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One strategy for accelerating the value of your business is grow through acquisition….and we’ve discussed this strategy in past episodes with M&A Advisors Matt Craft and Laurie Barkman. Today we are going to revisit the topic with our guest who has made three multi-million $$ acquisitions to scale is core business to over $35 million in revenue. We want to discuss what he’s learned from his experience and also his thoughts about a successful exit – I know he has some specific ideas about what an owner should do after they exit. Our topic today is… Business Acquisitions and a Successful Exit And we have with us Orrin Klopper, CEO and Co-Founder of Netsurit… Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below! 👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

All small business owners, at least all the ones we know, are continually focused on sales and increasing revenue. And rightfully so if they have a desire to get value out of the business eventually with a transaction. As you’ve heard us say many times here in the past, nothing is more important than financial performance when selling your business to a third party, but it's also important if you decide to sell to insiders or an ESOP. You will need cash flow to be successful in executing any of these exit routes and that begins with sales. With that said, we also find that it can be challenging for small business owners to have a disciplined approach to sales forecasting and so that’s our topic today. A Beginners Guide to Sales Forecasting And we have with us repeat guest Chris Tully of Sales Growth Advisors. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

9 out of 10 business owners we work with are married. Most are married…and as married business owners ourselves…we recognize the unique challenges of being both married and a business owner. For one thing, the business if allowed to, can become all-consuming leaving little to no time or energy for the marriage relationship. Unique challenges like this one, absolutely can impact the marriage….but also the strength of the business and the eventual exit of the owner and whether of not it’s successful. And so that’s our topic today… The Unique Challenge of Being Married and Running a Business. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation is an unfunded, unsecured promise by the employer to a key employee to pay compensation at a specific time or upon a specific event in the future. The program is a contract between the employer and the key employee for the payment of future benefits. As we help Business owners plan for their exit nonqualified deferred compensation can be a very viable solution for attracting, retaining, and rewarding key employees. It can also be used as a key piece in structuring an internal sale of the business to either key employees or children. However, Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation has a few disadvantages or planning challenges which we will mention today – and also today we are going to hear from an expert on an alternative solution that addresses the disadvantages and that’s what we are going to discuss today, An Alternative to Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

We would strongly encourage listening to Part One which is Episode 102 if you’re at all thinking that a sale to insiders could be a possibility and you have yet to do so… Today in Part Two we want to review some common mistakes that we would counsel against … #1 – Selling too much stock too soon #2 – Including too many employees in the key employees group  #3 – Including employees in the key employees group who don’t like each other #4 – Communicating with the Insiders

In the work we do, we are agnostic as to how an owner exits. We want to help the owner, or owners, first clarify and establish their financial and values-based goals for exit and then identify and plan for the exit route that will best attain their goals. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

It’s not unusual for us to hear from clients or prospective clients that they want to “test the waters” in selling their business. In other words, take it to market “as is” and see what happens. This is one of the areas, where the phrase “I don’t know what I don’t know” can result in a bad idea… In his book, The Art of Selling Your Business, John Warrillow says, “you don’t want to put your business on the market unless you’re fully committed to seeing it through…” A book we’d highly recommend by the way. And that’s what we want to discuss today, Testing the Waters Is A Bad Idea. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com ============================================ “We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis ============================================ 👇Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking Below!👇 CHECK OUT THESE TOP TRENDING PLAYLISTS NOW! ExitReadiness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej2xh-2-WXwKKQHbad2sQfD- Live Events: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENXepxD6Ej3Y4QRGndGPt-InMssUD7pq ============================================ About Pat: With decades of experience in financial services, for-profit and non-profit leadership and management, along with the founding of ELP in 2010, Pat has extensive knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by business owners. His knowledge base, experience, and training results in a goals-based, comprehensive approach for business owners’ who are intent on building transferable business value and exiting their business responsibly and successfully. Technical knowledge is evidenced by the professional certifications of Certified Exit Planner (CExP®), Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Having pursued much training, along with years of ministry experience, Pat is also particularly proficient in meeting facilitation and the "soft skills" needed for clarifying and establishing owner goals and values, and managing a team of advisors in designing and implementing a plan. Past employment includes Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Sentinel Wealth Management. Additional employment information is available in Pat's LinkedIn Profile. Pat has also served on various non-profit boards including Advisors in Philanthropy DC, Peacemaker Ministries, Montgomery County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Razoo Foundation. He and his wife Charlotte have three children, live in Montgomery Village, MD, and are members of Covenant Life Church. About Walter: Walter H. Deyhle, CPA, ABV, CFF, MAFF, CExP™, CEPA is a partner and the director of GRF CPAs & Advisors Tax and Exit Planning consulting division. Mr. Deyhle addresses particularly complex issues with clients concerning investments, and estate and gift taxes with a specific concentration helping business owners transition their business. Walter holds the CExP™ designation from the Business Enterprise Institute and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute. He has been involved in the business valuation process for approximately 15 years utilizing his expertise for mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and reorganizations. He has been a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers since 1995 and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts since 1993, and is a former member of the Maryland Association of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Support Committee. Walter received the designation of Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA, has an M.S. in Taxation from American University, and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. ============================================ CONNECT WITH PAT AND WALTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwUmJP3Fm4rYbRAQhYQkpg ExitReadiness Blog: https://ennislp.com/read-our-blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exitreadiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ennislp/ Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/ Walter’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/ Website: Ennislp.com #PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadiness ============================================ Learn more about Pat and Walter: https://ennislp.com/about

