Tamara Anka

Tamara Anka

In this episode of the PowerHaus Podcast, Gabrielle Caine sits down with Tamara Anka, creator of Citrine Living, an online lifestyle and interiors platform known for its timeless, elegant, and approachable style. With a background in graphic design and a career in fashion retail marketing — beginning as a junior graphic designer and evolving to creative director — Tamara brings a deeply rooted and meticulously curated creative perspective to everything she shares. Inspired at an early age by her mother’s love and natural talent for decorating, art, fashion, and design, Tamara developed a passion for interiors and believes a home should feel elegant, welcoming, and deeply personal. Through Citrine Living, Tamara inspires her audience with beautifully curated spaces, entertaining ideas, and elevated everyday living, encouraging others to create a home that feels timeless, sophisticated, and uniquely their own. In this raw and honest conversation, Tamara opens up about building a business from nothing, leaving a traditional career path, motherhood, burnout, grief, faith, perfectionism, comparison, and the emotional reality of entrepreneurship. She shares how Citrine Living began as a creative outlet and slowly became a real business built through consistency, organic growth, trial and error, and the willingness to keep showing up even when success took longer than expected. Tamara also shares practical lessons on growing an online brand, monetizing a blog and social platform, hiring help, staying aligned with your brand, and why one of the best pieces of advice she ever received was: speed trumps perfection. This episode is for anyone who has ever wanted to start something meaningful but felt unsure, unqualified, or afraid to begin. Tamara’s story is a reminder that you do not need to have it all figured out before you start — you just need to keep moving forward. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: * Building a business from zero * Leaving a traditional career path * Balancing motherhood, identity, and ambition * Growing an online brand organically * Monetizing a blog and social platform * The emotional side of entrepreneurship * Faith, grief, gratitude, and resilience * Hiring help and investing in growth * Why perfection can delay your progress CONNECT WITH TAMARA ANKA / CITRINE LIVING Website: https://citrineliving.com [https://citrineliving.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrineliving/ [https://www.instagram.com/citrineliving/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrineliving/ [https://www.facebook.com/citrineliving/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/citrineliving/ [https://www.pinterest.com/citrineliving/] Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the PowerHaus Podcast for more raw, honest conversations with people who are building meaningful lives and businesses.

Dan Heon

In this episode of the PowerHaus Podcast, Gabrielle Caine sits down with Dan Heon, a passionate impact investor with 30 years of real estate investing experience and 26 years as an investor-focused mortgage broker. Dan’s journey started in a place many people can relate to: working a job, trading time for money, and realizing he did not want to spend decades waiting for a “freedom date” to finally start living. In his twenties, Dan found himself surrounded by men who were counting down the years until retirement. That experience became the wake-up call that pushed him to start learning about real estate investing, financial freedom, creative financing, and how wealthy people think differently about money. After investing in real estate education, surrounding himself with experienced investors, and learning how to use creative financing strategies, Dan built a portfolio of 12 properties in his twenties. He later became an investor-focused mortgage broker so he could help other investors understand how banks think, how financing works, and how to build portfolios strategically. This conversation goes deep into the real side of wealth building: fear, risk, mentorship, seller financing, cash flow, running out of mortgage options, RRSP mortgages, raising capital, land development, market crashes, investor communication, resilience, and learning how to solve problems when everything is on the line. Dan also shares how a major land development project during the 2008 financial crisis forced him to protect his investors, adapt quickly, and find a way forward when the market shifted. Today, his focus has evolved into impact investing — building projects and communities that support health, wealth, connection, and positive change. In this episode, we talk about: * Why Dan refused to spend decades waiting for retirement * The “freedom date” wake-up call that changed his life * How he discovered real estate investing in his twenties * Why education and community changed everything * Buying 12 properties at a young age * The difference between hobby investors and professional investors * Seller financing and creative real estate strategies * Why investors often run out of money or mortgage options * How Dan became an investor-focused mortgage broker * RRSP mortgages and the role of Olympia Trust * Raising capital and protecting investor relationships * Land development and building housing through larger projects * Surviving the 2008 financial crisis as a real estate investor * Why resilience matters more than perfect timing * Investing with purpose, impact, and legacy in mind * Why knowing yourself is the first step to building a powerful life Dan’s message is clear: know what matters to you, surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do, and do not give up when you hit a wall. Find a way around it, over it, under it, or through it. Connect with Dan Heon: Website: www.danheonmedia.com [http://www.danheonmedia.com] Subscribe to the PowerHaus Podcast for real conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and high performers who are building powerful lives on their own terms. #PowerHausPodcast #DanHeon #RealEstateInvesting #ImpactInvestor #RealEstateInvestor #InvestorFocusedMortgageBroker #CreativeFinancing #SellerFinancing #RRSPMortgage #OlympiaTrust #LandDevelopment #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #RealEstateEducation #RealEstateMentorship #CanadianRealEstate #MortgageBroker #InvestorMindset #EntrepreneurMindset #PassiveIncome #CashFlow #RaisingCapital #ImpactInvesting #PurposeDrivenInvesting

Debbie Balfour

In this episode of the PowerHaus Podcast, Gabrielle Caine sits down with Debbie Balfour, a real estate investor, professional real estate investor coach, podcast host, digital news publisher, community builder, wife, mother, and lifelong teacher. Debbie’s story is anything but linear. From helping classmates in grade nine math, to leaving university, working in banking, following her dream onto cruise ships, moving to England, building a 25-year career in IT, running a daycare so she could be home with her children, investing in real estate, losing her home in a fire, being laid off shortly after, and rebuilding her life and business through resilience and faith — Debbie’s journey is a powerful example of what it means to keep moving forward. Today, Debbie helps real estate investors build credibility, visibility, and trust so they can create a pipeline of qualified investors who are ready to say yes to their next deal. This conversation explores the real human side of entrepreneurship: pivoting when life changes, trusting yourself, learning through failure, rebuilding after loss, choosing your passion, and understanding why success is rarely “luck.” Debbie also breaks down why real estate investors should not wait until they have a deal before building relationships with potential capital partners. Instead, she teaches investors how to build trust before they need funding, share their journey authentically, create visibility, and position themselves as credible operators long before the opportunity appears. We also talk about Debbie’s son, Brandon Balfour, a successful men’s lifestyle content creator, and how Debbie’s philosophy of “try it, learn from it, and keep going” helped shape her children into entrepreneurs as well. In this episode, we talk about: * Debbie’s early love of teaching and helping others * Why being good at something does not always mean it is your calling * Leaving university and choosing a different path * Working on cruise ships and following a dream before the internet made it easy * Why success often looks like “luck” to people who did not see the work * Building a 25-year career in IT without a computer science degree * Motherhood, burnout, childcare, and building flexibility as an entrepreneur * Pivoting from corporate work to real estate investing * Buying investment properties in BC, Alberta, and Ontario * Short-term rentals, co-living, and adapting when regulations change * Losing her home in a fire and rebuilding after trauma * Being laid off after 16 years and choosing not to go back * Building a coaching business from lived experience * Why real estate investors need credibility before they need capital * How to build visibility and trust with future investors * Why capital raising starts before the deal * The power of podcasting, networking, writing, and community * Why trying and failing is better than living with “what if” Debbie’s message is clear: if something has been sitting in the back of your mind, start learning, start exploring, and start trying. As long as it will not cost you your home, your safety, or your life — try it. Connect with Debbie Balfour: Website: www.debbiebalfour.ca [http://www.debbiebalfour.ca] Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com [Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com] Facebook: Debbie Balfour LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour Free Training, Resources, Social Links & Booking: www.debbiebalfour.ca [http://www.debbiebalfour.ca] Brandon Balfour: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonBalfour [https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonBalfour] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonbalfourr/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandonbalfourr/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonbalfourr [https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonbalfourr] Subscribe to the PowerHaus Podcast for real conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and high performers who are building powerful lives on their own terms. #PowerHausPodcast #DebbieBalfour #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateInvestor #RealEstateCoach #CanadianRealEstate #WomenInRealEstate #InvestorCredibility #CapitalRaising #RaiseCapital #RealEstateEntrepreneur #BuildTrust #InvestorRelations #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #RealEstateEducation #CoLiving #ShortTermRentals #BusinessCoach #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #LiveYourPassion

John Brook

Meet John Brook, a 40+ years seasoned Real Estate Investor and Investment Consultant with over a decade of coaching experience. Formerly a Certified Home and WETT Inspector, John’s career began in automotive and aerospace design, where he honed the meticulous attention to detail and leadership that define his management style. After successfully transitioning from the manufacturing sector to entrepreneurship, John now focuses his passion on helping clients build robust real estate portfolios. Specializing in income properties, private lending and land development, he provides comprehensive assessments and peace of mind to every student. "Invest Smart. Live Well." What does it really take to build wealth, pivot careers, and create a life on your own terms? In this episode of the PowerHaus Podcast, Gabrielle Caine sits down with real estate investor, coach, and entrepreneur John Brook for a raw, practical conversation about business, reinvention, and learning how to make smarter investment decisions with confidence. John shares his journey from tool and die, steel, and a demanding bread route in downtown Toronto to home inspections, real estate coaching, and launching Pinnacle Real Estate Investing. Along the way, he breaks down what most people get wrong about entrepreneurship, why networking and relationship-building matter more than people think, and how to stop letting fear and uncertainty keep you stuck. They also dive into: * how John built businesses from scratch * the power of showing up and putting yourself out there * why most people are not financially prepared for retirement * how to think about risk, cash flow, passive income, and long-term growth * the difference between coaching, consulting, and mentoring * how to make your money work for you * what investors should know about income properties, private lending, REITs, land development, and Mexico real estate opportunities This episode is packed with practical insight for anyone interested in real estate investing, entrepreneurship, wealth building, retirement planning, and financial freedom. Follow John Brook: pinnaclerei.ca@gmail.com [pinnaclerei.ca@gmail.com] https://www.pinnaclerealestateinvesting.ca/ [https://www.pinnaclerealestateinvesting.ca/] Book your free consultation meeting https://calendly.com/pinnaclerei-ca/new-meeting [https://calendly.com/pinnaclerei-ca/new-meeting] Listen now, subscribe, and share with someone who’s ready to build smarter.

Annmarie Bordin-Kuch

In this episode of the PowerHaus Podcast, Gabrielle Caine sits down with Annmarie Bordin-Kuch, a real estate investor, coach, wife, mother, and powerful example of what happens when you stop ignoring the voice inside you that says, “I’m meant for more.” Annmarie shares her journey from preschool education to project management, her years working at BlackBerry, and the personal growth journey that eventually led her into real estate investing. After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, investing heavily in real estate education, and choosing to move through fear instead of around it, Annmarie and her husband purchased their first fiveplex using creative financing, mentorship, and a vendor take-back strategy. This conversation goes deep into the realities most people don’t see: fear, debt, uncomfortable phone calls, imposter syndrome, difficult tenants, joint venture lessons, rent-to-own deals, knowing when to walk away, and why your professional team matters. Annmarie also shares the mindset that has shaped her success: there are no shortcuts, you have to believe in yourself, and growth only happens when you’re willing to get uncomfortable. This episode is for entrepreneurs, real estate investors, aspiring investors, coaches, women in business, and anyone who knows they are meant for more but hasn’t taken the first step yet. In this episode, we talk about: * Career reinvention and trusting your gut * Leaving corporate life and building something of your own * Real estate investing as a path to freedom * Buying a fiveplex with creative financing * Vendor take-back mortgages and mentorship * Rent-to-own, joint ventures, and property management lessons * Why fear does not mean stop * The importance of believing in yourself * How to build confidence by taking action * Why there are no shortcuts to becoming the person you want to be Connect with Annmarie: LinkedIn: Annmarie Bordin-Kuch Email: sweetwaterpminc@gmail.com Subscribe to the PowerHaus Podcast for real conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and high performers who are building powerful lives on their own terms. Hashtags: #PowerHausPodcast #AnnmarieBordinKuch #RealEstateInvesting #WomenInRealEstate #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateInvestor #RealEstateCoach #CanadianRealEstate #VendorTakeBack #CreativeFinancing #RentToOwn #JointVentures #WealthBuilding #PersonalGrowth #BelieveInYourself #TakeAction #CareerReinvention #Entrepreneurship #FinancialFreedom