Exit is Now: Partners & Pours

In this episode of Exit Is Now: Partners & Pours, Josh Koza sits down with Scott Bushkie, Founder of Cornerstone Business Services, to explore why preparation, market knowledge, and the right advisory team are essential to a successful business transition. Drawing on more than 25 years of M&A experience, Scott shares how his approach to the lower middle market has evolved and why business owners continue to make costly mistakes when approaching the sale of their companies. Josh and Scott examine the growing risks of unsolicited offers, the power of creating competition among buyers, and why understanding a company's true market value should happen long before an owner is ready to sell. They also discuss findings from Cornerstone's national research, revealing how financial advisors can risk losing business owner clients by failing to engage in exit planning conversations early. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration between financial advisors, investment bankers, and other professionals in protecting and maximizing enterprise value. Beyond the financial considerations, this episode reinforces the personal impact of a successful exit. Through stories from Scott's career and his own family, the conversation explores why exit planning is ultimately about more than securing the highest sale price. It is about giving business owners the clarity, confidence, and freedom to make the most of the time and opportunities ahead. ============================================ Hear more from our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cornerstone-business-services/ https://www.cornerstone-business.com/ ============================================ Want to learn more? Go to: https://exit-planning-institute.org/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute Connect with Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamkoza/ #ExitPlanningInstitute #JoshKoza #Podcast #Partners&Pours ============================================ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-partners-pours-with-josh-koza/id1833221553 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LvzPqHQiGPd1HTkJy4U8O ============================================ About Josh: As the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide. He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners. Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/juciest License code: QHHCDUO88VOCUVFO

In this episode of Exit is Now: Partners & Pours, I sit down with Steve Gordon, founder of Million Dollar Author, during the Exit Planning Summit. We dive into the transformative power of writing a book for professionals looking to elevate their practice. Steve shares his journey from engineering to authoring a book that propelled his business growth, revealing the importance of having a structured writing process. We discuss common hurdles aspiring authors face and how to overcome them, particularly the challenge of defining a book's purpose and audience. Listeners will gain insights on how to leverage their expertise into a powerful marketing tool through publishing, enhancing their authority and client relationships. Join us for an engaging conversation that could inspire your own writing journey.

In this episode of Exit Is Now: Partners & Pours, Josh Koza sits down with Skylar Dean of Skill Stack Strategies to explore a growing challenge in the advisory space: how to scale service without sacrificing quality. Drawing from Skylar’s background as a financial advisor, the conversation highlights the evolution from individual expertise to coordinated, team based delivery. Josh and Skylar break down the concept of building an “operating layer” for advisors, one that integrates specialists, aligns communication, and creates a unified experience for business owners. From solving capacity constraints to improving data organization and collaboration, the discussion focuses on how advisors can deliver more comprehensive solutions without becoming overwhelmed or fragmented. This episode reinforces a critical shift in exit planning and value creation. Advisors who succeed in today’s environment are those who can orchestrate the right team, speak a common language, and simplify complexity for the client. The result is not only better outcomes for business owners, but a more scalable and sustainable advisory practice. ============================================ Hear more from our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillstacked/ https://www.skillstacked.net/ ============================================ Want to learn more? Go to: https://exit-planning-institute.org/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute Connect with Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamkoza/ #ExitPlanningInstitute #JoshKoza #Podcast #Partners&Pours ============================================ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-partners-pours-with-josh-koza/id1833221553 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LvzPqHQiGPd1HTkJy4U8O ============================================ About Josh: As the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide. He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.

In this episode of Exit Is Now: Partners & Pours, Josh Koza sits down with Dr. Fred Johnson of InitiativeOne to explore the often overlooked driver of enterprise value: leadership. Recorded live at the Exit Planning Summit, the conversation moves beyond theory and into real-world application, highlighting how leadership transformation directly impacts culture, decision making, and long term value creation. Josh and Dr. Johnson unpack the tangible outcomes of strong leadership, from increased accountability and reduced organizational “drama” to measurable improvements in profitability and team alignment. They also introduce the concept of trust accelerators, the specific behaviors and agreements that build high performing teams and strengthen human capital, one of the most critical intangible assets in any business. This episode reinforces a core principle of exit planning: value is not built solely through financial performance, but through people, leadership, and culture. For advisors and business owners alike, the discussion offers a practical lens on how leadership development can elevate an organization from income generation to true value creation. ============================================ Hear more from our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/company/initiativeone/ https://www.initiativeone.com/ ============================================ Want to learn more? Go to: https://exit-planning-institute.org/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute Connect with Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamkoza/ #ExitPlanningInstitute #JoshKoza #Podcast #Partners&Pours ============================================ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-partners-pours-with-josh-koza/id1833221553 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LvzPqHQiGPd1HTkJy4U8O ============================================ About Josh: As the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide. He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners and rapid growth strategies. As the operational and strategic leader of EPI, Snider thrives on helping advisors learn how to educate clients, achieve market distinction, and deliver real results.

