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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
Thursday Jan 14, 2021
Thursday Jan 14, 2021
In today’s show, we interview, Rob Signoretti, Enterprise Account Executive at DataBricks who shares his story about how he built his successful career in the technology space.
Raised in Ontario by a blue-collar family, Rob had a “boxed-in” mentality as he had little idea about the massive opportunities out there. He was content and laidback, and his teacher called him the “dumbest smart guy” he had ever met.
However, all this changed when Rob found Student Works. As a student painter, Rob realized that he had to step outside of his comfort zone if he wished to leverage bigger and better opportunities. He also talks at length about the importance of working smarter and not necessarily harder in this segment of the show.
Student Works again came to the rescue when Rob went job-hunting after graduating. Owing to the strong alumni network, he was able to get offers from three iconic organizations – Xerox, Canon, and Dell.
Rob decided to venture into the technology space as an entry-level salesperson with Dell. Later he gravitated toward the consulting space with Mainland Information Systems and the data analytics space with Splunk. Currently, Rob works as an Enterprise Account Executive at DataBricks.
If you work in the tech space or any other fast-evolving space, listening to Rob will make you realize how pivoting quickly will allow you to maximize opportunities.
Rob is also the provincial chair at KidSport Alberta, a non-profit that helps more than 13,000 kids every year.
Towards the end, Rob calls out some of the common mistakes that entrepreneurs and professionals make and shares some great tips for living a balanced, more fulfilled life.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How pivoting quickly can help you stay ahead of the curve
- How to take calculated risks, and constantly reinvent yourself
- A “peek” into the fast-evolving tech space
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
What is the ONE thing that could help you realize your most audacious goals? If you want your life to get better and better, you can’t do it without integrity.
But, what does integrity really mean?
In the simplest terms, integrity means that you are honoring your word. However, in today’s show, Chris and Patrick share a more thoughtful and detailed definition of “integrity”:
Doing what to do, doing it as was meant to be done, and doing it on time.
Doing what others expect you to do, even when others don’t expect you to do it, and doing it on time.
Doing what you said you would do, and you do it on time.
If you sincerely strive to keep your integrity 100% of the time, the impact can be truly exponential. But it is not always possible to keep your word, especially when you take on something challenging.
So, what should you do when you falter and fail to keep your word?
Rather than sliding your failures under a rug, you need to own them – and hold yourself accountable. You need to be fully present to the impact that your actions are having.
Chris and Patrick also remind us why clear communication is important for preventing regular breaches of integrity. You will learn how setting clear ground rules can help you steer clear of conflict.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- Leading your life with integrity, and why it’s the one thing that can help you led a better life
- How clear communication can help you steer clear of conflict
- Holding yourself accountable for your actions, and being fully present to the impact of your actions
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Looking forward to the holidays? Planning on taking things easy as an eventful 2020 draws to a close?
While, it is natural to take things slow this time of the year, coming to a complete standstill is not really judicious. In today’s show, we reveal four simple but actionable tips to help you add value during your holidays.
From re-training your monkey mind to ensuring physical activity to keeping your gratitude and integrity intact, Chris has some practical wisdom to share with you today.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- Four Ways to add value during the holidays
- How to re-train your monkey mind
- Why all of us should practice gratitude
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
In today’s show, Chris reflects back on the incredible year that was 2020 and shares some of the BIGGEST lessons that the pandemic has taught him.
When adversity strikes, most people go into panic mode and switch off completely. However, if you can keep your sanity in these trying times, double-down, and pivot, you can catapult yourself miles ahead of the competition.
And that’s exactly what Chris and the entire Student Works team did.
When the competition was reeling in the aftermath of the outbreak, Chris and his team were working hard to replicate their recruitment and sales process by taking everything online.
And this paid off and how.
Going into the pandemic, Student Works was generating seasonal revenues of 10.5 million. Post-pandemic, revenues are expected to touch 18 million!
In today’s show, you will learn how to face life’s biggest challenges, flip them around, and mine gold.
Tune in to get inspired!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How the Student Works team protected and grew their business during the pandemic
- How to keep your sanity in the face of adversity
- How to take massive action and move forward with confidence
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Rebecca Friese, Managing Partner, Flyn Consulting, and author of the recently-released The Good Culture: The Leader's Guide to Creating a Workplace That Doesn't Suck.
We start this show with Rebecca sharing her interesting backstory.
Born and raised in Illinois, Rebecca chose Penn State to complete her college education. She made the most of this experience, and in this segment, she talks a great deal about how extra-curricular activities can truly set you up for success.
After graduation, Rebecca worked as a consultant with Anderson Consulting and Accenture.
In this next segment of the show, Rachel regales listeners by sharing her experiences and then talks a great deal about workplace culture and some of the issues that are plaguing us today.
Reluctance to give and accept constructive feedback is one of the main things that we talk about in today’s show.
When organizations are singularly focused on revenues and profits, workplace culture issues are often relegated to the backseat.
After all, if the consulting dollars are flowing in, why would you rock your ship by pulling up your “star consultant”?
But, are we really protecting our employees but not having this conversation? On the contrary, Rachel shares why we are, in fact, doing them the biggest disservice.
The innate need for people to work with purpose, autonomy, and mastery is another important theme that we talk about today.
As humans, we have an innate need to grow, develop, and continuously better ourselves. Can you expect to retain a gifted and hard-working employee if the workplace is devoid of the above three factors?
On a positive note, we talk about how our empathetic side has been brought to the fore in the wake of COVID.
We are sure you will enjoy today’s animated discussion.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How to give and receive constructive feedback
- How covid has brought our empathetic side to the fore at the workplace
- How happy, engaged, and connected people leads to a highly productive and effective work-force
- And so much more…
Resources
Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Looking for proven ways to scale up your business in these uncertain times?
In today’s show, we interview Marco Pimental who reveals how having internal systems in place can help you successfully acquire and manage businesses, even if they are vastly different in nature.
Growing up, Marco was curious and extremely enterprising. From working early mornings in a grocery store to running a car import business, Marco tried his hand at different ventures before he discovered Student Works.
Because of this student painting experience, early in his career, Marco realized that great structures and great relationships are the “secret sauce” that can skyrocket a business.
And, he poured his learnings into his new venture, GOYAdeal – a coupon service similar to Groupon. Though he did not make any significant gains when he exited this business after just thirteen whirlwind months, Marco considers this to be one of his best experiences ever.
In the year 2015, Marco ventured into the digital publishing space with Assembly, a business that was later amalgamed into Redbrick.
Discussing business strategy and growth in the last segment of the show, Marco shares how Redbrick has grown massively via the acquisition route over the past few years. Redbrick is the parent organization that owns Assembly, Shift, Rebase, and LeadPages.
You will learn what Redbrick looks for when evaluating a potential acquisition, and how they have been able to achieve operational synergies among their multiple businesses.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How a Student Works experience can equip you with foundational skillsets and fast-track your career
- Relying on internal structures for scale and growth
- How to drive operational synergies withing different group companies
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Monday Nov 30, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Nicky Billou, co-founder, The Million Dollar Clinic, and host, The Thought Leader Revolution Podcast.
We start this show with Nicky sharing his interesting backstory. Nicky was a great high school student but lost his focus somewhat when he entered university. However, hell-bent on doing well, Nicky surrounded himself with a great peer group – which pushed him to elevate his game.
Nicky ultimately ended up getting his Masters in business and international relations from Georgetown University.
After graduation, Nicky worked in the telecom and IT space for a while and did fairly well for himself. And then 9/11 happened.
JAWZ, his employer went belly up, and Nicky finally decided to say adieu to the corporate world and ventured out into fitness training.
The next segment of the show is particularly interesting as Nicky enthralls listeners with some great stories about how he managed to scale up his business.
Particularly, Nicky stresses a great deal on the importance of networking. As he rightly says, “Life is about putting yourself out there, and asking for what you want.”
Nicky’s networking skills and persistence paid off big time as he partnered up with Olympian Gold medallist Mark McKoy for Tranz4m, a revolutionary training system.
Nicky’s latest venture is The Million Dollar Clinic. With this new business, Nicky and his wife are helping clinics massively scale up their businesses in these challenging times.
Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an experienced one, you will certainly enjoy listening to this dynamic entrepreneur.
Tune in now!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- The importance of networking and why it is critical to put yourself out there
- How to pivot and thrive in challenging times
- How can clinics massively scale up their business in the wake of covid
- And so much more…
Resources
The Thought Leader Revolution Podcast
Finish Line Thinkingtm: How to Think and Win Like a Champion
Cathy Capitalist & Johnny Jobmaker: The Video Game Company
Thursday Nov 26, 2020
Thursday Nov 26, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews, Brett Bergmann, COO, Solar Panda.
Growing up, young Brett was totally confused by the myriad of options available in front of him. There were a whole bunch of ways he wanted to go, but he had little idea how to get there.
This is when the Student Works opportunity came knocking.
