We're on a roadtrip. We get some real feedback on wine in the Okanagan valley, and the BC Fruit Grower's situation.

If you're curious what we're doing, head to our instagram to check out where we are and what we're doing.

Thank you for Paul Martin from Peter's YIG, Avi and Binne from Farming Karma and of course, to Peter Boyd, Peter's YIG for setting all this up.

David Giffin shares his journey in establishing a hemp business.  We talk about the challenges of  hemp - the launch of the Earthli brand, addressing marketing challenges and consumer misconceptions about hemp.

Find David here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-giffin-899947163/

Find Earthli foods here: https://earthli.ca/

We're building some ties here in case you're wondering. Last week, you heard from Mike Nunn  on security. This week you're hearing from Sam Wong,  Data executive at Marc Anthony leading organizations to work smarter with Data and AI. 

Phil has known Sam for a long long time. Fun fact, Sam was Phil's pianist at his wedding. 

You can find Sam here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wong-analytics/

Founder of P3 Natural Muscle & Joint Pain Relieving Cream, Registered Massage Therapist, Sports Therapist, owner of multiple clinics, lavender farmer makes John Forde an interesting guest. His stories about the Vancouver Canucks is probably the most ordinary of his stories when you start looking at what he's built so far. 

Find John here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-forde-96190a49/

Find P3 Cream here: https://www.p3cream.com/

This episode is sponsored by Fieldagent Canada. Find their 360 Innovation booster here:  https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/360

They could have bought a McDonald's in 1976, but his dad and his brother chose to get into granola instead. Fast forward, Randy Sihota is still in the family business. He talks about the ups and downs of being in a family business, what it's like to figure out how to be independent yet connected to the family. 

Find Randy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-sihota-04593444/

Find Nationwide Natural Foods: https://nationwidenaturalfoods.com/

This episode is sponsored by Field Agent Canada.
Check them out at: fieldagentcanada.com/360   or 

email  client@ca.fieldagent.net

She appeared on Dragon's Den. Got her chocolate bar listed at Sobey's based on the name alone. It all started because she wanted to get her mom her favorite chocolate bar and discovered it had been discontinued. Crystal Regehr Westergard talks about becoming a Heritage chocolate bar brand specialist. 

Find Crystal here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-regehr-westergard-11692948/

Find Cuban Lunch here: https://cubanlunch.ca/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring this episode. You can find Field Agent 360 Innovation Booster here: fieldagentcanada.com/360 or you can email them at  client@ca.fieldagent.net

This one was burning a hole in our pocket. Cristina Bardorf comes on to talk Negroni, Lowgroni, (Low-Proof Negroni) 

If you're celebrating a Dry January, this episode with Cristina and the knuckleheads talk about Lyre's and the growing non-alcoholic spirits segment.  Cristina talks about her time growing up at J&J, and her journey to this new emerging category. 

You can find Cristina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinabardorf/

Shop Lyre's here:  https://lyres.ca/

He started as a bag boy at Save-On Foods. He faxed his resume in for an advertising assistant, and next thing you know, Kyle Leslie has spent a lifetime in retail. Today, he's the President of Star Marketing Ltd. 

Check out Star Marketing here:   https://starmarketingcanada.com/

Find Kyle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-leslie-45b17b21/

One of the first six organic farms in Canada - Filsinger's is named for it's founder Alvin Filsinger. When he decided to sell, Shaun Becker and his cousin decided to buy the place, with no experience in farming or making ciders or vinegars. 

Check out Filsinger's here: http://www.filsingersorganic.com/

Find Shaun here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-becker-56935295/

We talk about the gift of time. This podcast was recorded before Christmas, but the conversation around "time" is definitely relevant. If anyone has solved the mystery - hit us up - we'd love to hear it. But really, we had Gage Mitchell on, he runs Modern Species - he helps impact-driven CPG brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community.

Check out Modern Species here: https://modernspecies.com/

Contact Gage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/

Just the Knuckleheads today. We talk about what we want out of the podcast this year, what to expect from the podcast this year. We also do something we don't do well - we ask for what we want. 

First timers on the podcast, Avi and Binny talk about Good Karma Farming from the Okanagan. One is a pharmacist and the other an engineer, but wind up taking over Avi's parents' farm. They talk about learning the business, becoming part of a family business, and how they look to evolve the business.   

They've recently won BC Food & Beverage Silver Product of the Year Award for their Pear Soda. 

Check out Farming Karma here:   https://www.farmingkarma.ca/good-karma/

She might be the missing link on our podcast. Simona Irwin, Managing Director of Uprising Naturals  started her retail journey starts at 7 in Shakespeare Ontario. We've had Simona on a #fastthoughts already and we were glad to hear her story finally. 

