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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
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Darius Mirshahzadeh, Former President, The Money Source Inc and host, The Greatness Machine. Darius, a core value evangelist shares his life story and reveals some of the most critical business lessons that he has learned from his successes and failures.
Growing up, Darius was extremely money-motivated. So much so that he considered dropping out of college so that he could enter the business world. At his parent’s prodding, Darius rushed through college and managed to graduate in just three years.
On graduation, Darius partnered up with his twin brother to form Twin Capital Mortgage in 2003. Twin Capital Mortgage was in the sub-prime lending business, and the Mirshahzadeh brothers managed to scale up the business ten-fold to 10-million by 2006.
On the face of it, while the business was immensely successful, Darius shares that they had a tough time managing this stupendous growth. The brothers were constantly in fire-fighting mode. And, things only worsened as their employee headcount touched 150 by 2006.
The sub-prime bubble burst in 2008.
And Darius lost everything he had earned and more. Employee headcount shrunk to just 10 and Darius was in consolidation mode for the next 5 years.
Here, Darius shares some of the biggest takeaways that he learned from this experience. Specifically, for someone like him who believes in doing business with utmost integrity,
Darius took all these learnings and poured them into his next organization, The Money Source. Listeners will learn how Darius managed to avoid the mistakes that he made the first time round and scale-up The Money Source to a 1000-person organization without any “growing pains”.
In this segment of the show, Darius shares a five-step process for coming up with rock-solid organizational core values. Listeners will learn how core values can become an organization’s ultimate decision-making tool and increase performance levels across the board.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How core values can help you scale and grow your business to another level
- A five-step process for coming up with aligned organizational core values
- How core values can help you facilitate tough but necessary business decisions
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Corey Bullock, Sale Enablement Specialist at Intuit.
Growing up, Corey was frustrated with his lack of clarity. While there are some of us who are absolutely certain about what they plan to do professionally, Corey wasn’t one of them. Rather, Corey chalked out this professional path through the rather painful process of elimination.
In the next segment of the show, Corey shares some of the biggest lessons he learned at Student Works. Particularly, he talks a great deal about building credibility and trust. A simple thing like punctuality can go a long way in making people realize that they can always depend on you.
Here, Chris and Corey also talk about the Four Referability Habits which are deeply ingrained in every Student Works graduate.
At Wilfrid Laurier, Corey got the opportunity to co-op at Solowave Design Inc. and then at American Express.
Corey’s stint at Solowave was somewhat of a bittersweet experience. While he learned a lot, first as a sales rep and later on as an eCommerce manager, he eventually realized that working in a commoditized industry could not help him realize his growth ambitions.
Corey made the conscious decision of switching over to the accounting software firm, Intuit, Inc. Listeners will get a peek into Corey’s work life. Topics discussed in this show include overcoming your resistance to change, and how a customer-centric approach can help sales professionals protect their livelihood inspite of more sophisticated automation.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How to build professional credibility within your organization
- How CRM’s can help drive business efficiencies
- How can salespeople pivot, survive, and thrive inspite of automation
- And so much more…
Resources
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Today’s show is a special one as Chris interviews Gary Mottershead, President, and Founder, GCP Industrial Products and Facilitator at Dan Sullivan’s Strategic coach.
Gary always had a big work engine. As a teenager, he ran a newspaper business and displayed ingenuity by making deliveries in a motorboat.
However, inspite of this, Gary did not take the entrepreneurial route from the get-go but worked with Dupont for 8 long years after graduation. Next, Gary went to work for his friend in the cleaning and chemical business which as he puts it was an “unmitigated disaster”.
His friend decided to sell the business, and Gary decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge in 1989 when the economy was going through a steep downturn. On top of it, Gary had just become a father and was also taking care of his terminally ill mother.
This new venture, Recovery Technologies Inc. was in the business of recycling tires. Gary had to deal with numerous challenges here as well, and he sold this business in 1998.
Success had still eluded him. But as Gary puts it, “You have to make a choice and then live with the consequences”. Certainly, if you can’t stomach all the ups and downs, you are not cut out for entrepreneurship.
Fast forward, twenty years later, GCP Industrial Products is leading from the front as they adopt new ways of doing business with Chinese suppliers.
Gary talks a great deal about his role as a facilitator at Dan Sullivan’s, Strategic Coach as well.
Topics discussed in today’s show include the importance of cultivating gratitude, how systems and processes build confidence, the importance of working smart instead of working hard, and much, much more…
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How persistence always pays off in the long run
- Importance of systems and process for managing and scaling up a business
- How to enhance your creativity and overall work efficiency
- How to maintain momentum in the face of an unprecedented event
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Evan Wailoo. Currently, Evan works with Autodesk in their AEC department. Prior to this, he has worked with technology behemoths, Apple, and Microsoft.
Evan interned with Student Works nearly 30 years back. Evan shares that he was an average kid but extremely money-motivated. So, this drive helped him run a large and successful painting business inspite of the fact that he did not have a car and had to commute by bus.
In this segment of the show, listeners will learn how Student Works taught Evan how to deal with tough people and tough situations.
After Student Works, Evan made the conscious decisions of working with large, strong but extremely innovative brands. Here, Chris and Evan discuss why it is important to work in a growing industry as opposed to a commoditized industry.
Evan kickstarted his professional journey by taking up a job at Autodesk. He worked in their movie software division for six years before moving on to Apple.
In the next segment of the show, Evan delights listeners with some delightful anecdotes about the work culture at Apple. Evan joined Apple in 2010 when Steve Jobs was in the process of passing on the baton to Tim Cook. Evan makes an interesting comparison between the starkly different workstyles of these two business leaders.
After Apple, Evan joined Microsoft for another extremely rewarding stint. Here, he talks about Microsoft’s initial struggles when they made their initial foray into consumer hardware.
Currently, Evan is back at Autodesk. And this time, he is working in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) division. In this segment of the show, Evan shares how COVID has given a big push to automation in the notoriously slow construction industry.
Other topics discussed in this show include the importance of a great work ethic for finding success in the professional world and the perks of working in a results economy.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- The perks of working in a results economy
- How COVID has given a push to automation in the construction industry
- How the work culture at Apple has improved after Tim Cook took over
- Why you should always look to create value instead of working in a commoditized industry
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Monday Nov 02, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Michael Glinter, professional leadership, staffing, and career consultant. Since 1999, Michael has placed thousands of employees across the globe. In today’s show, listeners will get a peek into the playbook of elite recruiters like Michael and learn how the staffing industry as a whole operates.
After graduation, Michael started working at Coca Cola but was quick to realize that he was not cut out to work in a traditional, conservative setting.
This is when the opportunity to work in the staffing industry came knocking on Michael’s door. Initially, Michael was reluctant to leave his cushy job to work on a 100% commission. However, his parents gave him the much-needed push and Michael took the leap.
9 months after getting hired, Michael became the top recruiter in his firm – a position that he held for 21 straight years.
Recently, Michael has decided to quit his job to venture out on his own.
So, what makes Michael tick? What are some of the reasons behind his incredible success?
One theme that we touch upon is the need to take calculated risks. Especially, when you are young and have fewer responsibilities, you can experiment and venture out in less-tested waters.
Listeners will also learn how they can create a successful side hustle, and slowly but surely turn it into their main hustle.
Towards the end, Michael has some great advice for young entrepreneurs and professionals. One thing that Michael has learned the hard way is the importance of maintaining relationships. So, if you have burnt some bridges on your way to success, this segment of the show will interest you greatly.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How to build up a powerful presence on LinkedIn
- How to create a successful side hustle
- The many benefits of working in a results economy
- Importance of maintaining relationships
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Frank Gairdner, an entrepreneur with a diverse path.
