MaxValue Podcast

What's really driving the succession crisis in accounting firms, and is private equity the fix everyone thinks it is? I sit down with Dr. Jessica Levin — COO of Abacus Worldwide, CEO of Seven Degrees, and co-author of Accounting for Times — to talk about why accounting and professional services firms have to evolve or dissolve. We dig into what's really driving the wave of private equity...

What does it take to truly know what's going on inside your organization — and why do so many leaders get it wrong? In this episode of the Max Value Podcast, we sit down with Mike Roe, CEO of 10Sense, a UK-based software company that uses sensemaking science to give leaders a real finger on the pulse of their teams. Mike shares his remarkable career journey — from failed banker to 30-year pol...

What if you could work less, earn more, and deeply serve your clients — all at the same time? In this episode, we sit down with Loren Fogelman, founder of Business Success Solution, to break down why up to 57% of accounting firm owners are undercharging — and exactly what to do about it. Loren walks through the difference between fixed fees and true value pricing, how to tackle scope creep, and he...

What is a business valuation — and why can't you just Google it or ask AI? In this episode of Max Value Podcast, we sit down with business valuation experts Jeff Faust (Abbott Stringman Lynch CPAs) and Eric Sunheim (Marovous Valuations) to break down exactly what business appraisal is, why no two businesses are valued the same way, and what separates a defensible professional opinion from a c...

What happens to your business — and your wealth — when the unexpected strikes? In this episode of the Max Value Podcast, host Ben Towne sits down with John O'Dea, financial adviser at Summit Financial Group, for a deep dive into buy-sell agreements: what they are, why most business owners overlook them, and why that's a costly mistake. John breaks down the "5 D's" triggeri...

John Borrowman has been recruiting in business valuation and professional services since 1995—and in that time, he's seen what most firm leaders never will: the full talent market, not just the handful of roles they've personally hired for. In this episode, John brings his "forest vs. trees" perspective to one of the most overlooked challenges in the profession: why BV practice...

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Friedman of Fearless Branding to explore how a well-defined brand can directly increase the value of your professional services firm. We dig into why so many firms struggle to attract their best clients — not because of the quality of their work, but because of how they're telling their story. Robert walks us through real examples, including our own bra...

What does it really take for an accounting firm to succeed with global staffing? In this episode, Ben Town sits down with Lawrence Whittam, founder of Suite Impact, who has helped 500+ US accounting firms build and integrate offshore teams. Lawrence breaks down why internal readiness matters more than vendor selection, how communication — not language barriers — is the #1 cause of failure, and wha...

We sit down with Bill Reeb, co-founder of Succession Institute and former AICPA Chair, for a conversation that challenges some of the most common assumptions in professional services. Bill makes a bold case that the so-called talent pipeline crisis is largely a myth — the real issues are firms refusing to go global, failing to push work down to lower levels, and holding on to bad clients. The disc...

In this episode of Max Value, performance psychologist Lauren Johnson reveals how the same mental frameworks that produce elite athletes can transform founders, executives, and teams operating under pressure. Drawing from her work with Major League Baseball and high-performing organizations, Johnson breaks down how “mental reps” train the brain to handle stress, make better decisions, and execute...

In this episode of Max Value, Suzi Potts, an industrial-organizational psychologist turned strategic business adviser, reveals how people strategy directly drives enterprise value—especially during growth, disruption, and exit. Moving from her early career in the wine and spirits industry to building data-backed talent systems, she explains how founders unknowingly create hidden financial drag thr...

In this episode of Max Value, Convo Communications co-founders Jared Mussano and Wayne Betts Jr. unpack what it truly means to build a mission-driven company without sacrificing scale, sustainability, or profitability. From bootstrapping for 16 years to operating across five countries and 16 time zones, they reveal how deaf-led innovation disrupted a billion-dollar industry by centering the end us...

In this episode of Max Value, We sit down with Anshul Agrawal to unpack what most CPA and professional service firms get wrong about global talent—and what it actually takes to build a scalable, high-performing offshore strategy. This is not a surface-level outsourcing conversation. It’s a strategic deep dive into control vs. convenience, direct hiring vs. agency models, nearshore vs. offshore dec...

In this episode of Max Value, we sit down with Adam Cipriano, owner of BSG Consulting and a 25-year veteran in exit planning, succession strategy, and M&A advisory. Adam breaks down the real differences between strategic and financial buyers, where today’s strongest buyer demand comes from, and why “boring, profitable businesses” often attract the highest interest. Adam also shares how exit an...

After successfully exiting SC Labs, Jeff Gray found himself back at the helm of the company he built. In part two of this Max Value interview, Jeff and I explore what happens after the deal closes, from the excitement of the sale to the realities of integration, leadership changes, and ultimately taking back control. Jeff shares candid insights about post-acquisition life, financial discipline, re...

(PART 1) Scaling Smart in Cannabis: The Story of SC Labs What does it take to build, scale, and position a business for long-term success in a highly regulated industry? In this episode of Max Value, host Ben Towne sits down with Jeff Gray , the once-and-future CEO of SC Labs, one of the first cannabis testing laboratories in California. Jeff shares how growing up in Santa Cruz led him to co-found...

In this episode of the MaxValue Podcast, host Ben Towne sits down with Dr. Steven Kirch, productivity coach and founder of Profit Minds, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming leadership, scaling small businesses, and protecting intellectual property in the process. Dr. Kirch shares his remarkable journey from physicist to business coach, revealing how AI can cut repetitive work by...

Join host Ben Towne in this episode of Max Value as he sits down with John Walker —entrepreneur, mentor, and longtime Vistage International leader. With over 40 years of experience coaching CEOs and building businesses, John shares hard-earned lessons from both major wins and painful failures. You’ll hear stories about turning around a strike-ridden manufacturing plant, bringing the Brita water fi...

What makes a CPA more than just an accountant? In this episode of Max Value , host Ben Towne sits down with Denise Froemming, President & CEO of CalCPA , to explore why CPAs are trusted as the custodians of financial truth —and how they can directly boost the value of your business. Denise shares her inspiring journey from healthcare finance and data analytics to global real estate leadership...

Discover how virtual assistants are helping business owners and professional service firms save time, boost productivity, and focus on what truly matters. In this episode of Max Value , Ben Towne interviews Tessa Baragasa, founder of Birdie Consulting in Colombia, about why U.S. businesses are turning to virtual assistants, how to find the right talent, and the secrets to building trust with remot...

In this in-depth conversation, we explore how divorce affects business valuation, from determining marital value to handling goodwill, related party transactions, and post-COVID financial adjustments. Family law valuation expert Megan Thompson shares real-world challenges, including small business complexities, replacement compensation disputes, and ensuring fairness in court. Whether you’re an at...

How does a $400 million capital gains tax exclusion sound?  In this breaking update, tax strategist Garry Whitfield returns to MaxValue to unpack game-changing revisions to QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock) following a newly signed federal bill. From raised asset thresholds to tiered holding periods and smarter exit strategies, this episode dives deep into how these enhancements can radically...

What does it take to exit your business successfully? In this in-depth conversation, wealth advisor Sarah Raven and valuation expert Ben Towne explore the full spectrum of exit planning—from business readiness and financial strategy to emotional preparedness and long-term vision. Whether you're years away from selling or just beginning to think about life after ownership, this series walks yo...

 In this closing conversation, Bekah Zsiga reflects on how flexible, remote work makes it possible to balance a fulfilling career in business valuation with active family life—something that once felt out of reach. She shares how continuous learning, meaningful client relationships, and a supportive team culture contribute to deep job satisfaction. Becca and I conclude with personal reflections on...

In this special episode, Ben Towne and guest Megan Thompson take a hilarious and insightful look at The Accountant 2, the action-packed sequel to the 2016 thriller. They break down the film’s plot, revisit key moments from the original movie. Blending humor with professional insight, this episode is perfect for both movie buffs and number nerds.