Today’s show is a special one as we have some of our top operators joining us to discuss the power of accountability, integrity, and a clean and healthy environment. Maddie, a student from the University of Western Ontario grew her first business by 300%. Adam just graduated from the program after doing well over a quarter-million dollars worth of business. And John, our top operator from the West Coast did $750,000 worth of business last year. These are only some of the exceptional individuals who in their early twenties handled multiple crews and tens of clients while overcoming some of the biggest challenges. The virus outbreak, disgruntled suppliers, angsty clients, demanding school schedules…our top Student Work operators have managed to put up a stellar show inspite of all this. So, what is their “secret sauce”? The reason behind their incredible feat? “What shows up in one area of life shows up in another area of life.” In today’s show, some of our top operators share how being a part of the Student Work ecosphere allowed them to lean on proven structures – which eventually resulted in accountability and unflinching integrity.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show The power of accountability, integrity, and a clean and healthy environment. How cultivating structures and good habits can help you  How a Student Works experience allows you to hone critical and foundational skillsets And so much more...   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Paul Flick, CEO, 360 Degree Painting, and Premium Services Brand. 360 Degree Painting is a painting franchise company whereas Premium Services Brand offers multiple services in the home services space. Paul worked with Student Works as a district manager and operator in the late 1980s.  In the first segment of the show, Paul recalls his life as a teenager. Like many of us, Paul struggled to define his life’s course. Additionally, he shares that his introverted nature prevented him from realizing his full potential. Paul stayed with Student Works for two summers. During this time, he helped open up a new division in Michigan and Ohio. Listeners will learn how Paul’s Student Works stint helped him come out of his shell – and how he learned some important lessons in leadership and conflict management which created a strong foundation for his career. After Student Works, Paul decided to go the corporate route as he took up a position in the sales and logistics department at Coca Cola, Ontario. Here, Paul draws some interesting parallels between Coca Cola and Student Works.  Specifically, at Coca Cola, Paul learned the importance of creating structures to manage a business. Contrary to the popular misconception, listeners will learn how rigid structures, in fact, allow you to work with greater freedom.  After four smooth years at Coca Cola, Paul finally decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge and moved base to the United States to kickstart 360 Degree Painting. 360 Degree Painting is a franchise painting operation with a business model somewhat similar to Student Works.  In this part of the show, Paul also talks a great deal about how he managed to keep his business afloat during the 2008 economic crisis, and he goes on to share some of the most important lessons that he learned from this brutal experience. Listeners will also learn about the immense potential of the multi-billion-dollar home-services industry – that is to date, fragmented, and still dominated by mom and pop stores.  Other topics discussed today are the importance of investing in the right people and infrastructure, and what it takes to run a successful franchise operation. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show A “peek” into the home-services industry How to survive massive economic downturns How business structures allow you to work with greater freedom How to run a successful franchise operation And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, Chris interviews Darius Mirshahzadeh, Former President, The Money Source Inc and host, The Greatness Machine. Darius, a core value evangelist shares his life story and reveals some of the most critical business lessons that he has learned from his successes and failures. Growing up, Darius was extremely money-motivated. So much so that he considered dropping out of college so that he could enter the business world. At his parent’s prodding, Darius rushed through college and managed to graduate in just three years. On graduation, Darius partnered up with his twin brother to form Twin Capital Mortgage in 2003. Twin Capital Mortgage was in the sub-prime lending business, and the Mirshahzadeh brothers managed to scale up the business ten-fold to 10-million by 2006. On the face of it, while the business was immensely successful, Darius shares that they had a tough time managing this stupendous growth. The brothers were constantly in fire-fighting mode. And, things only worsened as their employee headcount touched 150 by 2006. The sub-prime bubble burst in 2008. And Darius lost everything he had earned and more. Employee headcount shrunk to just 10 and Darius was in consolidation mode for the next 5 years. Here, Darius shares some of the biggest takeaways that he learned from this experience. Specifically, for someone like him who believes in doing business with utmost integrity,  Darius took all these learnings and poured them into his next organization, The Money Source. Listeners will learn how Darius managed to avoid the mistakes that he made the first time round and scale-up The Money Source to a 1000-person organization without any “growing pains”. In this segment of the show, Darius shares a five-step process for coming up with rock-solid organizational core values. Listeners will learn how core values can become an organization’s ultimate decision-making tool and increase performance levels across the board. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How core values can help you scale and grow your business to another level A five-step process for coming up with aligned organizational core values How core values can help you facilitate tough but necessary business decisions And so much more… Resources Scaling Up Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, Chris interviews Corey Bullock, Sale Enablement Specialist at Intuit. Growing up, Corey was frustrated with his lack of clarity. While there are some of us who are absolutely certain about what they plan to do professionally, Corey wasn’t one of them. Rather, Corey chalked out this professional path through the rather painful process of elimination. In the next segment of the show, Corey shares some of the biggest lessons he learned at Student Works. Particularly, he talks a great deal about building credibility and trust. A simple thing like punctuality can go a long way in making people realize that they can always depend on you. Here, Chris and Corey also talk about the Four Referability Habits which are deeply ingrained in every Student Works graduate. At Wilfrid Laurier, Corey got the opportunity to co-op at Solowave Design Inc. and then at American Express.  Corey’s stint at Solowave was somewhat of a bittersweet experience. While he learned a lot, first as a sales rep and later on as an eCommerce manager, he eventually realized that working in a commoditized industry could not help him realize his growth ambitions. Corey made the conscious decision of switching over to the accounting software firm, Intuit, Inc. Listeners will get a peek into Corey’s work life. Topics discussed in this show include overcoming your resistance to change, and how a customer-centric approach can help sales professionals protect their livelihood inspite of more sophisticated automation. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to build professional credibility within your organization How CRM’s can help drive business efficiencies How can salespeople pivot, survive, and thrive inspite of automation And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Today’s show is a special one as Chris interviews Gary Mottershead, President, and Founder, GCP Industrial Products and Facilitator at Dan Sullivan’s Strategic coach. Gary always had a big work engine. As a teenager, he ran a newspaper business and displayed ingenuity by making deliveries in a motorboat.  However, inspite of this, Gary did not take the entrepreneurial route from the get-go but worked with Dupont for 8 long years after graduation. Next, Gary went to work for his friend in the cleaning and chemical business which as he puts it was an “unmitigated disaster”.  His friend decided to sell the business, and Gary decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge in 1989 when the economy was going through a steep downturn. On top of it, Gary had just become a father and was also taking care of his terminally ill mother.  This new venture, Recovery Technologies Inc. was in the business of recycling tires. Gary had to deal with numerous challenges here as well, and he sold this business in 1998.  Success had still eluded him. But as Gary puts it, “You have to make a choice and then live with the consequences”. Certainly, if you can’t stomach all the ups and downs, you are not cut out for entrepreneurship. Fast forward, twenty years later, GCP Industrial Products is leading from the front as they adopt new ways of doing business with Chinese suppliers.  Gary talks a great deal about his role as a facilitator at Dan Sullivan’s, Strategic Coach as well.  Topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of cultivating gratitude, how systems and processes build confidence, the importance of working smart instead of working hard, and much, much more… Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How persistence always pays off in the long run Importance of systems and process for managing and scaling up a business How to enhance your creativity and overall work efficiency How to maintain momentum in the face of an unprecedented event And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Evan Wailoo. Currently, Evan works with Autodesk in their AEC department. Prior to this, he has worked with technology behemoths, Apple, and Microsoft. Evan interned with Student Works nearly 30 years back. Evan shares that he was an average kid but extremely money-motivated. So, this drive helped him run a large and successful painting business inspite of the fact that he did not have a car and had to commute by bus.  In this segment of the show, listeners will learn how Student Works taught Evan how to deal with tough people and tough situations.  After Student Works, Evan made the conscious decisions of working with large, strong but extremely innovative brands. Here, Chris and Evan discuss why it is important to work in a growing industry as opposed to a commoditized industry.  