Business & Exit Planning Simplified

Joe Curry
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

  1. 2D AGO

    EP 12: Reducing Dependency Risk to Maximize Business Value and Attract Buyers

    What happens to your business if your top customer walks away, your main supplier raises prices, or your key employee quits? In this episode, Joseph Curry explains how dependency risk — relying too much on one customer, supplier, or person — can quietly destroy your business value and limit your ability to sell. You’ll learn about the Switzerland Structure, one of the 8 Drivers of Company Value, and how building neutrality and independence into your business can make it more resilient, transferable, and attractive to buyers. This video is part of our ongoing series on the 8 Drivers of Company Value, designed to help Canadian business owners increase the value and saleability of their businesses — whether your goal is to exit soon or simply build a stronger, more independent company. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: What happens if your key customer leaves? 00:40 – What is dependency risk? 01:20 – The Switzerland Structure explained 02:25 – Key indicators: customer, supplier, and employee dependence 03:40 – How dependency risk affects your business valuation 04:15 – Examples: Tesla’s supplier diversification 04:55 – Netflix and content independence 05:40 – What buyers look for in resilient companies 06:10 – How to reduce risk: customer diversification, supplier redundancy, SOPs 07:00 – Real-world implications for deal structure and valuation 08:10 – Recap: Why independence = higher value 08:45 – How to find your Value Builder Score 09:10 – Closing: Next driver of company value YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: - Dependency risk can lower your valuation, even if profits look great. - The Switzerland Structure helps your business run independently of any one stakeholder. - Aim for no single customer to make up more than 15–20% of your revenue. - Build supplier redundancy — think of it as supply chain insurance. - Cross-train employees and document SOPs to reduce “key person” risk. - Learn from examples like Tesla (supplier diversification) and Netflix (content independence). CALL TO ACTION - Request your Value Builder Score: info@retirementplanningsimplified.ca - Subscribe for more insights on building, protecting, and exiting your business ABOUT JOE CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://matthewsandassociates.ca https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The...

    8 min

  2. SEP 30

    EP 11: Boosting Your Company’s Valuation: Strategies for Highlighting Growth Potential

    Do buyers pay more for past profits…or future growth? In this episode, Joe explains the second driver of company value which is growth potential. Many business owners think they just need good profits to sell, but buyers want to know how much bigger the business can get after they buy it. You’ll learn why showing growth opportunities like new markets, recurring revenue, or systematizing your process can boost your valuation. Joe also shares a simple example and practical strategies to highlight future growth, even if you don’t plan to execute them yourself. You’ll learn about: Why buyers care more about future growth than past performanceA real-world example of hidden growth opportunitiesEasy ways to identify and package growth potential in your exit plan) Remember: you don’t have to execute on every growth idea, you just need to show buyers the vision. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 – Why growth potential feels like a double-edged sword 00:53 – How growth potential impacts what buyers will pay 01:21 – What growth potential means and how to spot it 03:14 – Real-life example:Sharon’s consulting firm 05:03 – Simple strategies to increase growth potential 08:12 – How to package growth opportunities for an exit 09:47 – Wrap-up —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. —------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment...

    11 min

  3. SEP 16

    EP 10: How Clean Financials Boost Business Value and Improve Exit Terms

    Would you trust your gut when selling your business or the real numbers that buyers look for? In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified Joe Curry starts a new series on the eight drivers of business value. The first one is financial performance. Joe explains why buyers care more about clean and consistent financial records than a big sales story. He shares an example of how messy books and mixing personal spending with business expenses can scare buyers away. He also gives simple steps that make your business worth more when it is time to sell. What you will learn in this episode: Buyers want to see steady profit and clear financial records they can trustKeeping personal and business expenses separate makes your business more valuableUsing a bookkeeper and regular reports can increase buyer confidence and improve your selling price If you are a business owner thinking about selling one day your financial performance is the foundation of business value. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 Understanding Business Valuation 00:29 The Importance of Financial Performance 01:42 Key Financial Metrics Buyers Look For 02:59 Case Study:Janet's Interior Design Firm 04:07 Steps to Improve Your Financial Performance 05:30 Building a Valuable Business         —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.  —------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational...

    7 min

  4. SEP 2

    EP 9: How Closing the Profit Gap Can Boost Your Business Exit Value

    What if you could add a million dollars to your business without selling a single extra unit or finding new clients?  In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified, Joe talks about the profit gap, the silent drain that lowers your business value. He  explains what the profit gap is, how to measure it, and simple steps you can take to close it. You’ll learn why buyers care about profit more than revenue, how higher margins increase both your income today and your future sale price, and why cleaning up your finances makes your company more attractive. Whether you’re planning to exit in 1 year or 10 years, closing the profit gap is one of the fastest ways to increase business value and secure your retirement. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 Identifying the profit gap 02:57 How to close the profit gap 06:36 Why normalizing financials matters 10:21 Strategies to increase profitability 14:27 Final thoughts and next steps —--------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.    —--------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    15 min

  5. AUG 19

    EP 8: Exit-Ready: Structuring Your Business for a Profitable Sale, with Bob Gauvreau

