The Business Development Podcast

Episode 327 of The Business Development Podcast features Joel Zeff, a nationally recognized speaker, humorist, and work culture expert who has spent more than 25 years helping organizations build stronger teams and better leaders. In this conversation, Joel shares how losing his job became one of the most defining moments of his life when he walked out with a harmonica he did not even know how to play and used that moment to choose energy, humor, and resilience over defeat. That story becomes the gateway into a much bigger conversation about leadership, mindset, and why fun is not something extra at work, it is often the very thing that helps people stay engaged, adaptable, and ready to perform at a higher level.
Throughout the episode, Joel breaks down why celebrating small wins matters more than most leaders realize, how positive support creates momentum, and why staying in the game is one of the most important choices any professional can make. We also explore public speaking, confidence, workplace culture, embracing change, and how leaders can create environments where people feel energized instead of drained.
Learn more about Joel Zeff:
https://www.joelzeff.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff/
Get Joel’s book, Make the Right Choice:
https://www.amazon.ca/Make-Right-Choice-Passion-Elevate/dp/1394278950
Business Development Podcast listeners can also access Joel’s special offer, a free chapter on change, directly through his website.
Just Mention the Show.
Key Takeaways:
Fun is not a distraction, it is a competitive advantage that drives energy, engagement, and performance.
Celebrating small wins consistently builds momentum and fuels long-term success more than waiting for big milestones.
Staying in the game is the most important decision you can make, because quitting guarantees failure while persistence keeps opportunity alive.
Confidence does not come from perfect outcomes, it comes from choosing how you show up in difficult moments.
Leaders create culture by giving people ownership and supporting them, not by demanding passion without building the foundation for it.
Positive support multiplies performance, when people feel encouraged they take more risks, produce more, and grow faster.
Most people do not fear public speaking, they fear making mistakes, and learning to embrace imperfection unlocks confidence.
Fun looks different for everyone, the key is identifying what energizes you and leaning into it consistently.
Your response to setbacks defines your trajectory more than the setback itself, mindset is the difference between collapse and growth.
The best leaders bring humanity into their work by creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and motivated to contribute.

Sponsor Highlights
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently.
Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 www.hypervac.com
🌐 www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada.
Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com
If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these leaders and their companies some love for supporting the podcast and helping us continue bringing powerful conversations like this to the business community. 🎸⭐
Join The Catalyst Club Community
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club Community.
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub
Mentioned in this episode:
Pre-Show Ad #1 - Atlas Elite Lifts
Hyperfab Midroll
Thunder Bay Hydraulics - Post Show - Ad #1

Episode 326 of The Business Development Podcast features Chris Yeung, one of Edmonton’s most recognized business leaders, as he shares the defining moments that reshaped his life, career, and perspective on success. From building momentum in business development and entrepreneurship to facing the very real possibility of losing everything, Chris opens up about the pressure, the setbacks, and the moment he was forced to confront his ego and ask for help. What followed was not a quick fix, but a complete reset that changed how he approaches business, leadership, and life.
Now serving as Executive Director of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels, Chris has rebuilt with intention, combining creativity, strategy, and personal brand to create new opportunities and impact. In this episode, we explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the growing importance of personal branding, and how professionals can stand out in an increasingly competitive world. Chris shares practical insights on overcoming fear, showing up authentically, and turning hard lessons into forward momentum, leaving listeners with a clear takeaway: real growth happens when you are willing to evolve, connect, and ask for help when it matters most.
Key Takeaways:
Success can unravel quickly, and when it does, the real test is how you respond, not how you got there.
Waiting too long to ask for help can make a hard situation worse, while early conversations can open unexpected solutions.
Ego is often the biggest barrier to growth, especially when you are used to being the one who has it all figured out.
Financial pressure affects every part of your life, and protecting your stability is just as important as chasing opportunity.
Your personal brand is what differentiates you in a crowded market where everyone is technically competent.
You do not need a massive audience to win, you just need to connect with the right people consistently.
Creativity is a powerful advantage in business, especially when you can take ideas from concept to execution.
The best opportunities are often the ones you did not plan for but were open enough to pursue.
Speaking directly to one person, not an audience, is the key to becoming more natural and effective on video.
Real growth happens when you pause, reflect, and align your work with what genuinely drives and excites you.

