What if the value of your business wasn’t just in the products you sell or the clients you serve, but in what you’ve built behind the scenes? What if creating a business that could run without you was the key to building lasting value?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna sits down with Candice Hartwell, Partner at VEER Business Advisors, to talk about business goodwill, sweat equity, and what it really takes to build a business that holds value beyond the founder.

Candice brings deep experience in sell-side advisory and internal ownership transitions, working with small- and medium-sized business owners to help them plan for what comes next. She’s an award-winning accountant, a former commercial lender with BDC, and a passionate advocate for financial wellness, especially for entrepreneurs navigating big decisions.

Shauna and Candice unpack the difference between personal goodwill and business goodwill, and why it matters more than you might think. They talk about how to start shifting value away from the founder and into the systems, people, and structures that make a business scalable, sellable, and sustainable.

This is a reminder that your business is more than just your day-to-day hustle. When you start thinking long-term - about legacy, transitions, and the ability to step away (even just for a vacation!) - you begin building something that can truly last.

https://www.veeradvisors.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicehartwell/

What if small mindset shifts could change the way you show up in your business—and unlock the clarity and confidence you’ve been craving in your financial decisions?

In this empowering episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shannon and Shauna explore five simple yet powerful shifts that can help women entrepreneurs feel more in control of their finances and more connected to their business. Inspired by a participant who described the experience of learning to read her financial statements as unlocking a “superpower,” this episode is a reminder that financial confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about knowing what matters and taking intentional steps forward.

From turning uncertainty into curiosity and replacing overwhelm with small habits, to pricing with clarity and building a support system, we walk through the real, actionable shifts that have transformed the experiences of women entrepreneurs across the country. These aren’t lofty strategies, they’re everyday mindset changes that create real impact.

Along the way, they reflect on some of the most insightful moments from past episodes, including conversations with Katy Baker, Alicia Fowler, and Alla Brisky, that continue to inspire and support women on their path to financial wellness.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they needed to have it all figured out before starting. You don’t need perfection to lead your business with purpose. You just need the right tools, a little curiosity, and the belief that you are more capable than you think.

Previous Episodes:

Navigating Through Financial Uncertainty with Alicia Fowler

2025: A Year of Financial Wellness

Pricing for Profit with Katy Baker

5 Tips on Managing Your Cash Flow

Behind the Vault: Business Advice from a Business Banker with Alla Brisky

What if your banker could be more than just someone you call when you need financing? What if they were a true partner—someone who understands your vision and helps you bring it to life?

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon sits down with Alla Brisky, Regional Manager Prairies, Women in Enterprise at TD, for a conversation every woman entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you're just getting started or growing a successful business, building the right relationship with your banker can be a game-changer.

Alla brings over a decade of experience in personal and business banking, and as an entrepreneur herself, she gets what it’s like to be on both sides of the table. She shares why it’s so important to start building that banking relationship early, and how having someone in your corner who understands your business can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Shannon and Alla talk about the power of understanding your numbers - especially your cash flow - before walking into a lender’s office. It’s not just about the numbers themselves, but about being able to tell a compelling story about your business. Alla shares how approaching this conversation with confidence can make all the difference when it comes to securing the support you need.

This is a great reminder that your financial journey doesn’t have to be transactional. When you shift your mindset and build a relationship based on openness and trust, your bank can become a strategic ally in your growth. The more you understand your finances, the more empowered you become to make decisions that truly serve your business.

TD Women in Enterprise

Linkedin:

On this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by Patricia Yun, Head of Digital Commerce at TD Bank, for a conversation about building stronger, safer small businesses through the power of digital commerce.

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Patricia brings a deep understanding of how entrepreneurs can use the right tools to support, grow, and protect their businesses in today’s fast-moving digital economy. At TD, she leads the development of eCommerce and payment solutions that serve small business, commercial, and corporate clients - solutions that are designed to integrate seamlessly and simplify the day-to-day realities of running a business.

Shauna and Patricia explore how TD Merchant Solutions—Canada’s only payment processor directly owned and operated by a major bank—is helping entrepreneurs manage everything from payment processing to banking, all in one place. They discuss how a unified platform can free up time and resources for small business owners, giving them more room to focus on what matters most: building meaningful relationships with customers and creating value in their communities.

But it’s not just about convenience, it’s also about protection. Small businesses are facing key threats when it comes to fraud, including “friendly fraud” and more sophisticated schemes that can put a business at risk. However, there are ways business owners can spot the red flags and take proactive steps to keep their businesses safe.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciacyun/

Website: https://www.td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/payment-options/processing-solutions
TD Insights and Advice: https://www.td.com/ca/en/business-banking/how-to/merchant-solutions/resource-centre/advice

TD Payment Solutions

English: https://www.td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/payment-options/processing-solutions

French: https://www.td.com/ca/fr/entreprises/petite-entreprise/options-paiement/solutions-traitement

On this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon is joined by decolonial facilitator, speaker, and connector Vanessa Lesperance for an eye-opening conversation about what it means to challenge the systems we’ve inherited, and imagine new ways of doing business that center humanity, relationships, and sustainability.

Vanessa is a proud mixed heritage Métis woman reclaiming her Red River roots and reshaping the way we think about entrepreneurship and leadership. As the co-founder of Decolonize and Rize, Vanessa works at the intersection of reconciliation and well-being, supporting Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.

Shannon and Vanessa explore how colonized systems have shaped our beliefs around work, productivity, and success, and why it’s time to unlearn those narratives. Decolonizing business is not only about rejecting profit, but about approaching money and entrepreneurship in a way that is ethical, human-centered, and spiritually aligned.

They discuss how shifting away from hustle culture opens the door to living a life that feels full and free, one where people are paid a living wage, are respected as individuals, and are empowered to live in a way that supports their whole selves. Vanessa also invites us to consider how business can be more relational than transactional, how slowing down can be a strategy, and how each interaction can be rooted in care, connection, and community.

Website: https://www.decolonizeandrize.com/home

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lesperance-vancouver/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessalesperance/

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by transformational coach and entrepreneur Kate Hanson, founder of Kate Hanson Co. and RaisCo Coaching, for a deeply honest conversation about why success should never come at the cost of your health, happiness, or peace of mind.

Known for helping high-performing entrepreneurs and professionals design businesses that support their whole lives, not just their bottom line, Kate brings grounded wisdom and powerful insight to the table. Drawing from her own experience of burnout and reinvention, she offers a refreshing perspective on what it really means to thrive.

Shauna and Kate explore the hidden beliefs that keep us stuck in hustle mode and challenge the cultural narrative that success has to be hard, fast, and all-consuming. They discuss the importance of prioritizing wellbeing as a business strategy, the value of unlearning, and how we can give ourselves permission to build in ways that feel aligned, joyful, and sustainable.

Tune in to learn why redefining success on your own terms isn’t just possible, it’s essential. This episode is your invitation to question the rules, reclaim your energy, and create a path that honors who you are and how you want to live.

Linkedin

Linkedin Kate Hanson Co

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Website: https://www.kate-hanson.co/

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by Shulamit Ber Levtov—The Entrepreneurs’ Therapist—for a powerful conversation about the money narratives that hold women back, and how reclaiming financial power can be a pathway to healing, confidence, and control.

Known for her work at the intersection of mental health, entrepreneurship, and financial psychology, Shula is a bold voice challenging the cultural messages that tell women they’re bad with money. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and more than two decades working professionally in the field of women's personal growth and mental health, she brings a unique lens to conversations about money, mindset, and emotional wellbeing in business.

Shauna and Shula dive into the myths and stereotypes that shape women’s financial identities—often without us even realizing it. They explore how survival-based decisions can be misread as poor financial habits, and how internalizing these harmful messages can impact self-worth, limit financial confidence, and even make women more vulnerable to financial abuse.

Tune in to learn how breaking free from these limiting beliefs isn’t just empowering—it’s a vital step toward building a healthy relationship with money, protecting your peace of mind, and showing up fully in your business and life.

www.shulamitberlevtov.com

Instagram: @shulamit_ber_levtov

LinkedIn: Shulamit Ber Levtov

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon is joined by Elise Ahenkorah—award-winning strategist, global inclusion expert, and founder of Inclusion Factor—for a compelling conversation on what it really means to create inclusive environments where people and performance thrive.

Elise is a bold voice in redefining workplace inclusion. As the Lead Strategist at Inclusion Factor, she has worked with over 100 clients across three continents—including Bayer, IBM, and the World Bank—helping organizations build cultures rooted in fairness, access, and representation. Backed by a background in law, international relations, and change management, Elise turns complex talent challenges into actionable, data-driven solutions that drive retention and performance.

In this episode, Elise and Shannon explore how inclusive workplaces not only benefit individuals, but also fuel economic growth. They discuss the importance of intersectionality, why inclusion must be more than a checkbox, and how truly valuing people leads to stronger, healthier organizations. Elise also shares insights on why lifting women up economically—and making sure they feel empowered to price and profit confidently—is critical for equity and long-term success.

Tune in to hear why inclusive leadership is key to organizational success, how intersectionality can transform workplace culture, and what it takes to build environments where people feel empowered to show up fully and do their best work.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseahenkorah/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusionfactor/

Website: www.inclusionfactor.ca