Old School New World: The Life of an Entrepreneur

Blending timeless wisdom with fresh perspectives for aspiring entrepreneurs. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or your favourite podcast platform to never miss an episode of entrepreneurial inspiration.

Episode 9: Don't Let Fear Decide Your Fate with Y Mortgage's Jimmy Elamad

Apr 22 - 35 min 45 sec

In this episode, Mike is joined by Jimmy Elamad. Jimmy is a Partner and Mortgage Agent at Y Mortgage from Toronto, Ontario, who became a broker in 2022 after spending 18 years at TD Bank. At Y Mortgage, Jimmy is not just a leader, he’s a passionate advocate for fostering a familial atmosphere. Beyond that, he dedicates himself to coaching and developing his colleagues, guiding them towards success in the lending domain. Jimmy, a devoted family man, cherishes his free moments spent with his two children, actively supporting them in living their best lives.

EPISODE DETAILS

Jimmy is here to discuss:

→ Starting his career at the bank and the reality of going from banker to broker, building a book of business, and creating a community as a broker.
→ The challenges of switching to commission-based income, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, and advice for his younger self.
→ The impact of tariffs and the Canadian federal election, real estate market trends and blanket appraisals impacting condos, and 2025 interest rate predictions.

Y Mortgage Website
Jimmy Elamad’s Instagram
Jimmy Elamad’s LinkedIn

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:09 Jimmy’s Superpower
2:43 Getting Started at the Bank
4:20 Moving to Commission Based Sales & Parental Fears
9:07 The Leap from Banker to Broker
10:54 The Reality of Going from Banker to Broker
13:55 Building Community as a Broker
16:24 Building a Book of Business as a Broker
18:26 Advice for My Younger Self
20:44 Market Trends, the Impact of Tariffs, & the Federal Election
24:36 The Condo Market & Blanket Appraisals
32:38 2025 Interest Rate Predictions
35:05 Outro

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

Episode 8: The 30 Steps of Success Series, Volume 2

Mar 25 - 22 min 25 sec

In this episode, Mike shares the next 3 fundamentals of "The 30 Steps of Success", a new series aimed at helping listeners in their own business journey. Drawing on over 30 years of his own experience, each episode will contain a deep dive on 2-3 topics that have led to the success Mike has today. He believes that by implementing some of these steps, listeners can revolutionize their career and build a sustainable, referral-based business.

EPISODE DETAILS

They discuss:

Steps that are discussed:
→ The Value of Knowledge: The power of saying “I don’t know”, building client trust, and lifelong learning
→ Asking Effective Questions: Why 50/50 is a losing proposition, getting deeper with clients by asking “why” over “what” questions, and connecting clients through trusted partners.
→ Sell Yourself, Be Yourself: Embracing your authentic self, Gandhi’s lesson in integrity, and work/life integration.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
0:58 The Value of Knowledge
8:13 Asking Effective Questions
14:47 Sell Yourself, Be Yourself
21:03 Outro

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

Episode 7: The Banker to Broker Transition & Mental Health - Mike on the Billion Dollar Podcast

Feb 25 - 44 min 15 sec

In this episode, Mike was asked to be a guest on "Billion Dollar Podcast", a weekly entrepreneurial-focused interview show hosted by Joe White and Cain Daniel, founders of the Real Estate and Mortgage Institute of Canada (REMIC). Each week, they bring in new and veteran entrepreneurs who share their insights and experiences, offering expert opinions on making it big in any industry.

EPISODE DETAILS

They discuss:

→ Why Mike went from banker to broker, why those coming into the industry should start at a bank, and what to know about the banker to broker transition.
→ Mike’s new brokerage, his approach to training agents, and what new agents should look for in a brokerage.
→ Skills agents need for success, consistency in serving clients, and using tech & AI.
→ Mike’s life purpose, battling addiction, mental health, and why Mike launched this podcast.

Billion Dollar Podcast Website
Billion Dollar Podcast YouTube
Billion Dollar Podcast Instagram REMIC Website
Cain Daniel’s LinkedIn
Joe White’s LinkedIn

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
0:37 Why Leave Banking for Brokering
4:04 Why Brokers Should Start by Working at a Bank
6:51 Should Consumers Use Banks or Brokers?
8:18 What to Know About the Banker to Broker Transition
10:42 What New Agents Should Be Looking For in a Brokerage
12:34 Should Bank Reps Know More About Other Forms of Lending?
14:58 Mike’s Approach to Training Agents
19:07 Skills New Agents Need for Success
21:59 The Importance of Journaling & Using Tech
26:32 The Old School, New World Podcast
28:06 Mike’s Purpose, Battling Addiction, & Mental Health
35:15 Continuously Serving Your Clients
39:13 The Impact of AI
42:55 Outro

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

2024 Year in Review and 2025 Predictions

Jan 27 - 12 min 09 sec

In this video, Mike shares his recap of 2024 and what will be ahead in 2025.

