The Profit or Pivot Podcast

Jaksot

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  Yishay Waxman built two $100M startups | what he learned & why he's going all in on Israeli startups 27.08.2026 52min

  Yishay Waxman built Platterz into a Canadian tech success story with roughly a $100 million run rate. Then COVID hit. Offices shut down, revenues disappeared, and the company was forced to lay off more than 70% of its employees. Instead of shutting the company down and returning the remaining capital, Yishay and his co-founder pivoted. Years later, the business was acquired by Gusto. But Yishay's story goes much further than Platterz. Over a 30-year career in technology, he helped build and scale companies through the dot-com era, the 2008 financial crisis and COVID. Along the way, he worked with companies including Angry Birds and Candy Crush and helped build another business that was acquired for $240 million. After October 7th, Yishay decided to make another major change. The attacks affected his family personally. His wife landed in Israel that morning, his nephew was at the Nova festival, his cousin was taken hostage, and a close friend's son was killed. Eventually, Yishay decided there was something more important he wanted to do with the next chapter of his career. Today, he runs Clarim Ventures, investing in Israeli technology companies and helping Israeli founders access North American capital and relationships. In this conversation, we discuss: Building a $100M business and watching revenue disappear Why Yishay refused to quit Angry Birds, Candy Crush and the early mobile internet The impact of October 7th on his family Why he believes Israeli entrepreneurs are different Why he's investing his capital in Israel What's gone wrong with Canada's economy and tech ecosystem Why he thinks founders shouldn't expect a 9-to-5 The biggest lessons from 30 years as an entrepreneur This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, Israel, Canada, success, failure and what actually matters after decades of building companies. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ABOUT YISHAY WAXMAN Yishay's tech career began in 1996 in Israel, where he sold voicemail, SMS and ringtones to Telecom companies in over 85 countries. In 2005, Yishay co-founded Jumptap, one of the leading mobile advertising platforms, a company that spanned Boston and Israel, achieving revenues of $100M +, employing over 300 people, and culminating in a $240 million exit. In 2015, he co-founded Platterz, now known as Thriver Inc., which grew to over 200 employees and reached a $100 million run rate pre-COVID before being acquired by Gusto in 2024. Today, Yishay is laser focused on his 2 funds Clarim Ventures, a seed-stage fund backing the next generation of Israeli AI companies & Triple Threat Partners exclusively investing in the top Israeli cybersecurity companies. Reach out to Yishay:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yishaywaxman/ Learn more about Clarim VC
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  Creating a Luxury Brand, Raising Money, & Building a Family | Dani Kagan 21.07.2026 51min

  Building a consumer brand is one of the hardest things an entrepreneur can do.   Margins are tight. Inventory is expensive. Customer acquisition costs keep rising. And in Canada, raising venture capital for consumer products is almost impossible. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Dani Kagan, co-founder of Mave & Chez, to discuss what it really takes to build a premium consumer brand from scratch. What started as frustration during pregnancy became a luxury slipper company backed by investors, featured on Dragons' Den (getting a deal with 2 Dragons), and built around premium manufacturing, thoughtful branding, and obsessive product design. We also discuss one of the most overlooked parts of fundraising: choosing the right investors. We cover: Why consumer startups are so difficult to build Why founders should be careful who they take money from Dragon's Den behind the scenes Building a luxury brand customers actually trust Building a business while raising a family Why Canada is such a difficult place to build startups Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply interested in how great brands are built, this episode offers an honest look at entrepreneurship beyond the headlines. THIS IS NOT SPONSORED by Mave & Chez but they graciously offered a promo code to our viewers: Mave & Chez slippers are available now - perfect for gifting or cozying up at home. Use the code PROFIT20 for 20% off your first order of MAVES.    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com   PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally   Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com   _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    ABOUT DANI KAGAN Dani Kagan is a serial entrepreneur, community builder, and mom of two. She’s the Co-Founder & CEO of Mave & Chez, a luxury lifestyle brand known for ergonomic slippers for women. Dani has raised $1M+ in venture capital, appeared on Dragons’ Den, and been featured in Vogue, The Globe & Mail, and more. Passionate about empowering women through business, she also hosts the podcast *Raise it Up*.   Website: www.maveandchez.com Instagram: @maveandchez @daniskagan  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikagan/
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  Immigration, DEI & Economic Decline: Roman Baber's Warning for Canada 18.06.2026 42min

  Roman Baber was excommunicated from the Conservative movement in Canada because he stood up to COVID related government tyranny in 2021. He was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, and spent several years in the political wilderness. In hindsight, his stance was measured, appropriate, and necessary, during a time of fear, mass delusion, and government lies. And fortunately, his story doesn't end there. He was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2025 as the Member of Parliament for York Centre. Not only was York Centre the only Toronto riding won by the Conservative Party of Canada, but he also successfully flipped the seat from the Liberals. Roman is one of those rare politicians that acts from principal rather than political expediency. And in this conversation he doesn't hold back: Carney's failed economic agenda The rise of anti-Semitism Immigration DEI And many other important topics... Watch on YouTube _________________________________________________________ EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com _________________________________________________________ ABOUT ROMAN BABER Roman Baber is the Member of Parliament for York Centre, located in North York. He is a member of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Roman previously represented York Centre in the Provincial Legislature from 2018 to 2022. Roman is a lawyer, called to the Ontario Bar in 2006 and until his election to the Provincial Legislature in 2018, practiced commercial and insurance litigation. He attended high school at W.L. Mackenzie, obtained a B.A. from York University and graduated law school at Western. Roman was born and lived in the Soviet Union until age eight. He moved with his family and lived in Israel until age fifteen. In 1995 along with his family, Roman immigrated to Canada, directly to the heart of York Centre at Bathurst & Sheppard. Roman is an avid fan of the City of Toronto, subways and the Raptors. https://romanbabermp.ca/
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  Hillel Fuld: The PR War, Rising Antisemitism, Trump & Why Jews Should Move to Israel 22.04.2026 51min

  After October 7th, everything changed. Not just on the ground in Israel… But in the digital battlefield where narratives are shaped, distorted, and weaponized. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with social media superstar Hillel Fuld to break down what’s really happening. Hillel built his career advising startups and telling stories in the tech world. But after October 7th, he shut it all down to focus entirely on Israel advocacy, bringing his understanding of media, distribution, and narrative to a much bigger fight. ⚔️ What We Get Into Why Israel is losing the PR war Why facts don’t change minds anymore (and what does) Where criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism Why antisemitism keeps resurfacing across generations Why Hillel believes things could get much worse for Jews in the West His perspective on figures like Donald Trump and shifting global alliances The story of being banned from Australia for 3 years Why Israel punches far above its weight in startups The cultural mindset that drives innovation Lessons founders everywhere can learn: 🎧 Watch on YouTube EPISODE PARTNER - pulsefx.com PulseFX is a Canadian foreign exchange and global payments consultancy that helps private clients and small‑to‑medium businesses move money across borders more efficiently. The firm focuses on reducing hidden FX costs, improving exchange rates, and helping clients manage currency risk when dealing with international real estate, suppliers, or global revenues. PulseFX combines modern payment technology with hands‑on, human guidance so clients can make better decisions when moving large sums internationally Get 25% off your FX today by visiting my link: www.thatfxguy.com _________________________________________________________ ABOUT HILLEL FULD Hillel is a technology journalist, global speaker, and startup marketing advisor. Forbes called Hillel, “The man transforming Startup Nation to Scale-up Nation”, and Hillel was also named Israel’s top marketer, and among the 100 most influential social media personalities worldwide. For over a decade, Hillel helped technology companies on their journey from idea to revenue and collaborated with leading companies including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and many others. Hillel also wrote about the Israeli technology ecosystem for publications including TechCrunch, Inc Magazine, FastCompany, and more. On October 7th, all that changed, and Hillel made an immediate decision to shut down his consulting business and refocus his time and energy on defending Israel online given the atrocities of that day and the spike of antisemitism that followed. Since October 7th, Hillel’s content has reached several billion impressions across his various platforms on which he has hundreds of thousands of followers. Hillel has also spoken to audiences around the world about topics including Israeli innovation, marketing, entrepreneurship, and most recently, about the war and Israel’s ongoing military and geopolitical challenges. You can read more about Hillel at HillelFuld.com and follow him across social media at the screen name @Hilzfuld where he shares his take on various topics pertaining to Israel and the future of western civilization.
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  Understanding the 3,000+ year hatred of the Jews 31.03.2026 8min

