This Commerce Life

Latest Episodes:

The Kristina Farrell Episode: Fighting for Canada's Food System from the Inside Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

The Kristina Farrell Episode: Fighting for Canada's Food System from the Inside

In this episode, hosts Phil and Kenny sit down with Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food & Beverage Canada, to explore the complex world of Canadian food manufacturing policy. Christina, who represents domestic food and beverage manufacturers across the country, breaks down the critical distinction between companies that actually make products in Canada versus those that simply sell here.

From her team-of-two operation in Ottawa, Kristina tackles massive challenges including inter-provincial trade barriers, labor shortages, and the ongoing work on Bill C-5. The conversation reveals how 92% of Canada's food manufacturing companies have fewer than 100 employees, yet the industry remains the country's largest manufacturing sector—a fact that often gets overlooked in policy discussions.

Kristina shares her journey from government bureaucracy to lobbying, explaining how she became the central coordinator between six provincial food and beverage associations and federal policymakers. The discussion touches on everything from why you've probably had more USDA beef than Alberta beef, to the surprising complexities of calling something "recyclable" under new Competition Act provisions.

The hosts and Kristina dig into Canada's tendency to overcomplicate systems that should be straightforward, from food safety standards that vary by province to the challenges of getting recognition for an industry that feeds everyone but struggles to get the political attention given to "sexier" sectors like automotive or mining.

Key topics covered:

The difference between food manufacturers and CPG companies
Inter-provincial trade barriers and Bill C-5
Labor challenges in food manufacturing
Why Canada's food system is simultaneously world-class and poorly understood by Canadians
The role of provincial food and beverage associations
Sustainability challenges and greenwashing regulations

This episode offers an inside look at the people working behind the scenes to keep Canada's food system running, and why understanding these complexities matters for everyone who eats.

Find Kristina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-farrell-b09ba549/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

CHFA Now Toronto 2025 Preview with Aaron Skelton & Lynsey Walker Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

CHFA Now Toronto 2025 Preview with Aaron Skelton & Lynsey Walker

Join Phil and Kenny as they chat with Aaron Skelton (CEO) and Lynsey Walker (Chief Marketing Officer) from the Canadian Health Food Association for an exciting preview of CHFA Now Toronto 2025, happening September 19 - 21, 2025

What's New This Year:

BDC & Be Local Thursday Night Event - Special networking event at BDC Square (37th floor of CIBC Tower) with stunning lake views
Enhanced Conference Programming - Friday's packed agenda includes a new Quebec session called "Bonjour-Hi" and the highly anticipated data & insights presentation on women's health
Revamped Industry Awards - Saturday's awards ceremony promises to be the biggest yet, with upgraded entertainment and a green carpet experience
Sunday Fun Run - 3km charity run supporting Second Harvest, plus Incubator Alley pitch sessions

Key Dates:

Online registration closes August 31st
VIP retailer perks include free parking, Uber discounts, and food vouchers
Show runs September 6-8 at the CNE Automotive Building (formerly Beanfield)

Whether you're a longtime industry veteran or newcomer to the natural health space, this episode captures why CHFA has become the must-attend event that people plan their entire year around. As Phil notes, it's transformed from "Are you going?" to "When we get to CHFA, let's..."

Don't miss the advocacy update where Aaron explains how grassroots efforts led to real regulatory wins - proving that when the industry comes together, change is possible.

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box Story Aug 12, 2025

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From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box Story

In this episode of This Commerce Life, we sit down with Kyla, the bold founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, who turned bar tips and brazilian waxes in her dining room into a 24-location franchise empire across Canada.

Starting 12 years ago in her dining room (yes, you read that right), Kyla used her bartending tips to fund her venture into the hair removal industry. What began as giving customers shots of tequila while learning to perfect Brazilian waxes has evolved into a franchise system employing over 250 staff across four provinces.

you can find Kyla here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-dufresne-295867149/

check out Foxy box here: https://foxyboxwaxbar.com/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

A celebration of success. Re-sharing Caitlin Vanderhaeghe's episode Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

A celebration of success. Re-sharing Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe's episode from 2022 on the evolution of Kidstar. In light of her announcement last week of getting National distribution, we thought it'd be a good time to re-share Caitlin's journey with Kidstar.

A small Canadian company, that put in a lot of work to get here! Congrats Caitlyn and the Kidstar team!!

