Built to Last

The Relationship-First Approach to Building Businesses - With Gord Erickson

Gord Erickson joins the podcast to share the story behind building multiple businesses across hospitality, real estate, entertainment, tourism, tequila, and more — all while staying deeply focused on people, community, and culture. The conversation dives into partnerships, leadership, Disney-inspired hospitality principles, entrepreneurial risk, business failures, scaling teams, and what Gord has learned after decades of building and rebuilding businesses. From buying a struggling bar in his twenties to running a hotel in Mexico and launching a tequila brand, this episode is full of honest insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders trying to build something meaningful. Connect With Gord: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gord-erickson-89a25ba4/ Connect With Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/ Connect With Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/ https://www.ironhousepro.com/   00:00 – Introduction • Levi introduces Gord Erickson and the unexpected connection that led to the conversation. 00:59 – Gord Erickson’s Background • Gord shares his entrepreneurial journey and how business started early in life. 02:13 – Managing 30 Companies • Gord explains the scale of his businesses and how partnerships evolved over time. 03:50 – From Bartending to Starting a Band • How a chance meeting led to a decades-long music career. 07:40 – Buying His First Bar • Gord shares how he unexpectedly entered the hospitality business. 08:40 – The Liquor Store Opportunity • A regulatory change creates a major business opportunity. 11:01 – Hospitality, Leadership & People • Why Gord believes connecting people is his real strength. 12:25 – Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough • The dangers of ignoring business fundamentals. 14:09 – Building Businesses Through Partnerships • Gord explains how strategic partnerships helped him scale. 17:07 – Becoming a Landlord & Developer • A financing conversation unexpectedly changed Gord’s business trajectory. 22:21 – Building an Internal Team • How Gord evolved from a small office setup into a larger operational structure. 25:38 – Meeting Tim & Operational Growth • Gord explains why bringing in operations leadership changed everything. 31:27 – Discovering the Disney Philosophy • The Disney book and training program that reshaped the company culture. 35:19 – Lessons from Disney Training • Hospitality, intentional experiences, and building memorable customer interactions. 39:07 – Creating a Training Culture • How internal leadership training became part of the company DNA. 41:20 – Recognition, Team Culture & Hospitality • Why employee recognition matters more than most businesses realize. 43:07 – The Meaning Behind “Sueño” • The story behind the company’s rebrand and focus on dreaming bigger. 46:43 – Hospitality Principles Beyond Restaurants • Applying hospitality thinking to every type of business. 50:21 – Why Business Is About People First • Gord shares his core philosophy on leadership and entrepreneurship. 53:07 – Opening the Books to Team Leaders • Transparency, accountability, and teaching financial literacy inside the business. 54:20 – Work-Life Balance & Entrepreneurship • The realities of long hours, sacrifice, and eventually building support systems. 56:55 – Buying a Hotel in Mexico • Gord shares the story behind purchasing and renovating a hotel in Mexico. 59:20 – Navigating Business Challenges in Mexico • Corruption, permits, culture differences, and learning hard lessons abroad. 1:03:56 – Opening a Hotel During COVID • Gord reflects on launching the hotel just as the world shut down. 1:05:21 – Running Hospitality on the Ground Level Again • Returning to hands-on operations and rediscovering respect for hospitality teams. 1:06:08 – Selling the Hotel • Gord opens up about the emotional process of exiting a dream project. 1:11:01 – The Tequila Business & Agave Farming • How a farming opportunity evolved into a tequila brand. 1:13:11 – Different Types of Entrepreneurs • Gord explains the different “boxes” entrepreneurs operate within. 1:17:58 – The Future of Sueño • What’s next after selling the hotel and stepping back from operations. 1:21:13 – Building Brands Through Storytelling • Why story, authenticity, and people matter more than products alone. 1:27:48 – Entrepreneurship, Community & Momentum • The impact of surrounding yourself with aligned people. 1:44:20 – Advice for Entrepreneurs • Gord shares lessons on action, systems, and learning through experience. 1:49:16 – Final Thoughts on Leadership & Community • Why people and relationships remain at the center of everything. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #Hospitality #SmallBusiness #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #BuiltToLastPodcast

