Latest Episodes
All Episode Summaries
Episode 76: Starting a Venture Capital Career with a Founder and CTO Mindset with Mistral’s Raif Barbaros
Episode 76. Those with careers in Venture Capital live an exciting life, trying to discover young founders who can create the next great product and company to drive incredible returns. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, Greg Martin interviews Rafe Barbaros, a venture capital partner at Mistral Venture Partners.
Rafe shares his journey from being a CTO and founder of various startups to becoming a venture capitalist. The conversation covers strategies for success in venture capital, the Canadian venture capital landscape compared to the US, and the importance of understanding market size and having founder empathy.
Rafe also offers advice for young founders and aspiring tech professionals. The episode provides valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in the VC world and the tech industry.
Episode 75: The Farmers and Brands Behind Your Cup of Coffee with Martin Mayorga
Episode 75. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Martin Mayorga, the founder of Mayorga Coffee. They discuss Martin's journey from growing up in Latin America to discovering the coffee disconnect between its origin and its sale in North America.
The conversation delves into Martin's challenges and achievements in building his company, his commitment to supporting small farmers, the complexities of the coffee industry, and his perspectives on the responsibilities of businesses and consumers. Martin also shares personal insights, anecdotes about his family, and travel tips. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the coffee trade and the importance of sustainable practices.
Episode 74: Where to Start in Building a Billion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio with Ivan Barratt
Episode 74. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Ivan Barratt, founder and CEO of BAM Companies, which has acquired approximately $1.3 billion in real estate transactions.
Ivan shares his journey from property management to owning large multi-residential apartments, offering advice on making money in real estate, discussing his biggest investment successes and challenges, and emphasizing the importance of building a strong company culture.
They also explore the pros and cons of being a hands-on real estate investor versus investing through professionals, highlighting important lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Episode 73: A Comedian, A Salon Business and A Software Geek with Erika Wasser
Episode 73. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Erika Wasser, co-founder of Prospr, a software tool designed to manage frontline employees across multiple locations.
Erica shares her journey from starting a salon chain to co-founding a software company, discussing the challenges faced by non-technical founders, the social importance of salons and barbershops, and the common issues in managing deskless workforces. The conversation delves into the significance of well-informed teams for customer experience, the power of culture-building tools, and strategies for overcoming communication barriers in large-scale businesses.
Erika also provides insights on the role of AI in frontline operations, the importance of inclusivity and flexibility for employees, and her personal experiences with failure and resilience in entrepreneurship.
Episode 72: Move Over Startups, Working in Government is Even Cooler with Molly Magarik
Episode 72. In this episode of the 'Lifetime at Work' podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Molly Magarik, a seasoned professional in government and political consultancy. The conversation explores Molly's career journey from a political science major with healthcare interests to a deputy cabinet secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Molly shares insights on the interplay between campaigns and government service, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health policies, and the intricacies of working in a politically charged environment. They also discuss the personal and societal dynamics of political careers, the importance of internships, and advice for those looking to enter the political arena.
Molly's reflections on the recent presidential election, change management, and the future of political dialogue in the U.S. offer valuable food for thought.
Episode 71: A Wild Ride on Venture Capital and Mushrooms with Adam DeMartino
Episode 71. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Adam DeMartino, co-founder of the once very hot venture capital backed mushroom startup called Smallhold.
DeMartino shares his entrepreneurial journey to get him to starting Smallhold, from discovering his love for early stage business, to the highs of raising significant venture capital and facing the challenges that led to the company's bankruptcy and restructuring.
They discuss the intricacies of mushroom farming, the impact of venture capital, and the values that drive DeMartino's work. This candid conversation offers insights and lessons for current and aspiring entrepreneurs as they question what it means to be successful and to fail.
Episode 70: From Toronto Private Equity to Launching His Own Fund with Eugene Polevoy
Episode 70. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Eugene Polovy, co-founder of Blue C Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in service-based businesses.
Eugene shares his career journey from being an automotive mechanic to starting his own private equity fund. They discuss Eugene’s early days in investment banking at BMO, his extensive experience in private equity at ONCAP and Imperial Capital, and his strategic approach to investing in service-based businesses.
Eugene highlights the importance of having a unique angle, leveraging digital marketing skills, and making data-driven decisions. He also talks about the challenges he faced and the factors that led him to establish his own firm.
Episode 69: Competing with Beverage Goliaths Through Family Power with Matt McLean
Episode 69. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Matt McLean, founder of Uncle Matt's Organics. Celebrating its 25th year, Uncle Matt's is America's leading organic juice brand.
Matt shares his family's deep roots in Florida's citrus farming, transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture, and the journey of building a national brand. The conversation explores topics such as selling the business to Dean Foods, buying it back after their bankruptcy, competing against industry giants like Coke and Pepsi, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Matt emphasizes the importance of leadership, sales skills, and financial literacy in building a successful business.
Episode 68: Mastering Startup Fundraising with Annie Bergevin
Episode 68. In this episode of The Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Annie Bergevin, a fractional CFO and advisor for tech startups based in Montreal.
As the founder of On Point Business Plans and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School, Annie shares her career journey from investment banking at Credit Suisse and CIBC World Markets to entrepreneurship. The conversation dives into her role in helping startups raise capital from VCs, tips for creating the perfect pitch, and the importance of a solid financial foundation.
Annie also discusses the evolving landscape of startup funding and educational changes for MBA students aspiring to enter the entrepreneurial world.
Episode 67: Why Our Kids Struggle with Mental Health, It Might Be Getting Worse with Pat Broe
Episode 67. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Pat Brough, author of 'The Real Confident You'. Pat shares his intense story of battling anxiety and depression, culminating in a suicide attempt at 16. They discuss Pat's journey to recovery, the impact of social media, and his newly found confidence.
Pat explains why he wrote his book, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges high school students face today. The conversation also touches on career fulfillment, gratitude, and how to find positivity in life. Finally, Pat offers advice to parents navigating their children's relationship with social media.
Episode 66: Riding a Career of Uncomfortable Emotions with Jenny Woo
Episode 66. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Jenny Wu, founder and CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, a company that produces emotional intelligence card games for both adults and children.
Jenny, an expert in emotional intelligence with degrees from Harvard and UC Berkeley, and teaching experience at UC Irvine, shares insights from her varied career and personal life. The conversation spans topics such as the significance of emotional intelligence, balancing parenting and career, the role of university education today, and Jenny's journey from industry to academia.
Additionally, they discuss the impact of parental expectations, the challenges women face in balancing motherhood and their careers, and tools for developing better emotional intelligence at any age.
Episode 65: Selling Well and an 80 Location Cookie Franchise with Bennett Maxwell
Episode 65. In this Lifetime at Work podcast episode, Greg Martin interviews Bennett Maxwell, the founder and chairman of Dirty Dough, a booming gourmet cookie franchise.
Bennett recounts his transformative journey from being a Mormon missionary in Mexico to excelling in door-to-door solar energy sales, eventually leading to the creation and rapid expansion of Dirty Dough.
Listeners will gain insights into Bennett’s philosophies on living well, financial success, brand creation, and the profound impact of effective sales techniques. The discussion delves into the challenges and triumphs of building a scalable business in the food industry, raising substantial capital, and working with seasoned industry leaders.
It highlights Bennett's strategic approaches to franchising, the importance of organizational structure, and the emotional and financial ramifications of success. The episode also provides practical advice on connecting with advisors and emphasizes the pursuit of joy and fulfillment in business and life, over merely chasing financial goals.
Episode 64: Making Public Relations Work with Zachary Bernard
Episode 64. How do you get your message into the press? Well, there’s a whole engine of people working hard to help, forming the public relations industry.
This episode features guest Zachary Bernard, the Founder and CEO of We Feature You. His company is a PR firm focused on building industry professionals as leaders and authorities in their space.
There’s something a lot of people don’t realize about public relations: It’s less about gaining exposure and more about what you do with the exposure you get. This episode covers the modern media and public relations world and how all of us can thrive and understand the industry for the better.
Episode 63: Inside Elections and Political Campaigns with Matthew Krayton
Episode 63. There is a big engine of people behind the candidates in the world of politics. Exploring a campaign and election from the inside helps give insight into what’s happening and why.
Guest Matthew Krayton provides counsel to campaigns at the local, state and federal levels as well as to clients in the private and public sectors across the public relations landscape. He worked on special projects during Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and helped to create the “We Just Did” hat. He created his PR Consulting Firm, Publitics, in 2011 and has been growing his team ever since.
Matthew has a unique view of the political landscape, and during the episode he shares his perspective of it through the lens of PR. He also shares insights into the relationship between social media and politics.
