This Professional Life

From Employee to Entrepreneur: How Mike Mack Built an 18-Year Coaching Business

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:30:00 GMT

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Mike Mack, founder of X5 Management, to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons of building a successful executive coaching and training business over nearly two decades.

We talk about:

•How Mike made the leap from a corporate job to entrepreneurship

•Scaling from a solo consultant to a thriving 9-person team

•Why resilience is the most critical trait for any entrepreneur

•Client growth tips and relationship-building strategies that work

•The importance of saying “no” to the wrong opportunities

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Mastering Relationship Building in Sales & Business

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:23:11 GMT

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where networking often happens through clicks and likes, the art of genuine relationship building is more critical than ever. Yet, in business development and sales, it’s becoming a lost skill.

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Steve Elliott, a business development guru who has mastered the long game of authentic connections. Steve shares his secrets on:

How to build trust quickly in a fast-moving digital landscape
The long-term habits that keep you top-of-mind in your industry
Why face-to-face relationships still matter in B2B sales
The power of follow-ups, personal touchpoints, and remembering key details

Whether you’re an aspiring sales professional or a seasoned business developer, this conversation is packed with strategies to help you build and maintain high-value professional relationships.

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Building Authentic Personal Brands in 2025 with Kelly Kennedy

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Kelly Kennedy, founder of Capital Business Development and host of the successful Business Development Podcast. We'll explore the evolving landscape of personal branding as we head into 2025.

Kelly shares his journey from reluctant car salesman to influential business development expert, discussing how authenticity, vulnerability, and strategic relationship-building were key to his success. We chat about the power of personal branding, the challenges of content creation, and how to stand out in an AI-saturated world by embracing genuine human connection.

Kelly's insights on leveraging LinkedIn, balancing authenticity with professionalism, and sustaining long-term content strategies will inspire and empower you to build a brand that truly resonates.

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Serial Entrepreneur: We All Have What It Takes to Succeed. Just Find The Friction.

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:00:05 GMT

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Chad Jenkins, a successful entrepreneur who has started and grown over 35 businesses. Chad shares his journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a leader in business innovation and collaboration. Learn how Chad leveraged his curiosity to create value, the lessons he learned from early ventures, and why collaboration is key to overcoming obstacles. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Chad’s insights on business growth, innovation, and mindset will inspire you to take your business to the next level.

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Artificial Intelligence - the narratives we are not talking about

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:30:28 GMT

In this episode of "This Professional Life", we dive into the overlooked dimensions of artificial intelligence, where we explore the hidden layers of AI's impact on society, regulations, and environmental concerns. We attempt to uncover the intricate web of artificial intelligence beyond its technological marvels, focusing on the pressing need for comprehensive AI regulation, the environmental footprint of AI related computing centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and the profound implications of data usage and privacy. This episode sheds light on the critical conversations we need to have about AI's role in our future, urging a balanced approach to its development and application.

Thank you to Daniel Stanley of Future Narratives Labs futurenarrativeslab.org and

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation for commissioning the article from Dan https://www.jrf.org.uk/ai-for-public-good/what-we-dont-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-ai

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The Bold Ones: Shawn Kanungo's Roadmap for Innovation and Disruption

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:30:04 GMT

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the mind of Shawn Kanungo, a master strategist, author of "The Bold Ones", and innovation expert. Shawn shares his insights on how to emulate the disruptive tactics of history's most influential figures, from Drake to Elon Musk, and apply them to your own business endeavors. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to shake up your industry or an intrapreneur aiming to innovate from within, this conversation is packed with actionable advice, personal anecdotes from Shawn's journey, and a roadmap for creating your own disruption.

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Building a Successful Professional Practice - From Rural Roots to Corporate Law Success

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:00:03 GMT

I sat down with Leah Tolton, an accomplished lawyer, entrepreneur, and Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), as she shared her unique journey from a rural upbringing to a thriving legal career. In this episode, Leah delves into the challenges and rewards of corporate law, the significance of building strong professional relationships, and the importance of lifelong learning. Her experiences in navigating family-run businesses, managing high-profile clients, and balancing personal and professional growth offer valuable lessons for professionals like lawyers, accountants, and financial planners. Gather insights, practical advice, and inspiration for professionals looking to advance their careers and grow their practice.

