21 - Finding Your Role as a Leader

This week on Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller speaks with Duncan Jessiman and Polly Craik, co-founders of Vexxit - an online marketplace that uses machine learning to match people who need professional services with experts to meet their specific needs.

Duncan first founded of Exchange Income Corp, a TSX-listed public company reaching a $1B market cap. Polly founded FineLine Solutions, a firm focused on supporting not-for-profit organizations with donor retention, which after 30 years was acquired by a Nasdaq-traded company. Having worked with many professionals, these two powerhouses jumped back in to found Vexxit with the belief that there is a better way for people to vet and access trusted advice.

In this episode, Duncan and Polly discuss finding your role as a leader, finding technology partners to bring your idea to life, and what it is like to start multi-generational businesses in the Canadian Prairies.

If you want to learn about starting a business from two guests who have completed the full cycle from idea to acquisition and are doing it again, then this episode is for you.

For full show notes and resources directly from our guests, visit www.StartPodcast.ca, and Subscribe Now wherever you’re listening to never miss an episode.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

0:26 to 6:53 The Story of Vexxit – Idea & Evolution 6:54 to 10:20 Past Experience Supporting New Tech Start-Up 10:21 to 12:45 Remote Based Teams 12:46 to 14:32 Finding Your Role as a Leader / Founder 14:33 to 16:09 Hiring for Remote Based Teams 16:10 to 18:38 Preparing and Evolving Before Launch 18:39 to 21:33 Manitoba Support System and Finding Technology Partners 21:34 to 24:56 Using Vexxit’s Matching Platform 24:57 to 26:30 Cybersecurity and Compliance 26:35 to 28:20 Diversity in AI and Machine Learning 29:40 to 30:38 Practical Advice from Duncan 30:39 to 32:56 SPEED ROUND 33:22 to 37:17 What It’s Like as a Woman and Parent in Business 39:08 to 45:00 Starting a Business in the Canadian Prairies 45:05 to 47:28 What’s Next for Vexxit & Resources from Duncan and Polly

 

Follow Vexxit – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

vexxit.com Facebook @Vexxit Instagram @Vexxit_ LinkedIn @Vexxit

 

Follow Start Podcast – And Share What You Learned From This Episode:

startpodcast.ca Facebook: @StartPodcast Instagram: @StartPodcast Twitter: @MargauxAMiller

 

Find Your Start - Episode Resources:

Manitoba Tech Ecosystem Map Business Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber – great tips for finding your place IN the business Marketing Podcasts by Jay Baer Marketing Book: YOUtility by Jay Baer Simon Sinek

 

Shoutouts in this Episode:

Manitoba Technology Accelerator EO Winnipeg – Accelerator Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Alberta Chamber of Commerce