Budget Your Business

E#55: In this episode of Budget Your Business, Scott Geller sits down with Katy Whitehead to break down how ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) work and why they are becoming an increasingly popular succession strategy for business owners. They discuss how ESOPs can help owners preserve company culture, reward employees, maintain independence, and create a long-term transition plan without selling to an outside buyer. Katy also explains the financial structure behind ESOPs, the role of cash flow and valuation, how employees benefit from ownership, and the key factors business owners should evaluate before considering an ESOP.

Book Recommendation: The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom

Find out more about Katy Whitehead: https://esoptrustcompany.com/ 

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E#54: In this episode, Scott sits down with Brant Lingle to unpack one of the most overlooked areas of business ownership: succession planning. They discuss why many owners delay or avoid these conversations, how early planning creates more options and better outcomes, and why communication with family, employees, and advisors is critical to getting it right. Brant shares practical ways to get started—from leveraging trusted advisors to building a long-term vision—and emphasizes that a well-executed transition creates clarity, reduces stress, and sets up both the current and next generation for success. 

Book Recommendation: Harvard Business Review

Find out more about Brant Lingle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantlingle/ 

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E#53: In this episode, Scott Geller wraps up the series he conducted with banking experts. He distills conversations with bankers across community, regional, CDFI, and large institutions (via a new and unique conversation style) into one clear takeaway. He breaks down how different banks serve different stages of growth, highlights why relationships with proactive bankers matter more than most owners realize, and challenges common misconceptions around lending. The episode closes with practical guidance on what actually gets deals done and helping business owners think more strategically about their banking partnerships. 

Let Scott know what you thought of the Banking Series and whether you would like to listen to other series - throw in series ideas even! You can email him at [email protected]. 

Book Recommendation: The Man Who Knew by Sebastian Mallaby

Find out more about Scott Geller: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-geller-cfo/

[email protected] 

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E#52: In this episode, Scott sits down with Benny Bowman, a former president turned advisor who shares a real-world perspective on leadership, planning, and building a business that can outlast you. Drawing from a career that grew a company from $6M to $36M, the conversation focuses on succession planning, involving the entire organization in budgeting, and why starting with sales goals is critical to any plan. They also explore the importance of balancing financial decisions with the human element, learning from past mistakes, and building financial strength outside the business. The episode wraps with practical insights on thinking beyond the day-to-day, planning for the end from the beginning, and leading in a way that is both strategic and human. 

Book Recommendation: 

Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman

Floyd Wickman (Gino’s father) sales training

Be Where Your Feet Are by Scott O'Neill 

Find out more about Benny Bowman: 

www.irongatecapital.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benny-bowman-06a42a11/

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E#51: In this episode, Scott brings in unbiased banking expert Damion McIntosh. Damion is a banking and financial systems expert who helps small business owners think more strategically about their banking relationships. The conversation goes beyond simply choosing a “big” or “small” bank and explores how owners should evaluate banks based on their business model, financial strength, industry fit, geographic reach, service levels, and ability to grow alongside the company. They also discuss why business owners should treat bank selection as a true business decision, not just a matter of convenience, and why regularly reassessing that relationship is just as important as monitoring any other part of the business. The episode closes with practical guidance around running your small business. 

Find out more about Damion McIntosh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damion-mcintosh/ 

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E#50: In this special 50th episode of Budget Your Business, Scott Geller hosts a roundtable with finance leaders: 

Andrew Marianski

Heather Tuason

Terrye Enslow 

They discuss key financial topics that small business owners should focus on as they operate their companies. The conversation covers the importance of understanding core financial metrics such as cash flow, profitability, and working capital, along with how business owners can better interpret the drivers behind those numbers. The group also explores broader themes around managing growth, building the right leadership structure as a company evolves, and recognizing financial and operational risks before they become major problems. Throughout the discussion, the panel shares perspectives from their experience working with small and mid-sized businesses, offering guidance on how owners can think more strategically about their finances and leadership decisions. It’s a great insight into three finance minds that have seen “everything.” 

Book Recommendation: 

Marshall Goldsmith books

Brene Brown books

Incerto series by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Andrew D. Huberman books 

Find out more about them: 

Terrye Enslow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrye-enslow-1540645/ 

Heather Tuason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertuason/ 

Andrew Marianski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-marianski/ 

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E#49: In this solo episode, Scott breaks down how small business owners should rethink budgeting and planning. Traditional annual budgets still have value, but they quickly become outdated as conditions change. Instead, Scott explains the power of rolling forecasts and continuous planning—regularly updating assumptions, reviewing performance, and adjusting direction based on real data. He walks through common mistakes businesses make, like treating budgets as a once-a-year exercise, planning only for the “middle,” and ignoring owner bias, and shares how scenario planning and clear metrics can help owners stay between the curves without overcomplicating the process. The core message is simple: budgeting isn’t about being right—it’s about being prepared, learning faster, and making better decisions so your business isn’t running on hope-based finance.

Book Recommendation: This is Beyond Budgeting by Bjarte Bogsnes
Find out more about Scott Geller: 
www.capitisadvisors.com
www.pathpredict.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-geller-cfo/ 

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E#48: This episode with Matt Paciocca explores what truly sets a community bank apart and why that difference matters for small business owners. Matt shares how New Horizon was built around old-fashioned service paired with modern, customer-driven technology by listening directly to customers and employees.

The conversation highlights the value of hands-on banking relationships, where bankers act as true partners to business owners who may not have in-house financial expertise. From helping interpret margins and payroll trends to building projections and advising on deposit and treasury strategies, the focus is on supporting real business decisions, not just selling products.

Scott and Matt also break down how community banks handle growth, including partnering with other banks behind the scenes to support larger loans while keeping a single point of contact for the business owner. The episode closes with practical guidance on who benefits most from a community bank relationship, how to evaluate a banker, and why trust, accessibility, and alignment drive long-term success for both banks and businesses.

Podcast Recommendation: No Laying Up Podcast

Find out more about Matt Paciocco: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-paciocco-57b5209/ 

newhorizonbank.com 

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Digital accessibility means building a website that works for everyone—people with disabilities, seniors, and increasingly, AI. When a site is well-structured, easy to navigate, and free of technical barriers, it builds trust and removes friction that prevents people from buying. Accessibility isn’t just a compliance or “nice-to-have” issue; it directly impacts revenue because customers can’t convert if they can’t use your site. As AI becomes a primary way people find experts, accessible, clearly organized websites are the ones AI understands, trusts, and recommends—making accessibility a business advantage, not a technical detail. 

Podcast Recommendation: Practical Accessibility Insights with Sandi Gauder

Find out more about Richard Gauder: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardgauder/ 

https://cmswebsolutions.com/ 

Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

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E#46: Find Your Bank Series: CDFIs - Scott sits down with Leah Fremouw to unpack a part of the financial ecosystem most small business owners have never heard of: CDFIs, or Community Development Financial Institutions. Leah explains how CDFIs differ from traditional banks, why they exist, and how they’re designed to say “yes” in situations where banks often can’t. From small-dollar loans to layered financing structures, CDFIs focus on access to capital, especially for underserved and under-resourced businesses.

The conversation digs into how CDFIs actually manage risk, why their charge-off rates are often lower than traditional lenders, and how their hands-on approach helps business owners navigate challenges before things go sideways. Leah shares real examples of how CDFIs partner with banks, fill financing gaps, restructure high-interest debt, and improve cash flow in ways that materially change a business’s trajectory.

Scott and Leah also explore what makes a business a good fit for a CDFI relationship, why knowing your financial story matters more than a 40-page business plan, and how capital should support growth—not create stress. They discuss the importance of treating banking as a relationship, not a transaction, and why business owners should be more critical consumers of financial services.

The episode wraps with practical guidance on how to find a CDFI, when to bring one into the conversation, and why trusted financial partners matter long before you actually need the money. For business owners who feel like they’re “just a number” at their bank, this episode opens the door to a different way of thinking about capital, risk, and support.

Podcast Recommendation: Renegade Capital Podcast

Find out more about Leah Fremouw: $LINKTOPERSON

www.bridgingvirginia.org 

Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

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