To contact Simona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonairwin/

To contact Uprising Naturals: https://www.uprisingnaturals.com/

Max's store is interesting enough that Kenny would drive there.

Max saw the future of trading cards before we all caught on. A fascinating take on a childhood past time that has grown into something for grown-ups

Check out Max's website: www.zephryepic.com

She pretty much grew up in the industry and didn't know that there was anything else in the world.

From listening to her mom on early morning radio shows and helping to pack boxes from a young age, she's got retail in her blood. 

Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe, President and CEO at Kidstar Nutrients dishes on growing up in a retail family, and her own search for a solution, not finding one, and building one. 

You can find Caitlyn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-vanderhaeghe-134486101/

Shop Kidstar here: https://kidstarnutrients.com/

He always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Scott Currie talks about what the journey looks like after drinking the corporate cool aid.  "Growing up" at P&G, then breaking away to build his own business, then finally becoming CEO of Wakewater Beverage Company.

You can find Scott here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-currie-2400ba1a/

Shop Wakewater here: https://wakewater.ca/

Drew Butterworth talks about doing something worthwhile and doing something better than working for money. He left tech space and started making juice with his buddy Lloyd (Arbour).  We talk about their hero sku - Sick Day and the unique format, and the challenges of merchandising a single sku.  Today, they're in Loblaws, Goodness Me, Nature's Emporium and just about everywhere else.

Find Drew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-edward-butterworth-5834a139/

Find sick day and goodvibes juice here: https://goodvibesjuice.com/collections/sick-day

Christos Kalaitzis is the Founder of OPUS and he talks about expertly handcrafted cocktails and the rocky road to making and selling alcohol free drinks. Christos is a fountain of knowledge on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the social behaviours that come with drinking

Shop Opus here: https://www.drinkopus.com/shop-alcohol-free-drinks

Talk to Christos here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christos-kalaitzis-b7942378/

The founder of Two Bears talks about doing things that you love versus doing what everyone expects of you. What happens when you do? Coffee - cold cofee, hot coffee, oat milk, oh my! FRESH ROASTED COFFEE. ON REPEAT. 

Check David out here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/twobearscoffee/

Shop Two Bears: https://www.twobears.ca/

ps - I love their coffee spot. If you're around, message me, I'll meet you there. (this is Phil)  195 Norseman St Unit 16, Toronto

Inspired by her time in France, she looked for, couldn't find yogurt that tasted the way it should. So she did what came natural. She started on her kitchen floor, recipe testing, cracking open her own coconuts. Fast forward today, she's just won the 2022 BCFB Award for Woman Entrepreneur of the Year . Jade Herrmann talks about the path to making great, non-dairy, thick, creamy and delicious alt yogurt.

Find Jade here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-herrmann-51540b63/

Shop Yoggu! here: https://yoggu.ca/collections/all

Rattan Bagga is a Forty under 40 Winner in 2021, and is the CEO of Jiva Organics. We talk to Rattan about the heritage and legacy of being part a family business and how he and his family approach work and family life together. 

You can connect with Rattan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rattanbagga/

Check out Jiva Organics here: https://www.jivaorganics.ca/

Rattan also built a notforprofit called Yell Canada, Canada’s first high school Entrepreneurship course eligible for university credit, providing youth with practical tools and experiences they need to succeed in the real world. Check it out here: https://yellcanada.org/

He's baack!! Jim Shopland comes back to bring an update. Jim was the original guest on This Commerce Life. (episode #7) He comes back to talk about how his business has shifted and now how he's working with Laurie Shopland, and how he helps them with business coaching, integrating family and business together. 

Contact Jim here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimshopland/

Find out more about his business here: https://shoplandhealth.ca/coaching/

Gutsy Kombucha is dedicated to making the healthiest and tastiest fermented and powered by plants drinks. Founder Pierrich Picard talks about the focus on the best drink they can deliver, not world domination. We're impressed with his focus and his agility - changing formats to make sure Gutsy gets into the most hands possible. 

Find Pierrich here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrichpicard/

Shop Gutsy here: https://gutsykombucha.com/

Comeback Snacks, Emily O’Brien’s evolution from convict to entrepreneur is a story about lessons learned, resilience, determination, forgiveness and how to take a bad situation and turn it into endless positive opportunities.

She talks about taking a bad situation, turning this into an opportunity, and creating a social enterprise that could also provide reintegration opportunities for the formerly incarcerated.

Connect with Emily here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-o-brien-b628a4132/

Shop Comeback Snacks here: https://comebacksnacks.com/

Mike Nunn is the CEO of TLC Solutions. We talk about how to keep yourself cyber safe, and the things that brands and businesses should worry about

Find Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikednunn/

Find TLC solutions here: https://tlcsolutions.ca/

Mike has a webinar hosted by BC Food & Beverage on Sept 19th. We'll post about this when we get the link. 

