Business & Exit Planning Simplified

In this final episode of Business & Exit Planning Simplified , Joe Curry reflects on the biggest lessons from working with business owners preparing for retirement and exit. He breaks down common mistakes in business sale planning, tax strategy, and retirement income—and shows how to build a more coordinated, tax-efficient plan for life after work. ABOUT JOE CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Busi...

In this episode, Joe Curry sits down with veteran business broker Gregory Kovsky to unpack what really drives business value and successful exits. They explore business valuation, deal structure, due diligence, and how to prepare your company for sale without stress. If you’re thinking about selling your business as part of your retirement income planning, this conversation is essential listening....

In this episode of Business & Exit Planning Simplified , Joe Curry sits down with serial entrepreneur Ted Jenkin to unpack what really drives business value and why most owners shouldn’t try to sell alone. They discuss exit planning strategy, valuation multiples, recurring revenue, and how to prepare years in advance to avoid costly mistakes. If your retirement income plan depends on selling y...

If you’re a Canadian service-based business owner within five years of stepping back, this episode walks you through a practical exit and retirement income planning framework. Joe Curry explains how to align your business value, tax strategy, and personal retirement plan so you can become work optional — without regrets or last-minute pressure. ABOUT JOE CURRY Joe Curry is the host of Business and...

Many business owners assume their business sale will fund retirement—but most overestimate what their business is actually worth. In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified , Joe Curry explains why 80% of businesses never sell, the real drivers of business value, and how exit planning must be integrated with retirement income planning to avoid costly surprises. ABOUT JOE CURRY Joe Cu...

Most business owners don’t plan to exit suddenly — but life often has other plans. In this episode, Joe Curry breaks down the Five Ds of exit planning and explains how divorce, disagreement, disability, distress, and death can force unplanned exits if you’re not prepared. RESOURCES Exit Planning Institute Blog: How to Protect Your Business from the 5 D’s – you can find the link to download the 5 D...

A successful business exit takes more than a great sale price. In this episode, Joe Curry explains the three critical legs of exit planning—business readiness, personal readiness, and financial readiness—and why overlooking any one of them can derail your retirement. Learn how to exit your business with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Resources True Wealth Roadmap™ Process – Aligning business ex...

In this final episode of the Eight Drivers of Business Value series, Joe Curry explains why the hub and spoke model is one of the biggest threats to business value and exit success. Learn how reducing owner dependence can increase valuation, reduce buyer risk, and create a business that’s easier — and more enjoyable — to run. Resources Traction by Gino Wickman Eight Drivers of Business Value eBook...

Customer satisfaction isn’t just good business — it’s a core driver of company value when you eventually exit. In this episode, Joe Curry breaks down how loyal, engaged clients make your business more transferable, why buyers rely on data (not assumptions), and what simple systems you can put in place today to increase your valuation. Resources ·  Learn more about The Value Builder Syste...

In this episode, Joe Curry breaks down how business owners can achieve monopoly control —not by eliminating competition, but by becoming the only obvious choice for their ideal clients. Learn how narrowing your focus, deepening your expertise, and creating an integrated client experience can help you command premium pricing, improve margins, and grow your company’s value before exit. Key Takeaways...

Most business owners focus on top-line sales — but buyers care about predictability. In this episode of Business & Exit Planning Simplified , Joe Curry breaks down why recurring revenue is one of the eight key drivers of a valuable business and how even service-based companies can create stable, dependable income streams that boost both business value and peace of mind. Key Takeaways Predictab...

In this episode of Business & Exit Planning Simplified , Joe Curry breaks down the “valuation teeter-totter” — a simple but powerful concept showing how your business’s cash requirements directly impact its value. Learn three practical strategies to free up working capital, improve cash flow, and make your company more attractive to buyers when planning your business exit. KEY TAKEAWAYS Unders...

What happens to your business if your top customer walks away, your main supplier raises prices, or your key employee quits? In this episode, Joseph Curry explains how dependency risk — relying too much on one customer, supplier, or person — can quietly destroy your business value and limit your ability to sell. You’ll learn about the Switzerland Structure, one of the 8 Drivers of Company Value, a...

Do buyers pay more for past profits…or future growth? In this episode, Joe explains the second driver of company value which is growth potential. Many business owners think they just need good profits to sell, but buyers want to know how much bigger the business can get after they buy it. You’ll learn why showing growth opportunities like new markets, recurring revenue, or systematizing your proce...

Would you trust your gut when selling your business or the real numbers that buyers look for? In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified Joe Curry starts a new series on the eight drivers of business value. The first one is financial performance. Joe explains why buyers care more about clean and consistent financial records than a big sales story. He shares an example of how messy bo...

What if you could add a million dollars to your business without selling a single extra unit or finding new clients?  In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified, Joe talks about the profit gap, the silent drain that lowers your business value. He  explains what the profit gap is, how to measure it, and simple steps you can take to close it. You’ll learn why buyers care abou...

Are you sure your business is set up to fund the retirement you want and leave the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build? In this episode of  Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry and Lindsay talk with Bob Gauvreau, a successful entrepreneur who built an eight-figure professional services firm.  You’ll hear practical advice on tax strategies, maximizing your business value, and how t...

In this episode, Joe Curry starts with a tough question: Could your business be worth far less than you expect? Most business owners believe boosting sales and profits is the only way to grow business value. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. What You’ll Learn: What the value gap really is and why it matters Why increasing revenue and profit isn’t enough How factors like owner dependence , r...

How Should You Pay Yourself as a Business Owner? Salary, Dividends, or an IPP? In this episode, Joe chats with Braden Warwick from PWL Capital about how business owners can pay themselves in the smartest way. They break down the pros and cons of taking a salary, dividends, or using an Individual Pension Plan (IPP), a lesser-known but powerful option. Braden shares what he’s learned from co-authori...

How to Calculate Your Wealth Gap and Retire on Your Terms If you sold your business tomorrow, would it fund your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry breaks down how to calculate your “wealth gap”, the difference between what you need for financial independence and what you already have saved outside your business and home. You’ll learn why this number is the fo...

How Should Business Owners Pay Themselves? Salary vs. Dividends In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry sits down with financial expert Aravind Sithamparapillai to talk about how business owners should structure their compensation. They break down the pros and cons of salary versus dividends , how CPP (Canada Pension Plan) fits into retirement planning, and what business owner...

In this quick but powerful episode of  Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explains what every small business owner needs to know before selling a business, especially if retirement is getting close. Joe breaks down two important terms you always hear: EBITDA — used for bigger companies with management teams. SDE (Seller’s Discretionary Earnings) — used for most owner-operated businesse...

Are you a business owner approaching retirement or just starting to think about a future sale? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe sits down with Matt Holmes, partner at Homes Riseleys CPA, to uncover the biggest mistakes business owners make when it comes to succession planning and selling their business and how to avoid them. He explains new tax rules for 2024 and how they can...

Thinking about selling your business? In this pilot episode, Joe Curry explains why many Canadian business owners struggle to sell—and how understanding the four main types of buyers can help you plan a smoother, more successful exit. Joe breaks down the key differences between individual buyers, strategic buyers, financial buyers, and internal buyers (like family or employees). Each type of buyer...

Thinking of selling your business as part of your retirement plan? Don’t list it like a house and hope for the best. In this episode, David Barnett is back on the show. He's a business consultant, author, and former business broker. He breaks down exactly what it takes to prepare, structure, and sell a business successfully. David shares the full process, from business valuation and preparing fina...