Matt Giffen is the Founder and CEO of Bench Brewing Company in West Lincoln, Niagara. Matt has built an innovative brewery that prioritizes sustainability and conscious business practices within the beverage industry, these are topics that align well with your thoughtful discussions about craft beer.
Matt shares his journey from a 24-year banking career to founding a farmhouse brewery in Lincoln, Ontario, which opened in 2018. He explained how he combined his passion for beer with the local agricultural community, establishing a brewery that now ranks sixth among craft breweries in Ontario.
Bench Brewing is an award-winning craft beverage company dedicated to “craft beverages with a conscience.” Since 2018, they’ve been at the forefront of sustainable brewing practices, implementing innovative solutions like zero wastewater process and closed-loop water system where every drop used in brewing is repurposed to nourish our onsite hops and adjacent local farms. Matt would be happy to share insights about:
Matt has built a sustainable brewery from the ground up and implemented conscious and sustainable business practices in the beverage industry. Matt operates at the intersection of craft brewing and environmental stewardship.
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Michael Crooks is a hospitality professional who is always interested in new challenges. He has achieved success in all aspects of the hospitality service industry. Three years ago he decided to move over to entrepreneurship and his journey and success are really insightful for those thinking of making the break to independence.
His venture, aptly named Crooksy’s, exemplifies the ultimate realization of a dedicated professional’s vision, transitioning seamlessly from a successful career path to the demanding world of independent business ownership. This establishment, described proudly as a local pub and kitchen, stands as a cornerstone in the unique locale of the Hamilton Beach strip.
The setting itself is a special place, a truly remarkable small town contained within the boundaries of a large, bustling city, thoroughly overloaded with captivating local history. At the absolute core of this distinct area is its community—the enduring, vital heart that has kept the entire beach strip beating strongly for more than a century. Michael Crooks’s creation resonates deeply with this spirit. The patrons and residents form an eclectic group, comprising long-standing residents and new arrivals, all united by a shared, palpable sense of belonging.
They are a genuinely fun-loving and fiercely loyal bunch of individuals who celebrate their eccentricity with great enthusiasm and are always readily available and down for an undeniably good time. Crooksy’s serves not just as a pub but as a local speak easy and kitchen for this remarkable collective. The philosophy behind the operation is beautifully simple and profoundly effective: it is for the community and, crucially, run by the community.
There is an unwavering commitment to keeping things straightforward and authentic. Diners and regulars find nothing fancy, just consistently good, expertly prepared food, affordable, carefully curated drinks, and great company provided by both staff and fellow patrons. The atmosphere fosters camaraderie and connection, making it a true home away from home. The weekly specials are a testament to this community-focused approach, designed to provide value and entertainment. Tuesdays are dedicated to the popular Wing a Ding Ding Day/Night, offering a pound of wings for a ten-dollar bill. Wednesdays feature TIPPIN’ TALLBOYS, with domestic beers available for six dollars and fifty cents and craft selections for seven dollars and fifty cents, alongside tempting Burger Day Features. Thursdays host a lively Trivia night, kicking off sharply at 8 pm, and the Pint & Sammie deal provides a twenty-ounce pint and any sandwich with a side for twenty-two dollars. Fridays welcome WINE O’CLOCK, where house wine is just seven dollars and premium selections are nine dollars and fifty cents. Saturdays are reserved for TAPS & APPS, offering perfect weekend pairings, and Sundays are rightfully designated as SUNDAY FUNDAY.
The event specials further enrich the experience, including mouthwatering Fish & Chips served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. NFL games dominate Sundays, accompanied by specially curated food and drink deals for fans. Furthermore, ten-dollar wings are available during all live Leafs and Bills games, cementing Crooksy’s as the premier local spot for sports enthusiasts. Michael Crooks has successfully channeled his extensive background in hospitality service, including his deep understanding of operations, customer relations, and staff management, into creating this beloved, thriving establishment. His transition is more than just a change in title; it represents a dedicated pursuit of independence, offering a blueprint for professionals aspiring to make the formidable break into self-employment and entrepreneurial achievement.
