About Us
Meet the dynamic OpnRoad team.
Our Purpose
We are a forward-thinking M&A firm, dedicated to assisting North American business owners to achieve growth and transition goals within the lower-middle market.
Our Values
Beyond Excellence
We deliver an exceptional experience for everyone involved in a transaction, all while continuously refining our processes.
Transparency
OpnRoad is built upon transparency from the inside out, resulting in clear and honest communication for our clients, partners, and employees.
Freedom
We create meaningful connections with our clients to identify and achieve their personal freedom goals.
Joy
We experience a sense of joy in all aspects of life. Beyond the workplace, our team finds happiness within the Great Outdoors of British Columbia.
Our Story
The Beginning
In 2005, Scott kickstarted his entrepreneurial career in the cottage country of Muskoka, Ontario by setting up five small businesses. From wakeboard camps to a painting business, by 2010, all five ventures had closed their doors.
The most bitter of these closures being Basecamp, the most recognized wakeboard camp globally, boasting four locations and a team of over 30. Looking back, Basecamp would still be around today with the proper succession planning.
Starting From Scratch
In 2011, Scott set his sights on the mountain town of Revelstoke, BC. Upon arrival, he ventured into the world of food and beverage, starting Duke’s Dogs (hot dogs) and turning a profit early on.
The profits paved the way for something bigger, and that same year, he founded Stoke FM. To this day, its waves continues to broadcast across Revelstoke.
Scott also served as a City Councillor for four years, all while scaling Revelstoke Property Services (RPS) with his partner. In 2018, they sold RPS to Western Trust – a private equity firm based in the United States.
Diving Into M&A
Assisting other owners to sell their businesses began back in 2014. Scott’s first deal closing (sale) was a charming Italian restaurant run by a couple who had been trying to sell for years, with two failed attempts from other brokers.
While still operating RPS, Scott also orchestrated the sale of a movie theatre, print shop, spa, bakery, and burger shack. The thrill of unlocking the value in these businesses and passing on the entrepreneurial spirit resonated with him.
With early wins under his belt, Scott decided to double down in the exhilarating world of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). To better serve clients of all sizes and complexity, he dove headfirst into years of formal education, and eventually founded OpnRoad.
Designations
CEPA Designation
10-day intensive with the Exit Plan Institute to attain a Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation.
CAA Designation
10-day intensive with Succession+ for certification in the use of the Capitaliz value enhancement tool – the most powerful software in the world for increasing the value of SME businesses.
MBA Designation
2-year Masters Program at the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University in Washington, DC.
CBI Designation
Two-year designation program with the International Business Brokers Association to become a Certified Business Intermediary.
CM&AA Designation
10-day intensive with the Alliance of Mergers and Acquisitions Association to attain a Certified Mergers and Acquisition Advisor designation.
CBV Designation
Six-month designation program to become a Certified Value Builder created by the author of Built to Sell, John Warrillow.
Real Estate Licensing
Over five years I obtained a Managing Broker License with trading services, strata management and property management through the RECBC.
Active Designation
Scott is actively pursuing the following designations over 2023:
- Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)
- Mergers & Acquisition Master Intermediary designation
Partner Network ™
Our growing network of partners and advisors, from coast-to-coast.
Scott Duke
Founder & Lead Advisor
Scott has worked with hundreds of owners to maximize the value of their businesses. Beyond leading the OpnRoad team, he serves as the Lead Advisor on our M&A transactions.
More about Scott...
Scott is an active board member of the International Business Brokers Association ® and regularly educates 250+ Realtors through the British Columbia Real Estate Association ®. He also serves as the VP of Sales for Capitaliz – a fast-growing SaaS company servicing the global exit planning industry.
Some of Scott’s past experiences include:
- Purchased and scaled Revelstoke Property Services 10x with Eve Duke, and sold to a private equity firm in 2018
- Founded StokeFM radio station in 2011
- Served on Revelstoke City Council for 4 years
Outside of work, Scott enjoys a good surf trip down south and fresh power days in the alpine in Revelstoke, BC.
Jim Yerxa
Partner, Atlantic
Jim, based in Atlantic Canada, is a distinguished professional with a career that spans the realms of law, commercial real estate, business brokerage, and M&A. With decades of experience, he is a trusted expert in investment real estate and business transitions.
More about Jim...
His track record speaks volumes, having facilitated transactions from modest, family-owned “mom-and-pop” enterprises to more complex, high-value deals surpassing $20 million.
Jim holds degrees in Business and Law from the University of New Brunswick. He is also part of the Alliance of Mergers and Acquisitions Advisors, and the International Business Brokers Association.
Outside of work, you’ll find Jim on, in, or under the nearest body of water or sailing in the Caribbean, working towards his Yachtmaster certifications.
The OpnRoad Team
Meet the people behind OpnRoad and our unique journeys that led us to the M&A space.
Scott Duke
Founder & Lead Advisor
Scott has worked with hundreds of owners to maximize the value of their businesses. Beyond leading the OpnRoad team, he serves as the Lead Advisor on our M&A transactions.
More about Scott...
Scott is an active board member of the International Business Brokers Association ® and regularly educates 250+ Realtors through the British Columbia Real Estate Association ®. He also serves as the VP of Sales for Capitaliz – a fast-growing SaaS company servicing the global exit planning industry.
