important to make practical impacts that are not abstract and are directly connected to you and your business.
• Dave appreciates how the track to sustainability could be so practical and useful to business.
• Greg joins the cautious celebration that businesses are really starting to jump on board with this concept.

Links

- Nick's Twitter

- Triple Pundit's Twitter

- Triple Pundit's Website

- Sign up for Triple Pundit's Newsletter 

- Sustainable Brands Conference

Wear your Label and Defeat Mental Health Stigmas

Introducing Kyle MacNevin and Kayley Reid

Mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic to talk about openly.  This left many unable or unwilling to reach out for help and caused them to suffer in silence.  However, recently there has been a shift of opinion, which has allowed those with mental health issues to speak more openly and as a result those who hadn’t sought help are now more open to the idea.

Kyle MacNevin and Kayley Reid were on the cutting edge of this movement when they launched their clothing line Wear Your Label.  Wear Your Label is a for-profit, social enterprise that puts mental health front and center while helping to obliterate mental health stigmas.  Best of all, part of the profits from each sale go to help out groups supporting mental health initiatives. 

Mental health is not like any other illness or injury.  When you break your arm and have to get a cast, everyone understand that you are injured and on the way to recovery.  Mental health is not as visible and therefore not as easy to understand… that is until now. 

Wear Your Label has been able to build community and belonging to those who may have previously felt isolated by doing just as their company name says.  The clothing tells the world, that you have had some struggles and are in the process of recovery.  In an industry so notorious for exacerbating certain mental health and body issues, they have really turned a page. 

In this episode

• Kyle and Kayley tell us about their personal struggles and how talking about them led to a great social business opportunity.
• They describe how they want to shift the stigma into tribes of understanding and compassion.
• Kyle tells us how owning a mental health problem and working on it does wonders toward feeling better and starting the conversation with others who may need to talk.
• We hear about how mental health has drastic effects to business and how businesses that are tackling the issue have seen great results.
• Kyle and Kayley tell us how there is more than just washing instructions on the inside tag.
• Dave mentions how being vulnerable encourages others to do the same.
• Greg is inspired that the company is not only a social enterprise but by how it’s whole purpose is to generate conversation.
• Dave suggests this episode for anyone that is seeking to understand what the millennial generation really wants.

Links and References

- Wear Your Label Webpage

- Wear Your Label on Twitter

- Wear Your Label on Facebook

- Wear Your Label on Instagram

The New Economy

Introducing Amanda Hachey

If 20^th century capitalism was characterized as corporations maximizing shareholder value, a lot has changed with the beginning of the 21^st century.  Early adopters are changing how business is now being done in the new economy.  Millennial entrepreneurs are looking to make real impact in the world AND make a tidy profit at the same time.  Amanda Hachey has been on the cutting edge in this shift in attitude. 

While at school at the University of New Brunswick-Saint John, Amanda got to notice a paradox between some of her business courses and her political science classes.  In the business courses, all she would hear about is maximizing profit.  In the building next door, her poli sci classes were taking about how 20^th century capitalism was ruining the planet.  What she couldn’t understand was why these two groups working so closely by each other couldn’t communicate to find a better answer.

Amanda now works as a Sustainability Sherpa for Conscious Brands and her job is to help companies navigate from the “base camp” at which they currently stand to a higher elevation which benefits the community, employees, stakeholders, and the environment.

Amanda has worked and lived across the world, but after her travels she realized the place that really needed help was at home.  In her two years of working in New Brunswick, she was a vital part of taking the province from having zero B Corp companies to eight.  She and Conscious Brands still have a ways to go though; their mission statement is to help 1,000 brands transition to the new economy by the year 2020.

In this episode

• Amanda gives us some background as to why she is so passionate about the new economy.
• She tells us about her initial frustration during the initiation of the movement and how things have changed.
• She tells us about some companies that are taking the plunge toward sustainability including Wal-Mart.
• Amanda comments on how she convinces companies that are on the fence to make the right move.
• We hear how making the “right” move can help your business with bottom-line savings, employee engagement, and better owner appreciation.
• Amanda also defines the difference between a Sherpa and a Consultant.
• Dave notices how Amanda drips with passion and practicality and how she can properly promote her passion.
• Greg is reminded again that you can work within a creative and purpose driven company.
• Dave also notices how Greg is great at making people feel like they missed the biggest, greatest party.

Links and References

- Conscious Brands Website

- Amanda's Email

- Amanda on Twitter

- Conscious Brands on Twitter

- Bob Willard's Sustainability Advantage

What it Means to Care

Introducing Clyde Wray

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily lives and future plans that we don’t take the time to stop and truly experience the moment.  Really, the ability to take in the moment is synonymous with taking the time to care.  Clyde Wray is a man who takes the time to feel the moment and truly care.  Clyde is an actor, director, poet, playwright, and author, who knows the true value of caring. 

