Can We Talk

After years of success, it is time to sell your small business. In this episode, Dena Jalbert, founder and CEO of Align Business Advisory Services, shares with Carol the steps that should be taken prior to putting a business up for sale, factors that should be considered in developing an exit strategy, determining how much a business is worth, as well as mistakes that people often make when selling a business. Dena considers the advantages of using a business broker, as well as the professionals who should be consulted prior to the listing of the business for sale and the pros and cons of the different ways to structure the sale of a business.

As a small business it is important to have a good relationship with your personal banker. In this episode Carol speaks with Jeff Broomell, a personal banker with many years of experience working with small businesses and helping them achieve success. Jeff will discuss some first steps a new business owner should do with respect to their banking needs, some common mistakes they often make, and the types of bank accounts and services a business owner should consider. Jeff will review the various business loans available to a small business and the documents needed when applying, what banks look at when reviewing a loan application and what might be the roadblocks. Finally, what should you look for in a personal banker.

In our last podcast we heard about the questions one should ask themselves before starting a new business and tips for achieving success. On today’s episode Carol Felsing continues her conversation with Debra Backer, a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, on the small business accounting software available. Deb discusses the pros and cons of the three QuickBooks program available, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Enterprise. Deb will do an analysis of each one to determine which would be best for your small business.

Have you always wanted to start a small business, but you don’t know where to start or whether you have what it takes? In today’s episode Carol Felsing speaks with Debra Backer, a small business accounting expert, who will share some key questions that you should be asking before going into business for yourself…such as “why do I want to start a business?”, “will I make money?”, “how will I market my business?”, and “how will I finance my business”. In addition, Deb will share some tips on creating a successful business plan to achieve success as well as some common mistakes new business owners often make especially when developing your business legal and tax structure.

In our first three podcast we heard about the importance of estate planning and what you need to do to prepare for your passing and possible incapacity so that your assets pass as you wished and without conflict. However, despite all your efforts to have these documents in place, legal issues can and do still come up, requiring the services of a trust litigation attorney. In today’s episode, Carol speaks with Alex Douglas, an attorney who focuses on probate, trust, and guardianship litigation. Alex will offer some steps to avoid litigation but if you end up in court, he will offer some tips for navigating the probate court system.

In our first three podcast we heard about the importance of estate planning and what you need to do to prepare for your passing and possible incapacity so that your assets pass as you wished and without conflict. However, despite all your efforts to have these documents in place, legal issues can and do still come up, requiring the services of a trust litigation attorney. In today’s episode, Carol speaks with Alex Douglas, an attorney who focuses on probate, trust, and guardianship litigation. Alex will offer some steps to avoid litigation but if you end up in court, he will offer some tips for navigating the probate court system.

Anita Barber, Part 2.

Podcast Carol and Anita “What to Consider When Drafting an Estate Plan” In this episode Carol speaks with estate planning attorney, Anita Barber, who will discuss in detail the various documents that make up an estate plan from the various types of trusts and the fundamental components of a trust document to the selection of a trustee. Anita will dig into the probate process and offers some tips for avoiding the costly probate process for your beneficiaries.

Anita Barber, Part 1.

Podcast Carol and Anita “What to Consider When Drafting an Estate Plan” In this episode Carol speaks with estate planning attorney, Anita Barber, who will discuss in detail the various documents that make up an estate plan from the various types of trusts and the fundamental components of a trust document to the selection of a trustee. Anita will dig into the probate process and offers some tips for avoiding the costly probate process for your beneficiaries.

Estate planning is more than simply writing a will. There are other factors to consider. Do you have children from your first marriage? Are you in a second marriage with stepchildren? Do you want to make sure your children inherit your assets when you die and not the spouse of your widow/widower? What happens to your assets if you die without a will? What is the purpose of a trust, and why would you need one? What happens if you become incapacitated? Carol explains the many factors that define estate planning and the documents you should have in place to ensure that your beneficiaries receive what you had planned after your death.

Selecting a qualified CPA is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a business owner. Choose well and you'll benefit on many levels. If you pick the wrong one and you might be headed directly into a seriously bad situation.

But if you've never hired a CPA before, how do you know what you're looking for? In this episode, Carol breaks down the process of interviewing a CPA. She'll give you tips on where to find qualified CPAs and what questions to ask, as well as some red flags to look for.