The Finance Cafe

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shauna Frederick is joined by Shanakay Hall to explore what it really looks like to build consistent financial habits as a busy entrepreneur. The conversation focuses on what it means to stay connected to your finances in a way that is realistic, sustainable, and supportive of everyday business life, especially when capacity is limited and demands are high.Shanakay Hall is a web developer, business owner, and founder of Kaylo Digital, a web design and development studio that works with mission-driven organizations, brands, and businesses. With a background in marketing and communications, she brings a thoughtful and practical approach to building digital experiences, with a strong focus on accessibility and impact-driven design. Through her experience as an entrepreneur, she has also developed a grounded and evolving approach to managing business finances in a way that supports clarity and long-term growth.In this episode, Shanakay shares how consistency with money does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. One of the key habits she has built is setting aside 10 to 15 minute financial check-ins, which allow her to regularly review her numbers, stay aware of cash flow, and make more informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed. These small, consistent practices have helped her build confidence in her business finances and feel more secure as she grows. The conversation ultimately highlights that financial stability is not about perfection, but about creating simple, repeatable habits that make it easier to stay engaged with your business and support sustainable growth over time.Connect with ShanakeyWebsite:www.kaylodigital.comInstagram:@kaylodigital

On this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, we are digging further into our theme of the month, Money Mindset, and the ways women entrepreneurs can start to shift their relationship with their numbers. Host Shauna Frederick is joined by Stefanie Beharry for a conversation about how getting more connected to your finances can change the way you feel about running your business. Together, they explore how understanding your numbers can help move entrepreneurs from feeling uncertain or overwhelmed to feeling more confident and in control of their decisions.Stefanie Beharry is the Owner, Founder, and Fractional CFO of REI Finance. After spending more than a decade working in corporate finance, Stefanie decided to take a leap into entrepreneurship in search of greater flexibility, purpose, and the freedom to build a life she did not feel the need to retire from. Inspired by her two young children, she set out to create a business centered around what matters most to her: family, freedom, and meaningful impact.During her corporate career, Stefanie held progressively senior roles in Financial Planning and Analysis. She supported C-suite executives with investor relations insights, led cross-functional forecasting initiatives, and managed multi-million-dollar divisional budgets. She also helped streamline reporting and planning processes across multiple departments. Today, she brings that experience to the entrepreneurs she works with, helping real estate investors and service-based business owners turn financial overwhelm into clarity, strategy, and opportunity.In this conversation, Stefanie shares how building a stronger connection with your numbers can create a real sense of confidence and stability in your business. When the financial side of things is organized and understood, entrepreneurs can spend less time worrying and more time thinking about where they want their business to go. Shauna and Stefanie also talk about the reality that many entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves. Stefanie explains why building the right support team, especially when it comes to finances, can make a huge difference. With the right help in place, entrepreneurs can focus more on the bigger picture and step fully into their role as the visionary behind their business.Connect with Stefanie:Website: https://reifinance.ca/LinkedinLooking to change your mindset around money - join the newsletter to gain access to our free March tool - The Financial Wellness Loop Worksheet!Join Now

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shannon Pestun is joined by Dr. Wendy Cukier, one of Canada’s leading voices in entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusion, for a timely conversation about what women entrepreneurs need to know as they head into a new year. Together, they unpack the data, research, and real world insights shaping the future of women owned businesses across the country.Dr. Wendy Cukier is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management, the Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, and the Academic Research Director of the Future Skills Centre. She has spent decades working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, leading national initiatives that influence how entrepreneurship is supported in Canada. Wendy is the co author of the bestselling book Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park and has published more than 200 works focused on innovation, disruptive technologies, and inclusive growth.The conversation centres on Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, launched in 2018, and the role of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub in collecting and analyzing data on the acceleration, opportunities, and barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Wendy shares key findings from the 2025 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship report and offers insight into what women across Canada should be aware of as they start and grow their businesses.Shannon and Wendy also explore how women can become more involved in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlight projects currently moving forward to support women entrepreneurs and strengthen access to resources. While acknowledging that women continue to face fundamental barriers, this episode reflects the progress that is being made and the momentum building across the country. With continued advocacy, collaboration, and confidence in their business acumen, women are driving meaningful change.WebsitesWomen Entrepreneurship Knowledge HubDiversity InstituteFuture Skills CentreReportsThe State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada: 2025Barriers and Enablers of Northern Businesses and EntrepreneurshipMindFrame ConnectGreenification of SMEs: Green Skills Competency FrameworkBridging the AI Gap in SMEs in CanadaArticleWho will build it? WEKH founder Dr. Wendy Cukier makes the case for a gender lens on Canada’s to-do listAI Skills Development OpportunitiesAI Competency Framework: DI has developed a competency framework for AI skills across disciplines and levels and sectors with a focus on small and medium organizations.DI delivers AI training through its work-integrated learning programs including: ADaPT for Black Youth: supports Black youth aged 15 to 29 across Ontario to develop skills for success, including those to build digital and professional competencies and help secure work. Program training includes a strong focus on AI. Newcomer Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills Hub (NEESH): NEESH is a skills development and work placement program for newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area that provides training in critical in-demand job skills, including AI, and wraparound supports to help newcomers build their essential skills, improve their employment readiness and connect them to employers with opportunities to access paid work placement. Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE-Hub) is a skills-based training program designed to support women entrepreneurs in the Greater Toronto Area. WE-Hub provides participants with over 40 hours of entrepreneurship training led by industry professionals, business mentorship, access to networking opportunities, low-risk market testing and information and referrals as needed.Useful AI ToolsChatGPT: Microsoft CoPilot: Google NotebookLM: Grammarly: Notion AI: Otter.ai: Jasper Rippling: Storydoc: Runway:

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shannon Pestun welcomes Laura McDonough, Associate Director of Insights & Knowledge Mobilization at the Future Skills Centre. Laura leads national research and knowledge-sharing efforts that help shape evidence-informed policy and practice across Canada’s skills ecosystem. With a background in research and evaluation at United Way Greater Toronto and a deep commitment to making data accessible and actionable, Laura brings a unique lens that bridges research, lived experience, and real-world workforce development.The conversation focuses on why skills development has become a critical growth lever for small and medium-sized businesses. Laura unpacks what it means to be future-skills ready, emphasizing both in-demand technical skills and the often-overlooked soft skills that are essential for effective leadership, strong management, and high-performing teams. She challenges traditional SME mindsets around productivity, encouraging business owners to invest in their people, develop managers’ capabilities, and move away from burnout-driven approaches or over reliance on technology alone.Shannon and Laura also explore how skills development intersects with equity, highlighting programs that support women and diverse communities in building transferable, high-value skills. The episode closes with a look at the growing role of AI, and why building skills and confidence around AI now can help businesses stay agile and resilient as the workforce continues to evolve.This episode is a must-listen for SME leaders and women entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses by investing smarter in skills, people, and the future of work.FSC Bluseky: https://bsky.app/profile/fsc-ccf.bsky.socialFSC LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/fsc-ccf/FSC Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fsc_ccf/Future Skills Website: https://fsc-ccf.ca/Finance Cafe Courses https://thefinancecafe.ca/women-entrepreneurs/

Welcome to our final episode of The Finance Cafe for 2025! In this special year-end wrap-up, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun reflect on the lessons of the past year and share practical habits to bring into the year ahead.In this episode, Shauna and Shannon dive into a topic every entrepreneur can relate to: you don’t have to go it alone. Entrepreneurship is often celebrated as independence, being your own boss, doing it all, but that can make it feel heavy when it comes to managing your finances. As they discuss, it’s completely normal to feel confused or overwhelmed, especially when many of us were never taught how to navigate business finances in the first place.They also explore the importance of building a strong inner circle to support your business, including relationships with bankers, bookkeepers, accountants, and lawyers. Using the FLOW framework, they break down how to evaluate these relationships to ensure they are:F – Relationship FriendlyL – Learning CenteredO – OngoingW – Without JudgmentThrough relatable stories and real-life examples from their work with entrepreneurs, Shauna and Shannon encourage listeners to lean on trusted advisors and peers, ask questions, and embrace learning as an ongoing process.Whether you’re reflecting on your 2025 wins or planning for a financially confident 2026, this episode is packed with insights to help you strengthen your support system and make your business thrive.Tune in and finish the year strong!