Running a painting business and managing a crew of people at a young age had a transformational impact on young Brett. Rather than looking at business through a dispassionate and practical lens, Brett realized that, at the end of the day, it was all about great people.
The important SUCCESS DRIVER in business was something so rudimentary yet often-ignored…a team of happy, productive people.
Other than learning these important, foundational skills, working at Student Works also helped Brett snag his first corporate job.
While working as a Students Painter, Brett took on a garage painting job for the CEO of McCain Foods. Impressed by his passion, collaborative approach, and leadership skills, he offered Brett his first job in corporate development at McCain.
Certainly, if you show up in a consistent and unique way, the opportunity will come knocking sooner or later…and when you least expect it.
After McCain Foods, Brett joined another iconic organization, General Mills as a marketing manager. Notably, Brett worked on some well-known brands like Nature’s Valley and Green Giant.
Lighting up 140,000 homes in Kenya
“I don’t have to worry about my kids coughing on kerosene fumes.”
Currently, Brett works as the COO of Solar Panda. Solar Panda sells solar kits in Africa – thus providing Kenyans with a much-needed and far healthier alternative to kerosene. Brett talks about their unique micro-financing structure which has made it possible to scale up their business in Africa.
In this segment of the show, Brett also talks about the different challenges of remotely managing their 198 people team in Kenya.
We also draw some interesting comparisons between working in start-ups and extremely large organizations.
If you thinking of switching over from a start-up to a large organization or vice-versa, this segment of the show will be particularly interesting to you!
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- Working in a large organization vs. start-up – a comparison
- How solar energy is proving to be an affordable solution for thousands in Africa
- Why great people are the most important success driver for any business
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Today’s show is a special one as we have some of our top operators joining us to discuss the power of accountability, integrity, and a clean and healthy environment.
Maddie, a student from the University of Western Ontario grew her first business by 300%. Adam just graduated from the program after doing well over a quarter-million dollars worth of business. And John, our top operator from the West Coast did $750,000 worth of business last year.
These are only some of the exceptional individuals who in their early twenties handled multiple crews and tens of clients while overcoming some of the biggest challenges.
The virus outbreak, disgruntled suppliers, angsty clients, demanding school schedules…our top Student Work operators have managed to put up a stellar show inspite of all this.
So, what is their “secret sauce”? The reason behind their incredible feat?
“What shows up in one area of life shows up in another area of life.”
In today’s show, some of our top operators share how being a part of the Student Work ecosphere allowed them to lean on proven structures – which eventually resulted in accountability and unflinching integrity.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- The power of accountability, integrity, and a clean and healthy environment.
- How cultivating structures and good habits can help you
- How a Student Works experience allows you to hone critical and foundational skillsets
- And so much more...
Resources
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Paul Flick, CEO, 360 Degree Painting, and Premium Services Brand. 360 Degree Painting is a painting franchise company whereas Premium Services Brand offers multiple services in the home services space.
Paul worked with Student Works as a district manager and operator in the late 1980s.
In the first segment of the show, Paul recalls his life as a teenager. Like many of us, Paul struggled to define his life’s course. Additionally, he shares that his introverted nature prevented him from realizing his full potential.
Paul stayed with Student Works for two summers. During this time, he helped open up a new division in Michigan and Ohio. Listeners will learn how Paul’s Student Works stint helped him come out of his shell – and how he learned some important lessons in leadership and conflict management which created a strong foundation for his career.
After Student Works, Paul decided to go the corporate route as he took up a position in the sales and logistics department at Coca Cola, Ontario. Here, Paul draws some interesting parallels between Coca Cola and Student Works.
Specifically, at Coca Cola, Paul learned the importance of creating structures to manage a business. Contrary to the popular misconception, listeners will learn how rigid structures, in fact, allow you to work with greater freedom.
After four smooth years at Coca Cola, Paul finally decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge and moved base to the United States to kickstart 360 Degree Painting. 360 Degree Painting is a franchise painting operation with a business model somewhat similar to Student Works.
In this part of the show, Paul also talks a great deal about how he managed to keep his business afloat during the 2008 economic crisis, and he goes on to share some of the most important lessons that he learned from this brutal experience.
Listeners will also learn about the immense potential of the multi-billion-dollar home-services industry – that is to date, fragmented, and still dominated by mom and pop stores.
Other topics discussed today are the importance of investing in the right people and infrastructure, and what it takes to run a successful franchise operation.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- A “peek” into the home-services industry
- How to survive massive economic downturns
- How business structures allow you to work with greater freedom
- How to run a successful franchise operation
- And so much more…
Resources