Join us for an episode of The Exit Is Now: Partners and Pours, hosted by Josh Koza. In this episode, Josh sits down with Laura Ferguson, Chief Revenue Officer at The Value Builder System, to discuss how their advisor-first platform empowers strategic exit planning conversations. Built on the framework of Built to Sell, the Value Builder System combines three critical assessments; business value, personal readiness, and financial freedom, to give owners and advisors a clear, actionable roadmap. Laura unpacks how advisors across industries use the platform to deepen relationships, nurture leads, and ultimately help business owners achieve successful exits.Want to learn more? Go to: https://linktr.ee/theexitplanninginstituteConnect with Epi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute============================================SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-plan-accordingly-with-scott-snider/id1663050204Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iXzdvQN1ApWPOk3rVytFR============================================CONNECT WITH EPI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Eh7TfhJHKRa5uc5R0uRgALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-instituteWebsite: https://exit-planning-institute.org#ExitPlanningInstitute #ScottSnider #Podcast============================================About JoshAs the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide.  He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.

Join us for an exclusive episode of The Exit Is Now: Partners and Pours, hosted by Josh Koza. In this episode, Josh welcomes Kris Snyder, Chief Revenue Officer at Ninety, to explore how their performance platform is transforming the way business owners prepare for exit. Kris explains how Ninety supports ongoing team alignment, strategic execution, and process documentation, making businesses more scalable, sellable, and valuable. They also discuss how CEPA advisors can use free practice accounts, configure the platform to suit their style, and collaborate with other advisors inside one shared space. Whether you’re a value advisor, financial planner, or owner looking to systematize your company, this episode shows how Ninety helps bring planning to life.Want to learn more? Go to: https://linktr.ee/theexitplanninginstituteConnect with Epi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute============================================SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-plan-accordingly-with-scott-snider/id1663050204Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iXzdvQN1ApWPOk3rVytFR============================================CONNECT WITH EPI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Eh7TfhJHKRa5uc5R0uRgALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-instituteWebsite: https://exit-planning-institute.org#ExitPlanningInstitute #ScottSnider #Podcast============================================About JoshAs the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide.  He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.

Join us for an exclusive episode of The Exit Is Now: Partners and Pours, hosted by Josh Koza. This week, Josh welcomes Darren Cherry of FocusCFO, a firm specializing in fractional CFO services for the lower middle market. Darren walks us through FocusCFO’s unique dual-role model that pairs business owners with both a relationship lead and a CFO focused on strategic execution. From cash flow forecasting to transition readiness, their team helps companies grow with confidence and clarity. Darren also shares how they integrate the Value Acceleration Methodology, what makes a good client fit, and how they collaborate with financial advisors and CPAs across the CEPA community.Want to learn more? Go to: https://linktr.ee/theexitplanninginstituteConnect with Epi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute============================================SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-plan-accordingly-with-scott-snider/id1663050204Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iXzdvQN1ApWPOk3rVytFR============================================CONNECT WITH EPI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Eh7TfhJHKRa5uc5R0uRgALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-instituteWebsite: https://exit-planning-institute.org#ExitPlanningInstitute #ScottSnider #Podcast============================================About JoshAs the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide.  He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.

Join us for an exclusive episode of The Exit Is Now: Partners and Pours podcast, hosted by Josh Koza. This episode features Scott Bushkie, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Business Services, an investment bank specializing in M&A services for lower middle-market companies. Scott shares how their Assurance 360 process gives business owners and their advisors a structured, trusted path to exit. From fair market analysis and value-building strategy to a deep focus on advisor collaboration, Cornerstone ensures owners are informed, aligned, and prepared. Learn how to engage Cornerstone early, protect advisor relationships, and increase client outcomes.Want to learn more? Go to: https://linktr.ee/theexitplanninginstituteConnect with Epi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute============================================SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-plan-accordingly-with-scott-snider/id1663050204Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iXzdvQN1ApWPOk3rVytFR============================================CONNECT WITH EPI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Eh7TfhJHKRa5uc5R0uRgALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-instituteWebsite: https://exit-planning-institute.org#ExitPlanningInstitute #ScottSnider #Podcast============================================About JoshAs the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide.  He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.

Join us for an exclusive episode of The Exit Is Now: Partners and Pours podcast, hosted by Josh Koza. In this episode, Josh sits down with Jeff Armstrong, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Cultivate Advisors, a firm built entirely by former business owners. Jeff shares how Cultivate helps entrepreneurs scale their companies, increase enterprise value, and prepare for a successful exit through their signature one-on-one advising model. Learn how their virtual-first approach allows them to serve clients nationwide, why they partner closely with financial and M&A advisors, and when to bring them into the conversation. Whether you're a business owner or an advisor looking to drive more value, this episode delivers tactical insights and proven processes to take businesses from successful to significant.Want to learn more? Go to: https://linktr.ee/theexitplanninginstituteConnect with EPI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-institute============================================SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-is-now-partners-pours-with-josh-koza/id1833221553Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LvzPqHQiGPd1HTkJy4U8O============================================CONNECT WITH EPI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Eh7TfhJHKRa5uc5R0uRgALinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exit-planning-instituteWebsite: https://exit-planning-institute.org#ExitPlanningInstitute #JoshKoza #Podcast============================================About JoshAs the Director of Strategic Relationships at Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), Josh Koza plays a vital role in the exit planning community by fostering connections between EPI, our partners, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors. At EPI, Josh makes sure that partners are recognized, listened to, and included in discussions to create a strong, valuable exit planning resource for advisors worldwide. He works to link partners and advisors with existing resources and products, while also curating customized offerings to meet their specific needs. Josh is dedicated to relationship building and problem-solving. When a need arises, he relies on his experience from both EPI’s Member Experience team and Business Development team to find solutions that provide real value to our partners.