Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors Seth Whicker

In today's episode of the Owner's Corner Podcast, host Seth Whicker is joined by Scott Holmes, founder of ABI Attachments and Managing Partner at PivotPoint Company. Scott shares his journey from starting ABI Attachments to his current role in merger and acquisition work with PivotPoint. He discusses the importance of having a strong team, the challenges business owners face in preparing for sale, and the value of investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships. Throughout the episode, Scott emphasizes the significance of being prepared, taking risks, and surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people to ensure business success and personal fulfillment.
 
About our guest, Scott Holmes:
Scott A. Holmes is an innovative entrepreneur and accomplished executive, known for founding ABI Attachments and serving as the Managing Director of PivotPoint Company. With a keen eye for identifying market needs and a passion for engineering, Holmes has successfully grown ABI Attachments into a leading manufacturer of quality attachments for tractors and ATVs, catering to agricultural, equestrian, and landscape industries. His strategic vision and leadership at PivotPoint Company further showcase his ability to drive business growth and foster innovation. Holmes' dedication to excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction have solidified his reputation as a dynamic force in the industry.
 
Connect with Scott Holmes:
Email
Linkedin
 
About SYM Financial and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:
Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In this show, we dive into the dynamic world of business ownership. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your entrepreneurial journey, this podcast is designed to be your go-to source for insights and inspiration. Each episode, Seth connects with business owners and industry experts, bringing you their stories of triumphs, the lessons they've learned from their mistakes, and their strategies for success. We’ll discuss everything from the initial stages of launching a business to the intricate details of exit planning. Whether it's succession, retirement preparation, or exploring buy-sell agreements and growth tactics, our goal is to spark your imagination about what's possible — for you, your team, and your family. Remember, while I share my insights and those of my guests, these are our personal opinions and not reflective of SYM Financial Advisors. This podcast is here to provide general information, not specific financial advice.
 
Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.
 
 

In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast hosted by Seth Whicker, special guest Edward Hayes discusses the intricacies of the sign business and his journey as a business owner. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding client needs and maintaining a consistent brand message, as well as the diverse industries served by Hayes Design Co. Hayes shares his transition from a global sales career to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and rewards of taking over Burkhart Signs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the significance of company culture and the responsibility of supporting employees and their families. Hayes reflects on his long-term vision for the business, focusing on regional and national expansion while prioritizing generosity and legacy-building. Throughout the discussion, Hayes offers insights into navigating business challenges, seeking counsel, and maintaining resilience in pursuit of growth and success.
 
About our guest, Edward Hayes: 
Edward Hayes is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in software sales. Transitioning to a new role as the Owner of Hayes Design Co., he now oversees a design and in-house manufacturing facility that operates nationally, assisting clients in branding their locations to meet the unique standards of each brand. Under his leadership, Hayes Design Co. has established itself as a premier destination for clients seeking tailored design solutions that align with their brand identity and values. Hayes' expertise in software sales combined with his passion for design and manufacturing has enabled him to drive the company's growth and uphold its commitment to delivering exceptional branding services across the United States.
 
Summary and highlights from the show:
Transition to Entrepreneurship: Edward Hayes shares insights into his transition from a successful global sales career to becoming a business owner, driven by a desire for tangible impact and legacy-building.
Navigating Challenges: Taking over Burkhart Signs during the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges, including financial struggles and the need to establish a new company culture.
Cultural Transformation: Edward Hayes discusses the significance of fostering a positive company culture and supporting employees and their families, emphasizing the impact on morale and productivity.
Long-Term Vision: Hayes outlines his long-term plans for Hayes Design Co; focusing on regional and national expansion while exploring opportunities in e-commerce.
Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Edward Hayes reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including financial pressures and the importance of remaining resilient in the face of adversity.
Seeking Guidance: The episode highlights the value of seeking counsel from business coaches and peers, leveraging their expertise to navigate challenges and drive growth.
Generosity and Legacy: Edward Hayes underscores the importance of generosity and legacy-building in business, aiming to make a positive impact on employees, the community, and future generations.
Balancing Business Priorities: Throughout the discussion, Edward Hayes emphasizes the need to balance various business priorities, including sales, manufacturing, financing, and employee management, to sustain growth and success.
 
Connect with Edward Hayes:
Email
Website
 
About SYM Financial and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:
Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In this show, we dive into the dynamic world of business ownership. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your entrepreneurial journey, this podcast is designed to be your go-to source for insights and inspiration. Each episode, Seth connects with business owners and industry experts, bringing you their stories of triumphs, the lessons they've learned from their mistakes, and their st

In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast, host Seth Whicker converses with Steve Gundy, a seasoned professional in behavioral health and owner of a coaching practice. Gundy shares his journey from his first job mowing lawns to establishing a practice that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, leveraging his personal and professional experiences to build a successful business. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with state regulations, the challenges of service delivery, and the personal fulfillment derived from genuinely helping others. Looking ahead, Gundy aspires to expand his coaching to support parents and young adults navigating the complexities of independence and self-reliance.
 
About our guest, Steve Gundy:
Steve Gundy coaches parents to guide their special needs young adults to be self-supportive and free from the daily struggle. He is a life coach and President of Steve Gundy Coaching, LLC, a private practice in Granger, Indiana. Steve Gundy Coaching is a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities certified provider, Vocational Rehabilitation provider and private service supporting those living with Autism and ADHD. Steve is passionate about exhilarating experiences and all things different. Steve’s mantra is to live life intensely and persevere!
 
Summary and highlights from the show:
Journey in Behavioral Health:  Steve discusses the establishment of his private practice in Northern Indiana, which specializes in Medicaid behavior services for those with developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, and private life coaching.
Lessons from Early Work: Reflecting on his first job, Gundy emphasizes the valuable work ethic he developed while mowing lawns, learning the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and integrity.
Path to Behavioral Sciences: Inspired by his mother's compassion, Steve was drawn to psychology, leading to a master’s degree in social work and a career dedicated to helping others in the behavioral health field.
Professional Progression: Gundy shares his professional evolution from addressing sexual abuse cases to supervising foster care programs, and eventually providing home and community-based services.
Regulatory Alignment Challenges: The conversation sheds light on the complexities of adhering to state regulations and the necessity of balancing administrative tasks with client services in the behavioral health sector.
Vision for Coaching Practice: Steve outlines his future for his coaching practice, aiming to assist parents and young adults in the transition towards independent living and self-sufficiency.
Navigating Developmental Disability Services: He offers guidance on accessing services for developmental disabilities, stressing the importance of early intervention and persistent advocacy.
Business Leadership Advice: Gundy encourages business owners to embrace their individual leadership styles, recognizing that success comes from authenticity and understanding one's personal approach to business.
 
Connect with Steve Gundy:
Email
Website
 
About SYM Financial and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:
Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In this show, we dive into the dynamic world of business ownership. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your entrepreneurial journey, this podcast is designed to be your go-to source for insights and inspiration. Each episode, Seth connects with business owners and industry experts, bringing you their stories of triumphs, the lessons they've learned from their mistakes, and their strategies for success. We’ll discuss everything from the initial stages of launching a business to the intricate details of exit planning. Whether it's succession, retirement preparation, or exploring buy-sell agreements and growth tactics, our goal is to spark your imagination about what's possible — for yo

In this episode of the Owner's Corner, host Seth Whicker welcomes Tim Early, CEO of DreamOn Group, for a deep dive into his entrepreneurial journey. Tim's story begins with a move from upstate New York to Florida, marking the start of his career in the medical device industry. His narrative is not just about career choices but also highlights his entrepreneurial spirit. Tim shares candid insights into his early attempts at starting several businesses, discussing the challenges and setbacks he faced along the way. These experiences, though not immediately successful, were instrumental in shaping his approach to business. The conversation culminates in the story of his eventual success with Network Partners, a testament to his perseverance and the valuable lessons learned from previous endeavors. This episode offers a unique perspective on the realities of entrepreneurship, illustrating how resilience and learning from failures can lead to significant achievements in the business world.
 
About our guest, Tim Early: 
Tim Early, the CEO of DreamOn Group is known by many as the Founder and former CEO of Network Partners Group and a visionary in the life sciences industry. Tim brings with him a rich history of innovation, evidenced by his contributions to medical technology and packaging. He holds patents for advancements in laparoscopic packaging. His leadership in companies like Network Partners, Zimmer, and Johnson & Johnson has centered around building teams of passionate professionals and developing solutions that emphasize client and colleague needs. With a Master's in Packaging from RIT, Tim continues to shape the industry with forward-thinking approaches and a commitment to excellence. 
 
Summary and highlights from the show:
• Tim Early's Early Career and Move to Florida: The episode begins with Tim recounting his move from upstate New York to Florida post-college, which marked the start of his professional journey in the medical device industry.
• Initial Steps in the Medical Device Industry: Tim shares his experience of starting his career with Cordis Corporation, a pacemaker company, illustrating how opportunities sometimes arise from unexpected places.
• Educational Background and Its Influence: Tim highlights how his education influenced his career trajectory.
• Entrepreneurial Ventures and Challenges: Tim opens up about his attempts at starting several businesses, sharing the challenges and setbacks he faced, and the lessons learned from these early entrepreneurial endeavors.
• Founding of Network Packaging Partners: A significant focus of the discussion is on Tim's founding of Network Packaging Partners. He details the journey and the strategies that led to the success of this venture, offering insights into what it takes to build a successful business after previous attempts.
• Growth and Challenges of Network Packaging Partners: Tim talks about the growth of Network Packaging Partners, the hurdles of self-funding, and the journey to becoming cashflow positive.
• Selling Network Packaging Partners to Private Equity: Tim discusses the decision to sell Network Packaging Partners to private equity, the cultural changes post-sale, and his continued role in the company.
• Starting DreamOn Group: Tim concludes by sharing his current venture with DreamOn Group, focusing on the importance of adapting to new communication methods like video and building a team with complementary skills.
• Resilience and Learnings: Throughout the episode, the theme of resilience is prominent. Tim's story is a testament to the importance of persevering through career shifts and using these experiences as learning opportunities for future success.
 
Connect with Tim Early:
Email
LinkedIn
 
About SYM Financial Advisors and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:
Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In thi

Owner of Status Go Consulting, Matt Roskuski, has over two decades of executive-level sales and marketing experience. He has worked for organizations of all sizes, from small privately-owned companies to global giants. His experience spans a diverse collection of industries including technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, consumer products, ecommerce and healthcare. 
 
Matt’s a native of Ft. Wayne and has a degree in Management from Purdue - West Lafayette. Early in his career, he spent nine years in Colorado and Southern California before returning home for good.
 
Seth welcomes Matt Roskuski to discuss his background in sales, marketing and consulting. Matt explains how he helps small businesses align their sales and marketing efforts to achieve better results. He shares examples of challenges he has faced when bringing different departments together. Matt also discusses how he works with companies on developing strategic plans and processes to improve productivity. The conversation provides business owners with insights on optimizing operations from an expert consultant.
 
"So it's really about alignment, and making sure that everything we're doing from a marketing perspective is pointed at getting that person that we want to talk to, to notice us or to engage with us, or to be aware that we exist, again, depending on where they are in the funnel." - Matt Roskuski
 
This week on The Owner’s Corner:
Entrepreneurship and business growth with Matt Roskuski. Career path and industry experience. Sales and marketing operations consulting. Aligning sales and marketing efforts for business success. Marketing strategy and execution. Aligning sales and marketing efforts for better results. Sales training and bridging gaps in organizations. The importance of customer service representatives in sales. Marketing alignment and strategy for small to medium-sized companies. Sales and marketing strategies with a consultant.  
Our Favorite Quotes:
 