  Anti-Semitism is an evil and accelerating phenomenon around the world. I break down my thoughts on its root causes. 
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  The Fundraising Advice Startup Founders Don’t Want to Hear | Jeffrey Fidelman 18.03.2026 1t 8min

  Every founder wants to raise money. But few understand what they’re actually competing against. In this episode of the Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Jeffrey Fidelman to break down what really happens behind the scenes in venture capital and why most founders never even get a shot. Here’s the reality: Top firms are reviewing thousands of deals every year. One fund alone can see 5,000 applications annually and only focuses on the top fraction. Most are rejected in minutes. Not because the idea is bad, but because the founder didn’t know how to present it. We get into the mechanics of fundraising, what actually gets an investor’s attention, and why most founders lose before the first meeting even happens. We go deep into: What actually happens when your deck hits a VC inbox Why first impressions (deck + outreach) decide everything The 3-slide framework every pitch deck should follow (and why most get it wrong) Why unrealistic market sizes instantly kill credibility How VCs think about market size, growth, and scale The biggest mistakes in cold outreach (and how to actually get responses) The real reason most founders never get funded Jeff also breaks down something most people ignore: Fundraising isn’t a side task. It’s a full-time job. Done properly, it requires structure, consistency, and hundreds of touchpoints, not a few warm intros and a pitch deck. If you’re a founder trying to raise capital, break into VC, or just understand how competitive this game really is, this episode is a reality check. __________________________________________ EPISODE PARTNER - hiredonna.com/matan Find elite offshore executive assistants to help you grow your business or manage your increasingly busy life. Donna's assistants go through a 6-week paid intensive academy, ensuring that only the past are matched with employers. Only 1/400 applicants pass their filters, tests and academy. My listeners get 30% off for the 1st three months when you tell them I sent you (or use my link above). hiredonna.com __________________________________________   About Jeffrey Fidelman  Jeffrey is an investment banker & entrepreneur with 10+ years of experience advising early-stage companies and emerging investment managers. He is the Founder & Managing Partner of Fidelman & Co., a strategic advisory firm launched in 2015 to help founders & fund managers prepare for & execute capital raises with discipline, clarity, & data-driven strategy. At Fidelman, Jeffrey has advised hundreds of startups & emerging managers across technology, fintech, healthcare, & consumer sectors. The firm specializes in fundraising strategy, investor targeting, financial modeling, valuation, and execution support through its Fundraise as a Service (FaaS) platform, which combines structured processes with real-time investor intelligence. Prior to Fidelman, Jeffrey held senior roles at Morgan Stanley and HSBC, where he gained experience across capital markets, portfolio management, & revenue strategy. Earlier in his career, he was involved with venture investing, providing him with an operator-level perspective on early-stage growth and capital formation. Jeffrey graduated cum laude from Harvard University & is frequently sought out by founders for his practical, execution-oriented approach to fundraising and investor readiness. Connect with Jeff: Linkedin Fidelman & Co Website Fundex Jeff's Services Fundraise as a Service (FaaS) is a structured, execution-driven approach to raising capital. It replaces ad-hoc outreach with a disciplined framework—covering investor targeting, messaging, materials, and follow-ups—so founders can run a repeatable, professional fundraise while staying focused on building their business. FundEx is a purpose-built fundraising operating system that powers modern capital raises. It centralizes investor intelligence, outreach workflows, pipeline tracking, and performance analytics into a single sys
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  The Untold Truth About Becoming a VC Investor & Launching the 'YC' for VCs, Coolwater Capital 26.02.2026 50min

