Best Exitplanning Podcasts (2026)

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REPLAY: The Late-Stage Entrepreneur: Gary Hentschel on Lessons on Risk, Value, and Second Acts 42:13

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9h ago42:13

42:13

Most buyers slow down in their sixties. But not Gary Hentschel. He's out buying companies, doubling their value, and selling them again. As a partner at The September Group and CEO at WSI Technologies, Gary brings decades of experience as a banker, entrepreneur, and operator. In this episode, he shares how he appraises businesses, what sellers get …

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REPLAY: The Late-Stage Entrepreneur: Gary Hentschel on Lessons on Risk, Value, and Second Acts 42:13

6h ago42:13

42:13

Most buyers slow down in their sixties. But not Gary Hentschel. He's out buying companies, doubling their value, and selling them again. As a partner at The September Group and CEO at WSI Technologies, Gary brings decades of experience as a banker, entrepreneur, and operator. In this episode, he shares how he appraises businesses, what sellers get …

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3 TSP Withdrawal Mistakes That Trigger Surprise Taxes |Ep 125 7:15

6h ago7:15

7:15

If you're a federal employee within 5–10 years of retirement, how you take money out of your TSP can quietly add thousands of dollars in extra taxes over your lifetime. It's not just about growing the balance, it's about coordinating your pension, Social Security, and TSP withdrawals so you actually keep more of what you've saved. In this episode o…

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Navigating the "Silver Tsunami": M&A Strategies for the 2026 Economy 34:13

2h ago34:13

34:13

Send us a text Is 2026 the year of the deal? With interest rates dropping and pent-up demand unleashed, the global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) landscape is heating up. This episode unpacks the major opportunities waiting for buyers and sellers in the coming year. We discuss the game-changing One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and how its tax benef…

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TSP 2026: New Roth Rules Federal Employees Must Know |Ep 124 9:45

15h ago9:45

9:45

Big changes are coming to your Thrift Savings Plan in 2026, especially if you're a federal employee in your 50s or 60s who's using catch‑up contributions. A single line on your 2025 W‑2 will determine whether your extra TSP savings in 2026 are forced into the Roth side of the plan. That can quietly shrink your paycheck, change your tax picture, and…

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REPLAY: How Circle City Capital Group Turns Overlooked Businesses Into Thriving Investments 47:46

11d ago47:46

47:46

What really makes a business attractive to buyers? Buyers weigh more than just financials. They consider risk, operations, and whether the business can run without you. Colin King and Joe Van Deman, Principals at Circle City Capital Group, Inc., know this firsthand. They've built a portfolio of 15 companies by acquiring businesses that many others …

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REPLAY: How Circle City Capital Group Turns Overlooked Businesses Into Thriving Investments 47:46

4d ago47:46

47:46

What really makes a business attractive to buyers? Buyers weigh more than just financials. They consider risk, operations, and whether the business can run without you. Colin King and Joe Van Deman, Principals at Circle City Capital Group, Inc., know this firsthand. They've built a portfolio of 15 companies by acquiring businesses that many others …

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New Tax Law: 4 Years To Lower Your Retirement Taxes |Ep 123 14:56

7d ago14:56

14:56

If you've built up real money in your TSP, IRAs, or 401(k)s, a new tax law just quietly handed you a four‑year window to lock in lower taxes for the rest of your retirement. Starting with the 2025 tax year, retirees 65 and older get an extra "senior deduction" of up to $6,000 per person, on top of the regular standard deduction and the normal over‑…

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FEHB In Retirement: Do You Lose Your Health Insurance? |Ep 122 8:23

3d ago8:23

8:23

Federal employees ask this all the time: "When I retire, do I lose my health insurance?" In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, I walk you through step by step through what really happens to your FEHB when you leave federal service. You'll learn how the five‑year rule works, what "immediate annuity" actually means, and how coverage under …

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Medicare Part B vs FEHB: Simple Rules for Feds |Ep 121 10:32

11d ago10:32

10:32

Deciding whether to add Medicare Part B on top of your FEHB in retirement can feel like a guessing game. In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, Tom Poltersdorf, CFP®, walks you through a simple, practical framework to decide what makes sense for your situation as a federal employee. You'll learn how Medicare and FEHB coordinate, when Part…

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TSP RMDs & Medicare IRMAA: 3 Smart Moves for 2025 |Ep 120 9:19

7d ago9:19

9:19

If you're a federal employee, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can stack on top of your other income, push you into higher tax brackets, and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges two years later. The result: surprise tax bills and higher Part B and Part D premiums just when you thought you were "done" working. In this episode of Confident Federal …

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Big Update: Welcome to Confident Federal Retirement |Ep 119 3:30

7d ago3:30

3:30

After a short break from publishing, I'm back with a big update. My business and my planning work have become increasingly focused on helping federal employees make confident retirement decisions, and it's time for the podcast to reflect that. In this short episode, I share why I'm narrowing the focus, what's changing, and what you can expect from …

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EP 137: The Hidden Challenges Latino Entrepreneurs Face When Selling a Business with Rudy Bustamante 38:43

18d ago38:43

38:43

Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy, yet many owners still struggle when it's time to sell or transition. Gaps in financial records, limited access to the right advisors, and the absence of an exit plan often lead owners to shut down or hand over their businesses without capturing real value. Rudy Bus…

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EP 137: The Hidden Challenges Latino Entrepreneurs Face When Selling a Business with Rudy Bustamante 38:43

8d ago38:43

38:43

Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy, yet many owners still struggle when it's time to sell or transition. Gaps in financial records, limited access to the right advisors, and the absence of an exit plan often lead owners to shut down or hand over their businesses without capturing real value. Rudy Bus…

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Restaurant Owners: Stop Leaving Money on the Table! 16:23

10d ago16:23

16:23

Send us a text Are you wrestling with high overhead, confusing branding, or staff turnover? You're not alone. The story of failed NJ restaurant, Bacarosa, is a harsh lesson in the dangers of operational confusion and market saturation. In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the specific challenges—from a rapid-fire identity crisis to crus…

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223: Optometrist to Tech Maven, Journey in Revolutionizing Eye Care with Dr. Brianna Rhue 38:31

21d ago38:31

38:31

In this episode, Laurie Barkman is joined by Dr. Brianna Rhue, optometrist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Dr Contact Lens. Brianna shares her journey from a private practice owner to a tech maven, driven by the need to solve a critical "leaky bucket" problem: doctors losing contact lens sales to online retailers. She discusses the "entrepreneuria…

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EP 136: The Retirement Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight with Thomas Drapala 32:17

15d ago32:17

32:17

Owners fixate on the purchase price of their exit, but the bigger loss to long-term income can come from how Social Security is handled. Get it wrong, and you can quietly lose six figures. Thomas Drapala, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Registered Social Security Analysts (RSSA), explains why 96% of Americans leave money on the table when the…

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EP 136: The Retirement Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight with Thomas Drapala 32:17

15d ago32:17

32:17

Owners fixate on the purchase price of their exit, but the bigger loss to long-term income can come from how Social Security is handled. Get it wrong, and you can quietly lose six figures. Thomas Drapala, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Registered Social Security Analysts (RSSA), explains why 96% of Americans leave money on the table when the…

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EP 135: Small Town, Big Opportunity: How to Exit in Overlooked Rural Markets 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

The majority of deal conversations focus on big cities and private equity groups, but small towns have businesses too. Many of these companies are facing transition challenges because the buyers and advisors they need aren't there. This is what Dane Chapman and Joe Rust of SPARK Capital are working to solve. They are building a model designed to ke…

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EP 135: Small Town, Big Opportunity: How to Exit in Overlooked Rural Markets 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

The majority of deal conversations focus on big cities and private equity groups, but small towns have businesses too. Many of these companies are facing transition challenges because the buyers and advisors they need aren't there. This is what Dane Chapman and Joe Rust of SPARK Capital are working to solve. They are building a model designed to ke…

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222: Courageous Pivot From Corporate Job to Business Ownership with Aashay Kumar 39:35

