Making Your Mark Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

🔥 Quick insight from Saaj Patel on why integrity matters in auto service.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Saaj shares how he’s building SP Mecano to stand for honesty, integrity, and doing right by the customer. In an industry often criticized for upselling and mistrust, his approach is about creating a mobile auto service brand people can actually trust. Because doing good business starts with being a good human.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Derick Kulibaba on turning pain into purpose through movement.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Derick shares the story behind Kuli-Box, the exercise initiative he launched at CN just months after losing his first wife. What began as a step toward his own healing sparked a powerful response — with participants calling it life-changing. His journey shows how resilience and community can transform grief into growth.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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Trades to entrepreneurship, mobile auto service, and building a business on your own terms are at the center of Saaj Patel’s story. After years working in dealerships, Saaj made the bold decision to leave stability behind and launch SP Mecano, a mobile automotive servicing business built around convenience, integrity, and customer trust.

Saaj opens up about transitioning from technician to business owner, learning the office and operations side of entrepreneurship, and discovering the freedom that comes from doing things his way. Whether you're in the trades, considering self‑employment, or exploring the leap into entrepreneurship, this episode offers grounded, practical insight into building a business from the ground up.

He opens up about:

• Choosing the trades over culinary school

• Building a career in dealership automotive servicing

• Launching his mobile car service business

• Navigating the challenges of self‑employment

• Creating a brand based on flexibility, freedom, and integrity

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Saaj Patel’s Journey

02:17 Transition from Culinary to Mechanics

03:33 Experiences in Mechanics School

06:36 Career Development at the Dealership

08:27 Favorite Aspects of Mechanics

13:02 The Leap to Self‑Employment

15:01 The Benefits of Being Your Own Boss

17:51 Trade‑offs Between More Money and More Time

19:25 Learning the Office Side of Owning His Business

20:21 Surprises of Self‑Employment

22:42 Lessons Learned from Year One

26:06 Wouldn’t Go Back to Working for Someone Else

27:47 Nobody Will Treat Me Better Than I Treat Myself

30:29 Flexibility When the Economy Isn’t Doing Great

32:13 The SP Mecano Brand Has Integrity

37:57 Saaj’s Vision for SP Mecano

39:24 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

40:37 How to Reach Saaj Patel

42:54 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores trades‑to‑entrepreneurship transitions, mobile auto service businesses, self‑employment challenges, and the realities of building a flexible, integrity‑driven brand. Ideal for listeners navigating trades careers, early‑stage entrepreneurship, or the leap from stability to independence.

Purpose, mental wellness, and rebuilding life after loss are at the center of Derick Kulibaba’s story. A Montreal entrepreneur and coach, Derick transformed personal tragedy into a mission to support others through movement, community, and resilience.

Before founding Seconds Out Boxing, Derick built a successful corporate sales career. But life’s hardest moments shifted his priorities, leading him toward coaching, wellness, and creating safe spaces for people navigating their own struggles. Through Kuli Box and Seconds Out Boxing, he now empowers others to rise through physical and mental strength.

He opens up about:

• Losing his first wife and the emotional aftermath

• Creating Kuli Box and launching a new chapter

• Building Seconds Out Boxing from the ground up

• How corporate experience shaped his new path

• Redefining success, wellness, and the power of coaching

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Derick Kulibaba

01:42 Derick’s Background and the many places he’s made his mark

04:34 The tragic loss of his first wife

07:30 The birth of Kuli Box

12:47 Transitioning from tragedy to growth

16:46 Establishing Seconds Out Boxing

19:22 Understanding work‑life balance

22:54 Knowing when to move on

28:48 How corporate life can work against balance

33:52 Health, wellness, and alternative medicine

37:24 Finding purpose in boxing

39:22 The importance of self‑care

40:23 Creating a supportive community through Seconds Out Boxing

42:54 Seeing corporate life differently after leaving it

45:11 How to reach Derick Kulibaba

48:09 Asking for your help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores purpose, mental wellness, resilience, entrepreneurship, community building, and navigating life after loss. Ideal for listeners interested in wellness journeys, coaching, boxing communities, and personal transformation.

Nursing resilience, frontline reality, and the emotional toll of COVID‑19 shape the journey of Filipino‑Canadian nurse Kim Gutierrez. From hesitating to pursue nursing to becoming a travel nurse in the U.S. and later serving on Montreal’s frontlines, Kim’s story highlights the courage required to thrive in one of the most demanding professions.

Kim reflects on the pressures of nursing school, the challenges of travel nursing, and the human cost of working through a global crisis. She shares how cultural identity, family influence, and firsthand pandemic experience shaped her purpose as both a caregiver and an advocate for respect, recognition, and fair treatment for nurses everywhere.

She opens up about:

• Why she initially hesitated to pursue nursing

• The challenges & rewards of being a travel nurse

• The emotional toll of working through COVID‑19

• The resilience of Filipino nurses

• Why nurses deserve recognition, respect & fair pay

• Lessons from the frontlines and advice for future nurses

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Personal Connection

02:22 Kim's Mother's Influence on Her Nursing Career

03:55 Journey into Nursing: Inspiration & Education

07:14 Why Choose a Bachelor's in Nursing?

