Secrets to Selling Your Business
by Jacob Koenig
Welcome to "Secrets to Selling Your Business," where we explore the strategies, challenges, and success stories behind business transitions. The podcast is hosted by Jacob Koenig, a managing director and partner at Woodbridge International. Woodbridge is an atypical mergers & acquisitions firm founded in 1993, which combines collaborative strategies with a laser-pointed focus on their client's success. Woodbridge doesn't just help their clients get the best for their business but helps to transform their lives for the better. Join industry experts and thought leaders as they share invaluable insights on financial planning and the broader world of business advisory. On the show, Jacob interviews business owners, wealth managers, financial advisors, business lawyers, and life coaches. Gain the knowledge to navigate complexities, achieve financial success, embrace strategic shifts, and prepare to sell your business with no regrets. Get
Episodes
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Ep 77: Finish Big: Why Some Exits Leave Owners Proud—And Others Don’t
How can business owners avoid post-sale regrets? Bo Burlingham is a celebrated business writer known for his deep expertise in exit planning, a theme central to his influential book "Finish Big." With a career spanning over 30 years at Inc. Magazine, Burlingham gained profound insights into the...
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Bonus: Mastering Financial Certainty: A Guide for Business Owners
Dan Nicholson is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in finance, accounting, and software, bringing a wealth of experience to small business owners. As the author of "Rigging the Game," he emphasizes the importance of achieving financial certainty and managing risk for entrepreneurs....
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Bonus: Choosing the Right Advisors to Manage the Emotion of Money
Why are emotional factors crucial in business negotiations? Stoy Hall, the CEO and founder of Black Mammoth, brings a unique perspective to wealth management rooted in inclusivity and holistic principles. Hall's experiences, including a transformative trip to Tanzania, have shaped his belief that...
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Ep 76: Guided by the Right Team: How to Sell Well and Plan What’s Next
Why is collaborating with a team of advisors recommended for post-sale planning? Robb Scott, a senior wealth consultant at Mariner Wealth, plays a pivotal role in guiding entrepreneurs through the intricacies of pre-sale and post-sale financial planning. With a focus on early planning, he…
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Ep 75: Sell When You’re Winning: Why You Should Reject the 'Exit Later' Myth
What are the key performance indicators that businesses should focus on for decision-making? Jake Setterlun, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Setterlun University, is deeply familiar with the intricate challenges of scaling a business. With nearly a decade of experience and multiple…
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Ep 74: Redefining Exit Success: Pre-Sale Planning over Selling the Peak
How can competitive auctions benefit the sale outcomes of a business? Leora Zach, the Managing Director of Wealth Strategy at Mariner Wealth Advisors, brings a wealth of experience in guiding business owners through the intricacies of exit options. With a background in investment banking at UBS,...
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Ep 73: Authenticity Closes Deals: Selling with Empathy, Not Ego
Why is understanding buyers' goals and aspirations crucial for building relationships in business? Scott Ramey, a former aspiring Division 1 athlete whose journey was redirected by a sports injury, has carved out a successful path in sales and business development. He turned what was once a…
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Bonus: Understanding Customers: Shaping Stories for Sales Success
Why should businesses shift focus from selling products to selling outcomes? Stephen Steers is a renowned consultant and author with a notable background in storytelling in sales, a skill honed through his experience working with approximately 1000 companies worldwide following his transition…
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Bonus: The Art of Closing: A Legal Expert's Guide
What does it really take to close a successful business deal in today’s market? In this engaging podcast episode, host Jacob Koenig welcomes seasoned attorney Randolph Ewing—who has practiced law since 1978 and holds deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, international law, finance, sports,...
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Bonus: Navigating Business Transitions with Expert Guidance
What steps should business owners take to ensure a smooth transition when selling their businesses? Kate Hufnagel is a seasoned professional with a solid background in engineering and an extensive 25-year career in big tech, including a tenure as a federal employee at the Central Intelligence...
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Bonus: Educating Sellers: Building Partnerships for Long-Term Success
What are the key elements to consider when acquiring an online business? Michael Frew, a seasoned serial entrepreneur and the owner of multiple SaaS businesses, has carved a niche for himself in the competitive landscape of online business acquisitions. Leveraging his engineering and development...
