Going Beyond the Deal

J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
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Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

  1. 11 HR AGO

    38 | Don't lose your leverage

    Are you secretly worried your next big business move might happen to you instead of because of you? J. Michael Fischer Jr. breaks the silence on a painful reality facing founders and CEOs who wait too long to plan their exit. In this solo episode of Going Beyond the Deal, he reveals why most business owners lose their best negotiating tool—leverage—and how to reclaim it before it’s too late. He explains why high revenue is not enough, how “strategic patience” can mask costly avoidance, and what true readiness looks like when it comes to growth, diligence, and market timing. If you’re tired of the myth that great businesses automatically get great deals, this conversation is your wake-up call. The longer you wait, the less power you have and the cost can be everything you’ve worked for. Don’t gamble with your business legacy. Listen now for strategies proven to protect your options and your outcome, with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights00:00 – The Founder’s Trap: Why the first signal you’re ready to sell means you’re already late00:46 – Leverage Lost: The emotional (and financial) price of reacting instead of driving the exit process02:34 – The Quiet Shift: How founders mistake performance for strategy and what they miss05:07 – Strategic Patience or Avoidance? The business-language lie that keeps smart people stuck08:00 – Growth vs. Readiness: The dangerous myth that high revenue means a great outcome09:40 – Momentum Isn’t Control: The wake-up call that hits too late for unprepared founders12:32 – The One-Buyer Nightmare: When negotiation power vanishes and the price gets retraded15:21 – How Real Founders Win: Optionality, multiple paths, and strategic choices that protect your legacy Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    13 min

  2. 24 MAR

    37 | John Sutton – How Wine Got Too Expensive (And Can It Come Back?)

    Are you struggling with stagnation, searching for an edge that lasts beyond the next big deal? This week, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, for an unfiltered look into one of America’s largest wine companies and the unexpected journey from White House staffer to industry leader. They explore how brands survive disruption, the critical lessons behind world-famous labels, and why kindness and guts are the hidden accelerators for career and business breakthroughs. If you’ve ever doubted your trajectory or wondered what it really takes to build scale and resilience, don’t miss this episode. The old playbook is broken. Discover the proven, exclusive strategies that help leaders avoid decline and ignite next-level growth now. Timestamped Highlights01:38 – How a law career, White House experience, and a single cold call changed everything 04:26 – What happens when you get a front-row seat to history and the grit it takes to succeed 06:27 – The unforgettable advice: “Be nice to everybody on the way up…” 13:10 – The guts behind reaching out and landing a dream role at The Wine Group 15:41 – The industry’s shocking truth: Why wine lost its “on-ramp” to the younger consumer 18:31 – New marketing secrets: Turning a $15 bottle into a lifestyle and why the old story fails 22:42 – How packaging, high-alcohol trends, and Gen Z preferences are rewriting the playbook 26:30 – Spain’s curbside cafés, the power of $4 wine, and what American culture’s missing 41:39 – Why being management-owned is a game-changer and the hidden risks facing public companies Mentioned ResourcesFranziaBenzigerGlen EllenConcannonDiageoLeon PanettaClinton White HouseBuzzballsChloePaso Robles About the GuestJohn Sutton is the CEO of The Wine Group, a powerhouse in the wine industry, overseeing iconic brands like Franzia, Cupcake, and Benziger. With a uniquely varied background in law, government, and White House service, Sutton has led the business through strategic acquisitions, innovation, and the transformation of generational consumer habits. His blend of operational excellence and authentic leadership makes him an industry standout, teaching founders and executives how to thrive in turbulent markets. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    47 min

  3. 17 MAR

    36 | Ian Wishingrad – How to Love the Hustle: Lessons for Building Brands That Win

