Welcome to the heart of the Pharmacy Edge Buyers Meet-Up, where knowledge and innovation converge to create opportunities for growth and success in pharmacy ownership. Our lineup of esteemed speakers brings a wealth of experience and insights, covering every crucial aspect of purchasing and managing a pharmacy. Prepare to be inspired and informed as they guide you through this transformative journey.
Max Beairsto, B.Sc. Pharm., MBA, CVA
But it doesn’t stop there – Max’s experience goes beyond academia. As a former owner of two successful pharmacies, he understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of owning an independent pharmacy. Now, through EVCOR, Max utilizes his expertise to provide valuation services, enhance businesses’ value, and guide owners through selling their pharmacies.
Max’s wealth of knowledge also extends to first-time buyers, as he specializes in assisting them through the often complex acquisition process. In fact, Max recently released his second book, “BUY IT SMART: From Pharmacist to Owner, the Ultimate Guide to Buying A Canadian Retail Pharmacy.” This comprehensive guide is a testament to Max’s commitment to helping aspiring pharmacy owners achieve their dreams.
Navigating the Pharmacy Purchase: Why an Advisor is Your Best Ally
Gain insights from Max Beairsto, founder of EVCOR, on the pivotal role a skilled advisor plays in your pharmacy purchasing journey. Learn the secrets to accurately valuating your potential purchase and ensuring you’re investing wisely. Equip yourself with the knowledge to take confident steps toward ownership!
Peter Saad
Peter Saad frequently advises on mergers, acquisitions, financing transactions, real estate transactions, and general corporate advisory matters.
Peter is a leading authority in Ontario corporate healthcare law. He serves as external general counsel and advisor to privately held corporations, and plays an integral role in helping implement growth plans for consolidators in the healthcare space, notably in the pharmacy and dentistry markets.
Peter began his career in the New York and Toronto offices of Shearman & Sterling LLP, a global law firm. During this time, Peter successfully advised on over $50 billion in capital market transactions, representing both issuers and underwriters.
He joined Loopstra Nixon after establishing a successful practice, Saad Law LP, where he developed a reputation from his clients and peers as a forthright lawyer who tells it how it is and who delivers pragmatic solutions.Peter graduated from the University of Toronto’s Juris Doctor Program and holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing. His legal acumen combined with his strong business and marketing expertise enables him to provide his clients with practical solutions based on his understanding of the world of business and finance.
Peter is frequently called upon by colleagues to proactively troubleshoot problems and provide trusted advice. He is also a regular keynote speaker at a wide range of events in Canada and the United States. Peter has been recognized by the publishers of the Chambers Canada Guide as a leading lawyer in the corporate/commercial category in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Legal Insights: Structuring Your Pharmacy Deal with Precision
Join our legal expert Peter Saad from Loopstra Nixon LLP to unravel the complexities of pharmacy purchase agreements. From understanding the contents of a letter of intent (LOI) to the nuances of partnership agreements, this session will arm you with the essential legal knowledge to safeguard your investment and mitigate risk.
Mike McGillivray
Financing Your Future: Smart Strategies for Pharmacy Buyers
Dive into the world of loans, down payments, and financing options with our lending industry expert Mike McGillivray from Care Lending Group. Discover how to secure the best deals and structure your finances to ease your path into ownership. Get ready for clear, actionable advice tailored to new and aspiring pharmacy owners!
SPEAKER TBA
2024 Speakers
Tim Pollard
Tim Pollard is the founder and CEO of Oratium, and the author of The Compelling Communicator: Mastering the Art and Science of Exceptional Presentation Design.
Throughout a long career in Sales and Marketing for companies such as Unilever, Barclays Bank, and the Corporate Executive Board, Tim has sought to understand and capture the underlying “science” of extraordinary communication.
The result of this journey has been the development of a unique set of tools and concepts, and a remarkable ability to coach others in the learnable processes of exceptional communications. As a leading thinker in his field, Tim is a regular columnist for Forbes and Entrepreneur, and a highly sought-after speaker in the area of advanced communication skills, with particular emphasis on executive communications and sales messaging.
Topic: The Best Story Wins
As pharmacy owners, managers, and stakeholders, one of the keys to running a successful business is getting messaging right.
But the problem is that designing communication is hard, and most leaders struggle to craft messaging that is truly compelling and impactful. Whether communicating to business owners, business partners, potential buyers, or their teams, leaders want to impact their audience but present bland and uninspiring materials that leave their hearers unmoved – and more importantly, unmotivated to act.
Tim Pollard’s keynote address, “Best Story Wins,” will help you to change all that as we set aside decades of conventional wisdom and begin with a different premise: the key to communication is the human brain. Pollard will discuss how the brain processes information, and explain the tools and processes to craft deeply impactful and memorable communication that aligns with the brain.
Amy Oliver
Amy Oliver is an experienced healthcare executive and the founder and CEO of Amy Oliver + Co where she offers trusted advisory services and professional leadership and business coaching to practice owners, leaders, academics, and organizations in health and social sectors.
Amy is passionate about bridging the gaps around strategy, management, and leadership through knowledge translation at the crossroads of health and business. She is fiercely committed to advancing women in leadership, and up-skilling health leaders and practice owners to create ripple effects across our communities.
She holds an MBA with a dual concentration in Organizational Leadership and Health Administration. She is a pharmacist, a Certified Leadership Coach, and a globally certified Project Management Professional. Amy holds certificates in Emotional Intelligence and Advanced Strategic Management and Leadership.
Amy has been recognized internationally for her academic work on gender and entrepreneurship and has won multiple health sector and leadership awards. Most recently, Amy has been selected as an emerging leader by the Governor General of Canada and is a 2022 alumni of the prestigious Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference
Brett Gallant
Cyber Security is central to Brett’s approach. He begins by running a comprehensive, multilayered technology assessment to identify gaps in security, in order to provide sound solutions that solidify the cyber security infrastructure for every client in his portfolio.
His clients include large construction and manufacturing firms to small and medium businesses. Brett’s takes a customer centric approach, which means the customer is the focal point of all decisions related to delivering products, services, and experiences to create customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy. This strategic approach supports his client’s goals of running healthy, growing and successful businesses through the use of secure, current and smooth-running technology.
Topic: Safeguarding Your Pharmacy Business: The Critical Role of Cybersecurity
In a time when digital technology dominates nearly every aspect of our lives, pharmacies are not exempt from its influence. As pharmacies embrace technological advancements to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, they concurrently expose themselves to an escalating threat: Cyberattacks. The rapid adoption of digital tools, coupled with the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity in the pharmacy sector.
The convergence of healthcare and technology brings forth unparalleled opportunities for innovation, yet it also amplifies vulnerabilities. From small independent pharmacies to large chains and health systems, every player in the pharmacy landscape is a potential target for cyber threats. The ramifications of a successful breach extend far beyond financial implications, touching upon patient care, reputation, and the integrity of the healthcare system itself.
Safeguarding patient data isn’t solely a legal or ethical obligation—it’s a cornerstone of maintaining trust and integrity within the healthcare ecosystem. As pharmacies navigate the complexities of the digital age, they must remain vigilant, continuously evolving their security protocols, fostering a culture of awareness among staff, and collaborating with industry peers to fortify their defenses against cyber threats. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering dedication to data privacy can pharmacies uphold their commitment to patient care and emerge resilient in the face of ever-evolving cyber challenges.
Max Beairsto
owner of two pharmacies, he now puts his talents to use by expertly valuing, enhancing, and facilitating the sale of independent pharmacies across Canada.
Topic: Deal or No Deal: Identifying and Dodging Common Pitfalls
Join Max Beairsto, President of EVCOR (Enterprise Valuators Corporation), as he discusses common roadblocks that can slow down a deal, impair the ultimate selling price, or even kill the deal outright when selling your pharmacy. By attending this session, you will gain an understanding of these issues and learn how to avoid or mitigate them. It’s important not to leave anything to chance. Identifying and addressing these issues in your pharmacy business now can save time and help ensure a successful sale.
Mike Stannix
Mike is a Partner at Accelerate LLP, specializing in Canadian and international tax. With a background in both tax compliance and planning, Mike has worked with a diverse range of clients, from small privately owned businesses to large publicly traded companies across various industries. He has a particular expertise in private company taxation, corporate restructuring, international tax, and estate planning.
After obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, Mike spent nearly a decade at KPMG LLP, where he worked in both the private company audit group and tax group. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA), and also holds the designation of Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). Additionally, Mike has completed Parts I, II, and III of CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax course and has a special interest in working with independent pharmacy owners.
With his extensive industry experience, including senior roles at KPMG LLP and Liberty Security Systems Inc., Mike is well-equipped to assist Canadian companies and individuals in effectively managing their international, federal, and provincial taxes. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table as a trusted advisor in tax compliance and planning, making him a valuable asset to pharmacy owners seeking guidance in navigating the complex world of taxation.
Topic: Capital Gains and the Impact on Your Pharmacy’s Business
Join tax expert Mike Stannix, Partner at Accelerate LLP, as he delves into the new capital gains laws and their impact on pharmacy businesses. With over 30 years of experience in tax compliance and planning, Mike will share strategies for maximizing ROI, optimizing tax planning, and navigating these complex regulations to benefit your pharmacy business.
Jan Welke
Topic: “Ensuring Pharmacy Resilience: A Blueprint for Emergency Event Preparedness”
As pharmacists, we are well-equipped to handle emergencies related to patient health and medication. But what happens when the emergency is unrelated to healthcare? How can we continue serving our community and operating our pharmacies amidst natural disasters or technology failures?
Join Jan Welke, a rural community pharmacist, as he shares his firsthand experiences of facing and overcoming challenges in times of crisis. From working in an evacuated wildfire zone to rebuilding after a devastating river flood, Jan has encountered a range of emergencies. He will also discuss how he managed to expand his services to support a larger population during community evacuations caused by similar disasters.
But the learnings won’t stop there. Jan will bring in insights from other pharmacy owners who have also triumphed over emergencies, be it natural or technological. Together, we will discover valuable lessons and essential tools to add to our emergency toolkit. When disaster strikes, it is crucial to be prepared and continue providing exceptional care to our patients and community.
Don’t miss this captivating session that will leave you inspired and equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate any emergency. Let’s come together as a community and learn from each other’s stories on how to not only survive but thrive during challenging times.
Matt Hodgson
Matt is the Director of Advisory Services with EVCOR, having first started with EVCOR as an Analyst back in 2017 after completing his MBA at the University of Alberta. Prior to his work with EVCOR, Matt gained experience in pharmacy business working at the central office for Value Drug Mart Associates and then a variety of sales and business development roles with Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada. In addition to this role, Matt has entrepreneurial experience as the co-founder of multiple start-up businesses bringing novel products from ideation through commercialization.