Tag: Retirement

Crafting Your Business Wardrobe with Wassim Al-Roz (Ep.11)

Crafting Your Business Wardrobe with Wassim Al-Roz (Ep.11)

What do you look for in your business attire? An expensive bespoke suit? Or just a few suits you can mix and match the pieces to create new outfits for the office?

Join John and Alex Soutsos, with their guest Wassim Al-Roz, founder and owner of Noahdonis Sartorial Garments, in discussing his incredible journey from working in retail to starting his own business. Wassim shares his marketing strategies and discusses the importance of client support, sharing valuable insights on building a professional wardrobe and why it matters. 

John, Alex, and Wassim explore: 

  • His career journey and experience in the garment industry
  • Essential pieces for a young professional’s wardrobe
  • Challenges retailers face in meeting customer expectations in the fashion industry
  • The importance of fabric quality and suggestions for how to care for such materials
  • And more

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Connect with Wassim Al-Roz:

About Our Guest: 

Wassim is a Lebanese-Canadian men’s fashion designer and retailer who specializes in dealing with athletes, celebrities, and business professionals across the Greater Toronto Area. He developed his passion for fashion as an 8-year-old in his father’s clothing stores in Pickering Town Centre. Wassim would often assist his father with small tasks around the stores, like counting inventory, which sparked a lifelong interest in clothing. After completing high school in Lebanon, Wassim returned to Canada to study business and finance at Ryerson University. It was during this time that he began his career in the fashion industry, first with Tip Top Tailors and then with Harry Rosen. 

After 5 years at Harry Rosen, Wassim began his first independent venture, Cloth Talk, in Port Credit, offering both ready-to-wear and custom pieces. Wassim’s latest venture is Noahdonis, named after his two boys, which focuses exclusively on custom-made clothing. Never one to be content with the status quo, Wassim is a visionary hoping to elevate fashion in the city. 

Wassim is also incredibly passionate about basketball, which he began playing as a 12-year-old and still enjoys to this day. He spends a great deal of his time away from work training and coaching kids from grade 4 to 7 in basketball and hopes to stay as close as possible in the years to come.

How Effective Leadership Can Transform Your Businesses with Gino Ferrin (Ep.10)

How Effective Leadership Can Transform Your Businesses with Gino Ferrin (Ep.10)

What do the best leaders have in common? 

Gino Ferrin, President of Ferrin Leadership, joins John and Alex to discuss what effective leaders do to maximize the performance of those under their command. Gino shares his journey, from humble beginnings in the sales and service department at Bell Canada, to finding his true passion in leadership development. 

John, Alex, and Gino focus on: 

  • The importance of leadership in various aspects of life 
  • How can leadership be customized based on individual philosophies, goals, and personalities
  • Why long-term thinking and investment in leadership development are crucial for sustained success
  • How humility and honest communication are critical to developing trust
  • And more

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Connect with Gino Ferrin:

About Our Guest: 

Gino is the President of Ferrin Leadership Development. He is a pragmatic, innovative Leadership & Development/Communications Professional, specializing in building management skills and growth. Gino helps professionals through a variety of strategies not limited to, custom-designed programs, professional facilitation, and management coaching.

Through his company, Ferrin Leadership Development, Gino partners and works with clients across North America creating solutions that bring about significant cost & time savings, while improving overall business performance. Gino’s training helps companies generate intangible benefits, which can be observed through increased overall job satisfaction, thereby reducing turnover and increasing the discretionary effort of all employees.

Harnessing the Power of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain with Skyler Senkowski (Ep.9)

Harnessing the Power of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain with Skyler Senkowski (Ep.9)

Technology has evolved how we interact with many aspects of our lives, including investment assets. Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have the potential to completely upend the financial system. But what is cryptocurrency? How does blockchain technology work? How are they incorporated into modern investment strategies?

In this episode, John and Alex Soutsos are joined by Skyler Senkowski, owner of Ascend Blockchain Solutions in discussing the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. 

John, Alex, and Skyler touch on: 

  • What is cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
  • What industries could be affected by blockchain technology
  • How does regulation and anonymity play a role in the crypto community
  • Why is it important to consider utility and purpose when investing in crypto assets
  • And more

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Connect with Skyler Senkowski:

About Our Guest: 

Skyler’s crypto journey began in early 2018 when he applied the educational and research skills learned in his undergraduate and master’s degrees (BA in Environmental & Urban Sustainability, MASc in Environmental Applied Science & Management) to teach himself about cryptocurrency and how to research crypto investments. This led him to his next chapter in 2020 when he left his government job in forestry to pursue crypto full-time. Two years after that, he had the inspiration to share his crypto knowledge and to empower others, which led him to build Ascend Crypto. Ascend Crypto provides a full suite of services, ranging from weekly newsletters and podcasts to educational courses and consulting.

Market Crises Part 3 (Ep.8)

Market Crises Part 3 (Ep.8)

Navigating the complexities of today’s investment landscape requires a nuanced understanding of the financial markets, and how they have responded to numerous events throughout history.

Today’s episode undertakes a comprehensive examination of the far-reaching repercussions of global government actions, shedding light on the financial and market impacts arising from a myriad of geopolitical events. From the complexities surrounding the European debt crisis to the persistent political instability in Greece and Italy, and the nuanced economic challenges faced by China, John and Alex provide an in-depth analysis of how these macroeconomic factors influence investment strategies and market behavior.

Part 3 of Market Crises provides insight on:

  • The importance of working with a wealth advisor who can provide perspective and act as a sounding board for their clients during periods of high volatility
  • The consequences of central bank and government interventions in the financial markets
  • How the Global Financial Crisis helped spark the European Debt Crisis 
  • The interconnected relationship of the global economy 
  • And more

Resources:

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Historical Market Crises Part 2 (Ep.7)

Historical Market Crises Part 2 (Ep.7)

The conversation about historical, influential financial events continues in this second part of “Historical Market Crises” with John & Alex Soutsos!

In this episode, John and Alex discuss some monumental moments in financial history including the Tequila Crisis in Mexico in 1994 and the potential impact of the current Israel-Hamas conflict on the financial markets. 

They also touch on the Asian financial crisis, the failure of Long-Term Capital Management, the dot-com bubble, and the global financial crisis of 2007-2009.

John and Alex discuss: 

  • The Tequila Crisis of Mexico in 1994 – how currency movements impact the financial markets
  • The Asian Financial Crisis and how it impacted hedge funds like Long-Term Capital Management
  • How interest rate manipulation fueled both the Dot Com Bubble and the Global Financial Crisis 
  • The importance of “sticking to the process” as an advisor and an individual investor
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Historical Market Crises Part 1 (Ep. 6)

Historical Market Crises Part 1 (Ep. 6)

October has some historical significance in the financial world dating back to the early part of the 20th century.

Over the next few episodes, we will delve into several market crises that have transpired over the last 50 years, examining both their causes and long-term implications. 

In this episode, John and Alex Soutsos discuss why so many market events have occurred in the month of October, the phenomenon of ‘stagflation’, the 1987 stock market crash, and the impact of monetary policy on both the real estate and stock market. John shares his personal experiences and client stories to illustrate the impact of these events. 

John and Alex discuss: 

  • The impact of earnings reports on market volatility
  • The likelihood of a repeat of the 1970s stagflation – is it possible?
  • Their personal perspective on the 1987 stock market crash
  • Takeaways from the savings and loan crisis, including the impact of rising interest rates
  • And more

Resources:

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From Vine to Glass: Exploring Wines with Winemaker and Sommelier Gianluca DiLoro (Ep. 5)

From Vine to Glass: Exploring Wines with Winemaker and Sommelier Gianluca DiLoro (Ep. 5)

Wine not join us for an episode filled with aroma, flavor, and rich stories?

John and Alex are happy to welcome Gianluca Di Loro, Winemaker, Sommelier, Proprietor of Di Loro Wines, and Territory Manager of Lifford Cellars to the podcast. Listen as he uncorks the mysteries behind winemaking, selection, and appreciation, so whether you’re a casual sipper or an aspiring sommelier, this episode offers practical insights to enhance your wine experience.

John, Alex, and Gianluca discuss: 

  • How Niagara, Ontario is one of the most underappreciated wine regions around the world 
  • Italian or French wines: Which offers the best value for your palate and pocket
  • Why are tannins crucial, and how do they shape your wine-drinking experience
  • When should you decant wine, and how does it transform the wine’s aroma and taste
  • What are the best-kept secrets for wine storage to preserve its character
  • And more!

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Connect with Gianluca Di Loro:

About Our Guest: 

GianLuca Di Loro, an expert sommelier, boasts a rich journey through global wine territories, including Australia, California, and Niagara. His deep immersion into these distinct wine cultures offers him a unique perspective on the subtle interplay of terroir, climate, and taste. More than just a connoisseur, he has a keen sense of the stories and traditions that shape each wine.

Navigating the Changing Dynamics of Real Estate with Corrado Russo (Ep.4)

Navigating the Changing Dynamics of Real Estate with Corrado Russo (Ep.4)

Are you looking to build wealth through real estate investing?

Are you curious about the changing dynamics of the real estate market?

In this episode, John and Alex Soutsos chat with Corrado Russo, Managing Partner and Head of Global Securities at Hazelview Investments. Together they discuss various topics related to real estate investing, changes in the market, financing differences, the future of office spaces, the changing landscape of retail, and the housing shortage.

Join the conversation as Corrado shares:

  • His journey to becoming a real estate investor
  • Factors impacting the real estate market
  • How the pandemic forced commercial real estate to evolve
  • The present state of retail and how it will continue to transform in the future
  • And more

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Connect with Corrado Russo:

About Our Guest: 

Corrado is responsible for managing the global Public Real Estate platform including Hazelview’s Global Real Estate Fund and Four Quadrant Global Real Estate Partnership.

Corrado has over 20 years of experience in the investment management field, having held positions in portfolio management, equity research, and direct real estate investments. Prior to joining Hazelview, Corrado was an Executive Director and Portfolio Manager of global real estate securities at Forum Securities, a Portfolio Manager of global real estate securities for Citi Property Investors, and an Assistant Portfolio Manager of direct real estate for Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.

Corrado holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business, has a bachelor’s degree in Administrative Studies from York University, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

How To Implement a Healthy Relationship Between Wealth & Health in Your Life (Ep.2)

How To Implement a Healthy Relationship Between Wealth & Health in Your Life (Ep.2)

Now that you’ve been introduced to the podcast, it’s time to get to know your hosts, Alex and John Soutsos on a personal level!

In this podcast episode, John and Alex Soutsos discuss their values, definition of success, and personal interests. They emphasize the importance of financial freedom and flexibility, as well as the impact of sugar consumption on health and longevity. 

They also discuss retirement planning, the challenges of delaying gratification, and the need to set money aside for long-term goals. 

John and Alex discuss: 

  • Their personal interests: What keeps them busy outside of the work day!
  • The simplicity of starting with small goals & how this mindset has influenced their relationship with guilty pleasures, exercise and more!
  • The challenge of delayed gratification & the value it holds in your retirement plan
  • Some of the common misconceptions about retirement: Why it doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Insurance products, such as life and critical illness insurance, are offered exclusively by John Soutsos. For more information on insurance planning, please contact John directly at jsoutsos@ipcsecurities.com or 1-888-568-1170 ext. 1.