Originally from New York, Clyde eventually settled in Saint John, New Brunswick where he now works in the arts.  The need to care doesn’t just extend to those who work in the creative industries, teachers, healthcare workers, and clergy; it is also essential in business.  When you don’t care, it extends into everything you do in your business. Your employees and customers will get the feeling you don’t care enough, and they might mimic your attitude.  

Too often, entrepreneurs spend their time hyper focused on the future that they forget those daily moments.  This is just another form of avoiding a caring attitude that can result in dashing those future plans anyway.  In today’s episode, Clyde teaches us what caring truly means and how it can help you and others in your daily life.

In this episode

• We meet Clyde and his voice that was made for podcasting.
• Clyde explains how sometimes caring is not the same thing as “not making waves.”
• He explains why it is important to care about yourself before you can care for another.
• Clyde also points out the importance of letting yourself feel authentically.
• We discuss how the all mighty $ can blind the entrepreneur from caring.
• Clyde reveals a moment in his past where he went through some tough times, what he took from the experience, and how it continues to inspire his daily life.
• Clyde challenges us not to fear your feelings.  The highs and lows of life are all part of the tapestry of life.
• Clyde also gives a great example of the difference between sympathy and empathy.
• He also explains how using candor in difficult situations can really be a great form of caring.

Links and References

- Clyde's Website

- Clyde's Facebook

- Clyde's Twitter

For more of Clyde's great voice, check out this promo for a Hemmings House children's pilot, "Monkeytown"

Monkeytown 3 Minute Promo from Hemmings House on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday to the Boiling Point Podcast

That’s right we made it to our first anniversary.  We have had so many amazing guests, insights, and opinions from which we have learned so much (and we hope you did to).  In this episode, Greg and Dave reminisce over the past year of podcasts and set the stage for the year to come.

As always we thank you for tuning in and we promise you another year that will be worth remembering.

In this episode

• Greg and Dave reflect on their favorite episodes and the nuggets of information that they internalized the most.
• Both agree that the most memorable episodes where from the guests that just “dripped” with passion.
• Dave and Greg agree that moving forward the episodes will be theme based but will still have excellent guests.
• Greg and Dave talk about some of the books they have read/listened to over the last year.
• Greg appreciates the time that the podcast gives him with Greg and the discipline having the show has given him.
• Greg also loves the show is making an impact and his helping people connect and be more empathic.
• Dave loves the way that the podcast has increased his conversation skills and how the podcast is resonating with so many.
• Dave and Greg also preview the first episodes of our next year.

References

The episodes Dave and Greg love

- Dino Dogan

- JaNae Duane

- Chris Hadfield

- David Alston

The books Dave and Greg having been "reading

- Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin

- Belushi: A Biography by Judith Belushi Pisano & Tanner Colby

- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull & Amy Wallace

- Good to Great by Jim Collins

- The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey

Introducing Chris Durban

You might think of translators as quiet people who sit in dark rooms writing somewhat verbatim from one language to the other.  Some of the time this might be true, but not nearly as much as you would think.  Chris Durban flies in the face of this stereotype.  Chris is an unofficial voice for the industry and has been doing the job for over 30 years.

Translation is not nearly as dry as some would have you believe.  Which crisis situation erupt around the world, often a translator is brought in to do the job right.  Just think of the errors in context or understanding if you brought in the wrong translator in a hostage situation; the results could mean the difference of life or death. 

For those in business, translation is also crucial.  When you are speaking to your clients or customers, you don’t want them put off by a faulty computerized translation.  Also to, translation becomes so key when looking to enter new markets.  Translation can often be an afterthought for those in business, but it shouldn’t be and Chris will explain why in this week’s Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Greg tells us how Chris and he met at Seth Godin’s Ruckus makers.
• Chris tells us what the difference is between translators and interpreters.
• We get a fuller understanding of why this industry is so key in business, politics, and in crisis situations.
• We also hear how trust is so important in the work of a translator.
• Chris tells us about her plan to get the news on translation out there in August.
• We also hear about how a former press secretary for the President might have advised on an interpreter character in a popular TV show.
• His preconceived notions of translators and how important of a job it is for communication and connection take Dave back.
• Greg sees the industry as critical for businesses looking to go into new markets and how bad translation will produce bad results.

