Stories from the Firecircle

Paul Cressman
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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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.

  1. A Riliey never gives up with Brendan Riliey

    JAN 30

    A Riliey never gives up with Brendan Riliey

    On this episode, I’m joined by Brendan Riley, owner and operator of Marmora Retreat in Marmora, Ontario. Originally from South Africa, Brendan has called Canada home for nearly two decades, spending much of his career in real estate and property development in the Toronto area. During a family vacation, Brendan stumbled upon a piece of land that instantly spoke to him. That moment sparked his journey into glamping—and ultimately the creation of Marmora Retreat. Today, the retreat features thoughtfully designed geodesic dome accommodations for guests seeking a unique, immersive escape into nature. Brendan is a Firecircle alumnus who used the Firecircle 5x5 Method to clarify his vision, strengthen his business plan, and successfully access funding to support the expansion of his retreat. In this conversation, he shares his experience with the Firecircle program and how having a clear, well-developed plan helped him turn an idea into a growing, sustainable business. You can experience the results of Brendan’s vision firsthand by booking a stay in one of Marmora Retreat’s Sky View or Boho Luxe glamping domes. Learn more at www.marmoraretreat.ca and follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marmora.retreat/ If you have an idea you’re ready to bring to life, or you’re looking to expand or reimagine an existing business, Firecircle can help. Our comprehensive, easy-to-use digital business planning programs, one-to-one expert mentorship, and supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs are here to support you every step of the way. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca.

    24 min
  2. Deliciously Messy with Lejla Pekaric

    12/12/2025

    Deliciously Messy with Lejla Pekaric

    In this episode, I sit down with Lejla Pekaric, a business mentor on Firecircle’s Ignite team. Though Lejla began her career in accounting, her work has evolved into executive coaching, organizational systems development, and much more. She shares how that transition unfolded—and why she’s drawn to tackling big, complex challenges. Despite a busy professional life, Lejla has made space for public speaking, creative writing, and even launching a small farm that promotes healthy eating and helps people reconnect with where their food comes from. Lejla also highlights the importance of building a supportive team of professionals around your business long before you think you’ll need them. Connect with Lejla and explore her work at www.lejla.ca and www.kolibriconsulting.ca If you have tourism business dreams but feel overwhelmed by the journey, Firecircle is here to help with easy-to-use, step-by-step programs and one-to-one mentorship from our incredible team of mentors. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca.

    26 min
  3. Building a Team with Pamela Joy Howse

    10/17/2025

    Building a Team with Pamela Joy Howse

    On this episode, I sit down with Pamela Joy Howse, owner and operator of The Spa at Halcyon, near Nakusp, BC. Pamela describes herself as a natural helper—someone who truly loves taking care of people, and it shows in the spa’s wide range of multi-disciplinary treatments and services. Over the years, Pamela has worked hard to build, retain, and motivate a talented team that helps her business shine. As a business owner, she’s equally committed to caring for her team as she is for her clients. In our conversation, Pamela shares how she nurtures both, and how she’s expanding her spa’s offerings to support wellness in body, mind, and spirit. If you or someone you know would love to be pampered while pampering others, reach out to Pamela through her website to learn more about employment opportunities: https://thespaathalcyon.ca   If you have a tourism business dream that you’d like to bring to life, you can get expert support by joining the Firecircle at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships.

    21 min
  4. Sand and Stone with Kerri Howarth

    10/03/2025

    Sand and Stone with Kerri Howarth

    On today’s episode, I talk with Kerri Howarth about a wide variety of topics.  Our conversation winds, in part, because Kerri has lived a full life of twists and turns and she has been involved in many diverse and meaningful projects.  Kerri has been with Firecircle as a business mentor for almost 2 years now and her perspectives around embracing change, identifying true wealth and etching your values in stone, have served her and the people she works with well over the years.  Here’s Kerri to tell us more about herself, her background, and her perspectives on life, money, entrepreneurship, parenting and more.  As a mentor Kerri brings kindness, perspective, experience and passion to all the people she works with.  Our Ignite team of mentors really sets the Firecircle experience apart.   To learn more about the various projects that Kerri is involved with, you can check out the links in the show notes.  To work with Kerri and get the Firecircle Experience for yourself, you can join the circle at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships. Related Links: www.agritech-north.ca , www.moosehidecampaign.ca , www.drydenrotary.org Read 'The Summer Day' by Mary Oliver: https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-133/the-summer-day/

