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

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Michael Winn, Co-Founder and Partner at Chartered Wealth Partners in Beverly Hills, to discuss why many business exits fail and how outcomes are often determined long before a deal is signed.

Michael explains how missed tax strategy, poor advisor sequencing, and a lack of owner readiness can undermine exit results, even when transactions close successfully. He shares how early, intentional planning, particularly around tax, estate, and entity structure, can significantly improve exit outcomes.

The conversation also explores the importance of assembling the right advisory team at the right time, with Michael outlining his role as an exit “quarterback” who helps guide owners through the process. In addition, he addresses the human side of exits, including identity, fulfillment, and preparing for life after the sale.

Throughout the episode, Michael emphasizes that successful exits require more than a transaction and are built on a strategy developed well in advance.

Connect with Michael Winn here
Learn more about Chartered Wealth Partners 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 Mark Kravietz, Managing Partner and Founder of Aline Wealth, for a practical discussion on what business owners need to understand before relocating to a lower-tax state.

Mark explains why changing residency for tax purposes is far more involved than many owners expect and why simply spending “six months and a day” in a new state is rarely sufficient. He walks through the core factors states examine when determining residency, including home ownership, time spent, business involvement, personal connections, and family ties, and explains how intent plays a central role in audits and enforcement.

The conversation also explores how business ownership complicates relocation decisions, particularly when owners maintain active involvement in high-tax states. Mark shares real-world examples from his decades of advising business owners, highlighting common mistakes, documentation gaps, and misconceptions that can put owners at risk if not addressed early.

Throughout the episode, Mark emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, both financially and personally, when considering a move. From aligning residency decisions with long-term exit goals to understanding how lifestyle choices, identity, and post-exit plans factor into success, this episode offers clear, actionable insight for business owners thinking strategically about their future.

Connect with Mark Kravietz here
Learn more about Aline Wealth here

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

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we speak with Andy Kocemba, President and CEO of Calhoun Companies, about how buyers are evaluating businesses as we head into 2026. Andy shares his perspective from decades of working with buyers and sellers, and explains why preparation consistently matters more than trying to time the market when it comes to achieving a strong outcome.

Andy walks through the key drivers of valuation, including the outsized role of cash flow, business performance, and risk. He discusses common red flags buyers notice quickly, such as customer or salesperson concentration, and explains how deal structure often reflects the level of trust a buyer has in the business. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that simpler deal structures and stronger cash at closing are often the result of thoughtful preparation well before going to market.

Throughout the episode, Andy discusses broader market trends, including which industries are seeing the strongest demand and how acquisition strategies may shift in the coming year. Andy also shares how Calhoun Companies works with sellers, the importance of engaging advisors early, and why many business owners wait too long to start planning. The conversation offers practical insight for owners and advisors looking to better understand buyer expectations and valuation drivers.

Connect with Andy Kocemba here
Learn more about Calhoun Companies here

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

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we speak with Alexis Bostrom, founder and CEO of Big Wolf Siteworks, about how she built a construction company that has grown steadily while remaining intentionally small. Alexis shares how the business began as a two person operation with her husband and evolved into a company supported by a close knit team.

Alexis walks through the realities of hiring for the first time, becoming a union shop, and expanding from residential work into government and civil projects. She discusses how operating with a small team required her to learn quickly, prioritize people and systems, and make thoughtful decisions about what projects the business could realistically take on as it grew.

Throughout the conversation, Alexis reflects on leadership, legacy, and the importance of building a company designed for long term value rather than short term hustle. Her story offers practical insight for business owners who are scaling carefully, hiring intentionally, and working to grow a construction business that can succeed beyond the founder.

Connect with Alexis here

Learn More About Big Wolf Siteworks here

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

In this annual recap episode of Poised for Exit, I reflect on 2025, share what stood out over the past year, and look ahead to what is coming in 2026. I also revisit how the show began during the early days of the pandemic, how it has grown over the past five years, and why exit planning conversations continue to resonate with business owners and advisors around the world.

I spend time discussing one of the questions I hear most often: how business owners can grow the value of their companies. I walk through the four intangible capitals, human, structural, customer, and social capital, and explain why these areas often represent the majority of a company’s true enterprise value.

I also share what listeners can expect in 2026, including new perspectives, continued conversations focused on helping owners prepare for better outcomes, and my appreciation for the 2026 sponsors who support the show and align with the values behind Poised for Exit. I look forward to another year of meaningful discussions ahead.

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