Some of Scott’s past experiences include:
- Purchased and scaled Revelstoke Property Services 10x with Eve Duke, and sold to a private equity firm in 2018
- Founded StokeFM radio station in 2011
- Served on Revelstoke City Council for 4 years
Outside of work, Scott enjoys a good surf trip down south and fresh power days in the alpine in Revelstoke, BC.
Sam Hinchey
Operations Manager
Sam oversees operations at OpnRoad, managing the finance and administrative tasks. She is also responsible for Deal Origination initiatives for our clients.
More about Sam...
Sam unifies our team and ensures the highest level of customer service through her past experience as a Sales Consultant at Ford-Lincoln. She brings experience and skills from her past position as a Land Analyst working closely with confidential information and private companies in building long-term relationships.
Some of Sam’s past experiences include:
- Diploma from NBCC in Medical Office Management & Administration
- 17 years of Customer Service
- Sales consultant for 6 years in retail and automotive
Outside of work, Sam enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and camping. She works closely with a woman’s community to achieve health and wellness awareness.
Maxim B. Vidricaire
Marketing Director
Max manages all of the marketing efforts at OpnRoad. He balances his innovative side with his experience in commercial real estate lending, resulting in an authentic OpnRoad brand and experience.
More about Max...
Max truly understands the people behind the companies that we work with. He brings years of relationship management experience in both financial and creative industries, having worked with global brands such as Arc’teryx, Patagonia, and Google on creative projects.
Some of Max’s past experiences include:
- 3 years of Senior Account Management experience at TD Bank’s National Real Estate Group
- Served 4+ years as Creative Director for an organic lavender farm in Quebec
- Completed an exchange program at Peking University in Beijing, China
Outside of work, Max enjoys a full day of ski touring or teaching media classes at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
Matthew Fluet
Lead Analyst
Matt is responsible for the accurate and detailed MVA ™ reports for our clients. He also oversees all data for OpnRoad, notably all CRM system buildout and management.
More about Matt...
Matthew graduated from SetonHill University located in Pennsylvania, where he competed in high-level lacrosse.
He completed a BS in Data Analytics and is currently working towards his MBA with a specialization in Business Analytics.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys summiting the peaks that Revelstoke has to offer and a chest-deep pow day.
Eve Northmore
Business Transition Psychologist
Eve works closely with owners and stakeholders to clarify transitional goals. She specializes in team culture analysis and personality profiling workshops to improve staff retention, happiness, and productivity for our clients.
More about Eve...
As an organizational psychologist, Certified Coach Practitioner (CCF), 3x founder with 2x successful business transitions, Eve works with leaders to better understand themselves, their personal goals, their culture, and the people they work with – especially for leaders who are looking to grow their business to sell it.
Some of Eve’s past experiences include:
- Purchased and scaled Revelstoke Property Services 10x with Scott, and sold to a private equity firm in 2018
- Founded Selkirk Performance – a boutique business advisory firm offering psychological profiling workshops, culture analysis and development, and 1-on-1 leadership coaching
- Established the Women’s Snowboard Federation in 2006
Outside of work, Eve enjoys an evening of dirt biking and spending time on the water.
Leon Arcus
Deal Manager
Leon works with our M&A Advisor and clients to ensure each deal is advancing according to schedule. Having practiced corporate law in New Zealand, his attention to detail and project management skills are of great value.
More about Leon...
Full bio coming soon.
Randall Paolo Gratuito
Data Analyst
Randall works closely with the Marketing and Deal Origination teams to populate, filter, and securely manage our growing CRM database. He is extremely diligent and helps ensure data accuracy across our organization.
John Patrick
Data Analyst
JP works closely with the Marketing and Deal Origination teams to backfill and organize our growing CRM database. His attention to detail helps ensure data accuracy across our organization.
You
Various Positions
Want to join our growing team? Head over to our Careers page to view our current job openings.
RECBC Business Brokerage 101
In 2019 I authored the business brokerage course for BC’s 30,000 Real Estate Agents and have now trained over 400 brokers on how to sell main street businesses through the two-day program.
Business Sale Accelerator
In 2020 I authored the Business Sale Accelerator and The Business Sale Navigator, two DIY programs for small and medium-sized business owners navigate the sale of their businesses on their own.
44 Day Challenge
In 2014 I purchased every book Amazon sells on business sales and spent 44 days in a row getting up a 4:00 am, reading a book, and filming a YouTube review of the content before heading to work. This was a personal challenge designed to fast-track education in the M&A space and can be viewed here.
2CCX
Member of Russell Brunson’s the two comma club, a group of entrepreneurs dedicated to empowering small business growth through technology and education.
UpLevel Consulting
Member of Sam Oven’s consulting network, a group of business owners dedicated to improving the delivery of advisory and consulting services.
YouTube
The Happy Dealmaker YouTube Channel and the Scale & Exit Club both dedicated to helping small business owners achieve successful sales and freedom.
SellaSmallBusiness.com
Built the largest repository of links to help company owners with a business transition.
Exit Plan Summit
Created the world’s largest online event for business sale experts sharing their knowledge directly with owners.
10x Live
Created an event for exit plan advisors and SME business owners held every September focused on value creation.
Extras
Let’s Connect
We are excited to connect with you and share the secrets of achieving life-changing goals.
Leon Arcus, Deal Manager
Let’s Connect
We are excited to connect with you and share the secrets of achieving life-changing goals.