Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: You're listening to Faces of Atlantic, a series hosted by Terianne Richards that gets real with the leaders, change makers and everyday doers shaping Atlantic Canada. Each conversation dives beyond titles to uncover the grit, growth and human stories behind the work.
This is Faces of Atlantic, where we go beyond titles and talk about the real human side of leadership. I'm Terianne Richards and today I'm sitting down with James to uncover the story behind him as a leader. Hey, James.
[00:00:38] Speaker B: Hey, Terri Ann. How are you?
[00:00:40] Speaker A: I'm pretty darn good. I'm pretty darn good. All right, so before we go down the rabbit hole and learn all about you and the things that you do and some of your leadership lessons, when I strip away all the titles, everything I can google about or look up on LinkedIn, who are you really? Like, who are you behind the titles and the strategy and the success? Who are you?
[00:01:03] Speaker B: Interesting question. I would say, obviously I'm a husband and a father of two. I have a young, an 18 year old daughter who just started university. I have a 20 year old Transon. We have spent a lot of years in the US before coming to the East Coast. Thankfully got out when we did and we're thrilled to be on the East Coast. We had never been here. We're from Ontario originally and Halifax is beautiful and the whole east coast is fantastic. But it's, you know, just me as a person.
I'm active, kind and empathetic and obviously, you know, just love meeting new people.
[00:01:38] Speaker A: Yes. Yeah. So youngest is going off to school. Is that in September or are they already in it right now?
[00:01:45] Speaker B: They started, they're about a mile down the road in Russia.
[00:01:49] Speaker A: That's not too far. Yeah, I like that. My son's in Fredericton, which, I mean, like, let's be clear, it's like an hour and 10 minute drive. It's not that far, Terianne. But I find it like super. It's not fun that, like I don't get to see his little dimples like when he comes up and he gets his big glass of milk in the morning. Right. Like he's not here.
So what a fun world to be. To the point where our kids are all going off to school and becoming like little mini adults. It's, it's cool.
[00:02:13] Speaker B: I know, it's bizarre.
[00:02:15] Speaker A: It is so bizarre. All right, so let's zone back into what I can find about you on LinkedIn and tell the folks listening what you do for a day to day. I know you've got a couple hats that you Wear. So, like talk us through what your, what your role is, what brought you to that and yeah, just share some of your story there.
[00:02:34] Speaker B: So professionally I'm a professional accountant. Got my designation back in the 1900s, as my kids say. So about 30 years ago.
Had several senior financial roles. And that's what took me down to the US originally in 2011 and then a couple restructures and found myself in a small market. Not much unlike, you know, the east coast being a small market and we didn't want to leave. We were on the ocean and in Charleston, South Carolina, so we wanted to stay. And so I kind of pivoted and moved into fractional CFO consulting. I'm always working for myself. My wife's big concern was stability, but I had just proven in two years with two full time roles, just over two years, I was restructured out of two of them.
So there really wasn't stability in the full time role that, you know, kind of everyone has this belief that there is. So yeah, I pivoted, went into that about eight years ago. I still do that today here. I have a lot of clients still in the US As I'm trying to build my community and network here on the east coast and back in Canada.
But yeah, it's a great, you know, the variety, the flexibility and kind of working for yourself and wouldn't trade it for anything.
[00:03:40] Speaker A: Yeah, that's awesome. So when you think about like making that switch from. And obviously not stable because, you know that happened and then moving into being a fractional CFO for a variety of clients, what was the biggest change? You know, sort of like the, it's like the resistance, like the. Well, that feels a little different. What was, what did that change do to your system? Like, what did that feel like?
[00:04:05] Speaker B: Moving through that initially, there's a challenge there because, you know, being organized, you know, I've got six clients right now and so I'm not working kind of full days for any of them. They're all part days and different things. And you know, I'll get calls from clients on kind of off days, if you will.
And it's just really about being organized, being present. And you know, the thing in the fractional world is if they've gone this route, some of them are worried that they don't have access to you all the time. And so that's one of the things that I've tried to ensure is that I am available, you know, any day. If I'm working with you and another client calls, then I'll take the call and see what's up. But I think it's just being present and available so that they feel like they have all of me instead of just a fraction of me.
[00:04:55] Speaker A: What size organization typically requires a fractional.
[00:04:59] Speaker B: CFO is typically small to mid sized businesses. And it's from, I guess, a couple of angles. One, they're not ready for a full time, so they don't have enough capacity for full time or they just can't afford it. They're growing and they need that expertise, but they just can't, they can't justify spending, you know, a CFO salary on a full time person.
[00:05:21] Speaker A: Yeah. Fair game. Is there a specific industry that you find yourself working in most or are you sort of able to work in just about any of them?
[00:05:29] Speaker B: It's pretty agnostic. I've got a lot of construction background, so I've got a couple of clients in the construction industry now. And I like that, it's interesting. But I do love the variety and the flexibility. I've got a couple of nonprofits that I work with. I've got someone in the financial services industry. I've got a short term vacation rental company.
[00:05:48] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:05:49] Speaker B: So yeah, so it's.
[00:05:50] Speaker A: That is a cool. That is a cool variety. I like it. I like it. So talk to me about some of your other things that you do outside of your role and what brought you and obviously share what you want, but what brought you to taking those on, adding that to your plate. What does that look like on a monthly basis for you in terms of stretching your capacity?
[00:06:13] Speaker B: Sure, yeah. I've always been involved either in nonprofits or charities or volunteer boards or just volunteering my time.
Just throughout the years, different things. And children's cancer organizations. And that's just to me, it's important to give something back and it doesn't always have to be about money. It can be time and effort. And so that's always been really important for me. And then, you know, when I was restructured out in Dallas, I really hadn't done any networking. I'd been there four years. We had a three and five year old when we moved there. We were outside of Dallas. I was working even further away from Dallas, so I just never did any networking. And I thought I was on LinkedIn and I was networking and then I found myself on the street and I didn't know anybody in Dallas.
[00:06:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:07:00] Speaker B: And so I quickly learned the value of networking and I've been doing that pretty aggressively and proactive. I'm. I love meeting new people so it's not like it was uncomfortable for me. It was just maybe not realizing what I should have been doing so you can teach an old dog new tricks. So I've hit the ground running and before I moved out the of up here, I started networking on LinkedIn and finding fellow fractional CFOs. One of the events that I think you're familiar with, Disrupt hr, I had been going to those events in Charleston, South Carolina for five or six years. I knew the organizers, recruiting firm, I was, knew all of them, so I was very familiar. But I never helped organize it. So when I was coming up here, I checked and I saw that there was one in Halifax. I reached out to the organizers and said, I'm coming, you know, in six months and if I can be of help, I'd love, you know, I've been around it, I know the format, I know everything about it. I'd be happy to help.
And two of them left and so the third one, Audra, was like, okay, are you in? I need somebody.
[00:08:00] Speaker A: I love it.
[00:08:02] Speaker B: So, yeah, so it's, it's been great.
[00:08:04] Speaker A: Yeah. Disrupt hr, they're great actual events for both like microdosing and learning. And then to your point, networking with folks that, that are kind of all like rowing their boat in a similar direction. Like, you can tell they're the type of people who are wanting to, you know, absorb new knowledge, shift perspectives. Typically professionals that are in the sphere of who you'd want to be connected with and. Yeah, so I agree. I think Disrupt HR events are. Well, that's just a heck of a lot of fun too.
[00:08:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:08:34] Speaker A: Right?
[00:08:34] Speaker B: Yeah. And it's not just HR folks. You get a lot of business leaders and a hundred percent. I mean, I'm a CFO and people always assume I'm in HR and then they find out that I'm a bean counter. Like, why are you at this event?
But it's just a great cross section of people.
[00:08:49] Speaker A: Yeah, totally agree. So in your organization now as a fractional cfo, do you. Is it just you or do you have other team members or. Talk to me through that?
[00:08:59] Speaker B: Yeah, so it started out with me, and then I guess four years ago, the kids were getting to an age where they didn't need us or need mom as much. And mom was trying to sue. My wife was trying to figure out what to do with her life. Now she's a social worker. When she left Canada, she started doing some bookkeeping for one of my clients. She's got amazing attention to detail and quickbooks is pretty intuitive and easy to pick up.
[00:09:23] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:09:23] Speaker B: So she started doing that four years ago and she still works with me now on several clients. So we kind of work together.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: Oh, I love that.
