The People-Driven CEO Podcast

In this episode of The People-Driven CEO Podcast, host Shane Jeremy James, also known as S1H, speaks with Nik Vassev, the founder of NovoBeing. This VR therapeutics company integrates meditation, breathwork, and mental wellness into the healthcare system through the use of immersive technology.

Nik discusses how he raised over $1 million in funding, ...

In this episode, Shane Jeremy James, known simply as S1H, sits down with Zahir Rajani, the brilliant mind behind The Sartorial Shop, one of Vancouver’s most refined custom suit boutiques. Zahir didn't start in fashion; he originally came from the world of commercial real estate, where he held a stable job focused on buildings and contracts. However, he felt a deep desire to revive something ...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Missy MacKintosh, founder of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics, who is leading a powerful shift in the beauty industry. From working behind the scenes as a professional makeup artist to building her own inclusive, cruelty-free brand, Missy shares how her values, experiences, and vision for change have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She opens up about the challenges of disrupting a saturate...

In this episode, we sit down with Marc Wandler, a founder and forward-thinking entrepreneur, to explore what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. Marc shares his journey of creating systems and solutions that serve people first, drawing from his experiences in leadership, social impact, and business innovation. From early lessons to scaling strategies, Marc opens up about the mindset needed to grow somethi...

Since Mia Fiona Kut’s name was mispronounced at the beginning of the interview, we would like to offer our sincere apologies and gratitude for her gracious understanding.

In this episode, Shane Jeremy James sits down with Mia Fiona Kut, CEO of Luna Nectar, a multi-talented creative, actor, and entrepreneur who shares her journey of self-expression, resilience, and redefining success on her terms. From navigating the entertainme...

In this powerful episode, Shane Jeremy James sits down with Cathline James, founder of Wise Bites, a bold leader, visionary entrepreneur, and woman of deep faith. Cathline opens up about the real story behind her success, one filled with perseverance, tough decisions, and moments of divine clarity. From navigating the early days of her business to leading with purpose in high-pressure environments, she shares how resilience, be...

In this inspiring episode, Shane Jeremy James sits down with Viggy Venkat, CEO of Tocha Foods, a passionate community leader, and a creative mind dedicated to building spaces that empower others. Viggy shares his personal and professional journey, explaining how curiosity, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose shaped the way he shows up in the world. From early challenges to breakthrough moments, Viggy opens up about what i...

In this episode, Shane Jeremy James sits down with Glyn Lewis, a visionary leader and community builder with a deep passion for creating meaningful change. Glyn shares his journey through advocacy, leadership, and the lessons he’s learned from building organizations that serve people and purpose. From navigating challenges in social impact work to staying grounded in core values, Glyn’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possi...

In this episode, Maria Porcellato opens up about her journey into the wellness space, sharing how her own experiences with stress and burnout led her to pursue a more intentional, healing-centred life. She reflects on the importance of slowing down and becoming more self-aware, especially in a culture that often glorifies hustle and constant productivity. Maria discusses how she recognized the signs of burnout in herself and the s...

In this inspiring episode, host Shane Jeremy James welcomes Antonio Zivanovic, founder of ElektraFi, a company dedicated to democratizing financial wellness through innovative employer-based platforms. Antonio shares his entrepreneurial journey from corporate health and wellness consulting to launching a fintech platform designed to support employees with their financial well-being. He discusses how ElektraFi empowers people to un...

In this episode, Jessica Regan, founder and CEO of FoodMesh, shares her mission to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: food waste. With nearly half of the country's food going to waste while one in four Canadians faces food insecurity, Jessica built FoodMesh as a matchmaking platform that redirects unsellable but still good food to charities, farmers, and upcyclers. What began as a connector service has evolved into a ful...

In this episode, Brett Bilon, co-founder of Plume Science, shares his journey of building a pioneering beauty brand alongside his wife and business partner. Plume Science began as an R&D project to develop safe, effective, non-toxic beauty products, starting with their now-patented lash and brow serum. Brett shares how they navigated explosive early growth, international expansion, and a pandemic-induced pivot from retail to e...

In this energizing episode, Beata Antoninas, founder of Amino Balls Inc., shares how a personal struggle with sugar cravings, fitness competition pressures, and disordered eating inspired the creation of a better-for-you snack brand. What started as homemade protein balls to stabilize her blood sugar became a fast-growing CPG company now available in thousands of retail stores and soon, Costco.

Beata opens up about the grind of la...

In this heartfelt episode, Emma Smith, founder of Zimt Chocolates, shares the story of building a plant-based, ethical chocolate brand from scratch. Motivated by a deep sense of purpose, Emma set out to create a company rooted in compassion for people, animals, and the planet. What started as a bootstrapped solo venture in her early twenties has grown into a thriving small business with a loyal following across Western Canada.

Emm...

In this episode, Tony Ferreira, chef, former restaurant group director, and now co-founder of MOD Kitchen, shares his evolution from culinary leader to startup operator. After helping scale a hospitality group from 1 to 40 restaurants in Hong Kong, Tony returned to Vancouver to build something completely new: a modern, delivery-first food hub designed for restaurant entrepreneurs. MOD Kitchen offers 10 private kitchens, a shared i...

In this episode, Sameer Padamsey, co-founder of Ufeelu, shares how he's carving out a new category in cannabis focused entirely on wellness. Rather than intoxicating effects, Sameer’s CBD-based products are designed to improve sleep, mood, and pain relief through non-intoxicating compounds. He walks us through the journey of building a purpose-driven brand in one of Canada’s most highly regulated industries, from early product dev...

In this thoughtful episode, Paige Abbott, registered psychologist and founder of Sana Psychological, shares how she evolved from solo practice to leading a growing team of mental health professionals in Calgary. With a background in outpatient addiction treatment and over 15 years of experience in the field, Paige discusses launching her practice during the pandemic, building a sustainable, people-first business, and the importanc...

In this episode, Nancy Wingham, founder of Nuez Acres, shares her inspiring journey of turning a small family pecan farm in Mexico into a sustainable beauty brand sold across North America. What began as a mission to support her hometown farmers during a pecan market collapse has evolved into a vertically integrated skincare company known for its eco-conscious values, zero-waste production, and innovative pecan oil–based formulas.

In this powerful episode, Marilyne Gagne, the visionary behind the Dermapure clinic empire and co-founder of Recess, shares her remarkable journey from small-town beginnings to leading one of Canada’s most successful aesthetic clinic networks. Now turning her focus toward mental health and social wellness with Recessa Modern, a social thermal station, Marilyne opens up about the next chapter in her purpose-driven entrepreneurship.