Amplify Your Business

Amplify Your Business: Men Making A Difference

For Episode 131 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Dan Ferren of Ferren Coaching.
Male-minded coaching offers the clients of Ferren Coaching the ability to thrive where they may not have expected. This episode speaks uniquely to all business owners, people, and entrepreneurs who want to excel and find passion in their life. No one should be afraid of a helping hand, and with this honest look at what it takes to change the lives of others, Ferren paints a picture of mutual support (personal and professional) for a brighter future.
 
0:00 - Intro
1:21 - What is a men-only coaching business?
2:31 - An evolving practice
4:03 - Maintaining focus
6:58 - Channeling your struggles into work
9:18 - A different style to coaching
12:04 - Dealing with stereotypes
15:34 - Managing common struggles
21:30 - Opening up
25:43 - The role of a coach
27:51 - Setting the right price
31:30 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: Pinballs, Paddles, and Pints

For Episode 130 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by of Mathew Russel or Arkadium—a Sherwood Park-based retro arcade.Another in-person interview! This one is complimented by the whir of pinballs, the clack of retro joysticks, and families enjoying new and old pleasures. This is a short, sweet, and fun look at what it takes to bring your nostalgia into the present day with a forward-thinking business plan that connects newcomers, hobbyists, and the community with a lovingly restored slice of the past.
 
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - What is Arkadium?
2:25 - A unique arcade model
3:18 - The Arkadium Pinball League
5:23 - Getting Arkadium started
6:47 - The surprises of starting a new business
8:04 - The difference a million dollars can make
9:58 - Getting the word out
11:50 - The future for Arkadium
14:48 - Sussing out the competition
15:57 - Outro

Amplify Your Business: A Beaming Future

For Episode 128 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Kael Nicholson of Beamdog—an Edmonton-based video game development company.
In an industry that is fueled by large contracts, international companies, and complicated consumer marketing, sometimes it pays to be the underdog. Today we learned about how the creative and business challenges that go into a fantasy world can be even more pressing than the ones that face our listeners in seemingly “real” jobs. This is a very unique opportunity for our listeners to see the kind of labour and strategy that goes into an industry many overlook—we hope you enjoy the lessons as much as we did!
 
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - What is Beamdog?
2:49 - What it takes to publish a video game
7:55 - Managing long-term projects as a game developer
13:46 - How to navigate rapid growth
15:42 - Reinforcing company values
19:14 - Attracting top-quality talent
24:24 - Innovation vs. acquisition
26:48 - The future of Beamdog
33:05 - Outro

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