Behind the Business

How a software engineer became a custom fine-jewelry founder. From writing software to setting stones, Aasim Sayani shares how he built Fuse Jewelry—a tech-first, custom fine-jewelry brand focused on safety, intimacy, and community. We dig into the realities of retail jewelry (security, margins, and cash flow), why Aasim left a stable software career, and how he and his wife/co-founder run the business while raising a newborn.We talk custom engagement rings, championship pieces, and the vision for a community makerspace where customers can learn—and even build—parts of their jewelry. Aasim also opens up about bootstrapping (putting years of salary intoFuse), hiring bench jewelers, and experimenting with embedded tech in fine jewelry. In this episode: Leaving “golden handcuffs” for entrepreneurshipSecurity & trust in jewelry retail (for staff, clients, and family) Custom > commodity: why education wins salesManufacturing dreams: from private bench to public makerspace Culture & craft: sourcing stones with heritage & storyCo-founders & marriage: feedback, roles, and letting go Fatherhood, travel, and intentional timeStay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

Adi Desai turned a childhood obsession into a career—first launching DoubleClutch.ca in 2012, then pivoting into ownership with Advantage Auto Group (Hyundai &Stellantis). He shares how automotive journalism opened doors, why he built relationship-first stores to counter dealer stereotypes, and what COVID taught him about cash flow, team retention, and resilience. We also get real aboutfamily balance, South Asian expectations, and growing the thick skin entrepreneurship demands. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

What if a pregnancy test put privacy first? Co-founders Vicki Schenkel and Angie Ibrahim share how Petal Pregnancy is building a flushable pregnancy test to bring dignity, discretion, and better design to one of the most intimate moments in women’s health. We get into the real founder journey: mapping a broken aisle at retail, running 100+ validation calls, partnering with Western’s Ivey MBAstudents for research, joining accelerators (and winning Tree Frog Accelerator’s pitch competition), and confronting R&D and manufacturing realities without losing momentum. You’ll hear how lifelong best friends became co-founders, how they translate feedback from both women and maleinvestors, what they learned about regulatory, IP, and unit economics, and why community matters when you’re pushing through setbacks. If you care about femtech, privacy, andbuilding from zero to one, this one’s for you.Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

What if your student club project became a company fighting the plastic crisis?That’s the path Nuha Siddiqui took—spinning a University of Toronto Enactus idea (eco‑packers) into erthos, a sustainable materials venture focused on plastic alternatives and packaging that can actually work in real supply chains.In this episode, Nuha walks through the founder journey—from campus labs to global stages—and the community that made the leap possible. We cover:  Origin story: Enactus U of T, leveraging school resources, mentors, and communityeco‑packers → erthos: why the rebrand mattered for vision and scale Finding the team & co‑founder fit: programs and networks that opened doors Fundraising reality: rejections, resilience, and closing her seed round on her wedding day Showing up globally: learning and lobbying at the world’s largest sustainability conferences Life behind the headlines: balancing family & friendships while building in your early 20s Why this matters now: the climate and plastic crisis, and what emerging research on plastics & human health means for consumers and brandsNuha’s work has been recognized by Forbes, The Globe & Mail, New York Weekly, and GreenBiz—but this conversation focuses on the grit it took to get there.Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/Chapters:00:00 The Journey Begins: From Idea to Business02:45 Building Earthos: The Evolution of a Sustainable Company05:49 Navigating Family Expectations and Entrepreneurial Risks08:37 Scaling Challenges: Moving to Asia and Finding Manufacturing Partners11:51 Overcoming Age and Gender Barriers in Entrepreneurship14:46 The Reality of Sacrifices in the Entrepreneurial Journey17:49 Advocating for Change: The Role of Policy in Sustainability20:53 Celebrating Milestones: Personal and Professional Achievements23:43 The Future of Earthos: Innovations and Industry Impact27:02 Reflections: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

From Big Four to founder. From burnout to building something better. In this episode, we sit down with Miguel Alexander Centeno, a Latino entrepreneur, parent, and the founder of TaxHack Accounting Group, to unpack what it really takes to build a scalable service business from scratch. We talk about:Quitting Big Four with a toddler at homeBuilding the first version of his professional services firmSaying no to the wrong clients and defining your ideal customer profile (ICP)The mindset shift from “employee” to “entrepreneur”Choosing systems and delegation over hustleRedefining work-life balance as a parent-founderHonoring the immigrant grit that made it all possibleThis is a candid look at what it really takes to walk away from stability, bet on yourself, and build a business that aligns with the life you want. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/

🎁 Behind the Business Listener Exclusive:Enjoy 20% off all Three Ships Beauty products with code BTB20, valid from Sept 1 to Nov 30 at threeshipsbeauty.com. Excludes kits/bundles. Connie Lo left a career in corporate accounting to co-found Three Ships Beauty, a skincare company on a mission to make effective, natural products accessible to everyone. What started with a simple idea grew into a nationally recognized brand featured in Whole Foods, the Globe and Mail, Dragon’s Den and Forbes.In this episode, Connie sits down with Faheem to talk about:Her transition from Big 4 accounting  and corporate to entrepreneurshipWhat makes a co-founder relationship truly workNavigating rapid growth, major retail launches, and personal challenges (including a life-altering medical event)The real story behind their Dragon’s Den appearanceHow to push forward when things get tough — and why optimism still matters Whether you're building a brand or exploring what’s next, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and leading with heart. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/Chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:55 Founding Three Ships: The Early Days04:29 Balancing Corporate Life and Entrepreneurship08:15 The Role of Family Support10:39 The Co-Founder Dynamic12:56  Building Effective Communication16:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Early Signs18:51 Learning from Family: The Entrepreneurial Influence21:30 Scaling Challenges: The Target Meeting23:46 Navigating Life's Challenges: A Personal Journey27:18 The Impact of Media Exposure: Lessons from Dragon's Den32:41 Overcoming Age and Gender Bias in Entrepreneurship35:49 Building Confidence: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome41:52 Future Aspirations: Growth and Expansion Plans

Note: This episode contains occasional strong language In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Josh Rowlands, Founder & Head Trainer of In-Line K9, to talk about how working with dogs became more than a career — it became a form of therapy, a calling, and a thriving business. Josh shares his journey from a 20-year military career to launching a dog training company that now serves hundreds of clients across Ottawa. We discuss the challenges of starting a service-based business from scratch, why teaching owners is just as important as training dogs, and how he balances scaling the business with staying true to his mission. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters:00:00 Finding Balance in Life and Business01:15 The Journey of Inline K904:42 Challenges of Starting a Business08:43 Building a Team and Community12:22 Coping Mechanisms and Mental Health16:09 The Importance of Boundaries18:47 Sharing Your Story and Authenticity22:22 The Impact of Energy in Training24:57 Balancing Family and Business30:13 Future Goals for Inline K9

On Episode 4 of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Olivia Villalta and Vanessa Griffiths, the dynamic duo co-founders that are building Gift Better Co., a corporate gifting company built around meaning, impact, and a whole lot ofhustle. Olivia left a demanding corporate career and Vanessa was searching for her entrepreneurial outlet. Together, they built Gift Better Co. from the ground up, navigating growth, pressure, and big wins along the way. They share how they landed a $500K corporate contract with no employees, no warehouse, and barely enough time to breathe and still managed to deliver. This episode is aboutscrappiness, betting on yourself, and figuring it out even when the odds feel stacked against you. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to build something meaningful from scratch this is the one. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Gift Better Co01:48 The Concept of Corporate Gifting03:41 The Journey to Entrepreneurship06:25 Identifying Market Needs10:40 The Importance of Storytelling in Business12:31 Building a Personal Brand14:36 Acquiring Initial Clients20:13 Winning a Major Contract25:55 Warehouse Challenges and Contract Delays32:06 Overcoming Operational Hurdles34:39 Seizing Opportunities Through Networking46:09 Building a Strong Team and Leadership48:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