  Episode Partner - hiredonna.com find elite executive assistants (use my link below for discounts) Ever wonder how someone becomes a venture capitalist? Winter Mead is the founder of Coolwater Capital, the YC for VC funds. He's invested in over 90 funds and has helped launch hundreds of VC firms. Venture operates in circles of trust. Those circles aren’t arbitrary, they’re built over decades. Ecosystems compound relationships the same way companies compound capital. But the deeper insight is this: VCs are also fundraisers. Every venture firm answers to limited partners. They raise funds, demonstrate performance, defend strategy, and differentiate in a crowded market. That means every investment is not just a bet on a founder, it’s a bet that must be defensible to institutional capital. Founders who understand this dynamic immediately gain an edge. In this episode, we break down how venture capital actually works. If you’re building a company or allocating capital, this conversation will sharpen how you think about incentives, access, and positioning. What We Cover: Why breaking into venture “circles” is hard and why that’s rational The role of trust and pattern recognition in writing checks Why cold outreach rarely works the way founders expect The structural reason VCs favor repeat founders How LP dynamics shape every investment decision Why founders who understand fund math raise capital faster The real alignment (and constraints) between founders and investors EPISODE PARTNER hiredonna.com Find elite offshore executive assistants to help you grow your business or manage your increasingly busy life. Donna's assistants go through a 6-week paid intensive academy, ensuring that only the past are matched with employers. Only 1/400 applicants pass their filters, tests and academy. My listeners get 30% off for the 1st three months when you tell them I sent you (or use my link above). My link: hiredonna.com/matan   ABOUT WINTER & COOLWATER Winter Mead is the Founder and Managing Member of the investment firm Coolwater Capital, which exclusively focuses on emerging managers and technology investments. Coolwater is an academy for training, building and scaling emerging managers, a curated community of VC investors and early-stage investment specialists, and an investment firm. Coolwater has helped launch over 300+ emerging managers in the last four years, establishing strong ties and trust with these managers, who form the foundation of the Coolwater community. Coolwater has made over 90 investments into its accelerator ecosystem supporting the next generation of founder investors and new technologies. Winter is also the author of "How To Raise A Venture Capital Fund" and an upcoming book, "How To Set Up A Venture Capital Fund." Prior to Coolwater, he played a key role in an evergreen investment fund at SAP and co-founded the LP transparency movement called #OpenLP. Winter's extensive experience includes private equity and venture capital roles in San Francisco, institutional fund investments, direct technology investments for SAP, and angel investing. He also served as junior faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, holding degrees from the University of Oxford and Harvard University, and now resides in Utah with his family, passionately solving business challenges. Connect with Winter on LinkedIn Learn more about Coolwater  
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  Why Toronto is Failing & What it Will Take to Fix It | James Pasternak 12.02.2026 52min

