Behind the Brand‪®‬ Neo Financial

"There is so much that technology can unlock in terms of giving small business owners back time... their most valuable resource in life. - Faye Pang 

We’re joined by Faye Pang, Country Manager at Xero, a new Zealand–based technology company that provides cloud-based accounting software for small businesses. Faye is an industry leader with a track record of successfully launching and scaling businesses from the ground up. 

Prior to Xero, Faye was the General Manager for Uber Eats Canada where she helped globally launch and scale the infamous car-share business into the successful ride app into what it is today. In this episode we talk about how Xero chooses talent, to how Canadian SME’s are struggling, and how open banking can revolutionize the way that Canadian businesses do their accounting. 

Looking for more?
Discover more about Xero here.
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S02E01: Abraham Tachjian, Director of Digital Banking, PwC

Episode Title: 
Abraham Tachjian | Former Open Banking Lead to the Government of Canada

“Consumers don’t care about open banking… It's an industry term… They care about the capabilities that come with it.”
—  Abraham Tachjian  

We’re speaking with Abraham Tachjian, Open Banking Lead to the Government of Canada and the self-described authority on Open Banking. In March 2022, the Government of Canada named him the country’s open banking lead. He was tasked with the mandate to empower Canadians and businesses with greater control over their financial data. Through a report that he provided to the Government of Canada, he established the foundation for Canada’s open banking system that will be implemented through legislation. 

Currently he is a Director at PwC where he heads the firm’s Canadian open banking practice. Before joining PwC, he has been involved in FinTech as a founder of a digital bank in Hong Kong and as a director at a digital banking in Singapore. 

In this episode we talk about Canada’s implementation of Open Banking, how it can help consumers, and how our system might look different then systems across the globe.

Enjoy!
Looking for more?
Discover more about PwC here.
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You can learn more about Neo Financial here.
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“Our teens today will find themselves in five or more really quite different careers over the course of their lifetime... how we equip youth with the skills to be able to transfer and adapt through their different career journeys and environments is really, really key to our work.”
—  Erin Barton

Erin Barton is the Chief Development Officer for JA Canada and one of Canada's leading non-profit executives. She has been named as one of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN. 

In this episode, Erin and Jeff deep dive into teaching entrepreneurship to Canada's youth, the importance of financial literacy education, and how critical mentorship is to empowering young people today.

Enjoy! 

Looking for more?
Discover more about Junior Achievement here.
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You can learn more about Neo Financial here.
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Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“And that's what that's what entrepreneurship gives you. It gives you access to problems that are really hard to solve that, in my case, at least, for the kind of problems I like to solve, I can't find anywhere else.”—  Mike MurchisonIn this episode, Mike Murchison, the co-founder and CEO of Ada, shares insights on redefining success beyond external measures and embracing intrinsic motivation for personal growth. He emphasizes the founder's role in intimately understanding and solving problems, advocates for commitment to the problem while staying open to innovative solutions, and provides valuable perspectives on scaling as a leader, including the importance of embracing discomfort and establishing clear decision-making processes.
Here are some highlights from the episode:
Defining success: Mike challenges the common notion of success tied to external measures like company valuation or financial success. He emphasizes the intrinsic motivation of learning and personal growth as more sustainable sources of fulfillment, rather than tying one's self-worth to the success of a company.Proximity to the problem: Mike highlights the significance of founders immersing themselves in the problems they aim to solve. He contends that a deep understanding of the problem is crucial for early company advancement. Attachment vs. commitment: Mike advocates for founders to be committed to the problem they want to solve but not overly attached to a specific solution. This openness to alternative approaches fosters innovation and accelerates progress.Scaling as a founder and leader: Embracing discomfort as a pathway to learning, Mike emphasized the value of curiosity, drawing insights from experienced individuals, and establishing clear decision-making processes.

Enjoy!
Looking for more?
Discover more about Ada here.
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You can learn more about Neo Financial here.
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“There is so much unmet legal need within businesses of all sizes that I don't see AI as a threat, I see it as an opportunity to make legal more important and more valuable to the businesses that it's serving.”—  Brett ColvinIn this episode, Jeff delves into the vibrant realm of legal services alongside Brett Colvin, a fellow founder based in Calgary. Tune in as Brett unfolds his remarkable path from law school to transforming the legal landscape through his own venture, Goodlawyer.
Here are some highlights from the episode:
Solving industry challenges: Brett highlights how Goodlawyer addresses critical issues in the legal sector, including inefficient billing practices and industry hesitancy towards innovation.Harnessing the power of AI: Explore the intersection of technology and law as Brett delves into the integration of AI in legal processes and its potential to boost efficiency.Legal services as a business imperative: Brett emphasizes the vital role of legal services in the business domain and how they can be used as a strategic tool for effective risk management and the unlocking of untapped business opportunities.Capital chronicles in Canada: Brett openly shares his experiences navigating the Canadian market, shedding light on the complexities of raising capital and alternative approaches entrepreneurs can explore when seeking financial support in the distinctive landscape of Canadian business.
Enjoy!
Looking for more?
Discover more about Goodlawyer here.
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You can learn more about Neo Financial here.
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Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“I think entrepreneurship is the profession of the future, and I think ‘entrepreneurial’ is the trait of the future.”—  Mark Harrison
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Mark Harrison, Founder of MH3 Collective, who shares his approach to life and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-management and taking control of one's destiny. Mark highlights the significance of building relationships and going above and beyond to solve clients' problems. He shares stories of taking risks and making personal sacrifices to achieve success. 

In this conversation, Mark discusses the undervalued opportunities in the market and the importance of entrepreneurship in Canada. He believes that entrepreneurship is the profession of the future and provides innovation and resilience. 
Here are some highlights from the episode:

How self-management and owning one's career are essential for success in entrepreneurship.Building strong relationships and going above and beyond for clients can lead to long-term success.Taking risks and making personal sacrifices are often necessary to achieve goals.Data and insights play a crucial role in decision-making for partnerships and sponsorships.
Enjoy!
Looking for more?
Discover more about MH3 Collective here.
Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

You can learn more about Neo Financial here.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50