Sparkcast: Recent Episodes
Spark Innovation Canada
Podcast discussions by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Sparkcasts are a production of Spark Innovation Educational Center Inc.
Season 2 of Made in the Mist continues with an extraordinary guest, John H. McCall MacBain. John is a Swiss-based Canadian billionaire businessman and philanthropist, renowned for founding the McCall MacBain Foundation and Pamoja Capital SA. His impressive career began with the acquisition of Auto Hebdo magazine in Montreal, which he expanded into Trader Classified Media, operating in 23 countries. He holds degrees from McGill University, Oxford, and Harvard Business School.
John has dedicated a significant portion of his life to philanthropy. Since establishing the McCall MacBain Foundation in 2006, he has contributed approximately $500 million in grants towards education, health, climate change, and environmental projects. He also serves as Chancellor of McGill University and is a member of The Giving Pledge. His historic $200 million donation to McGill University for a graduate scholarship program highlights his commitment to academic and environmental causes globally.
Beyond his professional achievements, John is an avid skier, marathon runner, ice hockey player, and cyclist, as well as a commercial land and sea pilot. He lives with his wife, Marcy McCall MacBain, and their five children.
Tune in to discover the inspiring journey of John H. McCall MacBain and learn about his remarkable contributions to business and philanthropy. Check our #LinkinBio to tune in on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Connect with us @madeinthemistpodcast for more updates!
0:00-0:59 Introducing the podcast and hosts
1:00-1:20 John Macbain intro
1:21-2:03 "How John Macbaine came to be"
2:04-4:34 Story of his first business
4:35-5:02 What sparked his interest in marketing/business
5:03-7:13 university life
7:14-8:07 intro to auto trader
8:08-8:55 his book 65 lessons for success
8:56-20:02 Auto trader story
We don't usually release two #MitM episodes in one week, but when we do, it's for good something extraordinary!
Join us in celebrating a decade of community impact at the REVEL Charity Festival #TOMORROW Friday, June 7th, 2024, at the Central Community Centre, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Hosted by REVEL Realty, this event marks their 10-year anniversary with an evening filled with performances, dinner, dancing, and the hallmark REVEL spirit, all dedicated to supporting those in need.
In this special episode of "Made in the Mist," hosts Dan and Emma sit down with Ryan Serravalle, the dynamic CEO of REVEL Realty and former Division 1 and professional basketball player. Ryan shares his remarkable journey from the basketball court to the boardroom, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced transitioning from a sports career to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the competitive real estate market.
Ryan delves into the early days of his life, his academic journey, and what initially sparked his interest in real estate. He provides a candid look at the obstacles he overcame during his career switch, offering valuable insights and lessons from his athletic background that have helped him build REVEL Realty into a leading force in Ontario’s real estate scene since its inception in 2013.
Throughout the episode, Ryan discusses the innovative approaches and community initiatives that set REVEL Realty apart from its competitors. He highlights the significance of the REVEL Charity Festival and its role in giving back to the community, emphasizing the importance of supporting local causes and fostering a spirit of generosity.
Wrapping up, Ryan provides his top five tips and tricks for budding entrepreneurs and imparts invaluable advice for young aspiring leaders navigating their career paths. Tune in to gain wisdom from one of Niagara’s brightest business minds and learn how you can connect with Ryan and discover more about the groundbreaking work at REVEL Realty.
Join us for an episode filled with inspiration, actionable insights, and a deep dive into the heart of entrepreneurship in Niagara. This is "Made in the Mist" – where visionaries' stories come to life.
Join us on "Made in the Mist," where we bring you exclusive interviews with the movers and shakers of Niagara Falls, Canada. In each episode, we dive deep into the stories behind the high achievers and leaders who are shaping the future of our vibrant city.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Gray, the newly appointed Provost and Vice-President, Academic at the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF). Dr. Gray brings a wealth of experience and a passion for academic excellence to his role, and we're excited to explore his journey from his early life to leadership in academia.
Discover the pivotal moments and experiences that ignited Dr. Gray's interest in Marine Biology and Zoology, leading him on a path towards distinguished roles at institutions around the world. Learn about the steps he took to prepare for his current leadership position and the strategies he employs to build and motivate successful teams.
Dr. Gray also shares insights into the unique challenges he's faced as a leader and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. From navigating career paths to achieving success, he offers invaluable advice for aspiring leaders and students alike.
But our conversation doesn't stop there. Dr. Gray highlights why Niagara Falls is not only a breathtaking destination but also an exceptional place to live, work, and study. He envisions a bright future for the city and discusses the role that UNF plays in its development, with innovative programs and initiatives poised to make a lasting impact.
Tune in to "Made in the Mist" as we uncover the remarkable story of Dr. David Gray and explore his vision for the future of Niagara Falls and the University of Niagara Falls Canada.
Timecodes:
00:00-01:20 - Intro
01:21-07:35 - Early life and post-secondary leadership
07:36-11:00 - Leadership and university impact
11:01-12:50 - Niagara Falls
12:51-21:55 - Team leadership and University of Niagara Falls Canada
21:56-26:37 - Latest initiatives and community impact
26:38-30:05 - Meeting Richard Branson and business advice
30:06-33:00 - Team culture and leadership wisdom
33:01-39:00 - Innovation Hub and partnership with UNF
39:01-40:00 - Public Speaking and lecturing in front of 1500 people
40:01-41:31 - Wrap up and looking to the fall semester at UNF
Join us on "Made in the Mist," where we bring you exclusive interviews with the movers and shakers of Niagara Falls, Canada. In each episode, we dive deep into the stories behind the high achievers and leaders who are shaping the future of our vibrant city.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Gray, the newly appointed Provost and Vice-President, Academic at the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF). Dr. Gray brings a wealth of experience and a passion for academic excellence to his role, and we're excited to explore his journey from his early life to leadership in academia.
Discover the pivotal moments and experiences that ignited Dr. Gray's interest in Marine Biology and Zoology, leading him on a path towards distinguished roles at institutions around the world. Learn about the steps he took to prepare for his current leadership position and the strategies he employs to build and motivate successful teams.
Dr. Gray also shares insights into the unique challenges he's faced as a leader and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. From navigating career paths to achieving success, he offers invaluable advice for aspiring leaders and students alike.
But our conversation doesn't stop there. Dr. Gray highlights why Niagara Falls is not only a breathtaking destination but also an exceptional place to live, work, and study. He envisions a bright future for the city and discusses the role that UNF plays in its development, with innovative programs and initiatives poised to make a lasting impact.
Tune in to "Made in the Mist" as we uncover the remarkable story of Dr. David Gray and explore his vision for the future of Niagara Falls and the University of Niagara Falls Canada.
Timecodes:
00:00-01:20 - Intro
01:21-07:35 - Early life and post-secondary leadership
07:36-11:00 - Leadership and university impact
11:01-12:50 - Niagara Falls
12:51-21:55 - Team leadership and University of Niagara Falls Canada
21:56-26:37 - Latest initiatives and community impact
26:38-30:05 - Meeting Richard Branson and business advice
30:06-33:00 - Team culture and leadership wisdom
33:01-39:00 - Innovation Hub and partnership with UNF
39:01-40:00 - Public Speaking and lecturing in front of 1500 people
40:01-41:31 - Wrap up and looking to the fall semester at UNF
Happy New Year, and Welcome back to Made in the Mist! In this installment, we sit down with the incredible Jessica Friesen, CEO of Gales Gas Bar and a true force to be reckoned with in the world of business.
Jessica's credentials are nothing short of impressive – a Chartered Director, BScN, RN, and a published author, she stands as the first female and third-generation owner/operator of one of the last independently owned petroleum companies in Ontario. With expertise in business development, team building, negotiations, retail sales, and board governance, Jessica has carved her path to success in the oil and gas industry.
Tune in as the hosts explore Jessica's journey, from her roots as a Registered Nurse in Niagara Falls to her trailblazing role as a leader in the oil and gas sector. As a proud recipient of the Rotarian Paul Harris Fellowship, a Quantum Shift Fellow, and Star Woman in Convenience, Jessica shares her insights into business development and the importance of supporting local.
