Best Moneris Podcasts (2025)

1
The Parlour 34:13

1d ago34:13

34:13

In the season 8 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al is back in Ontario, visiting Brenda and Rick Coletta, owners of The Fry’s The Limit and The Parlour. After retiring from her corporate career, Brenda gave entrepreneurship a try. She bought a food truck, called it The Fry’s The Limit, and sold poutine. Then Rick joined her and they bought a second tr…

1
Tumblers Pizza 31:42

16d ago31:42

31:42

Al visits Jim Baiton, the founder and owner of Tumblers Pizza in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jim shares his journey from making pizza boxes at 14 to building a pizza empire that sells Regina-style pizza in over 140 locations across Saskatchewan. Hear the story behind the unique name, the secret formula for their incredible sauce, and the challenges faced…

1
Bushwakker Brewpub 30:37

24d ago30:37

30:37

In this episode of YWAO, Al sits down with Grant Frew, Bar and Marketing Manager at Bushwakker Brewpub in Regina, Saskatchewan. Grant recounts Bushwakker’s unique German beer-inspired roots, and how it evolved to become a staple in Regina's brewing culture. Listen to stories and insights spanning over three decades at the brewery, detailing their o…

1
Chief Economist Douglas Porter Discusses Canadian Economy: Trade War, Inflation, and Economic Outlook 23:08

30d ago23:08

23:08

Al welcomes Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at the Bank of Montreal, to the podcast to discuss Canada’s current economic landscape. They delve into topics such as Canada's economic performance in the first quarter of 2025 and the effects of trade wars with the U.S. on Canadian businesses and consumers. Porter shares valuable advice for small busine…

1
Creative Kids 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

This week, Al visits Gloria Walsh, Manager of Creative Kids, a charitable organization dedicated to removing financial barriers for Saskatchewan children aged 4 to 19 to participate in arts and culture. From its inception in 2007 to its growth and community impact, discover how Creative Kids has enriched lives and fostered cultural appreciation amo…

1
Zippity Zoom Toys 30:41

1M ago30:41

30:41

In this episode of YWAO, Al visits Tracy Bosche, the owner of Zippity Zoom Toys in Regina, Saskatchewan. Tracy shares the inspiring story of how she started the toy store in 2009, juggling a newborn and a new business. She talks about the evolution of the store, her background in retail, and her passion for toys. Tracy also discusses the challenges…

1
Base Studio 24:01

1M ago24:01

24:01

In this episode, Al sits down with Amanda Rae, the owner of Base Studio, a thriving hair salon in Regina. Amanda shares her journey from a stylist to a business owner, the challenges she faced, and the resilience it took to overcome them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about Base Studio at basestudio.ca. Subscribe now! …

1
BasketCases 29:04

2M ago29:04

29:04

This week Al sits down with Ashley Donald, the owner of BasketCases, a prominent gift basket store in Regina. Ashley shares her inspiring journey of buying and running the business, discussing her origins, struggles, and future outlook. Discover how she transformed from a dedicated customer to the “Chief Basket Case” herself, navigating the challen…

1
Prairie Flying Service 31:13

2M ago31:13

31:13

In the season 8 premier of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al flies to Regina, Saskatchewan to visit Kevin Toth, President of Prairie Flying Service. They delve into the storied history and rich legacy of the company which began in 1946, founded by four World War II pilots. The aviation industry has had many highs and lows during that time. Significant events …

1
What Are the Biggest Challenges Faced by Restaurants in Canada Today? 35:51

2M ago35:51

35:51

Rising costs, labour shortages, sustainability, and yes, tariffs, these are just a few of the challenges facing the food service industry in Canada. What is being done about it? Al sits down with Max Roy, VP of Federal and Quebec at Restaurants Canada to talk about it. Also, we all know how important trust is in business, but how do you measure tru…

1
How Are Canadian Grocers Responding To The Tariff Threats And The Growing ‘Buy Canadian’ Movement? 30:58

3M ago30:58

30:58

It’s March, and the #1 topic on the minds of most Canadians is tariffs. How will this affect purchasing decisions moving forward? Al welcomes Gary Sands, Senior VP @ Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) to the podcast. They talk about how independent Canadian grocers are already preparing for the imminent tariffs and what this could me…

1
Was The Tax Holiday In Canada Worth It For Canadian Businesses? 8:46

4M ago8:46

8:46

This month, Al welcomes back Sean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris Data Services to talk about consumer spending data in the first half of the tax holiday in Canada. Was it worth it for Canadians? Obviously every bit of savings helps. But what about Canadian Businesses? Did it change anyone’s shopping behaviour? Listen now to find out.…

1
What Was The Busiest Shopping Day This Past Holiday Season? 10:02

5M ago10:02

10:02

In the first episode of 2025, Allan welcomes back Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris' Data Services, to discuss holiday spending trends from 2024 and their implications for 2025. They touch on the significance of Black Friday sales, regional differences in consumer spending, and predictions for economic recovery. Subscribe now! I…

1
How Ronald McDonald House Is Helping Canadian Families Heal 23:50

6M ago23:50

23:50

In this episode, Kate Horton, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC), pays Al a visit to discuss the organization's mission to support families with critically ill children. She shares insights into the history and impact of RMHC, including the challenges faced by families and their need for support. Kate also highlights…

1
RetroFestive 32:40

6M ago32:40

32:40

In the season 7 finale of Yes, We Are Open, Al is in Oakville, Ontario visiting Tyler and Jordie Schwartz from Retrofestive, a unique pop culture and Christmas store. Tyler started selling Christmas Story leg lamps back in 2007. When that went well, he added Christmas Vacation moose mugs. Now Retrofestive is Canada’s top shop for old-school fun! Le…

1
Jenna Rae Cakes 29:34

7M ago29:34

29:34

Al’s final stop in Winnipeg is at Jenna Rae Cakes, co-owned by twin-sisters Jenna Hutchinson and Ashley Kosowan. Their dream began 15 years ago in their small apartment, sparked by an episode of Cake Boss, and grew into a legitimate business despite numerous legal and logistical hurdles. Hear about the challenges of balancing school, work, and star…

1
Avo Gameroom 29:30

7M ago29:30

29:30

We hit the bullseye with this episode this week! Al visits Neil Migalski, General Manager at AVO Gameroom. They talk about the rich history and unique charm of this beloved Winnipeg establishment founded in April 1963 by three brothers, and how it has evolved into a community staple known for its pool supplies, dart equipment, poker accessories, an…

1
How To Bridge The Cashless Gap In In-Person Charitable Giving 29:04

7M ago29:04

29:04

One of the victims of moving to a more cashless society in the past has been charitable organizations that rely on people’s generosity during in-person donation opportunities. There are many people who simply just don’t like carrying cash with them. For the past few years, we’ve been following the progress of Canadian startup tiptap as they’ve grow…

1
Shooters Family Golf Centre & Restaurant 28:15

7M ago28:15

28:15

We tee off episode 5 as Al visits with Amy Cerasani, from Shooters Family Golf Centre and Restaurant. The Cerasani family transformed a modest driving range into a beloved community hub serving Winnipeg for the past 31 years and counting. Listen now to learn about the family's deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges and triumphs they've …

1
Door World 23:31

7M ago23:31

23:31

This week Al is back in Ontario for a visit with Dave Guenther, owner of Door World in Tillsonburg. Dave balanced a growing family and an expanding business during an unprecedented global pandemic. Hear how together with his wife Breanne, their resilience and adaptability helped them build a thriving company from the ground up. You can learn more a…

1
Spice Circle 24:17

8M ago24:17

24:17

Things get spicy in episode 3 when Al visits Nikhil Dutt, owner of Spice Circle. His family opened the restaurant in 2019, despite having no prior business experience. Nikhil opens up about his early emotional struggles of receiving customer criticism and the determination that drove him to keep improving their service and food quality. Today Spice…

1
Scout: Coffee + Community 26:32

8M ago26:32

26:32

Al visits Katrina Tessier, Owner of Scout Coffee: + Community. Katrina shares her journey of opening the unique Winnipeg café, providing a welcoming space for parents to relax while their children play. Tune in for the story of how a mother turned her idea into a reality. Learn how Katrina navigated financial hurdles, the pandemic, and a change in …

1
The Real Escape Canada 31:20

8M ago31:20

31:20

In the season 7 premiere of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al flies to Winnipeg, Manitoba. His first visit is with Ashley Lyons and Mikol Markiw from The Real Escape Canada to delve into the intricacies of the escape room industry. Tune in to hear how a family’s shared passion for puzzles turned into a successful escape room empire and how they navigated the c…

1
How To Successfully Apply For A Business Grant 24:10

8M ago24:10

24:10

Over the past few months we’ve talked a lot about grants and programs, both from the government and corporations, but how do you apply for these grants? This month, Al speaks with “Grant Angel” Stephanie Sang, Founder at Granted Consulting. As her nickname implies, Stephanie knows all about grants and shares her expertise with us. Also in this epis…