  Episode Partner: hiredonna.com - find elite offshore executive assistants with Donna. 30% off for first 3 months for my listeners. Links below.  Everything is degrading in major cities like Toronto. Violent crime has skyrocketed, homelessness is rampant, living is increasingly unaffordable, and we are paying more in taxes & receiving worse services. In the latest episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast I am joined by Toronto City Councilman James Pasternak to discuss these myriad issues Toronto is facing. One story I simply cannot wrap my head around. A few months ago, a group of ISIS linked terrorists planned kidnappings of Jewish girls for r*pe, torture and ransom. Thank God, their first potential victim was able to escape by yelling for help. Police found weapons such as automatic rifles and plans for various attacks in their homes. And its been credibly reported that at least 1 of them has been released on bail. Read that again: A dangerous terrorist caught trying to kidnap girls, who has access to weapons, and a means to carry out attacks has been released. And I bet most of you haven't heard this story. Its been buried. Why??? While our discussion is about Toronto, the challenges we face are mirrored in other major cities across the West. James and I unpack some of the underlying causes, and potential solutions. Watch on YouTube. EPISODE PARTNER Donna Find elite offshore executive assistants to help you grow your business or manage your increasingly busy life. Donna's assistants go through a 6-week paid intensive academy, ensuring that only the past are matched with employers. Only 1/400 applicants pass their filters, tests and academy.  My listeners get 30% off for the 1st three months when you tell them I sent you (or use my link). hiredonna.com ABOUT JAMES PASTERNAK James was first elected to Toronto City Council in 2010. He was re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Prior to coming to City Council he served 4 years as a Trustee on the Toronto District School Board. James is known for advancing creative solutions to complex urban problems and has been a leader in fighting antisemitism and hate in all its forms. James was the founding Trustee of the Africentric Alternative School, was the first to bring the concept of participatory budget making to Toronto, initiated the review of the consequences of drone technology and the implications of e-cigarettes. He was the first on Council to sound the alarm of the consequences  of tariffs and a potential trade war with the United States. James currently serves as Chair of North York Community Council and has Chaired a number of City Council standing committees. He is a lifelong resident of York Centre.
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  How to Land Your Dream Job in VC or PE | Tips from a $1.7B AUM Fund Manager 21.01.2026 52min

  Jim Ferry, a Partner at Volition Capital with $1.7B AUM, recently posted a VC analyst role and received 2,500 applications in one week. That number alone says everything. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, we unpack what that level of competition really means, why traditional career advice is broken, and how hiring managers actually think when they’re flooded with applicants who all look the same on paper. If you’re trying to get hired into a competitive role, this episode will force you to rethink your approach. This conversation isn’t about polishing résumés or gaming LinkedIn. It’s about thinking like the person doing the hiring. We get into: What 2,500 applications for one role tells us about the job market Why credentials & grades matter less than most people think How candidates disqualify themselves before interviews What hiring managers are actually screening for Common resume and interviewing mistakes How to position yourself when competition is extreme His perspective on investing in the age of AI This episode is a wake-up call for anyone trying to break into competitive roles especially in VC, startups, and high-performance environments. If you want to get hired, promoted, or taken seriously, this conversation will change how you approach your career. 🎧 Listen now and rethink how you stand out. About Jim Ferry Jim is a Partner at Volition Capital, a Boston-based Series A / Series B growth equity firm with over $1.7B in assets under management. Volition invests ~$15M to ~$60M in technology startups with a ~$5M+ run rate. Since joining the firm in 2014, Jim has focused on high-growth, founder-owned companies in the internet and consumer sectors. Jim specializes in high-volume transactional businesses across sectors including ad tech, marketplaces, fintech, consolidation platforms, and more, partnering with founders to scale their businesses efficiently. Connect with Jim X LinkedIn Volition Capital (email) If you are a high growth startup with a ~$5M+ run rate looking to raise ~$15M-60M, feel free to reach out to Volition Capital: [email protected]
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  4 Easy Steps to Master in Person Networking as an Introvert | Solo Episode 24.12.2025 8min

  Who you know in business is critical to your success, especially as a startup. And meeting the right people whether its best employees, partners, customers, and investors often requires networking and meeting new people in person. But what if you're an introvert like me and dread networking and meeting new people in person? There are a few simple and easy steps you can implement to overcome your fear, get out of your comfort zone and start meeting new people. This advice is not limited to business events, but can be implemented more broadly, such as social events. This advice is borne out of my own experience as an introvert after realizing early on that in order to achieve my business and financial goals, I would have to get out of my comfort zone, and meet new people in person at scale. And its worked wonders for me!
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  My Partnership with Waka Flocka Flame, The Business Behind Cultural Influence 18.12.2025 1t

