
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Are you an ambitious young entrepreneur? Do you consider yourself a role model and leader of tomorrow? If so, this is going to be the show for you. Leaders Of Tomorrow is a show dedicated young and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to forge their own path in this world. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring interview and share with you behind the scenes some of the values and beliefs of our 8-figure business; Student Works Management Program. From interviews with young millionaires and personal anecdotes from our head coach; Chris Thomson, this show will give you everything you need to know to become a Leader Of Tomorrow.
Episodes

Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with David Salerno, one of our early alumni from 1992.
Today, David is the Founder & President of Solpak, a business that provides food packaging and delivery solutions to over 500 meal delivery companies, caterers, meals-on-wheels, senior living facilities, restaurants, food retailers, and non-profit organizations.
Additionally, David started a business two years ago focused on mentoring, and helping other entrepreneurs develop their companies.
In this episode, you will find out who David was before he started our program and what made him join it.
He will share the mistakes he made in his first year in the program and the great lessons he learned from them.
You will find out what he did after he left the program and how this experience helped him find new opportunities.
David will talk about his experience as a Supervisor, Market Research interviewer at Canadian Facts and also about being a Team Lead Manager at Fido Solutions / Rogers Wireless.
He will share how he started Solpack and what the company is doing today as well as what is the Sherpa project and how it helps other entrepreneurs develop their businesses.
You will also find out what is the mindset shift you need to take and the key habits that can help you become a great leader.
Join Chris and David for another success story of one of our earlier alumni, to find out how the Student Works Management program can help you become a successful entrepreneur.
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The mistakes David made in his first year in the program and the great lessons he learned from them
- David’s experience as a Supervisor, Market Research Interviewers at Canadian Facts
- David’s experience as a Team Lead Manager at Fido Solutions / Rogers Wireless
- How David started Solpack and what is the company doing today
- What is the Sherpa project and how it helps other entrepreneurs develop their businesses
- And so much more...
Resources:

Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
273 | Mike Bignold | Start Opening Your Mind To What You Can Become
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Mike Bignold, one of our Student Works West alumni, who is running a really fast growing tech company called Cost Certified. He has a really amazing story of how he started a contracting services business after he left Student Works, and developed software as a way to run that business.
You will find out who Mike was before joining the Student Works Management Program and how this experience changed him as a person.
You will also discover the most important skills and lessons Mike learned from Student Works and is still using to this day.
He will share what he did right after he moved from Student Works and how he started his first business.
He will talk about how he developed a software to help him run his business as well as how he founded CostCertified and the challenges he had to overcome in his journey to success.
Mike will also reveal the habits and the most important traits a successful entrepreneur should have and much more.
Join Chris and Mike for a special episode about what it takes to achieve your dreams and become a successful young entrepreneur.
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The most important skills and lessons Mike learned from Student Works and is still using to this day
- What Mike did right after he moved from Student Works and how he started his first business
- How Mike started to develop a software to help him run his business
- How Mike founded CostCertified and the challenges he had to overcome in his journey to success
- Mike’s biggest mistakes on his way to success and what he learned from them
- And so much more...
Resources:

Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
272 | The Coaching Habit - A Discussion
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with seven young leaders about a book that has literally transformed the coaching community and made an enormous difference selling millions and millions of copies: “The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever” by Michael Bungay Stanier
They will discuss the main points of the book as well as the most important takeaways they received from it.
You will find out why it is so important for a young manager to learn how to be a good coach and also why a good leader should spend more time listening and asking questions then talking.
You will discover what are the 7 questions from the Coaching Habit, how they can make a real difference and how each of the leaders in this show uses them.
You will learn how good habits can propel you to success and some effective techniques that can help you form new habits.
Chris and his guests will also discuss the two types of coaching that are presented in the book and what each of them means. Plus, they will also reveal the advantage of talking about an experience versus giving advice.
Join Chris and his guests for a special episode about the art of coaching and a book that made a huge difference in this field!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Why it is important for a young leader to learn how to be a good coach
- Why is it important as a leader to spend more time listening and asking questions than talking?
- What are the 7 questions from the Coaching Habit and how they can make a real difference.
- How good habits can propel you to success and some effective techniques to help you form new habits.
- What's the advantage of talking about an experience versus giving advice?
- And so much more...
Resources:
Book: The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
271 | Karl Gartly | A Believer in the Art of the Possible
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Karl Gartly, a successful entrepreneur, challenger salesperson and executive advisor who started his journey in the business world with the Student Works Management Program back in 1999
While still in the program, Karl started Deco Windshield Repair and he grew that company to 225 locations with a Student Works style.
In 2013 he founded Zayfti, an app that engages workers in workplace safety and promotes a culture of self-motivation, self-preservation, and accountability. He sold that company in 2017 and he took on the role of Director of Product at Spira Data Corp. Most recently, Karl and his partners created a new company where they are developing a really cool new software program.
In this episode, you will find out who Karl Gartly was before joining the Student Works Management Program and how this experience impacted his life and career.
You will also learn more about his experience as a Chief Talent Officer at Deco Windshield Repair after he left Student Works.
Karl will share on Zayfti, he will talk about the mindset behind making the decision of selling your own business and the different ways of exiting a business.
He will explain what his new business is and how they plan to make a difference with the new software.
In addition, Karl will reveal some of his biggest mistakes and failures and the lessons he learned from them and he will also talk about the key habits a successful entrepreneur should have.
Join Chris and Karl for an amazing conversation about what it truly takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Who was Karl Gartly before joining the Student Works Management Program
- Karl’s experience of working with his sisters and how it impacted their relationship
- Karl’s experience as a Chief Talent Officer at Deco Windshield Repair after he left Student Works
- The story of Zayfti, Karl’s first tech company and the mindset behind making the decision of selling your own business
- What is Karl’s new business about and how does it plan to make a difference
- And so much more...
Resources:

Sunday Mar 13, 2022
270 | Douglas Garcia | Born To Be An Entrepreneur
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Douglas Garcia, another leadership guru who started his journey to success with the Student Works Management Programs years ago.
Douglas was a top performer in our program, and over the last 20 years, he has jumped through many businesses and different unique opportunities. Today he runs Rivetly Inc. a company that aims to turn HR professionals into recognition ninjas who can move the needle for their companies. He is also the host of the “Everyday Leadership Podcast”.
As he shares his incredible story, Doug will reveal who he was before he joined Student Works, what he took away from the program and how these lessons impacted his career and life.
He will also talk about the power of knocking on doors and learning how to get your message heard.
You will discover what is the biggest challenge entrepreneurs encounter on their way to success.
You will learn about Doug’s experience as a Director of Corporate Sales and President of Preferred One.
You will also find out the story of Rivetly, Doug’s company, and how it aspires to change the world.
Doug will talk about what it means to have a leadership mindset, the most effective way to gain your team members' trust and much more.
Join Chris and Douglas for an insightful conversation about leadership and what it really takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Who was Douglas Garcia before joining the Student Works Management Program
- The power of knocking on doors
- The importance of having an SOP in any type of business
- Doug's company story and how Rivetly aspires to change the world
- The most effective way to gain your team members’ trust
- And so much more...
Resources:

Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
269 | Joël Fortin-Dominguez | Real Estate Career
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Joël Fortin-Dominguez, a recent graduate of our program. Joël was one of our operators of the year back in 2015 - 2016 and he has an amazing story of accomplishment, followed by a huge setback before achieving great success in the real estate market.
Joël will share his personal story, who he was before he joined Student Works, the important lessons he learned in this program and the huge impact it had on his career and life.
He will talk about the next step he took in his career after leaving Student Works, how he went from great success to a huge setback, and the lessons he took from these experiences.
You will find out how Joël got into the real estate business and the secret keys to his great success. You will also discover some of Joël’s strategies for finding properties to buy..
Joël will talk about the importance of coaching and mentorship in business, he will reveal the most important qualities and key habits a leader needs to have and much more.
Join Chris and Joël for an insightful conversation full of great advice for young entrepreneurs looking to become great leaders.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Joël’s biggest takeaways from the Student Works Management Program and the impact the program had on his career and life.
- How Joël went from great success to a huge setback and the lessons he took from these experiences.
- The importance of coaching and mentorship in business
- How Joël got into the real estate business and the secret keys to his great success.
- Key habits a successful entrepreneur should develop

Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
268 | Dan Fanaberia | From Hollywood to the Business World
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Daniel Fanaberia, one of the “Operators of the Year” at the Student Works Management Program. Dan graduated from Ivey Business School at Western University, but decided to follow an artistic path and became an actor for 8 years. After his Hollywood experience, Dan returned to the business world and developed a fantastic sales career within a short period of time.
As he shares his story, Dan will discuss who he was before he joined Student Works and the important lessons he learned in this program.
He will also talk about his experience with Landmark Worldwide and how it helped him discover his artistic skills.
You will discover what led him to pursue a career in art after graduating from Ivey, and what he learned from his experience at Hollywood.
He will talk about supply and demand curves in his career at Hollywood and the reasons he decided to leave.
You'll learn how Dan shifted from the artistic world to the business world and built an unbelievable sales career in a short time.
Dan will also reveal the number #1 thing successful individuals have in common and the two key factors you need to make an impact in the world
Join Chris and Dan as they dive into a fascinating conversation about success, finding your true calling, and learning from life and career experiences.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Dan's biggest takeaways from the program and the impact it had on his career and life
- Supply and demand curves in Dan’s career at Hollywood and the reasons he decided to leave.
- How Dan developed an unbelievable sales career in a short time
- About Dan's company, what the WalkMe platform does and it is going to make a difference.
- Two key factors you need to make an impact in the world
- And so much more...
Resources:

Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Kent Thornhill, one of the top-performing window cleaning operators in the Student Works Program. He did about $126,000 with the business in his third year and now, at the beginning of his fourth year, he's already got $60,000 booked.
Kent will share his personal story, who he was before joining the program and how it changed his life and mindset.
He will talk about his first year in the program and the biggest takeaways he took from that experience.
You will also find out how Kent managed to transform and grow his business in his second and third year.
Kent will reveal some of the lessons he took from the Covid year and some of the biggest secrets to achieving huge business goals.
You will discover what are Kent’s goals for this year and how he plans to achieve them.
Kent will also share two important habits that helped him thrive both professionally and personally and he will also talk about the benefits of practicing gratitude regularly.
Join Chris and Kent as they dive into a fascinating conversation about how the Student Work program can change a young man’s life both personally and professionally.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The lessons Kent has learned from his experience with Student Works
- Kent's business performance during the Covid year and the lessons he took from it
- The secret to achieving huge business goals
- What are Kent’s goals for this year and how does he plan to achieve them?
- Two important habits that help Kent thrive both professionally and personally
- And so much more...
Resources:

Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Norrie Shang, an ambitious young leader who doesn't want to trade his time for money. Although he could work for important companies, he is choosing the path of entrepreneurship, despite the challenges he had to face.
Norrie will share a little of his background and who he was before joining the Student Works Management Program.
He will also talk about the lessons he took from the program and how he applied those in his career and life.
You will also find out about Norrie's experience as a product analyst and product manager at Oracle NetSuite. He will also share the reasons why he left the company to join a startup.
Norrie will talk about the incredible growth he had with this company from 10,000 units to 3 million a month and the challenges he had to face.
He will also share the takeaways he took from the huge setback that followed his success.
You will also discover what are the fundamentals that make all the difference in any type of business and the number #1 secret to experiencing rapid growth in your business.
Join Chris and Norrie as they dive into a fascinating conversation about success and failure and how an authentic leader can learn fundamental lessons from both.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Lessons that Norrie's taken from his experience with Student Works
- Norrie’s experience as a product analyst and product manager at Oracle NetSuite
- Why did Norrie leave Oracle NetSuite for a startup
- Growth in business followed by a huge setback during the time of Covid
- The lessons Norrie learned from this incredible experience with a fast-growing startup
- The number #1 secret to experience rapid growth in your business
- And so much more...
Resources:

Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
265 | Paul Kuepfer | How Student Works Can Open Your Door to a Successful Career
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris chats with Paul Kuepfer, long-time alumni with 30 years of executive experience, specializing in entrepreneurial sales and marketing leadership. He had multiple roles as Managing Director, Vice President of Sales Management Consultant in the technology industry.
Paul will share his personal story, who he was before Student Works, how he got into the program 20 years ago, and the important lessons he took from this experience.
He will reveal the important decisions that he made to develop a successful career and what made him choose the tech industry.
You will discover what starting a company means and how long it takes to make it successful.
Paul will also share the number #1 secret to maintaining customer engagement and what you should do to get prestigious references for your business.
He will also talk about his experience with working overseas and the great lessons he took from travelling and working with people from different cultures.
Join Chris and Paul as they dive into a fascinating conversation about how Student Works can open your way to a successful career.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Lessons that Paul's taken from his experience with Student Works
- Choosing between a startup or a bigger company. What is the best choice?
- How do you sell a large company like Boeing
- The secret to maintaining customers engagement
- Starting a company and how long it takes to make it successful
- And so much more...
Resources: