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What really separates the operators who break records from the ones who stall out? In this episode, Chris Thomson sits down with Mathis Paquette, a Student Works operator who grew his business from $180,000 to a $750,000 operation in three seasons and is now stepping in as a full-time coach. Mathis opens up about the habits behind that climb: committing to a calendar for the first time, learning to lead through real conversations, and the move to a new city that tested everything he thought he knew. He and Chris dig into why commitment, not talent, is what sets top performers apart, and how the right environment quietly shapes your results. If you have ever felt stuck grinding alone, this conversation is your reminder that community and commitment change everything. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights04:03 – The part of the program that caught Mathis completely off guard in year one07:16 – The simple tool he had never touched before that became the backbone of his success08:13 – How to win customers almost no one else reaches, deep in cottage country10:58 – The non-negotiable that gave him the confidence to take on giant chalet jobs14:11 – The unglamorous habit that unlocked his second-year jump past a quarter million18:08 – The program outside Student Works that rewired how he has hard conversations22:44 – Moving to a city where he knew no one, and the skill it forced him to master30:30 – What really separates top operators from everyone else, and it is not skill32:48 – The moment a $1 million, then $2 million, then $3 million business stopped feeling impossible35:46 – The daily practice he leans on when he is too hard on himself Resources and Links MentionedLandmark ForumFierce Conversations by Susan Scott (book)Govindh Jayaraman, Paper Napkin WisdomEntrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) About the GuestMathis Paquette is a Student Works Management Program operator from Montreal who is stepping into a full-time coaching role. Over three seasons, he grew his business from $180,000 to roughly $750,000, earned the program’s Mexico trip, enrolled his younger brother into the business, and relocated to Quebec City to build in a brand new market. Known for his commitment, his belief in community, and leading from the front, Mathis is now focused on developing the next generation of operators. 🔗 LinkedIn Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the number you are chasing is already closer than you think? Every guest on Leaders of Tomorrow can tell you the exact number they were sold at on a given day. That is not an accident. In this best-of, host Chris Thomson pulls the moments where the number became real: the goal set before anyone believed it, the week sales went to zero, and the week everything turned around. You will hear James Ward on believing a six-figure summer before he could prove it, Colby Wilson on breaking a $250K target into a weekly number, Ashley Ayles on refusing to stop at $200K, Andrew Woodruff on nearly doubling to $335K, and Aris Lloshi on the team behind a half-million-dollar year, with Brayden Willmott, John Morgan, and Mathieu Champagne on the mindset shifts that made the leap possible. If you have ever needed proof that your number is possible, this is it. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights00:50 Chris Thomson on why every guest can name the exact number they were sold at, and why that is not an accident.01:22 James Ward on the gap between saying you will run a million-dollar business and believing you can, starting from $40,000 sold.03:02 Brayden Willmott on coming into the year chasing $600,000, and the one thing that changed from last year.03:28 Colby Wilson on making a $250K target real by breaking it into a weekly number.05:25 Ashley Ayles on hitting $200K by June and why she refused to stop there.06:26 Andrew Woodruff on nearly doubling to $335K, and the shift from working hard to working smart.07:28 Aris Lloshi on crossing half a million and why the team behind the scenes was the real engine.08:27 John Morgan on going from a $72,000 first summer to betting he could one day do $750,000.09:16 Mathieu Champagne on three straight weeks of zero sales, then one $30,000 week that shifted his mindset. About the GuestsJames Ward, a Student Works operator who ran a window cleaning business, on believing the number before you hit it and proving it to everyone who doubted you. Episode 349 | From $40,000 to $110,000: Key Activities for SuccessBrayden Willmott, a Student Works operator, entered the year with a $600,000 goal and the momentum and alignment behind it. Episode 458 | Proven Ways Elite Student Leaders Crush $250K GoalsColby Wilson, a Student Works operator, on making a $250K revenue target tangible week to week. Episode 438 | How To Turn Failure into a $275K ComebackAshley Ayles, a Student Works operator, on blowing past her $200K goal and refusing to set the bar too low. Episode 