Best Phil Chang / Kenny Vannucci Podcasts (2025)

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From Ice Cream Cart to National Brand - The Hazel's Ice Cream Story 55:42

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4d ago55:42

55:42

From Ice Cream Cart to National Brand - The Hazel's Ice Cream Story In this episode, hosts Kenny and Phil sit down with Sam Vermeulen, co-founder of Hazel's Ice Cream, to discuss the remarkable journey from a COVID-era ice cream cart idea to a growing national frozen novelty brand. Sam shares how what started as a father-son dream of running an ice…

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Scaling CPG Brands with Roadmap CPG's Michelle Prychidny and Koreann Webster 1:05:03

10d ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Scaling CPG Brands with Roadmap CPG's Michelle Prychidny and Koreann Webster In this episode of This Commerce Life, hosts Phil and Kenny welcome the dynamic duo behind Roadmap CPG - Michelle Prychidny and Koreann Webster. Together, these industry veterans share their combined decades of experience helping emerging CPG brands navigate the treacherou…

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aspiring surgeon to herbal wellness entrepreneur: Sanaz Bahrami 52:01

18d ago52:01

52:01

We sit down with Sanaz Bahrami, founder of Melts Infusions, who shares her remarkable journey from aspiring surgeon to herbal wellness entrepreneur. After nerve damage derailed her medical career dreams, Sanaz discovered the power of adaptogenic herbs during a challenging period in graduate school studying biomedical engineering. What started as br…

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From Stadium Cleaner to Craft Brewer - The Latina Beer Story 56:15

25d ago56:15

56:15

From Stadium Cleaner to Craft Brewer - The Latina Beer Story Phil and Kenny sit down with Carlos Castro, the Venezuelan-Canadian founder of Latina Beer, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, immigration, and following your passion. Carlos shares his remarkable journey from cleaning Rogers Stadium as an entry-level job to building hi…

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The Kristina Farrell Episode: Fighting for Canada's Food System from the Inside 55:11

1M ago55:11

55:11

The Kristina Farrell Episode: Fighting for Canada's Food System from the Inside In this episode, hosts Phil and Kenny sit down with Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food & Beverage Canada, to explore the complex world of Canadian food manufacturing policy. Christina, who represents domestic food and beverage manufacturers across the country, breaks down th…

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CHFA Now Toronto 2025 Preview with Aaron Skelton & Lynsey Walker 1:12:12

1M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

CHFA Now Toronto 2025 Preview with Aaron Skelton & Lynsey Walker Join Phil and Kenny as they chat with Aaron Skelton (CEO) and Lynsey Walker (Chief Marketing Officer) from the Canadian Health Food Association for an exciting preview of CHFA Now Toronto 2025, happening September 19 - 21, 2025 What's New This Year: BDC & Be Local Thursday Night Event…

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From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box Story 55:34

2M ago55:34

55:34

From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box Story In this episode of This Commerce Life, we sit down with Kyla, the bold founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, who turned bar tips and brazilian waxes in her dining room into a 24-location franchise empire across Canada. Starting 12 years ago in her dining room (yes, you read that right…

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A celebration of success. Re-sharing Caitlin Vanderhaeghe's episode 1:01:46

2M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

A celebration of success. Re-sharing Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe's episode from 2022 on the evolution of Kidstar. In light of her announcement last week of getting National distribution, we thought it'd be a good time to re-share Caitlin's journey with Kidstar. A small Canadian company, that put in a lot of work to get here! Congrats Caitlyn and the Kidst…

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Mid-Summer Update - Road Trips, Trade Shows, and What's Next 34:10

2M ago34:10

34:10

Mid-Summer Update - Road Trips, Trade Shows, and What's Next Phil and Kenny reconnect for a candid mid-summer update on what's been keeping them busy and what's coming up for This Commerce Life. After spending five hours together booking travel (and learning they should have let Keelin handle it), the duo shares their exciting plans for the fall. I…

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Amy Rempel - From Third-Generation Grocery to Pioneering Kids' Skincare 1:00:06

2M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Amy Rempel - From Third-Generation Grocery to Pioneering Kids' Skincare In this episode, we sit down with Amy Rempel, owner of Elevation Brands and founder of Fresh Faces Skincare, Canada's first skincare line specifically designed for kids. Amy brings a unique perspective to the natural products industry as a third-generation grocery professional …

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Trading Cards to Facebook Fame: How One Collector Built a Digital Empire 57:38

2M ago57:38

57:38

Trading Cards to Facebook Fame: How One Collector Built a Digital Empire Join Phil and Kenny as they dive deep into the fascinating world of modern card collecting with special guest Anthony from Red Light Sports. What started as a COVID hobby digging through childhood collections has evolved into a thriving Facebook Live business that's redefining…

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Burgoo Restaurant's Justin Joyce on 24 Years of Comfort Food & Vancouver's Evolving Food Scene 1:02:32

3M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

Burgoo Restaurant's Justin Joyce on 24 Years of Comfort Food & Vancouver's Evolving Food Scene We had an amazing conversation with Justin, owner of the four Burgoo restaurant locations in Vancouver, who joined us despite dealing with a power outage and a sick dog. What started as a discussion about his restaurants quickly evolved into a deep dive a…

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Food Fraud and Authenticity Testing with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO of Purity IQ 1:05:22

3M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Food Fraud and Authenticity Testing with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO of Purity IQ In this eye-opening conversation, Kenny and Phil sit down with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO and co-founder of Purity IQ, to discuss a critical issue that affects every consumer: food fraud and adulteration. Deleo shares her unexpected journey from 20 years in retail (including…

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Automating Food Safety: From Paperwork to Profit with Normex CEO Tanguy Etoga 59:07

3M ago59:07

59:07

Automating Food Safety with Normex In this episode, we sit down with Tanguy Etoga, founder and CEO of Normex, to dive into the often overlooked but critically important world of food safety management. Tanguy shares his fascinating journey from a childhood in Cameroon—where a conversation with his father about preserving mangoes year-round sparked …

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Hot Sauce Without the Heat - Viggy from Tocha Foods 1:03:49

3M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

Hot Sauce Without the Heat - Viggy from Toca Foods What happens when an aerospace engineer meets a sommelier and decides to revolutionize the condiment aisle? In this episode, we sit down with Viggy, co-founder of Tocha Foods, who's created something that sounds impossible: "hot sauce without the heat." From his journey as a would-be rocket scienti…

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Ashlyn Newlove, Founder of SmartSip 1:21:41

4M ago1:21:41

1:21:41

Ashlyn Newlove, Founder of SmartSip Ashlyn Newlove, Founder of SmartSip. We had an absolute blast talking with Ashlyn Newlove, the competitive and charismatic founder behind SmartSip - a calorie-friendly, fiber-rich powdered coconut oil creamer that's taking the health and wellness world by storm. Ashlyn proves that with the right product, solid ma…

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Getting Graded: Inside the Wild World of Card Authentication with TGA's Tyler Stilborn 1:03:38

4M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Getting Graded: Inside the Wild World of Card Authentication with TGA's Tyler Ever wondered how a piece of cardboard can be worth millions of dollars? This week, we dive deep into the fascinating (and slightly insane) world of sports card grading with Tyler, founder of TGA(True Grade Authentication), a new Canadian authentication company that's sha…

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Kyle Schumacher of Caliente Hot Sauce Company 58:25

4M ago58:25

58:25

Kyle Schumacher, founder and owner of Caliente Hot Sauce Company, joins the podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey from trades worker to successful hot sauce manufacturer. Based in British Columbia, Kyle has built a unique fresh hot sauce business that operates exclusively in refrigerated retail sections. find Kyle here: https://www.linkedi…

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The Newfoundland Chocolate Company 57:55

4M ago57:55

57:55

In this special episode of "This Commerce Life," host Phil travels to St. John's, Newfoundland, where he tours the Newfoundland Chocolate Company with founder Christina Dove. Christina shares her remarkable journey from neuroscientist to chocolatier and gelato expert, detailing how she built her thriving business from her basement to a factory prod…

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Sarah Harper and the Fiery World of Stoke The Fire Hot Sauce 50:07

5M ago50:07

50:07

Sarah Harper and the Fiery World of Stoke The Fire Hot Sauce Join hosts Phil and Kenny for an engaging conversation with Sarah Harper, the self-proclaimed "Sauceress" and CEO of Stoke The Fire Hot Sauce. This episode takes you on a journey from Sarah's fascinating background as a performance artist and Arctic chef to her current life as a passionat…

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From Restaurant Owner to Tea Entrepreneur with Nicole Keats 47:17

