Unconventional SMB

Hosted by Jon DeCoste

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jul 2024

Language

EN-CA

About the show

A Podcast that explores everything Small & Medium Businesses, offering a unique platform where SMB owners share their stories, insights, and valuable lessons learned along their journeys. Not only celebrating the successes, we discuss current challenges faced by owners and seek to connect them with resources and individuals who can help break through those barriers. SMBs are the foundation of the economy and provide unique opportunities to generate positive impact + profit. Owning and operating an SMB can be a rewarding, exciting and humbling career path, however, the decision should not be taken lightly. Alongside these inspiring interviews, our podcast features solo episodes with the host discussing topics crucial to the growth and transition of SMBs. Our Purpose is to empower Owners to build stronger, higher-impact businesses through learning, networking, peer support and unconventional thinking

Listen to episodes

10 recent

July 29, 20241 hr 3 min

#10 From the Rigs to Raising Millions - Strategies, Perspectives and Great Stories | Chad Hayden

Send us a textSummaryChad Hayden, the founder of Galatea, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses the importance of taking risks, learning from failure, and persevering through challenges. Chad also talks about the value of being uncomfortable and pushing oneself outside of their comfort zone. He shares insights on sales and the importance of activity and repetition in driving results. Chad emphasizes the need for continuous improvement an...

July 10, 202454 min

#09 Built with Purpose - Designed Lifestyle, 4-Day weeks, Growth of People - Rick Jollymore

Send us a textSUMMARYRick Jollymore, an East Coast entrepreneur, who started Rad Property Services after identifying an opportunity in the property services industry. The discussion delves into his background, the initial stages of his business, the expansion of services, and the growth of his team. It also touches on the challenges and strategies involved in hiring and managing a team. The conversation covers the challenges of starting and scaling a business, managing finances, dealing with ...

June 5, 20241 hr 28 min

#08 A Synchrotron Facility To A Midstream Company 6 Years $1B of Throughput $18M of Profit Share

Send us a textSummaryChris Ryan transitioned from a seven-year career in the energy industry to entrepreneurship. With a background in engineering physics and experience on a significant science project at the University of Saskatchewan, he won the Brett Wilson Entrepreneurship Challenge, securing funding and support for his business idea. At Tundra Oil and Gas, Chris gained comprehensive industry knowledge and hands-on experience, especially in exploitation engineering and marketing.Chris st...

May 21, 20241 hr 21 min

#07 Tech + Consulting A Powerful Recipe Experiments, Failures & Creating “Luck” | Adam Martinson

Send us a textSummaryAdam Martenson founded AJM Environmental in 2012 after working in environmental consulting. Initially a contractor for Cenovus, he managed their environmental programs and later took on regulatory monitoring, reducing costs and streamlining operations. As the oil and gas industry faced challenges, Adam's network grew as assets were sold and teams moved, enabling AJM Environmental to expand and gain new clients through excellent service and strong relationships.By 2018-201...

May 4, 20241 hr 22 min

#06 Farm Life to 250 Employees: Powerful Culture, Self-Care, Darkest of Days | Trevor Muir

Send us a textSummaryTrevor Muir, President of Surepoint Group, shares his journey of starting and growing his business and his experiences with mental health. He grew up on a farm, learning important life skills but lacking emotional awareness. He started his own company, Matrix Measurement, and later joined SurePoint as one of the owners. SurePoint experienced exponential growth, going from 15 to 250 employees in five years. Trevor shares his experience of hitting rock bottom and how i...

April 23, 20241 hr 17 min

#05 Wires of Wisdom: Built, Exited, Built Again. 150 Employees Strong, Across 4 Provinces | Shawn Kersey

Send us a textSummaryIn this engaging podcast episode, host Jon explores the remarkable journey of Shawn Kersey, a seasoned entrepreneur in the telecommunications industry (Also, 2015 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year). Shawn shares nearly three decades of insights, starting from his initial foray into structured data wiring in 1988 to developing multiple successful businesses. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shawn's path from trade school to becoming a telecom industry leader is ...

April 9, 20241 hr 30 min

#04 Lessons & Insights: Acquiring, Operating and Exiting. Now Searching to Acquire Two More | Taylor Carcasole

Send us a textSummaryTaylor Carcasole, shares his journey of operating an agriculture business early in his career and then acquiring a software development and design agency. He discusses the lessons learned and challenges faced in both ventures. Taylor emphasizes the importance of trust and transparency in acquiring businesses and building relationships with sellers. He also highlights the need for professionalization and improving financial reporting in small businesses. Taylor's role in t...

April 2, 20241 hr 27 min

#03 - Midway into a Successful Career, Pivoting to Tech Entrepreneur | Glenn Moore

Send us a textSummaryGlenn Moore, the founder of Vantage Logistics, shares his journey of transitioning from a successful career in the energy industry to starting his own technology business. He started his career in logistics and operations at Plains Midstream in Canada before moving to California to gain more experience in the industry. It was during this time that he identified the inefficiencies and pain points in the logistics and supply chain processes. He decided to start Vantage Logi...

March 26, 20241 hr 22 min

#02 - An IPO, 15 Acquisitions & a Startup | Michael Palmer

Send us a textSummaryThe conversation explores the challenges of small businesses, the importance of relationships, and the entrepreneurial spirit in Western Canada. In this conversation, Michael shares his insights on the power of challenging customers and how they can be an opportunity for growth. He also discusses his personal health challenges and the importance of support and positivity during difficult times. Michael then dives into his business, Inosol Health, and its product SolveStri...

February 23, 202434 min

Unconventional SMB - ETA search update & leaving value

Send us a textETA search update What is working for deal flowLeave value along the journeyTwo opportunities in Western CanadaOffer to connectCONNECT🎙️ Postcast Guests: Canadian SMB owners interested in chatting about your story, insights, and lessons. https://www.jotform.com/form/24049840...🗞️ Unconventional SMB Newsletter: A precursor to the podcast. 👉 Pantheon Row Ventures: Acquiring, operating, and building SMBs with profit + impact as a core value https://www.pantheonrowventures.com/👉&nbs...