S3 E6 - One Entrepreneur's Secrets to Succeeding -- Regardless of Skin Colour with Andrew Bromfield

06/17/21 • 37 min

Entrepreneurship is hard. Leaving a stable career to start a firm with uncertain prospects, winning customers, hiring staff, gaining access to capital... the challenges are many for those who aspire to build their own businesses. And if you're a Black entrepreneur you face the additional barriers of unconscious bias, inequity or even racism. In this episode tech entrepreneur Andrew Bromfield joins the pod to share his story of leaving a predictable career to create his own business. He also explores how he deals with the additional obstacles faced by Black entrepreneurs, why some well-intentioned government efforts to help aren't helpful at all, and how he gives back to the next generation. Andrew provides guidance to anyone who wants to be an ally to Black, and the broader group of BIPOC business owners. Timestamps: 00:55 Introducing Andrew and Formative 01:39 Introducing 100 Strong and LinkedIn post Andrew wrote 02:21 Government loan program for Blacks 03:06 Don't need "charity" 04:08 The Entrepreneurial voice 05:08 His story 05:18 Came from entrepreneurial family -- lots of support and confidence 05:56 Entrepreneurial parents 09:11 Price Waterhouse Coopers 10:26 Systemic biases that black people face? 10:56 Educational Streaming 13:23 Advocate for yourself 17:17 Visible representation importance 18:54 Leaving PWC and starting new firm 19:39 Build a foundation 20:28 Startup challenges 21:37 Lessons for new entrepreneurs 22:08 Growth mindset and understanding things change 22:47 Mistakes WILL happen -- accept and learn 22:56 Resilience 23:26 "This is earth, not heaven" 23:47 Do you face racism in Canada today? 24:09 Not for him 24:19 Mindset is key to handling prejudice 25:11 Opening bell for the nasdaq 27:36 You don't make those introductions if you have a problem with race... 28:02 How you perceive things 29:56 Allyship 30:19 Consider a wider range of vendors when putting out a bid 33:32 How to find out more about 100 strong 35:53 Thank yous Links to Formative Innovations Inc. Company: www.formative.ca Foundation: www.100strong.ca

Previous Episode

S3 E5 - What Nuclear Submarines Can Teach Us About Inclusion with John Gregory Vincent

A nuclear submarine is one of the most intense and inhospitable environments in the world. For three months crews are put into a vessel that operates in hostile territory while being powered by a nuclear reactor. In this conversation John Gregory Vincent shares how the decades he spent in these vessels led him and his partner Deb Cake led them to develop a system to create inclusive teams. They take me into what The Submarine Way is, and how you can apply it to your team or organization. The chance to hear about life below the surface and the unique imperatives of teamwork are fascinating and John brings his experiences to life in this conversation. 01:01 Introductions 01:25 Background 02:23 What is the Submarine Way? 05:22 Life on a nuclear submarine 06:13 Create a system where you can work through your bias, racism, people you don't like 08:42 5 steps to inclusive workplace 09:03 1 ONBOARDING 11:23 No silos on a sub 12:07 Corporate onboarding - what leads to culture of inclusion 13:24 2 EVERYONE MATTERS, IF THEY CONTRIBUTE 14:16 You do more with less 14:42 Pressure to perform 15:59 Support 16:50 How people help you unlock your ability 17:19 Qualification 18:54 How to bring contribution into corporate setting 19:08 Talent is important 19:20 Mentorship 20:17 Focus on talent 21:34 3 CREWMUNITY 22:09 Crew 22:54 Every person is a leader in a crew 23:45 How to handle deep-seated difference in a crew 24:23 Put getting things done ahead of biases 26:18 Bias is deepseated. Build skills to look beyond bias. 28:08 4 OMBUDSMEN 30:31 The Rumour Mill 35:18 5 MISSION 35:44 Hyperfocus on results that fit in with mission 36:14 Understand your role 36:33 Activity driven focus is a huge detriment to organizations 36:43 The illogic of typical business schedules 37:17 Measure performance by RESULTS 37:47 Fight the submarine 38:53 How to use Mission in business 39:28 Discuss individual roles 40:44 Example of an amazing culture 43:22 Bart summarizes what they've talked about 44:11 Do you miss the military 45:46 Can you take this to the non-military world? 47:03 How to find out more about the Submarine Way 48:34 Thank Yous 49:27 Outtro Links to The Submarine Way: Official Website: https://www.thesubmarineway.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesubmarineway For autographed books both UP PERISCOPE Putting Traditional Leadership in the Crosshairs and Diversity and Inclusion The Submarine Way: https://www.thesubmarineway.com/store/ For Amazon purchases of UP PERISCOPE: https://www.amazon.com/Periscope-Traditional-Leadership-Crosshairs-Diversity/dp/1642379611 For Amazon purchases of Diversity and Inclusion The Submarine Way: https://www.amazon.com/Diversity-Inclusion-Submarine-Way-Underwater/dp/1599329050/ref=pd_lpo_14_img_0/133-8510416-4787011?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1599329050&pd_rd_r=34b57484-c77c-428a-84e1-60ea08739687&pd_rd_w=3nE7h&pd_rd_wg=SuejY&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=4HQ5ZC9Z8F1CVC0KKGY0&psc=1&refRID=4HQ5ZC9Z8F1CVC0KKGY0 Vimeo Channel for their information library: https://vimeo.com/channels/thesubmarineway/

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S3 E7 - How To Let Your Authenticity Guide Your Career with Ronan Levy

In this episode Bart interviews Ronan Levy, Founder and Executive Chairman of Field Trip Health, one of the world's leading psychedelic companies, about his non-traditional career choices. Ronan, who began his professional career a corporate lawyer, soon found himself hating his working life, and set out on a series of risky yet authentic ventures in pursuit of fulfilment. From working in the music business, to a stint at an online dating site he won't name (!) to becoming a pioneer in canabis, Ronan has had a lifetime of experiences. His insights help make clear that even if you aren't always successful, following your authentic passion will make you more fulfilled along the way. Time Stamps 00:00 Teaser 00:17 Show leading 00:52 Introduction 01:35 Leaving the traditional path of "success" 01:54 The path of the lawyer 02:41 Working in law -- I hated my life 03:24 Happiness comes from progress towards your goals 03:39 Setting real goals 03:58 MTV lawyer 04:21 Online dating company lawyer 05:16 Opportunity can be found in cultural taboos 06:49 What questions should people ask to discover their authentic calling? 07:37 Don't rationalize -- check in with yourself 08:09 Listen to your feelings 08:42 Calling into work "well" 08:57 What makes you feel good to be alive? 09:05 Freedom to explore 09:30 Leaving work 09:59 First business - Toronto Gold 10:46 What's the icky factor of cash for gold 12:00 Joined EO - Entrepreneurs Org 12:31 Mastermind talks 13:43 Cannabis industry 15:24 Golden handcuffs 18:07 Do well by doing good 18:52 Canadian Cannabis Clinics 20:50 Medical benefits 23:08 Facing resistance -- getting energy from it 23:58 Resistance steels my resolve! 24:40 The stern foe of all sham 25:59 Most recent venture -- Field Trip Health 27:38 MDMA breakthrough therapy 29:52 Proactively pursuing own mental/emotional growth 30:42 Resistance to idea of psychedelics 31:43 World leaders in advancing the therapeutic application of psychedelics 32:46 Legal access to psychedelics is happing sooner than people thought 33:15 Next generation of molecules 36:10 What's your next journey? 37:23 OUTRO www.fieldtriphealth.com www.meetfieldtrip.com www.fieldtripping.fm