UNBOXED

Ep. 5 - Shania Bhopia - Egg Frezeing, TED Talks, and Harvard

In this episode of UNBOXED, host Paige Sandher chats with Shania Bhopia, a PhD candidate, researcher, founder, and advocate for women’s health and empowerment. They discuss Shania’s early entrepreneurial beginnings, her multifaceted journey through science and advocacy, and her decision to freeze her eggs at 25. Shania also shares her frameworks for balancing ambition, personal wellness, and purpose — including her work at Harvard and her upcoming TED Talk. This episode is packed with deep insights on fertility planning, burnout, intuition, and doing it all with heart and strategy.
Intro + Toronto Star FeaturePaige opens with a warm welcome. Shania shares her excitement about being featured in the Toronto Star, including the playful story behind being photographed with an egg.
02:30 – Childhood & Entrepreneurial RootsShania reflects on growing up in an immigrant family, her first business at age 6, and creating a sign language choir that still exists today.
04:30 – Building Confidence Through ArtsFrom dance to acting, Shania explains how performing arts shaped her leadership style and communication skills.
06:30 – Academic Path + Mental Health ResetShania details her transition into health studies, her photography side hustle, and how her sister helped overhaul her life during a mental health struggle in university.
09:45 – What is Global Health?A deep dive into Shania’s work in global health, co-designing chronic disease interventions, especially for newcomer communities in Canada.
12:20 – Managing Success & ExpectationsDiscussion on navigating the pressure of accolades, managing ambition post-success, and finding clarity through mentorship and the concept of “earning years.”
16:55 – Harvard Workshop on Fertility & CareerShania explains her innovative workshop for Harvard Business School that helps women align family planning with professional milestones using a visual life map.
20:50 – Egg Freezing JourneyAn open and practical breakdown of why Shania froze her eggs, the process, the costs, and how it empowered her to take control of her future.
28:30 – Parenthood, Systems & SupportShania and Paige talk about the kind of life they envision for future children, including creating family systems for balance, financial planning, and lifestyle design.
32:30 – Founder Life & Future PlanningPaige reflects on her evolving role at CouchHaus and how business ownership ties into long-term family planning goals.
36:30 – The Power of Privacy in AcademiaShania opens up about keeping her online persona separate from her academic world and the stigma around fertility conversations in traditional work environments.
37:55 – TED Talk & Multi-Hyphenate LifeSneak peek into Shania's TED Talk on doing it all — using systems, tools, and intuition — plus what it means to be a multi-hyphenate in today’s world.
39:05 – Burnout & Tools to Prevent ItShania shares her personal burnout story and three tools she uses to stay grounded: the 168-hour audit, monthly “joy days,” and the 7 types of rest.
42:30 – Triathlon Training & PCOSThey discuss fitness journeys, the challenges of hormone health, and how switching training styles revealed underlying symptoms of PCOS for Shania.
48:00 – The Wellness Industry & Social MediaShania critiques the commodification of wellness on social platforms and emphasizes the importance of access, education, and upstream health solutions.
53:00 – Deeper Friendships & Stranger DatingShe shares her approach to making meaningful connections through “stranger dating” and the importance of genuine conversation.
56:00 – Grandparents, Legacy & Soul WorkThe conversation turns sentimental as Paige shares a moment with her grandfather, and Shania talks about journaling legacy for future generations.
59:10 – Final ReflectionsShania reveals what people may not know about her: she’s deeply spiritual and soul-driven — and wants girls to know they can truly do it all.

Ep. 4 - Jake Karls - Mid-Day Squares, Costco, and the Chaos of Scaling a Startup

In this raw and inspiring episode, Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, opens up about the highs and lows of building a breakout CPG brand. From navigating burnout and identity loss to surviving near-recalls and Costco rejections, Jake shares the unfiltered truth behind the hustle. He reflects on the power of storytelling, staying authentic, and why reconnecting with your inner child might be the ultimate entrepreneurial edge.
00:00:00 – The Nonstop Mind of a FounderJake and Harrison discuss the mental load of entrepreneurship and how hard it is to “turn off.” They explore the importance of stepping outside your day-to-day environment to reset and avoid burnout.
00:04:01 – When Business Becomes Your IdentityJake opens up about losing his sense of self while building Mid-Day Squares. He reflects on how he forgot who he was outside of work and is now trying to reconnect with his passions and hobbies.
00:07:16 – Childhood Lessons, Sports, and Embracing FailureA conversation on how competitive sports shaped their mental toughness. Jake shares how rejection in youth sports and personal setbacks taught him to bounce back stronger.
00:12:01 – Hustle, Naïvety, and the Joy of the Early DaysJake recounts his first failed business and the wild energy he had in the early days—sleeping in cars, building brand momentum, and chasing the dream with childlike excitement.
00:17:31 – The Burnout That Changed EverythingJake details a 40-day mental and physical collapse, including symptoms he thought were MS. He shares how hypnotherapy helped him recover and how critical it is to listen to your body’s warning signs.
00:24:01 – Health Over Hype: Redefining SuccessJake examines how chasing validation and constant movement took a toll. He discusses how eating well, moving daily, and getting quality sleep are now his non-negotiables.
00:30:01 – Why Jake Quit His CMO RoleJake explains how ego drove him to take on a role he wasn’t built for. After stepping down as CMO, he focused on his true strengths—brand energy, storytelling, and relationships—and the business improved because of it.
00:36:01 – Fans, Not Customers: Mid-Day Squares’ Storytelling StrategyThe MDS team documented everything—from legal battles to product launches—like a reality show. This authentic storytelling helped them build deep emotional connections with fans.
00:42:01 – Breaking Into Costco After Years of RejectionAfter three years of hearing “no,” Mid-Day Squares got into Costco by breaking records during a roadshow. Jake talks about teamwork, conviction, and staying persistent until the deal landed.
00:47:01 – Final Advice: Learn to DanceJake closes the episode with his biggest piece of advice to entrepreneurs: reconnect with your inner child, don’t lose yourself in the hustle, and learn to dance through the ups and downs.
 

