Halifax

How One Entrepreneur Has Been Supporting the Canadian Food Industry

Ted Grant was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of a “gourmet cook.” Educated at Dalhousie University, Holland College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the Stratford Chefs School, he spent eight years working as a chef in Calgary, London, New York and Toronto. Ted left the professional kitchen to teach at the Culinary Institute of Canada for three years, and while in Charlottetown he joined the product development arm known as Canada’s Smartest Kitchen. He became a leading expert in developing products for the Atlantic Canadian seafood industry, representing brands on missions to Asia, Europe, and throughout North America. Ted’s passion for Nova Scotia and education brought him home to complete his Masters in Education in 2013 and join the Nova Scotia Community College as Director of Hospitality Programming. In 2016, Ted left the college to join Truleaf Plant Science and GoodLeaf Farms as Chief Product Officer. In 2018, he could not resist the opportunity to create his own entrepreneurial dream, co-founding VIVEAU, which works with local farmers in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia to create the perfect balance between fruit and water.


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Michael DeVenney, President of WorkInsights Talks About His Experience with PTSD and Mental Health

Michael DeVenney, President of Halifax-based WorkInsights, began researching entrepreneurial mental health after his own depression and anxiety forced him to sell two businesses. His research led to him founding ‘The Mindset Project’ which empowers entrepreneurs to talk about and manage their mental health as well as provides tools to support founders in the growth of their business. Though he knows the warning signs, he says he’s been affected by the stress of the pandemic and has had to make it a priority to use coping strategies and manage his mental health. DeVenney says entrepreneurs feel the weight of their personal and business stresses combined and it’s hard to separate the two. He hopes to challenge stigma and promote open conversation about the mental health struggles many entrepreneurs face.

Click here to download a free copy of the BDC report on entrepreneur mental health and well-being.

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

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.