Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode I’d like to take you on a journey from the skies above Ohio to the solid ground of life’s realities. I will share my transformative experience of static line skydiving, a leap that was never on my bucket list but became a profound metaphor for life, fear, and legacy. Through the recounting of my jump, I draw parallels between the adrenaline-fueled moments of free fall and the daily challenges and triumphs faced by business owners. This episode is not just about skydiving; it’s a deep dive into facing fears, embracing the unknown, and preparing for…
Author: Scott Couchenour
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, we dive deep into the pivotal moments of business and life transitions with insights from retired founder Steve McKee, who recently embarked on a new chapter after selling his company of 27 years. Steve shares his enthusiasm for what lies ahead and reflects on the critical principles of navigating turns in both business and personal spheres. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparation and recognizing the opportune moments for change, shedding light on how these principles have guided Steve through his career and into a promising future. Additionally, we explore the intertwined nature of career…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode I chat with Ash Atkinson about business valuation, growth strategies, and exit options. Ash discusses the importance of considering more than just revenue when valuing a business, including strategic, organizational, employee, customer, financial, and what he calls ESG factors. He emphasizes the need for documentation to support all aspects of a company’s operations and values. The conversation covers how business owners can increase their options beyond just an exit by focusing on improving different value pillars over time. Ash also addresses common mistakes owners make when scaling, like failing to establish a cohesive company culture…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Do you want your business to thrive without you? Are you considering launching something new in your 4th quarter? In this episode, my guest, Paige Arnof-Fenn and I dive deep into the world of branding and how that can help you succeed professionally and personally. Our conversation highlights branding as a promise of a consistent experience, vital for making a business stand out. We discuss the significance of both personal and corporate branding, conducting a communications audit and SWOT analysis to understand brand perception and its position in the market. Personal branding is a key theme and is…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify This episode is a thought-provoking conversation with Mike Provance, focusing on the challenges and strategies of managing business growth and operational performance, especially pertinent for mid-life business owners. We talk about the complexities that growth stage companies face, emphasizing the need for stability and predictability which often gets overlooked in the early stages of business development. Mike highlights the significance of adaptive planning, echoing Mike Tyson’s famous words about the unpredictability of plans. We also dig into the nuances of operational debt versus surplus, with a particular focus on the importance of building absorptive capacity in a business.…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode my guest, Lysle Wickersham, and I dive into the pivotal role of branding in business performance. We discuss how branding, more than just a logo or slogan, is a strategic foundation that connects emotionally with audiences, significantly impacting a company’s value. More value, greater options for an exit down the road. The discussion then shifts to the relationship between branding, business strategy, and market research. It underscores the necessity of aligning the business owner’s vision with market expectations, and the impact of this alignment on brand perception and business outcomes. Wickersham stresses the emotional aspect…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Are you nearing your 4th quarter of life and looking to secure your business legacy or start a new venture? Understanding and protecting your intellectual property (IP) is more crucial than you might think. In this episode, I talk with Matthew Asbell about the complexities of IP in the business world, a topic that holds real significance for entrepreneurs over 50. We discuss the essence of IP, encompassing creative works and branding, and its critical role in ensuring the value and uniqueness of a business. This knowledge is vital not just to safeguard your life’s work as you…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode we address the complexities of aging memory, Alzheimer’s, and the latest in treatment advancements. The discussion kicks off with an exploration of memory changes associated with normal aging, distinguishing these from Alzheimer’s disease. We discuss the impact of lifestyle factors like alcohol, sleep, and new medications on memory preservation and Alzheimer’s risk. There are subtle differences in memory loss experienced in normal aging, such as forgetfulness and word-finding difficulties, and the more severe and rapid forgetting characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease due to brain damage. This segment is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In today’s episode I hope to take you on a transformative journey exploring personal and professional growth in your 40s and 50s. Anchored by a thought-provoking quote from Antoine de Saint Exupéry, this episode emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep desire for growth and success, beyond just following instructions. It’s about igniting a passion for relentless pursuit of goals. I discuss the significance of a spirit-filled approach to strategic planning, emphasizing that without passion and drive, even the most detailed plans can become burdensome. This episode is a call to seasoned entrepreneurs and those contemplating their next…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode I do a dive deep with my guest, Marc Borrelli, into the critical importance of understanding a business’s core customer. We explore how accurately identifying and comprehending the core customer is not just about demographics or market segmentation, but about genuinely understanding their needs, wants, and pain points. This understanding is pivotal for devising a successful business strategy and creating a unique market differentiation which contributes to a company that can thrive without you, giving you more options for your 4th quarter. The conversation further dives into the common pitfalls companies face when they fail…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, my guest and I dive into the critical aspects of planning business exits, emphasizing the need for consistency and structure. The episode highlights the importance of preparing for exit strategies 3-5 years in advance to ensure predictability in valuation. The role of strategic planning and advisors in facilitating this process is vital. A key point is the significance of having a structured advisory board, even for small businesses, to maintain accountability and effective planning. This team, including CPAs, financial planners, and attorneys, plays a pivotal role in guiding business owners through the nuances of exit…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this insightful episode, I team up with Roxanne Coffelt, an experienced CPA and business advisor, to tackle the complexities of financial management and business valuation for small businesses. We start by addressing common financial pitfalls that business owners face, such as inadequate bookkeeping and financial management, which can lead to significant issues like IRS audits. I highlight the importance of understanding and optimizing the eight key drivers of business value, as outlined in the Value Builder System, focusing on aspects like financial performance, growth potential, and the diversification of revenue streams. We also explore, among other topics,…