Testimonials

PRAISE FROM SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS

"...excellent, very informative, took time to answer questions ... seminar made the whole conference..."
- D. Speesta, Miami, Florida

"...speaker was excellent, with extraordinarily good communication and teaching skills. He imparts information rapidly and concretely while maintaining a high level of participant interest throughout..."
- M. Doyle, Vancouver

"...excellent speaker, well presented. Good diction, repeated questions for all to hear. Very impressed..."
- D. Morison, Calgary

"...a superior presentation. Clear, practical and relevant. Superb in every regard..."
- B. Wilson, South Carolina

"...stimulating seminar. Very good knowledge of subject. Dealt with questions very well. Complete attention was captured throughout..."
- D. Dieno, Toronto

"...seminar was practical, interesting, informative and useful. Lots of substance. Good sense of humour. Excellent speaker..."
- P. Harling, Montreal

PRAISE FROM SEMINAR SPONSORS

"...Thank you for the wonderful job at our Snowbird seminar...I would estimate that about 750 people attended...the response from seminar participants has been incredibly positive...I would recommend your seminar to anyone interested in a similar presentation..."
- Mark Mitchell, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Vancouver, BC

"...Your experience in seminar preparation was invaluable. Your assistance and guidance in the program development was appreciated. Your skill, resourcefulness and professionalism was evident, given the tight timelines we were working with...audience feedback was very positive, with the seminars rated excellent in presentation content and value...I enjoyed the experience of working with you on this project..."
- Jan Leonard, Small Business Market Manager, Manitoba Telephone Systems, Winnipeg

"...I feel Mr. Gray's personal commitment to this province-wide program (20 seminars + 300-90 minute post-seminar consultations with selected seminar participants) made the significant contribution to its success...I frequently received high praise for Mr. Gray...I believe the undeniable success of the program was as much attributable to the manner in which the support by Mr. Gray was delivered, as it was to the substance of the material presented...I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Doug Gray on our past programs..."
- Jerry Uretsky, Manager, Small Business Services Branch Canada/BC Business Service Centre, Vancouver, BC

"...The superior evaluations Doug received from his Financial Forum presentations, were testimonials to the practical nature and understandable delivery of the concepts presented. High attendance at both sessions can be attributed to Doug's ability to recognize the personal needs of consumers. And he delivers. I will not hesitate to call on Doug again..."
- Dale Ennis, Publisher, Canadian Moneysaver, Bath, Ontario

PRAISE FROM BOOK REVIEWERS

(All books authored or co-authored by Douglas Gray, LL.B.)

“Gray delivers the goods. It is all-Canadian, and not a retread book full of tips that are worthless north of the U.S. border. It’s chock-full of practical streetsmart strategies and advice, pitfalls to avoid, samples, what-to-look-out for, checklists and information.... The information that Gray passes along is invaluable, thorough and eminently usable ... the book has an easy style to it that is almost conversational.”
-  Business in Vancouver

“The prolific output of real estate and financial books establishes Gray as a Canadian voice ... provides consumer insights into securing the best deal and avoiding the pitfalls ... Gray’s legal background has given him valuable insights.”
-  Edmonton Joumal

“Author knows what he is talking about ... full of street-smarts and practical advice.”
-  Halifax Chronicle-Herald

“Thorough and wide-ranging ... bursts with practical tips and explanations”
-  Vancouver Sun

“Detailed, very informative, scrupulously objective as well as being written in a style that is refreshingly clear of jargon ... this one is a ‘must’ buy”
-  B.C. Business

“Outstanding ... peppered with practical no-nonsense tips ... invaluable information throughout.”
-  Calgary Herald

“Gray’s latest endeavour is a good educational tool ... no legalese here, just some good ol’ street-level English that explains - mostly for the benefit of novices - all the real and perceived complexities of mortgages.”
-  Calgary Herald

“This guide is truly a gold mine ... an admirable job ... taps into the author’s expertise.”
-  Profit Magazine

“I can say with absolute certainty that this guide is the best.... It is well organized, written in an informative way and at the right level of detail.... The samples, checklists, glossary and sources of information can best be described as exemplary. Just a great piece of work ... recommended to everyone I deal with.”
-   Steve Guerin, Former Project Manager, Office of Research and Innovation, Ryerson Polytechnical University, Toronto

“The ultimate in small-biz aid – if I ever quit my day job, this is one of the first books I’d rush out and buy”
-  Linda A. Fox, The Toronto Sun

“Excellent ... geared especially to Canadians, unlike most small business guides”
-  Financial Times

“If you’re thinking of launching your own business, or if you want to pick up invaluable tips on running the one you already own, this Canadian book on small business is a terrific resource tool.”
-  This Week in Business, Montreal

“Contains a wealth of information to help you maximize your chances of success.... If you can’t be bothered reading an excellent book like this, you probably shouldn’t bother going into business for yourself.”
-   Mike Grenby, National Syndicated Financial Columnist

“The strength of the book is its attention to the practical needs of small business ... provides a broad overview of 18 major topic areas ... full of numerous ‘street-smart’ tips on how to successfully open and operate a business ... contains a plethora of ‘how-to’ features and useful resource information.”
-   Ottawa Citizen

“Written in an easy-to-read, matter-of-fact manner which helps take much of the mystique out of starting and developing a business ... provides a signpost guide through the key areas of small business development ... a wealth of practical information ... this book is a must for every Economic Development Officer’s library”
-  Christopher Bryant, Past Director, Economic Development Program, University of Waterloo

“The most informative and comprehensive guide on this subject matter.”
-  The Toronto Star

“Should be required reading for all potential home-basers ... authoritative, current and comprehensive.”
-  Edmonton Joumal

“An absolute necessity for your bookshelf ... crammed with useful information.”
-  Victoria Times-Colonist

The Complete Canadian Franchise Guide (with Norm Friend)

“….This book tells it like it is, a realistic look at franchising and what it takes to be successful. The information provided is clear, concise, practical, and easy to apply…”
-   Richard B. Cunningham, President, Canadian Franchise Association and Co-Chair, World Franchise Council

"Down to earth, comprehensive, easy to read and packed with practical information. A superb guide to buying a franchise. Invaluable samples and checklists. Highly recommended."
- Terry and Fran Banting, Franchisees

“…..The authors have combined their formidable talents to produce what may be the definitive work on raising money in the Canadian marketplace….written in plain language, with a user-friendly question and answer format, and contains invaluable checklists, appendices, and information sources…. a definite keeper for potential and practicing entrepreneurs alike…”
-  Canadian Business Franchise

“….an invaluable guide to worry-free part-time living in the U.S….by one of Canada’s bestselling authors of business and personal finance books…..”
-  Globe and Mail

“….I hate to sound like a cheerleader for Gray and his Canadian Snowbird Guide, but RAH! RAH! RAH! regardless….the book is a complete how-to written in his characteristically thorough style….Gray delivers the goods right where the Snowbirds live. If you or someone close to you winters in the U.S., you should have this book….”
-  Business in Vancouver

"...A very objective, complete and informative presentation of cross-border issues for Canadian Snowbirds ...an extremely useful reference guide that every Snowbird should own..."
- Richard Brunton, C.P.A., Tax advisor and publisher of Brunton's U.S. Taxletter for Canadians

“….Gray has written a reference book, thoughtful and complete, and prepared with the authoritative research skills and knowledge of a fastidious solicitor. To this end, the Snowbird Guide is as practical as a sunhat on a Tampa afternoon, and that alone warrants it a place on every southbound RV’s bookshelf….”
-  Quill & Quire

“…the most comprehensive Canadian book to address issues for retired part-time residents of the United States, that range from home rentals and currency fluctuations, to wills, trusts, and estate planning…..”
-  Globe and Mail

“…An informative, practical guide… the authors….cover all the bases”
- The National Post

“…A comprehensive and in-depth guide, covering all the nuts and bolts of estate planning…”
-  Good Times magazine

"….A bargain for its price, it should be part of every family's library."
- Globe and Mail

“This book is a classic ... will be invaluable for years to come ... arguably the most comprehensive guide to retirement planning in Canada today.”