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Guest, friend, and inspiring human Krista Clive-Smith breaks down the power of personal branding in today's episode. Personal branding, she explains, is not about ego; it's about aligning your authentic self and personal story, distinct from your business ventures and organizations.

Krista introduces the "Personal Branding Triangle," which outlines the three core principles of a personal brand which are what you DO, what you KNOW, and what you ARE, all framed within a growth-oriented mindset (the yellow border). This concept emphasizes working with healthy belief systems and a mindset focused on growth and expansion.

Once we’ve defined a personal brand, we explore what it means to flip the traditional structure of company branding. By placing personal branding at the top, we separate it from the organizational brand. Krista reminds us that change is inevitable, and if we entangle our identity too closely with our company, rather than the other way around, we create risk and limit our options.

Taking time to establish a personal brand enables our authenticity and humanity to shine through, which in turn is reflected in our companies’ cultures. Krista leaves us with a powerful analogy: our personal brand is like a theme park, and our business ventures are the distinct lands within this cohesive personal brand.

Krista has generously offered to connect with listeners as a “go-giver.” You can reach out to her via email or learn more by visiting her website.

What’s Inside:

• What is personal branding?
• Three core principles of your personal brand.
• Why we should separate our personal brand from our company brand.
• An an authentic personal brand reflects in company culture.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Krista Clive-Smith
Krista@kristaclivesmith.com
MBA CPA

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Susan Latremoille advocates a holistic approach to financial advisory, addressing a key issue: many people reach retirement or other major life transitions only to feel less fulfilled than expected. Through Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors, she trains and empowers financial advisors (and accountants and lawyers) to recognize the deeper challenges people face and guides them in helping clients prepare effectively for life after a career. As well as helping those pre-planning, on the cusp, or already retired.

Life transitions—retirement, selling a business, or stepping away from work—can disrupt a person’s social connections, identity, purpose, and structure (SIPS). Without thoughtful planning, these changes often lead to isolation, illness, and other adverse effects. While the “honeymoon phase” of retirement feels exciting, it eventually leaves many wondering, “What’s next?”. Susan is on a mission to retire the word retirement. It’s just the next chapter.

Susan suggests that preparing for life’s next chapter is like working with a trainer; it’s a best practice that ensures a smoother transition. Her Ironclad Process is designed to help clients build a “happiness portfolio” by connecting their financial and life goals. Her “rich life” philosophy centers on three key principles: live well, give back, and leave a legacy.

By creating a comprehensive life plan, followed by a financial plan and suitable products, clients can cultivate a truly fulfilling life. Retirement isn’t the end; it’s an opportunity to write a new, purpose-driven chapter.

What’s Inside:

• Why we need to RETIRE the word Retirement.
• SIPS, the common challenges that come with transitioning from your career.
• How financial advisors can assist with your happiness portfolio.
• The three pillars of a “Rich Life”.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors
MBA CPA

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Brian Stephenson is what we like to call a "recovering lawyer," and his business partner is a "recovering accountant." Together, they created Lakepoint Capital Partners, a commercial lending specialty firm with a mission to make debt work for business owners rather than against them.

The ideal clients for Lakepoint are those looking to acquire new facilities, optimize existing ones, or possibly acquire smaller businesses. Lakepoint accesses an array of private institutional lenders for real estate lending and collaborates with banks, credit unions, and long-standing lenders with whom their clients already have relationships. In a challenging industry environment where capital is harder to access and debt is difficult to obtain, even for bankable clients, Lakepoint works with all the banks that want to work with you, ensuring you get the best deal. For entrepreneurs, being told what to do can feel like a death sentence, so Lakepoint helps structure flexibility and a range of possibilities with lenders.

There are many advantages to having pre-approval in your back pocket, so even if you're not ready for a deal just yet, Lakepoint can guide you in putting together a robust legal and financial team to position you for future lending. Many businesses have untapped assets that allow them to access the right type of debt. Get the debt that works for you and the future you want.

What’s Inside:

• How to make your debt work for you.
• The ideal client for Lakepoint Capital Partners.
• The value in debt flexibility and preapproval.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Lakepoint Capital
brian@lakepointcapital.ca
MBA CPA

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Ross Derrick is the owner of Derrick’s Steakhouse, a 1950s-inspired steakhouse with a modern flair. Entrepreneurs are driven by the desire to create value and contribute to the world, and that's exactly what Ross does. After a decade of side hustles, his entrepreneurial journey wasn't a choice—it was a necessity. When faced with a major holiday where he couldn’t get the day off to spend time with his daughter and was unable to find a babysitter, he knew he had to make a change. So, he took a bold step, secured an investment, and launched what is now a restaurant group known for its renowned culture of positivity.

Ross admits, “I’m not great at anything, but I’m good at a lot of things,” which allows him to rely on the expertise and creativity of his employees. His approach of listening to his staff fosters a sense of cohesiveness and empowerment within his business. By prioritizing a positive work environment over just delivering a great customer experience, Ross has built a company where people actually enjoy working. You might wonder—what’s his secret formula? Ross credits his leadership style to a heavy dose of empathy, leading with his heart, trusting his intuition, and believing in his team. He cares about people, and they can feel that.

The hospitality industry is unique. Some employees build lifelong careers, while others are just passing through. But regardless of the path, it’s a field where you can learn a lot about professionalism and life. You can enjoy this atmosphere at any of Ross's establishments: Broken Anchor Kitchen, Broken Anchor Catering, Globe Café and Restaurant, and, of course, Derrick’s Steakhouse.

