The Business Development Podcast

Kelly Kennedy
  • 5.0 (42)
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The Business Development Podcast is the global show for founders, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders who want real growth without the hype. Hosted by Kelly Kennedy, the show delivers honest conversations, real world lessons, and proven strategies on business development, sales, leadership, and mindset. Each episode breaks down what actually drives momentum, trust, and bigger deals over the long term.

  1. 1D AGO

    Move Fast, Build Relentless Momentum, and Win While Others Hesitate

    In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy breaks down the real difference between people who build something meaningful and those who never get started. Drawing from the rapid launch of his new show and years of entrepreneurial experience, he challenges the idea of failure, reframing it as iteration, evolution, and intentional pivots. This is a powerful reminder that success is not about perfection, it is about momentum, action, and staying in the game long enough to win. Kelly dives into the 10 most common pitfalls that stop new ideas in their tracks, from overthinking and imposter syndrome to slow execution and poor resource allocation. He emphasizes moving fast, taking imperfect action, and building relentless momentum while others hesitate. If you are sitting on an idea, questioning your next move, or struggling to gain traction, this episode will give you the clarity and push you need to take that first step and keep moving forward. Key Takeaways: Ideas without action die quickly, and the people who win are the ones who move first while others are still thinking.Momentum is one of the most powerful forces in business, and small consistent actions will always outperform waiting for the perfect move.Failure is not the end, it is either a lesson or a pivot that creates space for something better.Nobody sees your vision the way you do, so you cannot rely on others to validate what you already feel is right.Good enough executed today will always beat perfect that never gets launched.Imposter syndrome disappears when you keep showing up and proving to yourself that you belong.The biggest risk is not starting, because hesitation kills more opportunities than failure ever will.Everything meaningful will take longer and cost more than expected, so staying in the game is the real advantage.Revenue and profitability must come early, because businesses cannot survive on effort alone.If you stick with anything long enough, keep evolving, and continue moving forward, success becomes inevitable. The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐ Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you work in construction, utilities, or industrial services, check them out at www.hypervac.com Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, delivers custom-built solutions engineered to handle the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca Thunder Bay Hydraulics has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you are looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com Join The Catalyst Club If you are serious about growth, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high-level thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. This is a private community for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals committed to moving the needle every single week. Join us here: 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    37 min
  2. Why Most People Quit Before It Finally Clicks with Jordan Labelle

    4D AGO

    Why Most People Quit Before It Finally Clicks with Jordan Labelle

    In Episode 330 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Jordan Labelle, entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of Evergreen Growth Collective, to break down what actually drives long-term success in business. Jordan shares his journey through corporate, startup, and solopreneur life, revealing how each step wasn’t failure, but refinement. Together, they challenge the traditional “hustle harder” mindset and unpack why most founders burn out trying to do everything instead of focusing on what truly matters. This conversation dives deep into redefining failure, building a business around your strengths, and the importance of staying in the game long enough to reach clarity. Jordan explains why growth doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing the right things with the right people, and how the breakthrough most entrepreneurs are searching for only comes through iteration, awareness, and persistence. If you’ve ever questioned your path, your business model, or whether it’s all going to work, this episode will bring clarity, reassurance, and a powerful reminder to keep going. Follow Jordan Labelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-labelle/ Check out Evergreen Growth Collective: https://www.evergreengrowthcollective.com/ Email Jordan Labelle: jordan@evergreengrowthcollective.com Key Takeaways: Failure isn’t missing the result, it’s failing to learn and repeating the same mistakes.Every step in your journey is refinement, not failure, if you’re paying attention and adjusting.Most entrepreneurs burn out because they try to do everything instead of focusing on what actually matters.The breakthrough you’re looking for doesn’t come from planning, it comes from staying in the game long enough to find it.You should build your business around what you’re best at and what you enjoy, not what you think you “should” be doing.The things you’re best at are often invisible to you but obvious to everyone else, so ask for outside perspective.Growth isn’t always about scaling bigger, sometimes it’s about staying intentionally small and building smarter.Hiring should be based on trust, proactiveness, and willingness to learn, not just current skill level.You don’t need to solve every problem yourself, leveraging partners and specialists can create better outcomes with less effort.The people who succeed aren’t the smartest, they’re the ones who keep refining and don’t quit when things get hard. The Business Development Podcast is Proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐ Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you’re in construction, utilities, or industrial services, check them out at www.hypervac.com Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, provides custom-built solutions designed to meet the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca Thunder Bay Hydraulics has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you’re looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com Join The Catalyst Club If you’re serious about growth, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high-level thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. This is a private community for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals who are committed to moving the needle every single week. Join us here: 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 13m
  3. Why You Freeze Under Pressure and How to Take Control with Nausheen I. Chen

