Stories from the Firecircle

Paul Cressman

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
UPDATED MONTHLY

Stories from the Firecircle

Short, engaging, information-filled talks and interviews with Firecircle's founders, members and tourism industry guests to bring you the stuff you may not know that you don't know - foundational knowledge for tourism entrepreneurs - igniting your passion, sparking your ideas and supporting you every step of the way.

NOV 6

Flying on Fresh Wings with Denise Miller

In this episode I speak with Denise Miller who has recently started Experience Saghalie in Kamloops, British Columbia. Through her business, Denise provides both a beautiful and restful place for visitors to unwind, as well as catered and personalized tours, experiences and itineraries. In our conversation, Denise and I talk about the twists and turns, peaks and valleys that she has encountered on her journey as a long-time entrepreneur. We also talk about the great privilege and the amazing opportunity we have in the Tourism industry to create unique and memorable experiences for people, and the joy and satisfaction that comes from giving guests that 'wow' feeling. To learn more about Experience Saghalie or to book a stay, please visit. https://www.experiencesaghalie.com Firecircle is a Tourism Accelerator that uses our proven 5x5 method, one to one personalized business mentorship, and many other tools and resources to help new and existing entrepreneurs plan, launch, grow and maximize successful and sustainable tourism businesses. If you have a dream that you’d like to make a reality, or you’ve started a business and are feeling overwhelmed, please visit us a https://www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships to find out how we can help.

18 min
OCT 24

From the ground up with Brenda Cheveldayoff

In this episode I speak with Brenda Cheveldayoff. Brenda is a busy woman to say the least. She is a full-time grain farmer in Blaine Lake Saskatchewan with a passion for sharing an under told story of the Russian Doukhobors in Canada. If you’ve never heard of the Doukhobors in Canada, you’re not alone. Brenda is working hard to change that and by way of an extremely short history lesson from the doukhobordugouthouse.com , in 1899, Russian Doukhobors fled their homeland and settled in the Blaine Lake area of Saskatchewan, Canada. They adapted to the harshness of their environment by digging into the North Saskatchewan River ravine, where they built a dugout house, in the style of houses in the Caucus. The Caucus is an area spanning eastern Europe and Western Asia mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. Brenda has meticulously restored that original dug out house to preserve and share Doukhobor culture and history. It has since, become an award-winning tourism destination where guests can explore the house, learn about the history of the Doukhobors in Canada from actors in period costumes and even sample some traditionally inspired cuisine. There is so much more to the Doukhobor story that we weren’t able to touch on in this episode. Please visit Brenda’s website www.doukhobordugouthouse.com to learn more. Better yet, take a drive to Blain Lake Saskatchewan to experience Brenda’s passion and hard work firsthand. Brenda is a long time Firecircle member. If you or someone you know is serious about turning your passion into a business but don’t know where to begin, come visit us at thefirecircle.ca/memberships to see how our proven tools, resources and mentorship can get you there.

18 min
OCT 10

The power of Community with Kim Yeaman

In this episode I talk with Kim Yeaman, who along with her partner Robert, have built Brennan's Hill Camping and Cabins, a successful and growing business. Kim opened up to me, not only about how her dream business came to be, but also about those low and lonely times that all entrepreneurs face, and how the community she's found at Firecircle has helped pull her through. Kim is an important part of the Firecircle community and she contributes as much as she receives. To learn more about Kim's business and to book a stay, visit: https://brennanshillcampingandcabins.com If you'd like to join the hundreds of entrepreneurs all across Canada who are working together and using Firecircle's tools and resources to help make everyone's business a success, you can join us today at https://www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships

15 min
AUG 28

'Bead with a happy heart' with Mariah Battiste

In this episode I talk with Mariah Battiste. Mariah is someone who seems to have boundless energy. Her business is growing by leaps and bounds. She’s a business award winner, a published author, and has successfully battled with Canada Post for equitable shipping options in her small community. Mariah’s path has not been an easy one. There have been steps forward and steps back, life has intervened, plans have changed obstacles have been faced and overcome. Through all of it, Mariah remains a happy warrior. During our conversation, she shared her ups and downs with a smile on her face, and sense of perseverance that I can only describe as contagious. For all your beading needs and more visit https://sundaylacecreations.com You can read more about Mariah's story in With Grace and Grit Volume 2, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Grit-Indigenous-Women-Business/dp/1738049620

16 min
AUG 16

The Camino Provides with Matthew Cugnet

In this episode, I talk with Matthew Cugnet. I reached out to Matthew after hearing from our team that he was “doing something amazing”. With no other information, I reached out to hear more about what this amazing thing was. I was not disappointed. Matthew describes how the profound experiences he’s had while long distance Trekking in countries all around the world, has inspired him to want to make those experiences possible here in Canada. This is a story of transformation, perseverance and a deep sense of Community.

18 min
JUL 26

Generosity and Bravery with Lori Runzer and Carly Kowalski

In this episode we have an amazing story of an unlikely, and special partnership that formed between Firecircle members. Lori and Dean Runzer are experienced entrepreneurs who run a luxury resort and Carly Kowalski is a new entrepreneur with a passion for dogs. She is launching, a consultancy to help accommodation businesses become more pet friendly. Lori and Carly first met on a Firecircle live group session. Lori saw a spark inside Carly and invited her out to Firesong to create a pet friendly experience at the resort. Little did Carly know that Lori would not only be her client, but as you’ll hear, she would also be her personal mentor, champion and friend. This is story of Generosity and Bravery. It’s a story of personal development as much as business development.

20 min
JUL 11

Taking the plunge with Crystal Hart Drake

In this episode I talk with Crystal Hart Drake who is using her background as a paramedic to create a thermal spa experience, guided by medical knowledge and focused on information sharing with her clients. When Crystal started the Firecircle program, she wasn’t sure that her business idea even counted as a tourism business. She has been working hard with her Firecircle mentor Kim, and as you’ll hear has been moving forward by leaps and bounds. Her story speaks directly to anyone who has an idea but is unsure about the first steps. Thanks to everyone for the name suggestions for Crystal. As an update, Crystal has settled on a name. She is now the proud owner of Vitality Wellness with Heart. Congratulations Crystal!! If you are thinking about starting or growing a tourism business and don’t know where to begin, come visit us at www.thefirecircle.ca

9 min
JUN 17

Be the pebble with Gail Chamberlain

Gail Chamerblain has the distinction as the first person to complete the Firecircle 5x5 method and business plan and has now launched 'Marchands d’origine', a wholesale manufacturer of Indigenous made crafts. Gail is on a mission to make sure that ‘Indigenous Arts and Crafts’ sold in gift shops in major tourism centres in Quebec, are in fact made by Indigenous artists. Building her business has created opportunities for other artist in her community to make a living doing what they love. As the episode title suggests, we see Gail as the pebble dropped in the proverbial bucket of water. Her hard work and passion have crated ripples that are expanding to encompass many others in her community. In this episode we also speak with Isabelle Morin who was Gail’s Firecricle Business Mentor. We get a glimpse into the special bond they formed and how they worked together to create a funding ready and successful business plan that Gail has used to jump start her business.

13 min

Short, engaging, information-filled talks and interviews with Firecircle's founders, members and tourism industry guests to bring you the stuff you may not know that you don't know - foundational knowledge for tourism entrepreneurs - igniting your passion, sparking your ideas and supporting you every step of the way.

Creator

Paul Cressman
Years Active

2K
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Stories from the Firecircle