Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast Chris Thomson

On today’s show, we interview student painter Olivier Grenon who shares his distilled wisdom on focus, mindset, and entrepreneurship. 
With $90,000 worth of painting orders already under his belt, Olivier is all set to hit the $200,000 revenue mark in 2021. 
While Olivier is experiencing incredible success today, back in 2019, he had little clarity about what he wanted to do going forward. Over the past five years, he had just been wading through life. But he was determined to set his life in order.
At this juncture, he received a call from Lucas who informed him about Student Works. Olivier learned how he could run a large painting business at the age of 19. And how he could fast-track his career by learning the crucial entrepreneurial skills-sets that people typically learn when they are in their late twenties or early thirties.  
On today’s show, Olivier shares how he managed to run a successful business in 2020 in spite of the pandemic. You will learn about the incredible support that Olivier received from his district manager as well as the entire Student Works team. 
Because of this, Olivier was able to completely alter his marketing and sales strategy and continue doing business in spite of the restrictions.
Olivier shares how staying consistent and working with integrity has helped him along the way. And while chasing large goals is crucial to one’s success, we also talk about the importance of gratitude and satisfaction.
Towards the end, Olivier shares his big plans for the future. And we wrap up by sharing what it truly means to be a leader of tomorrow in this day and age. 
What You Will Learn In This Show
Being happy yet never satisfied at the same time
Untapped opportunities in the contracting space
Savoring your success but keeping complacency at bay
Why a leader of tomorrow is willing to take risks by venturing into the unknown
And so much more…
Resources
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email

Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs manage to ride out challenges and pivot again and again?
On today’s show, we interview the incredible Bob Milling who shares with us his experience of working in the government, the power industry, and the hospitality industry. You will learn how to develop a far-sighted approach to make decisions that result in massive success in the long run.
We start this show with Bob sharing his backstory. He too graduated at the height of the recession – pretty much akin to the current scenario. 
After graduation, Bob got an opportunity to work for the government where he learned how the whole bureaucratic machinery works. When Bob started working for the government, he was far more idealistic. And while all the cronyism has tempered his enthusiasm somewhat, he still believes that there’s a lot of good that gets done.
After 16 extremely fruitful years in this role, Bob decided to work as a consultant for the private sector. As a Sherpa, Bob translated the needs and requirements of the government for the private sector. 
One thing led to another, and Bob got an opportunity to develop wind farms across Canada. In this segment, you will learn how Bob navigated the complexities of the power industry by negotiating long-term agreements.
He also talks about his real estate venture, Wakefield Field Hotel Mill and Spa. Bob secured $4 million to finance this 42-room luxurious hotel on the outskirts of Ottawa through a long-term lease twenty years back.
You will learn how Bob and the team at Wakefield are pivoting in the wake of covid. And why Bob thinks this is the most exciting time ever for entrepreneurs. 
We wrap up this show with Bob sharing some of the biggest lessons that he has learned from his failures. He talks about the importance of honesty and why he prefers progress over perfection.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
What did I have to change about myself when I went from being a university student to a value creator?
Why I firmly believe in progress over perfection
How to develop a far-sighted approach as an entrepreneur
Creative financing strategies for capital intensive businesses
And so much more…
Resources
Wakefield Field Hotel Mill and Spa
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email

How do some organizations manage to emerge stronger from a crisis? What is it that sets them apart and enables them to stand the test of time?
Today’s show is a special one as we have Govindh Jayaraman, Head Coach and Team Lead of IMBA Medical, back on the show to share with us his distilled wisdom on tenacity, entrepreneurship, and navigating black swan events.  
Like all of us, life has significantly changed for Govindh after the pandemic. 
Govindh shares how his organization creating a free platform to detect covid outbreaks in the vicinity. Through his platform, Govindh and his team helped millions of healthcare workers and school-going children better navigate this difficult time.  
As an experienced business leader, Govindh shares some excellent insights so your organization is better equipped to deal with black swan events. He talks about recognizing your weaknesses while leveraging your strengths in such trying times. 
Over the past three decades, Govindh has tried his hand at selling second-hand computers, software, and even bio-diesel. Time and again, he has managed to spot new opportunities and pivot inspite of having no experience in that niche.
To become a successful entrepreneur, you will learn why you need to focus on making a sustainable contribution. You will learn that profit follows contribution. And how a more sustainable contribution will lead to a steady, more sustainable profit for your organization.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
Spotting new opportunities and pivoting when the time is right
Leveraging your strengths to best navigate black swan events
Why you should be focusing on making greater contributions
And so much more…
Resources:
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Govindh’s LinkedIn
I Love You Forever
Show 104 with Govindh
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Faraz Khan who shares his distilled wisdom on entrepreneurship, tenacity, and relationship building. 
Faraz’s single-minded focus has earned him the Rookie Operator of the Year award. 
So, how did Faraz manage to get a leg up on his extremely competitive and high-performing peers? And how did he manage to hit his goals in a year ravaged by the pandemic?
We start this show with Faraz sharing his background story. Originally from Pakistan, Faraz moved to Canada back in 2013. He dropped out of high school so that he could support his family. But he soon realized that he would never meet his goals if he kept on working 9 to 5.
So, when he came across the Student Works opportunity, he was immediately stoked that he could be his own boss while running a large painting business.
Faraz shares WHY Student Works has been a life-changing opportunity for him. Being in the Student Works fold has taught Faraz some lifelong lessons in relationship building, accountability, and goal setting.
Particularly, Faraz shares how he learned to build and manage a dream team that could function in a hands-off manner.
You will also learn how Faraz managed to pivot fast and completely rework his sales practices once the pandemic broke out.
This is a show that you do not want to miss. Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
Tenacity, and staying consistent, no matter what
Setting clear expectations and staying transparent while assembling your dream team
How to delegate and manage a painting business in a completely hands-off manner
Pivoting in the wake of the pandemic
And so much more…
Resources
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview social entrepreneur and founder of The Bargains Group, Kits For a Cause and Engage and Change, Jody Steinhauer who shares with us her thoughts on authenticity, integrity, and corporate social responsibility. Jody is a radical change-maker who is helping the homeless and needy through her various charity initiatives.
When Jody was studying fashion and interior design in her formative years, she was always independent-minded. But admittedly she was in the process of discovering her core values. 
Over time, after many impactful experiences, Jody realized that she wanted to lead her life with integrity and authenticity.
Jody started her career as the VP for a profitable wholesale division in Ontario. In the two years that she spent here Jody built some rock-solid relationships with her vendors. And in a strange twist of fate, when the wholesale business went under, Jody ended up leveraging her goodwill to start her own business, The Bargain Group in 1988.
Over time, Jody decided to pursue her heart and passion by creating her charity, Engage and Change that organizes initiatives like Project Winter Survival, Project Water, and Kits for a Cause. Her enthusiasm to help the homeless and the needy will surely inspire you and blow you away.
As someone who firmly believes that “you are your brand”, Jody talks about making important life decisions while adhering to rock-solid core values.
With regards to corporate social responsibility and the greater good, she calls out the hypocritical attitude of several organizations. And, as a tenacious entrepreneur, she talks about the importance of accountability.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
A peek into the bargain wholesale business
Holding yourself accountable and avoiding the victim mindset
Leading a life of integrity and authenticity
Corporate social responsibility and doing your bit for the homeless and needy
And so much more…
Resources
The Bargains Group
Jody’s Website
Jody’s LinkedIn
Engage and Change
Kits for a Cause
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email

On today’s show, we interview Sam Symons, Expansion Manager, Lavanda who shares with us his distilled wisdom on the real estate market and specifically, short-term rentals. You will learn how institutional investors are slowly but surely waking up to the massive opportunities in the short-term rental space. 
Growing up in a small town of just 700 did not deter Sam from dreaming big. And having older siblings who were high achievers also opened his eyes to the massive opportunities that lay in front of him.
So, by the time he entered University, he had his mindset on entrepreneurship. When he stumbled onto the Student Works opportunity, he dove right in. 
In this segment of the show, Sam shares how running a painting business allowed him to hone foundational skills like sales, marketing, and project management. He also shares how Student Works was a “growing up” experience for him which helped him discover his core values. 
After University, Sam moved to Shanghai to work in a startup. But unfortunately, this experience did not live up to his expectations. 
So, in September 2016, Sam moved back to Toronto to kickstart his new business, Hosted Properties. Hosted Properties explored the somewhat undiscovered space of short-term rentals. And Sam and his business partner, James (also a Student Works alum) even published a book, AirBnB for Rentals.
Currently, Sam is working as an Expansion Manager for Lavanda in the UK. In his current role, Sam is helping institutional investors maximize returns from their real estate portfolio through short-term rentals. 
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
How institutional investors are slowly but surely embracing short term rentals
Case studies that reveal how short-term rentals can help maximize ROI
How my Student Works experience helped define foundational skills and my core values
And so much more…
Resources
AirBnB for Dummies
Student Works 
Chris Thomson LinkedIn
Chris’s Email