1
Season 7 Trailer 1:54

8M ago1:54

1:54

Season 7 of the award-winning 'Yes, We Are Open' podcast starts October 7th, 2024! In this season, Al visits Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris p…

1
How To Better Align Your Brick and Mortar Store With Your Online Store 33:23

9M ago33:23

33:23

What came first? Your brick and mortar business or your ecommerce business? Whichever one you chose, one thing is almost certain, if you have a brick and mortar location, you most likely have a way to sell your product or service online as well. You may have noticed some challenges with keeping both channels synchronised, whether its with inventory…

1
What Are Examples of Corporate Support For Small Business In Canada? 26:19

10M ago26:19

26:19

We’ve taken a look at government support for small business in Canada, but what about corporate support? Al is visited by Gerardo Welter, Vice President – Marketing & Business Insights Canada and Latin America at American Express. They talk about Amex’s Shop Small campaign, and they also share some promising trends for shopping small in Canada base…

1
How to Find The Right Government Programs To Assist Your Business 16:12

10M ago16:12

16:12

As an entrepreneur in this country you may not be aware of all the help available to your business, and frankly, who has time to research? In this special bonus episode of Just Good Business we do the work for you. James Hicks, President and CEO of Moneris has a sit-down with the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Federal Minister of Small Business to talk …

1
How To Build An Elite Sales Team 42:41

11M ago42:41

42:41

Al meets with 4 members of Team Moneris. All of them have represented Canada in international competition, all of them elite athletes, and all of them are part of Moneris’ sales team. What is it about sales that attracted them to a career in sales? What is it about their pursuit of athletic excellence that makes them good sales professionals? How c…

1
What Support Is Available for Indigenous Entrepreneurs In Canada? 18:51

1y ago18:51

18:51

June is National Indigenous History Month and to celebrate, we’re talking about Indigenous business development in Canada. Al welcomes Hosna Kadary, National Market Leader Zero Barriers to Business at BMO to talk about the support programs available for Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Canada and to share some of their success stories. Also in this epis…

1
Kawartha TV & Stereo 27:12

1y ago27:12

27:12

Yes, Kawartha TV & Stereo Is Open! In the season 6 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al visits Peterborough, Ontario and Scott Stuart, owner of Kawartha TV & Stereo. They’ve been fixtures in the city for over half a century! In that time, their industry has gone through countless disruptive technology changes but they’ve been able to adapt and today th…

1
Italian Ice Cream 26:45

1y ago26:45

26:45

Yes, Italian Ice Cream Is Open! Back from His Calgary trip, Al heads down to the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” Niagara Falls to visit Andrew Vergalito, owner of Italian Ice Cream. The business was opened by Andrew’s parents Joe and Anna in 1978 and for 46 years they’ve been serving the locals and tourists alike. There have been many challenges a…

1
Heritage Park Historical Village 28:12

1y ago28:12

28:12

Al’s final stop on his Calgary trip is to Heritage Park Historical Village. It’s one of Calgary’s premier tourist attractions, originally opened in 1964 with a mission to connect visitors with the history of Western Canada. Al visits with Dominic Terry, a spokesperson at the park. Dominic talks about the park’s origins and how it has evolved in the…

1
What Can Your Business Expect From 2024 Tourist Season in Canada? 36:41

1y ago36:41

36:41

It’s May, and while in many parts of Canada we had a milder than usual winter, it seems Spring is taking its time getting started, but it’s here now. That means the start of tourist season. So how can your business take full advantage of this year’s tourist season? What can we expect after a few years of rising numbers out of the pandemic? Is there…

1
Re: Grub Burger Bar 31:15

1y ago31:15

31:15

Virginia Borges came to Canada in 2014 from Venezuela with the dream of starting her own business. She wanted her business to give back to the community in some way. She then opened Re:Grub Burger Bar. Known for their highly instagrammable milkshakes and burgers, Re:Grub has become a popular Calgary hotspot for their unique and delicious creations.…

1
Going With The Grain 29:23

1y ago29:23

29:23

Al’s next stop in Alberta is beautiful Canmore, home of Sara and Joe Titus, owners of Going With The Grain. For almost 20 years Sara and Joe have been installing and restoring hardwood floors in the Canmore area. They are one of only two husband & wife teams in North America to hold the designation of ‘Bona Certified Craftsmen’. All this to say, th…

1
Mountain Chocolates 27:06

1y ago27:06

27:06

This week Al goes to picturesque Banff, Alberta to visit Ken McMurdo, owner of Mountain Chocolates. Ken started his business in 1989 when Banff was just beginning to grow into the tourist attraction it has become. But it hasn’t always been a sweet time for Mountain Chocolates. Being so heavily reliant on tourism has meant many ups and downs for Ken…

1
KAKS Bar & Podcast 29:42

1y ago29:42

29:42

In this week’s episode of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al heads downtown to Calgary’s Beltline District to visit KAKS Bar & Podcast. You read that right. It’s a bar, with a built-in podcast studio! Needless to say, Al is more than a little excited. He speaks with the owners Kass Kielly-Burke and Shawn Chan. They opened KAKS in June 2023, so they’re approachi…

1
How To Get The Most From This Year’s Restaurants Canada Show 28:09

1y ago28:09

28:09

This month we’re talking about the RC Show by Restaurants Canada. It’s Canada’s leading foodservice & hospitality expo. Al talks to Anna Pham, Director of Content & Programming at Restaurants Canada about what to expect at this year’s show and how you can make the most of your visit. Al is also joined by Maryam Saeed, Chief Risk Officer at Visa Can…

1
River Café 33:43

1y ago33:43

33:43

You can learn more about River Café at river-cafe.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.By Al Grego, Sal Howell, Bruce Soley, Craig Hodel, Vijud Lincoln, Jordan Anderson, Neha Sharma, Scott Mackenzie

1
Trailer 0:37

1y ago0:37

0:37

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to hear them as they publish each week, or visit yesweareopenpodcast.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.…

1
How Do Large Sporting Events Affect Your Business? 21:15

1+ y ago21:15

21:15

This month’s episode is going to have a sport theme, but if you don’t follow sports you may want to listen anyway because it’s about how sporting events affect your business. Last month a couple of major sporting events took place. One, we cannot legally mention—it involves American football, Taylor Swift and Usher. The other big event was the NHL …

1
Small Business Tips You’ll LOVE for Valentine’s Day 21:27

1+ y ago21:27

21:27

February is the perfect month to show your customers some love! To help you with that, we’re going to share some helpful tips you can use to boost sales leading up to this Valentine’s Day. We’ll also bring you the second instalment in our Merchant Journey series with Sydney Lupton featuring Saving Graze. Also in this episode: Sam Wong, Marketing St…

1
Happy New Year! What Are Your Business Resolutions? 12:52

1+ y ago12:52

12:52

We hope you had a safe and happy holiday season! This time of year, many businesses are getting back to normal after a busy holiday retail season, others are just getting back to work after a welcome break. As we all look ahead to what 2024 may bring, it is common to make resolutions for the coming year. These usually involve some form of self-impr…

1
Giving Back To Your Community And Accessibility For Your Business 30:09

1+ y ago30:09

30:09

We are now officially in the holiday season, and depending on your business, it can be one of the busiest times of the year. It is also one of the most charitable times of the year and we’d like to focus on that this month. Al welcomes his featured interview Helen Seibel, Head of Community and Employee Giving at BMO to talk about why it’s important…

1
Maritime Fun Group 36:04

1+ y ago36:04

36:04

You can learn more about Maritime Fun Group at maritimefun.com. Credits: Duri Alajrami - Leadership Amy Maraone - Leadership Rick Stephan - Leadership Cass McPhee – Moneris Ad Voiceover Caleigh Ellis – Graphic Artist Chetan Dhananjaya – Webmaster Niyati Budhiraja – Webmaster Mallory McWhirther – Social Media Tanya Nagi – Social Media Kelly Servos –…

1
Tech Fuel 32:12

1+ y ago32:12

32:12

You can learn more about Tech Fuel at techfuel.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.By Al Grego, Robert Thompson

1
Strikers Den 29:19

1+ y ago29:19

29:19

You can learn more about Strikers Den at strikersden.ca. Check out Ash's History book "India And Faraway Lands". Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.…

1
How To SEO Your Small Business 22:47

1+ y ago22:47

22:47

Having a website without proper Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is like opening a shop in a dark alley in the world’s largest city without proper signage leading customers to your door. Only those who know where to look will find you, everyone else will just walk on by to the next shop with proper signage and brighter lights. SEO can be daunting w…

1
aaniin 31:14

1+ y ago31:14

31:14

You can learn more about aaniin at aaniin.shop. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.By Chelsee Pettit, Al Grego, Elle Yip

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