On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Winnie, CEO & founder of Postnatal Kindness, who shares how her own experience as a new mom to twins inspired her to create a service dedicated to helping mothers during the often-overlooked first year after childbirth. From cleaning and errands to meal prep, hospital rides, and in-home massage, her business provides practical, nonjudgmental support when moms need it most. In this conversation, Winnie talks about breaking cultural norms around “doing it all,” the importance of accepting help, and how she’s working to make these services accessible to more families. She also opens up about the challenges of starting a business from scratch, finding mentors, and staying true to her vision despite doubts from others.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Pat hosts Ted Cawkwell, Agriculture Specialist from Cawkwell Group and one of the top farmland realtors in the world with RE/MAX. Ted shares his remarkable journey from starting his first grain farm at age 23, to building multiple businesses, including luxury fishing resorts, and ultimately becoming a leader in agricultural real estate. With decades of entrepreneurial experience, Ted reflects on the value of persistence, the lessons learned from setbacks, and why giving back to the community is a responsibility every entrepreneur should embrace.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Nilufer Erdebil, founder and CEO of Spring2 Innovation, Nil shares how she built a business that helps organizations bring human-centered design and innovation into every part of their operations. From launching the company 14 years ago to training cross-functional teams across Canada and beyond, Nil discusses why design thinking isn’t just a creative exercise, it’s a powerful tool for aligning teams, understanding customer needs, and staying relevant in a changing market.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Matt Lemay, Co-Founder of Lemay.ai, to explore how his company helps businesses cut through AI hype to build practical, measurable solutions. Matt shares his journey from working in medical device startups to leading an AI consultancy that balances engineering precision with business strategy. He explains why defining clear objectives, testing efficiently, and avoiding clever distractions are key to AI success, and why, despite the excitement around AI, human connection still matters most.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Eric Uyttewaal, Founder of ProjectPro Corp. Eric shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to Canada and selling earrings on the street to becoming an internationally recognized author, trainer, and consultant in project scheduling. He explains how specializing in dynamic scheduling with Microsoft Project helped build his business over three decades, and why adaptability, financial discipline, and continuous learning are crucial for entrepreneurial success.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Christophe Désormeaux, CEO and Co-Founder of bitMachina. With a unique path from litigator to fintech innovator, Christophe shares how he built a Bitcoin ATM business from scratch, starting with a single machine in Orleans. He dives into the complexities of operating in a regulated, rapidly evolving industry, the lessons learned from launching in the crypto space, and why prioritizing profit over ego is critical. A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of crypto, bootstrapping a startup, or navigating an unpredictable industry with resilience.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Ed Hansen, former owner of Hansen Lawn & Gardens and now Partner at E&L Consulting. Ed shares how he built a thriving business, what it was like to sell it after 30 years, and the emotional and professional journey that followed. Now focused on helping other business owners grow, lead, and transition through his coaching and consulting work, Ed offers valuable insight on preparing for what’s next, and finding purpose after the exit.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Heather Boyd, Founder of Pillar IP, to explore her journey from paralegal to launching her own intellectual property law agency. Heather shares how she turned decades of experience into a client-centered firm serving businesses across Canada and around the world. She also discusses the challenges of starting a business in a traditionally male-dominated field, how reputation fuels growth, and the importance of building a strong support network along the way.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Scott Morin, Founder of Bytown Ventures, to talk about his journey from tech entrepreneur to becoming a Certified EOS Implementer®. Scott shares how his experiences in high-growth startups, and a few tough lessons along the way, led him to discover the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and build a business that helps other founders gain clarity, traction, and team alignment. Whether you're leading a fast-growing company or feeling stuck as a business owner, Scott offers practical insights for building a better-run, healthier organization.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Andrew Litwinczuk, Owner of Lit Electric, who talks about his journey from starting as a 16-year-old apprentice to running a successful electrical contracting business in Ottawa. Andrew shares how a mix of grit, real-world experience, and an entrepreneurial mindset helped him launch and grow Lit Electric over the past decade. He also reflects on the challenges of working with a partner, taking full ownership of the business, and the lessons he’s learned in managing finances, clients, and growth.