Join the conversation as Jessica delves into the challenges she's overcome both professionally and personally, offering a glimpse into her remarkable life. Discover her tips and tricks for success, and learn why she advocates for the significance of supporting small businesses across Niagara and shopping local.
Welcome to season 2 of Made of the Mist! In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Sodka, the brilliant Founder of Capacity Creator and a true connoisseur of human behavior. Melanie specializes in helping overwhelmed individuals who find themselves trapped in the whirlwind of over-commitment and distraction.
As a seasoned podcaster and renowned international speaker, Melanie has a unique gift for unraveling the complexities of Capacity Management. Her expertise extends far beyond the microphone, as she has spent countless years captivating audiences in diverse settings such as classrooms, boardrooms, and conference halls. Melanie's dynamic journey even led her to grace the TEDx stage, where she shared her profound insights with the world.
Join us as we delve into Melanie's world of custom talks and virtual series, meticulously designed to empower and serve her clients. Prepare to be inspired and enlightened by her perspective-shifting wisdom that has the power to transform the way you approach your own capacity and commitments.
Tune in for an engaging conversation with Melanie Sodka, and discover the keys to managing your capacity, decluttering your life, and reclaiming your focus.
To connect with Mel, find her at
www.instagram.com/melaniesodka
https://www.melaniesodka.com/
Join hosts Emma and Dan in the season finale of Made in the Mist as they chat with April Mullen, co-founder of award-winning production company WANGO Films. Discover the journey behind films like "88," "Wander," and "Simulant," as well as other productions shot in Niagara Falls and the surrounding regions. April shares insights on industry evolution, competition, and the joy of bringing a feature film to her hometown. Don't miss the exclusive sneak peek into WANGO Films' exciting upcoming film and TV projects, and this inspiring conversation with April Mullen, an extraordinary trailblazer in the world of cinema.
Connect with April:
Official Instagram: @april_mullen
website: www.aprilmullen.com
email: info@wangofilms.com
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - 01:50 Welcome to the MITM
01:50 - 08:45 Introducing April Mullen & Entering the Film Industry
08:45 - 10:20 Premiere of Stimulant in NF & Building Community
10:20 - 14:49 Next Generation & Personal Film Passions
14:49 - 18:02 Pushing Through Highs and Lows
18:02 - 22:40 Evolving Industry & Competition
22:40 - 25:20 Film Festivals & Awards
26:40 - 29:45 What’s Next
29:45 - 35:10 Secret Sauce to Success
35:10 - 38:00 Stay in Touch & Filming in Niagara Falls
38:00 - 39:50 Signing off
Social Media expert and Travel Vlogger, Brandon Mimms stopped by the Niagara Falls Innovation to share how business strategies are evolving and why business owners need to adapt. Brandon has grown and managed multiple social media accounts, coined as, "digital real estate," to enhance how brands communicate on digital platforms. By staying consistent and true to his visionary mindset, he's had the opportunity to work with leading brands from around the global, as an advocate for our beautiful city, Niagara Falls, ON.
Brandon's Business Social Media:
Mental Health
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MentalHealth
TikTok: www.TikTok.com/@MentalHealth
YouTube: / @mentalhealth
Mondays (Sub-brand to @MentalHealth)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Mondays
Clothing line and Podcast coming soon
Brandon's Contact information:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/BrandonMimms
Email: brandon.mimms@hotmail.com
Entrepreneur-turned-influencer Vanessa De Prophetis came to our studio to discuss how she became a business owner at a young age, pivoting during lockdowns and the importance of believing in your dreams, even when those around you don’t!
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 03:42 Intro / Background
03:43 - 05:59 Dealing with Competition
06:00 - 08:30 Discovering Passion
08:31 - 10:37 The Hustle
10:38 - 17:10 From Employee to Business Owner
17:11 - 21:02 Client Life Cycles / Moving the Business
21:03 - 29:09 Becoming an Influencer
29:10 - 30:01 Being Niagara-based
30:02 - 33:02 Tips & Tricks
33:03 - 34:25 Outro
The incredibly talented owner of Niagara’s newest attraction: “Goldie’s Selfie Museum”, Brianna Goldie, joins our hosts to discuss her impressive accomplishments as an actress & stuntwoman, the need for great support as an entrepreneur and how a medical condition changed the trajectory of her life.
