The Business Development Podcast

In Episode 309 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with fellow Rockstar Raphael Cervan, a longtime listener from France whose journey is anything but ordinary. Born in Brazil and now based in France, Raphael spent nearly two decades as an aeronautical engineer at Airbus, working on landmark programs like the A380 and A320 while leading global teams at the highest level of technical excellence. But as his career advanced and he became a father, Raphael began asking deeper questions about responsibility, values, and the kind of world he was helping to build. That reflection ultimately led him to walk away from a prestigious leadership role in aerospace to pursue something more meaningful.This conversation goes far beyond career moves. Raphael shares how discovering The Business Development Podcast helped him transition from engineer to entrepreneur, reframing business development as a human, values-driven discipline rather than a transactional one. He opens up about founding Sunbiose, a company focused on decentralized, community-owned renewable energy systems designed to strengthen local economies, democracy, and social connection. This episode is a powerful exploration of legacy, courage, and what it really means to use your skills in service of something bigger than yourself, and it’s a reminder that business development done right can genuinely change lives.Key Takeaways:1. Career success means very little if it conflicts with your values, and clarity often comes when you ask what your children or future self will think of the choices you made.2. Becoming a parent has a way of sharpening perspective and forcing honest questions about responsibility, impact, and legacy.3. Technical excellence is powerful, but it becomes transformative when it’s applied to solving human and societal problems, not just optimizing systems.4. Walking away from a prestigious role is not failure when it’s done intentionally in pursuit of deeper purpose and alignment.5. Business development is not manipulation or pressure, it is a human process of understanding problems and offering real solutions.6. Engineers and technical leaders can succeed in business when they reframe selling as service rather than persuasion.7. Entrepreneurship is less about the destination and more about the growth, self-knowledge, and responsibility developed along the way.8. Systems matter, whether in aviation, energy, or business, and poorly designed systems create risks that values-based leadership must address.9. Decentralization and community ownership can create not only economic value but stronger social bonds and shared accountability.10. Legacy is built through action, not intention, and doing nothing is often the most dangerous decision of all.Get in touch with RaphaelIf this episode resonated and you’re exploring opportunities in decentralized energy, sustainability, or impact-driven entrepreneurship, Raphael is actively open to conversations. He is currently seeking strategic partners and aligned investors who share a long-term vision for community-owned, decentralized energy systems.If you’re interested in collaborating, partnering, or learning more about the Sunbiose model, Raphael welcomes thoughtful outreach.Email: raphael@sunbiose.fr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelcervan/2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week....

Episode 308 of The Business Development Podcast features John Pelley, a former banker with 35 years of experience spanning small business lending, corporate banking, and global treasury management. John pulls back the curtain on how business banking actually works and explains why banks are not fixed-cost utilities but competitive, for-profit organizations. Drawing from real-world experience, including high-level international deals, he shows how informed businesses can negotiate fees, rates, and structures by understanding how banks assess risk and profitability. The core message is clear: loyalty without review can quietly cost businesses significant money over time.Throughout the conversation, John walks listeners through why most business owners overpay their banks, where those costs really add up, and how even small changes in banking structure can meaningfully impact the bottom line. He outlines what business owners should be reviewing, how often they should be shopping their bank, and why treating banking costs like a controllable expense—not a fixed one—can unlock real financial leverage. This episode is not anti-bank; it’s pro-awareness, giving business owners the confidence and knowledge to ask better questions, make smarter decisions, and keep more of the money they already earn.Key Takeaways:1. Banks are competitive for profit businesses, not service charities, so you should treat every fee and rate like something that can be questioned and improved. 2. Most business owners default to the bank they already use, but brand loyalty can quietly cost you real money year after year. 3. Business banking is not one size fits all, even the big banks have many account options, and choosing the wrong one can bake in unnecessary costs. 4. Every dollar that flows in and out of your business attracts fees somewhere, so higher revenue can actually increase bank costs unless you optimize the setup. 5. It is hard to negotiate what you do not understand, so your first win is gathering your statements, understanding your transaction patterns, and getting clarity on what you are truly paying. 6. The biggest leverage often comes from reviewing loan structures and interest rates, especially when your financial position improves and you have more negotiating power than you think. 7. The rule is if you do not ask you do not get, but asking the right way with the right information is what actually gets banks to move. 8. The people you meet at the branch usually cannot approve major concessions, so your job is to make it easy for them to take a clean package up the chain to decision makers. 9. You do not always need to switch banks to win, sometimes the best play is using competitive offers to get your current bank to match or improve. 10. Banking should be reviewed like any major supplier relationship every few years, because markets change, your business changes, and compound savings can become a serious advantage over time. Check out Colibri Financial Services: http://www.colibri-fsa.com/2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst ClubThe Catalyst Club is a private leadership community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real momentum built through consistency, accountability, and honest conversation. This is a room where leaders...

