How a 15-year-old kid forged his way to the top of Canada’s print industry and is now redefining the kitchen business with one of North America’s most iconic brands: Paris Kitchens.
By Charlotte Bushnell-Boates
Derek McGeachie has been building brands for decades, and now, he’s bringing his deep business expertise and commitment to quality and performance to his newest venture: Paris Kitchens. The iconic Canadian company has been creating luxurious, high-quality kitchens for over a century, bringing together exceptional craftsmanship with a refined design sensibility. “It’s a reinvention of Paris Kitchens,” explains McGeachie, noting his approach to taking over and relaunching the company. “It’s a 124-year-old brand. The lineage and history are iconic.”
McGeachie is a veritable entrepreneur at heart. Rather than simply taking on an established brand and running it as-is, he sought out Paris Kitchens because of its potential to be even greater and more impactful for Canadians. Consider, for instance, a recent effort in which McGeachie and his team reimagined the manufacturing process to improve efficiency and streamline delivery timelines. There’s a drive to continually improve, creating a better experience for customers at every touchpoint.
This determination and hustle are characteristic of everything McGeachie approaches. As a child, he struggled in school before a teacher recognized his potential, redirecting his educational trajectory and eventually setting him on a path toward business school. He grew up in an unstable environment, becoming fiercely self-reliant and developing a strong sense of ambition and independence. By his mid-teens, that resilience had already taken shape—he was working, supporting himself, and gaining early exposure to business and sales.
Those formative experiences are reflected in how Paris Kitchens operates. The process of designing, building, and installing a kitchen can often be lengthy and prone to delays; yet the company stands apart not for its craftsmanship, but for its disciplined, tightly managed approach to project management and service, with control and accountability at its core. “We meet our deadlines, we beat the quality expectations, we have fewer errors than our competitors,” explains McGeachie. “The resounding reports are that people like doing business with us—we are accessible and easy to reach.”
Whether it’s a sleek contemporary kitchen with a clean, minimal look or a traditional design made from timeless materials, the team at Paris Kitchens prides itself on delivering a genuinely exceptional experience. Beyond working directly with homeowners, the company also partners with established designers, developers, and builders, helping them execute a range of beautiful kitchen projects with ease.
Prior to Paris Kitchens, McGeachie’s focus was primarily on Mi5 Print & Digital, the printing company he founded in 2002. Offering a range of printing services and leveraging state-of-the-art technology to maximize both value and quality, he developed the business from a single press in an industrial garage into one that was named to the PROFIT 500 multiple times, an annual ranking based on five-year revenue growth.
“Rather than simply taking on an established brand and running it as-is, he sought out Paris Kitchens because of its potential to be even greater and more impactful for Canadians.”
Even before Mi5, his entrepreneurial approach led him to success in a range of ventures, including construction, real estate, and even a chocolate business partnership. In taking over Paris Kitchens, he applied this same strong business sensibility, while also drawing on industry knowledge of what clients are seeking and how Paris Kitchens could solve their pain points.
With McGeachie at the helm, the company will not only remain an established name in luxury kitchens, but continue to evolve, driven by discipline, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Whether working with designers and architects seeking a reliable, high-end partner or homeowners embarking on a renovation or new build, the future looks bright for Paris Kitchens.
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