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Building a Personal Brand within the Larger Organizational Brand

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:00:36 GMT

In this episode of This Professional Life Podcast, host Chris Yeung interviews Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta and co-founder of The Mythifying Brand, about personal branding. They discuss how personal brands intersect with corporate brands, why organizations should encourage employees to develop their personal brands, strategies for building your brand within a company, using social media and websites for branding, and myths around personal branding. Lynette shares insights from her experience and a new podcast focused on helping people create an authentic personal brand aligned with their purpose and values. Key topics covered include aligning your brand with company culture, telling compelling stories on social media, practicing self-reflection to uncover your "why", and embracing all aspects of your identity in your brand.

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Lynette Tremblay | Success in Economic Development and Attracting Business Investment

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:30:14 GMT

Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta, shares insights on economic development strategies for cities, states, and countries looking to attract business investment. In this episode, we chat about a few topics:

The importance of talent attraction and retention policies that focus on company culture and values rather than treating people like commodities
Diversifying Alberta's energy sector into renewable energy, clean tech, hydrogen, carbon capture, and critical minerals
Leveraging Alberta's expertise in sustainable resource development to provide emissions reduction solutions globally
Ag tech innovations happening in Alberta like meat packaging technology to keep meat fresh for 2 years and plant-based proteins
The concept of circular economy and the symbiotic relationships between companies reusing each other's waste and byproducts
The value of targeted strategic partnerships that align with a region's authentic strengths and specializations
Cool innovations Lynette has seen like stingless bees, mushroom protein mimicking meat, and unexpected partnerships between Alberta and Brazil
The need for better storytelling to inspire youth, retain talent, and shift outdated perceptions of Alberta

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Alberta's Booming Tech Sector - The Making of Canada's Silicon Valley

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:55:50 GMT

Join me on This Professional Life's Season 3 Episode 1 podcast as I explore Alberta's emerging tech scene and its rapid transformation from an energy-focused province to a global tech hub. With a forecasted $20 billion spend on digital transformation by 2024, record-breaking venture capital investments, and cities like Edmonton leading in AI research, Alberta is on the tech world's radar. I invited special guest Michael Grantmyre of Oslers, a national law firm in Canada, to share his perspectives and insights on this maturing tech industry in Alberta. Michael is a Partner at Oslers and leads their emerging growth and technology practice group in Alberta. He is often on the front lines helping entrepreneurs turn their visions into commercial reality.

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Crypto Lawyer: Cryptocurrency, Technology, and The Law

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:00:00 GMT

In today's episode, we sit down with Matthew Burgoyne, Partner at law firm Oslers, and co-lead of their digital assets and blockchain practice group. We chat all things law and crypto related, as well as their office's newly built SkyHub, an incubator type space for their startup clients.

As we plunge into the middle of 2023, the world of cryptocurrency is experiencing several intriguing trends. One of the most significant is the increasing institutional acceptance of digital assets, with an influx of major corporations, banks, and even countries integrating cryptocurrency into their operations. Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, is another hotspot, revolutionizing traditional financial systems by enabling peer-to-peer transactions and eliminating the need for intermediaries. With NFTs (Non-fungible tokens), we are seeing an unprecedented melding of the arts and digital finance, creating a whole new avenue for artists and creators to monetize their work. Finally, amidst the rising concern for the environmental impact of crypto mining, "green cryptos" have surged to the forefront, pushing for sustainable solutions in blockchain technologies. These trends signal not only the maturation of the crypto space, but also the increasing interplay between cryptocurrencies and the broader socio-economic landscape.

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From Passion to Entrepreneurship: CEO of an Award Winning Marketing Agency

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:41:55 GMT

RJ Cui grew up in an Asian family household where career choices like film and media were often frowned upon. Traditional careers like medicine, dentistry, and law were more in line with expectations from a generation of parents where status and higher education took priority over passion. None the less, RJ found a way to harness his creativity and channel his passion for music and film production into a successful media production company.

On this episode of This Professional Life, we chat with RJ Cui, CEO of PlanIt Sound, a media production company in Edmonton, AB, Canada, about his journey to success and his insights into the future of media production. PlanIt Sound has created amazing marketing campaigns for an impressive list of clients. Most recently, he was part of the production team working with ESPN on a documentary about a basketball team bringing together the world’s best Indian-origin players to compete in ESPN's TBT basketball tournament.

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The Journey to Building a Film and Music Production Company

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 12:45:02 GMT

Ian Bennett is the co-founder and co-owner of Lifted, a video and music production company in Colorado that he runs with his wife to create brand films and online marketing campaigns for small and medium sized businesses. Growing up, Ian was always surrounded by family and other friends that were very business oriented and he points to that as influencing his decision to be an entrepreneur. One of his first jobs was in sales, and he credits some of his earlier experience with giving him the confidence and skill set to strike out on his own.

