Inspired Insider With Dr. Jeremy Weisz | Ecommerce Interviews | Entrepreneurship | Inspirational Stories | Business Lessons

Katie Dunsworth-Reiach is Co-founder and Partner of Talk Shop Media, a full-service integrated communications agency with expertise in public relations, social media, digital marketing, influencer relations, branding, and creative execution. She is also Co-founder of Smart Cookies, a personal finance brand featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal, which has attracted global partnerships with the likes of American Express and Procter & Gamble. As a serial entrepreneur, Katie is Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of If Communications, a full-service communication agency providing strategy, branding, advertising, design, packaging, and digital ideas. She has co-hosted a W Network series, co-authored two best-sellers with Random House, and contributed regularly to CTV and Global News. In this episode… In today's highly competitive digital world, building and growing a successful brand requires diverse skills, including public relations, social media management, digital ma

Brent Wardrop is the Founder of Elemental, an independent full-service creative advertising and marketing agency based in Toronto. Elemental positions itself as a partner in growth, assisting clients in engaging their audiences and driving business results. Under Brent's leadership, the agency has had the privilege to serve notable brands such as Dyson, Scotiabank, Allergan, Shred-it, and Honeywell. His journey to entrepreneurship is unique, having transitioned from his earlier career as a professional musician.  In this episode… Is there a secret to creating marketing campaigns that not only drive engagement, but also foster a deep sense of connection and brand love? According to Brent Wardrop, a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in brand engagement, the secret lies in crafting campaigns around a simple yet powerful core idea. This approach, which fosters a sense of unity and shared ownership, can inspire a level of loyalty and connection that extends far beyond conventional consumer interactions. In this epi

Thomas Magny is the Partner and VP of Creation at Camden, a creative ad agency in Montreal, Toronto, Lyon, and Hong Kong for brands with drive. Camden has over 120 active B2C, B2B, and government clients across many different fields. Since joining the agency in 2019, Thomas has played an instrumental role in building Camden’s reputation in Toronto and winning clients across Canada. He previously served as Associate Creative Director at Felt Studio, a Montreal-based creative studio. He comes from the fashion and branding world, having built Bonvilain, an online clothing line that brought together innovative organic fabrics and a meticulous approach to detail.   In this episode… Scaling a business in today's world requires a lot of creativity. However, not many brands have the creativity expertise in-house to help them thrive. So, what can you do to help your business grow?  According to Thomas Magny, partnering with a creative agency is fundamental. They are professionals who can help you with services like br

Tony Lyons is the Owner, President, and Chief Creative Officer of Alphabet, an advertising, design, and new media creative consultancy. Under his leadership, Alphabet has undertaken major brand re-development projects, creative strategies, and content marketing programs for numerous clients from diverse sectors, including tourism and healthcare.  Tony boasts a career spanning over 30 years in the marketing and advertising industry. He began his career in Ireland, where he held senior designer positions at design and advertising studios such as Young & Rubicam. Tony has presented at various industry conferences, including the Professional Development Institute, the University of Ottawa, and the Government of Canada Public Services and Procurement Canada communications department. In this episode… In today's highly competitive business landscape, advertising has become crucial for any brand's success. It helps increase brand visibility, build brand awareness, and drive sales and revenue. However, creating c

Justin Frenette is the Co-founder and CEO of Him & Her, a creative marketing agency that caters to forward-thinking clients. The agency boasts a team of experienced designers, developers, marketing specialists, project managers, and more who collectively provide end-to-end creative and marketing services to businesses that are dissatisfied with the status quo.  As a software engineer, Justin possesses the requisite knowledge and skills to design and develop computer software, software design methodologies, and concepts such as microprocessors, embedded software, process control, relational databases, internet development, and computer security development. Before Him & Her, he served as a business application developer at Magnet Forensics and a software tool developer at BlackBerry. In this episode… Running a business can be a daunting task. From managing operations to strategizing marketing campaigns, the demands are endless. So, what needs to happen to achieve success?  Justin Frenette, an experienc

Thomas Le Maguer is the Co-founder and CEO of Republix, a growth marketing agency that helps marketers attain a fearless attitude and enhance their ability to drive and accelerate growth. Republix seamlessly handles business growth needs through numerous disciplines supported by well-educated people and robust technology platforms.  Thomas has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, working in various sales and management positions. Additionally, he has co-founded other companies and serves in executive roles at Consolidated Capital Corporation, eRational Marketing, Integrity Distributed Software Solutions, and Vequitas Capital Corporation. Previously, he was the Vice President of Sales and Inside Sales Manager at ONE Financial, where they successfully increased sales by 127%. In this episode… Starting and running a business is one of the most challenging things you can do, but growing it is even more difficult. While there are many ways to expand your business, acquisition remains one of the m

Morgan Tierney is the Executive Creative Director of Rethink, a full-service creative ideas agency with offices in New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal. Rethink provides 360° campaigns, strategy, design, digital, production, and public relations to the world’s biggest brands. Before Rethink, Morgan served as a Legal Secretary for the BC Ministry of Attorney General. She has a BA in psychology from The University of Columbia and learned advertising copywriting at Humber College. In this episode… In today's highly competitive business landscape, having great products or services alone does not ensure a company's success. Prioritizing marketing to stay ahead of competitors is essential for entrepreneurs. However, running a successful ad campaign requires a set of skills that many entrepreneurs may not possess. Marketing plays a pivotal role in the growth of any business. It involves creating and disseminating compelling advertisements across various media channels to raise brand awareness among your target

Devon MacDonald is the President of Cairns Oneil, a full-service media agency specializing in strategy, insights, media planning, media buying, and analytics. As a seasoned leader, strategist, and marketer, he is passionate about helping clients achieve their business goals and reach their audiences. Devon has a background in technology, creativity, and media, which gives him a multi-faceted and builder's mindset to problem-solving. Before Cairns Oneil, he was the CEO of Mindshare Canada, one of the largest global media networks, where he led the Canadian operations and built a culture of trust, provocation, and inclusivity. In this episode… As an entrepreneur, managing a business at the top level alone can be an arduous task. In such a scenario, bringing in experienced executives, such as a president, can significantly enhance the operations of the company. However, hiring an executive team as a founder is easier said than done. Most founders are reluctant to relinquish control of their companies, fearing th

Kevin Delano is the Founder and CEO of Karma Casting, a revolutionary platform disrupting the staffing landscape by bridging the gap between great brands and incredible talent. A proven serial entrepreneur, he has started and led many companies across diverse industries, with revenues ranging from two million dollars to $90 million with up to 400 employees. With extensive experience in innovation, strategy, corporate structure, leadership, and operations, Kevin possesses a strong market know-how in sales and marketing. Over the past three decades, he has founded and co-founded numerous businesses, including Consumer Impact Marketing, LAUNCH!, IMD Health Global Corp., Airntell Aerospace, and Sootsoap Supply Co. In this episode… Running a business is an arduous challenge from top to bottom, with an overwhelming number of tasks to manage. So, what can you learn from a successful entrepreneur who has founded, led, and exited numerous companies? According to serial entrepreneur Kevin Delano, it takes a lot of hard

Geoff Crain is the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Kingstar Media, Canada’s top performance marketing agency. The agency designs and implements winning media strategies based on each client’s goals. As a seasoned media professional, Geoff has amassed over 12 years of experience in planning, purchasing, and optimizing offline and online media for some of the most distinguished brands in the world. He has a proven track record of successfully executing media buys across all advertising mediums, such as linear TV, radio, DOOH, CTV, SEM, SEO, programmatic, and paid social while managing high-volume media campaigns across Google, Meta, and TikTok. In this episode… In today's highly competitive business landscape, having a great product or service alone is not enough to guarantee success. To significantly impact your industry, effectively marketing your offerings to your target audience is crucial. According to performance marketing expert Geoff Crain, this is where media advertising comes in. However, de

