Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Shannon Ferguson, CEO & Co-Founder of FanSaves, to talk about entrepreneurship, finding your niche, and building a business by learning as you go. Shannon shares how FanSaves evolved by working with smaller teams, learning directly from customers, and adapting through challenges like COVID. She also discusses the importance of starting before everything is perfect, overcoming mindset blocks, and recognizing opportunities to grow and evolve along the way.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Chris Doré, CEO of Scarlett Nova. Chris shares how his background in applied AI and entrepreneurship led him to launch Scarlett Nova, helping businesses understand and adopt AI effectively. He discusses the challenges of bringing AI into established businesses, the importance of education and strategy, and why relationships remain at the heart of building a successful company.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Leigh Hinsperger, Sales Manager at Hinspergers Poly Industries. Leigh shares the story behind one of Canada's leading manufacturers of custom polyethylene products and discusses what it takes to grow a successful family business in a specialized manufacturing industry. He talks about balancing innovation with long-term customer relationships, developing a strong workplace culture, adapting to changing markets, and why building trust, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning have been essential to the company's continued success.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Justin Chipperfield, owner of Chipperfield Mobile Physio & Wellness. Justin shares how he transitioned from working in traditional physiotherapy clinics to building a successful mobile practice that brings care directly to clients. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of delivering exceptional customer service, and why taking a personalized approach has helped his business stand out in a competitive healthcare industry.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Debbie Cunha, owner of Little Kids Daycare Center, about one of the toughest realities every entrepreneur faces — struggle. Debbie shares a powerful perspective on accountability and why business owners need to first ask themselves, “How did I get here?” before figuring out how to move forward.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Ben Estephan, founder and owner of Inhouse-Support Inc., who shares candid advice for entrepreneurs navigating difficult seasons in business. Ben opens up about the sleepless nights, financial pressures, and moments when he nearly walked away from entrepreneurship altogether. Drawing on wisdom passed down from his father, his message is simple yet powerful: keep moving forward. No matter how hard the journey gets, get up, keep walking, and trust that persistence, resilience, and hard work will eventually be rewarded.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Nathan Weston, Owner of Straight Up Construction, who shares a powerful reminder for business owners: knowing your numbers is everything. He breaks down the difference between being busy and being profitable, and explains why many entrepreneurs unknowingly build “a job with overhead” instead of a real business. Nathan also discusses the importance of shifting from working in the business to working on it, and why building systems that allow the company to run without you is the true goal of entrepreneurship.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Todd Whitehurst, owner of Black and White Line Painting, who shares honest advice for business owners going through difficult seasons. Todd talks about the importance of staying the course during downturns, believing in yourself when things get tough, and understanding that entrepreneurship requires resilience and persistence. His message is simple but powerful: if you know you’re built for entrepreneurship, keep going, stay disciplined, avoid unnecessary spending, and trust that consistency and determination will eventually pay off.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Julia O’Grady, founder of ITM Events, to talk about one of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship: feeling like you’re struggling alone. Julia shares how being vulnerable, admitting she needed help, and learning from other entrepreneurs completely changed the trajectory of her business and mindset. A powerful conversation about resilience, community, and the reality behind entrepreneurship.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, I sit down with Mark Jamieson, CEO of WSI Ottawa and Extension Marketing, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions about AI—that it’s a cure-all. Mark explains why AI is best viewed as a powerful tool, how it can act like having a full team of experts at your fingertips, and why learning to use it properly can give entrepreneurs a serious competitive edge.

