This Commerce Life

What do the Canadian Shield, a fourth-generation family business, and a trade show floor in Germany have in common? Wild rice — and one of the most remarkable food origin stories you've never heard. In this episode of This Commerce Life, Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci sit down with Matt Ratuski, fourth-generation owner of Floating Leaf Fine Foods, whose family has been harvesting Canadian wild rice since 1935. From his great-grandfather trading fish with First Nations communities in Keewatin, Ontario, to building one of Canada's first wild rice processing facilities, Matt's story is equal parts frontier history and modern food entrepreneurship. We dig into how Canadian wild rice is still harvested the old-fashioned way — in remote rivers, streams, and bogs across northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario — and why that makes it fundamentally different from the cultivated rice grown in the U.S. We also cover the deep, multi-generational relationships with First Nations harvesters, the wild crop's two-to-three-week harvest window, and why Europe discovered this superfood long before Canadians did. Plus: why innovation in food always requires education, what it takes to build a Canadian food brand with global reach, and why Phil is about to start cooking wild rice on camera.   check out Floating Leaf here: https://eatwildrice.ca/  

What do you do when the soda you started making to complement your craft brewery ends up outgrowing the brewery itself? That's exactly what happened to Diana, co-founder of Callister Soda.  In this episode, Diana walks us through her unlikely journey — from office worker dreaming of a sustainable farm, to opening Callister Brewing in Vancouver in 2015, to hand-capping bottles and hand-seaming cans as her natural soda line quietly took on a life of its own. She shares the hard lessons of navigating supply chain chaos, a craft beer market in decline, and a rent increase that tripled over a decade — and how a perfectly timed facility opportunity in Port Coquitlam gave Callister Soda the home it needed to grow. If you're a food or beverage founder wondering whether to follow the momentum or stay the course, Diana's story is one you'll want to hear.   Check out Callister here: https://callistersoda.com/  

From Istanbul to Grocery Aisles: Arda and the Hummzies StoryIn this episode, Kenny and Phil sit down with Arda, the founder of Hummzies — a hummus-based, chickpea snack that's quickly gaining traction across Canadian retail shelves. Arda shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Istanbul, where a bombing near his high school prompted his family to send him to Canada at just 16 years old, to studying political science at the University of Toronto, and eventually finding his passion in the food industry. He talks about how his mentor Eyub at Red Crown Pomegranate Juice gave him the foundation to learn the business, how honest advice from distributor Ratan at Jiva led him to his current partnership with Star Marketing, and why doing your own demos and treating your distributor like a true partner — not just a service provider — is the key to building a brand the right way. Whether you're a new CPG founder trying to figure out distribution or just love a great immigrant entrepreneur story, this one's packed with real talk and practical lessons. check out Hummzies at https://www.hummzies.com/Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode: https://www.lgdfwholesale.com/  

Natasha Chawla spent 25+ years in the corporate world working on brands like Coca-Cola and Unilever before launching Greens&Beans — a line of vegetable-packed, allergen-free pasta sauces born from her own kitchen.What started as a mom's mission to feed her allergy-prone, hockey-playing son healthy meals turned into a full-fledged CPG brand now landing on shelves across British Columbia and beyond.In this episode, Natasha shares the real journey: the R&D nightmare of scaling from 10 litres to 300 (when her sauce turned into dessert), the pivot from glass bottles to shelf-stable pouches for e-commerce, and the hard lesson that getting into a store is only half the battle — you still have to sell it.Kenny and Phil also dig into the practical side of growing a food brand the right way: why training your distributor matters, how to pace your retail pipeline so you don't outgrow your co-packer, and the power of collaboration with complementary brands.Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this conversation is packed with real talk about what it actually takes to get a sauce from your kitchen to the shelf.🔗 Check out Greens & Beans: https://greensandbeans.ca/ 📍 Thank you to LGDF wholesale for sponsoring this episode: https://www.lgdfwholesale.com/

When Vikki decided to rescue horses with no teeth, she didn't realize it would lead to opening a thriving feed and farm supply business. In this episode, Vikki and her husband Rob share how Topline Feed and Farm Supply started as a way to "supplement the horses" and evolved into a community hub in Tavistock, Ontario. From navigating the challenges of rural retail and competing with big-box stores to giving back through hospice visits and youth programs, this Ontario Made award-nominated business proves that passion, ADHD-fueled entrepreneurship, and a lot of hard work can build something special. Plus, we talk about the realities of running a brick-and-mortar store, the importance of doubling down on Canadian entrepreneurship, and why rescuing horses is way cooler than anyone expected.Find Topline feed here: https://www.toplinefeeds.com/homethank you to Haddas and Rebecca at Ontario made for connecting us with Vicki and Rob. https://supportontariomade.ca/Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode. https://www.lgdfwholesale.com/    

From Salt Spring Island to Small-Town Retail: Angela Donnelly on Running Raise the Root Organic MarketAngela Donnelly, founder of Raise the Root Organic Market in Caledon, Ontario, shares her journey from working on her parents' mobile produce truck on Salt Spring Island to opening her own natural foods store. Angela talks about learning the produce business at Vancouver's terminal markets, the transition from hippie back-to-the-landers to strategic retailer, and the harsh realities of competing against grocery giants in 2025.Find Raise the Root here: https://www.raisetheroot.ca/You can find Angela on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-donnelly-3a73123a/Thank you to Haddas and Rebecca at Ontario Made for connecting us. Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode. You can find them at https://www.lgdfwholesale.com/   

Andrew Warburton from Peak Beverage Co. joins Phil and Kenny to share his journey building a premium fruit soda brand in BC's competitive beverage market. From launching with minimal research to now being in 175+ stores across Western Canada, Andrew opens up about the realities of scaling a local CPG brand.In this conversation, you'll hear about Peak's channel strategy—why food service and wineries have been their sweet spot, how Amazon opened up eastern markets without expensive direct-to-consumer shipping, and the importance of staying connected to customers through farmer's markets and demos. Andrew discusses navigating distributor relationships, managing seasonal fluctuations in the food and beverage industry, and why understanding your consumer and picking your spots matters more than being everywhere.Whether you're launching a beverage brand or scaling a local food product, Andrew's honest, practical approach to building Peak Beverage Co. offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, distribution strategy, and staying true to your brand. Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode. You can find them at: www.lgdfwholesale.comYou can find Andrew at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwarburt0n/Check out Peak Beverage here: https://www.drinkpeak.ca/Buy it on Amazon here: Apple Rhubarb: https://a.co/d/eRoHXAPHaskap Lemonade: https://a.co/d/iXhD0XYTell us which one is your favourite here: https://www.instagram.com/thiscommercelife/

Building Canada's Next Generation of Retail Leaders with Dr. Janice RudkowskiEver wonder where retail professionals actually learn their craft? Dr. Janice Rudkowski from Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Retail Management joins Phil and Kenny to discuss Canada's only undergraduate degree program dedicated exclusively to retail education. From merchandise planning and supply chain logistics to experiential learning with industry partners, Janice reveals how TMU is preparing students for careers across the entire retail ecosystem—from fashion buying at Sephora and Lululemon to emerging food retail opportunities. The conversation explores the evolution of Canadian grocery retail, the importance of regional players like Sobeys and Metro, and why hands-on industry connections are critical for developing the next generation of retail talent. If you've ever wondered how to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world retail execution, this episode is for you. Find Dr Rudkowski here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicerudkowski/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for their support: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/  

Bryan from Market 49 Fine Foods joins Phil and Kenny to share the story of how a COVID-era side hustle for bored chefs turned into a thriving frozen meal business that's redefining quality in the freezer aisle.What started as cooking for friends and family who couldn't or wouldn't cook has grown into a multi-location operation across BC's Lower Mainland. Bryan opens up about his culinary journey that began out of challenge (pushing back against his mom's lunches as a kid), his 100+ years of combined chef experience with his partners, and why they saw a massive gap in the frozen food market.In this conversation, you'll hear about Market 49's unique approach to premium frozen meals, their strategic distribution through independent retailers like Williams and Urban Fare, their pop-up model testing new markets, and the challenges of scaling a food business while maintaining chef-quality standards. Bryan also shares insights on pricing strategy, the realities of running a commercial kitchen, why they've avoided the Big 3 grocery chains, and how they're building a loyal customer base across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and beyond.Whether you're a food entrepreneur looking to break into retail, curious about the frozen food category, or just want to understand how small brands grow in Canada's competitive CPG landscape, this episode delivers practical insights and real talk about building a food business from the ground up. Check out Market 49 here: https://market49.ca/Find Bryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-swartz-936a122b0/

From Quebec Grains to World-Class Spirits: The Dunrobin Distilleries StoryAdrian from Dunrobin Distilleries joins Phil and Kenny to share the fascinating journey of building one of Eastern Ontario's premier craft distilleries. Located halfway between Ottawa and Montreal, Dunrobin has carved out a unique position in Canadian spirits by sourcing local Quebec grains and building a vertically integrated operation from farming to finished product. Find Adrian here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianspitzer/?originalSubdomain=caShop for Dunrobin here: http://dunrobindistilleries.com/ Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast : https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/  

James Rowley of Glenmore Printing pulls back the curtain on the commercial packaging industry, revealing how commodity price volatility, tariff uncertainty, and consolidation are reshaping the business. James shares his philosophy on being a true partner to food brands—absorbing cost pressures, providing strategic guidance beyond just printing boxes, and helping smaller players navigate market opportunities. Find James here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rowley-8800ab15/Check out the studio here: https://www.glenmorecustomprint.com/Shout out to: https://beststudio.ca/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

We catch up with Sonia Strobel, Co-Founder & CEO Of Skipper Otto -  Canada's Largest Community-Supported FisherySkipper Otto has cracked the code on sustainable, traceable seafood in Canada. Co-founder and CEO Sonia Strobel joins us to share how their community-supported fishery model has grown to serve 8,000 members across the country—and why they finally made the leap into home delivery. In this conversation, Sonia walks us through the careful, deliberate expansion that's defined Skipper Otto's growth: from community pickup locations at 100+ partners nationwide to launching home delivery in Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta. She explains the logistics challenges they solved (spoiler: dry ice is key), why they operate their own boat in False Creek, and how pre-purchasing shares in the catch guarantees living wages for 45 fishing families while ensuring customers get the freshest, most sustainable seafood possible.Whether you're curious about alternative food systems, direct-to-consumer distribution, or building a values-driven food business that actually works, this episode offers a masterclass in patient, purposeful scaling.TOPICS DISCUSSED:The community-supported fishery model and how it worksExpanding from pickup locations to nationwide home deliverySolving frozen delivery logistics across Canadian climatesOperating their own fishing vessel and processing facilityBuilding trust through complete supply chain transparencyBalancing growth with quality and sustainability valuesVisit skipperotto.com to learn more about their membership model and home delivery options.Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

We sit down with Joy Dutcher, co-founder of Mycelyum, to explore how she turned a personal journey with ADHD and functional mushrooms into an innovative Canadian wellness brand. Joy shares the origin story of discovering lion's mane and chaga mushrooms through her partner Jimmy's background in traditional Chinese medicine, and why they chose the gummy format over powders and capsules. Check out Mycelyum here: https://mycelyum.com/Find Joy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joydutcher/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/    

Elaine and Cam, the founders behind Not Too Sweet Drinks, join Phil and Kenny to share their journey of creating a sparkling beverage brand that's actually not too sweet. Recording from Phil's car during CHFA prep with special guests Lara and Christine from Munching on Molecules, this episode captures the authentic story of Vancouver Island entrepreneurs who are redefining the sparkling drink category.From their backgrounds in engineering and graphic design to launching a beverage company during a pandemic, Elaine and Cam discuss the challenges of building distribution across BC, managing cash flow with direct store delivery, and staying focused on sustainable growth. They open up about their mentorship with industry veteran Greg Tolazzi, the decision to stay local rather than rush into broader retail expansion, and why they're committed to keeping manufacturing on the island.With products ranging from lychee to ginger beer, Not Too Sweet has built a loyal following through farmers markets, independent retailers, and word-of-mouth. This conversation covers the realities of beverage entrepreneurship, the importance of community support, and why sometimes the best growth strategy is knowing when not to scale too fast.Find Not Too Sweet at @not2sweetdrinks on Instagram or visit www.not2sweetdrinks.cathank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

Sarah Kinlin returns to This Commerce Life two and a half years after her first appearance, and the transformation is remarkable. What started as a tentative step toward professional speaking has evolved into a thriving business as a mindset and leadership coach, author, and professional hockey coach.In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah shares her journey from leaving Johnson & Johnson to building a multi-faceted career centered on helping others go from tired and overwhelmed to rested and focused. She discusses writing her book "Grit, Grace & Goals" – a tribute to her late fathhttps://sarahkinlin.com/pages/grit-grace-mindset-coachinger's leadership lessons from raising nine kids while working at a nuclear station – and how her own childhood shaped her approach to coaching young athletes and business leaders alike.Sarah opens up about the grief recovery work that led to her book, the unexpected success of her book tour, coaching U15 girls' hockey, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. From meditation practices to managing hockey teams to running leadership workshops, this episode captures the reality of building a purpose-driven business while staying true to your values.Whether you're considering a career transition, navigating the loneliness of entrepreneurship, or looking for inspiration on how to turn life lessons into impact, Sarah's story offers practical wisdom wrapped in authenticity. This is Sarah's original podcast episode (episode 314) https://this-commerce-life-fb5a846c.simplecast.com/episodes/we-meet-a-fan-become-fans-sarah-kinlin-will-be-a-world-reknowned-speaker-coach-and-educator-were-proud-to-be-her-first-podcast Check out Sarah's website here: https://sarahkinlin.com/pages/grit-grace-mindset-coaching Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/  

Shannon and Sarah, Naturopathic Doctors from Guelph, Ontario, are reimagining homeopathy for modern retail. In this episode, they share how they're solving the complexity problem in the homeopathy category by offering curated kits instead of overwhelming individual SKUs.  They discuss their journey from festivals to CHFA, their strategic approach to pricing, navigating Health Canada regulations, and why their next move might be Europe or Asia before conquering traditional Canadian pharmacy chains. Plus, hear about the unique advantages of being sisters in business—and the challenges of selling a category that struggles with mainstream press but has devoted believers. Check out Hawthorn Homeopathics here: https://hawthornhomeopathics.com/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast. https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

Join Phil and Kenny as they hit the road with Simran Kaur, Sales Manager for Western Canada at Chiba Organics, for an unfiltered conversation about navigating the Canadian CPG and retail landscape.From her start handling national accounts for McDonald's and Starbucks at Zomato in Delhi to building relationships with independent grocers across Western Canada, Simran shares hard-earned wisdom about what it really takes to succeed in this business. Recorded on a marathon road trip, this episode dives into the realities of selling into retail: managing out-of-stocks honestly, building authentic store relationships, understanding that it's never about you—it's about helping stores serve their customers better, and why owning your mistakes is non-negotiable.Whether you're breaking into the industry, managing accounts, or just trying to understand how products make it onto shelves, this conversation delivers practical insights and real talk about the challenges and rewards of life in Canadian retail and CPG.You can find Simran here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaur-mansimran/In case you're interested in working with Jiva Organics: https://www.jivaorganics.ca/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

What if your makeup routine is secretly harming your eye health? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Nieka Sabeti, a practicing optometrist and founder of CHESHMA, a groundbreaking line of eye-friendly cosmetics. After countless patients broke down in her exam room—struggling with dry eye disease caused by cosmetics and feeling they had to choose between their appearance and their eye health—Dr. Neeka had a middle-of-the-night revelation that changed everything.Discover why most cosmetics aren't as eye-safe as you'd think, how proper makeup removal can dramatically improve eye health, and what drove this optometrist to become an entrepreneur. Dr. Neeka shares her journey from chemistry undergrad to eye doctor to beauty brand founder, including why she drove labs crazy with her extensive testing requirements (way beyond Health Canada's standards).We dive deep into the connection between cosmetics and dry eye disease, the importance of proper eye hygiene, and why education is at the core of changing both consumer behavior and industry standards. Plus, hear the co-hosts debate the challenges of building awareness for health-focused beauty products in a market where convenience often trumps wellness.Whether you're a makeup lover, deal with dry eyes, or are curious about the intersection of healthcare and beauty innovation, this conversation will open your eyes (pun intended) to what you're really putting on your face. Check out Cheshma Beauty here: https://cheshmabeauty.ca/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the show: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

The Knuckleheads talk to each other. Two retail veterans with a combined 50+ years of experience sit down for honest conversations about Canadian business, brands, and the challenges facing small and medium-sized companies. We talk to each other about where we come from and how we got here. Kenny, it turns out, was always pretty linear. Phil, has nothing linear about his career at all.  Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring our podcast. https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

When Nana Daniels returned from a trip to Ghana in 2016, she experienced a severe lupus flare-up that left her skin severely burned. What happened next changed her life forever.After seven hours in the emergency room with no real solution, Nana turned to her Ghanaian roots and created her own remedy using raw shea butter, vitamin E, and essential oils. The results were so remarkable that friends started asking for their own supply—and Honam Naturals was born.In this inspiring episode, Nana shares:Her 25-year journey living with lupus and sclerodermaHow a medical crisis became an unexpected business opportunityThe cultural wisdom behind shea butter and African black soapSelling out her first product batch in one hour and making $1,000Winning a mentorship with Dragons' Den's Manjit MinhasLanding products in Winners, Walmart (US and Canada), and Amazon—all while battling imposter syndromeThe challenges of scaling from kitchen countertop to big box retailWhy she chose aluminum containers and eco-friendly packagingHer vision for getting into more natural health stores across CanadaFrom Ajax, Ontario, Nana has built a thriving skincare and haircare brand that honors traditional African ingredients while meeting modern clean beauty standards. Her story proves that sometimes the best solutions come from going back to basics—and that a little bit of courage can turn adversity into opportunity.Products discussed: Body butters, African black soap, hair care for tight curls and chemically-treated hair, home fragrances, and men's groomingConnect with Honam Naturals: http://honamnaturals.com/collectionsThank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/