Shows
Evolving EntrepreneurshipNaomi ClementSeason 2: Episode 8: Clay, Creativity and Cash Flow
Episode Duration: 52 minutes
In this week’s podcast episode, Naomi Clement shares how she turned a passion for pottery into a sustainable business through teaching, community, and creativity and by building a repeat and recurring revenue stream with her own membership space.
If you're in the arts and culture space, her journey will inspire you to think differently about how you grow.
About Our Guest:
Naomi Clement is a Canadian artist and educator who explores ideas of home and belonging through the powerful lens of...
2025-12-0852 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipMeet MeredithEpisode 7: Bonus Episode: Meet the Intern, Meredith Edition
Episode Duration: 35 minutes
In this bonus episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, we chat with Intern Meredith about her time at the Stratford Perth Centre for Business, her time managing the Summer Company program and her thoughts on entrepreneurship from a Gen Z perspective.
Resources for Entrepreneurs:
Stratford Perth Centre for Business
Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/
Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca
Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL
The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established...
2025-12-0136 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipShelley Windsor - Leading With Grit & GraceSeason 2: Episode 6: Leading with grit.
Episode Duration: 59 minutes
What if you led your hospitality business with transparency and values? From staffing to growth, Shelley Windsor of Windsor Hospitality Group has seen it all and led through it all. In this week’s podcast episode, we sit down with the trailblazing entrepreneur to explore:
Her leadership approach to managing a large team.
How she manages cash flow in a seasonal industry.
How do her roots show up in her business.
Whether you’re in food service or any service-based business, this co...
2025-11-2458 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipMarian deWever - From Listings To LeadershipSeason 2: Episode 5: From Listings To Leadership: values, vision and a new kind of real estate.
Episode Duration: 49 minutes
This week on Evolving Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Marian deWever, broker, owner, and leader, to talk about building a brokerage rooted in values, integrity, and genuine care for families.
Tune in as Marian shares how she’s redefining success in real estate beyond sales, toward service and community.
Home And Company: https://www.homeandcompany.ca/marian-dewever/
About Our Guest:
The real estate market and the business of real estate are constantly evolving an...
2025-11-1749 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipJanis Antonio: From Legacy to LeadershipSeason 2: Episode 4: From Legacy To Leadership - leading change and upholding Stratford's sports heritage.
Episode Duration: 40 minutes
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Janis Antonio, owner of Dunny’s Source for Sports in Stratford & St. Marys.
Janis shares what it’s like to step into a long-standing community business, lead a multi-generational team, and navigate the unique challenges of managing Gen Z employees, all while honouring Stratford’s deep sports legacy.
Whether you're running a local business or navigating workplace change, this episode is packed with insight, heart, and real-life leadersh...
2025-11-1040 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipDr. Cranla Warren: From Surviving to Thriving - Resilience, Purpose & Powerful Leadership.Season 2: Episode 3: From Surviving to Thriving - resilience, purpose & powerful leadership.
Episode Duration: 49 minutes
This week on the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Cranla Warren, Leadership & Team Coach, Educator, and Organizational Psychologist who brings over 30 years of leadership experience to the mic.
In this powerful conversation, Cranla shares how leaders can move beyond simply surviving and start truly thriving. Drawing on her background in psychotherapy, neuroscience, and executive coaching, Cranla explores what it takes to lead with emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and purpose in today’s high-pressure world.
Dr Cranla Warren: http...
2025-11-0349 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipEmily van Straten - From Policies To PeopleSeason 2: Episode 2: From policies to people - empathy, individuality and the future of work.
Episode Duration: 52 minutes
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Emily van Straten, HR consultant, speaker, and author of We’re Human. Not Resources., for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build people-first workplaces. 🌍
From Gen Z expectations to rethinking toxic norms, Emily shares how empathy, individuality, and trust are shaping the new era of work and why it’s time to stop shrinking ourselves to fit outdated systems.
Through her business Think HR, her works...
2025-10-2753 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipKatie DeBlock BoersmaSeason 2: Episode 1: From the farm to the courtroom: Building a law firm that listens.
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
In today's podcast, we interview Katie DeBlock Boersma of KDB Law to explore what it means to build a modern workplace inside a traditional profession.
From growing up on a farm near Mitchell to launching a thriving rural law practice and leading community organizations, Katie shares:
✨ How listening to your team and clients builds stronger outcomes.
🌾 The unique challenges and opportunities of rural law.
⚖️ Her approach to workplace culture, conflict mediation, and community impact.
Don’t...
2025-10-2045 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipMeet The Summer Company StudentsSeason 2: Episode 9: The Finale Episode: Introducing Summer Company
Episode Duration: 30 minutes
We sat down with two rising entrepreneurs from this year’s Summer Company program Navan Simmons of N7slens and Michael Ewing of Media by Michael on the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast to talk business, creativity, and the hustle behind the highlights.
From capturing sports action to creating standout visuals for athletes and brands, these student founders are already making big waves in Southwestern Ontario.
About Our Guests:
Michael Ewing- Designs by Michael:
Designs by Michael specializes in dynamic sports...
2025-09-1531 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipJoani Gerber on Leadership, Local Business & Lifting Others as You RiseIn this episode, we sit down with Joani Gerber, CEO of investStratford and former Stratford Business Leader of the Year. From her early days working in the family business to steering Stratford through economic uncertainty, Joani shares powerful lessons on:
Tackling trade and tariff challenges
Supporting small businesses
Championing women in leadership
Her message is clear: leadership means lifting others. As Joani puts it, "When your rocket ship is on the way to the moon, you don’t shut the doors—you jam in as many people as possible so everyone gets the same shot at su...
2025-06-3050 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipMeet The Intern: Cindy TeknedjianEpisode 6: (Bonus Episode) Meet the Intern
Episode Duration: 35 minutes
In this bonus episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, we chat with Cindy Teknedjian about her internship at the Stratford Perth Centre for Business, her Change Management studies, and what she thinks about the world of entrepreneurship.
Resources for Entrepreneurs:
Stratford Perth Centre for Business
Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/
Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca
Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL
The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:
Business start-up...
2025-04-0736 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipCrystals and Commerce: A Journey of Healing and Business with Nia BrightEpisode 5: Crystals and Commerce: A Journey of Healing and Business with Nia Bright
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Nia Bright shares her transformative journey from experiencing a severe health crisis to becoming the owner of Good Vibrations Rock Shop, a vibrant crystal shop and event space in downtown Stratford, Ontario.
Episode Highlights:
The unexpected path from health crisis to business ownership
Transitioning into entrepreneurship with no prior experience
Building and nurturing a team in a holistic wellness business
The challenges and rewards of purchasing an existing business
Expanding from retail to education through online courses
Creating a space...
2025-03-1046 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipA New Perspective on Modern Agriculture with Jacqueline MartinEpisode 4: Breaking Ground: A New Perspective on Modern Agriculture with Jacqueline Martin
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Jacqueline Martin shares her unique experience as a young female entrepreneur co-running Kampkreek Dairies with her brothers, while also managing Pastoral Pond, an artisanal cider company, with her husband.
Episode Highlights:
Navigating family dynamics in a sibling-owned agricultural business
Breaking barriers as a woman in agriculture
Balancing pregnancy and farming responsibilities
Bringing Gen Z innovation to traditional farming
Modernizing agricultural business practices
Managing dual businesses in the food and beverage sector
About Our Guest:
Jacqueline Martin is a co-owner of...
2025-03-0342 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipBuilding a 20-Year Legacy in Downtown Stratford with Kelly Ballantyne and Mel LangEpisode 3: Building a 20-Year Legacy in Downtown Stratford with Kelly Ballantyne and Mel Lang
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Please note that there were technical difficulties on the audio side, so turn it up once Kelly and Mel start to chat. This episode contains 20 years of knowledge that you don't want to miss!
Kelly Ballantyne, chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, along with her wife Mel Lang, share their remarkable journey of building and sustaining a successful restaurant in downtown Stratford, Ontario for two decades.
Episode Highlights:
The evolution of Sirkel Foods over 20 years in downtown...
2025-02-2445 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipSmall Town Success: Building a Canadian Subscription Box Empire with Virginia EhrlichEpisode 2: Small Town Success: Building a Canadian Subscription Box Empire with Virginia Ehrlich
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Virginia Ehrlich shares her journey of creating Acre75, a subscription box service that celebrates small-town Canadian makers and captures the essence of local community spirit.
Episode Highlights:
Creating a business model that celebrates small-town Canadian culture
Managing a subscription-based business single-handedly
Navigating Canadian supply chain and shipping challenges
Dealing with imposter syndrome as a solo entrepreneur
Prioritizing mental health while running a business
Building relationships with local artisans and makers
About Our Guest:
Virginia Ehrlich is the founder of...
2025-02-1738 minEvolving EntrepreneurshipSweet Success: From Banking to Bonbons with Kelly LindsayEpisode 1: Sweet Success: From Banking to Bonbons with Kelly Lindsay
Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Kelly Lindsay shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a 20-year banking career to founding Corner Store Candy Co., a charming sweet shop in downtown Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
Corner Store Candy Co
https://cornerstorecandy.co/
27 York St., Stratford ON Canada
Instagram
Episode Highlights:
The leap from corporate banking to entrepreneurship
Turning a lifelong dream of owning a candy store into reality
Building successful collaborations with local businesses
Managing rapid business growth as a solo entrepreneur
...
2025-02-1035 min