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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 Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Bruce Hodges, a seasoned entrepreneur and corporate leader with a remarkable career journey. Bruce shares his early experiences in the banking industry, leading to a pivotal role in the dot com era, where he successfully navigated the challenges and opportunities of a startup. He then transitioned into a 20-year tenure in the insurance industry, holding key positions like CIO, COO, and CEO in various global companies across Asia, Europe, and North America. Bruce's return to Canada marked a new phase in his career, driven by personal and family reasons, leading him to start Parachute, an innovative business aimed at transforming the predatory lending space.
Throughout the episode, Bruce explores the intricate details of his vast international experience, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making. He candidly discusses the pivotal moments in his career, including his decision to leave the corporate world and the challenges he faced. Bruce's journey is a testament to the value of resilience and adaptability in leadership, as he navigated diverse cultural and business environments, successfully leading teams and driving change in every role he undertook.
In the latter part of the episode, Bruce focuses on his latest venture, Parachute. He explains its mission to disrupt the predatory lending industry by offering financial care to those in need. Drawing on his personal experience with bankruptcy, Bruce emphasizes the significance of ethical business practices and the impact of financial decisions. His story is not only about professional success but also about personal growth, learning from failures, and using one's experiences to create positive change in the world.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- How Bruce transitioned from the banking sector to the .com industry, and eventually to significant roles in the insurance industry across the globe.
- Bruce's experiences in leading diverse teams across various countries.
- Bruce's personal story of facing and overcoming adversity, including a challenging phase of bankruptcy.
- The importance of ethics in business decisions, as well as strategies for navigating the complex world of business while maintaining integrity and ethical standards.
- How resilience and adaptability have been key to Bruce’s success, especially in dynamic and challenging environments.
- The creation of 'Parachute', a venture aimed at transforming the predatory lending industry, and how personal experiences can lead to impactful business ideas.
- The balance of risk-taking and opportunity-seizing in startups.
- How continuous learning and improvement have played a role in Bruce’s career.
- The importance of communication and negotiation skills in business success.
- And so much more…
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris sits down with Keenan Taylor, who discusses his decision to take a year off between his third and fourth year of university to explore the workforce and travel. Currently in Halifax, he's been job hunting while enjoying travelling around Nova Scotia in an RV. They discuss Keenan's achievements in business, sales, and leadership skill, while he reflects on the importance of taking a break and the hard work he put into his studies and other activities.
Keenan shares insights from his experience in the Student Works program, highlighting the importance of time management, delegation, and leveraging teamwork for business growth. He contrasts his first and second years in the program, particularly the role of marketing, team management, and the power of networking. Chris and Keenan also discuss the challenges of balancing school with business responsibilities, especially during COVID-19, and how online classes helped him better manage his time.
Finally, Keenan and Chris talk about the critical aspects of entrepreneurship, such as self-care to avoid burnout, the necessity of grit and determination, and the value of taking calculated risks. Keenan stresses the importance of networking with other entrepreneurs for personal and professional growth.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The value of taking breaks for personal development and clarity.
- Keenan's transition from typical student jobs to running a successful business, and the importance of seizing opportunities.
- The challenges he's faced on his journey, such as adapting to sales and marketing, managing a business during COVID-19, delegation and time management.
- How skills such as assertiveness, effective communication, and confidence have become vital in Keenan's personal and professional life.
- The importance of networking with other entrepreneurs and maintaining those relationships post-program, and how they contribute to ongoing success and growth.
- And so much more…
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris chats with Jason Reid, characterized as a people-builder rather than a conventional CEO, as he shares his entrepreneurial philosophy. Jason was on the show back in the fall of 2019, and since then has taken on new ventures - with Mark Moses no less - and seen massive success - he now runs a $200 million dollar business. During the episode, he emphasizes the importance of genuinely caring for and developing people, believing that personal growth leads to overall business growth. His approach to leadership is devoid of ego-driven titles, focusing instead on constructive influence and personal development. His principle is simple: individual growth fosters collective success, with the company flourishing as its people thrive.
