Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman

Mark Dorman

Succession Plus are specialists in providing proactive, focused and strategic advice for small business owners to manage strategic Business Succession and Exit Planning. Choosing Succession Plus gives you a greater ability to identify, protect, maximize and extract the wealth contained in the business and related assets. You only get to leave your business once, so it pays to get it right. Our knowledge of succession planning and unique Intellectual Property, means we play a critical role in business sales, maximizing the business value and achieving business owners' transition goals. About Your Host, Mark Dorman: Mark is the President & Managing Director of Succession Plus US, and is a recognized industry leader for his work with small and mid-sized businesses. He is a certified Exit Planner and Certified Family Business Specialist. With a career spanning 35+ years, Mark has purchased, founded, and exited businesses of his own.

  1. 09/03/2025

    Pivoting as a Business Owner With Craig Sturgill Ep. 43 - S1

    In the realm of exit plans, things don't always go as planned. Sometimes they happen smoothly the first time, other times they face delays. But that's the thing: there's no one right way. Each exit is its own journey, with its own ups and downs. Join Mark Doman as he sits down with Craig Sturgill, COO, and Co-founder of Excel™, a company at the forefront of the InsureTech space. Craig, a U.S. Army veteran and successful entrepreneur, shares his journey from starting an insurance agency at 18 to co-founding Excel™. Follow along to learn about the challenges and strategic pivots he made, including an unsuccessful exit attempt, recalibration for growth, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in order to execute a successful exit. Mark and Craig discuss:  Craig's journey from door-knocking insurance sales to co-founding an InsureTech company How his business model shifted toward digital customer acquisition Insights into the InsureTech space and Excel's innovative lead-generation strategies Valuable lessons learned from an attempted business exit and how diversification and a strong leadership team can make all the difference  And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Medigap.com  BurialInsurance.com  Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Craig Sturgill: LinkedIn: Craig Sturgill CraigSturgill.com Excel.com   About Our Guest:  At the age of 18, Craig Sturgill founded his first business. He built his Medicare-focused insurance agency, however, he was unable to find lead-generating vendors that met his standards for quality and high performance so in 2013 he partnered with 2 like-minded individuals to found Excel™ which he now acts as COO. He has since started multiple other businesses such as TruRidge, LLC and ​​Stealth Ventures, LLC.

    28 min
  2. 09/03/2025

    Exploring Opportunities Through SBA Lending With Tara Murphy Ep. 42 - S1

    Many believe that SBA loans are only for startups or fraught with bureaucratic red tape. However, this week's guest, Tara Murphy debunks these myths, demonstrating the power of SBA lending in aiding successful business exits and transitions. Join Mark Doman and Tara Murphy, SBA Business Development Officer and Vice President of Huntington National Bank as they delve into SBA lending. They unveil how they work, changes that have happened to the process, and how they can be a powerful tool in your exit planning strategy. Whether you're contemplating selling your business or simply curious about the options available for a future transition, this episode is packed with insights and practical guidance to help you lead your business down the right path even after you leave. Mark and Tara discuss:  What SBA lending is and how it works How business owners can leverage SBA loans for exit planning The impact of careful succession planning on the value and saleability of a business Common myths about SBA lending and how to utilize it effectively  And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham What's the Value of Your Business? With Michael Carter Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Tara Murphy: LinkedIn: Tara Murphy Huntington National Bank: Tara Murphy About Our Guest:  Tara Murphy is the SBA Business Development Officer and VP at Huntington National Bank with over 20 years in the finance industry. She possesses a strong focus on M&A financing and small business succession planning. Additionally, Tara brings years of experience in business expansion, commercial real estate, and debt consolidation to her role. She boasts a proven track record of success and harbors a deep passion for small businesses.

    24 min
  3. 09/03/2025

    Packing the Parachute: Navigating Exit and Succession Planning with Jim Erben Ep. 41 - S1

    Are you ready to secure your legacy and ensure your business thrives beyond your exit? In this enlightening episode, Mark Dorman is joined by Jim Erben, president of Erben Associates and a sought-after exit and succession planning specialist. Together, they delve into the crucial, yet often daunting, process of planning for business exit and succession. Tune in for invaluable strategies and actionable insights on how to prepare for a smooth transition. Jim discusses:  Why business valuation is a crucial starting point in planning your exit The importance of aligning your business exit strategy with your personal wealth and estate planning Keys to a successful executive retention plan Contingency planning in case something unexpected happens to the business owner What makes Erben Associates different from other firms And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham BizEquity Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Jim Erben: 512-402-0250 LinkedIn: Jim Erben Erben Associates About Our Guest:  Jim Erben is a highly sought-after exit and succession specialist, keynote speaker, and President at Erben Associates. Under his leadership, Erben Associates earned a spot multiple years running on the INC. 5000 list for one of the fastest-growing companies in the country and is a highly sought-after exit and succession planning firm. As an international speaker, Jim shares his 30+ years of experience with thousands of business leaders annually. He is well-known for his straightforward approach to succession or exit planning, business continuity, and executive retention. A distinguished advisor to clients and organizations, Jim is one of 500 senior American business leaders representing the private sector in Business Executives for National Security, an invitation-only think tank to help our national security become more efficient and effective. Jim's proprietary process helps business owners navigate the complexities of succession and exit planning to help create an everlasting legacy.

