In this warm and wonderfully unfiltered episode of Make It Count, we welcome someone truly special to the hot seat — Grace Valentini, founder of Aligned Nutrition and the big sis behind so much of what makes this show possible. This one is personal, real, and packed with the kind of insight you only get from someone who has lived it.

From a big, loud Italian family and Sunday dinners that waited for dad to come home, to building a thriving nutrition practice rooted in lived experience over credentials, Grace brings both heart and hard-won wisdom to every corner of this conversation. She shares her journey into the world of health and wellness, why she believes food culture in North America has lost the plot, and how the secret to longevity might actually be less about cutting carbs and more about sitting down to eat with the people you love.

We dive into the real talk around women's health, the commitment mindset that separates people who get results from those who don't, and why Grace believes in following people who have gone through it — not just studied it. We also explore the beautiful chaos of a 14-year age gap between sisters, a childhood full of memories that are equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, and what it means to build a life inspired by the family that shaped you.

Rooted in community, culture, and the kind of connection that only comes from showing up for each other — this episode is a love letter to family, food, and finding your way back to what actually works.

If you're a woman who has ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, or anyone who believes that wellness should feel like living — not like punishment — this is the conversation you didn't know you needed.

Connect with Aligned Nutrition

Website: alignedinnutrition.com

📘 Facebook⁠: grace.magnotta

📸 Instagr⁠am: valentini_grace

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For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make It Count Show.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this vibrant episode of Make It Count, we sit down with the magnetic and visionary Hala Bissada — award-winning event producer, passionate storyteller, and the creative force behind Spirit of Niagara — for a conversation that's equal parts inspiration, honesty, and pure joy.

With 25 years of international event production under her belt, Hala has seen it all — from world-class stages to the hard lessons of building a business without a roadmap. Now she's channeling everything she's learned into something deeply personal: a brand-new venture dedicated to showcasing the hidden magic of the Niagara Region through immersive, soulful experiences that are unlike anything else out there.

We dive into the story behind Spirit of Niagara, the upcoming Glow in the Vines event, and why Hala believes the world needs more moments to simply pause. We get into the real side of entrepreneurship — knowing when to fire a client, leading with emotion, and why saying "hell yes" or "hell no" might be the most important business skill no one talks about. We also explore the unexpected role AI tools are playing in modern business, and how genuine connection — at networking events, dinner tables, and everywhere in between — continues to be the greatest currency of all.

Rooted in creativity, purpose, and a deep love for the Niagara Region, this episode is a reminder that building something meaningful takes courage, community, and the willingness to honor your own vision even when it's hard.

If you're an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone who believes that joy and intention belong in business just as much as strategy and hustle, this episode will leave you fired up and ready to say yes to the things that truly matter.

Connect with Spirit of Niagara

Website: spiritofniagara.ca

📘 Facebook⁠: spiritofniagara

📸 Instagr⁠am: spiritofniagara

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For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make It Count Show.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this heartfelt episode of Make It Count, we sit down with the incredibly real and refreshingly grounded Mieke Sikking — mom of five, flower farmer, animal wrangler, and the blooming force behind In Between the Vines — for a conversation that's equal parts laughter, honesty, and inspiration.

From peacocks and beehives to tulip markets and tractor-driving ten-year-olds, Mieke's life is anything but ordinary. But beneath the beautiful chaos is a woman who has quietly built something meaningful — a business rooted in the land, a family steeped in work ethic, and a home where kids learn more about real life than any classroom could teach.

We dive into what it's really like to raise five kids on an acreage while running a floral farm, how Mieke turned her passion for flowers into a thriving business in the Niagara Region, and why her approach to parenting — giving kids freedom, responsibility, and room to grow — is something every parent needs to hear. We also explore the deep power of genuine friendship, community connection, and showing up for each other through every season of life.

Rooted in the spirit of local entrepreneurship and everyday resilience, this episode is a reminder that the most extraordinary lives often look like the most ordinary ones — just with a few more chickens.

If you're a parent, a small business owner, or simply someone who believes in building a life with intention and a whole lot of heart, this conversation was made for you.

Connect with In Between The Vines

Website: inbetweenthevines.ca

📘 Facebook⁠: inbetweenthevines

📸 Instagr⁠am: inbetweenthevines.miekesikking

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Connect with Michelle

Instagram: 🌸Michelle Latocha🌸Women's Health and Empowerment Coach| ⁠⁠⁠⁠@michelleliftswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make It Count Show.⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this energetic episode of Make It Count, we welcome back the dynamic duo behind Impact Promotions — Santino Perri and Joel Upham — for a real conversation about branding, relationships, and what it truly takes to help local businesses stand out.

From reinvesting in new equipment and growing their team to building a culture rooted in trust and collaboration, Santino and Joel share how Impact Promotions has evolved over the past few years. More importantly, they reveal why their approach has never been about simply selling products — it’s about asking the right questions, understanding a client’s vision, and creating branding that actually works.

We dive into the real power behind promotional products — from apparel and drinkware to vehicle wraps and trade show displays — and why the smallest branding decisions can have the biggest impact on a business. The conversation also explores the challenges of running a modern business in an “instant everything” world, and why genuine relationships, community trust, and human connection still matter more than ever.

Rooted in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Niagara Region, this episode highlights the power of local business, referrals, and building brands that people remember.

If you’re a business owner looking to grow your visibility, strengthen your brand, or simply learn how thoughtful marketing can transform your business, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Impact Promotions

Website: impactpromotions.ca

📘 Facebook⁠: ImpactPromotionsNiagara

📸 Instagr⁠am: impactpromotionsniagara

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Explore our Website: Digital Marketing | Visibility Boosters | Web Design | Social Media | ⁠⁠⁠https://visibilityboosters.com/⁠⁠⁠

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Connect with Michelle

Instagram: 🌸Michelle Latocha🌸Women's Health and Empowerment Coach| ⁠⁠⁠@michelleliftswomen⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠Make It Count Show.⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this heartfelt episode of Make It Count, we sit down with Stephen Cooper — founder of HB First Initiatives and newly appointed Executive Director of Comfort Bears — to talk about authenticity, community impact, and the power of leading with heart.

From raising over $22,000 in just seven months for grassroots initiatives to supporting children facing trauma and illness, Coop shares how purpose-driven leadership isn’t about recognition — it’s about connection. We dive into mental health (especially for men), people-pleasing, grief, fatherhood, legacy, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up.

This conversation is raw, real, and rooted in one core belief: before business, before titles, before success — we are human beings first.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, identity, or wondered how to create meaningful impact in your community, this episode is for you.

Connect with HB First

Website: ⁠hbfirstinitiatives.com

📘 Facebook⁠: HBFirst Initiatives

📸 Instagr⁠am: instagram.com/hbfirstinitiatives

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Explore our Website: Digital Marketing | Visibility Boosters | Web Design | Social Media | ⁠⁠https://visibilityboosters.com/⁠⁠

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Connect with Michelle

Instagram: 🌸Michelle Latocha🌸Women's Health and Empowerment Coach| ⁠⁠@michelleliftswomen⁠⁠

For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠⁠Make It Count Show.⁠⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this inspiring episode of Make It Count, host Michelle Latocha sits down with Geet Chahil, founder of Geet Collective, to explore the transformative power of storytelling, entrepreneurship, and taking bold leaps of faith.

From his early days working as a truck and coach mechanic to building one of Niagara’s most recognized video production companies, Geet shares the personal journey behind his creative pivot—and the risks, resilience, and relentless curiosity that fueled it. Together, they discuss the birth of Local Lenses, a web series spotlighting small businesses in Niagara, and Geet’s commitment to giving back by offering free video production to nonprofits in need.

This episode is a must-listen for creatives, dreamers, and entrepreneurs looking for insight, laughter, and proof that sometimes the best stories begin when you step into the unknown.

Connect with Geet Collective

Website: geetcollective.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/geetcollective
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/geetcollective
🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@geetcollectiveportfolio

Stay Updated with Visibility BoostersExplore our Website: Digital Marketing | Visibility Boosters | Web Design | Social Media | ⁠https://visibilityboosters.com/⁠Follow Us on Instagram: The Visibility Boosters | ⁠@thevisibilityboosters⁠Join Us on Facebook: ⁠The Visibility Boosters ⁠Connect on Twitter: The Visibility Boosters | ⁠@visibility_the⁠Follow our Youtube Channel: Visibility Boosters | ⁠https://youtube.com/@visibilityboosters⁠Follow Us on Spotify: Make It Count Show | ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/visibility-boosters⁠

Connect with MichelleInstagram: 🌸Michelle Latocha🌸Women's Health and Empowerment Coach| ⁠@michelleliftswomen⁠

For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠Make It Count Show.⁠ We'd love to connect with you

In this inspiring episode of Make It Count, host Michelle Latocha sits down with Jeff Joseph, longtime basketball coach and Corporate Partnership Manager at the Niagara River Lions, for a powerful conversation on leadership, parenting, and the culture of youth sports.

Together, they reflect on Jeff’s 30+ year journey in coaching, the lessons he’s learned working with athletes of all ages, and the importance of raising coachable, resilient kids in today’s ever-changing world. From hilarious stories on coaching his own children to the behind-the-scenes grind of building a championship team, this episode is a deep dive into what it means to lead with integrity, heart, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you're a parent, coach, or sports fan, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Connect with Niagara River Lions

Website: Niagara River Lions | ⁠https://www.riverlions.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraRiverLions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niagarariverlions/

Stay Updated with Visibility BoostersExplore our Website: Digital Marketing | Visibility Boosters | Web Design | Social Media | ⁠https://visibilityboosters.com/⁠Follow Us on Instagram: The Visibility Boosters | ⁠@thevisibilityboosters⁠Join Us on Facebook: ⁠The Visibility Boosters ⁠Connect on Twitter: The Visibility Boosters | ⁠@visibility_the⁠Follow our Youtube Channel: Visibility Boosters | ⁠https://youtube.com/@visibilityboosters⁠Follow Us on Spotify: Make It Count Show | ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/visibility-boosters⁠

Connect with MichelleInstagram: 🌸Michelle Latocha🌸Women's Health and Empowerment Coach| ⁠@michelleliftswomen⁠

For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at ⁠Make It Count Show.⁠ We'd love to connect with you