On Episode 3 of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Sean Callaghan YouTuber-turned-entrepreneur and the founder of Creator Mill Inc. What started as a passion for making videos with friends became a full-fledged career on YouTube. Sean opens up about the realities of content creation: the pressure of metrics, the challenge of staying authentic, and the mental toll of turning passion into performance. He shares his evolution from making viral content to launching a business that helps other brands succeed in the social media space. This episode is for anyone navigating the creator economy, trying to show up online as a founder, or wondering how to stay grounded when the numbers don’t always match theeffort. #BehindTheBusiness #CreatorEconomy #YouTubeBusiness #AuthenticityMatters #SmallBusinessMarketing#MentalHealthForCreators #PodcastSeason2 Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters:00:00 The Journey Begins: From YouTube to Entrepreneurship12:32 Navigating the YouTube Landscape: Success and Challenges24:28 The Shift: From Content Creation to Business Strategy35:06 Lessons Learned: Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Path45:46 Looking Ahead: Future Endeavors and Advice for Entrepreneurs

On this episode of Behind the Business, Faheem sits down with Azrah Savin-Manji, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Syzl, a platform helping food entrepreneurs find kitchen space and build their businesses.Azrah shares how a craving for home-cooked meals as a student turned into a tech-driven mission to solve a major gap in the food industry. From relocating to Toronto to scale her vision, to navigating co-founder dynamics with her husband, Azrah offers an honest and inspiring look at what it takes to build a startup—while raising a family.This episode explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, community, and representation, especially for women and immigrants building in the food space. Azrah also discusses the biases that exist in investor circles, the role of AI in the future of food tech, and the importance of normalizing ambition for the next generation.Whether you're building something yourself or curious about the behind-the-scenes of Canada's food startup ecosystem—this one’s for you.Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/ 📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/Chapters:00:00 The Journey to Entrepreneurship01:33 Introducing Syzl: A New Food Business Platform04:55 Connecting Communities Through Food07:33 The Co-Founder Dynamic: Working with Family10:55 Navigating Investor Relationships14:58 The Leap into Entrepreneurship20:19 Building a Support Network21:59 Balancing Parenthood and Business25:15 Choosing the Right City for Growth26:57 The Evolving Startup Ecosystem in Canada28:44 Advice for Aspiring Founders30:04 The Future of Syzl and AI31:35 Overcoming Challenges as a Founder34:35 Lessons Learned from the Founder Journey37:12 Raising the Next Generation of Leaders

Season 2 of Behind the Business kicks off with Sue Hamer, the founder of Ottawa’s beloved SuzyQ Doughnuts.  What began as a kitchen experiment during a Canada Post strike turned into one of the city’s most iconic donut shops. In this honest and inspiring conversation, Sue shares her journey from craft shows and farmers markets to opening her first storefront, all while raising a family and staying grounded in her values. We dive into the real challenges behind the scenes—from navigating burnout to maintaining quality and planning for growth, including a future food truck.It’s a story about starting scrappy, building with heart, and the power of community. A perfect way to launch Season 2.Stay connected with ⁠#behindthebusiness⁠ : 📱 Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/⁠📱 LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/⁠ Chapters:00:00 The Spark of Entrepreneurship07:51 From Farmers Market to Retail14:45 Navigating Challenges as a Parent and Entrepreneur21:57 Growth and Expansion During COVID28:54 Creative Processes and Future Plans35:00 Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In the Season 1 finale of Behind the Business, Faheem Savja sits down with Rahim Karmali, Founder and CEO of Serv, a fast-growing translation agency. From working on his honeymoon to navigating the challenges of fatherhood and entrepreneurship, Rahim shares the raw and real story behind building a business from scratch.Rooted in service and shaped by his background in competitive badminton, Rahim opens up about:Spotting a gap in the translation marketThe early days of Serv and learning from a tough business splitHow AI is reshaping the industry — and why localization still reignsBalancing the demands of family and entrepreneurshipWhy authenticity and persistence are critical for successWith lessons in grit, growth, and staying grounded, this episode is a candid look at the hustle behind a business that helps brands be understood around the world. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/  Chapters:(0:00) Intro (0:37) Founding Serv Translation Agency (3:37) Pivoting and Launching with Partners(7:26) Why the name "Serv"? (9:21) Experience in Northern Pakistan (11:55) Athletics and Business (13:44) Parenthood and Entrepreneurship (16:46) No Days off - even on vacation(18:36) Seeing your product out in the wild(20:17) The impact of AI in the industry(23:18) Impact of Rahim's Family on Entrepreneurship(28:33) Business Development on crutches (31:06) Moving the business to Toronto(34:02) Relationships - in life and business(37:20) Lessons from Nine Years in Business

