Advertise on podcast: The SBCN Small Biz Podcast

Host Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews Melissa Small from EmployNext, a government-funded employment service supporting job seekers across Ontario with free recruitment support. They discuss how EmployNext connects employers to quality local talent, fills skill gaps through training funding, and provides 12-month follow-up — all at no cost to either party.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner talks with Tom Reilly about human-to-human connection in the age of AI. Tom argues the technology suits tedium but weakens presence, and that a silent loneliness pandemic leaves people craving real contact. He coaches bespoke, behaviour-based communication for leaders, urging vulnerability and authenticity in networking, boardrooms and sales, where trust can form in minutes. He also stresses balance between family, health and business.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews Ahmed Kassad about Bridge AI, a voice-AI solution designed to help small businesses level the playing field against larger competitors. Ahmed explains how his automated phone agents answer FAQs and book appointments while always transferring complex queries to a human. He credits face-to-face networking for his growth and shares three tips: default to action, believe in your product, and take small steps toward your goals.

SBCN Co-Founders Linda and Dave Ockwell-Jenner explore how rapidly advancing AI will transform the job market over the next two to five years. They discuss which professions are most at risk—such as bookkeeping and paralegal work—and how AI excels at synthesizing existing knowledge but struggles with true novelty, emotional intelligence, and nuanced interpretation. The conversation highlights that roles requiring human empathy, strategic ideation, and creative thinking will endure, while regulatory frameworks lag far behind technological innovation.

Marios Matsias joins host Linda Ockwell-Jenner, and discusses why business deals stall after strong initial conversations. He advises service providers that instead of focusing solely on the proposal, they must guide the client through their internal anxieties. Marios emphasizes establishing decision safety, financial safety, and execution safety to reduce risk and build confidence. Linda reinforces this, advising that providers must prioritize listening and tailoring their approach to make the entire commitment process feel easy, understandable, and authentic for the buyer.

In this episode of the SBCN Small Biz Podcast, host Linda Ockwell-Jenner chats with Nigel Goetz, a wealth advisor at IG Wealth who specializes in retirement income planning. He shares his career path from small family businesses to financial services and explains how he helps clients visualize their end goals and build personalized financial plans. Nigel discusses his three-meeting client process, the importance of building trust over time, and offers advice for young people entering the field: be social, set measurable goals, and maintain humility about your sales skills.

In this episode of the Small Biz Podcast, host Linda Ockwell-Jenner speaks with Claire Donnison, co-founder of Curiosity Clicks, about the upcoming Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists festival at Gaukel Block in downtown Kitchener on September 26–27. Claire highlights free workshops, augmented art pieces, open studios, and family-friendly activities that celebrate art as community therapy. She also shares a business tip: Canadian art purchases over $200 are tax-deductible, encouraging local businesses to support artists while enhancing their spaces.

In this SBCN Small Business Podcast episode, business coach Marios Matsias joins Linda Ockwell-Jenner to discuss how professionals can turn credibility into a compounding business asset. Marios argues that credibility isn't just being reliable—it's about clearly articulating who you help, how you help them, and the specific outcomes you deliver. He shares a case study where a consultant reduced her sales cycle from 90 to 45 days by building a proof-driven digital presence, resulting in 40% more inbound referrals. The key takeaway: earn credibility through results, then make it visible so buyers come to you already convinced.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner talks with April Patterson from Financial Harmony about why small business owners should outsource their bookkeeping rather than attempting itthemselves. April explains that DIY bookkeeping wastes valuable time, leads to costly mistakes, and causes missed tax deductions — often costing more in theend. She offers flexible solutions including hourly services, a DIY coaching package, and virtual meetings to suit different budgets and preferences. Aprilemphasizes that effective communication, empathy, and attention to detail are the keys to both great bookkeeping and building trust with clients. Her threetips: sweat the small stuff to maximise tax savings, care about people not just numbers, and communicate clearly while owning mistakes.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner returns with Marios Matsias, who discusses moving clients away from price-based competition. Marios explains that this is a positioning problem, not a pricing one. He advises professionals to rewrite their pitches to focus on measurable outcomes rather than mere deliverables. He recommends leading pitches with a strong impact statement and anchoring all pricing to the total value created for the client's business.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner hosts Opeyemi Okunbor to discuss the importance of protecting the individual behind a business. Yemi explains that owners often prioritize growth over personal security and advises reviewing coverage like life, disability, and critical illness insurance. She emphasizes providing personalized protection through relationship-building rather than generic sales and encourages owners to consider how their absence would impact their income, families, and business continuity.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews Marios Matsias, who presents his framework of "Five Key Partners." He explains that achieving business growth demands analyzing external forces—namely customers, suppliers, competition, government regulations, and supporters. The conversation also explores the difference between coaching and mentorship, emphasizing that successful businesses build trust by customizing processes rather than adopting generic solutions.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews Kevin Trujillo, a mortgage agent, about his fulfilling career pivot from accounting. He explains that he finds fulfillment by combining financial expertise with relationship building, emphasizing that helping people guides his decisions. Linda reinforces this message, stressing that authentic networking and trust—not just sales—drive success in business. They discuss how building strong professional relationships generates crucial referrals and supports both clients and the community.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner and Opeyemi (Yemi) Okunbor discussed the importance of financial planning, particularly for immigrants and young adults who may not receive adequate guidance. Yemi explains her business, Experior Financial, which helps individuals, families, and businesses build a stronger financial foundation through protection, debt strategies, and long-term planning. She highlights a common issue – a lack of proactive financial planning driven by a focus on day-to-day living and a desire to maintain cultural values of leaving a legacy for future generations. Yemi emphasizes that it’s never too late to start planning and stresses the value of referrals and building relationships based on trust, mirroring the importance of a strong financial plan for a secure future.

SBCN Co-Founder and host of the Small Biz Podcast Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews Janet Benedict about her new "Diaries" project, which empowers seniors to share their life stories and wisdom. Alongside her 'Diaries' partner Will, Janet uses Substack to publish free, short stories from the senior community. The initiative preserves valuable memories and nostalgia. Janet plans to compile these stories into a future anthology, offering royalties to participating writers to ensure these unique perspectives are never lost. Small Business owners are very interested in this resource.