Beyond The Family Business

In this episode, Tareq Hadhad, CEO of Peace by Chocolate, shares the extraordinary story of his family business, from surviving the Syrian war to rebuilding their lives and company in rural Nova Scotia. He reflects on his role as a storyteller, the power of resilience, and how purpose helped transform hardship into hope. Tareq also offers practical advice for other immigrant entrepreneurs looking to build something meaningful in a new country.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

Mack Csaszar is the 3rd generation CEO of UCEL Inc. They are a family business based in Toronto that focuses on industrial elevators and construction lift systems. Mack has grown the family business across Canada and into the USA. In this episode, we dive into the story of taking over the family business as a young man. Mack shares what was the most valuable experience and where he spent his time in the early days of succession. Lastly, we discuss his strategy for diversifying away from UCEL with a family bank.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

Colin Michael MacDonald, COO of Micco Group of Companies, runs a hands-on family business with shared services and real estate operations. They debate two investment company approaches. Conversations cover centralized head office functions, in-house property management, tradeoffs of hands-on vs delegated holdco models, succession challenges, and what each would borrow from the other.

Chris Ritchie is the former President of SilverCrest, a mining firm that sold for $2.5B CAD in 2024. In today’s episode, we discuss the fundamentals of the precious metals market. Chris explains the major differences between investing in a mining business and precious metals. He shares tips on how to buy gold or silver. Lastly, we discuss the outlook for precious metals given the recent market correction.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

In this episode, I provide a clear, plain-English summary of J.P. Morgan’s 2026 Outlook—“Promise and Pressure.” We walk through the major themes shaping markets, including AI’s investment boom, global fragmentation, and a shifting inflation regime. Along the way, I add my own commentary throughout from a family office perspective, focusing on what these trends could mean in real-world decision-making. This conversation is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal views. It is not investment advice, and nothing discussed should be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

In this engaging conversation, Danielle Saputo, a third-generation member of the Saputo family and author of "I Am Enough," shares insights on identity and next-gen involvement in family businesses. She discusses the challenges of separating personal worth from family legacy and the importance of supportive family structures. Danielle also highlights her journey as a family business advisor, emphasizing the value of storytelling and intentional financial education for children. Her reflections on overcoming self-doubt and embracing one's voice provide a refreshing perspective.

In this episode, Lee Bragg, Vice Chair of Eastlink and member of the Bragg Business Family, shares how a Nova Scotian family business grew from its rural roots into a diversified enterprise spanning telecom, frozen foods, and airport services. Lee explains the group’s disciplined approach to risk, return, and diversification—and why capital allocation, not just entrepreneurship, sits at the heart of their long-term success. He also discusses why the Braggs prioritize meritocracy over nepotism, and how strong governance and clear expectations help protect both the family and the business across generations.beyondthefamilybusiness.com/

 Ben Hertzman is the 2nd Gen President of Progress Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging. They specialise in premium retail packaging for customers across North America. We discuss Ben’s offshore supply chain and how he has become an expert in navigating tariffs. He also shares how his team has recently reshored part of their manufacturing to Toronto. We discuss the ingredients that have made his succession work for him and his father. As well, we delve into the history of his family business and how his Dad’s first big break was producing the boxes for Trivial Pursuit in the 1980s.

Pierre Somers is the founder of Montreal-based Walter Group and the third generation of his entrepreneurial family. Their story begins in Germany in the early 1900s with the building of locomotives. We delve into the complex journey of his family and how they had to reinvent themselves many times. We discuss the Walter Group’s investment strategy and how Pierre has attracted top talent. Lastly, we discuss his children and their unique paths.

Derrick Hunter, the second-generation CEO of Calgary's Blue Sky Equities, shares insights on transforming a family business from oil and gas to diversified investments. He discusses lessons from his father about legacy and the shift to U.S. multifamily real estate, highlighting a strategic pivot to mitigate concentration risk. Derrick emphasizes the crucial role of entrepreneurs in family legacies and details his foundation's mission focused on supporting mental health and entrepreneurship. His reflections on family governance reveal the importance of transparency and succession planning.