In It For The Honey

What does it look like to disrupt an industry that most people never think twice about?In this episode, I sit down with Ali Zaydan, co-founder and CEO of Drivisa, Canada's driving education platform built on a simple but powerful idea: getting your license shouldn't be expensive, rigid, or inaccessible.Ali walks us through how Drivisa spotted a gap in a traditional, underserved market and built a model (a two-sided marketplace) that works for both students and instructors. We talk about the lean, self-service approach that sets Drivisa apart, the behind-the-scenes challenges of building in a space that hasn't changed much in decades, and what it really takes to execute on an idea when the path isn't clear.This conversation gets into the origin story, the co-founder dynamic, and the resilience it takes to keep going when the obstacles feel bigger than the vision.You'll hear:How Ali discovered the driving education niche and why it was worth disruptingThe pricing and user experience decisions that changed the modelWhat traditional driving schools get wrong, and how Drivisa is filling the gapThe real challenges facing driving instructors, and how Drivisa supports themAli's take on execution, mentorship, and building a business that creates accessWhere Drivisa is headed nextIf this conversation resonates, subscribe to In It for the Honey, share it with a founder who's building something for the impact, and check out Ali's work at www.drivisa.com

What if the key to fueling Canada’s innovation ecosystem isn’t just money—but the people who know how to unlock it?In this episode, I sit down with Jon Irwin, a funding and investment expert who has helped entrepreneurs secure millions in grants, tax credits, and government incentives. Jon started his career solving technical puzzles, but over time, he realized his real gift wasn’t just in coding or systems—it was in empowering founders to bring world-changing ideas to life.We explore how Jon went from a corporate problem-solver to a catalyst for innovation, why he’s so committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed, and what keeps him going through the complex, often frustrating world of funding. If you’re an impact-driven entrepreneur, or you’ve ever wondered how to access the capital that could transform your business, this conversation is for you.You’ll hear:What Jon actually does—and why it matters for Canada’s innovation landscapeThe spark that led him into funding and incentivesIf this conversation resonates, subscribe to In It for the Honey, share it with a purpose-driven founder, and check out Jon’s work: SREDit Funding Solutions | Canada's Government Funding Experts

What does it take to build a film festival that pushes boundaries, celebrates risk-taking, and gives a home to the stories mainstream Canada overlooks?In this episode, I sit down with Festival Director and Founder Kelly Michael Stewart of Blood in the Snow, Canada's premiere showcase of horror, genre, and underground cinema. Since 2012, BITS has carved out a space for filmmakers who dare to explore the taboo, the strange, the unsettling — and the deeply human. Their festival doesn't just screen films; it nurtures independent Canadian voices, champions artistic freedom, and challenges the limits of genre storytelling.Check out Blood in the Snow Film Festival (www.bloodinthesnow.ca) to learn more and follow them on Instagram: @bitsfilmfest https://www.instagram.com/bitsfilmfest/