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Ep 72: The Opportunity Zone Advantage in Selling Your Business
How can investing in an opportunity fund help business owners defer and potentially eliminate taxes? Ashley Tison is a renowned expert in tax planning and mitigation strategies, bringing a wealth of experience from his background in law, commercial real estate, and tax-advantaged syndication....
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Ep 71: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Achieve Financial Freedom
How can reframing sales as a service help build trust and lead to business success? Nicky Billou, an inspiring figure whose journey as an immigrant from Iran to Canada profoundly shaped his worldview, passionately believes in the power of freedom and self-determination. Escaping the Islamic...
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Ep 70: Cut Ties, Not Value: When Selling Your Business is the Best Divorce Move
Why is open communication important among financial professionals in divorce cases involving family businesses? Melissa Murphy Pavone is a seasoned certified divorce financial analyst and the founder of Mindful Financial Partners and Mindful Divorce Partners, bringing over 18 years of experience...
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Ep 69: Playing out Strategic Exits in the Entreprenopoly Game
How can building a business for strategic buyers increase value? Igor Vainshtein, a renowned serial entrepreneur and best-selling author, is a leading advocate for building businesses with strategic buyers in mind. His approach emphasizes that such buyers seek more than just financial returns…
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Ep 68: Generative AI: Key to Social Media Engagement Success
"My profitability was in excess of 80%... I stopped growing the company. So they're like, well, it's not on an upwards trajectory. And I'm like, yeah, but you've seen... literally untouched... for four plus years, and the clients have gone nowhere." -Ben Bressington- Ben Bressington is the CEO of...
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Ep 67: Preserving Distinct Qualities for Business Legacy
Barry LaBov, CEO and founder of Labov Marketing Communications and Training, is a prominent advocate for brand differentiation, emphasizing the importance of discovering and maximizing a company's unique qualities. Starting his business as a one-person operation, LaBov has grown it into a global...
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Bonus: The Dumb Tax: Pricey Lessons in Entrepreneurial Pursuits
In this episode of the "Secrets to Selling Your Business" podcast, Jacob interviews Jeff Mains, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO who has led multiple international software and professional services companies, specializing in transforming ideas into successful enterprises. Jeff discusses his role…
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Ep 66: Strategic Exit Planning for Future Financial Freedom
Jasmine Jonte, a passionate advocate for education, began her journey teaching at one of the nation's lowest-performing schools, which fueled her transition into course creation and online learning. Drawing upon her classroom experiences, Jasmine believes that simplicity and fun are crucial...
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Bonus: Business Transition Burnout Recovery Strategies
Brian L. Shields, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in investing, executive roles, and entrepreneurship, provides a profound perspective on acquisition and turnaround strategies. Having led the acquisition and revitalization of Hill and Company and Pacific Union property...
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Bonus: From Founder to Freedom: Path to Selling a Business and Pursuing Adventure
In this episode, Jacob Koenig interviews Tim Shea, founder and former CEO of FRG Waste, to explore his journey in building and selling a successful waste and recycling business. Tim recounts starting FRG Waste in 1996, initially selling waste handling equipment before expanding into comprehensive...
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Bonus: Navigating the Complexities of Entrepreneurship
In this episode of Secrets to Selling Your Business, Jacob Koenig sits down with Rachel Neill, a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Carex and Figgy Play. Initially aspiring to be an attorney, Rachel discovered her passion for entrepreneurship while working at an early-stage startup,...
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Ep 65: The Entrepreneurial Spirit in Business Succession Planning
Stan Miller, a Vanderbilt Law School graduate, discovered his passion for estate planning after initially hesitating due to the family disputes he observed during his legal education. His enthusiasm was rekindled by the transformative potential of living trust planning, which revealed the…
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Ep 64: Collaboration With Advisors: Key to a Smooth Asset Transition
Rod Hatley, a former criminal defense attorney with the Navy JAG Corps, shifted his focus to estate planning after experiencing firsthand the challenges of probate due to his father's inadequate planning. This personal ordeal has driven Hatley to underscore the importance of early and…
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Ep 63: Jacob Koenig: Balancing Emotional and Transactional Needs
In this special episode, special guest host Larry Reinharz of Woodbridge International interviews Jacob Koenig. Jacob Koenig, a seasoned financial professional with extensive experience at Goldman Sachs, offers a unique perspective on the impact of COVID-19 on financial institutions. Drawing from...
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Bonus: ESOPs: From Rescue Plans to Ownership Transition
Kelly O. Finnell, president of Executive Financial Services, has carved a niche for himself in the ESOP consulting landscape with over four decades of experience dating back to 1979. Finnell's unique perspective on ESOPs has been honed through his extensive involvement in the field, starting from...
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Bonus: Blueprints for Growth: Excellence in Business Innovation
Chris Tatge, founder and president of DC Materials, has transformed his journey from a struggling high school student to a self-made entrepreneur disrupting the construction industry. DC Materials, known for its innovative approach to framing labor and materials in multifamily construction, ranks...
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Ep 62: The Importance of Emotional Readiness in Business Sales
Purdeep Sangha, strategic advisor and co-founder of Sell Wealthy, is renowned for his expertise in guiding business owners through successful sales by harmonizing the personal, business, and family aspects of their lives. He emphasizes the significance of early preparation and structured...
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Ep 61: The Future of SBA Financing: Trends and Opportunities
Michelle Orr is a seasoned professional with an impressive 25 years of experience in the SBA lending space, beginning her career at Textron Business Credit and later becoming the vice president of lending at Live Oak Bank. Orr's perspective on SBA financing and prequalification is heavily...
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Ep 60: Maximizing Value Through Timely Decision-Making in Business Sales
Joseph Gitto, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Blue Sky Advisory Services, brings over 25 years of expertise in business sales across various industries. A CPA by training, Gitto underscores the importance of maintaining clean financial records and having a strong team as foundational...
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Ep 59: Defining Legacy: The Philosophy of Selling Your Business
Sid Mohasseb, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture investor, offers a unique perspective on business evaluation, emphasizing the transformative power of experiential insights over traditional analytical methods. With his extensive background in mergers and acquisitions, Sid underscores the...
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Ep 58: The Role of Founder Qualities in M&A Decisions
Brian Samson, the founder and CEO of Plugg Technologies, is a prominent figure in the tech startup ecosystem of San Francisco, leveraging his extensive experience in nearshore staffing to connect Latin American talent with U.S. companies. Having navigated the dynamic landscape of tech startups...
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Ep 57: The Collaborative Approach: Advisors' Role in Deal Negotiations
Marilyn Garcia is a seasoned professional in transaction advisory services, currently serving as a partner at Citrin Cooperman's transaction advisory services department. With a solid background in auditing and over 200 transactions to her credit, Garcia holds a positive perspective on…
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Ep 56: The Fulfillment and Freedom of Pursuing Your Passions
Steve Wampold is an innovator and entrepreneur known for bringing joy through creative product design. As the founder of BigMouth Inc., he revolutionized the novelty pool float market, achieving multi-million-dollar success and earning Target’s “Vendor of the Year” in 2016. In an interview with...
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Ep 55: Enhancing Business Visibility through Modern Marketing
Chandler Lyles's journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability, tracing a path from his early days in the Air Force to becoming a co-founder of High Beam Marketing. Reflecting on his experiences, Chandler notes the pivotal role that encounters with entrepreneurs played in inspiring his…
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Ep 54: Mastering Financial Certainty: A Guide for Business Owners
Dan Nicholson is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in finance, accounting, and software, bringing a wealth of experience to small business owners. As the author of "Rigging the Game," he emphasizes the importance of achieving financial certainty and managing risk for entrepreneurs....
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Ep 53: Driving Business Success Through Evolving Financial Metrics
Eric Neumann, a seasoned fractional CFO at New Life CFO Services, brings over three decades of expertise in the due diligence process within the business sector. Neumann emphasizes the importance of thorough due diligence, particularly in understanding and forecasting critical metrics that drive...
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Ep 52: Stewarding Wealth for Future Generations
Jason Zilveti, a distinguished financial advisor at Rockefeller Global Family Office, brings a profound perspective on wealth management strategies shaped by his diverse family background in medicine and finance. With a focus on multi-generational family wealth preservation, Zilveti champions the...
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Ep 51: Choosing the Right Advisors to Manage the Emotion of Money
Stoy Hall, the CEO and founder of Black Mammoth, brings a unique perspective to wealth management rooted in inclusivity and holistic principles. Hall's experiences, including a transformative trip to Tanzania, have shaped his belief that true wealth transcends monetary gain, focusing instead on...
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Ep 50: Business Transition Burnout Recovery Strategies
Brian L. Shields, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in investing, executive roles, and entrepreneurship, provides a profound perspective on acquisition and turnaround strategies. Having led the acquisition and revitalization of Hill and Company and Pacific Union property...
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Ep 49: The Rise of the 'Canadian Note Guy' in Real Estate
Nathan Turner, often referred to as the "Canadian Note Guy," embarked on his real estate and mortgage note journey in 2009 after his Curves franchises were struggling. Inspired by flipping shows on TV, he initially delved into real estate and soon transitioned to mortgage notes, viewing the...
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Ep 48: Breaking the Ice: Revolutionizing Networking
Dave Castro is an entrepreneurial force behind the innovative IceBrekr app, a platform designed to revolutionize the way individuals connect at gatherings by leveraging the power of cell phone ID technology. With a career spanning over 20 years in the software industry, including co-founding a...
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Ep 47: Strategic Growth: Positioning for a Successful Sale Process
Episode Summary: Ross Joel is a seasoned professional in the evolution of broadcast media business, with a rich background as a television news anchor and a master's degree in journalism from New York University. He founded and served as the CEO of Broadcast Med, a company that transitioned from...
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Ep 46: Navigating Life and Legacy: Tools for Effective Estate Management
Jacob Koenig interviews Adam Zuckerman, founder of "Buried in Work," a company that innovates in the estate planning sector by simplifying and organizing the process through digital and paper-based solutions. Adam shares a deeply personal catalyst for his venture—a poignant experience with his...
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Ep 45: Underutilized Wealth: Redeploying Resources for a Lasting Legacy
Kevin D. Quinn is the founder and president of Legacy Counselors, where he specializes in estate and business planning with a focus on small businesses and asset protection. He believes that early planning is crucial for protecting one’s assets, family, and business from potential risks such as...
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Ep 44: Strategic Acquisitions Driving E-commerce Expansion
Steven Pope, the CEO and founder of my Amazon guy, is renowned for his exceptional entrepreneurial success, emphasizing customer demand as the cornerstone of his business philosophy. He believes that understanding and meeting customer needs, coupled with continuous feedback loops, are critical to...
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Ep 43: Humility and Self-Awareness for Successful Business Ownership Transitions
Matt Sharrers, managing partner and co-founder of ETJ and chairman of SBI Growth, brings a wealth of expertise to the complex topic of founder transitions in companies. Drawing from his own experience of stepping into the CEO role at SBI after founder Greg Alexander's departure, Sharrers…
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Ep 42: Exit Planning Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide for Business Owners
Chris Kampitsis, co-founder of the SKG team at Barnum Financial Group, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the realm of business and exit planning. With a foundation in financial planning dating back to 2009, Chris emphasizes the critical importance of aligning a business owner's...
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Ep 41: Strategic Succession Planning: Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Michael Clear, the chair of private client services at Wigan law firm, brings a unique perspective to the field of estate planning and business succession. With a background in counseling and a rich legal career since 2005, Clear specializes in guiding business owners and closely held businesses...
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Ep 40: Educating Sellers: Building Partnerships for Long-Term Success
Michael Frew, a seasoned serial entrepreneur and the owner of multiple SaaS businesses, has carved a niche for himself in the competitive landscape of online business acquisitions. Leveraging his engineering and development background, Michael transitioned from a long corporate career to focus on...
About this show
Welcome to "Secrets to Selling Your Business," where we explore the strategies, challenges, and success stories behind business transitions. The podcast is hosted by Jacob Koenig, a managing director and partner at Woodbridge International. Woodbridge is an atypical mergers & acquisitions firm founded in 1993, which combines collaborative strategies with a laser-pointed focus on their client's success. Woodbridge doesn't just help their clients get the best for their business but helps to transform their lives for the better.
Join industry experts and thought leaders as they share invaluable insights on financial planning and the broader world of business advisory. On the show, Jacob interviews business owners, wealth managers, financial advisors, business lawyers, and life coaches. Gain the knowledge to navigate complexities, achieve financial success, embrace strategic shifts, and prepare to sell your business with no regrets. Get
Hosted by
Jacob Koenig