Building Manitoba Podcast

Nathan Maertins

The Building Manitoba Podcast is a non-partisan podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show features candid, long-form conversations with founders, CEOs, operators, and public-sector leaders shaping Manitoba’s economy. Each episode looks beyond surface-level success to explore the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth. The conversations are grounded in experience while looking to the future, encouraging listeners to think bigger about leadership, investment, and the opportunities in our province. Nathan helps translate complex ideas into practical insights that can be applied in real organizations and communities.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Better Over Bigger: Inside Concord Projects with Nolan Ploegman

    Nolan Ploegman, President and CEO of Concord Projects, joins Nathan to talk about how a Winnipeg-based general contractor founded in 1978 has grown into one of Manitoba's most trusted builders by choosing quality over scale. Nolan shares how he stepped into leadership after a career start in finance at Great West Life, why Concord moved its headquarters to 127 Bannatyne in the Exchange District, and what it takes to build a company culture that scales without losing its small-firm feel. The conversation covers the realities of the current construction market, why so many housing projects only pencil out with CMHC or provincial support, where private developers are finding an edge, and how technology like Procore and AI-driven job site tools (including hard hat cameras) are changing how buildings get built. Nolan also opens up about the Concord Projects Foundation, his conviction that Winnipeggers need to build Winnipeg, and why he chose to be the best rather than the biggest. Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  2. Jun 22

    Beatboxer to Tech Founder: Adam Fainman on the Highs and Brutal Lows of Solo Founding

    Adam Fainman is a beatboxer and musician turned tech founder. During COVID, he started using generative AI to make music videos for TikTok and YouTube. When one went viral and everyone asked what app he was using, he realised it didn't exist, so he built it. That became Moonlite Labs, a platform where creators can generate, edit, and distribute content all in one place. In this episode, Adam talks about what it means to be a creative founder in a technical space and how leading bands and producing albums actually trained him for leading a startup. He gets honest about the brutal side too, from contractors holding code for ransom right after his first big win, to the isolation that comes with being a solo founder wearing every hat. We also dig into how he funded the company through grants instead of venture capital, where the conversation is heading on AI ethics and artist compensation, and what it's like building a globally recognized AI company from Winnipeg, with users in 98 countries and recognition from TechCrunch, VivaTech, and the DARE Innovation Awards. To learn more about Moonlite Labs, visit https://moonlitelabs.com/ Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  3. Jun 8

    Fill the Gap: Mark Chipman on Revitalizing Downtown and Betting on Manitoba

    Mark Chipman, Executive Chairman of the Board of True North Sports + Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, joins Nathan for a wide-ranging conversation about the principles behind one of Manitoba's most transformative business stories. Mark shares how working for his father's automotive business taught him servant leadership, and how a simple framework has guided every major decision: find the gap, ask what you can uniquely bring, and act on it. That approach runs through everything from relocating the Minnesota Moose in 1996 to building Canada Life Centre, True North Square, and the Portage Place redevelopment. He also talks about managing risk through team competency, building trust that survives changes in government, investing in community through the True North Youth Foundation and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, and why Manitoba's resilience and people make it a province worth betting on. Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  4. Apr 20

    It’s About People: Building the Brandish Way

    Lee Waltham unpacks how Brandish Agency scaled from a small Winnipeg start-up into a national brand-building partner by betting on culture first. He traces the early stumbles, the moment the team swapped top-line targets for metrics that actually move margin, and why serious brand work begins long before a logo is even sketched. Lee also walks through the math and the mindset that convinced him a four-day work week could boost profitability rather than dilute it. The result is a set of hard-won lessons and immediately actionable insights for anyone determined to build a brand that really sticks. Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  5. Mar 30

    Building Globally from Manitoba

    From a pool-table “lab” in Winnipeg to mine sites and customers in almost 50 countries, Todd Burns shares the playbook that turned a small one-man dust-control business into a world-class cleantech exporter. We dig into cash-flow squeezes that forced invention, the R&D boost unlocked by a partnership with RRC Polytech, and the systems Todd uses to scale without losing Manitoba roots. Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  6. Mar 3

    From Flyover to Flywheel: Unlocking Early-Stage Capital in Manitoba

    Manitoba has historically been underrepresented when it comes to early-stage venture capital. That’s starting to shift. In this episode, I sit down with Iain Crozier, founder of Trillick Ventures, to talk about why he’s building Manitoba’s first dedicated early-stage venture fund — and what that could mean for founders here. We talk about the lessons he carries from growing up in a family business, what Trillick actually looks for when backing a founder, and why recent updates to Manitoba’s Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit could meaningfully improve access to early-stage capital for Manitoba founders. We also explore what Manitoba can learn from ecosystems like Calgary and Newfoundland when it comes to building a durable startup flywheel. If you care about capital, founders, and the long-term growth of this province, this is a conversation worth digging into. Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  7. Jan 27

    Scaling Fast—Without Losing What Works

    Ryan Klassen, CEO of Valley Fiber, shares what scaling a province-wide infrastructure business really demands—and why successful growth often requires rebuilding systems without losing culture, quality, or momentum. Drawing on Valley Fiber's rapid expansion across Manitoba, Ryan offers practical insights on leadership, execution, and scaling with intention.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  8. Jan 27

    Leadership That Lasts: Mentors, Values, and Building in Manitoba

    John Proven reflects on the early influences, mentors, and values that shaped his leadership journey—and what it takes to build organizations and institutions that endure. Drawing on a career rooted in Manitoba with global reach, John shares lessons on leadership, culture, and long-term thinking that matter for builders at every stage.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

  9. Trailer

    Trailer: Building Manitoba Podcast

    The Building Manitoba Podcast is a non-partisan show for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth in Manitoba. Want the key insights in your inbox? The Building Manitoba Review provides practical takeaways and ideas from recent episodes that you can put into action. Subscribe at buildingmanitobapodcast.beehiiv.com

Trailer

About

The Building Manitoba Podcast is a non-partisan podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show features candid, long-form conversations with founders, CEOs, operators, and public-sector leaders shaping Manitoba’s economy. Each episode looks beyond surface-level success to explore the decisions, trade-offs, and systems behind real growth. The conversations are grounded in experience while looking to the future, encouraging listeners to think bigger about leadership, investment, and the opportunities in our province. Nathan helps translate complex ideas into practical insights that can be applied in real organizations and communities.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Maertins
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Building Manitoba Podcast
  • Show Website
    Building Manitoba Podcast