  Max Abergel signed one of the most influential rappers in the world without an intro, a résumé, or permission. He literally slipped past security and walked into a green room. That moment led to a long-term partnership with Waka Flocka Flame, an artist with diamond-certified records, collaborations with Nicki Minaj and Drake, and a brand that stretches far beyond music into business, philanthropy, and politics. But this episode isn’t about celebrity. It’s about the operators behind the scenes, the people who turn influence into a business. And Max didn’t come from music. He came from tech. That initial pitch in the green room turned into an 11-year partnership spanning: Touring and brand deals Business operations and management Investments and exits Building businesses around a personal brand without diluting it Waka Flocka Flame isn’t just a rapper, he’s a cultural force.Platinum records. Global tours. One of the defining voices of modern trap music. And someone who understood early that brand > product. We get into: The wild story of how Max met Waka and why it worked How to turn proximity into partnership (without being transactional) Why brand affinity matters more than follower count The difference between selling hours vs. building leverage Lessons from working with one of the biggest artists in the world Why authenticity compounds over time What “escaping the matrix” actually looks like in real life Why most people miss opportunities that are right in front of them Why Wocka endorsed Trump for President before it was cool If you’re a founder, creator, or operator trying to build something that lasts, this episode is a real-world lesson in how relationships become platforms.
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  Branding & Leadership Lessons From Heinz, SodaStream, & Pepsico | Rena Nickerson 10.12.2025 55min

  Every brand is trying to influence you but only a few succeed. Why? Because great brands understand human psychology better than their competitors. In this episode of the Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Rena Nickerson, the General Manager of the Quaker and Sabra brands in Canada, who has spent her career understanding how people think, what motivates them, and how to turn that into real business growth. We go deep into the mechanics of brand building, behavioral influence, and the subtle line between persuasion and manipulation. How do you shape perception? How do you create emotional attachment? Why do some brands scale to millions while others burn out? Rena also opens up about her own corporate path: learning she was going to be fired, the wake-up moment that forced her to rethink her leadership style, and how that experience reshaped how she approaches communication, team dynamics, and personal identity and being Jewish in the corporate world today. If you care about marketing, growth, influence, or building something that actually lasts, this episode is for you. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  About Rena Nickerson Rena is a respected leader within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. As General Manager, Quaker Canada, she has led a national team of 650 since 2023. Prior to that, she was GM, SodaStream Canada for 7 years, tripling the business. Prior to joining PepsiCo as a GM, Rena started her career as a marketer on top brands such as Colgate, Campbell and Kraft. You can find her on LinkedIn, where she spends way too much time. LinkedIn
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  Q&A with Matan: What VCs look for, what we do with failings startups, how to raise VC & other great questions 03.12.2025 27min

  Matan joins the founders at the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute to answer their many questions about building startups, raising money, and standing out.    Q1 What do I look for in a startup when investing Q2 Thoughts on "impact investing" Q3 What do I do when a company is failing Q4 How to break into VC Q5 How would I redo my career / life if given the option  Q6 Dealing with failed founders trying again Q7 Differences between Canadian and Israeli founders Q8 Options for a failed business Q9 SAFEs vs equity deals Q10 How much control do VCs want and need Q11 What do I get excited about when meeting founders Q12 How to leave a lasting impression
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  Rebuilding 30+ Companies in Post-Soviet Russia & Building the #1 Ranked Incubator in the World 26.11.2025 46min

  Ever wondered how the Russian oligarchs were made? This episode gives you a glimpse into that world… through someone who lived it, built through it, and survived it. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, Matan speaks with Marat Ressin, an entrepreneur who built and bought over 30 businesses after the fall of the Soviet Union, escaped the rising control of the KGB to Canada, and went on to build the #1 ranked university-linked business accelerator in the world. Marat shares his unbelievable journey: Becoming the 22-year-old director of a government venture before the USSR collapse Buying Soviet factories about to go bankrupt and turning them into profitable businesses Facing pressure from the KGB to sell his companies and become one of their men Building major real estate and business turnaround projects in Canada Creating the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) and training 2,000+ entrepreneurs His core lessons on communication, raising money, problem-driven business creation, and AI This is one of the most insightful, candid, and inspiring founder stories you’ll hear. About Marat Ressin Marat is the founder of the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI), a globally top-ranked university-linked accelerator, professor, turnaround specialist, real estate developer, and serial entrepreneur with 30+ business acquisitions across multiple industries. Learn more about YEDI Connect with Marat
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  What Startup Founders Get Wrong About Scaling & Other Important Lessons | Ryan Henry 19.11.2025 54min

  By his mid 20's, Ryan Henry became Head of Engineering for a fast growing mobile game developer. It was his first exposure to scaling a tech company, which he later leveraged at Freshbooks, a Canadian "unicorn" startup (over $1 billion valuation). At Freshbooks, Ryan hired 100 engineers in 1 year, a real rocket ship. He shares his insights on scaling a business, hiring the best people, how AI will change the tech landscape, and other important learnings. Ryan also launched a startup and now runs a VC fund, Sand Hill North, where he invests in Seed stage companies in Canada and the US. In this conversation, we focus a lot on what is considered a venture scalable business, how VCs think through an investment, and why entrepreneurs need to adopt a VC scalable perspective if they choose to raise money. Entrepreneurs and investors will gain a lot from hearing Ryan's perspective. Don't miss out! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ About Ryan Henry Ryan manages venture investments at Sand Hill North, focusing on pre-seed and seed B2B software in Canada and the US. They invest in day-0 companies with a particular focus on robotics, energy and AI. Previously, Ryan co-founded Wisely, an AI-powered fundraising enablement platform for charities, and scaled FreshBooks from their series-A. With over a decade of leadership experience, Ryan has built SaaS, AI, fintech, mobile games and AR apps and worked with brands like Disney, Mattel, and McDonald's. Connect with Ryan Website  LinkedIn  X: @IAmRyanHenry
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  Prolific VC Investor: What Every Startup MUST Do to Raise Money Successfully 12.11.2025 48min

  Geoff became an accidental entrepreneur building a 150 employee business and becoming a prolific angel investor with investments that include a $500 MILLION exit. Geoff's journey illustrates the unpredictable path of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and being open to unexpected opportunities. Geoff and I discuss how to build a business, the many tough choices one has to make, and the big mistakes entrepreneurs make in their journey. We also discuss how to more effectively raise venture capital, pitfalls to avoid, and whether or not VCs rely on luck or skill to succeed themselves. If you're an aspiring VC investor or entrepreneur, you don't want to miss out on Geoff's insights!  Connect with Geoff: LinkedIn  Looking for an accelerator:  altitudeaccelerator.ca
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  How Mastering Sales as an Introvert Made Me Rich | Alex Siplyarksy 05.11.2025 47min

  By age 22, Alex Siplyarsky failed in his 1st business, was $40,000 in debt, and had his 1st child on the way. Life looked bleak and he didn't know how to dig himself out of this deep hole. However, Alex defied the odds. Initially struggling with sales, he transformed his life by understanding what makes buyers tick and how to overcome an initial "no" and influence people to buy. Starting with the humble beginnings of selling chocolates in middle school, Alex honed his sales skills through telemarketing and even selling diamonds. These experiences taught him how to build confidence, handle rejection, and thrive. Alex developed his GRAC principle, which is his philosophy of selling: Give value first, Resilience, Accountability, and Continued growth. 💡 His journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, focusing on relationship-building, marketing insights, and knowing when to pivot. Alex offers practical advice. If you are building a business, looking to develop your sales skills, or looking to be inspired, you don't want to miss this episode!
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  Why the Housing Crisis is Getting Worse & Product Lessons from a $100M Startup Exit | Mark Freedman 29.10.2025 55min

