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