[00:09:32] Speaker B: But it's been great because it gives her some flexibility. She works from home. The dogs are either on her lap or on the bed.
A lot of people asked me initially was I going to build a firm and the goal was really just, you know, I wasn't out to build a firm. It was I know what work I can do and I don't have to worry about managing others. It just brings in a different level of not difficulty but challenges I guess because you're not doing the work and if a client's not happy with that work, then you're trying to bridge that gap and so it can be difficult. I did have a couple of people that worked some clients for me about 13 months after I started this, I was full and within a span of eight days it was a January. Four prospects that I had met with over the last six to eight months all came back within eight days and said I'm ready.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: Oh wow.
[00:10:21] Speaker B: So I had to get these other two to do some work for them with me and my clients. And so yeah, so it was good. But yeah, I think right now just sue and I, and it works out great that way.
[00:10:32] Speaker A: I like that. So let's start digging into like you as a human and some of the lessons had to learn or unlearn. You know, as it, as it goes, when you think of just your breadth of experience, traveling, you know, down to the States, moving to Halifax, you know, coming from Ontario, raising children, all of this stuff, has there been any pattern that you've had to unlearn or you know, pieces of advice that I think sometimes, you know, well intentioned individuals have taught us back in the day and then we just kind of realize like that doesn't really fit in my world on a go forward basis. Has there been anything that you've had to unlearn that to become the human that you are today?
[00:11:12] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean I mentioned that my, I have a 20 year old trans son. And so when you're not in that world, like if you don't have somebody in your family or your friend network or, you know, you don't, I don't think you truly understand it a hundred percent. Right. It's just kind of, you've got your, you know, you just live life the way you know, you think is normal.
[00:11:33] Speaker A: It's almost more abstract when it's out There. And it's not in your peripheral, in your immediate circle. A hundred percent.
[00:11:40] Speaker B: Yeah. So, I mean, I've always been very open and accepting and, you know, as far as I'm concerned, people can live life, their life, any way they want. It has no impact on me or anyone else. And, you know, unfortunately, we came from a climate in the US that was not, you know, like that. And that's kind of what started the talk to coming home is they didn't want to go to school in the US after high school, just from a safety perspective.
[00:12:06] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:12:07] Speaker B: So that's really what started. And we realized, yeah, it was time to get out, time to come home. But that was probably the biggest one.
[00:12:14] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:12:14] Speaker B: You know, and it's not to say I've got a wife and a daughter, too, and in the US their rights are being attacked 100%. So, you know, it's unfortunate that, you know, I was the only kind of safe one, you know, safe from those lenses of discrimination and stuff like that.
[00:12:34] Speaker A: Yeah. When you think back through that experience or sort of those moments, what do you feel is, like, the human skill you leaned on the most through those times? Obviously, when your child explained to you what they were experiencing, who they felt that they were making decisions to again, move family to. To a new spot. Well, completely new spot.
What are those human skills you felt like you leaned on the most?
[00:13:02] Speaker B: I think really just love and kindness, especially towards Pen, our trans son.
They needed.
They needed to know that we were 100% behind them. Whatever they wanted to be or who they thought they were, who they became, none of that mattered. It just mattered that they were happy and knew that they had a comfortable home life.
A lot of their friends don't have that. They don't have that luxury. They're lucky if they have one parent that's accepting and, you know, so Penn had a good surrounding for them to kind of grow and become the person that they want to become.
[00:13:41] Speaker A: Yeah. Isn't it wild, though? Like, I mean, regardless of who you are, where you're from, like, your background, what you're experiencing in, like, your today, support means everything, Right? Like, having people who want to see you succeed, having people who've got your back when the world feels. Feels just a little bit more icky than it's supposed to, is it can completely radically shift somebody's trajectory in life. So, like, kudos to you and, you know, your wife, your whole family for being able to do that. Because you're right, there's a heck of a lot of people in those, that situation or in completely different situations who just don't have that. And the data's there like it shows how much it affects their ability to be fulfilled, successful, their mental health. Right. So yeah, sport means everything.
[00:14:27] Speaker B: It's huge. It does. It's interesting. You know, a lot of people will commend you or talk about how great it is that you're supportive and stuff like that. And it's kind of one of those backhanded compliments like, of course, I mean, you shouldn't be any other way. This is your child.
[00:14:42] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:14:42] Speaker B: So I'm gonna love them, whoever they are.
[00:14:44] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:14:45] Speaker B: And you know, so it's, it's a little odd to hear that.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: It does feel odd. I, I can, I can see how that would feel odd. But the reality of it is so many, like because you're in your brain, you're like, well, of course that is what you do as a parent. Like, you show up and you, like, you take care and you're supportive. But to your point earlier, not everybody does that.
[00:15:04] Speaker B: Right, right.
[00:15:05] Speaker A: Yeah. So what a gift. You know, you've made some, some comments about, you know, getting out and building a network and networking.
What do you think is the main reason why people don't or halt that building up a network and what is the thing you've learned? So I guess it's a two part question. What is the thing you've learned in building, building this peripheral of humans around you in all spaces and places?
[00:15:32] Speaker B: I think the biggest reason that I've, I see when I'm out and you know, people talk about, you know, they're uncomfortable. I think there's a lot of introverts out there that don't, that's not their comfort zone to be out and just strike up a conversation.
They're just not comfortable with that. And I get that. It's, it's not for everybody, but the people that are getting out of their comfort zone and making an effort to do that, I think they're gonna realize the value in it.
[00:15:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: Because it's just so valuable. And for me it's, it's less about, you know, business as it is about just being a good human and meeting people and seeing how you can help them.
[00:16:12] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:14] Speaker B: Because at the end of the day, as long as somebody knows what I do, at some point they may come across somebody or themselves that need what I do and they'll remember me.
[00:16:25] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:16:27] Speaker B: But you know, I'm so. People are like, well, I can't sell myself or you're not really selling anything. You're always selling yourself. Every conversation, every interaction, you are selling yourself, but not selling it so that you can get some business out of it. Right. It's just every.
Every person I meet, whether it's at a networking event or it's at the store or wherever, as soon as I start that conversation and we're talking, I'm immediately going to.
Who do I know that would be a good connection for them, whether they're looking for something or aren't looking for anything? You know, just who do they have in common with somebody that I know? I just. I love to make some introductions and connect people.
I just think there's a lot of value in that.
[00:17:14] Speaker A: Yeah, you're actually really good at it. I think you've made, like, four or five connections with me just, you know, in the short amount of time that I've known you. And some of them have paid dividends. So you're not just saying that you actually do do it, which is amazing. So talk to me about. Cause I think that this is actually a really key topic, because I hear it a lot from people. It's like, how do you network? What do you do when you show up? Because there are a lot of introverts, and I don't even know if it's introverts or it's just people have gotten to a point. You know, we could blame it on Covid. We could blame it on cell phones. We could just. I don't know, just the shift in human nature that people just don't know how to do that, like, initial. Like, what do you do? How many people do you talk to? What. What is the thing that you say to them?
[00:17:57] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:17:57] Speaker A: You know, nice weather out there. Right. So talk to me about, like, some of your tricks if you have them, or tips that you could give to folks just going out and meeting complete strangers. Because, you know, when you go to events, people always like, oh, I know that one person. They all congregate together in the same bubble that they knew for the last 10 years.
Yeah. So talk to me about, like, what would be some tips for folks?
[00:18:19] Speaker B: Well, I. I love going to a networking event by myself.
[00:18:24] Speaker A: All right.
[00:18:24] Speaker B: Because just what you said, if you go with somebody or a few others, you tend to stick with that because that's your comfort zone.
[00:18:33] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:18:34] Speaker B: So when you go by yourself, you're immediately on your own. So you don't have that comfort zone. Sure. You know, you do enough networking, you're running across the same people, and it's familiar. But I'll leave events and I'll get a message for someone. Oh, I saw you there. Sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you. Well, that's okay because we've talked, we know each other and you know, we're just kind of doing our own thing, meeting new people. So there's not so much trick other than just be genuine. I think it sounds pretty simple and I think it is. But you get some people that are maybe just trying too hard or it's, it's really about selling and you know, do you need a new website? Do you need this?
[00:19:14] Speaker A: Yeah, well, and I think people overthink it too, right? Like what? And I think it's like those first, that first line or that first question, whatever it is that comes out, people don't know what to say. I've actually often heard from folks that the events they've gone to where someone has like curated a list of questions that they can ask people, has really like take the pressure off them.
