In this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat interviews Joshua Gale, President of Gold Star Canadian Tours, an adventure travel company specializing in unique Canadian travel experiences, including one-day polar bear expeditions to Churchill, Manitoba.
Josh shares his journey from a 20-plus-year career as a power engineer and industrial manager to becoming an entrepreneur. After completing his MBA during COVID, he began looking for a business opportunity that combined his interest in travel and wildlife with the project management skills he had developed throughout his career. What started as a side project eventually grew enough that he was able to leave his full-time career and focus on Gold Star Canadian Tours.
The conversation explores how Josh identified an opportunity to make polar bear tourism more accessible to Canadians by creating a convenient one-day experience, rather than requiring travelers to spend several days getting to and staying in Churchill. He also talks about how the company has grown from a seasonal operation into a year-round business with multiple tours, staff, and contractors.
Josh also shares some of the biggest lessons he learned along the way, including how much marketing effort it takes to build awareness, why the company’s approach shifted from traditional advertising to a more digital-first strategy, and why persistence and consistent effort are so important when growing a business.
You’ll also learn:
- how to identify business opportunities by combining your interests with your existing skills and experience
- why starting a business on the side can give you time to test an idea while managing your other responsibilities
- how to balance entrepreneurial risk with your financial and family obligations
- why a good product still needs consistent marketing and effort to reach the right customers
- how persistence and feedback loops can help move a business forward over time
- why growing a business can sometimes be necessary to create the capacity and team you need
- how getting honest, critical feedback can help you work through difficult business decisions
This episode is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone considering making the transition from a full-time career into entrepreneurship. Josh offers practical insight into testing an idea, managing risk, building a business around your interests, and staying committed through the work and challenges that come with growing a company.
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