EP321 Employee Ownership could be your Best Exit Strategy

👋 at RBC Dominion Securities

In this episode, host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell, Wealth Advisor, sits down with Tiara LeTourneau, CEO of Rewrite Capital Advisors, and a pioneer in bringing Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) to Canada. Tiara explains how EOTs offer a compelling, tax-efficient option for business owners who want to protect their legacy, empower their employees, and still achieve full value in an exit - without selling to a third party or private equity.

 

Tiara shares how she helped champion Canada's EOT legislation, inspired by robust models in the US and UK, and outlines how Canadian business owners can now benefit from one of the most advanced ownership trust frameworks in the world.

 

Whether you're a legacy-driven founder or a values-focused entrepreneur, this is a must-listen episode packed with strategy, innovation, and practical advice for planning a purpose-driven business exit.

 

✨ Key Highlights with Timestamps

01:14 - Colleen introduces the topic of employee ownership trusts (EOTs)

 

02:32 - Tiara explains how she got involved in the EOT space, starting after COVID with her business partner Jennifer

 

07:39 - Discussion of how Canada created the best EOT legislation by learning from the US and UK models

 

11:43 - Tiara describes the ideal company size for EOTs (25+ employees, $2M+ EBITDA)

 

17:11 - Explanation of how EOT sales work as a debt structure, not a gift

 

25:22 - Highlight of the tax benefit: No taxes on the first $10M of the sale value

 

28:50 - Discussion of how tax benefits can attract business owners' interest

 

33:01 - Tiara's advice: Consider who you'd want to sell your business to if financing weren't a constraint

 

Takeaway Themes

 🌍 EOTs are not just for altruists - they’re viable, strategic, and tax-efficient.
🤝 Selling to your employees can protect your business’s culture and keep it Canadian.
📈 A successful EOT still requires proper valuation, due diligence, and leadership succession planning.
🚀 With a $10M capital gains tax exemption on the table, EOTs deserve serious consideration.

 

Are you an entrepreneur thinking about your own cash-rich exit?
Let’s make sure your strategy protects both your wealth and your legacy.
Book a complimentary 1:1 Wealth Gap Analysis with me, Colleen O’Connell-Campbell on LinkedIn.

We’ll map out a transition that aligns your business success with personal financial freedom.

🌟 If this episode helped shift your perspective or taught you something new, please leave us a 5-star rating. Your support helps us reach more members of the Self-Made Nation ready to exit with clarity and confidence.

 

🎧 Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more episodes packed with exit strategies, leadership insights, and real-world advice.

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The Cash Rich Exit Podcast is brought to you by O’Connell-Campbell Wealth Management at RBC Dominion Securities.

 

All opinions expressed by the host, Colleen O’Connell-Campbell, and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of RBC Dominion Securities.

 

This podcast is for informational purposes only before taking any action based on information in this podcast you should consult with a qualified professional.

 

Colleen O’Connell-Campbell is a Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.