Behind the Business

faheemsavja
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Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but their stories are often untold. Join Faheem Savja as he dives into the personal stories of entrepreneurs who turned ideas into realities.

  1. Coding to Carats: Aasim's Journey building Fuse Jewelry

    11/14/2025

    Coding to Carats: Aasim's Journey building Fuse Jewelry

    How a software engineer became a custom fine-jewelry founder. From writing software to setting stones, Aasim Sayani shares how he built Fuse Jewelry—a tech-first, custom fine-jewelry brand focused on safety, intimacy, and community. We dig into the realities of retail jewelry (security, margins, and cash flow), why Aasim left a stable software career, and how he and his wife/co-founder run the business while raising a newborn. We talk custom engagement rings, championship pieces, and the vision for a community makerspace where customers can learn—and even build—parts of their jewelry. Aasim also opens up about bootstrapping (putting years of salary intoFuse), hiring bench jewelers, and experimenting with embedded tech in fine jewelry.   In this episode: Leaving “golden handcuffs” for entrepreneurshipSecurity & trust in jewelry retail (for staff, clients, and family) Custom > commodity: why education wins salesManufacturing dreams: from private bench to public makerspace Culture & craft: sourcing stones with heritage & storyCo-founders & marriage: feedback, roles, and letting go Fatherhood, travel, and intentional time Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

    38 min
  2. From Car Kid to Dealer Group Owner | Adi Desai’s Journey with DoubleClutch.ca & Advantage Auto Group

    10/31/2025

    From Car Kid to Dealer Group Owner | Adi Desai’s Journey with DoubleClutch.ca & Advantage Auto Group

    Adi Desai turned a childhood obsession into a career—first launching DoubleClutch.ca in 2012, then pivoting into ownership with Advantage Auto Group (Hyundai &Stellantis). He shares how automotive journalism opened doors, why he built relationship-first stores to counter dealer stereotypes, and what COVID taught him about cash flow, team retention, and resilience. We also get real aboutfamily balance, South Asian expectations, and growing the thick skin entrepreneurship demands.   Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

    46 min
  3. Building Petal Pregnancy: A Flushable Test Redefining Privacy in Women’s Health

    10/17/2025

    Building Petal Pregnancy: A Flushable Test Redefining Privacy in Women’s Health

    What if a pregnancy test put privacy first?   Co-founders Vicki Schenkel and Angie Ibrahim share how Petal Pregnancy is building a flushable pregnancy test to bring dignity, discretion, and better design to one of the most intimate moments in women’s health. We get into the real founder journey: mapping a broken aisle at retail, running 100+ validation calls, partnering with Western’s Ivey MBAstudents for research, joining accelerators (and winning Tree Frog Accelerator’s pitch competition), and confronting R&D and manufacturing realities without losing momentum.   You’ll hear how lifelong best friends became co-founders, how they translate feedback from both women and maleinvestors, what they learned about regulatory, IP, and unit economics, and why community matters when you’re pushing through setbacks. If you care about femtech, privacy, andbuilding from zero to one, this one’s for you.Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

    46 min
  4. From Campus Club to Climate Tech Champion | The Story of Nuha Siddiqui and erthos

    10/03/2025

    From Campus Club to Climate Tech Champion | The Story of Nuha Siddiqui and erthos

    What if your student club project became a company fighting the plastic crisis? That’s the path Nuha Siddiqui took—spinning a University of Toronto Enactus idea (eco‑packers) into erthos, a sustainable materials venture focused on plastic alternatives and packaging that can actually work in real supply chains. In this episode, Nuha walks through the founder journey—from campus labs to global stages—and the community that made the leap possible.   We cover:  Origin story: Enactus U of T, leveraging school resources, mentors, and communityeco‑packers → erthos: why the rebrand mattered for vision and scale Finding the team & co‑founder fit: programs and networks that opened doors Fundraising reality: rejections, resilience, and closing her seed round on her wedding day Showing up globally: learning and lobbying at the world’s largest sustainability conferences Life behind the headlines: balancing family & friendships while building in your early 20s Why this matters now: the climate and plastic crisis, and what emerging research on plastics & human health means for consumers and brands Nuha’s work has been recognized by Forbes, The Globe & Mail, New York Weekly, and GreenBiz—but this conversation focuses on the grit it took to get there. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters:00:00 The Journey Begins: From Idea to Business02:45 Building Earthos: The Evolution of a Sustainable Company05:49 Navigating Family Expectations and Entrepreneurial Risks08:37 Scaling Challenges: Moving to Asia and Finding Manufacturing Partners11:51 Overcoming Age and Gender Barriers in Entrepreneurship14:46 The Reality of Sacrifices in the Entrepreneurial Journey17:49 Advocating for Change: The Role of Policy in Sustainability20:53 Celebrating Milestones: Personal and Professional Achievements23:43 The Future of Earthos: Innovations and Industry Impact27:02 Reflections: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    40 min
  5. Leaving the Ladder to Build His Own Firm | The Story of Miguel Alexander Centeno and Tax Hack

    09/10/2025

    Leaving the Ladder to Build His Own Firm | The Story of Miguel Alexander Centeno and Tax Hack

    From Big Four to founder. From burnout to building something better.   In this episode, we sit down with Miguel Alexander Centeno, a Latino entrepreneur, parent, and the founder of TaxHack Accounting Group, to unpack what it really takes to build a scalable service business from scratch.   We talk about: Quitting Big Four with a toddler at homeBuilding the first version of his professional services firmSaying no to the wrong clients and defining your ideal customer profile (ICP)The mindset shift from “employee” to “entrepreneur”Choosing systems and delegation over hustleRedefining work-life balance as a parent-founderHonoring the immigrant grit that made it all possible This is a candid look at what it really takes to walk away from stability, bet on yourself, and build a business that aligns with the life you want.   Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

    41 min
  6. Homemade Formulas to National Shelves | Connie Lo - Three Ships Beauty

    09/05/2025

    Homemade Formulas to National Shelves | Connie Lo - Three Ships Beauty

    🎁 Behind the Business Listener Exclusive: Enjoy 20% off all Three Ships Beauty products with code BTB20, valid from Sept 1 to Nov 30 at threeshipsbeauty.com. Excludes kits/bundles. Connie Lo left a career in corporate accounting to co-found Three Ships Beauty, a skincare company on a mission to make effective, natural products accessible to everyone. What started with a simple idea grew into a nationally recognized brand featured in Whole Foods, the Globe and Mail, Dragon’s Den and Forbes. In this episode, Connie sits down with Faheem to talk about: Her transition from Big 4 accounting  and corporate to entrepreneurshipWhat makes a co-founder relationship truly workNavigating rapid growth, major retail launches, and personal challenges (including a life-altering medical event)The real story behind their Dragon’s Den appearanceHow to push forward when things get tough — and why optimism still matters  Whether you're building a brand or exploring what’s next, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and leading with heart.   Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Founding Three Ships: The Early Days 04:29 Balancing Corporate Life and Entrepreneurship 08:15 The Role of Family Support 10:39 The Co-Founder Dynamic 12:56  Building Effective Communication 16:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Early Signs 18:51 Learning from Family: The Entrepreneurial Influence 21:30 Scaling Challenges: The Target Meeting 23:46 Navigating Life's Challenges: A Personal Journey 27:18 The Impact of Media Exposure: Lessons from Dragon's Den 32:41 Overcoming Age and Gender Bias in Entrepreneurship 35:49 Building Confidence: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome 41:52 Future Aspirations: Growth and Expansion Plans

    49 min
  7. Military Service to Master Dog Trainer: The Story of In-Line K9

    08/22/2025

    Military Service to Master Dog Trainer: The Story of In-Line K9

    Note: This episode contains occasional strong language   In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Josh Rowlands, Founder & Head Trainer of In-Line K9, to talk about how working with dogs became more than a career — it became a form of therapy, a calling, and a thriving business.   Josh shares his journey from a 20-year military career to launching a dog training company that now serves hundreds of clients across Ottawa. We discuss the challenges of starting a service-based business from scratch, why teaching owners is just as important as training dogs, and how he balances scaling the business with staying true to his mission.  Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/   Chapters: 00:00 Finding Balance in Life and Business 01:15 The Journey of Inline K9 04:42 Challenges of Starting a Business 08:43 Building a Team and Community 12:22 Coping Mechanisms and Mental Health 16:09 The Importance of Boundaries 18:47 Sharing Your Story and Authenticity 22:22 The Impact of Energy in Training 24:57 Balancing Family and Business 30:13 Future Goals for Inline K9

    38 min
  8. Growth, Grit, and Giving Back | The Journey of Gift Better Co.

    08/08/2025

    Growth, Grit, and Giving Back | The Journey of Gift Better Co.

    On Episode 4 of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Olivia Villalta and Vanessa Griffiths, the dynamic duo co-founders that are building Gift Better Co., a corporate gifting company built around meaning, impact, and a whole lot ofhustle.   Olivia left a demanding corporate career and Vanessa was searching for her entrepreneurial outlet. Together, they built Gift Better Co. from the ground up, navigating growth, pressure, and big wins along the way.   They share how they landed a $500K corporate contract with no employees, no warehouse, and barely enough time to breathe and still managed to deliver. This episode is aboutscrappiness, betting on yourself, and figuring it out even when the odds feel stacked against you.   If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to build something meaningful from scratch this is the one.   Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod 📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Gift Better Co 01:48 The Concept of Corporate Gifting 03:41 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 06:25 Identifying Market Needs 10:40 The Importance of Storytelling in Business 12:31 Building a Personal Brand 14:36 Acquiring Initial Clients 20:13 Winning a Major Contract 25:55 Warehouse Challenges and Contract Delays 32:06 Overcoming Operational Hurdles 34:39 Seizing Opportunities Through Networking 46:09 Building a Strong Team and Leadership 48:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    50 min
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About

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but their stories are often untold. Join Faheem Savja as he dives into the personal stories of entrepreneurs who turned ideas into realities.

Information

  • Creator
    faheemsavja
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © faheemsavja
  • Show Website
    Behind the Business