11:46 Travel Nursing: Opportunities & Challenges

19:56 Innovations in Patient Care During COVID‑19

25:44 The Emotional Toll of the Pandemic on Healthcare Workers

27:11 The Resilience of Filipino Nurses

29:22 Lessons from the COVID‑19 Frontlines

30:41 Nurses Are Not Maids: Breaking Stereotypes

34:57 How Nurses Should Be Recognized & Valued

39:07 Advice for Future Nurses

42:39 Conclusion

44:27 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores nursing resilience, frontline healthcare realities, travel nursing, and the emotional impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Ideal for listeners interested in nursing careers, healthcare advocacy, Filipino‑Canadian stories, and the human side of working through crisis.

How do integrity, transformation, and community shape a successful career? Anne Pertus, co‑founder of The Pillars, has built her professional journey around meaningful change, human‑centric leadership, and the power of finding your tribe. Her path spans large corporations, boutique consulting firms, and entrepreneurship — all grounded in the belief that shortcuts aren’t worth sacrificing integrity.

In this episode, Anne shares how growing up in a constantly changing environment shaped her adaptability, why community matters in both business and life, and how strong relationships fuel transformation. Whether you're interested in consulting culture, leadership, change management, or building a supportive network, Anne’s story offers grounded wisdom and practical insight.

She opens up about:

• Growing up in a constantly changing environment

• Why integrity matters more than quick wins

• Transitioning from corporate life to boutique consulting

• The catalyst for launching her own firm

• The importance of community, chemistry, and support networks

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anne Pertus

01:02 Growing Up in a Constantly Changing Environment

03:06 The Pillars: A Boutique Consulting Firm Focused on Transformation

05:05 Why Taking Shortcuts Isn’t Worth It — Integrity Over Quick Wins

09:13 The Transition from Large Corporate Life to Small Consulting Firms

11:34 The Catalyst for Going Out on Her Own

14:27 The Importance of Community & Support Networks

16:24 “Des Atomes Crochus” — The Chemistry of Strong Relationships

18:47 What Makes The Pillars Unique in Business Transformation

23:58 Building a Unique Consulting Culture & Leadership Approach

28:54 Anne’s Personal Health Journey & Advocacy for Well‑Being

32:40 How to Connect with Anne

34:14 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores business transformation, human‑centric leadership, consulting culture, and the role of community in career growth. Ideal for listeners navigating career transitions, leading change, or building meaningful professional relationships.

Resilience, purpose, and building a business through adversity are central to Samantha Bateman’s story. As the founder of Integria Consulting, Sam has spent 20 years growing a purpose‑driven executive search firm rooted in service, second chances, and a deep commitment to helping people find meaningful work.

Sam shares how early hardship shaped her drive, why she chose entrepreneurship over the safe corporate path, and how she built Integria through economic downturns, uncertainty, and moments that tested her resolve. Whether you're an entrepreneur, recruiter, job seeker, or someone navigating career challenges, her journey offers grounded lessons in grit, leadership, and purpose.

She opens up about:

• Building a business through adversity

• Why she chose entrepreneurship over stability

• The mindset behind “It has to work”

• Supporting marginalized job seekers

• Purpose‑driven leadership and service

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Samantha Bateman

02:04 From Growing Up in the West Island to 20 Years of Integria Consulting

03:57 Juggling Full‑Time Work While Completing a University Degree

06:04 Saying No to the Easy Path & Building Her Own Way

10:24 What Fuels Sam’s Entrepreneurial Spirit?

14:10 The Origins of Integria Consulting

17:09 The Mindset of “It Has to Work, I Can’t Stop Until It Does”

20:52 The Role of a Spouse or Partner in Career Success

24:32 How a Political Science Degree Came in Handy in Business

26:45 The Turning Point When Integria Started to Gain Momentum

28:59 One Person Willing to Take a Chance on You

32:40 Weathering the 2008–2010 Downturn as a Small Business

34:25 Sometimes People Just Need One Break to Change Their Lives

39:36 Empowering Marginalized & Underemployed Job Seekers

42:31 The Importance of Connection, Service & Purpose‑Driven Leadership

47:39 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores resilience, purpose‑driven entrepreneurship, executive search leadership, and supporting marginalized job seekers. Ideal for listeners navigating career challenges, building a business, or seeking meaning in their professional journey.

Career growth, self‑advocacy, and navigating corporate dynamics define Stella Filippatos’s journey across engineering, aviation, and business. After years of delivering results, she realized that performance alone wasn’t enough—she needed to understand the unspoken rules of the workplace to earn the recognition, opportunities, and compensation she deserved.

In this episode, Stella breaks down how to build your professional brand, communicate your value, and approach salary discussions with confidence. She shares why networking matters, how to create visibility for your work, and the mindset shifts required to advance your career with intention and clarity.

She opens up about:

• Why you can’t expect others to read your mind about your goals

• Balancing humility with self‑promotion

• Who to talk to when creating awareness about your work

• The power of networking in building your professional brand

• Why a tough‑but‑fair approach earns respect

• How to recognize when it’s time for a career change

• Understanding salary expectations and industry standards

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stella Filippatos

01:29 Stella’s Background in the Aviation Industry

03:38 Why You Can’t Expect Others to Read Your Mind About Your Goals

06:55 Finding the Balance Between Humility & Self‑Promotion

09:55 Who Should You Talk to When Creating Awareness About Your Work

13:12 The Power of Networking in Building Your Professional Brand

17:09 Why a Tough‑but‑Fair Approach Earns Respect & Results

23:50 The Importance of Cultivating Professional Relationships

28:56 Either You’re Earning or Learning—How to Maximize Your Career Growth

32:51 How to Recognize When It’s Time for a Career Change

35:48 Understanding Salary Expectations & Industry Standards

39:40 Key Takeaways for Career Advancement & Professional Growth

44:25 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores career growth, self‑advocacy, professional branding, and navigating corporate culture. Ideal for listeners interested in workplace success, salary negotiation, networking, women in leadership, and building a meaningful career with intention.

Reinvention, voiceover mastery, and building a sustainable creative business in a rapidly changing industry are central to Kim Handysides’ story. From her early days as a weather woman to becoming an award‑winning voiceover artist and entrepreneur, Kim has built a thriving career by adapting, evolving, and trusting her ability to grow.

Kim shares the forced pivots that shaped her path, the business strategies that helped her stand out, and how she continues to innovate as AI reshapes the creative landscape. Whether you're a voiceover artist, creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating a major career shift, her journey offers practical wisdom, industry insight, and inspiration for long‑term success.

She opens up about:

• Her journey from broadcasting to voiceover mastery

• Why mastery takes time — the 10,000‑hour rule

• How curiosity, travel, and perspective fuel creativity

• Navigating forced career pivots and reinvention

• Building a sustainable business in the creative industry

• Staying ahead of AI’s impact on voiceover work

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kim Handysides

01:51 Kim’s Journey to Voiceover Mastery

05:14 Achievements & Recognition in the Voiceover Industry

06:34 Mastery Takes Time: Kim’s 10,000‑Hour Rule for Success

09:39 Perspective & Visualization Techniques in Voiceover

10:53 How Travel Expands Social Learning & Creativity

12:31 Kim’s First Forced Career Pivot — Navigating Change

14:58 Her Second Major Career Pivot & Reinvention

17:09 From Weather Woman to Professional Voiceover Actor

20:42 From Voiceover Artist to Business Owner & Entrepreneur

26:05 Marketing Strategies: Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall

29:30 Why Entrepreneurs Must Learn to Delegate & Subcontract

32:29 Burning Out While Doing Something You Love — How Kim Recovered

35:59 Staying Ahead of AI’s Impact on Creative Industries

40:09 Why She’s Still in the “Thrill of the Hunt”

43:14 Advice: Master Communication & Take Care of Your Relationships

45:47 How to Reach Kim Handysides & Closing Thoughts

46:59 Final Takeaway & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores creative reinvention, voiceover mastery, entrepreneurship in the arts, and adapting to industry change. Ideal for listeners navigating creative careers, career pivots, or the evolving impact of AI on artistic work.

How do you transition from elite sports to politics and leadership? Johnny Luk, former rowing champion and UK political candidate, has built a career defined by grit, service, and a commitment to creating real impact. His journey spans competitive athletics, government roles, private‑sector leadership, and two runs for UK Parliament — all driven by a belief that change requires both policy and action.

In this episode, Johnny shares how rowing shaped his resilience, why young people struggle to develop grit today, and what he learned from navigating both government and business environments. Whether you're interested in politics, leadership, public service, or major career transitions, his story offers grounded insights and powerful lessons on character, courage, and contribution.

He opens up about:

• How competitive rowing built his drive and discipline

• Why grit is harder for young people to develop today

• The differences between government and private‑sector leadership

• What it takes to create real change in public service

• Running for Parliament — twice — and what he learned

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Johnny Luk

02:36 Johnny’s Journey in Competitive Rowing

04:48 How Rowing Built His Drive to Succeed

06:56 Why Johnny Never Quit Rowing — Even When It Got Tough

09:59 The Challenges Youth Face in Developing Grit Today

14:17 Contrasting Government & Private Sector Leadership

16:57 The Role of Government & Its Impact on Society

21:45 What Would It Take for Government to Drive Real Change?

25:46 How to Build Coalitions in a Hyper‑Partisan Political Climate

29:11 Private Sector Lessons That Could Benefit the Public Sector

31:21 Running for Parliament — Twice!

38:10 Why Johnny Entered Politics & His Vision for the Future

40:09 Advice to Today’s 17‑Year‑Olds on Building a Career & Character

43:01 How to Choose the Right Career Path

45:01 The Power of Support Networks & Work‑Life Balance

47:26 How to Connect with Johnny Luk & Final Thoughts

49:54 Closing & Call to Action

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores grit, leadership, public service, and the transition from elite sports to politics. Ideal for listeners navigating career transitions, building resilience, or seeking insight into government, policy, and leadership development.