Beyond The Family Business

Can you build a business that delivers exceptional financial returns while also making a positive impact on the world?In this episode of Beyond the Family Business, Luke Hansen-MacDonald sits down with Olivier Desmarais, third-generation member of the influential Desmarais business family and Chairman of Power Sustainable, an alternative asset manager focused on investing in the future economy.Olivier shares his journey into the family business, from his early career at Power Corporation to building Power Sustainable into an investment platform focused on renewable energy, infrastructure, and private equity.We explore his philosophy that profitability and sustainability don't have to be competing interests, and why he believes private capital will play a critical role in addressing climate change.We also discuss Canada's unique opportunity to become a global energy superpower, the importance of investing in Canadian infrastructure, and how the next generation of business leaders can build on their family's legacy while forging their own path.Finally, Olivier shares his perspective on civic responsibility, why successful business leaders should become more involved in their communities, and why building a strong society may be the most important legacy we can leave our children.In this episode, we discuss:Olivier's journey as the third generation of the Desmarais family businessThe evolution of Power Sustainable and its investment philosophyHow to balance strong financial returns with measurable environmental impactThe opportunity for private capital in Canada's energy and infrastructure sectorsThe importance of community involvement and public serviceHow to think about family wealth, responsibility, and legacy across generationsWhether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or member of a family business, this conversation offers valuable insights into building businesses that are both financially successful and meaningful to society.Beyond the Family Business explores the stories, challenges, and lessons of entrepreneurs and family business leaders, with a focus on building and sustaining successful businesses across generations.Subscribe for more conversations about entrepreneurship, family business, succession, and investing.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

Geoff Smith is the 2nd generation Owner and Executive Chairman of EllisDon, one of Canada’s largest construction firms. Geoff was previously the CEO and drove massive growth over the last three decades. We discuss his tumultuous relationship with his father, his journey of taking over the business and why he decided to make his employees shareholders. beyondthefamilybusiness.com

In this episode of Beyond the Family Business, I sit down with Jen McCain, a proud Maritimer from Florenceville, New Brunswick, and a third-generation member of the McCain family. Jen shares her own journey of building an identity outside of the family business, becoming an entrepreneur, and then stepping into a more active ownership role within one of Canada’s most iconic family enterprises. We discuss what it means to be a responsible next-generation owner, why ownership is a skill that has to be developed over time, and how family values like community, stewardship, and integrity are passed down — but also need to be openly discussed and intentionally practiced. Jen also shares her perspective on purpose-driven investing, the role of capital in supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, and why doing good and generating strong returns do not have to be in conflict. This is a thoughtful conversation about identity, responsibility, community, and the evolving role of the next generation in a family business.beyondthefamilybusiness.com

Iqbal Kassam is one of Vancouver’s most successful investors. He is the founder of EQ Bank and Chairman of Zynik Corporation, his family office. In this interview, we discuss how his youth in Kenya and London shaped him as a leader. We delve into his first success in Canada which became EQ bank. He shares valuable lessons on how to think as an entrepreneur. Lastly, he explains his latest thesis in the industrial manufacturing sector that seeks to attract top talent through huge profit sharing and employee benefits. This is an illuminating discussion about entrepreneurship, thoughtfulness and legacy.

In this episode, the tables are turned on host Luke Hansen-MacDonald as his cousin, Colin Michael MacDonald (COO of Micco Group of Companies), takes over as the interviewer. They dig into the history of Luke's family business Clearwater Seafoods and what it was like to sell this legacy business in 2021. Luke discusses his early entrepreneurial venture in the music video industry and why he decided to join Clearwater Seafoods. He delves into his biggest challenges and what is most exciting on the horizon for his family business. 

In this episode, Michael Cooke—second-generation owner of Westcoast Gems—takes us inside the high-risk, little-known world of offshore diamond diving along South Africa’s rugged coastline. He shares how his father entered the industry and forged an unlikely partnership with a biracial diver during apartheid-era South Africa, defying social norms of the time. Michael reflects on stepping into the family business, learning tough lessons firsthand beneath the ocean’s surface, and navigating the realities of a changing industry. As synthetic diamonds disrupt the market, he explains how Westcoast Gems is leaning into its authentic, family-driven story to stand apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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

My cousin Colin Michael MacDonald is the COO of his family business, Micco Group of Companies. Much like my family business, they are invested in private businesses, real estate and marketable securities. Today we debate the pros and cons of our two distinct approaches to an investment company. Micco is much more hands on with their operations, whereas my business uses distributed leadership. beyondthefamilybusiness.com

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