What’s the secret to bringing a jewellery brand with such small beginnings to be this impactful?

Today we are joined by Rachel Mielke, the Founder of Saskatchewan-based jewellery company Hillberg & Berk. Rachel’s experience of entrepreneurship has been all about taking risks, from taking her business full-time to appearing on Dragons’ Den. But perhaps even more importantly, her journey has been about connection, and that’s been her secret to successfully utilizing the support and community she already had.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• What it was like for Rachel to launch a brand from her kitchen table.
• The catalyst that led to her truly seeing the potential in her business.
• Her experience on Dragons’ Den and the moment she got lucky on the show.
• The promotional event that led to a flop—and how it led to her best pivot ever.
• How she leaned into a strategy of building relationships in order to scale.
• Why she says success is 100% the team you build around you.
• Her secret to finding those people who are the right fit for the business.
• The values that have shaped how she shows up as a leader.
• Why it’s important to leave your ego behind when you’re building a team.
• How balancing work and motherhood doesn’t get easier (but it’s worth it).
• How building a stable business earns you the right to say “no” more often.
• Why she is excited for the next generation and how they view the world.
• What Rachel sees next for her business and her brand almost two decades in.

Hillberg & Berk: https://wwwhillbergandberk.com

Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmielke101

The Art of Strategy: https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin

How can leaders create a positive speak-up culture in the workplace?

Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky is a keynote speaker and author of Speak-Up Culture. When it comes to cultural leadership, Shed has seen and lived the importance of serving and leading from the inside out. He shares some fantastic tips for soliciting feedback and encouraging honesty from your team so that you can live up to a high standard of leadership.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• What Shed’s first work experience out of business school taught him about leadership.
• Why all leaders are followers and why servant leadership matters.
• How living up to the standard of great leadership isn’t easy in practice.
• The personal experiences that taught Shed about speak-up culture.
• Why having an open-door policy in the workplace simply isn’t enough.
• How workplace culture isn’t like a family (and shouldn’t be presented as such).
• What it means when you solicit feedback and your team doesn’t speak up.
• Why it’s important to get curious, disagree, and come out on the other side.
• How to create a workplace where people feel comfortable with honesty.
• What not to do if you want honest feedback from your team.
• Tips for leaders to spot and nurture moments of courage.
• Why cultivating a diverse, respectful environment is key.
• The true test of whether or not you’ve created a speak-up culture.

Shed Inspires: https://www.shedinspires.com

Shed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenshedletzky

The Art of Strategy:https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin

What does running a successful business as a married couple look like?

On this episode of Live Learn Lead our guests are Tova and Josh Matchett of Timeless Furniture. The motivation for their business came from a desire to create a higher level of freedom in their growing family, and they’ve learned a lot through their business journey—which has included a service pivot, a rebrand, the creation of their own upholstery academy, and a new location.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• How Josh and Tova feel about the work they do.
• The three words that sum up the essence of Timeless Furniture as a business.
• Why, as a married couple, they felt drawn to starting a business together.
• Who Josh’s first customers were and what that experience taught him.
• What happened when they decided to pivot and rebrand their business.
• Their inspiration for starting their own furniture line and how it’s going now.
• What it took to find the right talent in their industry.
• The qualities they look for in right-fit team members and why it matters.
• How they deal with those inevitably imperfect days in their business.
• How being in business together has actually strengthened their relationship.
• What advice they would give to couples who are starting a business together.
• The personal mantras that help them in business and in life.

The Art of Strategy:https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin

Timeless Furniture: https://timelessfurniturecorp.com/