Evan kickstarted his professional journey by taking up a job at Autodesk. He worked in their movie software division for six years before moving on to Apple. In the next segment of the show, Evan delights listeners with some delightful anecdotes about the work culture at Apple. Evan joined Apple in 2010 when Steve Jobs was in the process of passing on the baton to Tim Cook. Evan makes an interesting comparison between the starkly different workstyles of these two business leaders. After Apple, Evan joined Microsoft for another extremely rewarding stint. Here, he talks about Microsoft’s initial struggles when they made their initial foray into consumer hardware. Currently, Evan is back at Autodesk. And this time, he is working in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) division. In this segment of the show, Evan shares how COVID has given a big push to automation in the notoriously slow construction industry. Other topics discussed in this show include the importance of a great work ethic for finding success in the professional world and the perks of working in a results economy. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show  The perks of working in a results economy How COVID has given a push to automation in the construction industry How the work culture at Apple has improved after Tim Cook took over Why you should always look to create value instead of working in a commoditized industry And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Michael Glinter, professional leadership, staffing, and career consultant. Since 1999, Michael has placed thousands of employees across the globe. In today’s show, listeners will get a peek into the playbook of elite recruiters like Michael and learn how the staffing industry as a whole operates. After graduation, Michael started working at Coca Cola but was quick to realize that he was not cut out to work in a traditional, conservative setting. This is when the opportunity to work in the staffing industry came knocking on Michael’s door. Initially, Michael was reluctant to leave his cushy job to work on a 100% commission. However, his parents gave him the much-needed push and Michael took the leap. 9 months after getting hired, Michael became the top recruiter in his firm – a position that he held for 21 straight years. Recently, Michael has decided to quit his job to venture out on his own. So, what makes Michael tick? What are some of the reasons behind his incredible success? One theme that we touch upon is the need to take calculated risks. Especially, when you are young and have fewer responsibilities, you can experiment and venture out in less-tested waters.  Listeners will also learn how they can create a successful side hustle, and slowly but surely turn it into their main hustle.   Towards the end, Michael has some great advice for young entrepreneurs and professionals. One thing that Michael has learned the hard way is the importance of maintaining relationships. So, if you have burnt some bridges on your way to success, this segment of the show will interest you greatly. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to build up a powerful presence on LinkedIn How to create a successful side hustle The many benefits of working in a results economy Importance of maintaining relationships And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Frank Gairdner, an entrepreneur with a diverse path.  Frank worked with Student Works back in 2004-2005 while he was getting his arts degree at Western. He went on to get his Masters in Philosophy from Queen’s. Frank has worked in industries ranging from documentary filmmaking to carbon-fiber boats. Frank reveals that one reason for his success is his arts background. In this segment of the show, listeners will learn how a generalist background can help you hone your soft skills.  Frank has an extremely interesting and inspiring work portfolio. After completing his graduation, Frank joined inMotive  as a Business Development Manager. As one of the first employees, Frank worked with the President to attract capital and manage product development to help build the world’s first mechanical variable speed drive.  After this stint, Frank co-founded TriggerTech. TriggerTech developed a patented system for crossbows and firearms and quickly became one of the more respected brands in the industry. From the sporting and hunting industry he joined up as CEO with Carbon Marine to get their business off the ground. Carbon Marine is a manufacturer of carbon-fiber powerboats.  Using his experiences gained in manufacturing metal and composite products, Frank has now co-founded Bridge. Bridge is a hand built carbon fiber bicycle frame company that will be the only local manufacturer of its kind in Canada. Other topics discussed in this show include the importance of working on your business as opposed to working in the business, the importance of mentorship, how to scale up your business from a start-up phase, and so much more… We hope you enjoy this show. What You Will Learn In This Show Getting going even if you feel “product-agnostic” and find success in a wide range of fields How a generalist background can help you as an entrepreneur Importance of working on your business as opposed to working in the business And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Devon Thomson, district manager, Student Works. Devon shares some of the most important lessons that he has learned over the past seven years at Student Works. He reveals how he has honed some foundational skillsets which have firmly entrenched him on the path of rapid growth and success. We start this show with Devon sharing his interesting backstory.  Even before Student Works, Devon led from the front while participating in various school activities. Additionally, he used to work at the golf course to make ends meet. In spite of all this, Devon shares that he had little idea regarding all the professional possibilities and life beyond school.  When Devon joined Student Works at the age of 17, he was raw and unorganized. However, he started to hone some foundational and critical skill-sets as he started managing his painting business. In his first year at Student Works, Devon’s painting business touched $100,000 in revenues. Currently, as a district manager, Devon and his team of student painters are running a business projected to touch revenues of $2 million!  What are some of the biggest challenges that Devon faced as he went on to manage larger businesses year-on-year?  And, how did he overcome them? Devon has learned many valuable lessons in his seven years with Student Works.  And perhaps, the importance of structures in professional life is the most critical lesson that Devon has learned over the past 7 years.  Devon also shares how a proactive approach and collaboration helped the Student Works community meet the challenge brought on by COVID. He reveals how the Student Works team altered their sales playbook so that they could continue to conduct business as before in spite of the challenging scenario. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How a Student Works stint can equip you with foundational and critical skillsets How collaboration and a proactive approach is helping the Student Works community meet the challenge of COVID head-on Why structures are necessary to perform at a high level in your professional life And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Nelkas Kwemo. Nelkas shares some of the biggest life lessons that he has learned as an elite athlete. You will also learn why he calls Student Works his “most brutal experience” ever.  We start this show with Nelkas sharing his interesting backstory. An elite athlete, Nelkas is a professional linebacker for Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Additionally, he has also played for the Queen’s Gaels from 2014 to 2017. Growing up, Nelkas shares that his biggest frustration was his lack of purpose. Here, we have an interesting discussion on the pitfalls of a traditional education system which does not allow students to get into exploratory mode and expand their horizons. “I did not kill it in terms of sales. But I killed it in terms of experience.” Next, Nelkas talks a bit about his Student Works experience.  He regales listeners with some interesting anecdotes about how he went the extra mile and worked nights to meet a project deadline.  While you can earn a good amount of money over the summer, what is more important is that Student Works gives you an opportunity to develop some critical and foundational skillsets. Towards the end, Nelkas has some great advice for folks who are on the verge of starting their professional lives. Specifically, we talk about the importance of developing a hardcore work ethic.  CFL is inactive at the moment due to COVID. Nelkas has put this downtime to good use by working as an equity analyst. Other topics discussed in this segment of the show include the importance of building a powerful network, and how being coachable can take you forward. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show How to pitch and sell to complete strangers Critical attributes of high-performers The many pitfalls of a traditional education And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

Today’s show is a special one as Mitchell Beinhaker slides into the interviewer’s seat and quizzes Chris about his business and passion, Student Works.  Student Works has a unique business model/ entrepreneurial program for high school students and college students where they can learn critical business skills at an extremely young age. When eighteen-year old’s get the opportunity to run a large painting business, they can learn the entire gamut of skills ranging from hiring the right employee to financial management to production.   We start this show with Chris sharing how his association with Student Works started 35 years back. Back then, the business was known as “Student Painters”. Over the years, the business has evolved into a management program that attracts some of the best and the brightest who wish to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. So, how do Chris and the Student Works team ensure the success of their student painters? In this segment of the show, Chris first gives us a peek into the rigorous recruitment process.  Listeners will learn about some important attributes that ensure the success of students in the program. While this program is not for everybody, if you are the right fit, you can learn critical entrepreneurial skillsets that you would have otherwise learned at a far more advanced stage in your career. In this segment of the show, you will also learn about the extensive training and mentorship that Student Works provides – and how they go all out to ensure your success. Under Chris’s leadership, Student Works has managed to carve out a unique position in a highly commoditized industry.  While on the face of it, Student Works may seem like just another painting contractor, the reality is that their “people-centric” business model is focused on creating the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Tune in to this inspiring show now!  