455 | How Grit and Planning Made $280K PossibleAndrew Woodruff, a Student Works operator, on nearly doubling from $180K to $335K by shifting from working hard to working smart. Episode 436 | When You Bet on Yourself and Build a $370K BusinessAris Lloshi, a Student Works operator, on crossing half a million and crediting the team and the weekly habits that got him there. Episode 434 | How to Build a $460K Business as a StudentJohn Morgan, a Student Works franchisee, on going from a $72,000 first summer to planning for $750,000. Episode 148 | How I am Planning to Achieve My 2020 Sales Goal of $750,000Mathieu Champagne, a Student Works operator, on three weeks of zero sales, the $30,000 week that turned it around, and the leap that followed. Episode 450 | Unveiling the Secrets Behind an $800K Leap Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What separates a leader who builds a winning team from one who just reports bad news? In this episode, Chris Thomson hands the mic to College Works alumnus Jeff Gunhus, Co-Founder and CEO of Home Genius Exteriors, who scaled the company from $2.7 million in year one toward a $500 million target, all while chasing a billion-dollar goal. Jeff lays out the framework his leaders live by, Teach, Track, and Inspire, and why fastest growing means nothing without most respected. He gets into leading from the front, the difference between leading and lagging indicators, and why world-class customer service is a desire, not a training issue. If you want the mindset and the system behind teams that grow people and profit at the same time, this one is for you. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights03:51 – The secret behind the company name, and why everyone secretly works for his wife04:44 – The Jim Collins principle that turned a departing leader into a business partner07:42 – Fastest growing or most respected? Why he refuses to pick one09:10 – The billion-dollar goal that started as a someday dream11:59 – Why you should chase adversity instead of running from it14:17 – Teach, track, and inspire: the entire framework on one pie chart14:48 – The three leadership traps: the professor, the tracker, and the cheerleader19:20 – The Jocko Willink rule that Home Genius leans on hard24:26 – Why “what gets measured gets measured” is a trap for new leaders34:04 – The truth about customer service that no training can fix38:19 – The Jim Rohn line he closes meetings with About the GuestJeff Gunhus is the Co-Founder and CEO of Home Genius Exteriors, one of the fastest growing home improvement companies in America, and Co-Founder of its parent company, National Services Group. A College Works Painting alumnus who started as a first-year operator before becoming a coach and then a partner, Jeff has grown Home Genius from $2.7 million in its first year toward a $500 million target, while holding the company to being both the fastest growing and most respected in its industry. He is known for his Teach, Track, and Inspire leadership framework, his focus on culture, and giving back through the Home Genius Cares program, all under a standard he calls happy but not satisfied. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Resources & Links MentionedExtreme Ownership by Jocko Willink (book)The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink (book)Jim Collins (author)College WorksOwens Corning (roofing provider)Ronald McDonald HouseFortuneTony Robbins Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the trait you thought made you strong is the very thing holding your growth back? Chris Thomson welcomes back Phil Lombardo, a Student Works veteran who went from a $125,000 rookie business to coaching a $4.4 million team, and who is now stepping into a role helping run a $50 million company. Phil opens up about the ego that once held him back, why your minimum acceptable standard matters more than your goals, and the daily discipline of negotiating with yourself less. If you have ever wondered what actually separates the people who keep leveling up from the ones who stall, this conversation is your blueprint. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights02:52 – Who Phil was before the program: YMCA shifts and a gap year of 60-hour minimum-wage weeks04:27 – The referral that got him in, and the info-session moment that lit up the phone05:59 – The biggest surprise of a first-year run during COVID06:41 – The ego realization that changed how he ran his business11:05 – Why your minimum acceptable standard matters more than the goals you set13:53 – The one thing top performers negotiate away far less than everyone else16:09 – The call where Luke first saw Phil as a future coach19:28 – Going from a $125K business to a $4.4 million coaching team20:33 – "Everyone can always see you": the accountability truth most people miss30:11 – Inside the new role and the push to double a $50 million company35:29 – The light-side, dark-side exercise behind Most Accountable Coach44:53 – What a real leader of tomorrow actually is, in Phil’s words About the GuestPhil Lombardo is a Student Works Management Program veteran stepping into his eighth year, a four-time Mexico-level operator who built roughly $800,000 in the field before moving into coaching. As a coach, he was named top mini coach, top rookie coach, and Most Accountable Coach, leading a team to $4.4 million this year and reaching about $9 million in all-time coaching revenue. He is now stepping into a company-wide role focused on operations, training, and curriculum, AI initiatives, safety, and field support as Student Works pushes to double its business. 🔗 LinkedIn Resources and Links MentionedThe Founders Club (Luke Fenn and Joe Kim)Luke Fenn on LinkedIn Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the leaders who rise fastest are the ones who insist they are not that important? Chris Thomson sits down with Nick Eaves, Chief Operating Officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and former President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, in the conversation that started it all: the very first Leaders of Tomorrow interview. A Student Works alum, Nick built his career on a counterintuitive idea: none of us are that important. They get into humility as a competitive edge, the patience of the long game, why there is no job too small, and how Nick kept saying yes to the next opportunity until he reached the C-suite. He also opens up about the setbacks that shook his confidence and what pulled him through. If you are waiting for permission or a perfect plan, this conversation will change how you think about getting started. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights● 05:40 – The one thing Nick still leans on from his summer business years ● 07:06 – Why “there is no job too small” became the rule that built a 21-year run ● 10:29 – “None of us are that important”: the humility test behind every team he leads ● 12:33 – The risky call to put racing on TV, and why shrinking your own crowd can grow the business ● 15:59 – What a government-run business taught Nick about irrational stakeholders ● 18:17 – Why the best fans behave like owners, and how great venues earn that trust ● 24:35 – The setbacks Nick regrets most, and the confidence gap behind them ● 28:44 – How to tell when your natural style stops working, and switch gears ● 29:36 – The long game: patience, network, and never doing it alone ● 38:17 – The real path into a world-class organization like MLSE, and why rushing backfires About the GuestNick Eaves is the Chief Operating Officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where he oversees operations, revenue, and the LIVE events division across MLSE’s venues. He previously spent 21 years at Woodbine Entertainment, including five as President and CEO, where he led the transformation of the company’s business model. A Student Works Management Program alumnus and Western University graduate, Nick is known for a leadership style rooted in humility, patience, and the long game. 🔗 LinkedIn Resources and Links MentionedMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)Scotiabank ArenaWoodbine Entertainment (formerly the Ontario Jockey Club)Western University Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Most young entrepreneurs hit the same ceiling. The business can only grow as far as they can personally reach. The ones who break through stop trying to do it all and start building something bigger than themselves. In this collage episode, host Chris Thomson pulls together the operators who did exactly that. You will hear how they planned the number before chasing it, recruited the right people instead of the available ones, learned to delegate and actually train, and made the shift from doing the work to leading it. Five operators, five different paths, one through-line: you cannot scale alone. If you are ready to run a bigger business, start here, then come build one with us. Timestamped Highlights 00:00 – Chris O'Rourke sets the frame: real leadership is accomplishing great things through people, not as an individual01:12 – Alex Irvine on the shift that let him grow, letting go and bringing in people who do what he should not02:45 – What hands-off actually looks like once the systems hold and the business runs itself03:02 – Colby Wilson on making a $250K target real by breaking it into what you sell every week04:00 – Why Colby stopped trying to hit the number alone and built a team that owned it with him04:43 – Kaleb O'Very on always be recruiting, and the two hires that drove almost 300% growth06:44 – Jamie Lee Bongard on moving from knocking doors to leading, adding 61 agents without working full tilt08:15 – Chris O'Rourke on the tools and role clarity that let you lead through people at scale About the GuestsAlex Irvine is a Student Works operator and President's Club performer who ran a $275,000 painting business. | Episode 388 | Unlocking Growth: The Power of Delegation, Systems, and Coaching Colby Wilson is a fourth-year Student Works operator and an incoming mini coach. | Episode 438 | How To Turn Failure into a $275K Comeback Kaleb O'Very is a Student Works operator who grew his business 300% and stepped into a coaching role. | Episode 444 | How to Grow 300% and Love Every Challenge Jamie Lee Bongard is a five-year Student Works alum and a Keller Williams operating principal in real estate. | Episode 350 | Path to Personal Growth and Business Success Chris O'Rourke is a Student Works alum and the Chief Revenue Officer at Zeus Fire and Security. | Episode 397 | From Student Works to Building a Legacy of Success Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What happens when a self-described average kid walks into a room full of high performers and refuses to get left behind? Chris Thomson sits down with Matt Celeste, a fourth-year University of New Brunswick student who joined Student Works knowing no one and got two leads in his first three hours of marketing. They dig into the mindset shift Matt calls an ego death, the leverage move that let him focus almost entirely on sales, and the Facebook ad system that booked nearly $300,000. In two seasons he went from roughly $196,000 to $433,000, all while in full-time school. If you have ever wondered whether you can figure entrepreneurship out with no head start, this one is your proof. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights02:38 – The “normal average kid” from a town of 8,000 who was sure he had life figured out03:54 – The med-school path Matt was headed down before Student Works04:39 – Two leads in three hours: the shaky first session that nearly shook his confidence05:12 – The moment watching Caleb close deals made the business feel real11:11 – The “ego death” that reset how Matt saw his own ceiling12:07 – How Matt doubled his business to $433K by changing where he spent his time13:19 – The ad-spend jump from $3K to $30K that booked nearly $300K22:48 – Why Matt's eyeing a house down payment while most peers sit in $50K of debt24:29 – The one piece of advice Matt gives anyone thinking about entrepreneurship About the GuestMatt Celeste is a fourth-year student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and a two-year operator with the Student Works Management Program, running window cleaning and interlock restoration. Discovered on campus with no prior ties to the business, he was named the program’s top rookie and went on to double his business from roughly $196,000 to $433,000 in his second season, finishing as the fifth-highest returning operator in the program. Known for his level head, dependability, and competitive edge, Matt is now focused on developing leaders on his team as he targets $600,000 next year. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Resources and Links MentionedContractor Marketing Mastermind (John Cameron)University of New BrunswickFacebook Ads (Meta) Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the fastest way to level up isn’t adding more, but removing what’s quietly holding you back? Chris Thomson hands the room to Amer Abu Shakra, StudentWorks record-breaker and co-founder of Contracting.com, for a rare orientation-style talk built entirely from his own story. From a childhood in Jordan to a $500,000 sales year, Amer traces how three lessons rebuilt him. He gets honest about the year he wasted almost 40% of his time on his phone, the mentor who told him he wasn’t reliable, and the dopamine trap that quietly steals ambition. Then he shows the loop that turns it around: remove, keep your word, put others first. If your team feels unreliable or your goals keep slipping, the problem might be what you refuse to remove. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights05:02 – The gap Amer spotted that turned a summer job into Contracting.com05:27 – The “300 lifetimes” math that explains why a franchise is worth it08:05 – A highway stop in Jordan that rewired how Amer sees fairness09:26 – Lesson one: why improving your life is about what you remove11:43 – From busboy to bank vault, and the income ceiling that made him leave14:20 – “Successful people are reliable, and you are not”: the heart-to-heart that changed everything19:04 – The rooftop meeting with Grant Cardone he got on 30 minutes’ notice21:04 – The 40% of his time that was quietly killing his business22:02 – The rat, the button, and what dopamine is really doing to you29:33 – The accountability call that made keeping his word automatic33:48 – The loop: remove, stay reliable, attract better people43:39 – Eat last: the closing challenge on who you’re becoming About the GuestAmer Abu Shakra is the co-founder and CEO of Contracting.com, where he and co-founder Patrick help remodeling and home-service contractors build self-managing businesses, now serving around 700 members. A StudentWorks alumnus based in Toronto, Amer broke the program’s all-time sales record and profited over $200,000 in a single summer before finishing university at the University of Toronto. He now speaks, hosts a podcast, and coaches contractors on the systems and mindset behind durable growth. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Resources and Links MentionedContracting.com (Amer’s company, formerly Tradark Consulting)Grant CardoneAlex HormoziDavid GogginsGoogle CalendarTD Bank Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the difference between quitting and a record-breaking season is just one more no? Most people think sales is about confidence and the perfect pitch. The operators who last know it is really about stamina, consistency, and staying in the game long after everyone else walks away. In this collage episode, Chris Thomson gathers the sharpest sales lessons from Amer Abu Shakra, Chris Caruso, Mark Cox, Esfar Sarker, Nikos Violetis, and Dave Hanley. You will hear how a $500,000 season comes down to counting nos, why hard work beats natural talent, and why no product sells itself. Skip this one and you keep treating rejection as a stop sign instead of the input that compounds into results. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights00:00 – Mark Cox on why recruiters chase anyone with Student Works on their resume02:14 – Amer Abu Shakra reveals the rule he enjoyed most: trust the power of input and breaks down the door-knocking math behind every booking04:52 – The staggering number of nos Amer needed to build a $500K business05:21 – Chris Caruso on the blunt reason he outsold everyone around him and why he threw away his balance and burned out chasing the record06:22 – Mark Cox on the sales process IBM used that most companies still lack and on the one thing every company wants, because revenue fixes everything08:52 – Esfar Sarker on the only real way to triple your business in a year10:04 – Nikos Violetis on the hard truth that everyone lies, clients and workers alike11:02 – Dave Hanley on the missing link that nearly sank a growing business and on why you can never learn sales from a book About the GuestsAmer Abu Shakra – Co-founder and CEO of Contracting.com and the Student Works operator who broke the all-time sales record with a $500,000 season. | Episode 309: The Six Rules of Success that Helped me Break the All-Time Sales Record at Student Works Chris Caruso – Owner, operations lead, and business coach at Student Works who broke the all-time window cleaning sales record with over $210,000 in a single season. | Episode 390: How to Break Records and Push Your Limits Mark Cox – Founder of In the Funnel Sales Coaching and a Student Works alumnus who turned early door-to-door training into a career mastering professional sales. | Episode 394: How to Master Sales for Career Advancement Esfar Sarker – Student Works operator who was rejected from the program, came back, and booked over $100,000 by March while learning to beat rejection. | Episode 412: How to Overcome Rejection and Succeed in Business Nikos Violetis – Western University student, Student Works operator, and owner of NVWC Home Maintenance, known for building high-trust client relationships and handling rejection like a pro. | Episode 414: How To Overcome Self-Doubt As A Student Leader Dave Hanley – Serial entrepreneur and Student Works alumnus who co-founded Risk Control Technologies and AdvertiseCast (acquired by Libsyn for $30 million), was founding VP of business development at Insurance Systems, and wrote The Delusional Founder. | Episode 433: How to Leverage Sales Skills for Entrepreneurial Success Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Laura Tamburro – How To Turn 100% Turnover Into President's ClubWhat if the business problem you keep hitting is really a personal one? Chris Thomson sits down with Laura Tamburro, a Western University student and top Student Works operator stepping into a coaching role, for one of the most honest conversations on the show. Laura opens up about the year she nearly walked away, the 100 percent team turnover that forced a mid-summer reset, and how facing her anxiety and depression changed everything. They get into why authenticity outsells any script, how she rebuilt and still finished in President's Club, and the daily practices that keep her steady. If you have ever stayed busy to avoid the hard stuff or waited to feel ready, this one will hit home. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights00:17 – Every student job, varsity figure skating, and still not feeling fulfilled02:25 – The hardest year ever: 10-hour weekend commutes, 5 AM practices, six classes05:03 – The unexpected lesson that finally grew her business, and it wasn't selling07:31 – “There's no such thing as business problems, just personal problems that show up in your business”10:20 – Naming the anxiety and depression she had been outrunning11:18 – 100% turnover and the call with her coach that forced real accountability11:54 – Sold $200K, half the season left, and unsure she wanted to keep going15:31 – “Never talk to yourself the way you would never talk to anybody else”16:59 – The daily practices keeping her grounded: runs, sleep, journaling, and a Brick20:15 – Muskoka to London: opposite market, opposite challenges30:19 – Her one piece of advice: start before you feel ready36:03 – What a real leader of tomorrow actually looks like, in her words About the GuestLaura Tamburro is a Western University student entering her fourth year and a top operator in the Student Works Management Program who is stepping into a coaching role. A varsity figure skater and self-described non-business student, she ran her first business in the Muskoka area, finished in President's Club, and grew her second-year business in London by more than 50 percent. Known for authentic leadership and for developing the people around her, Laura is now focused on creating more leaders as a coach in the program. 🔗 LinkedIn Resources and Links MentionedWestern UniversityBrick (phone-locking focus device) Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if finishing what you start is the one edge that survives the AI era? Chris Thomson sits down with Brett Patrontasch, a Student Works top rookie who founded the painting franchisor Scholars at Your Service, scaled the workforce app Shyft past 2 million users, and recently summited Mount Everest. He is now building Servo, an autonomous lawn care startup. They get into the honest middle of a founder's career: the wins, the ventures that did not hit the home run, and why mistakes are the price of admission. Brett makes his case for why judgment now beats raw execution, and the two principles he has lived by for 20 years. If you have wondered how founders keep going through the ups and downs, or what a 33-hour Everest push shares with building a company, this one is for you. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights02:56 – The clipboard at McGill that turned an 18-year-old into an entrepreneur04:27 – The one Student Works principle Brett still repeats to himself 20 years later06:25 – From top operator to founding a competitor: the leap into Scholars at Your Service08:32 – How Brett scaled a multi-city painting company to $2.5 million10:40 – What Shyft actually does, and the RAZR-era gap it was built for11:05 – Inside the Gap Inc. deal: one app across 2,500 stores14:05 – It works and it makes money, so why it still was not the home run he wanted17:33 – Meet Servo: a fleet of robotic mowers you order from your phone20:11 – Why judgment now beats execution in the age of AI24:17 – Just back from Nepal: standing on the tallest point on Earth29:02 – The 33-hour summit push with no sleep and almost no food34:10 – Brett on failure: if you are not making mistakes, you are doing it wrong40:51 – The leader of tomorrow, in Brett's words: technology plus humanity Resources and Links MentionedMcGill UniversityHome DepotNew Image Painting (painting company Brett worked with)Predictive Index (recruiting assessment)Yammer Techstars Gap Inc. StarbucksShyft ServoAmazon: Jeff Bezos on Type 1 and Type 2 (reversible vs irreversible) decisionsChatGPT About the GuestBrett Patrontasch is the co-founder and CEO of Shyft, a mobile app that helps hourly retail and service workers swap shifts and message each other, adopted by enterprises including Gap Inc. and used by more than 2 million workers. A Student Works Management Program alum and former top rookie operator, he later founded the painting franchisor Scholars at Your Service, scaling it to roughly $2.5 million in annual revenue, and won an Ottawa Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 award at 25. He is now building Servo, an autonomous lawn care startup, and recently summited Mount Everest. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What actually changes between a good first year and a breakout one? Chris Thomson sits down with three of the program’s most improved operators, Josh Shafter, Lizzy Lavalley, and Josh Burke. Each one cleared six figures in their first season, then came back and roughly doubled it. They get honest about what was really holding them back the first time, complacency, a reactive grind, and a victim mindset, and how habits, recruiting, expectation setting, gratitude, and the right environment turned those weak spots into a breakout year. If you have ever wondered why some people plateau after a strong start while others surge ahead, this conversation is the playbook. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights01:42 – Josh Shafter admits the real bottleneck in his first year was himself03:05 – Why sales came easy for Lizzy, and why production nearly broke her04:56 – Josh Burke on the “if it ain’t broke” trap that quietly capped his year08:30 – The mindset and environment silently draining Lizzy’s results10:02 – The good-week, bad-week pattern that burned Josh Shafter out at $99K13:34 – The moment Lizzy realized her weakness was a skill, not a personality19:17 – What finally made Lizzy decide to come back and go all in23:01 – The onboarding talk that made Josh Burke lock his own phone25:04 – The daily practice Josh Shafter credits for pushing the envelope27:44 – Why Josh Shafter was his team’s least profitable rookie, and how he fixed it32:24 – The “now or never” bet all three are making on Facebook this season41:11 – Josh Burke on why your 20s are not the time to coast About the GuestsJosh Shafter is a second-year Student Works Management Program operator and a sociology graduate of Concordia University. He grew his window cleaning business from roughly $100K in his rookie year to $170K as of late June, with a goal of $300K. Recognized as one of the program’s most improved operators, he is known for trading a reactive, lone-wolf approach for data-driven systems, a built-out sales team, and a daily gratitude practice. 🔗 LinkedIn Lizzy Lavalley is a third-year Student Works Management Program operator based in eastern Toronto and a kinesiology graduate of the University of Western Ontario. After seasons of $107K and $122K, she reached $260K and earned top vet of the week. Recognized as one of the program’s most improved operators, she is known for rebuilding her confidence through strong habits, accountability, and a growth mindset. 🔗 LinkedIn Josh Burke is a third-year Student Works Management Program operator in the Cobourg and Port Hope area and a student at Ontario Tech University. He grew his business from $125K in his first year to $220K. Recognized as one of the program’s most improved operators, he is known for replacing complacency with sharper expectation setting, better recruiting, and disciplined habits. 🔗 LinkedIn Resources and Links MentionedConcordia UniversityUniversity of Western OntarioOntario Tech UniversityFacebook / Meta Ads (marketing)LinkedIn (recruiting)Indeed (recruiting)Water fed pole Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the mindset shifts that change everything only show up after you fail? Mindset gets talked about like it is positive thinking. Stay motivated, believe in yourself, think bigger. But the real shifts usually happen when things get uncomfortable, when you fail, when effort alone stops being enough. In this best-of collage, Chris Thomson gathers the strongest reflections on mindset from across the program. Zach Weiler and Landon Roberts on what changes when responsibility becomes real. Andrew Solomon on leading yourself first while growing an $8 million division at Rydel Roofing. Aris Lloshi on staying a beginner as he moves from top operator to coach. And David Young on discipline under real pressure. Because mindset is not built through motivation. It is built through repetition, self-awareness, and how you respond when things do not go your way. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights00:50 – Chris reframes mindset: the real shifts happen when things get uncomfortable, not when you stay motivated02:41 – Zach Weiler on suddenly seeing opportunity everywhere once he performed at his potential03:52 – Landon Roberts on the gap between seeing opportunity and knowing your first steps to take it04:46 – Andrew Solomon on leading yourself first and coaching from a humble place while building an $8M team05:43 – Aris Lloshi on why you have to walk into year two, three, and four with a beginner's mindset07:45 – David Young on treating self-doubt as just a feeling and beating anxiety by putting in the work About the GuestsZach Weiler is the owner of Norfolk Student Painting and a Student Works operator. | Episode 423 | How to Thrive in Leadership with Mentorship and Structure Landon Roberts is an operator in the Student Works Management Program. | Episode 416 | How to Turn Athletic Discipline into Entrepreneurial Success Andrew Solomon is the leader of an $8 million division at Rydell Roofing and a former coach in the Student Works Management Program. | Episode 393 | Leading Yourself First: How Personal Growth Fuels Business Success Aris Lloshi is a veteran Student Works operator moving from top operator to coach. | Episode 434 | How to Build a $460K Business as a Student David Young is a Student Works owner and operator. | Episode 374 | How to Transform Your Mindset for Business Success Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the riskiest move in your career is refusing to take any risk at all? Chris Thomson sits down with Mark Tanel, a Student Works alumnus who now leads national sales for Dulux, now Canadian Industries Limited. Fifteen years ago Mark was a Queen’s Commerce student headed straight for accounting, until one elective changed his mind and his entire path. They get into the calculated risks that moved Mark across the country, the real difference between hunting and farming in sales, and why leaving every role with integrity kept doors open years later. Mark also shares the full-circle moment of now serving Student Works as a supplier, and the systems thinking that has carried through his whole career. If you are early in your career and wondering whether to play it safe or bet on yourself, this conversation is the nudge you need. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights00:27 – The "introverted extrovert" who had to learn how to own a room06:05 – Why a future accountant blew up his own plan in fourth year07:14 – The phone call to Dad that changed Mark’s entire career08:57 – Inside a book of business worth over $80 million, and what it teaches you11:16 – Moving across the country at 23, and why the risk paid off15:10 – Hunter or farmer: the sales distinction that decides your paycheck20:16 – How one phone call about Mark reopened a door he thought was closed29:09 – The overlooked product line that grew from $500K to $7M in a few years35:03 – Getting comfortable being uncomfortable, the skill nobody teaches47:46 – What Mark believes really makes a leader of tomorrow About the GuestMark Tanel is the National Sales Manager at Dulux, now Canadian Industries Limited (CIL), and a Student Works Management Program alumnus. A Queen’s University Commerce graduate, he began his sales career at Nestlé, managing major retail and grocery accounts across Canada, including a book of business worth more than $80 million, before moving into the paint and coatings industry. Known for a systems-first, relationship-driven approach to sales, Mark now partners with organizations like Student Works to create value on the supply side of the business. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Resources MentionedQueen’s UniversityNestlé CanadaSobeysLoblawsDelissio Pizza (Nestlé frozen brand, discontinued)PPGDulux PaintsClubLinkForbes 30 Under 30 Important LinksConnect with Chris: Website | LinkedInLearn more about the Student Works Management ProgramApply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management ProgramLooking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job OpportunitiesHear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What actually separates the operator who doubles their business from the one who stays stuck? Chris Thomson sits down with three of the most improved operators in the Student Works painting division, Jack Buiter, Ali Baksh, and Owen Chilvers, to unpack how they went from rough first years to breakout seasons. Each of them hit a wall early: inconsistency, fear of what people think, a big vision with no plan, and each found a way through. They get into the mindset shifts, daily habits, and business strategies behind doubling a student-run business: keeping commitments to yourself, building an enrolled team, Facebook marketing, hiring the right people, and learning to charge what you are worth. If you are coming back for another season and want to know exactly what it takes to step up instead of stalling out, this conversation is your roadmap. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights● 00:37 – Jack on the first year that handed him a brand new problem every single day ● 03:25 – Owen sells $20,000 on day one, then watches it all go downhill ● 06:14 – The $200K vision Ali set with no real plan to reach it ● 08:20 – The missing piece that stalled Jack’s first two months ● 15:07 – How Owen now does in 40 hours what used to take him 100 ● 17:56 – The 0 for 12 start behind Ali’s flat second year ● 23:29 – Fear of other people’s opinion, and how Chris dismantles it ● 26:14 – The December 27 commitment Ali made to himself ● 36:17 – Why Chris says a painting business is really just math ● 37:46 – The marketing channel that became nearly half of Jack’s business ● 41:42 – Owen on the “secret sauce” that does not exist About the GuestsJack Buiter is a second-year operator with the Student Works Management Program, managing in Hamilton while completing a master’s at the University of Guelph. He did $194,000 and earned the Mexico trip in his first year and is tracking toward roughly $450,000 this season, driven by strong systems, an enrolled team, and Facebook marketing. 🔗 LinkedIn Ali Baksh is a third-year operator based in Durham and a student at Western University. After two roughly flat years around $105,000 to $107,000, he broke through in year three toward roughly $250,000, with his sights set on the million-dollar club next year. 🔗 LinkedIn Owen Chilvers is a second-year operator managing in Halifax while studying at Dalhousie University. He joined the program at 17, did $120,000 his first year, and has already sold around $250,000 this season while tracking toward roughly $350,000, powered by a relentless focus on mindset, integrity, and efficient marketing. 🔗 LinkedIn Resources and Links Mentioned● Facebook Ads (Meta) ● Indeed ● Jim Collins (“First Who, Then What”) ● Landmark ● Dan Kennedy (pricing principle) ● John Cameron (Facebook ads advisor) Important Links● Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn ● Learn more about the Student Works Management Program ● Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program ● Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities ● Hear more Alumni Success Stories The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.