What are some key attributes that will catapult you ahead of the competition? On today’s show, we interview Matthew Eidinger who shares with us his thoughts on time management, goal-setting, and venturing outside your comfort zone. Matthew was initially attracted to the Student Works internship because he saw it as an opportunity to develop several transferable and foundational skill-sets – namely, marketing, sales, and production management. And, as an introvert, Matthew was keen on developing these skill-sets that he knew would help him through the course of his career. Additionally, on today’s show, he also shares with us the work that he did as the President of McGill Political Science Students Association. Apart from Student Works, this experience helped Mathew evolve into a dynamic leader capable of moving the needle forward. Upon graduation from McGill, Matthew was working towards his goal of becoming a lawyer. But he decided to pivot after landing his dream job with Cambridge Global Payments, a boutique foreign exchange broker. You will get some interesting insights into Matthew’s role and responsibilities in this segment of the show. Currently, Matthew is also pursuing his Masters in Finance at the London School of Business. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Tips for introverts who are considering joining the Student Works program 3 things that I learned from the program that I rely on too date How my Student Works internship helped me get my dream job at Cambridge Global Payments How I managed to clear my CFA while working a full-time job And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview Bill Maginas who shares with us his distilled wisdom on leveraging knowledge, branding, and finding success in the corporate world. We start this show with Bill recalling his life before Student Works. Born to Greek immigrants, Bill was always entrepreneurial and had a big engine for work. And this was why he was instantly attracted to Student Works when he was in his first year in college. You will learn how a “structured approach to being an entrepreneur” can work wonders for you – the same way it worked for Bill.  After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier, Bill joined Honeywell in November 1999. In his 17-year-long stint here, Bill got an opportunity to work in different countries and across a wide range of industry verticals.  In 2016, Bill was appointed as the President of Johnson Controls. In his new role, Bill shares how he dramatically altered the organizational structure to improve overall efficiencies. In this segment of the show, you will also learn how to maintain your work relationships and part with your employer on a good note. Currently, as the CEO of Great Northern Insulation, Bill shares how he is leveraging knowledge and attempting to make his mark in a commoditized industry. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Importance of being action-oriented and failing cheap How to have an authentic, clear-cut conversation and part with your employer on a good note Nuanced advice for those looking to taking the entrepreneurial route And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview student painter-manager, Maddie Quirk who shares her distilled wisdom on shedding your ego, working with integrity, and why motivation is an overrated concept. Before joining Student Works, Maddie was frustrated with the management and desperately looking for an alternative. This is when she came across Student Works.  In her first year as a student painter, Maddie had a difficult time, admittedly because of her “huge ego”. Her unwillingness to learn, be present, and listen to people meant that Maddie had a challenging time. But she learnt well. And in her second year as a student manager, she managed to triple her revenues and quadruple her profits.  In this segment of the show, she shares how her second year is in stark contrast to her first year. Particularly, you will learn how Maddie has moved into a consulting position where she is training and grooming other painters. Other topics discussed on today’s show include the importance of working with integrity, and how Maddie operated a stellar business in the year of covid. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why motivation is overrated How I ran a stellar painting business in the year of covid How I overcame mindset barriers in my first year as a student painter And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we have Oliver and Simon, co-founders, Construction Jackapole who share with us their distilled wisdom on entrepreneurship, the many advantages of a business partnership, and how to balance growth and profitability. Oliver and Simon’s Montreal-based construction business clocked revenues of $3 MM last year. After kick starting operations barely three years back, Oliver and Simon have managed to assemble a dream team and an enviable clientele in a very short period of time. Admittedly, they made many mistakes and slow progress in the first year of their operations. Oliver and Simon reveal how prioritizing growth over profitability proved to be their biggest mistakes in this segment of the show.  Here, you will learn the importance of cherry-picking the right clients so that your growth does not spiral out of control. One of the main things that we touch upon today are the many advantages of a business partnership. You will learn how Oliver’s and Simon’s starkly contrasting and complementary personalities are powering growth and taking their organization to newer heights. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and a well-structured partnership can truly work to your advantage. Some of the other important topics that we discuss today are the different perks of entrepreneurship, why you need to work on building client relationships, and the importance of doing what you say. This is a show you do not want to miss.  Enjoy!   What You Will Learn In This Show What are some of the massive upsides of being in a partnership? How to balance growth and profitability Why scaling back was one of the best decisions that we made this year Looking back and appreciating the progress And so much more… Resources Construction Jackalope Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Kathleen Fitzpatrick who shares with us her distilled wisdom on resilience, employee satisfaction, and women in business. Growing up, Kathleen was busy with her studies and competitive swimming. And so, she never held a part time job till she came across Student Works. The opportunity to do something different and be her own boss had Kathleen immediately excited and she was quick to sign up. In the next segment of the show, Kathleen shares how the Student Works stint has helped her grow as a person. When covid first struck, Kathleen was admittedly scared and withdrew into a shell. But she was quick to pivot so that her marketing and training was more attuned to the new normal. We also talk a great deal about the importance of keeping your employees happy in this segment of the show. In her first year, Kathleen ended up running a $90,000 painting business. In 2021, her revenues grew to $140,000 in 2021. And she is all set to run a $250,000 next year.   This show will be particularly interesting for all the women who are scouting around for a rewarding internship. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In this Show Importance of overcoming your reticence of asking for help Why happy employees means happy customers How the Student Works program is preparing me for my future life How I ended up running a stellar painting business in the year of the pandemic And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

Ever wondered what the world of investment banking looks like? And about the pressures and challenges that bankers go through on a daily basis? On today’s show, we have with us Garth Friesen who shares with us distilled wisdom on resilience, investing vs. trading, and risk management. 19-year-old Garth got into Student Works just because “his friends were doing it”. And while he already had the book smarts, running a painting business helped Garth develop the life smarts that laid the base for a spectacular career. Inspired by a friend of his, Garth decided to get into investment banking, and his first employer was a Japanese Bank based out of Toronto. After getting some experience under his belt, Garth was quick to figure out that he was lacking in certain important skills. And he decided to pursue a full-time MBA. Having a full-time MBA did not make it any easier for Garth to get his “foot inside the door”. And he had to go through 12 interviews to get accepted at Merrill Lynch. This segment of the show is particularly interesting as Garth emphasizes the importance of resilience when you are going after your dream job. And once you snag your dream job, you have to start at the bottom, and work your butt off to prove yourself – and differentiate yourself from your peers who are equally capable and hard-working as you. Garth’s attitude towards failures, or setbacks, as he prefers to call them, is particularly refreshing. We talk about the importance of EQ vs. IQ, risk management, and the difference between investing and trading in today’s show. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why trading is NOT a solo sport (The importance of collaboration and EQ in trading) Understanding the dynamics of the trading world Trading vs. Investing – why they are fundamentally different How a reluctance to cut your losses can lead you to lose your shirt And so much more… Resources Bite the Ass off a Bear Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In this day and age, is it even possible to launch greenfield projects that allow you to exploit the first-mover advantage? On today’s show, we interview the incredibly successful serial entrepreneur Josh Campbell who shares with us his wisdom on exploration, product differentiation, and taking the path less trodden. We start this show with Josh revealing some of the biggest lessons that he learned from his Student Works stint. A soup to nuts experience for him, Josh shares how Student Works laid a firm foundation for an extremely successful career. Upon graduation, Josh first decided to try his luck in the world of finance. But he soon realized that he was more interested in people development and tangible creations.  So, what followed was an extremely successful stint at Starbucks where he overlooked construction and facility management. In this segment of the show, Josh gives us an insider peeks and reveals what makes Starbucks such a unique and special place. After 5 years of working at Starbucks, Josh ran into the owners of Saje Natural Wellness, and he was blown away by their business model.  The ability to make “sales per square feet higher than Apple” had Josh stoked, and he transitioned into his new role as VP, Retail.  Learn how Josh and his team managed to raise profitability and get an exit in 18-months flat! Currently, Josh is at the helm of two extremely innovative businesses. His first business, Dosist is a health and wellness company providing cannabis-based solutions. And his second business, Health Improvement manufactures protein power from…you will never guess it…organic crickets. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to fail cheap, and pivot quickly How to take a commoditized product and create an experience around it Dispelling some common misconceptions surrounding cannabis-based solutions And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn  

