Just Good Business 🍁

Chapter 1:  Music Licensing for Your Business Demystified: A Conversation With SOCAN 🎶Dive into the world of music rights with SOCAN's Kit Wheeler! Discover why music licensing matters for businesses and how it supports artists. Chapter 2:  Is Valentine’s Day A Bigger Shopping Event Than Black Friday? Dive into the numbers behind this year's Valentine's Day spending! 📊 Discover why it outshone even Black Friday in consumer impact. Find out why Canadians splurged more this year and what it means for our economy. Links of Interest: Moneris Data Services SOCAN Entandem Licensing Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:19 - Chapter 1: Music Licensing for Your Business Demystified: A Conversation With SOCAN 00:11:57 - Chapter 2: Is Valentine’s Day A Bigger Shopping Event Than Black Friday? 00:24:40 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief EconomistAl sat down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to unpack the top 3 economic stories of 2025, and to look at the year ahead in Canada’s economy. He also offers some helpful insights for Canadian small business owners.Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its ImplicationsData Expert Sean McCormick joins Al to break down the latest holiday consumer spending trends. Was spending up, down, or flat this year? Which provinces came out on top? Which days were the busiest—and has Boxing Day lost its traditional shopping momentum? Get these answers and more insights in the full conversation.Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin JacobDon't miss our chat with MasterCard's Benjamin Jacob on the evolving consumer behavior and adaptive economies. Discover how AI and strategic spending are revolutionizing the way Canadians shop!  Links of Interest:BMOBMO Capital MarketsMoneris Data ServicesMastercardMastercard Small Business ResourcesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:13 - Chapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist00:11:34 - Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications00:19:13 - Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob00:28:08 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House  Al is joined by Kate Horton from Ronald McDonald House Canada. She shares stories of how the organization supports families during their child's medical treatments. Ronald McDonald House Canada has supported more than 500,000 families across Canada since inception in 1981.Learn how you can help make a difference.Chapter 2: Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells UsJoin Al as he dives into the results from Black Friday 2025 with resident data expert Sean McCormick. Despite high hopes, spending was down 4% year-over-year, revealing intriguing regional differences and consumer behaviors. Discover key insights into the holiday shopping season, economic pressures, and strategic tips for merchants.Links of InterestRoncy PacksRonald McDonald House Canada / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookMoneris Data ServicesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:52 - Chapter 1: Kate Horton on Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House00:11:16 - Call For Small Campaign Winners00:11:50 - Chapter 2: Sean McCormick on Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us00:21:22 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David HopkinsCanada's restaurant industry is grappling with rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainties. David Hopkins, President of The Fifteen Group, discusses how restaurants can maximize profits and create new concepts. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of detailed business planning for new restaurants and strategizing for peak seasons like the holidays. He also touches on trends and the cautious use of technology and Ai in the industry.Chapter 2: Tech to Table: How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business OperationsAl dives into the latest technology to streamline restaurant operations with Gad Elharrar, VP of Product, and Michael Monaghan, Director of Product at Moneris. They introduce Moneris Go Restaurant, a commerce solution designed for small and micro-merchants. Learn how this solution is exceeding expectations and meeting the