Ownership vs Entrepreneurship: What Actually Builds a Business – Martin Balcome

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Martin Balcome for a thoughtful conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, and the work it takes to build a life that feels intentional. Martin shares his path from growing up in a family business to becoming a multi-company operator, and reflects on the difference between being a strong operator and truly becoming an entrepreneur. The conversation explores coaching, mindset, fitness, leadership, firmware from childhood, and why learning to think clearly may be one of the most valuable skills a business owner can build. Links & Resources: Connect with Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-balcome/ Bridgewater Talent Integration: https://bridgewaterti.com/ Books Mentioned * Swimming with the Sharks * Good to Great  * Great by Choice  * Who Not How  * 10x Is Easier Than 2x  * The Gap and the Gain  * Double Double  * The Goal TIMESTAMPS: 0:13 Introduction 2:41 Meet Martin Balcome 5:05 How Martin Learned Outside of School 8:06 The Ivey QuantumShift Program 9:23 Early Influences and Mindset from School 10:35 Learning to Change Leadership Style 13:08 When He Started Seeing Himself as an Entrepreneur 16:23 The Difference Between Operator and Entrepreneur 17:43 Building a Life Beyond Business 20:49 Personal Standards and Performance 21:44 Making Time for Family and Community 23:26 Taking Breaks and Avoiding Burnout 25:01 Wanting to Experience More Than Just Work 26:21 Growth Through EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) 28:09 Thinking Long-Term in Business and Life 29:08 Ego, Leadership, and Letting Go 30:19 Why Coaching Became Important 31:23 How He Found His First Coach 34:43 Navigating Major Business Setbacks 36:13 Investing in Personal Health and Discipline 38:03 What Good Coaching Actually Looks Like 38:35 The Impact of Short Attention Spans 40:26 Creating Space to Think Clearly 41:48 Meditation and Self-Awareness 43:37 Learning to Think More Critically 44:33 Why Preparation Makes Decisions Faster 47:22 Thinking Out Loud vs Slowing Down 49:08 The Reality of Hard Work in Business 50:46 Why He Sought New Environments to Grow 52:43 What He’s Focused on Right Now 53:23 Learning and Applying AI in Business 54:31 Buying and Growing a New Company (Bridgewater TI) 57:06 Generating Leads and Closing Long Sales Cycles 1:00:13 Ownership vs Entrepreneurship 1:01:08 Deciding Where to Invest Time and Money 1:02:36 Taking Action Before You Feel Ready 1:03:37 Books and Learning That Stick 1:08:54 Why Long-Form Reading Matters 1:10:49 Using AI as a Thinking Tool 1:13:20 Challenges of Adopting AI Across a Team 1:18:06 Why Change Takes Longer Than Expected 1:19:32 Different Types of Business Builders 1:22:09 What He’s Most Proud Of 1:23:46 Building a Home with Intentional Design 1:26:30 What’s Next 1:28:36 Community, Impact, and Perspective 1:30:55 Managing Stress and Mental Load 1:33:16 Focusing on What Actually Matters 1:37:38 Enjoying the Work 1:39:36 Long-Term Effort Behind Success 1:40:34 Closing Thoughts

Jeremy Bennet: Why Consistency Beats Talent Every Time

Jeremy Bennett joins Colby and Levi for a wide-ranging conversation on mindset, resilience, and what it really takes to build something from nothing. From losing his speaking career overnight during lockdowns to building a full-time podcast, Jeremy shares the messy, behind-the-scenes reality of figuring it out as you go. The conversation goes deeper into anxiety, vulnerability, and the power of consistency—along with practical insights on launching before you're ready, learning through failure, and why mindset ultimately drives everything from personal growth to business success. Jeremy’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycbennett/?skipRedirect=true Books / Resources mentioned * The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle * Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself — Dr. Joe Dispenza * Gaia (spirituality-focused streaming platform)  Timestamps 00:01 – Introduction  • Introducing guest Jeremy Bennett 00:53 – Jeremy’s Background  • From speaker to full-time podcaster 02:57 – Starting a Podcast During Lockdowns  • Losing income and pivoting  03:56 – The Power of Consistency  • Why he committed to 100 episodes before evaluating 05:27 – Becoming a Professional Speaker  • Early journey and learning through experience 09:38 – Sharing His Personal Story  • How vulnerability changed his career 11:06 – The Reality of Building a Speaking Business  • Financial uncertainty and learning the hard way 13:51 – Learning Through Failure  • Why messy experience builds resilience 15:01 – Building in Public  • The role of consistency and feedback 16:09 – Launching Before You're Ready  • Why waiting holds people back 17:54 – The Role of Vulnerability  • Building trust through experiences 18:24 – A Defining Moment  • The story that changed his willingness to share 23:30 – The Impact of Sharing Your Story  • Why vulnerability can help others 27:58 – Understanding Mindset  • The difference between conscious and subconscious thinking 28:08 – Thoughts and Reality  • How the brain responds to thoughts 34:52 – “Worry is a Prayer”  • The impact of negative thinking 36:02 – Mindset vs Information  • Why knowledge alone doesn’t create change 38:41 – Mental Health and Personal Growth  • Real-life examples from the hosts 45:47 – Subconscious Mind and Behavior  • Why habits are hard to change 49:08 – Books That Changed His Thinking  • Key influences on mindset and growth 52:30 – Meditation and Mental Clarity  • Practical approaches to improving focus 56:09 – Why Mindset Should Be Taught Early  • Gaps in traditional education 58:35 – The Power of Words  • How language shapes thinking 1:00:39 – Organizational Culture vs Mindset  • Applying mindset principles to business 1:09:25 – Building a Podcast System  • How Jeremy runs his show efficiently 1:13:49 – Monetization Strategy  • Partnerships and growth approach 1:16:40 – Doing Everything Solo  • Systems that reduced workload over time 1:19:08 – Short vs Long Form Content  • Trade-offs in podcast formats 1:23:25 – The Impact of Stories  • How one moment can change everything 1:24:13 – Final Advice: Just Launch  • Why action matters most 1:27:36 – Closing Thoughts  • Reflections on growth and future plans

Building Business With Family: The Fox Creek Story - With Mike LeBlanc

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby Jardine and Levi Lawrence sit down with Mike LeBlanc for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, community, family business, real estate, and the long road behind building something that lasts. Mike shares how his family built Fox Creek Golf Club, why Dieppe means so much to him, and what it’s really like to grow businesses with the people closest to you. The conversation also dives into Mike’s work in real estate, how the industry is changing, why relationships still matter, and how he thinks about technology, AI, and marketing in a more human business. It’s an honest, thoughtful episode about legacy, adaptation, and building with pride in where you come from. Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michel-leblanc-36123353/ Fox Creek: https://foxcreekgolfclub.ca/ Iron House Pro: https://www.ironhousepro.com/ Time stamps: 2:23 Meet Mike LeBlanc * Mike introduces himself through family, business, and community. 4:52 Pride in Dieppe and New Brunswick * Why place matters to Mike. * A conversation on local pride and impact. 8:12 Entrepreneurship Starts Early * Mike reflects on growing up in a business family. * Why entrepreneurship always felt like an option. 14:29 School, College, and Irving * Mike’s path through NBCC and accounting. * What he learned working inside a large company. 18:40 The Start of the Family Building Business * How one unpaid invoice turned into homebuilding and development. 28:15 Why Golf Was Never the Easy Option * Golf as a passion project, not a quick-money business. 31:58 The Fox Creek Origin Story * How a fill site became the idea for a golf course. * The early land deals and first development steps. 41:36 Building With Family * What it was like working with parents and brothers. * Why the experience still means so much today. 49:58 The First Round at Fox Creek * Mike shares the emotion of playing the course for the first time. 53:10 The Decision to Go Private * Why Fox Creek shifted to a member-only model. * What changed and why they stuck with it. 1:02:38 Real Estate as the Main Job * Mike explains how real estate became a natural fit. * From selling homes he built to full-service real estate work. 1:17:10 Real Estate, Change, and Technology * How client expectations are shifting. * Where tech and AI are starting to help. 1:21:00 Why Real Estate Still Needs People * The emotional side of buying and selling homes. * Why great agents still create real value. 1:29:05 Marketing Real Estate Today * What better listing marketing actually looks like. * Why storytelling and better content matter. 1:34:45 Building a Real Estate Business * Systems, boundaries, admin support, and making space to step away. 1:44:31 Turning the Tables on Colby and Levi * Mike asks about Iron House Pro and how the business came together. 1:58:20 Outro * Closing thoughts and episode wrap-up.

Why Smart Businesses Struggle to Grow - With Joe Testouri

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with entrepreneur and advisor Joe Testouri for a wide-ranging conversation about building companies, understanding customers, and navigating the realities of scaling a business. Joe shares lessons from working with companies at different stages of growth, explaining why many founders struggle to truly understand their customer, how sales maturity impacts strategy, and why honest conversations are often the most valuable ones in business. The discussion explores everything from market positioning and relationship-building to the mindset required to grow sustainably. For entrepreneurs navigating growth or trying to sharpen their strategy, Joe offers thoughtful insights grounded in real-world experience. Connect with Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetestouri/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Introduction • Levi and Colby welcome Joe. 01:20 – Meet Joe Testouri • Joe shares his background and work. 04:20 – Knowing Your Customer • Why many businesses misidentify their customer. 08:18 – Joe’s Ideal Clients • The companies Joe typically helps. 12:30 – Sales Maturity • How sales changes as a business grows. 17:00 – Founder Growth Challenges • Why founders struggle to step back. 21:00 – Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle • Travel, business, and balance. 26:30 – Hard Conversations • Why honest conversations drive growth. 33:00 – Strategy vs Execution • Why execution matters more than planning alone. 40:00 – Market Positioning • Standing out by defining your niche. 48:30 – Patterns in Growth • What Joe sees in successful founders. 56:00 – Business Relationships • Why trust matters long term. 1:04:00 – Advice for Founders • Joe’s guidance for navigating growth. 1:15:00 – Building to Last • The mindset behind durable businesses. 1:22:00 – Closing Thoughts • Final reflections on growth and entrepreneurship.