The episode dives into the journey of how Ian and his wife started Lifted, including the mindset he has developed to drive his success forward. Ian also shares some of his insights into the future of digital content production in the face of growing AI tools in the industry.

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Building a SUCCESSFUL Accounting Firm

Tue, 23 May 2023 12:45:21 GMT

Step inside the world of Timothy Wingate Jr, a highly esteemed accountant and business owner from West Palm Beach, Florida, in our latest This Professional Life podcast interview. Timothy generously shares his journey in building a thriving accounting firm and how he continues to navigate the challenging waters of financial management.

Timothy Wingate Jr.'s firm, services a diverse range of clients, is recognized for its excellence and unwavering commitment to financial integrity in the construction industry in West Palm Beach, Florida. This video offers an exclusive look into Timothy's unique approach to accountancy that has contributed to his firm's robust growth.

We did this interview not just for aspiring accountants; but for anyone seeking to understand the importance of mindset, learning from different perspectives, and the approach to niching down your business focus to amplify success. Timothy discusses the nuances of accounting and reveals his recipe for building a successful accounting firm.

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What is the business development role - a chat with a BD professional

Tue, 16 May 2023 13:32:18 GMT

Join us on This Professional Life Podcast episode 12 as we dive deep into the world of business development. This episode is for entrepreneurs, executives and business professionals who are looking for better ways to leverage business development professionals to scale their businesses and outpace the competition.

We sit down with Angelo Talamayan, Senior Business Development Manager at MNP, one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in Canada. Angelo chats about some of his best practices, as well as some of the successful initiatives he has launched at MNP that has led to revenue growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and expanding MNP's market share.

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Cryptocurrency and the Law

Mon, 08 May 2023 12:45:23 GMT

Explore the dynamic world of cryptocurrency with our latest YouTube video and podcast on This Professional Life. We sit down with Sam Gabor, Counsel at Gowlings (one of the oldest and largest law firms in Canada) to dive into the current industry landscape, the evolving legal system, and the ever-changing regulatory landscape of cryptocurrency. Discover how authorities are adapting to crypto investments and crypto exchanges, and what the future holds for this decentralized currency marketplace.

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The power of corporate learning and development: Insights from a top consultant

Tue, 02 May 2023 15:13:01 GMT

Welcome to our latest podcast episode featuring a conversation with expert learning consultant Tiana Fech. We sit down with Tiana to talk about the corporate learning, development and training industry. We explore the current state of corporate learning and provide insights into the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic industry.

With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way we work, organizations are looking to upskill and reskill their workforce to stay competitive in today's fast-paced business environment. Tiana shares her expertise on how to create a successful learning and development strategy that aligns with your organization's goals and objectives. Most importantly, how the learning experience ultimately revolves around people. This concept is built on the idea of relationship centred approach to learning development.

If you are a corporate executive or business professional looking to improve your organization's learning and development strategy, then this video podcast episode is on you don't want to miss. Join us as we dive deep into the corporate learning and development, and provide valuable insights to help you keep the people in your organization motivated and engaged.

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Unlock the Secret to Success: A Look at the Entrepreneurial and Business Development Mindset

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:00:17 GMT

Business success is not just about having a great idea; it's also about having the ability to execute that idea. Execution is at the core of every successful business venture, and having an entrepreneurial mindset can be a major advantage when it comes to putting your plans into action. An entrepreneurial mindset will enable you to manage resources more effectively, identify potential risks and opportunities, and stay focused on achieving your goals.

In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Colin Harms, owner of Hypervac and leader at Sothebys in Southern Alberta, to talk about his career and business success. This video takes clips from our full podcast episode and distills it down to Colin's formula for success

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The TikTok Ban Just Got REAL: Is TikTok DOOMED?

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 12:00:47 GMT

Are you worried about the potential ban of TikTok? In this episode of Coffee Break we'll discuss what a ban would look like and how it could affect users. We'll also explore what current TikTok users should consider from a business perspective in case the app gets banned. Don't miss out on this vital information; listen to this episode now to stay informed!

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Customer Experience Matters: Growing Your Business with Great Customer Experience

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 14:48:09 GMT

Customer experience is essential for business growth and revenue generation in today’s fast-paced market. It is a critical component of any successful organization, as it drives customer loyalty, increases revenues, and builds long-term business sustainability. In a world where customers can easily switch to other services, companies must strive to create an exemplary customer experience that keeps customers coming back.

