Doers Stories

Hosted by Loris Dzagoyan

Business Entrepreneurship

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May 2026

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About the show

EXPLORE • REFLECT • DO Doers Stories uncovers the essence of those who shape our world with courage and innovation. It's a journey through the lives of trailblazers in various fields, revealing the hard work behind their success. From industry pioneers, athletes, to artists challenging norms, each episode offers insights and inspiration. Dive into the stories of dreamers and doers, and be inspired to embark on your own path of discovery and achievement. Follow Me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan Contact Me: www.lorisdzagoyan.com

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6 recent

May 8, 2026Episode 62 hr 34 min

The Dr. Who Rewired Her Brain for Joy | Doers Stories Ep.006 - Dr. Andreea Dutescu Vanacker

What does a 9-hour brain surgery, a communist childhood in Romania, and a PhD in Economics have in common? They all shaped Dr. Andreea Vanacker into one of the most compelling voices on joy, resilience, and peak performance today. In this episode, we go deep into her remarkable journey, from escaping a communist regime to leading global organizations, facing a life-altering brain tumor during COVID lockdown, and emerging with a radical new understanding of what it means to truly live. We explore the neuroscience of flow, the difference between happiness and joy, and why your worst moment might be your greatest teacher. Whether you're navigating adversity, searching for purpose, or chasing peak performance, this episode will challenge how you think about everything.00:00 The Importance of Sharing & Speaking Up08:00 Growing Up in the 80s: The Atari Generation & Big Dreams14:30 The First Business: Consulting & The Internet Boom20:00 The Second Business: Online Seduction & Early Dating Sites26:00 Growth Strategies: How to Market & Scale Your Product32:30 Selling the Company: Highs, Lows & Lessons Learned39:30 The First Complications: Navigating Challenges56:30 The Birth of Growth Hacking & Virality1:18:30 From Founder to Investor: A New Perspective1:25:30 Starting Viral Ninja: Building for Money vs. Passion1:36:30 Sociable Labs Merge: Culture Clash & Integration1:44:30 Entering FinTech: The Diagram Story2:04:00 How to Build & Launch a New AI Product2:21:00 The Biggest Challenges in Scaling a Startup2:31:30 The Future of AI & Final ReflectionsFollow Andreea:LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreeadutescu/Website : https://www.andreeavanacker.com/Join this channel to get access to perks:⁠‪ @LorisDzagoyan Follow me:www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyanwww.lorisdzagoyan.com

February 26, 2025Episode 52 hr 41 min

The Serial Entrepreneur Who Built Success on Resilience | Doers Stories Ep.005 - Sebastien Brault

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Sébastien Brault, a serial entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple companies, navigated the highs and lows of startup life, and mastered the art of resilience. From the early days of the internet boom to growth hacking, investing, and AI, this episode is packed with insights on what it truly takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business.We explore the struggles, breakthroughs, and pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from launching one of the first online dating sites to leading viral growth strategies and stepping into the world of FinTech and AI. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, investor, or tech enthusiast, this episode is filled with hard-earned lessons and future-forward thinking you won’t want to miss!00:00 The Importance of Sharing & Speaking Up08:00 Growing Up in the 80s: The Atari Generation & Big Dreams14:30 The First Business: Consulting & The Internet Boom20:00 The Second Business: Online Seduction & Early Dating Sites26:00 Growth Strategies: How to Market & Scale Your Product32:30 Selling the Company: Highs, Lows & Lessons Learned39:30 The First Complications: Navigating Challenges56:30 The Birth of Growth Hacking & Virality1:18:30 From Founder to Investor: A New Perspective1:25:30 Starting Viral Ninja: Building for Money vs. Passion1:36:30 Sociable Labs Merge: Culture Clash & Integration1:44:30 Entering FinTech: The Diagram Story2:04:00 How to Build & Launch a New AI Product2:21:00 The Biggest Challenges in Scaling a Startup2:31:30 The Future of AI & Final ReflectionsFollow Sébastien: LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastienpbrault/ Website : https://www.weareinto.ai/Join this channel to get access to perks:⁠‪https://www.youtube.com/@LorisDzagoyanFollow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com

August 24, 2024Episode 43 hr 28 min

The Para-Alpine Champion Leading Canada to Paris 2024 | Doers Stories Ep.004 - Karolina Wisniewska

In this in-depth conversation, Paralympian Karolina Wisniewska, one of Canada’s most successful alpine skiers, shares her journey from a young athlete with cerebral palsy to becoming an eight-time Paralympic medalist. We explore societal perceptions and the challenges she faced in competing as an athlete with a disability, delve into the intricacies of Paralympic classification, and discuss the financial realities of elite sports. Join us as we uncover the mindset that drove Karolina to success, examine the impact of media visibility on Paralympic sports, and reflect on the legacy she leaves for future generations. 00:01:15 - Societal Perceptions 00:19:00 - Medical Challenges and Lack of Support Systems 00:31:00 - Paralympics vs. Non-Disabled Olympics: Resource Imbalances 00:47:00 - Media Visibility and Financial Impact on Paralympics 01:01:00 - Exploring the Athlete's Mindset 01:16:00 - Training Regimens and Challenges 01:32:00 - Understanding Classification in Paralympic Sports 01:58:00 - Career Reflections and Comparisons 02:12:00 - Rivalries, Regrets, and Pressure 02:34:00 - Paris Paralympics and Financial Model 03:11:00 - Legacy and Impact on Future Generations Follow Karolina: LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolinaply/ Website : https://www.adn-conferenciers.com/conferenciers-karolina-wisniewska Join this channel to get access to perks: ⁠‪@LorisDzagoyan‬⁠ Follow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com

June 17, 2024Episode 32 hr 35 min

The TV Host Who Made the Best Sparkling Water in Canada | Doers Stories Ep.003 - Leila Kairns

Ever wondered how a TV host turned CEO creates the #1 sparkling water in Canada? Join me as I chat with the incredible Leila Kairns, CEO & co-founder of Healtea. From scaling operations and securing profits to offering a healthy alternative to coffee and soda, Leila spills the tea on her recipe for success. ✨ Highlights include: The origin story of Healtea 🍃 Navigating cash flow like a pro 💸 Leveraging social media & influencers 📲 Balancing values and costs 💼 4:00 - Episode Starts 18:15 - The Beginnings Discover the origin story of the company and the inspiration behind its creation. 23:15 - Finding a Production Site Learn about the challenges and strategies involved in selecting the ideal production location. 33:01 - Scaling the Business Insights into the methods and strategies used to scale the business effectively. 41:50 - Negotiating for Profit How to negotiate with retailers and suppliers to maximize profitability. 47:05 - Networking, Partners, and Problem Solving The importance of networking, building partnerships, and tackling business challenges. 50:15 - Cash Flow Management Strategies and tips for managing cash flow to ensure business stability and growth. 55:10 - The Power of Storytelling Using storytelling to build a brand and connect with consumers. 59:21 - Coffee & Diversification Exploring product diversification, including the introduction of a coffee line. 1:12:15 - Data & Operations Utilizing data to optimize operations and improve business efficiency. 1:15:15 - Marketing Strategies Effective marketing tactics to promote the brand and reach a wider audience. 1:20:15 - Online vs. In-Store Experience Comparing the consumer experience between online and physical store environments. 1:25:15 - How to Start Advice and steps for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. 1:35:15 - Team Composition The importance of building a strong, cohesive team and the roles involved. 1:38:15 - Social Media & Marketing Leveraging social media and influencer marketing to grow the brand. 1:50:15 - OKRs, Operations, and Team Building Setting objectives and key results, operational efficiency, and team development. 2:02:15 - Learning & Coaching Continuous learning and coaching for personal and professional growth. 2:08:15 - Challenges, Risks, and Competition Addressing the challenges, risks, and competitive landscape of the industry. 2:20:15 - Acquisition Strategies Approaches to acquiring new customers and expanding market reach. 2:25:15 - The Cost of Values Balancing business values with cost implications and maintaining ethical standards. Follow Leila: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leila-kairns Website : thehealtea.com Join this channel to get access to perks: ‪@LorisDzagoyan‬ Follow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com

March 22, 2024Episode 22 hr 48 min

The Soccer Player Who Built the 1st Tech Community in Canada | Doers Stories Ep.002 - John Stokes

In this episode, we explore John Stokes' extraordinary journey from soccer player to influential investor and co-founder of Canada's leading startup accelerator. Delve into his life-changing experiences, from the soccer pitch to the boardroom, and discover how he reshaped the venture capital landscape. Uncover the stories, lessons, and secrets behind his success, including a memorable experience with David Beckham. Join us for a riveting tale of passion, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that will inspire and intrigue. (00:00) Trailer (03:06) Intro (04:07) Start (08:39) Immigration in Asia (15:44) Beginnings in Pharmaceutical (17:54) Being a Soccer Player (23:58) Discovery of the Startup Environment (34:00) The Entrepreneurial Bug (50:33) Move to Japan (56:56) Becoming an Angel Investor (1:06:20) David Beckam Story (1:13:36) New Life in Canada (1:27:40) The New Y Combinator Model (1:46:20) Being a Board Member (1:57:14) Building Trust with the Founders (2:00:20) Tips for Great Communication (2:12:37) Founder Fuel Accelerator (2:21:47) The Notman House (2:44:15) Final Words Follow John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstokes Articles: - https://realventures.medium.com/the-venture-ecosystem-has-just-had-a-preview-of-how-the-world-ends-can-this-help-us-wake-up-427948e1429d - https://medium.com/real-ventures/squashing-or-embracing-pet-theories-90c4bcc11e1d Join this channel to get access to perks: @LorisDzagoyan Follow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com

March 15, 2024Episode 12 hr 29 min

The Excel Guy Who Made Millions | Doers Stories Ep.001 - Cyril Marques

Embark on the mysterious odyssey of Cyril Marques: a finance professional turned data visionary. From the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the innovative forefront of Montreal Analytics, this episode unfolds the enigmatic shifts and strategies behind Cyril's ascent and his venture's remarkable evolution, culminating in a game-changing acquisition by Datatonic. Join us as we peel back the layers of this intriguing journey, revealing the pivotal moments that define a trailblazer. (00:00) Cyril Marques Odyssey in Data and Discovery (04:21) A New World Beckons: The Boy From the Remote Island (09:00) The Golden Cage: The Trap of Finance in Hong Kong (13:20) Mastering the Arcane: Rising as the Excel Guy in Paris (23:50) The Dreamer's Forge: The Birth of a Comic Book Store (28:48) A Fresh Start in the North: Innovating Email Delivery in Canada (39:44) The Ascension to Big Data: Becoming an SQL Master (48:56) The Wanderer's Revelation: Exploring the World without Money (55:48) The Artist's Journey: From Writing to Self-Discovery (1:12:50) Facing the Shadow: Navigating Corporate Politics (1:16:30) Embracing Freedom: The Freelancer's Path (1:20:35) Building an Army: The Path to Scale (1:24:00) Into the Storm: Adapting to Lockdown and Remote Work (1:33:00) The Siren's Call of Product: Questioning the Model (1:38:30) The Balancing Act: Finding Equilibrium Between Profit and Culture (1:47:20) Crafting the Emblem: Defining a Unique Value Proposition (1:52:37) Forging Alliances: The Strategic Acquisition Process (2:02:49) Journeys Lessons: Insights on Negotiation and Culture Integration (2:17:50) Visioning the Future: Charting New Paths (2:24:00) The Phoenix Rises: The Path of Endless Growth and Self-Discovery Follow Cyril: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrilmarques Medium: https://medium.com/@CyrilMarques Join this channel to get access to perks: @LorisDzagoyan Follow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com