Ep. 3 - Tyler Heppell - Your Everyday Farmer to Viral TikToker

In this conversation, Tyler Heppell, a fifth-generation potato farmer, shares his journey through agriculture, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. He discusses the importance of ambition, work-life balance, and the daily operations of running a farm. Tyler reflects on the challenges of generational farming, the dynamics of family businesses, and the lessons learned from his past failures in the corporate world. He emphasizes the significance of understanding costs in farming and the impact of personal mottos on decision-making. In this conversation, Paige Sandher discusses her journey back to the family farm, the impact of social media on agriculture, and the importance of community engagement through initiatives like Ugly Potato Day. She shares insights on productivity, goal setting, and the logistics of food insecurity, emphasizing the need for effective communication and planning in both personal and professional realms.
 
00:00 Tyler Heppell and His Journey
04:46Ambition and Work-Life Balance
10:20 Daily Routine and Operations of a Potato Farm
16:53 Generational Farming and Family Dynamics
22:08 Transitioning Back to the Family Farm
28:17 Lessons Learned from Failure and Greed
32:11 Returning to the Family Business
35:01 The Rise of Social Media in Agriculture
39:13 Mastering the Art of Hooks
43:52 Planning for Success: Big Rocks and Masogi
55:25 The Impact of Ugly Potato Day and 10 Servings

Ep. 2 - Raveena Oberoi - From Pastry Chef to Serial Entrepreneur

In this conversation, Raveena Oberoi shares her journey from studying pastries in Paris to becoming a successful entrepreneur and judge on the Food Network. She discusses the importance of taking risks, cultural influences on her career, and finding one's 'why' in business. The conversation also delves into mental health, building a strong team, and the systems necessary for scaling a business, especially during COVID-19. Ravina emphasizes the importance of representation in the industry and how her experiences have shaped her approach to entrepreneurship. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various aspects of running a bakery business, including the intricacies of white labeling, profit margins, pricing strategies, and the importance of time management and automation. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their business models, the exploration of vending machine sales, and the innovation behind creating protein gummies. The conversation also highlights the significance of building strong partnerships, financial management, and the unique value that small businesses bring to the community.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background01:14 Defining Identity Beyond Work03:05 Cultural Influences and Entrepreneurial Spirit05:38 Navigating Non-Traditional Paths07:45 Understanding the Importance of 'Why' in Business09:10 Mental Health and Personal Growth11:28 Balancing Hands-On Work with Business Management14:11 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture16:40 Systems and Processes for Business Efficiency19:40 Hiring for Values: The Importance of Integrity22:07 Creating Sweet Memories: Customer Experience in Business24:36 From Home Business to Storefront: The Evolution of Operations30:51 Adapting to Change: The Impact of COVID-19 on Business35:01 Innovating for Success: The Rise of Cake Jars36:15 Navigating Profit Margins in Wholesale38:12 Challenging Seasonal Business Narratives39:31 The Shift to E-commerce and Automation42:58 Time Management and Delegation Strategies46:01 Exploring New Revenue Streams49:12 The Importance of Diversification in Business53:44 Innovating with Vending Machines and New Products56:33 Crafting a High-Protein Candy59:01 Scaling Production and Overcoming Challenges01:00:49 Building a Brand and Distribution Network01:02:44 Navigating Financial Challenges01:05:48 Understanding Customer Perceptions01:09:51 The Human Side of Entrepreneurship
 

Ep. 1 - Paige Sandher - From Losing It All to Building a 7-Figure Business

Paige Sandher shares her rollercoaster journey as an entrepreneur with her partner Harrison. From juggling multiple e-commerce stores to an exit. Running a media agency to losing an income stream. Navigating uncertainty, and ultimately co-founding a 7-figure couch-in-a-box company. Whether you're dreaming of your own entrepreneurial leap or just curious about what happens behind the scenes - this is the perfect starting point.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:15 Early Life and Challenges
12:30 The Turning Point
20:45 Building the Business
30:00 Overcoming Obstacles
40:20 Achieving Success
50:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
58:00 Future Plans
01:05:00 Conclusion