“From a marketing perspective, how do we find lots of that person? And that's what marketing does, right? They try to take a big group of people and find the few that are a fit potentially for what we're trying to sell them. Okay, marketing, go work your magic and get the message we agreed upon to those people that we want to talk to." - Matt Roskuski
 
“The individual that answers the phone at SYM is probably one of your best advocates for the company. Are they cheerful, because that's the first impression a lot of people are going to get, or even our customer service representatives, we couldn't grow and be who we are without really good people servicing the client.” - Seth Whicker
 
“Make sure that what everybody's doing, whether it's sales or marketing, but particularly sales and marketing is pointed toward a result and an action that you want to drive." - Matt Roskuski
 
Connect with Matt Roskuski:
 
Email: mattroskuski@gmail.com
Website: https://www.statusgoconsulting.com/
 
About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast
 
The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.
 
Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 
 
Follow Seth on LinkedIn
Follow SYM Financial on Facebook
 
Subscribe here:
 
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Google Podcasts
TuneIn 
Amazon Music / Audible 
 
And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.
Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an ind

Gordon Bell is the Founder and CEO of The Midland Group, a business advisory firm based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Founded in 1991, The Midland Group has advised clients - both national and international with revenues ranging from $10 million to $5 billion - across a range of industries: manufacturing, distribution, service, and retail. The Midland Group, along with its strategic alliance partners, offers advisory services in Leadership Development, Succession Contingency Planning, Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Operational Excellence, Corporate Development, Mergers and Acquisition, Development of Multiple Exit Options, and Sell Side Preparedness / Sell Side Processes. 
 
Gordon has identified a holistic approach to help his clients build their business and prepare to exit gracefully. Midland's Advanced Value Enhancement Solutions is a program that guides clients in building, growing, and finishing strong. This forward-thinking approach has advised numerous business owners and corporate leaders to maximize their shareholder value at an accelerated rate; minimize business risk; and achieve personal, financial, and business goals. 
 
Whether it is a young business looking for growth, or established companies looking toward the future., Gordon starts by asking his clients three questions: What's your Vision? Your mission? Where are you in your journey? His approach is unique because of its accelerated focus, using 90-day plans to address both immediate and future goals, as well as proven successful development of strong leadership teams, both internally or by recruitment,
Seth welcomes Gordon to the podcast to discuss his journey to becoming CEO of the Midland Group. Gordon explains that he developed a passion for serving others from a young age. He talks about his experience owning an import/export business and doing corporate development work. Gordon also discusses the various consulting services he now provides to business owners, including exit planning, leadership development, and succession planning.
 
“Just build your best team. You build your best team, and they're a part of taking the risk with you, you're going to have a better plan. If you do that, then you're gonna have predictable financials.” - Gordon Bell
 
This week on The Owner’s Corner:
Leadership, entrepreneurship, and consulting experiences. Exit strategies for business owners with a focus on preparation and communication. Business planning and strategy. Leadership, collaboration, and succession planning in business. Exit planning for businesses and families. Business valuation and sale strategies. Business transactions, legal advice, and exit planning. Financial planning and exit strategies for business owners.

Our Favorite Quotes:
 
“It's the due diligence that you're collecting, whether you're on the buy side, or the sell side. How can you use that information to have a successful close? No, a successful first 90 days. How do you use that information? Because most transactions fail a year from now.” - Gordon Bell
 
“Once you've discovered what's inside the soul, you discover what their journey is going to be." - Seth Whicker
 
“What's that mission that you've got? Where are you in the journey to accomplish that? And if I can understand and capture that, then I go through a seven step process. But if I jump to the process, I haven't captured their dreams, their heart aches, hurts. Because that's what you're trying to get at.” - Gordon Bell
 
Connect with Gordon Bell:
 
Email: gbell@themidlandgroup.net
Website: https://www.themidlandgroup.net
 
About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast
 
The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their