Poised for Exit

Julie Keyes
  • 5.0 (20)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.

  1. 3D AGO

    From Invisible to Investable: Why Visibility Matters for Manufacturing

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Deepa Krishnamurthy, Co-Founder and CEO of Nterprisers, Inc. about the often unseen world of U.S. manufacturing. While many people picture large factories, most manufacturers are small, privately held businesses that operate quietly within local networks. Deepa shares how her experience in manufacturing and private markets led her to build a platform designed to help these companies become easier to find and connect with. Deepa explains how Nterprisers, Inc helps manufacturers gain visibility while still protecting their privacy. By organizing publicly available information into searchable profiles, the platform makes it easier for companies to discover partners, customers, talent, and advisors they might never have encountered through traditional word-of-mouth networks. The conversation also explores why visibility and connection play an important role in long-term business outcomes, including growth, succession, and exit planning. For many manufacturers, simply being discoverable can create opportunities that strengthen the value and future of the business. Contact Deepa Krishnamurthy here Learn more about Nterprisers, Inc. here Learn how the Nterprisers platform helps manufacturers become more visible, connected, and discoverable within the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. 📅 March 25 | 10:00–10:45 AM ET Register: https://nterprisers.com Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    28 min

  2. MAR 4

    Legal Pitfalls That Derail Business Sales and How Owners Can Avoid Them

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Ailana McIntosh, Business and Real Estate Attorney at Hellmuth & Johnson. Ailana shares her unique journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial immigrant family to building a career helping business owners navigate the legal side of starting, operating, and ultimately selling their companies. Her background gives her a firsthand understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face and the importance of planning ahead. We discuss some of the most common legal issues that surface during business transactions, including disorganized corporate records, incomplete governance documents, and unclear ownership structures. We also explore why many of these issues go unnoticed for years, until an owner begins preparing for a sale. Throughout the conversation, Ailana explains how proactive planning, clear documentation, and the right advisory team can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a costly, time-consuming cleanup process.   Contact Ailana McIntosh here Learn more about Hellmuth & Johnson here Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    27 min

  3. FEB 26

    Stop Winging the Future: Why Business Owners Need Intentional Planning

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by John Schwalbach of Freedom Financial Partners, who leads a conversation with his client, Jennifer Zick, Founder and CEO of Authentic®. Together, they explore what shifts for a business owner when planning becomes intentional rather than reactive. As Jennifer’s company matured and began generating meaningful value, new questions surfaced about wealth, risk exposure, long-term flexibility, and what success truly looks like. Through her work with John and his team, she gained clarity around how her business fits into her broader financial picture, how to model different life scenarios, and how to reduce pressure that had quietly built over time. This conversation highlights why proactive planning is not just about numbers. It is about protecting what you are building, creating options for the future, and leading with greater confidence today. For business owners who sense they should start planning but have not yet taken that step, this episode offers perspective on why earlier clarity can be transformative.   Contact John Schwalbach here Learn more about Freedom Financial Partners here Contact Jennifer Zick here Learn more about Authentic® here Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    27 min

  4. FEB 18

    What Sellers Should Understand Before Partnering with Private Equity

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Ben Axelrod, Managing Director at Borgman Capital,to explore what business owners should truly understand before partnering with private equity. With a background spanning M&A advisory and investment leadership, Ben offers a thoughtful perspective on how financial buyers approach transactions and long-term partnership. We discuss common misconceptions about private equity, including concerns around loss of control, cultural disruption, and the belief that all firms operate the same way. Not all private equity groups are interchangeable. Alignment, vision, pace of change, and approach to leadership matter just as much as valuation. We also examine the emotional side of transitions, including identity, legacy, and the complexities that often arise in family-owned businesses. This episode provides practical insight into what to look for in a partner and what questions to ask before moving forward. A business sale is more than a financial event. It is a strategic and personal transition, and understanding that distinction can shape the outcome in meaningful ways.   Contact Ben Axelrod here Learn more about Borgman Capital here Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    28 min