Check out Kidstar here: https://kidstarnutrients.com/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Mid-Summer Update - Road Trips, Trade Shows, and What's Next Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Mid-Summer Update - Road Trips, Trade Shows, and What's Next

Phil and Kenny reconnect for a candid mid-summer update on what's been keeping them busy and what's coming up for This Commerce Life. After spending five hours together booking travel (and learning they should have let Keelin handle it), the duo shares their exciting plans for the fall.

In This Episode:

Anuga 2025: The hosts are headed to Germany's massive food trade show (October 4-8) to bring back marketplace intelligence
Ontario Road Trip: Kenny's coming to Toronto in late September/early October for filming across Central Ontario - from London to Barrie, or potentially east to the Belleville-Kingston area
Behind the Scenes: Meet Keelin, their "not-so-secret weapon" who keeps them organized, and why they're crystallizing their three core focuses
The Unsexy Fundamentals: Why they keep returning to the same crucial topics - cost of goods, margins, cash flow - that aren't glamorous but are essential for Canadian retail success
Retail Stories: Their passion for independent Canadian retailers, from Brian Pilau's stores to Peter at Kelowna Your Independent Grocer, and their dream to visit North West Company's Arctic Circle operations
Looking Ahead: BC Food & Bev accelerator program, Manitoba webinars, a mystery Interior BC conference, and their ongoing mission to showcase Canadian retail
Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Amy Rempel - From Third-Generation Grocery to Pioneering Kids' Skincare Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Amy Rempel - From Third-Generation Grocery to Pioneering Kids' Skincare

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Rempel, owner of Elevation Brands and founder of Fresh Faces Skincare, Canada's first skincare line specifically designed for kids. Amy brings a unique perspective to the natural products industry as a third-generation grocery professional whose great-grandfather helped bring Metro stores to Ontario.

What You'll Learn:

How Amy identified a dangerous TikTok trend of kids using adult skincare products and turned it into a business opportunity
The reality of working with brokers vs. distributors and what brands need to know before making the call
Why Amy created a consulting package to bridge the gap between direct-to-consumer and retail-ready brands
The importance of having distribution, funding, and production capacity in place before approaching brokers

Major Announcement: Amy shares her exciting news about receiving a Golden Ticket and getting Fresh Faces Skincare into Walmart stores nationwide starting February 2025 - and how she's already thinking strategically about execution rather than just celebrating the win.

Key Takeaways:

The difference between wants vs. needs in emerging categories
How to position new products in conventional retail (hint: clear shelf signage is everything)
Why understanding your retailer's customer base is crucial for success
The evolution of brand partnerships and when it's time to level up

Amy's pragmatic approach to business development and her deep industry knowledge make this a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their brand or work with brokers effectively.

Check out Fresh faces here: https://freshfacesco.com/

Find Amy Rempel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-rempel/

Trading Cards to Facebook Fame: How One Collector Built a Digital Empire Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Trading Cards to Facebook Fame: How One Collector Built a Digital Empire

Join Phil and Kenny as they dive deep into the fascinating world of modern card collecting with special guest Anthony from Red Light Sports. What started as a COVID hobby digging through childhood collections has evolved into a thriving Facebook Live business that's redefining how collectors buy and sell.

Anthony takes us behind the scenes of his innovative approach to card sales - from mystery bags that guarantee value to live auctions that keep hundreds of viewers engaged for hours. Discover how he built a community of 1,400+ members, created custom entertainment elements (yes, there's a theme song!), and turned what could be mundane transactions into must-watch events.

In This Episode:

The psychology behind mystery pulls and why "the first one's free"
How to pivot from daily auction management to streamlined live shows
Building customer loyalty through entertainment and guaranteed value
The challenges of going live for 5-6 hours twice a week
Why Anthony's girlfriend's AI skills became a game-changer
Phil's continued resistance to card collecting (spoiler: 2,000 cards is apparently "nothing")
Kenny's potential future as a guest auctioneer

Whether you're into cards, curious about Facebook Live selling, or fascinated by how hobbies become businesses, this episode offers insights into community building, digital entrepreneurship, and the passion that drives collectors.

Plus: Plans for an epic Vancouver ice cream tour featuring 218 flavors at La Casa Gelato - because apparently that's how card people network.

