Summary

In this conversation, Shawn Miller, a CPA and professional in Alberta, shares his unique journey from growing up on a family farm to building a successful career in finance and consulting with Robert Half. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector, the importance of networking in consulting, and how his farming background has shaped his work ethic and approach to business. Shawn also elaborates on the services offered by Robert Half, including the growing trend of fractional CFOs and controllers, and emphasizes the value of proactive networking in achieving success in consulting.

Takeaways

• Shawn Miller has a rich background in both finance and agriculture.

• He transitioned from farming to a successful career in consulting.

• Robert Half offers a range of services, including senior consulting.

• The role of fractional CFOs is becoming increasingly important.

• Networking is crucial for success in the consulting field.

• Farming instilled a strong work ethic in Shawn Miller.

• Shawn emphasizes the importance of flexibility in consulting roles.

• He has a high success rate in client engagements.

• Understanding client needs is key to providing effective solutions.

• Shawn encourages hiring individuals with diverse backgrounds, like farm kids.

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Join Matt Calnan on "Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted" as he sits down with Scott King, a seasoned marketing and advertising executive with over 20 years of experience. Scott shares insights on "grudge purchases"—those things we have to buy but don't love to buy—and discusses how he uses emerging technology to make these necessary purchases more engaging and relatable. From his early days in programming to his work in digital marketing, Scott explains how understanding the needs of clients’ customers is the key to making any product interesting, even the most mundane.

Scott dives into the world of customer psychology and how marketing changed post-2020, with the shift to community-based digital spaces and an increased focus on data privacy. He also offers advice to young marketers on focusing less on tools and more on storytelling and creativity. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a seemingly dull product stand out or the best way to connect with customers authentically, this conversation is full of valuable takeaways.

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In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted, Matt Calnan welcomes Wendy Giuffre, a leading HR consultant and President of Wendy Ellen Inc., a consultancy dedicated to helping small to mid-size businesses navigate the complexities of human resources. With over 30 years of experience, Wendy provides insights into essential HR best practices for entrepreneurs, addressing the practical realities of managing people, policies, and compliance issues.

Wendy discusses her journey into HR, the challenges of maintaining HR functions across industries, and the art of building strong, trusting relationships with clients. This episode delves into the value of outsourced HR services, the evolution of HR roles in smaller companies, and offers valuable advice to business owners on fostering inclusive and productive workplace environments.

Guest Information:

• Wendy Giuffre is President and Principal Consultant at Wendy Ellen Inc., based in Western Canada, serving clients across North America. Wendy is also the co-author of The Only HR Best Practice You'll Ever Need.

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In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted with Matt Calnan, we dive into the world of sports, entrepreneurship, and community impact with the multi-talented Mark Payne. As a sports commentator, coffee entrepreneur, and media manager for the Maverick Elite Lacrosse Club, Mark shares his journey balancing these passions and his dedication to youth coaching and sports broadcasting.

Join us as Mark walks us through his diverse career, from working with the U18 AA Flames hockey team to establishing a unique place in the coffee industry. Discover the stories that shaped him—from calling national lacrosse games to collaborating with sports legends—and hear his insights on building resilience, mentorship, and finding motivation.

Key Takeaways:

• Mark’s pathway from sports fan to sports commentator, plus insights on the real-life dynamics behind the scenes.
• Lessons learned through coaching young athletes and navigating the fast-paced media landscape.
• How he grew his coffee business and his plans for a philanthropic coffee brand.
• Mark’s advice for aspiring broadcasters and young athletes, including how to maintain focus and stay motivated.

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In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted, Matt Calnan sits down with Kevin Gilbank, co-founder and executive leader at TERIC Power Ltd. Kevin shares his fascinating journey from his roots in Alberta's hydrocarbon projects to his current role at the forefront of energy storage innovation. As the energy industry evolves, Kevin and his team at TERIC Power Ltd are working to solve one of the most critical challenges: how to store renewable energy efficiently and affordably.

Kevin offers insights into the future of energy storage, the importance of grid reliability, and how TERIC Power Ltd is paving the way in Alberta with battery solutions. He also opens up about the formation of TERIC, his entrepreneurial mindset, and how his background in engineering and passion for problem-solving led him to the energy sector.

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In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted, Matt Calnan sits down with Albert Brier, Director of Project Controls for Dokainish & Company. With over 16 years of experience across various industries, Albert shares his journey from history teacher to leading large-scale projects valued at up to a billion dollars. He discusses the key components of project management, including cost management, risk analysis, scheduling, and stakeholder communication. Albert also dives into how project roles evolve with scale, the importance of project controls, and why it’s crucial for companies to ensure contractors are held accountable. Whether you’re interested in construction, IT, or project management, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Guest Bio: Albert Brier is the Director of Project Controls at Dokainish & Company. He specializes in cost management, risk analysis, scheduling, and stakeholder engagement. With a diverse background, starting as a history teacher, Albert has become an industry leader in managing billion-dollar projects across energy, mining, and construction sectors.

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In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted, Matt Calnan sits down with Jil Macdonald, the Chief Operating Officer of Walnut Insurance, to dive into the intersection of technology, innovation, and insurance. With a track record of digital transformation in industries like finance, energy, and insurance, Jil shares how embedded insurance is simplifying customer journeys in new and creative ways.

Throughout the episode, Jil discusses the exciting ways Walnut Insurance is leading the charge in embedded insurance programs, where consumers no longer need to spend hours filling out forms. From innovative partnerships with major brands to leveraging technology to make insurance seamless, Jil sheds light on a new way of doing business. She also opens up about her unique path—beginning in geophysics to leading in AI-driven product innovation—and how her adaptability and grit have been key to her success.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• How embedded insurance is changing the customer experience.
• The role of technology and AI in the future of insurance.
• Jil’s insights into overcoming challenges as a young leader in traditionally male-dominated industries.
• The importance of grit, flexibility, and staying true to your values in the professional world.

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Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Learn more and apply at https://beyondwealthpodcast.ca/guest

In this episode of Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted, host Matt Calnan chats with Scott Meyers, a finance expert with over 20 years of leadership experience across various industries. Scott discusses his journey from a career in manufacturing to his current role in cybersecurity with Pluriloc, a company focused on integrating acquisitions and achieving profitability.

Scott shares insights on adapting to different industries, his passion for "fixing broken toys" (troubleshooting business processes and finances), and his approach to rental real estate investment. Listeners will hear about Scott's experiences managing properties, how he balances personal interests like playing music, and his views on the differences between Canadian and U.S. business cultures.

Key Takeaways:

• Transitioning from traditional industries to tech and cybersecurity
• Navigating cross-border career moves and cultural differences
• Fixing broken business processes and improving financial systems
• Building wealth through rental real estate investments

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest!

Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Beyond Wealth: Success Unscripted" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Learn more and apply at https://beyondwealthpodcast.ca/guest