We became business brokers in British Columbia focusing on the Vancouver, Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton region some years ago firstly because we call this area our home and we love living here, but also because we saw an opportunity to offer a professional service to business owners that are looking to retire and to help them with the sale of their business in a coordinated systematic manner.  We have a high level of market and technical expertise and offer a personal, discreet and most importantly confidential service.

In Canada today there is a huge market in businesses that will be sold over the next 10 years as baby boomers reach retirement age.  A 2005 survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) suggests that 71 per cent of entrepreneurs plan on selling their businesses over the next 5 to 10 years, meaning nearly 300,000 companies worth more than $1 trillion could wind up on the market.

Business Broker Profile

Alain Therrien CBI, CMEA, SBA

Originally from Saskatchewan, Alain is an entrepreneur at heart.  He started his business career at a young age having been involved with his family businesses, which included a construction company and a landscaping rock quarry.  Alain has a particular interest in online businesses, tourism and the hospitality industry.  He has lived in the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia for the past 13 years. In 2002 he started an internet based inbound travel company in Whistler which he later sold in 2008.
 
This positive experience led him into the Business Brokerage Industry.  Alain has assisted many business owners across a range of industries to successfully exit their business and buyer's in purchasing them. Together with his experience with other start up businesses, he has developed a passion for continual learning through professional development and other educational pursuits. 

Alain has a Diploma in business with a focus on Adventure Tourism and a Certificate in Advanced Tourism Management from Capilano University.  Alain is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) where he attained his Certified Business Intermediary (CBI).  He is also a licensed British Columbia Realtor.

Alain was also awarded the CMEA designation (Certified Machinery/ Equipment Appraiser) by the NEBB Institute.  CMEAs are located throughout the United States, Canada and several foreign countries, and are used by banks, other lending institutions, CPAs, lawyers, business buyers/sellers and others to provide needed financial information for asset valuations.

Outside of the business world, Alain is passionate about the outdoors.  He is an avid skier and has completed his Level 2 CSIA Ski Instructor qualification and is a Level 1 Avalanche Technician.  He is also a keen diver having completed his PADI Advanced Certified Scuba Diver qualification.  Alain also enjoys hiking, fishing and mountain biking.

Chris Juras B.A, CBI

Christopher Juras has an international business background. Focused mainly on finance and technology, he has worked in London, Vancouver, throughout North America and Europe. His expertise lies in working with start-ups to medium sized businesses. Over the past 25 years Christopher has been involved with a variety and diversity of domestic and international projects, as both a principal and in an advisory capacity. Most recently he was the Managing Director of his own European financial services company based in the Baltic States and in Russia. Prior to this he ran his own Financial Public Relations Consulting business in Canada, which focused on raising venture capital for client companies in the technology sector. In this role he worked closely with many successful entrepreneurial owners in best presenting their companies to the investment community across Canada.

Originally from the UK, Christopher moved to Vancouver in 1987. His first career choice was to work in the Research Department of a brokerage firm and here, his energy was focused on meeting with and evaluating numerous BC based businesses in order to establish and report on their investment merits and quality. At the same time, he completed the Canadian Securities Course and became a Registered Stockbroker.

His first-hand experience of owning and managing his own businesses coupled with consulting experience at senior management and Board level, gives Christopher a keen insight into the world of business and management. His knowledge of the diversity of businesses, markets and individuals has equipped Christopher with the talent and disposition to help others who are looking to buy or sell a business and assist in their succession planning. Christopher completed both his undergraduate studies (Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government) and post-graduate studies (Diploma in Business Information Technology) in England. Christopher is also the Honorary Consul for Lithuania in British Columbia, a position he has held since 1996.

Christopher lives in Vancouver and is a licensed BC Realtor as well as a member of the International Business Brokers Association.