A different approach
The Whitestar Group was founded with the belief that great organizations require great ideas and great talent. Entrepreneurs have great ideas and Entrepreneurs have great talent. But, they do not have ALL the ideas and talent they need to commercialize their ideas and to grow their businesses. At The Whitestar Group we provide, or connect you with, the ideas and talent you need to complete your business.
We are not a recruitment or a placement firm, although we know great people who can help you there when you need it. Nor are we a consulting firm, although we do engage in project based assignments and we can access world-class specialists and experts to tackle specific problems when needed.
We help build the structure and framework around which a business can grow.
As an Entrepreneur and Innovator you have the big idea, the revolutionary product or service, the next and the best. You have talent, but you need to put a team together to bring your vision to life. You invest in research, product development, sales and marketing. You assume the leadership role, or you bring on a leader for your organization. You scrape by in the other areas or your business. You hire a part time book-keeper, or do it at nights when your family is asleep. You focus on the day to day and on your areas of expertise. You let other foundational parts of your business drift along.
This is where the icebergs lie.
We partner with Entrepreneurs to bring hands-on experience and know how to building a business in those areas where most Entrepreneurs need additional ideas and talent. Strategic planning; budgets and performance metrics; cash flow forecasting; accounting systems; financial reporting; finance and banking; organizational effectiveness; legal structure; tax planning and compliance; human resources; logistics, operations; company processes, policies and procedures.
We are not a recruitment or a placement firm, although we know great people who can help you there when you need it. Nor are we a consulting firm, although we do engage in project based assignments and we can access world-class specialists and experts to tackle specific problems when needed.
We help build the structure and framework around which a business can grow.
As an Entrepreneur and Innovator you have the big idea, the revolutionary product or service, the next and the best. You have talent, but you need to put a team together to bring your vision to life. You invest in research, product development, sales and marketing. You assume the leadership role, or you bring on a leader for your organization. You scrape by in the other areas or your business. You hire a part time book-keeper, or do it at nights when your family is asleep. You focus on the day to day and on your areas of expertise. You let other foundational parts of your business drift along.
This is where the icebergs lie.
We partner with Entrepreneurs to bring hands-on experience and know how to building a business in those areas where most Entrepreneurs need additional ideas and talent. Strategic planning; budgets and performance metrics; cash flow forecasting; accounting systems; financial reporting; finance and banking; organizational effectiveness; legal structure; tax planning and compliance; human resources; logistics, operations; company processes, policies and procedures.
A long term partnership
When we partner with a business we want to be there for the long haul. We feel that getting to know the business and becoming integrated into the business is the best way to build a framework. Whether we provide behind the scenes advice and services to the Entrepreneur / Owner-Manager, or whether we are so integrated that we run a department and are even a signing officer in your business, we believe that a long relationship is the most effective way forward.
We want to see Entrepreneurs succeed. We recognize that companies undertaking early stage commercialization, or experiencing rapid growth have cash and affordability challenges. While we do not really want to be paid in chickens, we are prepared to be flexible. The very nature of our partnership with an Entrepreneur, which is long term and generally part-time, allows for creative compensation. We offer an affordable rate and we are prepared to include equity based compensation, contingent or performance based compensation, or to simply tie the timing of compensation to the company's business cycle.
We want to see Entrepreneurs succeed. We recognize that companies undertaking early stage commercialization, or experiencing rapid growth have cash and affordability challenges. While we do not really want to be paid in chickens, we are prepared to be flexible. The very nature of our partnership with an Entrepreneur, which is long term and generally part-time, allows for creative compensation. We offer an affordable rate and we are prepared to include equity based compensation, contingent or performance based compensation, or to simply tie the timing of compensation to the company's business cycle.
Mark Hall - Founder and President
Mark Hall B.Com CPA, CA has more than 25 years experience as a business professional. In 2010, Mr. Hall founded The Whitestar Group to bring practical and strategic experience to companies undertaking early stage commercialization. Whitestar guides emerging businesses at a strategic level and does the necessary work in the trenches to build the structure upon which businesses may grow.
Before forming The Whitestar Group, Mr. Hall was for 10 years the Chief Financial Officer and significant minority shareholder of Owen Media Partners, (www.owen-media.com) a firm twice named to Profit Magazine’s list of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies. Mr. Hall sold his interest in Owen Media in 2010. Prior to helping found Owen Media, Mr. Hall held progressively senior management positions with multi-billion dollar companies including Coopers & Lybrand (www.pwc.com/ca), Canadian Tire Corporation (www.canadiantire.ca) and Brewers Retail Inc. (www.thebeerstore.ca). Mr. Hall has served as a Commissioner for Mississauga Hydro (www.enersource.com), coaches hockey, and is an active community volunteer (www.portcredithockey.com).
Mr. Hall is a Chartered Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.