So, you know, I kind of put that as a note to myself for some of the events that I do to maybe try that and survey folks afterwards to see if that helped because it comes up so often as like, I've gone to the event. But I, you know, I don't know anybody new still because I'm still just talking to the same people I know. So I like that. Lesson number one, folks go by yourself. That sounds scary, just to be honest.
[00:19:59] Speaker B: But yeah, it is.
[00:20:00] Speaker A: Yeah. But if you're trying to grow your network, if that's the goal.
[00:20:03] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:20:03] Speaker A: Then, then that's a, that's actually a great piece of advice. And then if you're not trying to grow your network, then just go with your, your peeps and that's okay too.
[00:20:10] Speaker B: Right? Right?
[00:20:11] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:20:11] Speaker B: You know, I joined the chamber, so that's been good because they have a lot of events, you know, a lot of them are free, so after hours events and yeah, some, just some great people that the, I guess the, the other thing is you're going thinking you're a unicorn, but everyone is, has the same goal.
Everyone's going to that event hoping to meet some people and make some connections.
So you're not alone. It's not like you're invading someone or bothering someone else. They're there with the same goal.
[00:20:38] Speaker A: Yeah. It's not like you're walking up to somebody in a restaurant who's trying to have their dinner and you're like, hey, this is who I am. And they're like, not Important right now, right? You're actually going to a networking function where other folks are there for the same darn reason. Yeah, so true. Yeah, so, so true. And it's funny because I've. I mean, I run events, so I. I network, I guess, by osmosis in that space. But I actually have gotten away from just like good old school networking and, you know, doing the thing that you're talking about over the last 10 years. And I went somewhere last year and I did end up by myself, and I don't know why. I was scared. And I think that's funny because I know anyone who knows me would be like, really, Terry? I was scared. I was like, what do I do? And I'm like, man, I used to do this all the time. Like, just go back on your instincts. Like, just walk up and have a conversation, figure out who they are. But I sat there for a little bit and I was like, I am in the corner drinking my little tiny glass of wine in a plastic cup.
[00:21:35] Speaker B: Yeah, it does sound funny coming from you.
[00:21:37] Speaker A: It does. I know, but I like to surprise people. I keep you all on your toes, right?
[00:21:40] Speaker B: Yeah, that's for sure.
[00:21:41] Speaker A: Can't ever assume about people, right?
[00:21:43] Speaker B: No, never.
[00:21:44] Speaker A: What's. What's a principle you try to. To live by? Right. Even.
And I guess I want to throw out, like, even if it's an unpopular or an inconvenient principle, like, what's something that you try to root yourself in on a regular basis?
[00:22:00] Speaker B: I think probably some of the things that I've said already, like, just being authentic and genuine and real. I think just people. People can relate to that. And so I like to use humor, too. So at networking events, you know, if I can find some way to, you know, you know, poke fun on myself or, you know, say something about, oh, you've been standing at the bar all night, you know, just something. Just some icebreaker. But it's really just genuine, kind.
Yeah, it's just, be yourself.
[00:22:29] Speaker A: Just be yourself. So difficult. I actually read a quote that said, like, it's actually really difficult to be yourself because, like, there's so many reasons that we feel right, like, you know, that we have to be something different based on, you know, societal norms or something we were taught with. And so it's like, great advice because I give it all the time and it's one of my core values, but it's also, like, uber hard for people to actually think. Like, but will people like the real me?
[00:22:59] Speaker B: Right.
[00:22:59] Speaker A: It's such a. Especially if they've Played a game of being something they're not for any length of time to lean into. Just being their authentic self is like, that's scary because at least when you're something else and people don't like it, it's like.
But when you're a hundred percent yourself and people don't like it, it's like, can't take any more layers off. That's me.
[00:23:18] Speaker B: Shoot.
[00:23:19] Speaker A: Right?
[00:23:20] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:23:20] Speaker A: But yeah, but at the end of the day, I think it's, it's, it takes the pressure off to just be you because you don't have to think about what's my next line. It's just, it's your next line. It's whatever comes out right?
