Yes, We Are Open!
51 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsSmall business is the backbone of Canada’s economy, but it isn’t for the faint of heart. Every year in Canada tens of thousands of businesses are born, however every year almost the same number fail. A lot can be learned from failure, but that’s just sad and depressing.
“Yes, We Are Open” is a podcast that tells the stories of those that survive. How did they do it? What can we learn?
Al Grego, of Moneris travels the country to tell these stories of challenge and perseverance. Whether you’re a small business owner yourself, or you’re thinking of starting one someday, these cautionary and motivational stories will provide you with the lessons and inspiration to help you on your way.
Are you the owner of a small business with an interesting story to tell? Email Al at [email protected].
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Episodes
Going With The Grain
April 22, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutes - 28.2 MBAl’s next stop in Alberta is beautiful Canmore, home of Sara and Joe Titus, owners of Going With The Grain. For almost 20 years Sara and Joe have been installing and restoring hardwood floors in the Canmore area. They are one of only two husband & wife teams in North America to hold the designation of ‘Bona Certified Craftsmen’. All this to say, they know their craft! Throughout their 20 years of business, Sara and Joe have encountered many struggles. From building their brand when they ope...
Mountain Chocolates
April 15, 2024 04:00 - 27 minutes - 26.1 MBThis week Al goes to picturesque Banff, Alberta to visit Ken McMurdo, owner of Mountain Chocolates. Ken started his business in 1989 when Banff was just beginning to grow into the tourist attraction it has become. But it hasn’t always been a sweet time for Mountain Chocolates. Being so heavily reliant on tourism has meant many ups and downs for Ken’s business and he’s seen it all, from natural disasters to global conflicts to the pandemic. His latest challenges involve inflation and supply ...
KAKS Bar & Podcast
April 08, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this week’s episode of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al heads downtown to Calgary’s Beltline District to visit KAKS Bar & Podcast. You read that right. It’s a bar, with a built-in podcast studio! Needless to say, Al is more than a little excited. He speaks with the owners Kass Kielly-Burke and Shawn Chan. They opened KAKS in June 2023, so they’re approaching their first year in business. First years are a challenge for any business, but when you pair that with record inflation and rising interest r...
River Café
April 01, 2024 04:00 - 33 minutes - 32 MBYou can learn more about River Café at river-cafe.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Trailer
March 25, 2024 04:00 - 37 seconds - 606 KBSubscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to hear them as they publish each week, or visit yesweareopenpodcast.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Maritime Fun Group
November 20, 2023 13:52 - 36 minutes - 34.5 MBYou can learn more about Maritime Fun Group at maritimefun.com. Credits: Duri Alajrami - Leadership Amy Maraone - Leadership Rick Stephan - Leadership Cass McPhee – Moneris Ad Voiceover Caleigh Ellis – Graphic Artist Chetan Dhananjaya – Webmaster Niyati Budhiraja – Webmaster Mallory McWhirther – Social Media Tanya Nagi – Social Media Kelly Servos – Internal Communications FarnazYaqubian - Internal Communications Zino Obi-Egbedi – PM Jessica Lepage – Translation Pascale Dumas-...
Tech Fuel
November 13, 2023 05:23 - 32 minutes - 30.8 MBYou can learn more about Tech Fuel at techfuel.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Strikers Den
November 06, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MBYou can learn more about Strikers Den at strikersden.ca. Check out Ash's History book "India And Faraway Lands". Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
aaniin
October 30, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.7 MBYou can learn more about aaniin at aaniin.shop. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Torpedo Rays
October 23, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.8 MBYou can learn more about Torpedo Rays at torpedorays.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Bradford Academy Of Music
October 16, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.7 MBYou can learn more about Bradford Academy of Music at bradfordacademyofmusic.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Lane Gallery
October 10, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 26.8 MBYou can learn more about Lane Gallery at lanegallery.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Ocean Quest Adventures
October 02, 2023 10:20 - 28 minutes - 26 MBYou can learn more about Ocean Quest Adventures at oceanquestadventures.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Season 5 Teaser
September 25, 2023 04:00 - 30 seconds - 489 KBSubscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to hear them as they publish each week! Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Top Talent Entertainment Agency
May 23, 2023 04:00 - 36 minutes - 36.2 MBYou can learn more about Top Talent Entertainment at toptalent.ca. Credits: Duri Alajrami - Leadership Amy Maraone - Leadership Rick Stephan - Leadership Cass McPhee – Moneris Ad Voiceover Caleigh Ellis – Graphic Artist Chetan Dhananjaya – Webmaster Niyati Budhiraja – Webmaster Mallory McWhirther – Social Media Sydney Lupton – Social Media Tanya Nagi – Social Media Kelly Servos – Internal Communications Zino Obi-Egbedi – PM Jessica Lepage – Translation Pascale Dumas-Bresse – ...
SugarKane
May 15, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 32.5 MBYou can learn more about SugarKane at sugarkanerestaurant.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Timber Lounge
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 30.5 MBYou can learn more about Timber Lounge at timberlounge.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Döghaus
May 01, 2023 04:11 - 25 minutes - 26 MBYou can learn more about Döghaus at ledoghaus.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Landscape Ontario
April 24, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 34 MBYes, Landscape Ontario Is Open Landscape Ontario is Ontario’s premier horticultural trades association. For the past 50 years, they’ve been supporting their members through professional development, trade shows and conferences, consumer events and cost savings benefits. Their premier annual event is the Landscape Ontario Congress, Canada’s largest and longest running trade show and conference for landscape professionals. While the pandemic might have provided a boon to many of their member...
Spin-It Records and Video
April 17, 2023 04:21 - 31 minutes - 30.7 MBYes, Spin-IT Records and Video Is Open This week Al is in Moncton, New Brunswick visiting Patrick Parise, owner of Spin-IT Records and Video. From file sharing to streaming, Patrick has seen a lot of disruption in his chosen industry over the past 20 years. In spite of this, Patrick was able to persevere and build a successful company. So would the pandemic just be another disruption that Patrick would expertly navigate, or would his business finally succumb? Listen to find out. You can l...
Brooks Pepperfire Foods Inc.
April 10, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes - 32.3 MBYes, Brooks Pepperfire Foods Inc. Is Open Al’s next stop in season 4 of the podcast is Rigaud, Quebec to visit Greg and Tina Brooks from Brooks Pepperfire Foods Inc. Pepperfire Foods are more than just hot sauces. They specialize in co-packing and private-labelling fresh food products for many specialty food companies. But BOY are their hot sauces HOT! How did they survive the pandemic? More importantly, did Al survive his visit? Listen to find out. You can learn more about Brooks Pepp...
Sackville Curling Club
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 28.1 MBIn the season 4 premier of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al heads east to New Brunswick. His first stop is the Sackville Curling Club. At 128 years old, it’s the oldest business Al has featured on the podcast—by a lot—but that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to struggle. With lockdowns and severe capacity restrictions, the pandemic posed the club’s greatest threat in literally a century! How did they survive? Listen to find out. You can learn more about Sackville Curling Club at sackvillecurlingclu...
Season 4 Teaser
March 27, 2023 04:00 - 36 seconds - 579 KB‘Yes, We Are Open’ Season 4 Teaser Season 4 of the award-winning 'Yes, We Are Open' podcast starts April 3rd, 2023! Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to hear them as they publish each week! Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Bear Cave Silent Booths
November 21, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 32.9 MBBear Cave Silent Booths On the season 3 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al visits Trevor and Andrea from Bear Cave Silent booths. Learn how they turned a one-off job into a manufacturing business. While the pandemic may have actually helped them get new customers, the resulting shortage of building material threatened to shut them down before they even started. Couple that with their inexperience in running a business and difficulty in getting funding and we have a recipe for struggle. How d...
Kidsworld Pediatric Dentistry
November 14, 2022 05:00 - 31 minutes - 30.9 MBKidsworld Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Priya Kothari studied and specialized in pediatric dentistry in the United States, before returning to Canada to be closer to family and to open her own practice 12 years ago. Today Kidsworld Pediatric Dentistry in Aurora, Ontario is a busy practice, treating children from all over Southern Ontario. But what happens when staffing shortages and the pandemic hit? How will she keep her patients safe? Can her dental practice survive? Listen to find out. You ...
Impact Kitchen
November 07, 2022 13:10 - 31 minutes - 30.9 MBImpact Kitchen Personal trainer and nutrition expert Josh Broun had a vision for a restaurant focused on providing simple meals with real, wholesome ingredients to ”provide energy to take on the day with purpose and optimism”. In 2015, he teamed up with Frank Toskan, co-founder of MAC Cosmetics to open Impact Kitchen despite neither of them having previous restaurant experience. Since then, Impact Kitchen has grown quickly, opening 4 more locations in Toronto. The future looked bright, bu...
Downunder Travel
October 31, 2022 04:00 - 32 minutes - 31.6 MBDownunder Travel This week Al goes downunder in downtown Toronto when he visits with Jason Webb from Downunder Travel. Jason and his team have been helping travelers get from Canada to Australia and the South Pacific and back since 2004. Business got off to a strong start for Jason and his team, but the travel industry can be quite a turbulent one…so to speak. Pilot strikes, airline closures, terrorist attacks, can all threaten to put you out of business. Downunder Travel managed to survi...
Stylephotos
October 24, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 30.3 MBStylephotos This week Al is in Concord, Ontario visiting twin brothers Khasan and Husan, the owners of Stylephotos, the #1 eCommerce photography service in Canada. Khasan and Husan started out looking for ways to improve the quality of the photography for their family’s eCommerce fashion store and ended up building a fully automated in-house production studio boasting some pretty impressive clients! How were they able to turn their need into a self-funded tech-startup with no background i...
Lakeside Dog Biscuits
October 17, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.8 MBLakeside Dog Biscuits This week Al is in Kingston, Ontario to meet Laurie Hannah, the owner of Lakeside Dog Biscuits. 20 years ago, Laurie’s Golden retriever became ill from eating commercial dog food, so Laurie set out to create natural, healthy treats for her pets and thus created Lakeside Dog Biscuits Today Laurie is retired from her career as a social worker and running her dog biscuit business full time. But how has the pandemic and high inflation affected her business? Listen to fi...
