What Every Founder Needs to Know Before It's Too Late

Gerry Lalonde of X-Roads Technology Partners joins hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt to explore what most founders overlook—until it's too late. From preparing for IPOs and private placements to building leadership teams and managing exits, Gerry shares key strategies for founders at every stage. Learn how to recognize your company's true health, embrace future-focused thinking, and plan for success even in uncertainty. Don’t miss the wisdom—and surprises—in this candid conversation. The problem this episode solves:Most business owners wait too long to plan their exit or prepare for unexpected events. This episode shows how to avoid that. What if everything you built could unravel—because you weren’t prepared?That’s the hard truth many founders face. In this episode of Knack 4 Business, we sit down with Gerry Lalonde, founder of X-Roads Technology Partners, to talk about what every founder needs to know before it’s too late.Gerry has spent decades helping business owners grow strategically, build high-performance leadership teams, and prepare their companies for sustainable success—even when facing IPOs, private placements, or the reality of handing over the reins.This isn’t just theory. Gerry shares real-world examples, hard-won lessons, and a mindset shift every founder needs: Start with the end in mind. Whether you're bootstrapping or scaling, this episode will inspire you to lead with clarity and prepare with confidence. 🎧 Watch now on YouTube:👉 Watch the full episode 🔍 Key Topics Covered:Why most founders plan too late—and how to fix itBuilding leadership teams that lastCreating exit strategies that don’t destroy valueIPOs and private placements—what founders should knowThe evolving landscape of business ownershipHow to mentally prepare for letting goStrategic planning that starts nowLearning to lead yourself before leading others 🙌 Special Thanks To Our Supporters:🎙️ Carl Richards from Podcast Solutions Made Simple🏘️ Fred Crouch from The Property Wizard Podcast🌐 Jovan Strika from @Hive Co-Working👩‍💼 Melanie Webber – business partner and strategic powerhouse💼 Wayne Pratt from Motive8U Inc., podcast co-host and business coach 🎤 Meet the Hosts:Bernie FranzgroteWayne Pratt 🔗 Guest Links & Resources:📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: https://www.xrtp.com🔗 LinkedIn: Gerry Lalonde📘 Book: ChatGPT for Beginner Seniors – Where Wisdom Meets Artificial Intelligence 💼 Sponsor Highlights:1. Freshly Brewed Coaching🧠 Brew insight, not just espresso. Created by Wayne Pratt and Matt Hawksley, this coaching platform offers powerful clarity for professionals on the rise.👉 freshlybrewedcoaching.com2. Property Wizard Podcast🏘️ Learn how to invest with confidence and simplicity. Hosted by Fred Crouch.👉 Listen Here3. East Trade Winds Networking🤝 Connect with serious professionals, for free.👉 Register for Free 💬 We Want to Hear from You!What did you take away from this episode?💌 Email us at [email protected] 🌐 Visit us at knack4business.com🎧 Catch up on all our past episodes:👉 Browse Episodes Disclaimer: Everything you heard today is for educational purposes only. It's not professional advice. Before you act on anything — talk to a certified expert in your area. Your accountant. Your lawyer. Someone who knows your situation.We share perspectives. You make the decisions.Want more? Head over to blog.knack4business.com — packed with practical episodes on AI, marketing, leadership, and growth. No fluff. Just the good stuff. Subscribe while you're there.Until next time; keep building. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.