"Take On" is a podcast hosted by Jasmine Jex, featuring candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders. Each episode dives into the unique stories behind the guests’ successes, challenges, and insights in their industries. From startup founders to industry disruptors, "Take On" offers listeners an inside look at the journeys of individuals who are making their mark in the business and creative worlds.
18: Building a “Tuff” Marketing Agency with Parker Kump
Parker Kump has built Tuff Media, a performance marketing agency that helps some of Canada’s fastest-growing e-commerce brands scale through creative-led strategy. From cold DM’ing mentors as a student to managing million-dollar ad budgets, Parker shares how he turned curiosity and persistence into a thriving business.
In this episode, Parker talks about:
The early bets that helped him launch Tuff from his parents’ basement
How niching down created clarity and scale
His simple framework for better team management
The mental side of entrepreneurship no one warns you about
Why founders should master the “hard part” before turning on paid ads
19 Aug 2025
17: Why Founders Shouldn't Wait for Permission with Andrew Warburton
At just 22, Andrew Warburton has already transformed a childhood passion for lemonade stands into Peak Beverage Company, a craft soda brand using real BC fruit and clean ingredients. Named to BC Business’ 30 Under 30 and a graduate of the League of Innovators Labs, Andrew joins Jasmine to share the wins, setbacks, and lessons from building Peak out of his garage to getting cans onto retail shelves.
In this episode, Andrew talks about:
Why speed isn’t everything when launching a startup
The reality of creating shelf-stable, all-natural beverages
How community and accelerators shaped his growth as a founder
The balance between brand values and scaling sustainably
His biggest mindset shift: stop waiting for permission
If you’re an early-stage founder, or just curious about what it takes to carve a place in a competitive market, this one's for you.
30 Jun 2025
16: First Year in Business: No One’s Ready When They Start
This episode explores the challenging realities of the first year in business, revealing the often-unseen struggles and steep learning curves entrepreneurs face.
13 Jun 2025
15: Fundraising, Fractional Investing & Female Leadership with Laura Fortey
Laura Fortey discusses her transition from journalism to founding Reitium, a fractional real estate investment platform, and shares insights on fundraising as a female leader in this interview.
29 May 2025
14: Q&A: Startup Scrappiness, Co-Founder Boundaries, and Figuring It Out in Public
Host Lauren McGoodwin answers audience questions about launching a business, maintaining co-founder relationships, and embracing the messy journey of building a personal brand in this solo episode.
15 May 2025
13: The Business of Better Care with Julie Mai
Julie Mai is a registered dietitian and the founder of July Health, a telehealth platform reimagining care for women’s hormonal health. In this episode, she shares what it’s really like to build a business in a legacy industry—and why she believes the future of healthcare needs to be more holistic, accessible, and mentally supportive.
We talk about the early days of entrepreneurship, how to validate ideas before going all in, and the importance of unlearning the idea that stability only comes from a 9-to-5. Julie also breaks down how she’s thinking differently about PCOS care, community building, and sustainable growth.
This one’s for anyone rethinking the systems we’ve inherited—and creating something better.
17 Apr 2025
12: Running on Empty
We don’t love the word “burnout.” It’s buzzy, overused, and often doesn’t reflect the complexity of what it actually feels like when your body starts saying no.
In this solo episode, Jasmine shares the story of what was really happening behind the scenes when Oko was at its peak. On paper, the business was thriving. She was busy, productive, even energized. But underneath the momentum was a body and nervous system running on fumes. It wasn’t until the pace slowed down that everything caught up with her—joint pain, brain fog, hormone disruption, and exhaustion.
She shares what helped—from simple, free habits to more resourced interventions—and how she’s redefined what wellness looks like for her now.
7 Mar 2025
11. Empowering the Next Generation with Taylor Hui
Taylor is the founder of the BeaYOUtiful Foundation, a Canadian charity empowering female and non-binary youth through confidence programs and mental wellness workshops. She also founded Roster Clothing Co, a brand supporting the foundation, sold in 50+ North American stores.
In this episode of Take On, Taylor shares her journey of running a non-profit, the role of storytelling in business, and her experiences modeling and living abroad. She reflects on the importance of balance, the power of community support, and how views on beauty and self-esteem are evolving among today’s youth.
27 Feb 2025
10: Three Marketing Shifts Defining 2025
In this episode, we discuss three marketing trends shaping 2025: protopia marketing, the resurgence of long-form content, and immersive in-person experiences driving digital engagement.
20 Feb 2025
09: From Market Gap to Global Franchise with Kyla Dufresne
Kyla Dufresne, is the founder and CEO of Foxy Box, a waxing franchise with 18 locations across Canada that’s redefining confidence and empowerment. What started as a bold idea to shake up the waxing industry has grown into an incredible brand celebrated for its inclusive and unapologetic approach. Kyla’s story is one of leadership, resilience, and embracing individuality.
