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
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 ...
Succession in a family business isn’t just about passing the torch. It’s about building the right foundation to support the next generation and protect the legacy for years to come. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Lurey, Founder and CEO of Family Legacy 1st, returns to the show to share what actually works when it comes to family business transitions.
As the founder of Family Legacy 1st, Jeremy has spent over two decades helping multige...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Muthu Periakaruppan, CPA and President of MP Sales Tax, to dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but critical when preparing to sell a business: sales and use tax.
Muthu explains how many business owners, especially in industries like manufacturing, life sciences, and trucking, unknowingly overpay sales tax and may be eligible for sizable refunds. He walks us through ...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Colin Hirdman, entrepreneur, strategist, and co-founder of Rainmaker, to explore the untapped potential of LinkedIn as a true growth engine for business.
Colin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his first company just weeks after college to co-founding Monkey Island Ventures and helping business leaders build targeted lead-generation systems using LinkedIn.
We d...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Cindy Leines, founder of CEL Marketing, a firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations communicate with purpose and build lasting trust. With decades of experience in strategic communications, branding, and reputation management, Cindy brings a unique perspective to the exit planning conversation.
We dive into the role of transparency and trust in successful business tran...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Cindy Mclagan and Jonathon Lansink from John A. Knutson & Co., PLLP. We sit down for an insightful conversation on estate and tax planning for business owners preparing to exit!
Jonathon and Cindy address why proactive estate and tax strategies are critical for protecting generational wealth and ensuring smooth business transitions. From the use of trusts and gifting strategies...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Leah Berend, founder and managing partner of Marrin Investment Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in and growing purpose-driven businesses. Leah shares her unique journey from a background in leadership and due diligence to founding her own firm, one that’s rooted in integrity, workforce culture, and long-term value creation.
We explore the common misconceptions a...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Heide Olson, founder and CEO of All in One Accounting, a firm specializing in fractional CFO, controller, and accounting services for businesses and nonprofits. Heide shares her entrepreneurial journey, the lessons she learned while growing her company, and the critical role that financial systems play in building a business that is truly exit-ready.
We explore how strong financial...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we explore the often overlooked human side of exit planning, where leadership, culture, and legacy intersect. Our guest, Chuck Cooper, founder of Whitewater Consulting and author of The Family Business Blueprint, shares a wealth of experience helping family-owned businesses navigate the complexities of succession planning.
Chuck emphasizes the vital role that company culture plays in a successful ...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Justin Goodbread, a lifelong entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple businesses and now coaches others to do the same. From launching his first company at 15 to achieving several seven-figure exits, Justin shares the biggest lessons he has learned about increasing company value, planning a smart exit, and building a business that supports your life instead of running it.
Just...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Michael Hubsmith of True North M&A and Mark Cheeley of Synergy Wealth Management, two seasoned professionals whose 15-year collaboration has helped countless business owners plan smarter, sell stronger, and retire confidently.
Michael and Mark share real-world insights on how aligning M&A expertise with long-term financial planning creates better outcomes for business owner...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, Tony Morse, CEO of Proliferate Performance & Profit, shares key insights for preparing your sales process for a successful exit.
Tony dives into the critical importance of building a scalable sales program that operates independently of the founder, making the business more transferable and attractive to potential buyers. He outlines three key elements that are often missing in businesses prep...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, Jon Marquet from Trust Point shares invaluable insights into the essential strategies for a successful business exit. As an expert in retirement planning and business transitions, Jon provides expert advice on what business owners need to consider as they approach one of the biggest decisions of their careers.
Jon discusses the importance of early and comprehensive financial planning to ensure a s...
With a unique background in leadership, organizational strategy, and academia, Moira Petit brings fresh insight into the evolving relationship between AI and human leadership. As the co-founder and partner of Activ8 LLC and ProjectWe, she has firsthand experience in leading organizations through change. In this episode, we dive into how technology is reshaping the workplace—while the core principles of leadership, company culture, ...
With extensive experience in entrepreneurship and business investment, Jeff Porubcan and Jeff Thurston bring valuable insights into navigating partnerships and scaling businesses successfully. In this episode, we explore the challenges and rewards of co-ownership, as well as the key factors that contribute to a thriving business partnership.
As partners in Master Supplements Inc., Jeff and Jeff discuss their journey in the health an...
With a background in law and expertise in mediation, Amy Wirtz brings a deep understanding of the challenges family businesses face when transitioning leadership. Our conversation explores how businesses evolve from single-family ownership to multi-generational enterprises, requiring new skill sets, structured leadership, and strategic planning.
Amy outlines key factors for a successful transition, including strong family leadership...
The week on the Poised for Exit podcast, I take the mic for a solo episode to share exciting updates for 2025!
After nearly six years and approaching our 300th episode, I wanted to take this time to personally connect with you - our valued listeners - and give you an inside look at what's happening this year.
First, I extend my gratitude to our incredible sponsors, including True North M&A, Trust Point Inc., JAK + Co. CPAs, ...
Keeping a family business thriving across generations isn’t easy, but Dr. Jeremy Lurey knows how to make it happen. As Founder and CEO of Family Legacy 1st, he’s spent over 20 years guiding family enterprises through leadership transitions, governance, and exit planning.
Jeremy shares why succession planning is about more than just handing over the reins - it’s about shifting from manager to mentor. He highlights the power of indepe...
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