In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Dr. Rumeet Billan, an award-winning entrepreneur, learning architect, and humanitarian, joins Shannon Pestun to delve into the powerful themes of rewriting and redefining success on your own terms. As the CEO of Women of Influence+ and the Founder of Viewpoint Leadership, Dr. Billan brings a wealth of experience in transforming workplace cultures, fostering trust, and building resilience. Her research on Tall Poppy Syndrome and Canadian Happiness at Work has been instrumental in shifting conversations about workplace dynamics and women’s roles in leadership.

Together, Dr. Billan and Shannon explore the importance of context in shaping narratives around success and happiness. Dr. Billan shares how rewriting and redefining aren’t just about correcting the past—they’re about intentionally shaping the future. She emphasizes the significance of intersectionality and the need to empower women to define and achieve success on their own terms, rather than conforming to one rigid idea of what success or happiness should look like.

In addition to success, the conversation also touches on a crucial topic for women—financial wellness. Dr. Billan and Shannon highlight how women have been conditioned to believe that financial empowerment is out of reach, a myth that needs to be dispelled. Dr. Billan stresses the importance of breaking through these barriers, addressing the attitudes and behaviors around financial decisions, and understanding finances in a deeper, more personal context. Listeners will gain insights into how financial empowerment is essential not just for business, but for everyday life, and how empowering women with financial knowledge can lead to greater confidence and control over their futures.

This episode offers tools and insights to help women not only redefine success but also take control of their financial narratives, paving the way for meaningful and lasting impact in both their personal and professional lives.

Websites:

Rumeet Billan

Women of Influence

Social Media:

Linkedin: Rumeet Billan

In this episode, Shannon Pestun sits down with the dynamic Sarah Wilcox, Co-founder and CEO of Genuine Tea Inc., to explore the key strategies that have propelled her company from a small farmers' market brand to a nationwide success story. With Genuine Tea named one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies in both 2022 and 2023 by The Globe and Mail, Sarah shares the remarkable journey that began during her five-year stay in Taiwan, where she not only immersed herself in the local culture but learned directly from tea farmers across Asia. As a trained tea sommelier and recipient of the prestigious MOE Taiwan scholarship, Sarah’s expertise in tea is matched by her sharp business acumen.

Sarah dives into the systems and strategies she has implemented at Genuine Tea, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and listening to customers. She explains how her experience on CBC's Dragons’ Den helped secure a deal with Arlene Dickinson, which catapulted the business to new heights, with Genuine Tea now available in over 1,500 locations across Canada.

In this episode, Sarah and Shannon cover essential topics for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Sarah discusses how to take advantage of grants and government programs to fund growth, diversify your business through multiple channels, and leverage social proof to build a loyal community. She also highlights the critical role of exceptional customer service and reveals how creating robust systems can give business owners the freedom to focus on innovation and expansion.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Sarah’s insights on how key life events can inspire growth, combined with her focus on strategic systems, offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to turn their passion into a thriving business. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical tips and inspiring stories that will motivate you to take your business to the next level.

Instagram: Genuine Tea

Facebook: Genuine Tea

Twitter: Genuine Tea

Website: https://www.genuinetea.ca/

In this episode, Shauna Frederick sits down with the insightful Anna Giampà, a seasoned Family Enterprise Advisor with over two decades of experience in consulting, business planning, and corporate strategy. Anna’s journey is rich with entrepreneurial ventures, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. As a former faculty member at Montreal’s Concordia University, where she taught Entrepreneurship & Strategy, Anna has empowered countless business leaders with her practical wisdom. Beyond her consulting career, she co-manages a thriving real estate portfolio and nurtures her passions for food, travel, and continuous growth.

Anna and Shauna explore the transformative power of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in driving business success. Anna demystifies KPIs, breaking them down into simple, measurable values that act as a scoreboard for your business, helping you track progress and uncover opportunities for improvement. She delves into the four key types of KPIs—financial, operational, customer, and marketing—and illustrates how they can be customized to fit any business, regardless of its size or complexity.

Through practical examples, Anna reveals how even the simplest KPIs, such as tracking new customers or enhancing revenue growth, can have a profound impact. She underscores the strategic significance of KPIs, showing how they can guide your strategic planning and decision-making processes, ultimately fostering structured growth.

Websites:

Canada Benchmarking Tool: Financial Performance Data (canada.ca)

Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: Anna Giampà, MBA, FEA

Instagram: annafiorilli

Facebook: Anna G Fiorilli