Business Insights with John Racine

Episode 35: David Elliott

Please Join me for my conversation with David Elliott, owner of Elliott Insurance Services in downtown Port Hope. David shares the story behind joining the family business, what he really learned while completing his MBA, what consumers should consider when purchasing insurance and selecting a broker & why generations of staff have proven to be their competitive edge.

Episode 34: Rob Keyes

for my conversation with Robert Keyes, retired business owner. Rob has over forty years of management and marketing experience in consumer, commercial and industrial businesses. His successes as an employee provided him the opportunity to purchase the business he worked for, which Robert sold years later, after successfully turning the company around.

Episode 33 - Lucy Hillman

Please listen into my conversation with Lucy Hillman, owner of Raw Animal Diet Inc. RAW 101 in downtown Cobourg. Lucy's efforts to troubleshoot her dog's health issues lead her to creating her own raw dog food. After great results, Lucy shared the product with friends & began to attract customers, eventually launching a home-based raw dog food business. Fast forward & the business now operates from a retail location in downtown Cobourg, with plans for more expansion. Lucy's story is a must-listen for anyone interested in starting or growing a small business, and of course, also features lots of great advice for dog lovers.

Episode 32: Luke Despitie

Luke is an Illustrator by training, and graphic designer by trade. Luke has recently transitioned into the world of landscape painting. He draws inspiration from the varied landscapes both natural and artificial in his home region of Northumberland County. Luke’s expressive brushwork captures the fleeting light and movement of everyday scenes we might otherwise take for granted. This episode will be of interest to anyone who is looking for a career or attending higher education in graphic design or art.

Episode 31: David Tsubouchi

This week’s guest is David Tsubouchi, author & former Solicitor-General of Ontario. David and I discuss growing up as Japanese-Canadian & his family's experience with internment camps, his introduction to business & politics, why he feels volunteering is important and his tips to assembling effective Boards of Directors. David's storied career has included time as a lawyer, city councillor and Member of Provincial Parliament, including serving as Ontario's Solicitor-General. David has also sat on many high-level business & non-profit Boards. David's story is outlined in his book, ‘Gambatte' is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.ca/Gambatte-Generations-Per…/…/1770411313 [https://www.amazon.ca/Gambatte-Generations-Per%E2%80%A6/%E2%80%A6/1770411313].