From the trenches: Recent Episodes

Business Examiner

From the trenches is the Business Examiner News Group's podcast, featuring monthly audio interviews with business leaders from across British Columbia.


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The Island Coastal Economic Trust strategically invests in inclusive economic development, diversification, and innovation in partnership with communities across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and island and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution.

Learn about how they empower communities and their regional impact in their latest Impact Report.

To learn more, please visit: islandcoastaltrust.ca

Brodie's Final 4:

  • Books: Fishing the River of Time - Tony Taylor
  • App: MusicButler
  • Best advice: "'Mentor' is a gift word, it's something you earn."
  • Favourite restaurants: Devils' Bath Brewing Co.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Orion Construction is an all-in-one construction partner. They provide design, permitting, pre-construction, and construction management for innovative light industrial and commercial developments.

Orion is dedicated to its clients’ success by delivering an exceptional commitment to all projects.

To learn more, please visit: orionconstruction.ca.

Joshua's Final 4:

  • Books: Red Notice - Bill Browder | Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton
  • App: Apple Health
  • Best advice: "Persistence is key. You're never going to get anything if you don't ask for it."
  • Favourite restaurants: Poseidon Restaurant and Bar

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is a registered non-government, non-profit society spearheading regional economic development for the entire Vancouver Island and rural islands region. The society is funded by memberships, sponsorships and gate receipts from events. Their initiatives that you might recognize include: Island Good product brand, Foreign Trade Zone Vancouver Island, ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit, ‘State of the Island’ Economic Report, and the Island Wood Industries initiative.

VIEA is a collaborative partnership providing opportunities for communities, First Nations, businesses, and other key stakeholders to collaborate on broad-based economic activities to improve the region’s capacity for economic vitality.

To learn more, please visit: viea.ca

Julie's Final 4:

  • Books: The Orenda - Joseph Boyden
  • App: Notion
  • Best advice: "Success, development and impact are never in a straight line. You need to embrace the messiness of progress."
  • Favourite restaurants: Gabriel's Cafe

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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At Miracon, their design, construction and customer service teams are committed to creating innovative, functional and award-winning communities for their homeowners.

Their team consists of talented professionals who have over 50 years of experience working in the residential construction industry. Miracon’s success is a result of the collaboration and innovation of their team and their commitment and enthusiasm to building quality homes and providing a memorable experience for each of their buyers.

For more information, please visit: miracon.ca

Ryan's Final 4:

  • Books: Principles: Life & Work - Ray Dalio | Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
  • Best advice: "You can have anything you want in life, but you can't have everything." - Ray Dalio
  • App: The Mindfulness App.
  • Podcasts: Huberman Lab Podcast | The Rich Roll Podcast | The Peter Attia Drive Podcast
  • Favourite restaurants: Tap Restaurant.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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The Western Retail Lumber Association Inc. today is comprised of over 1,150 member firms involved in the building supply industry on the prairies. The WRLA represents the interests of members in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, NW Ontario, Yukon and Nunavut, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in the industry.

The WRLA office is located in the Electric Railway Chambers Building in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba and is staffed by four full-time and 1 part-time employees. Association business is managed by a thirteen member Board of Directors which includes a five member executive.

For more information, please visit: wrla.org and letsgobuild.ca

Liz's Final 4:

  • Books: John Maxwell | The Atlas Six - Olivie Blake
  • Best advice: "Always show up."
  • App: Garmin Connect
  • Favourite restaurants: Deer + Almond

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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As the world’s first skincare line based on USDA certified organic seaweed, Seaflora Skincare aims to preserve and promote thalassotherapy: the healing powers of wild seaweed, marine minerals, ocean mud, and sea salts, for health and beauty. They only incorporate whole, wild, raw seaweeds into our product line – no other company in the world meets this standard.

For more information, please visit: www.seafloraskincare.com

Adam's Final 4:

  • Book: Predictable Revenue - Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler | Hyper Sales Growth - Jack Daly
  • Best advice: "You get in your head, you're dead."
  • App: Windy.app | ChatGPT
  • Favourite restaurants: NORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT | The Lazy Gecko | West Coast Grill

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Peninsula Co-op is a Vancouver Island based co-operative with their core business in grocery, petroleum and convenience stores employing more than 350 full and part-time employees.

Their services include:

  • 18 gas centres with convenience stores located on Southern Vancouver Island between Sidney and Duncan; in Comox and Campbell River.
  • 5 local network cardlocks and 7 system-wide cardlocks on the Island.
  • 2 liquor stores in the Greater Victoria Area.
  • Home heating oil sales and distribution.
  • Food Centre (full-service grocery store) located in Saanichton.
  • Since 1977 we remain entirely locally owned and proudly share profits with our 108,000 member-owners, community and staff.

For more information, please visit: www.peninsulaco-op.com

Corey's Final 4:

  • Book: Made in America - Sam Walton.
  • Best advice: "You have to be extremely patient with long term objectives, but equally impatient with short term objectives."
  • App: fuboTV | BC Ferries
  • Favourite restaurants: Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Frontline Real Estate Services is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver. Their acute local focus, innovative marketing systems and cooperative team structure enable them to deliver powerful results.

The company has invested heavily in advanced administrative systems that allow their brokers to maximize their efficiency and spend more time selling. They have developed a sophisticated marketing system that combines the best of traditional brokerage methods with new technology allowing buyers and sellers to connect faster and more effectively.

For more information, please visit: flre.ca.

Amyn's Final 4:

  • Book: Barbarians at the Gate Book - Bryan Burrough & John Helyar | A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
  • Best advice: "Live my material life as if I'm going to live forever, and my spiritual life as if I'm going to die tomorrow."
  • App: Starbucks.
  • Favourite restaurants: Earls Kitchen + Bar Restaurants.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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NAI Commercial (Victoria) Inc. specializes in commercial real estate sales, leasing and property management, as well as residential sales and development, working with local business leaders in brokerage services and asset management. Their qualified professional team offers years of specialized experience in all aspects of Real Estate.

NAI Commercial (Victoria) Inc. is licensed under the Real Estate Act for the Province of BC and is a long standing member of community organizations including the Better Business Bureau, Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. For the protection of their clients they carry a comprehensive insurance policy including errors and omissions.

For more information, please visit: www.naivictoria.ca.

Bev's Final 4:

  • Book: Treasure Island Novel - Robert Louis Stevenson | The Splendid and the Vile - Erik Larson.
  • Best advice: "Beware of people quoting statistics, they use them more like the drunk uses the lamppost, more for support than illumination."
  • App: PredictWind.
  • Favourite restaurants: Deep Cove Chalet.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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EHN Canada's network of recovery centres offers medically excellent mental health treatment from coast to coast. They cover a wide range of needs, from outpatient therapy to short-term detox stays and multi-month treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

For more information, please visit: www.edgewoodhealthnetwork.com.

Dr. Christina's Final 4:

  • Book: A House in the Sky: A Memoir - Amanda Lindhout, Sara Corbett.
  • Best advice: "How can I be soft on people, but hard on process?"
  • App: The Weather Network.
  • Favourite restaurants: II Terrazzo.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Talon Signs offers a wide array of services providing clients with a single accountable source for signage that saves time, provides manufacturing continuity, and guarantees premium quality. The breadth and variety of Talon Signs’ fabrication and installation capabilities encompass the full spectrum of visual communication from corporate identity signage to comprehensive way-finding packages ​including interior and exterior components, illuminated signs, LED message boards and digitally imaged graphics to custom designed vehicle wraps and special event banners.

A plethora of media and material options are available including an almost limitless colour palette to make almost any concept a reality. Their practical field experience, site analysis skills, layout and shop drawing capabilities, fabrication expertise, and extensive on-site installation experience

enable Talon Signs to accomplish client objectives, providing a quality product economically and on time.

For more information, please visit: talonsigns.com

Renee's Final :

  • Best advice: "Work together as a team, and have a positive attitude."
  • Favourite restaurants: Sushi Langford.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Futurpreneur has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for over two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,600 volunteer mentors.

For more information, please visit: www.futurpreneur.ca. Andrea can be reached on LinkedIn here.

