PODCAST · business
This Commerce Life
by Phil Chang / Kenny Vannucci
A Canadian Podcast, focused on Canadian brands, determined to talk about Canadian success stories. We are retail educators and experts, teaching Canadian businesses how to build, grow, and scale in retail. As industry connectors, Kenny & Phil bring decades of experience as buyers, sales strategists, and marketers into delivering practical, actionable education grounded in real-world application.
Episodes
-
Why This Fresh-Roasted Nut Shop Beats the Grocery Aisle | Ayoub's
Every Ayoub's store has a roaster, and stores with one do better. Amir Hosh, owner of Ayoub's Dried Fruits & Nuts, explains how fresh roasting, farm-direct sourcing, and trained "store energy" turned his family's Iranian nut-shop tradition into a growing Canadian retail chain. Amir's father Ayoub...
-
Personal Chef Meal Prep for 80 Households a Week | Fresh in Your Fridge
Every client gets their own chef and a fully custom menu, and Fresh in Your Fridge does it for 80 households a week. Founder Erika Weissenborn explains how she built a premium personal chef meal prep service in Vancouver, and why her growth comes from search, not ads. Erika started with a...
-
Why Friggin Lip Balm Refuses to Be Anything But a Lip Company
She landed in Grammy swag bags and airport shops, then walked away from her distributor after one surprise visit. Ginny Bailey of Friggin Lip Balm on stepping away for nearly a decade and coming back stronger. Ginny started Friggin Lip Balm out of her shop in Uxbridge, Ontario, where customers…
more -
Tariffs, Lentils & Rice Cakes: Plum Good's Canadian Pivot
When Amy Rogerson took over Van Rice Products in 2019, her first week running the company was also her first week of chemotherapy. Then COVID hit. Amy is the General Manager of Plum Good, Canada's only locally-made organic rice cake — and one of the last rice cakes still manufactured in this...
-
Selling Into Mexico: The Canadian Brand Playbook | Steve Sotto
With the Canada–U.S. trade war pushing brands to rethink where their product goes, Mexico has quietly become one of the biggest openings in Canadian CPG. Former Bed Bath & Beyond Mexico CEO Steve Sotto joins Phil and Kenny to break down how Canadian brands actually get in — and where most of them...
-
Electric Kids: The Clean Electrolyte Drink Getting Kids to Drink Water
Kids won't drink water — but they'll chase the bright, fun stuff. Laura Chiodola built Electric Kids to hijack that impulse for good. After 20 years building Tealish, Laura saw the same problem every parent knows: sports drinks and TikTok-hyped brands own the kids' beverage space, while the...
-
Peter Chapman on Getting Your Product on the Shelf — and in the Cart
Retail veteran Peter Chapman has spent 20 years teaching brands what buyers actually want to hear — and it's rarely another pitch about how great your product is. After 19 years at Loblaw running fresh merchandising across Atlantic Canada, Peter went out on his own in 2008 to help suppliers build...
-
Tariffs Hit Canada: What Canadian Brands Should Be Thinking About
Elbows up — but make it strategic. Phil and Kenny break down what the latest US tariff escalation actually means for Canadian food, beverage, and CPG brands. This one's raw and unscripted. The guys air out the frustration, then get clinical: how founders should be stress-testing their US…
more -
Mushrooms in Chocolate: How MyCAO Built a Functional CPG Brand
Meet Colin Christensen, the entrepreneur who turned "mushrooms and chocolate" into a fast-growing Canadian functional food brand — and made it taste like chocolate, not sand. MyCAO (a mashup of mycelia + cacao) started almost by accident. Hired as CEO of a psilocybin company waiting on…
more -
Aaron Skelton on Getting Retail-Ready: Inside CHFA's Greenhouse
Getting on a show floor was never the hard part — being ready to do business once you're there is. In this episode, Phil and Kenny sit down with Aaron Skelton, President & CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association, to unpack how the CHFA show is evolving from an exposure play into a readiness...
