Why Canadian Entrepreneurs Hold the KEY to Economic Growth

Many rural areas lack reliable internet and tech support, leaving entrepreneurs and local economies disconnected.

 

In this episode, Birket Foster takes us on a storytelling journey—from his early days founding MB Foster in 1977, to scaling it into a software powerhouse, and then pivoting to launch STORM Internet to bring underserved communities online. Along the way, he faces regulatory hurdles, infrastructure challenges, team dynamics, and the visionary drive to bridge digital divides.

You’ll hear about:

• Birket’s origin story: how MB Foster was founded, key pivots, and scaling lessons
• The birth of STORM Internet: the mission to serve rural communities
• Infrastructure challenges in remote regions: power, fiber, last‑mile connectivity
• Leadership lessons: team building, managing change, staying mission driven
• Technology trends: what’s next for rural internet, cloud services, and software
• Business philosophy: sustainability, local impact, and entrepreneurship as nation building

By the end, you'll see how a focused mission—bringing connectivity to the underserved—can spark regional growth and global relevance.

 

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

• Birket’s email: [e-mail]
• Website: STORM Internet
• Webinars: storm.ca/webinars/
• LinkedIn: Birket Foster

 

🙏 Acknowledgements & Supporting Voices

We’re grateful for the support and insight of:

• Carl Richards — LinkedIn & Podcast Solutions Made
• Fred Crouch — LinkedIn & Property Wizard Podcast
• Jovan Strika — LinkedIn & @Hive coworking
• Melanie Webber — LinkedIn
• Wayne Pratt — LinkedIn & Motive8U Inc

Hosts: Bernie Franzgrote (Link) & Wayne Pratt (LinkedIn)

 

💼 Featured Sponsors

These sponsors align closely with this podcast’s audience of business builders and content creators:

• Descript — smarter content creation, making audio/video editing as easy as editing a doc (great for podcasts, promos, training) → Descript
• @Hive — real‑world coworking and networking for freelancers and teams → @Hive
• Property Wizard Podcast — practical real estate insights for business growth → Property Wizard

Want to dig deeper? Watch the full conversation on YouTube:  👉 https://youtu.be/C6rgFbAEuPk

If this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you:

• Comment below— What’s your biggest “aha” moment?
• Reach out to Birket — ask him a question or share your own rural challenge
• Connect with us at [e-mail]
• Or visit our site: knack4business.com for more episodes, tools, and support

Let’s build bridges—digital, rural, and entrepreneurial—together.

Disclaimer: Please note that the Knack 4 Business podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.

It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.

It is highly recommended that individuals