Andrea's Final 4:

  • Books: The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz.
  • Best advice: "Don't do it alone, ask for help."
  • Apps: Google Maps & LinkedIn.
  • Favourite restaurants: Working Culture Bread | Varsha Indian Kitchen | The Coriander Indian Restaurant

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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John Cooper is a seasoned real estate professional who launched his career just before the global economic recession hit. Despite this challenging time, John worked hard and quickly rose to the top of his local RE/MAX office's list of top agents. He has been helping families buy and sell homes on Vancouver Island since 2007 when he and his young family moved to Nanaimo from Vancouver. With a background in digital marketing, John saw an opportunity to innovate in the local real estate market and has been a leader in the industry's digital evolution ever since.

John's real estate business, the John Cooper Group, is centred around technological innovation and client education. His core purpose is to celebrate and share the unique, affordable, and community-minded lifestyle that can be found on Vancouver Island, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. By focusing on a boutique agency model with the cutting-edge brokerage model, EXP Realty, John has built a small but mighty team that is highly effective at providing experienced guidance, effective marketing, and personalized service to their clients.

He has also been recognized for his hard work and dedication to the industry. Including: the EXP Icon Award (which he has won four times), the Top 20 Under 40 Award, the 2020 VIREB Service Award, the Realtors Care Award, and the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, Hall of Fame Award, Diamond Club Team Award, Chairmans's Award, and Platinum Club Award. He is also a former President of the DNBIA. John is grateful for these accolades and is dedicated to continuing to provide top-notch service to his clients.

For more information, please visit: www.coopergroup.ca.

John's Final 4:

  • Books: Traction - Gino Wickman | This Is Marketing - Seth Godin.
  • Best advice: "You want to be where the action is."
  • Apps: Oura Ring.
  • Favourite restaurants: Horang.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is a professional, membership-based, business organization. The Chamber collaborates with its' members to foster growth, community, and best business practices. The Chamber works on behalf of its' members to provide opportunity for Chamber members and employees.

The Comox Valley Chamber's mission is to:

  • ​​Advocate for local business: Represent the unified voice of local business to all levels of government- your #BizChamp; Strive to ensure future prosperity via a pro-business climate - Powering the people who power Comox Valley;
  • Promote the business community and not-for-profit organizations who are Chamber members;
  • Connect with other organizations to establish rapport and well-functioning networks within the community;
  • Work from a 2018 strategic plan; and
  • Build a solid resource for members.

For more information, please visit: www.comoxvalleychamber.com

Paris' Final 4:

  • Book: Finding the Space to Lead - Janice Marturano.
  • Best advice: "The biggest challenge is changing old ideas."
  • Apps: Garmin Connect.
  • Favourite restaurants: Atlas Cafe | Gabriel's Cafe | Tacofino | Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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The Electrical Contractors Association of BC (ECABC) was founded in 1952, when electrical contractors decided that a strong central voice was needed to speak on their behalf. Electrical and line contractors help build our province by installing and maintaining generated electricity to communities, and ensuring the safe transmission of high-voltage electricity from power plants to end-use markets. Then as now, ECABC is the Association in British Columbia dedicated to the interests of electrical contractors, line contractors, associate members and suppliers.

Their membership consists of IBEW and Open Shop Contractor members, manufacturers and distributors. They have 3 Chapters: Interior BC, (Prince George), Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

ECABC is a member of the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) giving them a national voice and helping ECABC and their members stay updated on the latest industry news. As a member, you have an opportunity to express your opinions and concerns on any issue affecting the electrical industry.

Learn more at: eca.bc.ca

Matt's Final 4:

  • Books: Good to Great - by Jim Collins.
  • Best advice: "You play defense with your feet, your head, and your heart."
  • Apps: The Athletic | Twitter.
  • Favourite restaurant: Savio Volpe.

Podcast Publisher: Business Examiner News Group

  • For more local news impacting business in British Columbia, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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The largest financial institution based on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Island was recently re-certified as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth year in a row. The Great Place to Work® certification is based on a thorough independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work Institute® Canada. It’s based on direct feedback from employees, provided as a part of an extensive and anonymous survey about their workplace experience.

About Coastal Community Credit Union:

As the largest Vancouver Island-based financial services organization, helping you improve your financial health and protect what’s important is what they're here to do. They provide expert advice plus a full range of products, solutions & digital innovations to over 120,000 islanders. To help build stronger communities for us all, each year they give back over half a million dollars to support local initiatives and causes. Learn more at cccu.ca.

About Great Place to Work®:

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes Canada’s Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. Visit them at www.greatplacetowork.ca or find them on Twitter at @GPTW_Canada.

Bruno's Final 4:

  • Books: The SPEED of Trust - Stephen M.R. Covey AND Life of Pi - Yann Martel.
  • Best advice: "Be kind, treat people the way you want to be treated."
  • App: Flipp.
  • Favourite restaurants. II Terrazzo AND Woodfire Restaurant & Catering.

Podcast Publisher

  • For more local news impacting business, visit businessexaminer.ca.

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Acera Insurance is a fiercely independent, employee-controlled company with strong roots in Alberta, BC, Ontario and the Yukon. Created through the merger of CapriCMW and Rogers Insurance, the company brings decades of specialized expertise and experience within the insurance industry. With 1,000 employees in over 50 offices across Canada, $1 billion in gross written premium and over 350 employee shareholders, Acera Insurance provides custom insurance and risk-management solutions for personal and commercial clients nationwide including comprehensive employee benefits capabilities.

To learn more about Acera Insurance, please visit: https://capricmw.ca/landing/acera.

Andrew's Final 4:

Book: Who Moved My Cheese? - by Spencer Johnson.

Best advice: "Take a chance, and invest in your own business."

App: PayByPhone.

Favourite restaurant: Rooftop Deck at the Eldorado Hotel.

Podcast Publisher

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Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social development as well as international relations. Previously, Patrick spent 11 years working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at its national headquarters in Ottawa and its regional offices in Vancouver. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked with partners on matters affecting aboriginal and immigrant populations, including immigrant economic integration, provincial nominee programs, credential recognition and labour mobility.

To learn more about the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, please visit: iecbc.ca.

Patrick's Final 4:

Author: In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.

Best advice: "Don't assume things are about you."

App: Waze AND TeamSnap.

Favourite restaurant: JOEY Restaurants.

Podcast Publisher

For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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The Pacific Prosperity Foundation (DBA Pacific Prosperity Network) believes that empowering individuals, grassroots organizations and civic leaders at the local level is the best way to enact positive change in the day-to-day lives of British Columbians. They are dedicated to providing proponents of economically strong and vibrant local communities with the education, training and tools needed to achieve electoral success in their communities.

To learn more about their organization, please visit: pacificprosperity.ca.

Micah's Final 4:

Author: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Best advice: "Good thoughts become good things."

App: PPN Software.

Favourite food: Steak.

Podcast Publisher

For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Peter Richmond is the President and CFO of Ladysmith's 49th Parallel Grocery. Currently they operate 4 locations in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Duncan, in addition to a flower shop (Blooms At the 49th) and printing business (49th Parallel Printers).

This interview covers how 49th is managing the current supply chain and HR challenges facing many organizations right now. We also explore how the second generation family company grew so significantly over its 45 year history, leadership lessons and much more!

To learn more about their organization, please visit: www.the49th.com.

Peter's Final 4:

Author: Peter Legge.

Best advice: "Aim to say yes more often."

App: MyFitnessPal.

Favourite restaurants on Vancouver Island: The Old Firehouse Wine Bar AND Il Terrazzo.

Podcast Publisher

For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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Sharie Minions is the Mayor of the City of Port Alberni, leader of Sharie Minions & Team Mortgage Brokers, and owner of the restaurant Brie & Barrel in Port Alberni. Her unique background and skillset lead her to a term on City Council from 2014-2018, and into the Mayor's seat from 2018 till now.

The interview covers a review of her first term as mayor, entrepreneurial journey, the challenging balancing act of ambition with family, business and life in general, and much more.

Sharie's Final 4:

Book: Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You Book - Jenara Nerenberg.

Best advice: "Find out what you're not good at, and pay someone else to do it."

App: Reminders.

Favourite restaurants on Vancouver Island: Brie & Barrel AND The Farmer's Daughter.

Podcast Publisher

For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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ColdStar Solutions is a Vancouver Island based grocery wholesaler, a transport company that specializes in hauling food products between Vancouver and all parts of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands of Georgia Strait and a public Cold Storage operation.

This interview covers the company's unique history, and their focus on sustainable innovation, including the upcoming launch of the first ever entirely electric, Made in Canada, 5 ton refrigerated transportation truck. It also covers the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, leadership lessons and much more.