The continuous flow of satisfied customers, the consistent positive feedback, and the pub’s integral role in the Hamilton Beach community are the clearest markers of Michael Crooks’s insightful and impactful success story. This is a journey defined by calculated risk, professional excellence, and a passionate, enduring commitment to superior service.
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Doug Will, one of the co-owners of Rawhides Bistro & Saloon in Stenen, Saskatchewan, grew up on the family farm just north of Tisdale, where he farmed with his dad and brothers for a few years. In 1980 he moved to farm north of Star City, a town just east of Melfort, where he and his wife raised three sons. In 2000 he bought a farm just north of Stenen, as well as the Alfalfa Mill at Norquay, just down the road from Stenen, where he currently lives and continues to farm with two of his sons.
In 2012, Stenen was having its 100th anniversary and invited him to develop the old school into a “bistro/saloon” They had 90 days from the start to get the new Rawhides up and running and with the great help from all the contractors and town folks they made it happen with six days to spare, for the August long weekend and the town’s 100th anniversary celebration!
Will enjoys antiques, old wood and challenges and while Rawhides provided all of that and more. It’s been very rewarding journey, with one of the most satisfying aspects being the number of people they have been able to hire and help relocate from far away countries and join in the community serving the locals and tourists each and every day at the restaurant.
In 2015 they developed the Chandelier room/rec centre to hold wedding events and corporate functions with its huge outdoor deck, c/w firepits and outdoor stage. Two years ago they completed the project with the addition of a spa, beauty salon, pedicure/manicure, massage therapy. They have also opened up several rental suites for those customers wishing to stay and explore the surrounding area or maybe golf at the nearby Crystal Lake Golf Club.
Rawhides Bistro and Saloon offers a complete and sophisticated culinary experience, transitioning from a local spot to a destination for upscale dining since its inception in 2012. The establishment is a full-service venue, designed to cater to various needs beyond just food and drink. Inside the vast complex, guests find essential amenities such as an ATM and a dedicated VLT gaming area, enhancing the overall convenience and entertainment options for visitors. The atmosphere is vibrant and inviting, featuring big screen TVs for sports viewing, a classic jukebox for musical enjoyment, and a selection of board games encouraging social interaction among patrons.
Furthermore, Rawhides operates a comprehensive merchandise store, allowing guests to take home a piece of the unique ranch style and hospitality. For added convenience, the saloon is well-stocked with off-sale liquor, various mixers, ice, and cigarettes available for purchase to go. This attention to detail in service and provision solidifies Rawhides’ role as a central hub for the Stenen community and surrounding region. The diverse menu selection at Rawhides promises culinary excellence, with specialized menus for breakfast, lunch, and a regular dinner service, along with a late-night menu to satisfy evening cravings. The kitchen team, featuring skilled professionals like Chef Ralph and Chef Cedric, is dedicated to crafting delightful and well-executed dishes.
Customer reviews consistently praise the quality and generous portion sizes of the food, highlighting standout items such as the expertly prepared beef tenderloin and the flavorful, perfectly balanced ribeye steak, often prepared to a precise medium rare. A recent delightful addition is a new pastry shop, where a dedicated team meticulously crafts a selection of terrific pastries and desserts, embarking guests on a truly delightful journey of flavors, which adds another dimension to their dining experience. The venue’s expansive offerings extend to events, where versatile spaces can be transformed to host anything from intimate affairs to grand celebrations.
Rawhides offers diverse corporate event packages, ideally tailored for conferences, team-building activities, product launches, or annual galas, ensuring every business function is a bespoke masterpiece. Wedding services are particularly comprehensive, allowing couples to have their ceremony, reception, food, and accommodation all conveniently in one incredible, accommodating location, complete with exceptional service. The ability to book beautiful, comfortable rental accommodations, referred to affectionately as “dog houses,” makes Rawhides an all-in-one destination for weekend getaways, offering a small gem of an atmosphere that many visitors find utterly charming and recommend highly.
