Grow or Go

This one is for all of you automotive gurus, the grease monkeys, the ones that want to work on cars all day long. Craig Carlson joins us as a founder, an owner, and now seller of the successful Carlson's Collision & Glass. Just like any business owner, Craig started at the bottom. Borrowing as much money as the banks would allow him to start his own shop. His journey of blood, sweat, and tears is what has now allowed him to retire and live out his other dreams. If you want to learn more about exiting your business, and how planning ahead will make your experience smoother, contact Matt Silasiri below. Check in where your business currently lays in the market, and review the Value Drivers that will help you improve your business. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

As a business owner, most of your net worth is tied up in your business. So, how do you match your retirement vision with your business exit? The key takeaway: Do your homework and plan early to match your goals for the next chapter with the plan you establish for your business exit. Bernstein has been in business for 60 years in wealth management services. One of their main focuses is working with entrepreneurs and multi-generational families, and advising business owners for retirement isa key aspect of their services. Max Rosen is Principal and Robert Dietz is the National Director of Tax Research for Bernstein Private Wealth Management. Bernstein services can be found at Private Wealth Management | BernsteinMax can be followed at Max Rosen | LinkedInRobert can be followed at Robert Dietz, CFA | LinkedInConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The political landscape that your business lives in has a huge effect on how you choose to operate your life’s work. So, where do things stand today, and what does the future look like?We welcome Tim Sanders to the podcast this week. Tim is the mayor of the city of Blaine, having served in office since 2021. Previously, Tim was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for 8 years from 2009-2017. Tim can be followed at Tim Sanders | LinkedInConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Business owners are commonly trying to find new ways to grow their business. They are searching for ways to bring new customers or clients their way. But when the answer isn’t a big sales team or a big new active marketing campaign, what will work? Many businesses are finding that optimizing and maximizing their digital presence can make a huge impact in this technology driven environment. Evolve Systems is a digital marketing agency based in St. Paul, MN. They work primarily with middle-market B2B business. They specialize in design and branding, website development, digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). Marnie is the founder of Evolve Systems and has been the CEO of the company for 23 years. Evolve Systems can be found at Twin Cities B2B Marketing Agency | Evolve Systems.Marnie can be found at Marnie Ochs-Raleigh | LinkedInConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Leading a company and being “at the top” can at times feel like a lonely position. The direction of your company rests with you as the main visionary and decision maker and everyone is looking to you to have the right answer every time. So, where do business leaders go when they are looking for advice?Vistage Peer Groups connect business leaders and CEO’s to collaborate and make better decisions for their companies. These groups provide leaders an opportunity to discuss potential options, decisions, and directions and get feedback on the best routes going forward. They also provide accountability for leaders to stay proactive and keep their business on the right track. Bill Cowan has worked across five different industries throughout his career and has also been a business owner. He is now a facilitator, leader, and mentor for a Minnesota based Vistage Pure Group. He helps business leaders find the best version of themselves in their role to effectively run their companies. A Vistage Pure Group can be found at Vistage | A Powerful Network of CEOs AwaitsBill can be found at (18) William Cowan | LinkedInConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Business transition is completely predictable, we know it is going to happen. Every leader or employee is eventually going to “log off” for the last time. Key employees retire, move on to a new opportunity, or take on new responsibility. When that happens, where does all their valuable knowledge and experience that has been vital to business success go?Welcome to Ben Bomar and Lithyus Group. They help businesses recognize and retain the institutional knowledge of their vital team members while mitigating the risks of business disruption caused by employee transition. They focus on making best practices common practices within every organization by celebrating, retaining, and sharing the wisdom of vital employees and they empower succession planning, talent development, and business continuity. Ben can be found most actively at Ben Bomar | LinkedIn. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