Episode Sponsor:

Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.

Kelly's Final 4:

Book: Beartown by Fredrik Backman.

Best advice: "Your goal as a leader is to figure out how to get your team to follow you out of the trenches when the bullets are flying."

App: Audible.

Favourite restaurants on Vancouver Island: The Collective Wine Bar & Kitchen and Wind Cries Mary

Podcast Publisher

For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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Wilson’s Transportation is a locally-owned and operated charter bus company serving Victoria and Vancouver Island. In operation since 1962, they are a trusted provider known for their exceptional service, transporting groups large and small from one destination to another – safely and on time.

As Vancouver Island’s largest charter transportation company with over 140 vehicles available, they offer charters and rentals for all types of groups and events – from small elite tours to large conferences. In addition to their core business of bus charters and rentals, they also operate an eight bay mechanical and body shop facility where their contracts include retrofitting BC Transit buses.

Learn more about them by visiting: wilsonstransportation.com.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.
  • John's Final 4:
    • Book: Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father Book by Murray Howe.
    • Best advice: "Let passion drive you, but also let it hold your reigns."
    • App: Ring.
    • Favourite restaurant on Vancouver Island: II Terrazzo.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.caw

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Alexzi Building Solutions is a local Vancouver Island based green manufacturing company working with Nexii, to bring a sustainable, near-zero waste, and natural disaster resilient building alternative to the construction industry.

Alexzi is currently working towards the construction of its 100,000+ sqft state of the art manufacturing plant which will create 150+ direct jobs.

Learn more about them by visiting: www.alexzi.com.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.
  • Amber's Final 4:
    • Book: The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav.
    • Best advice: "Don't focus on what people aren't doing, focus on you are."
    • App: Zoom.
    • Favourite restaurant on Vancouver Island: Q at The Empress.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Guest 1: Coastal Community Credit Union wants to help you grow your business, our communities and financial health for all.

Learn more about them by visiting: www.cccu.ca.

Guest 2: LlamaZOO Interactive was co-founded by game industry veterans who wanted to make more practical, yet disruptive use of 3D game visualization technology. They knew that they could take gaming tech and transform it into real-world applications.

Learn more about them by visiting: llamazoo.com.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.
  • Charles' Final 4:
    • Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things Book by Ben Horowitz.
    • Best advice: "Do what you're afraid to do."
    • Apps: Google Maps + AllTrails.
    • Favourite restaurant on Vancouver Island: Shizen Sushi.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Guest 1: H2 Accelerator is a boutique agency located in Victoria, BC, that works with some of Vancouver Island’s and BC’s most exciting and socially responsible brands in tourism, financial services, retail, health and wellness, social marketing, and more.

Learn more about H2 Accelerator by visiting: www.h2accelerator.com.

Guest 2: 80% of businesses are unknowingly overspending on employee benefits. OnPoint Employee Benefits fixes this. A total-rewards centric practice, they consult on benefits, productivity and wellness. They uncover where benefit premium wastage is happening and conduct benchmarking for entrepreneurial organizations looking to scale their teams.

Learn more about OnPoint Employee Benefits by visiting: onpointbenefits.ca.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.
  • Tyler's Final 4:
    • Book: Jack Reacher series.
    • Best advice: "Everyone knows your last name. What is your legacy going to be when you meet someone?"
    • Apps: Pipedrive + Vidyard.
    • Favourite restaurant on Vancouver Island: Nowhere *A Restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Guest 1: [00.00-05.35] Pearlman Lindholm was established by Edwin Pearlman and Louis Lindholm in 1954. For 65 years, their firm has consistently maintained its status as one of Victoria’s leading law practices and has steadily grown to house twenty-five lawyers. As a full-service law firm, they use our expertise to represent clients in all personal and business matters, handling cases ranging from small to large and complex.

Their litigation lawyers routinely appear in the Provincial Court of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Clients come to us from Vancouver Island, throughout British Columbia, across Canada, from the United States and abroad. Many of their clients are relatives of families that they have represented for generations. they pride themselves on developing successful, long-term relationships with their clients.

Learn more about Pearlman Lindholm by visiting: www.pearlmanlindholm.com.

Guest 2: [05.35-End of Episode] RSM’s purpose is to deliver the power of being understood to their clients, colleagues and communities through world-class audit, tax and consulting services focused on middle market businesses. The clients they serve are the engine of global commerce and economic growth, and they are focused on developing leading professionals and services to meet their evolving needs in today’s ever-changing business environment.

RSM Canada LLP provides public accounting services and is the Canadian member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 51,000 people in 123 countries. RSM Alberta LLP is a limited liability partnership and independent legal entity that provides public accounting services. RSM Canada Consulting LP provides consulting services and is an affiliate of RSM US LLP, a member firm of RSM International.

Learn more about RSM Canada by visiting: www.rsmcanada.com.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit www.cccu.ca.
  • Mark's Final 2:
    • Best advice: "You should always have a great haircut."
    • App: Garmin Connect.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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In 1887 when Joseph Pemberton embarked on his journey to establish a new real estate business, he could never have foreseen how his earnest work philosophy would inspire four generations to carry on in his footsteps, building one of the largest independently owned and operated real estate firms on Vancouver Island, Pemberton Holmes.

Their tradition of knowledgeable service continues to the present, keeping pace with the growth in the Capital Region, Vancouver Island and the gulf islands. The changing needs of property owners, tenants and today’s technology drive them to achieve their best for each property in their care.

Learn more about Pemberton Holmes' Property Management Division by visiting: thepropertymanagers.ca.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit cccu.ca.
  • Claire's Final 4:
    • Books: The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt.
    • Best advice: "You should always have a great haircut."
    • App: Garmin Connect.
    • Restaurant: The Fernwood Inn.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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From design, through to printing and application, manufacturing and VMI, the Great Little Box Company has you covered in all aspects of your packaging journey. Their award winning team can design and produce packaging that complements your entire product offering and helps you win on the shelf. And all with the shipping and warehousing flexibility you require, with just in time warehouse programs and locations to serve you throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more about the Great Little Box Company by visiting: www.glbc.com.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit cccu.ca.
  • Brad's Final 4:
    • Books: Audible.
    • Best advice: "Culture, it's not just words, the team needs to feel it."
    • App: N/A
    • Restaurant: II Terrazzo.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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DENCITI Development Corporation is a Vancouver-based real estate development company creating urban industrial, commercial and residential developments. Development is ever changing and complex because every property is different. It is crucial to understand the details from acquisition to completion to inspire the creative planning that enhances value, purpose and vision for each project.

They use an intensive process called The Marketing and Development Plan that balances factual reality with creative solutions to consistently achieve a project’s full potential. Their mission is to optimize value in real estate by focusing on:

Location: Great urban locations that become more desirable in the future.

Timing: While markets change with time, their projects stay on schedule.

Results: Great real estate exceeds expectations and enhances the community.

Learn more about the DENCITI Development Corporation by visiting: www.denciti.ca.

  • Episode Sponsor: Coastal Community Credit Union: Who’s helping you take care of your financial health? Coastal Community Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals, and do great things. Visit cccu.ca.
  • David's Final 4:
    • Books:
      • Talking to Strangers Book - Malcolm Gladwell.
      • Monty and the Canadian Army Book - John A. English.
    • Best advice: "Be honest with everyone who interact with."
    • App: Todoist.
    • Restaurant: Red Fish Blue Fish.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Kinsol Timber Systems specializes in working collaboratively with architects, engineers and general contractors to deliver carefully detailed, constructible, and ambitious structures. A Vancouver Island based facility, with access to Canada’s best timber, their shop and site crews are broadly experienced in planning, fabricating, and erecting timber structures in some of the most challenging conditions.

Their team has a breadth of experience spanning all aspects of timber work from mass timber structures, architectural beam work and traditional joinery, to commercial and institutional projects across multiple sectors. They specialize in working with clients in order to deliver projects within agreed timetables and budgets. No single person or firm can provide all of the answers all of the time: they understand that their best work is achieved through the cooperation with, and support of, a larger team.

Kinsol typically works on three or four projects concurrently; project scopes and values range considerably from modest additions to complex multi-year projects that include a full range of design, engineering and construction management services. They have a portfolio that demonstrates competence in new construction, timber engineering and the conservation of historic timber buildings. Increasingly, Kinsol has been called upon to answer design and build opportunities where challenging logistics and complex locations are important considerations.

Learn more about Kinsol Timber Systems by visiting: www.kinsoltimber.com.

  • Mike's Final 4:
    • Book: Journey to the East Novel - Hermann Hesse.
    • Best advice: "Progress is a line through a list." - Angus Beattie
    • App: Slack.
    • Restaurant: Bridgemans Bistro.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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William Wright Commercial Real Estate Services is a dynamic, energetic, and enthusiastic approach to commercial real estate marketing. A new age look at connecting clients to their goals within the commercial markets and helping them build their business one transaction at a time.

With more offices, in more BC markets; William Wright Commercial can provide the most up to date information and in-market data allowing clients to make even the most difficult decisions with confidence. William Wright Commercial proudly operates offices in Vancouver, New Westminster, Langley, Kelowna, Victoria and soon to be Kamloops.

Learn more about William Wright by visiting: williamwright.ca.

  • Cory's Final 4:
    • Book: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't - Jim Collins.
    • Best advice: "Be a sponge, learn to absorb as much as you can, always listen, don't be the one always talking."
    • App: Peloton.
    • Restaurant: Darcy's Pub.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Evolution Business Marketing is a Nanaimo marketing company helping businesses and organizations with all their communication and digital marketing needs. With over 20 years experience in marketing and communications, we pride ourselves in quality service and professional results.

Learn more about Evolution Business Marketing by visiting: www.evolutionbusiness.ca.

Roof Top Tents brings you the ease and comfort of camping to your vehicle, trailer, or any rig you can think of. Looking for a great way to see Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia? Look no further than Roof Top Tents. They offer fibreglass hard shell tents that install easily to the top of your vehicle. These tents are durable, quality-made and an affordable option to camping – no campsite required. Their showroom is located in beautiful Nanaimo, BC. They are happy to show you the roof tents in person and come try them out to see if you like them. They also can ship your roof tent to Vancouver and other parts of BC.

Learn more about Roof Top Tents by visiting: www.rooftoptents.ca.

  • Chris's Final 4:
    • Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad.
    • Best advice: "Learn to say no."
    • App: Slack.
    • Restaurant: The Vault Cafe.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Technical Safety BC is an independent, self-funded organization that oversees the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment across the province. In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates, they work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement, and research.

Learn more about Technical Safety BC by visiting: www.technicalsafetybc.ca

  • Phil's Final 4:
    • Books:
      • Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works.
      • Reasons to Stay Alive.
    • Best advice: "To live is to lead."
    • App: Slopes.
    • Restaurant: Hachi Hana Japanese Restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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The BC Construction Association (BCCA) is the only provincial organization advocating for all companies in BC’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sector regardless of labour affiliations. It protects contractors’ interests with the provincial government, provides expert procurement services, access to project opportunities and talent, and funding for apprenticeship training.

As a non-profit, the BCCA’s mission is to ensure a productive and resilient industry. The Board members are industry leaders from across the province, and if you’re an Integrated Member of your Regional Construction Association you’re also a part of the BCCA.

From the job site to the boardroom, they value community, safety, ethical and respectful business practices, fair market competition, innovation, and leadership.

Learn more about the BC Construction Association by visiting: www.bccassn.com

  • Chris's Final 4:
    • Podcast: Inside Construction.
    • Best advice: "It doesn't matter how you start, it's how you finish."
    • Favourite comfort food: Fish & Chips.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Kinetic Construction is an established Construction Manager and General Contractor with offices in Victoria, Vancouver and Courtenay. Since 1984, Kinetic has successfully completed hundreds of construction projects, using a variety of project delivery methods as a general contractor, construction manager and design-builder.

“Together Building Better” is at the core of who we are, which simply means “Relationships, Passion, and Continuous Improvement.” These are our core values. Kinetic has worked hard over 35+ years to build a company culture where employees are empowered, clients are valued and trade contractors are respected.

Learn more about Kinetic Construction by visiting: www.kineticconstruction.com.

  • Tom's Final 4:
    • Author: Jordan Peterson.
    • Books: The Pillars of the Earth and Scoundrels.
    • Best advice: "Stop thinking you never make mistakes."
    • App: Email.
    • Restaurants: Il Terrazzo. Cafe Brio. Wind Cries Mary. Nowhere *A Restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. They proudly serve and respond to the needs of their clients in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Through partner-led engagements, they provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help people and organizations succeed across the country and around the world.

Learn more about MNP by visiting: www.mnp.ca.

  • James' Final 4:
    • Author: Wilbur Smith.
    • Best advice: "At the end of the day you need to have something to offer people [to be successful]."
    • App: Email.
    • Restaurant: Il Terrazzo.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Danory Technology Partners offers a range of IT consulting services that are specifically designed to provide small Canadian businesses with big technological solutions. They pride themselves on being a Canadian business devoted to protecting other Canadians and their businesses.

Learn more about Danory by visiting: danory.ca.

  • Addison's Final 4:
    • Podcast: Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.
    • Best advice: "The most valuable thing you own is time."
    • App: Microsoft OneNote.
    • Restaurant: Home Restaurants.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Trulioo is a RegTech company. They build and connect digital identity networks around the globe, and this framework of trust empowers businesses to assess the various risks associated with digital identities.

They provide a global identity marketplace that services a wide range of industries, including finance, banking, retail, payments, gaming, and online marketplaces — all through a single API integration. Global banks, Fortune 500 enterprises, tech giants, and companies of all sizes use Trulioo GlobalGateway every day to help meet compliance, fraud prevention, and trust and safety requirements.

They have built an identity marketplace of over 400 trusted data sources that have been rigorously vetted and deliver the highest standards of privacy and data protection. They continue to expand the types and markets of data in their goal to build the most comprehensive global identity network available. As digital services continue to evolve and expand, digital identities will be crucial in creating fairness and transparency to help build stronger, more resilient organizations, communities and people.

Learn more about Trulioo by visiting: www.trulioo.com.

  • Steve's Final 4:
    • Books: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants.
    • Podcast: Making Sense Podcast with Sam Harris.
    • Best advice: "Time kills all deals."
    • App: Snapchat.
    • Restaurant: AnnaLena Restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Kobalt.io brings the monitoring capabilities of enterprise-class security teams to smaller organizations. They build on world-class frameworks and toolsets, combining the power of the cloud and data at scale to address the complexity of cyber security.

Learn more about Kobalt.io by visiting: kobalt.io.

  • Michael's Final 4:
    • Books: The Wealthy Barber: Everyone's Common‑Sense & The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
    • Best advice: "You cannot underestimate the importance of focus in decision making."
    • Tech: Apple Watch.
    • Restaurant: Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant Vancouver.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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With more than 32 years of experience, combining ancient tradition with modern science, Nanaimo's VitaCare Natural Health Clinic and their Naturopathic doctors are trained and licensed to prescribe therapeutic natural medicines as well as prescription drug therapies in creating the perfect treatment program.

They offer extensive services with highly trained and caring staff. Their Naturopathic doctors are continually upgrading their knowledge and adding new treatment modalities and programs to our already thorough lineup. They also have exclusive therapeutic product lines, backed by years of research and clinical trials, to draw from. They also carry our own in house formulated brands created by Dr. John Yim as part of their very successful Candida Terminator and Healthy Gut Healthy Mind protocol.

Learn more about the VitaCare Natural Health Clinic by visiting: vitacareclinic.squarespace.com.

  • Dr. Holewa's Final 4:
    • Podcast: Bean to Bar Manoa Chocolate.
    • Authors: Elizabeth George, Diana Gabaldon, Steven Johnson.
    • Best advice: "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today."
    • App: OverDrive.
    • Restaurant: Be Love.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Engaged HR transforms workplaces by providing essential human resource management consulting services and expertise to nonprofit organizations and small to medium-sized business. Whether you are building your HR program, facing people-management challenges, or growing your business, they’ll help you with your people practices and create the workplace culture you want.

Learn more about Engaged HR by visiting: engagedhr.com.

  • Ruth's Final 4:
    • Podcast: ‎At The Table with Patrick Lencioni.
    • Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
    • Best advice: "Never say no to an opportunity"
    • App: CBC News.
    • Restaurants: Crooked Goose Bistro.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Mackenzie Gartside & Associates is an award-winning team of energetic, customer-focused mortgage professionals who want to make your mortgage experience as positive and smooth as possible. They are based in the Comox Valley (many of their team are 2nd or 3rd generation locals) and they are dedicated to building our place here in the community through long-term, positive relationships with their clients.