-
What a Distributor Really Wants Before They'll List Your Brand
The real scoop on getting into distribution — straight from the person who reviews the applications. Amanda Coish of Purity Life breaks down what actually earns a "yes." We've had the big-picture conversation about distribution before. This time we wanted the unfiltered version, so we sat down…
more -
Seven Summit Snacks: A Chocolate Scientist Builds an Energy Bar Brand
Kristyn Carriere went from running taste panels at Cadbury and formulating for Godiva to founding her own Canadian chocolate brand. This is what happens when a real food scientist decides to build a CPG company. On this episode, Kristyn Carriere of Seven Summit Snacks joins Phil and Kenny to talk...
-
From a Yukon Farmers Market to Dragon's Den: How Klondike Kettle Corn Is Going National | Katie Young
Katie Young moved to Whitehorse, Yukon in 2007 for the adventure — dog sledding, mountains, and a winter practicum — and ended up building one of the North's most beloved CPG brands. In this episode, she sits down with Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci to tell the full story of Klondike Kettle Corn:...
-
"We Dropped Out of University to Make Ice Cream" — The Shaw's Ice Cream Story
When Shaw's Ice Cream announced it was closing its doors in 2001, three sisters — Christine, Kelly, and Kim — made a decision most people would call reckless: they dropped out of university and bought the shuttered 1950s manufacturing plant. Their logic? "We know retail. How hard can…
more -
"I Know a Guy" Isn't a Sourcing Strategy | SURCH Foods
Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci sit down with Sylvia Bennett, founder of SURCH Foods (that's S-U-R-C-H), a B2B search platform built to solve a problem the food industry has quietly lived with forever: there is no good way to find ingredients, packaging, co-manufacturers, or expertise. Sylvia spent...
-
From Farmers Market to Retail Shelves: How Kettle & Hive Built a Lemon Honey Tea Brand
Trish, founder of Kettle & Hive, joins This Commerce Life to share how a coworker's break-time basket of lemons, ginger, and honey sparked the idea for a fresh, spoonable lemon and honey tea — made with just two ingredients, no corn syrup, no thickeners, no shortcuts. From her first job as a day...
-
They Turned Barley Greens Into Tea — Natural Farmworks' Wild Founder Story
What do you do when your product is so unique that no five-second pitch can explain it? This week, Phil and Kenny sit down with Brad and Sheila, founders of Natural Farmworks — a regenerative farm in BC's Boundary Country that grows barley greens and processes them using traditional Chinese tea...
-
How She Built a Thriving Farmers Market in the Middle of Nowhere | Ashley Sauve, Sauve's Country Market
Ashley Sauve was 12 years old when she started selling mini straw bales to Canadian Tire stores from her family's cash crop farm. Today, she owns Sauve's Country Market in South Woodslee, Ontario — a destination farm market in Windsor-Essex County that customers happily drive 45 minutes to visit,...
-
Exporting to Mexico? What Canadian Food Brands Need to Know | Julie Therrien, Leclerc Group
Special thursday episode: Julie Therrien of Biscuits Leclerc is back — and this time we're picking her brain on one of the biggest opportunities for Canadian food and beverage brands right now: exporting to Mexico. Julie's export career started in Mexico in the mid-90s, and she's spent nearly 30...
-
Sisters Turned a $90 Ice Cream Cart Into a CHFA Show-Stopper | Fromage Protein Pops
What happens when a food scientist and a hairstylist-turned-entrepreneur team up to reinvent cottage cheese? You get Fromage Protein Pops — a frozen treat that started with a $90 thrifted cart, 170+ recipe iterations, and a whole lot of sister chemistry. In this episode, Phil Chang and Kenny...
-
From Pasta Bar to Costco's First HMR: Andy Mollica's 35-Year Italian Food Empire
Andy Mollica, founder of Anducci's, joins Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci for an unfiltered look at one of Vancouver's most legendary Italian food stories. Andy shares how he opened his first pasta bar at 19 years old, built Anducci's into a 27-year East Van institution, and accidentally pioneered...