Links

- The American Translator's Association

- French Translator's Association

- The ATA's Getting it Right Pamphlet

- Getting it Right in French

- The Properous Translator

- 101 Things a Translator Needs to Know

Introducing Jake Rothschild

An entrepreneur is always plotting the next move for their business and to take it to the next level.  It also takes persistence to get everything just right.  Jake Rothschild knows persistence was the key to his newest invention that will soon make a big impact for sweet lovers.  Jake is the owner at Jake’s Ice Cream in Atlanta, Georgia a business that makes over-the-top and delicious ice cream—an Atlanta institution.  After opening 15 years ago, many of his customers were looking for flavors they could enjoy that would fit the criteria of their health concerns.  There is nothing worse than craving a frosty treat and not being able to have any because of health concerns like diabetes, gluten or dairy intolerance, etc.  

Jake initially cringed at the thought of having to make “diet” versions of his product because his creams were supposed to be made with the “good stuff” and adding sweeteners would severely affect the taste.  However, Jake still tried, especially after being approached by a television-shopping network to make a flavor out of Splenda.  After doing some research, decided that do to some alleged potential health concerns with the product and an in-proper taste he abandoned the idea.  But Jake’s conscious kept eating at him and his persistence took off.  He tried honey as a sweetener (no good for diabetics), and then moved on to agave and soymilk (still no).

Finally after years of trying Jake had his “eureka” moment making his new brand Joyscream out of ingredients that are delicious, nutritious goodness from the earth…and better yet… it is sweetened with the healthiest sugars on the planet.  Learn how deliciousness and dedication came together on this week’s episode of the Boiling Point Podcast.

In this episode

• Jake tells us how he had the thought of making “junk food” good for you.
• Jake and Greg talk about meeting each other at a Seth Godin talk.
• Jake explains you don’t need to be a food scientist to make such a product as him, just an avid googler.
  We hear how Willy Wonka inspired him.
• We are reminded of the need to sometimes be vulnerable.
• Jake tells us what is currently going on with Joyscream and what’s next.
• Jake also has a challenge for Boiling Point Listeners.
• Greg reminisces about all the crazy cool people he has met at conferences over the years.
• Dave is inspired by Jake’s ability to be curious and his passion to push through

Links

- Jake's website

- Jake's Ice Cream website

- Jake's email

- Jake's Ice Cream Facebook

- Jake's Ice Cream Twitter

Introducing Matt White

It is always said that people should follow their passion when entering an entrepreneurial endeavor.  Of course, there are limitless things that someone could have a passion for and often the passion may not be typical.   Matt White is one of those people who took an unconventional passion and made a business out of it.  Matt is the founder of Sussex Beard Oil, a product that was developed out of his own need to manage his own facial hair.  He was having difficulty finding an all-natural product that didn’t result in dry skin or hair breaking.  Without being able to find the product he wanted, Matt decided he would make his own and was happily surprised with the result.  The oil eventually lead Matt to develop more products for the bearded person and now his items sell across Canada in stores, as well as internationally online. 

Matt believes that everyone has a beard, but some only internally.  Matt wanted his product to connect more deeply to its users.  In order to make this connection, the company’s motto is that every beard has a chin, every chin is connected to a man, and that every man has his victories, troubles, and turmoil.  Check out this week’s Boiling Point to get inspired to take your own unique idea to the next level.

In this episode

• Matt tells us how his “manly side” led him to develop beard related products.
• He also tells us what he had learned from previous entrepreneurial experiences that helped launch this product.
• Matt tells us how living what he was exposing as a life coach helped in the creation of his products.
• Greg asks for ideas on a beard-related television shows he could pitch with Matt.
• There is discussion on how beards have become a cross-cultural phenomenon.
• Matt suggests that there has never been a better time to become an entrepreneur with all of the resources at your fingertips.
• Greg appreciates Matt’s path of finding his passion first and then figure out how to capitalize on it.
• Dave notes Matt’s ability to live what he preaches and his ability to connect his product with the goodness in people’s lives.

Links and References

- Sussex Beard Oil Website

- Sussex Beard Oil on Twitter

- Sussex Beard Oil on Facebook

Introducing Derek Riedle

Sometimes every entrepreneur needs a change.  It could be just a change of scenery, or a shift in mindset.  Derek Riedle recently made a change that involved both.  Derek and his wife Terri are the owners of the marketing and PR firm, Revolution Strategy, as well as the content creative company Talons of Venice, and also under their portfolio is a real estate business called Riedle Urban Spaces. 

Derek and Terri had spent around 18 years working within and growing their businesses, but they were keen for a change.  The first step was for Derek to stop working within the business and to shift gears in order to work on the business.  This gave Derek the room to think and further develop the business.  It also gave him the idea that he wanted to develop a product that he could build and then sell multiple times.  Through the Talons of Venice and with our host, Greg Hemmings, Derek helped to develop a new television series “The Real Houses of…” using the freeing strategy he had used to further develop Revolution.  Derek and Terri took a further leap into their new lifestyle when they decided to pull up anchor and move to Venice Beach, California to further accomplish their goals.

