The 403 Podcast

Karissa Savage
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

The 403 Podcast tells the stories behind the people building Alberta. Hosted by Karissa Savage, each episode goes beyond the business to explore the leadership, risks, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped entrepreneurs, creators, and community leaders across the province. From local startups and family businesses to iconic brands and hidden gems, these are honest conversations about what it really takes to build something that matters. Because every business has a story. And every community is shaped by the people courageous enough to build it.

Episodes

  1. Oct 4 ·  Video

    They Started With $0...Now They’re Building the Future of Nutrition | Sam Hale

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Episode 4 | Sam Hale — They Started With $0...Now They’re Building the Future of Nutrition  What starts as a university meal-prep idea can apparently turn into a health-tech company working at the intersection of nutrition, technology and healthcare. This week on The 403 Podcast, Karissa sits down with Sam Hale, co-founder of NutriMeals and Nurish’d, to talk about the eight-year journey from cooking, packaging and delivering meals themselves to building something much bigger. They get into starting NutriMeals with essentially $0, learning entrepreneurship the hard way, some expensive ideas that didn’t quite work out 😂, taking on risk, raising capital and the decisions that ultimately led to Nurish’d. Sam also shares what it’s really like building alongside his co-founder and life partner Grace, how his role has changed as the businesses have grown, and why the entrepreneurial journey is rarely as linear as it looks from the outside. In this episode: Starting NutriMeals from the ground upThe infamous vending-machine experimentKnowing when an idea isn’t workingHow NutriMeals evolved into Nurish’dAI, personalized nutrition and “food as medicine”The risks and sacrifices behind entrepreneurshipBuilding with a co-founder and life partnerWhat eight years in business has taught SamWhere Nurish’d is headed nextWant to try NutriMeals? 403 Podcast listeners can get 10% off through Karissa’s referral link: Get 10% off NutriMeal Learn more about Sam, NutriMeals & Nurish'd 🌐 Website: www.nutrimeals.ca & www.app.nurishd.ca 📸 Instagram: @nutrimeals.ca or @nurishd.health 💼 LinkedIn: Sam Hale https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-hale-94539779/ Follow The 403 Podcast 🎙️ YouTube: The 403 Podcast 📸 Instagram: @the403podcast 📧 Email: karissa@the403podcast.com Connect with host Karissa Savage If you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, or moving to Calgary, I'd love to connect. 📧 Email: karissasavageyyc@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: @karissasavageyyc 📱 Phone: 587-839-7120 🌐 Website: https://www.karissasavage.com/ 🏠 Download my FREE property app: HERE

  2. Sep 20 ·  Video

    Finding the Light in the Middle of the Hard | Claire Masikewich

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Episode 3 | Claire Masikewich — Finding the Light in the Middle of the Hard What does it mean to keep building when life changes overnight? In this episode of The 403 Podcast, host Karissa Savage sits down with Claire Masikewich, keynote speaker and founder of Strong Like Sloane, to talk about purpose, resilience and finding light in the middle of life’s hardest moments. After Claire’s five-year-old daughter, Sloane, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, Claire began using her background in marketing, communications and storytelling to advocate for pediatric cancer research. What started as a way to support her daughter grew into Strong Like Sloane, major fundraising initiatives and an unexpected career as a keynote speaker. Claire shares how the experience changed her definition of success, what she’s learned about letting go of what she can’t control, and why we don’t have to wait for the hard part to be over before allowing ourselves to find joy, purpose and hope again. Whether you're an entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, a parent facing something difficult, or simply rethinking what success looks like in your own life, this is a conversation about continuing to live and build—even in the middle of the hard. In this episode: ✔️ Sloane's stage 4 neuroblastoma diagnosis and the moment everything changed ✔️ The story behind Strong Like Sloane ✔️ Turning marketing and storytelling skills into advocacy and impact ✔️ Claire's unexpected journey into keynote speaking ✔️ What we get wrong about resilience ✔️ Letting go of what you can't control ✔️ Redefining success, ambition and legacy ✔️ Why Claire asks, "What if it all works out?" Learn more about Claire Masikewich 🌐 Website: https://www.clairemasikewich.com/ 📸 Instagram: @therealclairem  https://www.instagram.com/therealclairem/ 💼 LinkedIn: Claire Masikewich  https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemasikewich/ Strong Like Sloane 💛 Learn more & ways to support: https://linktr.ee/stronglikesloane 📸 Instagram: @stronglikesloane  https://www.instagram.com/stronglikesloane/ Another Tomorrow — October 30 🎗️ Tickets & Event Details: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/another-tomorrow-tickets-1990107975527 Follow The 403 Podcast 🎙️ YouTube: The 403 Podcast 📸 Instagram: @the403podcast 📧 Email: karissa@the403podcast.com Connect with host Karissa Savage If you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, or moving to Calgary, I'd love to connect. 📧 Email: karissasavageyyc@gmail.com 📱 Phone: 587-839-7120 🌐 Website: https://www.karissasavage.com/ 🏠 Download my property app: HERE