On today’s show, we interview fourth-year commerce student Tycho Koren who shares with us distilled wisdom on scaling, overcoming challenges, and goal-setting. Before Student works, admittedly, Tycho suffered from massive ADHD and had trouble committing himself to a goal. After working odd jobs, he soon realized that he wanted much more from his chosen profession. This is when he came across Student Works. 2020 was Tycho’s first year with Student Works. And when the pandemic struck, Tycho initially second-guessed himself. But soon he snapped out of this negative mindset. In this segment of the show, you will learn how Tycho and the entire Student Works team completely revamped their sales and marketing so that they could function seamlessly in the post-covid world. As a result, Tycho ended up running a $150,000 business in the most challenging circumstances. Buoyed by this experience, Tycho has set a massive $400,000 goal in his second year. You will learn how goal-setting without proper systems is completely futile. Tycho shares how he has managed to build a dream team. And how he is on track to achieve his audacious goal on the back of a collective effort. Other topics discussed on today’s show include accountability, building transferable and foundational skill sets, and the importance of evaluating your strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How I ended up running a $150,000 in the year of the pandemic How I pivoted my sales and marketing strategy in the wake of covid What is it that top performers do differently? Why you need to combine goal-setting with systems And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview Josh Walker, Vice President, Hillcore Group who shares with us his distilled wisdom on work ethic, career strategy, and tips for rising up the corporate chain. We start this show with Josh recalling his life before Student Works. Always entrepreneurial-minded, Josh ended up running a number of small businesses. But he soon realized that he had to do much more in order to fulfill his ambitions. While majoring in accounting from the University of Ottawa, Josh ended up interning for Student Works. He was with Student Works for 4 years. And in his final year, he was a GM managing multiple painters. The biggest thing that Josh learned during his stint was the importance of a great work ethic. After graduation, Josh has worked with several reputed organizations including KPMG, Fazzari, and Medical Mart.  The most important takeaway from this segment of the show is the importance of providing more and more value. You will learn how to make yourself indispensable to your employer and quickly rise up the corporate chain. Josh also talks about networking and shares how you can leave an organization without burning any bridges. You will also learn how to critically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses so that you can make the right career steps that will propel you to the next level. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to move on to another company without burning bridges with your past employer Why raising the benchmark is the only way to rise up the corporate ladder Importance of building your network, and maintaining your work relationships And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview Student Works alum, real estate investor (and coach), and one of our first window cleaning operators, Riley Oickle who shares with us his distilled wisdom on real estate investing, coaching, and success. Recently, till September 2020, as a Senior District Manager, Riley was responsible for coaching and mentoring other district managers at Student Works. Some of the biggest lessons that his Student Works experience taught him were the importance of the results economy, humility, and the nuances of effective coaching. Additionally, his senior at Student Works, Kory MacKinnon took him under his tutelage and showed him the ropes of real estate investing. Riley credits Kory for his massive success in real estate investing. Learn how Kory managed to leverage joint ventures to build a $4 million real estate portfolio in just a year and a half. You will also learn about his incredibly successful coaching business. And how Student Works helped Riley hit the ground running. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy!  What You Will Learn In This Show How I built up a $4 million portfolio in just a year and a half How I massively scaled up by real estate business through joint ventures The importance of having shared values with your teammates The biggest things that I have learned as a coach and how coaching has helped me improve my capabilities Tips for short-term and long-term real estate investors And so much more… Resources Riley’s Website Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview District Manager at Student Works, Tyrus Reid who shares with us his wisdom on delegation, integrity, and mindset. Before joining Student Works, Tyrus remembers being extremely stressed about his education and career. He was particularly obsessed with getting into an Ivy League School. However, once he got into the painting business, Tyrus’s stress levels subsided significantly. Having a fallback option was a huge confidence booster for Tyrus. The biggest thing that Tyrus learned after running a painting business is the importance of delegation. Recognizing your strengths and hiring out your weaknesses is the hallmark of truly successful people. You might be good at sales. But, if you are unorganized and unable to handle production, all your efforts will come to naught. Apart from the importance of delegation, you will also get some important lessons in focus, commitment, and integrity. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Mindset Strategies to get “your head right”  Good habits that help me maintain high productivity Is the importance of formal education overstated? And so much more?   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

On today’s show, we interview DM, Hugo Geoffroy who shares his wisdom on performance, coaching, and teamwork.  Before the program, Hugo was admittedly “a cocky, confused guy who thought the world owed him something”.  When Hugo came into the program, he already had some cold-calling experience under his belt. However, like most other interns, he was a blank slate as far as recruiting and production experience were concerned.  So, needless to say his overconfidence cost him dearly as he ended up making many rookie mistakes in his first year.  But Hugo was determined to learn from his mistakes. And one of the biggest lessons he took away from his first year was the importance of teamwork and delegation. In this second year, Hugo managed to significantly up his performance as he ended up running a $115,000 painting business. Currently, as a DM, Hugo is a coach and a mentor to other student operators. He shares some of the biggest challenges that he is facing right now in his new role. Specifically, we talk about reliability and patience in this segment of the show.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show What is it that top performers do differently? Why I decided to pursue coaching What are some of the biggest coaching challenges I am currently dealing with? And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

Wondering how you can leverage digital marketing and podcasting to grow and scale your business?  On today’s show, we interview Jay Wong who shares with us his distilled wisdom on digital marketing, branding, and positioning. Jay is the founder and CEO of The Inner Changemaker and Podcast your Brand. Apart from various growth hacks, you will also learn the importance of working with clients who are the right fit for you.  Back in 2019, Jay was among the first guests on the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast. Monthly revenues for Jay’s marketing agency, have since, nearly tripled to $70K. We start this show with Jay sharing how the desire to provide more value to his current clients first kickstarted his agency business three years back. Jay was already selling online programs and memberships. And, at the insistence of a persistent client, Jay decided to add done-for-you services to his repertoire. On today’s show, we have an interesting discussion about how digital marketing has dramatically evolved over the past three years. Especially, as all the platforms have gotten noisier post the pandemic, you will learn why you need to remain patient. And slowly build out all the digital assets that will guarantee consistent success.  You will also learn how can find the clients who are the right fit for your agency.  As a seasoned entrepreneur and agency owner, Jay shares his experiences and revealed some nuanced tips to help you vet a client.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How I scaled my agency business from $0 to $70K monthly revenues in three years flat How the digital marketing landscape has dramatically evolved over the past year How to determine the “right-fit” clients for your marketing agency Why patience is the key to success in digital marketing And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email The Inner Changemaker Podcast Your Brand Kolbe