Ed O’Keefe is a father of seven who grew up in a household of 13 children. A serial entrepreneur, he has started multiple companies from scratch to build them up to seven and eight figures, and is the author of Time Collapsing! The New Art of Speed, Money, Power, and Meaning. In dentistry, Ed sold over $50,000,000 in marketing systems and seminars; he started Marine Essentials and has sold over $60,000,000 in health supplements. Ed hosts his own podcast, the Ed O’Keefe Show and invests in KNOW Foods — a health food company that is disrupting the food industry. In this episode… Are you tired of your business plateauing or backsliding in sales? You're not alone — many entrepreneurs face this challenge at some point in their journey. However, there's a solution that's been gaining popularity. Ed O'Keefe's offer wingman strategy is helping entrepreneurs supercharge their sales and take their business to the next level. It involves leveraging a trusted partner to do all of the marketing for you. Your wingman will

Brad Martineau is the Co-founder and CEO of SixthDivision, a brand empowering entrepreneurs to build a successful business by providing the tools to get better reporting, visibility, and more clients. With over 14 years of experience building small businesses, his expertise lies in simplifying complex concepts and bridging the gap between theory and execution. As the sixth employee at Infusionsoft, Brad played a pivotal role in creating the marketing automation space for small businesses. In addition, he is also an accomplished basketball and entrepreneur coach passionate about teaching and helping people understand challenging concepts. In this episode… Running a business is no easy task; it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The most challenging aspect of running a business is managing multiple tasks simultaneously. From marketing to sales, every aspect of your business demands your attention. So, how can you satisfy your clients while making your team's life easier? Serial entrepren

Cliff McDonald is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Brainheart Growth, a consulting firm oriented toward advising lower mid-market businesses on revenue growth. He also serves as the Chief Growth Officer and chairman of the advisory board at RehabPath, overseeing its expansion from a small team to an enterprise with over 55 staff members. Cliff firmly believes in compassionate business strategies and advocates for the intrinsic worth of core values and human-centric approaches within organizations. In this episode… It’s no secret that the lack of a common vision amongst employees and an inconsistent set of core values can sink any company. Cliff McDonald shares the valuable life lessons and core values passed on by his father, which shaped his perspective on leadership, compassion, and diversity. Cliff brings that perspective into the core mission of Brainheart Growth while emphasizing the challenges of promoting revenue in companies that lack brand awareness. He highlights the use of technology, like CRM sy

Jean-Pierre Lacroix is the Founder and President of Shikatani Lacroix Design, an international design firm specializing in creating immersive experiences that connect in the blink of an eye. He is also a registered graphic designer in Ontario, a credential that demonstrates his professional standards and ethics. As a visionary leader with over three decades of experience in the branding and design industry, Jean-Pierre has helped Fortune 500 companies transform their brands and organizations through his unique “ThinkBlink” process, which combines strategic foresight, design innovation, and consumer experience engineering. He is also an accomplished speaker, author, and educator who has shared his insights and expertise on global stages, in best-selling books, and at prestigious institutions. In this episode… Building a successful retail business requires significant effort and dedication, but one crucial aspect not to overlook is the value of design. Good design is essential for creating a powerful brand iden

Richard Walker is the CEO of Quik!, a provider of forms automation and management solutions for companies looking to maximize efficiency and productivity. He started Quik! in 2002 to help people spend less time on paperwork and more time on what they do best. Before Quik!, Rich was a business consultant with Arthur Andersen. He is a published author of two books and a father of three boys. In this episode… Building a SaaS-based company is a challenging but rewarding journey. As an entrepreneur, you have a unique opportunity to create software that solves real problems and delivers value to your customers. But to succeed in such a competitive market, one must go beyond simply building a great product. To stand out and attract loyal customers, business consultant and entrepreneur Richard Walker says your software must be easy to use and intuitive. You don't want your users to struggle with complex features or spend hours figuring out how to use your product. Instead, you want to create a seamless and delightful