Episode 307 is a deeply personal reflection on empathy, responsibility, and how life fundamentally changes the way we experience the world. Kelly Kennedy explores how becoming a father rewired his nervous system and unlocked a depth of empathy he didn’t previously have access to, triggered by moments from The Wild Robot and One Life. This episode challenges the idea that empathy is simply a skill or mindset, revealing instead that some layers of empathy only emerge when attachment, responsibility, and something meaningful to lose enter your life. The conversation then moves into leadership and business, asking a harder question: how do you lead ethically when you cannot fully understand what someone else is carrying? Kelly outlines why true empathy isn’t about pretending to understand another person’s risk, but about acting with humility, curiosity, and care when understanding is incomplete. The episode offers a grounded framework for protecting people, building trust, and leading responsibly, even when shared experience is missing.Key Takeaways: 1. Empathy is not something you decide to have; some of its deepest layers are unlocked only through responsibility and attachment. 2. Becoming responsible for someone else can biologically and emotionally rewire how you experience risk, loss, and care.3. You can intellectually understand someone’s situation without truly feeling what they feel, and that difference matters.4. Shared experience doesn’t make you better than others, but it does give you access to deeper emotional context.5. Real empathy in leadership starts with admitting the limits of your understanding instead of pretending you fully get it.6. Curiosity is more ethical than certainty when you haven’t lived someone else’s risk or responsibility.7. Empathy that doesn’t change behavior is sympathy at best; action is where empathy becomes real.8. When understanding is incomplete, ethical leaders default to protection rather than pressure.9. Responsibility sharpens moral clarity and makes indifference impossible once something meaningful is at stake.10. True empathy deepens as your life deepens, and great leadership comes from carrying that weight with humility.2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst ClubInside The Catalyst Club, listeners get to spend time with Kelly Kennedy and a global group of leaders through 4 to 5 live events every month, plus access to Catalyst GPT 2.0, built from over 300 episodes of The Business Development Podcast and Kelly’s coaching programs. If you are ready to stop restarting and start building momentum that lasts, join now at www.kellykennedyofficial.comMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 306, Kelly Kennedy reconnects with Mckinley Hyland, founder of Maverick NDT Inspection Inc. and the very first guest in the history of The Business Development Podcast, for a raw and grounded conversation about Alberta, Oil and Gas, and the people who make the industry work. Mckinley shares the reality behind high-paying field work, from long rotations and time away from family to the quiet sacrifices that define life in Alberta’s energy sector. This episode isn’t about politics or complaints. It’s about resilience, responsibility, and the work ethic that Albertans carry with pride.The conversation explores why Mckinley chose entrepreneurship as a way to regain control of his time, how building Maverick NDT became a legacy project rooted in family, and what “Alberta Strong” truly means when lived day to day. From sleeping in trucks and riding out downturns to leading teams through uncertainty and putting people first, this episode offers a powerful example of Alberta through the lens of lived experience, leadership, and quiet strength.Learn more about Maverick NDT Inspection Inc., an Alberta-based non-destructive testing company helping industrial clients improve safety, quality, and efficiency through innovative inspection solutions at https://www.maverickndt.ca.Key Takeaways:1. Alberta Strong means you do the job when it’s hard, not when it’s convenient, and you stay proud without needing applause.2. In oil and gas, you’re often paid as much for your absence as your effort, and that trade-off is real for families.3. Time is the one asset nobody can buy back, so the smartest leaders build their life around it before it’s gone.4. The unseen heroes are the partners at home, because they carry the full load when the work pulls you away.5. Entrepreneurship is often a decision to regain control, not chase status, and for Mckinley it was the only way to be truly present with his family.6. Relationships aren’t a nice-to-have in volatile industries, they’re what keeps you alive when the market turns and everyone gets squeezed.7. Trust beats slogans every time, because anyone can claim “quality and safety,” but only consistent behavior earns loyalty.8. The oil patch can shape you fast, and if you don’t build discipline early, the lifestyle can drag you into habits that cost more than money.9. Resilience is built by repeated uncertainty, and Alberta entrepreneurs are forced to adapt because the ground shifts again and again.10. Innovation is a survival advantage, and Maverick’s push toward AI and computed radiography shows how Alberta companies can set the pace instead of just keeping up.2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst ClubThe Catalyst Club is a private leadership community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real momentum built through consistency, accountability, and honest conversation. This is a room where leaders support leaders, show up as humans, and keep moving forward together week after week.Inside The Catalyst Club, listeners get to spend time with Kelly Kennedy and a global group of leaders through 4 to 5 live events every month, plus access to Catalyst GPT 2.0, built from...

In Episode 305 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy breaks down why most ideas never make it into the world — not because they are bad, but because people wait too long to act. Drawing from his own experience launching businesses, programs, communities, and podcasts in under three months, Kelly explains the concept of inspired action: acting while clarity, energy, and excitement are present instead of waiting for confidence, certainty, or fear to disappear. He challenges the belief that clarity comes before action and makes the case that clarity is created through movement.The episode explores the two fears that quietly kill momentum — fear of failure and fear of success — and explains why overwhelm, not fear, is usually the real blocker. Kelly walks listeners through a simple, practical framework for taking inspired action one step at a time, using real examples from his latest project I Used to Work There. The message is clear and timely for January: confidence is built through proof, momentum silences fear, and the fastest way to bring ideas to life is to take the next obvious step today.Key Takeaways: 1. Most ideas fail not because they are bad but because people wait too long to act on them.2. Confidence does not come before action it is built through action and proof.3. Clarity is not something you find by thinking it is created by doing.4. Inspired action means moving while energy and excitement are present before fear can negotiate you out of it.5. Fear of failure and fear of success lead to the same outcome hesitation and hesitation kills momentum.6. Overwhelm is usually the real blocker not fear and it comes from trying to see the whole picture at once.7. You do not need to eat the whole