In this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, Robin and Al welcome Brendan Taylor, President of Mavericks VFX, a Toronto-based visual effects studio.

Brendan takes us through his unexpected leap into entrepreneurship and the creative mindset that has driven his success in the visual effects industry. He opens up about the bold risks and challenges of scaling a business, highlighting the critical role of strong processes and a supportive network. Brendan also redefines what success truly means, shifting the focus from traditional accolades to the impact of a positive workplace culture and the importance of building a team that feels valued and inspired.

"Take the information, leave the emotion." ~ Brendan Taylor

Takeaways:

1. Embrace Risk and Creativity: Taking risks and navigating the messy creative process are essential for growth and innovation in any business.
2. Resilience and Support: Success requires resilience, stepping out of comfort zones, and surrounding yourself with a supportive network.
3. Empowering Workplace Culture: A strong, nurturing culture is built through clear direction, employee feedback, and connecting staff to the larger purpose of their work.
4. Long-Term Vision and Legacy: Fostering innovation, tracking employee satisfaction, and aiming to be the best employer are key steps in building a lasting legacy in the industry.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Hosts Robin and Al welcome Ryan Oliver, CEO of Ampere, for a thought-provoking conversation on breaking barriers in education. From empowering rural and Indigenous communities to redefining what’s possible, Ampere’s unique programs blend technology, art, and play to help people of all ages build vital STEAM skills. Ryan shares the innovative strategies behind their mission and the impact they’re making by unlocking new opportunities through creativity and hands-on learning.

The discussion also highlights the importance of adapting educational strategies to meet community needs, the collaborative nature of their work, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures.

"The very first thing you do whenever you're dealing with any underserved populations or equity-deserving groups is listen." ~ Ryan Oliver

Key Takeaways:

1. Inclusive, Community-Driven Education: STEAM education integrates arts into STEM, focusing on inclusivity and tailoring strategies based on community needs and feedback.
2. Collaboration and Listening: Successful educational initiatives rely on strong collaboration, active listening, and building good relationships with communities.
3. Growth Through Resilience: Embracing failure as part of the learning process is essential for growth and innovation in education.
4. Sustainable, Impactful Approach: Long-term success requires a forward-thinking mindset, community buy-in, and applying a business approach to nonprofit operations.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, hosts Robin and Al engage in a fascinating conversation with Subhi Alsayed, the visionary Founder and CEO of Kulture Rebellion—a company that merges science and craft to reinvent social drinks. Subhi shares his transformative journey from a corporate career in engineering and construction to creating a gut-friendly beverage, Brücha©, that leverages fermentation technology and redefines an industry. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of personal health, and how AI is integrated into their production processes.

"I was tired of being told that things can't be done differently." ~ Subhi Alsayed

Takeaways:

1. Path to Sustainability: Subhi’s journey from engineering and construction sparked his commitment to sustainability, leading to the founding of Kulture Rebellion.
2. Innovation in Healthier Alternatives: Kulture Rebellion uses fermentation technology to create healthier social drinks, emphasizing community and connection through food and drinks.
3. Entrepreneurial Resilience: Subhi highlights the challenges of entrepreneurship, where self-doubt and resilience play key roles, alongside trusting one’s instincts.
4. Personal Definition of Success: For Subhi, success is deeply personal, defined by fulfillment and family time.
5. Empowering Change: Subhi believes in the power of change at any stage in life and aims to make fermentation accessible for all.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group