Explore every episode of the podcast Stories from the Firecircle

In this episode, I talk with MC Pace.  MC recently launched Salt+Sickle Homestead in Nova Scotia, where they grow food and create accessible spaces to build community.  So often, the mantra around entrepreneurship is ‘go, go; more, more; push, push’!  While starting a business undoubtedly takes hard work, MC speaks eloquently about the importance of slowing down and taking self-care seriously.  It is an important message as so many of us experience burnout on the journey to realizing our dreams.  MC also discusses the importance of accessibility as part of a sustainable business model.  If you’d like to learn how you can plan your business with accessibility in mind, check out Firecircle’s Tourism for All program that will help you plan your business to both maximize your clientele and avoid costly mistakes down the road.  Accessibility in business is about both doing good and doing well.  If you’d like to learn more, visit http://www.thefirecircle.ca/programs-tourism-for-all

To learn more about Salt+Sickle Homestead, visit https://www.saltandsicklehomestead.com 

On this episode I talk with Jordan Dooley. Jordan is a serial entrepreneur who is bursting with ideas. Jordan is coming at the tourism industry from a slightly different angle than many other guests on this pod. Jordan comes from an outdoor guiding and adventure tourism background, but his business development has come through the world of digital sales platforms and computer coding. Jordan has recently launched RezBuddy, a website and app that lets people share information about real-time gas prices on Indigenous reservations across Canada. Rezbuddy is a great example of a business that supports tourism by providing information services to tourists. As you’ll hear, gas prices are just the start. Jordan is also thinking about how to meet many travelers’ needs by connecting them to other local businesses in the communities where they stop to fuel up. The tourism industry is a big umbrella under which you’ll find all kinds of businesses. In it’s purest form, tourism is all about helping people do what they love. Jordan’s app is great example doing just that. If you’d like to support Indigenous-owned businesses and find the best gas prices out there, visit www.rezbuddy.ca If you are an Indigenous entrepreneur and you’d like to be listed on Jordan’s website, drop him a line. You can DM him on Instagram - @rezbuddy.ca or fill out to contact form on the website: rezbuddy.ca/contact-us . Or if you want to reach out directly, you can send him a message on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-dooley-/ If you, like Jordan, have an idea that you’d like to turn into a business, Firecircle can help with our proven, comprehensive and easy to use digital business planning programs, live one to one expert mentorship and the support of an incredible community of entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships

On this episode I talk with Meagan Bruneski. Meagan recently married and moved to a ranch in rural BC where she is able to spend time working with - and introducing others to - the healing power of horses through equine learning and therapy. She and her family are building MeadowView Reins, a place where people can come to stay, ride, eat and connect, free from the distractions of the digital world. While Meagan’s property and business are serene, her story is anything but. Meagan found Firecircle as the result of a really bad accident. Her journey is not for the faint of heart. A heads-up: if, like me, you’re squeamish about graphic descriptions of accidents and injuries you may want to skip ahead about 90 seconds when Meagan starts to talk about “being stuck on the couch”. Here’s a link to Meagan's website: www.meadowviewreins.ca If you, like Megan, have a passion you’d like to turn into a business, Firecircle can help with our proven, comprehensive and easy to use digital business planning programs, live one to one expert mentorship and the support of an incredible community of entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships

In this episode I talk with Jonathan Gillingham. Jonathan is a professional photographer who also works full-time for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Jonathan is originally from Newfoundland but packed up his life and drove across the country to follow his dream of becoming a wildlife biologist. On the road, he discovered that, not only did he enjoy photography, but he was really good at photography. Now an established wildlife photographer, he is excited to offer workshops to tourists and locals alike, sharing his expertise. Jonathan was kind enough to talk about his journey, his love of the North, and the importance of listening to those who have come before him to learn from their experience. Do yourself a favour and check out Jonathan’s website: https://jgphotography.ca/ and follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jg_photography23/?hl=en He really does extraordinary work, showcasing the landscapes and wildlife of the Northwest Territories.  If, like Jonathan, you or someone you know has a business that you’d like to expand into the tourism industry, Firecircle can help you strategically expand your business for both profitability and sustainability. Visit www.thefirecircle.ca

In this episode I speak with Lowanda Knox who has been a Firecircle member for the past nine months. In that time, she has made significant progress on her business planning while juggling a very busy life. Lowanda is a mother of 5, who works a full-time job, and somehow has made the time to turn her passion for food, and her training as a red seal chef, into her lifelong dream of professional cooking. Lowanda was kind enough to share her personal story with us including the twists and turns that led her to where she is today, on the cusp of opening her first food truck Sima7qa7 (Come and Eat). Lowanda talks about the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship and why running a food truck, rather than a bricks and mortar restaurant is the right move for her. Lowanda has also planned her meals with a deeper purpose in mind; to make quick and health 'to go' meals available in her community. If you, have a passion that you’d like to turn into a business to share with the world, we are here to help. Come visit us at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships to learn more. 

