5D AGO

Canadians 🤝 Negotiating fees like it’s a hostage situation

“Can you do it for less?” “What if we remove… everything?” “Exposure is also valuable, no?” 😅 After ~10 years as an independent advisor (and years before that on the corporate side), I’ve noticed a very consistent pattern: 👉 We hate paying fees. 👉 All fees. 👉 Even when paying them would actually make us more money. We’ll: Pay cash to “save taxes” 💸 Negotiate artists down while claiming to support them 🎨 Spend months arguing contracts… to end up nowhere 100% of zero > 70% of something bigger? Apparently yes. It’s fascinating. Slightly absurd. And, I’d argue, a real barrier to growth. I wrote about it—why it happens, what it costs us (financially and socially), and why it might be… a bit irrational. 👇 Curious if you’ve seen the same? #newsletter #canada #business #consulting #pricing #leadership Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

9 min

MAY 12

⁉️Changing Lifestyle or Taking Meds?

Let’s be honest: Nutella, croissants, éclairs au chocolat… I’m very pro. Unfortunately, my body disagreed. I was prescribed meds for skin and sugar issues: 👉 worked great 👉 messed with my mood (even at microdoses) So I made the least exciting decision possible: 🥗 less sugar 💧 better habits 🚶‍♀️ more movement Did I enjoy it? No. Did I miss chocolate? Intensely. But… it worked. I didn’t need the meds anymore. We live in a world where: 💊 taking a pill is easier than 😴 sleeping well 🏃‍♀️ moving 🚫 saying no to sugar (painful) And yes—sometimes meds are the right answer. But sometimes, small lifestyle shifts go a long way. Fast forward a few months: I still love chocolate 🍫 Just not as a daily default. Small choices. Big impact. Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

9 min

MAY 5

🎭 The Art of Influence (and Why It Sometimes Backfires)

Imagine you’re in a meeting… 👀 Someone says your name… once… twice… five times 😅 Locks eye contact like it’s a staring contest 👁️👁️ Pauses… for impact… 🎭 And delivers a perfectly polished pitch 🎤 You’re not listening anymore. You’re thinking: “ah… they read the book.” 📚 And to be fair—it works. Until it doesn’t. Because now it just feels… obvious 🤖 In this week’s newsletter, I unpack where influence turns into manipulation—and why people can feel it instantly. 👉 The tricks aren’t magic anymore ✨ 👉 We’ve all read the same books What’s the most “playbook” move you’ve seen lately? 👇 Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

12 min

APR 28

💰 The Curse of Being Rich

Not exactly a popular take. And yet—after two decades working alongside wealth creators, heirs, and power circles, I’ve come to a somewhat uncomfortable conclusion: 👉 Wealth solves many problems. But it quietly creates others. Who is actually in your corner—and who is playing a role?What happens when success is always discounted… and failure quietly celebrated?What if your life isn’t entirely your own—even with unlimited means?At what point do you stop being a person… and become an opportunity?We don’t talk about this. Because wealth is supposed to be the end game. But beyond a certain point, it starts to reshape every interaction around you—social, emotional, even existential. Ironically, the “sweet spot” may not be at the top. 👉 It might be just below it. Where you have: enough to live well, but not enough to distort reality. This piece is not anti-wealth. It’s pro-clarity. And maybe… a little uncomfortable. #Leadership #Wealth #Psychology #Power #HumanNature #Success #Perspective Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

11 min

APR 21

🎨 What actually makes an emerging artist financially successful?