elephant you only need to take the next obvious step.8. Small immediate actions compound quickly and turn ideas into reality faster than overplanning ever will.9. Momentum silences fear and motion creates confidence far more effectively than motivation.10. Every step taken becomes proof and the more proof you build the quieter imposter syndrome becomes.Don’t forget to follow The Business Development Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the show, leaving a rating or sharing it with someone who would get value from it makes a huge difference and helps the podcast reach more leaders and entrepreneurs around the world.2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst Club The Catalyst Club is a private leadership community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real momentum built through consistency, accountability, and honest conversation. This is a room where leaders support leaders, show up as humans, and keep moving forward together week after week.Inside The Catalyst Club, listeners get to spend time with Kelly Kennedy and a global group of leaders through 4 to 5 live events every month, plus access to Catalyst GPT 2.0, built from over 300 episodes of The Business Development Podcast and Kelly’s coaching programs. If you are ready to stop restarting and start building momentum that lasts, join now at www.kellykennedyofficial.comMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 304 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Ryan Crittenden, a strength-based coach, Army veteran, and founder of XL Coaching and Development, to kick off the new year with a powerful reframe on growth, leadership, and self-belief. Ryan breaks down why coaching is not about fixing what’s wrong, but about drawing out what’s already there, helping people understand and use their natural strengths instead of fighting against them. Through stories from his military service and his transition into leadership coaching, Ryan explains how belonging, clarity, and self-awareness are often the missing pieces for leaders who feel stuck, burned out, or out of control.This conversation is especially timely for anyone heading into a new year feeling pressure to reinvent themselves or overhaul their entire life or business. Kelly and Ryan explore how real growth starts with one small step, not massive overcorrection, and how understanding your strengths can unlock better decision-making, stronger leadership, healthier relationships, and more sustainable success. Whether you’re a founder, sales leader, entrepreneur, or emerging professional, this episode offers a grounded, practical way to reset your mindset and build the year ahead around who you actually are, not who you think you’re supposed to be.Key Takeaways:1. Coaching works best when it draws out what is already inside you instead of trying to fix you.2. Great leaders create belonging in simple moments and those moments can change everything for someone.3. When life feels out of control the first move is not a massive overhaul it is one small step toward clarity.4. You do not need someone to fix you you often need someone to listen so you can think clearly again.5. Strengths based development starts with what is right with you and turns that into repeatable performance.6. CliftonStrengths reveals natural talent patterns and your job is to build them into real strengths through awareness and action.7. Knowing who you are not is just as valuable as knowing what you are good at because it helps you partner build systems or delegate.8. Most people perform better when they feel part of creating the solution so keep asking better questions instead of forcing answers.9. Big goals can overwhelm you into doing nothing so shrink the focus to the next step and let momentum do the rest.10. When teams share a common language for strengths and energy they collaborate faster trust more and stop misreading each other.2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst ClubThe Catalyst Club is a private leadership community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real momentum built through consistency, accountability, and honest conversation. This is a room where leaders support leaders, show up as humans, and keep moving forward together week after week.Inside The Catalyst Club, listeners get to spend time with Kelly Kennedy and a global group of leaders through 4 to 5 live events every month, plus access to Catalyst GPT 2.0, built from over 300 episodes of The Business Development Podcast and Kelly’s coaching programs. If you are ready to stop restarting and start building momentum that lasts, join now at www.kellykennedyofficial.comRyan’s...

Every January starts with fresh goals and big intentions, and then life hits, momentum fades, and by February most people are restarting again. In this New Year’s Eve episode, Kelly breaks down what momentum actually is, why it matters, and how to build it in a way that lasts, not with hype or burnout, but with consistent weekly actions that compound over time. He reframes momentum as simple forward motion, the stacking of small and significant wins, and shows how consistency is what creates the “overnight success” people think is luck.Kelly then delivers a practical momentum playbook you can apply immediately: write 15 to 20 goals by hand, create an early win by finishing one task you have been avoiding, and make the Move the Needle list a weekly non negotiable. He challenges work life balance in favor of work life coherence and lays out the habits that keep momentum alive, consistency over intensity, repeatable weekly processes, fewer priorities, tracking small wins, launching early, protecting your calendar, and staying in motion while others pause, so when the year truly starts for everyone else, you are already moving.Key Takeaways: 1. Momentum is not motivation or luck, it is simple forward motion created by consistently completing the right tasks week after week. 2. Small wins matter more than big bursts of effort because progress compounds when you keep stacking completion over time. 3. Consistency will always outperform intensity because extreme effort is temporary but repeatable action builds lasting results. 4. Writing goals down by hand dramatically increases follow through and forces clarity on what actually matters. 5. Momentum accelerates when you create early wins by finishing something you have been putting off. 6. Weekly focus beats daily chaos when you commit to a Move the Needle list and prioritize only the highest impact actions. 7. Processes create momentum while random tasks drain it, because rhythm removes decision fatigue. 8. Reducing priorities increases results since momentum dies when everything feels urgent. 9. Tracking progress builds belief, and belief fuels momentum even when results are still forming. 10. The people who win long term keep moving when others pause, downshifting if needed but never fully stopping. 2026 Title Sponsor 🔥The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab 🚛Together, Hypervac and Hyperfab represent North America’s leaders in vac truck manufacturing and industrial fabrication. Their continued support helps make this show possible week after week. Learn more at www.hypervac.comJoin The Catalyst ClubThe Catalyst Club is a private leadership community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real momentum built through consistency, accountability, and honest conversation. This is a room where leaders support leaders, show up as humans, and keep moving forward together week after week.Inside The Catalyst Club, listeners get to spend time with Kelly Kennedy and a global group of leaders through 4 to 5 live events every month, plus access to Catalyst GPT 2.0, built from over 300 episodes of The Business Development Podcast and Kelly’s coaching programs. If you are ready to stop restarting and start building momentum that lasts, join now at www.kellykennedyofficial.comMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Episode 302 is a grounded and necessary conversation about the unseen cost of entrepreneurship. After nearly 200 interviews with founders, leaders, and high performers, a clear pattern has emerged: burnout, health scares, and identity collapse are no longer edge cases, they’re becoming normal. This episode explores how the current culture of nonstop pressure and hustle is quietly breaking people, and why so many entrepreneurs feel unable to slow down even when the warning signs are impossible to ignore.In this episode, Kelly sits down with Maureen Codispodi to talk honestly about burnout, mental health, and what sustainable success actually looks like. The conversation challenges the idea that pushing harder is always the answer, unpacking how to recognize limits, rebuild balance, and redefine ambition in a way that protects both the business and the person behind it. This episode is for anyone who wants to keep building without sacrificing their health, relationships, or sense of self along the way.Key Takeaways:1. Burnout is not a personal failure, it’s often a predictable outcome of building without boundaries.2. If your body is sending signals you can’t ignore, that’s not inconvenience, it’s information.3. Hustle culture makes overwork feel normal, but normal doesn’t mean healthy or sustainable.4. The cost of success should never be your health, your family, or your sense of self.5. Your business can grow faster than your capacity, and that gap is where burnout begins.6. Rest is not a reward you earn after the work is done, it’s a requirement to keep doing the work well.7. If you can’t slow down without feeling guilty, that’s a warning sign that needs attention.8. You need systems that protect you, not just strategies that push you.9. Real resilience isn’t enduring more, it’s learning when to pause, adjust, and ask for support.10. Sustainable entrepreneurship is built on consistency over intensity, and long game thinking over short term adrenaline.Links referenced in this episode:helpclinic.caIf Episode 302 hit you in the chest, it’s because you can feel it too. This isn’t just another episode, it’s a signal that something needs to change. Episode 300 marked the start of the next phase, and 2026 is our year. The Catalyst Club exists for that exact moment when you stop waiting for the “right time” and decide to build anyway, in the in between moments, with real life happening all around you. This is the room for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real connection, real support, and real momentum in the year they finally make the leap.Inside Catalyst Club there’s no hierarchy, no posturing, and no competition for power. It’s leaders supporting leaders, showing up as humans, leaving ego at the door, and actually talking about what’s real. The community is fully virtual and active daily, bringing together perspectives from around the world that you simply can’t get in a local only box. If you’re ready to step into the new era we’re talking about and stop circling the runway in 2026, you’re welcome here.Join us at: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubThe Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor partners.🚛 Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leading vac truck manufacturer, trusted by contractors across the continent for performance, safety, and innovation. Learn more at www.hypervac.com.🏗️...

Episode 301 kicks off the 300s with Colin Harms and opens with a milestone announcement, HyperVac Technologies and HyperFab are the official Title Sponsors of The Business Development Podcast for 2026. Kelly and Colin reflect on the relationship that started through the podcast, why community and consistency matter, and what it takes to keep raising the standard as an independent Canadian show that is competing on a global stage.From there, the conversation gets real about building through pressure as a Canadian business and making the shift from reacting to taking control. Colin shares how they intentionally diversified by building HyperFab long before the tariffs, moving from 100 percent subcontracted manufacturing to bringing fabrication fully in house so they could control timelines, quality, and execution. They break down why that decision sets them up to win in 2026, and how HyperFab is positioned to become a major player as the next chapter of growth takes off.Key Takeaways:1. One bold reach out can change everything, because the right relationships often start with a simple “I felt the urge to message you.”2. Consistency builds momentum, especially when you create something every week that you genuinely look forward to and plan your life around.3. Reinvest in what’s already producing fruit, because sowing into solid ground is how you multiply results instead of starting from zero every time.4. Relationships beat transactions, and loyalty comes from actually caring, not just “closing the deal.”5. Community is a force multiplier, because it gives you a safe space to vent, learn, and borrow perspective when you’re carrying it alone.6. The mindset shift that changes everything is moving from “why is this happening to us?” to “what can we do about it?”7. In hard seasons, don’t bury your head or quit early, keep peeling layers, making calls, and finding a way even when people say it won’t work.8. Success leaves clues, so study what’s already working, learn from competitors, and copy great systems without ego.9. You can forecast all you want, but you still won’t fully know what’s next, so the real advantage is staying adaptable and willing to pivot fast.10. Long term winners take control of the fundamentals, bring key capabilities in-house, hire the right people, and build the confidence to say “we can do this.”Ready to make 2026 your year?The Catalyst Club is a private community for founders, business owners, and leaders who are serious about growth, accountability, and real conversations that move the needle. If you want to be surrounded by people who think bigger, take action, and build with intention, you belong here.We’re 75 members and growing fast, and the first 100 will be recognized as the Founding 100. Join us here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubThe Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by HyperVac Technologies 🚛 North America’s leading Vac Truck manufacturer and the team behind HyperFab. Huge thank you to Colin Harms and the entire HyperVac team for choosing to be our official Title Sponsor for 2026. Your support helps us take this show to the next level and continue delivering world class business development lessons to listeners worldwide.Learn more about HyperVac Technologies: www.hypervac.comMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Milestone Episode 300 is a behind the scenes centennial conversation with Shelby Hobbs, recorded right in the messy middle of real life. Kelly and Shelby hit record in the narrow window before the kids get home, with a baby sleeping nearby, a toddler napping upstairs, and the daily marathon happening in real time, because that’s genuinely how the show and the household get built.From there, the episode becomes a reflection on what 300 episodes actually means: the gratitude, the growth, and the belief that this milestone is the start of the next phase, not the finish line. Kelly thanks the listeners for riding with him through year three, celebrates winning a Signal Award, and sets the tone for 2026 as “our year” while Shelby echoes that momentum and the bigger “new era” feeling they’re sensing personally and globally.Key Takeaways:1. Progress gets built in the in between moments, not perfect schedules, so show up anyway and hit record when you can.2. Consistency compounds, and 300 episodes is proof that long games create massive outcomes.3. Treat milestones like a launchpad, not a finish line, because 300 is the start of the next phase and 2026 is the push forward.4. Gratitude is a practice, not a hindsight review, and you can train yourself to actually notice when life is good right now.5. Your time horizon changes everything, because one year can feel frustrating but five years will shock you with what you have built.6. When motivation feels heavy, aim for inspiration, and let your future self pull you forward instead of pressure pushing you.7. Community is not optional, because the best opportunities usually come through people who open doors for you, not you grinding alone.8. The right room changes everything, and Catalyst Club was born by watching real connections and collaboration happen inside the Accelerator.9. Do not box yourself into local only thinking, virtual community can be just as real and even more powerful because of global perspectives.10. Trust your gut, stay open to the unexpected, and keep upgrading your skills and tools, because opportunity shows up fast when you are ready to say yes.If Episode 300 hit you in the chest, it is because you can feel it too. 300 is the start of the next phase and 2026 is our year. The Catalyst Club exists for that exact moment when you stop waiting for the “right time” and you decide to build anyway, in the in between moments, with real life happening around you. This is the room for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real connection, real support, and real momentum in the year that you finally make the leap.Inside Catalyst Club there is no hierarchy, no posturing, and no competition for power. It is leaders supporting leaders, showing up as humans, leaving ego at the door, and actually sharing what is real. It is also fully virtual, which means the community is happening every day with members from around the world and perspectives you cannot get in a local only box. If you are ready to step into the new era we talked about and make 2026 the year you stop circling the runway, come join us here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

In this very special episode of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Jake Gold, one of the most influential architects of Canadian music and the longtime manager behind The Tragically Hip. Jake takes listeners behind the curtain on what a music manager actually does, not as a hype man, but as the CEO of a complex business where touring, deals, team decisions, merchandising, data, and long term career strategy all run through one leader. He shares the moment he first saw The Tragically Hip live and knew instantly they had to be signed, plus how conviction, detail obsession, and a willingness to say no are what separate career building from chasing quick wins.This conversation is packed with crossover lessons for founders, CEOs, and business developers, especially around standards, positioning, and being relentlessly curious as the market changes. Jake breaks down why the music industry is bigger than ever, why direct to consumer and data matter, and why the barrier to entry being low does not change the one truth that decides everything: you still have to be great. Kelly also acknowledges the human side of legacy, including the grief the country felt around Gord Downie, and Jake shares how he stays grounded and sustainable across decades in a 24/7 industry, while hinting at meaningful plans ahead for what comes next.Key Takeaways:1. You will know greatness when you feel it and it is an involuntary response, not a logical checklist.2. Great careers are built by setting the real bar and realizing what “next level” actually looks like the first time you witness it.3. A great manager is basically the CEO of the band’s company, overseeing every revenue stream, cost, and decision with the artists as the board.4. Sustainable performance comes from ruthless time protection: knowing when not to get involved, saying no, and avoiding time wasters.5. If you do not believe in what you represent, you will eventually get bored and move on, so belief is the fuel of long term excellence.6. The small stuff is the big stuff: details matter because this is the whole business and you do not get paid unless it works.7. There is no plan B if you want career level outcomes, and if the artist or founder loses belief, the manager cannot save it.8. Curiosity is a competitive advantage: keep learning, keep reading, and bring new ideas to the table even when you are the most experienced person in the room.9. Data and direct fan connection are core now, and the winners will understand audiences, demographics, and DTC relationships better than ever.10. In a world where anyone can publish, the filter is still the same: you have to be great, the cream rises, and longevity is the real proof.Connect with Jake Gold and learn more about his work:The Management Trust (Official Site)https://mgmtrust.ca/Jake Gold on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-gold-92046030/If you know you are built for more, you belong in The Catalyst Club. It is a private, high trust community for founders, business developers, and next generation leaders who want real connection, real support, and real momentum.Join us today: https://www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Episode 298 features Jake Karls, co founder and chief rainmaker of Mid Day Squares, breaking down how a kitchen table idea turned into a multimillion dollar brand by winning attention the hard way, through relentless storytelling and real human connection. He explains why attention is one of the most valuable assets in business, why you cannot buy trust with generic marketing, and why your story is the one advantage competitors cannot copy, if you are willing to share the good and the ugly.The conversation also goes deep on the cost of building at full speed. Jake opens up about burnout in a way most founders never do, from chronic fatigue and brain fog to spiraling anxiety and feeling completely out of control, and how stepping away, therapy, and real recovery practices helped him rebuild. It is a powerful reminder that growth is a long game, and the strongest leaders are the ones who protect their health while they keep showing up.Key Takeaways:1. Attention is one of the most valuable assets now, and you have to earn it, not just pay for it.2. People do not connect to product claims, they connect to emotion, meaning, and a story that feels real.3. Your story is the one advantage competitors cannot copy, so treat it like an asset and share it on purpose.4. Trust is built by showing the good and the ugly, not by trying to look perfect.5. Impostor syndrome gets louder when you perform for approval instead of showing up as yourself.6. Comparison is only useful if it inspires you, otherwise it quietly poisons your energy and progress.7. Overworking for too long is not toughness, stepping back can be the move that lets you go ten steps forward.8. Therapy is not a crisis move, it is leadership work that strengthens communication, perspective, and resilience.9. Your business cannot be your identity, because that pressure will break you when life hits.10. Surround yourself with real people who want you to win, and talk about the hard stuff before it turns into chaos.Follow Jake Karl's on LinkedInCheck out Mid-Day SquaresIf you love this show, you will love The Catalyst Club. It is where founders and leaders take these conversations off the podcast and into real rooms, real relationships, and real support that helps you move faster and lead stronger.Join us today www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

