Members of the Chamber – Details, episodes & analysis

Today we’re joined by Colin Cyr, Senior Manager, Business Services (Small Business), at FirstOntario Credit Union, to talk about what makes credit unions different from traditional banks, why they matter for local businesses, and the trends every entrepreneur should be paying attention to. We also dive into common misconceptions about business financing, practical tips for managing day-to-day finances, and how credit unions can help business owners access capital and grow. Plus, Colin shares a success story and how you can connect with FirstOntario Credit Union. Let’s get into it.

Today we’re joined by Anne Cesak, Senior Consultant at Great Place to Work Canada, to talk about why workplace culture matters, what makes a company truly great, and how leaders can find out how their teams really feel. Anne also shares simple ways to improve culture, the benefits of Great Place to Work certification, and how to get started. Let’s get into it. 

Learn more about Great Place to Work Canada: https://www.greatplacetowork.ca/en

It's BDC Small Business Week! To kick off Season 5 and celebrate this incredible week, we’re joined by Navjot Chhinzer, Small Business Advisor at the Halton Region Small Business Centre. On this episode we’re discussing the various services the Small Business Centre provides, emerging trends, success stories, and more.

Learn more about the Halton Region Small Business Centre: https://www.halton.ca/For-Business/Halton-Region-Small-Business-Centre

We have a very special episode today, as we are joined by Connor McKiggan, Business Development Manager of the Rainbow Registered Program at Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, or CGLCC. Today we are talking about the Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program — what it is, why it exists, and why it may be a great initiative for your organization to be a part of.

April 15 – 19 is National Tourism Week! To celebrate, Visit Oakville is here to discuss how businesses, residents, and visitors can participate in the week, how businesses of all sizes can leverage the resources that Visit Oakville provides, trends they’re seeing in the tourism industry, and more.

Join us in welcoming Rebecca Edgar, Executive Director, and Councillor Sean O’Meara, Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Oakville.

Learn more about Visit Oakville: www.visitoakville.com

Today we have a very special episode brought to you in partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton. 

We are so excited to welcome Melissa Davis, Owner & President of Ugly Dukling and Ugly Dukling Beauty to the podcast today. Beginning with a pop-up sneaker boutique in 2009, to working with massive industry names like Barbie, DC Comics, and Space Jam, Melissa is an entrepreneurial powerhouse. Listen in to hear how she got started, the vital lessons she’s learned along the way, and how she landed the same publicist as Beyonce (!!!)

Learn more about Ugly Duking and Ugly Dukling Beauty.

On our final episode of the season, we’re joined by George Anastasopoulos of Leadership Fundamentals. Today’s discussion is all about taking yourself from associate to leader, strategies and techniques to help you once you’re there, and tactics that you can start implementing right away. If you’re ready to level up your career and make that move into a leadership position, or if you’re already there and just want to improve, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Leadership Fundamentals: https://www.leadershipfundamentals.com/

Members of the Chamber core season continues! On this episode we’re joined by Tyril Froese, Business Advisor & Partner at MNP, and Soumya Ghosh, Director at MNP Digital. Today we’re talking about Accounting 101 for entrepreneurs and business owners, including terms & concepts to be familiar with, best practices for staying organized, key tax considerations, and more. We also discuss the Canada Digital Adoption Program, or CDAP, as MNP is an approved CDAP advisor. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you will definitely want to take notes for this one!

Learn more about MNP: https://www.mnp.ca/

Learn more about MNP Digital: https://mnpdigital.ca/

Welcome to the final episode of our Moving Energy Forward series! A series of special edition episodes where we sit down with esteemed professionals from all facets of the energy sector, in an effort to gain expert knowledge, share that knowledge with all of you, and to join the important discussion on the future of energy.

Thank you to our partner Bennett Jones for making this series possible.

Today our series host, Wayne Steffler of Future Energy Oakville, is back and is joined by Danial Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex. Mitrex envisions a world where solar energy is generated by any surface touched by the sun. Their revolutionary building-integrated photovoltaic, or BIPV, systems offer architects, engineers, building owners, and investors the opportunity to embrace and profit from solar energy without compromising beauty.

Today’s discussion focuses on the difference between BIPV and traditional solar panels, challenges and how Mitrex is addressing them, how Oakville businesses can benefit from this kind of technology, examples of projects here in the GTA, future outlook, and more.

Learn more about Mitrex: www.mitrex.com

Learn more about Bennett Jones: www.bennettjones.com⁠

Learn more about Future Energy Oakville: www.futureenergyoakville.ca⁠

Welcome to Episode 6 of our Moving Energy Forward series! A series of special edition episodes where we sit down with esteemed professionals from all facets of the energy sector, in an effort to gain expert knowledge, share that knowledge with all of you, and to join the important discussion on the future of energy.

Thank you to our partner Bennett Jones for making this series possible.

Today our series host, Wayne Steffler of Future Energy Oakville, is back and is joined by Sam McDermott, Technical Manager of Renewable Hydrogen at Enbridge. Sam is part of the Business Development team at Enbridge Gas Inc., helping in the development of its hydrogen framework.

Today’s discussion focuses on renewable hydrogen and it’s role in the energy landscape, challenges and opportunities for expansion throughout Canada, the future outlook for renewable hydrogen, what power to gas is, what combined heat and power is, and more.

Learn more about Enbridge: www.enbridge.com/

Learn more about Bennett Jones: www.bennettjones.com⁠

Learn more about Future Energy Oakville: www.futureenergyoakville.ca⁠