evolving needs of Canadian restaurateurs.Chapter 3: Putting a bow on consumer spending during the Toronto Blue Jays’ epic post-seasonThe World Series has wrapped up, and unfortunately for Canadian baseball fans, the Toronto Blue Jays came up short. While the on-field results weren’t what we hoped for, the story at the cash register tells a different tale for small Canadian businesses. Al sits down with consumer spending data expert Sean McCormick to break down the numbers from Toronto’s postseason run. The conversation even takes a therapeutic turn as Sean helps Al process the loss.Links of InterestThe Fifteen GroupMoneris Go RestaurantMoneris Data ServicesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:48 - Chapter 1: David Hopkins on Maximizing Your Restaurant's Profitability00:13:54 - Chapter 2: Moneris' Product Team on How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business Operations00:22:09 - Chapter 3: Sean McCormick Putting A Bow On Consumer Spending During The Toronto Blue Jays’ Epic Post-Season 00:30:58 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across CanadaAl is joined by Sports Expert and VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services Sean McCormick to discuss the excitement of October baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays enter the postseason, examining the impact on local and national spending. Sean shares insights on how playoff rusns boost restaurant and bar revenue, referencing data from previous NHL and MLB events.Introducing Moneris Go Retail: New Features For Modern Retail NeedsLast month, Moneris launched significant enhancements to its Go Retail solution, addressing the evolving needs of modern retail. Al is joined by VP of Product Gad Elharrar and Director of Retail Products Alexandra Silverberg to discuss the new features designed to streamline operations for small and micro businesses.Links of InterestMoneris Data ServicesMoneris Go RetailChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:01 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick with October Baseball's Economic Impact On Spending00:09:57 - Ask An Expert: Moneris' Product Team Introduces Moneris GO Retail00:15:37 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Discover how Canadians are embracing domestic tourism more than ever before! In this insightful episode, Al sits down with Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services, to discuss his findings.  Learn about the reasons behind the increased focus on local travel, how the exchange rate and political factors are influencing travel decisions, and get a sneak peek into the upcoming Elevate Festival in Toronto.Whether you're in the tourism industry or just curious about travel trends, this episode is packed with valuable information you won't want to miss!Also in this episode:Amanda Ibrahim, Senior Events & Sponsorship Specialist at Moneris talks about the upcoming Elevate FestivalLinks of Interest:Moneris Data ServicesAngus Reid InstituteElevate FestivalChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:16 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick with Insights On Domestic Tourism00:12:07 - Save the Date: Amanda Ibrahim with September's Events Calendar00:14:25 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Canada’s economy has had a wild ride this year—but is it as bad as it seems?In our latest episode, BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter returns to break down the numbers behind the headlines. From inflation and interest rates to the surprising strength of domestic tourism, Porter shares insights that every small business owner should hear.💡 Why hasn’t Canada hit a recession?📉 What economic myths are holding entrepreneurs back?🌍 How are demographic shifts reshaping business creation?Whether you're navigating uncertainty or planning your next move, this episode offers practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on Canada’s economic outlook.👉 Listen now and find out why the current climate might be more manageable than you think.Links of Interest• BMO EconomicsChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:20 - Featured Interview: Douglas Porter on Navigating Canada's Economic00:12:20 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

With the average age of business owners at 58 and many lacking succession plans, Canadian small businesses are facing climbing rates of closure. Al is joined by Dr. Sarah Burrows, Assistant Professor at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, to discuss the growing concern of succession planning in Canadian small businesses.Dr. Burrows discusses the "Silver Tsunami" and the impact of changing tax laws on family-owned businesses.Explore innovative solutions like Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) for sustainable business transitions and learn how local businesses can adapt amidst economic uncertainties.If you’re a business owner who hasn’t thought about succession planning, start listening!Also in this episode:Kerry Smith, National Leader, Famiy Office Services at MNP talks about succession planningAreen Pabla, Sales & Marketing Intern at Moneris reviews July’s calendar of eventsLinks of InterestDr. Sarah Burrows on LinkedINSmith School of BusinessQueen’s UniversityFamily Enterprise CanadaFamily Firm InstituteBusiness Development Bank of CanadaMNP Family Office ServicesSoulFestCanadian Food Truck FestivalsChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:45 - Featured Interview: Dr. Sarah Burrows on The Silver Tsunami00:14:09 - Ask An Expert: Kerry Smith on Succession Planning00:28:29 - Save The Date: Areen Pabla with July's Calendar Of Events00:29:57 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

This month, Al is joined by Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), to discuss the economic impact of golf in Canada and how the industry reflects this year’s tourism trends. Jeff also delves into how golf courses are adapting to changes in travel due to tariffs and the various programs and services offered by the NGCOA to support its members.Also in this episode:Lynne Dubuc, Director of Events at Elevate talks about Toronto Tech WeekSean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services talks about consumer spending during round 2 of the NHL PlayoffsLinks of InterestNational Golf Course Owners Association CanadaTake A Kid To The CourseToronto Tech WeekElevateMoneris Data ServicesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:21 - Featured Interview: Jeff Calderwood on The Business Of Golf In Canada00:14:44 - Ask An Expert: Lynn Dubuc on Toronto Tech Week00:19:42 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Round 2 NHL Playoff Consumer Spending Data00:27:30 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Al welcomes Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at the Bank of Montreal, to the podcast to discuss Canada’s current economic landscape. They delve into topics such as Canada's economic performance in the first quarter of 2025 and the effects of trade wars with the U.S. on Canadian businesses and consumers. Porter shares valuable advice for small business owners and entrepreneurs navigating this uncertain economic climate. He also offers his perspectives on the 'Buy Canadian' movement and inter-provincial trade barriers, and what they could mean for the economy. To lighten the mood, Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services, joins Al to share early consumer spending data from this year’s NHL Playoffs.Links of Interest:BMO EconomicsMoneris Data ServicesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:15 - Featured Interview: Douglas Porter on Canada's Economic Landscape00:17:09 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with NHL Playoff Consumer Spending Data00:22:36 - Outro  Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Rising costs, labour shortages, sustainability, and yes, tariffs, these are just a few of the challenges facing the food service industry in Canada. What is being done about it? Al sits down with Max Roy, VP of Federal and Quebec at Restaurants Canada to talk about it.Also, we all know how important trust is in business, but how do you measure trust? Bruce MacLellan, Chair at Proof Strategies has been measuring trust in Canada for the past decade and each year they release the Cantrust Index to share their findings. Al speaks with Bruce about their findings.Links of Interest:Restaurants CanadaRC Show 2025Proof StrategiesCanTrust IndexMoneris’ ESG ReportChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:25 - Featured Interview: Max Roy on The Biggest Challenges Faced By Restaurants In Canada00:16:52 - Ask An Expert: Bruce MacLellan on The Importance Of Trust In Business00:34:32 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

It’s March, and the #1 topic on the minds of most Canadians is tariffs. How will this affect purchasing decisions moving forward? Al welcomes Gary Sands, Senior VP @ Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) to the podcast. They talk about how independent Canadian grocers are already preparing for the imminent tariffs and what this could mean for consumers.March is also Fraud Prevention Month. Al chats with Amisha Parikh, VP Security Solutions @ Mastercard. They talk about Mastercard’s latest research on the impact of fraud on Canadian’s financial health.Also This Episode:David Litwin, Manager, External Communications at Moneris with insight and advice about Fraud Prevention Month.Links of Interest:Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG)Mastercard Trust CentreCybersecurity Assessment ToolFraud Prevention ToolsWhat The Fraud : Fraud Prevention ResourcesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:30 - Featured Interview: Gary Sands on How Canadian Grocers Are Responding To The Tariff Threats00:12:46 - Ask An Expert: Amisha Parikh on The Impact Of Fraud On Canada's Financial Health00:20:50 - By The Numbers: David Litwin on Fraud Data In Canada00:30:24 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

This month, Al welcomes back Sean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris Data Services to talk about consumer spending data in the first half of the tax holiday in Canada.Was it worth it for Canadians? Obviously every bit of savings helps. But what about Canadian Businesses? Did it change anyone’s shopping behaviour?Listen now to find out.Also This Episode:Daniel Stranges, Senior Events & Sponsorships Specialist at Moneris with a look at February’s Events CalendarLinks of Interest:Moneris Data ServicesSecond Harvest SweepstakesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:07 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick on The Tax Holiday00:06:58 - Save The Date: Daniel Stranges with February's Events Calendar00:08:13 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

In the first episode of 2025, Allan welcomes back Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris' Data Services, to discuss holiday spending trends from 2024 and their implications for 2025. They touch on the significance of Black Friday sales, regional differences in consumer spending, and predictions for economic recovery.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:46 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick Looking Back At 2024 And Forward to 202500:09:28 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

In this episode, Kate Horton, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC), pays Al a visit to discuss the organization's mission to support families with critically ill children. She shares insights into the history and impact of RMHC, including the challenges faced by families and their need for support.Kate also highlights heartwarming stories of families helped by RMHC and details ongoing campaigns and ways small businesses can contribute.Also in this episode:Sean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris talks Taylor Swift numbers.Amanda Ibrahim, Senior Events & Sponsorship Specialist at Moneris.Links of Interest:Ronald McDonald House Charities CanadaMoneris Data ServicesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:55 - Featured Interview: Kate Horton from Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada00:15:04 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Taylor Swift and Black Friday Spending Data00:21:00 - Save The Date: Amanda Ibrahim on December's Events Calendar00:23:09 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

One of the victims of moving to a more cashless society in the past has been charitable organizations that rely on people’s generosity during in-person donation opportunities. There are many people who simply just don’t like carrying cash with them.For the past few years, we’ve been following the progress of Canadian startup tiptap as they’ve grown from a conversation-starting curiosity, to a fixture on many national charitable campaigns, and not-for-profit institutions.Al has a sit-down with tiptap Director of Sales Mark Jordan to talk about a couple of these national campaigns The Poppy Campaign and The Red Kettle Campaign to learn how tip tap has helped them bridge the cashless gap.Also in this episode:Neal Isaac, Managing Director, Open Banking & Payments at ATB is our expert on open bankingSean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris Data Services shares consumer spending data.Links of Interest:Atb.comOpen Finance Network of CanadaFintechs CanadaCanadian Chamber of CommerceBudget 2024: Canada’s Consumer-Driven Banking Frameworktiptappay.comMark@TipTapPay.comChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:10 - Featured Interview: Mark Jordan on How Charities Are Bridging The Cashless Gap00:15:02 - Ask An Expert: Neal Isaac on Open Banking00:23:12 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Consumer Spending Data00:28:28 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Over the past few months we’ve talked a lot about grants and programs, both from the government and corporations, but how do you apply for these grants?This month, Al speaks with “Grant Angel” Stephanie Sang, Founder at Granted Consulting. As her nickname implies, Stephanie knows all about grants and shares her expertise with us.  Also in this episode:Sean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris Data Services shares consumer spending data.Ella Urquhart, Events Manager at Moneris gives a rundown of Ocober’s events calendar.Links of Interest:granted.caRonald McDonald House CanadaRMHC Great Games ChallengeSmall Business ForumChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:41 - Featured Interview: "Grant Angel" Stephanie Sang on How To Apply For Grants00:15:51 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Consumer Spending Data00:21:18 - Save The Date: Ella Urquhart with October's Events Calendar00:23:30 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

What came first? Your brick and mortar business or your ecommerce business? Whichever one you chose, one thing is almost certain, if you have a brick and mortar location, you most likely have a way to sell your product or service online as well. You may have noticed some challenges with keeping both channels synchronised, whether its with inventory management, scheduling, or sales. In this month’s episode Al speaks with expert Jason Grossman, Senior Product Manager at Moneris about how you can better align both those channels.Al also speaks with Mayumi Bae, Founder of The Plant Based Workshop and winner of the Visa She’s Next Grant Program. They talk about how and why she started her business and what her plans are for the grant.  Also in this episode:Sean McCormick, VP Business Development at Moneris Data Services shares consumer spending data.Matt Rovet, Senior Events Producer talks about September’s busy events calendarLinks of Interest:Moneris Total CommerceThe Plant Based WorkshopShe’s Next, Empowered By Visa2024 Elevate FestivalTrellis TransitGlow RitualCanada Fintech Forum 2024eCommerce North Innovator ChallengeToronto OktoberfestChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:54 - Featured Interview: Mayumi Bae, Founder of The Plant Based Workshop00:09:51 - Ask An Expert: Jason Grossman on Aligning Your Brick And Mortar With Your Online Business00:15:31 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Consumer Spending Data00:21:55 - Sounds From Elevate Festival00:31:03 - Save The Date: Matt Rovet with September's Events Calendar00:32:34 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

We’ve taken a look at government support for small business in Canada, but what about corporate support? Al is visited by Gerardo Welter, Vice President – Marketing & Business Insights Canada and Latin America at American Express. They talk about Amex’s Shop Small campaign, and they also share some promising trends for shopping small in Canada based on consumer shopping research.Another great event to support small business in Canada is the Elevate Festival. Al brings you on-the-scene interviews with participants from last year’s festival to give you a taste of what you can expect this year.Also in this episode:Daniel Stranges, Sr. Events & Sponsorship Specialist at Moneris cohosts.Sean McCormick, Director Business Development at Moneris shares consumer spending data.Links of Interest:Shop Small With American Express2024 Elevate FestivalAfrican Bronze HoneyAfter 9 Inc.HypeDocsChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:11 - Featured Interview: Gerardo Welter on Shopping Small00:09:58 - By The Numbers: Sean McCormick with Consumer Spending Data00:15:23 - Sounds From Elevate Festival00:25:25 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

As an entrepreneur in this country you may not be aware of all the help available to your business, and frankly, who has time to research? In this special bonus episode of Just Good Business we do the work for you. James Hicks, President and CEO of Moneris has a sit-down with the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Federal Minister of Small Business to talk about the state of small businesses in Canada, and some of the supports available to entrepreneurs and small business owners and where to find them.Links of Interest:Government of Canada Benefits FinderChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:49 - James Hicks Speaks With The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Federal Minister of Small Business00:15:18 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.