What does it take to break through personal limitations and unlock your full leadership potential at a young age?

In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Justin Huschilt and Ben Marysiuk, two high-performing young leaders who are thriving in the Student Works Management Program. Both Justin and Ben reflect on their transformational journeys as operators, highlighting how Student Works gave them the tools, mindset, and systems to push beyond fear, take full responsibility, and embrace growth at an accelerated pace.

You’ll hear how these ambitious young entrepreneurs leveraged the program’s proven recipe to not only run successful painting businesses but also to build life-changing confidence, integrity, and self-discipline. Whether it's sales, leadership, habits, or long-term vision, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for anyone striving to lead a better life and a better business.

If you're a young leader—or mentoring one—this conversation is your blueprint for leveling up. Learn how Justin and Ben rewired their mindset, built confidence through structure, and discovered the power of systems and self-leadership. Tune in to hear how they transformed fear into fuel. Enjoy!

Key takeaways

• Why Justin describes his first year as “the scariest yet most exciting” moment of his life
• The power of systems and mindset in consistently crushing sales goals
• How Student Works helped both guests improve their integrity and responsibility
• What Ben means when he says the program helped remove the limits of traditional career paths

• Why designing non-negotiable daily routines is crucial to sustained success
• How Justin and Ben are using the Student Works experience to envision bigger business goals beyond the program
• And much more...

Resources:

Student Works

Books:

Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Leaders of Tomorrow podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

What if a summer painting job could become the foundation for a global career? In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Dan Desmarais, a standout alumnus of the Student Works Management Program, who has gone on to build a thriving virtual company that serves some of the world’s largest retailers.

Dan shares how his time with Student Works in 1989–90 helped him break free from unfulfilling hourly jobs and set him on a path of leadership, ownership, and strategic thinking. Listeners will hear how this early experience launched a successful corporate career at Procter & Gamble and JDA Software, and how Dan later transformed a crisis into opportunity by founding Cantactix Solutions Inc., a leader in retail space management.

From lessons in sales and team building to managing a fully virtual business and empowering employees through social impact, Dan offers practical wisdom for anyone ready to step into leadership and build something meaningful.

Enjoy!

Key takeaways

• How to build trust in a remote business and what to do when that trust breaks down
• Why letting someone fail—just enough—can be a valuable coaching strategy
• The importance of surrounding yourself with smart, capable people
• How Dan scaled his leadership by transferring his knowledge to others
• Why every employee at his company is encouraged to make a difference in their community
• Dan’s thoughts on building businesses around purpose, not just profit
• The mental habit all future leaders need to master
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Dan Desmarais is the President of Cantactix Solutions Inc., a company that provides planogram automation and space management tools to major retailers across the globe. A proud alumnus of the Student Works Management Program (1989–90), Dan credits the experience with igniting his entrepreneurial journey. Before founding Cantactix, Dan held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and JDA Software, where he gained deep expertise in sales, data analytics, and retail optimization. Today, he leads a fully virtual team of 35+ employees, combining strategic insight with a strong commitment to giving back.

Resources:

Student Works

Dan’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Leaders of Tomorrow

podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

What does it take to grow from frustration and failure to focused leadership in just one year?

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson is joined by Louis Boivin and Joey Vari, two student entrepreneurs in the Student Works Management Program, who return for a second season with a powerful story of personal growth and business transformation.

Louis and Joey share how their first year in the program was defined by poor habits and lack of direction—and how those struggles laid the foundation for lasting change. They dive deep into the mindset shifts, daily routines, and planning strategies that helped them regain control and build a far more successful second season. This episode is a must-listen for any Student Works participant or aspiring young leader looking to take full ownership of their growth.

Loved this story of growth and grit? Subscribe to the podcast for more transformations from Student Works leaders and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Enjoy!

Key takeaways

• What lessons Louis and Joey learned from a difficult first season in Student Works
• How daily habits, accountability, and planning set the foundation for improvement
• Why personal development and discipline go hand in hand with business success
• How consistency in areas like door-to-door work and scheduling creates long-term results
• Why shifting focus from personal performance to team success can lead to exponential results
• And much more...

Resources:

Student Works

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Leaders of Tomorrow

podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.