Find Anthony at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CqUYjddbr/

Check out La Casa Gelato here: https://www.instagram.com/lacasagelato?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: www.fieldagentcanada.com

Burgoo Restaurant's Justin Joyce on 24 Years of Comfort Food & Vancouver's Evolving Food Scene Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Burgoo Restaurant's Justin Joyce on 24 Years of Comfort Food & Vancouver's Evolving Food Scene

We had an amazing conversation with Justin, owner of the four Burgoo restaurant locations in Vancouver, who joined us despite dealing with a power outage and a sick dog. What started as a discussion about his restaurants quickly evolved into a deep dive about the challenges facing independent operators in today's market.

The Burgoo Story

We learned how Justin's path to restaurants began with a detour from university. Originally headed to study English literature at the University of Alberta, he stopped in Calgary and met a mentor who offered to lend him money to open a restaurant in Vancouver. At 21, with no stress and plenty of optimism, he made the leap and opened the Funky Armadillo in the early '90s before eventually developing the Burgoo concept in 2001.

What struck us was how Burgoo started as purely comfort food - originally serving only soups and stews in two sizes: "giant and enormous." They didn't even have plates when they first opened, serving everything in bowls. No sandwiches, no appetizers, just 10 soups and 15 stews. The menu has evolved dramatically over 24 years, finally adding french fries just this past year after resisting for over two decades.

Check out Burgoo here: https://www.burgoo.ca/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Food Fraud and Authenticity Testing with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO of Purity IQ Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Food Fraud and Authenticity Testing with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO of Purity IQ

In this eye-opening conversation, Kenny and Phil sit down with Deleo De Leonardis, CEO and co-founder of Purity IQ, to discuss a critical issue that affects every consumer: food fraud and adulteration.

Deleo shares her unexpected journey from 20 years in retail (including VP of Private Label at Sobeys) to becoming an entrepreneur in the science-based world of authenticity testing. Despite not being a scientist herself, she and her co-founders identified a massive gap in the industry - while labs routinely test for identity (is echinacea actually present?), they often miss adulteration, dilution, and substitution.

Key Topics Covered:

Why standard identity testing isn't enough to catch food fraud
The difference between targeted vs. untargeted testing methods
Real examples of adulteration in honey, olive oil, spices, and supplements
How economic pressures and supply chain disruptions create opportunities for fraudsters
The shocking reality that less than 1% of imported products are actually inspected
Why "Product of Italy" doesn't guarantee authentic olive oil
The innovative QR-enabled certification system that educates consumers in real-time

Sobering Statistics:

Some botanical supplements contain over 80% maltodextrin filler instead of active ingredients
Food fraud has existed since ancient Rome and flourishes during economic uncertainty
Most labs focus on facility audits (GMP) rather than actual product testing

This conversation will change how you think about the products on grocery store shelves and highlights why consumers, brands, and retailers need to ask better questions about authenticity testing. As Deleo puts it: "You may think you're doing all the right things - you're missing a really big component."

Find Purity IQ here: https://purity-iq.com/

Find Deleo here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delsue28/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Automating Food Safety: From Paperwork to Profit with Normex CEO Tanguy Etoga Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Automating Food Safety with Normex

In this episode, we sit down with Tanguy Etoga, founder and CEO of Normex, to dive into the often overlooked but critically important world of food safety management.

Tanguy shares his fascinating journey from a childhood in Cameroon—where a conversation with his father about preserving mangoes year-round sparked his passion—to becoming a food safety consultant and tech entrepreneur revolutionizing how small and medium food businesses handle compliance.

What We Discovered:

Why our industry is traditionally slow to adopt new technology (spoiler: we're too busy making food!)
How AI and IoT sensors are transforming tedious paperwork into streamlined digital processes
Real examples of companies saving $60,000+ in six months through automation
The hidden costs of manual food safety processes that most of us don't realize we're paying
Why even small food businesses with just 2 employees need proper food safety systems
How one ice cream company freed up 3 quality employees to move into production

My Key Takeaways: From temperature monitoring that used to require hourly manual checks to AI-powered corrective action plans, Tanguy shows us practical applications of technology that actually work—not just buzzword solutions. This isn't about replacing people; it's about eliminating the mundane tasks so our teams can focus on what matters: making great food safely.

Whether you're a food processor, manufacturer, restaurant, or anywhere in our supply chain, this conversation offers valuable insights into protecting your business, your customers, and your reputation. I'll admit, food safety isn't the sexiest topic we've covered, but it might be one of the most essential.

Connect with Normex at normex.ca or follow their educational content on LinkedIn for weekly food safety insights.

Find Tanguy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanguyetoga/?originalSubdomain=ca

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast : https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Thank you to LeBeauExcel for sponsoring this episode: https://lebeauexcel.com/