Mission Critical with Lance Chung

If your customers are changing, your business has to change too.In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Adam Minster, managing partner of Food Dudes and co-founder behind Toronto restaurants RASA and SARA, to unpack what happens when an entire market shifts (and how smart business owners adapt before it's too late.)As rising costs reshape the restaurant industry and consumers become more intentional about where they spend, Adam explains why the traditional "middle" of the market is disappearing, what prompted SARA's bold pivot to a tasting-menu-only concept, and how customer behaviour should guide your biggest business decisions.Whether you own a restaurant, retail store, agency, or service business, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on recognizing market shifts, creating experiences customers are willing to pay for, leading teams through change, and building a business that's designed to evolve.Key TakeawaysPay attention to changing customer behaviour, not just your sales: The biggest opportunities often come from recognizing shifts in how customers think and spend before they become obvious. SARA's transformation wasn't driven by instinct, it was driven by listening to customers and following the data.A great experience is becoming more valuable than simply offering a good product: As consumers become more selective with discretionary spending, businesses need to create memorable experiences that justify the purchase. People are increasingly willing to pay for something they'll remember.Your employees are often your best source of business intelligence: Adam explains how regularly gathering feedback from his team helped shape major strategic decisions, including SARA's evolution. The people closest to your customers often have the clearest view of what's changing.Hospitality is about people, not just service: Customers may talk about the food, but they remember how they were treated. Building loyalty often comes down to small, thoughtful moments that make people feel welcomed and valued.Great businesses evolve without abandoning what makes them special: Innovation doesn't always mean starting over. The strongest businesses stay rooted in their core values while adapting how they deliver value as markets and customer expectations change.About the GuestAdam Minster is the co-founder of Food Dudes, one of Canada's leading hospitality companies, and a partner behind acclaimed Toronto restaurants RASA and SARA.Over the past two decades, Adam has helped grow Food Dudes from a catering business into a multifaceted hospitality group spanning restaurants, large-scale events, and culinary experiences. Under his leadership, RASA has earned two consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand recognitions, while SARA has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its flavour-driven cuisine and guest-first approach to hospitality.

At a time when immigration is dominating headlines across Canada and the United States, the real story often gets lost: immigrants aren’t a threat to the economy; they are a critical component of it. In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Nouhaila Chelkhaoui, Founder and CEO of Scale Without Borders, the largest network for immigrant tech talent in North America. From arriving in Canada alone at 17 to building a platform that has supported more than 7,000 immigrants in tech, Nouhaila shares what resilience actually looks like.Together, they unpack the hidden barriers facing immigrant professionals, why “Canadian experience” is still quietly gatekeeping opportunity, and how networking (not skill sets) is often the real gap preventing newcomers from succeeding.Key Highlights:Why immigrants are often used as economic scapegoats (and who benefits from that narrative.)The “network gap” holding back highly skilled immigrant talent in Canada.Why “Canadian experience” still functions as an invisible barrier.How cultural nuances and code-switching impact immigrant entrepreneurs.The resilience advantage: what immigrant founders understand about risk.The disconnect between immigration policy and employer needs.Why immigrant entrepreneurs are statistically more likely to found high-growth companies.How Scale Without Borders is helping newcomers access jobs, capital, and community.About the GuestNouhaila Chelkhaoui is the Founder and CEO of Scale Without Borders, a North American platform connecting immigrant tech talent with employers, investors, and resources.Originally from Morocco, Nouhaila moved to Canada at 17 and later rebuilt her career as a newcomer navigating the Canadian tech ecosystem. After experiencing firsthand the systemic barriers facing immigrants (particularly around networking and access) she launched Scale Without Borders to close the gap.Since its founding, the organization has supported over 7,000 immigrants in tech, expanded partnerships across Canada, and is now entering the U.S. market. Nouhaila is a leading voice on immigrant entrepreneurship, workforce development, and the future of inclusive innovation.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with April Hicke, CEO and co-founder of Toast, the platform transforming how companies hire, retain, and empower women in tech and beyond. April shares her journey from a corporate career to launching a social enterprise that has helped women secure over $25 million in cumulative salary increases, proving that purpose-driven business and profitability can coexist.Together, Lance and April dive deep into the challenges women face in corporate environments, why traditional hiring practices often exclude talented candidates, and how Toast uses a combination of technology, human connection, and community to break barriers. From leveraging AI for bias reduction to building talent pipelines that reflect the communities companies serve, April shares actionable strategies for leaders committed to meaningful change.Key Highlights:The origin story of Toast and the problem it was created to solveHow companies can attract and retain women in male-dominated industriesWhy measuring impact through dollars and career growth mattersLessons on human-centered leadership and empathy in businessThe role of technology in reducing bias — and when it can backfireThe importance of diversity of thought, background, and experience in driving innovationPractical tips for CEOs and founders looking to create inclusive workplacesAbout the Guest: April Hicke is the CEO and co-founder of Toast, a tech platform that helps companies across North America hire, retain, and advance women in their organizations. A recovering corporate ladder climber with a passion for equity and impact, April has guided Toast to become a trailblazer in inclusive hiring, leveraging both technology and human connection to help women secure meaningful career opportunities. She is also an advocate for human-centered leadership, building communities, and creating workplaces that empower diverse talent to thrive.

Prenups aren’t just for the wealthy or planning for divorce—they’re tools for everyday couples to communicate, protect, and plan for the future. In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Amanda Baron and Aimee Schalles, the lawyers and founders behind Jointly, a digital platform that makes relationship agreements accessible, practical, and approachable.Amanda and Aimee share how Jointly empowers couples to navigate prenups, cohabitation agreements, and post-nuptial agreements without intimidation. From step-by-step tutorials and worksheets to lawyer-drafted agreements approved by the Law Society of Ontario, they’ve built a platform that balances legal rigor with ease of use.Key takeaways and summary;How Jointly guides couples from the first conversation to building a legally sound agreement.Common myths about prenups—that they’re defensive, only for the wealthy, or planning for divorce—and why those assumptions are outdated.The practical benefits of relationship planning, from parenting and home purchases to business ownership and inheritances.How legal tech is bridging access gaps for couples in rural communities or with lower incomes.The cultural shift among Millennials and Gen Z toward financial transparency and proactive relationship planning.How these agreements can complement estate planning and help blended families safeguard their assets.Whether you’re starting a first relationship, entering a second marriage, or navigating complex family dynamics, this episode shows that legal agreements aren’t about mistrust—they’re about clarity, collaboration, and peace of mind.Visit Jointly to start for free, access tutorials, worksheets, and build your agreement (available in BC, Alberta, and Ontario): jointly.caDisclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed lawyer for guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Youth voter turnout has historically lagged behind older demographics, and trust in political institutions is at an all-time low. In an era of misinformation, democratic backsliding, and global instability, is democracy failing young people—or have young people lost faith in democracy?To help unpack these questions, we're revisiting Lance's chat with Samantha Reusch, Executive Director of Apathy is Boring—a national, non-partisan organization that has spent 20 years working to increase youth engagement in Canadian democracy. A leading voice on democratic reform and voter participation, Samantha has dedicated her career to ensuring young people feel heard in the political process. Under her leadership, Apathy is Boring has helped mobilize thousands of first-time voters.In this episode, we explore:✅ Why youth voter turnout remains low—and what’s keeping young Canadians from the polls.✅ How global politics is shaping youth perceptions of democracy.✅ The role of misinformation, social media, and tech algorithms in political disengagement.✅ What needs to change in Canada’s electoral system to better serve young voters.✅ Apathy is Boring’s innovative strategies to mobilize youth, including Count Us In and Table Topics.✅ Samantha’s call to action for young Canadians ahead of the 2024 Canadian federal election.🔗 Resources & Links:📌 Apathy is Boring: apathyisboring.com📌 Take the vote pledge: https://www.apathyisboring.com/votepledge📌 The Feed newsletter: https://www.apathyisboring.com/feed

Filmmaker Maggie Kang has captured the world’s imagination with Kpop Demon Hunters, the animated blockbuster that has topped Netflix’s most-watched list and redefined what global audiences expect from K-pop storytelling. Blending the spectacle of superhero cinema with the infectious energy of Korean pop culture, Kang’s film has inspired entirely new audiences and generations to a story that is universal in its themes.In this re-released episode of Mission Critical, Maggie opens up about her journey from growing up without many Korean friends to becoming one of the most powerful voices shaping Asian representation in Hollywood. She shares what it means to break generational cycles, embrace cultural inheritance, and build worlds where young women can own their power — flaws and all.Together, Lance and Maggie talk about the universality of K-pop, how the film’s soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, and what the future of Korean storytelling looks like in a world where “niche” no longer applies.Key TakeawaysHow Kpop Demon Hunters broke barriers in representation and global storytelling.The creative risks behind blending K-pop and the superhero genre.Maggie’s reflections on intergenerational identity, cultural inheritance, and belonging.Why authenticity (not translation) is the future of cultural storytelling.The lessons she’s taking forward into her next projects.HighlightsThe story behind Kpop Demon Hunters and who it was really made for.Why the characters’ flaws were essential to their power.The influence of her father’s filmmaking legacy.The future of Asian and diaspora narratives in mainstream media.Did you enjoy this episode? Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a rating.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Kim Chi (the drag superstar and beauty entrepreneur behind KimChi Chic Beauty) for a candid conversation on creativity, cultural identity, and building one of the most inclusive beauty brands today.From the rise of drag as a global culture to the realities of growing a business through COVID, TikTok, and an unpredictable beauty landscape, Kim Chi shares how she stays resilient, innovative, and unapologetically herself. She opens up about navigating Korean and Western beauty standards, the pressure of representation, and the role drag continues to play as both art and protest.With humour and unfiltered honesty, Kim Chi offers a rare look at the mindset, mission, and cultural impact behind her work — and what the future of beauty, visibility, and creative entrepreneurship might look like.Key Highlights & TakeawaysRepresentation that matters: How growing up between cultures shaped her voice, vision, and leadership.Drag as cultural power: Why drag remains a vital artistic and political force.Inside KimChi Chic Beauty: Building an inclusive, community-led brand through creativity and resilience.The new beauty economy: TikTok reviews, indie brands, shifting consumer habits, and the rise of AI.Entrepreneurship in uncertainty: Lessons from launching a brand before COVID and navigating global volatility.Joy as strategy: How food, beauty, and community continue to inspire her craft.