Small Business & Youth: Behind the Glass Podcast Guest Appearance

I recently sat down as a guest on Behind the Glass, a local podcast hosted by Ward 2’s own Vince Capano.

Many in our community know Vince as a former AAA/AA goaltender and founder of Vince Capano Goaltending, serving youth netminders across Peel and Halton. With a Bachelor's degree and a Master's in Sport Management from Brock University, Vince combines technical coaching, mental performance, and character-building to help young athletes succeed on and off the ice.

Beyond coaching, Vince has developed valuable experience across the sports industry through roles in sales with the Winnipeg Jets, event coordination with the Toronto Blue Jays, and community programming with Play On! Canada.

As someone who has run my own business for over 34 years, I will always have a special place in my heart for entrepreneurs. Starting something from scratch takes real guts—whether it's managing late-night client demands or balancing a budget, you quickly learn that every single dollar counts.

During our sit-down, Vince and I talked about the real-world pressures facing small business owners today, from inflation to rising overhead:

Keeping Property Taxes in Check: Commercial rents often rise automatically when municipal property taxes go up due to net lease structures. Fiscal discipline at City Hall is essential to protect local shops from rent hikes.
Cutting Red Tape & Streamlining Approvals: Streamline municipal licensing, trim administrative fees, and simplify paperwork so owners can focus on serving customers rather than waiting on City approvals.
Supporting Main Streets & BIA Marketing: Working closely with local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), like the Clarkson Village BIA, on joint marketing, street activations, and driving foot traffic so our local main streets can thrive.

If the City can foster entrepreneurship, especially for young people looking to build their future right here in Mississauga, I am 100% all in.

As a youth goalie coach working with dozens of local athletes, Vince’s day-to-day work focuses on getting young people active and building positive habits. During the episode, we dove into a challenge that almost every parent in Ward 2 brings up on the doorstep: screen time and social media pressure.

Having raised my two daughters right here in Ward 2, I remember what life was like before social media became a constant presence. Kids today face intense online pressures, and we need to give them real, positive reasons to connect in person—whether playing street hockey or joining local clubs.

The City of Mississauga plays a vital role here. We need to expand local, accessible opportunities for youth, whether through:

Athletic programming and local sports leagues
Academic and hobby clubs
Community arts and theatre initiatives (where I've spent 8 years as a local community theatre president)

Providing engaging, offline spaces helps young people build confidence, form real-world friendships, and develop a strong sense of belonging.

One of my favourite moments in our discussion was reflecting on what first inspired my involvement in community leadership and my core belief that "Community isn't something you wait for; it's something you build."

When I first moved to Ward 2 over two decades ago, one of the first things I did was walk around and meet my neighbours just to say hello. I’ve always believed in the old saying, "Know Your Neighbour." Knowing who lives on your street isn't just about friendliness—it is the absolute foundation of neighbourhood safety and security.

Having served 17 years as a residents' association president, I know that real community strength comes from the ground up. For me, leadership means being reachable—adhering to a 24-hour response rule, meeting residents face-to-face over coffee, and making sure neighbourhood voices are heard loud and clear at City Hall.

Running for City Councillor isn't a political stepping stone for me; it is my destination. Getting things done at City Hall requires reachable, hands-on leadership, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to being available for residents.

I want to extend a huge thank you to Vince Capano for hosting me on Behind the Glass and for creating a platform to discuss the issues that matter most to Ward 2. Be sure to check out Vince's work at Vince Capano Goaltending and subscribe to his podcast channel!