Inspiring a Region

Introducing Karina LeBlanc and the Pond-Deshpande Centre

We here at the Boiling Point Podcast spend a lot of time discussing triple bottom line businesses, but the question becomes where can I find out how to get involved in this emerging sector of socially minded businesses? This week’s guest has just the organization for you to check out.

Karina LeBlanc is the executive director of the Pond-Deshpande Centre based out of the University of New Brunswick. Entrepreneurs Gerry Pond, Jaishree Deshpande, and Gururaj Deshpande founded the centre with a mission to act as a catalyst to grow and support a stronger culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada. Beyond this, the Pond-Deshpande Centre seeks to simulate young people (and young-minded people) to become active and engaged change makers and leaders in the emerging business-for-good ecosystem. When Karina came on board as the executive director, she already had experience in the Fortune 500, startup, and non-profit space. She decided to take a 90-day “listening” tour to understand how the centre could assist the province and the region. From that tour, she learned that too often young people were disconnected from the concept of becoming an entrepreneur and there was little to no conversation about being a social entrepreneur. Since then, the centre has produced over 100 alumni and has been the catalyst in New Brunswick recent business boom.

Check out this week’s episode to learn how you could take the same practices to your region.

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his recent trip to the B Corp Champions retreat in Philadelphia.
• We hear how Greg and Karina met and how it spun off into the “Millennial Dream”.
• Karina tells us about the mission and goals of the Pond-Deshpande Centre.
• We hear about the great work the centre does with students all around New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.
• Karina speaks about the misconceptions that some have toward becoming and entrepreneur and what it truly means.
• We hear how starting the centre was similar to many other start-ups.
• Greg mentions that he hears all over North America about how the centre does things right.
• We discuss what makes the centre and New Brunswick different then many other areas.
• Karina tells us about their accelerator programs.
• She also lets us in on some authors you should check out if you want to get involved with social entrepreneurship.
• Greg is truly inspired by Karina and the centre and how it has created a legacy of giving back.
• Dave agrees that there is so much to learn about the space and thinks it was great that the centre got it start by doing a “listening tour”.

Links

- The Pond-Deshpande Centre Website

- Pond-Deshpande on Facebook

- Pond-Deshpande on Twitter

- Millennial Dream Website

- Karina on LinkedIn

- Karina's Bio

- Karina on Twitter

WTF – Willing to Fail

Introducing Brian Scudamore, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and O2E Brands

Sometimes great businesses are developed out of necessity, like when you need to make enough extra cash to pay for college. This is the situation that this week’s Boiling Point guest, Brian Scudamore, found himself in and the result is a group of businesses that have revenue of a quarter billion dollars.

Brian is the founder and CEO of O2E brands, a collection of four businesses that focus on home services including: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, YOU MOVE ME, and SHACK SHINE. When Brian was 18 years old, he needed to find a way to pay for college. He was in his car in the drive thru of a McDonald’s one fateful day when he noticed an old, beat up pickup truck that was hauling junk and thought that would be a great way to pay his way. In his travels he noticed the same type of beat up pickup with junk in the back in every city he went to but there was no brand leading the way. In 27 years, Brian has created that brand by offering exceptional customer service with clean logoed trucks and by giving his franchisees the ability to fail and learn from their mistakes.

Check out this inspiring episode of the Boiling Point to see how you could make the most of your circumstance to create something epic.

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his recent visit to Haiti and how his preconceived notions of the country were shattered.
• We meet Brian and get an introduction to his group of businesses.
• We learn what O2E Brands and the meaning of its name.
• Brian tells us how he came up with his business sitting in a drive thru at McDonalds, which led him to clean up a “dirty” industry.
• He also tells us the amazing story of how he was able to obtain the phone number for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
• We learn what sets Brian’s companies apart from their competition and how he is able to keep the services consistent throughout his franchise network.
• Brian also tells us about the “WTF” culture at his companies and what that truly means.
• We also learn how Brian sees his ADHD as an asset and how he takes inspiration from people like Terry Fox and Rick Hansen.
• Dave is inspired by Brian’s authenticity and his ability to leverage challenges.
• Greg appreciates the exceptional customer service and Brian’s philosophy of being willing to fail and sees it as simple yet innovative.

Links

- O2E Brands Website

- 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Website

- 1-800-GOT-JUNK? on Twitter

- WOW 1 DAY PAINTING Website

- YOU MOVE ME Website

- SHACK SHINE Website

- Brian on Facebook

- Brian on Twitter

- Brian on LinkedIn

Cutting Through the Noise

Introducing JP Shoiry and Republik

If you spend any time on social media it would seem that everyone is out there trying to deliver a message. For those of us who are on the web trying to market a product or a service it can be difficult to cut through the noise so that our post gets noticed. When you need your message to stand out above the rest your best route might be to get advice from someone like today’s Boiling Point guest.

JP Shoiry is the chief of content strategy and a partner at Republik, a digital brand editorial agency specializing in social media, content, and influencer marketing. JP and his partner acquired Republik a little while back and have since repositioned the company toward content and influencer marketing. JP knows that in a world that anyone could potentially be a content marketer in order to cut through the noise you need to be valuable to your audience and you need to understand the type of content you are working with and how best to promote it through the ever-evolving social media landscape.

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see how you could strategize to cut through the noise with your marketing effort.

In this episode

• Greg calls a wrong number trying to get in touch with JP.
• We learn about Republik’s effort to become a B Corp and what that has done for the company.
• There is a discussion about how B Corps should be totally aligned with Quebecois values and that there will be more B Corps to come from Quebec.
• JP tells us how he learned about B Corps and why it was a fit for Republik.
• He also tells us why becoming a B Corp is the most actionable thing a business can do to act on its intentions and values.
• We learn why Republik’s motto is “real talk”
• Greg asks JP to run through a strategy for promoting his new documentary, City on Fire.
• JP tells us that different social media has different advantages and disadvantages as it comes to marketing and how developing a strategy for promotion before launch is so important.
• JP also tells us about his lessons learned and the differences between acquiring a company and starting fresh.
• Dave admires JP’s passion and his ability to articulate his rich, deep knowledge.
• Greg mentions how content creators often give themselves a hard time for not having all the answers as it relates to distribution, but there are experts, like JP, out there to help.

Links

- JP on Twitter

- JP on Facebook

- JP on LinkedIn

- Republik's Website

- Republik on Facebook

- Republik on Twitter

- Republik on Instagram

- Republik on LinkedIn

- BCorporation.net

- City on Fire teaser

Cooperative Banking

Reintroducing Richard Vaillancourt and Omista 

No customer likes to be treated like a number, but no doubt you have experienced a lack of personal service if you have a relationship with many large organizations. It is impersonal with low interaction, often you are left on hold for a number of minutes if you called in, and sometimes the experience is down right unfriendly. If the previous examples sound familiar and it relates to your bank, perhaps you should give a credit union a try. 

Richard Vaillancourt is the CEO of Omista Credit Union in New Brunswick, which manages assets of over $300 million. What sets places like Omista apart from your traditional chartered bank is a focus on community. In fact, Omista keeps all of its activities local and New Brunswick based. Omista’s commitment to community has gone even further by subscribing to a triple bottom line by becoming a B Corp. When you consider that Omista offers a carbon copy of the services offered by traditional banks it makes sense to switch to a financial institution built on a cooperative spirit.

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see how the credit union approach could help you and your financial needs.

In this episode

• We learn what led Richard from a life of working with the traditional banks to start with credit unions.
• Richard tells us about Omista and what sets it apart.
• We learn what led Omista become a B Corp company.
• Richard tells us it what it means to invest in your community and the themes that guide his credit union.
• We learn what Omista learned by doing the B Corp assessment and how it steered them toward further changes.
• Richard tells us about the efforts he and his employees have made in their community.
• We ask why more people haven’t made the switch to a credit union.
• There is a discussion about the “psychological contract” between employees and their employers.
• Dave would like to see more financial institutions run by those in human resource backgrounds.
• Greg considers switching to Omista because of the B Corp “fraternity”.

Links

- Omista's Website

- Omista on Facebook

- Omista on Twitter

- B Corporation Website

- Omista's B Corp Listing

- Richard on LinkedIn

Resiliency Rewarded

Reintroducing Shawn Smith and Gene Fowler

It has been said that nothing worth doing is easy. Resiliency is an important component of an entrepreneur’s toolkit but it also one of the hardest to maintain. Two former guests that have been able to show resilience in the face of adversity are back with us today to show where their patience and hard work have got them.

Shawn Smith, the founder of Don’t Dis My Ability and Gene Fowler, the founder of Loogaroo Animation and Games struck up quite the friendship not so long ago that ended up helping both of them. For Shawn, Gene’s mentorship and guidance helped him through the start up of his business. In turn, Shawn set up coaching at Gene’s business.

Both men found difficulties navigating their businesses, but have found greener pastures due to their resilience. Shawn has recently been nominated for the Start Up Canada Resilient Entrepreneur Award being presented later this month. While Gene has rebuilt his company from bankruptcy to become the Miramichi Entrepreneur of the Year.

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see where resiliency and mentorship could take you or someone else you know.

In this episode

• We reconnect with Gene and Shawn.
• We catch Gene as he celebrates his 40th
• Shawn tells us what Gene’s mentorship meant to him and how finding someone who believes in you is so crucial
• Shawn tells us of the great advancements his company has made since he was last on the Boiling Point including being nominated for a prestigious award.
• Greg remembers a time when he was talking with Gene and Gene mentioned that if Greg was in need of assistance to “send out the bat light” and he’d be there.
• Gene believes in mentoring because he wishes he had the same opportunity when he first started out.
• Greg notes that it takes time in order to be a mentor but without mentorship many wouldn’t be in the position they are in today.
• We learn why Shawn ended up thanking those who didn’t believe in him.
• We congratulate Gene on his entrepreneur of the year award.
• Gene tells us why he didn’t bail out of bankruptcy and that he was going to pivot and succeed whether others believed in him or not.
• Gene tells us to stop listening to detractors or focusing in on your competition, but instead to be good at what you do and don’t look up. 

Links

- Gene's previous Boiling Point interview

- Shawn's previous Boiling Point interview

- Loogaroo's website

- Don't Dis My Ability's website

- Don't Dis My Ability on Facebook

- Don't Dis My Ability on Twitter

- Loogaroo on Facebook

- Loogaroo on Twitter

Get Moving

Introducing Matt Forgie and Forfitness & Athletics

Most of us have had that ache in the lower back and many come to the realization that it is probably time to see the chiropractor for a “crack”. However, maybe taking this reactionary stance to pain is the wrong approach. Instead, the better option could be to be proactive and to start moving well. If this is the case, then maybe Matt Forgie is the chiropractor and strength coach for you.

After completing, a degree in organic chemistry and then another degree as a biologist, Matt decided that he wanted a job where he could interact with people on a daily basis. He decided to follow the path of both of his parents to become a chiropractor. However, what makes Matt’s practice different then your typical chiropractor is that he takes a movement based approach that focuses on making your body function is better ways. In the same way we brush our teeth to avoid having to see the dentist more often, Matt’s exercise based approach gets you moving to avoid painful injuries. Matt recently built a gymnasium to do just this in Rothesay, New Brunswick and now works with a diverse group of patients from the elderly to children, and from Olympic athletes to those suffering from paralysis.

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see what the new model for physical health can do for you.

In this episode

• Greg and Dave talk about City on Fire and the reactions they have heard about it.
• We meet Matt and learn how he went from studying organic chemistry to becoming a chiropractor and strength coach.
• We learn why it is so important to learn how to move well.
• Matt tells us how Forfitness & Athletics changes the game in his industry.
• Matt tells us how his mentors from around the world impact they way he practices.
• We hear why the movement-based approach is similar to brushing our teeth for dental health.
• Greg gets instruction on how to take care of his back when travelling so often.
• We learn about how Matt’s business model encapsulates both fitness and healing.
• There is a discussion on the limitation that we put on ourselves and how our fear impacts our fitness.
• Matt tells us that the mantra of “No Pain, No Gain” is no good.