    What if the secret to lasting business growth isn’t the deal you close, but the people you connect with next? In this episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. welcomes Ian Wishingrad, Three Wishes Cereal co-founder and CMO, master connector, and longtime ad strategist, for a revealing journey through the human side of building explosive brands. Discover why getting on the shelf is only the beginning, and how authentic relationships, polite persistence, and radical self-awareness drive the hardest-won victories in business and life. Ready to skip the pain of aimless networking and wasted investments? Listen now for exclusive, actionable mindsets you won’t find on any “how I built it” thread. The shelf is crowded, your window for breakout impact is now, and this episode gives you a proven edge other founders are still Googling for. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The year-long hustle: How a “no” became a friendship with a Fortune 10 CMO [00:03:33] – The moment agency life wasn’t enough and the spark that launched Three Wishes [00:05:04] – A cereal idea ahead of its time: Real-life FOMO, big sacrifices, and getting on the shelf [00:08:13] – “Antiquing for people”: The winning (and weird) ingredient behind breakthrough connections [00:10:16] – Polite persistence decoded: How to keep doors opening when everyone else gives up [00:12:02] – Staying on the shelf: What retailers secretly care about and how Ian cracked the code [00:13:13] – Chasing the elusive marketing flywheel: Why smart teams still haven’t found THE answer [00:17:00] – Truth bomb: Why Ian will never run operations and the habit that makes him a better founder Mentioned ResourcesThree Wishes CerealAdweek’s "I'm With the Brand"Stew Leonard’sWhole FoodsWegmansCatalina CrunchMagic SpoonFairlifeBonzaSieteAllbirdsWarby ParkerGrazaFishwifeDavid ProteinRXBAR About the GuestIan Wishingrad is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Three Wishes, the fast-scaling better-for-you cereal brand disrupting breakfast aisles nationwide. Formerly the founder of the award-winning Big Eyed Wish ad agency, Ian is recognized for his high-EQ, relationship-powered approach to both brand-building and business growth. He’s hosted Adweek’s “I’m With the Brand” and is admired for his uncanny ability to turn even a “no” into a real connection. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | X Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    22 min

  4. 17 FEB

    35 | Confidentiality in a Sales Process

    Are you terrified that even considering selling your business could unleash chaos or expose your intentions to the wrong people? This episode is a must-listen for founders and owners who want to explore life-changing financial options, minus the drama. J. Michael Fisher Jr., trusted investment banker and Managing Director at DBD Partners, reveals the mindset and real-world structures behind true confidentiality in business sales, long before you commit to a deal. Learn why calm, disciplined processes protect not only your value, but your sanity and your relationships. Discover the crucial difference between brokers who push and advisors who empower, and uncover how to quietly test the waters without exposing what you’ve built. Tune in now. The biggest risks are the secrets you don’t control. Don’t wait to safeguard your legacy or your leverage. This episode off Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The secret cost behind premature deal rumors… and why the best processes never feel rushed [00:01:29] – Founders’ hidden crossroads: What really triggers the decision to sell [00:02:12] – Why your biggest risk isn’t selling, but losing control of your own story [00:03:21] – How a single loose comment can upend everything you’ve built [00:03:52] – Exposing the “NDA myth”: Why paperwork is not real confidentiality [00:04:47] – Buyer temperament exposed: Why discretion matters more than a big offer [00:05:38] – Who should protect you—partner or pushy broker—and how to spot the difference [00:06:54] – Permission granted: Why holding back is powerful, and how you can explore quietly Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    8 min

  5. 10 FEB

    34 | Vanessa Quigley | The Emotional Breakthrough That Changed Her Business

    What would you give to build a business that actually supports your life, not competes with it? Vanessa Quigley, co-founder of Chatbooks and mother of seven, reveals the raw, uplifting story behind turning everyday family chaos into a brand that disrupts an entire industry. In this episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. goes deep with Vanessa on performing under pressure, the unexpected resilience of busy parents, and the pivotal moment where nostalgia changed everything. They pull back the curtain on life-first company culture, the illusion of “perfect” business journeys, and the radical clarity it takes to lead at work and at home. Skip this, and risk getting trapped in a business that burns you out. Listen now for exclusive, hard-won wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. Your sanity and your future self will thank you. Timestamped Highlights[00:01:32] – From opera dreams to motherhood: When life throws you a creative plot twist [00:03:38] – The heart-stopping moment of mom guilt that sparked Chatbooks’ invention [00:05:30] – Can being a performer secretly make you a stronger entrepreneur? [00:13:32] – Why seeing “take my money!” beats a decade of polite indifference [00:17:19] – The unexpected upside and stress of co-founding a company with your spouse [00:20:24] – The revolutionary power of “subscribing to your life”… and why customers obsessed over it [00:33:06] – Be a grownup: Vanessa’s approach to boundaries and real-life culture at work [00:43:09] – When doing business your way finally clicks, and how to own your unique journey Mentioned ResourcesInstagramSubstackMake A Wish FoundationBest Friends Animal SocietyUnited WayMetaUtah Foster Family NetworkThe Stone Pony (music venue) About the GuestVanessa Quigley is the Co-Founder and Chatbooker in Chief at Chatbooks, the innovative company helping millions of families turn everyday photos into meaningful, lasting keepsakes with zero fuss. A proud mother of seven and passionate storyteller, Vanessa brings a performer’s flair, a parent’s heart, and over a decade of hands-on brand-building experience to her leadership at Chatbooks. She’s a sought-after voice on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the life-changing power of family memories. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    49 min

