In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, co-founders Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun kick off 2025 with an inspiring conversation about making this year all about financial wellness.

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and let financial wellness take a backseat. That’s why Shauna and Shannon are here to help women entrepreneurs refocus on their financial health, offering practical advice to align personal and business goals. They highlight the power of starting the year with intention—taking a step back to reflect on what matters most to you and setting goals that truly resonate. Financial clarity and confidence, they remind us, aren’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about creating a plan that aligns with your values, vision, and the life you want to build.

In this episode, they break down actionable strategies to tackle common financial roadblocks—from shifting unhelpful mindsets to simplifying financial processes. They also share tips for taking small, meaningful steps that lead to lasting habits and real progress. Packed with fresh insights and practical tips, this conversation is a must-listen for any woman entrepreneur ready to own her financial journey in 2025. Whether you’re refining your goals or starting from scratch, it’s time to make this your year of financial empowerment.

In this episode of The Finance Cafe podcast, Shannon sits down with The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Canada's first Filipino-Canadian woman elected to Parliament and appointed to Cabinet. As the Minister of Small Business, Minister Valdez brings a wealth of experience as a former entrepreneur, TV host, and corporate banking professional. She shares her inspiring journey from running a small bakery business to leading national efforts in fostering women entrepreneurship.

Minister Valdez discusses Canada's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and how it's accelerating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive in a more inclusive and supportive business environment. Through her own entrepreneurial journey, Minister Valdez highlights the power of creativity, problem-solving, and resilience in building a successful business, and how these same qualities are essential for her work in public service.

In this candid conversation, you'll hear about the transformative policies that are breaking barriers for women in business, creating pathways for success, and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are empowered to make a lasting impact. Minister Valdez’s story shows the power of determination and the importance of creating a more equitable business landscape.

Follow these links to connect and learn more about the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

In this episode, Shauna sits down with the inspiring Joyce Usher-Mesiano, a renowned Canadian entrepreneur, business leader, and risk management specialist. With decades of experience, Joyce has made waves in the insurance industry, first as President of National Brokers Insurance Services and now as Vice President of Business Development at Westland Insurance.

Joyce has received numerous accolades, including WXN’s Top 100 Women in Canada (2016 & 2017), Elite Women in Insurance (2023), and Women of Excellence (2024). Beyond her professional achievements, she is a champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a mentor to rising stars in the industry, and a passionate advocate for charitable causes like lung cancer care and awareness.

In this candid conversation, Joyce shares her expertise on selling a business and finding the right buyer who will not only respect the company you’ve built but also bring it into the future with a shared vision. From building strong relationships to aligning with buyers who share your goals, Joyce provides actionable insights for navigating this complex process.

Whether you're currently exploring the idea of selling your business or just curious about how to approach this transition, this episode is full of practical advice and real-world wisdom to help guide you through the process.

Tune in to hear Joyce’s powerful story and learn how to confidently navigate selling your business while setting it up for a bright future!

Twitter: @JoyceUsherMesia

LinkedIn: Joyce Usher-Mesiano

Instagram: usherjoyce

Website: www.westlandinsurance.ca

In this very special episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, your hosts Shauna and Shannon celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day by reflecting on the inspiring stories shared by successful women entrepreneurs throughout the year.

Join us as we take a thoughtful look back at the past year’s most memorable conversations with incredible women entrepreneurs. From personal finance tips to navigating the challenges of running a business, Shauna and Shannon revisit the advice, lessons, and moments that have inspired and empowered women to take charge of their financial futures.

This episode reflects on some of the most impactful themes and messages shared on the podcast. The conversations have underscored the importance of building financial confidence and truly understanding your numbers, while also tackling the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face with resilience and determination. Shauna and Shannon also explore how the power of community and mentorship has been a recurring thread in fostering growth, success, and connection.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, just starting out, or dreaming of launching your own venture, this episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration to support your journey.

Celebrate with us as we honor the resilience, creativity, and leadership of women entrepreneurs everywhere!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Linkedin

In honour of Financial Literacy Month, Shauna Frederick welcomes Alyssa Churchill, a Certified Professional Bookkeeper and the visionary founder of NG Finances. With a passion for helping small businesses streamline their operations and achieve financial clarity, Alyssa brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative problem-solving skills honed over years of experience in the industry. Alyssa’s journey is marked by her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, ensuring they remain organized, compliant, and ready for growth.

Together, Shauna and Alyssa explore the shift from financial literacy to true financial empowerment. They discuss five powerful tools designed to enhance business efficiencies and strengthen financial wellness, emphasizing that financial success is not just about understanding numbers but about establishing the right systems that support sustained growth.

Alyssa shares insights from her recent article on systematizing business processes as a core element of financial empowerment, illustrating how technology can be a transformative force for entrepreneurs. Through practical examples, she highlights the importance of building a solid financial foundation that allows business owners to focus on their passions and drive their ventures forward with confidence.

Join us for an enlightening conversation that equips you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your finances and unlock your business potential.

Websites:

https://quickbooks.intuit.com

https://www.xero.com

https://www.freshbooks.com

https://www.hubdoc.com

Social Media

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

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

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/NGFinances.remote

Website: www.ngfinances.com

In this episode, Shauna sits down with the insightful Katy Baker, a CPA and Certified International Trade Professional (CITP), who has held executive roles across public, private, and non-profit sectors. As the founder of Pricing for Profit., Katy brings her wealth of experience to help women entrepreneurs gain confidence in pricing their services for what they’re truly worth.

Through Pricing for Profit’s system of easy-to-implement financial tools, Katy guides entrepreneurs in mastering cost calculation, operational planning, and strategic tax planning, all with a focus on pricing for profit. She emphasizes the importance of aligning your prices with the value you bring and avoiding the common pitfall of underpricing or undervaluing your expertise. Katy also dives into the mindset shift needed to believe in yourself and your business—pricing not just for today, but with a forward-thinking approach that supports the life and future you envision.

This conversation is all about empowering women entrepreneurs to step into their worth, plan for profit, and confidently set prices that reflect their experience and goals. Get ready to be inspired as Katy shares her expertise, helping you not only price for profit but also plan for the future you deserve.

Website: Pricing For Profit

Connect on Linkedin: Katy Baker

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon Pestun welcomes Tammy Rea, Regional Manager for Women in Enterprise at TD Bank, who brings over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Tammy’s career began at Canada Trust and evolved through various leadership roles within TD’s Business Bank, including Area Manager for Business Banking and Regional Manager of Professional Banking. Now, she focuses on supporting women-controlled businesses across British Columbia and the Yukon.

Tammy emphasizes the importance of building a trusting, two-way relationship with your banker. She encourages entrepreneurs to ask about her background, her understanding of their industry, and why she chose to work with entrepreneurs. Tammy explains that this is not just a transactional relationship but one built on mutual trust, knowledge, and shared goals.

She also offers practical advice for women navigating their financial journeys, highlighting the need to ask questions, understand their financial health, and find a banker who can serve as a trusted partner because bankers are there to help, not judge.

Filled with empowering insights, this episode offers guidance on approaching financial institutions with confidence and building supportive, long-term relationships with your banker. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, Tammy's wisdom provides the tools and strategies to help you succeed.

Website: TD Women in Enterprise

Linkedin: Tammy Rea

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Dr. Rumeet Billan, an award-winning entrepreneur, learning architect, and humanitarian, joins Shannon Pestun to delve into the powerful themes of rewriting and redefining success on your own terms. As the CEO of Women of Influence+ and the Founder of Viewpoint Leadership, Dr. Billan brings a wealth of experience in transforming workplace cultures, fostering trust, and building resilience. Her research on Tall Poppy Syndrome and Canadian Happiness at Work has been instrumental in shifting conversations about workplace dynamics and women’s roles in leadership.

Together, Dr. Billan and Shannon explore the importance of context in shaping narratives around success and happiness. Dr. Billan shares how rewriting and redefining aren’t just about correcting the past—they’re about intentionally shaping the future. She emphasizes the significance of intersectionality and the need to empower women to define and achieve success on their own terms, rather than conforming to one rigid idea of what success or happiness should look like.

In addition to success, the conversation also touches on a crucial topic for women—financial wellness. Dr. Billan and Shannon highlight how women have been conditioned to believe that financial empowerment is out of reach, a myth that needs to be dispelled. Dr. Billan stresses the importance of breaking through these barriers, addressing the attitudes and behaviors around financial decisions, and understanding finances in a deeper, more personal context. Listeners will gain insights into how financial empowerment is essential not just for business, but for everyday life, and how empowering women with financial knowledge can lead to greater confidence and control over their futures.

This episode offers tools and insights to help women not only redefine success but also take control of their financial narratives, paving the way for meaningful and lasting impact in both their personal and professional lives.

Websites:

Rumeet Billan

Women of Influence

Social Media:

Linkedin: Rumeet Billan