Can eighteen-year-olds successfully manage large businesses if they have a conducive environment and a supportive team to back them up? On today’s show, we interview veteran student operator, Taylor Nichols who shares his thoughts on leadership and delegation. You will learn how shedding your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone can catapult you miles ahead of your peers. Growing up, Taylor always had a big engine for work. But he was frustrated with working odd jobs and earning minimum wage.  So, when the Student Works opportunity came along, he signed up immediately. However, it was not all smooth sailing for the get-go. As someone who always questions the norm, Taylor discarded established systems and tried to run his business in his own way in his first year. However, when he started with Student Works in his second year, he had realized his folly. And he followed our systems to the T. As a result, he ended up notching twice the revenues in his second year.  On today’s show, Taylor shares some of his biggest lessons learned after spending two years as a student painter.  Specifically, you will learn the importance of assembling a dream team that can get the job done. You will learn WHY you need to trust your employees and overcome your fear of delegation if you wish to grow and scale your business to the next level. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why you should never deviate from proven systems and processes How to assemble a dream team that will get the job done Why you need to move away from working minimum wage, hourly jobs now And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

How can you charge premium pricing even when you are functioning in a commoditized market?  On today’s show, we interview Adel Jawhary, Owner and CEO of Rydel Roofing who shares with us his distilled wisdom on pricing, sales, and growth.  Adel and his team managed to rapidly scale up Rydel Roofing from 0 to $10 million in six years flat. But once they hit this sales mark, Adel realized why it was futile to function as a revenue-focused company.  As quality issues and cash flow problems cropped up, Adel and his team decided to pivot and focus solely on high-margin, low-maintenance projects. Cutting back revenues by 35% allowed Rydel Roofing to shave their overheads by 50%.  To compensate for this growth, Adel shares why he has decided to take the franchise route. He reveals how Rydel is supporting their franchisees so that they can hit the ground running.  In the latter half of this show, Adel opens up his sales playbook as he walks us through the whole customer journey. You will learn why the sales call is the single most important part of the entire sales process. And you will also learn how to deal with rebuttals and facilitate a close. And so much more… Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Pricing strategies and how to sell at the “top of the market” How to get better at sales through self-discovery How to figure out the triggers that your prospects are most likely to respond to And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview student painter Olivier Grenon who shares his distilled wisdom on focus, mindset, and entrepreneurship.  With $90,000 worth of painting orders already under his belt, Olivier is all set to hit the $200,000 revenue mark in 2021.  While Olivier is experiencing incredible success today, back in 2019, he had little clarity about what he wanted to do going forward. Over the past five years, he had just been wading through life. But he was determined to set his life in order. At this juncture, he received a call from Lucas who informed him about Student Works. Olivier learned how he could run a large painting business at the age of 19. And how he could fast-track his career by learning the crucial entrepreneurial skills-sets that people typically learn when they are in their late twenties or early thirties.   On today’s show, Olivier shares how he managed to run a successful business in 2020 in spite of the pandemic. You will learn about the incredible support that Olivier received from his district manager as well as the entire Student Works team.  Because of this, Olivier was able to completely alter his marketing and sales strategy and continue doing business in spite of the restrictions. Olivier shares how staying consistent and working with integrity has helped him along the way. And while chasing large goals is crucial to one’s success, we also talk about the importance of gratitude and satisfaction. Towards the end, Olivier shares his big plans for the future. And we wrap up by sharing what it truly means to be a leader of tomorrow in this day and age.  What You Will Learn In This Show Being happy yet never satisfied at the same time Untapped opportunities in the contracting space Savoring your success but keeping complacency at bay Why a leader of tomorrow is willing to take risks by venturing into the unknown And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs manage to ride out challenges and pivot again and again? On today’s show, we interview the incredible Bob Milling who shares with us his experience of working in the government, the power industry, and the hospitality industry. You will learn how to develop a far-sighted approach to make decisions that result in massive success in the long run. We start this show with Bob sharing his backstory. He too graduated at the height of the recession – pretty much akin to the current scenario.  After graduation, Bob got an opportunity to work for the government where he learned how the whole bureaucratic machinery works. When Bob started working for the government, he was far more idealistic. And while all the cronyism has tempered his enthusiasm somewhat, he still believes that there’s a lot of good that gets done. After 16 extremely fruitful years in this role, Bob decided to work as a consultant for the private sector. As a Sherpa, Bob translated the needs and requirements of the government for the private sector.  One thing led to another, and Bob got an opportunity to develop wind farms across Canada. In this segment, you will learn how Bob navigated the complexities of the power industry by negotiating long-term agreements. He also talks about his real estate venture, Wakefield Field Hotel Mill and Spa. Bob secured $4 million to finance this 42-room luxurious hotel on the outskirts of Ottawa through a long-term lease twenty years back. You will learn how Bob and the team at Wakefield are pivoting in the wake of covid. And why Bob thinks this is the most exciting time ever for entrepreneurs.  We wrap up this show with Bob sharing some of the biggest lessons that he has learned from his failures. He talks about the importance of honesty and why he prefers progress over perfection. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show What did I have to change about myself when I went from being a university student to a value creator? Why I firmly believe in progress over perfection How to develop a far-sighted approach as an entrepreneur Creative financing strategies for capital intensive businesses And so much more… Resources Wakefield Field Hotel Mill and Spa Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

How do some organizations manage to emerge stronger from a crisis? What is it that sets them apart and enables them to stand the test of time? Today’s show is a special one as we have Govindh Jayaraman, Head Coach and Team Lead of IMBA Medical, back on the show to share with us his distilled wisdom on tenacity, entrepreneurship, and navigating black swan events.   Like all of us, life has significantly changed for Govindh after the pandemic.  Govindh shares how his organization creating a free platform to detect covid outbreaks in the vicinity. Through his platform, Govindh and his team helped millions of healthcare workers and school-going children better navigate this difficult time.   As an experienced business leader, Govindh shares some excellent insights so your organization is better equipped to deal with black swan events. He talks about recognizing your weaknesses while leveraging your strengths in such trying times.  Over the past three decades, Govindh has tried his hand at selling second-hand computers, software, and even bio-diesel. Time and again, he has managed to spot new opportunities and pivot inspite of having no experience in that niche. To become a successful entrepreneur, you will learn why you need to focus on making a sustainable contribution. You will learn that profit follows contribution. And how a more sustainable contribution will lead to a steady, more sustainable profit for your organization. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Spotting new opportunities and pivoting when the time is right Leveraging your strengths to best navigate black swan events Why you should be focusing on making greater contributions And so much more… Resources: Paper Napkin Wisdom Govindh’s LinkedIn I Love You Forever Show 104 with Govindh Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Faraz Khan who shares his distilled wisdom on entrepreneurship, tenacity, and relationship building.  Faraz’s single-minded focus has earned him the Rookie Operator of the Year award.  So, how did Faraz manage to get a leg up on his extremely competitive and high-performing peers? And how did he manage to hit his goals in a year ravaged by the pandemic? We start this show with Faraz sharing his background story. Originally from Pakistan, Faraz moved to Canada back in 2013. He dropped out of high school so that he could support his family. But he soon realized that he would never meet his goals if he kept on working 9 to 5. So, when he came across the Student Works opportunity, he was immediately stoked that he could be his own boss while running a large painting business. Faraz shares WHY Student Works has been a life-changing opportunity for him. Being in the Student Works fold has taught Faraz some lifelong lessons in relationship building, accountability, and goal setting. Particularly, Faraz shares how he learned to build and manage a dream team that could function in a hands-off manner. You will also learn how Faraz managed to pivot fast and completely rework his sales practices once the pandemic broke out. This is a show that you do not want to miss. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Tenacity, and staying consistent, no matter what Setting clear expectations and staying transparent while assembling your dream team How to delegate and manage a painting business in a completely hands-off manner Pivoting in the wake of the pandemic And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview social entrepreneur and founder of The Bargains Group, Kits For a Cause and Engage and Change, Jody Steinhauer who shares with us her thoughts on authenticity, integrity, and corporate social responsibility. Jody is a radical change-maker who is helping the homeless and needy through her various charity initiatives. When Jody was studying fashion and interior design in her formative years, she was always independent-minded. But admittedly she was in the process of discovering her core values.  Over time, after many impactful experiences, Jody realized that she wanted to lead her life with integrity and authenticity. Jody started her career as the VP for a profitable wholesale division in Ontario. In the two years that she spent here Jody built some rock-solid relationships with her vendors. And in a strange twist of fate, when the wholesale business went under, Jody ended up leveraging her goodwill to start her own business, The Bargain Group in 1988. Over time, Jody decided to pursue her heart and passion by creating her charity, Engage and Change that organizes initiatives like Project Winter Survival, Project Water, and Kits for a Cause. Her enthusiasm to help the homeless and the needy will surely inspire you and blow you away. As someone who firmly believes that “you are your brand”, Jody talks about making important life decisions while adhering to rock-solid core values. With regards to corporate social responsibility and the greater good, she calls out the hypocritical attitude of several organizations. And, as a tenacious entrepreneur, she talks about the importance of accountability. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show A peek into the bargain wholesale business Holding yourself accountable and avoiding the victim mindset Leading a life of integrity and authenticity Corporate social responsibility and doing your bit for the homeless and needy And so much more… Resources The Bargains Group Jody’s Website Jody’s LinkedIn Engage and Change Kits for a Cause Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Sam Symons, Expansion Manager, Lavanda who shares with us his distilled wisdom on the real estate market and specifically, short-term rentals. You will learn how institutional investors are slowly but surely waking up to the massive opportunities in the short-term rental space.  Growing up in a small town of just 700 did not deter Sam from dreaming big. And having older siblings who were high achievers also opened his eyes to the massive opportunities that lay in front of him. So, by the time he entered University, he had his mindset on entrepreneurship. When he stumbled onto the Student Works opportunity, he dove right in.  In this segment of the show, Sam shares how running a painting business allowed him to hone foundational skills like sales, marketing, and project management. He also shares how Student Works was a “growing up” experience for him which helped him discover his core values.  After University, Sam moved to Shanghai to work in a startup. But unfortunately, this experience did not live up to his expectations.  So, in September 2016, Sam moved back to Toronto to kickstart his new business, Hosted Properties. Hosted Properties explored the somewhat undiscovered space of short-term rentals. And Sam and his business partner, James (also a Student Works alum) even published a book, AirBnB for Rentals. Currently, Sam is working as an Expansion Manager for Lavanda in the UK. In his current role, Sam is helping institutional investors maximize returns from their real estate portfolio through short-term rentals.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How institutional investors are slowly but surely embracing short term rentals Case studies that reveal how short-term rentals can help maximize ROI How my Student Works experience helped define foundational skills and my core values And so much more… Resources AirBnB for Dummies Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Deb Crowe who shares with us her distilled wisdom on leadership, failure, and success. Deb is a professional executive coach with a background in the medical rehabilitation industry. Back in 1987, Deb had to drop out of school to take care of her ailing father. Tragically, while her father passed away, this experience forced Deb to grow up rather quickly.  Three years hence, Deb started work as a neurotrauma case manager for the insurance industry – a fruitful stint that lasted for 21 long years. Currently, Deb coaches Executives and C-Suite Leaders in five different countries.  Deb talks about “heart-centered leadership” and why you cannot lead effectively unless you care and connect. You will also learn why you need to “fail forward”. Unless you are fearless in trying new things, your growth will stagnate, and you will find yourself trapped on the hamster wheel.  Towards the end of the show, Deb talks about the importance of work-life integration and leading a life by design. Deb also shares her own morning routine – one of the few non-negotiables in her life in this segment of the show. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Understanding heart-centered leadership Venturing into the unknown and failing forward Work-life integration and how to create a life by design Importance of a good self-care routine  And so much more… Resources Deb Crowe Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Vice President of Development for Student Works West, Jordan Kipnes who shares with us his distilled wisdom on business, scaling, and coaching. Growing up, Jordan was always enterprising and had a big engine for work. However, he soon realized that working hourly jobs were not going to cut it.  So, when he came across the Student Works opportunity, his interest was piqued immediately. In his first years as painting business owners, Jordan hired his friends and relied on them to get the jobs done. While this strategy often backfires, it worked quite well for Jordan as he set the right expectations from the get-go. In this first year, Jordan managed to earn a profit of $22,000 – a far cry from what he used to earn after going through the drudgery of hourly jobs. In his fourth year with Student Works, Jordan eased into the role of a district manager and eventually ended up managing 30 franchise owners. In September 2019, Jordan was promoted to VP for Western Canada. In his new role, Jordan is responsible for development, training, and business development throughout British Columbia and Alberta. Jordan shares how he managed to finance his education from the earnings of his painting business. And how running a business alongside helped him extract more value from his business education.  As a coach and a mentor, Jordan reveals how focusing on the long term is helping him generate 10x returns as he is able to recruit great people purely on the basis of referrals.  Towards the end, you will learn about Jordan’s other business ventures where he has experienced varying degrees of success. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show The Structure of Student Works and why it encourages training and development Unraveling my coaching philosophy  Growing your business through referrals And so much more… Resources Jordan’s LinkedIn Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

How do top performers get the slight edge that catapults them miles ahead of the competition? On today’s show, we interview student painter, Hope DesRoche who shares with her distilled wisdom on excellence, confidence, and leadership. As of now, Hope has booked orders worth $500,000 and is on track to break the all-time record held by the incredible Amir Abu Shakra. Before Student Works, admittedly Hope was frustrated living the life of a “typical twenty-year-old”. So, when she came across the Student Works opportunity, Hope was immediately stoked at the idea of embarking on an adventure. Needless to say, when she signed up for Student Works, she had set big goals for herself. And even the pandemic could not deter her. Staying in a bubble meant working without a district manager. But we improvised with virtual support to ensure that Hope remained on track. Speaking from her experience of running a painting business, Hope shares the importance of balancing optimism with realism. As entrepreneurs, we always see the glass as half full and have extreme confidence in our abilities.  However, a dose of realism can act as a safety net so that you can tide over difficult times. Towards the end of the show, Hope shares some critical habits that are commonly found in leaders and top performers. Specifically, you will learn the importance of owning up to your bad habits and continuous improvement. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Learning to step into the unknown Goal-setting and other habits of top performers Balancing optimism with realism And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Steve Macdonald, owner of high-end custom-home-builder, Patty Mac Inc. who shares with us his wisdom on entrepreneurship, management, and perseverance.  You will learn how Patty Mac has graduated from small, maintenance jobs to building million-dollar homes in a short span of time. Back in college, admittedly, Steve was directionless and spent his days partying. Fortunately for him, he came he touch with Ryan who was running a thriving painting business with Student Works. Inspired by his friend, Steve also decided to go down the same path – a decision that set the tone for a brilliant career. Looking back, Steve recalls how he learned the importance of stepping outside the comfort zone at Student Works.    After Student Works, Steve teamed up with his friend, Mike to start a property maintenance business. Over time, this business has evolved into a real estate design and development firm which clocked sales of $12 million last year.  So, what are some of the biggest reasons behind Patty Mac’s incredible growth? One of the most important things that Steve attributes Patty Mac’s success to is stellar customer service. In fact, he shares how Patty Mac goes all out to ensure client happiness even if it means losing money on a job.  Additionally, Patty Mac has also invested in systems and processes so that the client can learn about the project status in real-time at the click of a button.  These efforts have paid off big time for them as Patty Mac generates 80% of their business through referrals. Additionally, you will also learn how Patty Mac has managed to build and retain a dream team while ensuring a great team culture. Running a capital-intensive business is a stressful experience, to say the least. And you also will get some excellent insights about managing cash flow and growth. Tune in for some excellent insights! What You Will Learn In This Show How I built my multi-million-dollar construction business Managing cash flow and how to finance a capital-intensive business Building a dream-team and how to ensure employee-retention How to ensure client satisfaction and happiness And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview the founder of Ecsell Institute, Bill Eckstrom who shares with us his wisdom on coaching, reinvention, and growth. Growing up, Bill was admittedly behaviourally challenged. He hated structure and classroom teaching. And so, it was of little surprise when Bill was kicked out of school in 7th grade. Even at that young age, Bill was admonished severely for his mistake. Now, as an accomplished coach and successful entrepreneur, Bill calls out the societal tendency to frown upon mistakes, rather than encourage them. Bill has spent his entire career in the growth and performance arena. Starting his career with a sales position in an insurance company, Bill went on to take senior leadership roles in medical equipment and healthcare companies. And at the age of 47, driven by his passion for coaching, Bill founded Ecsell Institute.  On today’s show, you will learn the important attributes that make you a great coach. You will learn that you cannot grow your team unless you grow yourself.  Apart from investing in your personal growth, a coach also needs to work on building strong relationships. Doing so gives a coach the right to challenge somebody. Watch out for the interesting parallels that Bill makes between entrepreneurs and athletes in today’s show. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Stepping out of your comfort zone and constantly challenging yourself Why constant reinvention is the only way forward What are some of the most important attributes found in great coaches? And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Cory Bartrim, Vice President, Operations at Student Works who shares with us his distilled wisdom on collaboration, entrepreneurship, and organization. He also shares his biggest failures and some of the most important lessons that he has learned along the way. Born in a blue-collar family, Cory always had a big engine for work. However, admittedly, he had little idea about his long-term goals and the direction in which his life was headed. While studying business at UNBC, he discovered the Student Works opportunity due to a chance meeting with a close friend of his. And the rest, as they say, is history. After two amazing years of franchising, Cory was offered the opportunity to work as a DM in Vancouver Island.  In his initial years at Student Works, Cory was mentored by Andrew who, almost became like a second father to him. You will learn how Cory has managed to forge life-long relationships that go well beyond the business at Student Works.  You will also get a “peek” into the Student Works model, and learn how the organization is set up to bring out the best in people. Having been an intimate part of the business for 9 years, Cory shares how Student Works strives to achieve a fine balance of structure and flexibility. He also talks a bit about the nimbleness with which Student Works tweaked their hiring practices and sales processes in the wake of COVID. We wrap up this show with Cory making some frank admissions about all the mistakes that he made early on in his career. Especially, he talks about being neck-deep in debt in his early thirties and how good counsel helped him nurse his finances back to health. Having learned his lesson the hard way, Cory and his wife, Emily have managed to build up an enviable real estate portfolio over time.  This show is full of inspiring nuggets. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show A “peek” into Student Works model Why Student Works is designed to bring out the best in people Best organizational practices and achieving a balance between structure and flexibility Avoiding the common money mistakes that most people make early on in life And so much more… Resources Willing to Fail Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview executive coach, keynote speaker, and renowned author, Todd Palmer who shares with us his distilled wisdom on grit, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. Back in 1988, while Todd was still enrolled as an undergraduate the Eastern Michigan University, he took up a permanent teaching job at a community college. But just as things were looking up for Todd, he lost his job. And to make things worse, his personal life hit a rough patch as his marriage ended in a divorce. A single father with no income, Todd decided to take the bull by its horns and start his own business in 2007. This, however, was easier said than done because he found that no banks were willing to back him up.   Fortunately for Todd, his mentor lent him $20K using which Todd bootstrapped his business – Diversified Industrial Staffing in 1997.  After two years of hyper-growth, Todd found himself saddled with $600,000 in debt. So, he had his elder brother step in as a mentor, and they mutually decided that some drastic measures were in order. So, in 2006, he decided to completely restructure his business. And he started this process by firing his entire staff.  These efforts paid off big time as Todd’s business was featured in Inc. 5,000 Fastest-Growing list SIX (!) times in a row.     Despite his entrepreneurial success, Todd felt unfulfilled. At this juncture, he decided to pivot once again and don the hat of an executive coach. A sought-after thought leader in his field, Todd shares the importance of staying vulnerable and authentic.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How I made it to the Inc. 5,000 Fastest-Growing List after being saddled with $600,000 in debt Dealing with your imposter syndrome My ATV principle of coaching Opportunity in every tragedy – what my coach, Danny Friedland taught me about coping with death And so much more…   Resources Extraordinary Advisors Todd’s Twitter Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs manage to pivot and survive massive economic downturns?   On today’s show, Hugh Owen, CEO, MacRAE'S and Scott's Directories brings to us his distilled wisdom on persistence and continuous learning.  Early on in his story, Hugh found himself lacking focus and just drifting through life. However, all this changed when he enrolled in the Student Works Management Program. The two years that he spent here honed his work ethic and introduced him to business at an early age. After Student Works, he enrolled in the accountant training program at PWC which was admittedly a terrible choice. Hugh quit this program prematurely after eight months and went on to pursue his MBA at The University of Western Ontario.  Hugh got sucked into the world of business once he discovered how he could make money selling research papers. A publishing agreement with the Canadian Manufacturer’s Association was his first big break, and Hugh rapidly scaled up his print business in the pre-dot com era. Hugh decided to sell his business and go work for Yellow Pages – a decision that he regrets to this day. Fortunately for him, he was able to purchase his business back at a fraction of the cost after the dot com bubble burst. Hugh has since managed to successfully pivot from print to digital. He has branched out into digital marketing, and also set up an operational base in India. You will also learn how Hugh has ensured continuous learning over the years by enrolling in programs at Ivey and Harvard Business School.   Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to stand out in a commoditized market Importance of continuous and lifelong learning Showing grit in the face of adversity And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview American Canadian swimming coach and former Olympian, Byron MacDonald who shares with us the key attributes of world-class athletes.  Byron won six international game medals for Canada from 1970 to 1975. He finishes sixth in the 100 m butterfly at the 1972 Olympics.  In 1976, Byron started his coaching career with the York University in Toronto. Over the years, two of MacDonald’s swimmers have won Olympic medals – the most recent one being by Kylie Masse at the 2016 Olympics. You will get a peek into Byron’s coaching methodology in the next segment of the show. Compared to many other sports like football and basketball, swimming is more of an individualized sport. But team dynamics still play an important role.  Drawing from his plethora of experience, Byron shares his take on what sets the best athletes apart. You will learn that while talent is important, what truly matters is preparation and confidence. We also have an interesting discussion on why a large percentage of elite athletes go on to become successful entrepreneurs as well. Like in sports, success in business also requires grit, patience, and hardcore work ethic. You will also learn how the pandemic has impacted the Olympic preparations for 2021. Because Canada was one of the countries that enforced a strict lockdown, elite swimmers could not train at their facilities for 14 weeks.  Byron shares how the Canadian athletes improvised and trained in their backyard pools in this interim period. What You Will Learn In This Show Key attributes of world-class athletes Drawing parallels between sports and business How is the national Canadian swimming team training for Olympics 2021? Is swimming a team sport? And so much more….   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how successful real estate developers manage the different moving parts to ensure the successful fruition of large multi-million-dollar projects? On today’s show, we interview Craig Whitten, partner, Huntington Properties who shares with us his thoughts on core values, business strategy, and growth.  Growing up, Craig was independent-minded and success-motivated. So, when he went through the Student Works internship, this further stoked his passion for business. Here, he got some lifelong lessons and transferable lessons in relationship-building and work ethic.  After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Craig worked for a home renovations company for a while before the company went under due to a lack of systems and farsightedness. So, in 2010, Craig became the fourth employee to join his father’s syndication business. Craig and his team have since significantly expanded their operations as they are developing/managing large multi-million dollar commercial as well as real estate properties. In this next segment of the show, you will get an interesting peek into the operations of Craig’s business, Huntington Properties. You will learn how they scout out feasible locations for their forthcoming projects. And how they find the right investors and tenants to bring a project to successful fruition. We also have an interesting discussion on brick & mortar vs. online. Craig shares why, inspite of all the hoopla surrounding online/eCommerce, brick and mortar is here to stay. And you will learn how Craig’s business is pivoting to develop projects that are more aligned with tenant requirements in the post-pandemic world. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why brick and mortar retail is here to stay inspite of all the hoopla about online How retail developers are pivoting in the wake of the pandemic How to navigate the different peaks and troughs in a business Getting the right anchor tenants to ensure the success of a commercial real estate development And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

What is the one thing that can help businesses unlock massive value?  On today’s show, we talk to leading M&A advisor, Michelle Tucker who shares some expert tips to help you get your dream exit. And you will also learn the SIX Mistakes that businesses make due to which they are unable to stand the test of time.  Michelle has also co-authored The Exit Rich Book along with Sharon Lechter of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame. One of the biggest mistakes that businesses make is that they fail to plan for their exit. Michelle points out that businesses should be thinking of making an exit when the business is firing on all six cylinders and raking in the moolah. But, typically, businesses do not start planning for an exit unless they have their backs against the wall – and selling is the only viable option. As an expert M&A advisor, Michelle calls out the SIX common mistakes that businesses make. She calls it her six P’s. You will learn how Michelle evaluates a business based on these SIX P’s to determine the biggest threats that can cause a business to fold up. Enjoy What You Will Learn In This Show Expert tips for exiting big Six Ps’ to evaluate a business AIM – Always, Innovate, and Market to stand the test of time Why you need an outsider’s perspective to see the big picture And so much more… Resources Exit Rich Book Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs and professionals manage to pivot in times of massive uncertainty? And how do they broaden their horizons and gain some enriching experiences while they are at it? On today’s show, we interview Michael Rudzki, Application Sales Manager, Oracle who shares his thoughts on entrepreneurship, grit, and persistence. He shares with us his different work experiences, and reveals some of the most important lessons that he has learnt along the way. Michael is a second-generation immigrant with Polish lineage. After moving to Canada, Michael’s father and uncles ventured into real estate and construction. And this turned out to be Michael's first exposure to business as he eagerly lent a helping hand to the family business.  When Michael came across the Student Works internship, he saw it as another opportunity to build his foundational base. Particularly, Michael learnt how to research new markets and discover hidden opportunities during his internship. Michael’s Student Works experience led him to his next business – a Service Master franchise. One of three partners, Michael built an extremely profitable commercial cleaning in Waterloo over the next three years. During this period, Michael got exposed to the technology industry while working on some projects in the start up hub in Vancouver. Inspired, he decided to pivot and get his MBA in his late twenties. This was certainly not an easy decision, and Michael shares how he eventually decided to put up with the short-term pain and income loss for potential long-term gains. Upon graduation, Michael worked in start-ups like Mobify and Procurify before working in some larger, established organizations like Egencia and Oracle.   While large organizations have greater resources at their disposal, Michael shares how working in the start-up space was an equally enriching experience that allowed him to greatly broaden his horizons. In November 2020, in the aftermath of the pandemic, Michael was laid off from Egencia (an Expedia company) barely three months after his marriage. Fortunately for him, an ex-colleague from Oracle reached out to him to offer the role of an Application Sales Manager. This show is loaded with some great nuggets guaranteed to inspire you forward. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Biggest lessons learned after working in the startup space How to successfully pivot in the times of massive uncertainty What are some of the biggest benefits of working in larger, established organizations? How to research new market opportunities And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Wondering how to grow your business in a competitive and commoditized market? And how to add value and make yourself irresistible to your ideal clients? Back in 1980, Bill was working as a waiter at The Keg restaurant when he hit upon a “magic formula” to sell lobsters to restaurant customers. Using his formula, Bill managed to sell 1400 lobsters in 3 months. And to put things in perspective, the waiter who came in distant second just sold 90. Bill figured out soon enough that he could apply this same magic formula to other businesses as well. And this led to him forming The Big Idea Company in 1987. “So, what was the magic formula due to which Bill ended up selling an obscene number of lobsters?”, you may ask. Well, his lobster story taught Bill the importance of understanding his clients and then rewiring his thinking.  Unless you are willing to expand your thinking to make it more aligned to the current scenario, you will end up fighting a losing battle where you are just struggling to survive.  Bill has since taught hundreds of clients to profitably and sustainably scale their businesses by providing more value and differentiating themselves in a commoditized market. You will learn the three things that you can do right NOW to get rid of your fears and embrace this new-age thinking.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Scaling and growing your business in a commoditized market How to make “gourmet” offers that win your ideal clients over  The three things that you can do to stop managing and start entrepreneur-ing The five super-powers that robots do not have  And so much more… Resources New Factory Thinker Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

Ever wondered how million-dollar deals are closed? What is the level of effort, diligence, and teamwork required for successful culmination? In today’s show, Chris interviews Christine Purvis, Senior Account Executive, SAP who shares her work experiences and some of the biggest lessons learned over the years.  Back in high school, Christine was a busy-bee doing great in academics as well as in extra-curricular activities, constantly making sacrifices so that she could remain focused on her big goals.  Student Works was her first real-life business experience and a great one at that. You will learn how Christine picked up an entire gamut of skills ranging from sales to operations.  Upon graduation, Christine worked with some stellar organizations, starting with a financial analyst role at Pepsi, then working as a staff accountant at Deloitte before moving on to SAP.  This next segment of the show will be particularly interesting for those who are trying to gain a foothold in the highly lucrative cloud software space. Christine gives us a peek into the rigorous recruiting process, her work profile, and the overall culture at SAP.  You will learn about the thoroughness, preparation, and teamwork that goes into closing million-dollar deals.  We also have an interesting discussion about how COVID has taught us some important lessons in gratitude and empathy. Tune in to this inspiring show today! What You Will Learn In This Show Why great sales skills are at the core of a successful career How to close billion-dollar accounts  How the pandemic has taught us some important lessons in gratitude and empathy And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

