When you’re running a company, it’s easy to get caught in the weeds—even for business consultants.
Kevin Foreman was helping others grow, but struggling to find time to lead his own company strategically. Here’s how TEC Canada membership helped him break the pattern and think bigger.
When you’re running a company, it’s easy to get caught in the weeds—even for business consultants.
Kevin Foreman was helping others grow, but struggling to find time to lead his own company strategically. Here’s how TEC Canada membership helped him break the pattern and think bigger.
As a business strategist and the President of BSBCON (Black Sheep Business Consulting Corp.), Kevin Foreman knows what it takes to grow a company. He’s helped countless businesses scale and overcome obstacles, but even with his expertise, he realized something was missing. “I was so focused on helping others grow that I wasn’t taking enough time to step back and work on my own business,” he admits. “That’s when I knew I needed TEC Canada.”
Breaking Out of the Lone Leader Mentality
Like many business owners, Kevin was used to making big decisions on his own. “I think a lot of us feel like we have to figure everything out ourselves,” he says. “You don’t always have someone to challenge your thinking or offer real, unbiased advice.”
That changed when a trusted client, Lucy La Grassa, a TEC Chair in Toronto, introduced him to TEC Canada. “We had just finished a project when she said, ‘Hey, you should think about TEC.’ I knew she was involved, but I didn’t really know what it was.”
He was intrigued when she explained how TEC helped business leaders grow through peer support, accountability, and access to expert insights. “She talked about how businesses can grow tons with it, and I thought, ‘Yeah, that’s what I need.’”
Still, joining a peer group as a business consultant himself gave him pause. “It actually took a fair amount of humility from me because I’m supposed to be the one helping other businesses. But I thought—why not? Why not go into something where I have to learn and share?”
Finding a True Peer Group
Encouraged by Lucy, Kevin explored his options. “I was given the choice: join an existing group or be part of a new one. I liked the idea of starting fresh—being part of something from the beginning.” That decision connected him with Helen Hodgson, Chair of a TEC Small Business Group. Right away, he knew he’d made the right call. “Helen was super professional—she even called me while she was in Hawaii. From every step of the way, everyone was just so professional and direct.”
Kevin quickly realized that TEC Canada membership was different from any other business network. “I’ve always believed in the power of community, but TEC Canada is something else,” he explains. “There’s no fluff, no egos—just honest conversations with people who actually understand what you’re going through.”
That level of trust allowed him to bring real challenges to the table. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through TEC Canada membership is the importance of commitment. I don’t like it when people leave early. I get it, I respect it, but I’m kind of hardcore about it. If we’re doing this, we’re doing this. Let’s grow together.”
Beyond the discussions, TEC Canada has become a critical part of his business routine. “TEC Canada membership is one of my anchors. It forces me to stop everything else, put the business ahead, and work on it rather than in it.”
Navigating Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty with Confidence
For many business owners, today’s economic landscape is overwhelming—rising costs, global supply chain disruptions, and tariffs that make long-term planning feel impossible. But for Kevin Foreman, TEC provided a different perspective. “Tariffs? They don’t keep me up at night,” he says. “If you’re in business, you have to be thinking 10, 20, even 30 years ahead. That’s how you stay resilient.”
TEC Canada membership helped Kevin shift his mindset around uncertainty. “A business owner’s mindset is key. It could be the worst time ever—you could be dealing with huge obstacles—but if you have an abundance mindset, you’ll find opportunities. That’s one thing I try to practice.”
This mindset has led Kevin to take action rather than wait for conditions to improve. “We’ve built out a presence in the U.S. to mitigate risk and are now looking at emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. We’re not doing it because it’s good today, but because that’s the way the world is going. With BRICS and global shifts happening, you have to be looking ahead.”
TEC has also given Kevin access to insights that allow him to make better decisions in a volatile market. “There are business owners in my group who are directly impacted by tariffs and supply chain issues every day, and we’re all learning from each other. Seeing how other leaders are adapting helps me think more strategically about my own business.”
Beyond Strategy—A Network That Elevates Leadership
Kevin’s time as a TEC Canada member has been filled with defining moments. One of the most impactful was a presentation he gave to his TEC group. “I used to be afraid of public speaking,” he says. “But standing in front of my TEC Canada peers gave me the confidence to own my message. Now, I’m preparing to speak at a conference in the U.S. for a women’s veterans group. That first TEC presentation helped me realize—I can do this.”
Kevin also sees clear ROI from his TEC membership. “Even if I only take away three important lessons a year that shift my mindset, that can change how I run my business. And in reality, I take away way more than that.”
The expert speakers TEC brings in have also left a lasting impact. “The ones that challenge my existing thinking the most are the ones I remember,” he says. “Honestly, those are the ones that help me grow the most.”
But beyond the lessons, the value of TEC Canada membership is in the relationships. “These are people I trust. There’s something different about sitting across from someone who’s in the same boat as you—who understands the pressure of leadership. You can’t get that kind of insight from reading a book or attending a seminar.”
For CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Considering TEC Canada Membership
Kevin Foreman knows that many CEOs and business owners hesitate before joining a peer advisory group. “I get it. It’s hard to take time away from the day-to-day. But that’s exactly why you need it.”
For leaders grappling with economic shifts, rising costs, or the uncertainty of tariffs, Kevin sees TEC Canada membership as a solution that delivers real insights, not just theory. “When you’re making high-stakes decisions, you want to be in a room with people who’ve been there before. That’s what joining TEC Canada is.”
He describes TEC Canada as a space where leaders sharpen their skills, gain new perspectives, and build lasting connections that drive real growth. “In business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. TEC Canada forces you to stop, think, and plan ahead. And that’s worth everything.”
Would he recommend TEC Canada to other entrepreneurs? “One hundred percent. The structure, the people, the insights—it’s been one of the best investments in my growth as a leader.”
Kevin’s experience is proof that even the most seasoned business strategists benefit from a strong, trusted peer network. “No matter how much you think you know, there’s always something new to learn. TEC Canada makes sure you don’t have to do it alone.”
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