Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 22
Featuring: Zak Biggs, Director of Marketing, Goodlawyer

This isn't your average legal story. From pounding lawns in high school with his future co-founder to leading the marketing charge for one of Canada's boldest legal tech startups, Zak Biggs is helping Goodlawyer rewrite the rulebook - by being unapologetically human.

In this episode, Zak shares how a small team of friends turned a stiff, suit-heavy industry into a platform for community, storytelling, and straight-up joy. From cinchilla fleece vests to yacht parties, Zak walks us through how they built a brand people actually want to be part of—and why leaning into authenticity, not automation, is their greatest advantage.

We dig into why lawyers are more human than their headshots suggest, how to turn a LinkedIn post into a brand magnet, and what happens when you make real fun part of your marketing funnel.

Key Highlights:

🗝️ Building a B2B brand through real people, not just polished logos
🗝️ Why creating FOMO with yacht parties beats three average events every time
🗝️ Using storytelling and authenticity to break down the intimidation factor in law

__________

👉 Connect with Zak:

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zakbiggs

__________

👉 Connect with Goodlawyer

🔗 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gtssDHW2

📷 Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gNwDJSmN

🌐 goodlawyer.ca

__________

✨ Founder and Host:

📷 https://lnkd.in/gzx7GFaJ | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd

📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca

__________

✨ Co-host:

📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gVM2zF3v

📷 https://lnkd.in/g7_QX3eM

Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 21 | Calgary Series
Featuring: April Brown, Founder & Visionary behind Rootbar

From playing with Barbies to founding one of the most innovative salon concepts in Canada, April Brown has always had a vision and she's making it real. In this episode, April shares how Rootbar was born during COVID as a response to time-starved clients and outdated models. But this isn't just about beauty - it's about building a business where stylists lead, grow, and co-own their future.

With a rotating leadership structure, a franchise-ready system, and a deep respect for joy and boundaries, April is shaping a new standard in the service industry.

We explore how she balances it all: scaling across Canada, mentoring new franchisees, and stepping into motherhood - all while staying clear on what matters most.

Key Highlights:

🗝️ How Rootbar's rotating leadership model helps stylists build real-world business skills
🗝️ What it takes to franchise successfully - without losing your brand soul
🗝️ Why slowing down, setting boundaries, and choosing joy fuels smarter growth

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🌐 Exec Hotseat Website: exechotseatpodcast.libsyn.com
🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM

👉 Connect with April:

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rootbar-inc 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/rootbarsalon
🌐 rootbar.ca

✨ Founder and Host:

📷 instagram.com/lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd

📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca

✨ Co-host:

📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse

📷 instagram.com/coalandcanary

Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team:

instagram.com/thisistineke

instagram.com/rrcpolytech

instagram.com/brdagency.ca

instagram.com/kylecottrellmedia

Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 20
Featuring: Harman Dhaliwal & Gabrielle Zoppa, Co-Founders of Spa Botanica

What happens when two near-strangers launch a wellness spa with no money, no safety net, and no backup plan? You get Spa Botanica - one of Winnipeg's most beloved spas, built on Ayurvedic principles, natural skincare, and unshakable trust.

Harman and Gabby didn't just grow a business. They weathered a pandemic, rebuilt after a fire, and raised kids from the spa floor - literally. Through years of reinvention, they've stayed grounded in their shared vision: to bring ancient healing practices into modern lives, one homemade facial at a time.

This episode is packed with insight, laughter, and lessons learned the hard way.

Key Highlights:

🗝️ The real story behind launching with zero dollars - and zero backup
🗝️ How an unexpected fire (caused by towels!) tested their resilience
🗝️ Why partnership, trust, and community kept them going when everything said "quit"

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or iHeart.

Or catch it here:
🎧 Spotify: Exec Hotseat on Spotify

_____

👉 Connect with Harman & Gabby:

📷 Instagram: instagram.com/spabotanicawinnipeg

👤Facebook: facebook.com/SpaBotanicaWinnipeg

1459 Corydon Avenue

info@spabotanica.ca

204-489-8107

🌐 spabotanica.ca

______

✨ Founder and Host:
📷 @lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd
📷 @brdagency.ca

✨ Co-host:
📷 @abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse
📷 @coalandcanary

🎥 Video: Kyle Cottrell Media

Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team:

Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma
RRC Polytech
BRD | Brand Revival & Design Inc.
Kyle Cottrell

Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