Startup Instinct

In this episode, we delve into Canadian real estate with Amar Nijjar, founder of Finneo, a commercial real estate debt financing platform. We discuss the highly overpriced residential real estate market in Canada and whether or not this is a good time to invest in property. Amar points out that we could be in a bubble that may soon burst. In addition, we discuss why the S&P 500 is not a good indicator of stable growth across all boards, due to the top companies driving the market with their sheer size and growth. Amar discusses his passion for bringing technology into the CRE debt financing industry where business is conducted with old-school approaches and tools, as well as the sheer challenges Finneo faces in disrupting an industry that has long operated with the same standards. 

This episode is part two with Shatha Qaqish-Clavering. Zaeem and Shatha discuss how Canada loses billions of dollars every year through the loss of intellectual property and the inability to commercialize early stage technology. Shatha explains her passion for women in entrepreneurship including the work she's done with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Shatha also talks motivation and lists some female role models that have been working to help women in entrepreneurship through funding, mentorship, and guidance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shatha-qaqish-clavering-47a2678https://cherieblairfoundation.org/

In this episode, we discuss what venture capitalists and angel investors look for before investing in early stage entrepreneurs and the questions you need to ask yourself before raising money. Sometimes, it may be too early to raise money. Our guest on the show, Shatha Qaqish-Clavering has over a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs and startups raise money, grow, and meet milestones. In addition, we dive into the core features and values entrepreneurs must have to rise above heights never imagined before. 

In this episode, Zaeem opens up to his traumatic experiences with suicide. As he talks about what it feels like to have experienced both sides: losing dear friends to suicide, along with experiencing suicidal tendencies himself. Suicidal tendencies start from a very weak position, but can develop very quickly within the mind, if left unnoticed and not dealt with. There are always cues that indicate someone may have developing suicidal tendencies. However, many of them may go unnoticed and the aftermaths of suicide may cause extremely unhealthy guilt for someone that missed them. Zaeem discusses how he had cues that indicated suicidal tendencies in a dear friend, but he had not understood the cues enough to take effective action. The guilt and depression of the aftermath set him down a destructive, self-sabotaging, and dark path full of premature and unhealthy decisions that caused havoc in his life. This episode has a definitive purpose, which is to create awareness of the possible exposure early stage entrepreneurs have to suicide and the cues that may indicate suicidal tendencies one may have.

In this episode, we dive into discussions on money, sustainable compliance, and the impacts of money laundering. Today's guest is Shubhradeep Nandi, Founder of PiChain. Which is a sustainable compliance startup that uses AI and Blockchain to provide seamless and effective regulatory compliance to enterprises. We talk about Shub's unique perspectives and experiences as an entrepreneur. Reflecting back on early profound lessons that shaped him. We discuss the impact of money laundering from a GDP level to an individual person and why having regulatory compliance that is streamlined and integrated into the financial infrastructure of the economy is crucial. Shub explains how this will improve the overall health of the economy and allow money to flow in and out faster with less interruptions at no risk of breaking the law. He also discusses an effective strategy when deciding how much to charge customers along with the right questions to ask.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the discussions initiated with Christian Varriale, co-founder of Moralyzer. Zaeem starts the discussion with emphasis on the importance of connecting with a customer or consumer of an entrepreneurs products and/or services. Outlining the devastating events that took place while running his first startup QuadCulture Technologies. Discussing why it may not be a good idea to start a business with friends or family, and why it could also be a great idea that works for many. Christian and Zaeem discuss this thoroughly and leave it to the audience to make a well informed and effective decision when starting a business and choosing folks to work with. Christian discusses the game-plan for Moralyzer and how they plan on solving one of the biggest issues we have in society with regard to social activism and movements created for systemic change. Many societal issues are forgotten before a change occurs due to the lack of information and audience retention because of the way social media algorithms operate. Moralyzer is driven to stop movements for change from losing popularity by allowing people to track and follow movements through the moralyzer platform. 