27d ago39:35

39:35

🎧 Tune in to learn the realities of entrepreneurship through acquisition, from the search process to surviving economic uncertainty in the first year. Laurie Barkman sits down with Aashay Kumar, owner of Tri-Form, Inc. Aashay shares his story of leaving a corporate career to buy an existing manufacturing business. He demystifies the process of entr…

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EP 134: How Small Hustles Create Big Outcomes with Hunter Beale 37:03

1M ago37:03

37:03

Entrepreneurship isn't just for adults, and Hunter Beale is proof that it's never too early to start. Hunter is the Executive Director of High School Hustle, a fast-growing movement that helps students across Indiana build real businesses and learn through hands-on experience. In just one year, the program has grown from 17 to over 2,000 students, …

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EP 134: How Small Hustles Create Big Outcomes with Hunter Beale 37:03

29d ago37:03

37:03

Entrepreneurship isn't just for adults, and Hunter Beale is proof that it's never too early to start. Hunter is the Executive Director of High School Hustle, a fast-growing movement that helps students across Indiana build real businesses and learn through hands-on experience. In just one year, the program has grown from 17 to over 2,000 students, …

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EP 133: The Story That Sells Your Business with Charlie Stanton 36:47

1M ago36:47

36:47

In a business appraisal, the numbers will always matter — but how they're communicated can have just as much impact on value. Charlie Stanton, CFA and founder of Stanton Valuation Advisors, believes every valuation tells a story. Drawing from his work in estate planning, litigation, and succession, he explains how storytelling can transform the way…

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EP 133: The Story That Sells Your Business with Charlie Stanton 36:47

1M ago36:47

36:47

In a business appraisal, the numbers will always matter — but how they're communicated can have just as much impact on value. Charlie Stanton, CFA and founder of Stanton Valuation Advisors, believes every valuation tells a story. Drawing from his work in estate planning, litigation, and succession, he explains how storytelling can transform the way…

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EP 132: Why Franchises Sell (and Independents Don't): Lessons from Inside Neighborly 27:52

2M ago27:52

27:52

More entrepreneurs are turning to franchises, and it's easy to see why. With proven systems, recognizable brands, and built-in support, franchises make both ownership and resale less risky. Alyssa Hernandez, Vice President of Franchise Resales at Neighborly, leads the team that manages transitions across 19 brands and nearly 10,000 franchise owners…

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EP 132: Why Franchises Sell (and Independents Don't): Lessons from Inside Neighborly 27:52

2M ago27:52

27:52

More entrepreneurs are turning to franchises, and it's easy to see why. With proven systems, recognizable brands, and built-in support, franchises make both ownership and resale less risky. Alyssa Hernandez, Vice President of Franchise Resales at Neighborly, leads the team that manages transitions across 19 brands and nearly 10,000 franchise owners…

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Thinking about hiring a business valuation professional? 6:59

2M ago6:59

6:59

Send us a text In this podcast, we break down the crucial issues you need to consider to ensure you hire the right expert for your business: Experience & Specialization: Do they have a proven track record specifically in your industry or for your type of transaction (M&A, tax, litigation)? Credentials: Are they properly accredited (e.g., ASA, ABV, …

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EP 131: No One-Size-Fits-All: Amy Wirtz on Succession Without the Drama 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Managing a business is tough enough on its own. But add family dynamics in the mix, and things get even more challenging. As a strategic advisor at The Family Business Consulting Group, Amy Wirtz shares her expertise on navigating ownership transitions in multigenerational families. Amy discusses the challenges of balancing family relationships wit…

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EP 131: No One-Size-Fits-All: Amy Wirtz on Succession Without the Drama 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Managing a business is tough enough on its own. But add family dynamics in the mix, and things get even more challenging. As a strategic advisor at The Family Business Consulting Group, Amy Wirtz shares her expertise on navigating ownership transitions in multigenerational families. Amy discusses the challenges of balancing family relationships wit…

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221: How to Finance a Business Transition or Acquisition, David Miller 36:48