On this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat sits down with Mike Heroux, founder of Dividend Stocks Rock, to challenge one of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship, that you need money to get started. Mike shares why waiting for the “perfect time” can hold you back, how starting small with a minimum viable product can accelerate success, and why testing your idea early is the smartest way to build a business that actually works.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Christine Beaudoin, co-owner of No Limits Bootcamp. She shares a key tip for entrepreneurs struggling right now: decide and stick to it. Stop overthinking, commit to your choice, even if it’s the wrong one, and you’ll learn faster, grow stronger, and save months of hesitation.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Veronica Robeznieks, owner of The Incomplete Artist, who shares an honest take on what it really takes to grow a creative business. Veronica talks about the importance of networking, thinking outside the box, and putting in consistent time and effort instead of waiting for opportunities to show up. Her message: success comes from strategy, persistence, and being willing to do the hard work, because if you’re not ready to invest that energy, you might as well be working for someone else.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Michèle Marchand, founder of The Better Scalp Company, who opens up about the realities of building a business while still working full time. She shares candid advice for entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by the long hours, stress, and self-doubt. Michèle’s message is clear: keep going. She talks about shutting down negative thoughts, focusing on daily progress, putting yourself out there, and creating momentum by letting your network in on your journey. For anyone trying to balance it all and wondering if it’s worth it, her mindset and persistence are the reminder you need.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Julia Marshin, owner of Kiwan Farms Garden Center, who shares candid advice for anyone balancing full-time work while dreaming of starting their own business. Julia reminds us that entrepreneurship isn’t easy, it takes hard work, constant learning, and sometimes even tears. But when you truly love what you do, the rewards shine through in every happy customer and every new product you get to share. Her message: if your heart isn’t in it, it won’t work, but if it is, that passion will carry you through the challenges.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Jeffrey Addai, Co-Founder & CEO of One Pro Sports Management, who shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who hesitate to start. From his own journey balancing professional soccer and building a business, Jeffrey explains why it’s better to risk failure than to miss out on opportunity, and how today’s tools, mentors, and resources make getting started easier than ever.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs I host Winnie, CEO & founder of Postnatal Kindness ,who opens up about the importance of protecting your vision as an entrepreneur. She shares heartfelt advice for business owners, especially those facing early struggles, on why it’s crucial to limit the voices you listen to and focus on those who truly support and understand your mission. Using examples like Uber and Airbnb, Winnie reminds us that groundbreaking ideas are often misunderstood at first, but success comes to those who remain laser-focused and committed to the vision they were given. Her message: trust yourself, tune out the noise, and stay true to your path.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Ted Cawkwell, Agriculture Specialist from Cawkwell Group and one of the top farmland realtors in the world with RE/MAX who shares heartfelt advice for anyone who’s been dreaming of starting a business but hasn’t yet taken the leap: do it today. Ted encourages would-be entrepreneurs to shift their mindset from “what if something goes wrong?” to “what if something great happens?” and reminds us that regret over not trying is far worse than any risk of failure. His message: take the plunge, stay positive, and then work tirelessly to turn that vision into reality.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Nilufer Erdebil, founder and CEO of Spring2 Innovation, Nil shares candid advice for anyone thinking about starting a business: start now, don’t wait for perfect, and focus early on marketing and sales. Nil explains why it’s less about having everything figured out from day one and more about being willing to learn from your customers, adapt, and confidently share what you do and what you stand for. Her perspective is a reminder that momentum, openness, and clear messaging matter more than perfection when turning an idea into reality.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Matt Lemay, Co-Founder of Lemay.ai, who shares honest advice for business owners facing challenges. He explains why “boring works”—why sticking to tried-and-true strategies often beats chasing flashy trends or quick fixes. Matt also highlights the power of real human connection over spammy lead-gen tools, and why doing “smart things” that create results matters more than trying to be clever. And for those still debating entrepreneurship, he offers a candid reminder: if you hear all the reasons not to do it and still feel pulled to try, that persistence might just be the sign you’re built for it.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Eric Uyttewaal, Founder of ProjectPro Corp, who shares practical and hard-won advice for business owners facing tough times. Reflecting on moments when his own business revenue dropped dramatically, Eric emphasizes the importance of always keeping six months of salary saved to protect yourself from market swings and lowball offers. He also highlights why staying lean, like avoiding unnecessary overhead or flashy expenses, can help you stay resilient and focused on what truly matters: delivering value and knowing your worth.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Christophe Désormeaux, CEO of bitMachina, who offers practical advice for anyone hesitating to launch a business. He emphasizes the importance of testing your idea quickly but in a highly controlled, low-cost environment. Rather than investing heavily upfront, Christophe recommends validating the concept first to see if it resonates with the market. If there’s traction, then it’s time to invest further, refine the offering, and build structure around it. His key message: you won’t know what works until you put it out there, let the market be your guide.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Ed Hansen, former owner of Hansen Lawn & Gardens and now Partner at E&L Consulting who shares some real talk for anyone thinking of starting a business. If you've had an idea for a while but just can't pull the trigger, Ed suggests it might be time to step back and ask yourself why. The entrepreneurial journey isn’t about instant success — it’s about being okay with failure, owning your race, and building something with purpose.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, I host Heather Boyd, Founder of Pillar IP, who shares her top advice for business owners navigating tough times: believe in yourself, build a strong team, and don’t underestimate your online presence. Heather explains why having a clear website, consistent social media, and authentic communication are essential tools for growth—especially when things get tough. Tune in for practical insights from an entrepreneur who’s built her business on connection, visibility, and trust.