Ep. 131 - You Built the Practice… But Did You Protect It? | How to Protect Your Practice with Gabriella E. Martinelli

I know you've poured everything into your practice, your time, your energy, your sacrifice… but have you ever stopped to ask what would happen to it if your life changed overnight? You're building, you're growing, you're leading, but this is one of those conversations most people avoid because it feels uncomfortable, especially when it involves your relationship. On this week's episode, Gabriela Martinelli sits down with me to talk about what it really looks like to protect what you've built, not just emotionally, but financially and legally too. We're getting into the real risks practice owners face when there's no plan in place, what happens behind the scenes during a divorce, and why waiting until something goes wrong can cost you everything. If you're serious about your practice, your team, and the legacy you're creating, this is a conversation you can't afford to skip.   Gabriella E. Martinelli is a divorce financial strategist and founder of Ever After Wealth, where she helps business owners and physicians protect their practices and financial futures before, during, and after divorce. With over 20 years of experience and a background working inside family law firms, she brings a rare blend of financial strategy and real-world insight to high-stakes decisions that impact wealth, business ownership, and legacy.   Connect with Gabriella: Website Podcast [email protected]    ➡️ My Own Your CEO Status™ Masterclass is happening on April 28th from 6–7 PM ET – and it's free. I'll show you how to scale your private practice from $500K to $5M by strengthening your leadership and truly learning the business side of your practice. Save your seat now and let's set you up for sustainable success this year.   Some key takeaways from this episode include:  00:00 – Why protecting your practice isn't optional 03:49 – How to actually start the "uncomfortable" conversation 07:16 – What happens when your spouse is on payroll 13:53 – The biggest financial mistake practice owners make 16:20 – Why you need a business valuation before marriage 20:14 – What "goodwill" really means for your practice value 23:58 – How postnuptial agreements protect your practice 27:42 – The real financial risk of divorce settlements 31:00 – Why your CPA isn't enough for this conversation 36:05 – The cost of fighting vs. being strategic 39:23 – What co-founders MUST plan for in advance 41:20 – How protection creates peace of mind   It's time to take back your practice and own your CEO status. On the CEO Conversations™ podcast, we will cover the business side of your practice with actionable takeaways for you to implement in your practice. We will discuss: marketing, team building & leading, finances, operations & systems, YOU and everything in between.    Connect with Brandy: Brandy Mabra on IG Private Practice CEO IG Website Apply for the Private Practice CEO™ Program