Poised for Exit

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by John Schwalbach of Freedom Financial Partners, who leads a conversation with his client, Jennifer Zick, Founder and CEO of Authentic®. Together, they explore what shifts for a business owner when planning becomes intentional rather than reactive.

As Jennifer’s company matured and began generating meaningful value, new questions surfaced about wealth, risk exposure, long-term flexi...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Ben Axelrod, Managing Director at Borgman Capital,to explore what business owners should truly understand before partnering with private equity. With a background spanning M&A advisory and investment leadership, Ben offers a thoughtful perspective on how financial buyers approach transactions and long-term partnership.

We discuss common misconceptions about private equity, inc...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by Karim Ghandour, Founder & CEO at Legacyline, a Dubai-based transition readiness firm serving founders across multiple jurisdictions. Karim shares how his background in estate planning and cross-border advisory work led him to a powerful realization. Most business owners do not truly understand the value of their company, even though it is often their largest asset.

Karim expla...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Judy Praska, Owner & President of three Fastest Labs locations in the Twin Cities metro. Judy shares how she scaled her testing services business from one location to three, what surprised her most along the way, and the operational details business owners often overlook until growth exposes the cracks.

Scaling a service business, especially one operating in regulated and safe...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Michael Winn, Co-Founder and Partner at Chartered Wealth Partners in Beverly Hills, to discuss why many business exits fail and how outcomes are often determined long before a deal is signed.

Michael explains how missed tax strategy, poor advisor sequencing, and a lack of owner readiness can undermine exit results, even when transactions close successfully.  He shares how early, i...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Mark Kravietz, Managing Partner and Founder of Aline Wealth, for a practical discussion on what business owners need to understand before relocating to a lower-tax state.

Mark explains why changing residency for tax purposes is far more involved than many owners expect and why simply spending “six months and a day” in a new state is rarely sufficient. He walks through the core fact...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we speak with Andy Kocemba, President and CEO of Calhoun Companies, about how buyers are evaluating businesses as we head into 2026. Andy shares his perspective from decades of working with buyers and sellers, and explains why preparation consistently matters more than trying to time the market when it comes to achieving a strong outcome.

Andy walks through the key drivers of valuation, including ...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we speak with Alexis Bostrom, founder and CEO of Big Wolf Siteworks, about how she built a construction company that has grown steadily while remaining intentionally small. Alexis shares how the business began as a two person operation with her husband and evolved into a company supported by a close knit team.

Alexis walks through the realities of hiring for the first time, becoming a union shop, ...

In this annual recap episode of Poised for Exit, I reflect on 2025, share what stood out over the past year, and look ahead to what is coming in 2026. I also revisit how the show began during the early days of the pandemic, how it has grown over the past five years, and why exit planning conversations continue to resonate with business owners and advisors around the world.

I spend time discussing one of the questions I hear most oft...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we welcome James Olsen, Partner at Seiler Law PLCC, for a practical discussion on the legal realities business owners face when preparing for a sale or transition.

James shares insights from advising Main Street and lower middle-market business owners, highlighting common legal pitfalls that can delay or derail an exit. From handshake agreements and undocumented contracts to buyer due diligen...

Episode Reprise 

We’re excited to bring back this timely conversation as business owners focus on year-end planning and tax strategy. This episode remains especially relevant right now, and we’re thrilled to reshare these insights from the team at John A. Knutson & Co. for anyone preparing for a future transition. 

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In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Cindy Mclagan and Jonathon Lansink from John A. Knutson & C...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Gordon Bell, CEO and Founder of The Midland Group and fellow CEPA, for a conversation focused on why business owners must start planning their exit well before they intend to transition.

Gordon shares highlights from his career, including leading multiple companies and taking one public, and uses those experiences to illustrate the power of early preparation. He explains why readi...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we welcome back Steve Enzler, Owner and CEO of Tangible Values, for the second half of our deep dive into the cybersecurity threats impacting today’s business owners.

In Part 2, Steve shares shocking real-world examples of W-2 and 1099 fraud, including how organized criminal networks are filing thousands of fake returns using stolen business IDs, employee data, and even credit card informatio...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we talk with Jon Keimig, Executive Director of the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center and a leading voice in multi-generation family business education.

Jon shares what he’s seeing inside today’s family-owned companies and why communication often breaks down between generations. He explains why ownership conversations stall, how assumptions build on both sides, and what families can d...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we talk with Vincent Renda, a nationally recognized financial advisor with Edward Jones who specializes in helping business owners prepare for life beyond their company.

Vincent explains why most owners view an exit as a financial event when, in reality, the real challenge is the transition: identity, purpose, lifestyle, and what comes next. He shares a powerful client story that illustrates how a...

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Joe Seetoo, Partner at Morton Wealth and the current Exit Planner of the Year. Joe brings a rare blend of wealth management expertise, exit planning insight, and real-world examples that reveal what owners most often overlook when preparing for a transition.

Joe shares how Morton Wealth built The Strategist, a flat-fee, exit-focused planning model designed to support owners long b...

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...