By Jan Dean
Roy Brown didn't just start a company 30 years ago, he founded an industry. ROI Corporation was the first company to professionally appraise and broker the sale of dental practices
The company's growth and success parallels that of Mississauga. Roy and Joan Brown still live in Lorne Park, and all four of their children live close by.
Son Tim has been with the company for 20 years. He is now company president and describes his father as a visionary and risk-taker.
"Dad mortgaged his home in Lorne Park and ran the business out of it," said Tim. "With four kids, that was a huge risk and I'm not sure I'd have the courage to do it. He was the visionary...I'm energy and youth."
ROI Corp. has always been a family business. Roy's wife Joan worked with him, and daughter Lanee Brown Rourke spent 15 years working for ROI Corp. before heading back to school and deciding to teach yoga.
This is Roy's last year in the business. He has sold it to son Tim, a real estate broker with visions of his own.
With an over-supply of dentists in most Canadian cities, hanging out a shingle and setting up a new practice does not bring in patients the way it once did.
Tim says there are a variety of reasons dental practices end up being sold, but every one begins with a D.
"Death, disability, divorce, despair and disillusionment drive dentists to exit ownership," said Tim.
As baby boomer dentists retire, business for the company is booming, but Tim says this pattern will not contiinue forever and he is planning new dirrections.
Tim loves the business and his wife Sandy shares his dedication. On April 30, when 100 guests celebrated ROI Corp's 30th anniversary and Roy Brown's 74th birthday at an open house, Sandy was writing her real estate licence exam so that she too can handle sales.
By the end of the year Roy Brown will be retired and hitting the links. He and wife Joan are also celebrating another achievement this year – their 55th wedding anniversary.
|
 |
| Roy Brown is passing the helm or ROI Corporation to son Tim. ROI was the first company in Canada to professionally appraise and broker the sale of dental practices. (Photo by Chris Horobin) |
|