Grown using only sea and sunlight, Kove snacks are here to help change the world. VP Sales & Marketing at Cascadia Seaweed and Kove Ocean Foods, Desirée Dupuis talks about working with indigenous tribes and the in and outs of growing one of the world's most sustainable crops. 

Shop Kove here: https://koveocean.com/

Find Desirée  here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddupuis/

First zoom, first podcast. Tim (Timmie)  Moorhead comes on to talk pharmacy, pharmacy pharmacy. Tim runs a Pharmasave in Trail BC, and we talk about his career in retail, the difficulty of hiring these days and out of stocks. Kenny and Tim talk the old days, and changes in the town and how it affects retail. 

Find Tim here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-moorhead-657b0033/

Shop Pharmasave Trail here: https://pharmasave.com/trail/

What would Laurie do? Actually, what did Laurie do? We talk to Laurie about the changes  she's made,  and she talks about her pivot and getting back into business with her husband Jim.

find Laurie here: https://laurieshopland.com/

or on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-shopland-86b86218/

Danny Ferraro talks about a lifetime of retailing - his and his family's passion for serving the consumer and finding the best products.  We explore what it was like to try and keep retail open and available during Covid, and Danny gives us insight on what kind of mindset it takes to make sure you look after staff and consumers like family.

Check out Ferraro Foods here: https://ferrarofoods.ca/

Live from the show! The Knuckleheads make it to CHFA East and we spend time talking to guests that were live and in attendance. We had a great time - thanks to Bruce Singer, Kyle Marsham, Sasha Rajamani and Kelsey Reidl for coming on with us. 

You can find Bruce here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucesinger/

Find Kyle Marsham here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-marsham-08178583/

You can find Sasha here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-rajamani-02872618/ 

and more importantly, you can shop Pokko here: https://pokko.ca/

A big thank you to Kelsey Reidl for being a gem of a human being and for being an fellow OG on the podcast scene. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-reidl-1aba1a31/

Follow and listen to Kelsey's podcast here: https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast

Find Gavin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-mah-712a0041/

Shop Finlandia at : https://www.finlandiahealthstore.com/

Lorna Vanderhaeghe comes on the show. We talk history and what it takes  to succeed in the Natural Health Industry. We were pretty excited to get Lorna on the show - she's a legend in the industry, and such a wonderful person to boot. Knowing who Lorna is, is really required knowledge to be in the Natural Health space

Find Lorna here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-vanderhaeghe-96773027/

He leaves a big CPG, jumps into a small business and 50 years later, he's helping brands of all shapes and sizes. We're inspired by Tony's humble nature and how many things he's help to build.

Connect with Tony here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-luongo-84b3228/

Find Concord National here: https://concordnational.com/

From fighting forest fires to driving buses, Jamie Parker and his partner learned about coffee roasting and set about building a brand that wants to be the most influential outdoor lifestyle brand. Calgary Heritage Roasting Company is growing one coffee lover at a time!

Check out Calgary Heritage Roasting Company : https://www.calgaryheritageroastingco.com/

Find Jamie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-parker-a45a63112/

Find Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wenzlawe-329987122

Kenny is worried about Wendy Yeung. She's amazing - thank you for listening to our podcast so faithfully. The knuckleheads get together and talk for the first time in a month. (did you miss us?) We talk vacations, taking a break, getting back in retail stores. We also talk about the business we launched. (the fractional COO business)

CHFA Launchpad details are here: https://chfanow.ca/toronto/chfa-launch-pad/ 

Check out Tao Tea here: https://www.taotealeaf.com/

It's a good time to continue the conversation about having a good time in the summer and have options on beverages. Mitch Cobb is the founder of Libra Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer. We talk about his experiences "crossing over" from Upstreet Craft Brewing to the non-alcoholic side. 

To find Mitch : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchacobb/

To find Libra: https://drinklibra.ca/

This episode is sponsored by Food & Beverage Atlantic. You can find them here: https://atlanticfood.ca/

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletters at www.thiscommercelife.com ,we promise to make it worth your while!

An early pioneer to the natural products industry in Canada. Michael Theodor's story has some intrigue and lots of ingenuity and straight up sweat equity An industry icon comes on the show. We take a little longer to get thru his story, but such a compelling story nonetheless. If you've ever eaten Rice Dream, Jason, Blue Sky, Lightlife, KIND Bar, Silk, Annie’s, Blue Diamond, Yogi Tea (and many more) - Michael brought those flavours to Canada for tasting. 

