EP325 A Scenic Exit - How Peter Deitz Turned an Eight-Year Journey into Shared Prosperity

In this episode, host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell chats with Peter Deitz, social entrepreneur and founder of Canada's first-ever employee ownership trust (EOT) transition at Grantbook. Peter shares how his scenic, eight-year exit journey created space for new ventures, empowered employees, and protected the company's B Corp values. The episode is a roadmap for any founder looking to exit with both financial return and community impact.

 

🔑 Key Highlights

 

The Long Game:
Peter's exit took 8 years - twice the time he spent actively running the business. He stayed in a governance role and planned a patient, values-aligned transition.

First in Canada:
Grantbook became the first Canadian company to officially transition to an Employee Ownership Trust on Jan 1, 2025. This structure ensures lasting impact and local wealth-building.

The Emotional Return on Exit:
For Peter, legacy outweighed liquidity. He prioritized a fair price while choosing a structure that would protect jobs, uphold mission, and keep culture intact.

Mistakes Made and Lessons Learned:
He reflects candidly on tax structuring choices that impacted capital gains exemptions - and offers advice for others planning ahead.

New Chapter with Unwrapit:
Peter is now growing a digital gifting company, Unwrapit, which aligns social impact with user choice and sustainability.

Fun, Frank Advice from Peter Deitz:
"Start early. The longer the runway, the more control you have. And if you go the employee ownership route, you'll be met by very happy employees - and a thriving community."

☕ Curious if an Employee Ownership Trust might be your best path forward?
Book a 1:1 Wealth Gap Analysis with Colleen O'Connell-Campbell and map out your strategy.
👉 Connect via LinkedIn or email to get started.

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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.