With extensive experience in entrepreneurship and business investment, Jeff Porubcan and Jeff Thurston bring valuable insights into navigating partnerships and scaling businesses successfully. In this episode, we explore the challenges and rewards of co-ownership, as well as the key factors that contribute to a thriving business partnership.

As partners in Master Supplements Inc., Jeff and Jeff discuss their journey in the health and wellness industry, sharing how they built and expanded their supplement business. They highlight the importance of aligning visions, defining roles, and maintaining clear communication between business partners. Their conversation offers real-world experiences of overcoming obstacles, managing growth, and structuring agreements that ensure long-term success.

Our discussion also touches on succession planning, preparing for leadership transitions, and how businesses can maintain momentum when key players step away. They emphasize the value of mentorship, adaptability, and leveraging complementary skill sets to maximize business potential.

This episode is filled with practical advice for entrepreneurs, business owners, and those navigating partnerships to create sustainable growth. Be sure to tune in, subscribe, and share with others navigating the entrepreneurial journey!

Find Master Supplements Inc. HERE

As well as their podcast HERE

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

With a background in law and expertise in mediation, Amy Wirtz brings a deep understanding of the challenges family businesses face when transitioning leadership. Our conversation explores how businesses evolve from single-family ownership to multi-generational enterprises, requiring new skill sets, structured leadership, and strategic planning.

Amy outlines key factors for a successful transition, including strong family leadership structures, clearly defined roles, and proactive planning for the next generation. She explains how decision-making frameworks evolve over time, from informal discussions among family members to formal advisory boards and executive leadership teams.

Our discussion also covers accountability within family businesses, common challenges aging leaders face, and the importance of coaching future successors with structured planning tools. Amy shares real-world examples of businesses navigating these transitions and highlights strategies for ensuring financial security and long-term sustainability.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for business owners and advisors alike. Be sure to tune in, subscribe, and share with others looking to build a lasting family business legacy!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

The week on the Poised for Exit podcast, I take the mic for a solo episode to share exciting updates for 2025!

After nearly six years and approaching our 300th episode, I wanted to take this time to personally connect with you - our valued listeners - and give you an inside look at what's happening this year.

First, I extend my gratitude to our incredible sponsors, including True North M&A, Trust Point Inc., JAK + Co. CPAs, and the Twin Cities Metro Chapter of the Exit Planning Institute. Their support has been instrumental in making this show possible, and I highly encourage you to check out the valuable services they offer!

I also dive into the latest offerings from my exit planning programs. My Advisor Program for CEPAs is currently in session, helping professionals develop their exit planning practice, and will be back again in September for another session. Additionally, our Monthly Exit Planning Cohort kicks off again on April 11th -  providing peer learning, case studies, and expert insights at a fraction of the cost of other peer groups.

Also, I'm excited to announce that the third edition of my book, Poised for Exit, is on its way and will be showcased at the EPI Summit in May, where I’ll also be speaking.

And perhaps the biggest announcement: We are launching an AI-powered exit planning application. This groundbreaking tool will provide real-time coaching, business development guidance, valuation insights, and collaborative features for advisors and business owners. We’re assembling a pilot group - so if you are interested, please reach out!

Tune in for more details, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming updates. Thank you for your continued support - this show is here because of you!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Keeping a family business thriving across generations isn’t easy, but Dr. Jeremy Lurey knows how to make it happen. As Founder and CEO of Family Legacy 1st, he’s spent over 20 years guiding family enterprises through leadership transitions, governance, and exit planning.

Jeremy shares why succession planning is about more than just handing over the reins - it’s about shifting from manager to mentor. He highlights the power of independent boards, strong leadership development, and alternative exit strategies like ESOPs and partial sales. Whether you’re passing the business to family or preparing to sell, Jeremy’s insights help owners make smart, strategic moves.

A major challenge in family businesses is balancing professional and personal relationships. Jeremy explains how fostering family harmony is key to long-term success. When leadership teams communicate effectively and define clear roles, businesses can grow while preserving their legacy.

We also discuss the importance of adaptability. As industries evolve, family businesses must embrace change while staying true to their core values. Jeremy shares how successful enterprises navigate these shifts and create sustainable strategies for future generations.

If you're a business owner thinking about transition - whether to family or new ownership - this episode is packed with actionable advice. Learn how to build a legacy that lasts and ensure a smooth succession.

Find Jeremy here!
Learn more about Family Legacy 1st here!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Tina Corner Stolz, founder of LXCouncil and author of Your Seat at the Table, for an insightful conversation about the power of peer advisory groups in exit planning. Selling a business is one of the biggest financial and personal transitions an owner will ever face, and having a strong peer network can make all the difference.

Tina shares her journey from corporate leadership to building one of the largest peer group facilitation firms. She offers valuable insights on how business owners can use peer groups to gain clarity, drive enterprise value, and make informed decisions. She explains how surrounding yourself with like-minded leaders creates a space for problem-solving, accountability, and strategic thinking, helping owners avoid common pitfalls and stay focused on long-term success.

We also explore how peer groups can help business owners engage the right advisors, structure their transition plans effectively, and prepare financially and emotionally for what comes next. Tina highlights the importance of fit when choosing a peer group and how a well-matched group can provide not only expert guidance but also the motivation to take action. She also shares real-life success stories of business owners who have navigated their exits with the support of peer networks.

Whether you are years away from selling or actively planning your next steps, this discussion provides actionable insights to help you transition on your terms and maximize the value of your exit!

