Peninsula Road

04/29/2026

A monkey with a Bloomberg terminal can get you 4% in the stock market.

Which raises an honest question for any owner being pitched on a four-year "buy, build, and sell" exit strategy: Is your plan meaningfully beating the monkey?

For most owners who run the math carefully, the answer is no.
Read the full piece on the hidden cost of buy, build, and sell.

https://www.peninsularoad.ca/news/the-hidden-cost-of-buy-build-and-sell

03/19/2026

Most business owners only sell once, but they'll spend decades building what they're selling. We wrote a step-by-step guide to help Canadian founders and family business owners understand the full process: valuation, preparation, deal structure, due diligence, and what comes after closing.
If you're thinking about selling your business, or know someone who is, this is a good place to start.
Read the full guide here → https://www.peninsularoad.ca/news/how-to-sell-your-business-in-canada-the-complete-guide

10/15/2025

If you're thinking about selling your business, you've probably heard the term "normalized EBITDA."

Most owners think it means adding back expenses to show what you really make. Company car, one-time costs, that Florida meeting.

But those adjustments go both ways.

Buyers look at what it actually costs to replace you. If you're doing GM work at $60K that would cost $150K to hire externally, they're adjusting for that gap. Same with family members working below market rate.

At a 5x or 6x multiple, these gaps add up fast.

New article on what normalized EBITDA actually means and how to prepare: www.peninsularoad.ca/news/normalized-ebitda-two-way-street

09/26/2025

You’re not alone. For many owners, the idea comes quietly, during a vacation, after a tough quarter, or when someone makes an offer out of the blue.

But selling is more than just a transaction. It’s a decision about your time, your identity, your future.

This article explores the emotional and practical signals that suggest it might be time to step away and how to know if you’re actually ready.

📘 Read: Three Futures — Should You Sell Your Business?

Selling your business isn’t a failure; it’s a strategic decision. Learn when to consider it, what it really means, and how to make the call with confidence.

09/24/2025

Who’s really in charge?

In many family businesses, the title may say one thing, but everyone knows who actually makes the decisions.

This article dives into what happens when power transitions without a plan, and how that hidden hand can undermine even the best succession intentions.

If you’re in a family business where “official” roles don’t quite reflect reality, this one’s for you.

Not quite an employee. Not yet in charge. If you’ve joined the family business and feel stuck in the middle, this guide will help you lead with clarity, even before the title comes.

09/19/2025

If your kids are already working in the business, it might feel like passing it down is the obvious choice. But even “keeping it in the family” comes with financial, emotional, and legal complexity.

This guide helps you pressure-test that decision—with eyes wide open.

📖 Read more:

Thinking of keeping your business in the family? Learn what it really takes to pass your company on to the next generation, legally, financially, and emotionally.

09/17/2025

“I’ll take over when I’m ready.”

We hear it all the time. But in family businesses, waiting for a magical moment of readiness can quietly stall momentum for years.

This article is for the next generation (or the generation currently in charge) who are wondering when the handoff should happen. Spoiler: it’s not about a title or an age. It’s about making the decision to step forward, even if you don’t feel totally ready yet.

A blunt, honest perspective for next-generation leaders in family businesses. You’re not an impostor. You’re growing in public and that’s what leadership really is.

09/12/2025

You’re not ready to sell—but you’re not standing still either.
If you’re thinking about bringing on outside capital (debt, equity, or otherwise), this article is for you. We break down the key questions to ask before you invite someone new to your table.

📖 Read more:

Thinking of raising capital? Learn what debt, equity, and outside investors really mean and how to decide if it’s the right move for your business.

07/23/2025

When’s the right time to talk succession with your kids?

Too early, and it creates pressure.
Too late, and it creates confusion.

This article is for business owners who want to start the conversation but aren’t sure how. It offers practical, open-ended ways to talk about timelines, interest, and expectations without boxing anyone in.

If you’ve ever said, “I just want them to be happy, but I want them to understand what it means to run this,” this is for you.

📖 Read more: https://www.peninsularoad.ca/news/starting-family-business-succession-conversations

07/19/2025

Want a higher valuation? Start with what you can control.

Too many business owners assume valuation is just a multiple they can’t influence.

But value is shaped by the quality of your earnings, your team, your systems, and your future visibility.

This article outlines five areas where thoughtful investment today can translate to real outcomes tomorrow—whether you plan to sell or not.

📖 Read the full article:

Wondering how to improve your business valuation before selling? Discover five practical ways to increase buyer confidence and command a stronger price at exit.