Uncharted waters is a Podcast brought to you by GlobalNL. This Podcast series focuses on telling stories of NLer's that have ventured into "uncharted waters" in their lives. We hope that these stories will help encourage and empower others to take on similar risks/challenges in their own life.
#24 - Mark Dobbin shares what he looks for when investing in entrepreneurs
Intro
Today's episode features an interview with Mark Dobbin, founder and president of Killick Capital Inc., a private equity investment firm headquartered in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It was created as a vehicle for Mark’s desire to invest in the aerospace sector as well as work and invest in his hometown. The name "Killick" refers to an anchor made of a long stone and sticks. Its effective and ingenious design has been relied on for centuries to secure boats and nets.
If you're a startup founder in Newfoundland looking to raise money, you're probably knocking on Mark's door. He's more than an investor. He's an important part of the community, connecting and building things in Newfoundland. Let his story inspire you, and I hope you enjoy this episode!
Topics:
1:10 How Mark's upbringing in Newfoundland shaped him
3:33 How his father influenced him to go into business
6:55 His desire to invest in the aerospace sector
9:42 Cultural ties between Newfoundland and Ireland
12:06 NL's balance sheet is a “mess”
15:20 Abundant and consistent supply of oil and gas in NL
18:02 People are the most important resource
24:29 Investing versus operating a business
27:18 His biggest investment failure
30:00 What characteristics does he look for in startup founders?
36:05 Creativity and Innovation
38:59 How can the GlobalNL community support each other?
42:11 Diversity and inclusion
45:58 Advice for Newfoundlanders
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-dobbin-754367b/?originalSubdomain=ca), Website (https://killickcapital.com/)
24 May 2023
#23 - "Someone doesn't have to lose for someone else to gain" - Kimberly Mullins
Intro
In this episode I talk with Kimberley Mullins, an applied social scientist and the current Director of Talent Development at Shopify. She is from Newfoundland, but she moved to Calgary to work for ExxonMobil Canada. She then joined Imperial Oil, which is also located in Calgary.We discuss a variety of topics, but one of my favorites is Kimberley's discussion of how she stayed connected to her hometown and her advice to people in the community to "look after each other."
Topics covered:
2:07 Developing talent involves motivating others to be their best selves
5:07 Kimberley’s work history
7:01 How Kimberley stayed connected to her “home”
15:12 In Newfoundland, everyone respects those who are just trying to get by
32:05 Work on your strengths, not your weaknesses
35:00 Discover your passion to live a more fulfilling life
39:20 Invest in your legacy
47:07 Culture is customary difference
57:07 Making something valuable to you vulnerable to others is what trust is
1:02:10 Everyone can make a positive difference in the world
1:05:26 To be a leader, you must bring out the best in people
1:08:40 People aspire to grow professionally
1:20:50 Leadership requires humility
1:24:27 Kimberley’s advice to the community: “We look after each other”
Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberleydmullins/)
11 Jan 2022
#22 - Local Tech Spotlight: Ed Martin @Zorbit's by Carnegie Learning
The fourth episode in the NL Tech Spotlight series - a discussion between Jeremy Andrews and Ed J Martin, the CEO of Clockwork Fox Studios. Clockwork is an education technology company that develops a blended learning platform for elementary math called Zorbit’s Math Adventure. Zorbit helps young math learners succeed by integrating the powers of play, pedagogy, and learning analytics.
We talk about a bunch of things in this episode, but one of my favourite parts was Ed describing how Carnegie see's Clockwork as their new Canadian Headquarters, based right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a number of exits to US based companies here in recent years, it's part of a growing and exciting trend for the local tech industry.
0:00 - Where ya from?
1:30 - How did you go from Mechanical Engineering to Digital Media to Software?
4:30 - Best Boy Productions and the Transition to Clockwork
8:30 - Making games that aren’t just fun, but also help kids get better at math
11:30 - Becoming a much more powerful platform for Teachers
15:30 - What’s been your “Go to Market” strategy
17:30 - “Sage on the Stage” education to “Student Centered Learning”
20:40 - Were you planning for an Acquisition?
23:35 - “The Canadian Head Office”
25:25 - Where does it go from here?
29:25 - Has doing this in Newfoundland been hard?
Inside a recent episode
#13 - Your career is a jungle gym (not a ladder) with Josh Davis
Published 16 Jun 2020 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And yeah, it does make me optimistic. I it goes back to like I have gotten to work with like continue like still a lot of a month students have come through the company I work with here and I see and also like through other companies in Silicon Valley. Like I'm still continuously impressed with like the quality energy levels and intelligence of those those groups of kids I call on, but you know, young adults and stuff that are ready to start their career. And also like through this Hyperloop competition, like I saw a lot of that enthusiasm, especially competing on a global stage that, you know, they can they can do that and do quite well. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
