.What happens when the itch to build returns, but this time, it’s not about success, it’s about self-discovery?

In this episode, Anita Grant shares how the end of one business led her back to herself—and how that personal rediscovery sparked the creation of Hello Hair, a social impact company blending textured hair education with identity and confidence-building tools for children, families, and educators.

From navigating the lessons of a “failed” startup to stepping into her purpose as a mother and founder, Anita opens up about redefining success, representation, and what it really means to build something rooted in meaning rather than metrics.

We talk about the beauty of second chances, the power of visibility, and how self-discovery can be the greatest entrepreneurial tool of all.

🌐 Learn more: hellohairbook.com 📲 Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Is the big hairy problem in your job ripe for a revamp?

That’s the moment Ariella Racco, a passionate middle school teacher, faced before founding CoLab Education, a platform designed to connect and empower educators through collaboration, mentorship, and shared innovation. In this episode, she opens up about confronting the fear of leaving the classroom, the loneliness many teachers face, and how her mission to serve at scale became stronger than her comfort zone.

From winning Lion’s Lair to transforming isolation into community, Ariella shares the powerful story of how building CoLab helped her rediscover purpose—and how creating space for teachers to thrive is ultimately about shaping the next generation of adults.

🌐 Learn more: colab.education

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https://www.instagram.com/colab.ed/

What creative idea did you have as a kid that could actually be a business today?.

For Matt McNeil, it all started with a hockey sock on his head and a dream to create something that mattered. Dragons Den had Matt glued to the TV watching people pitch their ideas. Little did he know he would be one of those people. not on Dragons Den, but some who brings ideas to life! Years later, that moment became Toques From The Heart, a company turning upcycled hockey socks into purpose-driven winter wear. For every toque sold, another is donated to a Canadian in need.

In this episode, Matt shares how his mom supported his creativity as boy and helped him start a business with very little upfront costs, how giving back became the company’s true north, and why his goal to donate 35,000 toques reflects more than just a number. It represents the 35,000 Canadians who experience homelessness each night.

We talk about building a business rooted in compassion, finding resourcefulness in unlikely places, and how every small act of kindness can grow into a movement.

🧢 Learn more: toquesfromtheheart.ca

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