Episode 62: Building a Soccer Club and Legacy in Your Career with Brenda Ha
Episode 62. A good career always starts one way and ends another. As you get older, not everything comes about moving up and more money, eventually the goal of legacy becomes the focus.
Brenda Ha began her career in the corporate world, but when she started a family and started craving more flexibility, she decided to start her own business—a concierge service called Check Box Services. Building a business that suits her personal life has helped her create the kind of balance in her life that she values.
The topic of legacy is something that has come up often in Brenda’s work. During the episode, she discusses what she’s learned about her own legacy and values since starting her business. She also shares great tips for those people in the initial stages of growing their career and how the older clients she has today are all striving for legacy and impact in their work.
Episode 61: How She Built a Food Business to Do Good with Richa Gupta
Episode 61. How do you know you should start a business, and how do you put the pieces of your life together to do it and be successful?
Richa Gupta is a food entrepreneur who founded Good Food for Good, a fantastic lineup of sauces, condiments and related food products sold in grocery stores across North America. Richa’s experience in becoming a mom combined with her desire to do something meaningful influenced her journey in bringing Good Food for Good into the world. In this episode, she shares the story of her journey into entrepreneurship and shares her tips for other people who are looking to build a meaningful career for themselves too.
On top of all that, Richa has now transitioned into an advising role for similar businesses and is the Vice President of Partnerships and Development at the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) and discusses how this next step will help her make an even bigger impact.
Episode 60: Reverse Episode on the Own Your Role Podcast with Dino Watt and Greg Martin
Episode 60. Check out this unique and really cool episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, though it’s a bit different than the others.
Instead of our host, Greg Martin, asking the questions, this episode features an interview that Greg did as the guest on another podcast. The show is called Own Your Role with Dino Watt and it highlights leaders in the field of business sharing advice to guests.
This is a great interview which is why we’re replaying it here covering Greg’s story and career, advice from his career and podcasts experiences and lots of other good nuggets along the way.
Episode 59: Careers in Canadian Capital Markets with Bill Vlaad
Episode 59. Bill Vlaad is a well known name across Bay Street and the Canadian capital markets. He’s one of the most important connectors in the business because as a recruiter, him and the team are forever trying to put the best people at the best companies.
In this episode, host Greg Martin talks with the CEO of Vlaad and Company as he brings in-depth knowledge about the financial services industry and also discuss his previous experience as an investment banker and corporate development director.
Professional cadence is a high value yet often overlooked skill in the finance world. Professional cadence encompasses someone’s energy, methods, and the way they like to do things. As Bill explains, aligning a person’s cadence is critical to finding that place in the working world where you belong and thrive.
Episode 58: How to Help Everyone Enjoy Their Job More with Chris Dyer
Episode 58. We all complain about our jobs sometimes, its a part of the world of work. But much of our enjoyment comes from the culture within the organization we work for and can make a huge different in our personal job happiness and satisfaction.
This episode guest is Chris Dyer, an entrepreneur who started his business and found himself leading a culture that wasn’t perfect. After selling his business he realized that many of the things that make a great company is a great culture and he was determined to understand the ingredients for this success. Chris took everything he learned and put it in his book “The Power of Company Culture: How Any Business Can Build a Culture that Improves Productivity, Performance and Profits.”
He uses his knowledge to teach the fundamental things companies can do to improve their company culture to not only impact their bottom line, but to also become a business where people are happy to work.
Episode 57: Applying Lessons to Careers and Business from a Fighter Pilot with Jim Murphy
Episode 57. There are lessons to be learned from everywhere in life, and they’re really fun when coming from a former fighter pilot.
This episode’s guest is retired fighter pilot and business consultant Jim Murphy. After his dream of being in professional baseball disappeared Jim went into sales, but didn’t love it. Inspired by the movie Top Gun he joined the Air Force, where he retired after 12 years. Afterwards Jim turned to business and today is the founder of Afterburner Inc, a business consulting firm. While in the military, Jim went through training that resonated with him in a very powerful way. Now, he brings those same principles to the consulting world through his signature framework Flawless Execution. You can apply this framework to your business, career or anything in between.
Jim truly believes in the power of planning. When done well, you can align all levels of an in both culture and mission. While he’s stepped away from working inside Afterburner Inc’s day-to-day operations to focus on Afterburner Capital, he’s proud of building a business that has stood the test of time.