Starting something new takes courage. Heather Rankin, founder of Obladee Wine Bar, shares how she left behind a secure career to take a bold risk—creating one of Halifax’s most beloved spots. Her story is a lesson in reinvention, passion, and the power of following your vision.
In this episode, I sit down with Richard Arnold, the longtime leader and owner of Atlantic Tours, whose career in travel and hospitality has been nothing short of remarkable. Richard shares his journey from entering the travel industry as a young professional to eventually taking the reins of Atlantic Tours—a company that has become a cornerstone of tourism in the region.
Our conversation dives into the heart of what travel means: not just showing Maritimers the world, but also showcasing the beauty, culture, and hospitality of the Maritimes to visitors from around the globe. Richard reflects on the evolution of the industry, the challenges and opportunities of running a tour company, and the deep pride he feels in connecting people to unforgettable experiences.
Join us as we sit down with Roger King, Founder & President of Supplement King, as he shares how he grew a small side hustle from the trunk of his car into one of Canada’s leading supplement retailers. We dig into scrappy beginnings, franchise growth, brand culture, community impact, and what it really takes to scale retail in a noisy market.
If you’re into entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a winning team, this one is gold!
In this episode, I sit down with Jim Spatz, Executive Chair of Southwest Properties, to explore the incredible legacy of his father, Simon Spatz.
After surviving the Holocaust, Simon immigrated to Canada and went on to build one of the region’s most respected real estate companies from the ground up. Jim shares stories of his father’s resilience, vision, and values — and how those principles continue to guide Southwest Properties today.
We also discuss the company’s long-standing commitment to building high-quality spaces, treating tenants with care and respect, and giving back meaningfully to the community.
Our next guest on the “Hallett Ouellette Wealth Management” Podcast is Joseph Daniel, CEO of Cresco Home Builders.
Joseph is a veteran in the Halifax Real Estate industry and highlights the keys to be successful in the space. Join us as we discuss the current challenges and developments happening in the housing market, not only in the Halifax area, but also across Canada.
Our guest this week on the podcast is Marie Chapman, the CEO of the Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is Canada’s sixth national museum and its mission is to share the ongoing story of immigration to Canada—past to present and coast to coast to coast. The Museum is where nearly one million immigrants landed in Canada from 1928 to 1971.
Join us as we talk about the great exhibitions and stories told at Pier 21 and why you should go visit today!
Mayor Savage has been the Mayor of Halifax since 2012 and has played an instrumental role in making Halifax the booming city it is today. We discuss the impact that he has had on the city on a local and global level as well as his thoughts on the future of Halifax. He also explains what makes a successful politician and shares stories from his tenure as Mayor for the last 12 years.
On this episode, we sit down and chat with Starr Cunningham, the President & CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. Starr discusses the importance of education when it comes to living and dealing with mental illnesses as well as programs and resources dedicated to helping people not only survive, but thrive.
Our next guest is the 28th premier of Nova Scotia, the honorable Stephen McNeil. Mr. McNeil made the switch from the business world to politics in 1999 and was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2003. He then went on to be the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party from 2007 to 2021 and won a majority government in 2013 and again in 2017. He has been a major driver of putting the province of Nova Scotia on the map and driving economic progress on all fronts. He also led the province throughout the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, in which Nova Scotia was seen as an exemplary model throughout the country.
Today's guest is Andrée Godbout, Director of Estates and Trusts at BMO Private Wealth. In this episode, we talk about the common myths and misconceptions involving Estates and Trusts. We discuss the importance of having an updated will, naming a willing and capable executor and Power of Attorney (POA). Having a robust and tested estate plan is essential to mitigate your tax liabilities upon death, to ensure you maximize the value of your assets (ie Estate) and to ensure that all of your final wishes are met and family harmony is maintained.
Our first guest is Jeannine Bakeeff, who is the Chair of the UNICEF Water for Life gala in Halifax. Jeannine has been involved with UNICEF for over 25 years and has been instrumental in making the event such as success since it first began. During our chat, we talk a little about how UNICEF started, what they are focusing today as well what the Water For Life is all about and why you should join us.
For tickets to the Water for Life Gala, please reach out to Mathieu Ouellette at mathieu.ouellette@bmo.com or Claire Murphy at is clmurphy@unicef.ca
For more information about the event, please check out UNICEF Water For Life Gala
For more information about UNICEF, please see UNICEF Website