On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Veronica Robeznieks, owner of The Incomplete Artist, to discuss her creative journey from film and video production to publishing her first novella. Veronica shares candid insights about the realities of freelancing, the importance of building genuine connections, and why success in entrepreneurship depends on persistence, networking, and self-belief. She also opens up about the inspiration behind her book, The Incomplete Artist, and what it means to create work that’s both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Michèle Marchand, founder of The Better Scalp Company, who turned her struggle with scalp allergies into a made-in-Canada haircare brand now found in salons and online. She shares how she built the business while working full-time, learned everything from formulation to packaging on her own, and stayed persistent through rebranding and product testing. Michèle’s story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is built on grit, curiosity, and solving a problem you care about.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Julia Marsh, owner of Kiwan Farms Garden Center, who shares her inspiring journey of turning a small produce business into a thriving farm and garden hub within Ottawa city limits. Julia talks about seizing the opportunity to acquire the farm, expanding rapidly into a garden center, and her passion for bringing fresh, local, and nutritious food directly to the community. From embracing multicultural customer needs to creating CSA boxes and showcasing local vendors, Julia highlights the importance of hard work, vision, and doing something you love. Her story is both a celebration of local farming and a lesson in building a business rooted in community, health, and passion.

On this episode of the Ottawa Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat hosts Jeffrey Addai, Co-Founder and CEO of One Pro Sports Management (OPSM). After a decade-long professional soccer career across North America and Europe, Jeffrey transitioned from the pitch to entrepreneurship, building OPSM into a global sports management company that helps athletes navigate their careers both on and off the field. From starting part-time while still playing to now launching a new tech platform for soccer players, Jeffrey shares lessons on mentorship, resilience, and taking initiative. His story offers inspiration for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, especially those considering how to turn passion into a sustainable business.

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.