Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs

How a Homemade Pain Relief Formula Became a Small-Batch Skincare Business

When every woman at a book club immediately buys a product after trying it once, you know something's working. 

 

The latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs features Deborah Coggles, founder of Esther's Essentials, who turned a sister's severe arthritis pain into a thriving small-batch skincare and healthcare business. 

What started as a homemade pain relief formula that had her sister walking without a limp became a word-of-mouth sensation built entirely on customer transformations. 

Deborah shares how she built a product line using rooftop-grown herbs and Canadian-sourced ingredients, why she customizes formulations at no cost for customers with sensitivities, and the personal pivot that made this business possible after two hip replacements and her role as a caregiver for her grandson. 

This episode delivers real insights on starting a product-based business from scratch, building through authentic customer relationships, and the critical business decisions required to scale beyond the startup phase.

Tune in for another episode with our Serenity Sisters. Click below.

How to Stop Losing Employees After Spending Six Months Training Them

Most managers don't realize they're creating their own turnover problem until it's too late. If you're still managing your team with a one-size-fits-all approach, you're already losing the battle for talent.

 

In the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, HR consultant Cissy Pau reveals why the cookie-cutter approach to managing people is driving employees out the door—and shares the specific strategies that keep them engaged instead. 

 

With three decades of HR experience, Cissy explains how to turn your standard annual bonus into personalized incentives (an orthodontics fund for one employee, a first-time homebuyer account for another), why 30-minute monthly check-ins eliminate awkward performance reviews, and how to manage a generation that considers phone calls intrusive. 

 

The episode addresses real scenarios such as the employee who responds "TLDR" to your emails, the new manager who needs an agenda with "kids, pets, family" in brackets as a reminder to ask, and the business owner who talks to their team daily but never discusses career aspirations. 

 

Cissy's "one size fits none" philosophy isn't about making HR complicated; it's about making it work. If you're spending six months training employees only to lose them, or dreading termination conversations because you've never given real feedback, this episode gives you the framework to fix it.

When Disruption Becomes Opportunity: A Product Creation Expert Shares Her 2024 Reset

When political uncertainty forced a simultaneous pause on every client contract in late 2024, Tara Latham made a decision that reshaped her entire business model. 

In the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the founder of Sugarhouse Creative (now Formative Group) reveals how she turned what could have been a devastating blow into the catalyst for building a more focused, rewarding business.

 

Tara walks through her pivot from running a full-service product creation agency with physical R&D facilities and extensive overhead to a lean strategic consultancy working directly with founders and design leaders. Her candid insights on shedding everything non-essential and moving upstream in the product creation cycle offer a powerful blueprint for adaptive business strategy for anyone facing industry disruption.

 

Beyond her own pivot story, Tara provides a fascinating deep dive into the realities of North American manufacturing, particularly in technical apparel. Her perspective on why "Made in China" doesn't tell the whole story and what it would actually take to bring specialized manufacturing back to Canada challenges the oversimplified narratives dominating current trade discussions.

 

For entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, product creators rethinking their operations, or anyone interested in the future of Canadian manufacturing, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom on finding opportunity in disruption.

 

Listen now to discover how embracing uncertainty can lead to your best work yet.

The Trillion-Dollar Problem No One's Talking About: Workplace Isolation

Remote work was supposed to be the dream - sweatpants, no commute, freedom. Yet one in five employees now report workplace loneliness, costing businesses a staggering $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.

 

In our latest Serenity Now episode, leadership coach and connection catalyst Andrea Welling reveals how isolation silently erodes team performance and shares her game-changing "Connection First" methodology. Andrea explains why social connection isn't just a nice-to-have but essential for business results, especially in hybrid environments. She offers practical strategies leaders can implement immediately, including creating "agenda-free" team gatherings that transform workplace culture.

 

For entrepreneurs navigating today's complex work landscape, this conversation delivers actionable tools to boost engagement, strengthen mental health, and drive productivity through meaningful connection.

 

Resources shared by Andrea Welling in this episode:

State of the Global Workplace: 2024Report

World Health organization

 

 

 

 

The Serenity Sisters decode Web3 technology for business owners navigating digital transformation

The latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs delivers strategic insights on Web3, blockchain, and NFTs through practical business applications. The Serenity Sisters systematically break down smart contracts, tokenization, and decentralized data ownership, translating technical concepts into actionable intelligence.

The episode features compelling case studies, including the implementation of smart contracts that reduced billing operations by 0.7 FTE while enhancing the client experience. The discussion examines NFT-based loyalty programs, cryptocurrency payment infrastructure, and operational efficiency improvements through real-world examples.

The Serenity Sisters address security protocols, environmental sustainability, and regulatory positioning within the Canadian market. Their analysis strikes a balance between technological opportunity and risk assessment, offering measured perspectives on adoption strategies.

A topic that can be overwhelming, this is essential listening for entrepreneurs evaluating Web3 integration, understanding competitive positioning in evolving digital markets, or developing technology adoption strategies for sustainable growth.