EPISODE DETAILS

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

Episode 6: The 30 Steps of Success Series, Volume 1

Jan 28 - 41 min 57 sec

In this episode, Mike shares the first 3 fundamentals of "The 30 Steps of Success", a new series aimed at helping listeners in their own business journey. Drawing on over 30 years of his own experience, each episode will contain a deep dive on 2-3 topics that have led to the success Mike has today. He believes that by implementing some of these steps, listeners can revolutionize their career and build a sustainable, referral-based business.

EPISODE DETAILS

Steps that are discussed:

→ CRM: A springboard to longevity, personalized client journaling, and team communication.
→ The Follow-Up: Mike’s follow-up process, receiving client permission, and focusing on the client, not the transaction.
→ Selling the Benefits: Moving away from the rate conversation, providing value to the client, and the power of stories.

Chapters

0:00 Intro
2:22 The Little Engine That Could
3:50 CRM
14:21 The Follow-Up
31:23 Selling the Benefits
40:35 Outro

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

Episode 5: Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast with Commerx's Joanna Muzzatti

Dec 13 - 39 min 03 sec

In this episode, Mike is joined by Joanna Muzzatti. Joanna is the President & CEO at Commerx from Mississauga, Ontario, one of the few women-led companies in the IT solution space. With a deep passion of entrepreneurship and leadership, she has dedicated her career to Commerx while fostering a legacy of care and personal touch for every client. Having held various roles with the company, Joanna brings a unique perspective to her leadership, emphasizing meaningful relationships and pro-active customer engagement.

EPISODE DETAILS

Joanna is here to discuss:

→ Her journey to the top of Commerx, succession planning, and the future of Commerx.
→ Fostering a company culture of collaboration, and righting the Commerx culture.
→ Succeeding in a male-dominated field, paying attention to your internal energies, and advice for women and her younger self.

Commerx Website: https://commerx.ca/
Commerx LinkedIn
Joanna Muzzatti’s Email: joanna.muzzatti@commerx.ca
Joanna Muzzatti’s LinkedIn

Chapters

0:00 Intro
2:05 Today’s Guest: Joanna Muzzatti
4:33 Joanna’s Journey at Commerx
8:47 Right the Commerx Company Culture
13:08 Paying Attention to Your Internal Energies
17:35 Fostering a Culture of Collaboration
22:09 Succeeding in a Male-Dominated Field & Advice for Women
31:49 Succession Planning & the Future of Commerx
36:44 Advice to Your Younger Self
38:18 Outro

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

🎙️Old School, New World Podcast
📺 Old School, New World YouTube
📸 Old School, New World Instagram

CONNECT WITH MIKE

📸 Mike Dias’ Instagram
👥 Mike Dias’ Facebook

CONNECT WITH DNA LENDING GROUP

🔗 DNA Lending Group Website
📸 DNA Lending Group Instagram
📋 DNA Lending Group LinkedIn
👥 DNA Lending Group Facebook
⏰ DNA Lending Group TikTok

Episode 4: How to Find Investing Success with Edward Jones' Ryan Henderson

Nov 5 - 38 min 57 sec

In this episode, Mike is joined by Ryan Henderson CFP, CIM, FCSI. Ryan is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones from Toronto, Ontario, who's been with Edward Jones for over 17 years, starting right before the 2008 financial crisis. Ryan works with individual investors, retirees, professionals, and business owners to achieve their personal and financial goals. Ryan earned an Honours Bachelor Degree in 2001 from the University of Western Ontario in London, and has been a Certified Financial Planner® since 2009. In addition, he holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) and am a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®).

EPISODE DETAILS

In this episode, Mike is joined by Ryan Henderson CFP, CIM, FCSI. Ryan is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones from Toronto, Ontario, who’s been with Edward Jones for over 17 years, starting right before the 2008 financial crisis. Ryan works with individual investors, retirees, professionals, and business owners to achieve their personal and financial goals. Ryan earned an Honours Bachelor Degree in 2001 from the University of Western Ontario in London, and has been a Certified Financial Planner® since 2009. In addition, he holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) and am a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®).

Ryan is here to discuss:
→ How he got started in the financial industry and navigating the 2008 financial crisis, building trust and long-term success with clients through conversation and processes, and embracing human centred leadership.
→ Issues plaguing the Financial Advisor industry, what consumers should be looking for in financial guidance, and CIRO regulations and why more regulation is a good thing.
→ The mindset of a successful investor, looking for opportunities in fluctuating markets, and current trends in the overall market.

Edward Jones Website: https://www.edwardjones.ca
Ryan Henderson’s Email: ryan.henderson@edwardjones.com
Ryan Henderson’s LinkedIn

Chapters

0:00 Intro
2:05 Today’s Guest: Ryan Henderson
5:02 Successful Investors: The Tortoise vs. the Hare
8:25 Money Talk: Building Trust with Clients
13:24 Issues Plaguing the Financial Advisor Industry
18:54 Client Processes & CIRO Regulations
22:25 Current Trends in the Overall Market
25:25 Long-Term Client Success: Navigating the Crash of ’08
28:48 Fluctuating Markets: Be Ready for the Next Opportunity
30:33 Regulations, AML, & TD Bank’s $3B in US Charges
35:33 The Edward Jones Philosophy: Embracing Human-Centred Leadership
38:25 Outro