Beyond the Family Business with Luke Hansen-MacDonald: Lessons from Vancouver Investor & Founder of EQ Bank | Iqbal Kassam, Zynik

"Entrepreneurs look for patterns of opportunities. They’re seeking, they’re looking, they’re validating," says Kassam

Hosted by Luke Hansen-MacDonald, a second-generation family business leader, Beyond the Family Business is one of the most thoughtful and engaging podcasts about family enterprise in Canada. In every episode, Luke goes beyond the headlines with other leaders in family businesses and family offices to explore lessons they have learned, their successes and their challenges. 

In this episode, Luke sits down with Iqbal Kassam, founder of EQ Bank. His story starts in Kenya with humble beginnings, then takes us through his remarkable journey to the UK and to Canada—where he started EQ Bank, which today is the seventh-largest bank in the country.

Today, Kassam is the founder and chairman of Zynik Corp., a family office based in Vancouver. Zynik’s current focus is on the industrial manufacturing sector, where Kassam’s family office invests heavily. Kassam outlines his thesis about skilled labour and why he is investing in this sector.

In this conversation with Luke, Kassam shares:

• How his mother engrained resilience in him from a young age.
• His belief that all of our potential is greater than we think, and that we simply have to unleash it. 
• His early days of starting Equitable Trust Company and where he saw opportunities in Canada.
• His advice for entrepreneurs: Think about the thesis you want to deploy. 

Previous episodes of “Beyond the Family Business” on Canadian Family Offices feature K.C. Daya, Jeffrey McCain, Ian Wilson, Derrick Hunter, Pierre Somers, Ben Hertzman, Lee Bragg and Danielle Saputo.

 

Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by BMO Private Wealth. The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

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