Close The Deal Podcast

A private equity buyout can deliver a big check. But what happens after the deal closes?

For business owners, private equity offers a chance to monetize years of hard work and address succession challenges. But the payout may come with a loss of control, staffing pressures, and an uncertain timeline for future returns.

Ewell Smith welcomes John Scott, a partner at Anders CPA in St. Louis, to Close The Deal Podcast for a practical conversation about the risks and opportunities of private equity transactions.

John shares what he's observed in professional service firms, including law firms and accounting firms, and explains why founders need to think beyond the initial buyout. They also discuss private equity interest in franchising, rollover equity, and what makes a business financially attractive to buyers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Why private equity is attractive to founders facing succession challenges
• How buyouts can affect employee salaries, hiring, and development
• Why owners should think carefully before giving up majority control
• What a delayed second payout could mean for sellers
• Why clean financials and reliable forecasts matter before a sale
• How financial maturity assessments can identify areas to improve

MEMORABLE MOMENT

John Scott:

ABOUT JOHN SCOTT

John Scott is a partner at Anders CPA in St. Louis. He discusses private equity transactions, business financial readiness, and the firm's financial maturity model for identifying areas of improvement.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

Think you have a time management problem?

Amanda Van Der Heiden says the real problem may be your priorities, communication, or leadership.

In this episode of Close The Deal Podcast, Amanda joins Ewell Smith to break down why productivity hacks alone often don’t solve the problem—and what busy professionals can do instead.

Amanda explains why your calendar is one of the clearest indicators of your priorities. If an important goal never gets scheduled, the demands of the day can quickly take over.

She also explains how to identify the work that truly moves the needle and why unclear communication between leaders and employees can turn a simple assignment into hours or even days of wasted effort. 

Key Takeaways

• A time management problem may actually be a prioritization problem.
• Important goals need dedicated calendar time.
• Urgent and noisy tasks aren't necessarily the work that creates progress.
• Your most productive schedule depends on your own energy and circumstances.
• Clear expectations can eliminate significant amounts of wasted work.
• Leaders and team members share responsibility for confirming understanding.

About Amanda

Amanda Van Der Heiden is a chief learning consultant with a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology. She works in learning and development and has helped skill up thousands of people around the world. 

Connect With Amanda

Free goal development workbook: https://gtdscorp.com/go/

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

You have the knowledge. You have the experience. But can you get what’s in your head across to someone else in a way that actually makes an impact?

That’s the communication problem Andrew Hurteau helps professionals solve.

Andrew spent the first half of his career as a professional actor, performer, acting teacher, and coach. He eventually shifted that experience toward professionals who may never have signed up to be performers—but suddenly find themselves presenting to teams, clients, boards, and audiences.

Andrew joins Ewell Smith to explain why one of the most common presentation habits can work against you: writing everything down first and then trying to deliver those written words naturally.

The problem? We don’t speak the same way we write.

Andrew explains how to get back to your authentic speaking voice, why a presentation deck should illustrate your ideas instead of becoming the presentation, and how stories can turn dry information into something people understand and remember.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with the most authentic version of yourself
• Translate written material back into the way you naturally speak
• Use bullet points and visuals as triggers rather than scripts
• Let your deck illustrate your wisdom instead of trying to contain it
• Use stories to give information context and meaning
• Recognize communication as a core part of leadership

Memorable Moment

Andrew shares the example of a leader who had spent years delivering a required rules-and-regulations presentation. By replacing a rules-first approach with relevant stories, the leader told Andrew that instead of feeling like a “traffic cop,” he finally felt like a coach and a leader.

About Andrew Hurteau

Andrew Hurteau is based in Oakland, California. After working as a professional actor, acting teacher, and coach, he shifted toward helping professionals bring their ideas to audiences in ways that are impactful and meaningful.

Connect with Andrew:
www.butterfieldspeaks.com/andrew

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

Are you using AI in your business without thinking about what happens when it touches employee data, hiring decisions, terminations, or critical business systems?

AI can make a business faster and more efficient, but small business owners also need to understand the risks they may be creating along the way.

Ewell Smith sits down with Sara Skowronsk, who brings 25 years of multi-state employment law and HR experience to the conversation.

Sara explains why businesses need simple guardrails around AI rather than blindly adopting every new tool. That includes deciding which AI platforms employees can use, protecting sensitive information, keeping humans responsible for HR decisions, and maintaining backups of the AI assets your company depends on.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t rely on AI alone to make hiring, disciplinary, or termination decisions.
• Establish clear guidelines for which AI tools employees can use.
• Protect Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information.
• Consider company-sponsored AI accounts so the business controls its data and workflows.
• Keep external backups of important prompts, agents, and automations.
• Continue applying human judgment instead of automatically accepting an AI-generated answer.

Memorable Moment

That warning captures one of Sara’s central points: AI may assist the process, but the business still has to be able to explain and stand behind consequential decisions.

About Sara Skowronsk

Sara brings 25 years of multi-state employment law and HR experience to her work with small businesses. Her work explores the intersection between HR and AI and how businesses can adopt AI while creating appropriate guardrails around its use.

Connect

AI Clarity Roadmap: aiclarityroadmap.com
Email provided during the episode: [email protected]
Sara also invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

You know what you need to do—but you still aren’t doing it.

What’s actually keeping you stuck?

Army veteran and executive coach Mark Reynolds joins Ewell Smith to unpack a problem almost every entrepreneur, executive, and business owner encounters: knowing something needs to change but failing to execute.

Mark breaks the problem into what he calls the Three C Framework: clarity, competency, and character/courage.

First, do you actually know what you want? Second, do you have the skills required to accomplish it? And finally, if you know what you want and know how to do it, what’s preventing you from acting?

The conversation also explores why information is increasingly cheap, why working harder eventually stops being the answer, and how shortening your timeframe can help you move forward when a big goal feels overwhelming.

Key Takeaways

• Get specific enough about your goal to know when you’ve achieved it.
• Determine whether your obstacle is clarity, competency, or courage.
• More information isn’t necessarily the answer when you already know what to do.
• Bring the timeframe closer when the bigger goal feels overwhelming.
• Treat creating a great day as an active process.
• Recognize when working harder is no longer enough to reach the next level.

Memorable Moment

About Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds is an Army veteran, executive coach, entrepreneur, author, and international award-winning speaker. He works with executives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are ready for change but need clarity and confidence about how to move forward.

Connect With Mark

ReynoldsCoaching.com
[email protected]
Mark is also active on LinkedIn.

Follow or subscribe to Close The Deal Podcast and share this episode with someone who knows what they need to do—but hasn’t done it yet.

Learn more at CloseTheDeal.com.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

What if your high-ticket offer isn't the problem?

Esther Stewart, CEO of Cottn Owl, joins Ewell Smith on the Close The Deal Podcast to explain why struggling offers often come down to positioning, messaging, and an unnecessarily complicated sales funnel.

Esther breaks down how to better communicate the value of your offer, differentiate yourself in a crowded market, and simplify the path that moves someone from prospect to client.

She also explains why she prefers premium offers and shares the story of a therapist who launched a $7,500 coaching offer with $20 per day in ad spend. By the third month, according to Esther, the client needed to decrease the ad spend because she was getting too many booked calls to keep up with.

Key Takeaways from Esther

In this episode, you'll discover why positioning matters, what a sales funnel really needs to do, how your personal story can strengthen your marketing, and why simplifying your funnel may help you generate better opportunities.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

James Trawick built one of the most ambitious rodeo and music festivals in America.

But despite the success, there was still a commitment he'd been postponing.

In this episode of Close The Deal, James shares the story behind Hondo Rodeo Fest, the challenge of launching in New Orleans, and the personal goal that kept getting pushed aside.

The conversation ultimately reveals something many entrepreneurs face:

When does building the dream start crowding out the things that originally gave life meaning?

Key Takeaways

• Launching large-scale events in new markets
• Building relationships through community
• Family-first leadership
• The importance of intentional recreation
• Why personal commitments deserve deadlines

James Trawick is the Founder and CEO of Hondo Rodeo Fest and a lifelong advocate for rodeo culture, family values, and community experiences. 

🎙 KEY MOMENT

CTA

Subscribe, share, and visit CloseTheDeal.com.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

Kris Grey helps organizations recover failing projects and scale operations through better systems and project management.

But behind the business success was a harder truth:
years of neglecting his health, relationships, and personal priorities while trying to survive entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Close The Deal, Kris shares:

• losing his job three days after becoming a father
• surviving nine months without stable income
• how survival mode reshaped his life
• why entrepreneurs delay taking care of themselves
• the commitment he’s making to change direction before it’s too late

This conversation goes beyond business systems.

It’s about the promises leaders quietly break to themselves.

KEY MOMENT

Key Takeaways

• Why convenience slowly destroys long-term health
• The danger of operating permanently in survival mode
• How small systems create life-changing momentum
• Why entrepreneurs struggle to prioritize themselves
• The connection between health, leadership, and family

Guest Bio

Kris Grey is the founder of Creatapult, where he helps companies improve operational systems, recover delayed projects, and scale more effectively through structured project management.

Subscribe, share this episode, and ask yourself:

What commitment have you delayed long enough?

More episodes:
Close The Deal Podcast

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

Andrea Anderson built a massive online audience helping people buy cars and negotiate confidently.

But success created a new problem:
visibility.

In this episode of Close The Deal, Andrea opens up about growing beyond the screen and confronting the one thing she still struggles with - public speaking and leadership visibility.

Despite building 100,000+ followers online, Andrea admits she’s naturally introverted and uncomfortable being the center of attention.

Now she’s making a commitment that forces her into the next version of herself.

This conversation dives into:

• growth through discomfort
• identity shifts
• leadership visibility
• authenticity in content
• why introverts often win in sales
• the impact mentorship can have on confidence and growth

Andrea also shares how mentor Russ “Flips Whips” Richardson encouraged and challenged her to think bigger about visibility and leadership.

THE COMMITMENT

Andrea commits to participating in:

🥊 5 public-facing events or speaking opportunities before the end of the year

Even if it makes her uncomfortable.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Visibility creates new levels of pressure
• Confidence usually follows action
• Personal brands grow through authenticity
• Introverts can become elite communicators
• The next level often requires discomfort
• Mentorship can accelerate growth dramatically

ABOUT THE GUEST

Andrea Anderson, known online as Andrea Sells Cadillac, is a top automotive sales professional and content creator helping customers and sales professionals navigate confidence, negotiation, and growth.

🎙 KEY MOMENT (TRANSCRIPT)

👉 Listen to hear why Andrea committed to stepping into more public leadership opportunities before the end of the year.

Subscribe, share the episode, and visit CloseTheDeal.com for more conversations around business, growth, and leadership.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

Success can quietly damage a marriage if couples aren’t intentional.

In this episode of Close The Deal, Rock Sandretto shares the commitment he and his wife are making to protect their relationship while continuing to grow multiple businesses together.

After battling addiction during the opioid epidemic and spending time in jail, Rock rebuilt his life through faith, family, and entrepreneurship. What started as helping his wife run a salon eventually grew into a multi-location business with 65 employees and several vertically integrated companies.

But somewhere along the way, Rock realized something many entrepreneurs eventually face:

Every conversation became about business.

Every trip became a working trip.

And the relationship itself needed attention.

The Decision

Rock and his wife had to decide whether they would continue allowing business to dominate every part of life… or intentionally create space for their marriage outside of work.

The Commitment

By Q3, they’re committed to hitting specific KPI goals across all their businesses for three consecutive months.

If they hit the goal, they’ll take a Ritz-Carlton cruise together for their 20-year anniversary.

No business talk allowed.

Who This Episode Is For

• Entrepreneur couples
• Business owners building with their spouse
• Leaders balancing growth and relationships
• Anyone rebuilding after addiction or failure
• High achievers trying to avoid burnout

What You’ll Learn

• How Rock transitioned from coal mining into entrepreneurship
• The leadership lessons behind scaling a business
• Why culture matters more than metrics alone
• The importance of protecting relationships intentionally
• How commitment creates accountability in life and business

Key Takeaways / Themes

This episode is a reminder that success means very little if your relationships are falling apart in the process. Rock’s story shows how intentional commitments, faith, and boundaries can completely change the trajectory of your business and marriage.

Guest Bio

Rock Sandretto is the co-owner of Salon 431 and several related businesses focused on salon products and distribution. Alongside his wife, he has helped scale the business into a thriving multi-location operation centered around leadership, mentorship, and culture.

Quotes Section

• “You don’t belong here.”
• “Failure and success go hand in hand.”
• “Are we sacrificing relationships just to grow the business?”

Call to Action

Listen now and visit CloseTheDeal.com to learn more about the commitments driving entrepreneurs forward.

🎙 Key Moment (Transcript)

“Are we sacrificing relationships that we’re supposed to have in order to grow the business? It’s just not worth it to me.”

👉 Listen to hear how Rock Sandretto commits to protecting his marriage while continuing to grow multiple businesses.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made.

Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. 

This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice.
Every episode is built around one thing:

👉 A clear decision
👉 A real commitment

If you’re building something, you already know the truth -
there’s a decision in front of you that matters.

This show is where you face it.

🔥 CALL TO ACTION 

Want to be part of it?

Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.