What You Will Learn In This Show Interesting details about Student Work’s unique entrepreneurial program How signing up for the Student Work’s program can allow high school students and college student to learn critical business skills at a very young age Do you have it in you to become a successful student painter? Why staying committed is the ONE thing that can help you find success And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews William Chyz, Director, Asset Management, and Client Services at Westcourt Capital Corporation. William, a former student painter, currently helps HNI’s with their alternative investments.  We start this show with William sharing his backstory.  As a high school student, William did not have much idea about what he was going to do with his life. So, after working some odd jobs, when he joined Student Works, admittedly, he was quite naïve. But he learned the different nuances of managing a painting business in a very short time. Specifically, as a student painter, William shares how he got a chance to hone his cold-calling skills. Going forward, this sales experience proved to be invaluable as William developed a thick skin and evolved into a more confident individual. William graduated in 2009, at the height of the economic crisis.  Despite all odds, he managed to get a job working at a trading desk at Scotiabank. In this segment of the show, William reminds listeners that while your first job may not always be glamorous, you have to go the extra mile to develop critical skill sets that can propel you ahead. His next employment was with BNN (Business News Network). Working in media was an interesting experience for William, and this is where he met his future boss, the CEO of Westcourt Capital Corporation. After working in extremely large organizations, William realized that in order to grow faster, he had to work in small and fast-growing organizations.  When William joined Westcourt, he was just the fifth employee on the roster. He made the decision to get back into the financial industry as he got an opportunity to work in the unique field of alternative investments. In this next segment of the show, William gives us a peek into his professional life. William and his Westcourt team conduct due diligence for alternative investments and help HNI’s generate greater returns while mitigating risk. Here, William also shares how their investment portfolio has fared in the wake of COVID. We hope you enjoy this show! What You Will Learn In This Show How a Student Works experience can equip you with critical and transferable skillsets How alternative investments can mitigate risk and add value to your portfolio Impact of COVID on alternative investments And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Lucas Rodrigues. Lucas spent two fruitful and extremely rewarding years with Student Works. In this first year, Lucas worked as a rookie manager. Whereas, in his second year, as a district manager, Lucas assumed a leadership role as he took under student managers under his wing. We start this show with Lucas sharing a bit of his background. Growing up, Lucas was ambitious and cocky. But slowly, he realized that he had a really long way to go.  In this segment of the show, Lucas shares why it is important to express gratitude.  Being surrounded by supportive family and friends has helped Lucas realize his dreams. Lucas shares why it is important to reach out to your inner circle every once in a while, and express what they mean to you.  Listeners will also learn why it is important to indulge in critical self-evaluation and then work on your weaknesses. For instance, Lucas shares that he was horrible at recruiting when he started out. However, persistence and continuous practice helped him improve his skills over time. Additionally, Lucas also shares how coaching other student painters as a district manager helped him improve his foundational skills. In this segment of the show, we discuss the importance of learning with intent. You will also learn how Lucas and the entire Student Works team managed to pivot and navigate the COVID crisis. Here, we discuss the importance of being flexible and realigning your workflow and sales processes, when required. We hope you enjoy this show! What You Will Learn In This Show How a Student Works experience can equip you with critical and transferable skillsets How we, at Student Works managed to pivot and navigate the COVID crisis Key habits of high-performing leaders And so much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Barry Danckert, GM, and Global Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company.  Barry spent two rewarding years with Student Works when he was studying marketing at Wilfrid Laurier. Admittedly, after joining Student Works, Barry realized how little he knew about business. Specifically, as a student painter, Barry shares how he got some important lessons in pricing and people management.  After completing his MBA from Windsor University, Barry worked for 5 years at Kimberly-Clark. Barry left this position to join Coca-Cola in 1996. In an extremely long and extremely rewarding stint spanning twenty years, Barry has worked in different divisions within Coca-Cola spread across the world.  He reveals the different challenges of working in different countries and markets. Additionally, Barry shares how Coke relies on research and cutting-edge technology to ensure a competitive edge. Some of the major brands/partners that he has worked with include Wendy’s, Burger King, 7 Eleven. Additionally, he has also managed Coca-Cola’s On-Premise/Vending Operations which also happens to be Coke’s most profitable division. Listeners will learn how different divisions within Coca Cola come with their own unique set of challenges.  For instance, Barry shares his experience of working in the insanely difficult QSR industry. Especially, with the onset of COVID, industry players are grappling with unprecedented time. In this segment, Coke is supporting their long-term partners Burger King and Wendy’s in these trying times.  As a VP, International Sales and Business, 7 Eleven, Barry also gives listeners a peek into how the convenience store business operates. With nearly 20,000 7 Eleven’s located in Japan, Barry shares what it takes to conduct business in a deflationary economic environment. Other topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of building your network and chasing growth and continuous learning. We hope you enjoy this show! What You Will Learn In This Show  How my Student Works experience helped me become a better leader at Coca Cola How Coca Works collaborates with their partners and helps them grow their businesses Challenges faced by different verticals in Coca Cola How Coca Cola relies on market research and cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of the curve And so much more…   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Stefan Milosevic, a second-year district manager with Student Works. Stefan and his two partners recently broke the all-time sales record at Student Works. Stefan had a terrific rookie year as well as he came really close to breaking the rookie record held by another incredible Student Works manager, Amir. We start this show with Stefan sharing a bit of his background. Always a good student, Stefan was frustrated by the lack of opportunities available to him as a young adult.   This is when he came across Student Works.  With Student Works, Stefan got the ideal environment that enabled him to perform at an extremely high level. Stefan shares how he partnered up with his buddies to run a large and profitable painting business that clocked more than $200K in revenues. In fact, when Stefan came back to Student Works to work as a district manager, he also had the option of joining med school. Stefan shares his big WHY for choosing Student Works over med school in this segment of the show. Additionally, listeners will also learn how the Student Works experience enabled 23-year old Stefan to hone his leadership skills.  Other topics discussed on today’s show include the importance of setting big, audacious goals, cultivating great habits, and attributes of top performers. We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Neil King, President, LifeWorks, and Executive Vice President, Morneau Shepell. Growing up, Neil was always hard-working. He used to work odd jobs but was frustrated that his earnings were not commensurate with the work that he was putting in.  And perhaps, this was the biggest reason that attracted him to business and Student Works in the first place.  Neil spent a year with Student Works – an experience he calls “one of the most defining moments of my life.” In this segment of the show, Neil shares some of the biggest takeaways from his Student Works stint. Topics discussed in this show include cold-selling strategies, how to tackle challenges, and keep on moving forward. While at Student Works, Neil discovered his love for sales. And perhaps this was why he took up a sales position at Lexmark printers right after graduating. After a brief but extremely successful stint, Neil moved to Texas to work as Director of Sales, Procom. In this segment of the show, Neil makes some interesting comparisons between the work cultures in the US and Canada. After Procom, Neil worked as a Channel Sales Manager at Infor, a software company in California, in the private label job board business at Brainhunter, at ADP, and then at Wolters Kluwer Health. Currently, Neil is the President at Lifeworks and Executive Vice President at Morneau Shepell. Morneau Shepell is a Global HR leader who recently acquired Lifeworks, an employee engagement, and well-being app.  We have an interesting discussion about mental health and well-being in this segment of the show. Neil shares how Lifeworks is having a far-reaching impact by helping improve people’s lives across the world. We wrap up this show with Neil sharing some great advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs. We hope you enjoy this show! What You Will Learn In This Show How a Student Works sting can help you hone critical and foundational skillsets Comparing the US and Canadian work cultures How to evaluate and take up job opportunities that move you forward Furthering employee engagement and improving mental health And so much more... Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Patrick Lalonde, VP, Student Works.  Chris and Patrick discuss how a conducive environment can boost our mental health and overall productivity. Listeners will learn how cleansing one’s environment can help you retain FOCUS and inspire one to achieve bigger and better things. Have you noticed how our surroundings have a symbiotic relationship with our mental state? If your environment is dirty and cluttered, you will feel disoriented and dysfunctional. Vice versa, if you are working from a clean, well-lit place, you will be inspired to put your best effort forward. This is particularly important in light of the current situation as world-over, all of us struggling to adjust to the “work-from-home” model.   So, what are some practical tips and good habits for creating a clean and inspiring work environment? Patrick shares how strictly allotting a specific function to different areas of your house can particularly help you out.  Additionally, we discuss how technology is a double-edged sword. While embracing a virtual work-model has become essential right now, technology can also distract you away from your CORE and critical tasks.  If you feel that you need to cut back on unnecessary screen-time, this segment of the show will interest you greatly. Patrick shares how conducting a technology audit can help you shed such bad habits. This show is full of tips and tricks guaranteed to help you out. Enjoy!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Neil Johnson, Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, Duke Royalty Limited. Back when Neil was an eighteen-year-old, he got the opportunity to work at Student Works. This experience instilled in Neil an incredible work ethic and taught him to never give up. After Student Works, Neil started his long and very successful stint with Canaccord Genuity Inc. as an equity analyst. Six years into this role, Neil moved to London as the Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking (Europe).  Neil shares how he managed a great team and dogged determination helped him build a 40-person strong team generating annual business of $150 million.  After spending 19 long years at Canaccord, the entrepreneurial bug bit Neil, and he co-founded Difference Capital Financial Inc. Based in Toronto, this organization was meant to serve growth companies in technology, media, and healthcare.  In 2015, right before Brexit, Neil founded Duke Royalty Limited. A “royalty investment company”, Duke provides a unique financing solution to companies without raising equity or taking on traditional debt. In this segment of the show, Neil shares how he managed to raise funds in spite of Brexit. Listeners will learn the importance of perseverance and positivity in this segment of the call. So, what did Neil have to change about himself as he went from being a university student to a full-time value creator? What are some of the biggest lessons that Neil has learned from his failures? And, what advice does he have for young people who are yet to enter their professional lives? For all this and much more, tune in to our latest show now!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews first-year university student and student painter, Jessica Franzman. We start this show with Jessica sharing her backstory. Originally from Calgary, Jessica is currently studying International Development.  While always ambitious and driven, Jessica shares she had difficulty trusting her colleagues and delegating work before joining Student Works. In the next segment of the show, Jessica shares how she things differently after a year as a student painter. Apart from overcoming her trust issues, Jessica reveals how a strong support system at Student Works helped her navigate the current pandemic Jessica shares how COVID impacted her – both personally and professionally. When her university closed down due to the pandemic, Jessica lost her accommodation as well. While the easiest option would have been to head back home, Jessica chose to stay back and focus on her business instead. Jessica shares how she tweaked her workflow so that her business could be “pandemic-proof”. This segment will particularly inspire young and aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals who are feeling bogged down by the current situation. We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Michael Zipursky, co-founder, Consulting Success®. Today, you will learn how to leverage your expertise to start your own successful, consulting business.  All of us have some unique skillsets that often have excellent demand in the marketplace. However, most of us fail to get off the starting block. One of the main reasons for this is a hesitation to approach larger, more successful organizations.   In this first segment of the show, Michael shares how you can overcome this negative mindset and confidently market your services to marquee clients WITHOUT falling prey to the imposter syndrome. Michael also shares an interesting backstory about how he managed to establish his web design and development business in Osaka, Japan. In this part of the show, you will learn the importance of binary thinking and taking action. Currently, through his organization, Consulting Success®, Michael offers online programs and coaching programs to help individuals and small consulting firms. When you are new to the marketplace, you first need to provide value so that can connect with your ideal clients. For this, you need to shed your scarcity mindset and focus on just helped people without focusing on monetary gains from the get-go. But, if you are new to the marketplace, how can you come up with an irresistible offer that you KNOW will sell? And once you find some success, how can you scale up your consulting business without the stress and overwhelm? What are some significant challenges that you are likely to face along the way, and how will you overcome them? Tune in to find out! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email Consulting Success®

In today’s show, Chris interviews Chris Reynolds, Founder and Managing Partner at Venn Capital Partners. Chris kickstarts today’s show by sharing a bit of a backstory. As a young professional, Chris was (and still is) a hustler with a big engine for work.  Like most people at that young age, Chris wasn’t sure about what he wanted to do career-wise. So, to get clarity, he took up various summer jobs which helped him hone foundational skillsets that allowed him to grow as an individual. During this stage of his career, apart from working a summer at Student Works, Chris started his own venture and also worked as an investment banking intern in London. In this segment of the show, listeners will learn the importance of picking the right summer job. Additionally, we discuss the importance of taking risks and putting yourself out there.  He also shares how this phase gave him the confidence of tackling big challenges ahead in his life. Chris started working as an intern at KPMG in 2009 and then slowly worked his way up to being a senior accountant/consultant by 2013. In this segment of the show, you will get a “peek” into the incredible work culture at KPMG.  You will learn why it is important to go through the grind if you wish to get ahead in life.  We also discuss why you should always strive for continuous improvement. Having realized that he possessed weak quantitative skills, Chris reveals how he got his chartered accountancy certification while at KPMG. After KPMG, Chris moved on to another iconic organization – McKinsey in 2013. Here, Chris shares how his entrepreneurial spirit helped him get hired. As an associate partner here, Chris got a chance to hone his broad skillsets as a problem solver. Additionally, he also talks about the different pressures and challenges in the consultancy space. We wrap up this show with Chis sharing his big WHY for donning the entrepreneurial hat with his latest venture, Venn Capital Partners. Why did Chris decide to start a hedge fund right in the middle of the pandemic? Tune in to find out! We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Dustin Taylor. Having worked in the restaurant industry, Dustin has had a rather unique journey leading right up to Student Works. In his first year, Dustin managed to grow his painting business to $130,000. In his second year, with two of his friends helping him out, Dustin plans on scaling up his business to $350,000!  We start this show with Dustin sharing some background information. Dustin had to go through abject poverty as a child. Unable to manage their meager finances, Dustin and his family even lost their home when Dustin was just sixteen.  Determined to change the course of his life, Dustin immersed himself in his studies. After grade twelve, he enrolled himself at the Culinary Institute of Canada. After completing his studies, Dustin spent several years working in the restaurant industry until he earned the Journeyperson’s Red Seal certificate. In this segment of the show, Dustin shares how this experience of his taught him the different aspects of running a business. After this stint, Dustin worked for a bit in marketing. Here, he learned how to approach and sell to strangers. This show is full of some great nuggets guaranteed to help out new and aspiring entrepreneurs. Dusting shares the THREE key attributes of highly successful people – attitude, work ethic, and willingness to learn.  Additionally, he reveals how his perspective has changed after spending a year at Student Works. Specifically, he talks about the “significance of leverage” and “value of relationships”.  Dustin wraps up this show with a heartfelt and inspiring poem. Enjoy! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Troy Treleaven, Owner and Managing Partner, Dale Carnegie. Troy owns and manages one of the largest Dale Carnegie franchises in the world. We start this show with Troy sharing his backstory. Ambition and a big engine for work meant that Dale started working from a young age. At 16, Troy was working as a butcher’s apprentice – and he ended up getting fired from the job inspite of giving his 100%.  This experience motivated Troy to get into entrepreneurship and take control of his future. This is when he discovered Student Works.  Learning how to sell and the importance of assembling a dream team were two important lessons that Troy learned at Student Works.  Good sales skills can help you in every aspect of life. And Troy shares how Student Works taught him the art of selling to complete strangers alongside other important business functions like production and finance.  After Student Works, Troy even ventured into retail clothing by investing in a Rugby Originals clothing store in Peterboro.   However, this was a short-lived adventure as Troy joined Dale Carnegie as a salesman at the age of 23. By 30, Troy was a coach. And eventually, he bought out the Dale Carnegie franchise to become an owner/managing partner. In the next segment of the show, Troy shares the different opportunities and challenges of managing a legacy organization like Dale Carnegie.  How do Troy and his team remain agile and continue to pivot with the changing times? How do they ensure that the institution remains relevant while staying true to the values espoused by its iconic founder?  The next thing that we talk about is the importance of keeping your FOCUS.  As entrepreneurs, we love to try new things. We love to challenge ourselves. And this means that we are enamored by all the shiny new objects that come our way.  But, in doing so, our focus wanes and our CORE business takes a hit.  