The Exit Planning Coach

This episode of the ExitMap Podcast focuses on one of the most overlooked—and potentially costly—aspects of exit planning: poorly written or poorly funded buy-sell agreements. John Dini, CExP, CEPA, CBEC, CEMC, the Exit Planning Coach, interviews CPA and Certified Exit Planner David Jean, who shares real-world stories illustrating how vague language, flawed valuation formulas, missing signatures,...

In this episode of the ExitMap Podcast with John F. Dini, Blair Koch, Managing Partner of TAB Denver West,  shares her approach to helping business owners move from dependence to true independence by strengthening leadership teams and shifting decision-making away from the owner. She emphasizes that most barriers to transition are self-imposed—owners struggle to let go, even when their teams are c...

Beyond the Deal with Jeff Adam: Why the Best Business Exits Start with What Comes Next     In this episode, John F. Dini speaks with M&A expert Jeff Adam—President of Adam Noble Group and advisor on more than 800 business sales—about what truly defines a successful exit. Jeff shares why his process has remained grounded in listening first, how life after the business often matters more than th...

In this episode of the ExitMap Podcast, John F. Dini interviews Amanda Bussa, CBEC, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Bussa Financial Partners, about her 24-year career serving business owners—beginning on September 11, 2001. Amanda shares how she entered financial services straight out of college with a focus on business owners from day one, developing an “approach talk” that identifies coordina...

The Exit Myth: From Corporate Success to a Purpose-Driven Exit Why selling the business isn’t the finish line—and how real exit readiness changes everything. In this episode of the ExitMap Podcast, John Dini, The Exit Planning Coach, sits down with Melinda Adams to unpack the realities behind entrepreneurship, exit planning, and what truly happens after the sale of a business. Melinda shares her j...

In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach Podcast, host John F. Dini welcomes back Joe Markovich, who shares both a personal and professional transition—from relocating from Vancouver to Maryland to launching a new collaborative effort with Ennis Legacy Partners. The conversation centers on a challenge many business owners face after exiting their companies: loss of identity, purpose, and structu...

The Exit Planning Coach Podcast Guest: Christ Snider, CEO of The Exit Planning Institute Creating Value Acceleration and Shaping an Industry In this compelling edition of the  ExitMap Podcast , hosted by John F. Dini, The Exit Planning Coach , EPI CEO Chris Snider shares the candid story behind the creation of the Value Acceleration Methodology and how it evolved into the leading standard for exit...

Beyond the Owner: How Family Systems Shape Successful Exits Inclusive planning, legacy thinking and trusted advisory teams drive long-term success. In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach Podcast with John F. Dini, family business expert Amy Wirtz shares powerful insights on how family dynamics, collaboration, and clear communication shape successful business transitions. Drawing from her backg...

Building EPIC:  The Story Behind the Software that Launched Exit Planning In this episode of The Exit Planning Coach Podcast, host John F. Dini interviews Elizabeth Mower, former president of the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) and the original architect of EPIC—the first exit planning software on the market. Elizabeth shares how her background in law and business led her to a pivotal role in...

Designing a Business You Can Step Away From Dustin Cordier, CEPA, founder of StepZero Coaching, shares his journey from Air Force pilot to aviation entrepreneur to exit planning advisor. He explains the meaning behind "StepZero"—the importance of clarity and intention before taking action—and how these ideas shaped his approach to business growth and exit planning. Dustin discusses why he chose to...

Navigating the Descent: John Leonetti on Protecting Wealth and Legacy in Business Exits In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, host John F. Dini interviews John Leonetti, founder and CEO of the International Exit Planning Association (IEPA). Leonetti shares his journey from working in his father's textile business to founding the IEPA after experiencing firsthand the lack of successio...

Sheryl Linck Podcast Summary Time, Purpose, and Planning: Keys to a Successful Business Exit In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, host John F. Dini interviews Sheryl Linck, a strategy and financial planning specialist at The Trust Company of Tennessee. Sheryl discusses her expertise in comprehensive exit planning, which includes continuity planning, personal financial planning, busi...

