Episode 67 - Building a Business That Thrives Without You with Katie Bennett

Episode 67 - Building a Business That Thrives Without You with Katie Bennett

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with Katie Bennett, a master certified chair with Mackay CEO Forums and founder of Double Black Diamond Coaching, about the often-overlooked human side of business succession planning. With 76% of Canadian small business owners planning to exit within the next decade, yet only 9% holding a formal succession plan, the stakes are high. Katie shares practical insights on reducing owner dependency, building strong leadership teams, and creating clear strategic plans. As Nicole reminds listeners, a will can determine who inherits a business, but it cannot make that business run. -- Follow Katie Bennett: Website - https://www.katiebennett.ca/ [https://www.katiebennett.ca/] Double Black Diamond Coaching - https://doubleblackdiamondcoaching.com/ [https://doubleblackdiamondcoaching.com/] MacKay CEO Forums - https://mackayceoforums.com/our-chairs/katie-bennett/ [https://mackayceoforums.com/our-chairs/katie-bennett/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/katiebennettdbdcoaching [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/katiebennettdbdcoaching] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 66 - Wills, AI, and Cybersecurity with Steve Parr

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole interviews Steve Parr, founder of Parr Business Law, about the critical intersection of corporate law and estate planning for business owners. Drawing on his background as both an entrepreneur and lawyer, Steve outlines essential risk management tools — including wills, powers of attorney, shareholders agreements, and insurance. He also addresses today's pressing challenges: AI disruption, cybersecurity threats, supply chain vulnerabilities, and financial uncertainty. Steve encourages business owners not to feel overwhelmed, but instead to audit their risk exposure, lean on trusted professionals, and embrace adaptability as the new cornerstone of business resilience. -- Follow Steve Parr: https://www.parrbusinesslaw.com/ [https://www.parrbusinesslaw.com/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/steveaparr [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/steveaparr] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxv_AFussiH1f4-TnN7SJRQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxv_AFussiH1f4-TnN7SJRQ] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 65 - How to Keep Your Company Thriving After You’re Gone with Michael Scott

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with estate planning lawyer Michael Scott, exploring the unique complexities business owners face when planning their estates. Michael explains why having a will and power of attorney forms the essential foundation, while also discussing advanced strategies such as estate freezes, family trusts, and probate fee avoidance. The conversation covers shareholders' agreements, key person insurance, and the lifetime capital gains exemption. Michael also addresses common misconceptions, warning against handshake deals and delayed planning. His key message: even a basic plan can save families significant stress, expense, and uncertainty when the unexpected happens. -- Follow Michael Scott: LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/michael-scott-ba105148 [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/michael-scott-ba105148] Clark Wilson LLP - https://www.cwilson.com/people/michael-scott/ [https://www.cwilson.com/people/michael-scott/] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 64 - How Executors Can Avoid Insolvent Estate Pitfalls with John Sandrelli

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with John Sandrelli, a seasoned restructuring and insolvency expert, about the complexities of insolvent estates in Canada. With consumer debt reaching a record $2.6 trillion, John explains why this issue is becoming increasingly relevant. He outlines the warning signs executors should watch for, the serious personal liability risks they face, and the critical choice between administering an estate under BC's WESA or the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. John also covers exempt assets, creditor priorities, family law intersections, and emphasizes that seeking professional advice early is essential for any executor navigating an insolvent estate. -- Follow John Sandrelli: Website - https://www.dentons.com/en/john-sandrelli [https://www.dentons.com/en/john-sandrelli] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/johnsandrelli [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/johnsandrelli] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 63 - Breaking the Inner Glass Ceiling with Jen Murtagh

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with Jen Murtagh, co-founder of Maturn and creator of the Brave Connectedness framework that she employs in her coaching practice Jen Murtagh Coaching. Jen shares her journey from C-suite executive to entrepreneur, shaped by burnout, divorce, and a life-changing heart disease diagnosis. Together, they explore how midlife transitions — retirement, caregiving, widowhood, and menopause — affect both identity and life planning. Jen encourages listeners to embrace small acts of bravery, lean into community, and do meaningful inner work, reminding us that reinvention is possible at any age and that it's never too late to live with greater intention. -- Follow Jen Murtagh: Jen Murtagh Coaching - https://www.jenmurtagh.com/ [https://www.jenmurtagh.com/] Maturn - https://maturn.com/meet-the-founders/ [https://maturn.com/meet-the-founders/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmurtagh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmurtagh/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jenmurtaghcoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenmurtaghcoaching/] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]