Durham Region Community Podcast

Paul interviewed Diana about her new initiative, the Durham Business Social, which aims to bring Toronto-style networking events to Durham Region. Diana explained how she launched the first event at a Whitby cafe with over 20 attendees and plans to host future events with unique themes like an upcoming after-5 social with a DJ and signature mocktails. They discussed the goal of creating a supportive community for business professionals while also helping local businesses through partnerships and collaborations. Paul encouraged business owners to reach out to Diana for potential collaborations, and Diana shared her social media handles as the best way for people to contact her about the Durham Business Social events.

Join me as I welcome my latest guest. Professional boxer Austin "The Tornado" Joel.  Austin shared his journey from being inspired by Rocky movies as a child to transitioning from Taekwondo and Muay Thai to becoming a professional boxer with three fights and two wins. He discusses his multi-year deal with United Promotions and plans to open a gym after his boxing career. Austin outlined his sponsorship packages for local businesses, offering social media promotion, merchandise placement, and VIP fight tickets. The conversation concluded with Paul encouraging listeners to connect with Austin through his Instagram for potential sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to the Spring 2026 update! A lot of amazing sold stories to celebrate already. If you are interested in how the latest solds have affected your home value, here is the link to find out more.

Paul interviewed Jemm, the co-founder of Kiddopolis, a program that teaches financial literacy and entrepreneurship to children aged 7-12. Jemm shared his background, including his move from the Philippines to Canada, and how he became interested in teaching kids about business and money management after seeing the positive impact on his own children. They discussed the Kiddopolis program, which includes teaching kids to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and create business plans. Jemm explained the financial literacy component, which introduces concepts like saving, spending, and sharing. They also talked about Jemm's children's success as young authors. [email protected]

After over 20 years in the healthcare industry, Erin has transitioned into entrepreneurship by launching EMPowered Fitness at Home, a professional fitness studio located in her Beaverton basement. Driven by her lifelong passion for athletics—ranging from powerlifting to completing an Ironman—Erin initially built the space to maintain her own fitness while caring for her child. The facility has since evolved from a personal workout area into a fully equipped commercial studio, complete with professional equipment, mirrors, and client amenities like a coffee bar.Erin’s business model finds success by offering a unique, private alternative to traditional "big box" gyms, specifically catering to women aged 35 and older and downtown workers in the Durham Region. Her clients appreciate the personalized attention and the comfort of a private setting, which has led to a surge in demand, particularly during the busy New Year season. To further integrate into the community, Erin is collaborating with local leadership, including the Mayor and the Brock Board of Trade, for an upcoming event on the 24th to showcase her facility and services.For those looking to begin a new health journey, Erin offers multiple ways to connect, including an upcoming open house, her website, and social media. Potential clients can reach out via email at [email protected] or visit www.empoweredfitnessathome.ca to learn more about her hybrid model of in-person and online training. This transition marks a significant chapter for Erin, as she leverages her extensive healthcare background to provide a specialized, supportive environment for her local community.

A brief history of Ajax, Ontario and celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025. Stay tuned here for some BIG news regarding one of the most amazing wartime homes in the area coming soon. 

With Remembrance Day coming up this week, I thought this would be a fitting tribute to those who have sacrificed everything for our freedom.This is the story of the Battle of Bowmanville. The ONLY WW2 battle fought on Canadian soil. 

Ashley explains how Flexwerx was established to address space constraints for their growing team by renting out unused office space. She detailed her career journey and Flexwerk membership options, ranging from virtual to private offices with varying access levels. Paul emphasized the importance of flexible workspaces during Small Business Week and provided contact information for Flexwerx, while noting that the discussion was intended as a business podcast feature.

Tammy discusses her career journey, starting with fitness then financial services and transitioning to public speaking after a back injury in 2018. She developed her own public speaking course and registered GTAPreneurs as a sole proprietorship in 2019, eventually choosing self-employment over a business development manager position. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Tammy's business flourished as she adapted to virtual networking events, allowing her to connect with people she otherwise wouldn't have met. Visit GTApreneurs.com for more info and to join the next event happening on October 21, 2025.

Intro episode for Durham Region Community Podcast.