    29 min
  4. 09/03/2025

    De-Risking Your Business: Jim Doyle on Partial Sales and Full Exits Ep. 40 - S1

    Many entrepreneurs start their exit journey with a partial sale to de-risk from a substantial portion of their wealth being tied up in the business. Doing so sets them up for an eventual full exit. In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Jim Doyle, who founded and sold Jim Doyle and Associates (now JDA.Media). Jim shares his experience of navigating ESOPs (employee stock ownership plans) and eventually selling his business to a strategic buyer. Jim discusses:  The process of making his business "sellable" How the ESOP helped his employees develop an ownership mindset, enhancing the company culture Leveraging consultants, mastermind groups, and new executive leadership in the firm The emotional side of exiting a business (and how he dealt with it) Why you should always be thinking about "What's next?" And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Selling with a Servant Heart: Ten Lessons on the Path to Joy and Increased Income by Jim Doyle Trapped in the Family Business, Second Edition: A Practical Guide to Uncovering and Managing This Hidden Dilemma by Dr. Michael Klein Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Jim Doyle: LinkedIn: Jim Doyle JDA.Media About Our Guest:  Jim Doyle loves sales, and he loves salespeople. He's been selling and leading salespeople for almost fifty years. In 1991, he founded Jim Doyle and Associates, which is now the leading training and revenue development company in the Television and digital advertising business. During his 30 years with JDA, Jim presented workshops on sales and marketing to audiences all over the United States. Jim stepped away from the day-to-day leadership of what is now called JDA.media in 2020. But he's quick to say he is a long way from being retired. He is still frequently speaking to salespeople and leaders about the principles in his new book, Selling with a Servant Heart.

    26 min
  5. 09/03/2025

    Professional Management and Business Legacy with Joni Fedders Ep. 39 - S1

    Are you ready to transform the way you run your business? Today on the Finish Big Podcast,  Mark Doman introduces Joni Fedders, President of Aileron, and explores the unique nonprofit organization based in Dayton, Ohio. Together they explore how Aileron helps business owners and their teams embrace professional management to elevate their lives and organizations. Follow along to hear Joni's passion for professional management, and how it empowers businesses and their owners to articulate a vision, align their organization towards it, and successfully navigate ownership transitions. Joni discusses:  The importance of having an exit plan and how it affects the future success of your business Aileron's DOC System of professional management and its impact on business success The challenges of creating a thriving business and navigating transitions How Aileron supports business owners in different ways to achieve long-term success Aileron's mission and involvement in the community And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Run Your Business, Don't Let It Run You by Clay Mathile Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Joni Fedders: Aileron.org LinkedIn Joni Fedders (937) 669-6507 About Our Guest:  Joni Fedders is the President of Aileron, a nonprofit organization that helps business owners and their teams embrace professional management to elevate their people and organization. Joni directs strategic vision, culture, and operations, inspiring both the team and the community to elevate private businesses. Recipient of the "Forty Under Forty" award, Joni holds a business bachelor's from Miami University and an MBA from Xavier University. With her husband Jim, she values family time, her dogs, and enjoys skiing, tubing, running, fishing, sports, and vacations with their three children.

    25 min
  6. 09/03/2025

    From Growing Pains to Profit With Ron Nagy Ep. 38 - S1

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale a family business into a multi-location, multi-million dollar empire? In the latest installment of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman talks with Ron Nagy, a successful second-generation business owner, about his journey of transforming a single-location body shop into a multi-location thriving enterprise, the challenges faced along the way, and the strategic decisions that led to their successful growth and eventual sale. Ron discusses:  How Nagy's Auto Collision came to be and how it evolved over time The challenges faced during the business's expansion phase  Market shifts and exit planning Post-exit ventures And more! Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Nagy's Collision Centers/Caliber Collision Pro Touch No Man's Land by Doug Tatum Connect with Mark Dorman:  Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with Ron Nagy: LinkedIn: Ron Nagy X (Twitter): Ron Nagy About Our Guest:  Ron Nagy is a second-generation business owner. Ron served as the President of Nagy's Collision Center before selling the business to Caliber Collision in 2019. Ron grew up in Doylestown, Ohio. He graduated from Chippewa High School in the Automotive Management Institute and has since won numerous chamber awards and industry awards. He has sat on many nonprofit boards and an industry advisory board. Ron is an active member in his church and in his spare time, helps his wife at their horse farm.

    32 min
  7. 09/03/2025

    Navigating the Emotional and Practical Aspects of Business Transitions With Joe Scheid Ep. 37 - S1

    Are you a business owner standing at the crossroads of change, wondering what to do next?  You're not alone. In this episode, Mark Dorman and founding member of the Legacy Advisors Network, Joe Scheid tackle the often-overlooked but critical issue that business owners face: the complex challenge of financial planning during pivotal transitions. Together they unravel the emotional and technical layers of financial decisions, drawing on Joe's involvement with the Legacy Advisors Network and the Exit Planning Institute. By exploring the capabilities of the Capitalize software and discussing the emotional journey of business owners, you will gain valuable insights and actionable strategies for preparing for business transitions. Joe Scheid discusses:  His journey to the private and family business owner marketplace The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) Challenges of financial planning during business transitions How the Capitaliz software aids financial planning And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Capitaliz – Exit Planning Tool Connect with Mark Dorman:  LinkedIn: Mark Dorman Succession Plus Call: (330)-416-9271 Email Mark: mdorman@succession.plus LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus Connect with Joe Scheid: LinkedIn: Joe Scheid Facebook: Joe Scheid StrategicFC.com LegacyAdvisorsAZ.com  About our Guest:  Joe Scheid, AIF®, CEPA®, CFBS®, CLTC® has transformed the lives of clients for nearly 28 years. With a unique and down-to-earth approach to financial planning, he empowers individuals and families to make sound decisions. Joe excels in guiding small and mid-sized business owners towards measurable and attainable financial objectives. Recognized for his capabilities as a financial advisor and small business resource, he prioritizes principles of character, integrity, excellence, and service. Joe Scheid is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC (www.sipc.org) 17550 N. Perimeter Dr. Suite 450, Scottsdale AZ 85255. (480) 538-2900. CRN201911-221364

    26 min
  8. 09/03/2025

    Executing A Successful Exit Plan With Rich Craig Ep. 36 - S1

    With a rapidly evolving marketplace and the persistent talent shortages in the accounting industry, the need for expert guidance in succession planning has never been more critical In this insightful episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Rich Craig, Managing Partner at 415 Group. Together, they discuss the intricacies of growing an accounting firm and the broader challenges that the industry faces. Rich imparts his wisdom on the vital topic of succession planning for business owners, underlining the significance of strategic foresight and the support of trusted professionals. By exploring the 415 Group's approach to fostering advisory boards and their dedication to consistent client collaboration, you will learn how to navigate the complex exit process confidently and strategically. Rich discusses:  The history, growth, and expansion of the 415 Group Challenges and solutions to the talent shortage in the accounting industry Succession planning Collaboration with other firms And more Resources: Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham Connect with Mark Dorman:  LinkedIn: Mark Dorman Succession Plus Call: (330)-416-9271 Email Mark: mdorman@succession.plus LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus Connect with Rich Craig: LinkedIn: Rich Craig 415Group.com  About our Guest:  As managing partner at 415 Group, Rich Craig manages a portfolio of client accounts, while also being responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm. For over 30 years, he's brought a wealth of accounting and consulting expertise to the firm with a focus on business valuation, forensic accounting, merger and acquisition assistance, as well as corporate tax and structured growth planning. Having served as an expert witness in hundreds of court cases, Rich has a deep understanding of business valuation, forensic accounting, and economic damages as they relate to the law. Beyond litigation, Rich shares his expertise as a nationally requested speaker at many legal CLE and accounting CPE educational events. Rich brings a unique background to 415 Group's clients, allowing them to go beyond tax planning and compliance to entrepreneurial growth and success. He has previously used his skillset to work in the National Tax Department in Washington D.C. at Ernst & Young and on the Accountant Advisory Council for Intuit, Inc., based in Mountain View, California. As a leader in the firm, he has a keen eye for matching clients with the right team to best serve their needs. He values collaboration, knowing that a team with a diverse skill set is a stronger advocate for clients than just one individual. That culture is embraced by both clients and staff and has helped the firm grow from 15 to over 100 associates during his time at the firm.

    27 min

About

Succession Plus are specialists in providing proactive, focused and strategic advice for small business owners to manage strategic Business Succession and Exit Planning. Choosing Succession Plus gives you a greater ability to identify, protect, maximize and extract the wealth contained in the business and related assets. You only get to leave your business once, so it pays to get it right. Our knowledge of succession planning and unique Intellectual Property, means we play a critical role in business sales, maximizing the business value and achieving business owners' transition goals. About Your Host, Mark Dorman: Mark is the President & Managing Director of Succession Plus US, and is a recognized industry leader for his work with small and mid-sized businesses. He is a certified Exit Planner and Certified Family Business Specialist. With a career spanning 35+ years, Mark has purchased, founded, and exited businesses of his own.