[00:23:34] Speaker B: And not everyone's going to like you for whatever reason. And that's okay. And I think you need to be okay with that because that's rejection or that's, you know, whatever. And someone could shut down. But I would say one of my all time favorite quotes is look back and be grateful.
Look ahead and be hopeful. Look around and be helpful.
And that's, I really try and live that.
[00:23:59] Speaker A: I like that quote. Yeah, I like that quote a lot. Has there been anybody in your life that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur, as a husband, as a father, as a leader?
[00:24:12] Speaker B: You know, it's funny the, you tend to learn more from your bad bosses, your bad leaders than the best ones. So I think, you know, as I was going throughout my career, you kind of learn what not to do and you see what they're doing and what, you know, how that maybe doesn't jive with the way you like to do things. And so it just helps solidify that.
I don't know that there's any one individual. I was surrounded by an entrepreneurial community in Charleston when I, when I started my business and I, I, I loved it. Like, I love their, they've got their life on the line. A lot of these people with a product or a service, they didn't necessarily want to run a business. It's just that's what they're forced to do to make their dream, you know, a reality.
And I don't even feel like an entrepreneur. I just feel like I have had this skill set, this experience that now I just do it for myself, you know, Whereas true entrepreneurs are the people that have this product or service and, you know, they're going out and they've just got everything on the line for this opportunity. And I just love being surrounded by them and they don't know everything. About business. So being able to help and support them and, you know, kind of be that right hand or, you know, someone that can listen to them and, you know, just help, not necessarily guide them, but just someone to talk to that you can bounce ideas off of. And so I like being that resource for anyone, really.
[00:25:47] Speaker A: That's awesome. I would say you are 100% are an entrepreneur, and I think you have the spirit that matters most to entrepreneurship, which is, you know, forward thinking, impact driven, even if your business is small. I always think of how do people show up for other people? And you certainly have that spirit of impact and giving and obviously getting out and, and connecting people and all of that. So I would check the box that, you know, if that box was like in front of us, like, we'll check it. Yes, you're an entrepreneur. All right, talk to me about what you see as, like, let's kind of go broad for a second. And thinking about Atlantic Canada as a whole, where do you see our biggest opportunities as entrepreneurs? As small business owners, as leaders? Because we're four provinces, we're four small provinces, but we're kind of mighty when you think of us as a collective.
And you have your. A pulse on the entrepreneurial community through your work, through disrupt HR and also through your work with being a fractional cfo. So what do you see as our biggest opportunities?
[00:26:50] Speaker B: Oddly enough, I think a lot of it has really happened in the last year thanks to the US and kind of the administration and some of the things that are happening down there with the trades and the tariff and, you know, so I think the biggest opportunity is just knocking down some of the interprovincial trade barriers that we've got put up. And, you know, we do, we make every effort to buy local or buy east coast or, you know, if we have to, Canadian before all else. It's just, to me, that's how we're all going to succeed.
And you've got all these people out there with great ideas, great products, great services and go and support them. You know, it's not about getting the best deal.
It's about getting some product or service that you need or you want or you would like to support and help, you know, someone step up and, you know, prop them up to really make a go of their business.
[00:27:49] Speaker A: Yeah, 100%. I think it's important. And I think the more we connect, like as leaders across the provinces of Atlantic Canada, the more you start realizing just like how cool we are. Right. Like, that's kind of like one of the Selfish reasons I get to do this basis of Atlantic series is I get to talk to people who are just doing really. You just, you just don't know if you stay in your own four walls and you do the thing that you do and you do it well and you don't talk to other people and talk to them about their dreams and their aspirations and the impact they're making. You just don't know. And I think sometimes you can kind of get stuck, stuck into the space of thinking, like everything is external of Atlantic Canada, like to get the good stuff. But there's so much good stuff that's happening right here. And I'm shocked sometimes that like these organizations are, you know, built and bred, like right here doing amazing things and you know, some of them with large teams so that, you know, they're employing families and. Yeah. So I think that there's a lot to be said about supporting local and getting to know the folks that are doing cool things in Atlantic Canada. Because to your point, you can also share that, that news and be like, hey, you know, James, I just heard from so and so. They'd be great, you know, as a client for you, as a, you know, fractional CFO or. Or so on and so forth. So, yeah, I, I'm, I'm totally with you on that one for sure.
[00:29:11] Speaker B: Yeah. So I think it's an offshoot. Like we didn't necessarily start it, even though we may have thought it. And you know, you just get pushed into it and it's the greatest thing ever. I. Yeah, things could normalize again in the US But I don't think a lot of our thinking will change back to, oh, the US is open again. Let's.
[00:29:32] Speaker A: No, I think there's almost like a.
It's kind of like small town feeling all of a sudden. Like, it's like we're now like we're a community and if we don't take care of each other, there will be no other, you know, you know, in our peripherals. And so let's, let's do the thing. And, and also, once you realize you don't need the externals and you can do a lot here, it takes the pressure off as well. Cause it's like, oh, I don't actually have to buy all the way from there. I can literally get it down the street. So. Yeah, that's huge.
Something I've noticed in working with a lot of leaders and teams and entrepreneurs is, you know, there's a lot of folks that are, you know, I won't I won't use the word burnout, but they're the feeling, the pressure. There's been a lot of change over the last, you know, five, 10 years in business, in politics, there's a lot of shifts in the way that people are having to lead and manage teams. And so I'm witnessing a lot of people feel a lot of stress and you know, burning out or just kind of in the spark, if you will. I want to talk to you about some of your go to, you know, I'll call them coping mechanisms or stress resets or recalibrators. Like what is some things that you do on a, on a day, to day or weekly basis to help kind of. Because sometimes it doesn't even have to be our own. It's just like, you know, we just talked about the states that in and of itself can just be stressful to witness. Right. So what are some things that you do on a regular basis to help you manage all the externals that you don't control?
[00:31:05] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a great question. We all face it and I think, you know, with our phones that's the biggest culprit. So I'm not great at getting away from the phone, but I won't, I won't necessarily call it doom scrolling. There's only so much I want to read or hear about, you know, the latest of what's going on. You know, we want to keep your pulse on it and kind of know what's going on. But really the reset is really stepping away intentionally to take the dogs to the park or go for a walk on the boardwalk or just to get away from your office. And that's the, one of the dangers of working from home is that you don't kind of show up and then leave and you can leave it all behind. It's always sitting there and you're like, oh, I forgot to send that email today. So you'll go up and do something and an hour later, you know, you've been away from the family for an hour. And it's not necessarily a bad thing because that flexibility allows you to do something in the middle of the day and knowing that you can just, you know, work after dinner and finish what you needed to. So it's not entirely a bad thing. But the mental, the mental stress on people is definitely very high these days, whether it's from expectations or, you know, never shutting off because, you know, you're at your phone all the time.
But yeah, I just think reset is probably the best way to put it and it's not, you know, I haven't been on a vacation in six months. I need to take a vacation. That's the ultimate reset. But you kind of need that daily, you know, what's your reset daily?
[00:32:40] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree. And I think, you know, there's some, some data out there that says, you know, like a 15 minute brisk walk, seven and a half one way, seven and a half the other way. Helps to release hope molecules. I mean that's not a scientific term, but basically like all the good, you know, happy juju hormones that help your body, you know, help to reduce cortisol and just kind of improve mood and, and yeah, reset. Take a break. Right. Because we are kind of all consumed.
Right. When you think about it, that wasn't the way before and that is certainly the way it is now. And yes, it's the norm. So it's hard to sometimes notice it as being something that can affect you, but it's just not sustainable. Right. To be wrapped in anything for too long is not sustainable. So yeah, I appreciate that comment. I think that's super smart.
[00:33:28] Speaker B: Yeah. And I hear a lot of people say, well, I don't have time to do that. Well, we spend more than 15 to 30 minutes on our phone at a time scrolling. So you know, a 15 to 30 minute walk is not a lot.
[00:33:40] Speaker A: Yeah, well I always call BS on that one because what did they say? 15 minutes of wasted time a day is 128 hour work days a year.
So there's your vacation folks. 15 minutes of you not doom scrolling or whatever it is, get your vacation each year. And for the most part, anyone I've talked to, it's way longer than that. Like we all have those little things at the end of the week that says how long you've spent time on your phone. And sometimes it's embarrassing and it's not stuff you would post on social media. I get it. However, you know, we're all the boss of ourselves, so you get to make decisions and not give yourself outs. Because I think, you know, stress release, resetting, recalibrating, super important. And I think it's just, it matters for the long game, right? Like for, for the most part. I think people listening and tuning into this are what I would consider, you know, high impact, ambitious folks who are wanting to do the good things, the great things and still be around in the future. And I think the only way that matters or the only way that. Sorry, that can happen is if you do the resets and you treat your body like a vehicle. It needs A tune up. It needs some more fuel. All that great stuff. Right.
[00:34:49] Speaker B: And focus on the positive energy.
You know, some people get so wrapped up in what other people are saying or doing on social media.
[00:34:57] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:34:58] Speaker B: I mean, if I don't like something I read or see, I move on. I block, I unfollow, whatever, and I just move on with my day. I don't have time to get into a battle of, you know, text with somebody. You never win.
[00:35:12] Speaker A: But isn't it fun to watch? I sometimes show up just to read the comments.
[00:35:17] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:17] Speaker A: And I'm like, wow, people, like, I guess they could say the same with me. Like, I have a lot of time on my hands to be reading them all. I don't make a comment, but I just watch it. And I'm like, people are really passionate about this topic and there's a whole lot of, like, differing views. So I'm there for the comments when I really need a good laugh.
[00:35:35] Speaker B: And it doesn't matter what you post. You could think there's not anything someone could say negative about this post.
[00:35:41] Speaker A: Nobody will disagree that this red pen is amazing. And somebody will be like, actually, my aunt's uncle's brother's sister had a red pen like that and they poked their eye out. And so I don't know why. Who you think you are, Terry Ann?
[00:35:54] Speaker B: Yeah.
That's crazy.
[00:35:56] Speaker A: All right, so I want to ask you some quick fire questions as we sort of wrap up. And so we'll just kind of go from there. So, coffee or tea?
[00:36:04] Speaker B: Neither.
[00:36:05] Speaker A: What is your beverage? What are you drinking?
[00:36:08] Speaker B: Water.
[00:36:08] Speaker A: Just water. Okay. I mean, that's fair.
[00:36:10] Speaker B: I mean, at night it might be a beer or wine, but.
[00:36:13] Speaker A: Okay. But no coffee or tea.
[00:36:15] Speaker B: No, Never.
[00:36:17] Speaker A: I am shocked. Okay. Morning or night person?
[00:36:20] Speaker B: Morning.
[00:36:21] Speaker A: All right.
Hmm. One word that your wife would use to describe you.
[00:36:28] Speaker B: Caring.
[00:36:29] Speaker A: Awesome. That's a great. That's a great word. Is there a book that you would recommend to the world?
That's always a difficult one because people can almost never remember books, I find. But I still ask this question.
[00:36:40] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't. To be honest, I don't read a lot. There was that one business book, who Moved My Cheese. Did you see that?
[00:36:48] Speaker A: Ooh. Yep.
That's Robin something.
[00:36:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:52] Speaker A: Look at us. We got great memories, folks.
[00:36:54] Speaker B: Yeah. It was a long time ago. Yeah, but that was. I thought that was a great one.
[00:36:58] Speaker A: I think it's Robin. Anyway, if I'm wrong, just don't hold me accountable, folks. And what is something you do on a regular basis to bring happiness to your life.
[00:37:07] Speaker B: I think now the kids are older, it gives sue and I a chance to spend more time together. So a simple walk down the boardwalk with our dog, or dogs. Two of them can't really walk as much, so they like to be carried. So a lot of times we'll leave them behind and take the one that loves to run and walk.
[00:37:26] Speaker A: So yeah, that's awesome. Listen, James, it's been amazing getting to know you a little bit more, having this conversation. I know folks are going to get a lot from it. I'll make sure to share your links below. Any parting thoughts?
[00:37:39] Speaker B: No, I'm just grateful for you and the work that you're doing. I feel honored to have met you in Moncton and have stayed connected with you. I respect a lot of what you're doing and so thank you.
[00:37:52] Speaker A: Awesome. Thank you so much, James. Have a wonderful day.
[00:37:56] Speaker B: Yeah, you too.
[00:37:57] Speaker A: This has been Faces of Atlantic with host Terianne Richards. Real conversations with the people shaping Atlantic Canada.
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