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 In this episode, April shares how Rootbar was born during COVID as a response to time-starved clients and outdated models.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! 🔥

Episode 19 | Christine Thiessen, Founder of the Winnipeg Women's Conference & Community

What started as an idea during lockdown is now Canada's largest women's conference. In this episode, Christine Thiessen shares how trusting her gut (while pregnant, no less), ignoring the naysayers, and leaning on her love for Excel turned a vision into a movement.

As the driving force behind both the Winnipeg Women's Conference and its thriving year-round Community, Christine opens up about the power of authentic connection, the challenge of being the one others look up to, and the magic that happens when women gather with purpose.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

🗝️ How Christine launched a sold-out conference when the world was still on pause
🗝️ What "community over competition" really looks like in practice
🗝️ Her unapologetic belief that "hobbies don't make money" and why it matters

👉 Tune in on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or iHeart to hear how Christine is building real spaces for women to connect, grow, and lead boldly.

Or catch it here:

🌐 Exec Hotseat Website: exechotseatpodcast.libsyn.com

Or here:
🎧 Spotify / Exec Hotseat Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM

_____

👉 Connect with Christine!

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christineturczyn

📷 Instagram: instagram.com/mrschristinethiessen

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shoulders-back

📷 Instagram: instagram.com/shouldersbackwpg

🌐 shouldersback.org

_______________

👉 Follow Winnipeg Women's Conference!

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/winnipeg-women-s-conference

📷 Instagram:
instagram.com/winnipegwomensconference
instagram.com/winnipegwomenscommunity

🌐 winnipegwomensconference.com

🌐 winnipegwomenscommunity.com

_____

✨ Founder and Host:

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisabrd
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/lt_wpg

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandrevivaldesign
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/brdagency.ca

🌐 brdagency.ca
_____

✨ Co-host:

📷 Instagram: instagram.com/abuhse
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse

👏 Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, @rrcpolytech! 👏