The People-Driven CEO Podcast

Episode 29: Building Trust and Financial Wellness in Business with Antonio Zivanovic of ElektraFi

In this inspiring episode, host Shane Jeremy James welcomes Antonio Zivanovic, founder of ElektraFi, a company dedicated to democratizing financial wellness through innovative employer-based platforms. Antonio shares his entrepreneurial journey from corporate health and wellness consulting to launching a fintech platform designed to support employees with their financial well-being. He discusses how ElektraFi empowers people to understand, manage, and feel secure about their money through confidential, user-friendly tools.
Together, Shane and Antonio explore vital themes like company culture, leadership, trust, and alignment with core values. They explore how businesses can better serve their customers, the impact of empathy and fairness on hiring and retention, and why emotional intelligence is crucial to long-term business success. Whether you're a founder, a people leader, or someone passionate about using business to change the world, this conversation is filled with valuable takeaways.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/YddvV4v6XGk 
🌐ElektraFi: https://elektrafi.io/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 28: Fixing Food Waste at Scale: How Jessica Regan is Turning Surplus into Social Impact with FoodMesh

In this episode, Jessica Regan, founder and CEO of FoodMesh, shares her mission to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: food waste. With nearly half of the country's food going to waste while one in four Canadians faces food insecurity, Jessica built FoodMesh as a matchmaking platform that redirects unsellable but still good food to charities, farmers, and upcyclers. What began as a connector service has evolved into a full-scale B Corp, working with major grocers, municipalities, and over 2,500 organizations.
Jessica also opens up about the challenges of building a mission-driven company, including fundraising while pregnant, navigating team dynamics, and creating a values-based culture. Her story is a powerful reminder that with purpose, grit, and intuition, you can build a business that not only grows but makes a real difference.
🌐 FoodMesh: http://www.foodmesh.ca/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 27: From Rock Bottom to Rocket Fuel: Brett Bilon on Resilience in Business and Life

In this episode, Brett Bilon, co-founder of Plume Science, shares his journey of building a pioneering beauty brand alongside his wife and business partner. Plume Science began as an R&D project to develop safe, effective, non-toxic beauty products, starting with their now-patented lash and brow serum. Brett shares how they navigated explosive early growth, international expansion, and a pandemic-induced pivot from retail to e-commerce, all while preserving their marriage and raising a family.
This episode explores the unique dynamics of running a company alongside a spouse, the toll of near-failure moments, and the profound shift Brett experienced by embracing authenticity, leadership through discomfort, and a deep investment in human well-being both personally and professionally, within his growing team.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/txoGbBZV-fc 
🌐Plume Science: http://www.plumescience.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 26: Fueling Ambition Naturally: How Beata Antoninas Turned a Kitchen Fix into Amino Balls Inc.

In this energizing episode, Beata Antoninas, founder of Amino Balls Inc., shares how a personal struggle with sugar cravings, fitness competition pressures, and disordered eating inspired the creation of a better-for-you snack brand. What started as homemade protein balls to stabilize her blood sugar became a fast-growing CPG company now available in thousands of retail stores and soon, Costco.
Beata opens up about the grind of launching a CPG brand without industry experience, her health challenges during the startup phase, and the unique partnership she built with her fiancé to grow the company. With honesty and hustle, she shares the behind-the-scenes of scaling distribution, managing growth, and building a values-driven team, all while staying grounded in purpose.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/cyE5szr6mYY 
🌐Amino Balls Inc: https://www.aminoballs.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 25: Purpose Over Profit: Emma Smith on Building Zimt Chocolates with Compassion and Conscious Leadership

In this heartfelt episode, Emma Smith, founder of Zimt Chocolates, shares the story of building a plant-based, ethical chocolate brand from scratch. Motivated by a deep sense of purpose, Emma set out to create a company rooted in compassion for people, animals, and the planet. What started as a bootstrapped solo venture in her early twenties has grown into a thriving small business with a loyal following across Western Canada.
Emma opens up about the emotional and physical toll of entrepreneurship, the realities of running a values-driven company, and the importance of fostering a strong team culture. From dealing with health challenges to navigating hiring missteps, she reflects candidly on the weight founders carry and why leadership with heart is both the hardest and most rewarding path.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/a3UwwBI2K6I 
🌐Zimt Chocolates: http://www.zimtchocolates.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 24: From Chef to Startup: Tony Ferreira on Reinventing the Food Hall Model with MOD Kitchen

