On today’s episode we are joined by the amazing talent, Robert Mbu Batuo, CEO and co-founder of Batuo Inc. Marc and Robert discuss his journey in the fashion industry, including what inspired him to create Batuo Inc. as well as the qualities that make a great leader, the importance of creating safe spaces and healthy cultures within an organization, and of course they preview the upcoming Halifax Fashion Week where Robert will be showing off a new collection on August 15th at the Queen’s Marque in downtown Halifax. Tune in now!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

5:50 - Robert’s pursuit in the fashion industry and the creation of his company Batuo

12:30 - Batuo’s fashion inspirations

17:20 - Creating a safe space within Batuo

24:05 - How does BATUO celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive environment?

29:25 - Halifax Fashion Week preview with Batuo

34:50 - What does the future hold for Batuo?

FIND ROBERT ON:

WEBSITE: https://batuo.ca/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/batuoinc/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@batuoinc

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCden7wk7C2YNcsovPN6Ko9A

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast

ON TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

FOLLOW BNV MEDIA:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/bnv.media

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/bnv-media/?originalSubdomain=ca

On this week’s episode, we have a returning guest! Jason Davis of Ralli Marketing is back to chat with Lucy about all things entrepreneurship, in particular, the Mindset Project. The Mindset Project is an initiative designed to uncover what is holding entrepreneurs back in Nova Scotia.

One of their studies in 2017 found that 72% of entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia are not getting what they want from their business, a number that ranks dead last among all Canadian provinces.

If you’re an entrepreneur, click this link (https://www.themindsetproject.ca/) and take the Mindset Project survey to help the initiative get to the bottom of this problem and find solutions.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:35 - What is the Mindset Project?

5:30 - Why aren’t entrepreneurs feeling supported in Nova Scotia?

12:55 - Current outlook of the Mindset Project

17:00 - Why are entrepreneurs feeling discouraged?

20:05 - How can local entrepreneurs get involved with the Mindset Project?

CHECK OUT THE MINDSET PROJECT: https://www.themindsetproject.ca/

FOLLOW JASON DAVIS:

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/jason-davis-80154033/?originalSubdomain=ca

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/itsjasondavis/

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM:

www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast

ON TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

FOLLOW BNV MEDIA:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/bnv.media

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/bnv-media/?originalSubdomain=ca

On today's episode, we're delighted to have Katie Mahoney join us to talk about her fantastic business, We Are Young. Along with Cara Chisholm, Katie founded the company after spending a day with a senior through an “Acts of Kindness” initiative.

She quickly realized that this was the first time in years someone made a day about her, and this realization shook Katie’s perception of how seniors were supported. Since then, We Are Young has fulfilled close to 60 wishes for seniors and has big plans for the future. They hope to become a household name nationally and are quickly on their way to granting 100 wishes!

In the episode, Katie goes into detail about how We Are Young came to be, the types of wishes they grant, examples of some of the wishes, as well as what the future holds for the business.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:40 - What is We Are Young and how did it get started?

5:55 - What are some of the wishes We Are Young has granted?

14:05 - Looking towards the future with We Are Young

CONTACT WE ARE YOUNG ON:

WEBSITE: www.weareyoung.ca/

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/weareyoungway_/

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast

ON TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

FOLLOW BNV MEDIA:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/bnv.media

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/bnv-media/?originalSubdomain=ca

On today’s episode, hosts Lucy and Marc are breaking down 5 of the biggest marketing trends for 2024 and beyond including purpose driven marketing, hyper-personalization, and one of our favourites, video marketing! Tune in now to learn how you should be marketing your business to your audience.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

11:20 - What is purpose-driven marketing and why is it effective?

17:15 - What is hyper-personalization and how does it work?

21:35 - How your company can leverage video marketing

26:45 - What is user-generated content and how can brands leverage this type of marketing?

31:20 - What is social commerce?

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast

ON TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

FOLLOW BNV MEDIA:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/bnv.media

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/bnv-media/?originalSubdomain=ca

On today’s episode, Lucy and Marc (of BNV Media) chat about what’s been going on for their businesses over the last couple of months as well as the recent Kickstart Connections pop-up podcast in Ottawa at the Tirecraft Eastern Canada AGM. They also chat about the barriers to entry for businesses wanting to start a podcast, why podcasting can be an incredibly effective and efficient tool in your marketing mix, as well as a breakdown of what working with BNV Media looks like. Tune in now!

*** Flaneur - to wander without purpose or any specific destination

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction and BNV Media / Kickstart Connections Updates

13:50 - Barriers to entry for businesses who want to start a podcast

17:25 - Podcasting can be your marketing swiss army knife

26:45 - A step by step process of what BNV Media podcast production looks like

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast

ON TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

FOLLOW BNV MEDIA:

ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/bnv.media

ON LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/bnv-media/?originalSubdomain=ca

Welcome to the first episode of our bonus mini season: Ask An Entrepreneur!

On each episode Lucinda and Marc answer your questions about entrepreurship by sharing their own experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Today, they discuss how to market your business as a brand new entrepreneur, and share how they found success in raising brand awareness in the local community. 

If you have a question you would like featured in an episode, please reach out at: hello@kickstartconnections.com.

Kickstart Connections. Your Business, Your Story.

It’s the last episode of the year for Kickstart Connections and host Lucy is joined by BNV Media’s Marc Boudreau to discuss the past year including how both Lucy and Marc’s businesses have grown, lessons learned from being an entrepreneur, as well as setting goals and predictions for 2024. Tune in now and we’ll see you in the new year!!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

2:35 - A look back on Lucy’s year

7:00 - A look back on BNV Media’s year

14:50 - The power of podcasting for your business/brand

20:20 - Why making human connections in business is so important

25:35 - Lessons learned as an entrepreneur

42:30 - Setting goals for 2024

49:15 - Predictions for 2024

52:10 - 2023 Wrap-up

FOLLOW KICKSTART CONNECTIONS:

ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartconnectionspodcast/

ON TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@kickstartconnections?lang=en

ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickstart-connections/

On the newest episode of Kickstart Connections Lucinda chats with Solitha Shortte, Founder and Creative Director of House of Soli. House of Soli encompasses Solitha's services in the fashion industry including coaching, productions and talent management. 

In this episode, Solitha discusses her own journey in the fashion world from the small island of Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Halifax, Nova Scotia; and more recently showcasing local talent at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. Solitha is committed to showcasing the diversity of beauty and challenging the status quo in the industry. 

Learn more at: 

www.soliproductions.com
Instagram:
@house_of_soli
@solimgmt
@soli.productions 
@solicoaching

Contact Kickstart Connections! 

www.kickstartconnections.com

Socials: @kickstartconnectionspodcast

Email: hello@kickstartconnections.com