|
Ron Besse began his career in the publishing field, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. in 1973, then President of Consolidated Graphics in 1976. In 1978 Ron left Consolidated Graphics and purchased the controlling interest of Gage Educational Publishing Co. Ltd. During the period 1980-1986 Ron acquired Macmillan Canada; Leighton & Kidd International Video Training Inc.; and Thompson Music Company, all of Toronto; and Diffulivre Inc. of Montreal. These companies became part of Canada Publishing Corporation with Ron as Chairman, President and CEO. Canada Publishing Company twice was voted one of the “50 Best Canadian Companies to Work For”. Ron sold off all theses companies with the exception of Gage between 1995-2001. In 2003 Gage was sold to Nelson Thomson, Toronto. Currently, Ron serves on the Boards of C.I. Fund Management Inc. (Lead Director); Luxembourg Cambridge Holding Group; Rogers Communications Inc. (Chair, Audit Committee), and Chair, Ryerson University Capital Campaign. He is President of Besseco Holdings. What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
I wanted to be self employed. I was not adverse to risk, and needed greater challenge to succeed. Who has most inspired you in getting where you are today? Why?
Ted Rogers, a visionary, a futurist, truly an entrepreneur, a risk-taker. If you were an entrepreneur, meeting Ron Besse for the first time, what would you want to know?
I would want to know what my achievements are and my goals for the future. I would ask about my family, my business, my friends, my hobbies. Why did you choose to sell your company?
The company was at its peak. It couldn’t sustain its growth going forward, and the window of opportunity was there, so I took it. What advice would you give entrepreneurs in working with investment partners?
Know your partner. Due diligence, due diligence, due diligence! Trust them and empower them to make decisions for the company. Don’t micro manage. Why have you chosen to work and invest with XPV?
The managing Directors of XPV are young, intelligent, hardworking partners who are climbing the hill to success. They are not yet at the stage of being rich, successful and descending the success hill. They are hungry.
|