On Episode 7 of Behind the Business, Batool Salim, Founder and Agent at Team Mosaic Realty, shares her journey of launching a real estate business while raising a family—sometimes quite literally from the nursery. From taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship to systemizing her business for long-term success, Batool opens up about the highs and lows of building Mosaic RealEstate alongside her husband. She dives into the realities of navigating the Toronto real estate market, balancing parenthood with business ownership, and the importance of streamlining operations to scale.This conversation is filled with real insights on what it takes to manage both a thriving business and a growing family—all while keeping a vision for the future. If you’re an entrepreneur, parent, or dream of starting your own venture, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ Chapters:(0:00) Intro (0:48) Launching Mosaic Real Estate(4:50) The Dynamics of Working with your Spouse(8:57) Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship (11:24) Taking the Leap of Faith  (13:09) Navigating Peaks and Valleys in Business(14:30) Insights on the Toronto Real Estate Market(16:21) Celebrating Milestones and Achievements (18:46) Future Aspirations for Mosaic(20:42) Advice to Future Entrepreneurs

On Episode 6 of Behind the Business, Maha Mansoor & Michael Nistorescu, the husband-and-wife team behind Mansoor Law, join Faheem Savja for a conversation about building a thriving law firm while raising a family.From launching their practice to scaling with a client-first approach, Maha and Michael share the realities of working together as spouses, the lessons they’ve learned as parent-entrepreneurs, and how their community-driven mindset has shaped their business. They open up about:🔹 The challenges (and perks!) of building with your spouse🔹 How their clients and community fuel their growth🔹 The most rewarding parts of running their own firm🔹 The reality of entrepreneurship—beyond the highlights🔹 What they’d tell their younger selves about business ownershipIf you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to start and scale a business with your partner, this episode is packed with real insights, honest reflections, and valuable advice.Our guests this week: mansoorlaw.caStay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/  Chapters:(0:00) Intro (0:24) Formation of Mansoor Law(4:50) Building with your spouse (8:27) Scaling with the community in mind (10:58) Client-first advantage  (14:25) Being parent-entrepreneurs (22:33) Most rewarding part(26:43) Future of Mansoor Law (31:03) Advice to their younger selves(33:57) Reality of being an entrepreneur

On this episode of Behind the Business, Jiten Grover, Owner of Dipped Donuts, sits down with Faheem Savja for a candid conversation about turning a childhood passion into a thriving business.Jiten shares how Toronto’s vibrant community—especially Kensington Market—shaped his vision and brand, inspiring him to create one of the city’s most beloved donut spots. Heopens up about the challenges of launching his first and second locations, navigating the food industry, and weathering the impact of the pandemic.From leaving an office job to testing if entrepreneurship was the right fit, Jiten’s journey is packed with insights on resilience, building a strong team, and embracing the grind of running a small business.If you've ever dreamed of starting your own venture, this episode is filled with real talk, hard-earned lessons, and of course, some seriously sweet inspiration. 🍩🎙️Note: This episode contains occasional strong language. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/  Chapters:(0:00) Intro (0:42) How it all started - Donut Inspiration and an "office" job(7:31) The Pandemic and Toronto love (9:45) Importance of cash flow & marketing(11:34) Expansion to 2nd location (14:36) Managing time & staff as a founder(18:49) Maintaining quality while growing (20:45) Dr. Dre - the mixer(21:45) Expanding presence online(26:24) Jiten's biggest challenge - the brand(31:50) Jiten's biggest reward (33:23) The creative donut process (37:08) The best donut he's ever made(38:38) What would he tell himself - 9 years ago

In this episode of Behind the Business, Fatima Jaffer, Real Estate Consultant at Texas Realty, joins Faheem Savja for a raw and insightful conversation on the grind of building a book of business from the ground up. Fatima shares what it’s like to enter the real estate industry at a young age, navigate cultural expectations, and standout in a competitive field. From hustling to close deals to the challenge of creating work-life balance, she breaks down therealities of entrepreneurship that go beyond the highlight reel. This conversation also explores the influence of family and culture on career choices, especially as children of immigrants in North America. Plus, Fatima flips the script—turning the tables on Faheem to dive into his own entrepreneurial journey. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, overcoming industry barriers, or making bold career moves, this episode is packed with relatable insights, hard-hitting advice, and real talk you don’t want to miss! Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/Chapters:(0:00) Intro (0:42) Real-Estate grind right out of grad(3:51) Doing real-estate full-time(5:50) Hustling from a young age (7:11) Fear of starting out(8:04) Establishing credibility at a young age(11:49) Struggles of balancing life and growth (21:20) Shifting priorities with age(23:03) Impact of Family & Culture on Business (26:00) Pressure to pick a career too early(30:39) Rise and fall of agents during the pandemic (35:25) It’s a people business(36:30) Having a strong support system

On this episode of Behind the Business, Cory Gottfredson, Founder of Snow Crane Capital, joins Faheem to share his journey into the world of Search Funds—from taking the leap into entrepreneurship to raising capital and navigating the challenges of deal-making. Cory opens up about the highs and lows of searching for and acquiring a business, what happens when deals fall through, and how he manages the pressures of entrepreneurship while balancing life as a father of three. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to set up a fund, bring on investors, and successfully acquire a business, this episode is packed with real-world insights you don’t want to miss! Welcome to Behind the Business. Thank you for tuning in to our first season! Tons of new content on the way. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/ 📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ (0:00) Intro (1:13) Cory's path to starting his Search Fund (3:15) The concept of a Search Fund (5:13) Bringing on Investors (7:46) Snow Crane Capital - defining the search (12:02) Impact on family life & a lonely search road (18:51) Small Business Acquisitions vs Search Funds (21:10) The perfect deal - that fell through… (25:13) Shifting approach to finding the right business (29:24) The market for acquisitions (31:57) Finding the right partners and firms (36:39) What's next for Snow Crane Capital? (39:37) Cory's advice to searchers

On our second episode of Behind the Business, Raaziq Bhimani of ⁠Buddha Burger ⁠joins Faheem to talk about the restaurant game, building food culture and his approach on mentorship and people as an entrepreneur. Raaziq also shares his hockey and bollywood aspirations along the way! Tons of laughs and wild stories in this one. If you've ever wondered what the heat of the kitchen is like, you don't want to miss this one. Welcome to Behind the Business. Thank you for tuning in to our first season! Tons of new content on the way. Stay connected with #behindthebusiness : 📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/behindthebiz_pod/ 📱 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/behind-the-business-podcast/ (0:00) Intro (0:23) Deciding to Leave Toronto (2:56) Regret of not trying (5:33) Born for restaurants! (7:05) Did you always know restaurants were the career path? (9:16) Realities of the restaurant game (11:38) Glorifying entrepreneurship (13:03) Managing staff in the restaurant industry (19:03) Raaziq's biggest challenges in building Buddha Burger (25:40) The future of Austin's food scene (28:04) Deciding to Franchise or Build (31:00) Perpetual restaurant owners are crazy...in love with it (34:48) Technical knowledge before entrepreneurship (37:48) Mentorship as an entrepreneur (42:36) Raaziq's advice to before becoming an entrepreneur

On our very first episode of Behind the Business, Salima Kassam of Sustain and Grow Digital joins Faheem to talk about quitting her dream job at Meta, managing the daily mental doubts of becoming an entrepreneur and her first year in business. Tons of laughs sprinkled with some harsh realities. This episode is one that anyone can relate to. Welcome to Behind the Business. Thank you for joining in our first season! Tons of new content on the way. (0:00) Intro (0:27) Quitting the dream job (7:55) Starting small and the first client (11:00) First year in business (13:24) Realities of entrepreneurship (16:09) Impact of Salima's Dad (18:04) Dealing with people (19:39) Scaling the business (22:56) Find a mentor (24:27) Just figuring it out (26:27) Adjusting to your clients (32:01) Are all entrepreneurs a little crazy? (34:26) Imposter Syndrome is real (39:18) Can you live with the regret of not trying entrepreneurship? (43:08) Looking back, what would you tell yourself?