Thinking about incorporating your business? Before you file the paperwork, make sure you understand what’s really at stake. The decision between a sole proprietorship, partnership, or incorporation can shape everything from your taxes and liability to your long-term financial success.In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, we sit down with Ronke Omorodion, principal lawyer at Lexion Legal and widely known as “the entrepreneur’s lawyer.” With more than 13 years of experience supporting founders and startups, she breaks down what every business owner should know before choosing a legal structure — and why this decision is one of the most important you’ll make as an entrepreneur.The conversation explores the pros and cons of each business type and what those choices mean for your personal protection, taxes, and growth potential. You’ll hear how the right structure can set your business up for success — and how the wrong one can create legal and financial challenges down the road. She also emphasizes the importance of getting legal advice early, reminding founders that they don’t have to figure it all out on their own. The right guidance can save time, money, and unnecessary stress while giving you confidence in the path ahead.At Lexion Legal, the team helps Alberta entrepreneurs tackle their legal needs with energy, innovation, and authenticity. They’re not just a law firm — they’re trusted partners committed to getting things done, and getting them done right.Beyond her practice, Ronke holds leadership roles with the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch and dedicates her time to mentoring teens and supporting not-for-profit organizations. When she’s not advocating for business owners, she’s enjoying family adventures, nature walks, or a good crime movie with her partner and sons.Whether you’re launching your first venture or thinking about restructuring your business, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to make informed legal and financial decisions that align with your goals.Website:https://lexionlegal.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronke-omorodion-56b68370/

What if the next generation of entrepreneurs didn’t have to unlearn bad money habits, but instead grew up confident in their financial choices?In this episode of The Finance Café Podcast, Shannon Pestun sits down with 12-year-old entrepreneur Abby Adams, whose curiosity, drive, and financial awareness are far beyond her years.At just twelve, Abby has built her own dog walking and care business, balancing the demands of clients, scheduling, and marketing with the same determination as a seasoned entrepreneur. What began as a way to help her community has become a lesson in responsibility, resilience, and financial knowledge—showing that age is no barrier to ambition.Guided by her mom, Tara Adams, founder of Abridge Consulting, Abby is learning what it means to run a business with purpose—from earning and saving to investing for her future. She’s even met with a financial advisor to understand how to make her money work for her, proving that financial empowerment can start early.In their conversation, Shannon and Abby explore what it means to take ownership of your finances, how confidence grows through experience, and why the fundamentals of business—relationship-building, curiosity, and hard work—are universal, no matter your age.

What if the end of your year didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming? What if, instead of stressing about budgets, taxes, and unfinished goals, you could pause, reflect, and take intentional action to finish the year with clarity and confidence?In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun guide entrepreneurs through five powerful questions to reconnect with both their business and personal goals before year-end. Rather than hustling toward the finish line, they invite you to slow down, reflect on your progress, and align your numbers with your values in a way that feels empowering.Through honest reflections and practical insights, they explore what success looks like right now, which numbers truly matter, what tasks or ideas need attention before year-end, and how to celebrate your wins while also asking for the support you need to move forward. Think of this conversation as a money date with yourself—a chance to pause, check in, and create the clarity you need for the season ahead.This episode is a reminder that financial wellness isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the confidence and peace of mind that comes when your goals, values, and actions align.Explore online programs at The Finance Cafe to learn how to read financial statements, understand cash flow, and connect your numbers to your values. Use code PODCAST10 for an exclusive listener discount.

What if running your business didn’t feel like a constant juggling act? What if, instead of being tied to the day-to-day, you could focus on growth, strategy, and thriving as a CEO?In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Melanie Seneviratne, founder of Your Fractional COO Inc., to talk about how small business owners can implement systems and processes that actually work—for their business and for their sanity. Melanie shares how thoughtful operations, smart delegation, and repeatable systems can free business owners from overwhelm, giving them clarity, control, and the ability to focus on what truly matters: growing their company.Melanie knows what it takes to build businesses that run efficiently. With over 25 years of experience in legal, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, she has quadrupled revenue in a law firm and now helps entrepreneurs scale sustainably while reclaiming their time. Through her hands-on approach, she works directly with business owners and teams to put processes into place that simplify operations, strengthen decision-making, and reduce stress.Shauna and Melanie dive into practical strategies for business owners ready to take control of their operations—from cleaning up cash flow and automating repetitive tasks, to building repeatable systems, simplifying sales and client onboarding, and prioritizing CEO time. This conversation is a reminder that operational systems are not just behind-the-scenes tasks—they are essential tools that allow your business to thrive while giving you the space to step back and lead with intention.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieseneviratne/Instagram: @yourfcooFacebook:@yourfcooWebsite: https://yourfcoo.com Efficiency Checklist

