Why Community Spaces Matter More Than Ever

Why Community Spaces Matter More Than Ever

Access to food is important, but access to connection, dignity, and belonging can be just as powerful in building strong communities. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Ameriga Alonzo, Interim Executive Director of 541 Eatery & Exchange. This nonprofit café in Hamilton operates on a unique pay-it-forward model, where customers can purchase tokens to help others access meals in a welcoming, stigma-free environment. Key Takeaways: * Community spaces can address both practical needs like food and deeper needs like connection and belonging. * Removing stigma and prioritizing dignity can transform how support services are experienced. * Sustainable impact often relies on strong partnerships, donors, and community support. * Simple, human-centered ideas can create powerful and lasting change. Visit 541 Eatery & Exchange: https://www.fivefortyone.ca/ [https://www.fivefortyone.ca/]

Why Deconstruction Could Change How We Build Forever

The way we build and renovate has a major impact on what gets wasted, what gets reused, and how communities think about sustainability. In this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Meredith Moore, founder of Ouroboros Deconstruction. Meredith is rethinking the demolition process by carefully dismantling buildings to recover valuable materials and keep them in circulation. She shares how she started with her own home as a case study, built a business from the ground up, and grew into larger residential and commercial projects.  Key Takeaways: * Innovation can come from rethinking existing systems, not just creating new ones. * Starting small with available resources can lead to scalable business opportunities. * Building the right team is critical in physically demanding and niche industries. * Sustainable practices can create both environmental impact and viable business models.

Rethinking Waste: Turning Trash Into Opportunity

Some of the most impactful businesses don’t begin with flashy ideas, they start with hard work, lived experience, and a desire to do things better. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Shane Harker, Founder and President of Rethink Resource. Shane shares how he built a 25-year career in transportation and waste before launching a company focused on rethinking trash as a resource. Today, Rethink Resource has diverted more than 10 million pounds of waste from landfill and operates across Canada and the U.S., working toward a circular economy.  Key Takeaways: * Hard work matters- but working smart and striving to be the best at what you do matters more. * Waste isn’t garbage,  it’s an opportunity to create value through innovation. * Purpose-driven entrepreneurship often requires financial risk and resilience. * Integrity and culture are critical when scaling in industries where trust matters.

Turning Plastic Waste Into Purpose with EarthSuds

What started as a student project has grown into a nationally recognized eco-startup tackling one of the world’s biggest waste problems. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Daniel Moll, Founder and CEO of EarthSuds. Daniel shares how a moment on a beach sparked the idea for plastic-free, dissolvable shampoo and soap tablets, and how years of trial, failure, and persistence turned that idea into a growing Canadian business. Key Takeaways: * Solving a real problem starts with deeply understanding it, not jumping straight to the solution. * Listening to customers consistently is one of the most powerful tools for building and improving a business. * Profit and purpose don’t compete and when aligned growth becomes fuel for greater impact. * Building a company requires shifting from doing everything yourself to empowering others to execute the vision.

From the CFL to TV and Trades: Building Resilience That Lasts

Resilience, reinvention, and strong foundations are at the heart of this episode of Small Business, Big Impact. Host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Sebastian Clovis, founder of Shoots n’ Leaves. Sebastian shares his journey from professional football in the CFL to building homes, hosting hit renovation shows, and launching a production company rooted in storytelling and growth. Together, they explore how setbacks can become turning points, why communicating with kindness is a leadership skill, and how building strong foundations makes long-term success possible. This conversation offers thoughtful insights for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change while building something that lasts. Key Takeaways: * Setbacks can become powerful turning points when reframed with perspective and intention. * Kindness and clear communication are essential leadership skills, especially under pressure. * Strong foundations make it easier to adapt and grow when the vision evolves. * Helping others selflessly can open unexpected doors in business and life.