Jason recounts his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the transition from student painting businesses to running a tech company and then National Services Group. He candidly discusses his encounters with failures, considering them as crucial learning experiences. Jason stresses that entrepreneurial success is not a linear path but a mix of setbacks and victories. He values these failures for the lessons they impart, which have been instrumental in his current successes.
Jason also offers advice to future leaders. He warns against chasing entrepreneurial trends that ignore fundamental business principles, like profitability. He emphasizes the importance of building businesses that are financially sound and customer-focused. His insights are a call to aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on creating value and sustainable business models, rather than merely pursuing high valuations or trendy business ideas.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Jason's focus on personal development and constructive influence rather than traditional, title-driven leadership.
- His transition from managing student painting businesses to tech companies and eventually the National Services Group.
- The importance of embracing failures as learning opportunities, and the non-linear nature of entrepreneurial success.
- Why entrepreneurs must avoid chasing fleeting entrepreneurial trends at the expense of fundamental business principles.
- And so much more…
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris chats with Kaleb O'Very, the rookie operator of the year for window cleaning, illustrating a meteoric rise from $100,000 in 2017 to $7 million in current annual revenue. They discuss the growth and development of new operators, skill sets, and operational strategies within the program. Kaleb exemplifies the essence of this success through a remarkable turnaround, from a slow start to securing a top position by the season's end, demonstrating hard work and adaptability, particularly in the latter half of the season.
Kaleb shares his story, starting from a position of uncertainty about his career path, inspired by his manager friend, Riley Campbell, who was already part of the Student Works Management Program. This experience sparked Kaleb's ambition to dive into the business world, and despite a challenging start, including dealing with poor weather and fluctuating crews, his perseverance paid off. He delves into the transformative nature of the program, highlighting the shift from knocking on doors to closing sales, and the initial difficulty in tasks like cold calling that eventually led to significant sales growth.
Kaleb outlines his ambitious plans for the upcoming season, aiming to hit half a million dollars in sales and build a substantial team to achieve this goal. He stresses the importance of early recruiting, planning to conduct numerous interviews to avoid the previous year's slow start. He reflects on the competitive nature of the business, the driving force behind his push for excellence, and concludes with a message for potential entrepreneurs. He assures them that while the journey is tough, it's achievable with hard work and determination, and ultimately, it's about helping others succeed which, in turn, leads to personal victory.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The program's expansion from $100,000 in 2017 to $7 million in current revenue.
- Kaleb's success through a significant turnaround and excelling in the latter part of the season.
- How he was inspired to join the business by his manager friend Riley Campbell.
- How early challenges such as inclement weather and crew changes led to mastering the sales process, moving from door-to-door marketing to successful closing.
- Kaleb's ambitious target of $500,000 in sales for the upcoming season.
- And so much more…
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson has a follow-up discussion with a leader he first met back in September of 2019 - Jamie Lee Bongard. They explore Jamie Lee's amazing journey through the world of real estate investing and its unique financial benefits. They delve into the BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), and show how it can serve as a financial piggy bank, allowing entrepreneurs to reap the benefits of real estate investments and create a passive income stream for their future.
Jamie Lee offers insights into her career path where, at a mere 17 years of age, sought opportunities beyond the classroom. Driven by a passion for leadership and challenges, she shares her experiences as part of Student Works, offering invaluable insights on how formative habits like door-knocking, recruiting, and budgeting played a pivotal role in her success.
They also do a deep dive into the innovative business model of Keller Williams Realty, shedding light on its unique features, such as the cap model, profit-sharing, and Keller Williams Cares. You'll discover how technology and training are transforming the real estate industry, along with the significance of nurturing win-win relationships in business endeavors. This fascinating discussion serves as a testament to the power of personal growth and building a thriving business.
Enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- Jamie Lee's career progress with Student Works, from franchisee to district manager, as well as the excitement of seeing former team members succeed.
- How Student Works influenced her personal investment decisions, such as selling her investment property in London and investing in Beijing.
- How selling 33 homes in her first year earned her a Rookie of the Year award.
- Keller Williams' unique business model that rewards agents for helping grow the business.
- How Keller Williams is enhancing its student leadership program and giving back to the community.
- And so much more…
Resources:
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson interviews James Ward, a remarkable window cleaning operator who's not only the fifth-ranked rookie at Student Works, but has also achieved an impressive $110,000 in business. James' journey is truly inspiring, and he has earned the title of "most improved rookie."
James shares his entrepreneurial journey and how Student Works gave him the opportunity to develop his entrepreneurial skills and find a meaningful purpose in life. James talks about his first summer experience, highlighting the challenges and learning curve during the pre-season while managing his studies at Western University and his business in Mississauga.
He also talks about his early challenges with quote conversion rates and how improving his phone call strategy led to improved sales performance. James reflects on his initial expectations versus the reality of running a business during the summer.
Throughout the conversation, James delves into the key activities that contributed most to his success. He openly discusses the setbacks he encountered, highlighting the valuable leadership, delegation, and time management lessons learned along the way.
Finally, James shares invaluable insights, strategies, and lessons learned throughout his summer, driving his business from $40,000 to $110,000. Listen now and enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- James’ background before becoming an operator.
- Creating a well-structured calendar.
- The importance of a solid phone call in securing a job.
- The concept of the pre-close strategy.
- The importance of a proactive preseason recruiting approach.
- Continuous marketing efforts even during the peak season.
- Two key habits that have been instrumental in his success.
- James' definition of a leader of tomorrow.
- And so much more…
Resources:
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
In this show, Chris interviews, Steve Frook, Head of Business Development in Curinos. In this show, Steve reveals some excellent sales Tips & Tricks which will allow you to deliver maximum possible value, ensure customer satisfaction, and thus, evolve it into a true sales champion.
This show starts off with Steve recalling his life before Student Works. Always a hard-working individual, Steve displayed an entrepreneurial drive even in his teenage years. So, what was Steve’s biggest frustration while growing up? Steve discusses a quandary that is common to many of us – the struggle to find the best opportunity. When presented with numerous choices, how do you weigh the pros & cons to select the best option for you and your family?
Next, Steve gives us a “peek” into his Student Works experience. As a top performer for Student Works in Ottawa, Steve picked up some crucial work skills that are holding him in good stead to date. In this segment of the show, you will learn the importance of cultivating a disciplined work ethic. Steve stresses the importance of utilizing time-blocking for enhancing productivity.
After his Student Works stint, Steve moved to Washington DC to work with a small 12-person software company, Autoscribe. In spite of having the opportunity to work with bigger companies, Steve chose growth and learning over stability and predictability. Learn how Steve’s gamble paid off big-time as Autoscribe grew to a 50-people strong company in a very short time.
After this successful adventure, Steve moved back to Toronto to work with a car wash franchise. A starkly different but invaluable experience, this exposure made Steve realize that hustle is the key to success in competitive businesses. Bitten by the franchise bug, Steve almost decided dabble in this business himself. Eventually, why did he take up a sales position with a startup company, Ethoca Limited instead? This segment of the show will be particularly interesting to folks who prone to making irrational and harmful career decisions. You will learn how Ethoca offered a revolutionary and disruptive technology that went a long way in preventing fraudulent banking transactions.
After Ethoca Limited, Steve transitioned to selling high ticket banking products with Nomis Solutions. Nomis makes Pricing and Profitability Management Suites that cater to complex banking needs. After a 4 years stint with Nomis, Steve ended up as VP Sales with Horizn Inc. Steve shares how Horizn Inc. has grown its client base from 2 banks to 15 in just 2 and a half years. How has Steve managed to successfully sell these highly complex banking products to sophisticated organizations? We discuss the importance of creating a “challenger persona” to provide maximum possible value.
Towards the end, Steve shares some crucial attributes that truly define a “Leader of Tomorrow”.
Tune in for some excellent nuggets!
What You Will Discover In This Episode:
- How to make rational and correct career decisions
- The many advantages of working in a small and growing organization
- How to understand the customer psyche, deliver value and make complex sales
- How can you become a “Leader of Tomorrow”?
Resources:
The Challenger Sale: How To Take Control of the Customer Conversation
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson engages in an insightful conversation with James Bradfield, a former top-performing rookie under the Student Works program. James Bradfield has achieved remarkable success: He was named Operator of the Year, generated more than $220,000 in revenue and built a team of leaders. Now he's taken on a new role as a business coach.
In this episode, James shares his journey into business leadership, the challenges he faced, and the strategies that contributed to the growth and success of his cleaning business. After graduating from the University of Carleton with a degree in engineering, James shares his decision to put his engineering career on hold in favor of leadership, coaching, and entrepreneurship.
James reflects on his challenges and setbacks, especially his experiences in his first year of production.
He also highlights how these challenges served as valuable learning opportunities, ultimately contributing to his improvement in subsequent years. James shares his experience of building deeper relationships with his team members in the current year. He emphasizes the need for accountability and a proactive mindset.
Finally, James expresses his gratitude to everyone in the program.
Tune in to hear James' inspiring journey and insights. Listen now and enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- James’ background before joining the program.
- His first summer in the program and the two key lessons he learned.
- Balancing business and demanding academics.
- What motivated James to explore coaching and entrepreneurship further?
- The value of team success in entrepreneurship.
- Team energy, accountability, and mindset.
- Essential habits you might want to adopt from James.
- James’ thoughts on what makes a true leader of tomorrow.
- And so much more…
Resources:
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson interviews Michael Davidson, one of our remarkable alumni, who has made incredible progress in our program since his appearance on the podcast in April 2019. He is a dynamic individual who has already become a millionaire and is on the verge of launching a $2 million real estate project.
Michael has spent the last decade delving into personal development, gaining wisdom, and authoring a book that encompasses various aspects of life, including mental, physical, familial, social, vocational, financial, and spiritual areas. In this episode, he shares his insights and strategies for self-improvement.
You will find out how Michael transformed his physical health, from being significantly overweight to achieving his fitness goals. He discusses the importance of setting measurable goals and crafting action plans to achieve them.
Michael also touches on the significance of understanding one's values, auditing relationships, and surrounding oneself with people who inspire growth. He emphasizes the importance of knowing and accepting your own values and respecting others' values as well.
Furthermore, Michael dives into the concept of personality types, highlighting how understanding different personality traits can lead to more effective interactions and collaborations.
Lastly, he encourages our leaders to listen to their inner voice and align their actions with their highest self, emphasizing the role of intuition in leading a fulfilling life.
Listen now and enjoy!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The incredible progress Michael Davidson has made in the last four and a half years
- The importance of focusing on various aspects of personal development
- Michael's journey to physical and mental transformation
- The significance of fact-based knowledge in personal growth
- Michael's commitment to completing his book and the lessons learned.
- The role of relationships in personal development
- Understanding personality types and their impact on relationships
- The value of staying aligned with your highest self
- And so much more…
Resources:
027 | Michael Davidson | How Student Works Helped Me Land A Six Figure Corporate Job
Book:
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson interviews Kellie Karim, one of our extraordinary leaders who has now transitioned into a coaching role within our program.
Kellie will delve into her remarkable journey, starting as a Mexico operator, where her earnings skyrocketed from over $90,000 in her first year to an impressive $150,000 this year. She will explore the pivotal distinctions that propelled her from her initial year to her second, with a particular emphasis on the art of recruiting and team building.
During this episode, she will also share her innovative approach to the recruitment process, which includes conducting enlightening info sessions and leveraging the power of reverse selling to assemble an exceptional team.
Listeners will discover how Kellie managed the demanding workload of a full-time biology program at the University of Waterloo while successfully running her business, and how this experience honed her time management skills.
Moreover, Kellie will discuss her deep passion for leadership and coaching, and how this passion has shaped her future career aspirations. Her insights on leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth will leave you inspired.
So, tune in now and immerse yourself in this enriching conversation!
What You Will Learn In This Show:
- The importance of meticulous time management and the significance of setting high standards
- Strategies for creating a winning team culture that thrives on excellence
- How Kellie masterfully balanced her rigorous academic commitments with her entrepreneurial journey
- The career-enhancing slingshot effect of participating in the Student Works Management Program
- The immeasurable value of being present and having an exceptional memory for small but meaningful details in leadership
- And so much more…
Resources: