Ep. 23: The Questions You MUST Ask Before Any Business Deal

If you're scaling your business, buying a company, expanding locations, or bringing in partners—this episode will save you money, time, and emotional exhaustion. Katie Kim sits down with mediator and negotiation expert Alice Shakina to unpack the hidden conflicts that derail deals long before they’re signed. From unclear expectations to unspoken values, founder transitions, and family investments gone sideways—this is the clarity every entrepreneur needs before making their next big move. Alice reveals the emotional subtext behind negotiations, why alignment breaks down, and the proactive conversations smart owners must have before committing to any deal. This episode is especially for you if:✔ You’re growing but want to protect your business and vision✔ You’re considering buying a business or merging with a partner✔ You’re tired of surprises in deals, partnerships, or negotiations✔ You value clarity, control, legacy, and smart growth 🔑 What You’ll Learn: - The hidden cues that reveal misalignment - Why high-level agreements fall apart later - How to structure ownership transitions with clarity - What to document before an LOI ever hits your inbox - Why founders staying involved can become a silent deal-killer - The business prenup every entrepreneur needs ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: why Alice had to come on Real Talk00:51 – Alice’s background: mediator, arbitrator, negotiation coach01:11 – Negotiation is “higher-level communication” (daily examples)01:51 – Her origin story: theater → reading emotions → mediation03:57 – The “subtext + objective” skill (why people aren’t saying what they mean)05:10 – Why Alice loves variety (and why that matters in conflict work)06:15 – Divorce vs workplace conflict: the “same goal” problem08:56 – Cleaning up stakeholder messes: boards, exec teams, nonprofit conflict10:36 – Co-founders misaligned: when growth visions collide12:30 – “Selling your baby”: why acquisitions get emotionally messy13:32 – Staying on the board = beware the “strings attached”14:24 – Positions vs interests vs values (Mexico vs Iceland framework)16:04 – “Legend of Bigfoot”: how tradition blocks change in transitions18:08 – Prevent conflict BEFORE the deal (vision, staffing, implementation)20:09 – The ED title story: intentions vs narratives (document everything)23:03 – “The devil’s in the details” (why high-level agreement isn’t agreement)24:41 – Consultant vs board seat: how to keep knowledge without losing control26:33 – The tradeoff: do you want the heartbeat… or the steering wheel?27:45 – Build the exit plan BEFORE you start (time, role, transition)29:04 – Negotiation coaching: using “closet questions” like a business prenup33:25 – “Prenup is about what grows” (business prenup framing)34:01 – Why some deals should end after the hard questions get asked35:47 – Katie’s JV structuring meeting: 110 questions + “die 20 times”38:08 – Family investing warning: trust ≠ business alignment40:27 – When to bring a mediator (before yelling starts)41:43 – The “would you be happy?” question (the hidden truth in conflict)43:34 – Where to find Alice + closing45:17 – Katie’s closing: send to a founder who needs clarity + book a call46:00 – Disclaimer 🔗 Connect with Katie Kim 🌐 Website:https://www.katiekim.com – The Katie Kim Educational Platformhttps://www.thekimgroup.com – The Kim Group 📱 Instagram:@thekatiekim@thekimgroup 💼 LinkedIn:Katie Arnholt Kim, CCIMThe Katie Kim Educational PlatformThe Kim Group 📘 Facebook:The Katie Kim Educational PlatformThe Kim Group 🔗 Connect with Alice Shikina 🌐 Website:https://www.shikinamediation.com/ 💼 LinkedIn:Alice ShikinaPublic Speaker, Negotiation Consultant and Mediator #KatieKim #TheKimGroup #RealEstateDevelopment #BusinessAcquisition #DealStructuring #Negotiation #Mediation #WomenInBusiness #LegacyBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset #CommercialRealEstate #Partnerships #RiskManagement #Leadership #BuildYourLegacy