  6. 3 FEB

    33 | Nio Queiro | Stop Losing Value: Uncommon Tools for Building a Buyer Magnet

    Ever wonder why some businesses become buyer magnets while others stay stuck in chaos? If you crave real transformation, scalable process, robust culture, and exit-ready performance, this masterclass will arm you with proven, uncommon tools to win. Host J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with Nio Queiro, CEO and founder of The Queiro Group, whose 35-year career in healthcare and M&A has reshaped companies from the inside out. You’ll discover surprising strategies for engaging teams, turning crisis into catalytic change, and using AI to thrive, not just survive. From overcoming stagnant leadership to fixing cashflow leaks, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights for business owners who want more than just a deal; they want victory. Don’t settle for business as usual when the stakes are this high. Listen now to escape the pain of lost value, missed growth, and mediocre exits. This episode delivers exclusive secrets you won’t find anywhere else, only for listeners ready to level up now. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – What happens when a masterclass mindset collides with a career-defining health crisis [00:03:41] – Why “transformation” isn’t what most consultants claim and how reframing drives deal-winning momentum [00:05:44] – The real reason entrepreneurs must sometimes “drive their own boat” (warning: silver-haired resistance ahead) [00:08:31] – The controversial strategy that builds trust from the ground up, not the C-suite down [00:12:20] – How communication (and a simple “call to action”) can flip a broken culture into unstoppable execution [00:14:59] – Two types of Cairo clients and the surprising innovation secret most leadership teams miss [00:22:14] – When top leaders are the example (and when culture clashes force an expert to tap out) [00:27:12] – AI without the hype—why most healthcare “automation” is stuck in the past, and what you REALLY need to ask now [00:32:43] – Where businesses bleed cash without knowing it (hint: it’s not just healthcare…and it’s NOT staff cuts) [00:47:09] – The tiny failure at Deloitte that forever changed Nio’s approach to leadership and team unity Mentioned ResourcesHuman-centered leadership architectureMcKinsey AI adoption report (89% by 2026 reference)Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)Kaiser PermanenteMayo ClinicChildren’s Hospital Los AngelesEmerson HealthChatGPTDeloitte About the GuestNio Queiro is the CEO and founder of The Queiro Group, a healthcare transformation powerhouse specializing in revenue cycle, M&A, and strategic process innovation. With over 35 years of experience leading high-stakes hospital, provider, and entrepreneurial turnarounds, Nio is renowned for her ability to blend cultural change with operational excellence. Her human-centered, tech-enabled strategies have helped scores of organizations exit successfully and deliver on their boldest visions. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544 Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    49 min

  7. 20 JAN

    32 | Carlos Sanchez | New Community-Driven Tactics That Crush Contractor Stereotypes

    Are you secretly frustrated by “trust issues” in the contractor world, wondering if it’s possible to build a business where clients genuinely love, trust, and recommend you? What if the answer isn’t slick sales tactics, but radical honesty and a relentless commitment to service? In this high-voltage episode, Continental Roof Company President Carlos Sanchez joins host J. Michael Fisher Jr. for a raw, revealing conversation about reputation, legacy, and the counterintuitive moves that turn customers into raving fans, even in an industry where skepticism runs deep. From life lessons as a child of immigrants to giving away roofs and refusing to compromise on quality, Carlos shares actionable gems on trust, hiring, and why giving is his business’s real superpower. Stop bleeding trust and missing out on referrals. Tune in now to unlock exclusive, proven mindset shifts you won’t hear from typical “business gurus.” Listen before you lose another deal to the lowest bid. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] "People will buy from you if they like you"—Carlos reveals the trust-building code contractors ignore [00:05:41] Why learning insurance from the inside changed everything—profit, respect, and partnership secrets [00:07:43] Hated his job, nearly quit until THIS moment changed his purpose forever [00:10:14] The most expensive mistakes Carlos made (and what he'd tell every new service founder to avoid) [00:15:21] Exposing the wild price gaps: Why you might pay double with no extra value and how smart buyers fight back [00:17:33] The one standard he refuses to compromise plus, the dangerous shortcuts that doom other roofers [00:20:33] Exactly how he turns every customer into a "story worth sharing" and keeps referral engines running hot [00:32:30] Revolutionary "Project Parasol": How giving away roofs turned into a brand (and why you're missing out if you're not giving more) Mentioned ResourcesBusiness Network International (BNI)Butler County Board of Developmental DisabilitiesBetter Business Bureau (Cincinnati)Torch Award for Ethics About the GuestCarlos Sanchez is the President of Continental Roof Company, the Cincinnati-based roofing leader known for operational excellence and a relentless focus on trust, referrals, and real community impact. Since 2009, Carlos has transformed his business from skeptical upstart to a multi-award-winning, integrity-driven powerhouse by doing things few competitors dare, giving away roofs, refusing to cut corners, and building a culture where giving isn’t a marketing ploy, it’s the mission. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544 Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    44 min

  8. 13 JAN

    31 | TJ Schier – How To Survive the Copycat Trap in Entertainment

    Ever wondered why some entertainment businesses create obsession while others fizzle out? Are you craving a smart way to reinvent guest spaces, thrill your customers, and actually monetize “dead” square footage? In this exclusive episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. welcomes TJ Schier, CEO and founder of Smash Swing Immersive Golf, for a revealing, relationship-first conversation on shaping unforgettable guest experiences. From Chuck E. Cheese to multi-million dollar drive-thru chains, TJ shows why old playbooks don’t cut it and how he’s rewriting the rules for indoor golf, socializing, and competitive fun. They dig deep into building emotional loyalty, surviving the copycat trap, and the bold moves driving Smash Swing’s national launch. Don’t wait! Each minute of this episode peels back what most founders miss, and why your next big win may depend on these electrifying lessons. Miss it, and you risk letting your greatest assets (and brand momentum) slip away. Listen now for candid, proven insights you won’t find anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights[00:01] – Why a Jersey kid chose West Point, and what it revealed about real purpose [00:22] – The “Aha!” moment: Can military leadership really transfer into biotech? [00:53] – How ONL Therapeutics protects vision—what most execs miss about relentless innovation [01:48] – The moment family, community, and business shaped a calling to serve [03:33] – Crushing self-doubt: Inside the pressure cooker of leading teams when everything’s at stake [08:32] – What top business athletes, Green Berets, and private equity stars share—The secret ingredient [13:35] – The 3 proven leadership lessons that build unstoppable companies (and why most miss #3) [23:48] – Real talk: Managing fatigue, optimism, and the brutal truth when the gut punches keep coming Mentioned ResourcesChuck E. CheesePals Sudden ServiceSavannah BananasWhich Wich SandwichesBig Shots GolfTopgolfChasing Aces (Shreveport)3’s (Greenville, SC)Auto Tee SystemCallawayInvited Clubs About the GuestTJ Schier is the CEO and Founder of Smash Swing Immersive Golf, a cutting-edge entertainment brand transforming the indoor golf experience for both players and spectators. With over two decades of experience, including executive roles at Chuck E. Cheese and consulting for renowned operations like Pals Sudden Service, TJ blends bold hospitality ideas with tech-driven gameplay to create environments people truly love. His work has helped put game-changing chains on the map and now aims to revolutionize competitive socializing nationwide. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    42 min
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About

Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2025 DBD Partners LLC
  • Show Website
    Going Beyond the Deal