Advertise on podcast: CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Going from $1 million to $100 million is not simply a bigger version of the same business. Today, we explore the leadership, culture, talent, and capital decisions that determine whether ambitious technology companies can truly make that leap. Joining us is Chris Hodgson, Partner, Growth at Maverix Private Equity. With more than 30 years across engineering, entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and investing, Chris brings firsthand experience scaling major technology businesses and now works with growth stage leaders across North America. Key Highlights The Scaling Leap: What separates companies that reach $100 million from those that plateau.Culture Under Pressure: Why organizational culture can become a company’s biggest growth lever.The Great CEO: The leadership qualities investors look for in high growth executives.Canadian Tech Lessons: Insights from scaling some of Canada’s most ambitious technology businesses.Aligned for Growth: How leaders can connect their teams around the next stage of the journey.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the Indigenous SME Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings forward conversations celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurship, leadership, and community impact. What if building a successful business meant working with your energy instead of constantly pushing against it? Today, we explore a more intentional way to grow. Joining us is Nicole Denbow, Owner of Arrow Photography YXE and Business Advisor with the Gabriel Dumont Institute. A Métis entrepreneur and professional photographer, Nicole combines hands on business experience with community focused guidance for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Key Highlights Intentional Entrepreneurship: Rethinking hustle culture and creating a business that fits your life.Authentic Branding: Using personality and visual identity to attract the right clients.Knowing When to Delegate: Letting go of perfectionism and focusing on your strongest skills.Protecting Your Energy: Building sustainable habits that support resilience and prevent burnout.Community Connection: Practical ways entrepreneurs can build stronger local relationships.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit www.indigenous-sme.ca and subscribe to the Indigenous-SME Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. A sponsorship can be a logo on a banner, or it can become the start of something much bigger. Today, we explore what makes brands, events, and communities worth partnering with. Joining us is Jacquelene Jackie Clarke, Founder and CEO of The Well Connected. With 15 years across PR, entertainment, and experiential marketing, Jackie has built a career around finding the right people, ideas, and opportunities to bring together. Key Highlights Finding the Opportunity: Why Jackie created a new lane in sponsorship.Partnership That Lasts: What makes a brand collaboration worth coming back to.The Experience Factor: Turning an event into something audiences remember.Building From Scratch: What entrepreneurship taught Jackie about creating her own path.Ready to Partner: The first thing brands should fix before seeking sponsors.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to today’s episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. What if the equipment sitting unused in your yard is actually working capital waiting to be unlocked? Today, we explore how secondary markets, smarter valuations, and AI pricing tools can help industrial businesses put idle assets back to work. Joining us is Mark Le Dain, Chief Revenue Officer at Fuelled. With experience spanning cross border M&A, fintech, and high growth technology, Mark brings a unique perspective on turning overlooked industrial assets into opportunities across energy, power, and mining markets. Key Highlights The Valuation Challenge: Why determining the true worth of used heavy equipment can be surprisingly difficult.Hidden Capital: How secondary equipment markets can unlock cash and keep projects moving.Powering Data Centres: How Fuelled is responding to growing demand for power and infrastructure assets.AI Pricing: Making equipment valuation faster and more accessible through intelligent pricing tools.Unlocking Idle Assets: The first move owners can make to turn surplus equipment into working capital.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings you conversations with leaders shaping the future of Canadian business. What really happens between a great business idea and a lender’s final decision? Today, we unpack the credit signals, risk thinking, and financial preparation that can make that difference. Joining us is Tonia Omenyi, Manager of Commercial Credit and Enterprise Risk at Alterna Savings and Co Founder of WomEconomics Organization Inc. An economist and risk professional with experience across central banking, commercial lending, and economic development, Tonia brings a practical perspective on building financial confidence and creating opportunities for women. Key Highlights The Credit Reality: Why profitable businesses can still struggle to secure financing.The 5Cs of Credit: How founders can approach lending decisions through a risk manager’s lens.Breaking Bias: Creating stronger pathways for women in banking and enterprise risk.From Classroom to Credit: Turning academic knowledge into practical underwriting experience.The Power of Passion: How personal interests can strengthen resilience and leadership under pressure.