Links

- Matt on Facebook

- Forfitness & Athletics Facebook

- Forfitness & Athletics Website

- Forfitness & Athletics on Twitter 

Change in Tempo

Introducing Dylan Berry and Smash Haus Music Group

One of the industries that have changed quite a bit over the last few decades is the music industry. No longer do we wait in lines at the local record store because for the most part all of these stores have disappeared. Now artists seem to emerge from the Internet to become huge stars and a computer program can replace entire orchestras.

One person who has seen the decline and reemergence of the industry is this week’s Boiling Point guest. Dylan Berry is the owner of Smash Haus Music Group and Filthy Fidgets and the host of Bompop TV, a radio/podcast program focusing on emerging artists. Dylan is an award winning music producer and entertainment entrepreneur whose work spans both artist production and media licensing. His work can be heard on many of your favorite television shows such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. He also does the musical branding for 20 major network channels. Dylan has built a 360-degree media and music production, licensing, and exposure value network in the Hollywood media and entertainment space using technology and community as a tool to create, deploy, and monetize music and media.

Check out this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to get a first hand look at how the music industry has changed and where it is going.

In this episode

• We learn how Greg and Dylan first met up.
• We learn about Dylan’s three different companies and how they interact in the industry.
• We learn of the companies that Dylan has helped brand through their unique sound design.
• We also learn a bit about the artists that have worked with Dylan.
• Dylan also lets us in on Bompop, which is like a Boiling Point for the music scene.
• Dylan gives us a breakdown of the destruction and rebuild of the music industry over the last number of years.
• We learn the pros and cons of the music industry as it stands today.
• Dylan tells us how it is easier to become a star today, but it is still difficult.
• We also learn about the industry from the music content in media side.

Links

- Dylan on IMDB

- Dylan on LinkedIn

- Dylan on Twitter

- Dylan on Facebook

- Smash Haus Website

- Filthy Fidgits Website

- Bompop TV Website

- Bompop on Twitter

Mass Communication

Introducing Jim Kokocki and Toastmasters

We all know that effective leaders need also to be effective communicators. However, public speaking can be one of the most prevalent fears out there. In fact, up to 75% of people have some degree of glossophobia. So how does one who wants to be an effective leader learn the skills and ease the anxiety around communication. 

Jim Kokocki is the immediate former president of Toastmasters, a global organization that seeks to improve the speaking skills of its members through exercise and practice. Jim wasn’t always a seasoned speaker though. He remembers a time when he was working in IT and two engineers approached his desk and noted that he was a pretty smart guy but he had nothing to say in company meetings. Through Toastmasters, Jim was able to gain confidence speaking in public and the skills even changed his career path.

Toastmasters isn’t just for those who fear public speaking though. Their clubs also help those who are just not effective communicators, those who can come off as abrasive, those who don’t understand their audience, and those who aren’t effective for many other reasons.

If you are looking to touch up your communication skills this is the episode of the Boiling Point for you.

In this episode

• We congratulate Dave on his family’s upcoming “bundle of joy”.
• Jim gives us the background behind Toastmasters and how he became their president.
• We learn what is involved with being the president of this great organization.
• Jim explains why anxiety of public speaking can be a good thing because it shows that you care.
• Greg expands on his experience with Toastmasters and how it helps that you are allowed to fail and encouraged to keep trying.
• We learn what a typical meeting is like.
• We hear of some of the reasons why people join up.
• Jim tells us of an upcoming book titled Keyboard to Keynote, which is tailored for those in the IT industry who wish to enhance their communication skills.
• We hear about some public speaking experiences from Greg, Dave and Jim.

Links

- Toastmasters Website

- Jim on Linked In

- Jim's Email

- Jim on Twitter

- Toastmasters on Twitter

Local First

Introducing Jayne DeMerchant & Scott Williams and Taylor Printing

We have all heard the expression, “buy local.” Many of us make the effort to go local and it often means a better quality product and sometimes means a few extra dollars. However, beyond a few buying decisions how can we encourage local collaboration amongst businesses and a real “union” of local purchasing?

This week’s guests, Scott Williams and Jayne DeMerchant came up with a unique way to encourage business to work together in New Brunswick. Scott and Jayne are executives at Taylor Printing Group in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The printing moniker may be a bit misleading, however, as they are more of a communications company that offers printing as well as web based products, email campaigns, SMS marketing, and much more.

Scott and Jayne are big proponents of supporting local and they came up with an idea to do just that. A few months back, Scott came up with an idea to have a 24 piece puzzle where each piece would correspond with a New Brunswick business but none of the other businesses would know which other businesses were involved. Each business would develop clues to each piece and the group that could decipher the businesses first would win money to donate to a charity of their choice. Not only would this game introduce a number of businesses to each other but it would also give them an opportunity to network with one another, develop relationships, and support a worthy cause. 

Check out this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to see how you can encourage local business working together in your region.

In this episode

• We reach Scott going through customs and immigration and Jayne is in studio with us.
• We learn about how Jayne and Scott began to work with each other through the Wallace McCain Institute.
• We learn about Taylor Printing and how they have become a leader in Atlantic Canada.
• Scott tells us why he opened Taylor Printing as Atlantic Canada’s first print start-up in 25 years and how it is different than his competition.
• We learn why it is important to Scott and Jayne to support their local community and especially their local businesses.
• We learn about Taylor’s unique puzzle competition.
• Greg talks about the negative and incorrect mythology in Atlantic Canada where we feel that we need outsiders for quality work.
• We are given the secret to a number of companies that took part in the puzzle competition.
• Greg challenges our listeners to figure out strategies to encourage “local first”.
• Dave is inspired by the idea of local companies collaborating for the common good.

Links

- Taylor Printing Website

- Scott on Linked In

- Jayne on Linked In

- Wallace McCain Institue

- Millennial Dream

A Culture Designed for All

Introducing Joe Brewer and Evonomics

Looking back through history you could find many examples of capitalism running amuck. There are even recent examples of those with money and power abusing those with less.   This week’s guest sees a massive global change coming and hopes he might be able to inspire a cultural design. 

Joe Brewer is the co-founder and editor of Evonomics magazine, a research director for TheRules.org and a coordinator for the newly forming Cultural Evolution Society. Joe is a complexity researcher and also an evangelist for the field of cultural design and he hopes to see a transition in society to sustainability.

Check out this episode to see why we are where we are in society, how things could change and what that would take in a very interesting episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Greg tells us how he sold his cottage with national exposure by “hacking the system”.
• Greg describes Joe as the ultimate culture hacker.
• Joe tells us how he became interested in cultural design.
• Greg tells us how he and Joe first met.
• Joe tells us why there needs to be an evolution in our current economic system.
• We learn how the model of economics we have now is based on good ideas that were coopted and other stupid assumptions.
• We also hear how certain stories and institutions hold up our system.
• We also learned how an important picture taken decades ago served as an important hack on our stories of separation.
• Joe dives into a time in the evolution of modern economics called the enclosure movement and how this has led us astray.
• We learn how co-ops and b-corps are taking us to a more balanced place.
• We hear how we are at a crux in our culture, which could lead to either a breakdown or a renaissance.
• We also learn that there is a biological basis for empathy and how the simplest culture hack is to just smile at people. 

Links

- Joe on Twitter

- Joe on Facebook

- Joe on Linked In

- Joe on Medium

- Evonomics Magazine

- ChangeStrategistForHumanity.com

- TheRules.org

You Can Be That Someone

 Introducing John Harthorne and MassChallenge

 Sometimes you could wait so long for someone else to solve a problem and not even realize that you could be that someone. This week’s Boiling Point guest, John Harthorne had the epiphany that he could be that someone to accelerate start-ups.

John knew for a long time that the prospect of launching a start-up was something he was passionate about. However, after graduating with an MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2007, he had a student loan to pay off. He decided to take a job as a Strategy Consultant and he would use any hefty bonus cheques to pay off the loan and then dive into a start-up. Unfortunately, when the bonus cheque came, so did the great recession of 2008. Talk about bad timing; the stock market had crashed and it was hard to find capital. John knew the solution to climbing out of the recession would be investments in start-up companies that would create jobs and help build the economy. He wished someone was out there investing in the creative economy, and then he realized maybe he could be that someone.

John has since founded MassChallenge, which is hailed as the most start-up friendly accelerator on the planet by taking no equity, no revenue and having no restrictions. Since inception, MassChallenge has been able to help launch hundreds of start-ups globally which rose over $1.4 billion, generated $475 million in revenues, and created 50,000 jobs.

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see if your start-up could qualify for MassChallenge, or to be inspired to be “that someone” to solve a problem.

In this episode

• Greg tells us how he met John in India while filming for the Millennial Dream.
• John tells us how MassChallenge is the most start-up friendly accelerator on the planet.
• We learn that the mission of MassChallenge is to empower the creative class globally to extenuate a period of global renaissance and what that means.
• We talk on how the global recession was caused by greed and too many people drawing short-term profit instead of building long-term value.
• John relates this to those who make and eat pie.
• John also talks about how great growth can be found in collaboration.
• We learn how MassChallenge emulated MIT.
• John also tells us about his first steps of launching something like MassChallenge.
• He also tells us how MassChallenge gave him some of his best lessons including how to communicate with the media.

Links

- MassChallenge website

- MassChallenge on Twitter

- MassChallenge on Facebook

- MassChallenge on LinkedIn

- John on LinkedIn

- John on Twitter

Tap into your Passion

Introducing Craig Pinhey, The Beer and Wine Guy 

The best type of hobby is one you can turn into a job. That is exactly what Craig Pinhey did with his love of beer, wine, and spirits.

Craig is a trained engineer but his passion was wine and spirits. When he and his wife moved for her to take a new job, Craig saw it as the perfect time to take the plunge into writing on beer and wine. At the time, New Brunswick didn’t have any columnists of this type. Decades later, Craig continues to write for three provincial papers and gets to live his passion.

Learn how you can turn your hobby into your pay cheque in this episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Craig comes prepared with beers from some of New Brunswick’s best microbrewers.
• We learn how Craig got involved as a beer, wine and spirits writer.
• Craig also tells us about the explosive growth in micro brewing throughout the Atlantic Provinces.
• He tells us how the market potential is still “untapped”.
• We learn why brewpubs in smaller towns are so successful.
• Craig tells us about some of his adventures in writing on wine.
• He also tells us about a beer opener he got from what he thought was a pub in Germany.

Links

- Craig on Twitter

- Craig on Facebook

- Craig's Website

- Craig on Linked In

Follow Your Values

Introducing Caroline Duell and All Good Products

There is often reluctance to jump into business if you are passionate about the environment and social issues. Capitalism has been a tool for the greedy over the last few hundred years and at the expense of people and the planet. However, just because others have abused capitalism doesn’t mean that is the only way business gets done.

Caroline Duell is the entrepreneur behind All Good Products. Like many who are passionate about social issues and the environment, Caroline was also reluctant to jump into the business world. In the late 90’s, Caroline was living with her future husband on an organic farm in Northern California. As a massage therapist and a rock-climbing instructor, Caroline needed a product to her hands between jobs. She ended up developing a balm from some of the herbs on her farm. She gave away her balm to friends and her massage and rock-climbing customers. After moving to another part of California, Caroline had planned to move on to other things but the calls kept coming in and she reluctantly started All Good Products in 2006. Her reluctance was due to the idea that she might have to compromise her values, which is something she has never had to do (especially after becoming a B Corp in 2009).

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see how you can be both a capitalist and also be socially and environmentally minded without having to compromise.