From Insurance to Exit Planning: Building Confidence in Owner Services In this episode of The Exit Planning Coach Podcast, John F. Dini interviews Brian Trzcinski, Director of Business Market Development at MassMutual, about the evolution of their business owner services. Brian describes his 18-year journey from traditional insurance planning to comprehensive exit planning, emphasizing how MassMut...

Building Trust at 23: Corwin Davidson's Journey from Buy-Sell Expert to Exit Strategist  In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, host John F. Dini interviews Corwin Davidson, CExP, who transformed from a 23-year-old financial advisor into a seasoned exit planning specialist over the past 11 years. After discovering that business owners would listen to his expertise on buy-sell agreemen...

From Law to Legacy: How John Brown Pioneered the Exit Planning Industry In this Exit Planning Coach podcast interview with John F. Dini, John Brown, founder of the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI), shared his journey from Michigan grocery store roots to becoming a pioneer in exit planning. Brown's path led from the Colorado Attorney General's office to founding the law firm Minor and Brown, whe...

Podcast Summary: Mastering Business Transitions: Insider Secrets from a Wealth Planning Expert Dan Springer's Blueprint for Seamless Owner Exits In this insightful episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, host John F. Dini interviews Dan Springer, Director of the Wealth Planning team at MacLean Financial Group. Dan shares insights on his firm's comprehensive approach to exit planning for busine...

Thomas Taricani Podcast Summary   In this informative Exit Planning Coach podcast interview, Tom Taricani, CPA/APV, CVA, CEPA and Principal at Boyer Ritter, shares his expertise in business valuation and succession planning, focusing on the automotive dealership industry. Taricani discusses the challenges of valuing businesses post-COVID-19, emphasizing the need to reconcile historical data with f...

How Scott Barth Transforms Businesses with Long-Term Strategic Planning In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, John F. Dini interviews Scott Barth, an experienced exit planning professional from Colorado. Scott shares his journey from corporate America to becoming an exit planning coach, detailing how he transitioned through consulting and business coaching before finding his passion...

Harvesting Value with Chris Cimaglio:   Navigating the Unique Challenges of Exit Planning in Horticulture In this compelling Exit Planning Coach podcast, Chris Cimaglio, a seasoned exit planning advisor with deep roots in the horticulture industry, shares eye-opening insights on the unique challenges of succession planning for growers, retailers, and wholesalers. Drawing from his personal experien...

“When I interviewed Peter Christman, I didn't know it would be one of his last comprehensive interviews. The privilege of Peter's friendship is matched only by the opportunity to share his story. I first met Peter at EPI while pursuing my CEPA in 2018, and we instantly connected. During our conversation, Peter was his typical irrepressible and dynamic self, despite his health challenges. When I de...

In this Exit Planning Coach podcast episode, John Dini interviews Greg McLaughlin, founder and partner of Business and Financial Strategies. Greg discusses his journey from financial planner to Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and shares his approach to working with business owners. He highlights the importance of referrals, building trust, and using the ExitMap Assessment to guide clients t...

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfdini/ Podcast Overview: T. Ray Phillips How T Ray Phillips Leverages his Family's Business Lessons to Help Clients Succeed In this podcast interview, John F. Dini speaks with T. Ray Phillips, a certified family business specialist and investment advisor based in Indianapolis. T. Ray shares his personal story about his family's business, Dawson Pr...

In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, John interviews Tom Jordan, a seasoned advisor who shares his journey from executive compensation work in the banking industry to building a thriving exit planning practice. Tom discusses how he combines exit readiness, value creation, and an innovative "Half-Retire" concept to help business owners explore alternatives to selling their companies...

In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, John interviews Mark Ahern, founder and president of AMP Business Valuations. Mark shares his journey from commercial lending to business valuation and exit planning. He discusses how performing valuations led him to recognize the need for exit planning services, as many business owners were leaving money on the table. Mark explains his process o...

This week, John speaks with Brett Andrews Brett Andrews, CWS™,CEPA®,CExP™,NQPA™. Brett is the founder of multiple companies, and has a history in portfolio management, which brings a unique perspective to his work as an exit planner. Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Broker/Dealer & Registered Investment Adviser member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate...