Blog Wide

“Five years of patience, 90 days of listening, and 10 years of success.” Josh Rottenberg’s journey from corporate executive to business owner offers invaluable lessons for anyone considering buying an established business. In this intriguing episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Josh shares how he waited five years to find the right business, then spent his first three months doing “nothing” but asking questions and observing—a strategy that proved remarkably effective. Josh reveals his practical criteria for acquisition (including his memorable “one bridge” rule for commuting), discusses how firing two employees established his leadership, and shares his biggest mistake: over-relying […]

In long-term care homes owned by private equity firms, there’s a 50% increased likelihood of patient sedation alongside higher mortality rates and costs. Yikes! This eye-opening episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs features Rachel Wasserman, whose background in law, investment banking, and M&A gives her unique insight into how private equity operates and impacts our communities. What makes this conversation essential listening: Learn how PE firms use leveraged buyouts that saddle businesses with crushing debt  Discover which industries are being rapidly consolidated (dental practices, vet clinics, daycares, and more) Understand how your Canadian pension funds are heavily invested in PE […]

The middle of a marathon is where dreams go to die. Startups are exactly the same. Serial entrepreneur Craig Martin has launched 6 tech startups over two decades, and his candid insights on the recent Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs podcast are pure gold for founders. While everyone loves the excitement of launch day, Craig reveals the often-overlooked fundamentals that determine whether you’ll make it to the finish line: The first call you make matters: Most founders race to product development, but Craig insists your first two calls should be to a corporate lawyer and accountant. The structure you choose on […]

"After building someone's company for 16 years, we had nothing to show for it. So six of us made a bold move that changed everything." That's how Kingsley Leung begins to share his unconventional path to business ownership on the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs. Rather than rage-quitting or starting from scratch, Kingsley and his team engineered one of the most elegant business transitions we’ve heard. Their solution? Moving as a unified team of six to Agility Forex, negotiating not just jobs but ownership stakes. The result? The original owners now call it "the best decision they could [...]

The “$2 Trillion Business Succession Tsunami” is coming to Canada – are you ready? A staggering 76% of Canadian small business owners plan to exit within the next decade. Whether you’re a potential buyer looking for opportunity or an owner planning your exit, this episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs is packed with insider insights from our Serenity Sisters who’ve navigated these waters. Key takeaways: •     Why most sales fail (and how to avoid common pitfalls) •     The surprising truth about business valuation •     Creative strategies for employee buy-ins •     Real stories from business owners who’ve “dated” potential buyers •     Why starting your exit planning […]

“2.5 million people drive past my store each year. The name makes 80% of them turn around.” Every business has a story, but few are as authentic and inspiring as Kasha Thomson’s journey. In our latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, this fourth-generation farmer shares how she transformed a recovery hobby into a thriving Western lifestyle brand. What started with making hemp necklaces during knee injury recovery evolved into a mission to empower others. The name “Knotty Cowgirl” (with a K for knots!) has become more than clever wordplay – it’s a rallying cry for resilience. Key moments from our conversation: Building […]

Writing a book is a daunting task… but it’s worth the effort. Robert Puharich, associate producer of the Specified Growth Podcast, had access to unique insights and wanted to condense the knowledge to help others, so he wrote his first book. In this episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Robert discusses why you should consider writing a book, breaks down the process into simple and attainable steps, gives tips on how to be successful in your journey, and more. From marketing content to personal development, Robert describes the value in going through the process, creating marginal gains for yourself, and having a […]

Documenting is crucial to a business’s growth, yet it often doesn’t get done. Why? There are many reasons a company can give, but it’s not done in the end. How can you fix this problem? On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the Sisters discuss how to overcome issues around systems and documentation, share the impact of implementing technology to assist the process, discuss change management, and more. Change is never easy, but sometimes it builds the foundation for the future. Listen to how it worked out for our Serenity Sister.