Toronto

The Secret to Longevity in the food service industry with Stone Yu

Stone Yu is the CEO of Lucullus Bakery, a family-owned business currently operating 3 locations in the Greater Toronto Area. At 25 years old, he represents an exciting new generation of leadership in the food service industry.

The young entrepreneur has dedicated much of his life to the Lucullus brand. A child of Chinese immigrant parents, Stone grew up in Richmond Hill and spent most of his after-school hours studying the ins and out of the family bakery. He learned budgeting and inventory management from his parents, and recipe development and baking methods from the amazingly talented Hong Kong chefs his family employed. In 2016 at just 21 years old, Stone entered into Food Network Canada’s Doughnut challenge and won, proving his years of experience in the kitchen were paying off. At 22 he enrolled in a culinary program at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute where he spent 6 months honing his craft before returning to work for Lucullus.

Stone’s vision, creative spirit, and tenacious pursuit of excellence in all areas of the business have propelled the brand forward in a big way. Lucullus opened its first location in 1990, closely followed by the 2rd location in 1991 in Richmond Hill. Lucullus has recently been expanding, opening its 3rd location in downtown Markham in 2017 and has plans for two locations in 2021. The idea of franchising the business has always been on the table (not far from the pineapple buns). After years of planning, in October of 2020 the company bought 2.3 acres in Scarborough to build its head office and production facility. Lucullus will now offer franchise opportunities.

Stone attributes the bakery’s 30-year success to its high standards for quality ingredients, artistic detail, and traditional baking techniques. Lucullus offers simple, classic Asian food and drink items that feel nostalgic and gourmet at the same time, appealing to both older and younger generations in the communities they serve. The bakery team takes pride in every product they offer and are always looking for ways to improve their menu selection. New recipes are regularly rotated into the mix alongside classic favourites.

Stone is enthusiastic about the growth of the business but is keen to keep the quality of the product and essence of the brand intact. His goal in the next 5 years is to open 30 new locations, with each individual franchisee running their store like their own family business.


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You’re stronger than you think! Why Mike Shoreman is committed to being the first person to Paddleboard across Lake Ontario

Have you ever held back because you felt the obstacles and challenges in front of you seemed insurmountable?

The Unbalanced Paddleboarder knows just what it means to CRASH & RISE.

Mike Shoreman is The Unbalanced Paddleboarder. An award winning speaker, author, athlete, mental health advocate and entrepreneur. After a sudden neurological condition changed his whole life, destroyed his paddle boarding career and left him immobile, unbalanced, incapacitated and told he would never paddleboard again by specialists.

He set out on a mission to prove everyone wrong.

Mike shares his story of overcoming adversity around the world inspiring and motivating people to overcome the greatest obstacles standing in their way. He encourages people to use their fears and struggles as their greatest weapons and drives audiences to become the STRONGEST versions of themselves.

Mike has been featured in over 50 media outlets including: Yahoo, MSN, CBS, NBC, CTV News, CTV Morning Live Calgary, Global News, Breakfast Television, CP 24, UNILAD, Narcity, Some Good News, Healthing.ca, Health Beat, National Post, Toronto SUN, Toronto Life, Vancouver SUN, The World News, Power of Positivity, Innerlight Media, Ashton Kutcher’s A Plus, Chicken Soup for the Soul and more.

Donate to Mike’s cause at http://www.jack.org/thecrossing

Check out his book Diaries of The Unbalanced Paddleboarder: Crash and RISE: From Victim to Thriving Survivor at https://amzn.to/3AXzFsZ


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Learn how Jay Miller built a #1 selling real estate team

Jay Miller’s interest in real estate began during school when he worked summers for a company that did complete home renovations – gaining valuable construction knowledge that would pay off later.

In addition to studying business in College, Jay’s passion for sports led to him playing AAA hockey. His love of song writing helped him obtain a song writing contract with Polygram & Universal Music. These responsibilities taught him discipline and determination along with the unique ability to combine business with creativity and innovation.

Jay began his real estate career working with a friend. He worked tirelessly. His honest caring approach based in Christianity, along with an exceptional work ethic, innovative marketing ideas and an insightful, matter-of-fact negotiating style helped Jay become one of the a top selling realtors in Greater Toronto.

As a solo realtor, delivering service and results at such high standards was taking it’s toll. Jay was working 12+ hours per day 7 days a week. That was when he began his search for outstanding administration and sales partners. Jay’s criteria was very strict but he knew that with a team of professionals, combined with his systems and marketing ideas, the Jay Miller Team would raise the bar in the real estate industry.

It worked! The Jay Miller Team at Re/Max helped a lot of people and became the #1 selling team in Newmarket and one of the top selling teams in York Region. But a need to learn, grow led to the next bold move – Opening up an independent brokerage.

With a strong, honest brand, an incredible team and a lot of faith, Jay Miller Real Estate Ltd. opened in September 2013. To this day, everyone at Jay Miller Real Estate works together as a team. Even more than that – it’s a family. Most of Jay’s partners have been with him for many years.

The Jay Miller Team became the #1 Selling Team in all of York Region in 2015, 2016 and 2018. The team has also been the #1 Selling Team in Newmarket since 2011 and one of the top selling teams on the Toronto Real Estate Board – Canada’s largest real estate board.

The Jay Miller Real Estate Team has been built by sincerely caring about people and delivering incredible results. “When you work with us, you are informed and protected. If it’s not the right deal for you – no deal. There’s always another opportunity and we will make it happen.”


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The power of philanthropy, civic responsibility, public service & the promotion of multiculturalism

Muraly Srinarayanathas is the Executive Chairman of 369 Global Inc., a rapidly growing business conglomerate based in Toronto with interests in education and training, financial services, creative and entertainment, venture capital, and more. Having lived and worked in North America, Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia for over 25 years, Muraly possesses not only a strong business acumen but also a unique global perspective and the ability to bring together diverse groups of people around a common goal, which he has termed “The Maestro Mindset”.

Muraly is a strong believer in the power of philanthropy. Ever since he launched his first social purpose business under the guidance of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Muraly has continued to harness his networks to create social change. Inspired by nearly a century-old tradition of philanthropy that first began with his grand-uncle in Jaffna, Sri Lanka and continued with his father, Muraly also oversees the Srinarayanathas Foundation, which supports a wide variety of causes in education, health, and economic empowerment – both in Canada and around the world.

Muraly has a B.A. from the University of Manitoba, an M.B.A. from Southeast University (Bangladesh), an LL.M. from the University of Toronto, and has studied Digital Strategy at the Harvard Business School. In 2017, the Canadian Board Diversity Council named Muraly in its Diversity50 cohort as individuals with the greatest potential to impact Canada’s corporate boards and improve global competitiveness.

Muraly firmly believes in civic responsibility, public service, and the promotion of Canadian multiculturalism. Married with two children, Muraly hopes to build a strong future for his family and community; one where young Canadians (and new Canadians) can fulfill their goals and dreams together.


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Journalism and storytelling with Elisa Birnbaum

A journalist for over 15 years, Elisa Birnbaum has carved a strong niche as a storyteller of social impact. Most recently the author of In the Business of Change, profiling social entrepreneurs around the world and their lessons learned, Elisa is the publisher & editor-in-chief of SEE Change Magazine, a digital publication of social entrepreneurship that she co-founded over eight years ago – and currently hosts its podcast.

Elisa has been a regular columnist on matters of social entrepreneurship for a national newspaper in Canada, the National Post and has been published in the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Reuters, Zoomer, Elle Magazine, among other publications. Elisa also works as a communications consultant, helping businesses tell their stories more effectively for greater impact.


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Navigating a merger in a pandemic, & other entrepreneurial lessons with Ownr Co-Founder Shadi McIsaac

Shadi McIsaac is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ownr, an RBC Ventures company that offers a simple and convenient way to register or incorporate a business as well as other tools to help entrepreneurs manage their businesses.

As a daughter of immigrant parents, Shadi saw firsthand how entrepreneurship can give Canadians the opportunity to shape their lives and provide for their families and wanted to build a platform that makes it easy to start. Now, Ownr is the largest platform for incorporating businesses in Canada, with 35,000 new corporations and sole proprietorships who have used the platform to launch and grow their business.


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.

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Lessons from a WILDLY successful Kickstarter Campaign with Quanta Vici founder Adrien Beyk

Adrien Beyk, Founder & CEO of Quanta Vici, a Toronto-based Smart Wearable tech startup that recently launched the world’s first Smart Heated Gloves and Socks.

Adrien launched his very first product at the age of 15, a full image editing software suite that got a few million downloads back in the day, known as Pixel Degrees.

He then studied Engineering at Ryerson University, after graduation he worked with various tech startups as a senior lead engineer, handling the full cycle of different products.

Today, he is leading his company, Quanta Vici towards conquering the Smart Apparel industry through a never seen before smart wearable technology that senses and maintains the temperature of your clothing according to your very own personal preferences.

He is also a strong believer in open-source venture creation, which is why he actively produces content on YouTube and Instagram, sharing his findings and methods as an Entrepreneur.

You can also find Adrien on YouTube on Instagram by Searching Adrien Beyk where he shares his experience as an entrepreneur.

Check out his crowdfunding campaign page at https://igg.me/at/quantavici


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Lessons learned in the transition from in-person to online from The Girl Gang

The Girl Gang Canada is an online collective of small, female-forward, Canadian businesses. The mission is to encourage shopping local, shopping Canadian and to help you see that your purchases have POWER. The Girl Gang Canada gives you access to unique goods and provides a platform to showcase the top Canadian creatives and service providers nationwide. Shop local, shop national, shop Canadian.


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.

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How one social entrepreneur designed his business to have a positive impact on the world, with Matt Wittek

Matt Wittek, Founder and CEO of Fill it Forward is a social entrepreneur on a mission to inspire the world to reuse. Based in Guelph, ON, The Fill it Forward Company has helped eliminate millions of single-use items from landfills and our oceans. Since 2012, Fill it Forward has helped fund hundreds of clean water projects benefiting communities across the world in an effort to alleviate the global water crisis. Matt has worked with many leading retailers, foodservice operators, universities and brands to promote the use of reusable products. His products and programs are used by millions of people around the world, helping to eliminate plastic bottles and disposable cups from our landfills. His work has been featured on Canada AM, CBC’s The National, Breakfast Television and the Globe and Mail.


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.

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Indigenous entrepreneurs receive $25 million boost from world’s first Indigenous Impact Fund

The Raven Indigenous Impact Fund provides equity and equity-like capital to innovative, scalable, purpose-driven Indigenous enterprises. The Fund looks to support entrepreneurs who are at the seed and/or early stage. Through the Raven Fund, innovative Indigenous enterprises can access the support they need to grow from a trusted partner. The Fund represents a sustainable, values-driven approach to poverty reduction and community resilience that will directly contribute to the development of an Indigenous middle class. Enterprises are screened through a unique, Indigenous impact lens and receive investments ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. This is an interview about the reason and availability of this fund for Indigenous Entrepreneurs.

Paul Lacerte, Managing Partner. Paul Lacerte has provided innovative leadership to Indigenous organizations throughout his career. He is the former Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Foundation Board of Directors, the former Board Chair for Reconciliation Canada, and a former representative to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. He was awarded the Order of BC in 2014.

Jeffrey Cyr, Managing Partner. Jeff is Métis from the White Horse Plains area of Southern Manitoba, the traditional Buffalo Hunt staging grounds. For nearly 20 years, he has provided strategic leadership for Indigenous, not-for-profit, and government organizations. Jeff has helped create and implement the community-driven outcomes contract (a unique pay-for-success social finance model) and the Indigenous Solutions Lab process, which earned him an Ashoka Fellowship. Jeff is a proud husband and father of five and currently lives and works on unceded Algonquin lands in what is now known as Ottawa, Ontario.


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.

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