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Revolutionizing Financial Modeling for Business Owners with Edmond Walters, CEO of VillanovaTech & Founder of E-Money (Ep. 19)

Revolutionizing Financial Modeling for Business Owners with Edmond Walters, CEO of VillanovaTech & Founder of E-Money (Ep. 19)

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It can be nerve-racking to leave a company you built, sell it off and start something new, but the experiences you gained from past careers can help you along your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Edmond Walters, Founder and CEO of VillanovaTech, LLC, about his journey as an entrepreneur. From building eMoney Advisors to the sale of that company and building another new venture, Edmond shares the different experiences he leveraged when starting a new business and the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.

Edmond discusses: 

  • His transition from being a financial advisor to creating a web-based financial planning platform
  • His vision of a client-advisor relationship when it came to financial planning
  • How he used his financial advisor experience within the tech industry
  • The journey of starting eMoney Advisor and the value it provides to clients
  • The involvement of financial advisors in the product development process of e-money
  • His decision to exit eMoney Advisors, the reasons and the process behind it
  • The changing landscape of financial advising and the need for strong branding and modern tools
  • His upcoming trust tool to empower financial advisors to engage with entire families across generations and build trust
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Edmond Walters is the CEO and Founder of VillanovaTech, LLC (formerly Apprise, LLC), a next-generation financial planning experience for financial advisors to use alongside their clients. VillanovaTech’s software addresses estate planning, lifetime cash flow, and client retirement needs.

Edmond spent more than 17 years in the financial services industry advising high net worth clients throughout the United States. In 2000, Edmond founded eMoney Advisor and was Chief Executive Officer and President until 2016. Since then he has served on several private and public company boards.

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More Than Just A Carpenter – Building A Great Family Business with Nate Sublett, President/Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, Inc. (Ep. 18)

More Than Just A Carpenter – Building A Great Family Business with Nate Sublett, President/Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, Inc. (Ep. 18)

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Ever wonder how an entrepreneur can lead a company to growth, dodge the curveballs of a pandemic, and still find time to venture into boat manufacturing?

In this episode, Mark Dorman interviews Nate Sublett, the innovative President and Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, diving into the complexities of successful business transitions and creative reinvention. Drawing from Nate’s first-hand experiences, they explore the journey of business succession and creating a legacy for future generations.

Mark and Nate discuss:

  • The successful transition of ownership at Cyclonics from Nate’s father to Nate and his partner
  • The remarkable growth and sale of Cyclonics to a venture capital group and Nate’s subsequent founding of Benchmark Craftsmen 
  • The resilience and adaptability of Benchmark Craftsmen during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a successful pivot to virtual platforms for trade shows
  • The diversification of Benchmark Craftsmen into building boats in collaboration with Lyman Boats
  • Nate’s vision for Benchmark Craftsmen as a legacy business for his children
  • And more!

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Nate Sublett is the President and Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen. He is an accomplished entrepreneur with a remarkable knack for business transitions and reinventions. In 2002, Nate launched his own venture, Benchmark Craftsman. Starting with just four employees, the company rapidly grew to 65 by 2023. Beyond this, Nate led Benchmark to diversify into boat manufacturing, reviving the boat line of Lyman Boats and manufacturing high-end mahogany boats. His adaptability and resilience make Nate Sublett a standout figure in the world of entrepreneurship and business transitions.

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From Leading a Company to Mentoring Others with Brian Gale (Ep. 17)

From Leading a Company to Mentoring Others with Brian Gale (Ep. 17)

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Reading about exit planning can only take you so far. How has your business grown in the past few years? How will your exit impact future growth? What should you look for in an advisor?

Learning from someone who has experienced exit planning firsthand can grant new insight into opportunities in the future.

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Brian Gale, a business consultant and investor, on his experience as an entrepreneur and his transition out of the business. Brian provides insight into the exit planning process, from the transition to a new career to the business considerations owners should know.

Brian discusses: 

  • His journey as an entrepreneur, business owner, investor and consultant
  • Why consolidations have increased within the business world and how they impact business planning
  • His advice for business owners looking to exit their business on top
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Brian Gale is a proven leader with an 18-year track record of building businesses, improving profitability, driving growth, and developing teams; 14 years as owner, CEO and Board Chair. Brian understands and uses the levers that impact business results – solid strategy, devoted people, positive culture, loyal customers, and financial stewardship. He has a record of success across the entire enterprise life cycle – visioning, early stage, capital raising, high growth, M&A, sustaining, revitalization, and turnaround. He is personable and trusted, respectful and respected; equally at ease with board members, shareholders, peers, colleagues, and associates. Brian has a strong background in finance and strategy, coupled with an ability to lead and deliver results, he ensures a similar approach and outcomes in the future.

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What’s the Value of Your Business? with Michael Carter, Founder and CEO of BizEquity (Ep. 16)

What’s the Value of Your Business? with Michael Carter, Founder and CEO of BizEquity (Ep. 16)

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No matter how successful a business owner is, almost all stumble on the question of the value of their business. How do you determine that number? And how can you increase that number?

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Michael Carter, CEO of BizEquity, on his experience and growth as an entrepreneur and business owner. Michael shares the lessons he has learned in building a financially successful business with growth opportunities for the future.

Michael discusses: 

  • His journey to becoming one of the top 100 financial technology leaders globally
  • How businesses can focus on creating value in the market as a business
  • The different types of evaluation strategies to determine a businesses value
  • His advice for budding entrepreneurs looking to create and grow their businesses 
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

After years working for legendary tech investor Pete Musser, Mike founded and is CEO of BizEquity. Mike has over 15 years in enterprise software and technology services and has founded three software companies. Mike was the CMO of a publicly traded billion-dollar Internet company and has been called one of the top 100 people globally in fintech.

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Leveraging ESOPs in Exit Planning with Kelly O. Finnell, CEO of Executive Financial Services (Ep. 15)

Leveraging ESOPs in Exit Planning with Kelly O. Finnell, CEO of Executive Financial Services (Ep. 15)

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No financial advisor understands every strategy and tool to build a perfect business plan. With the niche area of ESOP, even fewer know to use it effectively. That’s why learning from someone who knows is the best option.

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Kelly O. Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF®, CEO and President of Executive Financial Services, on ESOPs, their role in business planning and how banks are incorporating ESOP financing in their services. Kelly shares his rich 40 years of knowledge on ESOPs and the strategies business owners can leverage in their ownership succession planning.

Kelly discusses: 

  • Why he chose to change his area of expertise to such a niche area in financial planning
  • Who benefits from including ESOPs in their business plan
  • How ESOPs can be leveraged for tax deductions
  • Why seller transactions have increased in benefit due to banks leveraging ESOP consultants
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Kelly O. Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF® is one of the nation’s premier ESOP consultants, having spent more than 40 years helping business owners design and execute ESOPs. Kelly is one of the most sought-after speakers about ESOPs, with experience presenting at more than 300 conferences and meetings throughout the U.S. and abroad in London and Sydney.

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Empowering Business Owners for Success with Bob Hothem, President of The Alternative Board – Miami Valley, Ohio (Ep. 14)

Empowering Business Owners for Success with Bob Hothem, President of The Alternative Board – Miami Valley, Ohio (Ep. 14)

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How much could you problem-solve with your own information? How much more could be solved with the knowledge of multiple business owners?

In this episode, Mark Dorman is joined by Bob Hothem, CEO of TAB Miami Valley, on how his company works with business owners to create guidance and accountability through personalized coaching plans and learning from experienced business leaders.

Bob discusses: 

  • What value does TAB bring to business owners
  • Examples of how business coaching works to provide knowledge and experience
  • How peer-to-peer boards offer multiple viewpoints on individual struggles
  • How to connect with TAB today
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Bob Hothem is the president and owner of TAB Miami Valley. TAB Miami Valley focuses on improving diverse businesses and their owners’ lives by creating advisory boards of noncompeting independent business owners. Bob acts as a facilitator and coach with these businesses and works with them to drive measurable change in a number of areas.

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How to Structure the Exit From Your Business From a Legal Perspective with J. Douglas Drushal, Esq, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston (Ep. 13)

How to Structure the Exit From Your Business From a Legal Perspective with J. Douglas Drushal, Esq, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston (Ep. 13)

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When exiting your business, you want the value that you put in. How can you ensure your exit plan considers the future of that business and your wants either through succession planning or the sale of the company?

In this episode, Mark Dorman is joined by J. Douglas Drushal, partner at Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, to share his decades of experience counseling businesses through their exit strategies and what he has learned along the way.

Doug explores: 

  • How a team contributes to the success of an exit plan
  • How business sale transactions are structured when exiting a business
  • The difference between buying a business through assets versus stocks and the fears that come with those sales
  • Options for creating a middle market between the seller’s evaluation and the buyer’s price
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with J. Douglas Drushal:

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About our Guest: 

Doug Drushal is the most senior Member of the firm, having joined in August of 1979, after a two-year Clerkship with Judge Anthony J. Celebrezze of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He has perhaps the broadest areas of practice in the firm, providing both business and personal guidance on a wide variety of topics, using his 40 years of experience to the advantage of his clients. Doug enjoys being outdoors, as evidenced by rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon twenty times and taking snow skiing trips across the West, and an occasional visit to the golf course. He also enjoys traveling internationally, having visited India several times as well as various countries in Africa and Europe. He also manages to find the time to play full-court fast-break basketball several times per week.

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Visualizing Your Financial Possibilities with Adam Holt, CEO of Asset-Map (Ep. 12)

Visualizing Your Financial Possibilities with Adam Holt, CEO of Asset-Map (Ep. 12)

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Business owners can be seen as knowing everything about finance because their businesses succeed. But that isn’t often the case. 

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with H. Adam Holt, founder and CEO of Asset-Map about simplifying financial explanations and discussions with business owners. Adam shares how helping business owners understand complex financial planning will increase the number of clients taking their first step toward their financial future.

Adam discusses: 

  • Why he started Asset-Map
  • How visual and auditory learners can benefit from alternative financial explanations
  • What the next generation of Asset-Map users will need
  • Examples of Asset-Map utilization for business owners
  • How Asset-Map changes the way you relate with money
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Adam Holt:

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About our Guest: 

Adam Holt has always considered himself both a student and a teacher – driven to explore, understand and communicate the complexities in the finance, business, legal and tax environments. He takes great pleasure in breaking down the complex into manageable distinctions for his clients and colleagues. The evolution of Financial Planning as a profession has required not only a specific understanding of the nuances of markets (including commoditized products such as investments and insurance), but also the point in our life journey, environment and business will drive future opportunities and challenges. As such an advisor, Adam has aligned himself with other forward-looking professionals and continually seek those that value a consultative approach premised on communicating thoughtful and intelligent analysis.

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Treating Your Business as an Asset with Chuck Richards, CEO of ValuCompass (Ep. 11)

Treating Your Business as an Asset with Chuck Richards, CEO of ValuCompass (Ep. 11)

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80% of businesses fail to transfer successfully due to a lack of planning. How can a small shift in perspective increase your chances of success?

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Chuck Richards, CEO of ValuCompass. He unpacks how their research tool analyzes your business, helps you treat it as an asset and connects your personal objectives and your business plan to achieve greater success in transferring your business.

Chuck explores: 

  • The two main reasons why businesses fail
  • Examples of businesses that might not be transferable 
  • How thinking of the business as an asset increases its success rate 
  • Why your personal goals should be the driving force behind what you do with your business
  • How ValuCompass helps private businesses communicate what makes them valuable and worthy of investment
  • The four key tools to turning a business into an effective asset
  • Case Studies of before and after successes
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Chuck Richards:

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About our Guest: 

Chuck Richards’ mission is to help business owners and CEOs build profitable and transferable businesses that in turn create wealth for the owners and their families, build vibrant communities, and help economies thrive. Chuck carries on his mission in Vermont and abroad – his vision and CoreValue Research have touched the lives of business owners across the globe from Canada to Europe to Australia and Africa.

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Tilling the Soil for Growth with Jerry Schill, CEO of Schill Grounds Management (Ep. 10)

Tilling the Soil for Growth with Jerry Schill, CEO of Schill Grounds Management (Ep. 10)

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Taking the step to build your passion into a business takes more than just money. You need an entrepreneurial spirit for what you are building.

In this episode, Mark Dorman is joined by Jerry Schill, CEO of Schill Grounds Management, to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur. Jerry shares his experience in building a business, how the business has grown, and what he looks forward to for the future of Schill Grounds Management.

Jerry discusses: 

  • Why he started a landscaping business and how that business changed over the years
  • The importance of arranging your affairs well in advance of your exit
  • What it means to scale a landscaping business
  • What to consider when looking at a merger and acquisition
  • The partnership options his organization provides to exiting owners
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Jerry Schill:

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About our Guest: 

Jerry Schill has received numerous accolades for his leadership in the Northeast Ohio business community and the commercial landscaping and snow management industry, including the National Leadership Award from SNOW Magazine and Lawn and Landscape Magazine. He is an active member of the Legislative Committee for the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) and the Snow and Ice Committee for the Ohio Landscapers Association (OLA).

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