What if you could get a peek into the billionaire mindset? And learn how to make decisions that multiply your growth and success? On today’s show, we interview Geoff Woods, co-founder, and partner, ProduKtive who shares with us his wisdom on entrepreneurship, core values, and mentorship. ProduKtive is a training company and community based on The One Thing. Growing up, Geoff was always driven and motivated to set and achieve big goals. However, he had little clarity about the path he had chosen and where his life was headed.  Geoff’s big AH-HA moment was when a young co-worker had a heart attack and shortly after that the company announced the commission structure was revised and he lost 40% of his income just like that. Geoff realized that he needed to be in better control of his destiny. As he was looking for better career alternatives, he ran into Jay Papasan at the national sales meeting for his book, The One Thing. Geoff felt an instant connection to Jay as he shared his thoughts on focus and time management. One thing led to another and Geoff partnered up with Gary and Jay for ProduKtive. In this segment of the show, Geoff shares some great tips for operating efficiently in a virtual setting.  When the pandemic broke out, Geoff and his partners were quick to pivot to refocus on the ONE thing that mattered then – client retention. And in the process, they ended up having their best year ever.  You will learn how sticking to your core values always pays off in the long run. And how learning from the right mentors can collapse your time while accelerating your money. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Sticking to your core business values and why it pays off in the long run  Investing your time wisely Unpacking the billionaire mindset Virtual training hacks and how to unlock the collective genius How to pivot and navigate black swan events And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Ahsan Khan who shares his distilled wisdom on financial planning, mindset, and success. Ahsan is the VP and financial planner at BMO Nesbitt Burns.  Ahsan lost his father when he was just 10. Fortunately for him, his courageous mother and his uncles mentored him in the right way to set him firmly on the path of success. Ahsan grew up to a confident young man who was certain in his ability to make a difference. So, it was hardly surprising that Ahsan’s Student Work stint turned out to be a resounding success. As a young adult, Ahsan managed to net $16,000 in a single summer (mind you, that was thirty years back!) You will learn Student Works taught Ahsan the importance of taking responsibility and doing a good job – no matter what. Since the age of 24, Ahsan has been working in the financial planning industry. Drawing from his two decades of experience, he shares his wisdom on compounding and retirement planning in this segment of the show.  You will also learn about his passion project, The Awesome Life. In his Awesome Life Book, Ahsan lays out the 12 important facets of personal development. You will learn how to reign in negative chatter so that you can maintain your forward momentum. Ahsan also shares how maintaining an equable attitude towards failure as well as success can help you evolve into a well-adjusted human being. This show is full of great nuggets guaranteed to inspire you and put your best self forward. Tune in now!  What You Will Learn In This Show How to reign in the negative chatter that runs through your head Best financial planning practices How to evolve into a well-adjusted human being How to maintain an equable attitude towards success and failure And so much more… Resources Awesome Life Book The Richest Man in Babylon Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Patrick Lalonde, VP, Student Works who talks about shedding the victim mindset and taking full and complete responsibility for your life. Unless you realize that no one but you is responsible for the consequences of your actions, you will never achieve the level of success that you are yearning for. When you fail, it is tempting to blame things that are beyond your control. You blame society. You blame the government. You blame the economy. And you blame your luck. And when you embrace this victim mindset, you are essentially relegating yourself to backseat driving. You are not in charge of your life.  However, if you lead with 100% accountability, you will learn from your failures. You will evaluate every setback, harness your learnings, and put structures in place so that you don’t make the same mistake again. Towards the end, we discuss how taking responsibility can help you build stronger personal relationships as well. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Taking full and complete responsibility for your personal and professional life Shedding the victim mindset, and taking responsibility for your actions Why spectacular success is not possible without failure And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how top sales executives stay ahead of the curve? What is their “secret sauce” that catapults them miles ahead of the competition? In today’s show, we interview Michael Patterson, IBM Key Client Executive BD Bank who shares some expert tips for staying on the top of your sales game, and the importance of continuously reinventing yourself. Growing up, Michael was always hugely driven and entrepreneurial. After a successful stint with Student Works, he teamed up with Steve, also a Student Works alumnus to start a property maintenance business, Patty Mac.  After Patty Mac, Michael decided to go the corporate route. He shares his experiences with SalesForce, ScribbleLive, and his current employer, IBM. Here, Michael makes some interesting comparisons between working in a large organization like SalesForce and ScribbleLive, a small start-up. Currently, Michael is the IBM Key Client Executive for TD Bank. A pioneer in the computing space, listeners will learn how IBM has completely reinvented themselves by gravitating towards AI and cloud services.  Michael also reveals his big WHY that pushed him to recently get his MBA. Can an MBA help you out professionally? Michael shares his experience.  Tune in for some great insights. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Why continuous evolution is the key to success in sales Will an MBA help you out professionally? A “peek” into the work cultures of some of the most iconic organizations in the world And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Mike “C-Roc” Ciorrocco, CEO, People Building Inc. who shares with us his thoughts on leadership, culture, and unlimited success. Coming from a broken home, Mike’s childhood years were really tough. The emotional abuse took a toll on him, and Mike dropped out of college, and got hooked on drugs and partying.  Fortunately for him, finding the right life-partner steadied him up, and he rediscovered his life’s purpose. After working in sales for a while, Mike went into the mortgage industry with Nations Lending, a business that he has helped scale to 7 branches and 37 employees.  As the CEO of People Building Inc., Mike is inspiring others to light their fires and achieve greatness. Mike has also been recognized by Yahoo! Finance as one of the “Top Business Leaders to Follow in 2020”.  You will learn why culture is the glue that holds an organization together. And Mike shares the Four Building Blocks for building dream, high-performance teams in this segment of the show. He also has some inspiring thoughts on mindset and 10x growth. And how you can chase down bigger and bigger goals provided your success is built on the right foundation. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Overcoming emotional turmoil, and regaining focus How finding the right life-partner can have a transformational impact on your life The Four Building Blocks of Culture How do you attract the people that you want to work with? And so much more…   Resources Rocket Fuel – Mike new book The Trillion Dollar Coach Sell or Be Sold Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, Chris interviews Erin Roininen Butler, Director of Sales Strategy  and Shopper Marketing, Weston Foods.  Erin shares her life story, recalls her super-successful Student Works stint, and gives us a peek into her role at Weston Foods.  Even before Student Works, Erin was always motivated to give her best. Be it academics or athletics, Erin gave it her all. So, when Erin joined Student Works, she was intent on breaking the then all-time sales record of $200,000. And to fulfill her audacious goal, Erin prepared a detailed business plan, managed multiple crews, and initiated a massive cold-calling campaign.  Running a large business at just 18 was a huge confidence-booster for Erin. Additionally, her Student Works stint also taught her another valuable lesson – work hard and play hard – something that she abides by, to this day.   Next, Erin talks about how she landed 5-solid job offers at the height of the economic crisis in 2009, and why she eventually decided to opt for Weston Foods. Starting as a sales manager, Erin worked her way up through various roles. Here, listeners will learn how giant organizations plan to stay ahead of the curve, how they understand the customer’s psyche, and how they clearly communicate expectations and requirements across the board. You will also learn about Erin’s extremely successful side-hustle – her real estate business. Learn how Erin and her husband managed to scale up to 7 properties in Golden Horseshoe, the sacrifices they made to set up their business, and why real estate investing is NOT a “passive” source of income as assumed by many.  Enjoy!  What You Will Learn in This Show  How I broke the all-time sales record at Student Works How do large organizations plan out complex sales strategies? How to build a successful real estate side-hustle And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