As we wrap up our interviews for the summer, the conversations continue. Join us weekly for conversations around entrepreneurship and more at @serenitynowforentrepreneurs. Thanks for being part of our community.

 

Beyond Win-Lose: The Art of Collaborative Negotiation for Modern Entrepreneurs | Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs

"I will crush you with my negotiation" is the OLD way of doing business.

The Serenity Sisters discuss a better approach, and it's transforming how entrepreneurs handle deals.

In the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the Serenity Sisters tackle the art of negotiation with insights from Stanford Business School research that will change your approach forever.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• Why the most successful negotiations are actually collaborative problem-solving exercises
• The exact definition of a true win-win (hint: both parties should feel a little disappointed!)
• How packaging your requests together creates better outcomes than negotiating piece by piece
• The #1 technique that makes people more likely to say "yes" to your asks

As Rita Kim shares in the episode, "There's always a way to figure out a win-win. Always."

Stop dreading negotiations and start using them to build long-term business relationships that last decades. Our hosts share real examples of clients they've retained for 25+ years through fair negotiation practices.

Listen now and bring some Serenity to your next business deal!

Click below.

May the Fourth Be With Your Business: Star Wars Strategies for Entrepreneurs

On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the Serenity Sisters examine how one of entertainment's biggest franchises can inspire entrepreneurs of all sizes. They break down how Star Wars revolutionized business by carving out a unique niche in the sci-fi genre when drama films dominated the landscape.

 

What can your business learn from the force? Start with rock-solid storytelling as your foundation. The Sisters highlight how Star Wars' exceptional narrative structure is still taught in film writing classes today, proving that product quality must come first.

 

Then, think differently about your market approach. Star Wars pioneered the summer blockbuster concept when conventional wisdom said holiday releases were the only path to success. They continuously pivoted and expanded their franchise, revolutionizing the toy industry through character merchandising that created entirely new revenue streams.

 

Did you know the original screening received no applause, and George Lucas had to use his own money when funding ran out? The sisters remind us that entrepreneurship requires passion, calculated risk-taking, and persistence even when nobody applauds your vision.

 

Tune in to this unique episode from the Serenity Sisters for more insights on building an empire from humble beginnings, no matter what galaxy your business calls home.

Canadian Trade Barriers - The Discussion We Need to Have

"We're creating little micro markets and it's not serving us anymore." - A frank conversation about Canada's interprovincial trade barriers that could unlock billions in economic growth.

In the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, hosts Candace and Peggy dive into a timely discussion about interprovincial trade barriers in Canada. While these barriers rarely make headlines, they're costing our economy billions and limiting Canadian businesses' potential scale.

Key insights from the conversation:

• Canada's provincial autonomy has created a patchwork of trade restrictions between provinces
• Despite having a population similar to California, we've fragmented our domestic market
• From professional services (like CPAs) to products (like wine), these barriers limit mobility and growth
• Recent international trade tensions are forcing Canadians to look inward at our own economic structure
   

As the hosts note, they're not experts but everyday entrepreneurs raising important questions: Should we protect businesses that might otherwise fail? Could removing interprovincial barriers help Canada become more self-reliant and innovative?

Listen to this thought-provoking episode that challenges us to reconsider how Canada's internal trade policies impact entrepreneurs coast to coast. As Candace says, "Maybe it takes Canadians to think differently and to ask that question for these things to change."

 

The Art of Patience: How Waiting 5 Years to Buy the Right Business Paid Off

"Five years of patience, 90 days of listening, and 10 years of success."

Josh Rottenberg's journey from corporate executive to business owner offers invaluable lessons for anyone considering buying an established business.

In this intriguing episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Josh shares how he waited five years to find the right business, then spent his first three months doing "nothing" but asking questions and observing—a strategy that proved remarkably effective.

Josh reveals his practical criteria for acquisition (including his memorable "one bridge" rule for commuting), discusses how firing two employees established his leadership, and shares his biggest mistake: over-relying on engineers for product development.

His "happy, humble, hungry" framework for evaluating talent and his advice on due diligence are worth their weight in gold for prospective business buyers.

Whether you're considering buying a business or leading through a transition, this episode offers honest insights from someone who's successfully navigated the journey.

 

Following the Money: How Private Equity Shapes Canada's Economy and Your Daily Choices

In long-term care homes owned by private equity firms, there's a 50% increased likelihood of patient sedation alongside higher mortality rates and costs. Yikes!

This eye-opening episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs features Rachel Wasserman, whose background in law, investment banking, and M&A gives her unique insight into how private equity operates and impacts our communities.

What makes this conversation essential listening:

• Learn how PE firms use leveraged buyouts that saddle businesses with crushing debt
•  Discover which industries are being rapidly consolidated (dental practices, vet clinics, daycares, and more) 
• Understand how your Canadian pension funds are heavily invested in PE firms 
• Explore alternatives like Employee Ownership Trusts for business owners considering exits

As Rachel points out: "Who owns our companies, who owns our economic engines matters for our country, for our economy." Who owns the businesses you are spending your money with? 

Entrepreneurs, consumers, and professionals —this affects us all. Awareness is the first step toward better choices.

Don't miss the latest episode.