Mental health and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, but prioritizing well-being as a business owner can be challenging.

In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Elora Gartley, founder of Nova Phoenix Counseling, to explore the realities of leading with purpose in the mental health space. From overcoming personal trauma to scaling a thriving business, Elora shares how she expanded her practice by opening multiple locations and building a dedicated team.

Key Takeaways:

• How Elora’s personal experiences with mental health shaped her path in social work and entrepreneurship.
• The challenges of launching a business while juggling multiple jobs and growing from a single office to a multi-location practice.
• The power of relational leadership in fostering a judgment-free, supportive workplace for both clients and staff.

Learn more about Nova Phoenix Counselling

Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca

The affordable housing crisis and skilled trades shortage are two of the biggest challenges facing communities today. But what if one solution could tackle both?

On this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy sits down with Brandon Day, founder of Community Builders, a nonprofit social enterprise transforming lives in Ontario. Brandon shares his personal journey from struggling to find purpose to creating a business model that provides career opportunities while addressing the housing crisis.

Key Takeaways:

● Why investing in trades training is crucial for community development

● The benefits of a social enterprise model over traditional nonprofits

● The innovative ways Community Builders is tackling both housing and employment gaps

Learn more about Community Builders

Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca

Scaling a small business is no easy feat- especially in the competitive food industry. From perfecting your product to finding the right distributor, breaking into major grocery stores takes strategy, persistence, and a whole lot of hustle.

In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Veneise George, the founder of Yawdi, a line of premium, all-natural condiments inspired by international flavors. What started as a homemade marinade in her kitchen is now stocked in major grocery chains like Sobeys, Loblaws, and Metro. Veneise is here to share her story and why believing in your product is critical if you want to grow your business.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need everything to be perfect before launching. Start with what you have, learn along the way, and improve as you grow.
• Success doesn’t happen overnight. Every small win and piece of positive feedback can be the motivation to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
• People connect with the real story behind a brand. When a product reflects culture, tradition, and passion, it resonates on a deeper level with customers.

Learn more about Yawdi

Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca