ExitReadiness®️ PODCAST

ENNIS Legacy Partners
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Monthly

The ExitReadiness® PODCAST from ENNIS Legacy Partners helps business owners prepare for one of the most important transitions of their lives. Each episode offers practical insights, expert conversations, and proven strategies to build a more valuable and transferable business, make informed decisions, and achieve ExitReadiness®—so you can leave your business on your terms. Hosted by Pat Ennis, CExP™ and Walter Deyhle, CPA, CExP™, CEPA of ENNIS Legacy Partners, each episode features candid conversations with subject-matter experts across M&A, finance, law, leadership, and personal planning — giving you the practical insights you need to build a sellable business and exit on your own terms and conditions. Topics include building transferable value, exit route options, buy-sell agreements, tax planning, business continuity, management development, and what life after the exit actually looks like. Whether you're 10 years out or 10 months out, there's something here for you.  Subscribe wherever you listen — and visit exitreadiness.com to take your free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment.

  1. Jul 16

    Recruiting, Retaining, and Engaging Generation Z Workers Ft. Danielle Verderosa

    Finding and keeping great employees has become one of the biggest challenges facing business owners today. Recruiting is more competitive, turnover is more costly, and leading a multigenerational workforce requires a different approach than it did just a decade ago. While much has been written about Generation Z, the real opportunity isn't simply understanding a generation—it's understanding how the workplace is changing and what that means for building stronger, more valuable businesses. In this episode, Pat Ennis and Walter Deyhle welcome Danielle Verderosa, Founder and President of HR Allies, for a practical conversation about recruiting, retaining, and engaging Generation Z employees. Drawing on more than 25 years of executive Human Resources leadership, Danielle explains why effective people strategies are not simply HR initiatives—they're competitive advantages that strengthen leadership, improve organizational performance, and increase business value. Whether you're struggling to attract younger talent, reduce turnover, or build a leadership team that allows your business to thrive without you, this episode offers practical insights every business owner can apply. Guest: Danielle Verderosa | Founder & President, HR Allies Danielle Verderosa is the Founder and President of HR Allies, where she serves as a trusted Executive HR Advisor to owners of growing privately held businesses across the United States. With more than 25 years of executive Human Resources leadership experience, she helps founder-led companies become more operationally effective, profitable, and less dependent on the owner by strengthening recruiting, leadership, employee retention, workplace culture, compliance, and organizational structure. Connect with Danielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemverderosa/ | https://hrallies.com/ ───────────────────────────────────────── Ready to assess your own exit readiness? Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at exitreadiness.com Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ ───────────────────────────────────────── Building your exit plan at your own pace? Explore ExitReadiness® DIY™ at exitreadiness.com. The platform combines proven frameworks, practical tools, assessments, and educational resources designed to help business owners make better decisions, build more valuable and transferable businesses, and create more options for the future. And when judgment and experience matter most, credentialed exit planning professionals are available to help. ───────────────────────────────────────── DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is provided for educational purposes only. Neither the presenters nor ENNIS Legacy Partners are engaged to render legal, accounting, tax, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation. ─────────────────────────────────────────  Ready to assess your own exit readiness? Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at exitreadiness.com  ─────────────────────────────────────────  Building your exit plan at your own pace? Explore ExitReadiness® DIY™ at exitreadiness.com. The platform combines proven frameworks, practical tools, assessments, and educational resources designed to help business owners make better decisions, build more valuable and transferable businesses, and create more options for the future. And when judgment and experience matter most, credentialed exit planning professionals are available to help.  Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  2. Jun 25

    Risk Management: Identifying and Insuring Key Employees Ft. Mark Gage

    Most business owners understand the importance of attracting and retaining talented employees. What many fail to appreciate is how much risk can be concentrated in just one or two key individuals. Whether it's a top salesperson, lead engineer, operations manager, or other critical team member, the sudden loss of a key employee can create significant disruption to revenue, customer relationships, operational continuity, and future growth plans. In some cases, it can materially reduce the value of the business itself.In this episode, Pat Ennis and Walter Deyhle are joined by Mark Gage to discuss one of the most overlooked areas of business risk management: identifying and protecting key employees. The conversation explores how business owners can assess their exposure to key person risk, understand the role of insurance in mitigating that risk, and implement strategies that protect both the business and its stakeholders.This discussion is especially relevant for founder-led businesses where significant knowledge, customer relationships, or operational expertise may be concentrated in just a few individuals. In This Episode, We Discuss: What defines a "key employee" from a risk management perspectiveHow to identify the employees whose loss would create the greatest disruptionWhy many business owners underestimate key employee riskThe financial and operational consequences of losing a key employeeHow Key Person Insurance works and when it should be consideredDetermining the appropriate amount of insurance coverageCommon misconceptions surrounding Key Person InsuranceHow buyers evaluate key employee risk during due diligenceStrategies for reducing dependency on critical employeesWhy protecting key employees is an important component of exit planningGuest:Mark Gage, CLU Vice President | Northeast BrokerageMark has worked in the insurance industry for more than 30 years and specializes in succession planning, estate planning, life insurance contract analysis, and impaired risk underwriting. A Certified Life Underwriter through The American College, Mark works with insurance professionals and their clients to identify appropriate life, disability, and long-term care insurance solutions while representing more than 30 insurance carriers.Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-gage-clu-a48b7a7/  ───────────────────────────────────────── Ready to assess your own exit readiness? Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at exitreadiness.com. Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com ───────────────────────────────────────── Trying to build your exit plan yourself?ExitReadiness® DIY™ provides a proven framework with tools, assessments, and educational resources designed to help business owners make better decisions and create more options for the future. And when judgment and experience matter most, credentialed exit planning professionals are available to help. Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  3. Jun 10

    Selling in Stealth Mode: How to Market Your Business Without Alerting Customers, Vendors, or Employees Ft. Gregory Kovsky

    Most business owners understand the importance of confidentiality during a sale process. What many do not fully appreciate is just how fragile that confidentiality can be once the business is taken to market. A single conversation, unusual document request, or shift in behavior can create concern among employees, uncertainty among customers, and speculation among vendors or competitors. And once uncertainty enters the picture, business value can begin eroding long before a transaction ever closes. In this episode, Greg Kovsky joins Pat Ennis and Walter Deyhle to discuss how business owners can explore a sale while protecting the relationships and stability that make their company valuable in the first place. Drawing on more than three decades of M&A experience and over 300 completed transactions, Greg shares practical insights into confidentiality, buyer screening, information control, and the realities of taking a business to market without creating unnecessary disruption. Whether you're considering a sale in the near future or simply want to understand how the process works, this conversation provides valuable perspective on preserving trust, protecting value, and maintaining leverage throughout the transaction process. In This Episode, We Discuss: What "selling in stealth mode" actually means in practiceWhy confidentiality is critical to preserving business valueCommon mistakes that unintentionally expose a sale processHow experienced advisors screen potential buyersThe role and limitations of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)When employees, customers, and vendors should be informedHow to protect key relationships during due diligenceWhat a well-managed confidential sale process looks likePractical advice for owners considering a future saleGuest Gregory Kovsky President & CEO, International Business Associates (IBA) Greg is President & CEO of International Business Associates, the Pacific Northwest's oldest and largest business brokerage firm. With more than 30 years of experience as an M&A intermediary, he has facilitated over 300 transactions involving privately held companies and family businesses across multiple industries, typically ranging from $1 million to $30 million in enterprise value. He is also a published author, seminar speaker, and advocate for entrepreneurship. Connect with Greg (Insert website and contact information)   ─────────────────────────────────────────  Trying to build your exit plan yourself? ExitReadiness® DIY™ provides a proven framework, AI-powered tools, assessments, and practical guidance to help you increase business value, prepare for a future transition, and make more informed decisions. When you need additional expertise, credentialed exit planning professionals are available to help you navigate the issues that matter most.  Check it out at exitreadiness.com. Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  4. May 21

    Three Actions to Become Less Central to Your Business Ft. Laurie Barkman

    Most business owners know their company depends heavily on them. Fewer understand how much that dependency impacts transferable value, scalability, leadership continuity, and long-term optionality. In this episode, Laurie Barkman joins Pat Ennis and Walter Deyhle to discuss three practical actions owners can begin taking now to reduce owner dependency and build businesses that are more scalable, transferable, and valuable. The conversation focuses on the tension many founders experience: building something successful while unintentionally remaining at the center of every important decision. A business that cannot function without the owner may still produce strong income—but it becomes significantly harder to transfer, sell, or scale with confidence. This episode explores how owners can begin stepping back intentionally while strengthening the business at the same time. In this episode, we cover:Why owner dependency reduces transferable business valueThe hidden risks of being central to every decision and relationshipHow leadership teams gain confidence and accountabilityPractical ways to create operational independenceWhy scalable businesses create greater freedom and optionality for ownersThe connection between self-sustaining companies and stronger exit outcomesGuest: Laurie Barkman — Growth Strategist, Certified Exit Planner, M&A Advisor, Author, and Founder of The Business Transition Sherpa® Laurie helps engineering, architecture, and design services firm owners build scalable, self-running businesses that create more time, freedom, and long-term value. She is the author of The Business Transition Handbook and host of the award-winning Succession Stories podcast. Connect with Laurie: Website: Laurie Barkman Website Book: The Business Transition Handbook Successor Assessment: Successor Assessment Survey LinkedIn: Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn YouTube: Laurie Barkman YouTube Channel ───────────────────────────────────────── Ready to assess your own exit readiness? Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at ExitReadiness® DIY™ Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ENNIS Legacy Partners Connect with Pat: Pat Ennis LinkedIn Connect with Walter: Walter Deyhle LinkedIn ───────────────────────────────────────── DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only. Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation. Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  5. May 14

    How AI Impacts What Your Business is Worth Ft. Janet Waring

    AI is quickly moving beyond experimentation and becoming part of how buyers evaluate operational maturity, scalability, and future growth potential. But not every use of AI increases business value. In many cases, owners are implementing tools without a clear strategy, measurable impact, or understanding of what sophisticated buyers are actually looking for. In this episode, Janet Waring, CEO of ArtForm Agency, joins Pat Ennis and Corby Megorden to discuss how AI is beginning to influence valuation conversations—from operational efficiency and market intelligence to scalability and decision-making. The conversation focuses on practical application rather than hype, helping owners think more strategically about where AI fits within long-term value creation and exit planning. This discussion is particularly relevant for owners trying to determine whether AI is simply a productivity tool—or an emerging factor in how businesses are evaluated, differentiated, and ultimately valued. **In this episode, we cover:** * What separates meaningful AI implementation from experimentation * How buyers and private equity groups may evaluate AI capabilities * Where AI can improve operational scalability and efficiency * Risks associated with fragmented or poorly integrated AI adoption * Practical starting points for owners planning an exit within the next few years * Why thoughtful AI strategy may increasingly influence transferable value Guest: Janet Waring, Co-Founder & CEO, ArtForm Agency ArtForm Agency combines strategy, creativity, and data science to help organizations scale through AI enablement, market intelligence, and performance-driven marketing strategies. Janet brings more than 25 years of experience in business development, audience research, positioning, and data-driven growth strategy. Connect with Janet: artformagency.com ───────────────────────────────────────── Ready to assess your own exit readiness? Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at exitreadiness.com Learn more about working with Pat and Walter: ennislp.com You can also access free exit-related assessments and educational resources at ennislp.com. ─────────────────────────────────────────  Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  6. May 1