Learn more about Chris Yeung:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yh-yeung/
https://chrisyeung.co/
Learn more about Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels:
https://edmh.ca/

Sponsor Highlights
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently.
Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 www.hypervac.com
🌐 www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada.
Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com
If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these leaders and their companies some love for supporting the podcast and helping us continue bringing powerful conversations like this to the business community. 🎸⭐

Join The Catalyst Club Community
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club Community.
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Pre-Show Ad #1 - Atlas Elite Lifts
Hyperfab Midroll
Thunder Bay Hydraulics - Post Show - Ad #1

Episode 325 is a powerful conversation with Jodi Barrett that explores the gap between mental strength and physical capacity. As high performers, many of us pride ourselves on pushing through challenges, staying disciplined, and showing up no matter what. But as Jodi shares through her own experience, there comes a point where the body starts to push back. What looks like strength on the outside can hide fatigue, disconnection, and a system that is no longer able to support the pace of life we are trying to maintain.
This episode dives into what it really means to rebuild from that point. Jodi breaks down the role of nervous system regulation, sustainable strength, and reconnecting with your body in a way that supports long-term performance. It is not about doing more, it is about doing the right things consistently. For anyone who has been running on empty while trying to maintain a high level of output, this conversation offers a grounded and practical path back to energy, resilience, and true strength.
Get in touch with Jodi Barrett
🌐 https://kbstronger.com
📸 https://www.instagram.com/kbstronger/
💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-barrett-kbstronger/
✉️ [email protected]

Key Takeaways:
Mental toughness can mask physical burnout, but eventually your body forces the conversation you have been avoiding.
Strength is not just about how much you can push, it is about how well your body can support consistency over time.
Most people do not change until the discomfort becomes too big to ignore, but waiting that long comes at a cost.
Nervous system regulation is a foundation of performance, not a wellness add-on.
If everything feels heavy, it is often a signal that your system is overloaded, not that you need to push harder.
Sustainable progress comes from doing the right things consistently, not from extreme bursts of effort.
Rebuilding strength requires reconnecting with your body, not fighting against it.
High performance is limited by physical capacity, no matter how strong your mindset is.
Slowing down and simplifying your approach can actually accelerate long-term results.
True strength is the ability to show up fully in your life, not just grind through it.

Sponsor Highlights
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently.
Alongside Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 www.hypervac.com
🌐 www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada.
Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com

Join The Catalyst Club
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to go deeper, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club. This is a private community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders focused on real growth, real conversations, and real connection.
Inside, we host live sessions, workshops, and open discussions designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence alongside people who are doing the same.
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub
Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll
Thunder Bay Hydraulics - Post Show - Ad #1
Pre-Show Ad #1 - Atlas Elite Lifts

In Episode 324 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Kris Marks, CEO of VIV Mental Health, keynote speaker, and psychological health and safety advisor, for one of the most powerful conversations on the show to date. Kris shares his deeply personal journey from trauma, homelessness, and a suicide attempt to becoming a national voice for mental health leadership and psychological safety in workplaces and communities. His story is raw, honest, and deeply human, revealing how years of quiet healing and self-reflection ultimately led him to transform pain into purpose.
Throughout the episode, Kris and Kelly explore the growing importance of mental health in leadership, the cultural shift toward human-centered workplaces, and the reality that authenticity and psychological safety must be intentionally built within organizations. Kris also shares how he transitioned from a Red Seal machinist and musician into an entrepreneur and founder, building VIV Mental Health into a fast-growing organization focused on helping leaders support their people in meaningful ways.
Key Takeaways:
Your past does not define your future. Even the darkest experiences can become the foundation for a life of purpose and impact.
Healing is rarely instant. Kris spent years doing quiet, difficult internal work before he was ready to speak openly about his experiences and help others.
Authentic leadership starts with vulnerability. When leaders are willing to go first and model honesty, it creates the psychological safety others need to speak up.
Mental health is one of the defining leadership challenges of this decade. Organizations that ignore it will struggle to attract, retain, and support great people.
Psychological safety is not created by policy alone. It requires trust, consistent behavior from leaders, and environments where people feel safe being human.
People often carry invisible struggles. Many individuals who appear confident and successful are privately dealing with experiences others never see.
Your story has power. Sharing lived experiences, when done thoughtfully, can create connection, healing, and understanding for others facing similar struggles.
Career pivots are possible at any stage. Kris transitioned from the trades into entrepreneurship and mental health leadership by leaning into his experiences and strengths.
Leadership is about people first. The most effective leaders focus on empathy, communication, and understanding the human side of performance.
Trying matters more than perfection. Growth often begins with the simple willingness to take the first step, even when the path forward is uncertain.