Frank worked with Student Works back in 2004-2005 while he was getting his arts degree at Western. He went on to get his Masters in Philosophy from Queen’s. Frank has worked in industries ranging from documentary filmmaking to carbon-fiber boats.
Frank reveals that one reason for his success is his arts background. In this segment of the show, listeners will learn how a generalist background can help you hone your soft skills.
Frank has an extremely interesting and inspiring work portfolio. After completing his graduation, Frank joined inMotive as a Business Development Manager. As one of the first employees, Frank worked with the President to attract capital and manage product development to help build the world’s first mechanical variable speed drive.
After this stint, Frank co-founded TriggerTech. TriggerTech developed a patented system for crossbows and firearms and quickly became one of the more respected brands in the industry.
From the sporting and hunting industry he joined up as CEO with Carbon Marine to get their business off the ground. Carbon Marine is a manufacturer of carbon-fiber powerboats.
Using his experiences gained in manufacturing metal and composite products, Frank has now co-founded Bridge. Bridge is a hand built carbon fiber bicycle frame company that will be the only local manufacturer of its kind in Canada.
Other topics discussed in this show include the importance of working on your business as opposed to working in the business, the importance of mentorship, how to scale up your business from a start-up phase, and so much more…
We hope you enjoy this show.
What You Will Learn In This Show
- Getting going even if you feel “product-agnostic” and find success in a wide range of fields
- How a generalist background can help you as an entrepreneur
- Importance of working on your business as opposed to working in the business
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Devon Thomson, district manager, Student Works. Devon shares some of the most important lessons that he has learned over the past seven years at Student Works. He reveals how he has honed some foundational skillsets which have firmly entrenched him on the path of rapid growth and success.
We start this show with Devon sharing his interesting backstory.
Even before Student Works, Devon led from the front while participating in various school activities. Additionally, he used to work at the golf course to make ends meet.
In spite of all this, Devon shares that he had little idea regarding all the professional possibilities and life beyond school.
When Devon joined Student Works at the age of 17, he was raw and unorganized. However, he started to hone some foundational and critical skill-sets as he started managing his painting business.
In his first year at Student Works, Devon’s painting business touched $100,000 in revenues. Currently, as a district manager, Devon and his team of student painters are running a business projected to touch revenues of $2 million!
What are some of the biggest challenges that Devon faced as he went on to manage larger businesses year-on-year? And, how did he overcome them? Devon has learned many valuable lessons in his seven years with Student Works.
And perhaps, the importance of structures in professional life is the most critical lesson that Devon has learned over the past 7 years.
Devon also shares how a proactive approach and collaboration helped the Student Works community meet the challenge brought on by COVID. He reveals how the Student Works team altered their sales playbook so that they could continue to conduct business as before in spite of the challenging scenario.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How a Student Works stint can equip you with foundational and critical skillsets
- How collaboration and a proactive approach is helping the Student Works community meet the challenge of COVID head-on
- Why structures are necessary to perform at a high level in your professional life
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews Nelkas Kwemo. Nelkas shares some of the biggest life lessons that he has learned as an elite athlete. You will also learn why he calls Student Works his “most brutal experience” ever.
We start this show with Nelkas sharing his interesting backstory. An elite athlete, Nelkas is a professional linebacker for Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Additionally, he has also played for the Queen’s Gaels from 2014 to 2017.
Growing up, Nelkas shares that his biggest frustration was his lack of purpose. Here, we have an interesting discussion on the pitfalls of a traditional education system which does not allow students to get into exploratory mode and expand their horizons.
“I did not kill it in terms of sales. But I killed it in terms of experience.”
Next, Nelkas talks a bit about his Student Works experience. He regales listeners with some interesting anecdotes about how he went the extra mile and worked nights to meet a project deadline.
While you can earn a good amount of money over the summer, what is more important is that Student Works gives you an opportunity to develop some critical and foundational skillsets.