What if the value of your business wasn’t just in the products you sell or the clients you serve, but in what you’ve built behind the scenes? What if creating a business that could run without you was the key to building lasting value?In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Candice Hartwell, Partner at VEER Business Advisors, to talk about business goodwill, sweat equity, and what it really takes to build a business that holds value beyond the founder.Candice brings deep experience in sell-side advisory and internal ownership transitions, working with small- and medium-sized business owners to help them plan for what comes next. She’s an award-winning accountant, a former commercial lender with BDC, and a passionate advocate for financial wellness, especially for entrepreneurs navigating big decisions.Shauna and Candice unpack the difference between personal goodwill and business goodwill, and why it matters more than you might think. They talk about how to start shifting value away from the founder and into the systems, people, and structures that make a business scalable, sellable, and sustainable.This is a reminder that your business is more than just your day-to-day hustle. When you start thinking long-term - about legacy, transitions, and the ability to step away (even just for a vacation!) - you begin building something that can truly last.https://www.veeradvisors.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicehartwell/

What if your banker could be more than just someone you call when you need financing? What if they were a true partner—someone who understands your vision and helps you bring it to life?In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon sits down with Alla Brisky, Regional Manager Prairies, Women in Enterprise at TD, for a conversation every woman entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you're just getting started or growing a successful business, building the right relationship with your banker can be a game-changer.Alla brings over a decade of experience in personal and business banking, and as an entrepreneur herself, she gets what it’s like to be on both sides of the table. She shares why it’s so important to start building that banking relationship early, and how having someone in your corner who understands your business can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.Shannon and Alla talk about the power of understanding your numbers - especially your cash flow - before walking into a lender’s office. It’s not just about the numbers themselves, but about being able to tell a compelling story about your business. Alla shares how approaching this conversation with confidence can make all the difference when it comes to securing the support you need.This is a great reminder that your financial journey doesn’t have to be transactional. When you shift your mindset and build a relationship based on openness and trust, your bank can become a strategic ally in your growth. The more you understand your finances, the more empowered you become to make decisions that truly serve your business.TD Women in EnterpriseLinkedin:

On this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon is joined by decolonial facilitator, speaker, and connector Vanessa Lesperance for an eye-opening conversation about what it means to challenge the systems we’ve inherited, and imagine new ways of doing business that center humanity, relationships, and sustainability.Vanessa is a proud mixed heritage Métis woman reclaiming her Red River roots and reshaping the way we think about entrepreneurship and leadership. As the co-founder of Decolonize and Rize, Vanessa works at the intersection of reconciliation and well-being, supporting Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.Shannon and Vanessa explore how colonized systems have shaped our beliefs around work, productivity, and success, and why it’s time to unlearn those narratives. Decolonizing business is not only about rejecting profit, but about approaching money and entrepreneurship in a way that is ethical, human-centered, and spiritually aligned. They discuss how shifting away from hustle culture opens the door to living a life that feels full and free, one where people are paid a living wage, are respected as individuals, and are empowered to live in a way that supports their whole selves. Vanessa also invites us to consider how business can be more relational than transactional, how slowing down can be a strategy, and how each interaction can be rooted in care, connection, and community.Website: https://www.decolonizeandrize.com/home Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lesperance-vancouver/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessalesperance/

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by Shulamit Ber Levtov—The Entrepreneurs’ Therapist—for a powerful conversation about the money narratives that hold women back, and how reclaiming financial power can be a pathway to healing, confidence, and control.Known for her work at the intersection of mental health, entrepreneurship, and financial psychology, Shula is a bold voice challenging the cultural messages that tell women they’re bad with money. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and more than two decades working professionally in the field of women's personal growth and mental health, she brings a unique lens to conversations about money, mindset, and emotional wellbeing in business.Shauna and Shula dive into the myths and stereotypes that shape women’s financial identities—often without us even realizing it. They explore how survival-based decisions can be misread as poor financial habits, and how internalizing these harmful messages can impact self-worth, limit financial confidence, and even make women more vulnerable to financial abuse.Tune in to learn how breaking free from these limiting beliefs isn’t just empowering—it’s a vital step toward building a healthy relationship with money, protecting your peace of mind, and showing up fully in your business and life.www.shulamitberlevtov.comInstagram: @shulamit_ber_levtovLinkedIn: Shulamit Ber Levtov