Matriarch
October 10, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.9 MBMatriarch In this episode Al goes to Kitchener, Ontario to visit Ankush Raina, owner of Matriarch. Ankush moved to Canada from India in 2018. His ultimate goal was to start his own business, something he’s been dreaming about since he was a teenager. Everything he’s done since arriving in Canada was with that goal in mind. He turned that intense focus into Matriarch, an online activewear brand. The name is a tribute to his grandmother. But with limited experience in clothing manufacturing...
The Green Bouquet Cannabis Inc
October 03, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 31.5 MBIn the Season 3 premier of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al goes to Port Sydney, Ontario to visit Heather Huff-Bogart, Owner of The Green Bouquet Cannabis Inc. Heather opened her dream business in the middle of the pandemic lockdown. In addition, she had to navigate the restrictive and ever-changing regulations in Ontario’s cannabis industry, overcome objections from her own family and friends and even some of her own neighbours. How did she do it? Listen to find out. You can learn more about The ...
Season 3 Teaser
September 26, 2022 04:00 - 37 seconds - 587 KB‘Yes, We Are Open’ Season 3 Teaser Season 3 of 'Yes, We Are Open' starts October 3rd, 2022! Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to hear them as they publish each week! Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Parry Sound Freindship Center
May 23, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 42.2 MBIt’s About Community In the season finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al visits Parry Sound Friendship Centre in Parry Sound, Ontario. He speaks with the Executive Director Delores McKay about the origins of the community centre and all the great work they’ve done to support Parry Sound’s indigenous community. Like all business, the Friendship Centre has gone through many struggles. Find out how they overcame those struggles and what the future looks like. You can learn more about Parry Sound ...
Parry Sound Friendship Center
May 23, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 42.2 MBYou can learn more about Parry Sound Friendship Centre at psfc.ca. Credits: Duri Alajrami - Leadership Amy Maraone - Leadership Rick Stephan - Leadership Mat Belanger – Moneris Ad Voiceover Kelly Servos – Merchant Liaison Caleigh Ellis – Graphic Artist Jameson Di Nucci – Webmaster Mallory McWhirther – Social Media Tanya Nagi – Social Media Kelly Foss - Promotion Consultant Emma Swan – Internal Communications Farnaz Yaqubian – Internal Communications Charlotte Lyons – Intern Zi...
Studio Brewing
May 16, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 34.6 MBYou can learn more about Studio Brewing at studiobrewing.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Power Yoga Canada
May 09, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBYou can learn more about Power Yoga Canada at poweryogacanada.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Meraki Beauty Bar
May 02, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 40.2 MBYou can learn more about Meraki Beauty Bar at merakibeautybar.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
SuperKick Karate
April 25, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 26.2 MBYou can learn more about SuperKick Karate at granicsensei.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Jess Restaurant and Bar
April 18, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBYou can learn more about Jess’ Restaurant and Bar at jessrestaurant.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Bitehaus
April 11, 2022 04:00 - 30 minutes - 28.8 MBYou can learn more about Bitehaus Toronto Dental Clinic at bitehaus.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Climb Base5
April 04, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBYou can learn more about Climb Base5 at climbbase5.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Season 2 Teaser
March 28, 2022 14:38 - 30 seconds - 485 KBThis is the 'Yes, We Are Open' Season 2 trailer. In this season, Al heads to B.C. in search of new stories about small Canadian businesses and their perseverance.Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Ontario Blue Jays
November 22, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBYou can learn more about Ontario Blue Jays at objbaseball.com. Credits: Amy Maraone - Leadership Rick Stephan - Leadership Mat Belanger – Moneris Ad Voiceover Kelly Servos – Merchant Liaison Caleigh Ellis – Graphic Artist Jameson Di Nucci – Webmaster Beverly Wooding – Organic Social Anita Matte Heshmatzadeh – Paid Social Emma Swan – Internal Communications Sasha Abrams – PM Kathleen Kennedy – Copyrighter David Litwin – Reviewer Darren Leroux – Reviewer Catherine Vendryes – Rev...
PBR Auctions
November 15, 2021 05:00 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBYou can learn more about PBR Auctions at pbrauctions.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Valley Online
November 08, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBYou can learn more about Valley Online at valleyonline.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
The Grist
November 01, 2021 04:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBYou can learn more about The Grist at thegrist.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Supplement World
October 25, 2021 04:00 - 26 minutes - 24.8 MBYou can learn more about Supplement World Canada at supplementworldcanada.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Peace Collective
October 18, 2021 04:00 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBYou can learn more about Peace Collective at peace-collective.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
Saunders Electric
October 11, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 25.9 MBYou can learn more about Saunders Electric at saunderselectricltd.ca. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.
The Athlete Matrix
October 04, 2021 04:00 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBYou learn more about The Athlete Matrix at theathletematrix.com. Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at [email protected]. Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.