This week’s episode is for anyone who had a vision for his or her future and may have not taken that great leap.  You can do it!

In this episode

• Derek explains his reasoning to making the leap from the Maritimes to L.A.
• He further explains how his connections in New Brunswick and Maritimer way have been great advantages in California.  He also tells us how leaving his area code offered him more perspective.
• Derek explains the feeling of being mid-air between trapeze wires during his transition, and how being outside his comfort zone is his true comfort zone.
• Greg and Derek reminisce about the creative session they had to come up with Real Houses.
• Greg also tells the story of when his employees approached him to become less of a practitioner and more the visionary, and his thoughts at the time.
• Greg and Derek also tell us more about the series
• Derek also alludes to a future start-up, which will be announced on the Boiling Point.
• Dave appreciates Derek’s ability to work outside his comfort zone, and is reminded that everyone needs to realize what it takes to get his or her creative juices flowing.
• Greg is reminded that having the ability to step away slightly from the business allows brilliant things to happen with the right team.

Links

- Derek's Twitter

- Derek's Linked In

- Derek's Facebook

- Revolution Strategy Website

- Revolution Strategy Twitter

- Talons of Venice Website

- Talons of Venice Twitter

- Riedle Urban Spaces Website

Introducing Lisa Hrabluk

Decision makers of all stripes will eventually find themselves in a bind.  They will come across a situation where it seems there is no answer that will be pleasing enough to all stakeholders and the result is a deadlock of argument.  Lisa Hrabluk and her company Wicked Ideas is just the person you need in such a situation, as she has a passion for finding a way forward.

Lisa is a veteran journalist who knows that way forward is through humility and asking the right questions to stakeholders.  As a journalist, Lisa was always interested in finding unique ways to tell a story and this interest has lead her company to teach organizations how to have a two-way conversation with their public.

Lisa teaches a niche marketing approach to organizations, who until recently had been treating public affairs as a “sales job”.  The public demands that it not be force fed ideas, but engaged.  When you are in a position where you need things done, Lisa contends you need to listen and ask the right questions to draw out an answer that lets your opposition understand your problem rather than just argue your own point.  Listen to this week’s Boiling Point to see how this strategy could help your issue.

In this episode

• Lisa explains how her strategy would help solve contentious issues such as fracking.
• Lisa explains the four groups that show up in a contentious issue and which one we should be most concerned with.
• She tells us what she means by having humility and asking the right questions to get the answers you want.
• Lisa also explains how it is important to be comfortable in chaos.
• She also explains how creating large projects used to be done versus how it is done today.
• Dave is excited by the power of humility and how it can be the easiest way to eliminate conflict and get people cooperating.
• Greg notes that every entrepreneur has a tolerance for chaos and is inspired by the fact that if you are still living today, you found a way out of all your past chaotic experiences.

Links

- Wicked Idea's Website

- Wicked Idea's Twitter

- Wicked Idea's Facebook

- Lisa's Linked In

Introducing Tim Ryan

There are times in business when the demand for your work slows down or even grinds to a halt.  These situations can sometimes be completely out of your control, like when your region begins an economic slump.  However, just because there may be a lack of business in your own neck-of-the-woods, it doesn’t mean you necessarily will have to make the hard decisions in relation to your workforce.

Tim Ryan faced a very similar issue with Fundy Engineering when a number of their projects finished around the same time.  Tim is the principle at Fundy, and has worked with them for over 19 years.  During his time with the business, he saw the workforce build from five employees to 50 as a result of work primarily in the Atlantic Provinces.  As a number of significant projects came to a close, Fundy Engineering was seeing a drop in demand for their services and something had to be done to keep the company and it’s employees working.

So, Tim had a mission to find companies to partner with out west that would allow Fundy to provide services for them and for knowledge to transfer to his own people.  In the west, there had be an issue of employee loyalty and retention as the Alberta oil sands offered many high-paying jobs and workers had a choice of who they wanted to work with or who would pay the most money.  As a result, many companies seeking professional services, like the type Fundy was offering, were spending big bucks trying to find employees.  Tim took the elevator pitch for his company’s reputation of hard work, loyalty, and quality, and found companies who needed their services and had compatible company cultures.

Tim says that professional service companies need to start thinking more like entrepreneurs and be more innovative to grow their bottom line.  How you go about doing this is the thrust of this week’s episode.

In this episode

• Tim explains his motivations for traveling west to bring back work.
• He also tells us how he went about targeting the companies he thought would be a good fit for Fundy Engineering services.
• Tim also tells us how smaller companies working collaboratively can deliver better service than the big guys.
• He also tells us about how this affects smaller companies to make them look bigger than they are.
• Tim also points out that if you don’t present yourself to other companies who need your work, they may not even know you exist.
• He also speaks to the fact that Atlantic Canadian businesses in general have to become experts on a vast amount of subject matter and are very useful to companies out west who have the luxury of having a more narrow focus.
• Greg tells us his plans to do something very similar with 30 different film production companies.
• Greg is also reminded that there is always someone else out there in the world that is doing something similar, if not exactly, what you do and they could be fantastic partners with excellent alignment for mutual benefit.
• Dave appreciates Tim’s mission and the importance of aligning with companies that share a similar vision and values in order to do great business together.

Links

- Fundy Engineering Website

- Fundy Engineering Facebook

- Fundy Engineering Twitter

- Fundy Engineering Linked in

Introducing Aaron Emery

Daniel Burnham, one of the fathers of the skyscraper, once said, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood... Make big plans, aim high in hope and work."  This quote resonates deeply with this week’s guest Aaron Emery.  Aaron is a B Corp lead, who is responsible for all B Corp certifications in Canada.  As mentioned in previous episodes, a company with a B Corp designation is one who subscribes to a triple bottom line.  This means that the company isn’t just responsible to its’ shareholders, but also other stakeholders, the environment, and society in general.

B Corp is a movement, which certifies that companies are effectively making positive impact across their supply chains, while also building a community of like-minded business leaders.  As Aaron would subscribe, the imagination of governments and non-profits pale in comparison to the imagination of business people and entrepreneurs to make change.  When you consider business interests control that 85% of global capital, imagine what can be achieved morally, and environmentally if even a portion of these companies ascribed to the B Corp mantra. 

So where was the inspiration of B Corp?  Surprisingly, it came from the world of basketball.  And 1 was a basketball apparel company that at its peak was the number two basketball shoe company in North America.  It was doing business the right way by being as ethical as possible with its supply chain, particularly with its employee within North America and overseas.  And 1 offered two weeks paid vacation, as well as two weeks paid volunteer time.  It has nursing rooms for new moms, as well as daycare facilities at work, not to mention a great benefits package. 

When it came time to sell the company, its’ owners were not unlike any other capitalist--they sought the best price for the company.  Unfortunately, within three months after its’ sale, the majority of the mission side of the company had disappeared.  However, from the ashes came the desire to have more companies that believed in the principals that were present at And 1.

In this Episode

• Aaron tells us what is involved with becoming a B Corp from assessment, to interview, to documentation, and changes to articles of incorporation.
• We learn how any company with a score of 80/200 on B Corp’s assessment could become certified (the majority of companies score 52, so it can’t be that hard to get another 30 points, right?).
• We hear a little bit about the 1,200 companies in 80 countries across 120 different sectors that have become B Corp certified.
• Aaron tells us some of the policies that a few of the great new B Corp companies have been installing.
• Aaron tells us why it is important to measure something if you truly care about it.
• Greg tells us about his newly acquired B Corp status and about an idea for his new “Millennial Dream” documentary that gets Aaron “blinded by excitement”.
• Dave is inspired by B Corp’s big message and how the process is broken down into easy steps.

Links

- B Corp's Website

- B Corp Canada's Twitter

- Take the B Impact Assessment!

Introducing Craig Norris 

There is a popular biblical analogy which says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”  Perhaps there is something missing to this axiom however.  Our guest, Craig Norris would add, “Teach a man about fishing, and he’ll figure it out for himself.”

Craig is an entrepreneur and filmmaker, who previously spent time in the world of big business, but left due to a conflict of ethics and lifestyle.  He now runs his production company, Video Band, and also an environmentally friendly daycare called Earthlings with his wife out of their home in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Recently, Community Forests International approached Craig after their brain trust had seen a nature documentary that Craig had produced.  They wanted him to travel to Pemba, Tanzania in order to film a few instructional videos on agriculture, as well as a documentary about the work CFI was doing with the community there and their pursuit of sustainability.  Pemba is a small island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, which had been mostly deforested.  The deforestation caused more problems then just lack of wood and shade.  Without enough trees issues arose including lack of fresh water, and under performing farms due to lack of moisture in the ground.  CFI had started a program to reforest the area, and in the last six to seven years have planted over a million trees with the help of the local community. 

Craig was struck by Africa and the experience helped to dispel a lot of the stereotypes of the continent in his mind.  These stereotypes include a perception of helplessness, danger, and corruption.  In fact, Pemba was not hopeless at all; the only help they needed was a little information and a small investment of materials.

In this episode 

• Curtis lets us in on how Earthlings stays successful by staying small
• He also explains how he has cut the overhead on the daycare business.
• Curtis tells us how the “Sally Struthers/World Vision” approach to aide often disenfranchises the residences receiving the aid.
• He tells us how the focus of his documentary will differ from many about the region.
• We learn way it is more important to “tell a man about fishing”, and let him figure it out for himself.
• We learn the importance of turning your ego off and focusing on listening.
• Craig also tells us how we can be ethnocentric even when we have the best intentions and about poverty of opportunity.

Links

- Community Forests International's Website

- Video Band's Website

Introducing Curtis Kleisinger

It is incredible how one woman from the other side of the world can inspire positive change in your own backyard.

A number of years ago, a group of CEOs and businesspeople travelled to India and were granted an audience with the famed humanitarian Mother Teresa.  After hearing her speak, many in attendance were interested in how they could help her mission.  Mother Teresa was not interested in their money; instead she urged the group to return to their home community, identify a need, and to give their time and resources to inspire change.  Paul and Carol Hill were two of the people in attendance took this message to heart.  They returned to their home in Regina, Saskatchewan and started the process of creating a school in Mother Teresa’s name that would serve the province’s disadvantaged aboriginal community.

This is where our guest this week enters the picture.  Curtis Kleisinger is the executive director of the Mother Teresa Middle School and a former schoolmate of our host Dave Veale.  The Mother Teresa Middle School opened in 2011 and serves a small group of students from grades six to eight. 

Though the Saskatchewan economy has been fairly good over the last number of years, this good fortune had generally not extended to Regina’s aboriginal population.  Up until recently, only 33% of aboriginal students in the area would graduate high school on time, and many students came from backgrounds of poverty, foster homes, trauma, and abuse.  In fact, many current students will be the first in their families to graduate high school.  The MTMS seeks to end the cycle of poverty by giving these kids a chance, not only to learn but also to thrive.

In this episode  

• Curtis tells us the difference between traditional schools and MTMS.
• We hear about the school’s focus on developing strengths, networking, and a mentoring program that has a 1:23 return ratio.
• Curtis tells us about the success stories from the school and how the students seek to fix world problems.
• Curtis tells us about the admissions process and how building trust, particularly with matriarchs, is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.
• Curtis also tells us the importance of hope, engagement, and well being for students, businesses, and society in general.
• Dave tells us how he was struck emotionally by the school and how being there really makes you “get it”.
• Greg concludes that building trust with a few key influencers is so critical to fostering change.

Links

- The Mother Teresa Middle School

Introducing Don Fillmore

Don Fillmore is in an industry where the only thing they don't deliver is babies. Don is in the trucking industry and is the president of Atlantic Pacific Transport and of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.

It has been a dream of many to hit the open road and live the convoy lifestyle. Surprisingly, however, Don finds it difficult to find staff. Though his business is located in a region with high unemployment, it seems many haven't thought of a career in the transport industry.

Don started in the family business right out of high school and has since grown his company to over 40 trucks and close to 75 employees. Don has a passion for developing the business, as well as helping out his employees and the region in general.

Could you see yourself piloting a big-rig? Check out this episode to find out.

In this episode

• Don tells us how the trucking industry, like many other industries, is a people based business.

• He explains his decision NOT to be a driver himself

• Don explains his biggest challenge of finding qualified workers.

• He explains how being a business owner gives you a much bigger voice to help those in need.

• He also gives us insight of how to manage relationships in a family business.

• Greg relays his secret dream to try out trucking.

• Dave is inspired by Don's ability to convey what he does and to build awareness.

• Greg appreciates Don's thoughts regarding having a bigger business means you have a bigger voice. 

Links

- Atlantic Pacific Transport Website

- Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association

- Don's Linkedin

This week’s episode of Boiling Point is going to be a little bit different as we turn the table and our own Greg Hemmings is the guest. In conjunction with a group of New Brunswick thought leaders, Greg has recently started work on his newest documentary, “The Millennial Dream”.

New Brunswick, like a number of rurally based economies, has a problem.  Many of it’s smart, and talented young people are moving away to “greener pastures” in order to retain good, well-paying jobs.  These young people come from a generation called the Millennials and they consist primarily of those who have grown-up during the Internet age.

This out-migration is draining the province of not only population, but also skills, and tax revenue.  So, how does a community go about fixing this problem?  Greg’s answer is through better business.

Millennials are leaving because of a lack of opportunity.  However, opportunity can take on alternate forms than just salary and career growth.  Millennials are also interested in making a real impact globally, locally, socially, and environmentally.  “The Millennial Dream” seeks to change the way many businesses act to develop a triple bottom line: profit, but also social and environmental impact.

Is your business up for taking on this challenge?

In this episode

• Greg tells us about “The Millennial Dream” and how it got started
• Greg tells us what he had learned from a trip to Hubli, India and the impact being made by a local organization there that is “teaching people how to fish” metaphorically.
• We hear about a conference Greg attended in India and his chat with a Nobel Prize Laureate.
• We hear about the frustration Greg felt on his return to Canada.
• Dave explains how the frustration can be a fuel to continue to make an impact.
• Greg is reminded that the small impacts you make on people are still significant.

Links and References

• Greg’s Twitter
• The Hemmings House site
• Hemmings House Twitter
• Check out the documentaries progress, sharables, and amazing photos with the hash tag: #themillennialdream

Introducing Ja-Nae Duane

Ja-Nae Duane is the definition of the Renaissance woman.  She is an author, a public speaker, a nondenominational Christian minister, a university lecturer, a serial entrepreneur, and even an opera signer.  Her books include “How to Start Your Business with $100”, “How to Create a Revolution”, and “The Startup Equation” which was co-written by her husband and previous Boiling Point guest Steve Fisher. 

Ja-Nae always had an eye for improvement and evolution.  As a young girl interested in singing, a teacher brought her to the Metropolitan Opera to inspire her.  Upon leaving, the teacher asked Ja-Nae what she thought about the performance, and she said it was the most boring thing she ever watched.  The characters just stood there and sung without any dramatics, and the performance seemed very antiquated.  However, the performance didn’t dissuade her from becoming a singer, in fact it inspired her to revolutionize how opera was performed.  Ja-Nae has a brain for exploring traditional systems and turning them on their head.

Ja-Nae has taken this revolutionary approach to everything she has done in her career.  Ja-Nae tells us if we want to think and act like a revolutionary; we must do a few things.   First of all, our head and heart need to align.  This means in order to be revolutionary, you must have not only acquire the skills needed for the task, but a passion for it as well.  Next, there needs to be a trigger to disrupt the status quo.  This causes a level of unrest that continues to grow.  Finally, one event sparks the need for change.  In the chaos of thinking revolutionarily, you will develop a framework for change.  Your framework for change may need some modification, but thinking outside the box is never easy.

In this episode

Ja-Nae tells us how to think like a revolutionary and what it means to one’s self worth to think creatively.   She tells us not necessarily emulate someone else’s version of success because what makes success is different for different people.  She also recommends that entrepreneurs that are playing it safe should decide step out of their comfort zone because trying new things allows for learning opportunities and evolution of how you conduct business.  If you fail, often failure ignites ideas of how to do better next time.  Dave is inspired by Ja-Nae’s willingness to be uncomfortable and how her head and heart are definitely aligned.  Greg takes the revolutionary leader idea to heart and practice. 

Links and References

- Ja-Nae's Blog

- Ja-Nae's Twitter

- Ja-Nae's Books

- Ja-Nae's TED X Talk

Introducing Janna Hare

There comes a time for every entrepreneur when they would relish the opportunity to pick the brain of those who have come before.  Mentors give us the power of knowledge from experience that we do not personally have.  They also can give us insights, short cuts, and anecdotes that can save greener entrepreneurs an immense time, effort, and money.  Normally, a person would have to stumble upon a worthy mentor, or beg an experienced person to share a few moments together in conversation.

Our guest this week, Janna Hare, is the executive director of an organization that is looking to simplify the process of people finding mentors and mentors finding mentees.  Janna helped to form the Mentra in 2014 with the help of 12 different leadership organizations.  Though they are currently only in beta testing, the plan is for Mentra to be a center of excellence for mentorship.  They seek to offer a sustainable community of credible and connected mentors through an online portal that will have social media functions as well.  Not only will the website be available as a database, but Mentra will be offering programs to teach those with experience how to mentor, and those looking for mentors there will be programs regarding how to get the most out of your mentee experience.  Janna hopes that the ability to find quality mentors quickly will help younger entrepreneurs grow and thrive in Atlantic Canada.

In this episode

Janna introduces us to the Mentra concept and tells us the importance of mentorship for both the mentor and mentee.  We learn the difference between mentoring and coaching.   Greg and Dave are both impressed with the steps New Brunswick is taking with innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.  Greg notes a difference he sees with Nova Scotia entrepreneurs being more competitive, and New Brunswick entrepreneurs being more collaborative.  He also sees the importance of being mentored and then passing on what you learned as a mentor.  Dave believes mentorship is critical and that the majority of major business leaders needed their own mentors to get to where they are today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Introducing Mel Norton 

Sometimes the best way to tackle an issue is to stop perceiving it as a problem but as an opportunity to make things better.  This is the approach that Mayor Mel Norton has decided to take while attempting to steer Saint John, New Brunswick in the right direction.  Saint John has lots to be proud of; it houses two of the largest IT firms in Atlantic Canada, as well as having Canada’s only liquid natural gas plant and its largest oil refinery.  However, Saint John has a number of social issues including a very high child poverty rate, and some of the oldest housing stock in North America.  Mel’s solution to some of these types of problems is to get people involved, and to stay positive. 

About three years ago, Mel visited a conference in New York City that was honoring seven of innovative cities in the world of which Saint John was one of them.  During the conference, one speaker discussed taking cities into a new renaissance.   This was a concept that Mel has taken and ran with in Saint John.  So how does Mel plan on changing the city for the better?  He plans to use a shift in mindset.  No longer will Saint John be going to “war” with issues, but embracing opportunity.  There will always be problems, but embracing them as opportunities cuts out finger pointing or grand-standing, and instead of being critical the plan is to be cooperative and constructive.  This approach allows a “living lab” where changes can be tried and modified if needed.  Mel suggests that Saint John should look at the positives and what it is doing right and this will help the city to see how some of the problems it faces can find solutions.

In this episode

Mel tells us the importance of staying positive and to manage the amount of negative influences you experience.   He tells us how framing problems as opportunities changes the way you think about an issue.  Mel talks about the importance in people-centered leadership and we hear of a fateful journey he took as a child to underground Saint John.  Greg and Dave both find appreciation for the approach the mayor is taking and the direction the city is headed.

Links

- City of Saint John

- Mel's Twitter

- Mel's Email

Introducing Glenn Cox 

So often, innovation is inspired through the day-to-day lives of people.  However, these innovative people are stopped from pursuing an idea because of fear of the unknown.  Our guest this week, Glenn Cox, didn’t allow anything to stop him from pursuing his innovation that can save money, people, and the environment.

In his previous life, Glenn was an RCMP officer stationed out of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  He received a call that a tanker truck had been in an accident and was spilling diesel fuel onto the highway and it was threatening to pour into a nearby river.  Arriving on the scene, Glenn felt somewhat helpless, as he had to wait almost two hours for someone from the Department of Environment to arrive from Victoria to plug the gash.  After leaving the force, Glenn came to the understanding that the process for fixing ruptured tanks hadn’t changed much.  So, he formulated a design and started a business from his home.  The product that was developed was the Rupture Seal.  Essentially, the rupture seal fixes leaks in a matter of seconds saving costly chemicals and the environment.  Now the Rupture Seal is sold in 35 countries and what was originally a home based business for Glenn has had to move into three different buildings in the last four years due to the business’s growth.

To kick his growth up a notch, Glenn decided to take his product and his pitch to the CBC television show “Dragon’s Den”.  (For our non-Canadian friends, “Dragon’s Den” was the Canadian pre-cursor to the popular ABC television show “Shark Tank”.)  While in the “den”, Glenn gave a 45-minute presentation and was offered three different deals from the “dragons”.  Glenn ended up picking the deal for $500,000 for a 25% equity stake offered by former RCMP officer and franchise baron Jim Treliving.  Glenn pictured his pitch to the “dragons” the same way as he did while offering evidence to a court as an RCMP officer.  He emphasizes to all entrepreneurs that they need to be ready in a moments notice to offer their “elevator pitch”.  He believes that you need to know your product and your pitch because you never know when an opportunity will strike. 

In this episode

Glenn tells us how his training with the RCMP aided him as an entrepreneur and how no matter what your background your previous experiences can prove valuable as you enter the unknown world of entrepreneurship.  Glenn also tells us that it is never too late if you have a great idea that is meaningful and unique.  Glenn reminds us that success is so often on the other side of fear and the only one stopping you from doing what you want with your life is YOU.  Greg expands on this notion by saying that dispelling fear allows you to live a passionate life based on love.  Dave is truly inspired by the notion that there is always the opportunity to take the leap to be an entrepreneur and that their will always be lessons you have learned from your past experiences that will aid you in your journey.

Links and References

- Rupture Seal's Website

- Rupture Seal's Twitter

- Glenn's Linked in

Commander Hadfield expresses the lessons he has learned from floating around our little blue dot that we call home.  Greg is struck by the idea that the higher you get into space the more you can understand humanity.  Dave notes that in the commander’s case the message and messenger are totally aligned. Dave is also impressed with Chris Hadfield’s comfort in expressing the lessons from his success.  Greg recalls a moment he felt connected to how astronauts feel looking down on humanity.