The Number

Most owners default to two exits: sell to a stranger, or shut down. Exit planning advisor Pete Walker lays out why that's a false choice. He explains how to get clear on what you actually want before an offer arrives, the three gaps every owner has to close first, and why employee ownership, including the newer employee ownership trust, is becoming a credible way to sell a business while keeping it locally owned. A grounded conversation about legacy, money, and knowing your number.
In This Episode
  • Why fewer than 10% of Canadian owners have a written plan for their exit, and how to start one
  • The three gaps to close before you sell: your personal number, your business value, and your life after work
  • How to weigh money against legacy so an offer becomes a clear yes or no
  • The full range of employee ownership options, from stock options to worker co-ops
  • How an employee ownership trust works, including the $10 million capital gains exemption and the 50.1% controlling-interest rule
  • Why keeping a business local protects the jobs, customers, and community around it
Featured Quote
"It's your story. It's your life, your legacy, your financial plan. You have the right to choose that outcome for yourself."
 — Pete Walker
About the Hosts
Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.
Kelsey McCauley is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. She works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.
About Our Guest
Pete Walker is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and a self-described reformed banker who spent 14 years in executive leadership at TD before building his own practice, Bolton Riverview Consulting. He grew up on a seventh-generation family farm in St. George's, Prince Edward Island, an experience that shapes how he talks with owners about legacy and letting go. Today he helps business owners get clear on what they want from their exit and understand every option for selling, including employee ownership, and he serves on the board of Employee Ownership Canada.

Creators and Guests

Host
Kelsey MacAulay
When the Black Star team needs something done, they go to Kelsey! Wendy Brookhouse is his wife: when she has a new financial invention, Kelsey builds it and brings it to life - he does the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to!
Host
Wendy Brookhouse
The Financial Planner for ambitious growth oriented Entrepreneurs
Editor
Shaun Whynacht
I’m the founder of Blue Cow Marketing and father of an amazing little boy. helping other business owners overcome challenges is my passion.

What is The Number?

The Number is a business podcast about the numbers that actually run your business.

Each episode focuses on one number. Revenue, profit, cash flow, capacity, time, valuation, customer cost, risk, or exit readiness.

Hosted by Wendy Brookhouse, and often joined by Kelsey MacAulay, the show breaks down what that number means, why it matters, and how it should influence the decisions you make as an owner.

Some episodes feature guests. Some are honest conversations. Some are solo deep dives.

If you own a business and want better clarity, better decisions, and better outcomes, it starts with knowing your numbers.