Find Tina Here!
Learn more about LXCouncil here!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Our guest for this episode is Cindy Jennings, Founder of Interwovenly, a firm specializing in turning owners’ aspirations into post-exit action plans!  Cindy has been leading owners and executives in creating their ideal personal plan for many years. She's seen many owners regret their decision to sell, and for reasons that have nothing to do with how much they sold their business for. Usually, it's an intangible obstacle, like "What will I do with my life after business?"  that trips them up. 

One insight that jumped out from our conversation was that the values of an individual tend to change as he or she ages. What a person values when they're young vs raising children will differ. Likewise, when a person reaches their golden years, their values are going to be different. So, it's important for business owners who are planning a future exit to discern what their true values are, so that when they move on to their next chapter, their life will be more fulfilling, as they focus on activities, projects, work, and play which are tied to what they value. 

What's really important to you? What did you value as a child? What did you value as a business owner? What will you value as you exit your business? Thought-provoking questions that Cindy utilizes in her program called "LifeWise" help owners achieve their best outcome; not just for their sale but for the rest of their lives!

Find Cindy here!
Learn more about Interwovenly here!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Our special guest today is none other than Todd Krough, incoming President of the Twin Cities Metro Area EPI Chapter. Todd is also a financial advisor and wealth planner with MN Bank & Trust and is a CEPA as well. Todd has been an active member of the Chapter, almost since its inception in 2016. Our discussion today revolved around how the Chapter has been integral in helping professional advisors become more equipped to assist their clients with successful exits. 

When the credential "Certified Exit Planner" first came to be, advisors and owners alike were not familiar at all, and the process was foreign. Fast forward 15 years, and now exit planning is a 'thing'; recognized as an industry across disciplines and talked about in business owner circles nationwide. 

What do CEPAs actually do for business owners that other advisors can't do? First, understanding the process of exit planning, who's involved and why it's important is essential to figuring out how to get it done. CEPAs are well versed in the why, who, what, and how of exit planning. It reduces stress on the part of the owner, knowing they've got an expert on their side who has their back, and can coordinate the process with and between the other advisors on the team, so the owner can be about the business of running their business!

The Chapter has been such an essential tool for so many advisors in building their practices over the years. Ask any advisor or CEPA who's had a long-term membership in a Chapter and they will attest to that fact. 

Listen to the episode to learn more!

Find Todd here!

📌 Find the Exit Planning Institute Twin Cities Metro Area Chapter here!

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Ruba Khairi and Ahmed Mousa, a dynamic husband-and-wife team of business brokers at Sunbelt Business Advisors. Their journey into business brokerage is anything but ordinary. In 2018, they were prospective buyers themselves, exploring business ownership before being drawn to the world of business brokerage.

When COVID-19 disrupted their plans, they took a leap of faith and attended an open house for prospective business brokers. Although hesitant at first, they quickly realized their passion for helping business owners navigate the transition process. Five years later, Ruba and Ahmed have become top-performing brokers, winning multiple awards and earning spots in Sunbelt’s prestigious President’s Circle.

In this conversation, they share their philosophy of success, which is all about helping people first and foremost, and the importance of guiding business owners through one of the most significant financial transitions of their lives. We also dive into why experienced brokers are in such high demand, especially as millions of baby boomers prepare to retire and transition out of their businesses.

You’ll hear an inspiring client success story that shows just how impactful this work can be. If you're interested in business transitions, exit planning, or the role of brokers in ensuring a smooth exit, this episode is full of valuable insights.

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Our featured guest in this episode is Leslie Lauer, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC Wealth Management. Leslie specializes in ESOPs, and shared some highlights of her years of experience as a trusted advisor. 

Leslie's background in banking and accounting was the foundation for her career path to advising on deal structure for ESOPs. She's also a former entrepreneur herself (a company owned by an ESOP) which takes her advice from a theoretical perspective to a practical one. Her Board positions with ESOP organizations like the National Center for Employee Ownership give her an edge that's rare in a space that can be misunderstood and therefore underutilized as an exit option. 

We unpacked some of the nuances of ESOPs and realized we'd need a Part 2, so look out for that soon. While she was on the show, Leslie took the time to explain what an ESOP actually is for our listeners who may not be as familiar:

1. A Transition Tool
2. A Retirement Plan
3. A Tool for Deferred Growth.

In addition, we talked about how ESOP is a Defined Contribution Plan, similar to a 401K Plan. ESOPs are governed by ARISA and follow compliance regulations set forth by the Department of Labor and the IRS.  That may sound complicated, but if you have someone like Leslie to help facilitate and bring the team together, it can be a fantastic way for all stakeholders to win. 

You can contact Leslie here to get your questions answered, whether you are an advisor or business owner.

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Our guest for this show is Rick Brimacomb, CEO and Founder of Brimacomb Capital and Club Entrepreneur. Rick has been involved in deal-making and Venture Capital investments for many years, and he shared how he has become so successful. 

Rick's approach is as a side-by-side confidante and close colleague to the owners of the companies he invests in. He sees it as a relationship over a transaction, since most last such a long time. His goal is to help grow the business and help the owners achieve a higher level of return while generating a decent return for his work at the same time. 

His background in investment banking, financial analysis, and business in general has set him up to examine opportunities that come his way from several angles. He has proven his worth in numerous situations for a variety of companies over the years. Rick says that because he's vetted over 10,000 businesses in his lifetime, he's become pretty good at knowing what will succeed and what won't. Who will and who won't. His mantra is Recurring Revenue. 

Listen to the wisdom and advice from Rick here!

Find Rick at Brimacomb.com

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor