Pathforward Podcast

Jacky Mak
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Are you about to graduate from high school and unsure of your next step? Or finishing university and wondering how to start your journey? Maybe you’re feeling lost in the corporate or entrepreneurial world. If so, you’re in the right place. At Pathforward, we invite guests to share their experiences and wisdom to help you navigate life’s complexities. From financial literacy and productivity skills to career and life guidance, our conversations cover the essentials to help you move your life path forward.

  1. Aug 3

    How One Idea Brought 25000 People Together!

    Ep.22 Conversation with Gina Chong | Pathforward Podcast How do you turn a painful moment into something that brings an entire community together? In this episode of PathForward Podcast, we sit down with Gina Chong, founder of the BC Dumpling Festival and the Asian Arts and Culture Society, to explore the remarkable journey behind one of British Columbia's fastest-growing cultural events. What began as a response to a racist incident at Town Centre Park became a movement that now welcomes tens of thousands of people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate culture, food, and community. Gina shares how her entrepreneurial mindset, years in real estate, and commitment to serving others helped her build an organization powered by volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and a shared vision. Along the way, she opens up about leadership, resilience, overcoming challenges, and why she believes in empowering people rather than micromanaging them. Whether you're an entrepreneur, community leader, student, or someone hoping to make a positive impact, this conversation is filled with practical life lessons and inspiring insights. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys! 00:00 Meet Gina Chong 00:51 Growing Up & Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset 05:15 The Values That Guide Every Decision 07:29 What Business Taught Me About Leading a Non-Profit 10:55 How the BC Dumpling Festival Began 13:30 The Racist Incident That Sparked a Movement 17:42 The Motivation That Kept Me Going 22:59 What Makes the BC Dumpling Festival Different? 25:27 Why Food? Why Dumplings? 27:39 Finding the Right People 34:05 Overcoming Rejection 38:31 Building Meaningful Relationships 40:17 Leadership Without Micromanaging 51:49 The Most Rewarding Part—and the Biggest Funding Challenge 54:11 Balancing Career, Family & Community Leadership 55:34 Legacy, Advice & How You Can Get Involved

  2. Jul 17

    Is Your SUCCESS built to LAST?

    Ep.21 Conversation with Sunny Hirai | Pathforward Podcast In this episode of PathForward Podcast, we sit down with Sunny Hirai, a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Suite101, and founder of MeZine, to explore the journey, challenges, and life lessons behind his success. From his early beginnings and family influences to building successful businesses, Sunny shares the experiences that shaped his character, mindset, and understanding of success. He reflects on the opportunities he pursued, the challenges he overcame, and the lessons he learned throughout his journey. Beyond business achievements, Sunny reminds us that lasting success is not only measured by what we accomplish, but also by the values we uphold, the character we develop, and the impact we make along the way. 00:00 Intro 00:39 My Journey: The Ups and Downs 02:29 A Message to the Listeners 05:08 It's Never Too Late 09:37 Growing Through Pain 12:37 My Entrepreneurial Journey 15:53 How to Find Opportunities 24:41 The Success of CityMax 30:21 Challenges at CityMax 35:10 Overcoming Betrayal 40:50 My Father's Story 45:42 How My Family Shaped Me 46:53 My Early Passion 48:59 Why I Chose BCIT 51:53 Why I Became an Entrepreneur 56:24 The Distractions of Modern Life 1:00:25 What Is Success?

  3. Jun 1

    Are YOU 🫵 Ready for Life After Graduation? Lesson from School to Career

    Ep.20 Conversation with Nathan Boey | Pathforward Podcast Graduation is exciting, but stepping into the real world can also feel uncertain. In this episode, Nathan Boey, Technology Strategy Manager at Deloitte Consulting, shares his journey from growing up in an immigrant family to navigating high school, university, leadership opportunities, and eventually building a career in consulting. We talk about discovering strengths, choosing a university path, getting involved on campus, building authentic experiences, and transitioning from school into the corporate world. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, or young professional, this conversation offers practical insights for the journey ahead. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

  4. May 4

    When Success Isn’t Enough - How Do You Find Your Purpose?

    Conversation with Esther Kim Nelson | Pathforward Podcast In this episode, we sit down with Esther Kim Nelson for an open and authentic conversation, exploring a life shaped by faith, ambition, and profound turning points. Growing up in a missionary family, Esther experienced both the strength and the struggles that come with a life devoted to service. Those early years deeply shaped her perspective and forming her character, her faith, and her understanding of purpose. Gifted with her hands and naturally drawn to art, Esther carried big dreams into adulthood. Like many, she pursued success and achieved a version of it. But even at that peak, something still felt incomplete. What followed was a radical decision, one that redefined her identity, reshaped her goals, and led her onto an unexpected path. This conversation goes beyond a typical success story. It explores the tension between chasing dreams and discovering your true calling, while navigating the realities of motherhood and personal sacrifice. If you are at a crossroads, questioning your direction, or searching for something deeper, this episode offers an honest and hopeful perspective. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

  5. Apr 17

    Tax Facts can SAVE YOU Thousands!

    Conversation with Peter Ramsis (Money Series #4) | PathForward Podcast In this episode, we sit down with Peter Ramsis, a certified accountant originally from Cairo, Egypt. His experience working as a Financial Director at CNN News in Dubai has given him a unique perspective on both the Canadian and U.S. tax systems. In our conversation, we explore the three key tax realities in Canada: filing as an employee, as a self-employed individual, and as a corporation. Peter breaks down the differences, highlights common pitfalls, and shares practical insights to help you make more informed financial decisions. Whether you’re filing your own taxes or planning ahead, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of how the system works—and how to avoid costly mistakes. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

  6. Apr 1

    Don't Start Retirement Planning until you learned THIS!

    Ep. 17 – Conversation with Jonathan Lo (Money series 3) | PathForward Podcast In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Lo, advisor and partner at Rise Above Finance. After experiencing two life-changing events, Jonathan began asking deeper questions about life, purpose, and money. Those questions eventually led him into the financial services industry. In our conversation, we explore how to choose the right financial advisor, how advisor fee structures work, and how to think about risk and return in a practical way. But as Jonathan emphasizes throughout the episode, most of his conversations are not really about money — they are about life. Because in the end, financial decisions are deeply connected to our values, priorities, and the kind of life we want to build. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

  7. Jan 15

    Is Your Relationship with Money Toxic?

    Conversation with Enoch Weng | PathForward Podcast In this episode, we sit down with Enoch Weng, Co-Founder and CEO of Rise Above Finance. Growing up in an immigrant family in Canada, Enoch experienced firsthand the financial challenges many immigrant families face—experiences that shaped his perspective on money and the financial services industry. Enoch shares the unexpected journey that led him to become a financial advisor and the lessons he learned along the way. Together, we explore topics such as debt, financial fundamentals, and what it truly means to build a healthy relationship with money. This conversation goes beyond numbers—it’s about gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves through the way we manage our finances. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

  8. Jan 5

    From Civil War to Economics: The Shaping of my Money Principal

    Conversation with Francisco Guevara | PathForward Podcast In this episode, I’m joined by Francisco Guevara, who holds both a CPA designation and a degree in Economics. Growing up in El Salvador during the civil war, Francisco experienced a culture where money and opportunity carried very different meanings than they do in North America. His interest in economics began at a young age, and his understanding of economic principles has guided him through many important life decisions—including immigrating to Canada and completing an accounting degree with debt. Together, we dive into topics such as debt, financial fundamentals, and how economic principles actually play out in real life. This conversation goes beyond numbers—it’s about perspective, resilience, and a deeper understanding of oneself. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with life lessons, and reflections on what truly matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories and career journeys!

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About

Are you about to graduate from high school and unsure of your next step? Or finishing university and wondering how to start your journey? Maybe you’re feeling lost in the corporate or entrepreneurial world. If so, you’re in the right place. At Pathforward, we invite guests to share their experiences and wisdom to help you navigate life’s complexities. From financial literacy and productivity skills to career and life guidance, our conversations cover the essentials to help you move your life path forward.

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