Success Leaves Clues: Ep145 with guest Jared Kahn, Co-Founder and CEO at TechEasy

Cory Chadwick is the Founder and CEO of The Mental Gym, a digital platform offering trainer-led group classes that help organizations and their people become their best selves. 

The conversation begins as Cory shares his journey and the importance of proactive mental health. His passion for mental fitness and training stems from his own experiences with mental health crises in his family. He emphasizes the need to address the stigma surrounding mental health and highlights the impact it has on families. Cory also discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace and the benefits it brings to both individuals and organizations, as well as how the mental gym program works and its impact on personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways

• Proactive mental health is essential for personal growth and overall well-being.
• The stigma surrounding mental health needs to be addressed to create a supportive environment.
• Prioritizing mental health in the workplace improves employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
• Leaders should recognize the business benefits of investing in mental health and create a culture that supports mental well-being.
• The sports community has successfully created a culture of mental fitness and serves as an example for other industries.
• The mental gym program focuses on building essential mental tools and habits through meaningful conversations and integration into real life.
• Measuring mental fitness requires a balance of qualitative and quantitative data, with a focus on how individuals feel and the positive changes they experience.
• The goal is to normalize mental health and make mental gym workouts as frequent as physical workouts.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

Today we're joined by Rob McConnell, President and CEO of Gibson's Cleaners and his daughter Linley McConnell, Director of Client Experience at Gibson's Cleaners. Gibson's Cleaners boasts a rich heritage, originating as a textile dye house back in 1929 before transitioning into a dynamic enterprise offering dry cleaning services and uniform rentals. Together they discuss the history of Gibson's Cleaners, the trends in dressing for work, and the challenges and benefits of working as a family. They also share their leadership styles and approaches to running the business.

Key Takeaways

• The pandemic has had a significant impact on the dry cleaning industry, however, Gibson's Cleaners has seen growth by adapting to new opportunities.
• The trend in dressing for work has become more casual, but there is a potential swing back to dressing up as people return to the office.
• Working as a father-daughter team has its challenges, but it also brings a unique dynamic and opportunity for mentorship and growth.
• Effective communication is crucial in both personal and professional relationships.
• Team sports teach valuable life lessons such as teamwork, resilience, and understanding roles.
• Dress for Success is an organization that empowers women into economic independence through career advancement programs.
• Embrace opportunities for growth in the future, both personally and professionally.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, hosts Robin Bailey and Al McDonald interview lawyer Michael Smitiuch, founder of Smitiuch Injury Law who shares his journey into personal injury and wrongful death law. Driven by his passion for helping the little guy in the fight against injustice, Michael discusses the emotional impact of dealing with traumatic cases and the coping strategies he has developed. He also talks about the importance of personal outlets and hobbies, the impact of AI on the legal profession, and the challenges of running a law firm. Finally, Michael emphasizes the importance of HR support and the benefits of hybrid work models.

Key Takeaways

• Passion for aiding the underdog and combating injustice serves as a motivating factor in personal injury and wrongful death law.

• Dealing with traumatic cases requires coping strategies and personal outlets to maintain emotional well-being.

• AI can assist with research and improve efficiency in the legal profession, but it cannot replace the creativity and advocacy of a human lawyer.

• Running a law firm requires HR support, financial management, and a focus on cash flow.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, we welcome guest Lak Gill, the CEO of Pillway, a tech-first digital pharmacy. Lak shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the evolution of Pillway from a software solution to a full-fledged digital pharmacy. He discusses the importance of partnerships, including their successful collaboration with Sun Life and emphasizes the value of listening to customers while aligning with their needs to drive innovation. He also highlights the balance between innovation, day-to-day operations, and personal life. Lak's ultimate goal is to revolutionize the pharmacy industry and leave a lasting legacy in the digital healthcare space.

Key Takeaways:

• Pillway is a tech-first digital pharmacy that aims to revolutionize the traditional pharmacy model through the use of technology.

• Partnerships with bigger organizations can be instrumental for success and growth.

• Listening to customers and aligning with their needs is crucial for driving innovation and delivering value.

• Balancing the pressures of innovation, day-to-day operations, and personal life is essential for success as an entrepreneur.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Entrepreneur and owner of People To Go, Chris Collins, shares his journey from studying history to starting a career in IT and eventually becoming part of the ownership team at PeopleToGo. He discusses the company's background and its focus on providing skilled IT resources and technology staffing services and solutions for companies of all sizes as the technology skills gap continues to grow and impact their businesses. As part of the leadership team, Chris highlights the importance of creating a positive employee experience and achieving Great Place To Work® Certification. He concludes by discussing his excitement for the future and his focus on investing in employees and creating growth opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Investing in employees and creating a positive employee experience is crucial for business success.

• Overcoming personal obstacles and maintaining work-life balance is essential for long-term well-being.

• Collaboration and consensus-driven decision-making can lead to a more inclusive and successful organization.

• Planting seeds for the future by investing in employees and creating growth opportunities is key to long-term success.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Today's compelling conversation is with Nora Jenkins Townson, the founder of Bright + Early, a collective of forward-thinking HR consultants crafting A+ workplaces & employee experiences. The discussion delves into the pivotal role of HR in start-ups and the optimal timing for integrating HR practices. Nora shares her personal journey into HR, emphasizing the crucial elements that contribute to an outstanding workplace, such as intentional design and a commitment to inclusion. Highlighting the significance of values and attributes in hiring, she underscores the need to go beyond the traditional metrics of education and experience.

The benchmarks for Nora's success extend beyond the conventional, encompassing the happiness of her team, client satisfaction, and the fostering of innovation. The episode wraps up with a thoughtful exploration of sowing the seeds for the future, underlining the importance of harmonious collaboration and innovative problem-solving.

Key takeaways: the necessity for early-stage companies to prioritize HR practices; the multifaceted approach to designing an exceptional workplace; the focus on values in the hiring process; and the diverse metrics for gauging success in HR.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Joining us in this episode, exploring the nexus of health, leadership, and career excellence, is Mike Kessel, the President & CEO of Cleveland Clinic Canada, a pivotal figure within one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare organizations. Mike has been at the forefront of the Cleveland Clinic Canada team for nearly 15 years, working tirelessly to help individuals and companies across the nation lead healthier and more active lives. Today, we have the privilege of delving into his wealth of experience and the wisdom he's gained throughout his impressive career.

We review the intersection of healthcare and the corporate world, uncovering the profound impact that a focus on well-being can have on both individuals and organizations and Mike shares some insights into how he prioritizes and takes care of his own well-being in this demanding role. We also tap into Mike's expertise for some career advice asking what pearls of wisdom he most often shares with others seeking success and fulfillment in their professional journeys.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Joining us today is Sefunmi Osinaike. He is the Co-Founder of Co.Lab, an online school that empowers and prepares career switchers for success within the tech industry. Co.Lab facilitates collaborative, hands-on product development experience for product managers, designers and software engineers to gain real-world experience.

Sefunmi has also been recognized for his bold entrepreneurial achievements, being named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023, a tribute to the accomplishments of emerging individuals who are making a difference in their respective fields. He is also the author of How to Product—a book on transitioning into product management from outside the industry.

As we launch our 4th season of Success Leaves Clues, Sefunmi explores the vital significance of learning by doing for entrepreneurs and elaborates on how upholding commitments plays a crucial role in meeting the promise made to all his customers.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Joining us today is Talent Leader & Mentor, Cindy Diogo-Kociuba, aka 'maker of the best lasagna' (just listen!) She is also the founder of ConSoul, a digital healthcare platform whose mission is to help those caring for people with chronic, terminal or elderly illnesses to plan for what's next, connect with family and friends, and narrate their journey. The app supports family caregivers by providing them with resources and personalized community and social support.

This impactful and, at times, emotional conversation touches on Cindy's career journey and intimate experience building startups. It captures her passion for creating human-centred solutions through the use of technology and reveals the amazing legacy of her father, who despite being told he wouldn't make it to her wedding beat the odds to walk her down the aisle before losing his battle weeks later to cancer. Don't miss this inspirational episode which ends our season with a message of gratitude and love. We'll be back in the New Year!

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Whether you're a music aficionado or just someone who enjoys a great story, you're in for a treat. Today we welcome Alan Cross to the podcast—a Canadian broadcasting legend, music historian, author and true connoisseur of all things audio. Based in Toronto, Ontario, he is best known nationally and internationally as host of the syndicated radio series The Ongoing History of New Music, which delves into various aspects of the music industry, including the evolution of genres, the influence of technology, and the stories behind significant bands and artists. Alan has interviewed some of the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters.

The voice of a generation, Alan began his radio career in 1980 at the University of Winnipeg and has watched the radio media industry evolve with the times into today's digital world. He is described as "the definitive Canadian curator and contextualizer of Alternative Rock" having had a significant impact on the Canadian music scene. Hosts Robin & Al delve into Alan's journey through the world of broadcasting, his experiences with iconic musicians, and the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. He also gives us a glimpse into some unforgettable moments and a sneak peek into what's next for this music maven.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group