Find Michael here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theodor-3299848/

Michael's company website is here: http://www.mtconsulting.ca/

When a pancake...isn't a pancake. Andrew Maida is building a breakfast brand that brings delicious, healthier choices to the consumer

He had a choice -become a tax lawyer, a doctor or run his dad's company. Instead he becomes...a pancake man? Except it's not really a pancake.  Andrew takes his experience as a self-taught Ecommerce guy, and becomes an omnichannel retail brand.

check out Andrew here:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-m-13b098a3/

Check out Flourish pancake here: https://www.flourishpancakes.com/

Devin Powell, GM @ Pulp & Press North America stops by to talk juice, the business of juice and how he went from a home services company to making cold pressed, raw, organic juices that use only the highest quality Canadian ingredients. 

Find Devin here:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinpowellpp/

Shop Pulp & Press here: https://www.pulpandpress.com/

He didn't want to be a snake oil salesman. SierraSil Health President Michael Bentley talks about pioneering research on bioaccessibility and bioavailbility. A big thank you to Michael for doing this episode after having a major bike accident the week before. (3 broken ribs and a punctured lung.)  oh and welcome home Daniel Vanucci!!!

Find Michael here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bentley-5154755/

Shop Sierra Sil here: https://sierrasil.com/

CEO and CMO of Five Strands, Austin Collins talks about taking career left turns, seeking better ways to help customers feel healthier. Austin, friend of Tazz Latifi, former college athlete and perpetual seeker of healthier ways to live talks about how to take back control of your health & wellness, and providing personalized results to live a healthier lifestyle.

Find Austin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-collins-b087a2160/

Check out 5Strands here: https://www.5strands.com/

BONUS: Austin has a youtube channel that talks about Bus / Vanlife. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AwakenDaze

Alicia and Jeff Lahey talk about their journeys - from moving to natural and organic and searching and finding sustainable packaging, their knack for unbelievable timing - to producing a wonderful chip in a bag was compostable. Oh...and they're in every major grocery in Canada already.

Find Alicia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-lahey-3019b954/

Find Jeff here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laheyjeff/

Shop for Humble Snacks here: https://humblechips.ca/

A friend of Angie Baker comes on the show. Justin Osborne, Vice President of Sales at Eat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc. dishes on moving from CPG to the natural space.  We talk to Justin about working for a publicly traded company that invests, owns and grows amazing natural brands.

Find Justin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-osborne-mba-21012821/

Find out more about Eat & Beyond Global Holdings here: https://eatandbeyond.com/

Chef Dennis  comes on to talk about how he got started, and what it takes to grow an audience. We get a chance to walk through Chef Dennis' kitchens, and he talks about the origins of his blog, and how to grow the audience to what it is today. 

Check out Chef Dennis on his page: https://www.askchefdennis.com/

Be warned - if you subscribe, you could get unsubscribed if you don't interact with his list!

Find him here on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askchefdennis/

The cannabis industry has been a hot topic for awhile. Michele Rebiere talks about the opportunities and challenges, and the knuckleheads wander in with some OTC frustrations and hopes and dreams for this category. #michelerebiereforprimeminister

If you're wondering what it takes sometimes to break into a new regulated industry, this episode is for you.

Find Michele here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rebiere-7252764/

Find Pacific Brands here: https://pacificrimbrands.ca/

She survived Kenny's basement from the old days and didn't go blind from his homemade wine. COO of BC Food & Beverage Alisa Hutton talks about the learning journey and helping people and how that brought her to where she is now. 

Find Alisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisa-hutton-907824155/

Find BC Food & Beverage here: https://bcfb.ca/

Michelle Mckay-Prychidny is the CRO at Shelfgram.  She talks about super-charging the store visit, and the new thing they've built for students. 

To find Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-mckay-prychidny-b6b0492/

Shelfgram is here: https://www.shelfgram.com/

Congratulations to the teams at Shelfgram and Fieldagent - this is a great match!!

We catch up with Jerin Mece (pronounced Meh-che) while he's on vacation. 

Jerin's a serial entrepreneur that has gone from building a brand from scratch to now helping brands build healthy, prosperous businesses.

Find Jerin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerinmece/

A trainer, mom, marketer, now Sales & Marketing leader, Chelan Wilkins talks about learning, reinvention and embracing new challenges.

Find Chelan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelan-wilkins-rhn-cse-934a30129/

Check out Herbaland here: https://www.herbaland.com/

Would you rather be right than rich? Tazz talks about providing the opportunity for retailers to get out of their own way. Ex-retailer Tazz Latifi is one of our favorite people and she comes on to talk about now sharing her experience with other retailers and helping them find profitability. 

Find Tazz here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tazzlatifi/