In this episode

• We hear how Caroline went from being a rock-climbing instructor and massage therapist to a balm entrepreneur.
• Caroline tells us where the name for All Good Products came from.
• She tells us about her reluctance about entering the business world.
• We learn about the importance for Caroline to stay authentic to her environmentalism and spreading goodness.
• Caroline tells us how becoming a B Corp has helped to communicate her authenticity to her customers.
• We also hear how she has been an evangelist of the B Corp movement.
• Greg and Caroline continue to try and convert Dave’s Vision Coaching to a B Corp.
• Dave sees Caroline as an amazing ambassador for the movement and wonders how many people are reluctant to enter the business world due to their values and a perceived conflict of interest.
• Greg sees reluctance as normal because of the way capitalism has been abused in the past. He also sees B Corps as a great middle ground and a way to encourage businesses to do better and for environmentalists and social movement makers to get into business.

Links

- All Good Products Website

- All Good Products on Facebook

- All Good Products on Twitter

- All Good Products on Instagram

- Caroline on Linked In

- B Corporation Website

The Future is Coming

Introducing Paul French and Innovation & Technology Today 

Thomas Fuller once said, “He that fears not the future may enjoy the present.” Though we may be uneasy about where the advances of technology will take us, the future is coming and it is best to understand where we might be going.

This week, the Boiling Point welcomes Paul French. Paul is the Managing Editor of Innovation and Tech Today, a national quarterly magazine that features columns, essays, and interviews with scientists, celebrities, and business leaders. The latest fall issue includes Michael Fassbender, Michio Kaku, Mark Hamill, and more. We brought Paul in to speak about all things futuristic.

For all those thinking about technology and the future, this is your episode.

In this episode

• Dave tells us about how Greg is now Saint John Famous.
• Greg tells us how he met up with Paul at Sustainable Brands.
• Paul tells us how he is constantly surprised by present technology.
• Paul tells us how the technology he covers both excites him and can make him feel a sense of dread.
• We learn about what current futurist are predicting for our near future.
• Paul discusses how we are naturally hard wired to be fearful of the future but we eventually adapt to it.
• We learn about reticular neural networks and how it could change the journalism of our future.
• Paul tells us how virtual reality will become as everyday as our home computer.
• We also discuss how technology will change how we learn leading to more critical analysis and less rote learning.

Links

- Innovation and Tech Today Website

- Innovation and Tech Today Twitter

- Innovation and Tech Today Facebook

- Innovation and Tech Today Linked In

- Innovation and Tech Today Instagram

A Solution for Every Challenge

Introducing Steve Goddard and Resilia Medical Solutions

Everyone remembers having an unfortunate urinary accident when they were young. Not only is it uncomfortable, but also embarrassing. Most of us grow past these challenges as we learn to better control our bladders. However, some women can be reacquainted to this problem many years down the line and through no fault of their own. One in five women experience urinary incontinence stemming from motherhood, age, etc. Currently, the only solutions are surgical in extreme circumstances, or some sort of pad or diaper. However, today’s Boiling Point guest, Steve Goddard, is the CEO of a company with another discrete solution.

Steve is the CEO of Resilia Medical Solutions and his company’s product Uresta is a small item made of medical grade plastic, which is inserted into the vagina and applies pressure to a woman’s urethra and blocks the passage of unwanted urine. The product was developed by Dr. Scott Farrell, an Urogynaecologist from Dalhousie University when he noticed that most of his patients who suffered from FUI were not in need of a surgical solution, but didn’t have a good solution to their problem.

This problem is not just a stigma or quality of life issue; its health effects can be spiraling. Check out this episode to see how there is a solution for every problem if you take the time to fix it.

In this episode

• We hear about Steve’s past life in banking and with JDI.
• Steve tells us why he took the leap into entrepreneurship after leaving JDI and about the companies he helped to start.
• Greg and Dave are made to guess what Resilia’s product is.
• Steve explains how this product is an evolution of a device that has been used for hundreds of years.
• We also hear how venture capitalists reacted to the product versus individual investors.
• We learn that it can take up to seven years for a woman to speak to a doctor about their FUI.
• Steve tells us why the problem of FUI is not just a quality of life issue or a stigma and how it can seriously affect a woman’s mental and physical health.
• Greg is impressed by the fact that when people come across challenges there is always someone out looking for the solution
• Dave notes that every business has that “big domino” that when it drops great things follow.

Links

- Resilia Medical Solutions Website

- Uresta Website

- Steve on Twitter

Best FOR the World

Introducing Bryan Welch and B The Change Media

 Those of you who are repeat listeners of the Boiling Point know about the swelling B Corp movement and how it uses business as a catalyst for doing good in the world. This week’s guest, Bryan Welch, has a plan to spread the word of this movement even further with his new company B The Change Media. 

Bryan has made a career in magazine publishing since the mid-70s. During his career he transformed a declining publisher of two rural-lifestyle magazines to a dynamic, growing multi-media company with 9 magazine titles and numerous websites and ancillary products with millions of readers. Bryan first got the idea for telling stories about businesses doing good in the world about ten years ago, but at the time it was hard to distinguish companies with genuine commitments versus those making marketing plays. However, the introduction of the B Lab assessment tool gave him objective evidence in order to proceed with his plan.

While other magazines on business assess companies on their ability to rapidly acquire wealth through lists like the “Fortune 500”, Bryan is currently working on his own designation, “Best for the World”.

Learn all about B The Change Media and Best for the World in this week’s edition of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• We learn about Bryan’s motivation for starting a media company focusing on businesses doing good in the world.
• Bryan discusses the size of his audience and how the B Corp movement is growing.
• We hear how the Best of the World designation will be a collection of the top 10% of B Corp companies.
• Greg and Bryan speak to their excitement for the celebration that will take place at the University of California – Berkley.
• Bryan lets us in on a few contenders for the Best in the World designation.
• There is a discussion on where B Corps go from here.
• Bryan tells us that while currently there are around 2000 B Corps in the world, over 40000 businesses have taken the B Corp assessment and the growth of the movement is up 30% from last year.
• Bryan likens how businesses and products are becoming a part of our identity to the music of the 60s.
• Greg sees Bryan as a super dynamic human being and thinks it is a luxury to have him as a part of the B Corp movement.
• Dave appreciates Bryan’s ability to use his intuition.

Links

- B The Change Media Website

- Best For The World Website

- B Corporation Website

- B The Change on Twitter

- B The Change on Facebook

- B The Change on Linked In

- B The Change on Instagram

- Bryan on Linked In

- Bryan on Twitter

For the Region

Introducing Aaron Emery and For the Region

This week, Aaron Emery is back and he is looking to change the course of the Atlantic Canadian region. Expounding on what he has learned with his experience in the B Corp movement, Aaron is championing a new project titled, For the Region. 

For the Region, is a citizen led movement to rapidly rethink economic development in Atlantic Canada.   For too long, the overwhelming narrative of the Atlantic region has been one of decline. Our young people leave for greener pastures out west or down south, meanwhile those who remain tend to be older individuals who strain things like our healthcare system draining our tax dollars. Aaron believes it doesn’t have to be this way. He sees the Atlantic region as a place of great promise for work/life balance entrepreneurs.

Learn about Aaron’s plans to redefine the Atlantic region in this episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Aaron discusses his brand new initiative, For the Region.
• He asks us, what would it take for Atlantic Canada to be the most inviting place for new ideas and people to put down roots?
• We discuss why the region is in the shape it is and how experts have been pointing to the part of the solution for over 25 years.
• We also discuss how the region’s geography and relative inexpensiveness could be tempting to former Silicon Valley execs.
• Aaron sees the Atlantic Region as the entrepreneur’s work/life balance capital of the world.
• Aaron discusses solutions to our problems.
• We learn that we have to own that things are bad, but craft a united vision and enable collective action to make things better.
• There is a discussion of how Atlantic Canadian humility can actually be hurting us.
• We also learn why it will be important to both praise success and forgive failure.
• Aaron asks everyone to visit ForTheRegion.ca to sign the “Fight not Flight” pledge or to consider becoming a volunteer.

Links

- For the Region Webpage

- For the Region on Facebook

- For the Region on Twitter

- Aaron on Twitter

- Aaron's Website

- B Corp Website

- Aaron's Previous Episode of the Boiling Point

Building Community One Hanging Hug at a Time

Introducing Cory Richardson of Hanging Hugs

Cory Richardson is an individual who has spent his life spreading love and community. Whether teaching hula hooping to children, or taking the time to help the people of Uganda, Cory has a knack for teaching and helping. His company, Hanging Hugs, can be seen as an expression of the man himself by providing comfortable and relaxing luxury hammocks where you feel like you have just received a long, warm hug.

 Cory is back at his community building again and this time he is looking for Hanging Hugs to help him develop a farm cooperative and hostile where people could come to feel in touch with nature and themselves. By buying a Hanging Hug, you will be provided with a voucher for the ability to stay at the farm so that, “your vacation is in the bag.”

 To see how a product and create a feeling, and how it can then create a community, check out this episode of The Boiling Point.

In this episode

• We learn that Greg’s first film project was done with Cory when they were high school friends.
• We learn how Cory takes on challenges like kayaking from Canada to Mexico.
• Cory lets us in on how art therapy has helped him and others.
• We also hear of projects that have had him teaching hula hooping around the world as well as helping the people of Uganda.
• Greg tells us from personal experience how terrific a hanging hug hammock is.
• Cory tells us how he cannot keep his luxury hammocks in stock because he is inundated with orders.
• We also here of Cory’s new dream of owning a coop farm/hostile and what he needs to do to get this done.
• Greg loves the product and thinks one day there will be a movie about Cory and his great ideas.
• Dave loves Cory’s passion and how he can lock into a concept and will it into existence.

Links

- Hanging Hugs website

- Hanging Hugs on Facebook

- Family of Friends Farm on Facebook

- Cory on Facebook

- Family of Friends Farm Website

- Chat to the Future Website

Taking a Stand

Introducing Christina Smith of The Redwoods Group

Sometimes the course of events in life offers you an opportunity to take a stand for what is right and just. This week’s Boiling Point guest knows all about this. Christina Smith is a consultant with the Redwoods Group and a B Corp MVP. Redwoods is a socially responsible insurance company, which works with youth serving organizations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs to insure against and prevent things like child sexual abuse and drowning. What sets Redwoods apart is they are a B Corporation that provides amazing training and when terrible incidents occur their team really tries to help healing and prevent any future occurrences.

Christina has a real passion for B Corps, so much so that she took a leading role to see B Lab’s annual Champions Retreat come to her home state of North Carolina. She organized the socially responsible businesses in her community and their efforts paid off when the Champions retreat was scheduled to come to N.C. this year. However, after the retreat was rewarded to N.C., its government made an unfortunate decision to pass a discriminatory law. The Bathroom Bill was passed which meant that no municipality could pass laws prohibiting the discrimination in public places based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This essentially forced any transgendered individual to use the bathroom of the biological sex as listed on their birth certificate.

This decision put B Labs in a very difficult place; how could they have a gathering of socially responsible businesses in a place that just passed such a discriminatory law? Some argued that by having the event in North Carolina they could bring attention to the issue and protest against the law. Would the Selma civil rights march be as effective if it happened anywhere else? However, many in the B community didn’t feel safe entering a place that showed such hostility towards LGTBQ individuals.

Find out what happened and about the power of business for good in this episode of the Boiling Point

In this episode

• We hear how Greg and Christina met at Portland, Oregon’s B Champions Retreat.
• Christina lets us in on the great work being done by the Redwoods Group to protect children.
• We also hear how Christina got wrapped up in the B Corp movement.
• Greg discusses a potential documentary he is working on.
• Christina tells us about how she organized a movement and was rewarded by having the B Champions Retreat awarded to North Carolina.
• She also talks about the debate that raged within the B community as to what approach they should take.
• We learn about the fallout of North Carolina’s law and how businesses are fighting back by taking away their money, jobs, and events that could cost the state billions of dollars.
• Greg is inspired by how business can “flex its muscle” for justice and the ripples it can create.
• Dave is inspired by Christina’s passion and inspired to make his own company a B Corp.