    APR 1

    Why You Freeze Under Pressure and How to Take Control with Nausheen I. Chen

    In Episode 329 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Nausheen I. Chen, 3x TEDx speaker and Fortune 500 communication coach, to unpack why so many capable leaders struggle when it’s time to speak. From the fight, flight, or freeze response to the pressure of being seen and judged, Nausheen explains what’s really happening in your brain when you feel nervous, lose your words, or freeze under pressure. This episode breaks down the psychology behind communication and why even highly successful professionals can sound flat, robotic, or disconnected when it matters most. More importantly, Nausheen reveals the shift that changes everything. Public speaking isn’t about confidence, it’s about focus. When you stop trying to perform and start focusing on delivering value, the pressure disappears and your ability to connect skyrockets. If you want to communicate with more clarity, presence, and authority in meetings, presentations, or content, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to finally take control. Connect with Nausheen I. Chen and learn more about her work: Website: https://www.speaking.coach Speak as a Leader Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QTpeh8l5ow8y72rtr8np2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nausheenichen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nausheenichen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nausheen.speaking.coach/ Email: nausheen@speaking.coach Key Takeaways: You don’t freeze because you lack confidence, you freeze because your brain thinks you’re under threat.Public speaking fear is a primal response, not a personal weakness, and it can be trained.The biggest shift in communication is moving from performing to delivering value.When you focus on the audience instead of yourself, pressure drops and clarity rises.Confidence is not something you’re born with, it’s built through repetition, self-talk, and preparation.Your voice, energy, and body language are the three levers that determine how your message lands.Most people fail in communication because they focus too much on what to say and not how it’s delivered.Memorizing scripts creates pressure and increases the chance of freezing, speaking naturally creates connection.Exposure and repetition reduce fear, but only if you review and learn from each performance.The goal isn’t to impress people, it’s to make their time feel valuable, and everything changes when you do. Sponsor Shoutouts This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, a leader in hydro excavation equipment helping contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently across North America. Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for durability, performance, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 https://www.hypervac.com 🌐 https://www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc., specializing in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration across Canada. Alongside them, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers high-end lift solutions for luxury homes, condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with systems that are truly Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 https://www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 https://www.atlaselitelifts.com If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to support these incredible companies who make conversations like this possible. 🎸⭐ Join The Catalyst Club If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders focused on real growth, join us inside The Catalyst Club. 🌐 https://www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 10m
  4. Stop Wasting Money on Marketing Until You Fix This First with Trystan Keller

    MAR 29

    Stop Wasting Money on Marketing Until You Fix This First with Trystan Keller

    In Episode 328 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with sales strategist Trystan Keller to break down why so many businesses are struggling to convert effort into real revenue. Trystan shares his journey from early challenges to building high-performing sales teams, and delivers a direct, no-nonsense perspective on the disconnect between marketing, sales, and business development. At the core of the conversation is a powerful truth: most companies are trying to scale before they’ve truly understood their customer or validated what actually drives buying decisions. Together, they explore how to uncover the real emotional drivers behind a purchase, why asking better questions is the foundation of effective sales, and why “marketing is just word of mouth amplified.” The episode also highlights Trystan’s work with Messed Up Mondays, an Edmonton-based initiative built around honest conversations about failure and growth. This conversation is a clear reminder that before investing in marketing or chasing scale, businesses must first earn trust, understand their audience deeply, and build real human connections that lead to long-term success. To connect with Trystan Keller and learn more about his work, including his Edmonton-based event series Messed Up Mondays, visit: 🌐 https://messedupmondays.com/ Messed Up Mondays is a growing community where entrepreneurs come together to share real business mistakes, lessons learned, and the realities of building something meaningful. Key Takeaways: Marketing only works when it amplifies something real. If nobody is already talking about your business, marketing has very little to build on.Sales and marketing are not the same job. Marketing gets attention, while sales turns that attention into action and revenue.Most businesses try to scale too early. They push ads and content before they truly understand their customer or why people buy.The first step to selling better is talking to more people. Real conversations reveal what customers actually care about far faster than guessing.Customers do not buy products for surface-level reasons. They buy because of deeper emotional drivers tied to identity, confidence, security, and meaning.Better questions lead to better sales. If you can ask questions that help people understand themselves more clearly, you can uncover what really moves them to act.Word of mouth has to be earned. You earn it by delivering value, getting results, and creating experiences people actually want to talk about.Validation should come before big marketing spend. Get people in a room, test the offer, gather feedback, and use that proof before trying to scale it.Business development, marketing, and sales each play different roles. Confusing them causes companies to miss the critical steps between awareness and conversion.Authenticity is becoming more valuable, not less. As AI-generated content increases, real human connection, direct communication, and honest insight will stand out even more. Sponsor Highlights This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 www.hypervac.com 🌐 www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these leaders and their companies some love for supporting the podcast and helping us continue bringing powerful conversations like this to the business community. 🎸⭐ Join The Catalyst Club Community If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club Community. 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 10m
  5. Make Fun Your Competitive Advantage with Joel Zeff

    MAR 25

    Make Fun Your Competitive Advantage with Joel Zeff

    Episode 327 of The Business Development Podcast features Joel Zeff, a nationally recognized speaker, humorist, and work culture expert who has spent more than 25 years helping organizations build stronger teams and better leaders. In this conversation, Joel shares how losing his job became one of the most defining moments of his life when he walked out with a harmonica he did not even know how to play and used that moment to choose energy, humor, and resilience over defeat. That story becomes the gateway into a much bigger conversation about leadership, mindset, and why fun is not something extra at work, it is often the very thing that helps people stay engaged, adaptable, and ready to perform at a higher level. Throughout the episode, Joel breaks down why celebrating small wins matters more than most leaders realize, how positive support creates momentum, and why staying in the game is one of the most important choices any professional can make. We also explore public speaking, confidence, workplace culture, embracing change, and how leaders can create environments where people feel energized instead of drained. Learn more about Joel Zeff: https://www.joelzeff.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff/ Get Joel’s book, Make the Right Choice: https://www.amazon.ca/Make-Right-Choice-Passion-Elevate/dp/1394278950 Business Development Podcast listeners can also access Joel’s special offer, a free chapter on change, directly through his website. Just Mention the Show. Key Takeaways: Fun is not a distraction, it is a competitive advantage that drives energy, engagement, and performance.Celebrating small wins consistently builds momentum and fuels long-term success more than waiting for big milestones.Staying in the game is the most important decision you can make, because quitting guarantees failure while persistence keeps opportunity alive.Confidence does not come from perfect outcomes, it comes from choosing how you show up in difficult moments.Leaders create culture by giving people ownership and supporting them, not by demanding passion without building the foundation for it.Positive support multiplies performance, when people feel encouraged they take more risks, produce more, and grow faster.Most people do not fear public speaking, they fear making mistakes, and learning to embrace imperfection unlocks confidence.Fun looks different for everyone, the key is identifying what energizes you and leaning into it consistently.Your response to setbacks defines your trajectory more than the setback itself, mindset is the difference between collapse and growth.The best leaders bring humanity into their work by creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and motivated to contribute. Sponsor Highlights This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 www.hypervac.com 🌐 www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these leaders and their companies some love for supporting the podcast and helping us continue bringing powerful conversations like this to the business community. 🎸⭐ Join The Catalyst Club Community If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club Community. 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 6m
  6. I Asked for Help Before I Lost Everything with Chris Yeung

