British Columbia Business Brokers - About Us
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
Alain is an entrepreneur at heart. He grew up in Saskatchewan and worked in the 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 for the past 13 years. In 2002 he started an internet based inbound travel company in Whistler which he sold in 2008 through the Sunbelt Pacific office in Vancouver.
This positive experience led him into the business brokerage industry. 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 graduated from Capilano University with a Diploma in Outdoor Recreational Management and a Certificate in Advanced Tourism Management. Alain is a member of the International Business Brokers Association, is a licensed BC Realtor, and is also completing his CBI designation which very few brokers have in Canada. He is very passionate about the outdoors and is a PADI advanced certified scuba diver, a level 2 CSIA Ski Instructor, and a Level 1 Avalanche Technician.
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.
