How I Started from $0 and Created Billions

Business is about solving problems—and Edward Kholodenko has spent his life doing just that. From his early years facing discrimination in the Soviet Union to immigrating to Canada and navigating failed ventures, Edward’s journey is one of relentless resilience.

In this episode of Kosher Money, he shares how he built Questrade, one of Canada’s leading trading platforms, overseeing over $60 billion in assets. But his story isn’t just about wealth—it’s about adaptability, faith in God, and finding opportunities in crisis.  How did a failed computer business in Ukraine shape his future success?  What financial mistakes do most people make?  How did he navigate market crashes, the 2008 financial crisis, and the rise of AI?  Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or someone looking for smart financial insights, this episode is packed with wisdom, lessons, and real-world strategies to help you succeed.  Watch now and learn how to build, grow, and take control of your financial future!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Intro 

01:24 Edward’s Early Life In The Soviet Union 

03:02 Moving to Toronto 04:25 Did You Grow Up Religious? 

06:00 Edward's (Growing) Beard 

06:48 His First Business Venture in 1991 

11:00 The Fall of the Soviet Union 

14:35 10,000% Inflation 

14:52 Getting Married & Back to Canada 

15:54 The Russian Ruble Crisis 

16:45 BitBean 

17:43 The Donors' Fund 

19:31 A Godly Pattern in Edward's Life 

20:03 The Impact Of 9/11 On The Business 

20:40 The Start of Questrade 

26:04 The First Few Years of Questrade 

32:28 Another Business Hurdle 

34:10 The Effect of Success 

37:09 Best Practices for Business Owners 

38:37 The Value of Time 

39:24 Starting a New Business 

41:00 Twillory 

42:16 Colel Chabad - Help Israel 

43:41 How to Impact Culture in a Biz 

45:55 "Can I Steal a Few Minutes?" 

46:26 His Advice for Wealthier Families 

49:16 Where Edward Sees Opportunities Now 

51:51 Trading in the Markets 

54:35 Hidden Fees, Crypto, Risks, Oh My! 

57:45 Human Advisors vs. Computers & AI 

59:12 How Edward Manages His Phone 

1:00:27 What's Your Dream, Edward? 

1:02:00 His Torah Learning 1:05:40 Contest, Winners & Outro

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Kosher Money is the bi-weekly podcast from Living Lchaim, hosted by Eli Langer.

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