With the arrival of AI and other new technology, the future across most industries is uncertain for the work force. Future generations may begin to see that careers in manufacturing and the trades are more secure. But where will they see the potential?Introducing MAKE PUBLISHING (Manufacturing A Kid's Experience) Children's Books. They explain to kids that everything they see in the world had to be made by someone. It promotes more curiosity about where the things around them came from. MAKE also connects with manufacturers to hear their stories and teach them how they can engage with the younger generations. They also host classes and manufacturing tours with elementary students to raise awareness of a potential career path. Joe and Amanda brainstormed this idea during their day jobs with Design Ready Controls (DRC). Based in Minnesota, and with nearly 500 employees, DRC specializes in building control panels and wiring products for large multi-national HVAC equipment manufacturers and more. If you want the full story, tune in!MAKE books and community engagement opportunities can be found at makepublishing.com.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Does the stock market really affect when you sell your company? Should I sell when it's down and invest the profits? Hold on longer until things are great? The answer comes down to where you financially are right now, and where you need to be for your next journey. That's the critical part of working with your wealth advisor ahead of a sale, along with a business advisor who can help you through the process. Chad Schumacher with Tradition Wealth Management is a market guru that lives and breaths everything that's going on for his clients. Offense, defense, preventative measures, and reassurance is how he and his team successfully get their clients to reach new levels. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We all have one thing in common: we are all aging, and there's no dress rehearsal for it. Aging is unavoidable. In fact, the older population in the next coming years is going to double. A direct result of this will be the demand for services for the older generations like medical resources and services. Just like your exit plan, it's crucial that you know what your options are for your healthcare needs. Charlotte Hoes joins the podcast and explains how important resources and services are for our older adults, how demand is rising for these services, and where businesses can help fill the gaps. If you have a loved one in this phase, or would like to plan for yourself, get your guidebook from Care Options Network. Just like we always say, Know. Your. Options!Care Options NetworkConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Winning a Superbowl is not an easy feat when you are competing against the top 1% of athletes in the world. For Ben Utecht and the Colts in 2007, it didn't come down to physical skillsets. It came down to the Championship Culture that Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy implemented within the team. As a former NFL Tight End and current entrepreneur, Uncommon Award Winner, Chief Culture Officer, and so much more, Ben now spreads wisdom across the masses on what it takes to build culture that wins. Ben also recently released his new book - The Champion's Creed - that helps leaders transform their culture through the power of belief.Ben's WebsiteBen's LinkedInConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Peter Beaumont is this week's special guest, and brings a wealth of global experience and knowledge when it comes to leadership. Whether it be scenario planning, supply chain planning, or critical culture implementation and creation, all companies either large or small need these top of mind. Peter hails from England and played professional soccer in his time; soon after working for large companies such as Philip Morris, and Coca-Cola. For the past 30 years, he's specialized as a leadership consultant and transformed business owners and CEO's reignite their passion for work.Connect with Peter on LinkedInBeaumont LeadershipEmail: [email protected] with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What's the future look like for business in Minnesota? Where are we at right now? Is your business ahead, or behind? Where are current investments in the state, and where do we need more of it? Minnesota Chamber of Commerce - President and CEO - Doug Loon joins Matt for a special episode all about Minnesota and what business owners need to know.The future is bright for Minnesota, and we continue to dominate as manufacturers, innovators, medical professionals, and so much more. The truth is, however, that we need to keep investments coming into Minnesota, instead of going out. We have the participation of our workers, but as the skill gaps and age gaps widen, there's a big void we will need to fill. If you aren't a part of the MN Chamber of Commerce, or a local Chamber - we highly encourage you to start! Change happens when people speak up. You can help make things happen!Minnesota Chamber of CommerceCoolest Thing Made in MNConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Clarity. Alignment. Commitment. Every company needs these three pillars to be clear, defined, and understood. Without it, you won't be able to row in the same direction, and your success will be stunted. Sam Smith, and Samantha Harris from The Prouty Project join us for Ep. 30. The truth is every company doesn't have it all figured out. Somewhere along the leadership, or structure, will be misaligned or confusing to employees and team members. What does that mean? Falling short of hitting goals and not breaking through ceilings. [email protected]@proutyproject.comConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This week's episode is heavy. We are joined by Nicole Middendorf - a successful business owner and wealth advisor who has survived domestic violence, and completely reinvented her life for a purpose. Nicole touches on the importance of understanding Why You Do What You Do. How you spend your time, how you build your business, who you do it with, where you do it, but most importantly Why You Do It. What's the reason why? We all have our own identity outside of the office, and are driven by certain life events and passions. But do we really operate every day for the right reason? Think about these topics and ask yourself these questions. It will move mountains for you going forward. Connect with Nicole Prosperwell FinancialNicole Middendorf FoundationConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠⁠.

Living a life of significance, or with purpose is often overlooked by people. We get caught up running too fast with raising a family, building a business, a career, and often don't sit back and really evaluate why we do what we do. But what happens on your death bed? Will you be happy? Sad? Full of regret? Jeff Gould, America's Storyteller, joins Chris for an honest conversation about living a joyful life, instead of running yourself into the ground and regretting everything you've devoted your life doing. Business owners, Sit back, pour your favorite drink, and listen to the mindset and emotional journey that we all need to realize we go through.https://www.ilikethatstory.net/Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠.

We've had some incredible CPG foods and snacks that have been born in Minnesota. One of those is Maddy & Maize Popcorn. Do you ever wonder how businesses like this start and even reach the level of success they do? Tune in. Brett Striker - founder of Maddy & Maize joins us and gives us his whole story of how Maddy & Maize started, from his apartment all the way to shelves on shelves of your favorite stores. Not all ideas go somewhere, but if you are gritty enough and believe in your product, it's only a matter of time before everyone else joins the hype. Brett now serves as an EOS implementer and helps companies grow through the use of Traction. Get in touch with Brett to help you and your company thrive.Brett's LinkedInBrett's WebsiteEmail Brett: [email protected] with our hosts: ⁠Chris Jones⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

This episode is the "behind the curtains" of Project Steel, a recent transaction that True North M&A successfully completed for the Sexton family. Craig Sexton, son of Fred Sexton (owner of C4 Welding) joins us along with Mike Wheelock (M&A Advisor and Business Broker) to explain the uniqueness of a speedy M&A transaction. To learn more about this deal, check out our Case Study.Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.

Ever wonder what it's like to walk off the bus for boot camp? Everyone who joins The U.S. Marine Corps goes through the exact same training. Whether your journey takes you by way of Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, your first encounter once off the bus has you standing on those Yellow Footprints.Our special guest for this episode is Tim Rilley, who is a veteran of The U.S. Marine Corps, and author of The Yellow Footprints. Tim not only brings us through his experience in transforming from a civilian to a Marine, but what it was really like getting drafted during the Vietnam War. To purchase The Yellow FootprintsConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.

Here in Minnesota we have so many family owned and operated lumber and building materials businesses. They fuel our economy and support so many industries and other adjacent businesses. We are proud to help this industry and it's leaders continue to thrive, even through the ups and downs. For you business owners in the lumber and building materials world, this podcast is for you. Emily Overson has been in the LBM industry for decades, and now she helps owners reevaluate how they operate, and pivot so they can grow. Emily's WebsiteConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠⁠.

It's a privilege to grow up with a strong and sound father figure in your life. But the truth is not everyone in this world is awarded that opportunity. It can hinder the growth of teens and youth in your community, but how can you help fix the problem? The Man Up Club is a perfect example of being on the front lines and helping inner-city youth by influencing love, hope, and leadership. Korey Dean, the founder of the organization joins us to explain the power of finding purpose, mentoring, and investing time and resources to help your community. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions⁠ and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Hackers and security threats are more active than ever. AI only makes things easier for them, and as an individual, or business, everyone is at risk. Security hacks can be detrimental to your livelihood, your business, your employees, and your bank account. Cybersecurity expert and owner of Cyberfin, Daniel Metcalf, joins us to explain the importance of your cybersecurity, what hackers are doing now, how you can be at risk and most importantly, how you can be protected. Don't leave this up to chance and take action now!Connect with DanielConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.

Learning what you are good at and focusing on that role is one of the best things you can do for your business. If you think you can do it all, your business will suffer. That's why it's critical to hire to your mission, vision, and have clear goals that everyone can shoot for. We had the pleasure of hosting Heide Olson on this episode who is a serial entrepreneur, mom, EOS conqueror, and probably one of the most exciting accountants you can meet. From starting All In One Accounting in her basement, to growing to 100 + employees, Heide is a great resource for business owners who not only need accounting help, but have the drive to grow their businesses.Heide's Email: [email protected]'s Number: 612-845-0398Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Business ownership will never be easy, and thinking you can do it all and have all the answers is nonsense. You are digging yourself a hole when you don't need to. Ownership should be exciting, and give you freedom within your life, but to get there you need to have uncomfortable conversations. Chad Haldeman of The Resultants joins us for an honest conversation about what has made business owners either fail or succeed. At The Resultants, business owners work with business advisors like Chad to take control of their business, and stop letting it run them. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Business sales and ownership transitions start years in advance of a sale. Buyers approach you, your kids want to take over, but when the time comes, nothing is prepped and the sale often falls through. Don't allow this to happen to your business that you've built from the ground up! This is your legacy, and planning ahead will ensure you are successful. If you haven't heard about Exit Planners before, this is your inside scoop. From getting people and processes in place, grooming the next leaders in your company, or setting up your business for a new owner to step in, Julie is an expert at helping owners find answers that they can't find on their own. As uncomfortable as it is to have these conversations in advance, we promise you that doing so will maximize your exit. Business owners looking to sell in 3-5 years, connect with Julie and get ahead! Business owners looking to sell in the next 3 years or sooner - connect with Matt and get your complimentary valuation. Poised for Exit PodcastPoised for Exit BookConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Steve Kalina joins Chris for an episode and talks all about manufacturing, workforce issues, tariffs, and what manufacturers can do to improve their business. As the President of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA), Steve leads the charge bringing manufacturing leaders together across Minnesota. Through workshops, masterminds, events, and fundraising, MPMA is doing everything it can to improve the future of Manufacturing in Minnesota. From getting machines into schools, educating the younger generation that college isn't your only option, or fighting for the industry at the Capital, MPMA is fighting the good fight.Learn more about MPMA.Connect with Steve.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Quality of Earnings, also known as Q of E, are crucial reports when evaluating a company's valuation and true earning power. Our President of True North M&A, Michael Hubsmith, joined Chris to interview Joe Hellman, of Redpath and Company. What's the point of investing in another "valuation"? Well, the answer is pretty simple. A Q of E completed from an outside firm justifies valuations when companies go to market. It's often that buyers will drag out Due Diligence processes reviewing financials and asking question after question. To mitigate this process, and also uphold stronger valuations, Q of E's get the job done. To learn more about Joe and Quality of Earnings, reach out to Michael Hubsmith and he can make the [email protected] with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

The Sigmoid Curve is present in everything, including Country Music Artists, like Blaine Larsen. Blaine shares his story with us about how the music industry actually works as a young rising star, and how you have to navigate it if you really want to make it big. It's not often that we meet award winning artists, or should I say, someone who wrote a song for George Strait! Blaine was a pleasure to have on and had quite the story of his upbringing, as well as how he navigated his artist journey. As a Servant Leader and EVP of Search Ministries, Blaine now spends his time expanding the reach of Search across the country. To learn more about Search Ministries, visit their website. Reach OthersConnect with Blaine on InstagramConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Entrepreneurial blood runs through many families. Especially a family like the Biggs. What does it take to be successful? How can you make sure that your family will remain strong while going through the ups and downs of business ownership? Chris hosts Colleen Biggs on this episode. Colleen comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and has made a stand in the franchising world helping owners launch Little Gym franchises nationally. Now, she partners with her own family with Beyond Basil Mobile Pizzeria, and Phoenix Drone Pros. The Biggs are just getting started, and to follow their journey, visit them below!Colleen's LinkedInBeyond BasilPhoenix Drone ProsConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Coffee and manufacturing, how does it tie together? Well... there's nothing worse than walking into the shop at 5am and having a crappy cup of coffee to start your day. It's one of the easiest ways to reinvest in your employees, and give them the necessary boost to increase productivity. Amy Teal joins us to talk about the struggles of labor in the manufacturing sector, and how she's attempting to transform the industry. Just a year and a half ago, Amy and her partner Mike started ShopFloor Coffee. Their mission is to provide premium coffee to industrial workers. What differentiates them is that 20% of proceeds funds workforce development for the next generation. Manufacturing is the heartbeat of America, and it's often overlooked by 4 year college degrees and desk jobs. What can we do to help flip the conversation and educate the younger generation about these career opportunities? It's easy! Support ShopFloor Coffee by enjoying their bold, and exciting flavors, while they support businesses and invest in the future of manufacturing. To learn more about ShopFloor, visit their website.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