In this solo episode, Kelly looks back at how business has shifted from the AI explosion of 2023, to the rise of personal branding in 2024, to the wave of raw, human authenticity in 2025, and makes a bold prediction for what comes next. 2026, he argues, will be the year of community, where leaders are no longer satisfied with surface level connections and instead seek real belonging in rooms where they can be honest, supported, and challenged. Drawing on his experience building The Catalyst Club, Kelly shares what he has seen firsthand as leaders open up, share the hard stuff, and finally find a place where people actually get it.From there, he lays out ten clear rules to help you choose the right community in 2026, plus five bonus tips to make sure you get real value from whichever room you join. You will learn how to spot the difference between a group that just talks and a community that actually creates opportunities, what it means to feel both safe and stretched, and why participation is the secret that separates people who grow from people who just lurk. If you want 2026 to be the year your community truly changes everything for you, this episode gives you the roadmap.Key Takeaways:1. The right community should reflect the future version of you, not just who you are today, so that simply being in the room stretches your growth.2. Values are non-negotiable: if a community’s DNA doesn’t align with your beliefs about integrity, growth, and how business should be done, you don’t belong there.3. Activity is everything; you want a room full of people who show up, engage, share wins, and help each other, not a graveyard of ghost profiles and empty feeds.4. Great communities have leaders who are present in the trenches, learning with their people and setting the tone by how they show up, not just what they say.5. The best rooms make you feel both safe and challenged, giving you space to be human while still expecting you to pursue excellence and tell the truth about where you’re at.6. A real community doesn’t just talk, it creates opportunities through introductions, collaborations, referrals, hot seats, and shared wins that move everyone forward.7. Diversity of perspective matters more than demographics; you need people ahead of you, beside you, and learning from you to create an ecosystem that fuels momentum.8. Structure beats chaos every time; consistent events, rituals, themes, and clear rules create safety, trust, and a rhythm that makes it easier to show up.9. You should feel seen in your community—when you speak, people respond, and your presence is acknowledged—because a room that doesn’t see you can’t grow you.10. Your energy is data; if you leave calls drained, you’re in the wrong room, but if you leave buzzing and inspired, you’ve probably found your community for 2026 and beyond.If this episode hit home, and you know 2026 needs to be your year of community, The Catalyst Club is exactly the kind of room we talked about. It is a private, virtual leadership community where founders, builders, and business development leaders show up honestly, share what is really going on, and help each other grow with real support and real strategy. If you are tired of doing this alone and want a community that actually moves you forward, join us at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub.Want to participate in my new show: I Used To Work There? Email your story and interest to HR@iusedtoworkthere.com for a chance to be featured on the first episodes!Links referenced in this episode:a...

Episode 296 is a first for The Business Development Podcast – we finally dive deep into Canada’s French-speaking community and what most business leaders are missing. Kelly sits down with bilingual consultant Colin Fagnan, founder of Nyloc Consulting (and now Executive Director of the Fort Saskatchewan & Lamont County Regional Chamber of Commerce), to unpack how growing up Francophone in Alberta shaped his worldview, why French is actually on the rise in Western Canada, and how bilingualism boosts learning, creativity, and problem-solving in business. Colin shares his own story of moving between countries and cultures, and why he believes language is a strategic asset, not just a personal skill.From there, the conversation shifts into hard business reality: the sheer GDP locked inside Francophone markets, how tourism and immigration are changing Alberta’s economic landscape, and why so many companies hit an invisible wall when dealing with Quebec or French-speaking clients. Colin breaks down where the real opportunities are, how immersion education has quietly transformed the next generation, and what leaders can do right now to better serve French speakers at home and abroad. If you’ve ever thought “French is only for back East,” this episode will challenge that belief and show you a very real growth path hiding in plain sight.Key Takeaways:1. The Francophone community in Canada is not just cultural it is a massive, under-served economic market that most businesses simply ignore.2. Bilingualism is a competitive advantage because it helps you build trust faster with customers partners and communities who rarely feel truly seen.3. Language is not just translation it is context nuance and relationship and if you get that wrong you will lose deals you never see.4. Western Canada massively underestimates how many French speakers live work and travel here which means the businesses who serve them well can stand out quickly.5. Immersion and bilingual education are quietly creating a new generation of leaders who think globally and move comfortably between markets and cultures.6. Companies that want to do business in Quebec or with Francophone clients need to show real respect for the language and culture not just slap French on a brochure.7. Tourism and immigration are reshaping local economies and the businesses that prepare to serve visitors and newcomers in both languages will win first.8. If you do not have internal bilingual capacity yet you can start small by partnering with translators consultants or community leaders who understand the space.9. Treat French speaking customers like a primary market not a side note and you will uncover long term loyalty repeat business and powerful word of mouth.10. The real opportunity is not just learning French it is deciding that language inclusion can be part of your business development strategy and then taking action on it.The Catalyst Club is my private community for founders and business development leaders who want real support, real strategy and real momentum together. Join us here:https://www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubCompanies mentioned in this episode:Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont County Regional Chamber of CommerceCapital Business DevelopmentNYLOC ConsultingCDEA Conseil de Développement Économique de l'AlbertaParallèle Albertali...

