Business is Fcking Hard

In this episode, Trevor sits down with his older sister, Laura Koot, for a conversation about her unique journey in journalism.  From helping to launch the National Post in Canada to starting a newspaper in Abu Dhabi, Laura shares her experiences of stepping out on a ledge, embracing risk, and navigating the evolving media landscape. Her career path, though unconventional, embodies entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. This episode also has insights on media disruption, the role of AI, and the art of storytelling in the digital age. This episode was produced and edited by Alex Harris. Our amazing host is Trevor Koot.  Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this episode of BFH highlights, Trevor Koot breaks down his conversation with Tyler Boyd. After losing everything to bad business decisions, Tyler dug himself out of the hole and founded Bowline Logistics.  Trevor highlights conversations about learning from mistakes, rebuilding trust, and empathy— even for competitors. Tyler shows us a vulnerable side of business we don't often get to see.  This episode was produced, written and edited by Alex Harris. Trevor Koot hosts the show. Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this episode of BFH Highlights, Trevor dives into his conversation with Christine Beumann!  Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a business while living with cancer. From creating her own safety net at 22 to walking away from a super-brokerage to build something more human, Christine shares openly about mentorship, money, meaning, and what it means to lead with integrity—even in the hardest seasons of life. This episode was produced and edited by Alex Harris and hosted by Trevor Koot.  Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this episode, Trevor Koot Chats with Jon Bennest, who shares his journey from working as a market research analyst in the real estate industry to becoming a successful business owner and partner. They discuss the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of partnerships, and the impact of technology on business models. Jon reflects on the lessons he has learned throughout his journey, including the importance of slow growth, team expansion, and navigating the gig economy. The conversation also touches on the acquisition of Jon's company and plans for expansion into new markets. This episode was hosted by Trevor Koot. Alex Harris edited and produced the show.  Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

What happens when a science teacher from Brooklyn ends up running a health tech startup in Vancouver? In this episode, Trevor sits down with Rex Farrand, co-founder and CEO of My HealthSpan—to talk about the wild, winding path from classroom to the corner office. Rex shares what it’s like to lead a company in a world of AI-fueled hype, why he’s focused with building trust through data privacy, and how his team is using AI to turn complex health info into real, personalized action. He opens up about sleepless nights, financial pressure, and what it really means to carry a company’s future on your shoulders when the runway is short and the stakes are real. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually feels like to be a startup founder in the middle of the storm—this one’s for you. Find more about Rex’s comapny and his work here: https://www.myhealthspan.com/about-us This episode was hosted by the increadible Trevor Koot. Production and editing by Alex Harris.  Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a business while living with cancer. From creating her own safety net at 22 to walking away from a super-brokerage to build something more human, Christine shares openly about mentorship, money, meaning, and what it means to lead with integrity—even in the hardest seasons of life. This conversation is honest, powerful, and a masterclass in business and being. You can find Christine here: https://www.christinebuemann.ca/contact  This episode was edited and produced by Alex Harris. Trevor Koot hosts the show.  Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Trevor sits down with Brian Budd, a seasoned entrepreneur whose path has taken him from high-level software sales into the volatile world of capital markets and mining, and later into the healthcare-focused fitness industry. Brian shares his journey with raw honesty, reflecting on what it meant to walk away from a secure corporate job to pursue something less certain but far more meaningful. He talks about the steep learning curves of investor relations, raising capital for non-revenue-generating ventures, and the relentless pursuit of building something from the ground up. When COVID hit, Brian's medical fitness business, built to help people with chronic illness, was just about to break even. The pandemic forced closures, caused massive financial loss, and ultimately led to selling his home and starting over in his 50s. What makes Brian’s story powerful isn’t just the setbacks; it’s the strength he found in his family, the lessons learned through failure, and the humility he carries forward into his current career in real estate. This episode is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of vulnerability. You can find Brian right here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmbudd/ This episode was hosted by Trevor Koot. Editing and Production was done by Alex Harris.  Find Business is Fucking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time! Find Business is Fucking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this! Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a business idea—it’s about recognizing a problem and stepping up to solve it. In this BFH Highlights episode, we dive into my conversation with Bailey Parnell, founder of Skills Camp and expert in leadership development. Bailey discusses how she discovered a major gap in soft skills education and turned it into a business. She shares a tough conflict-of-interest conversation she had while balancing her job and startup and how a powerful mindset shift helped her reframe risk and take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. On the topic of leadership, Bailey identifies why leadership isn’t just about skill—it’s about people and how AI is shaping the future of leadership and emotional intelligence. There is a lot in this episode, even as just highlights.

In this powerful episode, Tyler Boyd shares his raw and deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From launching his first business at 12 years old, running an excavation company with over 100 employees, and nearly losing everything overnight when his bank unexpectedly pulled his line of credit—Tyler’s story is one of resilience, grit, and hard-earned wisdom. He opens up about the emotional toll of failure, the public scrutiny he faced, and the painful responsibility of laying off employees. But through it all, Tyler fought back. With no credit and few resources, he rebuilt from the ground up, launching Bowline Logistics, which has since grown to nearly 80 employees and 40+ trucks on the road. Now, Tyler prioritizes purpose over profit, focusing on his team, his family, and using his experiences to mentor struggling entrepreneurs. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, learning from failure, and redefining success beyond just business growth.

Leaving a high-paying corporate job to start your own business is terrifying—but for Anna Solnickova, it was the best decision she ever made. In this BFH Highlights episode, we revisit my conversation with Anna, a fractional CFO who took a leap of faith, built a thriving business, and now helps other entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions. Anna shares: ✅ The soul-searching process that led to her career pivot ✅ The financial reality of entrepreneurship—going from six figures to zero ✅ Why chasing revenue without profitability is a dangerous trap ✅ The role of relationships in long-term business success ✅ How companies struggle with (and can improve) DEI and workplace culture

Growing up amidst the wide-open fields of southern Saskatchewan, Alex Miller learned the tenets of hard work early on but soon realized that his future lay far from the farm. Alex's journey took an unexpected turn when he ventured into engineering, only to discover a lack of passion for it—a revelation that ultimately led him to the vibrant world of real estate. The essence of entrepreneurship comes alive through Alex’s story: a blend of strategic planning and rapid action, all fueled by perseverance and a robust work ethic. He reflects on how each setback served as a learning opportunity, enriching his path with experiences that would shape his approach to business and community building. Alex’s passion for modular construction and affordable housing unfolds as a fascinating tale of purpose-driven innovation. From the early struggles of economic downturns to redefining his business through strategic partnerships, Alex shares how he and his team navigated through challenges to make a meaningful impact on their community. The episode captures the poignant moments of collaboration with the Métis community for an elders lodge and the invaluable lessons in leadership that followed. 

In this BFH Highlights episode, Trevor sits down with Sharad Khare, a creative entrepreneur who turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business. Sharad shares how he navigated a major career pivot during the 2008 financial crisis, overcame self-doubt with the help of mentors, and built a purpose-driven business that has allowed him to document some of the most fascinating people in the world—including global icons like the Dalai Lama. Packed with lessons on authenticity, resilience, and the power of relationships, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to turn their passion into a meaningful career. 

Mike Rowlands shares his journey from an "accidental entrepreneur" to a trailblazer in social purpose-driven business development. With wisdom earned through two decades of triumphs and challenges, Mike dives into why relationships are the foundation of success, how values-based branding can future-proof a business, and why companies must look beyond profits to make a real impact. Whether you're running a corner store or chasing unicorn status, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink what business can—and should—be. 

This is Business is Fcking Hard with special guest host, Jeff King (he insisted we say that). On this episode we are flipping the script. Jeff steps in to interview podcast host, Trevor Koot. Trevor shares his business journey from starting companies that didn't do anything to growing companies too quickly. We hear about how Trevor's strategy of "I'm sure it'll all be fine" has made the business journey harder than it needed to be. Lots of lessons in this episode, but mainly, do your homework.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Teresa Grobecker, a trailblazing entrepreneur and innovator. Teresa shares how she turned a “placeholder hobby” into a thriving real estate brokerage while balancing family life and navigating the challenges of leadership. She opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the importance of building a support network, and her honest take on the potential—and pitfalls—of blockchain technology. Packed with valuable lessons, Teresa’s story highlights the power of resilience, adaptability, and staying true to your purpose, even in high-pressure situations. 

Karri Green-Schuermans, co-owner of Vancouver’s iconic Chambar restaurant, joins us to reveal the gritty realities of the restaurant business. From the power of adaptability to the ripple effects of economic shifts, Karri shares how she’s kept her doors open—and her values intact—in one of the toughest industries around. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves food, resilience, and community. 

In this episode of BFH Highlights, we revisit key lessons from Declan Edwards, founder of BU Happiness College. Declan shares his journey of building a purpose-driven business, including the pivotal decision to transition from a fitness business to founding BU Happiness College, a social enterprise dedicated to "growing global happiness." From redefining success to facing a financial crisis that nearly closed his business, Declan opens up about the challenges and rewards of leading with purpose. We hear insights on resilience, values-driven decision-making, and creating a lasting impact through business.

In this engaging conversation, Jason Lindstrom shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days of building community through a ski club at university to his experiences in launching and exiting multiple businesses. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the balance between soft and hard skills in leadership, and the strategic decisions that led to successful acquisitions. The discussion also highlights the transition from service-based to subscription-based business models, showcasing the evolution of his entrepreneurial mindset. Jason reflects on the importance of data-driven decision-making in startups, the necessity of a compelling vision for employee engagement, and the role of vulnerability in leadership. 

In this episode of BFH Highlights (a recap of an earlier episode), Emma May, founder of SophieGrace, shares her inspiring journey from lawyer to fashion entrepreneur. Emma tells us how her frustration with workwear led to the birth of SophieGrace, how she navigated the challenges of launching just before the pandemic, and the importance of listening to customers. Tune in to hear Emma’s insights on building a brand, raising capital, and staying focused on what really matters—delivering value to her audience. 

Hamish Knox’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to growth. Starting with a strong work ethic from his early days on a farm, Hamish found his way into sales and eventually bought a Sandler franchise to help businesses improve their leadership and sales strategies. Throughout this episode, Hamish dives into the challenges he faced, like nearly going bankrupt due to rapid expansion, and how he learned to pivot and focus on what truly moves his business forward. He shares invaluable insights on balancing ambition with realistic planning, investing in personal growth even during tough times, and creating a legacy through team building and strategic decision-making. Hamish’s story is a testament to the power of continuous learning, resilience, and the courage to make hard choices.