To start the season off, we delve into the fundamentals of early stage entrepreneurship with the co-founder of Moralyzer, Christian Varriale. Moralyzer is the first social activism platform of its kind, allowing users to take action alongside their friends. Their mission is to make the recent push for systemic change be not just a trend, but a permanent discussion that is not forgotten. Moralyzer was founded during the peak of the George Floyd Protests and Black Lives Matter Movement over the outrageous killing of George Perry Floyd Jr. on the 25th of May where police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck until he was pronounced dead in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Christian discusses his passion and dedication for change throughout the episode. During the era of COVID-19, the necessity for change is stronger than ever. We discuss the importance of getting out of that comfort zone even though it may seem excruciatingly painful, because success always hangs outside of our comfort zone. Christian talks about some difficulties a technical founder might have when connecting with customers. We discuss important rules to follow when hiring and interacting with employees. Bringing together lessons learned and experiences from past failures, we get into the challenges and hurdles that can make admitting defeat seem like the only option.

This episode concludes season one (E10-19). Entrepreneurship can be tough and the journey is a lifelong process with plenty of room for improvement. The moments chosen in this episode represent the struggles, challenges, and lessons one may face in life and business. The importance of self-reflection and self-care are also displayed throughout this episode. Additionally, mental health is also discussed. Lastly, crucial advice for early stage entrepreneurs along with insight into the startup journey. The guests featured in this episode: Andrew Kanapatski, Natalia Wiechowski, Douglas P. Pflug, Rachel Zimmer, Charla Huber, Linden Williamson 

This episode includes selected discussions from season one (E1-E9). The beginning of this episode includes a statement from the host. As he states some critically important aspects of entrepreneurship and life that he has struggled with and learned from along the way. Outlining the importance of accepting that life is full of problems and the more problems one faces, the easier problem solving becomes and the less devastating they can be. Overtime our minds become equipped to solve problems with a higher level of efficiency. Zaeem greatly shows appreciation and gratitude for Startup Instinct's audience stating that this podcast would not exist without its growing audience of extraordinary folks. 

In this episode, we continue discussions with Linden Williamson. He is well known for his YouTube channel called Linden Adventures based out of Dubai. We begin with a short discussion on cars then talk about the process behind the verification process for Instagram accounts. Linden describes how his channel came to fruition along with the positive and negative experiences of being a well known YouTuber. We then delve into the reasons behind Linden taking a break from vlogging on YouTube and focusing on Instagram after the end of his collaboration with Mohamed Beiraghdary, also known as Mo Vlogs. Throughout the episode, we discuss the challenges of losing close friends and overcoming a serious loss of motivation. Along with the importance of strong personal values that undoubtedly benefit relationships and business. Linden mentions how it can be useful to meet new people, and make room for growth especially during moments of adversity. Lastly Linden reflects on the difficulties he had with starting a YouTube channel and gives advice along with tips for those looking to start a channel themselves.

In this episode, we talk about content creation, on YouTube and Instagram specifically. Our guest on the show is Linden Williamson. He is well known for his YouTube channel called Linden Adventures based out of Dubai. We begin by talking about how the United Arab Emirates has dealt with COVID-19 and the World Health Organization's recognition of the highly effective measures the UAE has implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In addition, Linden discusses his own personal struggles and the adversities he has overcome in life. He reflects on the loss of a loved one and how he overcame depression. Moreover, he talks about his exposure to intensive bullying during his childhood. In light of our own experiences, we consider the importance of stricter anti-bullying guidelines for educational institutions and the harsh possibility of youth suicide as a result of bullying. We discuss how Linden has channelled his pain to lead a life filled with strong personal values focused on inspiring and helping others, especially to overcome trauma that results from bullying. He emphasizes that life can change and doesn't have to be ridden with depression and anxiety. Linden went on to build a successful Youtube channel with the support of Mohamed Beiraghdary, also known as Mo Vlogs, and his audience who encouraged Linden to start his own channel. 

