Knack 4 Business

Gerry Lalonde of X-Roads Technology Partners joins hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt to explore what most founders overlook—until it's too late. From preparing for IPOs and private placements to building leadership teams and managing exits, Gerry shares key strategies for founders at every stage. Learn how to recognize your company's true health, embrace future-focused thinking, and plan for success even in uncertainty. Don’t...

Burned out by the business side of your art? Marjorie Gutierrez of Smart Business Designs shares her journey from fine art shipping to soulful systems. With over 20 years of experience, she offers creative entrepreneurs tools to create order without sacrificing passion. Hear how she balances creativity and structure, why pricing matters, and how to build boundaries that protect your energy. This episode is packed with practical adv...

How to sell without feeling pushy, stressful, or inauthentic.

Imagine you dread selling—too much pressure, too much push. That’s how many of us feel. Today, we welcome Mark Kempf, author of Unfurl Your Sales, who shakes things up with his “Quoin” principle—a gentle, respectful way to build long‑term client trust without the stress of aggressive tactics.

With over 40 years in insurance sales, Mark has seen it all—and he knows the shor...

What would happen to your business if your systems went down tomorrow?

That’s the question Erika Andresen helps answer in this powerful episode of Knack 4 Business. Erika, founder of EaaS Consulting LLC, is a military veteran and former lawyer turned business continuity strategist.

She shares her inspiring journey from legal and military service to helping businesses survive and thrive through crisis planning. Erika shows us how eve...

Once, James Mackenzie, co‑founder of Purecolo, had big dreams but knew that growth meant more than just ideas—it needed strong teams and smart systems. He learned that when people work well together, the company grows stronger and faster. Today, he tells that journey as five simple strategies that anyone can use.

Key topics covered:

• How team dynamics drive business growth
• Scaling operations while staying resilient
• Bootstrapping, ac...

Too many young learners lack engaging, future‑focused tools that spark curiosity about science, play, and innovation.

Imagine a child looking up at the sky, wondering what comes next, but feeling boxed in by stale toys and stale lessons. That’s when Anthony Hall stepped in. After years in Silicon Valley, Anthony founded TREO (The Rose of Education Organization) with a simple vision: to make learning playful, inspiring, and space‑rea...

🏡 What if finding the perfect buyer for your home wasn’t about luck—but strategy?

In this episode of the Knack 4 Business Podcast, we sit down with Eric Perron, a licensed real estate professional at Engel & Völkers, who brings over a decade of experience from both the luxury property market and the world of high-net-worth investment advising.

🛠️ THE PROBLEM ERIC SOLVES:
Most homeowners and investors don’t know how to attract the ri...

Decision fatigue and multitasking myths erode focus and workplace culture.

Picture this: You and your team are juggling so many choices every day—from minor decisions to big strategic ones. Soon, everyone feels worn out, productivity drops, and morale takes a hit. That’s exactly the trap Bob Wendover helps you avoid.

Bob, with more than 37 years of experience at Common Sense Enterprises, takes us on a journey through the hidden dange...

How can you make money and make a difference?
In this episode, Mark Engstar, founder of Strangers Community, shares how his mission-driven approach helps build financially independent communities. You’ll discover strategies to blend business and social good—covering multiple income streams, sustainable models, and impact-driven growth. A must‑listen for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and changemakers. Stay with us as we bring you storie...

Ryan Chute from Wizard of Ads reveals how businesses can remove friction to grow faster. In this episode of Knack 4 Business, Ryan shares his journey from retail and automotive struggles to championing frictionless systems. Learn why compensation, culture, and communication matter—and how simple fixes can multiply your revenue. Startup founders, solopreneurs, and scaling business owners will gain actionable insights, real-world exa...

What if a few strategic design choices could turn your rental property into a tenant magnet? How to increase the value and appeal of rental properties through cost-effective staging and furnishing strategies.

In this enlightening episode of The Property Wizard, originally aired on April 19, 2022, host Fred Crouch and co-host Bernie welcome special guest Monique Doucette of Trendsetter Home Staging & Design to uncover the transformat...

In this episode of Knack 4 Business, hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt welcome Adam Kirkaldy, founder of From Aspiring to Inspiring and the UK’s only certified MindTime facilitator. Adam’s unusual path — from opera singer to global leadership trainer — reveals why kindness is not weakness, but a strategic advantage. He shares how psychological insight and thinking styles can transform management, lower stress, and build trust...

The Problem:
Too many leaders focus on productivity—but neglect the mental health of their teams.

Story:
Robert Manolson knows what it’s like to face depression and anxiety while building a business. Today, as the founder of Powerful Play Experiences, he’s on a mission to challenge business leaders to embrace mental health optimism.

In this episode of Everything Starts With a Conversation, hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt dive i...

Growing a small business can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of Knack 4 Business, hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt explore how the Canada Growth Network helps entrepreneurs scale smarter with AI-powered tools, CRM systems, and referral marketing. Guests Percy Barr and Chris Sturges share real-world strategies for building community, mastering the perfect pitch, and creating consistent reven...

How can you break free from pressure and performance to find sustainable fulfillment?

A Story of Transformation

Once upon a time, Sheila Williams was stuck under the weight of pressure—performing, hustling, and pushing ahead. She felt burnt out, disconnected from her emotional needs, and stuck in a cycle where success felt empty. Then she discovered that one simple shift—asking the right question—changed everything.

Sheila, a Canadian...

🎙 Episode Overview

The problem this speaker solves in one sentence:
Teams fail when they misunderstand each other across departments.

In this episode of The Secret Reason Teams Don’t Understand Each Other, we bring on John Taylor McEntire of Mutual Prosperity to share his Sync Method—a revolutionary way to decode and align communication across different teams. He shows how to remove barriers caused by culture, generational gaps, and ...

The problem Daniel solves:
Why LinkedIn posting doesn’t bring in leads—and how to fix it.

Once upon a time, Daniel Alfon posted on LinkedIn every day—but still didn’t get any leads. He felt frustrated: lots of activity, no results. That all changed when he focused on being really well‑connected, matching his online profile to who he truly is, and sharing stories that matter. Now, his LinkedIn strategy brings real results.

In this epis...

Many leaders struggle to get buy-in and drive results when they don’t have formal authority. This episode reveals how to lead with influence instead of titles.

Have you ever been asked to lead—but didn’t have the official title to match? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Knack 4 Business, we sit down with Mohammed Lahloub, a seasoned leadership coach and entrepreneur, who knows what it means to guide others without formal power. ...

Most leaders chase outside success and lose touch with who they truly are. Peggy helps people reconnect with their inner wisdom to lead with purpose—and thrive.

Have you ever followed all the “rules” of success—yet still felt something was missing?

Peggy O’Neal knows that feeling well. After more than a decade as a successful lawyer, Peggy took a bold step: she walked away from the traditional path to follow a deeper calling.

In this...