In this episode of The Owners Circle Podcast, Shawn Hass sits down with renowned cardiologist Dr. Sayeh Zielke to discuss her unexpected journey from advanced cardiac training in Calgary and England to becoming one of the driving forces behind cardiac care expansion in Southern Alberta. Dr Zielke shares how a series of locum visits to Lethbridge revealed not only a tremendous medical need, but also a warm and welcoming community that ultimately convinced her and her husband a fourth-generation Alberta farmer to put down roots and build something meaningful. Throughout the conversation, her passion for patient care shines through as she explains the emotional weight of losing patients to waitlists and limited access to treatment, and why she feels called to help transform cardiac care for generations to come. Recording from inside the shell of the future cardiac wing, Dr. Zielke paints a vivid picture of the state-of-the-art facilities and technology planned for the region, including cardiac catheterization labs, advanced imaging, and expanded ICU capacity that could dramatically improve outcomes for Southern Albertans.

The discussion also dives into practical heart health advice, with Dr. Zielke emphasizing the importance of understanding long-term cardiovascular risk before symptoms ever appear. She encourages listeners to "know their numbers" blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar while highlighting how lifestyle choices made decades earlier often determine future cardiac outcomes. Shawn and Dr. Zielke also explore the role of community support in healthcare initiatives, particularly through the Bringing Hearts Home campaign, and why local buy-in can accelerate momentum in ways government funding alone cannot. As always, the episode closes with the fan-favourite rapid-fire segment, where listeners discover Dr. Zielke's love for the Backstreet Boys, her weakness for cheesies, and her surprisingly simple prescription for better health: more fruits and vegetables. It's an inspiring and deeply human conversation about leadership, service, resilience, and building a healthier future for Southern Alberta.

Subscribe to the Owners Circle Podcast for future episode;
Click here for the following links.for this episode; 

Dr Zielke's Instagram Page

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ownerscircle.ca

In this episode, we sit down with Susan Burke Hogan.  She has carved a growing niche helping Canadians with the non-financial aspects of retirement.  She shares a very intimate story about her own mother's struggles as she transitioned into retirement.  Her program is based on ensuring retirees pay special attention to their health, purpose and social circles as they embark on retirement.   She has a scientific and research background which allows her to come at retirement with a very practical and evidence-based approach.  

We were so impressed with Susan's work, we collaborated with her to come up with an Inspired Retirement Guide that we have posted to the blog section of our website at Hass Wealth.  Please enjoy this exploration into the non-financial side of retirment with one of Canada's leading experts!!

Subscribe to the Owners Circle Podcast
Click here for the following links for this episode; Inspired Retirement Website

hasswealth.com

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Find out how entrepreneur Joelle Faulkner of Area One Farms is partnering with medium size farm operations to ramp up their growth.  See why her investors take an uncommonly patient and long term approach that gives her a unique edge in agriculture.

Ken Hitchcock, the third-winningest coach in NHL history shares his valuable experiences having coached the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and most recently the Edmonton Oilers. Hitch shares lessons he learned from other sports including NFL football coach Andy Reid and Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony Larussa.

In this episode, Ken reveals how you know when you have a winning team, what it takes to motivate the players, and one of his top coaching decisions he made the year Dallas won the Stanley Cup.

• Keith shares his thoughts on what it's like to own a true family run business (3:10)
• How COVID-19 impacted Keith and his family's business (4:00)
• How a shift in marketing impacted the business (5:14)
• Customer loyalty is attributed to great staff and personal relationships (7:24)
• What it takes to keep skilled staff in a high-turnover industry (10:17)
• Keith and his wife share different traits that make them work well as a team (11:30)
• What the future holds for the family business (13:16)
• Keith's experience with minor hockey (14:57)
• How skills gained during hockey have helped Keith in the restaurant industry (16:54)
• 18:09 Random Rapid Fire Response

• Dylan's family's history with Lethbridge Ironworks goes back to the 1930s (1:35)
• What has changed for foundries in the last 100 years (2:29)
• Focusing on the company's future is why Lethbridge Ironworks has thrived over the years (5:05)
• Dylan shares memories of family mentorship and leadership (6:30) 
• Dylan describes the combination of how his polar opposite uncle and dad worked so well together (7:28)
• Lean manufacturing and how it's impacted Lethbridge Ironworks (9:52)
• Dylan lists what the company is focused on to satisfy customers (12:25)
• The future for Lethbridge Ironworks (13:38)
• Dylan describes the "brotherhood" (19:11)
• Random Rapid Fire Response (20:47)

• Kim started his business back in 1994 in the basement of his home (2:14)
• Mentors who have contributed to Kim's success along the way (3:22)
• Some of the misconceptions around high-level tax planning (5:24)
• Kim shares his conversation with Pierre Poilievre, a Canadian Member of Parliament and finance critic (9:53)
• The common traits of successful entrepreneurs (12:03)
• Kim's advice to new entrepreneurs (13:27)
• How Strategic Coach has impacted Kim approach to unique challenges facing entrepreneurs (14:19)
• Kim shares what it's like working with professional athletes (19:17)
• Rapid Fire Response (20:30)

From South Africa, Moulaye knew what it looked like to have nothing. Loving soccer, he always felt that he would remain loyal to the sport, that is, until he was introduced to basketball. However, as he grew into a young teenager, he wasn't able to purchase a pair of size 13 shoes in his town, let alone play professional basketball. That is, until he met Greg Winston. 

Join us as Moulaye shares his journey of leaving South Africa, becoming an NCAA athlete, and leaving his career in basketball to begin working in finance. 

Key Highlights in this Podcast

• Reveal of who introduced Moulaye to basketball (4:26)
• How Moulaye gained the opportunity to come to the United States from South Africa (6:20)
• How Greg Winston, retired professional basketball player, had a profound impact on Moulaye (8:00)
• How leaving South Africa to learn and playing basketball in the US impacted Moulaye (11:30) 
• Recruited by Kansas Jayhawks in his senior year (12:44) 
• What it's like playing for respectable and highly notable coaches and leaders (14:07)
• Moulaye shares values that he gained while playing under Roy Williams and Bill Self (16:03)
• How an injury affected Moulaye's basketball career (18:34)
• Why academics became so important to Moulaye (23:41)
• Advice Moulaye has for other children in similar situations (25:00)
• Random Rapid Fire (26:51)

While Jeff and his partner were working as nutritional consultants, they noticed a very specific need that their customers had, which wasn't being filled within the industry. After reading the book Blue Ocean Strategy, Jeff began to understand how the feed industry was locked into repeating the same process, rather than innovating - opening the opportunity to start a company More Than Just Feed in "open waters." 

Join us as Jeff shares how he took the leap from a safe career to an opportunity that would forever change the feed industry.

Key Highlights in this Podcast

• The story behind More Than Just Feed (1:18)
• Jeff shares the challenges that he and his partner encountered when starting the company (4:25)
• What it took for Jeff to take the leap as an entrepreneur (6:20)
• The biggest challenge that Jeff overcame(9:40)
• Consolidation with the industry being nimble to meet customer needs (10:36)
• Jeff explains why they recently underwent a name and brand update (12:23)
• Advice that Jeff would give his younger self about taking the leap (13:58)
• Random Rapid Fire (15:48)

Having worked for Reebok in his early career, Justin demonstrated the drive that it took to grow within the industry. However, when Adidas took over Reebok in 2006, Justin found himself laid off and at a crossroads in his career. Seeing the slide market share increasing, Justin came up with the concept of ISlide, a company that allows customers to customize slides, to provide more meaning to their footwear. He is now the founder and CEO of a multimillion dollar company.

Join us as Justin shares his journey from Reebok to ISlide and how he turned a layoff into an opportunity to change his life, and his career, for the better.

Key Highlights in this Podcast

• How Justin began within the footwear industry (1:44)  
• Justin's entrepreneurship journey began when Adidas took over Reebok (3:25)
• As a startup, Justin quickly learned how to be resourceful (4:39)
• Justin shares how he competes in the current market (6:08)
• 'Stand In What You Stand For' and how ISlide has so many influencers wearing their products (7:31)
• How Justin developed the concept of ISlide (10:06)
• Advice Justin has for budding entrepreneurs (11:34)
• Justin shares his nonprofit which has used basketball to bring connection and health practices to children (15:10)
• Rapid Fire (18:05)

• A fire in Fort MacLeod brought Mike's dad John home to start their entry into the auto business.
• The dynamic of working in the family business motivated Mike to work hard and ensure he wasn't labelled the "entitled dealers son"
• All the brothers worked for many years in the business until they became managers and eventually shareholders
• Entry into other businesses varied from necessity to finding a great business partner who wanted to stay involved and grow with a like minded partner
• All the businesses have a partner or a future intent of having a owner on the ground in each community they operate.
• The groups 4 core values are teamwork - family - integrity - community 
• Central services looks after all the accounting, IT, call center and HR/payroll for all the separate entities
• Dad's mentor style was to lead by example and do what is right all the time, correction came if you strayed from the core values.
• Mike got paid a fair salary for the work he did in the company which as value he hopes to pass down to his kids of the 4th generation
• It wasn't about drawing dividends, it was an intentional decision to take out less so they could grow and acquire more businesses over the years
• Do something you love and you'll never be clock watcher
• https://www.davisautogroup.ca/

In this episode we sit down with Lynn Thacker of LTAC Farms, a specialty crop producer from Bow Island, Alberta

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Lynn's business partner and wife Ute Thacker's impact and role as such an integral part of their operation
• The evolution of pivot irrigation and how that allowed their farm to grow more innovative crops
• The Canadian Wheat board's monopoly and how it forced farmers to diversify into other crops to avoid their stifling regulation
• Lynn's dad George encouraged Lynn and his brothers to experiment and take some creative chances over the years
• Specialty crops demand quality
• Research about the negative effects of fossil fuels impact on climate change needs to be scrutinized and verified against it's source
• Science isn't done through consensus, many of the world's best scientist's like Albert Einstein had consensus against them in the past

Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

In this episode, we sit down with Rob & Mac Van Wielingen.  Mac is the original founder of ARC Financial and Resources and is an inductee of the Alberta Business Hall of Fame.  Rob is President & CEO of Viewpoint Investment Partners and a CFA Charterholder.  This dynamic father son duo share the details of their relationship.  They give a unique insight into how they have successfuly expanded their family from a pioneer founder mode of operating to include  the role of protector and steward which Rob has helped their family office develop.  If your a parent trying to instill values and a heart for community in your children you will benefit from hearing their story.  Their candid and open style of sharing how their family approachs everything from decision making to hiring makes this a can't miss podcast!

Subscribe to the Owners Circle Podcast
Click here for the following links.for this episode; Viewpoint Investment Partners, Mac's Biography

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This episode we turn the microphone on Canada's leading Agriculture expert Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture.com.

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Picture Butte, Alberta's unique and competitive landscape of corporate farming
• Themes of the best managed farms:
  • Clear division of responsibilities
  • Clear communication of strategy and operational direction
  • Not crossing the line of Business vs. Family
  • Ignore tendencies to compare by respecting and trusting each other
• Off-farm spouses need to remain informed and in "the circle"
• Love of the land makes succession and transitions tricky
• Communication can't just be what people want to hear
• Bringing RealAg radio from a hobby to a leading resource for farmers
• Anne Wasko who is a leading cattle analyst and who took a chance on Shaun in the early days
• Three types of people Shaun interviews
• Enjoying the process of the grind and travel
• The phobia of staying informed
• The "Moneyball" moment is coming to the farm

Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

This episode we sit down with Stuart Johnson; past automotive dealership owner in Brooks Alberta.

In this episode we talk about:

• Best part of being in business; great customers and friendships with employees
• Economies of scale: Combining Chevrolet & GM dealerships to fuel growth.
• HR and personnel issues being the toughest part of the industry
• Benefits and challenges of being part of a franchise
• "Go to work to work"
• The donut shop deal in Vauxhall
• Missing the great customers but really remembering the difficult ones
• A different type of social life in retirement
• Easy to turn over the financial reins due to a lack of interest
• Companies tend to take on the personality of their founders.

Make sure to subscribe to our podcast to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

This episode we sat down with Adam Legge; author of the book Making Remarkable.

In this episode we talk about:

• The book: The 5 Temptations of a CEO by Patrick Lenceoni. Choosing Likeability vs. Accountability
• Purpose, People, Platform
• Brand is the bedrock of your company
• Millenials are just another version of the hippy boomer generation
• Social Disruption via income inequality - Silicone Valley vs. average worker
• Unemployment disruption as technology replaces many jobs of today via artificial intelligence and automation
• Is this time really different? - Global phenomenon of displacement
• The horse & Carriage analogy - Cars replaced horses and put them out to pasture. What could do the same to humans?

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to not miss out on upcoming episodes. To contact us or for more information about us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

This episode we sit down with Robb Bloos who was one of the founders of the Chatters Hair Salon and Tommy Gun's Franchises.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How moving to a wholesale distribution really made things take off.
• Securing great locations was a key driver of growth
• Dealing with the changing consumer landscape
• Focusing on key profitability indicators
• Keeping numerous partners focused on one goal
• The emotional side of deciding to sell to a third party
• The stress of managing your money well post-transaction
• Simplifying and getting all the details cleaned up
• Life after years of building your business; finding ways to feed the brain

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to not miss out on upcoming episodes. To contact us or for more information about us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Kanungo, one of North America's most sought after speakers, a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author.  With 12 years of experience at accounting behemoth Deloitte, Shawn brings unparalleled insights into disruptive trends and opportunities.

Shawn opens up about how a traumatic loss in his early days shaped his life and current trajectory.  His engaging style and insights come through in our entertaining interview.

Don't miss his favourite book reco In the Rapid Fire Response segment where he also briefly turns the microphone on Owners Circle host Shawn Hass.

Through his firm Queen & Rook, he advises leading organizations and executives, helping them navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology. 

Subscribe to the Owners Circle Podcast now and embark on this interesting journey with Shawn Kanungo.

Click here for Shawn's website and link to his Apple TV special "The Bold Ones"

Thank you to the University of Lethbridge and RBC Family Business Summit organizers for allowing access to Shawn at their event.

We start our adventure with a strange twist on a multi-million dollar project bid that the company lost the moment we arrived to record this episode. Colin then takes us back to the company's roots and shares the important lessons his dad and company founder Cecil shared with him in those early days.  Colin reveals his favourite project from the many iconic buildings the company has built over the years, and provides one of the most bizarre book recommendations in Owners Circle history!  

A pilot, city councillor, member of the Italian military and partner in NXGEN Payments, Giuseppe shares how he and his business partner, Tom Napitopili, built an international payment powerhouse based in Whitefish, Montana.  He shares the values their company follows for hiring and attracting high-quality employees.  Giuseppe gives insights into what giving up ownership control felt like for he and Tom, and also shares the secret to why he sleeps better now.  Giuseppe has recently resigned his executive postion with Payroc (formerly NXGEN) to pursue his passion, Angel Flight.

Shawn gets the back story on Jack DeHeer's time at The Lake Placid Olympic hockey tournament, as well as entertaining stories on how Jack's wife, Laura, acted as his hard line agent.  This story goes much beyond the game of hockey, and shares how Jack and Laura ventured back to Canada to take over Jack's second-generation family print business.

Shawn engages in a dynamic conversation with Doug Lipp the man responsible for running Disney University and launching Tokyo Disney.   Doug's wisdom from inside one of the most creative, customer centric companies of our era will provide valuable lessons for all entrepreneurs.

We get the skinny on how Serfas Farms has evolved over the past three generations.  Kevin Serfas shares his thoughts on the future of farming and gives some background into the rationale for their newest project, a 40,000 head feedlot in Southern Alberta that opened earlier this year.