Talent? Yes. Luck? Absolutely. Timing? More than we’d like to admit. But after spending time with artists like Aline Setton, Luca Soldovieri, Melanie Authier, Vickie Vainionpää—alongside galleries like Olga Korper Gallery and institutions such as the Aga Khan Museum—I’ve started to notice something else. A pattern. Not a formula. Not a guarantee. But a set of behaviours that show up again and again. The artists who make it work financially tend to: Treat their practice like a long-term game Build real networks (not just visibility) Communicate and tell compelling stories Develop a recognizable signature Embrace the business side of art (without apology) And yes… make themselves visible In short: they behave like professionals—not just creators. It sounds obvious. It isn’t. Because the romantic narrative of the “pure artist” still lingers… And it quietly sabotages a lot of talent. I talked about what I’m seeing—from the outside looking in— for anyone navigating the intersection of art, market, and ambition. Curious to hear: What do you think actually drives success in today’s art market? #Art #ContemporaryArt #ArtMarket #Artists #Creativity #Professionalism #Collecting #Newsletter Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

10 min

APR 14

🤖 Do Humans Still Matter in North America?

A question that sounds philosophical… but is becoming very operational. We are watching, in real time: → Companies optimizing for “no employees” → AI used as justification (not always proof) for layoffs → Full-time jobs quietly replaced by part-time, no-benefit roles → Entire workforces rebranded as “independent contractors” Efficient? Yes. Sustainable? I’m not so sure. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: 💰 An economy does not run on billionaires. It runs on stable households. If we erode income stability, purpose, and confidence… who exactly is left to consume? At some point, “efficiency” starts to cannibalize the very system it’s meant to optimize. This is not anti-tech. It’s pro-thinking. 👉 What is the role of humans in the economy we are building? Because if the answer becomes: “Optional (except when they need to spend)…” We are not just redesigning work. We are redesigning society. I wrote a piece on this—part reflection, part provocation, part quiet rebellion. Curious to hear your take 👇 Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

10 min

APR 7

🖼️ Confused About Art? You Are Not Alone.

💰 Collecting Art Versus Decorating I had a small (and slightly uncomfortable) realization recently. I found myself hesitating to openly love certain artworks… simply because they were affordable and not endorsed by the “right” galleries. That pause told me everything. Somewhere along the way, I had started outsourcing my taste to the market. Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud: 👉 The art world operates on two very different logics • Collecting = capital allocation, downside protection, signaling • Decorating = personal enjoyment, emotion, lived experience Both are valid. But confusing the two? That’s where things get messy. Because once you do, you risk asking the wrong question: “Is this good art?” …instead of “Do I actually like this?” And the irony? Add a few zeros to the price, place the same piece in a top gallery, and suddenly the narrative changes. Same artwork. Different validation. In this week’s newsletter, I unpack: Why “reputable” often really means “financially validated” The uncomfortable snobbery (including my own) we rarely admit And why taking a chance on unknown artists might be the most rational—and enjoyable—move 💭 Maybe the real flex isn’t owning what everyone agrees is valuable… …but knowing what you love before the market tells you. #Art #ArtCollecting #ContemporaryArt #Investing #Taste #CreativeEconomy #PersonalPerspective Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

9 min

MAR 31

🎭 “No one cares about ballet or opera.”

One comment from Timothée Chalamet → outrage, headlines, Oscar speculation. Meanwhile… Leaders in positions of real power say (and do) far worse—with far fewer consequences. Interesting, isn’t it? This isn’t about Chalamet. It’s about the expectations we place on young, successful artists: → Be talented → Be famous → Be insightful → Be flawless All at once. At 25. Or 30. Or 20. Most of them are just that—young. Learning. Figuring it out. In public. And yet, we hold them to a higher standard than CEOs or politicians whose decisions actually shape lives. I wrote a piece on this double standard—and why our outrage might be…misdirected. 💭 Maybe the issue isn’t what he said. It’s what we choose to care about. #Leadership #Culture #Media #Reputation #DoubleStandards Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com. #privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

7 min

Peggy Van de Plassche

Episodes

Canadians 🤝 Negotiating fees like it’s a hostage situation

⁉️Changing Lifestyle or Taking Meds?

🎭 The Art of Influence (and Why It Sometimes Backfires)

💰 The Curse of Being Rich

🎨 What actually makes an emerging artist financially successful?

🤖 Do Humans Still Matter in North America?

🖼️ Confused About Art? You Are Not Alone.

🎭 “No one cares about ballet or opera.”

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