CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how AI infrastructure, data analytics, and scalable system design power real world AI products and long term business transformation.Our guest is Nhat Tran, Head of Technology at Beam Data. With over a decade of experience leading developer teams, DevOps systems, and cloud architecture, Nhat shares how ideas move from concept to production ready AI platforms.Key HighlightsFrom Vision to Execution: How executive strategy turns into reliable, high impact AI products through strong technical leadership. AI D...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how AI Agents and Brand Memory are reshaping the customer journey from first interaction to conversion.Our guest is Lautaro Cepeda, CRO at Personize.ai. Lautaro is leading research on engineering brand memory for AI powered sales and marketing, helping businesses blend customer context, AI reasoning, and brand identity to drive scalable growth.Key HighlightsWhat Is Brand Memory: Why brand memory is the foundation for authentic, trusted AI engagement in sales and marketing. High ROI AI A...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today we explore data driven marketing and how Canadian businesses can ensure every digital investment leads to measurable value and real growth.Our guest is Kelly Konechny, Co founder and Head of Operations at TRIBBUTE. With deep experience in print, digital advertising, and performance marketing operations, Kelly now leads a firm known for its results focused, experimental approach to creating meaningful value for clients.Key HighlightsValue Creation Philosophy: Kelly shares how TRIBBUTE’s name shaped its mission and why they abandoned traditional bi...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. Today we explore the world of Industrial Cybersecurity and how businesses can safeguard critical infrastructure in an increasingly connected environment.Our guest is Denrich Sananda, Managing Partner and Senior Consultant at Arista Cyber, a Harvard Business School alumnus and member of the ISA 62443 standard committee. Denrich and his team specialize in protecting Industrial Control Systems by ensuring cybersecurity, reliability, and uptime work in harmony.Key HighlightsGovernance & Standards: Denrich explains why frameworks like IEC 62443 and NIST CSF 2.0 are essential in OT environments. L...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. Today we explore the rise of Agentic AI and how automated intelligence is reshaping digital marketing, performance optimization, and campaign management.Our guest is Benoit Domingue, President of Ursa Marketing and Co founder of Kuma. With over twenty years of digital experience, Benoit specializes in performance marketing, predictive audiences, and personalized customer journeys. His latest innovation, Kuma Agents, uses AI to monitor, analyze, and autonomously improve ad performance.Key HighlightsAgentic AI Evolution: Benoit explains how autonomous AI agents are transforming the way...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore how creative strategy, bold brand building, and modern marketing leadership drive the growth and transformation of today’s tech organizations.Our guest is Suzanne Serwatuk, Chief Marketing Officer at Safe Software. A two time founder turned senior executive, Suzanne led the transformative rebrand of Safe Software and champions the power of strategic creativity in scaling a global tech organization.Key HighlightsEntrepreneurial Leadership: How Suzanne’s founder mindset shaped Safe Software’s rebrand and inspired bold campaigns like Data T...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how storytelling, brand strategy, and SEO work together to make brands discoverable, trusted, and unforgettable in crowded markets.Our guests are Bhavik Sarkhedi, Forbes and New York Times–featured writer and Co-founder of Blushush and Ohh My Brand, and Sahil Gandhi, Co-founder and The Brand Professor expert in personal branding and positioning. Together, they share how companies and leaders can define narratives that build credibility and accelerate growth.Key HighlightsBrand Strategy for Corporates: How clarity in positioning an...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In today’s episode, we explore how Voice AI is reshaping the future of entrepreneurship by removing complexity and making AI accessible through natural conversation.Our guest is Vikram Shekhawat, Founder and CEO of ModalX, a serial entrepreneur with two exits and a track record of scaling Pariksha to three million dollars ARR. He is now building a voice-first AI operating system designed for everyday entrepreneurs who want simplicity and real results.Key HighlightsVoice First AI & SMB Adoption: Vikram shares why conversational AI...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how growth marketing, data intelligence, and AI-powered automation are helping small businesses transform complex information into clear, actionable strategies.Joining us is Daniel Marques, Founder and CEO of Weggo Solutions, a Brazilian entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in Information Technology and Business Intelligence. Daniel shares how his move to Canada reshaped his entrepreneurial journey and how he helps SMEs achieve consistent, measurable growth.Key Highlights:Entrepreneurial Journey: Daniel’s move from Brazil to Canada and the re...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today we explore AI governance, ethics, and accountability, and why responsible technology is essential as AI becomes deeply embedded in Canadian society and business.Our guests are Max Brault and Ryan Carrier of ForHumanity Canada. Max is a national leader in accessibility and disability advocacy, while Ryan, a former finance executive, pioneered the concept of independent AI audits to ensure corporate AI systems are safe, transparent, and trustworthy.Key HighlightsIndependent AI Audits: Ryan explains how an AI certification process works and why...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore how integrated advisory brings clarity to wealth management by aligning every professional around one coordinated strategy.Our guest is Sophie Blais, President and CCO of The WealthCo Group of Companies. A CFP and Kolbe Certified Consultant, Sophie shares how WealthCo’s integrated approach and technology driven collaboration help business owners eliminate fragmentation and plan with confidence.Key HighlightsWhy Integrated Advisory Matters: How WealthCo redefines holistic planning for Canadian business owners and high net worth families. The Cos...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore what it really takes for founders and CEOs to scale successfully by turning strategic complexity into consistent, profitable execution.Our guest is Larry Trenwith, Executive Coach and Growth Advisor at Trenstar Management Ltd. With 25 years of experience, multiple Series A financings, an IPO, and exits under his belt, Larry shares a practical, proven approach to scaling companies beyond the $75 million mark.Key HighlightsGrowth vs. Scaling: Larry explains the real difference between the two and why many businesses...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore the real engine behind digital transformation: people, culture, and the power of strategic storytelling.Joining us is Sabahat Naureen, Founder and Chief Transformation Advisor at Audacious Strategy, a boutique consultancy helping energy and construction companies accelerate change. With a background in engineering, a global Executive MBA, and experience leading transformation across corporate and startup environments, Sabahat bridges strategy with execution in a uniquely human way.Key Highlights:Beyond Technology: Why culture, communication, and storytelling determine transformation success. T...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. Today we uncover how small businesses can scale smarter with the right digital strategy, strong SEO foundations, and content designed to convert rather than just attract attention.Our guest is Smriti Middha, Founder of Care Digital. With experience across three continents, she helps businesses grow their online presence by integrating digital strategy, technical support, and custom workflows to build reliable and conversion driven digital ecosystems.Key HighlightsSEO vs Ads: Smriti explains how a visibility blind spot revealed why targeted SEO often outperforms...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore how Intelligent Mobility is redefining transportation by using data, AI, and connectivity to make streets safer, traffic flow smoother, and communities more resilient.Our guest is Kurtis McBride, Founder and CEO of Miovision and an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ontario Winner. Since 2005, he has led the development of technologies that turn intersections into intelligent, connected systems, helping cities in more than sixty countries modernize mobility.Key HighlightsThe Miovision Origin Story: How frustration with manual traffic counting...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore the mindset, strategy, and storytelling required for fintech founders to build traction and win in competitive markets.Our guest is Amogh Oak, Founder of Clueless Monk Technologies, an immigrant entrepreneur who blends finance, storytelling, and practical go to market execution to help fintech and financial services companies convert complex opportunities into predictable growth.Key HighlightsThe 90 Day Hustle: How Amogh’s immigrant journey and a leap of faith shaped his approach to grit, risk taking, and entrepreneurship. Fin...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore how AI is reshaping public relations and communications, helping organizations build trust, measure real impact, and operate with greater efficiency.Our guest is Ally MacLellan, Head of AI Innovation and Technology at Proof Strategies. Ally designs custom GPTs, trains teams to use AI responsibly, and helps organizations adopt practical governance that strengthens communication, accuracy, and brand voice.Key HighlightsThe New PR Landscape: The major shift small businesses must understand to build trust and cut through information overload.<...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how SMBs can cut through data chaos and use Business Intelligence to make clearer, faster, and more confident decisions.Our guest is Damien Van Steenberge, Founder of Codex Consulting, who brings over twenty years of BI experience supporting major organizations like Desjardins and CN. He now helps SMBs modernize their data practices and teaches Business Intelligence at the University of Sherbrooke.Key HighlightsData Accessibility for SMBs: Why data is more available than ever and why it remains...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how Canadian entrepreneurs can navigate the digital frontier with clarity by embracing e commerce strategy, AI adoption, and data driven decision making.Our guest is David Nagy, Founder and President of eCommerce Canada and Fractional CIO for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association. With experience helping more than four hundred businesses generate billions in online sales, David brings deep insight into innovation, uncertainty, and cross border growth.Key HighlightsAI and the Digital Industrial Revolution: How emerging technologies...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how commercial equipment financing and workforce development work together to help businesses fuel growth, boost productivity, and stay competitive.Our guest is Siraaj Grewal, Team Lead of Construction Finance at Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada. He supports construction companies in optimizing cash flow, investing strategically, and building stronger teams through flexible financing solutions.Key HighlightsEquipment vs Training Myth: Why businesses shouldn’t choose between new equipment and upskilling and how both investments unlock stronger ROI. Underused Assets Pro...