Coaching & Consulting

Erica Pearson Discusses Her Business Vacation Fund, Mental Health & Avoiding Burnout, Especially During a Crisis Like COVID-19

After 4 years competing as a varsity athlete, and simultaneously earning her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Queen’s University, Erica Pearson spent several years on the RBC Capital Markets trading floor in Toronto. She held Analyst positions within Debt Capital Markets, Foreign Exchange Institutional Sales, Institutional Equities Trading, Money Market Sales, and Interest Rate Derivative Solutions. Erica then worked as an Analyst for the CEO Office of Investor and Treasury Services. At the end of December 2016, she informed RBC of her intention to resign to start her own company. The idea for Vacation Fund, a Toronto-based startup, was born from Erica’s upbringing. Her family was very frugal, but prioritized spending time and money on travel and experiences. By the time she turned 22, Erica had visited over 40 countries.

Scott Stirrett Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada Discusses How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Impact New and Future Entrepreneurs

Scott Stirrett is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that develops entrepreneurial leadership skills in young Canadians. In 2019 over 350 young Canadians from coast to coast accelerated their careers through Venture for Canada’s programs. Previously, Scott worked on a cross-product client experience team at Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York City. He was recognized by The Inspire Awards as the 2018 Telus LGBTQ Innovator of The Year and last year was named by Future of Good as one of its 21 Young Impact Leaders. Scott is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Lilly Wang Discusses the Human Experience and Staying Positive During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lilly Wang of Lilly Wang Coaching in Edmonton is driven to help people take an entrepreneurial, creative, and still a systematized approach to achieving their goals. She works as a consultant and coach include partnerships with the World Health Organization (the United Nations), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and multiple startups and grassroots projects around the world. In addition to this corporate, or “serious” background, she has also trained with top thought leaders in the realm of personal & business development and quantum physics (universal laws).

Evan Gilbert

With a partial BCIT degree, investing 7 months working in the corporate world with Rogers, several years working hospitality with the Vancouver Canucks, Evan Gilbert set his mind on living life as a Digital Nomad traveling around the world while engaging technology to establish a niche helping real estate professionals invest wisely in their online content, presence and sales process. He is on a mission to revolutionize the advertising industry by delivering the best online resources for you to succeed in paid traffic! Within his digital marketing agency in Vancouver, he is also developing an education and training program to help other business decision makers & entrepreneurs get started with their own successful advertising campaigns on social media. Learn more about his business on the Block E Media website.

Dan Kelly

Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) talks about the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on Canadian entrepreneurs, the government response and what still needs to be done.

Kelsey Reidl

Kelsey Reidl is a Business Coach, Podcast Host & Sales + Marketing Consultant. After being let-go from 2 of her dream jobs in her twenties, she decided to take her power back and ditch the 9-5 in pursuit of building her own brand and business. Now, she teaches other women to follow that inner voice that keeps nudging them. You know, the one that says “you’re capable of more!” Her signature online coaching program called The VISIONARY METHOD ™ has helped 100’s of aspiring and startup entrepreneurs gain the confidence they need to have a thriving coaching or service-based business, by showing them how to explore their gifts, develop an offer, create innovative sales & marketing strategies to get their service into the hands of those who need it, and to cultivate community each step of the way. Kelsey also hosts a Top Podcast on the Canadian Entrepreneurship Chats, called Visionary Life. In each weekly episode, she chats with visionary humans about the journey that got them to where they are today. Kelsey lives in Toronto with her husband and rescue pup, Abby. She loves to explore the world in search of the best coffee shops, the most stunning nature, and the wildest experiences (sleeping in the Sahara desert & jumping through canyons are some of her favourite adventures to date).

Dan Pontefract

Dan Pontefract is the Chief Envisioner of the TELUS Transformation Office, where he helps organizations and leaders improve all facets of the ‘future of work’ including employee engagement, leadership development, collaborative behaviours and organizational purpose. He is an international keynote speaker, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and the author of three books, including his latest, Open to Think: Slow Down, Think Creatively, and Make Better Decisions.

Cam Armitage

Cam Armitage is a professional firefighter and side-hustle CEO of CamArmitage.com. Author, speaker, entertainer, motivator. Cam’s “work” is sharing the message that you can be a “bad-ass” while doing good work, with primary audience of 13-18 year olds who are at a critical pivot point of life choices.

Carmen Darley

Carmen Darley is an artist, mother, motivator, and an advocate for mental health and positive thinking. After years of having a sought-after corporate role at American Express, Carmen realized that her life needed to shift in a different direction. She had been painting and exploring art since she was a child, but never pursued it. Through life experiences and learning, in 2016, Carmen decided to take the leap and pursue a career as an artist, and founded Carli’s Paintings. She found solace in her art, and found her calling as an entrepreneur.

Carmen creates “shatter-proof”, original, and unique, resin décor that has become very popular in Toronto and is sold in over a dozen stores across the province, as well as online on Etsy. Carmen has an entrepreneurial mindset and is constantly on the lookout for new opportunities and where to grow her business next. She is a popular motivator and influencer in Toronto, with a passion for empowering other female entrepreneurs. Carmen was recently a keynote speaker at the Toronto Business Babes Conference 2019, telling her story about her struggles, at times difficult, and how they shaped the person and entrepreneur she is today.

Her mission is to continue to create beautiful pieces that transform into functional and versatile home décor, as well as to empower other dreamers to pursue their life-long aspirations.

Ken Keis

Dr. Ken Keis is President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, which has served thousands of companies, associations, industry groups, and leaders in over 30 countries. In the past 29 years, Ken has personally conducted more than 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting. He is a highly sought-after author, speaker, trainer, podcast host, TV and media guest. His latest books include: Why Aren’t You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose.