Grow or Go

Back in 2002 John Zak and his partners took the leap into starting North Star Surgical as a regional medical device distribution company. Over time the team reinvested and grew the capabilities by adding new product lines, sales reps, eventually broadening their footprint. After 20 years in the business, thoughts started to form about getting out of the business and transitioning into life 2.0. Wi...

Gregg Saunders is one of those Entrepreneurs that can't sit still. Over the course of multiple decades, Gregg has started, grown, and sold a handful of companies. A couple of years ago, Sunbelt Business Advisors and True North M&A helped Gregg and his partners exit Student Experience , which was a business that helped students get into the healthcare field to learn, grow, and build careers. No...

For Brittany and Eric Onken, business ownership has been nothing short of an adventure. Starting and scaling right out of college cutting lawns, they quickly grew and established themselves as a trusted player in the industry. Not so soon after they sold off their contracts and transitioned into tree care; completely starting fresh and tackling a new and bigger beast. Brittany shares all about the...

It takes guts and a whole lot of sacrifice to build a business right out of college. But for those who have the grit and determination, like Burhan Ali, anything is possible. Apex Home Care, now Amivie, is a staple in the Minneapolis community that helps individuals stay independent and comfortable in their own space. The business went through some major changes that resulted in exceptional growth...

What's it like leaving a safe, salaried job to start your own business? Not everyone understands the risks it takes, but sometimes the cards you are shown just make sense, and taking that risk is the answer. Christian Olson took the leap once he realized there was a real need for better student transportation services. No solution is that easy, however. Mix in Covid, uncertainty, complete dema...

This one is for all of you automotive gurus, the grease monkeys, the ones that want to work on cars all day long. Craig Carlson joins us as a founder, an owner, and now seller of the successful Carlson's Collision & Glass. Just like any business owner, Craig started at the bottom. Borrowing as much money as the banks would allow him to start his own shop. His journey of blood, sweat, and t...

As a business owner, most of your net worth is tied up in your business. So, how do you match your retirement vision with your business exit? The key takeaway: Do your homework and plan early to match your goals for the next chapter with the plan you establish for your business exit. Bernstein has been in business for 60 years in wealth management services. One of their main focuses is working wit...

The political landscape that your business lives in has a huge effect on how you choose to operate your life’s work. So, where do things stand today, and what does the future look like? We welcome Tim Sanders to the podcast this week. Tim is the mayor of the city of Blaine, having served in office since 2021. Previously, Tim was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for 8 years from 2...

Business owners are commonly trying to find new ways to grow their business. They are searching for ways to bring new customers or clients their way. But when the answer isn’t a big sales team or a big new active marketing campaign, what will work? Many businesses are finding that optimizing and maximizing their digital presence can make a huge impact in this technology driven environment. Evolve...

Leading a company and being “at the top” can at times feel like a lonely position. The direction of your company rests with you as the main visionary and decision maker and everyone is looking to you to have the right answer every time. So, where do business leaders go when they are looking for advice? Vistage Peer Groups connect business leaders and CEO’s to collaborate and make better decisions...

Business transition is completely predictable, we know it is going to happen. Every leader or employee is eventually going to “log off” for the last time. Key employees retire, move on to a new opportunity, or take on new responsibility. When that happens, where does all their valuable knowledge and experience that has been vital to business success go? Welcome to Ben Bomar and Lithyus Group. They...

With the arrival of AI and other new technology, the future across most industries is uncertain for the work force. Future generations may begin to see that careers in manufacturing and the trades are more secure. But where will they see the potential? Introducing MAKE PUBLISHING (Manufacturing A Kid's Experience) Children's Books. They explain to kids that everything they see in the world...

Does the stock market really affect when you sell your company? Should I sell when it's down and invest the profits? Hold on longer until things are great? The answer comes down to where you financially are right now, and where you need to be for your next journey. That's the critical part of working with your wealth advisor ahead of a sale, along with a business advisor who can help you t...

We all have one thing in common: we are all aging, and there's no dress rehearsal for it. Aging is unavoidable. In fact, the older population in the next coming years is going to double. A direct result of this will be the demand for services for the older generations like medical resources and services. Just like your exit plan, it's crucial that you know what your options are for your he...

Winning a Superbowl is not an easy feat when you are competing against the top 1% of athletes in the world. For Ben Utecht and the Colts in 2007, it didn't come down to physical skillsets. It came down to the Championship Culture that Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy implemented within the team. As a former NFL Tight End and current entrepreneur, Uncommon Award Winner, Chief Culture Officer, and so m...

Peter Beaumont is this week's special guest, and brings a wealth of global experience and knowledge when it comes to leadership. Whether it be scenario planning, supply chain planning, or critical culture implementation and creation, all companies either large or small need these top of mind. Peter hails from England and played professional soccer in his time; soon after working for large comp...

What's the future look like for business in Minnesota? Where are we at right now? Is your business ahead, or behind? Where are current investments in the state, and where do we need more of it? Minnesota Chamber of Commerce - President and CEO - Doug Loon joins Matt for a special episode all about Minnesota and what business owners need to know. The future is bright for Minnesota, and we conti...

Clarity. Alignment. Commitment. Every company needs these three pillars to be clear, defined, and understood. Without it, you won't be able to row in the same direction, and your success will be stunted. Sam Smith, and Samantha Harris from The Prouty Project join us for Ep. 30. The truth is every company doesn't have it all figured out. Somewhere along the leadership, or structure, will be...

This week's episode is heavy. We are joined by Nicole Middendorf - a successful business owner and wealth advisor who has survived domestic violence, and completely reinvented her life for a purpose. Nicole touches on the importance of understanding Why You Do What You Do. How you spend your time, how you build your business, who you do it with, where you do it, but most importantly Why You Do...

Living a life of significance, or with purpose is often overlooked by people. We get caught up running too fast with raising a family, building a business, a career, and often don't sit back and really evaluate why we do what we do. But what happens on your death bed? Will you be happy? Sad? Full of regret? Jeff Gould, America's Storyteller, joins Chris for an honest conversation about living a jo...

We've had some incredible CPG foods and snacks that have been born in Minnesota. One of those is Maddy & Maize Popcorn. Do you ever wonder how businesses like this start and even reach the level of success they do? Tune in. Brett Striker - founder of Maddy & Maize joins us and gives us his whole story of how Maddy & Maize started, from his apartment all the way to shelves on shelve...

This episode is the "behind the curtains" of Project Steel, a recent transaction that True North M&A successfully completed for the Sexton family. Craig Sexton, son of Fred Sexton (owner of C4 Welding) joins us along with Mike Wheelock (M&A Advisor and Business Broker) to explain the uniqueness of a speedy M&A transaction. To learn more about this deal, check out our Case Stu...

Ever wonder what it's like to walk off the bus for boot camp? Everyone who joins The U.S. Marine Corps goes through the exact same training. Whether your journey takes you by way of Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, your first encounter once off the bus has you standing on those  Yellow Footprints. Our special guest for this episode is Tim Rilley, who is a veteran of The U.S. Marine Corps, and...

Here in Minnesota we have so many family owned and operated lumber and building materials businesses. They fuel our economy and support so many industries and other adjacent businesses. We are proud to help this industry and it's leaders continue to thrive, even through the ups and downs. For you business owners in the lumber and building materials world, this podcast is for you. Emily Overson has...

It's a privilege to grow up with a strong and sound father figure in your life. But the truth is not everyone in this world is awarded that opportunity. It can hinder the growth of teens and youth in your community, but how can you help fix the problem? The Man Up Club is a perfect example of being on the front lines and helping inner-city youth by influencing love, hope, and leadership. Korey...