Episode 295 is a raw and honest reflection on what five years of entrepreneurship have really looked like behind the scenes. Kelly marks the anniversary of Capital Business Development, his own birthday, and his son’s birthday by pulling back the curtain on the fear, uncertainty, and constant change that come with building something from nothing. Instead of a highlight reel, he walks you through the real story of learning to bet on yourself, letting go of rigid long term plans, and accepting that you will rarely feel as if you are fully caught up or in control.Across the episode, Kelly shares the six biggest lessons that shaped his first five years in business. You will hear why version one of your company will almost certainly suck, why you must accept that you do not have all the answers, and why lifelong learning and adaptation are non negotiable. He talks about giving your business the time it actually needs to grow, building a circle that believes in you, and finding community so you do not have to carry leadership alone. If you are in the trenches of building a business, this conversation will help you feel less alone and a lot more prepared for the next five years.Key Takeaways:1. You will almost never feel “caught up” as an entrepreneur, and learning to operate inside that tension is part of the job.2. Version one of anything you build will probably suck compared to what it becomes, but you cannot get to version ten without shipping version one.3. You do not need to have all the answers to move forward, you just need enough clarity to take the next honest step.4. Long range 5 and 10 year plans are guesses at best, but a focused 12 month plan you actually execute can change your entire trajectory.5. The quality of your business is capped by the quality of your habits, so how you show up day to day matters more than the big goals on your wall.6. Community is not a luxury for leaders, it is oxygen; trying to carry everything alone will quietly choke the business and the person running it.7. The market will always move faster than your plans, so building an identity around adaptability and learning is safer than clinging to a fixed path.8. Saying yes to everything out of fear keeps you small; learning what to say no to is where your real leverage and focus come from.9. Your business will grow in seasons, not straight lines, and the “quiet” seasons often do the most work on your character and foundations.10. The biggest win in entrepreneurship is not just revenue, it is building a life, a body of work, and relationships you are genuinely proud of five years later.If this episode hit home and you are tired of building alone, Catalyst Club is where we keep this conversation going in real time.Join a private room of entrepreneurs and leaders sharing real wins, hard lessons, and their next 12 month moves together.Come plug in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 294 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly sits down with the extraordinary Daniel Monzon, an entrepreneur whose story rewrites what resilience and leadership truly mean. Born with one arm and one leg, Daniel has spent his life climbing mountains both literally and figuratively, turning adversity into strength and strength into purpose. From navigating early career challenges to becoming a driving force in Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, Daniel shares how his lived experience shaped his mindset, sharpened his instinct for opportunity, and fueled his mission to support others on their entrepreneurial journey.Today, Daniel leads Catapult Startups, a not for profit accelerator empowering immigrant, refugee, and underrepresented founders to build thriving businesses in Canada. In this conversation, he offers powerful insights on validation, sales, hiring, and the importance of understanding real customer needs, while highlighting the impact of Elevate IP and his work in economic development. Whether you are launching a business, scaling one, or searching for the courage to take your next step, Daniel’s wisdom and story will leave you inspired, grounded, and ready to push forward.Key Takeaways:1. Resilience is built through action and Daniel’s journey proves that challenges can become your greatest source of strength.2. Validating an idea early saves time, money, and frustration and most entrepreneurs wait far too long to test their assumptions.3. A great product means nothing without customers who are willing to pay for it.4. Talking directly to potential clients is the fastest way to refine your offer and understand the real problem you solve.5. Hiring friends without considering skill fit and culture can set a business back six to twelve months.6. The right team can take you farther than you could ever go alone and leadership starts with letting smarter people lead in their lane.7. Understanding intellectual property can unlock new revenue streams and protect what makes your business unique.8. Entrepreneurs must let go of perfection and operate confidently at 80 percent to maintain momentum.9. The willingness to take calculated risks is often the dividing line between businesses that grow and those that stall.10. Your personal story and the adversities you have faced can become a powerful foundation for impact and opportunity.Learn more about Elevate IP Alberta and Catapult Startups here: https://catapultbic.org/ If you listen to The Business Development Podcast, you belong in The Catalyst Club.🔥Join a private community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business development leaders committed to growth, accountability, and bold action.👉 Step in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Episode 293 follows the remarkable journey of Lucas Benjamin Schmidt, a biochemist from Germany who discovered business development by accident and transformed his entire life because of it. Lucas found The Business Development Podcast in late 2023, listened to every episode within days, and immediately applied the principles by treating himself like a product, crafting a value proposition, creating marketing materials, and proactively reaching out to companies. His curiosity and willingness to take action opened doors he never expected, including a chance encounter at a diagnostics conference that led to a role in business development inside a German engineering and technology company undergoing major transformation.In one of the most inspiring listener stories ever shared on the show, Lucas walks through how leaving the lab for business development unlocked new opportunities, reshaped how he understands people and problems, and sparked a deeper curiosity that now drives his career. From mastering human connection to blending science with strategy, Lucas proves that anyone, no matter their background, can rewrite their future by embracing flexibility, stepping outside their comfort zone, and acting on what they learn. His story shows the power of taking a leap when opportunity shows up and the impact one podcast can make when the right listener decides to bet on themselves.Key Takeaways:1. Curiosity opens doors when you follow it instead of ignoring it.2. Acting on ideas beats waiting for permission every time.3. Treat yourself like a product and opportunities appear where you never expected.4. Human connection is the real differentiator in business development.5. Flexibility creates momentum while rigidity holds you back.6. You can always return to your old field, so take bigger swings now.7. Skills from past careers become superpowers in BD when you apply them creatively.8. Consistency turns luck into predictable outcomes.9. Learning psychology helps you communicate better with everyone, including yourself.10. Business development rewires how you see the world and reveals possibilities everywhere.If you listen to The Business Development Podcast, you belong in The Catalyst Club.