    Finding the Light in the Middle of the Hard | Claire Masikewich

  3. Aug 16 ·  Video

    Turning a Niche Idea Into a Growing Movement | Gerrit Janssen

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Episode 2 | Gerrit Janssen – Turning a Niche Idea Into a Growing Movement What does it take to turn a niche idea into a growing community? In Episode 2 of The 403 Podcast, host Karissa Savage sits down with Gerrit Janssen, founder of Lokal Gluten Free Markets and the Gluten Free Expo, to talk about his journey from Red Seal Chef to entrepreneur and community builder. Gerrit shares what it really takes to build and scale an event-based business—from the risks and behind-the-scenes decisions to expanding into new markets while staying connected to the community that started it all. Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or someone who's ever wondered how a niche idea can grow into something much bigger, this episode offers an inside look at the work behind the brand. In this episode: ✔️ The story behind Lokal Gluten Free Markets ✔️ Going from Red Seal Chef to entrepreneur ✔️ The realities of building and scaling large events ✔️ Leadership lessons learned through growth ✔️ Creating opportunities for local businesses ✔️ What's next for Lokal and the Gluten Free Expo Learn more about Lokal Gluten Free Markets & Gluten Free Expo 🌐 Website: www.embracelokal.ca or www.gfexpo.ca 📸 Instagram: @lokalgfmarkets **Next Calgary Gluten Free Market: Oct 10th and Dec 19th. Coming soon Lethbridge Nov 7th. Free tickets at www.embracelokal.ca Follow The 403 Podcast 🎙️ YouTube: The 403 Podcast 📸 Instagram: @the403podcast 📧 Email: karissa@the403podcast.com Connect with host Karissa Savage If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Calgary real estate—or making a move to Calgary—I'd love to connect. 📧 Email: karissasavageyyc@gmail.com 📱 Phone: 587-839-7120 🌐 Website: www.karissasavage.com 📸 Instagram: @savagecalgaryrealtor 💼 LinkedIn: Karissa Savage 🏠 Download our property app here

    Turning a Niche Idea Into a Growing Movement | Gerrit Janssen

  4. Jul 21 ·  Video

    I Thought I Was Opening a Gym… It Became Something Much Bigger | Amanda Towstego

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Episode 1 | Amanda Towstego – Building More Than a Gym What does it really take to build a business that changes people's lives? In the premiere episode of The 403 Podcast, host-Karissa Savage sits down with Amanda Towstego, founder of Elevate YYC, to explore the journey from opening a small CrossFit gym to building one of Calgary's most respected fitness and wellness communities. This conversation goes far beyond workouts. Amanda shares the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenges of leading a growing team, the risks that shaped her business, and why creating a strong community has always mattered more than building a gym. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, someone passionate about health, or simply looking for inspiration, Amanda's story is a reminder that the businesses making the biggest impact are built by people who genuinely care about serving others. In this episode: ✔️ The story behind Elevate YYC ✔️ Leadership lessons from growing a successful business ✔️ Building a community that changes lives ✔️ Why health is about more than fitness ✔️ Amanda's vision for the future of wellness in Calgary Learn more about Elevate YYC 🌐 Website: www.elevateyyc.ca 📸 Instagram: @elevate.yyc & @elevate_funtional_health Follow The 403 Podcast 🎙️ YouTube: The 403 Podcast 📸 Instagram: @the403podcast 📧 Email: karissa@the403podcast.com Connect with host Karissa Savage If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Calgary real estate or moving to Calgary, I'd love to connect. 📧 Email: karissasavageyyc@gmail.com 📱 Phone: 587-839-7120 🌐 Website: www.karissasavage.com 📸 Instagram: @savagecalgaryrealtor 💼 LinkedIn: Karissa Savage 🏠 Download our property app here

    I Thought I Was Opening a Gym… It Became Something Much Bigger | Amanda Towstego
  • 4 Episodes

About

The 403 Podcast tells the stories behind the people building Alberta. Hosted by Karissa Savage, each episode goes beyond the business to explore the leadership, risks, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped entrepreneurs, creators, and community leaders across the province. From local startups and family businesses to iconic brands and hidden gems, these are honest conversations about what it really takes to build something that matters. Because every business has a story. And every community is shaped by the people courageous enough to build it.

Information

  • Creator
    Karissa Savage
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The 403 Podcast
  • Show Website
    The 403 Podcast