Amplify Your Business

Amplify Your Business: Talking the Tok, Walking the Walk

For Episode 127 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Michelle Daides—CEO of MD Media.
At a time when more people than ever have access to high-quality cameras, microphones, and editing tools, how can companies compete for user attention and drive sales through video marketing? We thought we at Amplomedia knew what we were talking about until Daides walked us through what a lifelong career in the video marketing industry looks like. We’re very proud of this collaborative conversation—there’s still a lot to learn!
 
0:00 - Intro
1:11 - The beginning of MD Media
4:12 - The state of video marketing
8:07 - Providing coaching for the camera
16:57 - Trends in video marketing
23:53 - Video marketing and Tik Tok
28:50 - What would you do differently?
31:31 - Managing the entrepreneur's lifestyle
35:22 - Lance's definition of success
38:32 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Smart Devices for Smarter Players

For Episode 126 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Zach Hodder—Founder of Calgary-based Harpia.
 
The story of Harpia is one of meeting what you need with what you have. As any rural hockey enthusiast can attest to, finding qualified coaching costs more than just the time on the ice—it takes transport costs, logistics, and lodging. But when that’s what it takes to get ahead in the game, how can families get ahead on a budget? Hodder looked to technology (specifically smartphones) as a vehicle for personalized training, analytics, and off-ice coaching on a family-friendly budget. Talk about a hat trick!
 
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - How did Harpia start, and what problem is it solving?
5:35 - Using smart devices for smart training
8:15 - Expanding services in the early stages
10:41 - Learnings from The Alberta Catalyzer Program
15:02 - Surrounding yourself with advisors
18:38 - What would you do differently?
21:05 - The best resources for entrepreneurs
27:24 - Knowing when to admit your mistakes
30:56 - Big things happening at Harpia
34:17 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Moving Out & Moving Up

For Episode 125 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Tarek Hossain of Double Space.Moving companies are nothing new, but with that comes scams, unfair contracts, and what feels like limited options. Combine that with booking elevators, coordinating friends and family, and increasing gas costs, and you have conditions for a dissatisfied market. That’s where Double Space does something different—transparency, compassion, and customer focus.
 
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - What is Double Space?
6:01 - Developing a new approach to an old industry
10:28 - Navigating change in a growing business
12:19 - If you had $1 million starting your business, what would you do differently?
14:43 - Starting a business in an unfamiliar industry
21:41 - Generating  customers as a new business
25:05 - Advice to new entrepreneurs
32:23 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Cleaning Up The Cannabis Industry

For Episode 124 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Eric Velez-Chula and Justin John of The Woods Cannabis.
 
Like any other hobby, you get what you put into it. For The Woods and their journey from cleaning chemical manufacturers to cannabis retailers, that meant analyzing the consumer journey from the standpoint of elevating everyday habits into healthier rituals. It’s even better when you get to do it with your best friend—it doesn’t hurt when they’re a chemical engineer, either!
0:00 - Intro
4:17 - How did The Woods get started?
8:36 - Creating a great retail experience
14:44 - Marketing a cannabis store
17:26 - Managing the competition
22:05 - Profit sharing in a retail business
28:35 - What would The Woods do differently?
30:57 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Elevating, Inspiring, and Automating

For Episode 123 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Ally Stone—founder & CEO of The Inspired Leader.
 
Elevating leadership is an intensely personal journey—it involves amplifying the best traits of yourself and silencing all the doubts that might hold you (and your team) back. In “inspiring” you to find the upwards trajectory that’s latent in anyone, Stone’s work inside the hospitality industry and beyond speaks to how much we can accomplish when we let our strengths speak for us—as today’s episode will show you through so many light and dark turns.
 
0:00 - Intro
1:13 - Starting an entrepreneurial journey
3:48 - Building a brand as a franchisee
6:23 - Running a successful franchise
9:28 - Giving back to the community
14:19 - Managing relationships in a family business
23:04 - Entrepreneurship as a woman
30:24 - What is The Inspired Leader?
34:52 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: A Little Off The Top

For Episode 122 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Danielle Cherewyk—Founder & CEO of The Headroom.
 
As a second-generation stylist who loves both the hands-on aspects of the job and the gloves-off side of business ownership, Cherewk’s story takes some interesting turns. Instead of hearing about hair spray and toner, we’re going to be talking about shares, employee buy-ins, and the complexity of retaining great hires for life. Not because Lance is bald, but because it’s more interesting. We promise.
 
0:00 - Intro
1:52 - What is The Headroom?
3:40 - What makes The Headroom unique?
6:04 - Employee ownership at The Headroom
16:35 - Lessons in employee ownership
19:26 - Clockworking your business
25:34 - Finding business efficiencies
28:19 - Implementing a new methodology
32:21 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Riding Out The Green Wave

For Episode 121  of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Keenan Pascal—CEO and Founder of Token Naturals.
Don’t be fooled by the steady tone of voice and authoritative understanding of the cannabis space. Keenan Pascal is still very much eyeing the future eagerly as Token Naturals expands, pivots, and continually shifts to meet ever-changing market demands. From bitters to cannabis to whatever else Edmonton needs, this smart group of even smarter owners are helping businesses across Canada take their products from idea to the commercial stage.
 
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - What is Token Naturals?
4:00 - Drawing on past experience
8:54 - Using an advisory board
10:51 - Realizing new opportunity
14:09 - Refining your processes
16:27 - Navigating cannabis regulation
18:53 - Growing a product offering
23:54 - Learning from your mistakes

Amplify Your Business: Your Virtual Budtender

For Episode 120 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Peter Kasper —Founder & CEO of Terpli.Biochemistry is complex—what isn’t is your own sense of “yuck” or “yum.” That’s the simplicity behind Terpli and their AI-driven cannabis database. Users can input desired traits, reviews, and any other considerations they have towards their cannabis choices and Tepli will scan the market using their E-commerce tools to find you the perfect fit. We’ll be blunt—this is pretty neat stuff. We hope you enjoy the story!
 
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - What is Terpli?
1:38 - Navigating complex regulations
4:35 - Finding opportunity in uncertain times
9:48 - Every startup has its challenges
14:52 - Securing the right financing
18:23 - Building (and using) an advisory board
22:00 - Effectively transitioning a business model
29:29 - Bringing Terpli to Canada/Outro