Business

Alex Wylie headshot
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Major oil & gas industry innovation – securing a North American supply of lithium

Business, Environment, General, Metals and Mining, Oil, Gas & Mining, Tech 0:38:00

Alex Wylie has a proven track record of building high-growth businesses and is now President and CEO of Volt Lithium Corp. Alex is leading a game-changing technological shift in the oil and gas industry aiming to be North America’s first commercial producer of lithium from oilfield brine.

The vision is to secure a supply of lithium for Canada and other markets including the USA and global destinations currently involved in oil and gas extraction. Leveraging existing infrastructure, building a permanent testing facility, and collaborative partners in R&D and implementation Volt Lithium is undertaking what others thought was impossible.

On today’s podcast we’ll hear about:

  • How to find solutions ‘right under your nose’ that might not yet seem obvious
  • Oil & gas industry partnerships on lithium production
  • Strategic advantages to scale in Canada and Alberta
  • Why lithium is important for a better future

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Sean Alexander headshot
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From oilpatch layoff to successful entrepreneurial journey

Business, Oil, Gas & Mining, Retail, Sports & Athletics 0:24:08

In 2017, Sean Alexander and his family built a home in the new community of Harmony, a lake community just west of Calgary. For a side business, outside of his oil & gas career, Sean began importing Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) to sell to his neighbours out of his garage in late 2019, branding them KAILANI. Shortly after that, he realized not everyone wanted to paddleboard, so he expanded his product range and began manufacturing and importing brightly coloured coolers and started initially selling them to his Friday night shinny hockey team. In early 2020, he found himself laid off from his job in the oil and gas sector, and that’s when he decided to go all in on his idea of starting an outdoor lifestyle company.

Eight months later, following a 7-day road trip through the interior of BC, he had secured $130,000 in purchase orders for his colourful collection of coolers, landing him a $1M investment with an Alberta-based private equity group. On November 2, Sean appeared in episode 7 of Season 18 on Dragons’ Den and secured a $1,000,000 deal with Wes Hall, $500,000 for 15% of his company and an additional $500,000 as an Operating Line of Credit. You can view the segment at https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/kailani.

Today, he is selling coast-to-coast in over 200 retailers, 120 Pro Shops, 50 Promotional Marketing Companies and successfully selling in his Amazon Canada Storefront. He is an Official Partner with PGA Alberta and as of Nov 28th, 2023, and just signed a 3 year Agreement as a National Partner with the CPRA, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, which is the sanctioning body for Pro Rodeo Events in Canada with 1100+ Athlete Members.

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Rhea Dubois-Phillips headshot
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Stay Happy and Positive

Business, Coaching & Consulting, Communications 0:30:31

As a highly accomplished senior executive with 30 years of international experience across multiple industries, Rhea Dubois-Phillips has a track record of building and leading strong teams, advising C-Suite, and managing integrated campaigns to promote and protect reputation, revenue and business objectives. She is a respected leader, motivator, and strategist with the ability to empower employees and transform businesses.

Rhea draws on her extensive experience living and working abroad, including 15 years working across Asia in key markets such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo, where she provided senior counsel to major blue chip companies including ING, Lehman Brothers, LG, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Phillips, the Russian Space Agency, Samsung, and Starbucks.

In her most recent professional chapter, Rhea Dubois-Phillips dedicated two decades to Edelman, the world’s largest private PR agency. Her journey unfolded across six of Edelman’s offices in Asia, culminating in her role as the accomplished General Manager of the Vancouver office. Here, she skillfully navigated a thriving business spanning diverse sectors and specialties. Rhea’s leadership was instrumental in curating a dynamic portfolio of clients, including Colliers, QuadReal, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Coast Capital Savings, eComm 911, Prospera, Westminster Savings, BC Ferries, Canfor, LNG Canada, City of Surrey, and more. Her legacy is her prowess to cultivate profitability, nurture client relationships, and build cohesive teams that transcend geographical boundaries. Rhea’s extensive experience positions her as a seasoned expert in the dynamic realm of public relations, solidifying her reputation as a collaborative industry leader.

Rhea holds a Master’s of English from the University of London, a Diploma from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia. In 2022, Rhea was named one of Business in Vancouver’s most influential leaders in marketing, public and media relations.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Aditya Dutta headshot
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From engineer to some Monki business

Business, Coaching & Consulting, Food & Drink 0:23:20

Aditya Dutta, Co-Owner of Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro in Calgary, is a seasoned entrepreneur who has led and helped startups in the hospitality, fashion and real estate industries. An engineering graduate of McGill University, Aditya loves innovation and is now following his childhood passion of revolutionizing the hospitality industry in Calgary, Alberta. A Management Consultant by trade, he worked for more than three years in the Business Strategy and Transformation teams encompassing many industries.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Josh Title headshot
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How a maker defined success his own way

Business, Education, Events & Entertainment 0:30:13

Cate & Levi was founded in 2008 after the CEO & Founder’s first son Levi was born. Although Josh Title graduated from law school and practiced corporate law, “making” has always been his true calling. His mom is an avid crafter and father a committed and successful small business owner. You may say that Josh is the perfect marriage of both!

As Josh and his wife awaited the birth of their first child, he noticed that there was a lack of one of a kind, responsibly made, and beautifully designed products for children. He decided to create a unique collection of products that would be intricately crafted and environmentally responsible. Josh started by designing a handful of stuffed animals made from upcycled sweaters. These quickly became their signature pieces distributed and collected around the world.

The Cate & Levi Collection is handmade at Josh’s studio in Toronto, Canada. Together with his talented production team, he oversee every aspect of this collection. All the materials are sourced as close to home as possible. This process cuts down on shipping and reduces the carbon footprint. Cate and Levi produces three distinct product lines: One Of A Kind Reclaimed Wool Finished Products, DIY Wool Crafting Kits, and Softy Polar Fleece Finished Products.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Brad Warren headshot
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Mickey Mouse can never have a bad day

Business, Coaching & Consulting 0:33:29

Brad Warren is the CEO and Founder of Our Invisible Empire, a company dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses. His passion revolves around helping entrepreneurs surmount challenges, with a strong belief that solutions can be found for almost any business problem. Brad’s leadership principles emphasize self-awareness, working diligently, remaining adaptable, and executing consistently!

In Brad’s own words, Our Invisible Empire is on a mission to “keep as many small businesses alive as possible, so that all of our kids aren’t working for Amazon in 20 years from now!” Brad and his team embarked on this journey starting out in a pandemic and a recession, with a clear objective of simplifying the path for struggling business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.

Brad’s own personal journey highlights his dedication to entrepreneurship and business support. He began his career with an opportunity to transition from hands-on work to a management role at a young age, working closely with his mentor, the founder of a retail service business, for nearly a decade. This experience exposed him to various aspects of business, from sales and operational management to financial data tracking, forecasting, marketing, and scaling. As the company expanded across different cities and provinces, Brad’s role grew, eventually leading to his position as a shareholder and General Manager, with scaling and expansion becoming his passion.

Brad’s path took a significant turn when he partnered with his wife, who is a CPA accountant and Founder of White Raven Accounting. Recognizing the combined breadth of their expertise in small business needs, they established Our Invisible Empire. Their motivation is evident — to create opportunities and support small businesses in Alberta’s competitive market.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Natasha and Ed Tatton headshot
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Mix in some research. Bake in your craft

Business, Education, Food & Drink, Health and Wellness 0:31:28

The Tattons are the co-founders of BReD, a B Corp-certified vegan sourdough bakery located in the premier ski and mountain bike resort of Whistler, BC, Canada. The bakery specializes in sourdough and vegan baked goods. Their new debut cookbook, also called BReD, is an homage to the Tattons’ bakery and mission to inform and provide their community with cruelty-free food.

ED TATTON (he/him) is a professional chef who has been to culinary college and worked in high-end kitchens in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, but now specializes in making organic naturally leavened sourdough. As co-owner of BReD–Organic Sourdough with his wife Natasha, Ed leads a small bakery team, making and baking bread, pizza dough, and other small baked goods. These days, Ed’s food is compassionately vegan, a movement he is passionately excited to be part of and help grow for the benefit of people, animals, and the planet.

NATASHA TATTON (she/her) is an English teacher turned bakery manager, animal rights advocate and co-founder of BReD–Organic Sourdough, a B Corp-certified 100% plant-based café/bakery in Whistler, BC. Natasha has taught English all over the world but now leads a small front-of-house team of cashiers and baristas. She has ventured into various food and beverage roles, nurturing her desire to establish a vegan eatery to provide more compassionate food choices for people.

The bakery specializes in sourdough loaves and sourdough cinnamon buns complete with house-made vegan cream cheeze frosting, and has many other sweet and savory vegan treats which are made using locally sourced, seasonal and organic ingredients. Everything is made in-house and baked fresh daily and served alongside their specialty beverage programme.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Aeryon Ashlie headshot
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Empower Women with Holistic Health

Business, Health and Wellness, Tech 0:33:31

Aeryon Ashlie is a holistic nutritionist, author, keynote speaker, and founder of Aeryon Wellness Support Supplements. Her female-focused brand is a result of 25+ years of personal experience with eating disorders, hormonal imbalance, weight management, stress, and sleep issues. With a mission to “Empower Women with Holistic Health,” Aeryon Wellness is a place where women are supported throughout their journey to sustainable health and wellness.

In 2021, Aeryon Wellness was featured on CBC’s Dragons Den, walking away with three offers and a deal with Arlene Dickenson. It was her innovative use of QR codes on each label and her passion for her calling that landed her the opportunity. In 2022, the newest product from Aeryon Wellness “Up and Away,” North America’s first 100% boric acid vaginal suppository kit, won The Canadian Health Food Association’s Innovative Product of the Year.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Guita Yazdani headshot
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Be kind to you

Business, Health and Wellness, Tech 0:25:14

As someone who loves the outdoors, problem-solving, and helping others, Guita Yazdani started Campertunity, which is like Airbnb but for camping.

Born and raised in North Vancouver, where Campertunity is based, Guita loves biking, dragon boating, and hiking…but mostly on rainy days when our rainforests are at the peak of freshness!

She endeavours to make the outdoors easily accessible to everyone because everyone has the right to be in nature. With anxiety and depression on the rise, it’s her mission and passion to offer a healthy vacation option to millions who need it, which is camping.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Michael Okoye headshot
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When you start a business make sure you’re passionate and that’ll take some time

Business 0:19:28

Michael Okoye is the co-founder and CEO of ADAM (All-life Digital Asset Manager). Michael began his remarkable journey with a life-altering near-death experience at the age of 15, which instilled a determination to look beyond the present and envision a future shaped by innovation.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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