Business is Fcking Hard

In this episode, Trevor Koot Chats with Jon Bennest, who shares his journey from working as a market research analyst in the real estate industry to becoming a successful business owner and partner. They discuss the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of partnerships, and the impact of technology on business models. Jon reflects on the lessons he has learned throughout h...

In this episode of Business Is Hard, Trevor sits down with Ron Partlow, former pro bodybuilder, coach, gym owner, and co-founder of West Coast Iron. Ron shares his journey from accidentally launching a coaching business in the early 2000s to building one of BC’s most respected independent gyms.

They talk about what it really takes to grow a grassroots brand, how Ron leveraged authenticity over advertising, and the lessons learned fr...

What happens when a science teacher from Brooklyn ends up running a health tech startup in Vancouver? In this episode, Trevor sits down with Rex Farrand, co-founder and CEO of My HealthSpan—to talk about the wild, winding path from classroom to the corner office.

Rex shares what it’s like to lead a company in a world of AI-fueled hype, why he’s focused with building trust through data privacy, and how his team is using AI to turn co...

“Human well” is what Stephanie Ryan and Trevor came up with in this episode to describe positive leadership in the business world.  Stephanie knows that people come to work wanting to put their best foot forward, and she explains how a leader fosters that spirit. 

Stephanie talks about her journey, from ice cream scooping to running a leadership consulting firm. Through this conversation, she gets a chance to reflect on her business...

Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a business while living with cancer. From creating her own safety net at 22 to walking away from a super-brokerage to build something more ...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Trevor sits down with Brian Budd, a seasoned entrepreneur whose path has taken him from high-level software sales into the volatile world of capital markets and mining, and later into the healthcare-focused fitness industry. Brian shares his journey with raw honesty, reflecting on what it meant to walk away from a secure corporate job to pursue something less certain but far more meani...

Entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a business idea—it’s about recognizing a problem and stepping up to solve it. In this BFH Highlights episode, we dive into my conversation with Bailey Parnell, founder of Skills Camp and expert in leadership development.

Bailey discusses how she discovered a major gap in soft skills education and turned it into a business. She shares a tough conflict-of-interest conversation she had while b...

In this powerful episode, Tyler Boyd shares his raw and deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From launching his first business at 12 years old, running an excavation company with over 100 employees, and nearly losing everything overnight when his bank unexpectedly pulled his line of credit—Tyler’s story is one of resilience, grit, and hard-earned wisdom.

He opens up about the emotional toll of fail...

Leaving a high-paying corporate job to start your own business is terrifying—but for Anna Solnickova, it was the best decision she ever made. In this BFH Highlights episode, we revisit my conversation with Anna, a fractional CFO who took a leap of faith, built a thriving business, and now helps other entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions.

Anna shares:
✅ The soul-searching process that led to her career pivot
✅ The f...

Growing up amidst the wide-open fields of southern Saskatchewan, Alex Miller learned the tenets of hard work early on but soon realized that his future lay far from the farm. Alex's journey took an unexpected turn when he ventured into engineering, only to discover a lack of passion for it—a revelation that ultimately led him to the vibrant world of real estate. The essence of entrepreneurship comes alive through Alex’s story:...

In this BFH Highlights episode, Trevor sits down with Sharad Khare, a creative entrepreneur who turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business. Sharad shares how he navigated a major career pivot during the 2008 financial crisis, overcame self-doubt with the help of mentors, and built a purpose-driven business that has allowed him to document some of the most fascinating people in the world—including global icons like...

Mike Rowlands shares his journey from an "accidental entrepreneur" to a trailblazer in social purpose-driven business development. With wisdom earned through two decades of triumphs and challenges, Mike dives into why relationships are the foundation of success, how values-based branding can future-proof a business, and why companies must look beyond profits to make a real impact. Whether you're running a corner stor...

This is Business is Fcking Hard with special guest host, Jeff King (he insisted we say that). On this episode we are flipping the script. Jeff steps in to interview podcast host, Trevor Koot. Trevor shares his business journey from starting companies that didn't do anything to growing companies too quickly. We hear about how Trevor's strategy of "I'm sure it'll all be fine" has made the business journe...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Teresa Grobecker, a trailblazing entrepreneur and innovator. Teresa shares how she turned a “placeholder hobby” into a thriving real estate brokerage while balancing family life and navigating the challenges of leadership. She opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the importance of building a support network, and her honest take on the potential—and pitfalls—of blockchain technology. ...

Karri Green-Schuermans, co-owner of Vancouver’s iconic Chambar restaurant, joins us to reveal the gritty realities of the restaurant business. From the power of adaptability to the ripple effects of economic shifts, Karri shares how she’s kept her doors open—and her values intact—in one of the toughest industries around. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves food, resilience, and community. 

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In this episode of BFH Highlights, we revisit key lessons from Declan Edwards, founder of BU Happiness College. Declan shares his journey of building a purpose-driven business, including the pivotal decision to transition from a fitness business to founding BU Happiness College, a social enterprise dedicated to "growing global happiness." From redefining success to facing a financial crisis that nearly closed his business...

In this engaging conversation, Jason Lindstrom shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days of building community through a ski club at university to his experiences in launching and exiting multiple businesses. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the balance between soft and hard skills in leadership, and the strategic decisions that led to successful acquisitions. The discussion also highlights the tra...

In this episode of BFH Highlights (a recap of an earlier episode), Emma May, founder of SophieGrace, shares her inspiring journey from lawyer to fashion entrepreneur. Emma tells us how her frustration with workwear led to the birth of SophieGrace, how she navigated the challenges of launching just before the pandemic, and the importance of listening to customers. Tune in to hear Emma’s insights on building a brand, raising capital,...

Hamish Knox’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to growth. Starting with a strong work ethic from his early days on a farm, Hamish found his way into sales and eventually bought a Sandler franchise to help businesses improve their leadership and sales strategies. Throughout this episode, Hamish dives into the challenges he faced, like nearly going bankrupt due to rapid expansion, a...