Tom Shepansky is one of the Founders of Rethink Communications, the leading independent creative agency in Canada. Rethink was founded 25 years ago and has grown beyond Canada to become a Globally recognized agency, most recently awarded Independent Agency of the Year at the Cannes festival. Rethink has offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and has recently opened a New York office to serve global brands in the US and beyond.

Negotiating a successful merger or acquisition takes more than expertise and experience. It also requires deep focus, serious goal-setting and the strength and stamina to go the distance. Kevin Shaw, President & Managing Director at Baker Tilly Capital, has worked with businesses in a variety of industries ranging from hospitality to construction in providing his expertise and experience in acquisition planning, divestitures, business strategy and business transition.

Karen Jordan, based in San Diego, California, launched a unique business last year to fill a growing need in the marketplace. She founded Hibernia Executive Partners to provide access to on demand C Suite executives. “We provide fractional C Suite services. So I’m the one-stop shop for any executive level support that the company might need,” said Jordan, who is the company’s CEO.

Husband and wife team Celine and Allan Bacani took over ownership of Vancouver-based Lee’s Donuts six years ago and have grown the business from one location to its current six and a commissary in the region with plans for national growth.

You’ve started, grown, and possibly transitioned your business, but how are you doing? Business owners can understandably get deeply wrapped up in what they do as entrepreneurship, and leadership, is often tied to the metrics, passion, and, hopefully, success, of what had originally been just an idea.

Cheryl Zealand, Founder and CEO of Cranked Energy, based in Winnipeg, started her business as a personal thing. “I wanted wholesome, quality energy for myself and my family. The truth is that I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something that’s freshly made from quality ingredients and is full of energy and protein. I was also not willing to sacrifice taste—and neither were my kids!