In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Ben Axelrod, Managing Director at Borgman Capital,to explore what business owners should truly understand before partnering with private equity. With a background spanning M&A advisory and investment leadership, Ben offers a thoughtful perspective on how financial buyers approach transactions and long-term partnership.

We discuss common misconceptions about private equity, including concerns around loss of control, cultural disruption, and the belief that all firms operate the same way. Not all private equity groups are interchangeable. Alignment, vision, pace of change, and approach to leadership matter just as much as valuation. We also examine the emotional side of transitions, including identity, legacy, and the complexities that often arise in family-owned businesses.

This episode provides practical insight into what to look for in a partner and what questions to ask before moving forward. A business sale is more than a financial event. It is a strategic and personal transition, and understanding that distinction can shape the outcome in meaningful ways.

Contact Ben Axelrod here

Learn more about Borgman Capital here

Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here

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

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we are joined by Karim Ghandour, Founder & CEO at Legacyline, a Dubai-based transition readiness firm serving founders across multiple jurisdictions. Karim shares how his background in estate planning and cross-border advisory work led him to a powerful realization. Most business owners do not truly understand the value of their company, even though it is often their largest asset.

Karim explains why exit planning should not be treated as a one-time transaction but as an ongoing discipline focused on readiness. Whether a founder plans to sell, pass the business to family, or simply wants optionality, placing value at the center of decision-making changes everything. As Karim puts it, “If an acquirer would not buy the business, it is a crime to give it to your kids.”

We also discuss how subscription-based readiness models create accountability, why emotional readiness is often more difficult than financial or operational readiness, and how founders can prepare for liquidity events long before they occur. This conversation offers a practical and global perspective on what it truly means to be prepared for transition.

Connect with Karim Ghandour here

Learn more about Legacyline here

Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here

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

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Judy Praska, Owner & President of three Fastest Labs locations in the Twin Cities metro. Judy shares how she scaled her testing services business from one location to three, what surprised her most along the way, and the operational details business owners often overlook until growth exposes the cracks.

Scaling a service business, especially one operating in regulated and safety-sensitive environments, isn’t just about adding locations or increasing demand. Sustainable growth requires the right systems, clear policies, and disciplined execution to keep pace with complexity.

We discuss why speed and convenience can be powerful competitive advantages, how compliance directly impacts scalability for employers and safety-sensitive roles, and what business owners must have in place before growth accelerates.

Connect with Judy Praska here

Learn more about Fastest Labs here

Learn about the Trusted WISP tool for today’s professionals here

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