Shawn engages in a dynamic conversation with Doug Lipp the man responsible for running Disney University and launching Tokyo Disney.   Doug's wisdom from inside one of the most creative, customer centric companies of our era will provide valuable lessons for all entrepreneurs.

Owners Circle

Disney’s Doug Lipp - Imagineering Your Company

We get the skinny on how Serfas Farms has evolved over the past three generations.  Kevin Serfas shares his thoughts on the future of farming and gives some background into the rationale for their newest project, a 40,000 head feedlot in Southern Alberta that opened earlier this year.

Kevin Serfas - Don’t Be Afraid to Change

Find out how entrepreneur Joelle Faulkner of Area One Farms is partnering with medium size farm operations to ramp up their growth.  See why her investors take an uncommonly patient and long term approach that gives her a unique edge in agriculture.

Joelle Faulkner - The Friendly Farming Financier

Ken Hitchcock, the third-winningest coach in NHL history shares his valuable experiences having coached the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and most recently the Edmonton Oilers. Hitch shares lessons he learned from other sports including NFL football coach Andy Reid and Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony Larussa. In this episode, Ken reveals how you know when you have a winning team, what it takes to motivate the players, and one of his top coaching decisions he made the year Dallas won the Stanley Cup.

Edmonton Oilers Ken Hitchcock - Who You Are Matters More Than The Style You Play

In 1993, Keith moved his family to Lethbridge to start a new adventure; owning and operating the local Humpty’s Family Restaurant. Years later, Keith and his family are still providing customers with excellent food and exceptional service. Last March, COVID-19 forced them, like many businesses, to adapt. A shift in their marketing allowed them to continue playing an important role (while different) within the community. Join us as Keith shares how him and his family faced COVID-19 head-on and explore the factors that are helping them get through this turbulent past year. Key Highlights in this Podcast Keith shares his thoughts on what it’s like to own a true family run business (3:10) How COVID-19 impacted Keith and his family’s business (4:00) How a shift in marketing impacted the business (5:14) Customer loyalty is attributed to great staff and personal relationships (7:24) What it takes to keep skilled staff in a high-turnover industry (10:17) Keith and his wife share different traits that make them work well as a team (11:30) What the future holds for the family business (13:16) Keith’s experience with minor hockey (14:57) How skills gained during hockey have helped Keith in the restaurant industry (16:54) 18:09 Random Rapid Fire Response Book Recommendation: They Call Me Coach by John Wooden https://www.facebook.com/LethbridgeHumptys/ 

Keith Hitchcock - Breakfast With a Side of Loyalty

As a fourth generation owner of Lethbridge Ironworks, Dylan Davies watched his grandfather, and then was mentored and able to work closely with his father and uncle as they transitioned leadership responsibility to him.  Dylan began his career at Lethbridge Ironworks very young, cutting the grass during the summer months and then gaining hands on experience by working part time within the foundry by age 14.   Today, Dylan has surrounded himself with a strong team and is honoured to work alongside such a loyal and hard working group of employees.  Join us as we explore the Iron Works story of the past, present and future.Key Highlights in this Podcast Dylan’s family’s history with Lethbridge Ironworks goes back to the 1930s (1:35) What has changed for foundries in the last 100 years (2:29) Focusing on the company’s future is why Lethbridge Ironworks has thrived over the years (5:05) Dylan shares memories of family mentorship and leadership (6:30)  Dylan describes the combination of how his polar opposite uncle and dad worked so well together (7:28) Lean manufacturing and how it’s impacted Lethbridge Ironworks (9:52) Dylan lists what the company is focused on to satisfy customers (12:25) The future for Lethbridge Ironworks (13:38) Dylan describes the “brotherhood” (19:11) Random Rapid Fire Response (20:47) https://www.lethiron.com/ Book Recommendation: Traction by Gino Wickman