    Are you sure your business is set up to fund the retirement you want and leave the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build? In this episode of  Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry and Lindsay talk with Bob Gauvreau, a successful entrepreneur who built an eight-figure professional services firm.  You’ll hear practical advice on tax strategies, maximizing your business value, and how to prepare your business for sale. He also explains the benefits of family trusts, how to handle family business succession, and why early planning is the key to a smooth transition. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome 00:45 – Bob Gauvreau’s Entrepreneurial Journey 02:01 – Building an Eight-Figure Firm 03:38 – Retirement Planning for Business Owners 06:13 – Structuring a Business for Sale 09:51 – Family Trusts & Tax Planning 13:41 – Increasing Business Value Before Sale 18:26 – Family Business Succession Strategies 27:45 – Conclusion & How to Connect —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT BOB GAUVREAU Bob Gauvreau is an entrepreneur, CPA, and founder of Gauvreau, an award-winning advisory firm dedicated to helping business owners thrive. Since 2008, he has redefined the traditional accounting model—offering tax strategy, compliance, legal services, bookkeeping, coaching, and financial planning—to empower entrepreneurs to use their finances as a true growth engine. Author of The Wealthy Entrepreneur and host of The Wealthy Entrepreneur Podcast, Bob is committed to reducing stress, increasing clarity, and helping business leaders build profitable, purposeful businesses they can be proud of. You can reach out to Bob through: LinkedIn: https://www.https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-gauvreau Website: https://www.GauvreauCPA.ca (Company)                  https://www.robertgauvreau.com (Personal)                  —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/ p...

    29 min

  6. AUG 12

    EP 7: The Truth About the Value Gap and Growing Your Business

    In this episode, Joe Curry starts with a tough question: Could your business be worth far less than you expect? Most business owners believe boosting sales and profits is the only way to grow business value. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. What You’ll Learn: What the value gap really is and why it mattersWhy increasing revenue and profit isn’t enoughHow factors like owner dependence, recurring revenue, and customer concentration affect your business value Joe shares practical tips on how to make your business less risky, more scalable, and ultimately more valuable even if you're not planning to sell anytime soon. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 Is Your Business Worth Less Than You Think? 01:20 Understanding the Value Gap 03:02 Key Drivers of Business Value 07:17 Practical Example Marketing Agency 09:21 Why Focusing on Value Matters 10:39 Conclusion and Key Takeaways —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.    —------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund,...

    12 min

  7. AUG 5

    EP 6: Salary vs Dividends: Optimizing Business Owner Payouts with Braden Warwick

    How Should You Pay Yourself as a Business Owner? Salary, Dividends, or an IPP? In this episode, Joe chats with Braden Warwick from PWL Capital about how business owners can pay themselves in the smartest way. They break down the pros and cons of taking a salary, dividends, or using an Individual Pension Plan (IPP), a lesser-known but powerful option. Braden shares what he’s learned from co-authoring a paper with Ben Felix, and they talk through real-life examples. You'll learn how taxes play into each option, what “notional accounts” are (in simple terms), and how a flexible income plan could help you get the most from your money,both now and in retirement. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 – Welcome and intro00:24 – Meet Braden and his role at PWL01:57 – What the research says about business owner pay04:03 – Tax pros and cons of each method08:46 – What are notional accounts, anyway?13:02 – How IPPs work and who they’re good for17:35 – Using a flexible salary strategy25:49 – Final thoughts and where to learn more —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT BRADEN WARWICK Braden Warwick is a PhD Research Engineer who loves turning complex research into practical, high-performing software. With a background in optimization, Monte Carlo and statistical analysis, and stochastic modeling, he’s passionate about solving tough problems and making data-driven tools that work in the real world. Braden has hands-on experience with GPU-accelerated simulations, parallel processing, and modern Python and JavaScript frameworks, bringing innovative ideas from theory to production. You can reach out to Braden through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braden-warwick-a40b48a3 Website: https://www.bradenwarwick.ca (Personal) —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning...

    25 min

  8. JUL 29

    EP 5: Is Your Business Exit Plan Enough To Afford Your Retirement? Mind the Wealth Gap

    How to Calculate Your Wealth Gap and Retire on Your Terms If you sold your business tomorrow, would it fund your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry breaks down how to calculate your “wealth gap”, the difference between what you need for financial independence and what you already have saved outside your business and home. You’ll learn why this number is the foundation for both retirement and exit planning, how to use the 4% rule for back-of-the-napkin math, and what business owners can do today to close that gap and retire with confidence. Here’s what you’re in for: 00:00 The Big Question About Retirement 01:50 Calculating Your Wealth Gap 02:07 Retirement Lifestyle Goals 02:52 Income from Investments: The 4% Rule 03:33 Considering Taxes in Your Wealth Gap 03:57 Assets and the Wealth Gap 04:45 Closing the Wealth Gap with Your Business 05:12 Financial Independence vs. Retirement 05:31 Reverse Engineering Your Business Sale 06:56 Example Walkthrough 08:13 The Importance of Early Exit Planning 09:50 Conclusion: Bridging Business and Retirement        —------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT JOE  CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled. You can reach out to Joe through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe Website: https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/   https://www.facebook.com/RetirementPlanningSimplified/                 https://matthewsandassociates.ca/  ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.    —------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is

    11 min
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

About

The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The podcast empowers listeners to transition with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Information

You Might Also Like