What if the hardest job you ever had wasn’t laying bricks in the blazing sun, but learning how to lead people?

In this powerful conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Andrew Woodruff, a multi-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program, to unpack the staggering transformation he experienced while balancing Queen’s University engineering with running a business that exploded past $300K in sales.

Andrew shares his chaotic first summer, the painful lessons of leading without a plan, and the breakthrough moments that helped him shift from hard worker to intentional leader. His journey reveals how resilience, feedback, and relentless growth can turn uncertainty into undeniable success.

Listen now because if you’ve ever wondered how to leap from surviving to thriving as a leader, this episode holds the insider playbook you won’t find anywhere else. Miss it, and risk staying stuck in the grind.

Andrew Woodruff is a Queen’s Civil Engineer and Concrete Canoe Team Captain, who is a multi-year operator with the Student Works Management Program. Rising from a small-town background and a start in bricklaying, he has scaled his student-run business into a six-figure operation while balancing one of Canada’s toughest academic programs. A Mexico performer and Presidents Club winner, Andrew is known for his relentless drive, growth mindset, and ability to inspire and lead teams under pressure.

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• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• Alex Hormozi’s content on habits and hard work
• Queen’s University Engineering Concrete Canoe Team

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production brought to you by Chris Thomson and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

How can running a student painting business set you on the path to becoming a corporate lawyer at one of the top firms in Canada?

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, host Chris Thomson speaks with Elyse Ardiel, a Student Works Management Program alumna who went on to graduate from McGill, attended law school, started her legal career in New York, and returned to Toronto to become a corporate lawyer and partner at a leading Bay Street firm.

Elyse reflects on the lessons she learned as an operator (from setting clear expectations and building systems to working with clients and teams) and how those skills helped her succeed in law school and her career. She shares advice for students considering law school, how to build a strong application, and why staying open to opportunities can lead to a career path you never imagined.

Learn why sales, systems, and setting expectations matter just as much in law as they do in business. Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• How Student Works helped Elyse discover her entrepreneurial spirit
• Why running a business taught Elyse to love working with motivated people
• The importance of setting clear expectations with clients, teams, and yourself
• How to stay organized, communicate effectively, and perform under pressure
• Why keeping an open mind can lead to unexpected career opportunities
• Practical tips for law school applications and building a strong resume
• Why sales skills and understanding people’s needs translate into any career
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Elyse Ardiel is a partner at Fasken, working within the firm’s Private Equity Group and Capital Markets & Mergers and Acquisitions Group. She focuses on private M&A with an emphasis on private equity and cross-border transactions, as well as corporate reorganizations, commercial law, and general corporate matters. A graduate of McGill University and law school in Canada, Elyse began her legal career in New York before returning to Toronto. As an alumna of the Student Works Management Program, she credits her experience as an operator with shaping the entrepreneurial mindset, organizational skills, and leadership qualities that helped her excel in law and business.

Resources:

Student Works

Connect with Elyse on 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.

How do you go from being a first-year student who’s unsure of what direction to take to running a $460,000 business while still in university and preparing to coach the next generation of entrepreneurs?

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Aris Lloshi, a veteran operator with the Student Works Management Program who is now stepping into a part-time coach role. Aris shares his journey from a slow start in his first year to restructuring his business mid-season, and eventually tripling his results through consistency, hard work, and relentless focus on developing people.

Aris opens up about what it takes to grow a business year over year, from $100k to $250k to nearly half a million, and the lessons he learned about time management, building systems, over-recruiting, and holding people accountable. This conversation is a powerful look at how consistency, integrity, and a learning mindset can transform both business results and personal growth.

Discover what it takes to shift from student operator to coach and why integrity is the ultimate leadership trait. Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why putting systems in place early creates better results with less effort
• How to restructure a business mid-season and turn it around
• Why 80% of results come from 20% of the right inputs
• The importance of training, recruiting, and over-recruiting the right people
• How to hold your team accountable and have hard conversations
• Why consistency is the secret ingredient to long-term success
• What it takes to transition from operator to coach while still in school
• Why integrity and being a constant learner are hallmarks of true leaders
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Aris Lloshi is a veteran operator with the Student Works Management Program and an incoming part-time coach while completing his business degree at Concordia University. Over three years, he grew his business from a modest first-year start to nearly $500,000 in revenue, earning multiple trips to Mexico and recognition as a top performer.

Resources:

Aris Lloshi on LinkedIn

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.