In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon sits down with Vanessa Aegirsdottir, internationally acclaimed jewelry designer, entrepreneur, and business coach, to discuss how women entrepreneurs can build resilience and scale their businesses with confidence. Vanessa is the co-founder and CEO of her award-winning brand, Vanessa Aegirsdottir, which specializes in premium fur jewelry that honors Indigenous traditions and ethical sourcing. Her designs have been featured in Vogue, Esquire, and Forbes, establishing her as a leader in sustainable luxury.

With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Vanessa has helped women-owned product businesses grow with profitability and confidence. Through her coaching, she equips business owners with the tools to price for profit, navigate growth, and reach global audiences. In this episode, Vanessa shares how overcoming fear, embracing risks, and developing resilience were key to her success. She also dives into how she overcame imposter syndrome and learned to properly value her work and art.

If you're a business owner looking to scale with confidence, this conversation is a must-listen. Vanessa's approach to entrepreneurship is all about trusting yourself, taking risks, and building a strong foundation—both mentally and financially. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how to break through barriers and reach your business’s full potential.

Website: https://www.aegirsdottir.com/
Instagram: @vanessa.aegirsdottir

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon is joined by Alicia Fowler, founder of MOD Accounting & Tax, to discuss how women entrepreneurs can navigate financial uncertainty. In an ever-changing economic climate, understanding your profit and cash flow is crucial to keeping your business on track.

Alicia brings nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, holding a CPA, CA designation and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, she now calls Edmonton home. As a dedicated mom, entrepreneur, and community builder, Alicia believes in the power of financial wellness and supporting women in business. Her passion lies in helping entrepreneurs who are making a social impact and ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to succeed.

In this episode, Alicia and Shannon discuss how reading and analyzing financial statements can reveal what’s working in your business - and what needs to change. She emphasizes the importance of having an accountant on your side to ensure you're always aware of where your money is going, helping you avoid financial pitfalls and stay ahead of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, make sure to tune into this episode to get some tips and tricks to navigate financial uncertainty with confidence.

Website: https://modaccountingtax.ca/

Linkedin

Instagram @alicia_fowler.cpa

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, please consider reaching out to a trusted resource or support service.

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shauna Frederick joins Christina Owczarek, founder of XhAle Brew Co., a brewing brand that creates provocative beer for conscious thinkers and drinkers. Christina’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and breaking barriers as an immigrant, an Australian expat, and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Christina shares the highs and lows of launching and growing XhAle, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to business. She opens up about the trials and triumphs of starting a brewery, how challenges have shaped her mindset and leadership style, and the financial habits that helped her build a sustainable business. She also discusses the importance of breaking barriers for immigrant women entrepreneurs and the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and have access to funding and opportunities.

This episode is a powerful reminder that resilience and adaptability are essential in business. Tune in to hear Christina’s inspiring story on entrepreneurship, finance, and making space for underrepresented voices in the industry.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-owczarek-9ab925193/

Instagram: @xhalebrewco

Facebook: @xhalebrewco

Bluesky: @xhalebrewco.bsky.social

Website: www.xhalebrewco.ca

If any listeners who are of diverse representation and are doing good work in their communities would like their brand, business, and/or organization featured they can fill out our Queen Bee Campaign form to apply to be featured on our socials to highlight and lift up other diverse leaders.

XhAle Brew Co. Queen Bee Campaign

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shauna Frederick is joined by Brenda Beckedorf, a distinguished ecosystem builder, strategic thinker, and champion of technology-driven growth. As the co-founder of Society 5.0, board director of the Calgary Innovation Coalition (CIC) and Vice Chair of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), Brenda has dedicated her career to fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and driving positive societal change through technology and collaboration.

As a co-founder of Society 5.0, Brenda is committed to helping leaders integrate advanced technology into their businesses. She highlights how Society 5.0 is working to revolutionize Alberta’s tech and business landscape by engaging C-level executives, fostering collaboration, and addressing the challenges that scale-up companies face.

Brenda shares her insights on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and why small businesses need to start embracing this ever-evolving technology. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing industries at an unprecedented pace and explains how business owners can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and drive profitability. From accounting and marketing to customer service and decision-making, AI presents ample opportunities for small businesses willing to adapt and innovate.

Tune in to this great conversation to learn how you can harness the power of AI and position your business, however big, for long-term success. Don't miss this episode packed with expert advice from one of Canada’s leading voices in tech innovation.

Websites

Society 5.0

Digital Solutioning Course

AI Tools and Information

Canadian companies are using AI in financial reporting - KPMG Canada

Two years after the launch of ChatGPT, how has generative AI helped businesses? - The Globe and Mail

AI Tools

Social Media

Linkedin

Instagram: @b.beckedorf

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shauna Frederick sits down with Sue Derlago, a seasoned financial expert with over 25 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Sue is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals and navigate the complexities of financial planning, investment strategies, and tax management. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), and Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS), Sue is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs gain financial clarity and confidence.

Together, Shauna and Sue dive into the essential steps women entrepreneurs can take to achieve financial wellness in their business. Sue shares three actionable strategies to help women entrepreneurs and business owners take control of their financial future. She emphasizes the importance of building a cash reserve to provide financial stability, investing in their future to strategically grow wealth and set themselves up for long-term success, and mastering their tax strategy to understand how taxes impact their business while planning proactively to maximize efficiency. Sue also discusses some of the most common financial mistakes she sees women entrepreneurs make, articularly the importance of tracking the numbers and ensuring financial decisions are driving the business in the right direction.

No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode offers practical advice to help you make confident financial decisions and build a strong foundation for success.

Websites:

https://derlagowealth.ca/

Linkedin Sue Derlago

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, we are joined by Moirae Choquette, founder of Tomato Wheels, a company specializing in importing high-quality Lambrusco wine from Italy. As a proud Indigenous entrepreneur from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Moirae has built a career in marketing and communications, using her expertise to bring unique and carefully curated wines to the Canadian market.

Moirae’s entrepreneurial journey has been anything but conventional. Like many business owners, she once found herself caught in the pressures of external expectations, trying to fit into traditional definitions of success. But as her business evolved, so did her perspective. In this episode, she shares how she broke free from the self-imposed rules that dictated what success should look like and instead redefined it on her own terms.

She also explores what financial wellness means to her, not just from a numbers perspective, but as a deeper sense of alignment between financial stability and personal fulfillment. Moirae opens up about how she built a business that supports both her financial goals and her values, proving that success is about more than just profit margins, it’s about creating a life and business that feel right for you.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is personal, ever-evolving, and different for everyone.

Tomato Wheels

Abraham Hicks Podcast

Social Media

Linkedin

Instagram @tomatowheels

Facebook

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, we are joined by Rachael Hunt, the Founder & CEO of Freedom School Co. and an Intuitive Indigenous Mentor & Healer. Rachael, a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nations, shares her expertise on breaking generational cycles, especially in the context of money and women entrepreneurship.

Rachael discusses the subconscious patterns that many women inherit around money, which often do not serve our best interests in today's world. She delves into how these cycles can limit financial growth and personal well-being, and emphasizes the importance of shifting these patterns for long-term prosperity.

Drawing from her Indigenous background, Rachael explores how mindset and intergenerational healing play a crucial role in achieving financial wellness and peace. She highlights the need for women to recognize and confront these inherited beliefs in order to create a healthier relationship with money.

In this episode, Rachael also emphasizes the importance of awareness and self-reflection. Change, she explains, must come from within, and building this awareness is a key factor in breaking free from old patterns. Achieving financial neutrality—where one no longer resists or repels money—is a vital step in establishing a peaceful and supportive relationship with finances.

Tune in to this inspiring conversation to learn how breaking cycles and embracing a healthier mindset can lead to greater financial success, business growth, and personal empowerment.

Websites

https://www.freedomschool.co/
https://www.freedomschool.co/cycle-breakers-podcast

Linkedin

Instagram

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun kick off 2025 with an inspiring conversation about making this year all about financial wellness.

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and let financial wellness take a backseat. That’s why Shauna and Shannon are here to help women entrepreneurs refocus on their financial health, offering practical advice to align personal and business goals. They highlight the power of starting the year with intention—taking a step back to reflect on what matters most to you and setting goals that truly resonate. Financial clarity and confidence, they remind us, aren’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about creating a plan that aligns with your values, vision, and the life you want to build.

In this episode, they break down actionable strategies to tackle common financial roadblocks—from shifting unhelpful mindsets to simplifying financial processes. They also share tips for taking small, meaningful steps that lead to lasting habits and real progress. Packed with fresh insights and practical tips, this conversation is a must-listen for any woman entrepreneur ready to own her financial journey in 2025. Whether you’re refining your goals or starting from scratch, it’s time to make this your year of financial empowerment.