The Storytellers Podcast: Recent Episodes
CR Creative Co
The Storytellers Podcast is a raw, behind the scenes look at some of the most successful business professionals throughout Sarnia-Lambton and beyond.
This podcast is the audio version of our web series that features interviews with some of the top business, political and creative minds in our region. Hosted by CR Creative Co’s founder Matt Pasut, Storytellers offers a little-known perspective into the lives of these community leaders.
What inspires them? What challenges have they faced? What led them to where they are today? Our goal is to find out what makes these people tick.
Prepare to be informed and entertained, as Storytellers brings something every business owner can use and find value in.
Meet Chrissy McRoberts, the inspiring owner of Dog Eat Dog in Sarnia, and a local politician.
Chrissy was able to educate herself and grow her business through the Pandemic and has now become an advisor to other local business owners helping them do the same.
Chrissy’s authenticity and drive are unparalleled, it was great to chat with Chrissy in episode 20 of Storytellers.
After four years, and 18 Episodes – the time has finally come for the roles to be reversed on Episode 19.
Featuring Jaime Hayes of RE/MAX Sarnia Realty as our guest host, we get to learn what keeps CR Creative Co. President, Matt Pasut motivated after years of travelling down the ever-winding road of business, and all the stops along the way.
It was so much fun to mix this episode up in honour of CR Creative Co.’s 15th Anniversary, and we hope you enjoy!
Meet Justine Goulet, creative mind and entrepreneur behind Lake Life Studio.
Justine is a local artist who turned her passion of glasswork into doing what she loves every day by running her own business. What started as an “open by chance” shop has turned into a successful business, lifestyle brand, and destination shop.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Justine for Episode 18 to learn more about her unique story.
Meet Sheila Ward, once a university fire arts major, turned full-time teacher and now self-made restauranteur and owner of LOCA.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Sheila for Episode 17 of Storytellers to hear about the road she has traveled to get to where she is today and the truth of what it took to open a restaurant during one of the most uncertain times imaginable - amid a pandemic.
On Episode 16 of Storytellers, we had a chance to chat LIVE with a very special guest, Ken Moskowitz!
It was a pleasure to sit down with Ken to discuss his business, how he writes words that can sell anything, and how he communicates to the world through storytelling.
Meet Jenna Gorzeman, our guest on Episode 15 of Storytellers.
Jenna is a busy mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and entrepreneur with businesses in the heart of Petrolia. Her love of hard work and commitment blossomed at an early age working on her family farm, which has no doubt aided in her success as a business owner.
It was a pleasure to sit down and learn more about what brought Jenna to where she is today, and the scenery wasn’t bad either.
With 45 franchises across Canada, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with EWYN Studios.
Dean Esser, owner of EWYN Studios joins us for the 14th episode of Storytellers. Dean shares how he turned his garage gym into one of the most reputable businesses in the industry in no more than 10 years.
Meet Alex Tsaprailis, our special guest on Episode 13 of Storytellers, and our first episode of 2020 (and what turned out to be the last due to COVID). Alex is a co-owner of the popular restaurant Big Fish Steak and Lounge in Sarnia, Ontario.
When he is not warmly greeting his guests, Alex looks for and seizes every opportunity. Watch as Alex explains how to learn from your mistakes, how to always provide exceptional customer service and the importance of family.
She’s a best-selling author, competitive rower, professional badass, and she currently resides in a place called wonder-hell.
In our first ever LIVE and uncensored episode of Storytellers, we connected with a serial entrepreneur who has started and sold a successful international executive search firm, built philanthropic and political action committees from scratch, and served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps.
Our special guest, Laura Gassner Otting, is like a punch in the face wrapped in a warm hug.
Meet Chris Norton, our special guest on Episode 11 of Storytellers. Chris is a co-owner and stylist at Norton Hairstyling in downtown Sarnia, Ontario.
Chris was destined to become a hairstylist. Growing up he and
his sisters were always in their father’s salon – to say it is in their
blood is an understatement. Chris knew he would follow in his
father’s footsteps after attending a hair event in Toronto which
lead him to fall in love with the industry and meet some of the
people he still looks up to today. When he’s not chasing unicorns, Chris is staying educated on the newest trends and techniques. Watch as Chris explains how to learn from your mistakes, the importance of a smile, and a wicked sense of humour.
If you’re not listening, you’re not learning. In Episode 10 of Storytellers, we sit down with Katie Chapman, owner of The Fox and Hound Canine Retreat in Bright’s Grove, Ontario.
Katie’s journey started at a young age, growing up surrounded by dogs. This formed a love for the industry which has kept her motivated during the road blocks of opening her own business. Structure has played a major role in the overall success of The Fox and Hound Canine Retreat, and Katie has learned to stay calm and let go a little for the sake of her “pack”
It’s not about the abundance of money you have to give, the intent behind giving is passion. In Episode 9 of Storytellers, we sit down with Kathy Alexander, Executive Director at the Bluewater Health Foundation in Sarnia, Ontario. Kathy has always known she’s wanted to do something to improve the lives of others around her, starting her career as a social worker. Through her years of working in fundraising Kathy has learned a thing or two about generosity, feeling passion towards what you do and how to manage a work-life balance.
Life is all about the decisions you make, and our guest on Episode 8 of Storytellers, Jim Pumple, is totally responsible for his own life – there is no one else to blame.
All investment is a calculated risk, you must do your homework and know the product, or you are doing your clients a disservice. After 44 years as a broker in the Sarnia area, Jim definitely knows a thing or two about the local real estate market. He specializes in commercial, industrial sales and leasing, and has a diverse background in real estate development, investment financing, and construction. Jim enjoys the creative aspects of the development side and brings a unique perspective to the brokerage business with the ability to customize solutions for each client’s specific needs.
Life is all about enthusiasm, and using your energy and skills in a way that is meaningful, providing a sense of self-satisfaction and solid results. This is what our guest on Episode 7 of Storytellers, Helen Lomax, is passionate about. Helen runs Pathways & Transitions in Alvinston, Ontario – an award winning training and development organization. She believes in the talents of people and works with them to achieve their personal and professional goals. She assists organizations in building stronger, dynamic teams, enhancing communication, providing impeccable customer service, dealing with stress and increasing motivation. In addition, Helen is also a contributing author to the International bestseller, “Dreaming Big, Being Bold”, where she shares her experiences of both the trials and successes she’s encountered in her career. She encourages those around her to reach out and follow their dreams, and live the life they want to live.
Meet Richard Beland, our guest on Episode 06 of Storytellers.
Richard is a music photographer. His extensive body of work, which dates back to 1986 includes live performance photographs as well as studio portraits. From photographs of Coldplay to The Tragically Hip, Richard’s images of international stars and Canadian icons reveal his passion for his craft, his keen sense of composition, and his steadfast commitment to detail.
Today Richard is also Professor and Coordinator of the Photography Program at Lambton College in a town very close to where he grew up.
In the fifth episode of the Storytellers podcast, we meet Paresh Thakkar, owner and chef at Personal Touch Eatery.
Thakkar comes from a strong background in economics, but when it came time to start a career, he was drawn to the kitchen - a passion that was instilled in him as a boy.
Listen to how Paresh mixes business with pleasure - running his own restaurant and catering business while observing tight business practices that will likely ensure long term success.
In the forth episode of Storytellers, we sit down with Jenn Crawford, owner and operator of Caryl Baker Visage at Lambton Mall in Sarnia.
Jenn has dedicated much of her life to making her clients look and feel great. Formerly a retail manager of another cosmetics shop, she purchased the Caryl Baker Franchise 17 years ago. Since then she’s built a thriving business, with a motivated staff and a reputation known well throughout the city.
In the third episode of Storytellers, we sit down with Don Anderson, general manager of the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation. In his role at the SLBDC, Don has made it his personal mission to see local businesses and start-ups grow.
But he’s also observed when these young enterprises go down the wrong path. Watch as Don shares his wealth of experiences and interactions in what will truly be a valuable episode packed with advice for any budding entrepreneur.
In the second episode of Storytellers, we’re joined by John DeGroot, President of Sarnia-based DeGroot’s Nurseries. Even as a youngster, John was involved in the family business, but only in his 20s did he decide that this was going to be his career. DeGroot embraces a humble and kind approach to running the Sarnia garden and landscape centre – and it seems to be working.
He prioritizes relationships over power, and is a major contributor to the Sarnia-Lambton community. Listen as CR Creative Co. founder Matt Pasut sits down with John to learn what it’s like to seize the reins of a long-established family enterprise – and grow it even more. Enjoy!
In the first episode of Storytellers, we sit down with Tara Duff-Cloes, president of John Duff Ltd. – a Petrolia-based custom metal fabricator.
Initially, Duff-Cloes planned to go into marketing but knows now this is what she was meant to do. Her nearly 30 years experience at John Duff has been full of challenges, successes and interesting situations.
It hasn’t always been easy, she admits, but the experience she gained along the way can be appreciated by anyone who hopes to steer a business to success. Enjoy!