Dylan Davies - An Iron Clad Family Business Established in 1898

Even when he began building his new business in the basement of his home, Kim Moody always dressed for success.  Kim doesn’t just stand out due to his sense of style. Today, with over 25 years of experience, Kim not only has a thriving business but is highly sought-out by clients. Chief Executive Officer of Moodys Tax and author of Making Life Less Taxing, Kim knows a thing or two about tax and estate planning, entrepreneurship and what it takes to survive the current economy.Join us as Kim shares the lessons he’s learned working with high-profile entrepreneurs (including pro-athletes) and how the Kolbe A Index helped him find his longest-standing employee and one of the greatest contributors to his success.Key Highlights in this Podcast Kim started his business back in 1994 in the basement of his home (2:14) Mentors who have contributed to Kim’s success along the way (3:22) Some of the misconceptions around high-level tax planning (5:24) Kim shares his conversation with Pierre Poilievre, a Canadian Member of Parliament and finance critic (9:53) The common traits of successful entrepreneurs (12:03) Kim’s advice to new entrepreneurs (13:27) How Strategic Coach has impacted Kim approach to unique challenges facing entrepreneurs (14:19) Kim shares what it’s like working with professional athletes (19:17) Rapid Fire Response (20:30)  

Kim Moody - The Entrepreneurs Advocate

From South Africa, Moulaye knew what it looked like to have nothing. Loving soccer, he always felt that he would remain loyal to the sport, that is, until he was introduced to basketball. However, as he grew into a young teenager, he wasn’t able to purchase a pair of size 13 shoes in his town, let alone play professional basketball. That is, until he met Greg Winston.  Join us as Moulaye shares his journey of leaving South Africa, becoming an NCAA athlete, and leaving his career in basketball to begin working in finance.  Key Highlights in this Podcast Reveal of who introduced Moulaye to basketball (4:26) How Moulaye gained the opportunity to come to the United States from South Africa (6:20) How Greg Winston, retired professional basketball player, had a profound impact on Moulaye (8:00) How leaving South Africa to learn and playing basketball in the US impacted Moulaye (11:30)  Recruited by Kansas Jayhawks in his senior year (12:44)  What it’s like playing for respectable and highly notable coaches and leaders (14:07) Moulaye shares values that he gained while playing under Roy Williams and Bill Self (16:03) How an injury affected Moulaye’s basketball career (18:34) Why academics became so important to Moulaye (23:41) Advice Moulaye has for other children in similar situations (25:00) Random Rapid Fire (26:51) 

Moulaye Niang - From No Shoes to the NCAA

While Jeff and his partner were working as nutritional consultants, they noticed a very specific need that their customers had, which wasn’t being filled within the industry. After reading the book Blue Ocean Strategy, Jeff began to understand how the feed industry was locked into repeating the same process, rather than innovating - opening the opportunity to start a company More Than Just Feed in “open waters.”  Join us as Jeff shares how he took the leap from a safe career to an opportunity that would forever change the feed industry. Key Highlights in this Podcast The story behind More Than Just Feed (1:18) Jeff shares the challenges that he and his partner encountered when starting the company (4:25) What it took for Jeff to take the leap as an entrepreneur (6:20) The biggest challenge that Jeff overcame(9:40) Consolidation with the industry being nimble to meet customer needs (10:36) Jeff explains why they recently underwent a name and brand update (12:23) Advice that Jeff would give his younger self about taking the leap (13:58) Random Rapid Fire (15:48) 

Jeff Nielsen - Breaking the Mold Within the Feed Industry

Having worked for Reebok in his early career, Justin demonstrated the drive that it took to grow within the industry. However, when Adidas took over Reebok in 2006, Justin found himself laid off and at a crossroads in his career. Seeing the slide market share increasing, Justin came up with the concept of ISlide, a company that allows customers to customize slides, to provide more meaning to their footwear. He is now the founder and CEO of a multimillion dollar company. Join us as Justin shares his journey from Reebok to ISlide and how he turned a layoff into an opportunity to change his life, and his career, for the better. Key Highlights in this Podcast How Justin began within the footwear industry (1:44)   Justin’s entrepreneurship journey began when Adidas took over Reebok (3:25) As a startup, Justin quickly learned how to be resourceful (4:39) Justin shares how he competes in the current market (6:08) ‘Stand In What You Stand For’ and how ISlide has so many influencers wearing their products (7:31) How Justin developed the concept of ISlide (10:06) Advice Justin has for budding entrepreneurs (11:34) Justin shares his nonprofit which has used basketball to bring connection and health practices to children (15:10) Rapid Fire (18:05) 