In this segment of the show, Troy shares how he, excited the prospect of creating multiple income streams, tried his hand at different businesses – only to realize the virtue of focusing on one thing and one thing only. We wrap up this show with Troy sharing some of his biggest failures and mistakes and then revealing what he learned from them. If you are a new or aspiring entrepreneur, you will find this segment of the show particularly interesting. Enjoy! Resources How to Win Friends and Influence People Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Kaitlyn Sage, a fourth-year college student. Currently, Kaitlyn is managing a large painting business as a second-year Student Works manager. As a high-school student, Kaitlyn was a hard worker who was always looking for new ways to grow. When she was in grade 12, she worked in Sears as a sales associate. Here, she always went the extra mile to assume extra responsibilities and perform to the best of her ability.  A willingness to do more led her to work as a Content Marketing Manager at Teagen’s voice for a bit. Currently, Kaitlyn is pursuing environmental science at Carleton University.  In the next segment of the show, Kaitlyn shares how Student Works has helped her hone transferable and foundational skillsets. Kaitlyn’s first year at Student Works was particularly rough as unwillingness to delegate meant she ended up working 90-hour weeks.   Kaitlyn also got some important lessons in expectation setting and relationship setting in her first year.  Just as she was gearing up to apply all the valuable lessons as a second-year Student Works manager, COVID struck.  Admittedly, Kaitlyn was flustered when the pandemic initially broke out. But she was quick to pivot and re-establish sales processes that were more aligned with the new situation.  In this segment of the show, listeners will learn how we tend to perform at our highest level when we are faced with an unprecedented and challenging situation. Kaitlyn also reveals what motivated her to be a coach. Apart from being a part of her peer mentoring program, Kaitlyn also coaches young kids aged six to fourteen. Other topics discussed in today’s show include key attributes of top performers, maintaining a good work-life balance, how to seamlessly communicate with your peers and employees, and much, much more. Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews management consultant and coach, Tarik Ali. As a young adult, Tarik shares that he was always ambitious, but frustrated by his lack of direction. This is when he came across Student Works. This stint, Tarik shares, taught him the soft skills required to run a business. After Student Works, Tarik used an “inside out” approach to figuring out his future path. In this segment of the show, listeners will learn the importance of visualization.  Especially, when we are just starting our careers, we have little idea about what we really want from our life. Because most of us are yet to define what success means to us, we end up making wrong and regrettable decisions. Wishing to test waters early on his career, Tarik shares how he did some pro bono consulting right after Student Works. The next segment of the show is particularly interesting as Tarik talks about his coaching business, Esonance. As a co-founder of this coaching business, Tarik works with university students and helps them prepare a roadmap for the future. In this segment of the show, we specifically discuss how preparation, far-sightedness, and thoughtfulness can help eliminate self-doubt and pressure. In the final segment of the show, Tarik talks about his role at Accenture. Accenture is a dynamic organization focused on helping its employees develop more and more valuable skillsets. Additionally, Tarik gives us a “peek” into the work culture at Accenture – revealing all the reasons why it is such a great place to work. Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Frank Forte, Founder, Forte Leadership Technology, and author, A.G.I.L.E. Mindset Demystified: Mindset Over Mechanic. Frank reveals how you can cultivate an agile or growth mindset that can help you thrive in the complicated environment of today. Conventional thinking has led to a formal education system that is lacking in many aspects. One of the main fallouts of this phenomenon is that young people who are just starting their professional life are timid, and constantly seeking outside validation. They are too scared to try out anything that is drastically against the norm. So, how can the young people of today shape an agile and growth mindset? In today’s show, Frank shares some great tools and techniques that can help you do just that. Listeners will be reminded that failing over, again and again, is the ONLY way to broaden your horizons and enhance your skillsets. Frank shares why you need to set a BHAG – your own Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. Sharing your BHAG with your mentors and peers will ensure accountability and push you to put in your best. In this segment of the show, Frank shares his own experience of being mentored by great John Maxwell. John is one of the foremost leadership experts in the world – and one of the main reasons for this is his surreal story-telling abilities. Frank shares that while successful leaders are excellent at number crunching, they also need to learn HOW to wrap an engaging narrative around that data.  Other topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of self-leadership, the concept of servant leadership, tips for dealing with failure, and much, much more. Enjoy! Resources Frank Forte Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Zack Kembar, Managing Director, Burke Norris Investments. As a student, Zack was admittedly laidback, disorganized, and thoroughly enjoying his time at Western University. However, all this changed with Student Works. As a Student Works manager, Zack ended up managing a team of 20 driven individuals. He shares how Student Works taught him some great lessons in organization, persistence, and time management.  When Zack graduated, the country was going through a recession which made it difficult for him to find the right job. So, Zack decided to change tracks and travel abroad - with the view to get into investment banking. And incredibly enough, he managed to get hired at Goldman Sachs in spite of having no business degree and zero prior experience. So how did Zack manage this feat? Zack regales listeners with his amazing story. When Zack discovered the investment banking niche that he was truly interested in, he went all out and devoted himself completely to learning new skill-sets.  Listeners will learn how Zack had to resort to some aggressive networking to find employment as a junior-level Goldman Sachs employee in Tokyo. He even stayed for a year with a local family so that he could learn Japanese. Eventually, he rose to the position of VP, Equity Derivatives. After Goldman Sachs, Zack worked as a Managing Director with Deutsche Bank in NY, followed by  BNP Paribas in Tokyo and Capstone Investment Advisors in Singapore . Currently, he is the managing director at Burke Norris Investments - a Toronto based Family Office.   Zack talks quite a bit about the importance of honing your sales skills. Good sales skills can help you in all walks of life. And having a full sales pipeline can help you pivot, and avoid failure when the going gets tough. Particularly, in this segment, we share how dogged determinedness is the key to success in sales. Other topics discussed in today’s show include ethics in investment banking, how to survive an economic crisis, and the importance of communication in an organization. Enjoy!  Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Student Works Operator Joseph Kim. Growing up, Joseph was dirt poor. He lived in a cold basement, and at one point of time his single mother could not even afford rent, heat, or electricity.  Coming from such adversity, Joseph has really grabbed the incredible Student Works opportunity and is doing all he can to make the most of it. In this segment of the show, listeners are reminded why it is important for them to step out of their comfort zone if they wish to truly progress in life. Next, Joseph talks about his Student Works experience. He starts by sharing how he, as a rookie was trained by Luke, a second-year operator. In his second year, Joseph donned the role of a coach as well as he took on new recruits under his wing. What are some key attributes of a successful coach? Is coaching similar to teaching?  We wrap up this show by sharing some key attributes of highly successful leaders. Particularly, we discuss why it is important to stay busy. Dynamism and the willingness to make mistakes are some commonalities found in really successful entrepreneurs and leaders.  Joseph also shares why it is important to surround yourself by like-minded and driven people who will help you hone your skills. Tune in to this inspiring show now! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Keith Ellis, Sr. eCommerce Business Development Manager at Global Payments Inc. We start this show with Keith recalling his life before Student Works. As a high school student, Keith was majorly into sports and was working as an intern at a real estate agent’s office. This is when he got an opportunity to get involved with Student Works courtesy his friend’s mom.    In his very first year at Student Works, with no prior painting experience, Keith was able to generate business worth $50,000. In this segment of the show, Keith shares some of the biggest takeaways that he got from this experience.  After Student Works, Keith worked as a Business Development Manager at Dell Canada. His subsequent experiences include working SAAS solutions at EnerNOC and digital services at Honeywell. Currently, Keith markets eCommerce solutions at Global Payments Inc.   Did his Student Works experience help him land these coveted jobs? What are some of the important skillsets that he picked up in his Student Works days that have helped him immensely throughout his career? Topics discussed in today’s show include the fundamentals of booking a meeting, tips for having a sales conversation with the C-Suite, the importance of being forthright in your sales talks, and pricing strategies. Enjoy!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Student Works District Manager, John Cameron. John has been with Student Works for five years and is on track to generate a million dollars in sales this year. Growing up, John was heavily influenced by his dad, a dynamic entrepreneur. Inspired by his dad’s success, in grade eleven, John even started a small landscaping business but failed to really follow through on it.  In this segment of the show, John shares how his lack of confidence held him back in his teenage years.  Joining Student Works and his huge success as a first-year student painter was a huge boost to John’s self-worth. And this had a massive ripple effect on all aspects of his life – which led to better relationships, and eventually a more fulfilling life. In the next segment of the show, John regales listeners by sharing some interesting anecdotes from his Student Works life.  Having spent five years at the program, what are some of the most important takeaways for John?  The person that you are right now is not the person that can run a large, successful business. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you need to realize that you have a long way to go. You need to be humble enough to realize that you are yet to develop skill sets and habits that ensure consistent and long-term success. And perhaps, working with well-meaning mentors is the surest way to facilitate this. It is truly surprising how most of us miss something so glaringly obvious. If you are one of these people who are failing to invest due efforts in continuous learning and development, listening to this segment of the show will particularly help you out. We also discuss why working integrity and an open mindset is crucial for realizing your full potential.  We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews James Svetec. Owner and Founder, BNB Mastery Program. James helps other people earn a full-time income by managing Airbnb properties. Why did James get started with the Airbnb in the first place?  In the first segment of the show, James shares how he first started managing Airbnb properties. Later, he partnered with his Student Works batchmate, Sam to get into the online coaching space.  If you are thinking of starting an online business, this segment of the show will be particularly interesting to you. Online coaching involves building evergreen assets – which eventually allows you to dramatically scale up your business. Here, you will learn that you cannot have all your online systems and processes tuned to perfection from the get go. And why choosing progress over perfection is important for overcoming procrastination and realizing your entrepreneurial ambitions. James also shares some expert tips and tricks for running profitable and high-converting Facebook ads. One of the biggest mistakes that marketers make is that they get emotionally attached to their ads. Instead of making data-driven decisions, marketers end up relying on their “gut”. So, which are some important metrics you should rely on while building and scaling your Facebook ads?  Next, we also make some interesting comparisons between paid traffic and organic traffic. Recently, James has decided to focus more on his YouTube channel. Depending on your offer and market, can organic traffic mean more profits for you and your business?  In the latter segment of the show, James shares some inspiring as well as interesting information about how Airbnb was managed in the wake of the virus outbreak – perhaps, the biggest meltdown in the history of tourism.  We hope you enjoy this show! Resources BNB Mastery Program Airbnb for Dummies Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, Chris interviews Alexandra Gendron.  We start this show with Alexandra sharing some background information. Growing up, Alexandra shares that she always had a big engine for work. However, her biggest frustration was that she was not getting paid in a manner that was commensurate with her potential.   This is when she stumbled onto Student Works – a “life-changing experience” for Alexandra. Alexandra has worked for two years in the painting business and two years in the window-cleaning business. Having worked in both painting and window-cleaning business, how does she compare and contrast both businesses? Alexandra reveals while the window-cleaning business requires more planning and organization, on a broad level, the same skill-sets are required to run both businesses. She also talks at length about doing business in the post-COVID era.  Especially, Alexandra shares how she had to alter her sales playbook so that she can continue to generate business without violating any social distancing norms.  Listeners will also learn the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.  After a hectic first year, Alexandra shares how delegation and smart management allowed her to run a $150,000 business in her second year. Other topics discussed in today’s show include importance of inculcating patience and key attributes of top-performers. We hope you enjoy this show. Resources Radical Candor Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Conrad Smith. As a second-year student with Student Works, Conrad is running a $800,000 business and managing a team of motivated and high-performing individuals. So, what made Conrad join Student Works in the first place?  In the first segment of the show, Conrad shares that he suffered from a lack of confidence, and was actively looking for an opportunity that allowed him to address this particular aspect of his personality. And this is when he come across Student Works. In this first year as a Student Works operator, Conrad managed to scale up his business to $200,000. But his second-year was a completely different ball game as he had to mentor and support a team of rookie operators apart from managing the daily nitty-gritty of his business. This challenge was further exacerbated due to the onset of the virus. Inspite of all this, Conrad had a spectacular year. So, what are some of the reasons that he attributes his success to? What are some key habits that make him tick? In this last segment, we particularly discuss the importance of integrity and maintaining accountability.  We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews business partners and life partners, Matt and Cassidy. Matt and Cassidy are in the real estate business. We start this show with Matt and Cassidy sharing some interesting details about their real estate investing business. What are the advantages of investing in real estate? Is real estate a more lucrative compared to investing in the stock market?  In the next segment of the show, Matt and Cassidy share how they have managed to overcome some of their biggest challenges to scale up their business. Listeners will learn the different steps Matt and Cassidy have taken to protect their business from the aftermath of COVID-19. Additionally, they give listeners a “peek” into their sales playbook in this segment of the show. Matt and Cassidy also reveal how they have managed to strike a fine balance between their personal and professional lives.  Having your life partner as your business partner is complicated. You need to accept each other’s flaws while leveraging each other strengths.  But this is not easy.  You need to adjust your work style to that of your partner. Moreover, you can’t let disagreements at work spill over to your personal life. In this segment of the show, Chris also shares his experience of working with his wife, Helen at Student Works. We also share some nuanced tips that will allow you to tap into your thinking mind and manifest what you truly wish to do. Specifically, we discuss how meditation can greatly enhance your personal and professional life. Matt and Cassidy share how meditation allows them to be more present, and more connected to the world around us. We hope you enjoy this show! What You Will Learn In This Show Basics of real estate investing How to achieve a good work life balance How to manage a work relationship with your spouse How practicing meditation can help you stay more connected And much, much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Ted Strazimiri. Co-Founder and President, SkyDeploy UAS. Even as a high school student, Ted was dynamic and “okay with the idea of being uncomfortable”.  It is of little surprise that Ted has already dabbled in a myriad of interesting careers.  After an extremely successful stint as a student painter, Ted worked as an architectural coatings experts for a bit.  Next, Ted worked for four years at one of the world’s most iconic and valuable companies – Apple. In this segment of the call, Ted talks about customer services and shares some nuanced tips for managing negative interactions. Currently, Ted has transitioned to entrepreneurship with SkyDeploy UAS. SkyDeploy UAS is a drone service company offering NDVI services to the agriculture sector. So, what compelled Ted to form a drone technology company? Ted gives us a peek into this nascent sector and reveals how the agricultural and farming sector can use drone technology to acquire data at a more affordable cost. We also discuss some of the biggest challenges that start-ups commonly face. Topics discussed in this segment of the show include managing an organization as a solo entrepreneur, how to find a suitable co-founder, the importance of mental health, and much, much more…  We hope you enjoy this show. What You Will Learn In This Show Expert tips for dealing with disgruntled customers How to overcome the challenges of running a start-up A “peek” into the exploding drone technology sector How to overcome the challenges of managing a start-up And much, much more… Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email The Courage to Be Disliked

In today’s show, Chris interviews Glain Roberts McCabe, Founder and President, Roundtable Inc. At Roundtable Inc., Glain helps leaders navigate change, disruption, and growth. She has also authored the book, Grassroots Leadership Revolution. Growing up, Glain shares that she was always taught to question authority. And that is why she considers herself to be non-employable.  This serves as a good segue to our next topic. Is there a total dearth of employment opportunities for folks with an independent and entrepreneurial mindset?  In the next segment of the show, Glain indulges in some introspection. She talks about her strengths and shares how every strength comes with corresponding liabilities. So, while Glain’s dynamism has held her in good stead till not, a propensity to “run after the shiny object” often results in loss of focus and structure. So, having realized her follies, what is Glain doing to address them? Listening to this segment of the show will compel you to do your SWOT analysis as well. One topic that we talk at length about is the importance of having a close-knit mentor group. This especially is particularly relevant as businesses are grappling with different challenges in the wake of the virus. Glain also talks a bit about her book, Grassroots Leadership Revolution. Some of the topics discussed in this segment of the show include building your legacy, setting leadership goals, and the importance of doing what you truly love. We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources The Grassroots Leadership Revolution Roundtable Inc. Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Bini Kanungo, Sales Engineer, Ascent Compliance and co-host of the We the Sales Engineer podcast. We start this show with Bini recalling his life before Student Works. Ironically, while Bini is a successful sales engineer right now, as a high school student, Bini was reserved and lacked confidence. However, he always driven and had a big work engine. So, why did Bini decide to join Student Works in the first place? In the next segment of the show, we discuss how Student Works can serve as a great foundation for young people who wish to hone transferable skill sets that can help them leapfrog the competition. Being an introvert, Bini had a particularly difficult time cold-calling prospects as a Student Works rookie. However, his ambition and persistence allowed him to hone his sales skills over a period. Additionally, Bini reveals how Student Works helped him shape his work ethic and build some solid organizational skills. After graduation, Bini worked at Halogen Software for a bit. However, this stint was cut short as Bini got laid off after Halogen was acquired by a large organization. This phase was particularly difficult for Bini as he worked odd jobs to scrape through.  Currently works as a sales engineer at Ascent Compliance. Ascent Compliance is a SAAS-based organization that was recently recognized as one of the 50-fastest growing tech companies in Canada. In this segment of the show, Bini gives us a peek into his work life.  Why does a SAAS business model work so well for the clients as well as the organization? What sort of clients does Ascent typically take on? Listeners will also learn the importance of workplace culture in this segment of the show. Towards the end, Bini reveals what inspired him to start his podcast, We The Sales Engineer. We hope you enjoy this show!  Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews mental success coach and author, Ryan Gottfredson. Ryan holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University. He helps organizations, teams, and business leaders by improving their mindsets. So, how exactly can you cultivate a success mindset?  We start this show by dispelling a common misconception. We discuss how cultivating a leadership and leadership mindset is more about “being” rather than about “doing”. Further, we discuss and compare different mindsets and how they have a bearing on your career trajectory. The first comparison that we make is between fixed and growth mindsets. In this segment, we discuss how people with growth mindsets look forward to challenges, and in fact, treat them as opportunities. The second comparison that we make is between closed and open mindsets. Folks with a closed mindset are eager to prove themselves right. Whereas, those with an open mindset are highly receptive to new ideas. Here, we have an interesting discussion about our education system, and how  Next up, we discuss how a prevention-focused mindset compares to a purpose focused mindset. And finally, we compare an inward mindset to an outward mindset. If you have an inward mindset, you have a heightened sense of self-importance. So, which bucket do you fall in? Listening to Ryan will surely compel you to some self-introspection.   Other topics discussed in today’s show include cultivating gratitude, how to cultivate a positive mindset, how to overcome your biggest fears, different mindset coaching exercises, and much, much more. We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Success Mindsets Get your mindset assessed HERE Ryan Gottfredson Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Andrew Gaughan, Principal Owner at Long Time Running Investment & Advisory Ltd. In the first segment of the pod, Andrew shares some childhood memories. One of 9 siblings, Andrew was born in a family of modest means. As a child, he never displayed much affinity for studies, but he was an exceptional soccer player. Andrew went on to complete his Bachelors at Cornell University. And it was here that he spent 5 extremely successful summers working at Student Works Painting. Andrew recounts how he managed to scale up his painting business to $400,000 in annual revenues. This spectacular success inspired Andrew to kickstart his next business venture – a subway franchise while he was in law school. However, unlike his Student Works Stint, Andrew ended up losing money and then shutting down this business after 2 years. After graduating from law school, Andrew worked in corporate law for a while. But soon, he chucked his law career to work at Woodbine Entertainment Group in ‘94. This started a long and fruitful career in the field of horse racing and regulating betting. Andrew worked for six-plus years at Woodbine before moving on to Magna Entertainment Corporation, the maverick billionaire, Frank Stronach’s company. After this stint, Andrew moved to London for four years to work with Scientific Games Corporation, a company that sells technology to horse race tracks. After spending his whole life in the field of horse racing, Andrew has now moved on to an agricultural science business. Andrew is striving to commercialize a technology that slows down the ripening of fruits and vegetables. Tune in for some inspiring nuggets now! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn

In today’s show, Chris interviews Patrick Lalonde, VP, Student Works. A decade back, Patrick had the option of becoming a coach or taking up a sales position with a large company.  Patrick decided to follow his heart and become a coach – a position that was considerably less lucrative but a better long-term bet.  And this decision paid off for Patrick. And how. As the VP of a multi-million-dollar business, Patrick coaches young student painters and managers. The top student painters run million-dollar businesses and earn in excess of $100K. Student Works has certainly come a long way over the past decade since Patrick first joined the business. So, what are some of the crucial skills that Patrick helps young student painters develop? The first thing that we talk about is the importance of managing stress. This topic is particularly relevant in the wake of the pandemic. For business-owners, and especially young ones who are just making their foray, keeping a positive mindset is especially difficult right now. In this segment of the show, Patrick talks about adaptability and perseverance. You will learn how “focusing on the now” can help you pivot and make the most of the current situation. We also talk about pragmatism.  Sure. Entrepreneurs and business-owners can get little done if they don’t remain optimistic. But, at the same time, Patrick reminds us why being pragmatic is crucial, especially in situations like these when the dynamics have changed completely.  Other topics discussed in today’s show include keeping it simple, Patrick’s take on happiness, and understanding the mindset of hugely successful entrepreneurs. We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Martyn Johns, Director, NAPA AutoPro. We start this show with Martyn recalling his life before Student Works. As a teenager, Martyn was frustrated with financial uncertainty and lack of opportunities. This is a common theme that resonates with many youngsters who are eager to find success in their early twenties. At Student Works, Martyn got the chance to see the bigger picture and assume crucial responsibilities. And he had to face significant challenges as well. Listeners will learn how Martyn managed to scale up Student Works operations from $300,000 to $25 million- only to fold up operations owing to the 2008 financial crisis.  What were some important takeaways that Martyn took away from this experience? Did this setback affect his work relationships in any way? The next segment of the show is particularly interesting as Martyn talks about this current job at NAPA Autopro, a family-owned organization involved in automotive care.   Here, Martyn shares why he finds working in family-owned organizations to be a far more rewarding experience. Especially, he reveals how his company leadership is backing its employees to the hilt in the wake of the pandemic. You will also learn how Napa’s unconditional support for its franchisees has resulted in a long-term and sustainable business model.  Martyn also talks at length about his company’s firm focus on customer service. How has Napa Autopro managed to beat large car manufacturers to attain the coveted #1 spot in customer service in JDPower rankings?  Additionally, we touch upon a gamut of interesting topics like profitability, increasing valuations, and the complexities of succession planning in family-owned organizations. We wrap up this show by sharing some crucial attributes that define a leader of tomorrow. We hope you enjoy this show!  Resources Napa Autopro Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews student painter and district manager, Luke Fenn. This show starts with Luke recalling his life before Student Works. Because a bunch of his buddies were already student painters, Luke was quick to grasp this entrepreneurial opportunity when he came across it in his first year. While Luke managed to notch up $100,000 revenues in his first year, he admits his first year was incredibly stressful.  So, when Luke came back to Student Works in his second year, what all did he change about his management style?  Luke shares how he managed to build his organization by hiring sales and production staff so that he could manage his business in a completely autonomous and hassle-free manner. The next segment of the show is particularly interesting as Luke shares some great details about how he got and executed the biggest job of his career – a $200,000 job where he had 21 people on site! Here, you will learn how ingenuity and a strong network can take you ahead in life.  As Luke built up his organization, he had had to assume the role of a coach and mentor. So, what surprised Luke most about being a coach and mentor? Luke shares how assuming his role required him to connect on a deeply personal level with his teammates. Other topics discussed on this show include cultivating self-awareness and coachability, taking action with intention, discovering opportunities in the outside world, and capitalizing on them.  We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, we interview Chris Shewfelt, Senior Director, Global Partnerships, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is a professional sport and commercial real estate company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  With assets that include franchises in the four major sports leagues in the USA and Canada (including Toronto FC and Toronto Raptors), MLSE is one of the largest sports and entertainment companies in the world. Chris grew up in a small community on a farm, and his upbringing instilled in him an incredible drive and an “always-go” attitude. While this held him in good stead, Chris admits that he was frustrated with his inability to manage finances once he started working professionally. In the next segment of the show, Chris shares how his persistence helped him land a job at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.  Chris interned with MSLE for 4 months. But then 9/11 happened.  It seemed that Chris would have to give up on his dream job. But, out of the blue, he received a call from MSLE requesting help with a small 10-minute promotion. Wanting to show that he was someone who always gave his 100%, no matter what, Chris went out of his way and took up this small gig.  Impressed with his commitment, MSLE eventually hired him as an assistant in the corporate partnerships department.   One of Chris’s first projects at MLSE was selling Toronto Raptor tickets. Back then, Toronto Raptors was not particularly popular, and Chris had to resort to innovative marketing techniques to make sales.  This serves as a good segue to our next topic. Listeners will also learn how the entire MLSE team manages the pressures of working in a field that is subject to intense public scrutiny. Specifically, when the teams are not doing well on-field, how does MLSE deal with the commercial fall-out? Does it become difficult to manage disappointments and expectations when you have a rabid fan base? Chris also shares some fond memories of working under former Presidents, Richard Peddie, Tim Leiweke, and Bill Manning in today’s show. From launching Leafs TV and GOL TV to being acquired by Roger and Bell in 2012, Chris walks down the memory lane and shares some of the biggest and most strategic business moves that have made MLSE an entertainment powerhouse. Other topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of being consistent in business, and developing a “one for all” organizational culture. We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email  