Sponsor Highlights
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 www.hypervac.com
🌐 www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com
If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to give these incredible companies some love. Their support helps make powerful conversations like this possible and allows us to continue bringing valuable insights to the business community.

Join The Catalyst Club
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club.
The Catalyst Club is a private leadership community where we host live workshops, expert sessions, and real conversations about business development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth. It’s a room built for people who want to move forward, share ideas, and support one another along the journey of building great businesses and meaningful careers.
We are now 80+ members strong and growing, filled with entrepreneurs and leaders who are serious about improving their craft and helping others succeed along the way.
If that sounds like the kind of room you want to be in, come join us.
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub

Mentioned in this episode:
Pre-Show Ad #1 - Atlas Elite Lifts
Thunder Bay Hydraulics - Post Show - Ad #1
Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 323 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy welcomes back entrepreneur, brand strategist, and bestselling author Pia Silva to dive into the philosophy behind her newest book, Scale Solo. Pia shares the story of how building a traditional agency with employees nearly pushed her business into debt and forced her to rethink everything about growth. Instead of chasing the conventional path of hiring more people and increasing overhead, Pia developed a radically different model focused on scaling expertise, increasing value, and designing a lean, highly profitable business that prioritizes freedom and simplicity.
Throughout the conversation, Pia breaks down the practical math behind scaling solo, including how to price services based on lifestyle goals, why profitability matters more than revenue, and how experts can dramatically increase income by intensifying their process and focusing on fewer, higher-value clients. She also explains the importance of simplifying offers, building authority through proven processes, and creating businesses that generate real freedom rather than constant stress. The episode is a powerful reminder that growth does not have to mean bigger teams and more complexity—sometimes the smartest way to scale is to do less, better, and more profitably.
Key Takeaways:
Scaling a business does not always mean hiring more people. For many service businesses, adding employees too early increases complexity and overhead while reducing profitability.
Profitability matters more than revenue. A smaller number of highly profitable projects can create far more freedom than chasing large projects with thin margins.
Experts should price their services based on the lifestyle they want to support, not just what the market expects or what competitors charge.
Many entrepreneurs unintentionally build businesses that look successful on the outside but generate very little take-home income once expenses and payroll are considered.
Increasing the perceived and real value of an offer is one of the fastest ways to justify higher pricing and improve business sustainability.
Raising prices gradually helps build confidence in your value and prevents the psychological shock that can come from doubling prices overnight.
Fewer clients at higher value often lead to better outcomes for both the business and the client because focus and delivery improve dramatically.
Simplifying your offers into clear packages, often small, medium, and large, removes confusion for buyers and makes the sales process easier.
Entrepreneurs should build relationships and referral networks first rather than relying entirely on social media content to generate early clients.
The ultimate goal of business growth should be freedom, the ability to control your time, work on meaningful projects, and design a life that actually reflects why you became an entrepreneur in the first place.

Sponsor Highlights
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies. Hypervac designs and manufactures industry-leading hydro excavation equipment used across North America to help contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently. Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for performance, durability, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 www.hypervac.com
🌐 www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by our 2026 Roadblock Sponsor, Thunder Bay Hydraulics. Thunder Bay Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration supporting industries across Canada. Alongside Thunder Bay Hydraulics, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions for high-end homes, luxury condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with lift systems so cool they are Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 www.atlaselitelifts.com

Join The Catalyst Club
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with other entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders who are focused on real growth, I invite you to join us inside The Catalyst Club.
The Catalyst Club is a private leadership community where we host live workshops, expert sessions, and real conversations about business development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth.
We are now 80+ members strong and growing, filled with people who are serious about building better businesses and supporting each other along the way.
If that sounds like the kind of room you want to be in, come join us.
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub

Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll
Thunder Bay Hydraulics - Post Show - Ad #1
Pre-Show Ad #1 - Atlas Elite Lifts