Small Business | Big Insights – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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In this episode of The Small Business Big Insights Podcast, Eric sits down with litigation lawyer Margot Pomerleau to explore the legal risks that small and medium business owners often overlook. Margot shares why documenting deals matters more than most entrepreneurs think, how failing to get proper advice early can cost you significantly more later, and the most common mistakes she sees in contracts, hiring, firing, and business partnerships. She breaks down what actually happens when a lawsuit begins, how evidence is collected, and why putting pen to paper can be the difference between winning and losing a case.

Margot also explains how business owners can avoid unnecessary legal trouble by setting realistic goals, avoiding unplanned expansions, and resisting the temptation to dabble in industries they do not fully understand. From mismanaged projects to bad investment advice, she walks through real situations that lead clients to her door and shares practical insight on how to avoid similar problems. This candid conversation will give business owners a clearer view of their legal rights and responsibilities and provide valuable tools to protect their companies before issues arise.

Timestamps
 00:00 Introduction and episode overview
 00:36 Meet Margot Pomerleau
 01:26 What makes a strong litigator
 03:35 Navigating client emotions and expectations
 06:49 What business owners do not want to hear
 08:31 The cost of ignoring legal advice
 10:23 The biggest legal mistake owners make
 12:33 Why documenting everything matters
 16:01 What happens when you sue someone
 19:57 How evidence and examinations work
 23:59 Why full honesty with your lawyer is critical
 26:21 The litigator’s role during a dispute
 33:46 Suing financial advisors and investment loss cases
 39:13 Controversial thoughts on scaling and risk
 44:53 Final thoughts and how to connect with Margot

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

The conversations in this podcast, including those with Margot Pomerleau, are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing discussed should be taken as legal advice. If you have questions about your specific situation, you should consult with a qualified lawyer or other appropriate professional. The hosts and guests make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of any information shared.

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In this episode of Small Business Big Insights, Eric Saumure welcomes Barry McLoughlin, leadership and communications consultant, author, and educator. Barry takes us inside his unique journey from stand-up comedy and television satire to coaching leaders across Canada and the U.S. He explains why communication is not a “nice-to-have” but an essential skill that defines your brand, builds trust, and fuels growth. With decades of experience helping executives, politicians, and business owners, Barry shares how storytelling, body language, and tone shape perception far more than words alone.

The conversation dives into real-world lessons on crisis management, authenticity, and the art of delivering tough messages without losing trust. Barry offers practical tools such as the “persuasion ladder” and the “what, why, so what” framework, while reflecting on how small business owners can connect with employees—especially younger generations—through transparency and purpose. You’ll also hear insights on reputation management, technology’s role in modern communication, and why being a great listener is the ultimate leadership skill.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Meet Barry McLoughlin, leadership and communications consultant

00:30 – From comedy and TV satire to coaching leaders

06:30 – Common communication mistakes and why nonverbals matter

09:20 – Becoming a trusted advisor in business

12:40 – Tight messages, soundbites, and the power of framing

13:00 – Crisis management: responding fast and building trust

17:30 – Rebuilding reputation and taking accountability

20:00 – Differentiated value and practical communication tools

26:50 – Transparency, Gen Z employees, and authentic culture

29:40 – Delivering bad news with empathy and structure

34:15 – Leading through uncertainty and protecting brand trust

38:15 – AI, technology, and the limits of machine communication

46:30 – Can “bad communicators” still succeed as leaders?

49:05 – One big takeaway: seek to understand before being understood

51:00 – Closing: Connect with Barry and learn more

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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In this episode, Eric sits down with Shawn Stratton from Schooley Mitchell, a business optimization pro who helps small businesses cut costs—on average by 28%—without sacrificing quality. 

Drawing on his background as an expedition leader, speaker, and author, Shawn shares practical tips on auditing expenses and negotiating better rates on things like telecom, waste, and merchant services. He breaks down common myths around cost-cutting and explains how Schooley Mitchell handles the heavy lifting so business owners can save without extra hassle. 

