ExitReadiness®️ PODCAST

ENNIS Legacy Partners
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Most business owners will leave their business one day. Few are ready when that day comes. The ExitReadiness® Podcast helps you change that. 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. APR 1

    A Tax Smart Exit Ft. Ed Cotney

    Most owners focus on growing value but give far less attention to how that value will ultimately be taxed. The result is often a successful sale that delivers far less than expected. In this episode, tax attorney Ed Cotney joins Pat and Walter to walk through how thoughtful tax planning changes outcomes—not just at closing, but years in advance. This conversation brings clarity to where tax strategy should begin, how deal structure influences net proceeds, and why waiting too long limits your options. In this episode, we cover: Why tax planning is a pre-sale strategy, not a year-of-sale exerciseCommon structural mistakes that reduce after-tax proceedsHow different exit paths (sale, ESOP, transfer) impact tax outcomesWhat owners should be doing now to preserve flexibility laterGuest: Ed Cotney, Tax Attorney Connect with guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-cotney-14552412/  Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    34 min

  2. MAR 12

    A Successful ESOP Story Ft. Tim Rettig

    ESOPs are often discussed in theory, but far less often understood through lived experience. In this episode, Tim Rettig shares what it actually looks like to transition a business to employee ownership—and what it requires from the owner before, during, and after the transaction. This conversation highlights the alignment between values, legacy, and structure, while also addressing the operational and financial realities that make an ESOP work. In this episode, we cover: What makes a company a strong ESOP candidateThe cultural and leadership implications of employee ownershipTradeoffs between ESOPs and third-party salesLessons learned from completing and living through the transition Connect with guest Tim Retting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timrettig/ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    35 min

  3. FEB 26

    Due Diligence in M&A Transactions: Why First-Time Buyers Should Avoid Analysis Paralysis Ft. Michael Mercurio

    Buying a business for the first time is exciting — and overwhelming. The due diligence process can trigger analysis paralysis that kills deals that should close. In this episode, M&A attorney Michael Mercurio of Offit Kurman joins Pat and Walter to walk through what due diligence actually looks like from both sides of the table, what first-time buyers consistently get wrong, and how to stay focused on the risks that truly matter without getting lost in the ones that don't. Guest: Michael N. Mercurio, Esq., Principal and Chair, Business Law & Transactions Practice Group, Offit Kurman Connect with guest: offitkurman.com/michael-mercurio “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    31 min

  4. FEB 19

    What Does a Fractional EOS Integrator Do? Ft. Dave Lokos

    If you're running on EOS® but struggling to execute, you may be missing the Integrator role — the person who translates the Visionary's vision into traction. Dave Lokos, CEPA, CBEC of ExitWell Advisors joins Pat and Walter to explain what a Fractional EOS Integrator actually does, how it differs from an EOS Implementer, and why getting this role right has a direct impact on the transferable value of your business. Guest: Dave Lokos, CEPA, CBEC, ExitWell Advisors Connect with guest: linkedin.com/in/davelokos/ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    28 min

  5. FEB 12

    An Often Overlooked Risk in Funding Buy - Sell Agreements – Disability Buy Out Ft. Mark Gage

    Most business owners fund their buy-sell agreements with life insurance — but what happens when a partner becomes disabled rather than dying? In this episode, Mark Gage joins Pat and Walter to discuss disability buyout coverage: what it is, why it's so frequently overlooked in partnership planning, and the costly gaps it leaves in even well-intentioned buy-sell agreements. If you have a business partner, this episode may be the most important planning conversation you've heard. Guest: Mark Gage [verify title and firm before publishing] Connect with guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-gage-clu-a48b7a7/ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    26 min

  6. JAN 29

    Unlocking Tax Savings with Section 1202

    Section 1202 of the tax code allows qualifying small business stockholders to exclude up to 100% of capital gains on the sale of their stock — one of the most powerful and underused tax tools available to business owners. In this episode, Pat and Walter break down the key qualifications for Section 1202, what it means for exit planning strategy, and how business owners should be thinking about this provision when structuring their exit. “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    16 min

  7. JAN 15

    AI & EXIT PLANNING Series: Initial Thoughts About AI and Exit Planning? Ft. John F. Dini

    AI is changing how advisors work and how business owners prepare for exit — but what does it mean specifically for the exit planning profession? John F. Dini, one of the nation's most recognized exit planning authorities and founder of ExitMap®, joins Pat and Walter to share his initial take. With over 25,000 hours of direct coaching experience with business owners, John offers a grounded, nuanced view of where AI genuinely helps and where the human advisor remains irreplaceable. Guest: John F. Dini, CExP, CEPA, CBEC, President, MPN Inc. | Founder, ExitMap® Connect with guest: johnfdini.com “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    40 min

  8. JAN 1

    Building a Cost Management System That Protects and Increases Business Value Ft. Duane Deason

    Growing revenue is only half the equation — businesses that can't control costs ultimately destroy the value they're working to build. Duane Deason, CPA, MBA, founder of The Efficacy Group and author of Operationally Svelte, joins Pat and Walter to explain why cost management is a transferable value driver, how most companies get it wrong, and what a proper Cost Management Center looks like inside a privately held business. A timely conversation for any owner thinking about what a buyer will see. Guest: Duane Deason, CPA, MBA, Founder & President, The Efficacy Group | Author, Operationally Svelte Connect with guest: efficacygroup.com “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE! Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Website: Ennislp.com #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.

    31 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Most business owners will leave their business one day. Few are ready when that day comes. The ExitReadiness® Podcast helps you change that. 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
    185
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ENNIS Legacy Partners
  • Show Website
    ExitReadiness®️ PODCAST