  5. FEB 12

    Why Value Must Be the North Star in Exit Planning

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by Karim Ghandour, Founder & CEO at Legacyline, a Dubai-based transition readiness firm serving founders across multiple jurisdictions. Karim shares how his background in estate planning and cross-border advisory work led him to a powerful realization. Most business owners do not truly understand the value of their company, even though it is often their largest asset. Karim explains why exit planning should not be treated as a one-time transaction but as an ongoing discipline focused on readiness. Whether a founder plans to sell, pass the business to family, or simply wants optionality, placing value at the center of decision-making changes everything. As Karim puts it, “If an acquirer would not buy the business, it is a crime to give it to your kids.” We also discuss how subscription-based readiness models create accountability, why emotional readiness is often more difficult than financial or operational readiness, and how founders can prepare for liquidity events long before they occur. This conversation offers a practical and global perspective on what it truly means to be prepared for transition.   Connect with Karim Ghandour here Learn more about Legacyline here Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    25 min

  6. FEB 5

    What Business Owners Must Get Right to Scale a Regulated Service Business

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Judy Praska, Owner & President of three Fastest Labs locations in the Twin Cities metro. Judy shares how she scaled her testing services business from one location to three, what surprised her most along the way, and the operational details business owners often overlook until growth exposes the cracks. Scaling a service business, especially one operating in regulated and safety-sensitive environments, isn’t just about adding locations or increasing demand. Sustainable growth requires the right systems, clear policies, and disciplined execution to keep pace with complexity. We discuss why speed and convenience can be powerful competitive advantages, how compliance directly impacts scalability for employers and safety-sensitive roles, and what business owners must have in place before growth accelerates.   Connect with Judy Praska here Learn more about Fastest Labs here Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    26 min

  7. JAN 28

    Why Most Exits Fail and How Planning Changes Everything

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Michael Winn, Co-Founder and Partner at Chartered Wealth Partners in Beverly Hills, to discuss why many business exits fail and how outcomes are often determined long before a deal is signed. Michael explains how missed tax strategy, poor advisor sequencing, and a lack of owner readiness can undermine exit results, even when transactions close successfully.  He shares how early, intentional planning, particularly around tax, estate, and entity structure, can significantly improve exit outcomes.  The conversation also explores the importance of assembling the right advisory team at the right time, with Michael outlining his role as an exit “quarterback” who helps guide owners through the process. In addition, he addresses the human side of exits, including identity, fulfillment, and preparing for life after the sale. Throughout the episode, Michael emphasizes that successful exits require more than a transaction and are built on a strategy developed well in advance. Connect with Michael Winn here Learn more about Chartered Wealth Partners here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    25 min

  8. JAN 21

    Moving to a Lower-Tax State: Strategies and Requirements for Business Owners

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Mark Kravietz, Managing Partner and Founder of Aline Wealth, for a practical discussion on what business owners need to understand before relocating to a lower-tax state. Mark explains why changing residency for tax purposes is far more involved than many owners expect and why simply spending “six months and a day” in a new state is rarely sufficient. He walks through the core factors states examine when determining residency, including home ownership, time spent, business involvement, personal connections, and family ties, and explains how intent plays a central role in audits and enforcement. The conversation also explores how business ownership complicates relocation decisions, particularly when owners maintain active involvement in high-tax states. Mark shares real-world examples from his decades of advising business owners, highlighting common mistakes, documentation gaps, and misconceptions that can put owners at risk if not addressed early. Throughout the episode, Mark emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, both financially and personally, when considering a move. From aligning residency decisions with long-term exit goals to understanding how lifestyle choices, identity, and post-exit plans factor into success, this episode offers clear, actionable insight for business owners thinking strategically about their future. Connect with Mark Kravietz here Learn more about Aline Wealth here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    28 min
See All (287)

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.

Information

  • Creator
    Julie Keyes
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    287
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Poised for Exit
  • Show Website
    Poised for Exit

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