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In this episode, Trevor Koot interviews Alex Miller, founder of Big Block Construction, who shares his journey from growing up on a farm in southern Saskatchewan to becoming a leader in innovative modular construction and community-focused housing projects.
Alex discusses his early struggles, including feeling out of place in engineering school and pivoting to real estate investment after being inspired by his parents' relentless work ethic. He recounts how he and his partners started flipping houses, moved into larger development projects, and eventually discovered modular construction as a more efficient and sustainable way to address housing needs.
Alex also shares the challenges of scaling rapidly, dealing with economic downturns, and the emotional toll of laying off employees during tough times. Through it all, his purpose evolved to "building communities at full throttle," focusing on innovative housing solutions, particularly for underserved populations, like affordable housing projects with indigenous and non-profit partners.
This conversation highlights Alex’s resilience, the importance of purpose-driven work, and the lessons learned from both failures and successes.
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Mike Rowlands is an experienced entrepreneur and advocate for social purpose in business. Mike shares his journey from an accidental start in entrepreneurship during the 2001 economic crisis to building a values-driven branding agency. He discusses the importance of relationships as the foundation of business, the integration of social purpose into profit models, and his vision for a future where businesses are drivers of societal well-being. With candid reflections on resilience, growth, and staying ahead of the curve, Mike’s story is a testament to the challenges and rewards of building a meaningful business.
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Trevor Koot shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with a company that didn't evolve into anything to a series of successful, albeit challenging, business ventures. He reflects on his experiences in real estate, property management, and business leadership, touching on key moments of growth, failure, and reinvention. Trevor emphasizes the importance of resilience, innovation, and the often-overlooked emotional weight of leadership. He candidly discusses the hardest day in his career, when he had to lay off multiple employees to save his company. Trevor also highlights his transition into leadership roles within real estate organizations and how those roles reshaped his understanding of leadership and business strategy.
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In this episode of "Business is Fcking Hard," Karri Green-Schuermans, co-owner of the celebrated Vancouver restaurant Shambhar, shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey and the unique challenges of running a restaurant in today’s economy. She discusses the steep learning curve of moving from corporate life to restaurant ownership, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and systems thinking in a volatile industry. Karri explains how external factors, such as government policies and global events, directly impact the restaurant industry, creating a chain reaction felt by local communities and economies. She highlights the critical role restaurants play in community building and underscores the dedication required to sustain a values-based business amid ever-increasing financial pressures.
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In this episode, Jason Lindstrom shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of building communities, adapting to challenges, and embracing risk. He recounts his early days at Simon Fraser University, where he founded a ski club to create a sense of belonging, which laid the foundation for his future business ventures. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to co-found three successful businesses, two of which were acquired.
Jason emphasizes the role of mentorship in his success, noting that learning from others’ experiences and mistakes has been invaluable in navigating the complex world of business. He also reflects on the importance of data in decision-making and scaling businesses, underscoring that trusting your instincts while grounding decisions in hard data is key to long-term success.
He shares a pivotal moment when he risked his family's down payment to invest in his current venture, Bucket List Rewards. This decision, driven by both passion and strategic insight, paid off, but it was not without its challenges. Lindstrom's story serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs, showing the balance between taking calculated risks and building a strong foundation through community, mentorship, and data-driven strategies.
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In this episode of "Business is F*cking Hard," Hamish Knox shares his journey from working on a hobby farm to becoming a sales expert and franchise owner in the Sandler network. Hamish discusses the critical lessons he’s learned about resilience, from making 5,000 cold calls when he first started to managing a near-collapse after a challenging expansion. He highlights the importance of staying adaptable and continuously evaluating whether each decision aligns with his ultimate goals. With a focus on balancing ambition and discipline, Hamish emphasizes that growth comes from building strong relationships, clear communication, and a team that supports your vision. His story is full of insights on managing risk, investing in personal growth, and creating a sustainable legacy.
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In this episode, entrepreneur Steve Jagger shares his unique journey from starting a web-hosting company out of a bedroom to creating the revolutionary real estate investment platform, Addy. Steve discusses his early ventures in web hosting, real estate, and outsourcing, describing how his knack for spotting opportunities led him to found multiple successful businesses. Through risk-taking, resilience, and a "minimum viable product" approach, Steve has transformed initial ideas into thriving businesses that break down traditional investment barriers and offer access to new opportunities.
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In this episode, Kevin Skipworth, a seasoned real estate broker and partner at Dexter Realty, shares his journey from union jobs to leading a real estate brokerage. Kevin reflects on his early entrepreneurial experiences, his transition from employee to business owner, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned about managing people, navigating market cycles, and balancing competition within the industry. His insights offer a compelling look at the challenges and rewards of owning a small business in a highly competitive market.
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