CanadianSME Small Business Podcast
Welcome to the CanadianSME podcast, a podcast for Canadian Small Businesses. In our podcasts, we interview Canadian experts and entrepreneurs to give small business owners access to expert knowledge that helps them grow their enterprises. Our mission is to empower Canadian small and medium enterprises and help them reach a bigger audience through our platform. Calling upon some of the most successful subject matter experts in the industry, the small business podcasts aim at identifying issues and finding solutions, all this while helping the business owners.
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Outpace the Market: A Leadership Blueprint for Corporate Reinvention
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore enterprise brand transformation, risk management, and alternative portfolio evolution.</p> <p>Joining us is Leisha Roche, Chief Marketing Officer at PICTON Investments, leading market repositioning for one of Canada’s premier alternative investment firms.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Brand as Growth Engine: Brand should drive strategic growth, not just marketing. Industry Transformation: Marketing can reshape an entire industry, not only a company. Investment Habits: PICTON is changing how the world approaches investing. Corporate Reinvention: Leaders must recognize when and how to reinvent business models. Le...
Beyond the Firewall: The Comprehensive Blueprint to Passing Cyber Insurance Audits
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore workplace technology, cybersecurity risks, and protecting modern business operations.</p> <p>Joining us is Ryan Oriwol, Sales Executive at Davidson Violette & Associates Inc., sharing insights on secure infrastructure, risk mitigation, and technology strategies for Canadian businesses.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Cyber Misconceptions: Understanding the real cybersecurity risks facing small businesses. Connected Device Risks: How overlooked hardware can create security vulnerabilities. Penetration Testing: Strengthening defenses through proactive security assessments. Cyber Insurance Challenges: Why compliance requirements are increasing for SMEs. Risk Assessment: How security audits improve...
Zero Equity, Max Growth: Inside Canada’s Largest Accelerator for Under-30 Founders
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore youth-led venture creation, equitable capital access, and the role of entrepreneurship in driving economic mobility for young Canadians in 2026.</p> <p>Joining us is Rob Ironside, Executive Director of League of Innovators, who shares insights on supporting high-potential, youth-led businesses, zero-equity accelerators, and building the skills necessary for the future of work.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Youth Founder Challenges: Rob outlines the economic barriers young entrepreneurs face today. Zero-Equity Accelerator Model: Rob explains why LOI offers a free, zero-equity program. Entrepreneurship for Social Mobility...
AML Is Changing Fast: What FINTRAC Now Expects From Businesses!!
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore the evolving landscape of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Anti-Terrorist Financing (ATF) in 2026, highlighting why robust compliance is crucial for both financial and non-bank sectors.</p> <p>Joining us is Mondiu Jaiyesimi, Partner at MNP LLP, leading AML and ATF advisory in Ontario. He shares insights on emerging trends, rising expectations for fintech and iGaming, and the board’s role in fostering a culture of compliance.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Emerging AML Risks: Current trends and National Risk Assessment guidance for Canadian reporting entities. Non-Bank Ex...
Why Canada Is Rising to the Top of the Global Tech Scene
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how to scale a specialized tech startup globally, drive cross-border team performance, and remain competitive in rapidly changing industries.</p> <p>Joining us is Erica Anderson, VP of Marketing & Product at Income Access, sharing her insights on growth strategy, international expansion, and navigating regulatory changes in Canada.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Growth Journey: How Income Access has evolved over 17 years. Global Expansion: Lessons learned from scaling internationally. Regulatory Opportunities: Navigating Canada’s digital betting markets. Acquisition Strategy: Managing culture during the Paysafe acquisition. Market Re...
How Leading Wealth Firms Are Using AI to Empower Advisors
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast hosted by Maheen Bari, where we explore strategies for scaling and modernizing professional services. Today, we focus on AI-driven wealth management and how advisors can protect client trust while reducing operational friction.</p> <p>Joining us is John Connell, Co-founder and CEO of Focal AI, Canada’s leading secure AI assistant for financial planners. John has led high-growth tech initiatives at Microsoft, compliance platforms, and wealth management firms.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> AI Gaps in Wealth Management: Generic AI models often fail to address operational inefficiencies for advisors. Time-Saving Agentic Workflows: Na...
The Ambiguity Tax: The Hidden Performance Cost of Unclear Corporate Roles
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore behavioral science insights that optimize team performance under pressure.</p> <p>Joining us is Tammy Arseneau, Founder and CEO of Cortical Consulting & Coaching, a global expert in organizational effectiveness and leadership alignment.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Outpaced Leader: Many leaders struggle to manage growing operational complexity. Cost of Ambiguity: Workplace ambiguity directly lowers team performance. Behavioral Insights: Stress shapes team communication and decision-making. Change Management Pitfalls: Companies often mishandle organizational change. Practical Clarity: Clear frameworks improve team alignment and decisions. <p>Special Thanks to...
The Spreadsheet Crisis: Why Your Construction Tech Strategy Is Failing
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how industrial companies can modernize operations and build resilience through practical digital transformation and operations-first architecture in 2026.</p> <p>Joining us is Frederic Elias, Head of Growth at OnTarget Group, a licensed engineer and MBA with global field experience in high-stakes environments. He now helps Canadian construction and manufacturing firms modernize through the Microsoft ecosystem.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Execution Lessons: Insights from high-stakes international field operations. Operational Mistakes: The biggest gaps in industrial digital readiness today. Driving Adoption: Why transformation projects fail and...
The Overwhelm Cure: Simple Workflow Changes That Free Up 100+ Hours a Year
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore scaling service-based businesses, streamlining operations, and avoiding entrepreneur burnout in 2026.</p> <p>Joining us is Adriana Fierastrau, CEO of Ontario Assistant, sharing insights on systemizing back-end workflows, automations, and virtual support teams.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> Common Bottlenecks: Identifying the top operational hurdles in service-based businesses. High-Impact Automations: Simple automations that save hundreds of hours annually. AI vs. Human Support: How to decide between automation, AI, or hiring assistance. Burnout Signs: Recognizing when operations cause overwhelm and taking action. Immediate Relief: Quick steps leaders...
Is Your 'Text Me When You Get Home' Policy a Safety Risk?
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore the challenges and solutions for lone worker safety across small businesses in North America.</p> <p>Joining us is Lester Tiro, Marketing Manager at SafetyLine Lone Worker, who brings expertise in marketing, product storytelling, and translating complex workplace safety requirements into actionable solutions.</p> <p>Key Highlights</p> <p>1.Hidden Risks: Small businesses often overlook critical lone worker hazards.</p> <p>2. Digital Safety Tools: Affordable tech can significantly enhance worker protection.</p> <p>3. Program Essentials: Core elements define a strong lone worker program.</p> <p>4...
