Just Good Business 🍁

Al Grego, Moneris

An award-winning monthly podcast with a focus on helping Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the ever-changing business landscape. The podcast delivers interviews with business leaders and industry experts offering advice and commentary on current events and business trends, with a focus on informing and educating Canadian businesses.

  1. Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist

    JAN 29

    Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist

    Chapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist Al sat down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to unpack the top 3 economic stories of 2025, and to look at the year ahead in Canada’s economy. He also offers some helpful insights for Canadian small business owners. Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications Data Expert Sean McCormick joins Al to break down the latest holiday consumer spending trends. Was spending up, down, or flat this year? Which provinces came out on top? Which days were the busiest—and has Boxing Day lost its traditional shopping momentum? Get these answers and more insights in the full conversation. Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob Don't miss our chat with MasterCard's Benjamin Jacob on the evolving consumer behavior and adaptive economies. Discover how AI and strategic spending are revolutionizing the way Canadians shop!   Links of Interest: BMOBMO Capital MarketsMoneris Data ServicesMastercardMastercard Small Business ResourcesChapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:13 - Chapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist00:11:34 - Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications00:19:13 - Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob00:28:08 - Outro Subscribe now! If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com. Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

    29 min
  2. Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House

    2025-12-18

    Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House

    Chapter 1: Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House   Al is joined by Kate Horton from Ronald McDonald House Canada. She shares stories of how the organization supports families during their child's medical treatments. Ronald McDonald House Canada has supported more than 500,000 families across Canada since inception in 1981. Learn how you can help make a difference. Chapter 2: Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us Join Al as he dives into the results from Black Friday 2025 with resident data expert Sean McCormick. Despite high hopes, spending was down 4% year-over-year, revealing intriguing regional differences and consumer behaviors. Discover key insights into the holiday shopping season, economic pressures, and strategic tips for merchants. Links of Interest Roncy PacksRonald McDonald House Canada / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookMoneris Data ServicesChapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:52 - Chapter 1: Kate Horton on Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House00:11:16 - Call For Small Campaign Winners00:11:50 - Chapter 2: Sean McCormick on Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us00:21:22 - Outro Subscribe now! If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com. Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

    22 min
  3. Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins

    2025-11-28

    Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins

    Chapter 1: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins Canada's restaurant industry is grappling with rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainties. David Hopkins, President of The Fifteen Group, discusses how restaurants can maximize profits and create new concepts. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of detailed business planning for new restaurants and strategizing for peak seasons like the holidays. He also touches on trends and the cautious use of technology and Ai in the industry. Chapter 2: Tech to Table: How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business Operations Al dives into the latest technology to streamline restaurant operations with Gad Elharrar, VP of Product, and Michael Monaghan, Director of Product at Moneris. They introduce Moneris Go Restaurant, a commerce solution designed for small and micro-merchants. Learn how this solution is exceeding expectations and meeting the evolving needs of Canadian restaurateurs. Chapter 3: Putting a bow on consumer spending during the Toronto Blue Jays’ epic post-season The World Series has wrapped up, and unfortunately for Canadian baseball fans, the Toronto Blue Jays came up short. While the on-field results weren’t what we hoped for, the story at the cash register tells a different tale for small Canadian businesses. Al sits down with consumer spending data expert Sean McCormick to break down the numbers from Toronto’s postseason run. The conversation even takes a therapeutic turn as Sean helps Al process the loss. Links of Interest The Fifteen GroupMoneris Go RestaurantMoneris Data ServicesChapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:48 - Chapter 1: David Hopkins on Maximizing Your Restaurant's Profitability00:13:54 - Chapter 2: Moneris' Product Team on How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business Operations00:22:09 - Chapter 3: Sean McCormick Putting A Bow On Consumer Spending During The Toronto Blue Jays’ Epic Post-Season 00:30:58 - Outro Subscribe now! If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com. Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

    32 min
  4. How Are Canadian Small Businesses Tackling Succession Planning Challenges?

    2025-07-11

    How Are Canadian Small Businesses Tackling Succession Planning Challenges?

    With the average age of business owners at 58 and many lacking succession plans, Canadian small businesses are facing climbing rates of closure. Al is joined by Dr. Sarah Burrows, Assistant Professor at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, to discuss the growing concern of succession planning in Canadian small businesses. Dr. Burrows discusses the "Silver Tsunami" and the impact of changing tax laws on family-owned businesses. Explore innovative solutions like Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) for sustainable business transitions and learn how local businesses can adapt amidst economic uncertainties. If you’re a business owner who hasn’t thought about succession planning, start listening! Also in this episode: Kerry Smith, National Leader, Famiy Office Services at MNP talks about succession planningAreen Pabla, Sales & Marketing Intern at Moneris reviews July’s calendar of eventsLinks of Interest Dr. Sarah Burrows on LinkedINSmith School of BusinessQueen’s UniversityFamily Enterprise CanadaFamily Firm InstituteBusiness Development Bank of CanadaMNP Family Office ServicesSoulFestCanadian Food Truck FestivalsChapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:45 - Featured Interview: Dr. Sarah Burrows on The Silver Tsunami00:14:09 - Ask An Expert: Kerry Smith on Succession Planning00:28:29 - Save The Date: Areen Pabla with July's Calendar Of Events00:29:57 - Outro Subscribe now! If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com. Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

    30 min

About

An award-winning monthly podcast with a focus on helping Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the ever-changing business landscape. The podcast delivers interviews with business leaders and industry experts offering advice and commentary on current events and business trends, with a focus on informing and educating Canadian businesses.