Recognized by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council as an authority on Succession Planning, Reg feels there is no better way to make a living than helping people.
For over a decade, Reg’s clients have found him through word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied farmers. Here’s what they have to say:
If you don’t know how to proceed, Reg gets the ball rolling. His experience appeals to the older generation, and he also helps the young farm communicate goals and ideas so everyone understands each other. He’s extremely personable and his energy is catching. I aspire to be like Reg, helping farmers help themselves. He’s damn good at it.
Leona Dargis, Nuffield Scholar and Farmer, Whitehorse, Yukon
I have been attending conferences for 16 years and haven’t heard much new in the last 10 years or so… I have learnt more new concepts from Reg in two days than I have in the past 10 years!
Nicholas Smith, Lawyer, Author “Advising the Family owned Business” Chairman of the International Centre for Family Businesses U.K
Our family’s raised hogs for over 70 years. We’ve known Reg for over 10. We already referred three families to him after calling him in for numerous jobs.
First we did a farm analysis. Then we wrote up our will and did an estate analysis and succession work. We looked at joining our farm with our son’s to see how viable that would be. Two years ago we amalgamated our operations and so far, so good. Through it all Reg had the tools we needed.
Reg’s background in banking is a real asset. The previous consultant did not have near the same depth of experience.
We signed up for a couple of Reg’s seminars. His workshop on Understanding Your Financials was very educational. He told us “Don’t just drop your books off at the accountants, take the time to understand your information.”We also went to Reg’s Succession planning where he laid out all the different things to consider.
People think they can wing it. A facilitator like Reg makes things simple. There are always two sides—two generations, two families, different ideas. Reg is respectful of the older generation, he gets everyone involved.
Annette Wiersma, Farmer, Lacombe, Alberta
Olthuis Family - Barrhead, Alberta
If it wasn’t for Reg I wouldn’t be farming.
Brian B – Ponoka
Through nearly 60 years of operation, three generations, and farming members passing away throughout the years, our farm had become a very complex operation. With nearly 16,000 acres of cropland shared between 5 different tax entities, we had reached a point where change was needed but it was not clear where to start. The national accounting firm we were using claimed it was the most complicated file they had ever worked on.
I heard Reg speak at a local farm information seminar and knew immediately if there was any hope for us, he was it! His ability to relate to incoming and outgoing generations through understanding and personal experience is absolutely unmatched and utterly necessary for success. He gets you all to talk about the things you need to but don’t want to; he persuades you to consider solutions for problems that seemed unsolvable; he leads you to common ground when you felt there was none.
No one else I know has the unique skill set and life experience that Reg does in this field and no one else brings them to YOUR kitchen in the way that Reg does. Regardless of the outcome, reaching out to Reg to come to your kitchen table is the best decision you could make for your business and your family
G. Cochran – Farmer – Melfort, Saskatchewan
Meeting Reg was the biggest game changer for our farm – ever! He came into our lives at a critical time and we are blessed that he did – and I thank God for that!
G Ruzicka – Rancher – Viking, Alberta
Estate planning can be daunting and frustrating—as a result, important jobs get postponed. As an Estate Planning Solicitor I’ve had mutual clients with Reg Shandro for years, and I’ve seen him do excellent work helping families get together, gather information, discuss family relationships, and make a plan. When Reg’s clients come to see me they are informed and ready to make decisions with confidence. It is never a lot of fun to plan for death. Reg helps ease the discomfort. Clients are generally at ease, smiling and sometimes outright laughing with relief when we meet to conclude their planning. I never hesitate to pass Reg’s card along.
Corey Gish, Lawyer – Lacombe, Alberta
When Reg comes to your house he sits down at your kitchen table, starts his projector, and the first thing he shows you is a picture of his family. Not a picture of himself and his corporate logo. He understands that your family is the core of your operation.
He sat down and genuinely listened, getting to know us like a gentleman and asking us what we wanted to happen. He then met with our entire family put us all together in the same room and made it all work. He knows how to handle the conversation, sometimes leading, sometimes helping us take a breather or breaking the ice with a useful story. He’s not cheap, but he’s good. He taught us that it is not always about equality in dollars and cents, but balance.
If you want it done right call the Farmacist. You will get a product that you will be happy with. If you follow Reg’s process you will get there, it helped solidify what we already had.