Brianna opened in August 2022 as a selfie studio, and has recently introduced an on-site cafe and bar, fit for Barbie herself. Goldie's Museum recently hosted their grand opening, showcasing the 3000 square-foot venue was created by Brianna Goldie, and features over 25 photo-ops where you can interact with props and take some insta-worthy photos. You can enjoy installations like an oversized ball pit, life-sized angel wings, and giant lollipops, right here, in downtown Niagara Falls.
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 01:05 Intro
01:06 - 04:54 “Who is Brianna?”
04:55 - 17:59 Cheerleader, Photographer, Actress, Stuntwoman
18:00 - 20:51 The Backup Plan / The Hustle
20:52 - 22:10 Brianna’s Credits
22:11 - 28:39 “Goldie’s Selfie Museum”
28:40 - 30:14 Why Niagara Falls?
30:15 - 39:25 Beautification and Diversifying
39:26 - 42:01 ‘Loosening Up’ and Golfing in a Tutu
42:03 - 43:49 What’s Next for Brianna?
43:50 - 46:43 5 Tips for Entrepreneurs
46:44 - 49:15 Wrapping Up, Links and Outro
Founder and President of Cheekbone Beauty, one of the top 100 influential entrepreneurs in North America, Jenn Harper, sits down with Emma and Dan to discuss her take on company culture, representation of indigenous people and how Google Analytics played a key role in starting her business.
Jenn dreamed of crafting lip gloss for young Indigenous girls, but Beauty wasn’t an industry she knew much about—her work experience had mostly been in the food and hospitality industries. She mapped out what became her original business plan, and for the next two years, spent her evenings and weekends learning everything she could about entrepreneurship and working to build her business. Learn first-hand the tips and tricks to her success as Niagara-based entrepreneur!
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 01:09 Intro
01:10 - 09:22 Introductions, Background & Company Overview
09:23 - 13:48 Getting Ready to Build a Cosmetic Brand
13:49 - 17:47 Staying Motivated
17:48 - 18:50 First Products & Google's Influence
18:51 - 22:06 Turning Down a Deal on Dragon's Den
22:07 - 23:57 Investing in a Business vs. Investing in You
23:58 - 29:42 Growing Through Innovation and Change
29:43 - 32:15 Canadian Support
32:16 - 35:07 Advantages to Growing in Niagara Falls
35:08 - 39:32 The Next Big Steps & JCPenney Announcement
39:33 - 42:58 5 Tips for Entrepreneurs
42:59 - 44:47 Outro
Shortly after celebrating their 5th year in business, the owners of Ownera Media, Brandy Henderson and Rowe Prudente, stop by to discuss scaling in local and global markets, developing partnerships and why Niagara Falls is a great place to operate a business.
Motivational speaker and author of the book "Best Day Ever", Jessica Potts, discusses the importance of identifying the customer's "pain-points", dealing with fears of leaving behind a steady paycheck and the importance of anchoring yourself in your values.
With expertise in human skills development including: leadership and communications; Jessica Potts helps people get on the same page and get things done - while having fun. Known for her energy, optimism and strong belief in pursuing the things you are most passionate about, Jessica’s life's work is summarized simply as “seeing you at your best”.
Time stamps
00:00 – 1:29 Intro
1:30 – 3:04 Jessica’s Professional Background
3:05 – 4:25 Jumping into entrepreneurship
4:26 – 5:50 How Jessica established trust early on
5:51 – 9:08 Finding your niche
9:09 – 10:49 Key components of “Best Day Ever” book
10:50 - 12:52 Stable paycheque vs taking the leap
12:53 – 14:10 Remarkable Women Entrepreneurs Summit
14:11 – 20:18 Who is “Best Day Ever” for?