    MAR 22

    I Asked for Help Before I Lost Everything with Chris Yeung

    Episode 326 of The Business Development Podcast features Chris Yeung, one of Edmonton’s most recognized business leaders, as he shares the defining moments that reshaped his life, career, and perspective on success. From building momentum in business development and entrepreneurship to facing the very real possibility of losing everything, Chris opens up about the pressure, the setbacks, and the moment he was forced to confront his ego and ask for help. What followed was not a quick fix, but a complete reset that changed how he approaches business, leadership, and life. Now serving as Executive Director of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels, Chris has rebuilt with intention, combining creativity, strategy, and personal brand to create new opportunities and impact. In this episode, we explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the growing importance of personal branding, and how professionals can stand out in an increasingly competitive world. Chris shares practical insights on overcoming fear, showing up authentically, and turning hard lessons into forward momentum, leaving listeners with a clear takeaway: real growth happens when you are willing to evolve, connect, and ask for help when it matters most. Key Takeaways: Success can unravel quickly, and when it does, the real test is how you respond, not how you got there.Waiting too long to ask for help can make a hard situation worse, while early conversations can open unexpected solutions.Ego is often the biggest barrier to growth, especially when you are used to being the one who has it all figured out.Financial pressure affects every part of your life, and protecting your stability is just as important as chasing opportunity.Your personal brand is what differentiates you in a crowded market where everyone is technically competent.You do not need a massive audience to win, you just need to connect with the right people consistently.Creativity is a powerful advantage in business, especially when you can take ideas from concept to execution.The best opportunities are often the ones you did not plan for but were open enough to pursue.Speaking directly to one person, not an audience, is the key to becoming more natural and effective on video.Real growth happens when you pause, reflect, and align your work with what genuinely drives and excites you. Learn more about Chris Yeung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yh-yeung/ https://chrisyeung.co/ Learn more about Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels: https://edmh.ca/ Sponsor Highlights This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 www.hypervac.com 🌐 www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these leaders and their companies some love for supporting the podcast and helping us continue bringing powerful conversations like this to the business community. 🎸⭐ Join The Catalyst Club Community If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club Community. 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 5m
  7. Why You’re Mentally Strong But Physically Drained with Jodi Barrett

    MAR 18

    Why You’re Mentally Strong But Physically Drained with Jodi Barrett

    Episode 325 is a powerful conversation with Jodi Barrett that explores the gap between mental strength and physical capacity. As high performers, many of us pride ourselves on pushing through challenges, staying disciplined, and showing up no matter what. But as Jodi shares through her own experience, there comes a point where the body starts to push back. What looks like strength on the outside can hide fatigue, disconnection, and a system that is no longer able to support the pace of life we are trying to maintain. This episode dives into what it really means to rebuild from that point. Jodi breaks down the role of nervous system regulation, sustainable strength, and reconnecting with your body in a way that supports long-term performance. It is not about doing more, it is about doing the right things consistently. For anyone who has been running on empty while trying to maintain a high level of output, this conversation offers a grounded and practical path back to energy, resilience, and true strength. Get in touch with Jodi Barrett 🌐 https://kbstronger.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/kbstronger/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-barrett-kbstronger/ ✉️ jodi@kbstronger.com Key Takeaways: Mental toughness can mask physical burnout, but eventually your body forces the conversation you have been avoiding.Strength is not just about how much you can push, it is about how well your body can support consistency over time.Most people do not change until the discomfort becomes too big to ignore, but waiting that long comes at a cost.Nervous system regulation is a foundation of performance, not a wellness add-on.If everything feels heavy, it is often a signal that your system is overloaded, not that you need to push harder.Sustainable progress comes from doing the right things consistently, not from extreme bursts of effort.Rebuilding strength requires reconnecting with your body, not fighting against it.High performance is limited by physical capacity, no matter how strong your mindset is.Slowing down and simplifying your approach can actually accelerate long-term results.True strength is the ability to show up fully in your life, not just grind through it. Sponsor Highlights This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 www.hypervac.com 🌐 www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com Join The Catalyst Club If you enjoy conversations like this and want to go deeper, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club. This is a private community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders focused on real growth, real conversations, and real connection. Inside, we host live sessions, workshops, and open discussions designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence alongside people who are doing the same. 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    59 min
  8. A Story of Survival, Healing, and Purpose with Kris Marks

