The Karmali Exchange

What does it take to build a chocolate empire from a condo kitchen? Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, joins Faisal Karmali to share the raw and emotional journey of scaling a startup from 50 handmade bars a day to over 135,000. Building a business with family brought both joy and tension and Jake quickly realized that success meant more than just strong numbers. It meant strong relationships. Therapy and open communication became essential tools for sustainable growth. Rather than trying to fix every weakness, Jake leaned into his natural storytelling strengths to build a message on social media that resonates. He shared the behind-the-scenes struggles, which helped Mid-Day Squares build not just a brand, but a community of loyal fans who believed in the mission from day one. Whether you're a startup founder, seasoned entrepreneur, or just curious how great brands are built, this is a raw and honest look at what it really takes to chase big dreams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Mandel-Campbell joins Faisal Karmali for a deep dive into why so many Canadian companies, especially small and homegrown businesses, have never even thought about expanding beyond our borders. They talk about the red tape, the lack of a global mindset, and how our own policies and attitudes are holding entrepreneurs back. If you’ve ever wondered why Canadian small businesses struggle to scale internationally, this episode pulls back the curtain and offers a fresh perspective on what really needs to change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Karmali Exchange, host Faisal Karmali speaks with Judy Wilkins-Smith, author of Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint, about how inherited patterns from our DNA shape our personal and financial lives. Judy shares insights from The Hidden Laws of Money, revealing how unconscious beliefs about wealth are passed down through generations and influence financial success. She also explores concepts from Systemic Coaching & Constellations, explaining how recognizing and reshaping deep-seated emotional and behavioural patterns can lead to transformational change. This episode offers a powerful framework for breaking free from limiting cycles and building a future of financial and personal fulfillment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to BraTopia: the largest luxury lingerie and swimwear company in Calgary. Whether you're totally comfortable being surrounded by all things lacy, or if (like me) you blush just walking through the doors, this episode has something for everybody. I talked to Founder & CEO Colette Hamon about breaking down your customer's psychological barriers, responding to negative reviews, the 'Ozempic Effect', and where business owners are really dropping the ball. Plus what can we learn from Ted Lasso about leadership? If owning a business is like a long-term marriage, Colette will give you the tips and tricks you need to keep that spark alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Entrepreneurship sounds sexy, but it’s a learning process.” - Zahra Al-Harazi, founder and CEO of Skillit, author, speaker, and consultant. And there’s no guidebook. You’re going to love this guest. Zahra is an immigrant to Canada who established herself as one of the most powerful female entrepreneurs in this country. We talk about key competencies for entrepreneurs, what true grit really means, and the difference between passion and purpose. If you got tired of working for someone else and are hustling to do things differently, this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey says that 75% of business owners are optimistic about the future of their business. But if I’m being honest . . . I’m not sure if I buy it. In this episode, I sit down with Andreea Bourgeois, Director of Economics with CFIB, to discuss the future of business and how to actually measure optimism. We talk about the COVID benchmark, going with your gut, and getting creative about running your business. Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, I can’t wait to hear what you think about this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to be a 'Keeper of the Brand'? It means looking out for opportunities to promote your business. It means being good at crisis management. It means protecting your company through the good and the bad. In this episode, I talk to PR expert Paula Worthington about communicating your company's values, responding to criticism, and the dos and don'ts of building your brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you learn anything about running your business from a charity? The fact is that charities and non-profits are some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative organizations out there. They have to think outside the box when it comes to generating the funds they need to achieve their mission and serve our communities. That's why I'm excited about my guest, Sharon Hapton. Sharon is the founder and CEO of Soup Sisters, an organization that has produced literally millions of bowls of soup to feed families in need. And how they do it is fascinating. Want to get involved? Check out what the Soup Sisters are doing and how you can help here: https://www.soupsisters.org/donate-with-miso-money-in-soup-outSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Calm down' . . . 'Don't let your true feelings show' . . . 'Don't let emotions cloud your judgement' . . . As business owners, we hear stuff like this all the time. These kinds of comments make it seem like emotions are a weakness. But the fact is business owners aren't robots. We're thinking, feeling, physical people. Take one of those elements away and you're not seeing the whole picture. As my guest Catherine Bell, Author/Founder of The Awakened Company says, “we're at our best when we feel.” Great leaders know the difference between feeling and reacting. People want to work for a boss who shows emotions, but who doesn't have emotional outbursts. Someone who lets them know where they stand, but doesn't fly off the handle. Someone who communicates, but doesn't yell. What kind of leader are you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had the pleasure of talking to Mike Cottingham of Razor Sharp Consulting and it was an amazing conversation. We talked about how he turned his side business into his full time job. We also took comments from YOU, the audience, and chatted about itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Catherine Bell? Catherine Bell is the author of The Awakened Company. She was awarded the Nautilus Book Award in Business and Leadership and became a best seller just one week after its release. As CEO and founder of her consulting firm, Catherine works with companies all over the world. She was named as one of the top 10 "innovative CEOs revamping the future" by Inc. Magazine and uses her platform to give back to the community where ever she can. We talk about leadership fails, what it means to be a leader and why your team needs to be involved in corporate vision. Is your team engaged at work? Or are they actively working against your organization? The conversation was so amazing, that we forgot to mention Catherine's secret sauce for individuals and teams: knowing the Enneagram! "It is a personality roadmap that allows us to be more present and this improves corporate culture. We lead sessions with teams on it all the time and it is transformative." -Catherine BellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working with people is not black and white. In the last Exchange x Joydrop event, we got into an AMAZING discussion about what it means to work with your employees and manage performance. It's so important to stay curious about your employees. When there is a staff member who isn't performing, sometimes we have to look at ourselves. Shashi Behl, Founder, Joydrop Leona Moser, HR Director, Forward Level Tara McCool, Chief People Officer, Foundation Automotive Peter Fenwick, Director of Growth Catalyst, Director of Scale-Up and Growth Programs, Mount Royal University Thomas Ross, Partner, McLennan RossSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.