In today’s show, Chris interviews Mo Fathelbab, first Executive Director, Young Entrepreneur’s Organization, President, Forum Resources Network, and Co-Founder, HBS Alumni Forums. This show starts with Mo recalling how his association with Young Entrepreneur’s Organization started back in 1989. Mo’s path crossed with Verne Harnish, the founder of EO (formerly YEO) when he was a student at the University of Maryland. Impressed with Verne’s vision, Mo signed up on the dotted line.  This kickstarted a long and fruitful journey for Mo where he got the opportunity to meet some incredible people and visit some incredible places.   This first segment of the show is particularly interesting as you will get to learn how, over time, EO has managed to grow into a giant organization with a presence in over 40 countries. In 1991, Mo shares how he caught on to the idea of holding forums or masterminds – which was a completely alien concept then. Mo shares how he managed to tremendously scale up this segment of YEO’s business. Mo was so successful at doing so that in 1997, he decided to quit YEO to start Forum Resources Network. Was it difficult for Mo to quite a stable, high-paying job to start his venture? Was it smooth sailing from the get-go? Apparently no. Mo had to face many hiccups in the first year of his operations. From mounting debt to staying in his parent’s basement, Mo reveals how he managed to overcome some of his biggest challenges. Next, you will get some excellent insights into one of the central themes of today’s show – networking. How can you assimilate a group of like-minded people who can truly connect on a deeper level? How can you find and communicate with people who are not afraid to reveal their authentic selves to you?  Particularly, we discuss why you should never shy away from displaying vulnerability in your relationships. Other topics discussed in today’s show include how to build honest relationships, team building advice, increased collaboration in the wake of the coronavirus, and much, much more... We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources Mo Fathelbab Entrepreneur’s Organization Forum Resources Network Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews marketing entrepreneur and Private Equity Investor, Jordan Fietje. Even as a teenager, Jordan was a hard-worker and a perfectionist. However, he was frustrated with his shyness and his lack of confidence. Jordan shares how joining Student Works helped him overcome his shyness. Apart from cold-calling prospects, Jordan learned a whole range of business skills – from hiring new employees to project management to marketing. Right after Student Works, Jordan was fortuitous enough to be hired by the Canada Bread Company. The fact that this was a small and relatively unsophisticated organization worked in Jordan’s favor as he got the opportunity to pick up a range of different skill-sets early on in his career.  Especially, as Manager, Insights and Innovations, Jordan got an opportunity to conduct market research, and then launch new and path-breaking products. In his tenure, Jordan got the chance to launch niche products like flatbreads targeting the middle-eastern crowd, and low carb-bread for the health-conscious. In this segment of the show, listeners will learn why working at a smaller organization is the best way to jumpstart your career. After Canada Bread Company, Jordan got a chance to work at the iconic Kraft Foods. This was a starkly different experience as Jordan had far greater resources at his disposal. In this segment of the show, Jordan talks at length of the different marketing campaigns that he ran at Kraft. Specifically, you will learn why it is important to push the envelope when it comes to marketing. Jordan shares how his strategy to hire a small agency brought in some fresh perspectives and paid off big time in the long run. After this amazing experience, Jordan decided to pivot and work in the printing sector as President, Thistle Printing Limited. After working as a field expert for all these years, this was a different experience for Jordan as he had to work in a hands-off manner and be an “expert on people”. If you have promoted to a managerial position, and are finding it difficult to handle your new responsibilities, this segment of the show will be particularly interesting to you. Other topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of continuous learning, pros and cons of entrepreneurship, a peek into the world of angel investing, cultivating unshakeable values, and much, much more... We hope you enjoy this show! Resources Joy at Work Kolbe Academy Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews student works franchise owner, John Morgan. John has been with Student Works for six years now and has set the audacious goal of hitting revenues of $750,000 this year. We start this show with John recalling his first year at Student Works. While his annual sales of $72,000 were not shabby at all, John was quite disappointed with his effort. He goes on to discuss how he could have done much better had it not been for his lack of integrity.  Here, we have an interesting discussion on sales strategy and why integrity and good intentions are at the core of a successful sales strategy. John attributes his amazing success to this mindset shift. Currently, John has already booked orders worth $290,000 has his eyes set on breaking the all-time Student Works record of $750,000 set by his good friend, Amer. This pod is peppered with some interesting anecdotes and discussions guaranteed to keep you hooked. John and Chris have an animated discussion on the merits of a formal education system. John shares why he chose to drop out of university inspite of doing really well as a student. His aim, he reveals, is not simply to get a degree – but to learn more about things that evoke his curiosity and help him develop his personality. John also expresses his views on stoicism – an ancient Greek philosophy that is particularly relevant right now, in the wake of the pandemic. Stoicism teaches us to be indifferent to what we cannot control. John shares how he is implementing this philosophy in his business right now by ignoring all the negativity and looking for creative ways to maintain his momentum in the business. We hope you enjoy this show!   Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews Steve Wolf, Enterprise Sales Director, SmartAdvisor Growth Platform at SmartAsset. Growing up in Waterloo, Steve graduated from Wilfrid Laurier. As a student, Steve shares that his biggest frustration was not being given opportunities due to his lack of experience. He goes on to reveal how his Student Works stint helping him unleash his untapped potential. In this segment of the show, Steve also shares his THREE biggest takeaways from his Student Works Experience – namely, process, preparation, and levelheadedness. After Student Works, Steve worked at Everyday Health, a digital media company that owns websites and produces content relating to health and wellness. This part of the show is particularly interesting as listeners will learn how digital platforms operate and generate revenue. Steve’s current company, Smartasset is a personal finance technology company that provides advice to people on major financial decisions. As an enterprise sales director, Steve is responsible for communicating his organization’s value proposition and painting a picture of a long-term work relationship. Hearing Steve in this part of the show will make you realize that sales is an incredibly thoughtful and complex process. This entire show is sprinkled with some excellent value nuggets. Some of the prominent topics discussed include setting correct expectations at your workplace, the conditional nature of the employee-employer relationship, and transitioning from student life to professional life. We wrap up this show by sharing some key attributes that truly define a leader of tomorrow. Tune in for some excellent nuggets!   Resources: Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email

In today’s show, Chris interviews mindset coach, Joe Trodden. Joe has had an interesting career path leading up to his current profession as a mindset coach. He studied law and then worked in the IT industry before pivoting again. In his current role, Joe helps out post-start-up and pre-sale organizations. In this first segment of the show, we discuss why it is important to experiment to discover what you are truly cut out for. The next segment of the show is particularly interesting as Joe indulges in some introspection to reveal what makes him tick as a mindset coach. As a guy who loves structure and order, Joe serves as a foil for entrepreneurs who thrive in chaos. Here, Joe shares some of the most common challenges that entrepreneurs face in the initial stages. Some of the main topics discussed here include how to handle rejections, cultivating the art of selling, and much, much more. We also talk quite a bit about the importance of finding well-meaning and suitable mentors who can help you scale up your business. How can you determine that a mentor is well-equipped to help you out? And, what is the correct way to approach a mentor? Joe and Chris also discuss how founders end up being the biggest threat to a business when their egos go out of hand. Joe shares that instead of pandering to anyone’s ego, he simply avoids working with such entrepreneur’s altogether. Other topics discussed in today’s show include cultivating self-awareness, how to be a true value creator, the importance of continuous learning, and much, much more... Resources Student Works  Chris Thomson LinkedIn Chris’s Email