The problem that we're going to be discussing today is your business continuing if you are no longer available to run it… - Most business owners would want their business to continue... for at least a period of time... if they were to unexpectedly die or become permanently incapacitated. - But all too often…due to a lack of pre-planning…the business dies when the owner can no longer be available due to one of these situations…impacting negatively the employees, customers, and all stakeholders…but most importantly the owner’s spouse and/or family. - When it comes to exit planning, if it’s important to you that the business indeed continues if you don’t for reason…this really is the first area to focus on. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

If you’ve been a regular listener, you’ve heard our consistent exhortation to “start planning now! Because it takes longer than you think to get ready for a successful exit -- if you wait to begin planning until you’re quote ‘ready to exit’ then you and your business won’t be ready!” You’ve heard us say these things so many times your response might be something like, “OK start planning today, I get it, enough already!" Or perhaps you’ve had this thought, ”That sounds self-serving, get started planning today and, that’s fair it can sound self-serving but it’s probably the most important thing we say in any of these episodes" So, we’re going to highlight today some clear reasons why it’s wise to start planning sooner rather than later today’s topic is Why Do I Need To Start Planning Now??? Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

An issue that is important but often overlooked by business owners when preparing their business for a sale is working capital with owners we’ve worked with there has been at least confusion as to how working capital should be considered or treated if not total neglect due to ignorance until the sale is being negotiated. So we want to bring some clarity today to this important but often overlooked planning issue as we discuss Working Capital and Preparing for a Business Sale Negotiation Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

Today we want to talk about how accelerating business value and creating streams of revenue with your intellectual property or IP – this can easily be overlooked by small business owners…or if not overlooked completely, perhaps not prioritized as it should be. Just like many of the topics we discuss, it can be tough to know where to begin and some owners don’t have a clear understanding of what qualifies as IP, let alone how to monetize it creating value and growing revenue. Sometimes owners have extremely valuable IP that their not even aware of. And so our topic today is “Do You Have a Rembrandt In Your Business Attic?” Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

In building value, of course a steady increase in revenues is a key driver of value, and increasing revenues always involves some level of marketing strategy. Perhaps your strategy has been word-of-mouth and referrals, or mailers, or email campaigns and you have a website that you also consider to be instrumental in marketing your business. But your website is not creating revenue and you’re just not sure how to make that happen, or perhaps it just seems too complicated, so you haven’t taken any steps to make it happen. And maybe you question whether it’s even worth the time and expense it would take generate any revenue from your site. Well, we want to continue to bring clarity to this issue of websites and marketing strategies…so that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Simplifying Your Website Marketing Strategy Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

In his book The Boutique, author Greg Alexander describes a Boutique professional services firm as being past the start-up stage but pre-scale. Examples being found in consulting, marketing, advertising, IT, etc. Basically, anyone that sells their expertise, maybe even an accounting or exit planning firm. Greg explains in The Boutique how to start, scale, and sell a professional services firm and he is a very credible source as he has done just that successfully launched, scaled, and then sold his professional services firm for nine figures. In this episode we’re going to focus on growth and scalability with the hopes of having Greg back in the future to discuss exit. Our topic today is Professional Services Firms and Scalability. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

We’re excited to have with us guests Elizabeth Carr Ph.D, and Attorney Cherie Morris. Elizabeth is the founder of Kentlands Psychotherapy which she launched in 2005 after serving six years as a Navy Clinical Psychologist. She continues to see some existing clients…but her role is now mostly one of leadership, administration, mentoring, and supervision of interns. Cherie is a lawyer and now a full-time conflict coach and transformational mediator. She is a student of relationships and has expertise in advising individuals and couples on communication and co-parenting…as well as helping families and small businesses resolve conflict. You can learn more about Cherie at www.Recompose.Us. Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

In building a sellable business, you also need to “protect the value of your business” and continually manage areas of risk like the one we’re going to talk about today cyber security… This is an area of risk management that we highlight at least annually because it’s so important and relevant. And if you’ve listened to any of the past episodes on the topic you’ve heard us mention the following statistics… 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses. 60% of small businesses that are attacked go out of business within six months. 66% are concerned about cyber security risk. While 47% say they have no understanding of how to protect themselves against attacks. We want to help you build a business that can eventually be sold or transferred for maximum value --- and clearly if you experience a cyber attack…the chances of that happening are significantly reduced… And today we are going to discuss how a cyber attack could negatively impact your business reputation… Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

Today we’re going to hear from a gentleman who has indeed exited on his own terms and conditions with the successful implementation of an ESOP or Employee Stock Ownership Plan. We occasionally have Keith Apton of the Capitol ESOP Group on to review the pros and cons and inter-workings of an ESOP…and we’d suggest that anyone interested in ESOPs go back and listen to those episodes…but today our guest is right now experiencing an ESOP as a selling owner. Todays’ topic is “A Successful ESOP Story” and our guest is Kris DenBesten, the past owner of Vermeer Southeast Sales and Service…which was a 2nd generation family business established in 1967 until the family sold to an ESOP three years ago… Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com

In building a sellable or transferable business a key value driver is a next level management team – a management team that can take your business to the next level of growth. And, deciding on the right plans to incentivize those key employees to grow the company as well as stay with the company requires careful and thoughtful planning. A very common question business owners face is when and if to award equity in their business to these key employees. For start-ups with an established goal of exit within a period of time with the sale of the business…a key strategy could be awarding equity or options for equity at launch…but for other small businesses the decision may not be so easy… And that’s our topic today… My Employees Want Equity…What Should I Do?   Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.com