20:18 – 23:03 Tip 1: Bring your ideas to market, Better Done than Perfect
23:04 – 26:40 When to start saying “No”
26:41 – 31:13 Having a Hobby vs Business
31:14 – 33:04 Tip #4 Have Support & Human Connection
33:05 – 33:33 Where to Find Jessica + Her Book
33:34 – 33:45 Where to Find Spark and Made in the Mist
33:46 – 35:19 Signing Off
In this episode, we are joined by Matt Anthony, Founder of Invittco, and Create Your Future Project. Matt fell into entrepreneurship without him even realizing it while making his mark on the Canadian music and entertainment industry.
From being one of the youngest Canadians to record in the famous Abbey Roads Studio, to starting a scholarship program for students pursuing mental health studies, Matt has always been an advocate for his community, Niagara Falls. He built his company around his passion for turning creative ideas into a source of income. Through his years’ experience, he established a scope of technical skills that he put together, forming Invittco, a creative marketing agency.
Today, Invittco manages an audience of over 12 million, and Matt is sharing his first-hand experience and real advice on how he scaled the business.
Check out what Matt's up to:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattanthonyy/
Invittco:
https://www.invittco.com/
CYF - Create Your Furture Project:
https://www.invittco.com/
https://cyfproject.com/
Timestamps - Matt Anthony Guarasci
02:00 – Background on Matt
10:40 – Opinion on the Canadian Industry
15:00 – What is Invittco
18:40 – Social Media & What’s next
20:00 – Crypto and NFT
23:50 – Tough time in his journey
27:55 – Matts new business adventure – CYF Project
30:15 – Top 5 Tips and Tricks
35:55 – Manifestation
42:05 – What does Invittco offer to their clients
44:30 – Closing statements
In episode 2, we sat down with Paola Girotti, the founder & President of Sugarmoon: Body Sugaring & Skin Care Salon , a trail-blazer and visionary in today's beauty industry.
Dive into a conversation revolved around nearly two decades of passion for a fresh, natural, and innovative approach to the market!
Background on Sugarmoon:
Founded in 2002, Sugarmoon brought a bring a fresh approach and natural solutions to the hair removal and beauty industry. Sugarmoon’s product focus is formulation in a completely pure way, made from ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, and herbal extracts, packed with vitamins and minerals that will hydrate, re-balance and revitalize your skin.
Timestamps :
00:00 – intro
02:10 – Life before Sugar Moon
04:18 – Early stages of Sugar Moon
08:35 – Being a successful woman in the Entrepreneur world
15:00 – Resources that helped grow her business
16:30 – How do you think your business journey would change if you had the help of an incubator like Spark when you were first starting
23:00 – Challenges over the last two years
26:00 – Failure, how do you deal with it.
33:40 – Going E-Commerce
38:00 – Top 5 Tips
Jim Diodati is a Canadian politician, currently serving as mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario. He was first elected in the 2010 municipal election, but even before his politcial career, he was determined to earn a living as his own boss.
In this inaugural episode we’ll talk to Mayor Diodati about his upbringing, his triumphs in Niagara Falls and learn first-hand how he was Made in the Mist.
00:00 – intro
02:05 – Jim’s early life
09:45 – advice on being successful
23:05 – Why Niagara / Niagara Falls
29:35 – if you had access to our innovation hub or any business incubator when you were starting your journey, what would have been the biggest resource you would have taken advantage of.
34:45 – top five tips and tricks to anyone wanting to enter the entrepreneurial lifestyle
45:45 - Outro
The common denominator in success is alignment on any team – entrepreneurial couples are no exception. When things are discombobulated or misaligned it makes movement very difficult affecting our ability to succeed. Why is self-awareness important in this? A great question and one we will be exploring with our returning guests Tim Weir and Randi Radul!
Session: 1 with guest, Tim Weir, and Randi Radul, Share their personal experience and transformation stories. Our entrepreneurial choices create some challenges for us in our relationships, learn how to proactively manage conflicts and engage strategies to keep you healthy / your relationships healthy, and your businesses on track.
Session 2! Guests Tim Weir, and Randi Radul discuss knowing your why and what that looks like. What is it that we value about our relationship, family, dreams, time, recreation, etc. that makes this an important topic of consideration for entrepreneurs? Listen now to hear more about identifying your core values through practical exercises.