Creating an exceptional customer experience involves understanding the needs of the target audience and addressing those needs. Companies should focus on using various channels to provide the best service possible including personalized emails, voice calls, video conferencing, live chat support, etc. A seamless and consistent customer journey across all channels helps build trust with customers and encourages them to purchase again in the future. Additionally, providing quality products at competitive prices can also help increase sales as customers will be more likely to recommend your services when they are satisfied with their purchase.

In this podcast episode of Coffee Break, we talk about why customer experience is essential in today’s world, how it impacts your bottom line, and what strategies you can use to make sure customers are getting the best possible experience. We discuss customer experience competition and dive into the necessities of prioritizing customer satisfaction.

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High achiever mindset: journey of a financial investment professional

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 23:43:11 GMT

A high achiever is defined as someone who outperforms the average person in their field. Pretty simple and straightforward, and a characteristic that many want. But wanting to be one and actually becoming one are two very different things, and some people never manage to bridge the gap.

We invited our friend Crystal Kelly to join the podcast to talk about her journey through the financial investment profession. More so, we wanted to find out more about her mindset and how she has approached both her career and life, despite early childhood trauma.

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Web3 Explained: and What Business Professionals Need to Prepare For

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:10:09 GMT

Web3 is a new way of building applications and conducting business using blockchain technology under the concept of decentralizing data. But what does it really mean for business professionals? In this podcast video, we'll explain the basics of Web3 and how it can be used to create smart contracts, create secure transactions, and much more. We'll also provide some insights and ideas on how business professionals could potentially leverage Web3 and blockchain to transform the way the work in collaborative environments.

The third generation of the World Wide Web is known as Web3, and its goal is to focus on decentralizing the way we handle data. Web3 is based on technologies like peer-to-peer networking and the blockchain. In contrast to the present web technologies, which is governed by a small number of big tech companies that have built significant influence in the world. Some contend that Web3 will give users more security, privacy, and control. While others believe Web3 will only be used by a very niche segment of the world wide web user base.

Professional services companies will need to be aware of and consider the full scope of Web3. Even if there aren't immediate use cases for Web3 in professional services firms, it does have the power to completely alter how their clients conduct business. How it affects their clients may come in Web3 technology's ability to be utilized to develop safe and open supply chain systems, speed up legal procedures, and enhance data management.

Visit our website: www.convosmedia.co

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ChatGPT - are professionals getting replaced by AI?

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 21:19:25 GMT

Are you curious about the future of work? Will AI-powered chatbot technology replace professionals in the near future? In this podcast, we will explore whether ChatGPT is capable of replacing humans and ask – is it a threat or an opportunity for us? We dive into how ChatGPT works, its potential implications for the workforce, and what kind of jobs may be impacted. Don't miss out on this podcast episode to find out if ChatGPT will truly revolutionize professional roles!

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Lawyer shares how she GETS CLIENTS and GROWS her business

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:30:30 GMT

Staying relevant and getting clients in the business world is essential for success. In this podcast episode, we sit down with Heather Barnhouse, Partner at Dentons (world's largest law firm) to discuss how she builds and maintains her business by understanding and anticipating client needs. You'll learn how she uses content marketing such as podcasting to remain top of mind, proactively identify new opportunities, engaging with customers on social media platforms, and leveraging public speaking opportunities.

Heather Barnhouse: https://www.dentons.com/en/heather-barnhouse

Heather Barnhouse podcast: https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/podcasts/women-in-leadership-and-entrepreneurship

Convos Media: https://www.convosmedia.co

Full video podcast: https://youtu.be/EEF4dwpEFeI

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FTX COLLAPSE…where were the financial experts?

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 18:47:02 GMT

At this point, we all know where things are at for FTX and its embattled founder Sam Bankman-Fried. In this podcast episode, I wanted to focus on the topic of the financial experts and accounts on both the FTX side and the ones representing the large institutions that invested significant dollars into FTX. How could, seemingly sophisticated and normally risk averse financial professionals, miss the red flags about FTX and what does this mean for potential regulatory changes, if any.

We are passionate about helping business professionals and entrepreneurs grow their business. Check us out at https://www.convosmedia.co

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Sam Bankman-Fried FIRED by his lawyers

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 21:07:31 GMT

The news just keeps getting worse for Sam Bankman-Fried after the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Last Friday, Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyer, Paul Weiss, announced that, due to conflicts of interest, he has stopped representing SBF, the troubled cryptocurrency magnate. In today’s podcast, we focus on the topic of lawyers firing their clients and whether they have a legal obligation to continue representing their clients no matter what.

We are passionate about helping business professionals and entrepreneurs grow their business. Check us out at https://www.convosmedia.co

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