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings you conversations with leaders navigating the next wave of business technology. Your IT team may know what is connected to the network, but what about everything running quietly behind it? Today, we explore AI, hidden applications, and the visibility businesses need to stay ahead. Joining us is Steve Petryschuk, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Auvik. With over a decade of experience across IT leadership, security, technical sales, and product strategy, Steve shares how Auvik is helping organizations bring greater intelligence and visibility to increasingly complex digital environments. Key Highlights AI in IT Operations: Where Auvik AI fits into the future of intelligent infrastructure management.Shadow IT and AI: Why network visibility matters when unknown tools create hidden risks.Auvik’s Evolution: From a Waterloo startup to a global platform managing millions of digital assets.Product Led Growth: Lessons from packaging technology and encouraging broader customer adoption.Finding Hidden Apps: A practical way IT leaders can uncover unknown SaaS applications.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. What if the biggest barrier to business growth is not a lack of opportunity, but a credit system that fails to see the full picture? Today, we explore how alternative data, community trust, and AI are reshaping access to capital. Joining us is Jonah Chininga, Co Founder and CEO of Woveo and Board Director of the Canadian Lenders Association. Drawing from his own experience with credit barriers, Jonah is building technology that helps financial institutions understand underserved businesses through richer data and smarter lending models. Key Highlights Rethinking Credit Scores: Why traditional scoring models can overlook the realities of modern entrepreneurs.Community Trust: Turning community financial relationships into meaningful credit infrastructure.Open Banking & AI: Using cash flow data to create smarter and more inclusive underwriting.Institutional Partnerships: Lessons from working with financial institutions and shaping embedded finance.Building Credit: A practical strategy for founders struggling to access traditional business financing.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. A great idea is only the beginning; turning it into a fundable, scalable business takes validation, structure, and the right connections. Today, we explore what early stage founders need to move confidently from innovation to commercial growth. Joining us is Pam Banks, Executive Director at Altitude Accelerator. With more than two decades in Ontario’s innovation ecosystem, Pam helps technology ventures strengthen market readiness, prepare for investors, and connect with angel capital through programs and funding initiatives. Key Highlights Building for Scale: The foundations founders need before pursuing rapid growth.Market Validation: How entrepreneurs can test whether their venture has real commercial potential.Angel Investment: When to raise capital and what investors look for in early stage companies.Summit Edge SPV: How specialized funding structures can open new paths to venture capital.Investor Readiness: A practical step founders can take to become more investment ready.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. AI is changing marketing forever, but better technology does not replace better thinking. Today, we explore how businesses can combine artificial intelligence, human expertise, and strategic creativity to build stronger brands. Joining us is Robert Burko, CEO at Elite Digital. With over 20 years of digital marketing leadership, Robert has built a leading agency serving global brands and developed AI-powered solutions that help businesses make smarter marketing decisions. Key Highlights AI Beyond Prompts: Understanding the difference between accessing AI and using it effectively.Trustworthy Content: Avoiding AI errors through verification and critical thinking.Human + AI Marketing: Knowing when technology and expertise work best together.Elite’s Intelligence Engine: How Elie enhances AI-driven marketing strategies.Responsible AI Adoption: Building a practical roadmap for smarter marketing.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Great businesses are not built by chasing every trend—they grow by knowing their value, audience, and purpose. Today, we explore how mission-driven organizations can build stronger brands, price with confidence, and stay visible in a changing digital world. Joining us is Alethea Robinson, Founder of See Girl Work Marketing & Branding. With nearly two decades of experience leading marketing and communications for leading health and nonprofit organizations, Alethea helps purpose-driven brands create meaningful connections and sustainable growth strategies. Key Highlights Value-Based Pricing: Moving beyond self-worth and building confidence in business value.Strategic Growth: How intentional decisions helped scale a creative agency.Beyond Social Media: Building growth through deeper client relationships and trust.AI Search Visibility: Helping small agencies stay discoverable in evolving search landscapes.Brand Positioning: Practical ways founders can clarify their message and market presence.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today’s episode brings four powerful perspectives to one conversation about ambition, visibility, leadership, capital, and wellbeing. In this special roundtable, we explore what women truly need to move from inspiration to meaningful action. Joining us are the Founding Four of the Vanguard Impact Summit: Andrea Chase, Lynn Gaudet, Erin Sisko, and Tyler Skinner. Together, they unpack the realities behind modern success, from building stronger communities and securing capital to navigating visibility, confidence, and sustainable growth. Key Highlights Redefining Success: How women are challenging traditional definitions of ambition and achievement.Leadership & Emotional Intelligence: Why self awareness, trust, and authentic communication matter more than ever.The Cost of Visibility: Navigating criticism, vulnerability, confidence, and public leadership.Ambition Meets Wellbeing: Building meaningful businesses without sacrificing personal health and fulfillment.From Inspiration to Action: Practical ideas for creating clarity, community, and strategic momentum.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. A machine rarely announces its failure before it happens, but the right data can. Today, we explore how wireless sensing and AI are helping industrial teams spot problems earlier and keep critical operations moving. Joining us are Jay Crum and Mark Cooper, Senior Sales Managers at Treon. Together, they bring hands-on expertise in predictive maintenance and industrial digital transformation, helping companies turn equipment data into smarter maintenance decisions. Key Highlights Maintenance Reset: Why traditional equipment checks are struggling to keep pace with modern operations.AI on the Floor: How intelligent tools can give technicians better visibility without replacing their expertise.Predictive Advantage: Using equipment data to catch issues early and reduce costly downtime.Migration Made Easier: How Treon is helping industrial teams transition from Amazon Monitron.Reliability First: A practical starting point for leaders looking to strengthen equipment performance.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit  https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Business travel is changing, from where employees go to how companies manage every booking, expense, and safety concern. Today, we explore the trends shaping Canadian corporate travel and the technology making it easier to manage. Joining us is Kristen Hrycoy, Director Channel Sales Executive at SAP Concur. With extensive experience across the travel industry, Kristen brings insights from SAP Concur’s 8th Annual Global Business Travel Survey and shares how Canadian businesses can balance employee needs, costs, and smarter travel management. Key Highlights Canadian Travel Trends: What the latest business travel data reveals about Canadian employees.Overtourism Challenges: Preparing for crowded destinations without disrupting business plans.AI Powered Travel: Personalizing bookings while improving compliance and convenience.Duty of Care: Building travel programs that protect employees and support business continuity.Smarter Travel Policies: A practical way leaders can improve corporate travel management.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the Indigenous SME Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. As digital threats become more sophisticated, protecting community wealth starts with knowing what to look for before a scam, breach, or harmful interaction happens. Today, we explore digital safety, financial literacy, and stronger pathways to community empowerment. Joining us is Darion Ducharme, Founder of Teqare and an Indigenous entrepreneur from Lac Seul First Nation. With more than a decade in technology, Darion focuses on helping individuals and communities build practical skills around scam prevention, cybersecurity, financial literacy, and responsible technology use. Key Highlights Scam Prevention: Helping communities recognize digital threats before they become costly.Safer Digital Spaces: Protecting youth and families from cyberbullying and online risks.Financial Literacy: Turning financial knowledge into stronger long term wealth decisions.Digital Sovereignty: Exploring how First Nations can use AI to strengthen independence and empowerment.Community Protection: One practical step members can take to improve their digital security today.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAFor more expert insights, visit www.indigenous-sme.ca and subscribe to the Indigenous-SME Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Brent Edwards. Today, we explore how high-performance technical apparel and footwear are engineered for extreme conditions. In 2026, scaling a heritage consumer brand requires moving past boardroom assumptions to implement rigorous product validation, climate-rated material testing, and multi-channel expansion strategies. Joining us is Mark Hubner, Managing Director at Baffin, a third-generation brand leader and extreme explorer. Key Highlights Real-World Testing: Extreme environment trials are critical before product launch.Category Expansion: Multi-season product growth must protect core brand identity.Recovery Footwear: Recovery Clogs were designed for post-adventure ergonomics.Technical Footwear Trends: Emerging materials and designs will reshape the industry.Brand Autonomy: Baffin balances independence while leveraging a major corporate parent.Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.