You've seen the news talking about changes in tariffs for weeks. Nobody has the answers, including us. That's why we brought on Pino Bacinello - our neighbor of the north. Pino and Chris dig into tariffs and what's really going on. It's affecting businesses of all kinds, and can have a massive impact on owners, and consumers. If you have more insight as to what's going on, and want to share your thoughts, contact our hosts. To connect with Pino: https://www.pacificmergers.com/Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Meet Dan Bowling. Dan is not your typical entrepreneur. Dan was paralyzed from the neck down as a kid. But he didn't give up when the Doctors broke the news to him. When he healed completely, he was a growing teenager that soon would set state records in track and field. Dan wasn't done, though. Every day was a gift in his eyes, and with that in mind, Dan went to work to conquer whatever was in front of him. From dominating the toughest territories for 3M, to taking the leap and betting on himself getting into small business, Dan tells his story in this thrilling episode.To learn more about Dan and his company, visit his website, email his team, connect with him on LinkedIn:The Genesis CompanyEmail: [email protected] with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Great salespeople often turn into sales managers. It's a natural climb up the food chain; but do they really know how to manage, encourage, and elevate their salespeople? The answer is no, and so many companies fail at this. Gary Braun joins Chris to share why these issues occur, and how to fix them. With decades of experience as a top sales performer, Gary now runs Pivotal Advisors, where his team improves sales performance and drives revenue growth for companies across the US. To learn more about Gary and Pivotal Advisors, visit them below.https://pivotaladvisors.com/https://www.youtube.com/@pivotaladvisorsllc8546Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

No matter how great of a salesperson you may think you are, your ceiling is even higher. We all think we have it figured out but guess what, we are usually winging it and not giving ourselves the highest probability of success. Todd Thiewes with Sandler tackles the hard truths of why sales individuals typically think they are doing well, when they really aren't. How do they get better? Tune in. To connect with Todd or the team at Sandler - see below. Todd's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thiewes-a374277?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BiLP8icPaQmqLoS68h7r06Q%3D%3DSandler: https://www.sandler.com/Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

You want to sell your business to your employee who's been with you from the start. You've been planning on your eldest kid to succeed you when you are ready to get out. Time comes and guess what....? Things likely don't go as planned. Why? Tune in. Chris has Matt take the mic on this episode and share his experience and expertise of working with hundreds of business owners before they exit. There's a reason these discussions happen years in advance. In order to successfully exit your business for the price, structure, and terms that you want, Start Early, and Don't Do It Alone. For business owners interested in having a quiet conversation about their exit plans, reach out to Matt. It won't cost you anything. Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-silasiri-920648152?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BD8SvG7ceT46UOi4Gb9PVbA%3D%3DMatt's Email: [email protected] Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Servant leadership is a vastly growing practice. Even if you haven't heard of it, you can easily tell the difference between a self-serving leader, and a servant leader. Join us as we explore the transformative power of servant leadership with Andrew Leikvoll. Discover how this approach builds high-performing teams, debunks myths of being "soft," and drives significant performance improvements. Learn why servant leadership is crucial for sustainable success and how it can positively impact your organization and community.Connect with Andrew on LinkedInhttps://triune.org/Book recommendations: Leading Jesus WayRags Riches & Real SuccessThe 7 Pillars of Servant LeadershipConnect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Ever wondered what it's like to own a Chick-fil-A restaurant? Join us as we sit down with Alex Wilson, a devoted husband, father, and faith-driven entrepreneur. Alex's journey began as a global tech consultant, but he found his true calling in operating two Chick-fil-A restaurants alongside his wife. Hear how he integrates his faith into business and family life, balancing success with spiritual values. Discover the inspiring story of how Alex transitioned from the tech world to building a community-driven business that reflects his values.Connect with Alex.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Starting in an apartment closet and selling car parts, Dan Carey brings us through his story of how he dominated the e-commerce automotive parts space. The real life Fast and Furious... well, kind of. After scaling the startup, Modern Automotive Performance to $10M in revenue, Dan and his brother implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) after hitting a plateau. This was as key change in his entrepreneurial journey that started his new S curve - resulting in growth to $60M in revenue, and successfully exiting. Dan now spends his time helping business owners navigate acquisition opportunities, and exits with Sunbelt Business Advisors of Minnesota. To connect directly with Dan, reach out here.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

There are Business WARRIORS and Business WORKERS. Which one are you? Spoiler: companies with Business WARRIORS blast through their ceilings of success, while the opposition stays stagnant. Chris and Matt interview Erik Therwanger, the founder of Think GREAT. Erik draws from his experiences as a U.S. Marine, executive business leader, sales professional, andentrepreneur to help organizations achieve new levels of success. He uniquely combines leadership development, team building, sales training, and goal-setting into strategies and techniques that empower team members and leaders to exceed expectations.Think GREAT is a Certified Veteran-Owned Business and Erik is also author of The Think GREAT Collection. Erik shares the successful, proven concepts in his six books to give individuals and organizations the competitive edge needed for achieving new levels of success. Learn more about Erik, his books, and his company.Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

Ever wondered why you fell off the wagon after months or years of hard work? It's not a straight forward answer, but there are some tell tale signs as to why this happens. Chris and Matt dig deep with Leary Gates, who is an expert advisor that helps business owners scale their business to transform their world. Leary has spent the past 30 years advising Fortune 100, start-ups, and a host of middle market tech, manufacturing, and business services firms on market and corporate development and exit strategies. To learn more about Leary, and his company Coefficient Advisors, click here. Also, if you want to hear more from Leary and gain some expert insight on a weekly basis, check out and subscribe to his Strategic CEO Substack. Connect with our hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Jones⁠⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ ⁠Matt Silasiri⁠⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at ⁠True North Mergers & Acquisitions ⁠and ⁠Sunbelt Business Advisors⁠.

For owners of childcare businesses, or anyone curious about the industry, this one's for you! We take a deep dive into Mike Minor's story on how he navigated owning and successfully exiting a generational, multi-location childcare business. Mike has over 30 years of professional experience including roles at Ernst and Young, Honeywell, and his own family’s childcare organization. He worked in every position from janitorial, to working in classrooms, overseeing finance and marketing to leading a 10 school operation employing 250+ people and responsibility for 1100+ children. Now, as a business broker at Sunbelt Business Advisors, Mike spends his time helping owners with exit planning, sell-side divestitures, and real estate transactions. To connect with him directly, click here.Connect with our hosts: ⁠Chris Jones⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠ Matt Silasiri⁠ - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.

When's the best time to sell your lower-middle-market company and how do you even do it? Chris and Matt interview Dan Sundin; a husband, father, dog lover, and tech nerd who started, grew, and sold his successful technology company.Dan grew up in less than desirable conditions and started his career at 12 years old, lugging around golf bags at Golden Valley Country Club. He had a passion for technology, and his grit and determination pushed him eventually start his own venture. It didn't happen right away, however. For 10+ years he waited tables, and worked jobs at various tech companies before he decided to make the jump. In 2004, Dan and his two partners founded Innovative Technology Partners. After 19 years of pouring everything they had into the business, they decided it was time to explore their options. In November 2023, the company was sold.Connect with our hosts: ⁠Chris Jones⁠ - CEO and co-owner, and⁠Matt Silasiri⁠ - Vice President of Business Development atTrue North Mergers & Acquisitions andSunbelt Business Advisors.

What is the sigmoid curve and why is it so relevant to business owners? Chris interviews Randy Krivo, owner of 4 businesses, and now one of the top business brokers in the country.For most of his professional career, Randy has started, built, and sold multiple businesses. Now, he focuses on helping business owners exit and maximize their life's work. Being in the brokerage and M&A space for 10 years withSunbelt Business Advisors of Minnesota, andTrue North Mergers & Acquisitions, Randy has proven himself as an expert, trusted advisor, and shares his growth story of how he's gotten to where he is now.Learn more about Randyhere.Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.