Links

- Christina on Linked In

- Christina on Twitter

- The Redwoods Group

- B Corporation Website

- B Impact Assessment

- B Champions Retreat

- Information on North Carolina's Bathroom Bill

The Chief Spiritual Advisor

Introducing Sean Dunbar and Picaroons Traditional Ales

Sean Dunbar has a great gig; he brews, drinks, and talks about beer for a living. More than that though, Sean is the owner of Picaroons Traditional Ales and he has been a catalyst and shaper of the New Brunswick craft brewing industry.

Sean has had his ups and downs within the industry, but has been able to not only has he been able maintain the spirit he envisioned for Picaroons, but he has also been a mentor and collaborator for those just starting in the industry. His hands have shaped the industry in New Brunswick behaves; not as strict competitors but with the notion that a high tide floats many ships. Therefore, a strong craft beer sector can support a number of small brewers. All he asks for those he assists is for them to pay it forward down the road.

Check out this episode to be inspired by how business can be done.

In this episode

• Monica Adair introduces Sean.
• We hear how Sean is inspired to change the world one beer at a time.
• We also learn about how Picaroons supports its industry as well as the arts.
• Sean gives us a brief history of craft brewing, both industry wide and for Picaroons since the mid 90’s.
• He tells us why he believes you are not truly an entrepreneur unless you are treading out there on the edge.
• Greg talks about risk taking behavior in his youth and how that relates to him as an entrepreneur today.
• Sean likens his path of an entrepreneur to a play-write and how you need to experience pain to tell the world about it.
• Sean also expands on knowing the part you are meant to play in the world and be willing to play it.
• We hear how he has inspired others to pay-it-forward in his industry.
• There is a discussion on why craft beer has such a following and how to keep the “spirit” of a craft brewer even when you are scaling quite large.
• Sean tells us if you want to understand Picaroons is, just go have a beer and a conversation with a friend.
• Dave is inspired by Sean’s authenticity, courage, and drive.
• Greg likes Sean’s notion of a CEO being a spiritual advisor for a company.

Links

- Picaroons' website

- Picaroons on Twitter

- Picaroons on Facebook

- Picaroons on Instagram

- Sean on Leadership Unleashed

Crafting the Life you want to Create

Introducing Stephen Kopp & Monica Adair of Acre Architects

As Stephen Kopp and Monica Adair could tell you, architecture isn’t only about designing buildings or spaces. Just as importantly, architecture is designing lives and purpose. Their company, Acre Architects, works around the world inspiring people to live great stories within and around their work. As they would say, you only live once and therefore you and your surroundings should be developed thoughtfully and with purpose.

Acre Architects broadens the field of architecture and design and was selected as one of this year’s young emerging firms in Canada for Twenty + Change. At the core of Monica and Stephen’s philosophy is an understanding of the unique opportunity that creative collaboration offers for the exploration of new ideas and achievement of new outcomes. Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to consider just how thoughtful design truly affects your life.

In this episode

• Monica and Stephen try out some of our Boiling Point beer.
• We find out what attracts such great architects to New Brunswick and Saint John.
• We discover what the meaning of storied architecture is.
• Monica and Stephen tell us how they feel that their job is like a cross between a coach and a storyteller.
• We also learn about how great physical design has changed the lives of their clients.
• There is a discussion on how memory can influence design.
• We also discuss how it is still okay to claim partial credit from collaborative success.
• Monica notes the folly if everyone “aims at the biggest target” at the same time, and perhaps you can shoot your arrow and then paint your target around it.

Links

- Acre website

- Acre on Twitter

- Monica on Twitter

- Stephen on Twitter

- Monica on Linked In

- Stephen on Linked In

Hitch a Ride

Introducing Flo Devellennes and HitchPlanet

Entrepreneurship is all about having an experience that spurs an idea, which can lead to a business. This was the exact series of events that happened to this week’s guest, Flo Devellennes.

Flo moved to Canada from the UK back in 2010 with the plan of having a year long working vacation. Flo worked as a freelance graphic designer in the west coast, but also had a passion for skiing. On his off time, Flo would travel from Vancouver, British Columbia to the hills of Whistler for some of the greatest ski hills in the world. However, what Flo noticed on his path between the two places on the Sea to Sky highway sparked an idea, which completely changed the trajectory of his life. He noticed there were many people on the side of the highway attempting to hitchhike exactly where he was going and on further research he noted that there was a large challenge of transportation for people along the same highway.

Flo’s solution was to create a website that would work as a go between for those with empty seats in their car and others looking for rides to the same places. Six years later, HitchPlanet coordinates ride sharing in both the west coast and the Maritimes with plans to further expand. Check out this week’s episode to see how a spark in your imagination could evolve into a future opportunity.

In this episode

• Flo lets us in on how the idea for HitchPlanet evolved.
• He discusses how the platforms current version which includes seat and service fees, social media links, and experience ratings helps to create dependability and accountability for its users.
• Flo believes that Hitch Planet’s immense organic growth comes from making a product people want that is useful.
• We discuss how ego needs to be removed from design as it is all up to the customer’s wants and opinions.
• We also discuss where the emergence of the sharing economy came from and why now?
• Greg and Dave remember their own personal hitchhiking experiences from the past and recognize how HitchPlanet would have made their rides faster and safer.
• Flo emphasizes the importance of building a team of supporters, and collaborators to get a venture like this off the ground.
• Greg loves the idea of people using online platforms to transcend the status quo of their current business.
• The thought of the experiences of our lives initiating business solutions to challenges energizes Dave.

Links

- HitchPlanet Website

- HitchPlanet on Twitter

- HitchPlanet on Facebook

- HitchPlanet on Instagram

- HitchPlanet on YouTube

- Flo on LinkedIn

- Flo's Website

- Flo on Twitter

Finding the Right Problem to Solve

Introducing Janet Scott and Enterprise Saint John

In running a business there are constantly problems that need to be solved. However, sometimes you find yourself hitting a bit of a brick wall. Perhaps you haven’t even figured out what the problem REALLY is and sometimes you might need some help in figuring that out.

Janet Scott is the director of business and community development with Enterprise Saint John and finding solutions to problems is something she is a pro at. In 2015, Janet received recognition as a 40 under 40 rising star in economic development by DCI International.  She was also selected to participate in Next New Brunswick’s 21 Leaders for the 21st Century program to encourage young people to help set the agenda for the future of the province and was named a YMCA Young Leader to Watch.

With Enterprise Saint John, Janet helps people start businesses, grow businesses, and attract business to the region. One way they help businesses succeed is to work through the power of problem solving. Check out this episode to understand the process you need to use to effectively navigate challenges and develop implementable solutions.

In this episode

• Greg and Dave reflect on their 100th episode party at Big Tide Brewing and the amazing Hemmingsway Vealey Great Ale they developed for the occasion.
• We meet their old friend and Saint John champion Janet.
• There is a discussion of the enormous changes that have happened in Saint John over the last 16 years and just how this came about.
• Janet also talks about what might be next for the city.
• We discuss how Saint John has become a great city to network for both personal and business purposes and how it can be more effective for business than the larger centers.
• Dave recalls a recent business trip to Toronto and just how much less he would be able to accomplish on a daily basis if he had to conduct his business there.
• There is a discussion on start-up culture in the region.
• Greg thinks that the region’s legacy family businesses have actually built an infrastructure and make it easier for start-ups to emerge.
• We discuss how millennials fit into the equation.
• Janet discusses catalyst innovation and how it helps nail down problems and their solutions.
• Greg and Dave try to figure out if they are generators, conceptualizers, optimizers, or implementers.

Links

- Enterprise Saint John Website

- Enterprise Saint John on Twitter

- Enterprise Saint John on Facebook

- Enterprise Saint John on Linked In

- Janet on Twitter

- Janet on Linked In

- Bassadur Applied Creativity

Brewing Up a Boiling Pint

Introducing Wendy Papadopoulos and Big Tide Brewing

It is funny how life works. Sometimes you can connect the dots looking back and it all makes sense, but you would have never guessed where you would have ended up at the beginning of your journey. Wendy Papadopoulos is a great example of this.

Wendy is now the brew master at Big Tide Brewing, Saint John, New Brunswick first and only brew pub when it opened. Wendy got her start after finishing her undergraduate degree in microbiology and took her first post-university job as an assistant brew master in Canmore, Alberta. After ten years and progressing through the ranks at the brewery, Wendy returned to New Brunswick and took a job working in economic development, then communications, then investment attraction, and then small business support. Wendy even taught a university class on how to start a small business.

This path eventually brought her back to her passion for brewing beer at Big Tide. Check out this episode of Boiling Point to see how the collection of knowledge and experiences you have had can combine into your next big venture.

In this episode

• Wendy surprises Greg and Dave with a growler of Tool Shed Root Porter.
• We hear about the New Brunswick craft beer scene tends to view competitors as collaborators and how the scene has exploded over the last number of years.
• There is a discussion how this collaborative environment may be a regionalized phenomenon.
• We hear how a collection of ideas scribbled on a napkin turned into the multi-award winning Big Tide Brewing.
• Wendy lets us in on her past and what lead her to the position she is at today.
• We discuss how it is important for each Big Tide beer to have an interesting name, label, and story behind it.
• Dave, Greg, and Wendy devise a plan to make the world’s first podcast beer, Boiling Point Ale.
• Greg wishes he could have more beer, but needs to drive. He notes that listeners who have an entrepreneurial spirit, but might not have the ability to leave their day job can still get something started.
• Dave noes that when you look back at your life you can start to see all of the knowledge and experience you have gathered and that is the fuel to starting your own potential business.

Links

- Big Tide Brewing Website

- Boiling Point Ale Video 

- Big Tide on Twitter

- Big Tide on Facebook

- Big Tide on Instagram

A Better Balm

Introducing Rebecca Hamilton and W. S. Badger Company

There are no better products than those developed out of a dire need. That was exactly how today’s guest, Rebecca Hamilton, product Badger Balm was created. Badger Balm is a family business and B-Corp that was founded in 1995 by Rebecca’s father Bill. Bill was a serial entrepreneur and carpenter who needed something to sooth his cracked hands after working outside in the cold New Hampshire winters.

Today, Badger has a number of organic body care products and Rebecca is the company’s co-owner and vice president of innovation & social impact. Badger has a commitment to sustainable sourcing and building true one-on-one relationships with the producers of their ingredients. Not only does this create a product that is top-notch, but also it humanizes their supply chain and gives every product and its ingredients a story that must be told.

Check out this week’s episode to see how sustainable sourcing and relationship building can develop a product that has a great story and you can be proud to use. Also, check out this episode for insights on how a successful family business can be run.

In this episode

• Greg tells us about his daughter, Kaiya’s love for Earth Day and Badger’s products.
• Rebecca tells us why each Badger product has a different whimsical design.
• We learn why Badger was a great fit to becoming a B-Corp.
• Rebecca tells us how the company was developed and how it has progressed over the years.
• We talk about the importance of sustainable sourcing and how shortening the supply chain and making long-lasting relationships with suppliers can help your business.
• We learn the story behind the olive oil that Badger sources, the story behind it, and why the decision was made to use it.
• Rebecca highlights the power of humanizing the supply chain and doing business transparently.
• We also discuss family businesses and how to run one effectively.
• Rebecca tells us how leadership coaching helped her family work great in business and in the home.
• Dave appreciates Rebecca’s thoughtful approach and learned a great deal on how the family business can effectively run.
• Greg talks about his experience doing the B-Corp assessment for Hemmings House Pictures. He also talks about how there are so many great products out in the market but when you see a B-Corp stamp it means that you are buying from a company that is measuring their impact.

Links

- Rebecca on Twitter

- Rebecca on Linked In

- The Badger Website

- Badger on Facebook 

- Badger on Twitter

- Badger on You Tube

- B Corporation

Teaching Empowerment

Introducing Barry Ogden

One of our hosts, Greg Hemmings, has had a number of entrepreneurial mentors over the years including one of his high school teachers. Barry Ogden left an impression on Greg going all the way to grade 10 when Greg was a student in his Entrepreneurship class. Not only did Barry inspire Greg, but also his community over the years. Barry is not the type to sit by and let the world fix the problems he sees; he takes action and gets the job done.

This has been proven to be true from the countless initiatives he has taken on in order to inspire pride from the Saint John community. These initiatives include breaking world records with marigold gardens planted by students, reviving interest in the city’s past through rebuilding Loyalist House and creating a replica of the Marco Polo sailing vessel, and developing a football league so that the city could have a team of its own. Barry even painted his own crosswalks after two children were hit and the city was taking too long to find its solution.

Barry’s entrepreneurial spirit has even been recognized by one of the city’s leading businessman, Gerry Pond, so much so that Gerry wrote the book, Ogden’s Odyssey. Check out why it is important for us all to have the entrepreneurial spirit even if we aren’t planning to start a business in this week’s episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Greg reminisces on high school days.
• Barry lets us in on the history of the Marco Polo and what inspired him to build a recreation without any government money.
• We also hear about how Barry helped rebuild Loyalist House and the Canada Games stadium.
• Barry discusses the millions of dollars he has raised in the city and his motivation for doing so.
• We discuss way pride in where you come from is such an important piece to any community.
• There is a discussion on how entrepreneurs are really just problem solvers with positive attitudes.
• Barry tells us why giving children the gift of empowerment is so crucial in developing the entrepreneurial spirit.
• Greg talks about what fills him with pride of Saint John.
• We hear how painting a few crosswalks got Barry in the middle of a national media story.
• Barry tells us a little bit about his relationship with Gerry Pond and how the idea of a book about him came about.
• Barry also tells us how he achieved a goal of bringing a football team to Saint John and what it meant to the local youth.
• We also hear how the best way to beat poverty is through empowerment.
• Greg talks about how it is empowering to be an entrepreneur and how these skills need to be taught to kids at the youngest age possible.
• Dave is inspired by Barry’s ability to take action to solve societal problems

Links

- Barry on Linked In

- Barry on Twitter

- Ogden's Odyssey on Blurb

- Seawolves Football

- The Atlantic Football League

- The Marigold Project

- The Marco Polo

- The Loyalist House

- National story on Barry painting sidewalks

Wealth for Good

Introducing Bob Manning and Owens MacFadyen Group

Today’s Boiling Point guest says there are three ways you can make a positive impact; you can give of our time, you can share your experience, or you can give of your resources or money. Bob Manning gave us his time and nuggets of experience in this week’s episode. Bob has over 20 years of business experience, working in multi-national, national and regional organizations. He has held executive-level business planning, operations and marketing positions in the information technology sector, and consulted to and helped manage start-up companies in Atlantic Canada. Throughout his career, Bob has achieved success by helping organizations deal with the challenges of growth, through the application of disciplined planning and effective management. 

This positive businessman was upset over a recent Globe and Mail article that seemed to skewer Saint John, New Brunswick and one of its most successful business families, the Irvings. The article seemed to say that the region would have been better off without the billionaire family and also “picked a scab” by writing a very negative outlook for New Brunswick. Bob knows that New Brunswick has its challenges, but he sees a ton of positives as well. In response to the Globe and Mail, Bob penned his own article asking for the region to start ignoring the negative rhetoric and start supporting the positive stories.

Bob is currently working as a Wealth Advisor with Owens MacFadyen Group. The company has a vision of building capacity within a community that embraces a pioneering spirit, is passionate about excellence and the realization of maximum potential, and has the courage to commit to legacy building. Bob’s clientele consist of successful entrepreneurs, senior executives and professionals with the aim of setting them up to achieve personal and community goals.

In this episode

• We hear Bob’s thoughts on the Globe and Mail article about Saint John.
• Bob tells us why and how his opinion differs with the Globe and Mail.
• Greg tells us about a similar article he penned regarding supporting the positive stories of Atlantic Canada.
• We hear about Owen MacFadyen Group and how they differ from larger financial services companies.
• Bob explains why tailored financial management works better than a “cookie cutter” solution.
• We hear about Bob’s past life as an executive in the tech sector.
• We discuss how your ability to give back to a community is tied to how much money you can contribute.
• Bob tells us why he favors small, repeatable gains rather than high risk/high reward investing.
• Dave remembers how his investing in high-risk ventures didn’t work out so well and sees the importance of sound wealth advice so that we can do the things that we are really passionate about.
• Greg thinks about critics of the function of capitalism and how they don’t think of the opportunity for people who are impact driven and that the accumulation of wealth is not necessarily selfish.

Links

- Owens MacFayden Group Website

- Owen MacFayden on Linked In

- Bob Manning on Linked In

- Globe and Mail Article on New Brunswick and the Irvings

- Bob Manning's response

- Greg's article on NB, The Millennial Dream Province

- The Millennial Dream

From Glass Ceiling to GlassSKY

Introducing Robyn Tingley and GlassSKY

We all know diversity and inclusion is important in any workplace. So why do some of our sectors of our economy have such a difficult time recruiting and retaining women. While women have became an important part of the workforce in many industries, there is a serious lack of females in science, technology, engineering, and math.

People like Robyn Tingley are trying to change this dynamic. Robyn was born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada and started her professional career with the province’s telecom company. She was later tasked to a lead role in human resource and public relations for Ingram Micro, a leading distributor of computer and technology products, in both Europe and North America. After having her children, she looked for a change and decided to return to New Brunswick and inspire women and girls through her new organization, GlassSKY.

GlassSKY is dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women and believes that females should be encouraged to reach their full potential in all industries. They do this through motivation, coaching, and mentorship as well as investments in scholarships, microloans, and in research.

Find out how to inspire the young women in your lives in this episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Robyn fills us in on the globetrotting path of her career.
• She tells us why she feels so passionate about inspiring women and girls.
• We hear about the three ways that GlassSKY inspires change for women.
• Robyn tells us about the importance of female role models in traditionally male career paths.
• We learn how employer education is a big part in changing male dominated industries.
• We discuss how technology education should be more prevalent for all genders at a very young age.
• Greg discusses a potential documentary about gender inequality in certain industries.
• Robyn discusses the role of school guidance councilors and how they need to make sure they are non-gender specific when suggesting career paths.
• There is a discussion of how we are more enlightened today, but there is a long way to go for equality for all.

Links

- GlassSKY website

- GlassSKY on Facebook

- Robyn on Linked In

- Learn about the Millennial Dream

- Watch HHP's Code Kids

The Business Approach to Giving

Introducing Wendy McDermott and The United Way of Greater Saint John

We all know that there are tremendous social challenges in our communities no matter where you come from. For those of us who seek to be change-makers, it is often be difficult to sift through all of our giving opportunities to see where our greatest impact would be. This challenge can be even more difficult if you are a non-profit organization who funds other non-profits.

Amy McDermott is the executive director of the United Way in Greater Saint John. When she took her post a few years ago, the United Way was going through some changes to make their charity more impactful. Wendy was instrumental in shaking up the United Way so that it was more results driven and donation friendly. She did this by making organizations seeking United Way funding to take a business approach. Each organization would have to write a “business plan” outlining their challenge, the solution, its value proposition, and the risks associated. Those chosen for funding would then need to have deliverable results within 12 months to show exactly how the funding helped the greater community. The United way outlined a few key challenge targets they wished to tackle including (but not limited to) literacy, and independence for women affected by domestic violence. The results have been astounding both from an impact standpoint, and from increased contributions.

Here about how a business approach to giving can help your community in this 100th episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• We hear how Wendy was chosen to lead the Greater Saint John United Way.
• Wendy discusses how everyone knows about the United Way, but very few know what it does and how she went about changing that.
• She discusses how a business approach to giving has helped the United Way and its community.
• We discuss how there is no “silver bullet” in fighting poverty.
• Wendy tells us about specific results with women who left domestic violence to seek independence.
• We discuss the “wealth advisor” model in relation to non-profit giving.
• Wendy tells us how the new model can be a double-edged sword, as results don’t necessarily covey the emotional side of giving.
• Greg shares a story he came across when filming vignettes for the United Way.
• Greg, Dave, and Wendy believe you should give as much thought and attention to your charitable giving as you would your stock portfolio.

Links

- The United Way of Greater Saint John Website

- The United Way of Greater Saint John Facebook

- The United Way of Greater Saint John on Twitter

- The United Way of Greater Saint John's YouTube channel (Featuring Videos from Greg)

- Wendy on Linked In

Confronting the Elephant in the Room

Introducing Amy Rupert and The Integreship Group

Leaders of any stripe can often have a difficult job; a number of decisions they make can seriously affect others. What can be worse is when a situation arises that where your leadership intuition or your survival in business is at odds with your personal conscious or morality.

Amy Ruppert is one of the world’s most renowned business coaches. She started at a time when most people thought coaches were just for athletes, but in her career she has helped the profession grow by doing such things as help set up the International Coach Federation and set up one of the first coach training schools. About a year and a half ago, Amy realized that she was being put into a position by some corporate clients to help executives cope in toxic situations, but not helping leaders evolve. Amy’s solution was to collaborate on the book, “Who’s the Boss: Confront the Elephant in the Room”, as a model to follow when you find yourself in situation where you are conflicted by your business survival and personal ethics.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are balancing your leadership and your integrity, this is the Boiling Point Episode for you.

In this episode

• Greg reflects on his time meeting Amy during the beginnings of Hemmings House.
• Amy lets us in on her experience and history in the coaching industry.
• She tells us about a coaching session where she decided, “I can’t do this anymore.”
• Amy explains why she couldn’t let companies use her services to help executives cope in toxic situations and what needs to be done instead.
• She explains what she means when she says that you cannot change what others do and think but you can choose how to respond to situations.
• Amy explains how talking about “the elephant in the room” is similar to when talk shows started bringing on parents who admitted that occasionally they wish they could just throttle there kids.
• Dave recalls a recent coaching session where a client mentioned that they were more stressed now than during two tours in Dessert Storm.
• Amy discusses how the psychological concept of flight or flight works when you feel your career is threatened and what the results can be.
• Dave recalls situations where Amy was able to listen to him and talk him “off the ledge”.
• Greg acknowledges that we all need to realize that when people are at their “breaking points” there is a lot of biology happening behind the scenes.

Links

- The International Coach Federation

- Buy "Who's the Boss: Confront the Elephant in the Room" on Amazon

- The Integreship Group Website

- Integreship on Twitter

- Integreship on Facebook

- Integreship on Linked In

- Amy on Twitter

- Airplane Journals on YouTube

Connecting to Clients with Content

Introducing Michael Katz and Blue Penguin Development 

Not much can be more engaging than a good story. What is even better is when you can connect a great story to a challenge your company solves. Michael Katz does this sort of connection on a daily basis with his company Blue Penguin Development. Michael creates engaging content for companies who are looking to truly connect with their current and potential clients and he is particularly thrilled by bad content that needs fixing. The truth is, in most instances, your company is probably not much different than your competitors, but what can set you a part is how you tell your story.

Check out this week’s episode to see how you can attract the clients you want with content they want to consume.

In this episode

• Michael tells us how he ended up in a position he never thought he would be as a solo entrepreneur.
• We hear why GOOD company newsletters are effective at gaining the clients you want by prequalifying them and building a personal connection.
• Michael tells us how a newsletter can be one part of your company’s social media strategy.
• We discuss how a newsletter may not be as sexy, but it is an effective relationship-marketing tool.
• Michael tells us the difference between gaining clients with content vs. cold calling.
• We discuss some of the reasons why people don’t create content for their clients and how theses obstacles can be overcome.
• We discuss long form content versus social media.
• Greg gets suggestions on how he could create a Hemmings House newsletter.
• Michael tells us how gaining clients from content is similar to picking a family doctor.
• We also hear why it is important to have content that is consistent with your personality and point of view.
• We are reminded that most content is not for our peers but our clients and should be written as such.
• Greg is inspired to kick his company’s newsletter into high gear.
• Dave is reminded of how his newsletter has assisted his marketing in so many ways.

Links

- Blue Penguin Development Website 

- Michael on Linked In

- Michael on Twitter

Reinvesting in Triple Bottom Line

Introducing Phil Graves, Patagonia, and $20 Million & Change

For over four decades, Patagonia has been a leader in high-end outdoor wear. The worldwide clothing brand not only makes clothes to wear outside, but also is known for its commitment to the environment. Since 1993 it has been making its fleece from recycled beverage bottles and it has used organic cotton since 1996. This commitment to a triple bottom line was further continued when Patagonia became a B corp in 2011. Patagonia has now continued to double-down on its commitment to planet, people, and profit by creating its own venture capital firm $20 Million and Change, which invests in environmentally and socially responsible start-ups.

Phil Graves heads corporate development at Patagonia and oversees $20 Million & Change. Phil came from the corporate consulting world, but was looking for a change. His first choice was to work for Patagonia and as luck would have it this was right near the initiation of $20 Million & Change. For Phil, one of the most rewarding aspects of working for Patagonia is the opportunity to demonstrate that business can be an engine for positive change. Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to be inspired by a great company and learn how your start-up could be their next investment.

In this episode

• Greg tells us how Patagonia has inspired Hemmings House by their corporate vision and their amazing film work.
• Phil tells us the inspiration behind $20 Million & Change and how it further propels Patagonia’s vision.
• He tells us the type of business and entrepreneur that Patagonia likes to invest in.
• We hear about a few success stories that were funded by $20 Million & Change and what they specifically do to affect a triple bottom line.
• Phil tells us how Patagonia fulfills its mission statement to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire, and to implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
• We hear how becoming a B corp was the right fit for Patagonia, and not just a marketing ploy.
• Phil tells us how to get onto Patagonia’s investment radar.
• There is a discussion on what is next for B corps in general, and how we might expect to see more publicly traded B corps in the future.
• Greg is inspired by Patagonia’s notion of reinvesting in themselves and others.
• He also recalls a buying choice that ended with him picking up a Patagonia hat.
• Dave loves to hear the perspective of someone who came out of the corporate consulting world and going to a triple bottom line company.
• Dave also recalls his experience working in the government and how he sees business as potentially a better force for positive change.

Links 

- Phil on Linked In 

- Patagonia on Twitter

- Patagonia on Facebook

- Patagonia's Website

- Patagonia Works and $20 Million & Change

- Patagonia's DamNation

- B Corporation Website

- Wild Idea Buffalo Website

- Nu Mat Technologies

- Beyond Surface Technologies

- California Safe Soil

- Bureo Skateboards

Sharing the Stories of Business

Introducing Lise Hansen and Allan Gates and Huddle

What do you do when you are journalistic and business minded, but you live in a place that doesn’t employ a single fulltime business reporter? You follow the path of Lise Hansen and Allan Gates when they decided to open something like Huddle. Huddle is an online news source that tells the stories of creative, innovative, and interesting entrepreneurs from New Brunswick and the Maritimes. Huddle is not a business cheerleader, but too often Atlantic Canadian business is cast with an ominous tone. The truth is, there is a lot of positive stories out there (as the Boiling Point can attest) if you just take the time to listen.

In this episode

• Greg, Dave, Lise, and Allan discuss a MacLean’s Magazine article (in which Greg was quoted) that asked, “Can anything save New Brunswick?”
• Allan and Lise discuss their reasoning for starting Huddle and why expressing the full business picture in New Brunswick is important.
• We discuss Huddle’s response to MacLean’s.
• Allan talks about the misconception of the Atlantic economy. It isn’t all big mills, but also innovative small business.
• We discuss the exciting people and things that are emerging in the province.
• Allan and Lise express the importance of hyper local news.
• Greg’s takeaway is with the immense power of the media and storytelling, why do we focus so much of telling negative stories? Instead we should be inspiring and finding solutions to our problems.
• Dave appreciates Huddle’s positive approach and that it isn’t a cheerleader for business. In business, we have to face the brutal facts, but that doesn’t have to be the whole story and it is okay to be eternally optimistic.

Links

- Huddle's Website

- Bonfire's Website

- Huddle on Twitter

- Bonfire on Twitter

- Huddle on Facebook

- Bonfire on Facebook

- Maclean's article: "Can anything save New Brunswick?"

- Huddle's Maclean's reponse

- Huddle's 5 Maritime Podcasts You Need To Hear

Your Time toRise

Introducing Craig Ballantyne andEarlytoRise.com

There is truth to the power of attraction exposed by the movie,“The Secret” and previous Boiling Point guest Michael Losier. However, this week’s Boiling Point guest saysyou need to go one step further than just knowing what you want andattracting those who can help you achieve your goal. You must alsotake action.

Craig Ballantyne started his career as a personal trainer andfound success selling fitness information products through the web.Along the way, Craig started following a website called Early to Rise, which helpedpeople achieve their goals for health, wealth, and wisdom. Once hisbusiness was starting to take off, Craig decided that he would takethe plunge with a business coach. During their first session, thecoach asked what type of business would you like to have. Craig’sanswer was he wanted something like Early to Rise. After fiveyears, not only did Craig find a business “like” Early to Rise, he actually boughtthe company.

Check out this week’s Boiling Point on how to set and achievethe goals you want out of life.

In thisepisode                         

• Craig fills us in on the journey to becoming the owner of Earlyto Rise.
• He tells us how discussing goals with positive people cangalvanize them to take action for you.
• He tells us why the law of attraction needs the added step ofaction and how that works.
• Craig also tells us how he worked through crippling anxietyattacks through taking action.
• Craig tells us his Five Pillars of Success and explains howthese steps can help anyone achieve their goals.
• He lets us in on how he developed his five pillars from runningbody transformation contests and the common characteristics of hiswinners.
• Greg is put through the five pillars of success in relation tohis goal to start meditating.
• We go in-depth with the five pillars and what each reallymeans.
• Craig also tells us how his inspiration for helping others cameat a young age.
• He also has a tip for those entering business.
• Dave is reminded of his days of a personal trainer and how hefinally understood what impactful motivation meant to those he wastraining.
• Greg is thankful for the five pillars and Craig and how it madeit easier to take time out to meditate.

Links

- Early to Risewebsite

- Early toRise on YouTube

- Craig's Perfect DayFormula

- The Perfect Day Formula Book

- TurbulenceTraining

- Craig on Twitter

- Early to Rise onTwitter

- Craig onFacebook

- Craig'sWebsite

Craig's Perfect Day Formula

Making it Big in a Smaller Market

Introducing James Mullinger

There is truth to the idiom of the big fish in a small pond as this week’s Boiling Point guest can attest. James Mullinger was on of the UK’s hardest working stand up comedians before moving to Saint John, New Brunswick to pursue a greater quality of life. James conceded at the time that the move could probably call an end to his stand up career, as New Brunswick wasn’t a known Mecca for people in the funny business. However, with a passion for his craft and massive determination, James has been able to become one of the hottest comedians on the Canadian scene. In fact, now he has the opportunity that seemed so distant on the other side of the pond, headlining a stadium show.

James credits his Canadian success to a few of different factors. First was his choice of city. Saint John has had an emergence in the last number of years. Unlike New York or London where many would believe life was better 10 years ago, most Saint Johners say that things seem to get better every year. Secondly, James refused to give up. He took every opportunity to perform that was afforded to him because his fiery desire to be like his idols. Though he was given opportunities in the past, like hosting ‘Movie Kingdom’ a funny film review show featuring such stars as Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld, he didn’t want to talk with his idols he wanted to BE THEM.

This episode of the Boiling Point is for anyone looking to be inspired to be bold and pursue his or her dreams no matter where you are.

In this episode

• James shares his excitement over his stadium show at Harbour Station on Thursday, April 28th. Tickets are still available HERE.
• James also introduces us to his “sidekick”, show-stealer, and son Hunter
• James also tells us about a project he is doing with our own Greg Hemmings, “City on Fire” set to air on CBC later this year that is all about Saint John.
• James discusses the fallacy that just because you are doing well in a small area, everyone must know who you are.
• James discusses why you can make a “big splash” in a small city and seemingly go unnoticed in the big centers.
• Dave links the parallels to his own journey and James’ as a “come-from-away”
• James tells us where his boundless energy comes from.
• He also tells us about his journey as a shy child to an outgoing performer.
• Dave suggests that James story is a great lesson for any entrepreneur to be bold.
• James also talks about how he was unfulfilled from his job on ‘Movie Kingdom’ as he didn’t want to talk to comedians and celebrities but he wanted to be them.
• We also hear a joke written by our host Greg as performed by James.

Links

- James on Twitter

- James on Facebook

- James' Website

- Tickets to James' Harbour Station Show

- James on Wikipedia

- Movie Kingdom

- 

Beginning Your Triple Bottom Line Journey

Introducing Mike Rowlands and Junxion Strategy

How can your company become a leader in the future of business? How can you take my established company and make it better for the world? The Boiling Point has featured a number of triple bottom line companies in the last number of months leaving a number of our listeners wondering how they can take the first steps toward becoming a company seeking to promote planet, people, and profit. One way is to contact someone like Mike Rowlands from Junxion Strategy. Mike has been assisting mission-driven entrepreneurs and organizations for over a decade by crafting unique strategies.

Check out this week’s episode to see how your new or established company can start making measurable social and environmental impact.

In this episode

• Kristy O’Leary sets us up with Mike, calling it a bro-mance in the making.
• We hear about the work that Junxion has been doing for clients for 20 years.
• Mike discusses the type of people and businesses that approach him to help their sustainability efforts.
• Mike speaks about combining the drive of business and the community collaboration and empathy of the social sector.
• He discusses the frustration experienced by heritage businesses in developing a “new type of business”.
• He also notes that the millennial generation is looking to work in companies that do not force them to separate their world beliefs from their scope of work in the world.
• We talk about work that is happening with large organizations such as ADIDAS.
• We also talk about one of the greatest B corp companies, Ben & Jerry’s.
• Mike notes that large organizations are taking note of triple bottom line because of employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
• He also notes that by not listening to outside stakeholders large organizations are missing a great opportunity.
• Mike also asks us to think, “What does it mean to live a good life” and, more importantly, “How can I use my business to live the good life?”
• Greg appreciates knowing that there are so many global “movers and shakers” to bring understanding to the concept of using business for positive change.
• Dave reflects on the notion of using business to live the great life and it helps him answer the question that can creep into any entrepreneur’s head, “Why am I doing this?”

Links

- Mike on Twitter

- Mike on LinkedIn

- Mike on Facebook

- Junxion on Twitter

- Junxion on Facebook

- Junxion Website 

Time to SRED

Introducing Ron Dorombozi and RD3 Inc.

Ron Dorombozi is a thought leader in the ever-developing landscape of Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED). This program is the Canada Revenue Agencies (CRA) premier tool to foster innovation in businesses of all sizes for work preformed in Canada. This successful SR&ED consultant has pieced together an all-star team within his company (RD3 INC) that are highly successful in developing unique solutions meeting the individual needs of companies. RD3 INC and Mr. Dorombozi’s related companies provide project management, SR&ED and product development services capitalizing on the breadth of knowledge from the multi-disciplinary backgrounds of the front line staff. 

The RD3 philosophy is to develop a sustainable, specialized documentation solution for each company that they work with. The information collected should not be onerous and should provide other value to the company. RD3 staff provides fresh ideas in some cases, ported from other industries, to help client’s progress and be successful in their endeavors. Knowledge is power; call today for a free 5-minute consultation on your projects.

Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how the SR&ED program can help fund the innovation of your company.

In this episode

• Ron discusses his history and how he entered the field of SR&ED.
  - We learn briefly about what the SR&ED program is and how it works.
  - Dave describes a project with SR&ED potential that Vision Coaching is currently undertaking.
  - Ron and Dave discuss how certain "pockets" or area of the work might be SR&ED eligible.
  - Ron explains the free SR&ED related services offered by the CRA and how they work.
  - Greg comments on how it is not common for a SR&ED consultant to write a book.
  - Ron explains how the book was designed to fill in the gaps left in the free CRA services.
  - We discuss how thousands of businesses might be missing an opportunity to apply for SR&ED.
• Dave notes that it is nice to know there is people out there really committed to helping people navigate SR&ED.
• Greg concedes that he is in a business that typically wouldn’t qualify for SR&ED but thinks there may be processes that his team is working on that could be SRED-able.

Links

- RD3 Website

- SRED Tutorial 

- DIY SRED

- Email Ron

- Ron on Linked In

The Importance of Choosing Your Words

Introducing Deb Hatcher and A to Z Wineworks and REX HILL

The English language is a beautiful thing, full of flexibility and choice.  However, often we don’t truly think about the words we choose in everyday conversation and the result can often send a message or convey a tone we didn’t intend.  Many of our words have been turned into “double-speak” meaning language that disguises or distorts our true meanings.  A great example is the word “downsizing” instead of using a word like layoffs.  Then you consider militaristic, mechanical, or sporting terms that have been corrupted and put into regular language, including a B Corp favorite, “impact”.

Deb has a beautiful worldview on the language of business and she suggests we should be more thoughtful with our choice of words.  Deb is the founder of A to Z Wineworks, the largest producer of high quality pinot noir in the Pacific Northwest.  Deb's sense of wonder and humor bring playfulness to A to Z but her expectation of excellence is most influential.  Deb is serious about the words used in business and how it can affect company culture and how we relate to one another.

Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how you can enhance your communication and say what you truly mean.

In this episode

• Greg mentions his daughters love of hearts and promotes her YouTube channel.
• We hear about how Greg and Deb met at the B Corp Champions Retreat.
• Deb discusses the importance of choosing the right words for all of your interactions.
• We discuss how language is one of the best ways to change the world as an individual.
• Deb suggests that we have allowed militaristic language about power and winning to become the majority of metaphors we use in daily language.
• We discuss words like “feedback”, “downsizing”, and “impact”.
• We discuss how George Orwell’s “double-speak” is happening in our real lives.
• Deb discusses the what, how, and why in business and why thinking of them is important.
• Dave sees the importance of choosing his words carefully and the power of language noting that athletes can be the worst for answers with no thought.
• Greg appreciates the challenge of using the correct language.

Links

- Deb on Linked In

- Deb on Twitter

- A to Z Wineworks website

- A to Z Wineworks on Linked In

- A to Z Wineworks on Twitter

- A to Z and REX HILL on Facebook

- REX HILL on Twitter

- Geoffery Nunberg's Going Nucular

- Kaiya Hemming's "Heart Fun"

All Hail the Czar

Introducing Michelle Reid and Mills Office Productivity

When you have a problem that needs to be solved you call in a czar. For the past 5 years, Michelle Reid has served as the czar of sustainability for Mills Office Productivity, a local and sustainable business supplier located in East Vancouver. Many years ago, Mill’s owner was approached to help tackle the homeless problem in Vancouver. They didn’t do so through handouts but rather by offering jobs to those in need and give people an opportunity to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. There were only so many jobs available in the Mill’s warehouse, so around seven years ago they expanded their program into the restaurant industry. Mills now offers an eight week culinary training program and job placement out of their Have Cafe which has helped out 800 individuals and with job retention of 50% seven years later.

Michelle oversees all of Mills’ social and environmental initiatives to ensure the B Corp is amongst best for the world.   Michelle is passionate about the local economy and the impact of local purchasing, and supports organizations such as Loco BC where she sits on the Board of Directors. Michelle is constantly striving to ensure that Mills is using the best practices for its employees, the environment and the community they reside in and takes great pride in Mills commitment to remain a leader in its field through various certifications including being the first office supply company in Canada to become a Certified B Corporation.

Check out this week’s Boiling Point for another example of how companies can make real measurable impact in their communities.

In this episode

• Greg remembers a schoolyard crush.
• He tells us how he met Michelle at the B Corp Champions event in Portland, Oregon.
• Michelle lets us in on Canada’s only office supply B Corp.
• We hear how Mills Office Productivity is making real strides against the plight of homelessness in Vancouver.
• We learn why many government assistance programs do not work and what makes the Have Cafe better.
• We discuss why an opportunity means so much more than a handout.
• Michelle tells us how she became the sustainability czar.
• We discuss how empathy is sadly lacking in business and in the general world.
• Greg appreciates how Michelle is legit and owns her title and considers changing his title to chief excitement officer or chief “lets rock it” officer.
• Dave is impressed with the amazing measurable work that Mills Office Productivity is doing in such an important area.

Links

- Mills Office Productivity Website

- Mills' Sustainability

- Mills' on Facebook

- Mills' on Linked In

- Mills' on Twitter

- Have Cafe Website

- Have Cafe on Facebook

- Have Cafe on Twitter

- Michelle on Linked In

- Email Michelle

Out with the Dinosaurs, In with Evolution

Reintroducing Kristy O'Leary - Scout & Burrow

This week’s guest for the second time is Kristy O’Leary from Scout & Burrow. Kristy is an artist, entrepreneur, and social change provocateur. Through Scout & Burrow, Kristy makes a living out of spurring organizations to imagine a world made better and then pushing them to act. This is not an easy task, as Atlantic Canada is full of old school, conservative businesses people and practices that are resistant to change. Kristy cannot help but see the opportunities that could arise from our challenges and seeks to change the mind of the dinosaurs in our midst.

In this episode

• We get reacquainted with Kristy and Scout & Burrow
• Kristy lets us in on the evolution of her business since the last time she was on the Boiling Point.
• She highlights the importance of those working within a value-based perspective to tell their stories so that others can learn what is possible.
• We hear about the current lack of an innovative economic strategy in Atlantic Canada and what types of things could be done to change the trend.
• She explains why it is tough to be disrupter in a conservative business environment.
• Kristy tells us why it is important to see our problems as opportunities for new business models.
• Kristy also reiterates her distain for Kevin O’Leary.
• Greg agrees with Kristy’s proposition that entrepreneurs need to say yes to change more often.
• Dave sees the importance of personal impact, legacy, and creating wealth for good.

Links

- Kristy on Linked In

- Kristy on Twitter

- Kristy on Facebook

- Scout & Burrow on Twitter

- Scout & Burrow Website

- Scout & Burrow on Facebook

- B Corp Website

- Kristy's first time on the Boiling Point

From Consuming to Sharing

Introducing Kelly Lawson and ELLA

We have all heard the comment from the closest, “I have nothing to wear.” In fact, the average American woman spends approximately $300 per month on fashion items. In less than a month, 51% of these items go unworn or unused. This means that women are making a fashion investment of $250,000 in their lifetime without any type of return of investment.   This week’s boiling point guest, Kelly Lawson, is seeking to change the trend and connect like-minded women by way of their closets.

A short time ago, Kelly took an idea that she had been toying with for some time and developed the iPhone app, ELLA. With ELLA, women can sell their unused or slightly used clothing for cash. With $50 billion in nearly new items sitting in US closets every year there is a lot to choose from. Not only are you helping out a fellow woman by purchasing from them, but you also help the environment so that all of these items don’t end up in a landfill. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how you or your loved one could make some money or perhaps find a great deal on a fashionable item.

In this episode 

• Greg and Kelly crack open a beer from Saint John’s Moosehead Brewery.
• Kelly tells us how living in a dorm during university helped to spawn the idea for ELLA.
• We discuss how ELLA is an idea for the sharing economy.
• Greg suggests that apps like ELLA would change a person’s retail purchasing decisions to consider resale value.
• Kelly tells us about how ELLA’s data will be able to track the best brands to buy for resale purposes.
• She also discusses the amount of effort that goes into taking an idea to fruition.
• Kelly tells us that the only thing you can be sure of in a start-up is your own process.
• Kelly drops the line, “If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money.”
• She also lets us know that she is still seeking investment capital and urges BP listeners to contact her if they are interested.
• Dave loves Kelly’s entrepreneurial spirit and thinks it is great to see someone have an idea and do something with it.
• Greg is struck by the fact that this idea hadn’t emerged in a big way already because it does good in so many ways.

Links

- ELLA's website

- Kelly's email

- Kelly's Twitter

- ELLA on Twitter

- Kelly on Linked In

- Kelly Lawson Photography

- Get the ELLA app

- Moosehead Brewery

- The ELLA APP Video

The Intersection of Passion and Innovation

Introducing Shawn Leger and FORCE 3 Innovations

When passion and innovation merge the results can be powerful. Someone who knows all about this situation is Shawn Leger. Shawn has worked in the rehab field for 16 years and he also has a passion for finding solutions to his customers needs. One day he was fitting a wheelchair for an elderly man when he noticed he kept leaning to one side. Shawn found out that this man was a career truck driver and his lean was a result of his many years sitting on the road. This got Shawn thinking about the posture of those who have to drive for a living and resulted in him forming FORCE 3 Innovations to help solve the problem. The product he has now patented and tested can lower back pain, increase tolerance, and provide enhanced health outcomes. The product could also be the only one of its kind that would keep drivers awake longer. Not to mention, that it comes integrated with technology to remember your preferred seat configuration and configurations can be uploaded to clinicians to access if the configuration is correct for your posture. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to hear from a leader fueled by passion.

In this episode

• Greg and Dave ambush Shawn with an interview.
• Shawn tells us about how he first knew he had the entrepreneurial bug.
• He gives us his background in the rehab industry with Medi Chair.
• Shawn explains how the rewards of helping out clients can often be better than money.
• We hear how FORCE 3 got started.
• He tells us that the essence of innovation is knowing that situations can be better.
• Shawn tells us about the other industries that are taking notice of his work.
• He tells us how his chair evolved an IT feedback function.
• Shawn tells innovators to get moving and that roadblocks can be overcome.
• We hear that one of the most important things to do in business is to listen and consider advice.
• Greg loves Shawn’s spirit of innovation and how he can see opportunities and take them
• Dave is inspired by the intersection of passion and innovation in Shawn’s journey.

Links

- Shawn on Linked In

- FORCE 3 Innovations website

- MediChair New Brunswick website

Time to THNK

Introducing Sarah Dickinson and The THNK School of Creative Leadership

We live in an era of new challenges where antiquated leadership and business models will not produce the solutions we all seek. The leaders of the next generation still need to be smart and thoughtful, but they also need to pull back on their ego and be creative solution finders. Sarah Dickinson is one of these new creative leaders. Sarah spent most of her working career in the digital communication and marketing world. The job left her wanting more as often the fruits of her labour were often months after she completed her work and she often felt removed from their human impacts. Her life was forever changed when she was offered the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam and partake in a new program called The THNK school of Creative Leadership. The experience changed her life and prompted her to bring THNK across the ocean to Vancouver where she is now the co-founder and executive director of THNK’s Vancouver location. To hear more about THNK and how it can help the idea you are incubating or the business you are trying to scale, check out this week’s episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Future podcaster Jessie audits a BP session to learn from Dave and Greg.
• We hear what prompted Sarah to go to Amsterdam and why she thought it was a program that Canada needed.
• She tells us why she believes for a period of time Canada was “resting on its laurels” and how programs like THNK’s can change the trend.
• We hear how she was taken out of her comfort-zone during the first day of THNK in Amsterdam and how it set the tone for battling humanity’s challenges.
• Sarah tells us why the “I” was dropped from THNK’s name and how it relates to the future of leadership.
• Sarah tells us that the ideal THNK candidate is a committed and active entrepreneur or intrepreneur that is incubating or scaling a venture that will have a positive social impact.
• Jessie is interested in the notion that in the past decade Canada wasn’t living up to its identity and is impressed with how the podcast conversation would feel just as appropriate in a coffee shop.
• Greg notes the importance of programs like THNK because people are not learning this stuff in school and often not in their business lives either.
• Dave likes the idea of THNK building resiliency in their patrons so that they can make an even bigger impact on the world.

Links

- THNK Vancouver

- THNK on Twitter

- THNK on Facebook

- THNK on Youtube

- Sarah Dickinson on Linkedin

The More you Hear

Introducing Mark Wood and Ocean Sonics

It is amazing what you can hear when you make the effort to listen… especially under the water. One person that knows all about this is Mark Wood from Ocean Sonics. Mark’s company develops highly specialized underwater microphones (called hydrophones), which are used by scientist, researchers, sea construction companies, and others to record exactly what is being heard below the ocean surface. What makes Ocean Sonics hydrophones unique to others in the market is not only do they record sound, but they also process data and can be used as a webserver to trigger alerts. This technology would enhance the ability for researchers to study animal behavior, protect wildlife from things such as oil spills, and help with compliance issues as it relates to underwater noise pollution. To hear all about Mark and Ocean Sonics tune into this weeks Boiling Point.

In this episode

• Mark tells all about Ocean Sonics and the hydrophones they make.
• We hear about the amazing things this technology will allow researchers and scientists to do and why it is important.
• Mark also lets us know why his technology is better than others in the market including the ability to see sounds that otherwise couldn’t be heard by human ears.
• Mark tells us how a concept like 3D audio could help eventually save whales from an oil spill.
• We hear about the growth of Ocean Sonics and where the future is leading.
• Dave is surprised by Greg’s knowledge of microphones and how little he knew about things like noise pollution and the world of underwater recording.
• Greg thinks it is cool to hear about examples of businesses that are doing well and innovating, but for the right reasons.

Links

- Ocean Sonics Website

- Ocean Sonics on Twitter

- Ocean Sonics on Linked In

- DOSITS (Discovery of Sound in the Sea)

- Whale Music (Film)

- Whale Music by the Rheostatics

Empathy for the Digital Age

Introducing Kevan Gilbert

Kevan Gilbert is a man who believes that collaboration is the best way to complete any task. This award winning digital story teller and strategist realized very early in his work in agencies that teamwork and listening accomplishes a lot more than driving a singular framework down a team’s throat. After many attempts at mastering persuasion, Kevan realized that he needed to stop trying to persuade and start listening. This is a message he expands on in his future book, “Empathy for the Digital Age”. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how a collaborative approach to your next task may have your team working better and faster.

In this episode

• Kevan expands on his bio including being an award-winning poet at the age of eight years old.
• We learn why he decided to start listening and stop persuading.
• Kevan lets us know the power of empathy in completing any important task.
• Greg tells us why he believes he is more of a story “amplifier” than a story “teller”.
• We learn the importance of not working from a perspective of fear and anger and instead stating clearly what your needs are.
• Kevan tells us an experience he had with a client that changed his perspective after allowing himself to be vulnerable.
• Dave remembers a time when he was told he had to be tough to get into business; a sentiment he doesn’t feel is true.
• Greg reminds us that if our customers are going to spend a lot of money with us they really want to know whom they are getting into business with.

Links

- KevanGilbert.com (Subscribe)

- Kevan's Blog

- Kevan's Facebook

- Kevan's Twitter

- Kevan's Linkedin

- Kevan's Youtube

True Masculinity through Responsibility

Introducing Andrew Park and Urbane & Gallant

Andrew Park is a man who likes to ponder the true meaning of masculinity. If you look at most representations of masculinity in pop culture three themes seem to arise: beer, sex, and sports. There is more to a man isn’t there? Andrew definitely believes so. He sees the defining characteristic of masculinity being responsibility. Andrew expands on this theory with his B Corp menswear company Urbane & Gallant, which not only makes clothes to make you feel like a man but also inspire you to be a better person. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how your next suit could help tackle the issue of human trafficking.

In this episode

• Andrew tells us how soul searching the essence of masculinity while attending USC helped him develop an idea for Urbane & Gallant.
• Andrew goes on to tell us why he believes responsibility is main component of manhood.
• He explains that when you have a great brand your customer’s “sticker-shock” seems to fade.
• He tells why every item designed for Urbane & Gallant is named after an inspiring man.
• We hear how women are finding the responsible man sexy.
• Andrew tells us that to have a great company you need to be excellent in three areas.
• Dave loves Andrews’s passion and mission and is drawn to the company as something to support.
• Greg suggests you check out the documentary, “Slaves of Dubai” on VICE.

Links

- Urbane & Gallant Website

- Andrew on Linked In

- Andrew on Twitter

- Urbane & Gallant on Twitter

- VICE's Slaves of Dubai

Maximize with your Most Profitable Customers

Introducing Aaron Vidas and Strategy Box

Aaron Vidas is an advisor who works with tech companies, professional service firms, social enterprises, and B2B companies. In his former career as a marketing manager and sales person, he was often wondering what type of customer should he target to be the most profitable. He answers this question with his new B Corp Company, Strategy Box, which clarifies which customers and opportunities are of most value. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how you could be making more profit off of fewer customers.

In this episode

• We hear about how Greg met Aaron at a B Corp Champions retreat in Portland, Oregon.
• Aaron explains how his system helps companies find higher value opportunities.
• Aaron tells us 80% of results come from 20% of your actions in brick and mortar businesses, and even higher ratios for Internet based companies.
• Aaron tells us about an experience in his past where he thrived after he fired two clients that made up 2/3 of his business.
• We discuss the hard step of making a decision not to work with a client that is not willing to pay you what you are worth.
• Greg and Dave suggest we should take a look of how much unpaid work your team puts toward any project.

Links

- StrategyBox Website

- Aaron Vidas' Website

- How to Find your Most Profitable Customer Ebook

- Strategy Box Blog

Keep your Investment in your Community

Introducing Andy MacCallum

Investors are always out looking for the ability to make more money from their current money. However, more often then not the money is being invested into multi-national companies or in far away places. What if you could make money AND impact locally? You might be able to do just that.

Andy MacCallum is the vice president of development for Natural Forces Wind Inc., a company that develops, constructs, and operates wind farms in the Maritimes and BC. Through the use of a community economic development investment fund (CEDIF) called Wind4All, his company allows for investment to in local wind farms. The program allows for a 14% return on investment through dividends and tax credits while aiding the government to reach better renewable energy rates. This means you don’t only help out your own pocket book, but also the environment. Natural Forces Wind Inc. sets up the investment so that it is minimal risk, as the majority of money is not spent until the project has been “de-risked”.

Check out this week’s Boiling Point to find out how you could make money by helping your community.

In this episode

• Andy tells us about Natural Forces Wind and the projects it has already taken on.
• We learn the difference between community scale vs. industrial wind farm investments.
• Andy tells us about the exponential growth in Canada’s wind farm market.
• Andy also explains CEDIFs and how they work.
• He tells us about how Wind4All is different than other CEDIFs.
• He also tells Nova Scotians about an upcoming opportunity to invest.
• Greg is inspired by how investors can make money and impact locally.
• Dave sees a wild west of investment opportunities at home.

Links

- Andy MacCallum on Linked In

- Wind4All

- Natural Forces Wind Inc.

Sharing your Most Powerful Tools… your Stories

Introducing Dan Martell

The ability to connect with others by expressing your experiences and lessons learned are often the most powerful gift you can give to someone else. Learning from others experiences can rocket you past your current issues and help you avoid other “pot holes”. Dan Martell is a man who has built a reputation and businesses through his ability to be vulnerable and honest.

Dan didn’t have the easiest childhood. He was diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager and dealt with anger issues as well.   He was taken out of his home as a young person, moved back and forth between foster and group homes, and spent two trips to jail. At one point, he was involved in a high-speed chase with police and crashed a stolen car into a house and attempted to take his own life. After sobering up, Dan knew he had to take a different approach to his life and promised himself that he would never waste another day of his life.

Since that time, Dan discovered computer programming, built five tech companies, and raised venture capital twice. He has sold three of his companies to investors like Mark Cuban, spent time with Richard Branson, and invested in 30+ tech start-ups. After selling his most recent company, Clarity.fm, Dan decided to take his next step in sharing his experiences and stories with the world in a YouTube channel built for current and aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this episode

• Dan tells us how a turbulent upbringing came to a head and made him change the way he was living his life.
• We learn how his drive pushed him to start numerous companies and helped entrepreneurs connect with each other.
• He tells us his inspiration for his new YouTube venture that has him sharing his beliefs, ideas, frameworks and strategies (both personal and professional).
• We learn why Dan jumps into things headfirst.
• Dan gives us his definition of “hustle” and how anxiety can be a great barometer.
• We learn why Dan decided to start sharing the story about his youth.
• Dan also tells us that success has nothing to do with nature vs. nurture, but it is self-made.
• Dave admires Dan’s energy, passion, and the authentic leadership that Dan has that allows for vulnerability and sharing.
• Greg believes it is important for us all to be vulnerable and share our stories and notes that you don’t have to have a crisis point in your life in order to achieve great things.

Links

- Dan Martell's Website

- Dan Martell's Twitter

- Dan Martell's Linked In

- Clarity.fm

- Dan Martell's YouTube

Get your Message Out There

Introducing Kim Houlahhan

Entrepreneurs who own small or medium sized businesses work hard everyday in order to gain or maintain success. There is a lot of hard work and many hours put forth toward their business. Often these businesspeople need to spend so much work on the “day-to-day” work of their business that the important job of building relationships with current and potential customers and spreading their stories and message get pushed to the backburner. However, the marketing efforts of any business are an important part of what keeps the entire machine running. 

So how do you find the extra time to connect with your community? By finding someone like Kim Houlahan from the Houlahan Group. The Houlahan Group is a communication and marketing company that acts as a virtual marketing department for small to medium sized businesses. These days everyone has the tools to market their business right on their desk, however it is a matter of what you do, how often you do it, and how effective your marketing is. Like Kim notes, everyone has an oven in their kitchen but not all of us can cook. Kim helps companies by giving the ability to have great content consistently that engages people and builds their trust. Learn some of her strategies in this episode of the Boiling Point.

In this episode 

• Kim gets ambushed into an interview with Greg and Dave.
• We hear the great marketing that Kim is doing with Dave at Vision Coaching.
• Kim discusses how a business like hers actually keeps people accountable to their own goals.
• We hear how consistency and great content are the best ways to market your brand.
• Kim discourages an over-monitoring of your marketing stats as being consistent and good will build your stats.
• There is a discussion of how people do business with the people they trust and how your content can build that trust.
• Dave and Kim discuss how they come up with content for Dave’s Fresh Ideas newsletter.
• Greg reiterates the importance of telling and retelling your story and notes that just because you have access to marketing tools doesn’t mean you don’t need assistance with it.
• Dave mentions how missing your opportunity to tell your story for even one month means you are missing the opportunity to connect.

Links

- The Houlahan Group website

- The Houlahan Group Linked In

- Kim Houlahan on Twitter

- Vision Coaching website

- Fresh Ideas Newsletter

- Greg's Blog on Medium