2M ago36:48

36:48

What does it take to finance a business transition or acquisition? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with David Miller, Executive Vice President at Enterprise Bank, to demystify lending for business owners — from SBA loans to insider buyouts. David shares how banks assess deals, why management continuity matters most, and how entrepreneurs …

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EP 130: Shift-N-Gears: From Stuck to Scalable with Acquisition Thinking with Della Kirkman 38:11

2M ago38:11

38:11

You don't have to build your own business from scratch to be an entrepreneur. You can buy one instead. Della Kirkman, CPA and founder of Shift-N-Gears, is on a mission to help 10,000 women become business owners through acquisition. After starting as a waitress at Cracker Barrel, Della worked her way up to owning and selling her own accounting firm…

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EP 130: Shift-N-Gears: From Stuck to Scalable with Acquisition Thinking with Della Kirkman 38:11

2M ago38:11

38:11

You don't have to build your own business from scratch to be an entrepreneur. You can buy one instead. Della Kirkman, CPA and founder of Shift-N-Gears, is on a mission to help 10,000 women become business owners through acquisition. After starting as a waitress at Cracker Barrel, Della worked her way up to owning and selling her own accounting firm…

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Did you hear about the Silver Tsunami? Myths busted 18:54

2M ago18:54

18:54

Send us a text The Silver Tsunami: Will the Greatest Wealth Transfer Become the Greatest Missed Opportunity? Baby Boomer owners control millions of companies and trillions of dollars in wealth. Everyone has been talking about the “Silver Tsunami” and the Great Wealth Transfer. By 2048, an estimated $124 trillion is expected to pass into new hands. …

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Selling to a competitor? Do you know the role of a clean team in M&A? 16:55

2M ago16:55

16:55

Send us a text One of the biggest dilemmas business owners and investors face during a potential sale is this: How do you share the information a buyer needs without giving away your competitive advantage… especially when that buyer is a direct competitor? This is exactly where Clean Teams come in. Clean Teams allow both sides to collaborate on nec…

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EP 129: How EOS Builds a More Sellable Business with Ashley Walters 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

Many business owners still feel trapped in the day-to-day because their companies rely too heavily on them. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) changes that by helping leadership teams build structure and accountability so businesses can run smoothly without the owner. Ashley Walters, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, explains h…

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EP 129: How EOS Builds a More Sellable Business with Ashley Walters 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

Many business owners still feel trapped in the day-to-day because their companies rely too heavily on them. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) changes that by helping leadership teams build structure and accountability so businesses can run smoothly without the owner. Ashley Walters, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, explains h…

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Lower Middle Market (LMM) Transactions: Axial update Q3 2025 13:16

2M ago13:16

13:16

Send us a text The podcast on Lower Middle Market (LMM) M&A is based on an analysis published by Kaitlinn Thatcher at Axial, tracking Small and Midsize Business (SMB) merger and acquisition (M&A) activity on the M&A platform. This quarterly report breaks down aggregated metrics, including quarterly deal volumes, financial characteristics, and pursu…

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220: Steep Learning Curves, Brandon Stanchock - The Entrepreneur Gene Series 41:02

2M ago41:02

41:02

Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Brandon Stanchock, CEO of SWF Industrial Inc. Brandon discusses his journey to take the helm of a family business. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee development, and implementing innovative collaboration strategies in the industrial sector. The conversation also highlights Brandon's commitment to prov…

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EP 128: It's a Transition, Not Just a Transaction: Inside the Seller's Journey with Denise Logan 46:32

3M ago46:32

46:32

Most owners think selling a business is only about numbers, but Denise Logan knows it's more complicated than that. Known as the "Seller Whisperer," Denise has helped hundreds of sellers navigate the complex emotions that can affect deals. It's not uncommon for business owners to experience identity loss, family conflict, shame, and the fear of "wh…

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EP 128: It's a Transition, Not Just a Transaction: Inside the Seller's Journey with Denise Logan 46:32