Currently Mackenzie is involved with promoting the 2021 Everyone Eats Dinner Series, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Comox Valley, details are available at this link.

Learn more about Mackenzie Gartside & Associates by visiting: www.comoxmortgages.com.

  • Mackenzie's Final 4:
    • Audio: Podcast or YouTube Murder mysteries.
    • Best advice: "Fake it till you make it."
    • App: Google Sheets.
    • Restaurants: Atlas Café.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Learn more about the Entrepreneurial Operating System by visiting: www.eosworldwide.com.* Jeremy's Final 4: + Podcast: Making Sense Podcast with Sam Harris. + Best advice: "Hire tough, manage easy." + App: Microsoft Office 365. + Restaurants: Brewer's Row - Port Moody. * For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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Learn more about the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce by visiting: www.victoriachamber.ca.* Bruce's Final 4: + Podcast: Chamber Chats. + Books: John Grisham. + Best advice: "Do the right thing." + App: Twitter. + Restaurants: Victoria Chamber Restaurant Members. * For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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Katy Fairley is an independent consultant focusing on improving project delivery for public and private owners by defining strategies, best practices and risk mitigation for delivery models, contracts and procurement. She believes these three areas are at the heart of improving the building process for owners and construction firms alike.

Prior to founding Fairley Strategies, Katy was Vice-President, Business Development for a diversified general contractor and construction manager in southern BC. She has served on the Boards for three industry associations including the Canadian Construction Association, in addition to serving on numerous taskforces and committees.

Before entering the construction industry, Katy worked for the Legislative Assembly of BC and graduated from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick with a double major in international relations and political science.

Learn more about Fairley Strategies by visiting: fairleystrategies.com.

  • Katy's Final 4:
    • Podcast: Pivot | Explorers
    • Best advice: "You never know until you ask."
    • Software: Google Keep.
    • Restaurant: Zambri's.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Located on Vancouver Island, on the West Coast of Canada, Coastland Wood Industries is a global leader in the production of veneer. Their location, state of the art facilities, talented work team and culture of high quality customer service allows them to deliver superior products their customers can rely on.

Since their inception, they have strived to be the lowest cost producer of premium quality veneer in North America. They continue to follow that original vision.

Coastland is a privately owned BC company and is well established in the local community. They started in 1988 with the construction of the Nanaimo veneer manufacturing facility and has been expanding steadily ever since.

Learn more about Coastland Wood Industries by visiting: coastlandwood.com.

  • Doug's Final 4:
    • Author: John Maxwell.
    • Best advice: "Never say no, there's always a way to get something done."
    • App: Snapchat.
    • Restaurant: Milton Street Public House.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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VMAC designs and manufactures the most innovative mobile air compressors and multi-power systems available. As one of the only true air compressor manufacturers in North America, VMAC has earned a reputation for air compressors and multi-power systems with extraordinary build quality, durability, and reliability, and confidently backs its air compressors with a VMAC Lifetime Warranty.

Operators and fleet managers in mobile mechanic, tire service, utilities, mining, oil and gas, and construction industries rely on VMAC systems to work in the most challenging applications, climates, and environments.

Learn more about VMAC by visiting: www.vmacair.com.

  • Tod's Final 4:
    • Book: Tony Seba: Clean Disruption - Energy & Transportation.
    • Best advice: "Don't let perfect be the enemy of better." & "Sometimes you just have to think you're smart."
    • App: Twitter.
    • Restaurant: Tidal Taco Shack.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Herold Engineering Limited is a diversified Island-based consulting civil and structural engineering company with their corporate office in Nanaimo and design offices in Victoria and Ucluelet. They are involved in a wide variety of building, municipal, transportation and marine projects throughout British Columbia with the majority of their work on Vancouver Island.

Their firm consists of a highly skilled group of professionals and support staff who provide the expertise required to design and manage structural and municipal engineering projects from their initial concept to project completion. Their diversity of staff expertise in a wide variety of engineering disciplines allows them the flexibility to be involved in a variety of small to large projects from private to public sectors all within acceptable time frames for completion.

Learn more about the Herold Engineering by visiting: www.heroldengineering.com.

  • Lee's Final 4:
    • Book: Foundation - Isaac Asimov.
    • Best Advice: "If you do something well, tell someone, don't expect others to do it for you."
    • Software: Nanaimo Golf Club - iPhone app.
    • Restaurant: Manvirros Indian Grill.
      • melange restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Learn more about the Nanaimo Airport by visiting: www.nanaimoairport.com.* Dave's Final 4: + Book: The Navigator. + Best Advice: "Be patient, be focused, and you will get things done" + Software: Apple's iOS. + Restaurant: Delicado's. * For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca


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TUFF Media is a performance marketing agency that specializes in managing digital advertising on social media and search engine platforms. We approach each client with a completely tailored strategy that properly aligns with their goals.

“TUFF” comes from our proven strategies that focus on each client’s product/service and how to advertise them with a ROI. That way our client's marketing strategies can withstand any outside factors that come their way.

Learn more about TUFF Media by visiting: www.tuffmedia.ca.

  • Parker's Final 4:
    • Book: The Lean Startup.
    • Podcast: Group Chat.
    • Best Advice: "Dive headfirst when you make a decision."
    • App: Asana.
    • Restaurant: Green Leaf Café.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Saywell Contracting was founded in 1998 by Sheldon Saywell, the year he was approached by a client who asked if he could tender the remediation of a “leaky condo.” Sheldon’s efforts were very successful, and in 1999 he undertook his first full remediation project. At that time, the “leaky condo” crisis was still unheard of on Vancouver Island and was just beginning to become public elsewhere.

Saywell Contracting was one of the first General Contractors on the Island to undertake such projects. The company continues to excel at the forefront of this industry and to date, has completed hundreds of building remediations. Saywell Contracting became known not only for the quality and excellence of their work, but also for relationships they have built with strata owners and management firms. Their philosophy of building relationships first and foremost extends to everyone they come into contact with.

After substantial growth between 1998 and 2005, Sheldon Saywell decided to diversify the company, and Saywell Contracting undertook their first new multi-residential project, a 35-unit condominium. Since then, the company has expanded to two locations in Nanaimo, and Courtenay, on Vancouver Island, BC. Today, the firm continues to construct numerous multi-residential projects, commercial buildings, tenant improvements, as well as undertaking building envelope remediations.

Learn more about the Saywell Contracting by visiting: saywellcontracting.com.

  • Sheldon's Final 4:
    • Books: The Art of Racing in the Rain.
      • The Ultimate Sales Machine.
    • Best Advice: "Don't sweat the small stuff, remember what's important."
    • App: Microsoft Office 365.
    • Restaurant: Nori Japanese Restaurant.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Since incorporation in 1992, the City of Langford has operated the City more like a business than a typical government. Everything that Council does and, by extension, everything in the way that staff are directed, is based on finding solutions rather than putting up barriers.

Council believes economic growth is paramount to community sustainability and has always worked hand-in-hand with developers and businesses to generate and support economic development in the region. By continually fostering an environment that seeks to eliminate roadblocks and unnecessary red tape, Langford is known as a place where things get done, a place where things happen rather than just being talked about.

Businesses and entrepreneurs see Langford as the place where they want to do business and must be located. It is no coincidence that the City of Langford is one of the fastest growing cities in Western Canada, growing on average between 4-5% each year and surpassing the Provincial average growth of 1.3%.

Learn more about the City of Langford by visiting: www.langford.ca.

  • Stewart's Final 4:
    • Reading: Automotive magazines & journals.
    • Best Advice: "Start what you finish."
    • App: Apple's Weather.
    • Restaurant: The Fountain Diner.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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MazumaGo began as a marketplace for local services, but speaking with hundreds of business owners made Matthew Smith and his Co-Founders realize there was a bigger problem. Regardless of size, most businesses were still using cheques to send and receive payments.

Their team kept asking, “Why is it so hard to send large payments online?” and decided to focus exclusively on digitizing business payments. They partnered with BMO to move money along their rails and now they’re making business payments easier for all Canadians.

Learn more about MazumaGo by visiting: www.mazumago.com.

  • Matthew's Final 4:
    • Podcast: The Knowledge Project.
      • Book: Never Split the Difference.
    • Best Advice: "Be humble."
    • App: Superhuman.
    • Restaurant: Nubo Kitchen + Bar.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Jane is an online platform for health and wellness practitioners that makes it simple for them to book, chart, schedule, bill and get paid. Their platform considers all aspects of private practice users: admin staff, practitioners, patients booking online and business owners. Jane is a flexible and friendly platform, designed to modernize daily workflow while respecting each practitioner's unique style of business.

Learn more about Jane by visiting: jane.app.

  • Alison's Final 4:
    • Podcast: The Habitat. Life on Mars. Sort of.
      • HBR IdeaCast.
      • Masters of Scale.
    • Best Advice: "If my actions and decisions make two people proud, one personal and one professional, I'm going to be ok."
    • App: Slack.
    • Restaurant: Maru Korean Bistro.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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HME began as a local medical equipment company, and during the past 30 years has grown to become one of the largest independent dealers of Mobility and Home Medical Equipment in BC. It was founded in 2012 by Robert Boscacci and Cameron Fleming. With over 100 staff operating out of over 45,000 square feet in Richmond, Surrey, and Victoria, HME is a proud Canadian-owned and operated local company.

Learn more about HME by visiting: www.hmebc.com.

  • Robert's Final 4:
    • Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable.
      • The Economist.
      • The Wall Street Journal.
    • Best Advice: "Look after yourself first."
    • App: Office 365.
    • Restaurant: II Terrazzo.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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JORDAN SCHLEY, PrincipalJordan started his career in high school, working at his family grocery business, Quality Foods. After spending 10 plus years managing his first Quality Food store in Courtenay, he was promoted to VP of Store Operations for the South Island region. He later went on to opening numerous award-winning stores and managed various business aspects until it was sold. Jordan is an expert in understanding what it takes to manage award-winning stores and truly understands the ins and outs of running a business.

Jordan has recently founded Care2talk, a local mobile app designed to create an easy-to-use video chat tool for those with cognitive decline or other impairments. Care2Talk identifies a gap in services available to connect seniors or individuals with dementia/cognitive disabilities with their caretakers, family, or friends. It’s a video technology platform that is easily accessible and the most secure product on the market for care facilities.

In addition, Jordan is currently the VP of Operations at Capital Investment Network and has spearheaded many successful fundraising campaigns while building strategic partnerships, contributing to its significant growth. He has organized countless successful educational/pitch events that have connected angel investors with entrepreneurs, strengthening and giving back to the local tech community.

NAGMA DHILLON, Venture AssoicateNagma holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a double specialization in service management and entrepreneurship from Gustavson School of Business. During her time at Gustavson School of Business, she was the President of Young Women in Business.

She led and organized countless educational programs and networking events that connected female students with ambitious women to help them step into the workforce or grow their business with the proper set of tools and knowledge to reach their fullest potential.

In addition, Nagma has co-founded an e-commerce company that promotes sustainability and helps individuals reduce their carbon footprint by replacing their single-use face pads with alternative, reusable organic face pads.

Learn more about Cindicates by visiting: www.cindicates.com.

  • Nagma's Final 4:
    • Book: Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist.
    • Best Advice: "Don't be afraid to ask for help."
    • App: Microsoft Excel.
    • Restaurant: Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe.
  • Jordan's Final 2:
    • App: Slack.
    • Restaurant: Pagliacci's.
  • Links to organizations referenced:
    • Capital Investment Network.
    • Lethub.
    • Joni.
    • Simbi.
    • VINN.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Chase has over 15 years of specialized private investment, finance, and technical expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. This includes 11 years at Macquarie, where he was responsible for sourcing and evaluating projects and investment opportunities, managing due diligence, transaction execution, and principal holdings on Macquarie and co-investment partners’ behalf.

His background is as a Facilities Engineer with Petro-Canada, independently managing energy infrastructure capital projects located in Western Canada, where he guided projects through the design, cost estimating, procurement, construction execution, start-up, and close-out phases.

EverGen is expediting Canada's journey to not just show up, but to compete on the global renewable natural gas stage, combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a carbon-free future, starting on the West Coast.

The company is spreading awareness that Renewable Natural Gas doesn't just have a low carbon footprint (like LNG) or a neutral footprint (like wind and solar), RNG is carbon negative.

Learn more about EverGen by visiting: www.evergeninfra.com.

  • Chase's Final 4:
    • SmartLess podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smartless/id1521578868
    • Best Advice: "Put 100% into everything you do."
    • App: www.google.ca/maps.
    • Restaurant: thegalley.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Dr Dionne Laslo-Baker is a Canadian expert on the impacts of environmental toxins - especially in the food chain - on child health. A PhD medical researcher in the field of maternal-fetal toxicology, her doctorate focused on the effects of exposure to chemicals during pregnancy on fetal development. This led her on a life-long quest to provide her own family with healthy, non-harmful food, and then to the realization that food companies and the choices they make can be a force for good in the world. Dionne founded DeeBee's Organics Inc on a mission to make 'conscious' snacking really fun!

DeeBee's helps make moments of joy from the natural magic of real food. Fun treats you can feel great about sharing with your our own kids.

Learn more about DeeBee's by visiting: www.deebeesorganics.com.

  • Dionne's Final 4:
    • Podcast: www.girlboss.com/radio
    • Best Advice: "Make time for yourself."
    • App: www.apple.com/ca/ios/photos.
    • Restaurant: www.pagliaccis.ca.
  • Links to organizations and initiatives mentioned:
    • can.orbis.org/en
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Helijet International is a Canadian-owned company and the world's largest scheduled helicopter airline carrying well over 2.4 million passengers in the past 33 years. In addition to its scheduled helicopter services, the company is the major service provider of dedicated medically equipped helicopters to BC Emergency Health Services. They also provides exclusive use helicopters and business turbojet services to world renowned Sport Fishing Resorts, public service and energy companies throughout the West Coast of British Columbia and Pacific North West.

Learn more about Helijet by visiting: www.helijet.com.

  • Daniel's Final 4:
    • Book: www.nationalgeographic.com
    • Best Advice: "Always look for the good in everyone you meet."
    • Tech: Mobile phone.
    • Big Bad John's: strathconahotel.com/venue/big-bad-johns
  • Links to organizations and initiatives mentioned:
    • canadianaam.com
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Tech is a tool for good in our lives, in our communities, and in our province. BC Tech is driven to make BC the best place to grow a tech company by helping firms grow and scale into anchors—the large companies that drive both BC’s tech sector and the economy.

They do this by providing the place and the programs, and advocating for the policies that help the tech community, collaborate, learn, and grow.

Learn more about BC Tech by visiting: wearebctech.com.

  • Jill's Final 4:
    • Podcast: freakonomics.com/nsq.
    • Best Advice: "Speak up."
    • Favourite App: Zoom
    • Ukee Dogs Taqueria: www.facebook.com/ukeedogs.
  • Links to organizations and initiatives mentioned:
    • FutureFocus Forums: wearebctech.com/calendars/bc-tech-events.

    • ScaleUp BC: wearebctech.com/scaleup-bc.
    • Benedict Evans: www.ben-evans.com/presentations.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Founded in 1994 by David Chard, Executive Director & Founder, Chard Development is an urban real estate development firm based in Vancouver, BC. From condominium homes to rental apartments to commercial spaces, they specialize in urban real estate projects in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria.

At Chard Development, they believe in integrity, accountability and diversity. They foster long-lasting, respectful relationships with their customers, consultants, trades, partners and colleagues. It is that approach that has driven their ongoing success and supported their reputation for leaving a lasting positive impact on both people and places.

Learn more about Chard Development by visiting: charddevelopment.com.

  • Byron's Final 4:
    • Book: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership.
    • Best Advice: "Say yes."
    • Favourite App: Microsoft Excel
    • Macchiato Caffe & Paninoteca: macchiatocaffe.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. It's fast food without the guilt trip.

Zambri’s opened in October 1999.In the early days it was a simple operation. Over time, the obscure little eatery gained highly acclaimed industry recognition. GOLD Best Casual Italian Restaurant Vancouver Magazine, Victoria Chef Of the Year, EAT Magazine, to name a few. The Urban Peasant James Barber called it the “Nicest little Italian restaurant in BC. Probably in Canada. Terrific food.”

Learn more about Big Wheel Burger & Zambri's by visiting: bigwheelburger.com & www.zambris.ca.