    33 min
  5. Entrepreneur is a Verb with Jason Bacon

    09/19/2025

    Entrepreneur is a Verb with Jason Bacon

    On this episode, I sit down with Jason Bacon, a longtime Firecircle business mentor who has quickly earned a reputation as our team’s financial guru. If you’ve reached Step 5 of the Firecircle 5x5, chances are you’ve had the opportunity to work with Jason. What makes him so effective is that he’s not only deeply knowledgeable—he’s also walked the same path as the entrepreneurs he supports. Jason has invested time and effort into understanding what financial planning really means for business owners, including in his own ventures. With nearly half of his career spent in banking, Jason came away with a clear perspective: the power balance between lenders and borrowers is often off-kilter. That insight drives his passion for helping entrepreneurs build strong financial plans that allow them to approach funding conversations with clarity and confidence. Jason is also the author of Entrepreneur-ish, available on his website https://www.sunstonestrategic.com/products/entrepreneur-ish and on Amazon. At Firecircle, we’re fortunate to have experts like Jason on our team—people who are dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs with knowledge and building a strong, vibrant community of success. If you’re in the business planning stage—or ready to revisit the financial plan for your existing venture—we’d love to help. Join Firecircle today at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships, and let our team guide you every step of the way. And stay tuned: Firecircle’s new Funding and Investment Readiness Program is coming soon!

    21 min
  6. Grow your wings on the way down with Stephan Olivier

    08/22/2025

    Grow your wings on the way down with Stephan Olivier

    In this episode, I speak with Stephan Olivier, a photographer whose passion for wildlife began in his childhood in South Africa. Growing up surrounded by extraordinary animals, Stephan started out capturing them as a hobby. It wasn’t until he moved to Canada and shared his photos with a local photography club that his business began to take shape. For many of us, the landscapes and places we call home can feel ordinary—until someone else helps us see their beauty. Stephan shares how this realization unfolded for him and how he now finds joy in introducing others to the landscapes and wildlife he loves. Follow Stephan on Instagram at @stephan.olivier.photography, and be sure to visit www.stephanolivier.com to view his work and book a seat on one of his upcoming excursions. If, like Stephan, you want to transform your “ordinary” into someone else’s “extraordinary,” Firecircle can help. Our comprehensive digital business planning programs, one-to-one expert mentorship, and supportive entrepreneurial community are here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships.

    23 min
  7. Talk to people with Jason Morrow

    07/11/2025

    Talk to people with Jason Morrow

    In this episode, I sit down with Jason Morrow, whose ocean fishing and guiding business follows the example set by his grandfather: teaching people how to fish — not to make a fortune, but because it’s a valuable skill that helps families create lasting memories. Jason found his way into tourism after a serious workplace accident forced him into early retirement. But he wasn’t one to sit still. With the support of his wife, he launched Fierce Fish Ocean Adventures, offering affordable, family-friendly fishing excursions on the ocean. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Jason is a strong advocate for the lost art of simply talking to people. Networking comes naturally to him—it’s a skill he’s passed on to his kids and one he recommends to any new entrepreneur. So, after you listen to this episode, take out your earbuds, turn off your phone, step outside, and talk to your neighbours. You never know what can come from a good old-fashioned conversation. If you’re looking to learn a new skill and make unforgettable memories with your family—without breaking the bank—book a trip with Jason at www.fiercefishoceanadv.com . And if you, like Jason, find yourself at a crossroads and have always dreamed of working in tourism, Firecircle can help. Our digital business planning programs, one-on-one expert mentorship, and supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs are here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships .

    18 min
  8. Enhanced Experiences with Nadine Furnell

    06/20/2025

    Enhanced Experiences with Nadine Furnell

    In this episode, I sit down with Nadine Furnell, a trailblazer in British Columbia’s evolving tourism industry. BC is well known for its wine and cider scenes, where many producers pair their beverages with curated culinary experiences. But there’s another iconic BC product that is entering the Tourism Market: cannabis—known globally as "BC bud." British Columbia has long been a leader in cannabis culture, and while legalization has brought significant benefits, it’s also created challenges. An oversaturated market has made it difficult for small-scale growers to thrive. Nadine, a passionate advocate for cannabis as medicine—born from her own journey with pain management—is tackling this challenge head-on. She’s pioneering cannabis-based culinary experiences that highlight not just the unique flavour profiles of different strains, but also the complex effects of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Nadine creates a variety of cannabis enhanced experiences through education, storytelling, infused dining and more that celebrate this plant in a thoughtful and innovative way.  If you’re curious to learn more, check out Mama Deen’s Enhanced Experiences on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mama-deen-s-enhanced-experiences-7ab804269/?originalSubdomain=ca and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mamadeens_enhanced_experiences/ You can also read about Nadine’s impressive background on the BC Craft Farmers Co-op website at www.bccraftfarmerscoop.com/nadine-furnell If you, like Nadine, have an idea you’re ready to turn into a business, Firecircle can help. Our comprehensive and easy-to-use digital business planning programs, live one-on-one expert mentorship, and supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs are here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more at www.thefirecircle.ca/memberships.

    24 min
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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.

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