In this episode, we delve into journalism with Charla Huber. She is of Chipewyan and Inuit ancestry. Charla is the Director of Communications and Indigenous Relations for M’akola Housing Society in Victoria, British Columbia. She writes a weekly column in the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper which often highlights important humanitarian, social and Indigenous issues. She is also a member of the Victoria-Esquimalt Police Board. We discuss the challenges of the transition to a virtual world due the COVID-19 pandemic for all peoples in Canada, as well as what post COVID-19 adjustments could look like. We talk about how the pandemic has changed the way humans live and conduct business, from the death of the handshake to the adversities Canadian youth are being confronted with. 

In this episode, we will be talking about Entrepreneur First, a program that was established in Europe and Asia in 2011 and has recently launched in Canada. Entrepreneur First was founded by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford, and is the world’s leading talent investor. They help entrepreneurs find a co-founder, develop an idea, and start a company. To date, Entrepreneur First has worked with over 2000 individuals to initiate more than 300 companies, with a combined net worth of $2 billion. Today’s guest is Rachel Zimmer. She is the General Manager of Entrepreneur First in Canada. Many know Rachel for co-founding 5Crowd, which was acquired by SGSCO in 2016. Rachel reflects on some of her past struggles, embarrassing moments and experiences that have shaped her as an entrepreneur. As we discuss the early stages of a startup, she emphasizes the importance of conducting sufficient research that may prevent future product market fit issues. Moreover, we talk about women in entrepreneurship. Rachel gives her best advice on being a female leader in the business world and overcoming self-doubt, including imposter syndrome. We talk about the importance of establishing a clear vision for oneself before embarking on the long and demanding startup journey. Entrepreneurship looks sexy but it isn’t. Rachel stresses the importance of being easy on oneself and preparing for necessary sacrifices. The entire startup journey can be challenging and intimidating, but doing what one is truly passionate about can make the process more enjoyable, and potentially more rewarding. Lastly, Rachel mentions Holly Gonzalez and Anna Caravaggio, for their approaches to communication, relationship building and the effective management of tense situations.Entrepreneur First applications close on August 28th, 2020. If you are interested in applying, click on the link below: https://jobs.lever.co/joinefnow/0b785d4c-3a6e-4597-829e-fcafb06cae2b?_ga=2.260627913.553409686.1592905466-916163216.1592905466Good Luck!

In this episode, we talk about building a startup from its earliest stages to the moment when it is acquired. We consider the importance of conducting adequate research on a particular problem before one embarks on their startup journey. Further, we discuss the effectiveness of repeatedly asking oneself, "What problem am I solving?" In conversation, we split the startup life cycle into multiple stages and talk about them individually. Today's guest is Rachel Zimmer, an entrepreneur with experience in marketing and advertising. She co-founded 5Crowd, an on-demand marketing production platform. Using the 5Crowd platform, projects such as banner ads and radio spots are completed using a 100% crowdsourced model. 5Crowd has brought affordable advertising and marketing to everyone, but this has been especially important for small businesses. It has received recognition from Fast Company, Deloitte’s 50 Best, Marketing Magazine, and more. Today, Rachel is the General Manager for Entrepreneur First in Canada. She coaches and mentors multiple tech startups using her knowledge and experience in marketing, sales, leadership and product market fit. She has received a number of awards, including the Desjardins Young Entrepreneur, Top 30 Under 30, and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. She also won first place at Canada's Next Top Ad Exec.  

In this episode, we continue discussions with Douglas P. Pflug, the retired sergeant who served 28 years with the Guelph Police Service. Douglas is also the founder of Ironwill 360, where he focuses on pushing his clients out of their comfort zones to build mental agility and strengthen the mind and body to overcome the adversities of life. Douglas reflects on the importance of mental readiness in correctly managing a crisis; we discuss this in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we analyze how law enforcement personnel as well as pilots are trained to manage chaotic and high-risk situations, and how the general population can use their strategies in living through the COVID-19 pandemic and in adjusting to a post-COVID-19 world. In law enforcement, there is sometimes a notion that those in high-risk professions are expected to accept, rather indifferently, the possibility of death within their daily routine. In such a professional role which is oftentimes dangerous, the severity of death is sometimes disregarded. Another important topic we discuss are the astigmatisms and generalizations that law enforcement personnel are sometimes viewed with. As a retired police officer, Douglas notes that it is important to recognize that those working in law enforcement are also human beings. Our discussion includes a debate of where those misconceptions come from and what potential solutions may be. 

