Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore gender equity in Canada’s food and hospitality sector and how national brands can use their influence to champion women entrepreneurs.

Our guest is Melanie Fatouros Richardson, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations at Skip. Since 2019, she has helped transform the organization from a Prairie startup into a national platform while advocating for mentorship, representation, and inclusive growth.

Key Highlights

WXN Food Industry Award: What the award represents for women in the sector and the shared strengths seen among this year’s honourees.

Championing Women Leaders: How Skip is supporting women led businesses through programs, partnerships, and inclusion driven initiatives.

Current Industry Landscape: The biggest challenges and opportunities for women scaling food and hospitality businesses today.

Collaborative Leadership: How leading an all women team shapes Skip’s culture and informs Melanie’s commitment to empowering women.

Skip’s Future Vision: How Skip’s ESG commitments and WXN partnership support a more inclusive and resilient Canadian economy.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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 SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore how strong advocacy, workforce development, and industry wide collaboration are shaping the future of Canada’s building materials sector.

Our guest is Liz Kovach, President of Supply Build Canada, a national association representing over fourteen hundred businesses. Through the pillars of attract, connect, educate, and advocate, Liz is leading efforts to strengthen the industry, address talent shortages, and protect Canadian businesses from trade pressures.

Key Highlights

Navigating U.S. Tariffs: How ongoing advocacy in Washington helps Canadian suppliers manage disruptions and protect competitiveness.

Solving the Talent Crisis: How the Attract and Educate pillars support members with career fairs, training, job boards, and accredited courses.

Power of Membership: The real outcomes members gain, from government backed training to tax incentives that improve profitability.

2026 Showcase Impact: Why the upcoming national showcase is a catalyst for planning, product innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Future Vision for the Industry: How programs like BuildHER, webinars, insights nights, and the podcast strengthen community and drive innovation.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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 SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore the evolving world of venture capital and how investing in overlooked founders can unlock powerful innovation and economic opportunity.

Our guest is Mana Hosseini, Co founder and Managing Partner at Apex Innovative Investments Ventures, a thirty five million dollar VC fund backing early stage AI, FinTech, and Cleantech startups. Mana shares her unconventional path into VC, her global vision, and practical insights for founders aiming to become VC ready.

Key Highlights

A Nontraditional Path: How Mana shifted from law to VC and why Apex backs founders who fall outside the classic mold.

Apex’s Investment Strategy: What unifies the AI, FinTech, and Cleantech startups they support and how Apex balances traditional and long term bets.

Fund 2 and Global Growth: How the new thirty million dollar fund is structured and why expansion to Australia is a timely strategic move.

Becoming VC Ready: Common misconceptions about fundraising and the traits that signal a team is prepared for venture capital.

Thesis and Future Vision: What Upguys Health reveals about Apex’s investment philosophy and Mana’s long term mission for the firm.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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. In this episode, we explore how purpose, sustainability, and strategy come together to help companies deliver good business done better.

Our guest is Blair French, Chief Growth Officer at LMNO, a B Corp-certified creative and marketing consultancy. With over fifteen years in branding and strategy, Blair shares how purpose-aligned decision-making strengthens impact, performance, and long-term value.

Key Highlights

1. Good Growth Priorities: Blair explains how SMBs should invest for resilience and why brand, people, and sustainability fuel long term value.
   
2. A Personal Catalyst: How climate impact close to home shaped Blair’s mission to support people and the planet through business.
   
3. Sustainability for Advantage: Why purpose and profit coexist and how sustainability boosts competitiveness and operations.
   
4. The LMNO Framework: How strategy, creativity, and impact consulting help clients meet rising expectations and measure results.
   
5. The B Corp Standard: What achieving B Corp and Net Zero status means for LMNO’s leadership and long-term vision.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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. In this episode, we explore how strategic planning, clarity of vision, and organizational alignment help leaders turn ambitious goals into real progress.

Our guest is Chris Ward, MBA, CMC, President of Strategic Directions. With experience across retail, manufacturing, consulting, and over 250 corporate retreats facilitated, Chris shares practical insights on building accountability, improving execution, and developing strategic thinkers at every level.

Key Highlights

1. Why Strategic Planning Matters: Chris explains how strategy brings clarity, focus, and long term direction for small and mid sized businesses.
   
2. Why Plans Fail: Insights on the common barriers and how alignment across teams keeps strategy alive beyond the retreat.
   
3. Accountability in Action: How leaders can make planning engaging and build a culture where commitments turn into measurable outcomes.
   
4. Strategic Thinkers Everywhere: Why developing strategic thinking across the organization strengthens adaptability and long term performance.
   
5. Mastering Strategy: Chris shares the purpose behind his Mastering Strategy program and key advice for thinking and acting strategically.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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. In this episode, we explore how Canadian businesses can fuel innovation and extend their runway through smart R&D tax strategies and non-dilutive funding.

We’re joined by Keith Bailey, CFO at Boast.AI, a leader in helping organizations navigate SR&ED, CDAE, and U.S. R&D programs through AI-driven automation and in-house technical expertise. Keith shares how businesses can reduce complexity, minimize audit risk, and unlock innovation capital more efficiently.

Key Highlights:

1. Non-Dilutive Capital: How SR&ED extends innovation runway and strengthens investor readiness.
   
2. Real-Time Documentation: How structuring teams and capturing technical work early supports audit-proof claims.
   
3. SR&ED Enhancements: What’s changing and why DIY filing increases risk and missed eligibility.
   
4. Economic Advantage: How SR&ED and CDAE incentives help companies stay innovative during uncertainty.
   
5. Why Boast AI: What sets Boast apart and why enterprises choose them as a long-term strategic partner.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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. In this episode, we explore how experiential retail ecosystems are reshaping community engagement and creating new growth opportunities for Canadian small businesses.

Our guest is Matt Rubinoff, Founder of STACKT and STACKTx, the award-winning Toronto marketplace built from shipping containers and the community driven platform helping small businesses access space, education, and opportunity at no cost.

Key Highlights

1. STACKT’s Origin Story: How Matt blended community and commerce to create an interactive public space that attracts major brands.
   
2. STACKTx and Small Business Growth: The free perks, education, and pop-up storefronts are helping entrepreneurs scale with community support.
   
3. Social Conference Impact: Why experiential, in-person engagement drives stronger relationships and growth than virtual alternatives.
   
4. Future Expansion Vision: How STACKT and STACKTx plan to grow across Canada with more mentorship, retail access, and community programming.
   
5. Leadership and Innovation: The key lessons behind building STACKT and how grants and mentorship strengthen Canada’s small business ecosystem.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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. This episode is part of Tech Forward, where we explore the technologies and global forces shaping innovation, efficiency, and growth for Canadian businesses.

Today, we’re diving into the fast-evolving world of geopolitics and satellite communications with Abishur Prakash, founder of The Geopolitical Business, Inc. Known as “Mr. Geopolitics,” Abishur advises global executives and policymakers and is the author of five influential books, including The World Is Vertical.

Key Highlights:

1. Business Disruption: Abishur explains how geopolitics is reshaping global markets and what Canadian SMEs must analyze to stay resilient.
   
2. US-China Dynamics: He shares how power shifts, America First policies, and supply chain changes impact Canadian competitiveness.
   
3. Strategic Resilience: Abishur outlines three practical strategies for SMEs to diversify markets, secure tech, and strengthen long-term stability.
   
4. AI in Geoeconomics: He breaks down how AI is influencing global power and the risks and opportunities for Canadian tech companies.
   
5. Future Foresight: Abishur discusses why geopolitical forecasting is essential and how The Geopolitical Business supports SME planning.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small 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.