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

In this episode, Shauna sits down with the brilliant Jackie Porter who is a leading Canadian financial planner with a stellar 25-year career dedicated to empowering high-achievers. As a trusted advisor to executives, business owners, and legal professionals, Jackie offers expert guidance on complex financial matters that go beyond simple Google searches.

Her journey to financial success is as inspiring as her expertise. Raised by a single mother, Jackie faced early financial challenges that ignited her passion for building wealth and financial independence. Today, she's a multi-award-winning financial planner, author of "Single by Choice or Chance," and a sought-after industry expert.

Jackie has a knack for turning complex financial concepts into actionable advice. In this podcast we're diving deep into the power of mindset when it comes to money. From overcoming financial barriers to skyrocketing your business, Jackie shares practical tips and strategies to cultivate a growth mindset. Discover how to shift your perspective, unlock new opportunities, and take control of your financial future. Get ready to be inspired as Jackie shares her wisdom and empowers you to reach new heights in your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect with Jackie: LinkedIn: Jackie Porter (Lawyers Financial Advisor) CFP, RWM, EPC

Twitter: X

Instagram: Jackie Porter | CFP (@jackieportercfp)

Website: askjackie.ca

In this episode, our host Shauna sits down with Julieta Miranda, the dynamic Founder of Kid Drop and an acclaimed entrepreneur recognized as Emerging Entrepreneur 2022, Small Business of the Year 2022, Top 50 Under 50, Keynote Speaker, and participant in Dragon’s Den 2023.

Julieta’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 with the acquisition of Romeo’s Tile, her family business, which she transformed into a thriving enterprise with annual revenues soaring from $350K to $6.2M. With a background in Criminology and Social Work, and bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Julieta brings extensive marketing and sales expertise honed through her ventures and professional roles. Kid Drop, her latest venture, offers a vital transportation solution for busy parents, providing safe, reliable door-to-door service for children attending school, activities, and custody exchanges at an affordable rate.

In this episode, we explore Julieta’s remarkable journey of rebuilding after bankruptcy. As she aptly reminds us, "You can't fail if you don't quit." We delve into how bankruptcy, while not a clean slate, can spark a new beginning, and discuss strategies to overcome self-limiting beliefs and embrace growth and renewal. Julieta candidly shares how her bankruptcy experience reshaped her financial understanding and empowered her to enhance financial literacy while launching Kid Drop. Her insights into prioritizing financial wellness and advice for women entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their financial health are invaluable.

Tune in as Julieta shares three practical tips for maintaining a positive mindset and staying motivated amidst entrepreneurial obstacles. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with resilience, wisdom, and laughter, as Julieta Miranda embodies the spirit of success and perseverance.

Connect with Julieta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieta-miranda-26b851212/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julieta.ranger/
Website: https://www.kid-drop.com

Join your host Shauna Frederick for a discussion with Sidrah Khan, Senior Manager Acquisition Strategy at TD Insurance. With over a decade of expertise in both Australian and Canadian insurance landscapes, Sidrah shares insights on how TD Insurance supports entrepreneurs through tailored small business insurance solutions.

They explore topics ranging from debunking common misconceptions about business insurance to understanding the critical types of coverage every entrepreneur should consider. Discover how TD Insurance stands out with innovative solutions that adapt to evolving business risks and needs.

Social media handles:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sidrah-khan-cpa-ca-58ab2183

Join your host, Shannon Pestun for a conversation with Sévrine Labelle, Managing Director of BDC’s $100M Thrive Lab, she works closely with partners to develop innovative equity investment models to support women-led social impact businesses. Sévrine explains types of seed funding, the value of incubators, and how entrepreneurs can connect with the right people and networks for success.

Websites:

https://www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/venture-capital/funds/thrive-platform/thrive-lab-women

Social media handles:

LinkedIn: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdc/

Instagram: @bdc_ca

Facebook: facebook.com/theforumca

The Finance Cafe is excited to welcome this weeks guest, Tracy Persson. Tracy is an Indigenous entrepreneur, philanthropist, and tech innovator from Northern Alberta. She founded her first company, Cozy Intentions and is now blazing trail with her latest tech venture, the My Breast Day app, supporting those battling breast cancer.

Join host, Shannon Pestun, and Tracy for an in depth discussion on founding her latest tech company, her journey in entrepreneurship, her identity as a proud indigenous woman, and her journey with cancer that inspired her to make a difference for generations to come.

Website: https://mybreastday.ca

Instagram: @mybreastday

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/My-Breast-Day

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/my-breast-day-inc/

Cozy Intentions: https://cozyintentions.com