  • Calen's Final 4:
    • Humankind: A Hopeful History: www.littlebrown.com/titles/rutger-bregman/humankind/9780316418553
    • Best Advice: "It takes a long time to build capital, and a short time to lose it."
    • Favourite App: twitter.com
    • Brasserie L'Ecole: www.lecole.ca
  • Links to other organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Bread & Butter Collective: www.breadandbuttercollective.com
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Accent Inns is a boastfully BC company that has been proudly owned and operated by the Farmer family since 1986. Mandy Farmer took over the role of president and CEO of Accent Inns from her father, Terry Farmer, in 2008. With five locations in Victoria, Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Burnaby, Kelowna, and Kamloops, this family owned-and-operated group of hotels is perfectly situated when travelling in southern BC.

Hotel Zed is a ridiculously fun and eclectic group of hotels in Victoria, Kelowna and Tofino BC that are so completely awesome your mind will be blown! Ok, slight exaggeration, but they swear it's like nothing you've ever seen before: vintage VW shuttles, Zedinator waterslide, mini discos, ping pong lounges, typewriter stations, comic books in the rooms, free rental bicycles, roller skates... they are Rebels Against the Ordinary.

Learn more about Accent Inns & Hotel Zed by visiting: www.accentinns.com & www.hotelzed.com.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Brené Brown: brenebrown.com/podcasts
    • Zwift: www.zwift.com/ca
    • Roar restaurant: roartofino.com
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Grant Thornton LLP is a leading Canadian accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. They help dynamic organizations unlock their potential for growth by providing meaningful, actionable advice through a broad range of services. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd, whose member firms operate in over 100 countries worldwide.

Learn more about Mike and Grant Thornton LLP by visiting: www.grantthornton.ca

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Greater Victoria Public Library: www.gvpl.ca
    • The Beach House Restaurant: www.beachhousevictoria.com
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Ross has extensive transactional experience in sales – over $1 billion in the last five years, which continually ranks him as one of the market leaders in development land, multi-family apartment buildings and commercial investment grade properties in Greater Victoria.

His work is shaping his own backyard; he was born and raised in Victoria and his high-profile transactional deals are changing the landscape and skyline of the region. They say on the Island it’s important to make connections (and never burn a bridge); Ross is an industry advocate and actively collaborates with an extensive network of local leaders for the betterment of business and development in the region.

Learn more about Ross and CBRE by visiting: www.cbre.ca/en/people-and-offices/ross-marshall.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • OneSoccer: onesoccer.ca.
    • Pacific FC: pacificfc.canpl.ca.
    • Bin 4 Burger Lounge: www.bin4burgerlounge.com.
    • Sabhai Thai Restaurant: sabhai.ca.
    • Deep Cove Chalet: www.deepcovechalet.com.
    • II Terrazzo: www.ilterrazzo.com.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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As a collaborative, non-partisan organization, the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) strives to be a venue where members, policy experts, elected officials and government decision makers can address problems and form solutions together.

Their mission is to provide timely and exceptional public-policy research and advocacy on issues that enhance B.C.’s competitiveness and prosperity.

Led by CEO and President, Greg D'Avignon, their group of dedicated professionals works collaboratively with a committed membership that includes B.C.’s top employers to ensure that its work is credible, timely and relevant.

Their Executive Committee provides oversight and direction on the day-to-day activities of the Council. The Business Council's Board of Governors is a broad cross section of our member organizations representing virtually all industry sectors, both private and public, in B.C. The Board meets on a quarterly basis and provides strategic guidance to the Executive Committee and Council management.

Learn more about the BCBC by visiting: bcbc.com.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • The Economist Espresso: www.economist.com/espresso
    • Quartz: qz.com
    • ESG in B.C.: bcbc.com/esg-in-b-c
    • II Terrazzo: www.ilterrazzo.com.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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As a collaborative, non-partisan organization, the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) strives to be a venue where members, policy experts, elected officials and government decision makers can address problems and form solutions together.

Their mission is to provide timely and exceptional public-policy research and advocacy on issues that enhance B.C.’s competitiveness and prosperity.

Led by CEO and President, Greg D'Avignon, their group of dedicated professionals works collaboratively with a committed membership that includes B.C.’s top employers to ensure that its work is credible, timely and relevant.

Their Executive Committee provides oversight and direction on the day-to-day activities of the Council. The Business Council's Board of Governors is a broad cross section of our member organizations representing virtually all industry sectors, both private and public, in B.C. The Board meets on a quarterly basis and provides strategic guidance to the Executive Committee and Council management.

Learn more about the BCBC by visiting: bcbc.com.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • B.C. Economic Dashboard: www.bcbc.com/dashboard
    • ESG in B.C.: bcbc.com/esg-in-b-c
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. They proudly serve and respond to the needs of their clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Through partner-led engagements, they provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed across the country and around the world. MNP is proud to have been recognized as one of the Best Employers in Canada for over ten years in a row.

Learn more about MNP by visiting: www.mnp.ca.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Vancouver Island Economic Summit: viea.ca/vi-economic-summit.
    • Next by Darrell Bricker: www.harpercollins.ca/9781443446549/next
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
    • Bayside Restaurant & Lounge: www.baysideresortparksville.com/bayside-restaurant-lounge.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Tobyn Sowden is the Chief Executive Officer of Redbrick—the parent organization to a growing portfolio of companies including Assembly Digital, Shift, Leadpages and Rebase. Tobyn founded Redbrick in 2011 and since then, the company has been ranked the 5th Fastest-Growing Company in Canada and 2nd in software, by PROFIT 500. With the goal of creating, acquiring and growing businesses through operational excellence, product development and results-driven marketing, Redbrick’s companies excel at innovating their industries. In his role, Tobyn is responsible for defining Redbrick’s overall business strategy, including new product development and future business growth.

A graduate of the University of Victoria's Computer Science program, Tobyn is not new to entrepreneurship—prior to founding Redbrick, he started RedWillow Media (search marketing company), later selling it to Neverblue, the performance marketing firm where he then became a member of the executive team. There, he led marketing and supported corporate development—starting and growing their mobile division into a $30M/year business. These experiences left him with valuable and unique expertise in building, launching, and growing award-winning companies.

Outside of Redbrick, Tobyn enjoys exploring the world with his wife, Katrina, and their three sons, Benjamin, Jacob, and Zachary.

Learn more about Redbrick by visiting: rdbrck.com.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Leadpages: www.leadpages.com.
    • Assembly: assmb.ly.
    • II Terrazzo: www.ilterrazzo.com.
    • Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe: boomandbatten.com.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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The ICBA is the voice of B.C.’s construction industry and the oldest open shop organization in Canada. It is also the single largest sponsor of construction apprentices in B.C. Representing more than 2,000 companies and clients, ICBA members and their skilled workers are involved in virtually all major capital and infrastructure projects built in British Columbia

Learn more about the ICBA by visiting: icba.ca.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Merit Canada: merit-canada.ca.
    • II Terrazzo: www.ilterrazzo.com.
    • Jordan's Twitter: twitter.com/jordanbateman
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Stephen Jagger is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. He started his entrepreneurial journey in 2000 when he and long time business partner Mike Stephenson setup Combustion Hosting (acquired ’06), followed by Ubertor Realtor Software (acquired ’13). In 2012 they headed to the Philippines and set up OutsourcingThingsDone.com to provide virtual assistants to real estate professionals.

OutsourcingThingsDone.com grew to 150 employees and discovered a need for HR and payroll software for the Philippines and Singapore. They answered that call by setting up a company called PayrollHero, focused on time, attendance, scheduling, HR and payroll. After living in Manila and Singapore for 4 years with his wife and children, Stephen returned back to Vancouver to launch Instant Messaging Real Estate Corp. to provide artificial intelligence services to the real estate industry and addy to eradicate barriers to home ownership for everyone. Stephen is the co-President of the Vancouver College Alumni Association and sits as a Director of The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation.

Learn more about addy by visiting: www.addyinvest.com.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • the kitchen dada sushi bar & grill: thekitchendada.com.
    • Audible: www.audible.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly-based business association in British Columbia—representing businesses of every size, and from every sector and region.

Their advocacy is driven by their policies, which their members develop annually through a unique, grassroots policy-development process. The breadth and diversity of their policies reflect the innovative ideas and on-the-ground experience of their member chambers, boards and businesses across BC.

Since 1951, the BC Chamber has helped shape government public policy and decision-making to empower British Columbia’s businesses. While they are rooted in tradition, their approach is innovative and backed by data. Their online business insight community, BCMindReader.com allows them to know what’s on BC’s mind and take their member's ideas and concerns directly to government, to encourage programs, policies, and legislation that supports BC businesses.

Learn more about BC Chamber by visiting: bcchamber.org.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • Scoozis Bar & Grill: www.scoozis.ca.
    • Nook Restaurant: nookrestaurants.com/kitsilano.
    • Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio: www.ancoradining.com.
    • Toptable Group: toptable.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Campbell River has a lot going for itself. The Salmon Capital of the world is known for its incredible fishing opportunities, historic forestry background and a host of other sectors. But over the past few years the City has made great strides in diversifying the economy with new IT infrastructure, tech attraction strategies, startup competitions, infusions of venture capital and a host of other initiatives.

One of the key individuals behind these changes and new ideas is Rose Klukas. She played an important role in Kitimat's industrial revolution over the last decade, and shifted her focus to Vancouver Island in 2016.

Amongst all the changes happening in her municipality, Rose still makes significant contributions to the regional and national economy through her volunteer and board efforts.

Learn more about Campbell River by visiting: www.campbellriver.ca.

  • Links to organizations and initiatives referenced:
    • NexStream Tech Competition: nexstream.is.
    • TECHatchery: www.techatchery.ca.
    • Tech Island: techisland.io.
    • Economic Developers Association of Canada: edac.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Jared Webb is one of the founding members of DesignWealth. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with over 13 years of experience, he brings a vast array of experiences and skillsets to help clients and the community.

His passion for raising expectations when it comes to financial advice is surpassed only by his love for his family. He is married with 4 kids, a dog and 2 fish. He has a mortgage, works full-time and attends virtually all of his family’s extracurricular activities. He also believes in supporting the community through his involvement in the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Prodigy Group, Junior Achievement, Futurepreneur and Advocis.

Learn more about Jared's company by visiting: designwealth.ca.

  • Jared's recommended restaurant(s):
    • Lot 1 Pasta Bar: lot1pastabar.com.
    • Bin 4 Burger Lounge: www.bin4burgerlounge.com.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Sam grew up in Victoria where he developed a passion for architecture and urbanism. He began his career in commercial real estate at Canada ICI Capital and then at Colliers International, gaining experience in acquisition, apartment, and construction financing. Taking that foundation of knowledge and pursuing his interest in development, he was hired by Abstract Developments, a national award-winning custom-home builder and developer.

At Abstract, Sam grew into the role of Vice President of Development and Partner, leading the development team through the acquisition and management of projects with values reaching upwards of $100 million. In 2018 Sam co-founded Curate Developments in Victoria, BC, where he is also excited to be raising his family. His passion for design and disciplined analytical approach are establishing Curate as a respected and sought-after development company.

Learn more about Sam's company by visiting: curatedevelopments.com.

  • Sam's recommended restaurant:
    • Sherwood Cafe & Bar: sherwoodvictoria.com.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Barnacle Systems produces boat security systems and the software to support them. But founder Brandon Wright's story goes far beyond  asset management and protection, with a storied international career that now sees him leading an innovative manufacturer with major growth opportunities across the planet.

Learn more about Brandon by visiting: www.brnkl.io.

  • Brandon's recommended restaurant:
    • Trini To D Bone: trinitodbone.ca.
  • For more local news impacting business, visit:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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Mike talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about Victoria's booming real estate market, his unique entrepreneurial journey, construction trends, the future of the region, his personal advice to young people, and much more.

Learn more about Mike by visiting: victoria.citified.ca.

  • Mike's recommended restaurant:
    • The Palms Cocktail Lounge: www.hotelrialto.ca/drink/the-palms-lounge.
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Jason talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about his company's early beginnings in the renewable energy space, the future of the sector, advances in energy storage technology, management advice and much more.

Learn more about Jason by visiting: hakaienergysolutions.com

  • Jason 's recommended restaurant:
    • Il Falcone Restaurant: www.ilfalcone.ca
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Andre talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about his approach to investing in turbulent markets, building his brand by helping to found the Young Professionals of Nanaimo, unique real estate holdings on Vancouver Island, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and much more.

Learn more about Andre by visiting: www.integralwealth.com/wealth-management-team/andre-sullivan

  • Andre 's recommended restaurant:
    • Milton Street Public House: miltonstreet.ca
  • Links to the other businesses mentioned in the interview:
    • All Island Equity Mortgage Investment Corporation: www.allislandequitymic.com
    • All Island Equity REIT: allislandequityreit.com/investors
    • Young Professionals of Nanaimo: www.ypnanaimo.com
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Derrold talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about his evolution from accounting to entrepreneur and investor, analysis of the federal government's coronavirus programs, opportunity evaluation, personal advice from Jim Pattison, and much more.

Learn more about Derrold by visiting: www.nkpg.ca

  • Derrold 's recommended restaurant:
    • Shelter Restaurant: www.shelterrestaurant.com
  • Links to the other businesses mentioned in the interview:
    • Green Sky Labs: www.greenskylabs.com
    • Ironwood Clay Company: ironwoodclay.com
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Jay talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about his storied 30 year career in commercial real estate on the Island, what he's seeing and hearing from local organizations adapting to market challenges, personal advice, and much more.

Learn more about Jay Cousins by visiting: jaycousins.com

  • Jay's recommended restaurant:
    • Mekong River Restaurant Vietnamese Cuisine: www.mekongriverparksville.com
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Michelle talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about her diverse career, including pioneering an indigenous MBA at Simon Fraser University, BC's complex First Nation treaty history, and her significant accomplishments furthering Vancouver Island's economy, among other topics.

Learn more about Corfield & Associates by visiting: corfieldconsulting.ca

  • Michelle's recommended restaurant:
    • Ricky's All Day Grill - Nanaimo South/Days Inn: rickysrestaurants.ca/locations/nanaimo-south-days-inn
  • Links to other organizations Michelle is involved with:
    • SFU MBA Program: beedie.sfu.ca/programs/graduate/emba-ibl
    • Nanaimo Port Authority: npa.ca
    • Fortis BC: www.fortisbc.com
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Stu talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about the beginnings of Alair Homes, the decision to expand through a franchise model, operating the business in both Canada and the US during COVID-19, his management and personal development best practices, among other topics.

Learn more about Alair Homes by visiting: www.alairhomes.ca

  • Stu's recommended restaurant:
    • Meat Craft Island Butchery: meatcraftbutchery.ca
  • Additional information on the Alair Homes' Nanaimo Franchise: www.alairhomes.ca/nanaimo
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Kristi talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about the newly launched 'Business Legacies Incubator' project administered by the Scale Institute Society, and funded by the Island Coastal Economic Trust.

Learn more about Scale Collaborative by visiting: scalecollaborative.ca

Learn more about the Island Coastal Economic Trust: www.islandcoastaltrust.ca

  • Kristi's recommended restaurant:
    • 5th St. Bar & Grill: www.fifthstreet.ca
  • Additional information on the Business Legacies Incubator: www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/news/new-incubator-project-aims-keep-employment-and-businesses-local-communities
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Brody and Reed talk with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about their businesses, keys to success, and their exciting new partnership.

Learn more about Brody and The Super Plumber by visiting: thesuperplumber.com

Learn more about Reed and 360 Comfort Systems by visiting: 360comfortsystems.com

  • Reed's recommended restaurant:
    • II Terrazzo: www.ilterrazzo.com
  • Brody's recommended place to stay:
    • Qualicum Beach Inn: www.qualicumbeachinn.com
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

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Brad talks with John MacDonald of the Business Examiner about commercial real estate trends on Vancouver Island north of the Malahat.

He speaks about some of the region's best areas to invest, how to position yourself as a land owner when an opportunity presents itself, and a few of his favourite places to eat, play and stay on Vancouver Island.

He can be reached by visiting: www.collierscanada.com/en-ca/experts/brad-bailey

  • Brad's recommended restaurants:
    • Melange Nanaimo: www.melangenanaimo.ca/menu.html
    • Milton Street Public House: www.miltonstreet.ca/oldmilton1/
    • Asteras: www.asteras.ca/
  • Business Examiner links:
    • Website: www.businessexaminer.ca
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-examiner-news-group
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusinessExaminer
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/businessexaminervi
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/Business\_vi

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.