In this conversation, Kyla shares her journey of building a thriving waxing franchise centered on empowerment, inclusivity, and a strong sense of humor. She reflects on identifying a gap in the market, making the transition from bartending to full-time entrepreneurship, and navigating the challenges and victories of scaling her brand. Kyla offers insight into the complexities of franchising, the importance of cultivating a strong company culture, and her dedication to environmental sustainability. She also explores her leadership philosophy, the role of community in entrepreneurship, and her vision for expanding Foxy Box on an international scale.
29 Jan 2025
08: Creating Your Own Luck, 8 Lunar New Year Habits for Success
With Lunar New Year here, I wanted to dive into the traditions of the holiday and how they connect to creating success with intention. Because yes, some people are born into luckier circumstances, but I truly believe luck isn’t just something that happens to you—it’s something you can cultivate through mindset, preparation, and action.
In this episode, I’m sharing eight habits inspired by Lunar New Year traditions that help open doors, attract the right opportunities, and set you up for long-term success.
9 Jan 2025
07: Designing a Physical Space and Nuturing Company Culture with Armineh Damanpak and Thom Robbins
In this episode of Take On, I sit down with Armineh Damanpak and Thom Robins, the co-owners of Beau and Thom Salons in Vancouver. Beau, located in Yaletown, is a sanctuary of inclusivity and bespoke hairstyling, redefining approachable luxury for all genders and identities. Thom blends classic barbering with modern techniques, creating a space rooted in "Modern Masculinity" and community. Together, they’ve set a new standard in Canadian hairstyling, and I’m excited to chat about their journey and creative vision.
We chat about the process of designing a physical space, fostering strong company culture and the dynamics of building and maintaining a strong business partnership.
10 Dec 2024
06: Building a Fulfilling Life & Embracing Presence with Caroline Boquist
Caroline Boquist shares her insights on building a fulfilling life, embracing presence, and navigating business partnerships as co-founder of Walrus Design and PechaKucha host.
19 Nov 2024
05: Design & Hormone Health with Matija Gabrilo
This week I sat down with Matija Gabrilo, an interdisciplinary creative consultant, art director, designer, and researcher. Matija's meticulous and eclectic approach has led him to work with an impressive roster of clients including 21 Savage, Drake, Nike, and Meta.
In this episode, we'll discuss Matija's journey in design, his dedication to hormonal health, and his latest venture, Talgh—a non-toxic, luxury deodorant made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef tallow.
5 Nov 2024
04: Solo, 25 Lessons I've Learned in 25 Years
In this solo episode, Jasmine Jex, host of Take On, shares 25 transformative lessons she’s learned over her 25 years of life. From navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship to finding balance in the chaos of life, Jasmine opens up about her biggest takeaways. Whether you’re building a business, defining your career path, or just seeking a fresh outlook, she hopes these insights will resonate and inspire.
22 Oct 2024
03: Job Hunting and Hiring with Courtney Lee
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Courtney Lee, co-founder of Workshop Recruiting and a seasoned recruitment expert who has placed hundreds of candidates across various industries throughout North America. With her extensive knowledge of the job market and a passion for helping both job seekers and employers thrive, Courtney offers invaluable insights.
In this episode, we cover everything from job search strategies—like how to make your resume stand out, effective networking tips, and the importance of LinkedIn in today’s job market—to hiring advice for small businesses, including how to make your first hire and assess cultural fit.
8 Oct 2024
02: AI and Negotiation with Noah Asanias
In this episode of Take On, I sit down with Noah Asanias, a talented photographer trusted by brands like SSENSE, Netflix, and Aritzia to create imagery that resonates and drives brand loyalty. Noah’s signature style combines natural and controlled lighting with rich, saturated tones to produce striking, dynamic images. His attention to detail and ability to capture authentic moments have earned him a reputation as one of the most dependable photographers in the industry.
We explore the key differences between photography as an art form and as a business, the influence of AI on photography and retouching, and the importance of honing strong negotiation skills in the industry.
24 Sept 2024
01: Balance and Brand Building with Tyron Harkiss-Foster
In this debut episode, I sit down with Tyron Harkiss-Foster, a passionate storyteller and founder of Between Friends. With over 8 years of experience in marketing, social media, PR, and brand development, Tyron’s expertise spans in-house roles, agency work, and entrepreneurship. His deep connections in fashion, culture, and design fuel his ability to build compelling brand narratives.
We dive into what he’s learned while growing his own agency, creating standout brands in today’s landscape, and balancing his roles in journalism, modeling, and entrepreneurship.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
6
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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