Informal Networking at Business Events

Paul and Kirill discussed their experiences at a recent small business event, where they both had meaningful conversations with attendees despite not attending as many presentations as they could have. Paul emphasized that the best connections often happen informally, outside of formal meetings, and encouraged Kirill to continue building relationships with the people he met at the event.

Podcast Strategy for Dual Businesses

Kirill discussed his two companies, one focused on corporate sustainability and the other on small business marketing. Paul advised Kirill to discuss both companies in the podcast, similar to talking about two children. Paul emphasized the importance of getting to know the person being interviewed and suggested focusing on personal stories and experiences. He also mentioned that the podcast serves as a call to action, so it's important to provide enough information to encourage listeners to reach out.

Ontario Small Business Podcast Plans

Paul and Kirill discussed the challenges and triumphs of running a small business, comparing it to an ongoing opera of trials and successes. They agreed to focus on sharing compelling stories of Ontario small business owners in their upcoming podcast, with Kirill set to introduce himself and share his experiences. 

Business Sustainability and Podcasting

Kirill Anikin introduced himself as the owner of Volterra Energy Marketplace and Anikin Technologies, companies focused on corporate sustainability and marketing for small to medium-sized businesses. Paul, who hosts a business podcast, invited Kirill to share his background and discuss his interest in being a storyteller for businesses. They briefly touched on Paul's experience with podcasting and his approach to overcoming challenges in the early stages of his podcasting career.

Kirill's Journey to Mortgage Success

Kirill shared his background, explaining that he was born in Kyrgyzstan and moved to Canada at the age of seven, where he grew up in Etobicoke. He discussed his journey from studying criminology to becoming a mortgage agent, inspired by a business teacher who offered him his first entrepreneurial experience. Kirill emphasized his stubborn nature and resilience, which have driven his business ventures, and he reflected on the importance of community and personal connections in his life.

Kirill's Journey in Sustainability

Kirill shared his career journey, highlighting how his experiences as a mortgage broker and his studies in policy and statistics shaped his approach to business and sustainability. He emphasized the importance of focusing on long-term impacts and making sustainable decisions, drawing from his background in finance and his understanding of the financial system. Kirill's experiences taught him the realities of entrepreneurship, including the pressure to generate income and the need for customer focus, which ultimately guided his transition into marketing and sustainability.

Embracing Diverse Business Conversations

Kirill and Paul discussed the importance of small businesses understanding their true nature and not limiting themselves to a single identity. Paul emphasized the value of having diverse conversations and being passionate about multiple interests, rather than focusing exclusively on business. He shared his experience in real estate, highlighting how engaging in various topics can lead to better connections and opportunities. Both agreed on the significance of being able to discuss a range of subjects to build stronger relationships and enhance business success.

Building Genuine Business Connections

Kirill shared his experience meeting a business owner at the Royal Winter Fair who introduced him to his innovative chicken fried ribs product. He emphasized the importance of building personal connections with clients through in-person meetings, which he believes is often overlooked in the current AI-driven business environment. Kirill highlighted that every business has a unique story and emphasized the value of listening to these stories to foster genuine relationships.

Empathy in Business Relationships

Paul and Kirill discussed the importance of empathy in business and client relationships. Kirill shared his experience in marketing and sustainability consulting, emphasizing the value of understanding clients' unique needs and challenges. They agreed on the power of building superfans through genuine connections and personal stories. Paul expressed interest in continuing the conversation with potential clients who listen to his podcast. They also discussed the potential for future podcast episodes and the importance of sharing content across different platforms.

Seizing Opportunities in Landscaping

Keith Wood, owner of KW Property Services, shared his journey from being raised in Bond, Ontario, to starting his landscaping business after a chance opportunity from his youth pastor. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, even if they are outside one's initial area of expertise. Paul highlighted the value of trades education and the need to encourage young people to explore career paths like landscaping, which Keith has successfully pursued through word-of-mouth and door-to-door marketing over the past 15 years.

Client Service and Professional Conduct

Paul and Keith discussed the importance of showing up early, being respectful, and leaving a job site cleaner than when they found it, emphasizing these qualities make a lasting impression on clients. Keith shared his process for meeting new clients, which begins with a phone call, followed by an in-person visit to assess the property and provide recommendations. He emphasized educating clients on proper maintenance and offering free advice to build long-term relationships. Paul highlighted the value of adding value to the job and treating clients with respect, which is a key focus of his podcast.

Plant Preservation Services Overview

Keith explained that he provides plant preservation services across the Greater Toronto Area, including areas as far east as Markham and as far west as Brampton, and is willing to travel outside these regions to assist clients. Paul commended Keith for his friendly and genuine approach to business, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this demeanor even under pressure.

Landscaping and Connection Podcast Discussion

Paul and Keith discussed the importance of landscaping for home value and first impressions, with Keith sharing his business contact information and experience. They agreed that the podcast episode would focus on Keith's personal story and building connections rather than a formal business pitch. Paul explained his approach to the podcast as casual "coffee talk" conversations, emphasizing authentic connections over formal presentations. The episode will be released by early next week, with Paul promising to notify Keith when it's ready.

Brad's Mortgage Agent Journey

Brad, a licensed mortgage agent in the GTA, shared his background, including being born in England and moving to Canada at age 4. He grew up in Scarborough and Markham, attended the University of Western Ontario, lived in Las Vegas for five years, and worked at a Big Five bank for 18 years before branching out on his own. Brad discussed his experience in the banking system and noted that the early years in any business are crucial for learning and making mistakes.

Mortgage Market Challenges and Opportunities

Brad discussed the current mortgage market, noting that while purchase and new construction activity has softened, there is significant demand for refinancing and renewal options due to rising interest rates. He highlighted that two-thirds of Canadians have mortgages coming up for renewal between 2025 and 2026, creating opportunities for brokers despite market challenges. Paul emphasized the importance of problem-solving skills and adaptability in the mortgage industry, sharing an example of requesting a 7-day condition period to expedite complex deals, which he noted is still met with resistance despite the evolving market conditions.

Real Estate Transaction Timeline Management

Brad and Paul discussed the challenges of managing real estate transactions in a buyer's market, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic timelines for condition assessments. Brad shared an example of requesting a 10-day period for a refinancing deal, highlighting the benefits of overestimating rather than underestimating the time needed. Paul agreed, stressing the need to avoid last-minute requests for extensions, as it causes unnecessary stress for sellers. Both agreed on the importance of clear communication and preparation to ensure smooth transactions.

Real Estate Pre-Approval Strategies

Brad and Paul discussed the importance of pre-approval and early introductions of parties involved in real estate transactions to ensure a smoother process. They also talked about the current and future state of mortgage financing, including the potential impact of AI and blockchain technology, with Brad expressing optimism about the human element remaining crucial in their industry. Paul shared his vision for keeping conversations human through his podcast, and they agreed to promote the podcast and follow up on potential collaborations.

Paul and Tara discussed the format and approach for their upcoming podcast episode, emphasizing a natural and authentic conversation style similar to a casual coffee chat. Paul explained that the goal is to create an unscripted and relatable discussion, focusing on getting to know each other and sharing stories. They agreed to start with introductions and basic topics like background and profession before delving into business-related discussions. Paul confirmed that the recording would begin shortly, and he introduced himself as the host of the podcast series featuring small business owners.

Tech Leader's Small Business Journey

Paul welcomed Tara to his show, discussing her background in tech leadership and her current ventures, including consulting and helping her father's demolition business expand. Tara shared her experience traveling to over half the countries in the world and her passion for working in the small business world. Paul emphasized the importance of sharing small business stories through podcasts, noting the growing popularity of podcasts in Canada. They briefly discussed Paul's background in construction and his transition to podcasting.

Empowering Women Through Podcast Stories

Tara discussed her podcast "The Women's Spotlight," which aims to empower women by sharing diverse stories and experiences. She highlighted the commonalities among women, regardless of their background or profession, and the importance of overcoming internal and external barriers. Paul expressed his support for the podcast's mission and shared his own experiences as a podcaster, emphasizing the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on listeners. The conversation concluded with Paul inquiring about Tara's current work with her father's company, but no specific details were provided in the transcript.

Eddy's Demolition: Family Business Story

Tara discussed her family's demolition business, Eddy's Demolition, which has been operating for over 45 years in Toronto. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the company's core values of integrity, hard work, and customer relationships, despite the evolving nature of the industry. Paul and Tara explored the role of storytelling in business, particularly in the context of podcasting, and discussed how sharing authentic stories can resonate with audiences. Tara invited listeners to connect with Eddy's Demolition for any demolition or construction needs.

Podcast Completion and Future Plans

Paul and Tara discussed the completion of a podcast recording, with Paul expressing satisfaction and emphasizing his goal of generating leads and fostering connections through the podcast. Tara agreed to review the podcast once it's released and shared her interest in discussing topics related to home ownership, contracting, and tenancy in future episodes. Paul mentioned his intention to share the podcast on his real estate podcast platform, which has a large audience, and expressed interest in exploring home safety and rental experiences further.

Join me as I meet with one of the exhibitors here at Small Business Forum 2025.

Just arrived and getting set up for the big day. I’m here from 8-1pm so make sure we connect. 

Join me this Tuesday at this incredible event for Small Business owners. This premium business expo and conference only comes around once a year and we’re happy to offer it during Small Business Week 2025. Be part of this unique experience to gain practical knowledge from Industry Experts and meet hundreds of potential clients and referral partners. More info here.

Tammy discusses her career journey, starting with fitness then financial services and transitioning to public speaking after a back injury in 2018. She developed her own public speaking course and registered GTAPreneurs as a sole proprietorship in 2019, eventually choosing self-employment over a business development manager position. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Tammy's business flourished as she adapted to virtual networking events, allowing her to connect with people she otherwise wouldn't have met. Visit GTApreneurs.com for more info and to join the next event happening on October 21, 2025.

Welcome to our latest episode. Hope you enjoy it. Leave a comment below if you can.

Welcome to our latest episode. Hope you enjoy it!

Welcome to the first episode of our podcast.