204 Rise

204 Rise

204 Rise aims to document the rising talent hidden within the streets of Winnipeg. We want to reveal the talents of the city, whether that be through music, art, or business, in an entertaining, knowledge-based experience! Check us on youtube and instagram to see exclusive video content of some of the great guests we feature!

  1. 12/23/2025

    1.1 Million TikTok Followers From His Living Room - Josh Anglo | EP 196

    Hitting one million followers sounds like the finish line, but Josh Anglo sees it very differently. In this episode of 204 Rise, Josh breaks down what actually goes into building an audience at scale and why consistency matters more than talent, luck, or perfection. Posting every single day at 5 p.m. became a non-negotiable discipline, not a strategy for virality, but a commitment to showing up even when motivation was gone. Josh opens up about dropping out of university, disappointing his parents, and making the decision to go all-in on content creation with no backup plan. He talks through his creative process under pressure, how he comes up with ideas when the tank feels empty, and why “done” will always beat perfect. We also unpack why follower count doesn’t equal influence, why he avoids the blue checkmark, and what actually builds long-term trust with an audience. The conversation goes deeper into the mental side of being a creator: burnout, obsession, sleep, validation, and learning how to stay grounded in a world that never logs off. This episode is about discipline, self-belief, and building something meaningful without letting numbers define your worth. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a goal that demands daily effort, this episode brings clarity to what consistency really costs and why it’s worth it.🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ 204Rise@gmail.com#MillionFollowers #BuildingInPublic #CreativeProcess #ShowUpEveryDay #DoneOverPerfect #DigitalCreator #SocialMediaGrowth #MindsetShift

    1h 24m
  2. 12/17/2025

    The Overnight Success, 17 Years In The Making - Clairissa Cruz, Bare Body Sugaring

    Most people see Clairissa Cruz as the owner of four thriving Bare Body Sugaring locations and assume the journey was smooth. The reality is far different. In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Clairissa shares the full, unfiltered story behind building one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable beauty brands. She opens up about growing up in Manitoba Housing, starting her business from home with a baby by her side, and working 17–18 hour days just to survive. What followed were moments that nearly broke her including public backlash, burnout, and the darkest week of her life and the long road back to herself. We talk about how therapy, community, and her husband’s unwavering support helped her rebuild, the childhood hustles that shaped her work ethic, and the intentional choices behind creating the Bare Body Sugaring experience. At its core, this conversation is about more than business. It’s about motherhood, resilience, mental health, and building a workplace that feels safe, supportive, and human. This episode pulls back the curtain on what success really looks like, the pressure, the sacrifice, and the strength it takes to keep going when quitting feels easier. Clairissa’s story is a powerful reminder that the strongest people often carry the heaviest battles, and that meaningful businesses are built from purpose, not perfection.00:00 Intro & The Drive to Succeed02:00 Early Struggles & Motivation04:30 Building the Business: From Home to Four Locations10:30 Entrepreneurial Childhood & Grit15:00 The Grind & Balancing Family19:00 Mental Health, Setbacks & Cancel Culture25:00 Resilience, Therapy & Support Systems30:00 Intentions, Rituals & Workplace Culture35:00 Customer Experience & Genuine Connections40:00 Hiring, Training & Growing a Team45:00 Competition, Community, and Market Changes50:00 What is Sugaring & Setting High Standards54:00 Lessons in Leadership, Boundaries, and Advice01:00:00 Freedom, Giving Back & Parenting Values01:05:00 Recognition, Speaking, and Lasting Impact01:09:00 Final Reflections & Outro🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ 204Rise@gmail.com #204Rise #ClairissaCruz #BareBodySugaring #WinnipegBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FounderStory #Resilience #Motherhood #MentalHealthInBusiness #CanadianEntrepreneurs

    1h 11m
  3. 12/03/2025

    The Ugly side of Growing a Multi-Million Dollar Chocolate Bar Company | Jake Karls, Midday Squares

    What does it really take to build one of the fastest-growing chocolate brands in North America? In this episode, we sit down with Jake Karls, co-founder and chief storyteller of Mid-Day Squares. Jake opens up about the parts of the journey most entrepreneurs never share, heartbreak that reshaped his life, failed attempts that forced him to rebuild, losing himself along the way, and eventually discovering the role he was born to play. What started as a messy path of uncertainty led him to becoming the rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, helping turn the company into a brand that has sold over $65M worth of bars. We talk about why he struggled as CMO and how owning your weaknesses can unlock your real superpower, the moment he decided to bet everything on Mid-Day Squares, and the impact therapy had on saving the partnership, the business, and his closest relationships. Jake also opens up about the pressure of being “on” all the time, the loneliness behind constant travel, and the emotional cost of building a brand in public. If you’re obsessed with entrepreneurship, storytelling, personal growth, or watching the underdog fight their way forward, this conversation will hit you deeply and stay with you long after it’s over. #204Rise #JakeKarls #MidDaySquares #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #BrandBuilding #CMO #Storytelling #BusinessGrowth #FounderLife #CanadianEntrepreneurs #UnderdogStory #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthInBusiness #WinnipegPodcast #Motivation #BusinessPodcast #CreatorEconomy #LeadershipJourney #SuccessMindset

    1h 3m

About

204 Rise aims to document the rising talent hidden within the streets of Winnipeg. We want to reveal the talents of the city, whether that be through music, art, or business, in an entertaining, knowledge-based experience! Check us on youtube and instagram to see exclusive video content of some of the great guests we feature!