5M ago47:17

47:17

From Restaurant Owner to Tea Entrepreneur with Nicole Keats Join hosts Phil and Kenny as they sit down with Nicole Keating, founder of The Newfoundland Tea Company. In this candid and energetic conversation, Nicole shares her remarkable journey from running a fine-dining bistro in Gander to building a premium organic tea brand that's rapidly expand…

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Owner of Wild Moon Organics Sean Smith looks at brands, owning a bone broth company a little differently. 1:01:41

5M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Owner of Wild Moon Organics Sean Smith looks at brands, owning a bone broth company a little differently. Check out Wild Moon Organics here: https://wildmoon.ca/ Find Sean here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-smith-1551b953/overlay/photo/ Thank you to Fieldagent for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/…

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Nathanael Hollands and Kinvest Impact Foundation are building market innovations in Rural Africa 1:06:59

5M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

Nathanael Hollands and Kinvest Impact Foundation are building market innovations in Rural Africa. They invest in agribusiness farms near marketplace communities. By combining development in marketplaces with commercial farms, they help foster a complete economic system where value is created, jobs and wages grow, and money is recirculated into the …

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Dinner with Christos. The founder of Aelo, talks about their new launch, Limoncello and how this one is special 1:08:02

6M ago1:08:02

1:08:02

Dinner with Christos. The founder of Aelo, talks about their new launch, Limoncello and how this one is special. He also talks about how he thinks about flavours, and keeping Aelo special. Check out Aelo here: https://www.drinkaelo.com/ Connect with Christos here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christos-kalaitzis-b7942378/ Thank you to Field Agent Can…

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Throwback episode. We walked the Kelowna Farmer's Market with Peter Boyd 33:58

6M ago33:58

33:58

Throwback episode. We walked the Kelowna Farmer's Market with Peter Boyd last summer and this is some of the footage. We get a buyer's perspective on brands and what he wants to accomplish, and we hear just a sample of amazing stories at that market. Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast. Head to https://www.fieldagentcanada.co…

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Off Script with Phil & Kenny: April Events Preview Join Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci as they discuss upcoming food industry events and initiatives in Canada this April 30:36

6M ago30:36

30:36

Off Script with Phil & Kenny: April Events Preview Join Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci as they discuss upcoming food industry events and initiatives in Canada this April. The duo shares their plans for CHFA (April 26-27), where they'll run a unique connection hub using Polaroid photos to match brands with distributors, brokers, and partners. They'll…

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Frozen Assets: How TransCold Distribution Is Revolutionizing the Ice Cream and Frozen Food Industry 52:32

6M ago52:32

52:32

From ice cream bicycles to national distribution: Meet Melissa Leung of TransCold, the powerhouse behind Canada's frozen food logistics. Learn why small frozen brands need distribution partners, how TransCold expanded from ice cream to nationwide frozen food delivery, and why factoring in distribution costs from day one is crucial for frozen food s…

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Brittany from HIVE Naturals and Jeff Doucette from Field Agent Canada to announce their groundbreaking partnership: the world's first hybrid merchandising agency. 1:01:15

6M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

In this episode, hosts Phil and Kenny welcome Brittany from HIVE Naturals and Jeff Doucette from Field Agent Canada to announce their groundbreaking partnership: the world's first hybrid merchandising agency. The collaboration combines Field Agent's powerful audit capabilities with HIVE's expert merchandising team to create a "find and fix" solutio…

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Lisa Simonsen packs eggs for a living...just kidding. If you're looking for a designer's view of front of pack labels that are upcoming, this is the episode for you. 49:34

7M ago49:34

49:34

Lisa Simonsen packs eggs for a living...just kidding. If you're looking for a designer's view of front of pack labels that are upcoming, this is the episode for you. Connect with Lisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-simonsen/ Find out more at Lisa's website: https://www.simonsendesigns.com/By Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci

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We're smiling ear to ear - Nadia Toledo plus talking about tamales is a win/win! 53:42

7M ago53:42

53:42

Tamales are an ancient dish from Mesoamerica, with about 500 variations in Mexico alone, differing by region and ingredients. Generally, almost anyone who has tried one, smiles when they reminisce about having a coffee, hot chocolate with a tamale. We're smiling ear to ear - Nadia Toledo plus talking about tamales is a win/win! Check out Nadia's ta…

