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Season 1, Episode #6: In the business of doing good - How Jim Estill uses charitable causes to empower his workplace

In this episode, Marnie and Russell sit down with Jim Estill, the CEO and Owner of Danby Appliances. Jim shares his secrets to lasting business success and how to make a positive impact on the world.

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“Well, I believe business people should do more of this type of thing because business people know how to organize for scale. I say to my business friends, if you can run a company with 800 people, you can run a volunteer organization with 800 people.” - Jim Estill




In this episode, Marnie and Russell sit down with Jim Estill, the CEO and Owner of Danby Appliances. Although he’s seen great success as a business leader, Jim’s impact reaches farther than that. Throughout his career, Jim has made it his mission to give back to the community, helping others through generous initiatives like supplying ventilators during the pandemic and supporting Syrian refugees who have recently come to Canada. Jim exemplifies a highly optimistic attitude and a willingness to do the right thing, which is a simple yet highly commendable quality to possess today. As a lifelong entrepreneur, author, and former founding director of Research in Motion, the inventors of the Blackberry, Jim is highly knowledgeable about what it takes to grow and scale a business. He’s also been awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his good deeds, which goes to show that he’s just as kind as he is savvy.

After this episode, you'll learn:

  • How social good can empower loyal employees.
  • The key business principle Jim follows and how that's influenced a roaringly successful career.
  • The "secret to happiness" most leaders overlook.
  • How to organize philanthropic endeavors.

Listen to Jim's episode:

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Biography


Jim Estill is CEO of Danby Appliances.

Danby Appliances is a niche manufacturer of specialty appliances, which manufactures and distributes over 2,000,000 appliances per year. Jim Estill is leveraging his tech background to create new markets and products for Danby such as the Danby Parcel Guard.

Jim is a Canadian technology entrepreneur, executive and philanthropist. He started his first computer distribution business from the trunk of his car while in university and grew that business to $2 Billion in sales.

Jim has invested in, mentored and advised over 150 technology companies including Blackberry. He joined their board before they went public and served for 13 years.

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