On this week’s episode of The Morning Brew Podcast, Kellie is joined by local artist Raeann Brown. 

Raeann shares updates on this weekend’s grand opening of Inuky Glass Art & Engraving’s new store, right here in Lab West.

Take a listen to this great conversation about all things local art, and listen to Raeann share her thoughts on growing her business through COVID. 

It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!

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On this week’s year-end episode of The Morning Brew Podcast, Kellie is joined by Brian & Dave Hurley, the co-founders of Iron Rock Brewing Co.

Brian and Dave tell the story of how they took Dave’s homebrew hobby and turned it into Labrador’s first craft microbrewery. The brothers share insights into how they used innovation, an uncompromising commitment to quality, and a bit of resilience to not only make it through their first year in business amidst the global COVID pandemic, but managed some impressive growth in spite of it.
 
This episode is chock-full of information, tips and stories that will have you laughing out loud.  

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Dion shares the story of how became an entrepreneur. Hear how he started work with Twin City Dairy, the company he would eventually purchase and build into what is today Twin City Distributors.

Kellie and Dion discuss issues business owners deal with on a daily basis, such as managing staff, celebrating the good times, having to double staff post COVID shutdown, and the importance of saving for a rainy day.

Dion talks about the lessons he learned as a business owner through struggles and difficult times, sustaining and expanding operations with the green depot, and now as he expands his business once again, purchasing Houseman Limited.

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In this episode, Kellie is joined by Kathy-Lynn Shaw, owner of Kinetic Life Solutions.

Kathy-Lynn talks about the steps she took to move from thinking about starting her own business, to actually opening doors of Kinetic Life Solutions in 2017.  She shares tips on the steps every entrepreneur should take when starting up, the importance of constantly staying on top of what’s happening in your industry, continued education and always learning in order to grow your business.

Find out what makes Kinetic Life Solutions so special, including the unique services she provides right here in the region.

This episode is filled with valuable tips for business owners, and you won’t want to miss it.

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In this episode, Kellie welcomes Alain Lepage of All In Group.

One of the region’s newest residents and business owners, Alain opened All In Group in the region last year – just a few months into the COVID shutdown.  Despite the challenges and delays Alain managed to forge ahead by leveraging the relationships he has built with suppliers across the country throughout his career, and being able to get customers what they need, exactly when the need it.  By focusing on providing the best quality products for the best possible price, with top quality service – All In Group has been able to not only survive during these tough times, but thrive.

Alain tells the story of how he came to Lab West – having worked in the region on and off as a job site purchaser. When opportunity came knocking at his door last year, he took a chance, packed up and made Labrador City home.

Listen to Alain share his thoughts on the importance of timing when it comes to serving customers in the best possible way, and how the company has made that their number one priority for serving businesses in the region. Specifically, where it typically takes a long time to get specific parts delivered to the region, All In Group is able to turn orders around in a matter of days – which has been a game changer.

Take a listen, and find out how All In Group can answer your business needs, and hear how being local is essential to growing in the region.

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We’re doing things a little differently this week on the podcast. Instead of focusing on a business here in Labrador West, we’re talking to someone who has been working closely with many of you over the past year, our very own marketing strategist, Lori Barron from Hello Creative Marketing Studio.

In this episode, Kellie and Lori talk about the past year here at the Chamber, as we have transitioned to our digital marketing platforms. She shares insights into the value the chamber has for members locally, as well as in promoting chamber members outside the region. We talk about the huge benefit Connections eMagazine has for businesses and the owners who are featured, as well as the value of leveraging the Chamber’s marketing platforms to amplify a business’s brand story.

Lori gives her professional marketing tips on the most important thing every company needs to do to successfully market themselves, especially during times of uncertainty; as well as how to expand your company’s reach beyond the local region.

It’s an eye-opening conversation that is sure to get you thinking about how you can use strategic marketing to grow your own business.

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On this week’s episode of The Morning Brew Podcast, Kellie is joined on the telephone with HR Project Partners president Jacqui Winter for a one-on-one conversation about her business, the services HR Project Partners provide, and her her involvement in the regional business community.

Jacqui talks about her connection to the region, how her business started as a consultant working in the mining industry, and how she started her business out of necessity during a downturn.  Hear how far her business has come from a one-person consultancy to having 10 fulltime staff, and 60 consultants.

Jacqui shares her thoughts on the importance of looking at challenges as opportunities for growth, being involved in the community, and incorporating personal convictions into the mission of your business in order to grow.

Jacqui shares valuable insights into coming back from adversity, and having the courage to the risk to go out on her own.

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On this episode, Tracey talks about the importance of staying on top of the game when you own your own business, constantly updating designations, adding education and professional development, as well as balancing family life – especially when you are a driven business person.  She shares insights into the things that motivate her most, specifically helping people on as many levels as possible.

Tracy talks about how her business is being impacted now by COVID, and how she has learned over the last year what to do to make sure business goes on uninterrupted. This time around, Tracey and her team is transitioning back to life in lockdown prepared to operate as smoothly as possibly.

Find out what Tracey’s top piece of advice is for other entrepreneurs by listening to the podcast now!

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A serial entrepreneur at heart, last year, Jenine sold her own accounting firm, Janes Accounting to Clarified Accounting where she is a senior manager, so that she could enable scaling, and focus more time on juggling two of her other companies! She also sits on the board of directors for three committees in the region.

Having been raised in an entrepreneurial family, Jenine got the entrepreneurial bug at an early age, and graduated university and jumped into business right away. 

Janine shares how excellent customer service is the thing that drives her on a daily basis – she is motivated by what exceptional quality accounting can do for a customer, and they walk away knowing they have gotten the best possible work.

Kellie and Jenine discuss the challenges the COVID pandemic caused for one of her businesses, and how she has adjusted business operations in order to accommodate staff needs. 

This is such a fascinating episode that is filled with thoughtful discussion.  You definitely want to listen to this one.

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Labrador Rewinding has been around Lab West for a long time, having been founded 27 years ago by Jeannot’s father.  Staying in the family business, Jeannot took over running the business from his father 14 years ago, and has been growing the business ever since.

In the episode, Jeannot talks about how offering exceptional quality customer support, and providing services locally have been the key to the company’s longevity in the region.

Find out what motivates Jeannot as a local business owner, and how Labrador Rewinding managed to stay strong through good times and bad in the region.

Learn how Labrador Rewinding’s flexible work policies were critical to the company not taking a hard hit during the COVID shutdown, and how those policies have helped the company gain a leading edge in the ever competitive market for top-quality employees.

This is a great episode filled with excellent information.  Take a listen now.

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