In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are excited to be joined again by Heide Olson, Founder & CEO All In One Accounting for Part 2 of the conversation on preparing a company’s books and operations for a successful transition. Heide explains why clean financials, accurate month-end closes, reconciled balance sheets, and meaningful budget reviews are essential to telling a credible story that buyers and stakeholders can trust. Our discussion explores the key metrics every business should ...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Heather Polivka, Founder and CEO of Awesome People Leaders, to explore how leadership, culture, and emotional intelligence drive real business value. Heather shares how her firm helps organizations close leadership gaps, reduce disengagement, and elevate team performance. At the center of our conversation is Awesome EQ, a new AI-powered tool that delivers real-time coaching prompts inside everyday platforms like Outlook, Gmail, and Slack. T...
The Twin Cities business community is preparing for one of the year’s most anticipated gatherings: the EPI Regional Summit. In this week’s episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Todd Krough, President of the EPI Twin Cities Chapter and Wealth Advisor with UMB Bank, for an inside look at what attendees can expect on October 9 at Union Depot in St. Paul. Todd reflects on the evolution of the Owners Forum into today’s Regional Summit and why the Twin Cities Chapter continues to grow in reac...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Nolan Gaffney, and Yan Arsenault, of Trust Point Inc., to explore real estate strategies that can transform how business owners and families protect their wealth. With trillions of dollars in real estate expected to pass from one generation to the next, the conversation couldn’t be more timely. Nolan and Yan walk us through approaches that allow owners to transition away from the burdens of managing property while still enjoying the benefit...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by Erik Gabrielson, co-founder of ProjectWe. Erik returns to the show to share how his firm is helping business owners and professional services leaders navigate one of the most disruptive forces of our time: artificial intelligence. The conversation begins with Erik’s own journey of adopting AI in early 2023, when he and his team recognized its potential to transform not only their business, but also the way their clients operate. Together, E...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Marianne Oehser, and Susan Latremoille, of Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors, for a conversation about the often-overlooked emotional side of exiting a business. With combined backgrounds in financial advising, corporate leadership, and retirement coaching, Marianne and Susan bring a unique perspective to what it really takes to prepare for life beyond the business. Their work focuses on guiding entrepreneurs through the transition, helping a...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Kathleen Wickstorm, CEO of Spec 7 Group, a construction company specializing in waterproofing and protecting commercial buildings. Kathy shares her unusual journey from a career in healthcare to running a successful construction business, and how she has grown Spec 7 Group into a trusted partner for contractors, property managers, and building owners. Kathy discusses the company’s core services, including waterproofing, concrete raising, an...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Liz Ennenga, CEO and Founder of Quad E Companies, Inc. to explore her inspiring transition from the corporate world to becoming a 100% shareholder of her own contracting firm. Liz shares how she left a successful corporate career at Target to launch Quad E, an excavation company focused on small to medium-sized commercial and government projects, and what she’s learned building a nimble, union-based team in a male-dominated industry. She a...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Erica Haataja, owner of Nordic Shine LLC to uncover how she and her husband built a refined construction-site cleaning business that thrives on purposeful systems and real connection. Erica breaks down Nordic Shine’s standout services - whether it’s post-construction clean-ups for commercial sites or recurring maintenance plans. She highlights their edge: genuine communication, detail-oriented work, and a values-driven approach to hiring th...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Matt Silasiri, Vice President of Business Development at True North M&A, to talk all about the upcoming 3rd Annual M&A Summit, happening September 17th at the JW Marriott at Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. This exclusive event is designed for business owners, advisors, and industry professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the mergers and acquisitions process - whether they're planning to sell, thinking about succe...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Shalin Johnson, Vice President of Business Insurance at Marsh McLennan Agency, to talk about how risk management can increase company value and support smoother business transitions. With 25 years of experience and a focus on manufacturing clients, Shalin shares why risk management is more than just insurance. He walks us through how strong risk platforms not only reduce liability but also improve employee morale, attract buyers, and preven...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sat down with John Schwalbach, partner and financial advisor at Freedom Financial Partners, to talk about how financial planning plays a critical role in the success of any business exit. John brings a unique perspective as both a financial expert and entrepreneur. He shared stories from his work with business owners and broke down the biggest financial planning mistakes owners make when preparing for a sale. One client example showed how an $18 million ...
In this week’s episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Jacob Petersen, a board-certified M&A intermediary who breaks down what really makes a business attractive to buyers. Jacob shares his journey from accounting to business brokerage and explains how he helps privately held business owners understand and increase the value of their companies. The conversation explores key valuation concepts like Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) and EBITDA, with Jacob explaining how each is use...
Some of the most successful businesses start with a simple idea and a whole lot of determination. In this week’s episode of Poised For Exit, we sit down with Esme Miranda, founder of a fast-growing cleaning company, Squeaky Services. Esme shares how a small effort to support her family during the pandemic turned into a full-scale operation offering commercial cleaning, carpet care, painting, and more. The business has grown with a clear focus on service, loyalty, and smart strategy. Esme expl...
As co-owner of Hi Tempo Sports and founder of the Foot Lab, Brad Nelson brings over four decades of entrepreneurial experience rooted in grit, persistence, and a deep commitment to customer well-being. From starting out in ski boot fitting to becoming a certified pedorthist, Brad has built a business legacy grounded in service and innovation. In this episode, Brad sits down with Julie to share the full arc of his journey, from acquiring Hi Tempo in 1978 to growing it into a regional powerhous...
As Managing Broker at VR Business Brokers of the Twin Cities and a Certified Business Appraiser, Young Bebus brings a rare mix of financial expertise, strategic insight, and deep empathy to her work with founders. After immigrating from South Korea and reinventing her career more than once, she now helps business owners make confident, well-informed decisions during one of the most pivotal chapters of their lives. Selling a business isn’t just a financial decision - it’s an emotional one. Ma...
Succession in a family business isn’t just about passing the torch. It’s about building the right foundation to support the next generation and protect the legacy for years to come. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Lurey, Founder and CEO of Family Legacy 1st, returns to the show to share what actually works when it comes to family business transitions. As the founder of Family Legacy 1st, Jeremy has spent over two decades helping multigenerational businesses put strong governance in place, develop...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Muthu Periakaruppan, CPA and President of MP Sales Tax, to dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but critical when preparing to sell a business: sales and use tax. Muthu explains how many business owners, especially in industries like manufacturing, life sciences, and trucking, unknowingly overpay sales tax and may be eligible for sizable refunds. He walks us through how his firm helps recover those funds and ensures clients are in comp...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Colin Hirdman, entrepreneur, strategist, and co-founder of Rainmaker, to explore the untapped potential of LinkedIn as a true growth engine for business. Colin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his first company just weeks after college to co-founding Monkey Island Ventures and helping business leaders build targeted lead-generation systems using LinkedIn. We dive into how Colin and his team help founders, advisors, and...
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Cindy Leines, founder of CEL Marketing, a firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations communicate with purpose and build lasting trust. With decades of experience in strategic communications, branding, and reputation management, Cindy brings a unique perspective to the exit planning conversation. We dive into the role of transparency and trust in successful business transitions, especially in closely held and family-owned companie...