In this episode, Tony Ferreira, chef, former restaurant group director, and now co-founder of MOD Kitchen, shares his evolution from culinary leader to startup operator. After helping scale a hospitality group from 1 to 40 restaurants in Hong Kong, Tony returned to Vancouver to build something completely new: a modern, delivery-first food hub designed for restaurant entrepreneurs. MOD Kitchen offers 10 private kitchens, a shared infrastructure, and a tech-enabled ordering system, all designed to reimagine how food businesses launch and grow.
Tony opens up about the mindset shift from managing 400 people to running a lean team of five, and what it means to lead with heart. From team culture and vendor relationships to startup challenges and long-term vision, this conversation dives deep into the human side of business and why trust, empathy, and innovation are core ingredients in his recipe for success.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/oKKxeLKAtU8 
🌐MOD Kitchen: https://www.modkitchen.ca/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 23: Reimagining Cannabis: Sameer Padamsey on Building a Wellness-First Brand in a Regulated Industry

In this episode, Sameer Padamsey, co-founder of Ufeelu, shares how he's carving out a new category in cannabis focused entirely on wellness. Rather than intoxicating effects, Sameer’s CBD-based products are designed to improve sleep, mood, and pain relief through non-intoxicating compounds. He walks us through the journey of building a purpose-driven brand in one of Canada’s most highly regulated industries, from early product development and navigating government systems to building a values-based team and earning customer trust.
Sameer also speaks candidly about the challenges of entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the often-overlooked human side of running a mission-driven business. His story offers valuable lessons in empathy-led leadership, long-term vision, and building trust at every touchpoint.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/qDcVkqcTZY4 
🌐Ufeelu: https://www.ufeelu.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 22: Leading with Heart: How Paige Abbott is Redefining Therapy Through Culture, Community, and Conscious Growth

In this thoughtful episode, Paige Abbott, registered psychologist and founder of Sana Psychological, shares how she evolved from solo practice to leading a growing team of mental health professionals in Calgary. With a background in outpatient addiction treatment and over 15 years of experience in the field, Paige discusses launching her practice during the pandemic, building a sustainable, people-first business, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. She opens up about the mental, emotional, and operational shifts required to move from clinician to business owner — and how her values continue to guide her every step of the way.
Whether you're a fellow therapist, a small business owner, or someone passionate about building ethical, human-centred organizations, Paige’s journey offers valuable insights on leadership, team building, and the future of care in an AI-driven world.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/swF7v_DG1GI 
🌐AdhereTo Studio: https://www.adheretostudios.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jermey James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 21: From Farm to Face: How Nancy Wingham is Redefining Skincare with Purpose and Pecans

In this episode, Nancy Wingham, founder of Nuez Acres, shares her inspiring journey of turning a small family pecan farm in Mexico into a sustainable beauty brand sold across North America. What began as a mission to support her hometown farmers during a pecan market collapse has evolved into a vertically integrated skincare company known for its eco-conscious values, zero-waste production, and innovative pecan oil–based formulas.
Nancy opens up about the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, the realities of building a business with family, and her unique path to securing shelf space at Walmart Canada. With a clear vision to become a global leader in sustainable beauty, her story is one of resilience, impact, and deeply rooted values.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/ZgDEdx_FZuk 
🌐 Nuez Acres: https://nuezacres.ca/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on:

Episode 20: From Dermapure to Recess: How Marilyne Gagne is Redefining Wellness & Human Connection

In this powerful episode, Marilyne Gagne, the visionary behind the Dermapure clinic empire and co-founder of Recess, shares her remarkable journey from small-town beginnings to leading one of Canada’s most successful aesthetic clinic networks. Now turning her focus toward mental health and social wellness with Recessa Modern, a social thermal station, Marilyne opens up about the next chapter in her purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
With honest reflections and years of hard-earned experience, Marilyne shares the lessons she has learned from building teams, navigating partnerships, and staying true to her values as she scales. She also dives into how she's blending wellness, community, and accessibility in an increasingly disconnected world. If you're building a business with heart, this is an episode you can’t miss.
Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/VTx3dNTgXnw 
🌐Recess: https://www.recessthermalstation.com/
#ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 
🎧 Listen on: