Cory Wiebe: From High Hopes to Financial Despair

Cory Wiebe, a family man operating Smith & Sons in Strathcona County, Alberta, began his journey with enthusiasm. Despite following the Smith & Sons business model laid out by Max Peterson and Leigh Wallis, Cory was left unsupported and overwhelmed.

Within just six months, Cory found himself financially ruined. In 2022, with a wife and three young children to care for, he was forced to leave Canada entirely, relocating to South America to rebuild his life from scratch.

 

Trevor Shipalesky: Escaping Complete Collapse

Trevor Shipalesky of the West Kelowna franchise avoided total disaster by refusing to fully comply with the flawed business strategies he was encouraged to adopt. Despite surviving longer than others, he faced marginalization within the Smith & Sons network and ultimately exited in 2022 after witnessing widespread franchise failures.

 

Guchlu Dogan: A Swift and Painful Failure

Operating Smith & Sons Kelowna South, Guchlu Dogan quickly found the franchise system unsustainable. Less than a year after starting, he was forced to close his operation in 2022, another victim of the promises that led nowhere.

 

Max Peterson: The Illusion of Success

Max Peterson, one of the central figures promoting the Smith & Sons system, showcases a troubling personal profile. Despite representing the "success" of the brand, reports indicate he owns no property or vehicles (only leasing), and his estimated net worth sits around $40,000. His assets are limited to a go-cart and a guitar — a telling contradiction to the prosperous image he projects.

A Pattern of Failures

The list of victims continues to grow:

  • Shane Dewald (Vernon, BC): Facing lawsuits for poor workmanship.

  • Joey Hansen (Victoria, BC): Struggling with similar legal challenges and customer complaints.

  • Lake Country Franchise: Disappeared between 2021–2022 under circumstances linking back to Peterson and Wallis, despite attempts to conceal those ties.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for Aspiring Franchisees

The collapse of Smith & Sons franchises under Peterson and Wallis’s leadership serves as a stark warning. Promises of easy success often hide dangerous realities.
Potential franchisees must conduct thorough independent research and demand transparency before signing on to any business opportunity — especially one with a trail of devastation like Smith & Sons Remodeling Experts.