  🏠 Is Canada’s dream of home ownership officially dead? In this episode of the Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Mark Freedman, entrepreneur, investor, and former Head of Product who helped lead a startup to a $100M+ exit, to talk about building and scaling businesses, product leadership, and why real estate in Canada and other major cities is becoming increasingly out of reach. Mark shares how he helped grow a SaaS company from $600K ARR to over $10M and what those lessons taught him about value creation, conviction, and execution. Now, as a partner at Stonefield Capital, he turns that same discipline toward real estate lending and investing, and offers an unfiltered take on Canada’s housing market. We discuss: Why owning a home in Canada may soon be impossible for most The real cause of the housing affordability crisis Lessons from scaling a business to a $100M exit Why conviction and discipline matter in every market, housing or tech Why most startups underprice their products (and how to fix it) The art of letting go of bad customers Whether you’re a founder, product leader, or investor, Mark’s journey is packed with lessons about growth, conviction, and building lasting businesses, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who cares about building wealth, investing smart, and understanding the future of real estate in Canada. About Mark Freedman Mark is a seasoned technology and financial services professional/entrepreneur with a track record of driving rapid growth and operational scale. Most recently, he helped grow Mortgage Automator from a 12-person, $500K revenue startup into a 65-person, $10M ARR company, culminating in a nine-figure acquisition within four years. Before that, Mark held diverse roles across sports engineering, higher education, and financial services, as well as a brief period in consulting. He now serves as Managing Partner at Stonefield Capital, a private lending firm based in Canada, where he has helped grow assets under management by over 30% year-over-year, currently surpassing $50M. A lifelong technologist and father of two, Mark is passionate about community building, mentorship, and leveraging technology to streamline traditional finance operations. Connect with Mark LinkedIn Email:  ✉️ [email protected]
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  How I Built & Exited 2 Startups Without ANY Venture Capital | Jeremy Zuker 22.10.2025 44min

  Join me as I sit down with Jeremy Zuker, a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully built and sold multiple marketplace startups. In this insightful conversation, we'll delve into: Growth Strategies: Learn how Jeremy scaled WagJag to 180 employees and $50 million in revenue. Bootstrapping Success: Discover why Jeremy chose to avoid venture capital and the benefits of bootstrapping. Overcoming Challenges: Hear about the tough decisions and setbacks that every founder faces. Building Strong Teams: Learn the importance of company culture and team dynamics. Angel Investing: Gain insights into Jeremy's perspective on investing in early-stage startups. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned entrepreneur and gain valuable insights into the world of startups and investing. Learn more about Jeremy, Spacer & Scoop Commute
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  Melissa Lantsman on the Downfall of Canada, the 2025 Election Loss & the Meteoric Rise of Anti-Semitism 16.10.2025 55min

  🇨🇦 Canada is not the country it once was. Economic stagnation, failing institutions, rising crime, a massive brain drain, a housing crisis, and a political class unwilling to confront the growing divisions and hatred. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, to discuss what’s gone wrong in Canada and what it will take to fix it. Melissa offers a candid look at the erosion of Canadian values, the failure of leadership, and how antisemitism has become normalized in our streets, schools, and political discourse. We dive into:   Why Canadians are losing faith in their institutions Why the Conservative Party lost the 2025 elections & lessons learned Trump's role in the election, tariffs & thoughts on him as POTUS The failing economy, rising crime, housing crisis & other issues, & how to fix it The surge of antisemitism and how politicians enable it The culture of fear that stops people from speaking the truth What it will take to rebuild national confidence and unity This episode is an unfiltered look at a country in decline, and a call for courage, moral clarity, and leadership before it’s too late. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ About Melissa Lantsman Melissa is the Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Elected in 2021, she previously served as the Shadow Minister for Transport and as a Senior Advisor to leading Canadian political figures. Melissa believes in breaking the mold and in bringing new ideas and energy to Ottawa. She represents the next generation in Canadian politics. Born and raised in the community she now serves, Melissa was taught by her immigrant parents to work hard and to stand up for what’s right. Those are values that have guided her in all points of her life and career. Melissa is an award-winning communicator and was amongst Canada’s most sought-after public affairs executives. She has served on various boards of directors, was a regular TV commentator and hosted her own radio show. Her writing has been featured in Canada’s largest circulation publications. Melissa is not afraid to speak out for the things that matter, and she doesn't back down from holding the government to account. Instagram / Facebook / X / YouTube: @MelissaLantsman Substack  Website