What’s Inside:

• An entrepreneurial journey born through drive and necessity.
• The major impact of empathy and positivity in leadership.
• The unique possibilities of the hospitality industry
• A restaurant group with renowned culture and guest experience.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Derrick's Steakhouse
MBA CPA

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Anyone running a brand anywhere must embody an entrepreneurial spirit. Today’s guest, Kristin Holomis, Founder of Le Dog Company, exemplifies this perfectly. Le Dog is a premium orthopedic leather dog bed company, born from Kristin’s passion for both dogs and style.

Being a business owner and entrepreneur is about identifying gaps in the market and creating value to fill them. Kristin describes her niche as ‘White Space’—while there are markets for “disposable” dog beds, well-known luxury brands, and comfort-centric options, Le Dog offers something unique: a blend of style and function. As the only non-launderable pet bed on the market, the brand has achieved a 30% return customer rate, highlighting the impact of her product.

So, what does the future hold for Le Dog? For entrepreneurs, building energy and passion behind a brand is key. Kristin aims to achieve this by fostering a community of loyal, like-minded dog owners, which she’s already started through her Ambassador Program. Thanks to Kristin, MBA listeners can “Live the Le Dog Life” with a 20% discount using the MBAWAY20 code on the Le Dog Company website.

What’s Inside:

• The importance of entrepreneurial spirit.
• Finding “White Space” to create value in the world.
• Using community building to create loyal customers and a lasting brand story.
• A special discount for listeners at Le Dog Company.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Le Dog Company
kristin@ledogcompany.com
MBA CPA

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After a brief but enjoyable discussion about his Scottish heritage and Scotland's football, we get into the main reason Scott McKee, Senior Investment Counselor at Cardinal Capital Management, is with us today. Cardinal Capital is opening a new location in Kelowna.

The financial world is full of alphabet soup titles, with no shortage of designations for financial advisors, Scott explains. He breaks down the meaning of some of the most common acronyms: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CIM (Chartered Investment Manager), PFP (Personal Financial Planner), RFP (Registered Financial Planner), and more.

But what do these designations mean, and how do you pick the right advisor? Scott highlights three key points to consider when searching for the right financial advisor:

1. Look for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.
2. Consider the advisor’s experience, as well as your own experiences with previous advisors.
3. Trust your gut and do your due diligence.

If you’re in the market for an advisor, you might want to consider if you are the right fit for Cardinal Capital. At Cardinal, they focus on growing your income, maintaining consistency, and educating you as a client in an easy-to-understand manner. At the Kelowna location, you can expect to find six independent advisors. However, Cardinal Capital works with over 100 independent advisors in total, with more transitioning to in-house roles all the time.

What’s Inside:

• Cardinal Capital opening in Kelowna.
• What to look for in a financial advisor?
• Are you the right fit for Cardinal Capital Management?

Mentioned In This Episode:
Cardinal Capital Management
MBA CPA

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Jeff Swan from Sellside M&A has introduced an innovative platform called A Happy eXit tailored for business owners navigating the transition process. As two-thirds of business owners, particularly baby boomers, are preparing to retire or make transitions, A Happy eXit is designed to support those with businesses valued between $5 million and $50 million, especially in industrial sectors. Beyond the straightforward sale price, the platform emphasizes the importance of recognizing the hidden value in a business, such as intellectual property, licenses, strategic advantages, unique processes, and company culture. Their four-component assessment framework—focusing on financial health, legal aspects, operational processes, and revenue—ensures a comprehensive approach to selling a business.

With A Happy eXit, business owners gain access to everything they need for a successful transition, including expert coaching, essential tools, and a supportive community. The platform is set to launch in September, and those interested can join the waitlist to be among the first notified. Additionally, the first 100 people who sign up will receive free lifetime access to A Happy Exit's invaluable resources, making this a crucial opportunity for those planning their next chapter.

What’s Inside:

• An exciting new platform for business owners.
• An important look at the hidden value in businesses.
• Don’t miss the awesome incentive to join A Happy Exit.

Mentioned In This Episode:

A Happy eXit
Sellside M&A
Sellside M&A: Exit Readiness Grader
MBA CPA

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Steve Geddes is a new friend of mine, and when we hit it off, I knew I had to have him share his incredible business story and advice on the podcast. Steve’s journey is a masterclass in understanding and scaling a business. He emphasizes that to scale effectively, you must understand every facet of your business—from the overall flow to the finer details. In order to deliver on your promises, you need to grasp the whole process. Steve knows there’s no magic pill for business success, but the closest thing to it is having a solid template and truly understanding your market. His approach combines passion, hard work, and strong relationships, shunning the “spray and pray” marketing tactics for targeted efforts where customers are most likely to be found.

Steve explains where he finds opportunities and customers via commercial work; more so, he emphasizes the potential of referrals, which generate warm leads and drive growth. Steve advises selling with passion and marketing as a “product enthusiast” rather than the traditional negative association many might have with a salesperson. This shift is critical to connecting with customers genuinely. Importantly, he notes that you don't need to be your business's target customer; instead, you must understand and find excitement in whatever you’re doing. This enthusiasm will resonate with customers and naturally lead to sales, making your business thrive. Steve was generous enough to share his phone number and email so that The MBA Way listeners could pick his brain even more!

What’s Inside:

• Is the way you’re scaling your business working?
• Selling with passion; no more toxic salesman.
• The “secret” to understanding your business and delivering promises.
• Referrals: The underrated lead generator.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Call or Text Steve: 250-212-3622
Steve@sgefurniture.com
Leather Repair, Plastic, Vinyl Restoration: Fibrenew Kelowna
MBA CPA