In this episode, we talk about how startups and small businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. Discussing raising money during a pandemic and that it depends on the industry as some startups hold a strong position to raise money, while some are unable unless they give out more to investors through a lower valuation. The discussion then bleeds into incorrect assumptions and false ethical narratives with business operations, raising money, and expanding during the COVID-19 outbreak. Highlighting that this is not a complete economic lockdown. We talk about useless, unethical and heartless COVID-19 marketing e-mails and debate the reasoning behind such activity. It can stem from many areas, some did a great job and kept it simply to updating customers/clients on business operations while others leveraged the vulnerable emotional state of their customers to increase sales. This lesson is important because we are after long term business relationships with customers and clients. Cold COVID-19 marketing does quite the opposite.We then get into a heartier discussion on Humans VS Artificial Intelligence and the advancement of artificial intelligence over time. We discuss Elon Musk and his concerns with having gone too far with AI. Challenging the potential benefits and dangers of rapid AI expansion.Today's guest is Andrew Kanapatski, the strategic planning manager for Kira Systems, an AI and machine learning platform that analyzes contract text. Andrew strives to help companies across industries understand the various ways in which business and innovative technology come together to yield exponential growth.

In this episode, we talk about mental health, crisis management, and living a meaningful life driven by a sense of purpose. Our guest for today is Douglas P. Pflug, a retired police sergeant who served in the Guelph Police Service for 28 years. Douglas is also the Founder of Ironwill 360, helping people live life to the fullest and meet their personal goals through coaching and content across multiple platforms. We discuss one of the most important teachings of law enforcement — the necessity to create calm out of a chaotic situation. Sometimes when one feels stumped by life, it can be useful to step back, assess and reflect. Perhaps whatever hindrance one has been confronted with may not be as limiting as it once appeared. In addition, Doug expresses appreciation for Canadian law enforcement personnel in continuing to serve and protect communities during these troubling times, as the COVID-19 pandemic has altered life for many. Lastly, we discuss the importance of recognizing that the overconsumption of negative information can be harmful for mental health. We draw upon the idea that being mindful of the content one consumes or seeking to consume positive content can be beneficial to one’s sense of wellbeing, especially as we navigate an unprecedented event. Thanks for listening

In this episode, we talk about personal branding and the positive changes needed to build a successful personal brand. Today's guest Dr. Natalia Wiechowski, is from Hanover and lives in Dubai. She started as a Social Scientist,  then became a Doctor of Philosophy. Today, she is a bestselling author, a LinkedIn learning author, and the Middle East’s leading Edutainer. We talk about the struggles, routine, mental health, and exercise. Things that come to mind when building a personal brand or a business represented by name and reputation. 

In this episode, we dive into artificial intelligence and learn how the space works. Can artificial intelligence do it better than humans? Does age matter when it comes to building a successful startup? Why are B2B (business-to-business) startups not as popular as B2C (business-to-consumer) startups? How do you build relationships that lead to the first deal and healthily beyond?How do you establish credibility and trust in the artificial intelligence space?These are some of the questions I discuss with today's guest, Andrew Kanapatski, a passionate growth-oriented business executive focused on helping companies across industries understand the various ways in which business and innovative technology come together to grow organizations.

All of us have unique lives which comprise of non-replicable personal experiences. The journey towards success can be driven by many variables. I have seen that times of adversity are when the most significant changes occur from within and at the core of our being. We all handle hardships faced during the course of our lives differently, but learning about the difficulties faced by others gives us a perspective that is crucial for growing and becoming the version of ourselves that makes us happy at the end of the day. Our guest on todays show is Jason Rasevych: a social impact entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with First Nations, community economic development corporations, and various government departments. He is of Oji-Cree ancestry and a member of The Ginoogaming First Nation. He has secured more than $100 million for capital projects and community capacity building. He is also a founding member of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association, a nonprofit group that advocates for the inclusion of indigenous business in the northern economy.