The Exit Plan Podcast

Joining us is Dr. Mark Stiving, a passionate advocate for empowering B2B organizations to win more business at higher prices by unlocking the secrets of their buyers' minds. As a published author, beloved professor, and sought-after speaker, Mark shares invaluable insights on how to strategically price, package, and sell products based on the value they deliver. With a wealth of experience working...

Jonathan Baker heads up the M&A practice at Punctuation, a small advisory practice working exclusively with small to mid-sized independent marketing services firms. He has worked on dozens of deals both inside and outside the industry and brings a unique perspective as a fellow owner who has gone through the process himself.   He graduated from Emory University's Goizueta Business School in 2005....

Jenna Biancavilla is an award-winning entrepreneur, wealth advisor, and captivating public speaker whose life mission is to positively impact others. As the Founder and CEO of Pearl Capital Management, a holistic, fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm, she advises on over $180 Million of assets under management. At the core of her work, Jenna is relentless in supporting, educating, and uncomp...

Phillip Cooper has nearly three decades of experience in investment banking, commercial banking, and corporate leadership. He has worked with clients in the industrial, manufacturing, business services, oil and gas, restaurants, communications, transportation/airline, consumer/retail, and aerospace and defense sectors. He's seen market fluctuations impact deal volumes and business valuations and k...

Jason Somerville is a seasoned entrepreneur and investment banking professional with nearly 20 years of experience in capital markets, M&A, strategic planning, business operations, and brand building. He is the Founding Partner of GW Partners. "I want to let the next owner do that. And I'm happy to kind of, we'll say, leave meat on that bone effectively for that new owner to go and do that."    Ke...

Alex Prasad emphasizes the importance of enjoying conversations and forming relationships in business dealings. He believes that genuine interactions, like asking about someone's holiday or family, pave the way for deeper connections. Through these conversations, Alex finds numerous opportunities to help people, connect them with others, and share his opinions in an organic manner. This approach n...

Chris Kurwie, driven by a profound entrepreneurial spirit, ventured from a demanding legal career to become a prominent business owner. Drawing from his own challenging journey, Chris underscores the value of resilience and long-term thinking in business. He is the operational head of a Sydney-based company and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs maximize the value of their businesses. Conne...

Reid Tileston is an author, keynote speaker and expert in Entrepreneurial Business Ownership. With  the release of his new book, Grit It Done, Reid shares his insights from over 15 years of successful, on-the-ground Entrepreneurial Business Ownership that led him to acquire, grow, and ultimately sell 4 different  companies with successful exits.   His most recent acquisition resulted in a 10x retu...

Chris Parisi began his entrepreneurial journey young, mowing lawns before diving into the worlds of accounting and private equity. Now a partner at Carl Marks Advisors, he specializes in mergers and acquisitions for family-owned businesses, blending a sharp acumen for finance with a deep respect for the legacy of family enterprises. Known for his approachable nature and effective communication, Ch...

RJ Burr, 48, is a third-generation producer of American oil. Born into the industry, Mr. Burr was on his first location before he could walk and has been fascinated by the production of oil his entire life.   Within 3 months of graduating high school, RJ Burr funded his first partnership and never looked back. RJ Burr is now the Senior VP of Corporate Operations at Panex .   With a main focus on t...

Alan Ezeir is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of identifying unique opportunities and transforming industries, evident in his pivot from telecom to the domain registration space. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by a spectrum of investments, from the successful build-up of a 7 million strong domain registry to ventures in cryptocurrency, real estate, and private equity. As an indepe...

Ryan Sandburg is a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen insight into operational efficiency and business growth. His journey from the construction industry to tech company ownership demonstrates his adaptability and willingness to immerse himself in new sectors. With his proactive approach to problem-solving and expertise in software implementation, Ryan successfully scaled his company, Presearch Inc...