🔥Join a private community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business development leaders committed to growth, accountability, and bold action.👉 Step in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Episode 292 takes you inside a powerful conversation with LinkedIn strategist Sam Swirsky, where Kelly uncovers what truly drives explosive growth on the world’s leading business platform in 2026. Sam shares his journey from blue collar beginnings to becoming one of LinkedIn’s most respected creators and strategists, breaking down the mindset and methods that helped him build massive influence. He reveals why clarity, consistency, instructional content, and authentic video now outperform everything else and explains how creators can stand out in a feed flooded with AI and noise.Together, Kelly and Sam dig into what most people misunderstand about LinkedIn, why comments are quickly becoming the new content, and how to transform your profile into a powerful engine for opportunity. Sam opens the curtain on the frameworks he uses with top creators, including the systems that generate millions of impressions and create deeply engaged communities. For anyone ready to grow their presence, their business, or their personal brand, Episode 292 delivers a masterclass in building real visibility, real influence, and real momentum in 2026.If you’d like to book an introduction with Sam Swirsky, you can connect with him here: https://zcal.co/samswirsky/30minKey Takeaways:1. LinkedIn growth in 2026 comes from clarity, not volume, and creators who simplify their message win.2. Comments are becoming the new content and strategic engagement outperforms blindly posting every day.3. Instructional posts build the fastest trust because they prove you actually know what you're talking about.4. Authentic video is the strongest differentiator in a feed flooded with AI-generated content.5. You don’t need more posts, you need better ones that solve real problems for your audience.6. Long-term consistency beats virality and Sam’s 10-year mindset is the real blueprint behind sustained growth.7. Your profile must clearly state what you do and how people can work with you or you’ll lose opportunities.8. The algorithm rewards creators who mix content types and show up in multiple ways, not just text-only posting.9. Community building is the hidden multiplier because people follow people who make them feel seen.10. LinkedIn success is a skill set, not luck, and anyone can grow if they commit to learning the fundamentals.If you listen to The Business Development Podcast, you belong in The Catalyst Club.🔥Join a private community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business development leaders committed to growth, accountability, and bold action.👉 Step in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

Episode 291 is a raw, honest, and deeply human exploration of what it means to trust the journey when life throws you curveballs. Kelly opens up about one of the wildest days of his entrepreneurial year — a morning that began with a gut-punch message from a major client and immediately shifted into two of the biggest interviews of 2025 with Jake Gold and Douglas Conant. Instead of spiraling, he leaned into faith, asked for guidance, and watched the entire day unfold in ways that reminded him that the universe, God, fate — whatever you believe — often steps in right when you need it most. This episode blends storytelling, vulnerability, and spiritual grounding in a way that only Kelly can deliver.From unexpected opportunities to the quiet clarity that followed, Kelly uses his experience to reflect on how life’s toughest moments often reveal the most important truths. He walks listeners through ten powerful lessons that anchor resilience, belief, and the ability to keep moving forward even when the road feels uncertain. Episode 291 is a reminder that doors close to redirect you, that your path is unfolding exactly as it should, and that no matter how chaotic things feel, you are going to be OK. If you need perspective, reassurance, or a spark of hope heading into the new year, this is an episode you’ll want to save and revisit.Key Takeaways:1. You’re going to be OK even when things look their worst because nothing stays bad forever.2. Your biggest personal growth comes from your hardest moments because pressure creates strength.3. The universe has your back and the right opportunities show up when you need them most.4. You are enough and even the challenges that feel impossible are within your ability to overcome.5. You have a purpose and you’re allowed to change direction whenever your path shifts.6. You are unique and your gifts are yours alone which is your real competitive advantage.7. There is no such thing as failure, only choices, lessons, and redirection.8. Your community matters because the people around you will either lift you up or pull you down.9. Authenticity wins and being your true self is the most powerful advantage you have.10. Don’t lose your humanity because in a world filled with AI and noise, being human is your superpower.If you listen to The Business Development Podcast, you belong in The Catalyst Club.🔥Join a private community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business development leaders committed to growth, accountability, and bold action.👉 Step in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll

What would you do if you sold your company and had every opportunity to step back, but instead chose to build a vision aimed at changing the future of how communities thrive? In Episode 290, Kelly sits down with returning guest Jim Gale to explore his mission to transform the way families, schools, neighborhoods, and even nations think about food and long-term resilience. Jim shares how he turned barren land into a fully off-grid, self-sustaining ecosystem and why regenerative design is becoming essential as the cost of living climbs and global systems show increasing strain. His perspective blends entrepreneurship, sustainability, and practical action in a way that challenges traditional thinking.Jim also dives into the rapid global expansion of Food Forest Abundance, now active in more than 50 countries, and outlines how simple, scalable systems are helping households reduce dependency and create real security. From community-supported agriculture to working with local leaders, churches, and schools, he breaks down how abundance can be built anywhere with the right mindset and the right structures. This episode offers a grounded, forward-looking conversation on resilience, leadership, and the future of sustainable living.Key Takeaways:1. Jim chose purpose over comfort, redirecting his life into a mission that supports long-term human resilience.2. Even barren land can become a thriving ecosystem with the right regenerative design principles.3. Rising costs and system strain are pushing more people to explore self-sufficiency and local abundance.4. Simple food systems can dramatically reduce household pressure and create real security.5. Schools, churches, and community groups are powerful entry points for widespread change.6. Food Forest Abundance is now active in more than 50 countries, proving the model works at scale.7. Creating even a small amount of your own food increases stability and reduces dependency.8. Community-supported agriculture models offer education, daily nutrition, and long-term resilience.9. Awareness and visibility are essential, as many people have never considered growing their own food.10. Abundance works best when shared; real resilience comes from communities growing and supporting each other.If you listen to The Business Development Podcast, you belong in The Catalyst Club.🔥Join a private community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business development leaders committed to growth, accountability, and bold action.👉 Step in at www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclubMentioned in this episode:Hyperfab Midroll