Poised for Exit
Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.
Episodes
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we welcome Eric Mitchellette, Founder and President of Strategic Business Coach,Inc.
Eric shares how business owners can identify and repair cash flow challenges, rebuild trust with their banks, and strengthen the overall financial health of their organizations. With decades of experience as a CFO and turnaround advisor, he offers actionable strategies for improving receivables, creating financial...
| In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Steve Enzler, Owner and CEO of Tangible Values, a professional services firm supporting the accounting community.
Steve shares eye-opening insights into cybersecurity risks that most small businesses and even accounting firms don’t realize they’re exposed to. From new IRS and FTC requirements to real-world data breach examples, this conversation sheds light on what every busine...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, Erika Scherman, Owner and President of MC Tool & Safety Sales, joins the show to share her journey of stepping into leadership and carrying her family’s business forward.
Erika reflects on how she transitioned from a career in the beer industry to running a company centered on service, safety, and strong customer relationships. She discusses the challenges of business succession, managing grow...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Ailee Nelson, Founder and Owner of Approach HR and The VA Solution.
Ailee shares how she built two distinct businesses that address different, yet equally important, needs in today’s workplace. Through Approach HR, she helps companies strengthen compliance, retention, and organizational development with strategic human resources support. And through her other company, The VA Solut...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are excited to be joined again by Heide Olson, Founder & CEO All In One Accounting for Part 2 of the conversation on preparing a company’s books and operations for a successful transition. Heide explains why clean financials, accurate month-end closes, reconciled balance sheets, and meaningful budget reviews are essential to telling a credible story that buyers and stakeholders can trust.
O...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Heather Polivka, Founder and CEO of Awesome People Leaders, to explore how leadership, culture, and emotional intelligence drive real business value.
Heather shares how her firm helps organizations close leadership gaps, reduce disengagement, and elevate team performance. At the center of our conversation is Awesome EQ, a new AI-powered tool that delivers real-time coaching prompt...
The Twin Cities business community is preparing for one of the year’s most anticipated gatherings: the EPI Regional Summit. In this week’s episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Todd Krough, President of the EPI Twin Cities Chapter and Wealth Advisor with UMB Bank, for an inside look at what attendees can expect on October 9 at Union Depot in St. Paul.
Todd reflects on the evolution of the Owners Forum into today’s Regional Sum...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Nolan Gaffney, and Yan Arsenault, of Trust Point Inc., to explore real estate strategies that can transform how business owners and families protect their wealth. With trillions of dollars in real estate expected to pass from one generation to the next, the conversation couldn’t be more timely.
Nolan and Yan walk us through approaches that allow owners to transition away from the ...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by Erik Gabrielson, co-founder of ProjectWe. Erik returns to the show to share how his firm is helping business owners and professional services leaders navigate one of the most disruptive forces of our time: artificial intelligence. The conversation begins with Erik’s own journey of adopting AI in early 2023, when he and his team recognized its potential to transform not only their...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Marianne Oehser, and Susan Latremoille, of Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors, for a conversation about the often-overlooked emotional side of exiting a business.
With combined backgrounds in financial advising, corporate leadership, and retirement coaching, Marianne and Susan bring a unique perspective to what it really takes to prepare for life beyond the business. Their work focus...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Kathleen Wickstorm, CEO of Spec 7 Group, a construction company specializing in waterproofing and protecting commercial buildings. Kathy shares her unusual journey from a career in healthcare to running a successful construction business, and how she has grown Spec 7 Group into a trusted partner for contractors, property managers, and building owners.
Kathy discusses the company’s...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Liz Ennenga, CEO and Founder of Quad E Companies, Inc. to explore her inspiring transition from the corporate world to becoming a 100% shareholder of her own contracting firm.
Liz shares how she left a successful corporate career at Target to launch Quad E, an excavation company focused on small to medium-sized commercial and government projects, and what she’s learned b...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Erica Haataja, owner of Nordic Shine LLC to uncover how she and her husband built a refined construction-site cleaning business that thrives on purposeful systems and real connection.
Erica breaks down Nordic Shine’s standout services - whether it’s post-construction clean-ups for commercial sites or recurring maintenance plans. She highlights their edge: genuine communication, de...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Matt Silasiri, Vice President of Business Development at True North M&A, to talk all about the upcoming 3rd Annual M&A Summit, happening September 17th at the JW Marriott at Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
This exclusive event is designed for business owners, advisors, and industry professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the mergers and acquisitions pro...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Shalin Johnson, Vice President of Business Insurance at Marsh McLennan Agency, to talk about how risk management can increase company value and support smoother business transitions.
With 25 years of experience and a focus on manufacturing clients, Shalin shares why risk management is more than just insurance. He walks us through how strong risk platforms not only reduce liability...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sat down with John Schwalbach, partner and financial advisor at Freedom Financial Partners, to talk about how financial planning plays a critical role in the success of any business exit.
John brings a unique perspective as both a financial expert and entrepreneur. He shared stories from his work with business owners and broke down the biggest financial planning mistakes owners make when prepar...
In this week’s episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Jacob Petersen, a board-certified M&A intermediary who breaks down what really makes a business attractive to buyers.
Jacob shares his journey from accounting to business brokerage and explains how he helps privately held business owners understand and increase the value of their companies.
The conversation explores key valuation concepts like Seller’s Discretionary Earn...
Some of the most successful businesses start with a simple idea and a whole lot of determination.
In this week’s episode of Poised For Exit, we sit down with Esme Miranda, founder of a fast-growing cleaning company, Squeaky Services. Esme shares how a small effort to support her family during the pandemic turned into a full-scale operation offering commercial cleaning, carpet care, painting, and more. The business has grown with a c...
As co-owner of Hi Tempo Sports and founder of the Foot Lab, Brad Nelson brings over four decades of entrepreneurial experience rooted in grit, persistence, and a deep commitment to customer well-being. From starting out in ski boot fitting to becoming a certified pedorthist, Brad has built a business legacy grounded in service and innovation.
In this episode, Brad sits down with Julie to share the full arc of his journey, from acqui...
As Managing Broker at VR Business Brokers of the Twin Cities and a Certified Business Appraiser, Young Bebus brings a rare mix of financial expertise, strategic insight, and deep empathy to her work with founders. After immigrating from South Korea and reinventing her career more than once, she now helps business owners make confident, well-informed decisions during one of the most pivotal chapters of their lives.
Selling ...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.