Small Business Big Impact
Meridian
When you’re running a small business, even the smallest decisions can have a big impact. Small Business Big Impact is a podcast for Ontario’s small business owners, hosted by Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union. Each episode brings together entrepreneurs and experts for honest conversations, practical advice, and lessons learned along the way, helping business owners not just survive but thrive in today’s economy. Prefer to watch instead of listen? Small Business Big Impact is now available on YouTube in video format. Use the link below to watch now: youtube.com/@MeridianBanking/podcasts
Episodes
Season 3 Is Coming, And It's Not Business as Usual
Navigating a small business in Ontario today requires more than just determination. Expenses are rising, and trust in the market is wavering. Many entrepreneurs find themselves adopting a familiar approach: keep your head down, push through, and repeat the cycle.Season 3 of Small Business Big Impact breaks that cycle. Host Jay-Ann Gilfoy goes beyond the grind to examine the mindset behind lasting business decisions, the principles that anchor real growth, and the practical tools that actually shift outcomes.Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
Building Economic Opportunity Through Indigenous Fisheries
Entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for creating economic opportunity and strengthening communities. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Mickayla Labbe and Mike Labbe, the founders of First Fish. Their nonprofit social enterprise connects Indigenous fishers in remote northern communities with customers across Canada, helping create jobs while promoting sustainable, wild-caught fisheries. What began as a visit to a northern community quickly evolved into a mission to build economic opportunity in regions often left out of traditional markets.Key Takeaways:Social enterprises can create economic opportunity while staying commercially viable.Maintaining strong values like sustainability and fair pay can guide business growth.Flexibility and creative problem-solving are essential when building businesses in complex supply chains.Trust and long-term relationships are critical when working with communities historically excluded from traditional markets.
Why Community Spaces Matter More Than Ever
Access to food is important, but access to connection, dignity, and belonging can be just as powerful in building strong communities.In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Ameriga Alonzo, Interim Executive Director of 541 Eatery & Exchange. This nonprofit café in Hamilton operates on a unique pay-it-forward model, where customers can purchase tokens to help others access meals in a welcoming, stigma-free environment.Key Takeaways:Community spaces can address both practical needs like food and deeper needs like connection and belonging.Removing stigma and prioritizing dignity can transform how support services are experienced.Sustainable impact often relies on strong partnerships, donors, and community support.Simple, human-centered ideas can create powerful and lasting change.Visit 541 Eatery & Exchange: https://www.fivefortyone.ca/
Why Deconstruction Could Change How We Build Forever
The way we build and renovate has a major impact on what gets wasted, what gets reused, and how communities think about sustainability. In this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Meredith Moore, founder of Ouroboros Deconstruction. Meredith is rethinking the demolition process by carefully dismantling buildings to recover valuable materials and keep them in circulation. She shares how she started with her own home as a case study, built a business from the ground up, and grew into larger residential and commercial projects. Key Takeaways:Innovation can come from rethinking existing systems, not just creating new ones.Starting small with available resources can lead to scalable business opportunities.Building the right team is critical in physically demanding and niche industries.Sustainable practices can create both environmental impact and viable business models.
Rethinking Waste: Turning Trash Into Opportunity
Some of the most impactful businesses don’t begin with flashy ideas, they start with hard work, lived experience, and a desire to do things better. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Shane Harker, Founder and President of Rethink Resource. Shane shares how he built a 25-year career in transportation and waste before launching a company focused on rethinking trash as a resource. Today, Rethink Resource has diverted more than 10 million pounds of waste from landfill and operates across Canada and the U.S., working toward a circular economy. Key Takeaways:Hard work matters- but working smart and striving to be the best at what you do matters more.Waste isn’t garbage, it’s an opportunity to create value through innovation.Purpose-driven entrepreneurship often requires financial risk and resilience.Integrity and culture are critical when scaling in industries where trust matters.
Turning Plastic Waste Into Purpose with EarthSuds
What started as a student project has grown into a nationally recognized eco-startup tackling one of the world’s biggest waste problems. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Daniel Moll, Founder and CEO of EarthSuds. Daniel shares how a moment on a beach sparked the idea for plastic-free, dissolvable shampoo and soap tablets, and how years of trial, failure, and persistence turned that idea into a growing Canadian business.Key Takeaways:Solving a real problem starts with deeply understanding it, not jumping straight to the solution.Listening to customers consistently is one of the most powerful tools for building and improving a business.Profit and purpose don’t compete and when aligned growth becomes fuel for greater impact.Building a company requires shifting from doing everything yourself to empowering others to execute the vision.
From the CFL to TV and Trades: Building Resilience That Lasts
Resilience, reinvention, and strong foundations are at the heart of this episode of Small Business, Big Impact. Host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Sebastian Clovis, founder of Shoots n’ Leaves. Sebastian shares his journey from professional football in the CFL to building homes, hosting hit renovation shows, and launching a production company rooted in storytelling and growth. Together, they explore how setbacks can become turning points, why communicating with kindness is a leadership skill, and how building strong foundations makes long-term success possible. This conversation offers thoughtful insights for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change while building something that lasts.Key Takeaways:Setbacks can become powerful turning points when reframed with perspective and intention.Kindness and clear communication are essential leadership skills, especially under pressure.Strong foundations make it easier to adapt and grow when the vision evolves.Helping others selflessly can open unexpected doors in business and life.
Small Business Big Impact: Season 2
Success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about what you earn, it’s about the impact you create. Hosted by Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, Small Business, Big Impact returns for Season 2 with inspiring stories from Ontario entrepreneurs proving that growth and giving back can go hand in hand. From community-focused restaurants to sustainability-driven startups, this season explores how purpose and profit thrive together.Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
The Business of Healing with Elora Gartley
Mental health and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, but prioritizing well-being as a business owner can be challenging.In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Elora Gartley, founder of Nova Phoenix Counseling, to explore the realities of leading with purpose in the mental health space. From overcoming personal trauma to scaling a thriving business, Elora shares how she expanded her practice by opening multiple locations and building a dedicated team.Key Takeaways:How Elora’s personal experiences with mental health shaped her path in social work and entrepreneurship.The challenges of launching a business while juggling multiple jobs and growing from a single office to a multi-location practice.The power of relational leadership in fostering a judgment-free, supportive workplace for both clients and staff.Learn more about Nova Phoenix CounsellingVisit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
Revitalizing Communities Through Trades and Training
The affordable housing crisis and skilled trades shortage are two of the biggest challenges facing communities today. But what if one solution could tackle both?On this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy sits down with Brandon Day, founder of Community Builders, a nonprofit social enterprise transforming lives in Ontario. Brandon shares his personal journey from struggling to find purpose to creating a business model that provides career opportunities while addressing the housing crisis.Key Takeaways:● Why investing in trades training is crucial for community development● The benefits of a social enterprise model over traditional nonprofits● The innovative ways Community Builders is tackling both housing and employment gapsLearn more about Community BuildersVisit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
From Kitchen to Shelves: Veneise George’s Recipe for Success
Scaling a small business is no easy feat- especially in the competitive food industry. From perfecting your product to finding the right distributor, breaking into major grocery stores takes strategy, persistence, and a whole lot of hustle.In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Veneise George, the founder of Yawdi, a line of premium, all-natural condiments inspired by international flavors. What started as a homemade marinade in her kitchen is now stocked in major grocery chains like Sobeys, Loblaws, and Metro. Veneise is here to share her story and why believing in your product is critical if you want to grow your business. Key Takeaways:You don’t need everything to be perfect before launching. Start with what you have, learn along the way, and improve as you grow.Success doesn’t happen overnight. Every small win and piece of positive feedback can be the motivation to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.People connect with the real story behind a brand. When a product reflects culture, tradition, and passion, it resonates on a deeper level with customers.Learn more about YawdiVisit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
Building a Business Rooted in Passion
When life throws you unexpected challenges, do you take the leap or play it safe? This week on Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy sits down with Katherine Hadjinian, the founder of Mon Petit Chou, an edible bouquet business that blossomed from her deep-rooted love of gardening. After leaving a career in healthcare, Katherine navigated the difficult journey of grief, self-doubt, and motherhood to build a thriving business from the ground up. Her story is a testament to resilience, passion, and trusting yourself to follow your dreams.Key Takeaways:How Katherine transformed her lifelong love of gardening into a unique business model.The emotional challenges she faced after the loss of her mother and how it fueled her entrepreneurial journey.Why resilience, adaptability, and embracing fear are essential for success.Her take on ignoring naysayers and staying focused on your vision.Mon Petit Chou: https://www.instagram.com/monpetitchoubouquets/Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
The B Corp Advantage
When business meets purpose, communities thrive. This episode of Small Business Big Impact dives into the world of B Corps: businesses that prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profitability.Jay-Ann sits down with Arni Mickelson, founder of Northern Village and chair of Be Local Ontario, to explore how mission-driven companies can create lasting change. Arni shares his journey from working in the tech sector to founding Northern Village, a company dedicated to providing accessible technology solutions for social benefit organizations. He also explains how B Corp certification validates a company’s commitment to accountability and transparency, ultimately building consumer trust.Key Takeaways:The surprising impact of B Corp certification on revenue growth and brand recognition.Why B Corps are more than just a certification, they're a trust signal for consumers and businesses alikeThe importance of decentralization in tech and why local solutions matter more than ever.How small businesses can stay true to their values while scaling their impact.Learn more about Northern VillageExplore Be Local OntarioFind out about B Corp CertificationVisit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
Finding The Sweet Spot Between Purpose and Profit
What if donuts could do more than just satisfy a sweet tooth- they could also create brighter futures? In this debut episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Melanie Cote founder of Do Good Donuts, a social enterprise that’s sprinkling hope and opportunity for young adults with developmental disabilities. Inspired by her daughter Alma, Melanie shares how she went from rolling dough in a church basement to tackling the challenges of scaling a purpose-driven business. This episode dives into the sweet spot between passion and purpose, and why creating inclusive workplaces is always a recipe for success. Key Takeaways:How personal experiences can fuel entrepreneurial ideas.The challenges of starting a social enterprise in a limited-capacity setting.Insights into choosing between nonprofit and for-profit business models.Why creating inclusive workplaces benefits both employees and employers.Do Good Donuts: dogooddonuts.orgVisit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca
Introducing Small Business Big Impact
Turning passion into a thriving business isn’t easy. How do entrepreneurs push through challenges and build something meaningful?Welcome to Small Business, Big Impact, hosted by Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union. Each episode uncovers the real stories of Ontario's small business owners, exploring their unexpected challenges, lessons learned, and hard-won successes. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an established one, get inspired by insights from those who’ve been there.Visit Meridian at: meridiancu.ca