Towards the end, Nelkas has some great advice for folks who are on the verge of starting their professional lives. Specifically, we talk about the importance of developing a hardcore work ethic.
CFL is inactive at the moment due to COVID. Nelkas has put this downtime to good use by working as an equity analyst.
Other topics discussed in this segment of the show include the importance of building a powerful network, and how being coachable can take you forward.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How to pitch and sell to complete strangers
- Critical attributes of high-performers
- The many pitfalls of a traditional education
- And so much more…
Resources
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Today’s show is a special one as Mitchell Beinhaker slides into the interviewer’s seat and quizzes Chris about his business and passion, Student Works.
Student Works has a unique business model/ entrepreneurial program for high school students and college students where they can learn critical business skills at an extremely young age.
When eighteen-year old’s get the opportunity to run a large painting business, they can learn the entire gamut of skills ranging from hiring the right employee to financial management to production.
We start this show with Chris sharing how his association with Student Works started 35 years back. Back then, the business was known as “Student Painters”. Over the years, the business has evolved into a management program that attracts some of the best and the brightest who wish to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
So, how do Chris and the Student Works team ensure the success of their student painters? In this segment of the show, Chris first gives us a peek into the rigorous recruitment process.
Listeners will learn about some important attributes that ensure the success of students in the program. While this program is not for everybody, if you are the right fit, you can learn critical entrepreneurial skillsets that you would have otherwise learned at a far more advanced stage in your career.
In this segment of the show, you will also learn about the extensive training and mentorship that Student Works provides – and how they go all out to ensure your success.
Under Chris’s leadership, Student Works has managed to carve out a unique position in a highly commoditized industry.
While on the face of it, Student Works may seem like just another painting contractor, the reality is that their “people-centric” business model is focused on creating the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Tune in to this inspiring show now!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- Interesting details about Student Work’s unique entrepreneurial program
- How signing up for the Student Work’s program can allow high school students and college student to learn critical business skills at a very young age
- Do you have it in you to become a successful student painter?
- Why staying committed is the ONE thing that can help you find success
- And so much more…
Resources
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
In today’s show, Chris interviews William Chyz, Director, Asset Management, and Client Services at Westcourt Capital Corporation. William, a former student painter, currently helps HNI’s with their alternative investments.
We start this show with William sharing his backstory.
As a high school student, William did not have much idea about what he was going to do with his life. So, after working some odd jobs, when he joined Student Works, admittedly, he was quite naïve. But he learned the different nuances of managing a painting business in a very short time.
Specifically, as a student painter, William shares how he got a chance to hone his cold-calling skills. Going forward, this sales experience proved to be invaluable as William developed a thick skin and evolved into a more confident individual.
William graduated in 2009, at the height of the economic crisis. Despite all odds, he managed to get a job working at a trading desk at Scotiabank. In this segment of the show, William reminds listeners that while your first job may not always be glamorous, you have to go the extra mile to develop critical skill sets that can propel you ahead.
His next employment was with BNN (Business News Network). Working in media was an interesting experience for William, and this is where he met his future boss, the CEO of Westcourt Capital Corporation.
After working in extremely large organizations, William realized that in order to grow faster, he had to work in small and fast-growing organizations.
When William joined Westcourt, he was just the fifth employee on the roster. He made the decision to get back into the financial industry as he got an opportunity to work in the unique field of alternative investments.
In this next segment of the show, William gives us a peek into his professional life. William and his Westcourt team conduct due diligence for alternative investments and help HNI’s generate greater returns while mitigating risk. Here, William also shares how their investment portfolio has fared in the wake of COVID.
We hope you enjoy this show!
What You Will Learn In This Show
- How a Student Works experience can equip you with critical and transferable skillsets
- How alternative investments can mitigate risk and add value to your portfolio
- Impact of COVID on alternative investments
- And so much more…
Resources