How do you create exceptional brands that stand the test of time? In today’s show, Chris interviews Brian Scudamore, Founder and CEO of O2E Brands, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine. Brian shares his distilled wisdom on guerrilla marketing tactics, the importance of working with the right people, and reveals why you must be willing to fail in order to realize your most audacious dreams. Early on in his story, inspired by his entrepreneur grandparents, Brian was lit up by the “game of business”. It was little surprise that he started his first venture, The Rubbish Boys when he was barely in college. Ironically enough, he ended up quitting college due to the very business that he started to fund his college education. However, quitting school did not stop Brian’s learning – but only rapidly accelerated it. Here, Brian shares how reaching out to the right people helped him learn business skills that he never would have learned otherwise. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Brian. At one point, he had to make the painful decision to fire his entire team – because they weren’t a good organizational fit. This was an important lesson for Brian as he realized that great people are the foundation on which great businesses are built. Today, after three decades, Rubbish Boys has evolved into the incredibly successful, O2E Brands – a parent organization comprising 1-800-GOT-JUNK??, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, and Shack Shine.  Brian also opens up his marketing playbook to listeners in today’s show. Here, you will learn how 1-800-GOT-JUNK??  got featured on 60+ news outlets on a $29 marketing budget. Brian reveals why he prefers his guerrilla marketing tactics over traditional mediums like TV ads and radio ads which require deploying thousands of dollars in ad spend. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Branding and marketing strategies - how to get maximum bang for the buck Mixing work with fun, and creating enviable work cultures How to hone your real-world business skills And so much more… Resources O2E Brands Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email   Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, we interview, Rob Signoretti, Enterprise Account Executive at DataBricks who shares his story about how he built his successful career in the technology space. Raised in Ontario by a blue-collar family, Rob had a “boxed-in” mentality as he had little idea about the massive opportunities out there. He was content and laidback, and his teacher called him the “dumbest smart guy” he had ever met. However, all this changed when Rob found Student Works. As a student painter, Rob realized that he had to step outside of his comfort zone if he wished to leverage bigger and better opportunities. He also talks at length about the importance of working smarter and not necessarily harder in this segment of the show. Student Works again came to the rescue when Rob went job-hunting after graduating. Owing to the strong alumni network, he was able to get offers from three iconic organizations – Xerox, Canon, and Dell.  Rob decided to venture into the technology space as an entry-level salesperson with Dell. Later he gravitated toward the consulting space with Mainland Information Systems and the data analytics space with Splunk. Currently, Rob works as an Enterprise Account Executive at DataBricks.  If you work in the tech space or any other fast-evolving space, listening to Rob will make you realize how pivoting quickly will allow you to maximize opportunities.  Rob is also the provincial chair at KidSport Alberta, a non-profit that helps more than 13,000 kids every year. Towards the end, Rob calls out some of the common mistakes that entrepreneurs and professionals make and shares some great tips for living a balanced, more fulfilled life. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How pivoting quickly can help you stay ahead of the curve How to take calculated risks, and constantly reinvent yourself A “peek” into the fast-evolving tech space And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

What is the ONE thing that could help you realize your most audacious goals? If you want your life to get better and better, you can’t do it without integrity. But, what does integrity really mean? In the simplest terms, integrity means that you are honoring your word. However, in today’s show, Chris and Patrick share a more thoughtful and detailed definition of “integrity”: Doing what to do, doing it as was meant to be done, and doing it on time. Doing what others expect you to do, even when others don’t expect you to do it, and doing it on time. Doing what you said you would do, and you do it on time. If you sincerely strive to keep your integrity 100% of the time, the impact can be truly exponential. But it is not always possible to keep your word, especially when you take on something challenging.  So, what should you do when you falter and fail to keep your word? Rather than sliding your failures under a rug, you need to own them – and hold yourself accountable. You need to be fully present to the impact that your actions are having. Chris and Patrick also remind us why clear communication is important for preventing regular breaches of integrity. You will learn how setting clear ground rules can help you steer clear of conflict. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Leading your life with integrity, and why it’s the one thing that can help you led a better life How clear communication can help you steer clear of conflict Holding yourself accountable for your actions, and being fully present to the impact of your actions And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Looking forward to the holidays? Planning on taking things easy as an eventful 2020 draws to a close? While, it is natural to take things slow this time of the year, coming to a complete standstill is not really judicious. In today’s show, we reveal four simple but actionable tips to help you add value during your holidays.  From re-training your monkey mind to ensuring physical activity to keeping your gratitude and integrity intact, Chris has some practical wisdom to share with you today. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show Four Ways to add value during the holidays How to re-train your monkey mind Why all of us should  practice gratitude And so much more…  Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris reflects back on the incredible year that was 2020 and shares some of the BIGGEST lessons that the pandemic has taught him. When adversity strikes, most people go into panic mode and switch off completely. However, if you can keep your sanity in these trying times, double-down, and pivot, you can catapult yourself miles ahead of the competition. And that’s exactly what Chris and the entire Student Works team did. When the competition was reeling in the aftermath of the outbreak, Chris and his team were working hard to replicate their recruitment and sales process by taking everything online.  And this paid off and how. Going into the pandemic, Student Works was generating seasonal revenues of 10.5 million. Post-pandemic, revenues are expected to touch 18 million! In today’s show, you will learn how to face life’s biggest challenges, flip them around, and mine gold.  Tune in to get inspired! What You Will Learn In This Show How the Student Works team protected and grew their business during the pandemic How to keep your sanity in the face of adversity How to take massive action and move forward with confidence And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Rebecca Friese, Managing Partner, Flyn Consulting, and author of the recently-released The Good Culture: The Leader's Guide to Creating a Workplace That Doesn't Suck.  We start this show with Rebecca sharing her interesting backstory. Born and raised in Illinois, Rebecca chose Penn State to complete her college education. She made the most of this experience, and in this segment, she talks a great deal about how extra-curricular activities can truly set you up for success.  After graduation, Rebecca worked as a consultant with Anderson Consulting and Accenture.  In this next segment of the show, Rachel regales listeners by sharing her experiences and then talks a great deal about workplace culture and some of the issues that are plaguing us today. Reluctance to give and accept constructive feedback is one of the main things that we talk about in today’s show.  When organizations are singularly focused on revenues and profits, workplace culture issues are often relegated to the backseat.  After all, if the consulting dollars are flowing in, why would you rock your ship by pulling up your “star consultant”? But, are we really protecting our employees but not having this conversation? On the contrary, Rachel shares why we are, in fact, doing them the biggest disservice. The innate need for people to work with purpose, autonomy, and mastery is another important theme that we talk about today. As humans, we have an innate need to grow, develop, and continuously better ourselves. Can you expect to retain a gifted and hard-working employee if the workplace is devoid of the above three factors? On a positive note, we talk about how our empathetic side has been brought to the fore in the wake of COVID. We are sure you will enjoy today’s animated discussion.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to give and receive constructive feedback How covid has brought our empathetic side to the fore at the workplace How happy, engaged, and connected people leads to a highly productive and effective work-force And so much more… Resources Flyn Consulting Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity The Weekly Coaching Conversation (New Edition): A Business Fable About Taking Your Team’s Performance and Your Career to the Next Level Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Looking for proven ways to scale up your business in these uncertain times? In today’s show, we interview Marco Pimental who reveals how having internal systems in place can help you successfully acquire and manage businesses, even if they are vastly different in nature. Growing up, Marco was curious and extremely enterprising. From working early mornings in a grocery store to running a car import business, Marco tried his hand at different ventures before he discovered Student Works. Because of this student painting experience, early in his career, Marco realized that great structures and great relationships are the “secret sauce” that can skyrocket a business.  And, he poured his learnings into his new venture, GOYAdeal – a coupon service similar to Groupon. Though he did not make any significant gains when he exited this business after just thirteen whirlwind months, Marco considers this to be one of his best experiences ever. In the year 2015, Marco ventured into the digital publishing space with Assembly, a business that was later amalgamed into Redbrick.  Discussing business strategy and growth in the last segment of the show, Marco shares how Redbrick has grown massively via the acquisition route over the past few years. Redbrick is the parent organization that owns Assembly, Shift, Rebase, and LeadPages.  You will learn what Redbrick looks for when evaluating a potential acquisition, and how they have been able to achieve operational synergies among their multiple businesses. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How a Student Works experience can equip you with foundational skillsets and fast-track your career Relying on internal structures for scale and growth How to drive operational synergies withing different group companies And so much more… Resources Redbrick Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email