Robert Burko is the Founder and CEO of Elite Digital Agency, an award-winning digital agency headquartered in Toronto, Canada. With a sophisticated marketing strategy and cutting-edge digital tactics to execute programs that exceed expectations, Elite has been helping clients leverage the digital landscape to achieve their goals for 20 years.  Robert was also the Founder and President of Elite Email, a world leader in email and mobile marketing solutions. As one of Canada's chief email and digital marketing specialists, he has appeared on national television, radio programs, podcasts, and countless print publications across North America. Recognized as a thought leader in his industry, Robert speaks as an expert in his field at high-profile events both within his industry and for those outside who are looking for easy online business solutions. In this episode… In today's digital age, marketing has become more complex than ever before. The rise of social media and the constantly evolving digital landscape has

Corey Quinn is a self-employed Fractional CMO and GTM Strategist at Corey Quinn, Inc., where he helps agencies escape founder-led sales with the deep specialization method and break the cycle of flat sales and high customer churn. He has spent over 15 years in marketing and sales leadership roles at numerous respected digital agencies. Previously, Corey was Chief Marketing Officer of Scorpion, an agency he helped scale from $20 million to $150 million in seven years. He is also the host of The Vertical Go-To-Market Podcast. In this episode… Building an agency from scratch can be both exciting and challenging. Most agencies reach a certain point in revenue and get stuck, not knowing how to navigate and scale. However, it’s possible to overcome these obstacles and succeed with the right mindset and strategy. Marketing expert Corey Quinn says that building a founder-led sales business is a barrier to success in the agency world. It causes the agency to reach a certain point and get stuck because it depends on th

Mark Gascoigne is the CEO of Trampoline Branding, a full-service marketing communications agency based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is highly experienced with over 30 years of work in professional marketing. Mark has a strong background in integrated marketing, communications, advertising, and marketing strategy. Before Trampoline Branding, he held various leadership positions at Twist & Bits, including Managing Director and Director of Strategic Services. In this episode… With so many businesses vying for attention in today's marketplace, it can be challenging to stand out. Creating a brand that resonates with customers and accurately reflects the company's mission and values is essential. Experienced marketing professional Mark Gascoigne says that branding is crucial for any business — it is how a company presents itself to the world, and it can significantly impact its success. A strong brand can help a company differentiate itself from competitors, build customer trust, and create a loyal following. Ho

Will Nitze is the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a company that produces plant-based nutritional protein bars, hydration mixes, and instant coffee that boost brain and body performance. IQBARs are keto, vegan, and paleo-friendly, and are made with nutrient-dense ingredients. Before IQBAR, Will was a Sales and Marketing Manager for Wood Mackenzie, a global insight business for renewables, energy, and natural resources. In this episode… Mental exhaustion is increasingly prevalent for many from work, school, and other obligations, making it all the more challenging to eat healthy. So, how can you regularly improve your brain and body performance?  Some foods can help you feel structurally sound, energized, and operate at your best. A passion for mental performance and long-standing interest in the brain propelled Will Nitze to create IQBAR protein bars, hydration mixes and instant coffee that promote sustained cognitive energy, performance, and health. He shares his journey as an entrepreneur in building a nutrition

Phil Haid is the Co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., an agency that is redefining the role of corporate engagement in social issues. With a career spanning over two decades, his work extends to collaborations with leading brands like Johnson & Johnson, Starbucks, and more, helping them navigate and amplify their social impact in the world.  As a member of the B Corp movement, Phil consistently advocates for businesses to be a force for good, integrating social benefits within their core strategy. In this episode… Can a strong and successful company also make a positive social impact on the world? According to Phil Haid, it can be an uphill battle to convince companies to buy into the “profit with purpose” thesis, but through determination and market evolution, it’s possible to guide even giants like Johnson & Johnson and Starbucks to marry profit and social impact. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz is joined by Phil Haid, CEO and Co-Founder of Public Inc., who explains