Lee Waltham unpacks how Brandish Agency scaled from a small Winnipeg start-up into a national brand-building partner by betting on culture first. He traces the early stumbles, the moment the team swapped top-line targets for metrics that actually move margin, and why serious brand work begins long before a logo is even sketched. Lee also walks through the math and the mindset that convinced him a four-day work week could boost profitability rather than dilute it. The result is a set of hard-won lessons and immediately actionable insights for anyone determined to build a brand that really sticks.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/

From a pool-table “lab” in Winnipeg to mine sites and customers in almost 50 countries, Todd Burns shares the playbook that turned a small one-man dust-control business into a world-class cleantech exporter. We dig into cash-flow squeezes that forced invention, the R&D boost unlocked by a partnership with RRC Polytech, and the systems Todd uses to scale without losing Manitoba roots.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/

Manitoba has historically been underrepresented when it comes to early-stage venture capital. That’s starting to shift.

In this episode, I sit down with Iain Crozier, founder of Trillick Ventures, to talk about why he’s building Manitoba’s first dedicated early-stage venture fund — and what that could mean for founders here.

We talk about the lessons he carries from growing up in a family business, what Trillick actually looks for when backing a founder, and why recent updates to Manitoba’s Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit could meaningfully improve access to early-stage capital for Manitoba founders. We also explore what Manitoba can learn from ecosystems like Calgary and Newfoundland when it comes to building a durable startup flywheel.

If you care about capital, founders, and the long-term growth of this province, this is a conversation worth digging into.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/

Ryan Klassen, CEO of Valley Fiber, shares what scaling a province-wide infrastructure business really demands—and why successful growth often requires rebuilding systems without losing culture, quality, or momentum. Drawing on Valley Fiber's rapid expansion across Manitoba, Ryan offers practical insights on leadership, execution, and scaling with intention.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/

John Proven reflects on the early influences, mentors, and values that shaped his leadership journey—and what it takes to build organizations and institutions that endure. Drawing on a career rooted in Manitoba with global reach, John shares lessons on leadership, culture, and long-term thinking that matter for builders at every stage.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/

The Building Manitoba Podcast is a non-partisan show for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Support the show

Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.

Want the key insights without re-listening? The Building Manitoba Review is a monthly newsletter with takeaways, links, and ideas from recent episodes. Subscribe at https://buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com/