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She found me with one of her buttermilk biscuits in my mouth. Dawn Chapman owner and CEO of Toronto's Lazy Daisy's Café and inaugural winner of WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Food Industry Award ... 55:37

7M ago55:37

55:37

She found me with one of her buttermilk biscuits in my mouth. Dawn Chapman owner and CEO of Toronto's Lazy Daisy's Café and inaugural winner of WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Food Industry Award, presented by Skip Check out Lazy Daisy's Cafe: https://lazydaisyscafe.ca/ Thank you to our sponsor Fieldagent Canada: https://www.fieldagentcan…

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Rochelle Minagawa, Founder of MotherLove Ferments jumps in to talk about the ending of the year, and what comes next for the business. 53:18

7M ago53:18

53:18

Rochelle Minagawa, Founder of MotherLove Ferments jumps in to talk about the ending of the year, and what comes next for the business. Check out Motherlove Ferments here: https://www.motherloveferments.com/ Find Rochelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-minagawa-7617491a5/ Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast. https:…

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How to know what you don't know? Brody Hanson, CEO of Work Water talks about jumping into beverage making, starting from scratch with no industry experience 1:00:01

8M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Brody talks production and quality issues. How to know what you don't know? Brody Hanson, CEO of Work Water talks about jumping into beverage making, starting from scratch with no industry experience. check out work water here: https://buyworkwater.com Find Brody here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-hanson-2774205b/ Thank you to Field Agent Cana…

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Taking control. We don't have a lot of it, but a chance to take a breath, make changes and continue to push for changes 33:15

8M ago33:15

33:15

Taking control. We don't have a lot of it, but a chance to take a breath, make changes and continue to push for changes. Even though we have 30 days, let's not take our foot off the gas. In case you're interested - Kenny's Linkedin post is here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kennyvannucci_buycanadian-shopcanadian-supportcanadian-activity-729166460…

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Things you can do in your day to day to change the conversation around tariffs. Places and resources that you can go to find local brands, Canadian brands. 33:46

8M ago33:46

33:46

Just us today. Things you can do in your day to day to change the conversation around tariffs. Places and resources that you can go to find local brands, Canadian brands. Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast. Head to https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ratings-and-reviews Some resources: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/ https://madeinalb…

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Jennay Oliver is a fourth-generation farmer, that runs Paynter's Fruit Market in Kelowna. 59:55

8M ago59:55

59:55

Jennay Oliver is a fourth-generation farmer, that runs Paynter's Fruit Market in Kelowna. Her great-grandfather started the farm in 1919. We need more farmers in this country. check out Paynter's here: https://www.payntersfruitmarket.ca/ Find Jennay here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennay-oliver-131420b3/?originalSubdomain=ca Thank you to Peter Bo…

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Mike Nunn comes on to talk automation, AI and how to help companies save some time and free up their folks to do other things. 1:13:16

9M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Mike Nunn comes on to talk automation, AI and how to help companies save some time and free up their folks to do other things. Find Mike Nunn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikednunn/ Check out TLC solutions here: https://tlcitsolutions.com/ Thank you to David Vannucci for our new music in our intro.…

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She's committed to the economic advancement of women. Natalie Frederick Wilson is from Barbados, raised in New York City, and currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 1:07:07

9M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

She's committed to the economic advancement of women. Natalie Frederick Wilson is from Barbados, raised in New York City, and currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-frederick-wilson-338b1873/By Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci

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We finish the year with the fabulous Kyla King, CEO and Founder of Rad Jamz. 1:05:18

9M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

We finish the year with the fabulous Kyla King, CEO and Founder of Rad Jamz. She's a Red Seal Chef that leaned into her love for jam. You can find Kyla here: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kyla-king-32911b2a9 If you want to check out Rad Jamz, you can head here: https://radjamz.co/store/ use coupon code: PK20 for a discount! Thank you to LGDF Wholesale…

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Claudio Perazzo started Italian Meat Master with one goal in mind: to make a positive impact on Canadians' diet, cleaning and improving iconic comfort foods like sausages and cured meats 1:16:12

9M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Claudio Perazzo started Italian Meat Master with one goal in mind: to make a positive impact on Canadians' diet, cleaning and improving iconic comfort foods like sausages and cured meats Check out Italian Meat Master here: https://www.italianmeatmaster.com/ You can find Claudio here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudio-perazzo-22747317a/ Thank you …