-
From Health Food to National Grocers: How Canadian Brands Should Think About Distribution | Matthew James
If your brand is trying to scale across Canada, this episode is essential listening. Phil and Kenny sit down with Matthew James, President & CEO of Purity Life Health Products — Canada's largest and only full-service wellness distributor covering dry, frozen, and refrigerated products across all...
-
He Closed Toronto's Most Iconic Deli and Moved to Tofino. Here's What Happened Next. | Zane Caplansky
Zane Caplansky opened what's considered Toronto's first pop-up restaurant — a deli inside a dive bar in Little Italy — and turned it into one of the city's most beloved institutions. Along the way he appeared on Dragon's Den three times, got featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and You Gotta…
more -
Epicure's Comeback: From $100M MLM Brand to Omnichannel Relaunch | Amelia Warren & Kyle Vucko
What do you do when the brand you built to over $100 million goes bankrupt — and then you get the chance to buy it back? That's exactly what Amelia Warren and Kyle Vucko did with Epicure. In this episode, Phil and Kenny sit down with the co-managing directors of the relaunched Epicure — a…
more -
Brand Photography, Wix vs WordPress, and Why AI Can't Replace This | ft. Bonnie Joyce
Phil and Kenny sit down with Bonnie Joyce — the photographer and web designer behind some of the best headshots This Commerce Life has ever had (which, admittedly, is a low bar). Bonnie runs Bonnie Joyce Creative Studio, a photography and Wix web design business based in Eastern Ontario, where...
-
Vancouver Chef Robert Belcham on Restaurant Survival, Pricing Truth & Why Cheap Food Costs Someone Dearly
The survival math behind Vancouver's independent restaurant scene — and why cheap food is never actually cheap. Phil and Kenny sit down with Robert Belcham — a 35-year Vancouver chef, restaurateur behind Campanolo, Monarch Burger, and Poppina Canteen, and board member of the Chef's Table Society…
more -
The Queen of Cookies on 28 Years at Leclerc, Breaking Into Mexico & Why Independents Still Matter
Julie Therrien has spent 28 years selling Canadian cookies to the world — and she's got the stories to prove it. As Western Canada Sales Rep for Biscuits Leclerc (the family behind Celebration Cookies, Go Pure bars, and that iconic air travel snack you definitely know), Julie joins Kenny and Phil...
-
Why Retailers Want a Distributor (Not You) — Inside UNFI Canada with President Stacey Kravitz
If you're a Canadian food or beverage brand wondering why retailers keep asking for a distributor, this episode is your answer. Phil and Kenny sit down with Stacey Kravitz, President of UNFI Canada, for one of the most important conversations we've had on the show. Stacey brings 20+ years at…
more -
Why Your Brand Looks Like Frankenstein (And How to Fix It) ft. Kevin Sotto
Most small business owners think they have a brand. What they actually have is a collection of decisions made in a hurry — four shades of blue, six different fonts, and a website built room by room without a blueprint. Sound familiar? In this episode, Phil and Kenny sit down with Kevin Sotto of...
-
The Real Cost of Getting Into Stores — Umami Crave the Fifth's Retail Journey
What does it take to turn a house-made restaurant dressing into a multi-SKU CPG brand with distributors, Power Bowl mixes, and a brand-new line of high-protein soup mixes? This week, Phil and Kenny sit down with Joanna and Stephanie, the co-founders of Umami Crave the Fifth, a Kelowna-based food...
-
From Deloitte Partner to Canada's Only Horseradish Producer | Marc Whitmore
What does it take to leave a 30-year career at one of the world's biggest consulting firms — and bet it all on a 65-year-old condiment brand that had been sitting dormant for a year? Marc Whitmore is the CEO and owner of Dennis Horseradish, Canada's only horseradish producer. A former Senior...
-
Retiring Grocer Reveals the Secret to Local Brand Success: Peter Boyd on Food, Community & What Retailers Really Want
After 37 years running the same grocery store, Peter Boyd is stepping away from the floor — but he's nowhere near done. In this episode of This Commerce Life, Phil and Kenny sit down with one of the most beloved independent grocery operators in the Okanagan to talk about what it actually takes to...
-
From Tinder to Acquisition to North America's First Clear Vegan Protein — Melissa L'Heureux-Hache of Vegain
What does it look like to bootstrap a CPG brand from your kitchen, survive an acquisition, and then pivot into a category that barely existed? Melissa L'Heureux-Hache, co-founder of Vegain — a Vancouver-based plant-based sports nutrition company — shares the full story with Phil and Kenny on This...
-
We're Not Just a Podcast Anymore | This Commerce Life Update
Phil and Kenny pull up a chair for a candid check-in — no guest, no agenda, just an honest conversation about where This Commerce Life has been, where it's going, and why what they do matters more than ever for Canadian food and beverage brands. After 460+ episodes and eight years in, Phil and...
-
How Startup TNT Is Getting Regular Canadians to Invest in Early-Stage Companies | Jesse Wiebe
What if you could invest in promising Canadian startups for as little as $5,000 — and help a food or CPG brand scale to retail shelves at the same time? In this episode of This Commerce Life, Phil and Kenny sit down with Jesse Wiebe, Community Development Manager and key figure at Startup TNT —…
more -
From Canoes to Continents: Canada's Wild Rice Legacy with Matt Ratuski of Floating Leaf Fine Foods
What do the Canadian Shield, a fourth-generation family business, and a trade show floor in Germany have in common? Wild rice — and one of the most remarkable food origin stories you've never heard. In this episode of This Commerce Life, Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci sit down with Matt Ratuski,...
-
Brewery to Bubbles: How Diana of Callister Soda Turned a Side Project Into a Thriving Craft Beverage Brand
What do you do when the soda you started making to complement your craft brewery ends up outgrowing the brewery itself? That's exactly what happened to Diana, co-founder of Callister Soda. In this episode, Diana walks us through her unlikely journey — from office worker dreaming of a sustainable...
-
From Istanbul to Grocery Aisles: Arda and the Hummzies Story
From Istanbul to Grocery Aisles: Arda and the Hummzies Story In this episode, Kenny and Phil sit down with Arda, the founder of Hummzies — a hummus-based, chickpea snack that's quickly gaining traction across Canadian retail shelves. Arda shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Istanbul,...
-
Corporate Marketing to Pasta Sauce | Natasha Chawla, Greens & Beans
Natasha Chawla spent 25+ years in the corporate world working on brands like Coca-Cola and Unilever before launching Greens&Beans — a line of vegetable-packed, allergen-free pasta sauces born from her own kitchen. What started as a mom's mission to feed her allergy-prone, hockey-playing son…
more -
From Rescue Horses to Retail: Building Topline Feed and Farm Supply in Rural Ontario
When Vikki decided to rescue horses with no teeth, she didn't realize it would lead to opening a thriving feed and farm supply business. In this episode, Vikki and her husband Rob share how Topline Feed and Farm Supply started as a way to "supplement the horses" and evolved into a community hub…
more -
From Salt Spring Island to Small-Town Retail: Angela Donnelly on Running Raise the Root Organic Market
From Salt Spring Island to Small-Town Retail: Angela Donnelly on Running Raise the Root Organic Market Angela Donnelly, founder of Raise the Root Organic Market in Caledon, Ontario, shares her journey from working on her parents' mobile produce truck on Salt Spring Island to opening her own…
more -
From Zero Research to 175 Stores: Building Peak Beverage Co.'s Premium Fruit Soda Brand
Andrew Warburton from Peak Beverage Co. joins Phil and Kenny to share his journey building a premium fruit soda brand in BC's competitive beverage market. From launching with minimal research to now being in 175+ stores across Western Canada, Andrew opens up about the realities of scaling a local...
-
Building Canada's Next Generation of Retail Leaders with Dr. Janice Rudkowski
Building Canada's Next Generation of Retail Leaders with Dr. Janice Rudkowski Ever wonder where retail professionals actually learn their craft? Dr. Janice Rudkowski from Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Retail Management joins Phil and Kenny to discuss Canada's only undergraduate…
more -
Challenge to Success: How Market 49 Fine Foods is Revolutionizing Frozen Meals in BC
Bryan from Market 49 Fine Foods joins Phil and Kenny to share the story of how a COVID-era side hustle for bored chefs turned into a thriving frozen meal business that's redefining quality in the freezer aisle. What started as cooking for friends and family who couldn't or wouldn't cook has grown...
-
From Quebec Grains to World-Class Spirits: The Dunrobin Distilleries Story
From Quebec Grains to World-Class Spirits: The Dunrobin Distilleries Story Adrian from Dunrobin Distilleries joins Phil and Kenny to share the fascinating journey of building one of Eastern Ontario's premier craft distilleries. Located halfway between Ottawa and Montreal, Dunrobin has carved out…
more -
The Business of Boxes: Inside Commercial Packaging with Glenmore Printing
James Rowley of Glenmore Printing pulls back the curtain on the commercial packaging industry, revealing how commodity price volatility, tariff uncertainty, and consolidation are reshaping the business. James shares his philosophy on being a true partner to food brands—absorbing cost pressures,...
-
We catch up with Sonia Strobel, Co-Founder & CEO Of Skipper Otto - Canada's Largest Community-Supported Fishery
We catch up with Sonia Strobel, Co-Founder & CEO Of Skipper Otto - Canada's Largest Community-Supported Fishery Skipper Otto has cracked the code on sustainable, traceable seafood in Canada. Co-founder and CEO Sonia Strobel joins us to share how their community-supported fishery model has grown…
more -
Mushroom Gummies and Market Strategy: How Mycelyum is rethinking functional wellness
We sit down with Joy Dutcher, co-founder of Mycelyum, to explore how she turned a personal journey with ADHD and functional mushrooms into an innovative Canadian wellness brand. Joy shares the origin story of discovering lion's mane and chaga mushrooms through her partner Jimmy's background in...
-
Not Too Sweet: Building a Better-For-You Beverage Brand on Vancouver Island
Elaine and Cam, the founders behind Not Too Sweet Drinks, join Phil and Kenny to share their journey of creating a sparkling beverage brand that's actually not too sweet. Recording from Phil's car during CHFA prep with special guests Lara and Christine from Munching on Molecules, this episode...
-
From Corporate to Coach: Sarah Kinlin's Journey of Grit, Grace & Goals
Sarah Kinlin returns to This Commerce Life two and a half years after her first appearance, and the transformation is remarkable. What started as a tentative step toward professional speaking has evolved into a thriving business as a mindset and leadership coach, author, and professional hockey...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A Canadian Podcast, focused on Canadian brands, determined to talk about Canadian success stories. We are retail educators and experts, teaching Canadian businesses how to build, grow, and scale in retail. As industry connectors, Kenny & Phil bring decades of experience as buyers, sales strategists, and marketers into delivering practical, actionable education grounded in real-world application.
HOSTED BY
Phil Chang / Kenny Vannucci
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does This Commerce Life have?
This Commerce Life currently has 500 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is This Commerce Life about?
A Canadian Podcast, focused on Canadian brands, determined to talk about Canadian success stories. We are retail educators and experts, teaching Canadian businesses how to build, grow, and scale in retail. As industry connectors, Kenny & Phil bring decades of experience as buyers, sales...
How often does This Commerce Life release new episodes?
This Commerce Life publishes regularly with 500 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to This Commerce Life?
You can listen to This Commerce Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts This Commerce Life?
This Commerce Life is created and hosted by Phil Chang / Kenny Vannucci.
URL copied to clipboard!