Toronto

Julie Gaudry discusses how to attract talent and keep employees happy with RBC Insurance’s Group Benefit Solutions

Julie Gaudry leads a team with overall responsibility for the product development and strategic direction for RBC Insurance’s Group Benefit Solutions (GBS). With a focus on innovation and thought-leadership, the team is committed to differentiating RBC Insurance through product and service enhancements that make it easier for employers to manage their group benefit programs so they can best support the health and wellness of their workforce.

Through Group Benefit Solutions, business owners and their employees have access to a range of flexible solutions: A state-of-the-art wellness program, employee assistance program, virtual healthcare, mental health support services, life, disability, health and dental insurance and more.

For more information, visit rbcinsurance.com/group-benefits or contact one of their Group Benefits Advisors at 1-855-264-2174.


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George Boutsalis Wants You to Chase Your Dreams, Work for Yourself and Blaze Your Own Trail!

Quite simply George Boutsalis likes to create, likes to build, likes to read and likes to run. And he likes to run businesses. He has grown up in the family cleaning business, which currently services locations throughout the GTA and across Ontario, covering more than 30 million square feet, 24 hours a day – 365 days a year. George is now heading out into a new venture Cast App Inc., an anonymous, voting-based #socialmedia platform.


Want to make sure your #smallbusiness is protected in case of the unexpected? The Co-operators Can Help! To find a Cooperators advisor and get started today go to lp.cooperators.ca/canadapodcast

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Andrew Kiguel is Co-Founder & CEO of tokens.com and previous CEO of one of the largest publicly listed bitcoin miners in the world

Andrew Kiguel is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of tokens.com. Andrew was also founder and CEO of Hut 8 Mining, one of the largest publicly listed bitcoin miners in the world with a listing market capitalization of $450 million and over $140 million of revenue within the first 24 months. Prior to that, Andrew spent over 18 years at GMP Securities (now Stifel Canada) in investment banking, with his most recent title as a Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Banking.

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The Importance of Embracing a Non-Linear Path to Success with Sahar Saidi

Sahar Saidi is the Founder and CEO of LUS Brands, a direct-to-consumer premium hair care brand for curly hair. Sahar completed her MBA at the University of Toronto and upon graduation applied for several corporate executive jobs, but had no success. Driven by motivation and a personal challenge, she decided to embark on a different path, one that would lead her to become the CEO of her own company.

The problem Sahar set out to fix was truly personal. “Growing up, I used to hate my curly hair. I would always beg my mom to straighten it. I finally started to embrace my hair’s natural texture when I was around 15 years old. Fast forward 20 years and having tried virtually every product on the market, I still had not found anything that actually worked,” she explains, on the why behind starting LUS. “I used to spend hours every single day doing my hair, and needed multiple products. I was tired of it and wanted to create a true ‘All-in-One’ product that simplified my hair care routine.”

Sahar wanted to prove to other entrepreneurs that you can start from nothing and bootstrap your way to a hyper-growth, profitable business. “It took blood, sweat and many tears (literally) to get the company to where it is today,” says Sahar, “but it’s definitely the accomplishment that I’m most proud of, so far in my life.”

Based in Toronto, LUS Brands launched in January 2017 offering a 3-step system product line, customized for different curl types. The brand has since added 3 new products to its line. LUS (which stands for ‘Love Ur Self’) encourages women of all ages and ethnicities to embrace their own natural and unique features, instead of altering or masking them.


Want to make sure your small business Is protected in case of the unexpected? The Co-operators Can Help! To find a Co-operators advisor and get started today go to lp.cooperators.ca/canadapodcast.

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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Best Friends Turned Business Partners Ahsan Raza and Kumail Meghani Are Joining Forces to Make IDEA Lab Kids a Household Name in the GTA!

Ahsan Raza and Kumail Meghani join Devina Bhojwani, CEO of IDEA Lab Kids to chat about their goals.

After seeing a need for more hands-on education for kids to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math subjects (#STEM), they decided to bring IDEA Lab Kids, a household international franchise, to the Greater Toronto Area. At the time, both men were on their own career journeys. Raza in real estate, Meghani in accounting and education. But they both saw a need and demand in the market for premium #STEAM education. So they bought the rights to become area developers for all of #GTA and now after 2 years, have sold 2 locations (Richmond Hill and Oakville) that are up and running and 2 more scheduled to open in 2021 (in Pickering and Stouffville). The duo now plans to open up 15 locations in Toronto through strategic franchise expansion.

Raza and Meghani still hold their full-time jobs but have carved out time on the weekends, evenings and every other hour of free time to work on IDEA Lab Kids and expand it further. They discuss why they chose to fuel this concept in a crisis, and how they will help the community. IDEA Lab Kids’ CEO Devina Bhojwani can discuss bigger picture plans the brand has to continue pivoting and growing across Canada.

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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Zero to Over a Million in Revenues in 12 Months – Find Out How Ivan Maric Did It!

Ivan Maric is a 20 year old entrepreneur who started his renovation business Total Pro Home Services in January 2020. In a year the company has grown to 10 full time employees and counting with 3 commercial vehicles and revenues exceeding $1million — how did he do this — find out in this interesting podcast.

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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Peter Faist is Founder and CEO of Staffy, Solving Staffing Challenges for Hospitality and Healthcare

Peter Faist is Founder and CEO of Staffy and maintains a reputation as a bon vivant. He has diverse experience for some of the largest and most technically complex companies in North America. Prior to founding Staffy, he was the President of NetCon1, an elite Network and Security consulting firm. Peter is a graduate of Next Founders, a judge for Top 100 Restaurants in Canada and has appeared on BNN’s The Disruptors where Staffy finished in the top 5 of the season. Peter studied Computer Programming at Sheridan College, and completed one year of culinary training at George Brown. Peter’s passion for changing the hospitality landscape has enabled Staffy’s success in Toronto, Vancouver, and New York. Staffy is a new app that takes a radical approach to solving staffing challenges within the hospitality and health care sectors. By creating a first of its kind on-demand marketplace, businesses can quickly and efficiently connect with contractors to meet their immediate, short-term or long-term staffing needs. For skilled workers in the hospitality and healthcare industries, Staffy provides the opportunity to pick up shifts tailored to their experience and schedule.

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Leveraging Peer-to-Peer Lending for Social Good with Marc-Antoine Caya

Marc-Antoine Caya is CEO and Founder of GoPeer, Canada’s first consumer peer to peer lending platform. He is a passionate socially responsible investor and innovator. His experience includes working as an investment banker at one of Canada’s largest bank where he was involved in many securities offerings and corporate M&A advisory mandates. He holds a Masters of Sc. in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics.

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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Why All Entrepreneurs Should Consider Stepping Into Thought Leadership with Nicky Billou

Nicky Billou is the #1 International Best Selling Author of the book Finish Line Thinking: How to Think and Win Like a Champion, and The Thought Leader’s Journey: A Fable of Life. He is an in-demand and highly inspirational speaker to corporate audiences such as RBC, Lululemon, Royal LePage, and TorStar Media. He is an advisor and confidante to some of the most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs in Canada. He is also the co-founder of eCircle Academy where he runs a yearlong Mastermind & Educational program working with Coaches, Consultants, Corporate Trainers, Clinic Owners, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers and other service-based Entrepreneurs, positioning them as authorities in their niche. He is the creator of the Thought Leader/Heart LeaderTM Designation.

As the host of the #1 podcast in the world on Thought Leadership, The Thought Leader Revolution, Nicky has interviewed over 200 of the world’s top Thought Leaders, including:

  • Astronaut Chris Hadfield
  • George Ross of the Hit TV Series The Apprentice
  • Barbara Corcoran from Shark Tank
  • Supermodel & Business Mogul Kathy Ireland
  • Ivan Misner — Founder Of BNI
  • Graham Weihmiller — CEO of BNI
  • John Maxwell — World’s #1 Leadership Author
  • NYT #1 Bestselling Author Seth Godin
  • Marie Forleo — Oprah’s Coach
  • Jack Canfield: Author Of Chicken Soup For The Soul
  • Scott Adams: Creator of Dilbert

Click here to download a free copy of his book.

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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Jesse Berger, Former Banker Turned Author, Gives the Lowdown on Bitcoin

Jesse Berger is the author of Magic Internet Money: A Book About Bitcoin. He spent over 10 years working with large financial institutions in Canada, including roles in retail banking, investment advisory, management consulting, and market research. He graduated from McGill University in 2006 having studied economics and philosophy, and he received his MBA from Ryerson University in 2015. There, he led the winning team of The Economist’s MBA investment case competition, topping more than 25 schools from around the world. In 2018 he became a certified blockchain professional, and he is currently an independent consultant based in Toronto.

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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