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. 1d ago

    From Uncertainty to Action: What the Latest Business Survey Reveals

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Peter Pluimer of Old National Bank shares insights from the bank’s latest State of Business Report and what business owners across the Midwest are saying about today’s opportunities, challenges, and economic uncertainty. The conversation explores how business owners are moving forward despite uncertainty, from investing in their workforce and accessing capital to addressing growing cybersecurity risks. Peter also discusses what he’s seeing in the lending environment and why waiting for the “perfect” interest rate can sometimes hold businesses back from making investments that support growth and long-term value. Peter also shares what the survey revealed about AI adoption, including how many businesses are still in the early stages of putting AI into practice. He discusses how Old National Bank is incorporating AI internally and shares a real-world example of how one business used AI to analyze financial data, identify underperforming equipment, and make more informed operational decisions. Connect with Peter Pluimerhere Learn more about Old National Bankhere View The State of Business Survey Report 2026 here Learn more and register for the 2026 M&A Summit here 🎟️ Complimentary registration code: PFE2026 Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    From Uncertainty to Action: What the Latest Business Survey Reveals

  2. Sep 3

    Inside the 2026 M&A Summit: What Business Owners Can Expect

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Andy Schwandt of True North Mergers & Acquisitions offers a preview of the 2026 M&A Summit, an annual event bringing together business owners and advisors for a day focused on preparing, positioning, and planning for successful business transitions. The conversation explores what attendees can expect from this year’s Summit, including discussions around owner readiness, mitigating risk, and understanding what can go wrong during a transaction. Andy also shares why preparing a business well before an exit is on the immediate horizon matters, from reducing owner dependency and customer concentration to building the right team of advisors. Andy also previews several highlights from the 2026 M&A Summit, including keynote speaker Walter Bond, an economic update from Goldman Sachs, the Grow or Go panel, lessons from owner exit readiness, and the live QuietAuction™ experience, where private equity firms evaluate the same business and submit competing offers. Connect with Andy Schwandt here Learn more about True North Mergers & Acquisitions here Learn more and register for the 2026 M&A Summit here 🎟️ Complimentary registration code: PFE2026 Interested in sponsorship opportunities or hosting a VIP table for your clients? Contact Nicole Magandy at nicole@slipka.com Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    Inside the 2026 M&A Summit: What Business Owners Can Expect

  3. Aug 27

    What a Father and Son Are Learning About Family Business Succession

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, father-and-son team Joe Strazzeri and Sal Strazzeri of Strazzeri Mancini explore succession from a perspective they know both professionally and personally. After years of helping successful business owners and families navigate complex transitions, Joe is now applying many of those same lessons as Sal builds his role within the family firm. The conversation explores why successful succession planning requires more than getting the legal, financial, and tax pieces right. Joe and Sal share what they have learned from working with families across generations, including how family dynamics, communication, and trust can shape whether a transition ultimately brings a family together or drives it apart. They also discuss the value of creating space for better conversations, learning from other families who have been through similar transitions, and moving beyond the “first draft” conversations that can prevent people from saying what they really mean. Joe and Sal also offer a candid look at their own transition, from the importance of letting the next generation develop real experience to recognizing that taking over the family business should be a choice, not an expectation. For business owners preparing to pass a company to the next generation, and for the advisors helping them do it, this episode is a reminder that a successful transition is not simply about transferring ownership. It is about preparing the people, relationships, and business for what comes next. Connect with Joe here Connect with Sal here Learn more about Strazzeri Mancini here Learn more about Care to Know here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    What a Father and Son Are Learning About Family Business Succession

  4. Aug 20

    The Hidden Complexities of Family Business Succession

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Amy Wirtz and Andrew Wirtz of Family & Business Success unpack what makes family business succession so complicated and why the biggest challenges often have very little to do with the numbers. Family relationships, ownership, leadership, and expectations around the next generation can all shape whether a transition moves forward smoothly or gets stuck. Amy and Andrew share what they see behind the scenes when families avoid important conversations, make assumptions about who will take over, or struggle to make decisions together. They also share real examples of how family meetings, advisory boards, education, and outside guidance can help bring more clarity and alignment to the process. One of the biggest takeaways is simple: never assume the next generation wants the business. Amy and Andrew explain why those conversations need to happen early, what families should be talking about, and how better planning can help protect both the business and the relationships around it. Connect with Amy Wirtz here Connect with Andrew Wirtz here Learn more about Family & Business Success here  Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    The Hidden Complexities of Family Business Succession

  5. Aug 12

    Is Your Business Bankable? What Lenders Want to See Before a Sale

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Bob Morse, VP Community Business Banker with MidCountry Bank, joins the show to discuss what lenders look for from business owners preparing for a sale and from buyers seeking financing for an acquisition. A business can be profitable and still create headaches when it comes time to finance a sale. Bob explains why owners should be talking with their banker long before a buyer appears, and what lenders are actually looking for when they evaluate the business, the buyer, and the deal itself. He shares the story of one buyer who came to him carrying four separate loans, expensive debt, and no line of credit. By restructuring the financing and creating more breathing room, Bob helped improve the company’s cash flow by more than $70,000 a year and put the owner in a position to buy the real estate he was operating from, moving him several years closer to his eventual exit. Bob also gets into SBA versus conventional financing, what buyers should expect during underwriting, and an issue many owners overlook: the same tax strategies that minimize taxable income can make it harder to demonstrate the earnings needed to qualify for a loan. It’s a practical look at why the right banking relationship, and involving that banker early, can make a meaningful difference when it’s time to buy, sell, or prepare for what comes next.   Connect with Bob Morse here Learn more about MidCountry Bank here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  6. Aug 6

    What Exit Advisors Need to Know About Estate Planning

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Kari Voorhees, founder and president of Voorhees Law Group, estate planning attorney, and fellow CEPA, explains why estate planning must be integrated into the broader exit planning process. Kari shares how her father’s brain cancer diagnosis led him to sell his successful trucking company in a panic, without a valuation or a qualified advisory team, and how the poorly structured transaction left him facing significant legal and financial consequences. Kari discusses how exit advisors can help business owners identify gaps between their estate plans, corporate documents, and long-term transition goals. She explains why advisors should review trusts, buy-sell agreements, operating agreements, stock ownership, and business real estate together, while also considering how family members, trustees, and business partners will work together if the owner dies or becomes incapacitated. The conversation also explores the risks of delaying these decisions until a health crisis or unexpected death forces action. Through real client examples, Kari illustrates why business owners need plans for incapacity, access to company finances, leadership continuity, and the eventual transfer or sale of the business. She emphasizes that effective estate planning is not simply about creating documents. It requires thoughtful conversations and coordination among the owner’s trusted advisors. Connect with Kari Voorhees here Learn more about Voorhees Law Group here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    What Exit Advisors Need to Know About Estate Planning

  7. Jul 30

    How One Business Drew 4 Private Equity Offers in 81 Days

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Dr. Michael Filosi, dentist, exited business owner, and entrepreneur, shares how he transformed a worn-out dental practice with possums in the walls into the largest dental practice in Adelaide, Australia. Ten years after purchasing the struggling business, Michael sold it in just 81 days after receiving offers from four different private equity firms, with no earn-out or required retention period. Michael explains how he created competitive tension among prospective buyers, why he declined to name his own asking price, and what it was like to negotiate directly with professional private equity buyers. He also shares why clean financial records made the practice easier to value, reduced perceived risk, and allowed buyers to submit stronger offers with confidence. The conversation explores what makes a business truly sellable, including eliminating dependence on the owner, building a capable leadership team, and preparing the company to operate successfully after the founder exits. Michael also discusses when and how he informed his team about the sale, the emotional realities of walking away, and why business owners should begin preparing long before they are ready to enter the market. Connect with Dr. Michael Filosi here Learn more about Dr. Michael Filosi here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

    How One Business Drew 4 Private Equity Offers in 81 Days

  8. Jul 22

    From Startup to an Eight-Figure Exit

    In this episode of Poised for Exit, Justin Goodbread, Founder and CEO of Relentless Value Coaching, shares how he built a financial advisory firm from the ground up, grew it to an eight-figure valuation in just 49 months, and ultimately exited the business. Drawing from his experience as an advisor, entrepreneur, coach, and business owner, Justin explains why intentional growth begins with thinking like an owner rather than simply operating as a technician. The conversation explores Justin’s five-step framework for building a scalable and valuable company: Relentless Foundation, Relentless Examination, Relentless Execution, Relentless Exit, and Relentless Freedom. He also breaks down the four areas that drive growth in a service-based business: attracting the right clients, converting them into customers, delivering a consistent experience, and retaining them as long-term advocates. Justin shares examples of advisors who increased revenue, created stronger systems, reduced their working hours, and built teams capable of operating without the owner’s constant involvement. Whether the goal is to increase enterprise value, prepare for an eventual exit, or gain more freedom from the business, the episode highlights why growth must be intentional, repeatable, and supported by the right systems.   Connect with Justin Goodbread here Watch Justin’s video on scaling an advisory practice here Learn more about Relentless Value Coaching here  Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

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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
    313
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Poised for Exit
  • Show Website
    Poised for Exit

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