Justin Kittredge - Leveraging a Layoff Into a Celebrity Brand

A live interview with Mike Davis of the Davis Auto Group from the 2020 Tiffin Agricultural Conference.     In this episode, we talk about: A fire in Fort MacLeod brought Mike’s dad John home to start their entry into the auto business. The dynamic of working in the family business motivated Mike to work hard and ensure he wasn’t labelled the “entitled dealers son” All the brothers worked for many years in the business until they became managers and eventually shareholders Entry into other businesses varied from necessity to finding a great business partner who wanted to stay involved and grow with a like minded partner All the businesses have a partner or a future intent of having a owner on the ground in each community they operate. The groups 4 core values are teamwork - family - integrity - community  Central services looks after all the accounting, IT, call center and HR/payroll for all the separate entities Dad’s mentor style was to lead by example and do what is right all the time, correction came if you strayed from the core values. Mike got paid a fair salary for the work he did in the company which as value he hopes to pass down to his kids of the 4th generation It wasn’t about drawing dividends, it was an intentional decision to take out less so they could grow and acquire more businesses over the years Do something you love and you’ll never be clock watcher https://www.davisautogroup.ca/ Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com  

Mike Davis - A Fire Ignited This Great Family Business Founded On Integrity And Community

In this episode we sit down with Lynn Thacker of LTAC Farms, a specialty crop producer from Bow Island, Alberta In this episode, we talk about:  Lynn’s business partner and wife Ute Thacker’s impact and role as such an integral part of their operation The evolution of pivot irrigation and how that allowed their farm to grow more innovative crops The Canadian Wheat board’s monopoly and how it forced farmers to diversify into other crops to avoid their stifling regulation Lynn’s dad George encouraged Lynn and his brothers to experiment and take some creative chances over the years Specialty crops demand quality Research about the negative effects of fossil fuels impact on climate change needs to be scrutinized and verified against it’s source Science isn’t done through consensus, many of the world’s best scientist’s like Albert Einstein had consensus against them in the past Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

Lynn Thacker - Two Scientists Farming With Inspiration From The Crusades

This episode we turn the microphone on Canada's leading Agriculture expert Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture.com. In this episode, we talk about:  Picture Butte, Alberta’s unique and competitive landscape of corporate farming Themes of the best managed farms: Clear division of responsibilities Clear communication of strategy and operational direction Not crossing the line of Business vs. Family Ignore tendencies to compare by respecting and trusting each other Off-farm spouses need to remain informed and in “the circle” Love of the land makes succession and transitions tricky Communication can’t just be what people want to hear Bringing RealAg radio from a hobby to a leading resource for farmers Anne Wasko who is a leading cattle analyst and who took a chance on Shaun in the early days Three types of people Shaun interviews Enjoying the process of the grind and travel The phobia of staying informed The “Moneyball” moment is coming to the farm Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

Shaun Haney - From Feedlot Alley To The Studios Of Nashville

This episode we sit down with Stuart Johnson; past automotive dealership owner in Brooks Alberta. In this episode we talk about: Best part of being in business; great customers and friendships with employees Economies of scale: Combining Chevrolet & GM dealerships to fuel growth. HR and personnel issues being the toughest part of the industry Benefits and challenges of being part of a franchise "Go to work to work" The donut shop deal in Vauxhall Missing the great customers but really remembering the difficult ones A different type of social life in retirement Easy to turn over the financial reins due to a lack of interest Companies tend to take on the personality of their founders. Make sure to subscribe to our podcast to not miss out on upcoming episodes. For more information or to contact us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

Stuart Johnson - Go To Work To Work

This episode we sat down with Adam Legge; author of the book Making Remarkable. In this episode we talk about: The book: The 5 Temptations of a CEO by Patrick Lenceoni. Choosing Likeability vs. Accountability Purpose, People, Platform Brand is the bedrock of your company Millenials are just another version of the hippy boomer generation Social Disruption via income inequality - Silicone Valley vs. average worker Unemployment disruption as technology replaces many jobs of today via artificial intelligence and automation Is this time really different? - Global phenomenon of displacement The horse & Carriage analogy - Cars replaced horses and put them out to pasture. What could do the same to humans? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to not miss out on upcoming episodes. To contact us or for more information about us, visit: www.hasswealth.com 

Adam Legge - Humans Are The New Horses

Owner's Circle is dedicated to telling the stories of great family-owned businesses. This fun and informative interview-style podcast gives you a peek behind the scenes into a variety of interesting business stories from sectors including retail, agriculture, manufacturing and beyond. These entrepreneurs and leaders share with our listeners the key lessons and insights they have learnt over their careers. Industry experts also make an appearance to share collective intelligence gathered in working with these family-owned businesses.

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Owners Circle

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