$213m

Sold in deal value

300+

Businesses sold

1,000+

Lives changed
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Our Story

Founded in 2012 by Keith MacKenzie, Chinook Business Advisory emerged from his experience in building and successfully selling businesses, a journey that illuminated his passion for assisting others in achieving similar successes. In the initial years of its establishment, Keith collaborated with Mike on a business deal, uncovering a remarkable compatibility rooted in their shared accomplishments as entrepreneurs and a mutual dedication to supporting fellow business owners. Keith's background in business and his research on succession pathways during his MBA program led to his desire to assist business owners in transitioning to the next stage of their lives. Mike's extensive experience in entrepreneurship and business intermediation, combined with his enthusiasm for helping clients achieve their goals, further fueled their mission. Together, they aim to provide expertise, guidance, and a personal touch to their clients' business transactions and growth strategies.

Chinook Business Advisory is a team of experienced business intermediaries who have decades of experience buying, selling, and growing businesses.

Our brokers are not just transaction facilitators, but partners who understand the human side of business dealings. We are here to make the journey comprehensible, providing support and ensuring that every client feels guided and reassured throughout this significant venture.

Based out of Victoria, Comox Valley, and Nanaimo, we specialize in assisting buyers and sellers across Western Canada.

Services that fit your needs

In a world driven by rapid technological advancements, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success.

Selling

Our seasoned business intermediaries support you from start to finish. We provide precise valuations, create comprehensive marketing materials, promote to a wide audience, and handle negotiations and due diligence for a smooth transaction when a qualified buyer is found.

Buying

There's no need to start from scratch. The best acquisition targets are businesses that already have solid sales and profits. You can rest assured knowing that any businesses for sale on our platform have already been vetted by us, so there won't be any surprises or hidden issues.

Improvement

The first step to improving your business is understanding what it is worth today. One of the tools we provide is a scientific methodology proven to increase the value of business through a framework of assessment, action planning and accountability.

This is Chinook

Keith MacKenzie

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Keith established Chinook in 2012, a venture born from his hands-on experience in building and successfully selling businesses. This transformative journey ignited his passion for helping others achieve similar successes.

The seed of entrepreneurship and the commitment to assisting fellow business owners took root during Keith's time at Royal Roads University (RRU), where he completed the Executive MBA program. His final project focussed on finding succession pathways for business owners on Vancouver Island. Today, Keith continues to draw upon the invaluable insights from this research, creatively structuring deals for buyers and sellers using both traditional and innovative approaches.

His genuine love for small businesses and the desire to guide owners through successful transitions to the next phase of their professional lives is the foundation of what we do, and we are grateful to have had him at the helm of the company for the last 12 years.Known for his fairness and humour, Keith fosters a vibrant and productive office culture.

The key to Keith's heart? A good bottle of whiskey and a round of golf.

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Mike Lenz

PARTNER, BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

A successful entrepreneur and broadly engaged human being, Mike founded two companies and purchased three more before starting his career as a business intermediary in 2005. His biggest endeavor was a printing company in Toronto. He bought a tiny shop in a downtown basement with antiquated equipment doing a few hundred thousand in annual revenues. In his 10 years at the helm the company grew into a dynamic, modern operation with sales of more than $5,000,000 and a staff of 25. In addition to helping people buy and sell businesses, Mike also lends his considerable expertise to business owners in helping them analyze operations, understand value drivers, develop and implement business plans for reasons from improved performance and ease of management, to securing financing for business growth and ultimately to achieve maximum value in a business sale.

After many years of service, Mike still goes to work excited with the opportunity to help people see their business and personal aspirations become reality. Each day he looks forward to sharing his experience, training, insight, wisdom, passion and patience in the service of his clients.

Things you won’t read in the profile? Mike is one of the best entertainers we know, ask to hear one of his elaborate stories or hear him sing (he was in the opera.) Mike adds that ‘something’ to the team that could never be replaced, and we are grateful to have him.

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Morgan Tate

PARTNER, BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Born and raised in Victoria, Morgan is Chinook’s swiss army knife.

A graduate of the Gustavson School of Business, Morgan went on to work at IG Wealth Management before becoming employee #3 at Pani Energy, one of the world’s top water technology start-ups. It was in these entrepreneurial roles, Morgan learned how to overcome a variety of challenges. Whether it was coordinating a complex technology project in rural India, or overseeing the implementation of a business owner’s financial plan, Morgan uses this creative problem solving to help buyers and sellers negotiate deals that are fair to both sides.

Morgan is one of those overly humble people, he won’t sit here and brag about how he’s accomplished so much at a young age, so we will do it for him. Not only has he made partner at Chinook, but he spearheaded the entire development and management of Chinook’s sister company, DealBuilder. From product design, to client relations, to closing deals, to everything in between. Our friend here is headed places, and we’re grateful we get to come along for the ride.

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Ramon Ramirez

PARTNER, BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Ramon joins Chinook afters 22 years in the banking industry; a career that started in South America. He held roles in Vancouver, Bermuda, Southern Alberta, and Vancouver Island; working in several areas of banking including Operations, Payments and Cash Management, e-Commerce, and Commercial Banking. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Capilano University. He worked for BDC, HSBC, Costal Community Credit Union, Citibank, and owned a retail business.

He worked with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to large multinationals. He has experience with a wide a range of banking services including Commercial lending, Trade Financing, Leasing, International Banking, FX, Treasury, and Payments and Cash Management.  During his time in Commercial Banking, Ramon advised and supported several clients on starting their dream business, acquire shares from other companies, expand operations, and in many cases, prepare to transition out of business. He is passionate about customer service and helping his clients realize their business projects.

Ramon is also Mortgage Broker with Invis West Coast Mortgages. If there is a need to leverage funds for a business purchase against residential real estate, Ramon will be happy to discuss options with you.

Outside work, he is a fully certified firefighter with Comox Fire Rescue, a director with the Rotary Club of Courtenay, a director with the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, an avid cyclist, and competes in long distance triathlons. He lives in Comox with his wife, Amy, and two children, Lane and Sebastian. Fun fact about Ramon? It’s absolutely impossible to leave any conversation with him without feeling 1000000% better than you just did. Always courteous, kind, happy, and light-hearted, you want Ramon in your corner.

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Dan Kucherka

BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Dan brings valuable financial management and business expertise to our team, with over 25 years of experience. He holds CPA and CMA designations, adding depth to his professional background. His journey has covered various sectors, providing him with a solid understanding of the Business Intermediary process from initial engagement to successful deal completion.

Originally from the Vancouver area, Dan has made Nanaimo his home for the past 15 years, where he takes pride in raising his two daughters. He is actively involved in community service, currently contributing his expertise to the Board of Directors for the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and having previously served on other community boards. His commitment revolves around supporting and growing the local business community, utilizing his network of connections across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

In his leisure time, you'll often find Dan enjoying trail adventures in the mountains or paddling through the local ocean.

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Gregg Meiklejohn

BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY

Gregg joined the Chinook team in early 2023 and brings with him over 35 years experience in marketing and sales planning. In his career to date, Gregg has bootstrapped and sold two successful businesses which have in turn created a deep understanding of business operations, entrepreneurship, and SMB exit planning.

In addition, Gregg is an avid environmentalist and holds a seat on several established boards including the Better Business Bureau. He has been certified by both BCorp International and the BBB4Good initiatives, and further achieved certification at the Inconvenient Truth Training by Al Gore himself.

Gregg settles in his fruit tree farm in Esquimalt with wife Cindy and their pup Joki and has 5 children. In his free time, Gregg lives an active lifestyle, exploring all that Vancouver Island has to offer.

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Stephen Boughton

ASSOCIATE INTERMEDIARY

Stephen joins Chinook with a passion for small business. Since earning a Bachelors of Arts while competing on the varsity basketball team for Ambrose University in Calgary, Stephen has exclusively worked in small businesses. From growing the BC Division of DECO Windshield Repair from 2-10 locations, to helping Victoria based Plurilock Security go public on the Toronto Stock Exchange, he has had a diversity of experiences in the small business ecosystem. He also produces a popular tennis channel on YouTube called The Slice, where he’s attracted millions of viewers and interviewed some of the best tennis players in the world.

Through his time working with the owners of small businesses (and being one himself), Stephen has gained an immense respect and understanding of the work that goes into creating a great business. This appreciation drives him to help the clients of Chinook achieve the best-case-scenario when exiting the business they’ve built, however that looks.

Outside the office, Stephen loves surfing, golf, and tennis when he’s not spending time with his wife, friends and family.

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Breanne Epoch

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Breanne leads and executes all marketing strategy and initiatives. She facilities company content being shared on social media, the website, newsletters, email campaigns, marketing packages, or other mediums. Her main focus is creating unique content, completing website updates, social media management, and creating and executing marketing objectives.

Breanne holds a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Marketing & Communications Management, and comes with over 10 years of experience in her field. In addition to her Chinook role, she manages a home businesses and multiple residential properties which contributes to her entrepreneurial experience.

Aside from Chinook, she is passionate about spending time with her family, exploring outdoors, and giving back to the community. Breanne is always smiling or laughing, and will be your biggest cheerleader. Oh and if you ever need anything, she can be bought with good chocolate or red wine.

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We are located in
Victoria, BC

with additional offices in Nanaimo and Comox