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President of Stong's Brian Bradley started working at Safeway in high school, initially with no plans to stay long-term 56:40

10M ago56:40

56:40

Brian Bradley started working at Safeway in high school, initially with no plans to stay long-term, but he ended up rising through the ranks due to mentorship and opportunities. Find out what he thinks about Stong's and what comes next. Find Brian Bradley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bradley-a404199/ Shop Stong's here: https://www.stongs…

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People are always thirsty. Wolseley Kombucha is on track for it's best year ever. Michelle talks about their success and what's next. 49:16

10M ago49:16

49:16

People are always thirsty. Wolseley Kombucha is on track for it's best year ever. Michelle Leclerc talks about their success and what's next. In case you think this is an ordinary podcast hint, it's not - they've saved over 150,000 1L bottles from landfills. Check out Wolseley Kombucha here: https://www.wolseleykombucha.com/ Find Michelle Leclerc h…

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Tatsuo Kan is the owner of Kojo, and founder of Kizuna. 1:00:55

10M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Tatsuo Kan is the owner of Kojo, and founder of Kizuna. He came to Canada because he felt like it was the right thing to do. 4 kids, a bunch of restaurants later, he hasn't stopped moving - he now has two restaurants and a sake line and a sauce line. check out Kizuna here: https://www.kizunasauces.com/ Find Kojo here: https://sushikojo.com/…

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He retired, started a business, retired again. Ran a triathalon, got his bike stolen, bought a bar and the rest is history 51:33

10M ago51:33

51:33

He retired, started a business, retired again. Ran a triathalon, got his bike stolen, bought a bar and the rest is history. Blair Wilson is the Founder of Forbidden Spirits. We wouldn't have met him if Peter Boyd didn't drag us to the Kelowna Farmer's Market. Find Blair here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairwilsonforbiddenspirits/ shop Forbidden s…

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We take a tour of Pealow's Your Independent Grocer with Brian Pealow 43:59

11M ago43:59

43:59

We take a tour of Pealow's Your Independent Grocer with Brian Pealow. We're blown away by his focus on local, and helping the community out. Surprise surprise, he knows Peter Boyd. Pealow YIG is here: https://www.yourindependentgrocer.ca/store-locator/details/1734 Find Brian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-pealow-b-b-a-h-130a844a/…

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Rochelle teaches us about kombucha. Phil meets Oprah 27:24

11M ago27:24

27:24

Rochelle teaches us about kombucha. Phil meets Oprah. MotherLove Ferments is a Kelowna-based business that is dedicated to creating healthy and tasty ferments. We had a great talk with Founder Rochelle to learn more about their story. Shop MotherLove here: https://www.motherloveferments.com/ Find Rochelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-…

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Stephanie Horman has a plan to give back. It's called Cabin 5 granola, and it's awesome. 54:29

11M ago54:29

54:29

Stephanie Horman has a plan to give back. It's called Cabin 5 granola, and it's awesome. This was recorded during our last trip out to Kelowna at the end of August, and we're sorry it took so long to get this out. check them out here: https://cabin5granola.ca/ Find Stephanie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-horman-a9046759/…

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Cam Bruce, owner of Famous Foods in Vancouver talks about coming to retail late in life, and what it takes to be successful as an independent grocer 1:00:04

11M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Cam Bruce, owner of Famous Foods in Vancouver talks about coming to retail late in life, and what it takes to be successful as an independent grocer. Shop Famous Foods here: https://www.famousfoods.ca/By Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci

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From 1 to 150. Ben Osmow talks about the Osmow family hustle, building a business from scratch and introducing Ontarians to shwarma. 43:33

11M ago43:33

43:33

From 1 to 150. Ben Osmow talks about the Osmow family hustle, building a business from scratch and introducing Ontarians to shwarma. If you're from Ontario, "chicken on the rocks" is like a whopper or a big mac. You have the Osmows to thank for that. check out Osmow's here: https://osmows.com/ find Ben Osmow here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benosm…

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We talk to Kurstin Leith and Christine about helping brands, how to know when you're ready for expert help like Agency Brand Management. 59:49

11M ago59:49

59:49

We talk to Kurstin Leith and Christine about helping brands, how to know when you're ready for expert help like Agency Brand Management. Find Kurstin Leith here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurstin-leith-68832131/ Find Christine De Biasio here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-de-biasio-1444a914/ Check out Agency here: https://agencybrands.ca/…