Business Deals and Real Talk with The Choes

In Episode 11 of Business Deals & Real Talk with The Choes (BDRT) , Hollie and Johnathan sit down with Sophie Wong of Standard Escrow to break down everything business owners, buyers, and agents need to know about the California escrow process —for both business sales and real estate transactions . Sophie brings years of hands-on experience and walks us through how escrow works in California,...

In Episode 10 of Business Deals & Real Talk with The Choes (BDRT) , Hollie and Johnathan sit down with Yvonne Ward of Western Title & Escrow to unpack one of the most critical – and often misunderstood – parts of a business sale: title and escrow . Yvonne shares what really happens behind the scenes once an offer is accepted, how escrow protects both buyers and sellers, common red flags th...

Thinking about selling your business? Don’t let messy accounting or hidden liabilities tank your valuation. In this episode,  the Choes bring on Valerie Wilson of Eagle Eye Accounting to help business owners get exit‑ready. Valerie walks sellers through: How to get your books “deal‑proof” — clean, organized, and transparent Key financial statements and metrics buyers will scrutinize Common red fla...

In this episode of Business Deals & Real Talk with The Choes , Hollie and Johnathan sit down with Lance Noel , Senior Commercial Lender at United Midwest Savings Bank, to dig into the world of SBA lending and how entrepreneurs can leverage it to fuel business growth. Lance brings over 15 years of experience and a reputation for blending technical expertise with a relational approach.   He shar...

In this episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes , Hollie and Johnathan are joined by Rob Radanovich to dive deep into the world of selling service-based businesses . They explore the unique challenges and opportunities service businesses face when preparing for sale, including valuation strategies, operational considerations, and how to attract the right buyers. Rob shares his exper...

🎙️ Episode 6: Financing Your Business – Insights with Huy Tran from Byline Bank In this episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes , Hollie and Johnathan are joined by Huy Tran from Byline Bank to discuss the financial side of business ownership. They explore how to secure funding, navigate lending options, and make smart financial decisions when buying, growing, or expanding a busines...

In this episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes , Hollie and Johnathan are joined by Rob Radanovich for an in-depth webinar-style discussion on preparing a business for a successful exit. They walk through the full roadmap to readiness , including strategic planning, financial considerations, operational improvements, and key steps that maximize the value of a business before it hit...

In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of selling a business: seller financing . What is it? Why do buyers ask for it? And how can it actually help sellers close deals faster—and often at better valuations? Join us as we share real-world insights, examples, and best practices on how seller financing works, what risks to watch out for, and why being open to this option...

In this episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes , Hollie and Johnathan break down the buyer’s journey — from the first spark of entrepreneurial curiosity to signing on the dotted line. They share insider insights on what every buyer should know before purchasing a business, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the key steps to navigating due diligence, financing, and negotiation with c...

Episode 2: The Seller’s Journey – From Valuation to Closing In this episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes , we dive into the seller’s journey—what it really takes to prepare and sell your business the right way. From understanding valuation and protecting confidentiality to getting your operations sale-ready, we break down each step of the process. We also talk about the importanc...

🎙️ Episode 1: Who Are the Choes? The Story Behind Business Deals and Real Talk Real conversations. Real deals. Real talk. Welcome to the debut episode of Business Deals and Real Talk with the Choes ! Meet Hollie and Johnathan Choe — entrepreneurs, business advisors, and podcast co-hosts who are passionate about helping others navigate the world of business ownership. In this first episode, the Cho...