On this episode I speak with Gina VandenDool who is Firecircle’s beloved Member Experience Coordinator. Gina puts in a ton of time and energy into making sure that Firecircle members have everything they need to be successful. Gina makes a big impact on a lot of people’s lives and I asked Gina to tell us a bit more about her path to working with Firecircle and why she does what she does with so much passion. Gina is also uniquely qualified to share some of the larger trends that she sees in Firecircle members, what common challenges they face, and what characteristics and strategies bring people the most success. Gina is part of an amazing team at Firecircle who are dedicated to helping entrepreneur make their business dreams come true. If you or someone you know would thrive in a community of passionate entrepreneurs and supportive and caring experts, all working to help you take your business to the next level, consider joining us and getting the Firecircle Experience for yourself. Find out more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships.

In this episode I speak with Denise Miller who has recently started Experience Saghalie in Kamloops, British Columbia. Through her business, Denise provides both a beautiful and restful place for visitors to unwind, as well as catered and personalized tours, experiences and itineraries. In our conversation, Denise and I talk about the twists and turns, peaks and valleys that she has encountered on her journey as a long-time entrepreneur. We also talk about the great privilege and the amazing opportunity we have in the Tourism industry to create unique and memorable experiences for people, and the joy and satisfaction that comes from giving guests that 'wow' feeling. To learn more about Experience Saghalie or to book a stay, please visit. https://www.experiencesaghalie.com Firecircle is a Tourism Accelerator that uses our proven 5x5 method, one to one personalized business mentorship, and many other tools and resources to help new and existing entrepreneurs plan, launch, grow and maximize successful and sustainable tourism businesses. If you have a dream that you’d like to make a reality, or you’ve started a business and are feeling overwhelmed, please visit us a https://www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships to find out how we can help.

In this episode I speak with Brenda Cheveldayoff. Brenda is a busy woman to say the least. She is a full-time grain farmer in Blaine Lake Saskatchewan with a passion for sharing an under told story of the Russian Doukhobors in Canada. If you’ve never heard of the Doukhobors in Canada, you’re not alone. Brenda is working hard to change that and by way of an extremely short history lesson from the doukhobordugouthouse.com , in 1899, Russian Doukhobors fled their homeland and settled in the Blaine Lake area of Saskatchewan, Canada. They adapted to the harshness of their environment by digging into the North Saskatchewan River ravine, where they built a dugout house, in the style of houses in the Caucus. The Caucus is an area spanning eastern Europe and Western Asia mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. Brenda has meticulously restored that original dug out house to preserve and share Doukhobor culture and history. It has since, become an award-winning tourism destination where guests can explore the house, learn about the history of the Doukhobors in Canada from actors in period costumes and even sample some traditionally inspired cuisine. There is so much more to the Doukhobor story that we weren’t able to touch on in this episode. Please visit Brenda’s website www.doukhobordugouthouse.com to learn more. Better yet, take a drive to Blain Lake Saskatchewan to experience Brenda’s passion and hard work firsthand. Brenda is a long time Firecircle member. If you or someone you know is serious about turning your passion into a business but don’t know where to begin, come visit us at thefirecircle.ca/memberships to see how our proven tools, resources and mentorship can get you there.

In this episode I talk with Kim Yeaman, who along with her partner Robert, have built Brennan's Hill Camping and Cabins, a successful and growing business. Kim opened up to me, not only about how her dream business came to be, but also about those low and lonely times that all entrepreneurs face, and how the community she's found at Firecircle has helped pull her through. Kim is an important part of the Firecircle community and she contributes as much as she receives. To learn more about Kim's business and to book a stay, visit: https://brennanshillcampingandcabins.com

If you'd like to join the hundreds of entrepreneurs all across Canada who are working together and using Firecircle's tools and resources to help make everyone's business a success, you can join us today at https://www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships

In this episode I talk with Mariah Battiste. Mariah is someone who seems to have boundless energy. Her business is growing by leaps and bounds. She’s a business award winner, a published author, and has successfully battled with Canada Post for equitable shipping options in her small community. Mariah’s path has not been an easy one. There have been steps forward and steps back, life has intervened, plans have changed obstacles have been faced and overcome. Through all of it, Mariah remains a happy warrior. During our conversation, she shared her ups and downs with a smile on her face, and sense of perseverance that I can only describe as contagious. For all your beading needs and more visit https://sundaylacecreations.com You can read more about Mariah's story in With Grace and Grit Volume 2, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Grit-Indigenous-Women-Business/dp/1738049620

In this episode, I talk with Matthew Cugnet. I reached out to Matthew after hearing from our team that he was “doing something amazing”. With no other information, I reached out to hear more about what this amazing thing was. I was not disappointed. Matthew describes how the profound experiences he’s had while long distance Trekking in countries all around the world, has inspired him to want to make those experiences possible here in Canada. This is a story of transformation, perseverance and a deep sense of Community.

In this episode we have an amazing story of an unlikely, and special partnership that formed between Firecircle members. Lori and Dean Runzer are experienced entrepreneurs who run a luxury resort and Carly Kowalski is a new entrepreneur with a passion for dogs. She is launching, a consultancy to help accommodation businesses become more pet friendly. Lori and Carly first met on a Firecircle live group session. Lori saw a spark inside Carly and invited her out to Firesong to create a pet friendly experience at the resort. Little did Carly know that Lori would not only be her client, but as you’ll hear, she would also be her personal mentor, champion and friend. This is story of Generosity and Bravery. It’s a story of personal development as much as business development.

In this episode I talk with Crystal Hart Drake who is using her background as a paramedic to create a thermal spa experience, guided by medical knowledge and focused on information sharing with her clients.

When Crystal started the Firecircle program, she wasn’t sure that her business idea even counted as a tourism business. She has been working hard with her Firecircle mentor Kim, and as you’ll hear has been moving forward by leaps and bounds.

Her story speaks directly to anyone who has an idea but is unsure about the first steps.

Thanks to everyone for the name suggestions for Crystal.  As an update, Crystal has settled on a name.  She is now the proud owner of Vitality Wellness with Heart.  Congratulations Crystal!!

If you are thinking about starting or growing a tourism business and don’t know where to begin, come visit us at www.thefirecircle.ca

Gail Chamerblain has the distinction as the first person to complete the Firecircle 5x5 method and business plan and has now launched 'Marchands d’origine', a wholesale manufacturer of Indigenous made crafts. Gail is on a mission to make sure that ‘Indigenous Arts and Crafts’ sold in gift shops in major tourism centres in Quebec, are in fact made by Indigenous artists. Building her business has created opportunities for other artist in her community to make a living doing what they love. As the episode title suggests, we see Gail as the pebble dropped in the proverbial bucket of water. Her hard work and passion have crated ripples that are expanding to encompass many others in her community. In this episode we also speak with Isabelle Morin who was Gail’s Firecricle Business Mentor. We get a glimpse into the special bond they formed and how they worked together to create a funding ready and successful business plan that Gail has used to jump start her business.

In this episode, I talk with Monique Colins who is a true Firecircle Champion. Monique jumped into the Firecircle program with both feet this winter and is just about to launch a really exciting line of both products and experiences using her unique gifts and knowledge. Monique has also teamed up with other Firecircle members in her area to create customer experiences and packages beyond what she could provide on her own. Monique is a testament to what can be accomplished through passion, creativity and hard work. Monique and I had a wide ranging conversation and while this is just a short excerpt from that interview, we’ll be posting a longer more in depth update soon.

Jenny and Michel Dupas run Moongate Guest House in Whitemouth Manitoba. Jenny and Michel are truly a team. It is hard to mention one without the other. Together they have created a space and an experience that allows people to "disconnect to connect" as they say; to connect with nature, food, music, friends and family, in other words, what really matters most. As experienced entrepreneurs, Jenny and Michel are still constantly learning and growing together as they build their business. In this episode, they are kind enough to tell us their story and share some words of wisdom to those entrepreneurs who are just starting out. For more information on Moon Gate Guest House please visit their website at MoonGateGuestHouse.ca Also, if you're looking for the best pizza on planet Earth, consider making a trip to visit them in Whitemouth.

Natasha is a Mohawk woman from Tyendinaga in Southeastern Ontario. She moved back home after living most of her adult life in the United States. Natasha has a deep connection with water, and she has a thirst to learn more about her culture, language and history. I asked Natasha to share a bit about what motivated her, and her sister, to work together to create a unique and accessible Stand Up Paddleboard rental company that helps people learn about the Mohawk culture, while travelling on, and connecting with water.

In this episode I speak with Daphne March in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Daphne runs Shamasha. A unique wellness retreat that uses, cultural perspectives and connection to the land in their health and wellness programming. Daphne is a proud Mig ma woman, and she talked with me about her history, the important relationship she had with her entrepreneur parents, and the internal conflict that exists for many Indigenous entrepreneurs when it comes to history, culture, business and money.

The path to starting your own business can be a winding one. Firecircle's Lead Coach, Bobbi Carpino, know about this firsthand. Bobbi is not only Firecircle’s lead coach, but also the owner and operator of Salmon Valley Campground in Prince George BC. In this special episode, Bobbi shares her story about following the voice inside her telling her that she needed a change. Taking the leap takes bravery and Bobbi is hopeful that her story will help inspire others to follow their dreams. More on Salmon Valley Campground here: https://www.salmonvalleycampground.com