Robert Clinkenbeard's story begins with the invaluable lessons he gained while employed by another firm, which would later become the bedrock of his journey into entrepreneurship. Embracing the natural pathway of learning, Robert is candid about the numerous mistakes he made in the initial stages of his business venture. It was a process of trial and error, a hands-on experience that taught him mo...

Jena Dunay believes in the power of ownership in one's career, advocating for job seekers to approach their work as valuable contributors. Her expertise lies in coaching individuals, especially senior-level job changers, to hone their storytelling and confidence for career success. With a robust experience in various roles leading up to becoming a chief learning officer, she transitioned back into...

John Ovrom is the embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit, channeling his vigor into a successful construction business built alongside his family. With the experience of growth, acquisition, and the rewarding challenge of diversification under his belt, he transitioned from owner to consultant, guiding others through the intricate dance of business exit strategies. His firm, Exit Consulting, manifes...

Eric Johnson, a seasoned entrepreneur with a knack for building relationships, shifted from the hospitality industry to real estate, diving into sales' human side. As the CEO of various software platforms and a principal at Modus Coaching and Consulting, he dedicates his expertise to guiding entrepreneurs toward success through genuine connections and trust. His own venture into network marketing...

When Kayla Jimenez first joined the IP and litigation sphere, she uncovered a fundamental truth that many professionals encounter: the allure of a prestigious job title isn't always what it seems. While her instincts cautioned her about the company's environment, it was this challenging position that planted the entrepreneurial seeds she would later cultivate. Kayla's transition from associate to...

Pat Flynn is a resilient entrepreneur who turned a layoff from his dream job as an architect during the 2008 Great Recession into a journey of success and inspiration. Less than a year after the layoff, Pat built a 6-figure online business, helping architects pass an exam and chronicling his process on his blog, Smart Passive Income (SPI). SPI has evolved into a premier resource for entrepreneursh...

When I interviewed him four years ago, Cory talked about how working at a traditional job wasn't for him. Sure, the money, the job security, those things were great, but he hated the work to the point where he couldn't physically get himself to open the door to his office one day. That's when he knew he needed a change. Cory's a good friend and sometimes business partner who has been in the audiob...

Jeff Goins is a writer who's truly left an impact on my creative journey. His blog is a treasure trove of practical advice for aspiring writers, filled with wisdom from his own experiences. Goins' mantra, "You are a writer when you say you are," empowered me to own my identity as a writer. I even worked with him as a writing coach. Here, we chat about how he started with a simple blog and it opene...

Nate and Dana talk about getting back on the podcasting horse after COVID, how Opt Out Life became Exit Plan, and lessons learned during the pandemic. They chat about how things have changed and choosing a life that meets your needs without having to throw yourself into your business.   "...it was life changing because I realized I could do it all from home."   Topics discussed in this episode: Wo...

I'm starting a whole new series of podcasts focusing on how entrepreneurs transitioned away from being employees to owning their time. I can't wait to share these journeys with you. —   Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/ Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com   —

Our guest today is Merrily Orsini. Merrily founded one of the first private pay home care businesses in the United States, back in 1981, which she managed to grow successfully to more than 200 employees. She has been in the home caregiving business ever since and is now the President and CEO of CoreCubed, where she pioneered the work-from-home business model, many years before it became the norm....

Joe Bernstein, founder of Drop the Armor Wellness, is on a mission to help other men feel the love and freedom that he learned to cultivate when his life fell apart several years ago. Back in 2013, Joe decided to go through a series of lifestyle changes to take back control of his life. After going through a bad divorce and losing 160 lbs, he left a successful career in retail management to build...

2020, a year unlike any other, is finally coming to an end. As we welcome in 2021, it's a great time to look back and reflect on this year as a whole - with all of its ups and downs. In this solo episode, Dana walks us through a fun exercise to reflect on our year and project new ideas to get ready for a more productive 2021. We wish you a happy new year and as always, stay safe and healthy out th...