Toronto Archives - Canada's Entrepreneur

Colin White has been committed to transforming the financial services industry since 1992. A graduate of St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Colin holds the designations of Chartered Professional Accountant®️️️ (CPA), Certified Financial Planner®️️️ (CFP®️️️), and Chartered Investment Manager®️️️ (CIM®️️️).

Colin’s entrepreneurial journey took off in 2014, and over the past decade, he and his co-founder have grown their business from a team of three with less than $50 million in assets under management to 45 employees and just under $1 billion in assets under management.

As the co-founder of Verecan, along with Daniel LeBlanc, Colin has helped build a company designed to eliminate the conflicts of interest that are prevalent in the financial services industry. Although a newer firm, Verecan is rapidly gaining a reputation for its honesty, authenticity, and client-centric approach, setting a new standard for financial advice.

Colin and the integrity-driven team at Verecan combine extensive credentials, experience, and perspective to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Josh Sheluk, CFA, CFP®️️, CIM®️️, is the Chief Investment Officer at Verecan, where his approach to investment is grounded in a thoughtful understanding of the market’s complexities. Believing in a strategy that values long-term growth and stability, Josh guides our investment philosophy with a focus on ethical practices and client interests first.

His insights, drawn from a deep commitment to understanding financial trends, have found their way to discussions in notable media outlets as BNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Globe & Mail, Reuters, and the Financial Post. Through these platforms, Josh contributes to the broader dialogue. Josh’s role in shaping Verecan’s strategies is a testament to the collective effort of our team, aiming to align financial goals with principled, informed decisions.

For those looking to understand the intricacies of investment and to explore strategies that align with their financial goals, connecting with Josh offers a gateway to informed, ethical investment decisions.

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Living Life at a Ten

March 19, 2025 0:29:23

Kristen Gale is the spirited force and founder behind THE TEN SPOT®️ beauty bars’ rise from a singular Toronto location to an acclaimed international franchise with over 40 bustling bars across Canada and the U.S., with a dozen more in the pipeline.

Starting her business at just 24 years old, Kristen has become a trailblazer in the beauty and franchise field with her entrepreneurial flair garnering her numerous accolades, including a spot on Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, the Chatelaine Magazine W100 list, and recognition as one of EY’s Winning Women. Under her leadership, THE TEN SPOT®️ has clinched prestigious awards such as Profit Magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies for four consecutive years, Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchise list for two, and the CFA’s Franchisee’s Choice Awards for five years running.

Kristen’s mantra, “LIFE AT A TEN®️,” is far more than just a slogan – it’s the driving force behind everything she does and is the embodiment of her approach to both business and life. She’s passionate about empowering women to live their LIFE AT A TEN®️ and believes business ownership is one of the very best ways to do so, since nothing gives you the freedom and control over your life and earning potential like entrepreneurship does! In addition, Kristen’s newly launched signature online LIFE AT A TEN®️ Program, shares her proven strategies, insights, and hands-on experience to empower high-achieving, overwhelmed women who “have it all” to CEO THE SHXT OUT OF LIFE®️; helping women shift from stressed-out and stuck to optimized and energized, thriving in every aspect of their personal lives so they can create and live their own version of LIFE AT A TEN®️.

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Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy

March 10, 2025 0:26:57

Cato Pastoll is an entrepreneurial success in Fintech. He has spent the last 14 years building Lending Loop Financial. Cato is the co-founder and CEO of Loop where he has been building financial products for Canadian SME businesses for the better part of a decade. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, Cato has an acute awareness of the challenges SMBs face and has advocated for banking reform, pioneered low-cost funding methods for SMBs and helped provide more than $100M to businesses across the country.

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The #1 Trait Every Entrepreneur Needs to Overcome Challenges

February 12, 2025 0:27:02

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and executive strategist specializing in transforming workplace culture through leadership and confidence-building strategies. Her globally recognized podcast, The Tao of Self-Confidence has reached over 1.3 million downloads worldwide with over 800 interviews featuring leaders, celebrities, and eight-figure CEOs. Her Wall Street Journal bestselling book, The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within, is celebrated as one of the top 20 self-confidence resources globally by Book Authority. She has delivered impactful keynotes for NASA, Live Nation, and UKG, where she is celebrated for her ability to inspire change, foster engagement, and drive bottom-line results.

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Mastering the Long Game: Solving Problems with Vision

January 21, 2025 0:27:01

For the past decade Jefferey Doucet has been at the forefront of innovation on the online job search and career wellness. We first met Jeffrey 5 years ago so this is a great example of entrepreneurial growth. Jeffrey founded Thrive, a Career Wellness Platform transforming how organizations manage outplacement and career transitions. Launched in 2019, Thrive now supports the outplacement needs of 400+ organizations globally. Jeffrey now leads a team of passionate colleagues who are focused on building great software to help individuals advance their careers.

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Why Entrepreneurs Must Believe in Their Unique Value

January 7, 2025 0:29:33

As an entrepreneur. You have to believe that you have something better and different to offer.

With over 20 years of insurance industry experience, Andrew Clark is President and CEO of ALIGNED Insurance, a growing brokerage that is aligned with the interests and needs of Canadian businesses. Andrew founded ALIGNED Insurance in 2014 with a vision to create a different kind of brokerage, one that is driven by innovation, education, and customer service. Through a unique approach and a dedicated team of professional he has built a highly successful venture. Andrew has been named one of Canada’s Top 10 Under 40, Top 30 Elite Insurance Brokers, and a Company To Watch. Andrew is also a passionate skier and Alpine Canada coach.

Andrew is also a passionate skier and Alpine Canada coach.

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Why Every Marketer Needs to Get Up to Speed on AI

January 2, 2025 0:21:24

Ryan Walker is CEO and Managing Partner of Central Station, an independent creative agency based in Toronto. Central Station has been at the forefront of blending experiential marketing, digital innovation, and AI-driven strategies for top global brands like Spin Master, Nike, and Dior.

Ryan brings a unique perspective to the conversation around disruption in marketing. With a background in engineering and over 20 years in the creative industry, he’s led Central Station in revolutionizing how brands engage with consumers through immersive, tech-forward experiences.

Ryan will give us insights into how technology is transforming the way brands build relationships with consumers and how agencies like Central Station are pushing the boundaries of marketing in the digital age.

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From Big Tech to Healthcare: Zameer Rizvi’s Mission to Improve Patient Care

December 19, 2024 0:30:34

Ontario-based Zameer Rizvi is the Founder & CEO of Odesso and has a great entrepreneurial story.

Zameer has two decades of institutional and professional experience with notable companies such as Amazon, VMware, Amgen, Citrix, and Blackberry.

Patient care has been deeply neglected as healthcare systems are overburdened and underfunded. Zameer recognized this in and realized he had to do something and so he launched Odesso in 2017. Odesso helps healthcare providers shift focus back to the patient by alleviating operational challenges. The company powers some of the most notable players in North America’s healthcare industry today. Odesso helps healthcare providers shift focus back to the patient by alleviating operational challenges. The company powers some of the most notable players in North America’s healthcare industry today.

He’d love to share his journey, why he started the company, where it’s at and how it’s helping solve one of North America’s biggest health challenges today.

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Ken Harris- EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 – Winner

December 18, 2024 0:30:34

Phil Bliss, Founder of Canada’s Podcast interviews Ken Harris after receiving the Winner of the EY Award November 26, 2024.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award winners:

Tobyn Sowden | Redbrick (Pacific)

Denis Jones | Deveraux Group of Companies (Prairies)

Clive Kinross | Propel Holdings (Ontario)

Hakan Uluer | The Bertossi Group (Atlantic)

Ken Harris | Plusgrade (Québec)

National Honouree Citations:

Jeff Dirks | KBL Environmental Ltd.

Terry Raymond | Fire & Flood Emergency Services Ltd.

Mina Mekhail | Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc.

The Canadian entrepreneurs in the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2024 and the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Canadian Class of 2024 were also honoured at the awards show. These programs support high-potential women entrepreneurs and Black and Indigenous leaders by providing access to networks, advisors, learning and resources to help scale their businesses. All three entrepreneur programs are part of EY’s 30-year commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Canada at every stage of the growth journey.

The 2024 National independent judging panel comprised Tania Clarke, Corporate Director; Andreea Crisan, President and CEO, ANDY Transport; Arlene Dickinson, General Partner, District Ventures Capital; Joanna Griffiths, Founder and President, Knix and Kt by Knix; Ashif Mawji, Managing Director, ScaleGood Fund LP; Kristi Miller, Managing Partner, Krystal Growth Partners; Imran Siddiqui, Managing Director, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

This year’s program national sponsors are TSX Inc., Air Canada, The Printing House, The Globe and Mail and Hillberg & Berk.

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