3M ago46:32

46:32

Most owners think selling a business is only about numbers, but Denise Logan knows it's more complicated than that. Known as the "Seller Whisperer," Denise has helped hundreds of sellers navigate the complex emotions that can affect deals. It's not uncommon for business owners to experience identity loss, family conflict, shame, and the fear of "wh…

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Investor GPS: Navigating what top Investors want (McKinsey Report) 17:34

3M ago17:34

17:34

Send us a text New Episode Drop: Investor GPS on the podcast Deep Dive – Business Sale What do top investors really look for when evaluating a business? It’s rarely just about numbers — it’s about strategy, leadership, and positioning for growth. In this episode of Deep Dive – Business Sale, we unpack what truly guides investor decisions — the unsp…

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219: Find Passion, Don't Just Chase The Dollar, Larry Whiteside Jr - The Entrepreneur Gene Series 39:16

2M ago39:16

39:16

Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Larry Whiteside Jr., an expert in information security, risk management, and entrepreneurship. Larry discusses his journey from cybersecurity to becoming the Co-Owner of Lifesaver Pool Fence of Tampa and Co-Founder of Confide. Larry emphasizes the importance of passion, operational efficiency, and overcoming challenges …

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218: The Maverick Mind of an Entrepreneur, Travis Howerton - The Entrepreneur Gene Series 34:27

3M ago34:27

34:27

" Treat people well, work hard, have a plan." Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Travis Howerton, a technology and security expert with over 25 years of experience. Travis shares his journey from federal service and the nuclear weapons program to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of RegScale. They discuss the entrepreneurial gene, personality assessments i…

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EP 127: The Next Generation of M&A: Trust, Tech, and the Human Side of Exits 32:46

3M ago32:46

32:46

Most professionals in the M&A space have been closing deals for decades. But being young doesn't mean you can't bring value to the table. Morgan Tate, founder of Breakwater M&A, has built a reputation as one of the younger voices in the industry. He has helped facilitate over $250 million worth of deals and is now using automation to make the proce…

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EP 127: The Next Generation of M&A: Trust, Tech, and the Human Side of Exits 32:46

3M ago32:46

32:46

Most professionals in the M&A space have been closing deals for decades. But being young doesn't mean you can't bring value to the table. Morgan Tate, founder of Breakwater M&A, has built a reputation as one of the younger voices in the industry. He has helped facilitate over $250 million worth of deals and is now using automation to make the proce…

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217: Nurturing Legacies, Corey Perlman - The Entrepreneur Gene Series 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

" Don't be a jack of all social media sites, master of none." Host Laurie Barkman interviews digital marketing expert Corey Perlman of Impact Social. They discuss Corey's entrepreneurial journey influenced by his parents' careers, the evolving landscape of digital marketing, and the role and potential of AI in the industry. Corey shares insights on…

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216: The Sockfluencers: Spreading Happiness, John and Mark X. Cronin - The Entrepreneur Gene 42:04

3M ago42:04

42:04

"We're in the business of making people happy!" John and Mark X. Cronin are father-son co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. Host Laurie Barkman talks with John and Mark about the inspiring story of their unique business model, inclusion, and commitment to spreading happiness. Over half of their employees have differing abilities. The discussion cover…

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EP 126: The Late-Stage Entrepreneur: Gary Hentschel on Lessons on Risk, Value, and Second Acts 42:13

3M ago42:13

42:13

Most buyers slow down in their sixties. But not Gary Hentschel. He's out buying companies, doubling their value, and selling them again. As a partner at The September Group and CEO at WSI Technologies, Gary brings decades of experience as a banker, entrepreneur, and operator. In this episode, he shares how he appraises businesses, what sellers get …

1
EP 126: The Late-Stage Entrepreneur: Gary Hentschel on Lessons on Risk, Value, and Second Acts 42:13

3M ago42:13

42:13

Most buyers slow down in their sixties. But not Gary Hentschel. He's out buying companies, doubling their value, and selling them again. As a partner at The September Group and CEO at WSI Technologies, Gary brings decades of experience as a banker, entrepreneur, and operator. In this episode, he shares how he appraises businesses, what sellers get …