The facility is also committed to accessibility, featuring ramps and wider doorways to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests, a detail that further underscores their warm hospitality.
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Chris Kerr is the President and Founder of XA Security, Western Canada’s leader in proactive risk reduction and people-first security solutions. Driven by strong ethics and a commitment to community, Chris believes every security concern is, at its core, a human one. He and his diverse team treat every person as a valued guest, handling every situation with curiosity, empathy, and strategy. The company’s success is uniquely measured by the number of incidents de-escalated rather than the number of ejections.
In addition to leading XA Security, Chris serves as a special projects Production Manager for Grammy-winning artist Zedd and produces numerous outdoor music festivals across Western Canada. He also volunteers on several nonprofit boards, including serving as Vice Chair of the Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC), where he advocates for advancing global event and crowd safety standards. He is Treasurer of the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA), Learning Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Calgary Chapter (EO), a Board Member of Kidzinc School Age Care Society of Alberta, and an active member of the Canadian Ski Patrol.
In 2024, Chris was named one of Calgary’s Top Business Leaders by Business in Calgary magazine, in recognition of XA Security’s 20-year milestone and his leadership in elevating standards across the security industry.
This is a complete, holistic commitment to proactive risk reduction across all operational facets, setting industry standards. It is truly the gold standard for people-first security solutions, emphasizing a critical human-centric approach. The very foundation of the organization is built on strong ethics and an absolute, unwavering commitment to community welfare and safety. All security concerns are viewed as fundamentally a human one, requiring sensitivity, understanding, and strategic care.
His diverse team expertly treats every person encountered as a respected, valued guest. Their refined methodology focuses on using curiosity, empathy, and strategy to handle all situations effectively and professionally, minimizing escalation. Success is uniquely measured by the number of incidents de-escalated successfully and safely. This is a significantly better and more meaningful metric than the raw number of ejections reported annually.
Chris also has extensive experience as a special projects Production Manager for large-scale, high-profile events, which provides invaluable operational logistics and crowd management knowledge globally. He tirelessly volunteers on several nonprofit boards, where he actively advocates for advancing global event and crowd safety standards and protocols, showcasing his dedication. He demonstrates powerful leadership through his various crucial board roles, including Vice Chair of the Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC) and Treasurer of the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA). The prestigious recognition as one of Calgary’s Top Business Leaders by Business in Calgary magazine justly celebrates XA Security’s significant 20-year milestone and his enduring commitment to elevating standards across the security industry. His active membership in the Canadian Ski Patrol showcases his personal dedication to emergency preparedness and public safety across the region. This commitment to excellence ensures XA Security remains the premier choice for sophisticated, ethical, and effective risk management across Western Canada and beyond, offering unparalleled service.
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Being a musician and and looking for gigs is is an ongoing process. You’re always selling yourself. They’re always looking for work. But so many of them have other jobs, because that’s what pays the bills.
This podcast is a little different, more of a book review with an entrepreneurial focus. David Eisenstadt, who’s a founder and longtime owner of CPGR a well know communications company is also a very well-known author of a number of books that cover Jewish performers that run under the name Musicians Under The Radar. you know, it’s really interesting to find out what jazz trumpeter, Freddie Stone, Anvil’s heavy metal guitarist, Steve Lips Kudlow, Lorne Green, Robbie Robertson, even singer-songwriter Mendelssohn, Joe have in common. They are all talented Jewish Musicians who appear in David’s latest book. This interview is a little different, because, of course, all these musicians have an entrepreneurial flair as they’re creating their own their own content and selling it. And, of course David is a long time entrepreneur which makes this even more interesting.
Find out more and check at David’s latest book MUSICIANS UNDER THE RADAR – 46 Notable Canadian Jewish Performers on Amazon or go towww.undertheradarbook.com.
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Adam Hislop creates videos and movies that help people communicate clearly and effectively. Along with the rest of his team at Atomic Spark, he produces commercials, brand films, promotional videos, website videos, and training materials.
And he’s been doing it successfully for the past twenty five years – so he has some great stories to tell us.
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Robert Daprocida is a Canadian and international actor, singer and pianist, and is a first-generation born Canadian to Italian parents, working in the United States, Europe and his birth country. Robert began studying classical piano at the age of 4 with the Royal Conservatory of Music and shortly after, began singing, which led him to musical theatre, the stage and eventually into film and television appearing in many notable film and television productions.
Robert has continued to work throughout the years and is known for X-files (1998), Wrongfully Accused (1998), Creature (1998) and Out for Vengeance (2023).
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Paul Michael Stoia (https://www.paulmichaelstoia.com/home) made his US debuts in the fall of 2024 at the legendary Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, with the orchestra led by Grammy Award Winner Quinn Johnson. He then sold out his very first “A Frank Sinatra Christmas” show live in Las Vegas at the Maxan Jazz Club. In 2023, he made his international debut in Martigues, France with Lyrique en Provence under the direction of Paris Opera “Chef de chant” Phil Richardson.
Paul got his start singing jazz in high school, then studied opera in Canada, Italy, the USA, Germany, and France. He has performed in musical theatre and opera productions in Canada. In May 2024 he debuted a Frank Sinatra tribute concert at the Polaris Theatre. He currently performs regularly at private events and lounges in Calgary, including, a sold out first show at the Ironwood Stage and back by popular demand, the historical King Eddy. In 2022 Paul performed Canada’s national anthem before an international audience live on ESPN for the inaugural Women’s MMA Fight (Pallais Athena) at the Grey Eagle Casino.
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Cynthia Daousthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/spheria/ conjugue un BACC en animation et gestion culturelle à son expérience d’entrepreneure en production d’événements à son compte depuis plus de 30 ans. Elle a conçu, de toutes pièces, plus de 500 événements clé en main dans sa carrière et a géré des événements d’envergure nationale, des événements d’affaires internationales et des événements grand public.
Elle a fondée en 2003 Sphéria Événements, https://www.spheria.ca/ une firme d’expertise en production d’événements corporatif clé en main sur mesure. Et, elle est productrice de ses propres événements-maison Les Bals de Noël Sphéria des PME qui font fureur depuis 2007. Aussi auteure du livre Sortie du Bois, un guide de stratégies clés, de questions concrètes et de méthodes éprouvées qui non seulement peuvent aider une personne à se sortir d’un tourbillon dépressif, mais aussi réduire les chances de revivre un épisode aussi dramatique.
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Amanda Burgener is the co-founder of Curbside Concerts, a Calgary-based company that delivers live music right to your door, or driveway, or anywhere! With a mandate for equality, safety, and mental health, Curbside Concerts has kept live music in neighbourhoods, and local musicians working throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Now in its 4th year of business, Curbside has seen incredible growth, media attention, and even awards and nominations from YYC Music, Western Canadian Music Awards, Alberta Touring Arts Alliance, Canadian Live Music Association, and Music Cities. Most importantly, they have paid out over $750,000 to performing artists in Canada.
With a background in the Arts (B.Music from the University of Calgary), live events, and local business management, Amanda combines creativity with a desire to uplift her community.
As a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta, she is proud to foster inclusiveness and an Indigenous lens in her industry.
Matt ‘Masters’ Burgener is a Calgary based country and western musician and a co-founder of Curbside Concerts. A veteran performer, playrite and storyteller, Matt’s 25 year, 7 album career has taken him across Canada and on ten international tours. For 5 years he led the house band at the King Eddy, he’s played numerous times at the Saddledome for the Calgary Flames and he’s a 17 year member of Barney Bentall’s Cariboo Express, helping raise over 5 million dollars for Canadian charities.
Matt has a background in music business, working as a consultant, producer and advisor for different not-for-profits, the City of Calgary arts and culture department, the National Music Center, different music festivals and with CKUA Radio.
Matt has a BA in History from the University of Calgary. He and Amanda and they have 3 young kids. Matt is a first generation Albertan living in Treaty 7 territory.
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