What happens when a science teacher from Brooklyn ends up running a health tech startup in Vancouver? In this episode, Trevor sits down with Rex Farrand, co-founder and CEO of My HealthSpan—to talk about the wild, winding path from classroom to the corner office.

Rex shares what it’s like to lead a company in a world of AI-fueled hype, why he’s focused with building trust through data privacy, and how his team is using AI to turn complex health info into real, personalized action. He opens up about sleepless nights, financial pressure, and what it really means to carry a company’s future on your shoulders when the runway is short and the stakes are real.

If you’ve ever wondered what it actually feels like to be a startup founder in the middle of the storm—this one’s for you.

Find more about Rex’s comapny and his work here: https://www.myhealthspan.com/about-us

This episode was hosted by the increadible Trevor Koot. Production and editing by Alex Harris.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

“Human well” is what Stephanie Ryan and Trevor came up with in this episode to describe positive leadership in the business world. Stephanie knows that people come to work wanting to put their best foot forward, and she explains how a leader fosters that spirit.

Stephanie talks about her journey, from ice cream scooping to running a leadership consulting firm. Through this conversation, she gets a chance to reflect on her business journey while sharing valuable insight on getting the most out of the people you work with.

More about Stephanie can be found here: https://thecoachingstudio.ca/team-members/stephanie-ryan/

The episode is hosted by Trevor Koot. Alex Harris produced and edited the show.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a business while living with cancer. From creating her own safety net at 22 to walking away from a super-brokerage to build something more human, Christine shares openly about mentorship, money, meaning, and what it means to lead with integrity—even in the hardest seasons of life.

This conversation is honest, powerful, and a masterclass in business and being.

You can find Christine here: https://www.christinebuemann.ca/contact

This episode was edited and produced by Alex Harris. Trevor Koot hosts the show.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Trevor sits down with Brian Budd, a seasoned entrepreneur whose path has taken him from high-level software sales into the volatile world of capital markets and mining, and later into the healthcare-focused fitness industry. Brian shares his journey with raw honesty, reflecting on what it meant to walk away from a secure corporate job to pursue something less certain but far more meaningful.

He talks about the steep learning curves of investor relations, raising capital for non-revenue-generating ventures, and the relentless pursuit of building something from the ground up. When COVID hit, Brian's medical fitness business, built to help people with chronic illness, was just about to break even. The pandemic forced closures, caused massive financial loss, and ultimately led to selling his home and starting over in his 50s.

What makes Brian’s story powerful isn’t just the setbacks; it’s the strength he found in his family, the lessons learned through failure, and the humility he carries forward into his current career in real estate. This episode is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of vulnerability.

You can find Brian right here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmbudd/

This episode was hosted by Trevor Koot. Editing and Production was done by Alex Harris.

Find Business is Fucking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a business idea—it’s about recognizing a problem and stepping up to solve it. In this BFH Highlights episode, we dive into my conversation with Bailey Parnell, founder of Skills Camp and expert in leadership development.

Bailey discusses how she discovered a major gap in soft skills education and turned it into a business. She shares a tough conflict-of-interest conversation she had while balancing her job and startup and how a powerful mindset shift helped her reframe risk and take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. On the topic of leadership, Bailey identifies why leadership isn’t just about skill—it’s about people and how AI is shaping the future of leadership and emotional intelligence.

There is a lot in this episode, even as just highlights.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

In this powerful episode, Tyler Boyd shares his raw and deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From launching his first business at 12 years old, running an excavation company with over 100 employees, and nearly losing everything overnight when his bank unexpectedly pulled his line of credit—Tyler’s story is one of resilience, grit, and hard-earned wisdom.

He opens up about the emotional toll of failure, the public scrutiny he faced, and the painful responsibility of laying off employees. But through it all, Tyler fought back. With no credit and few resources, he rebuilt from the ground up, launching Bowline Logistics, which has since grown to nearly 80 employees and 40+ trucks on the road.

Now, Tyler prioritizes purpose over profit, focusing on his team, his family, and using his experiences to mentor struggling entrepreneurs. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, learning from failure, and redefining success beyond just business growth.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Leaving a high-paying corporate job to start your own business is terrifying—but for Anna Solnickova, it was the best decision she ever made. In this BFH Highlights episode, we revisit my conversation with Anna, a fractional CFO who took a leap of faith, built a thriving business, and now helps other entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions.

Anna shares:
✅ The soul-searching process that led to her career pivot
✅ The financial reality of entrepreneurship—going from six figures to zero
✅ Why chasing revenue without profitability is a dangerous trap
✅ The role of relationships in long-term business success
✅ How companies struggle with (and can improve) DEI and workplace culture

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!

Growing up amidst the wide-open fields of southern Saskatchewan, Alex Miller learned the tenets of hard work early on but soon realized that his future lay far from the farm. Alex's journey took an unexpected turn when he ventured into engineering, only to discover a lack of passion for it—a revelation that ultimately led him to the vibrant world of real estate. The essence of entrepreneurship comes alive through Alex’s story: a blend of strategic planning and rapid action, all fueled by perseverance and a robust work ethic. He reflects on how each setback served as a learning opportunity, enriching his path with experiences that would shape his approach to business and community building.

Alex’s passion for modular construction and affordable housing unfolds as a fascinating tale of purpose-driven innovation. From the early struggles of economic downturns to redefining his business through strategic partnerships, Alex shares how he and his team navigated through challenges to make a meaningful impact on their community. The episode captures the poignant moments of collaboration with the Métis community for an elders lodge and the invaluable lessons in leadership that followed.

Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard

Like, Share and Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Thanks for listening! See you next time!