Shows
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastBabies, Business, and Big Dreams: The Balancing Act with Chantelle MoncriefIn this heartfelt episode, Sharon chats with Chantelle, owner of Provost Pets & Livestock Supply. Chantelle shares how her love for animals sparked her business idea and how motherhood changed the way she ran the business. We dig into startup realities, working through economic swings and life changes, and why community support (and a great mother-in-law!) can be the difference-maker for entrepreneurs.Chantelle opens up about her own challenges over the years, including several months spent in the NICU after her first child was born and running a growing shop while parenting (and homeschooling) two busy kids—often ri...
2025-10-1640 min
Live With Kurt PriceIt’s Time Promotions Brand Advantage ExpoWe’re at the Border Inn & Suites in Lloydminster for the It’s Time Promotions Brand Advantage Expo. Owner Sharon DeKoning shares how you can elevate your marketing game.
2025-10-0939 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFrom Community to Commerce: Lessons in Leadership with Onion Lake Cree NationIn this episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, Sharon sits down with Kyle Dillon, CEO of Onion Lake Cree Nation, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of Indigenous entrepreneurship and leadership. Kyle shares how he helped restructure the Nation’s operations into a C-suite model, bringing stronger communication, oversight, and collaboration across governance, economic development, community services, and infrastructure.Listeners will hear how Onion Lake is investing in self-sufficiency through Nation-owned companies, trade development, and entrepreneurial support. Kyle also talks about the importance of trust in long-term partnerships, the role of c...
2025-10-0237 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFrom Tough Calls to a Thriving Business: Leadership That Lasts with Luke WilliamsonAfter losing his IT director role at a high-growth insurance company, Luke Williamson turned adversity into opportunity by founding Accurate Network Systems. Eighteen years later, the Edmonton- and Calgary-based firm has grown to 50+ team members, all powered by Luke’s people-first philosophy and a commitment to “radical collaboration.” In this conversation, Luke walks us through the leadership framework that guides his decisions: clarity of vision, certainty of intention (AKA discipline), and prioritizing according to your values and goals. We dig into how to make tough calls in business, why leaders need to zoom out to serve the gre...
2025-09-1829 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastThe Power of Commitment: 30 Years of Wisdom in Business and Leadership with Gary KulakIn this episode of It’s Time for Success, Sharon sits down with Gary Kulak, a banking leader who has spent 30 years with ATB. Gary shares what drew him into the world of finance, how his career evolved from branch management to business banking, and why alignment between personal values and company culture has kept him loyal for three decades.The conversation explores the difference between a job and a career, the importance of purpose and fulfillment, and how entrepreneurs can build environments that inspire loyalty from both employees and clients. Gary’s wisdom, summed up in his...
2025-09-0437 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastThrow Away the Busy Badge: How to Work On Your Business and Reclaim Your Time with Sharon DeKoningIn this episode, Sharon shares why wearing the “busy badge” is unsustainable for entrepreneurs and how shifting focus from working in your business to working on it can lead to real growth, freedom, and balance. She offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and personal stories to help you break free from busyness and build a business that works for you.Sharon reveals why the “busy badge” is not the honor we think it is. She shares her own journey of proudly wearing busyness as proof of dedication, only to realize it was exhausting and actually holding her business...
2025-08-2119 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastStart Smart. Exit Smart. Legal Guidance Every Entrepreneur Should Hear with A.J. FoxIn this episode, host Sharon DeKoning chats with her personal lawyer and respected legal expert, A.J. Fox of Fox Wakefield, about navigating the legal landscape of entrepreneurship. With a reputation for cutting through legal jargon and offering clear, relatable advice, A.J. explains the foundational legal steps every entrepreneur should consider when launching a business. They explore the pros and cons of different business structures—sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations—and discuss when and why each may be the right fit. Liability protection, registering a GST number, and working with an accountant and banker are...
2025-08-0751 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastKevin Ramsay: Why Loyalty, Culture, and Growth are the Cornerstones of Great CompaniesIn this powerful episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon sits down with Kevin Ramsay to explore what it truly means to shift from having a job to building a meaningful career. They begin by unpacking the mindset differences between simply earning a paycheck and intentionally growing in your profession. Kevin, who started as a farmhand in Saskatchewan and rose through the ranks in the auto industry before becoming a leader in water treatment sales, shares how aligning purpose with work can lead to lasting fulfillment. He emphasizes that when employees feel invested in...
2025-07-2459 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastKnow Your Numbers: The KPIs That Drive Business Success with Jennifer Steckly, CPA, CA, EMBAIn this insightful and practical episode, Sharon sits down with Jennifer Steckly, a seasoned CPA and fractional CFO, to unpack the key financial KPIs that every entrepreneur and business owner should know. Jennifer shares how she helps clients use their numbers not just for reporting, but for making smart, timely decisions throughout the year.Jennifer covers essential metrics like gross profit margin, net profit, customer acquisition cost, and cash flow planning. She shares common financial blind spots (like relying solely on the cash in your bank) and emphasizes how internal financial reporting should be structured for...
2025-07-1050 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastAshton DeKoning on ADHD, Resilience & Redefining SuccessIn this heartfelt and inspiring episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon DeKoning interviews her son, Ashton DeKoning, in a vulnerable conversation about overcoming adversity and embracing the unique strengths of ADHD. Ashton opens up about the challenges of growing up as an outcast, dealing with bullying, and feeling different from his peers—yet how those experiences helped shape the loyal, empathetic, and determined man he is today.From his early fascination with magic tricks to becoming a top-performing salesperson at Jump.ca, Ashton shares how hyperfocus—often misund...
2025-06-2624 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastJoni Bahm on Credit Scores & Smart Mortgage MovesIn this eye-opening episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon DeKoning sits down with Joni Bahm, an experienced mortgage broker and trusted financial advisor who’s quietly transformed the financial lives of countless families and entrepreneurs. From helping first-time buyers navigate home ownership to breaking down the mystery of credit scores, Joni shares practical, no-nonsense advice that everyone—especially young adults and entrepreneurs—needs to hear. Sharon and Joni talk candidly about real-life examples, including how Joni helped Sharon’s own son, Ashton, reduce his debt ratio and qualify for his first home.
2025-06-1226 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastDoing Good, Doing Right: The Business Philosophy of Dick VokinsSharon talks with respected business leader Dick Vokins as he shares his philosophy on leadership, integrity, and doing business the right way—even when no one’s watching. With decades of experience behind him, Dick offers candid insights into the role of humility, high standards, and trustworthiness in customer relationships. He talks about the dangers of overselling and highlights the value of providing only what the client needs. From the importance of reputation to the impact of ethical decisions, Dick reminds entrepreneurs and business owners that long-term success is rooted in integrity, not shortcuts.While faith plays a qu...
2025-05-2922 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastTECH THAT WORKS: 7 Tools We Use to Stay Sane and Scale, with Sharon DeKoningGet ready to simplify your everyday business tasks! Sharon de Koning dives into the seven powerhouse tools that help streamline business operations and drive growth, from accounting and HR to communication and AI-driven productivity. She explains why QuickBooks Online is her go-to cloud-based accounting software, how DEXT eliminates the headache of manual receipt management, and the many ways ChatGPT supercharges content creation and brainstorming. Sharon shares real-life examples of how these tools have improved efficiency and reduced admin time for her team at It’s Time Promotions, offering insights that can benefit businesses of any size....
2025-05-1520 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast9 Steps in Systemizing your Business with Jarrod StantonJarrod Stanton returns to the Business Insights podcast with host Sharon de Koning for another high-impact episode, diving into the next three crucial steps of his nine-step business systemization process. This time, it’s all about setting powerful goals, creating a functional organizational chart, and putting key performance indicators (KPIs) to work. If your business has ever suffered from fuzzy goals or unclear roles, this episode offers practical fixes to bring clarity, alignment, and momentum to your team.Jarrod shares why businesses need to move beyond traditional SMART goals in favour of the more im...
2025-05-0137 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFAIL. LEARN. BUILD. Business Success with Sharon DeKoningIn this inspiring episode, Sharon DeKoning dives deep into the mindset and grit it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur. Drawing from her own journey and her previous conversation with Jeff Mulligan, COO of ASTEC Safety, Sharon explores what it really means to outwork the competition. It's not just about clocking long hours—it’s about doing what others won’t, staying disciplined, and learning constantly. Sharon shares candid insights on the personal and professional sacrifices she’s made along the way, from working seven days a week to missing family events, all in pursuit of building something meaningful.
2025-04-1726 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastReplay: Exploring AI for Small Businesses & Startups with Matt PeckNote: This episode originally aired on November 28, 2024Host Sharon DeKoning and Matt Peck, Director of Innovation at Startup Lloydminster, discuss how artificial intelligence can support small businesses and startups. Matt highlights the practical uses of AI, from creating social media strategies and writing business plans to providing mentorship. He shares insights on leveraging tools like ChatGPT for generating emails, targeting social media audiences, and developing marketing plans. Sharon asks questions that most business owners are asking about AI, and how it can help them. Matt answers by highlighting tools, including Microsoft Co-Pilot and A...
2025-04-0336 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFrom Distraction to Efficiency: Unlocking Your Phone’s Potential for Time Management with Robin RossHost Sharon DeKoning sits down with Robin Ross, owner of Sabre Communications Inc. in Lloydminster. With decades of experience in communication technology, Robin shares insights into the evolution of phones—from the Motorola brick to today's smartphones—and how we can use them as productivity tools instead of distractions. She discusses practical strategies for managing notifications, organizing apps into folders, and leveraging automation features like scheduled texts and Siri reminders to streamline daily tasks.Robin also highlights an eye-opening Deloitte statistic: the average person picks up their phone 96 times a day. To counteract excessive scre...
2025-03-2026 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastLeading with Purpose: Building Strong Teams & Workplace Culture with Jeff MulliganIn this episode, host Sharon DeKoning welcomes Jeff Mulligan, the COO of Astec Safety and a managing partner at AMI Group Astec Leadership Development, to share his extensive leadership journey on It's Time for Success. Jeff played a key role in founding the Bank of Alberta and was instrumental in launching the Interac network early in his career. He talks with Sharon about how his later transformation into leadership roles in credit unions helped develop his philosophy, which highlights strategic focus, execution excellence, and fostering strong team dynamics. Jeff stressed the importance of resilience, adaptability, and c...
2025-03-0645 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFranchise Ownership The Pros and Cons of Buying a Franchise with Jamie Soucy of Pet PlanetIn this episode, host Sharon DeKoning sits down with Jamie Soucy, franchise owner of Pet Planet in Lloydminster, to discuss the ins and outs of franchise ownership. Jamie shares her journey into the business, starting from her daughter’s employment at the store to making the leap into franchise ownership. She highlights the benefits of running a franchise, including a proven business model, marketing support, and a strong product guarantee, while also addressing the challenges such as royalty fees, limited independence, and strict franchise guidelines.Jamie offers valuable insights into what it takes to su...
2025-02-2032 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastBeyond Adversity: Pak Wong's Journey of Resilience, Success, and Embracing OpportunityIn this inspiring episode, entrepreneur and author Pak Wong shares his remarkable journey from Hong Kong to Canada and the lessons he's learned along the way. Pak tells Sharon his story of arriving at 19, building success on adaptability, integrity, and perseverance. He recounts how community trust and strong relationships helped him launch his first business venture, despite financial hurdles. Throughout his career, he has prioritized mentorship, giving back, and fostering meaningful connections in business.Pak also discusses key themes from his book, Beyond Adversity, Dawn Awaits, where he emphasizes the power of resilience, mindset...
2025-02-0636 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastBuilding Relationships for Business Success with Sharon de KoningIn this episode, Sharon de Koning shares her insights on the transformative power of building strong relationships in business. Sharon highlights the value of connecting with suppliers, competitors, and the local community to drive business growth and credibility. She offers actionable advice on engaging with community groups like local chapters of BNI, the Chamber of Commerce, and local trade shows. Sharon also emphasizes the importance of fostering supplier relationships through clear communication, timely payments, and trust, which can lead to better pricing, faster service, and exclusive product access. Her unique perspective on collaborating with c...
2025-01-2327 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastHow to Build a Thriving Business Culture with Core Values: Insights from Patti JohnstonIn this episode, Sharon chats with Patti Johnston from Core Dynamics as she shares her inspiring journey from dancing on her grandfather's feet to founding a successful dance studio rooted in strong core values. Patti emphasizes the critical role of core values like healthy development, customer care, professional integrity, innovation, and community in shaping a positive business culture. She highlights how aligning staff with these values ensures buy-in, fosters better teamwork, and leads to student success stories. Patti underscores the ripple effect of a strong culture on retention, referrals, and overall satisfaction for both customers and staff.
2025-01-0938 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastAlternative Lending: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Community Futures, with Corinne McGirrIn this episode, Sharon dives into the transformative impact of Community Futures, a nationwide program supporting rural Canadian entrepreneurs since 1989. Her guest, Corinne McGirr—General Manager at Community Futures Lloydminster & Region—explains how the organization goes beyond traditional banking with developmental lending that considers factors like capacity, character, and community impact alongside credit and collateral. Community Futures Lloydminster serves local businesses from inception to expansion, offering vital resources such as the Expert on Demand program for customized expert advice and Digi Futures, an online learning platform. Highlighting inspiring success stories, including a thriving female-led truck...
2024-12-2633 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastThe Ride to Visibility: Building Loyalty and Community with Jill KellyIn this episode, Jill Kelly, owner of Red Bicycle Communications, takes us through her career journey, from her early days at a top advertising agency in Halifax to founding her own marketing firm in Lloydminster in 2014. Jill shares insights into how the marketing landscape has evolved, emphasizing the importance of building a strong brand identity, maintaining consistent messaging, and utilizing digital tools like social media and Google My Business. She underscores the value of SEO, a user-friendly website, and a solid online presence to help local businesses stand out. Jill also discusses the need for regular website updates, authentic...
2024-12-1245 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastExploring AI for Small Businesses & Startups with Matt PeckHost Sharon DeKoning and Matt Peck, Director of Innovation at Startup Lloydminster, discuss how artificial intelligence can support small businesses and startups. Matt highlights the practical uses of AI, from creating social media strategies and writing business plans to providing mentorship. He shares insights on leveraging tools like ChatGPT for generating emails, targeting social media audiences, and developing marketing plans. Sharon asks questions that most business owners are asking about AI, and how it can help them. Matt answers by highlighting tools, including Microsoft Co-Pilot and Amazely.com. Matt’s message is clear: AI is...
2024-11-2836 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastBackyard Tourism: Giving Back to the Community, with Lindsay HeislerEver wish you could take a day trip to see the amazing attractions in your own backyard? In this episode, Sharon DeKoning talks with Lindsay Heisler, who created a business to do just that! Whisk’d Away with Lindsay is a local travel company that gives participants the opportunity to take a day trip and explore the amazing local businesses and attractions in their local area.Lindsay shares her inspiration and entrepreneurial journey of building a tour company dedicated to supporting local, independently-owned businesses in Alberta. Lindsay’s tours, each designed for groups of 10-15...
2024-11-2824 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastPower Networking: Secrets to Building Business Relationships, with Aanand MehtaIn this episode, Sharon DeKoning talks with Aanand Mehta from BNI Alberta North. Their conversation delves into the critical role networking plays in business success. Aanand explains how networking serves as the foundation for building relationships, resources, and referrals. He shares a story of two BNI members whose networking efforts led them to secure major clients for each other, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building over direct selling. Anand advises listeners, especially new networkers, to focus on being genuinely interested, following up after meetings, and giving before receiving. He highlights the value of attending both i...
2024-11-2829 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastFrom Vision to Culture: The First Steps to Systemizing Your Business, with Jarrod StantonIn this episode, Sharon DeKoning and business coach Jarrod Stanton explore the critical first steps to systemizing a business, focusing on creating clear and impactful vision, mission, and culture statements. Jarrod, who has been coaching businesses since 2006, emphasizes that these foundational elements are essential for guiding a company’s growth and attracting the right team members and customers. Sharon shares her personal experience of overcoming business challenges, crediting Jared’s guidance for helping her align her team with the company’s goals through these statements.Sharon and Jarrod break down how a vision statement should...
2024-11-2841 min
It's Time for Success: The Business Insights PodcastTrailer: It's Time for SuccessUnlock the secrets to business success and gain valuable insights from local industry leaders. Join us as we delve into the strategies, triumphs, and lessons learned of thriving companies, empowering entrepreneurs to elevate their businesses to new heights.—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time Promotions
2023-07-2400 min