    The Role AI Can Play in Sensitive Partner Negotiations Ft. David Gage

    Business partnerships are at the center of many of the most complex exit planning decisions an owner will face — whether navigating a sale to key employees, a family transfer, or simply trying to keep a co-ownership relationship healthy enough to survive a transition. AI can help organize information, surface patterns, and even simulate dialogue. But when it comes to the deeply personal, relational, and often emotionally charged work of partner negotiations, there are limits to what technology can do alone. David Gage, Ph.D. — clinical psychologist, mediator, founder of BMC Associates, and creator of The Partnership Charter — rejoins Pat and Walter for this episode in the AI & Exit Planning Series to explore exactly where AI can add genuine value in sensitive partner discussions, and where the irreplaceable judgment of a trained human professional is essential. A conversation that is both timely and practically useful for any business owner navigating co-ownership complexity on the road to exit. Guest: David Gage, Ph.D. — Founder, BMC Associates | Author, The Partnership Charter | Founder, The Partnership Charter Institute Connect with David: bmcassociates.com  Learn more about our ExitReadiness® DIY™ platform at exitreadiness.com. DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only. Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation. Two things to confirm before publishing: air date and duration. Also worth noting — this is a returning guest and an alliance partner, so you may want to reference the Partnership Charter platform subscription your firm uses in the show notes or episode description if you haven't already done so in prior David Gage episodes. Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  7. Apr 23

    NEXT ACT Series: Life After the Business Ft. David Young

    The statistics are sobering: 75% of business owners report being unhappy within one year of exiting their business. For owners who have spent decades finding purpose, identity, and meaning in their work — serving employees, customers, and their communities — the transition out can feel like a loss that no financial plan anticipated.  This episode is part of the ExitReadiness® NEXT ACT Series, a dedicated series on planning for life after the business. David Young, Founder and Managing Member of David K. Young Consulting, LLC, brings more than five decades of business leadership and over 40 years in employee benefits and retirement planning to this deeply personal conversation. A Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) through the Wharton School and IFEBP, and a Texas-based nationally recognized retirement plan consultant, David also brings a rich life outside of work — including Civil Air Patrol leadership and humanitarian aviation serving veterans and underserved communities near the Texas-Mexico border. He is precisely the kind of guest who can speak authentically to what a purposeful next act looks like, and how to begin building it before you exit. Pat and Joe Markovitch explore with David what owners need to think about — and do — now, so that the business exit they've worked toward becomes the launching pad for a fulfilling chapter, not a loss they weren't prepared for. Guest: David Young, MPA, CEBS — Founder & Managing Member, David K. Young Consulting, LLC Connect with David: dkyoung.com Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit.    Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

  8. Apr 16

    The Benefits of an ESOP in a Family Business Ft. Kelly Finnell

    For many family business owners, the succession question is more complicated than it looks — especially when some family members want to stay involved, others don't, or there's simply no heir apparent willing or able to take the reins. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan can bring remarkable clarity to exactly these situations. Kelly O. Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF®, President of EFS ESOP Consultants and one of the nation's foremost ESOP authorities, joins Pat, Walter, and Corby to explore how ESOPs can serve as a powerful and often underutilized tool in family business succession planning. With more than 40 years helping business owners design and execute ESOPs — and author of the preeminent guide The ESOP Coach: Using ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning — Kelly brings unmatched depth to this conversation. He covers the general parameters for when an ESOP makes sense, the specific benefits in a family business context, how ESOPs can minimize taxes while maximizing shareholder legacy, and why owners with no clear successor should be looking hard at this option. Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com  Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness DISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only.  Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

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About

The ExitReadiness® PODCAST from ENNIS Legacy Partners helps business owners prepare for one of the most important transitions of their lives. Each episode offers practical insights, expert conversations, and proven strategies to build a more valuable and transferable business, make informed decisions, and achieve ExitReadiness®—so you can leave your business on your terms. Hosted by Pat Ennis, CExP™ and Walter Deyhle, CPA, CExP™, CEPA of ENNIS Legacy Partners, each episode features candid conversations with subject-matter experts across M&A, finance, law, leadership, and personal planning — giving you the practical insights you need to build a sellable business and exit on your own terms and conditions. Topics include building transferable value, exit route options, buy-sell agreements, tax planning, business continuity, management development, and what life after the exit actually looks like. Whether you're 10 years out or 10 months out, there's something here for you.  Subscribe wherever you listen — and visit exitreadiness.com to take your free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment.

Information

  • Creator
    ENNIS Legacy Partners
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    193
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ENNIS Legacy Partners
  • Show Website
    ExitReadiness®️ PODCAST