    MAR 15

    A Story of Survival, Healing, and Purpose with Kris Marks

    In Episode 324 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Kris Marks, CEO of VIV Mental Health, keynote speaker, and psychological health and safety advisor, for one of the most powerful conversations on the show to date. Kris shares his deeply personal journey from trauma, homelessness, and a suicide attempt to becoming a national voice for mental health leadership and psychological safety in workplaces and communities. His story is raw, honest, and deeply human, revealing how years of quiet healing and self-reflection ultimately led him to transform pain into purpose. Throughout the episode, Kris and Kelly explore the growing importance of mental health in leadership, the cultural shift toward human-centered workplaces, and the reality that authenticity and psychological safety must be intentionally built within organizations. Kris also shares how he transitioned from a Red Seal machinist and musician into an entrepreneur and founder, building VIV Mental Health into a fast-growing organization focused on helping leaders support their people in meaningful ways. Key Takeaways: Your past does not define your future. Even the darkest experiences can become the foundation for a life of purpose and impact.Healing is rarely instant. Kris spent years doing quiet, difficult internal work before he was ready to speak openly about his experiences and help others.Authentic leadership starts with vulnerability. When leaders are willing to go first and model honesty, it creates the psychological safety others need to speak up.Mental health is one of the defining leadership challenges of this decade. Organizations that ignore it will struggle to attract, retain, and support great people.Psychological safety is not created by policy alone. It requires trust, consistent behavior from leaders, and environments where people feel safe being human.People often carry invisible struggles. Many individuals who appear confident and successful are privately dealing with experiences others never see.Your story has power. Sharing lived experiences, when done thoughtfully, can create connection, healing, and understanding for others facing similar struggles.Career pivots are possible at any stage. Kris transitioned from the trades into entrepreneurship and mental health leadership by leaning into his experiences and strengths.Leadership is about people first. The most effective leaders focus on empathy, communication, and understanding the human side of performance.Trying matters more than perfection. Growth often begins with the simple willingness to take the first step, even when the path forward is uncertain. Sponsor Highlights This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application. 🌐 www.hypervac.com 🌐 www.hyperfab.ca This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready. 🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com 🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these incredible companies some love. Their support helps make powerful conversations like this possible and allows us to continue bringing valuable insights to the business community. Join The Catalyst Club If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club. The Catalyst Club is a private leadership community where we host live workshops, expert sessions, and real conversations about business development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth. It’s a room built for people who want to move forward, share ideas, and support one another along the journey of building great businesses and meaningful careers. We are now 80+ members strong and growing, filled with entrepreneurs and leaders who are serious about improving their craft and helping others succeed along the way. If that sounds like the kind of room you want to be in, come join us. 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Mentioned in this episode: Hyperfab Midroll

    1h 19m
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5
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42 Ratings

About

The Business Development Podcast is the global show for founders, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders who want real growth without the hype. Hosted by Kelly Kennedy, the show delivers honest conversations, real world lessons, and proven strategies on business development, sales, leadership, and mindset. Each episode breaks down what actually drives momentum, trust, and bigger deals over the long term.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly Kennedy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    332
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2026 Capital Business Development Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Business Development Podcast

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