It's a must-listen for anyone looking to boost profits and free up cash for growth.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
01:41 Identifying Unnecessary Expenses
02:50 Telecom Cost-Saving Strategies
06:17 Sculley Mitchell's Process and Services
13:01 Technology Trends and Cost Management
15:24 International Client Insights
17:34 Understanding Competitor Pricing
17:59 Overcoming Pushback and Skepticism
18:25 The Importance of Cost Savings
18:56 Revenue Growth vs. Cost Reduction
19:52 Negotiating with Vendors
20:54 Challenges in Collecting Financial Data
25:33 Identifying Low-Hanging Fruit for Cost Reduction
26:07 Avoiding Common Billing Pitfalls
28:10 Evaluating Major Operating Expenses
30:06 The Role of Salaries in Cost Management
32:12 Risk-Free Cost Audits
33:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

Shawn Stratton
https://www.schooleymitchell.com/office/sstratton/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnstratton/

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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In this episode of the Small Business Big Insights Podcast, Eric welcomes Tara Robertson, a senior accountant at Zenbooks.  Tara shares valuable insights on business taxation, her journey in the industry, and even some tax horror stories. They discuss the critical role tax accountants play, share tips for small business owners, and address common myths about business taxes in Canada. 

0:30 Introducing Tara Robertson: A Journey in Accounting 
1:34 The Cyclical Nature of Tax Season 
4:08 Tax Horror Stories and Lessons Learned 
6:59 Saving Clients Money 
10:43 Unexpected Deductions and Client Conversations 
14:15 Advice for Small Business Owners 
20:10 Managing Stress and Fostering Team Spirit 
23:33 Future Tax Changes to Watch Out For 
25:50 The Importance of Professional Help 
27:10 Tara's Interests 
28:31 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 

Tara Robertson  
tara.Robertson@zenbooks.ca 
linkedin.com/in/tararobertsonaccountant 

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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Steve Parr shares his journey from founding and selling a vacation rental company to starting his own law firm, Parr Business Law. In this episode, he breaks down the essentials of business succession planning. Steve highlights why it’s so important to have a solid business structure, clear legal agreements, and backup plans in place for the unexpected. After all, every business partnership ends eventually—it’s just a matter of when.  

0:22 Introducing Steve Parr 
5:00 Key Legal Steps for Small Business Owners 
10:41 Estate Planning for Business Owners 
15:03 Business Succession Planning 
19:55 Trusts in Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts 
21:30 Alter Ego Trusts 
22:38 Estate Planning & Life Insurance 
27:02 Legal Trends and Compliance 
30:45 High Growth Business Challenges 
34:11 Common Client Experiences 
37:02 Final Thoughts and Contact Info 

Steve Parr  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveaparr 
https://www.parrbusinesslaw.com/ 
https://www.youtube.com/@parrbusinesslaw 

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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In this episode, Eric interviews Kayla Rochkin, the Chief Growth Officer at Bond Bakery Brands. Bond acquires family and founder-run bakeries without succession plans, helping them continue their legacy. Kayla dishes on everything from keeping quality top-notch to building a company culture that’s as warm and welcoming as fresh bread. She also shares tips on getting that B Corp certification and how to balance profits with purpose. 

0:28 Introductions 
2:20 Bond Bakery Brands 
4:10 Portofino Bakery 
11:30 B Corp Certification Journey 
19:30 Carbon Reduction Initiatives 
20:06 Flour Silos 
25:27 Competing with Industry Giants 
29:54 Consumer Trust 
32:30 Advice for Small Businesses 
36:58 Final Thoughts 

Kayla Rochkin, Chief Growth Officer at Bond Bakery Brands  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylarochkin/ 

Portofino Bakery  
https://www.portofinobakery.ca/ 

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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Drew Millington is the co-founder of Nmbr, Canada’s first embedded payroll provider. With deep expertise in SaaS and startups, Drew offers insights into key metrics that startups and small businesses should monitor, including the distinction between regrettable and non-regrettable churn. As a sales guru who has successfully scaled multiple tech startups, Drew shares invaluable advice on optimizing sales processes and effectively pitching to investors. 

0:00 Introduction
0:40 Drew’s biography
3:30 Payroll software
4:38 Tracking sell-through
6:55 Sales process
12:18 Marketing for success
16:20 AI and creativity
17:22 Operations side of scaling
22:00 Handling competition
25:00 Pitching to investors
33:30 Pivotal decisions in Drew’s career
40:00 Connect with Drew

Drew Millington  
linkedin.com/in/drewmillington 
https://www.nmbr.co/ 

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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Shrad Rao is the CEO of Wagepoint, a payroll software designed for small businesses in Canada. The company, known for its friendly team, aims to make payroll simpler and less intimidating. Wagepoint serves over 25,000 customers and processes payroll for more than 200,000 employees each month. Under Shrad’s leadership, the company has grown to over 100 employees and is committed to diversity and inclusion. Shrad prioritizes a human-first approach and focuses on finding smarter solutions rather than working harder. He dismisses the concept of a "bias for action" and remains focused on customer needs and solving problems, without getting distracted by competition or trends in the marketplace.  

0:23 Welcoming Shrad 
4:25 Child-like VS Childish 
7:45 Simplify, simplify, simplify 
11:57 Elevator example 
15:25 Wealthsimple 
16:36 Background as financial analyst 
20:25 Facing competitors 
33:30 Equal partnerships 
36:45 Navigating change in FinTech 
43:08 Proudest accomplishment 
46:25 WageFest 

Shrad Rao, CEO Wagepoint 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shradrao/ 
https://www.wagepoint.com/ 

WageFest—https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAIpQLSfgzlA0YU2EE3K9_exCvXsCJ_GHv13SKKHFL4pMCTVkdibf8w/viewform 

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of business acquisitions with Brian Lee Shields, a seasoned business development and acquisition expert based in LA. With 15 years of experience, Brian has a rich background in private equity and has been involved in over $4 billion worth of investments across more than 15 industries. Listeners will gain valuable insights into business restructuring, turnaround strategies, and managing burnout.

Brian and Eric cover a range of crucial topics including:

• Understanding the fit for business buyers
• Navigating cash flow investment deals
• Building and maintaining a strong company culture
• Conducting thorough due diligence

Brian also shares practical advice for first-time business buyers, emphasizing the importance of:

• Partnering with a stellar business partner
• Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses
• Examining 100 similar deals before making a decision

Tune in to learn from Brian's extensive experience and gain actionable tips to help you succeed in the world of business acquisitions.

0:00 Intro
4:14 First acquisitions
10:25 Integration, leadership, organizational development
15:00 Tripling the value of a company
18:50 Striking a deal
22:40 Strategies to improve business
29:00 Doing due diligence
36:30 Advice to first-time business buyers
40:15 Business partner
42:10 Get Connected

Brian Lee Shields 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianleeshields/
BrianLeeShields.com

Resources Mentioned 
www.bizbuysell.com

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)

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Alex Hadjisophocleous is a fee-only/advice-only financial planner at Forest Financial Planning Inc., helping individuals and business owners grow wealth through financial literacy. His unbiased advice is a refreshing contrast to financial advisors who charge substantial annual fees, particularly in Canada. In this episode, he shares a wealth of financial wisdom, including tips on insurance, paying installments, and how to withdraw a salary or pay yourself in a small business. He also shares his insights on the future direction of the financial planning industry.

0:00 Intro 

0:55 Conversation begins 

4:50 Financial advice to small business owner 

12:00 Strategies to grow a business 

22:35 Debt, Loans, Investing

25:00 Planning for an unpredictable future 

29:15 Trajectory of financial service industry

32:30 Financial education 

38:05 Alex’s course “Simplify and Grow”

41:20 Closing Advice 

Alex Hadjisophocleous

·         https://forestfinancialplanning.ca/

·         https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hadjisophocleous-cfa-cfp-mba-b24aaa57/

Resource Mentioned

·         https://onfe-rope.ca/our-work/ottawa-volunteers-in-education/

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com)