Ignited - Lighting a Fire for Entrepreneurs, Innovation and Community

Hosted by Ignite Atlantic

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Jun 2025

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Innovation can happen anywhere. We interview entrepreneurs, business leaders, and difference makers in rural Nova Scotia. Ignited presents you with the stories, dreams, and experiences of dynamic individuals building bright futures in small towns. Keep your finger on the pulse of innovation in Nova Scotia with Ignited.

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June 10, 2025Episode 252 min

IGNITED | Josh Counsil

SummaryIn this episode of the Ignite podcast, Doug Jones interviews Josh Council, co-founder of Good Robot Brewing. They discuss the journey of founding the brewery, the challenges faced in the startup phase, and the innovative marketing strategies that helped establish the brand. Josh shares insights on community building, embracing mistakes, and the unique culture of Good Robot Brewing. The conversation also touches on the co-packing industry and how it supports competitors in the beverage market. In this conversation, Doug Jones and Joshua Counsil explore the dynamics of the craft beer industry in Atlantic Canada, focusing on collaboration, sustainability, and the challenges faced by microbreweries. They discuss the importance of marketing and sales strategies, the impact of COVID-19, and the need for innovation in product development. Joshua shares insights on consumer access and distribution challenges, as well as valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of the beverage industry.TakeawaysGood Robot Brewing was founded by three engineers looking for community.The founders embraced their quirky identity to stand out in the market.Innovative marketing strategies, like silent reading events, helped attract customers.The brewery faced significant challenges, including financial hurdles and regulatory issues.Embracing mistakes, like the Condom Gate incident, became a part of their brand story.The importance of community and inclusivity is central to Good Robot's ethos.COVID-19 forced the brewery to pivot to e-commerce and wholesale.Co-packing allows Good Robot to support other beverage brands in the region.The brewery's culture balances fun with the seriousness of business operations.Josh emphasizes that understanding the consumer is key to success. Collaboration is essential in the beverage industry.Microbreweries face sustainability challenges as they grow.COVID-19 has reshaped the craft beer landscape.Sales and marketing are crucial for brewery success.Expanding into new markets can be risky for craft breweries.Innovation in product development is key to staying relevant.Consumer access to products is often limited by distribution channels.Entrepreneurs should focus on their values during tough times.Building strong relationships is vital for business success.Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial for overcoming challenges.Sound Bites"We had about three big PR incidents""We created a Valentine's Day event""We learned that you're not your consumer""You have to be more collaborative.""The challenge becomes sustainability.""We're obviously feeling it as an industry.""You really got to hustle to grow.""You have to balance those two.""Act on your values, not on your feelings.""You can do some pretty remarkable things.""Stay on the positive side of things."Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: Founding Good Robot Brewing03:05 From Engineers to Entrepreneurs: The Founders' Story06:23 Building a Brand: The Good Robot Identity07:54 Overcoming Challenges: The Brewery Startup Experience11:09 Innovative Marketing: Attracting Customers14:15 Embracing Mistakes: The Condom Gate Incident19:43 Balancing Fun and Seriousness in Business26:47 Co-Packing: Supporting Competitors and the Industry31:10 Collaboration in the Beverage Industry32:02 The Rise and Challenges of Microbreweries33:26 Sustainability and Growth in Craft Brewing35:59 Sales and Marketing Strategies for Success38:02 Expanding Beyond Local Markets41:06 Innovation and Product Development in Craft Beer43:57 Consumer Access and Distribution Challenges46:57 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Mindset Development

October 21, 2024Episode 135 min

Keith Jones - The Power of Community in Branding

In this conversation, Doug Jones interviews Keith Jones, an entrepreneur who shares his journey from the corporate world to creating impactful social initiatives. They discuss Keith's involvement in Bumrun, a creative campaign to raise awareness for colon cancer, and how his upbringing influenced his entrepreneurial spirit. Keith elaborates on his transition to social impact work, the founding of Brand Van, and the importance of crowdsourcing creativity for charitable causes. He emphasizes the significance of leadership, taking action, and focusing on making a difference in the world.takeawaysBumrun creatively addresses colon cancer awareness through humor.Upbringing plays a crucial role in shaping entrepreneurial mindset.Transitioning from corporate life to social impact can be fulfilling.Brand Van aims to uplift charities through design and creativity.Crowdsourcing can effectively mobilize creative talent for good causes.Leadership involves inspiring others to take action.Focus on fixing one thing to make a difference.Every action taken can lead to further opportunities.Creativity should be leveraged to solve societal issues.Community engagement is essential for impactful branding.Chapters00:00Introduction to Keith's Entrepreneurial Journey01:27Foundational Influences and Early Creativity04:25The Corporate Pivot: A Life-Altering Decision10:43Launching Brandvan: A New Purpose17:24Building a Community of Creatives21:55Advice for Young Entrepreneurs25:02Innovative Branding for a Serious Cause29:04The Future of Social Impact Organizations32:50Creative Inspirations and Recommendations

June 25, 2024Episode 2142 min

Richard Piotrowski Serial Entrepreneur

In this final episode of Season 3, Wade chats with Richard Piotrowski who is the publisher of Brewers Journal Canada. He is also the newly hired Executive Director of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. Richard describes himself as a Serial Entrepreneur, always looking for exciting opportunities. The story of his discovery of the Yarmouth area and his family’s decision to settle into Rural life here in Southwestern Nova Scotia makes for great listening.If you want to find out more about Brewers Journal Canada visit their website brewersjournal.ca You can follow the YAS Drinks Fest on Facebook and InstagramFollow the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce on their website yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com and on FacebookTo find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

May 28, 2024Episode 2023 min

Malcolm Seaboyer of Y-CON – Building a Gaming & Comic Convention

Malcolm Seaboyer is a marketing manager working in tourism and on the side – and strictly voluntarily – works with a great group of dedicated volunteers on the Y-CON Gaming & Comics Convention. Y-CON has shown enormous growth since its beginnings in 2019, enduring through the pandemic, growing steadily. and this year it has outgrown its original location with upwards of a thousand participants expected to take in the 3 day event in Yarmouth.To find out more about Y-CON and their events visit their website yarmouthcon.comFollow them on Facebook, Instagram, X, Twitch and YouTube.To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

April 30, 2024Episode 1926 min

Health Innovators, Dr. Daniel Rasic, Virtual Hallway

Dr. Daniel Rasic is a practicing psychiatrist focused on treatment of service members and first responders.Virtual Hallway is a game changer for Rural areas. It enables GPs and nurse practitioners to connect with specialists quickly, getting consultations done in hours or days that previously would take months to happen, helping to eliminate waitlists and speed up much needed patient care.To find out more about Virtual Hallway visit their website Virtual Hallway.caFollow Virtual Hallway on Linkedin and follow Daniel Rasic on Linkedin too.To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

April 23, 2024Episode 1823 min

Health Innovators: Dr. Karen Cross, MIMOSA Diagnostics

Dr. Karen Cross of MIMOSA Diagnostics is an award-winning scientist, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and an entrepreneur. The MIMOSA pro is an amazing innovation - a handheld, portable imaging device that provides state-of-the-art imaging accurately and non-invasively, enabling doctors anywhere to find wounded damaged tissue and vascular issues. This has huge implications for those in rural areas or anyone not close to medial centres with Diagnostic Imaging equipmentTo find out more about MIMOSA visit their website www.mimosadiagnostics.com and folloe them on LinkedinFollow Dr. Cross on Linkedin tooTo find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

April 9, 2024Episode 1728 min

Women Founders: Debbie Adams

In the fifth and final episode of our annual Women Founder series, Wade talks with Speaker, Adult Educator, Coach, and Author Debbie Adams. A degenerative eye disease took Debbie from a Military career to unemployment and forced her to reinvent herself completely. She’s been through it all and now teaches others what she has learned about what it takes to survive and to flourish. To find out more about Debbie and what she does, visit her website peoplecanbiz.com and follow her on Linkedin.To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

April 2, 2024Episode 1625 min

Women Founders: Maria McGowan and Sociable Media

In the fourth of our annual Women Founder series, Wade talks with Maria McGowan, marketer extraordinaire who is the founder of Sociable Media. She’s been in the business for twenty-plus years, was one of the early adopters of social media marketing and remains on the forefront of it. Maria has a great love for community and strongly believes in giving back to that community, and we’ll talk about that, as well as her Podcast The Reimagined Energy Podcast, and her recent adventure, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.To find out more about Sociable Media visit mariamcgowan.com and https://sociablemedia.co/ Check out the Reimagined Energy Podcast; the website is https://reimaginedenergy.com/ or find them on YouTube.Follow Maria on Linkedin.To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

March 26, 2024Episode 1548 min

Women Founders: Chef Gabrielle LeGuerrier and GourmetGab

In the third of our annual Women Founder series, Wade talks with Chef Gabrielle LeGuerrier, a native Nova Scotian who with her husband European Sommelier Gabor Bodo have created something truly unique – GourmetGab by Pertu. GourmetGab brings high-end culinary and wine experiences right to your home. Chef Gabrielle is a Michelin trained chef who has cooked for many celebrities, world leaders and most notably in her last job just before the creation of GourmetGab was Sous Chef to the Royal Family and one of the last to work for Her Late Majesty The Queen of England. To find out more about GourmetGab by Pertu visit their website pertu.ca. They are on Facebook as Gourmet Gab Events by Pertu, and follow their Instagram page, This is Gourmet Gab.To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.

March 19, 2024Episode 1428 min

Women Founders: Alicia & Miranda Teasdale and Teasdale Apothecary

In the second of our annual series spotlighting and celebrating Women Founders, Wade Cleveland talks with Alicia & Miranda Teasdale of Teasdale Apothecary.Teasdale Apothecary is a full-service, independent pharmacy that harkens back to a simpler time. They are transforming patient and consumer experience with what they do. On top of basic pharmacy services they offer high quality, low-waste choices for household and personal care products and have also begun a program of offering prescriptions in reusable and returnable glass bottles, keeping potentially thousands of plastic bottles out of the landfill. They are also a Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic, part of a pilot project in Nova Scotia, enabling pharmacists to give prescriptions for various ailments, renew prescriptions and more.To find out more about Teasdale Apothecary visit their website. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. To find out more about Rural innovation and what Ignite does, check out IgniteAtlantic.com. Ignite can be found on Facebook and Instagram.Follow Wade on Linkedin and on Facebook.