In this episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher Goetz welcomes back sponsor and returning guest Amanda Walczyk, a licensed mortgage agent at Saltbox Mortgages. Together, Cher and Amanda share updates from the real estate and mortgage markets, break down current financial trends affecting homeowners, and reflect on takeaways from a recent women’s financial conference. This episode focuses on strategies for navigating mortgage renewals, consolidating debt, and taking control of your financial future with practical and approachable advice. Amanda brings her deep knowledge and warmth to conversations that are often stressful, and Cher compliments this with real talk from the housing market.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [01:29] Amanda shares that interest rates are finally coming down, but most mortgage renewals are more complex now due to additional debts, car loans, and renovations added during COVID.
• [02:07] Many clients are seeing $400+ increases in monthly payments, Amanda explains why it’s crucial to plan renewals at least 90 days in advance.
• [06:30] Amanda introduces OwnWell, a personalized monthly report for clients that shows their equity, payoff progress, and opportunities to save on their current mortgage.
• [07:47] Cher and Amanda discuss the benefits of 30-year amortizations and the power of being in control of your cash flow rather than being overwhelmed by multiple high-interest payments.
• [17:55] Cher breaks down her current approach to setting realistic price expectations in today’s housing market and how she helped clients successfully sell their homes this year.
• [22:31] Cher highlights the importance of managing days-on-market for listings and shares how her pricing and marketing strategies outperformed local medians.
• [26:17] Real estate tip: buyers should explore listings slightly above their budget, sellers are increasingly open to negotiation and price drops.
• [27:57] Amanda and Cher recap key insights from a recent women's investment conference, including the importance of understanding different investment tiers and tools like TFSAs and RRSPs.
• [37:40] Amanda advises clients to move cryptocurrency investments out of crypto platforms 90+ days before using funds for a down payment.
• [40:55] Final takeaway: Financial literacy is power. Amanda and Cher urge listeners to learn one new thing, start a conversation, and reach out for help without shame.

This episode is full of empowering insights and practical tools for navigating your finances and real estate decisions with clarity and confidence. Tune in to hear Amanda and Cher’s expert perspectives and stories from the field!

Connect with Amanda:

Instagram: @saltboxmortgage_agent

Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: Amanda@saltboxmortgages.com
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den1880.co

In this episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher Goetz sits down with Ajoa Mintah, chemical engineer turned ice cream entrepreneur and founder of Four All Ice Cream. Ajoa shares her journey from a 15-year engineering career to launching an inclusive ice cream brand built on the values of creativity, science, and community connection. From sourcing A2 milk locally to designing flavours based on her family of four, Ajoa discusses how she’s built an ice cream company that is thoughtful, accessible, and uniquely Waterloo Region. The conversation also highlights her reflections on entrepreneurship, local collaborations, and the joy of serving simple pleasures to all.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [01:47] Ajoa’s career shift from chemical engineering to founding Four All Ice Cream.
• [04:49] The story behind the name “Four All” and how it reflects her family and inclusive values.
• [08:46] How her technical background informs the science of making ice cream, including balancing flavours and textures.
• [11:08] Early obstacles in starting her business, including licensing challenges and finding motivation to keep going.
• [14:20] The evolution of Four All’s retail spaces and how customer connection became her favorite part.
• [17:15] Working with local farms and suppliers to source A2 dairy and create clean-label, gluten-free, and plant-based ice cream.
• [25:32] Unique sourcing stories, like sea buckthorn from a Shakespeare farm and matcha from a student-led venture.
• [28:50] The freedom and satisfaction of entrepreneurship and creating without limits.
• [30:33] Programs like “Behind the Scoop,” advent calendars, and kids’ birthday parties that bring people behind the scenes.
• [34:15] Where to find Four All Ice Cream in KW and beyond, and their goal to expand across Ontario.
• [35:22] Ajoa’s future goals for growth, feeling “unlimited,” and advice for new entrepreneurs: keep talking about your idea.
• [40:54] How community generosity and creativity shape her business, from artist collaborations to local partnerships.
• [42:54] Social content initiatives like Free Scoop Friday and reflections on being based in Waterloo Region.
• [45:17] Stories of community support during the pandemic and local businesses she loves collaborating with.

This episode is a heartfelt look at how passion, science, and community come together to build a business that truly serves everyone, one scoop at a time.

Connect with Ajoa:

Instagram: @fourallicecream

Website: shop.fourall.ca2

Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: Amanda@saltboxmortgages.com
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den1880.co

In this episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher Goetz welcomes Destiny Moser, founder and executive chef of FoodZen. After 17 years in the tech industry managing mergers and acquisitions, Destiny pivoted during the pandemic to launch a personal chef and pre-made meal service rooted in Indigenous values. As a working mother of three, she’s built a business focused on making whole, locally sourced food accessible to busy families while advocating for greater awareness of what true Canadian food means. Destiny shares her passion for sustainable eating, cultural reconnection, and community collaboration through food.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [04:22] How FoodZen began by solving her own family’s food challenges.
• [06:34] The FoodZen approach: from reducing waste to offering customizable, sustainable meal options.
• [09:09] What sets FoodZen apart: following Indigenous food philosophies and cutting out processed ingredients.
• [11:08] The role of hyperlocal, ultra-seasonal eating and surprising local ingredients like sumac.
• [15:07] Challenges of sourcing Indigenous foods due to colonial laws and limited access in urban areas.
• [20:02] Why rethinking industrial farming and supporting Indigenous food systems matters for sustainability.
• [24:06] Barriers in marketing and misconceptions about meal delivery services.
• [29:10] Introducing FoodZen’s kids’ meal program - nutrition-packed versions of childhood favorites.
• [37:15] Upcoming programs and FoodZen’s teaching kitchen launching in May 2025.
• [43:31] Destiny’s mission to remove the label “exotic” from Indigenous foods in Canadian legislation.
• [45:55] Why Waterloo Region’s access to farmers and markets is ideal for hyperlocal cooking.

Connect with Destiny:

Instagram: @foodzen.ca

Website: foodzen.ca

Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: Amanda@saltboxmortgages.com
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den1880.co