Shawn has built a thriving business while also dedicating a significant amount of his time to supporting organizations like Trellis Foundation, the A100, and Venture Mentoring Services. He shares his insights on the importance of having a strong "why" behind your involvement and the value of delegating effectively to balance success and volunteering. This inspiring episode delves into the delicate balance of running a thriving business while making time for meaningful volunteer work.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Shawn Freeman has founded and scaled many businesses to multi-million dollar corporations. He is a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience running IT management companies and can certainly speak to leading and growing large companies and being an innovative thinker. 

Shawn launched his career in 2011 by founding TWT Group, a small managed service provider (MSP). He grew the business to seven figures within nine years and successfully exited in 2020 through a high-value acquisition. Currently, Shawn is the founder of Impactful MSP, where he helps ambitious MSP owners achieve sustainable, long-term growth.

Beyond his professional work, Shawn serves as a Board Member for the Trellis Foundation and The A100, and volunteers as a mentor with the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta. Additionally, Shawn has been deeply involved with Entrepreneurs’ Organization for over 10 years, currently serving as the Chapter President for Calgary.

Show Links:

• Impactful MSP 
• Trellis Foundation 
• The A100 
• Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA) 
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization 
• Book - Traction: Gino Wyckman 
• Book - Buy Back Your Time: Dan Martell 
• OMO Teppan & Kitchen 

Show Quotes:

"If you get a client that is not enjoyable to work with It's the old 80-20 rule. They take up 80% of your time. You make 20% of your profits off of them."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan