Podcasts about sts capital partners

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Rob Follows, Chairman and Founder of STS Capital Partners.During the conversation, Rob and Cameron discuss the intricacies of selling businesses and navigating the complex world of mergers and acquisitions. They explore the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and business owners when it comes to maximizing the value of their companies and understanding the true impact of strategic advice.You'll discover the often-overlooked factors that can influence the final deal, including the role of private equity firms and traditional investment banks, and why these entities may not always align with the goals of family-owned or entrepreneurial businesses. Rob also emphasizes the importance of being strategic, cautious, and well-prepared throughout the process.From climbing the world's tallest peaks to speaking about life planning and business value maximization, this episode provides both practical business advice and inspiring life lessons for entrepreneurs aiming for greatness.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The importance of maximizing value when selling a business, especially for strategic buyers. How the 'Rembrandts in the attic' analogy explains the hidden value that strategic buyers see in a company.The challenges of working with smaller companies and the need for a certain level of business maturity.Common misconceptions about the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process and the importance of aligning interests.The need for entrepreneurs to have a clear understanding of their required and preferred outcomes.And much more...Resources:Connect with Rob: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Rob's story is a testament to the power of setting big, bold goals. From scaling Mount Everest with no prior climbing experience to building successful businesses and creating impactful charitable foundations, he exemplifies how embracing challenges leads to growth and fulfillment. His journey is packed with inflection points that shaped him into a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist. 00:11- About Rob Follows Rob is the founder and chairman of STS Capital Partners. He is a successful entrepreneur in his twenties and a philanthropist. He is also the founding Chairman of Altruvest Charitable Services, a Canadian charity.

“A bit of a puzzle around finding the right piece to fit and being willing to say no to the pieces that don't—that was what got me excited about the M&A process,” says Brenda Jacobsen, the managing director of STS Capital Partners. “The last piece is just creating a win for all because there's nothing worse than making someone who's given up or agreed to sell you their life's work and feeling like they were cheated out of what they feel it was worth,” she adds, emphasizing that transparency and realistic valuations are crucial to prevent either party from feeling shortchanged, thus fostering trust and successful outcomes in M&A deals.   In this episode, Brenda joins Alex Raymond to explore the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions. Brenda shares her extensive experience in M&A, stressing the importance of transparency, realistic valuations, and building strategic partnerships. She attributes much of her professional success to mindfulness and conscious leadership principles, which she learned from the Conscious Leadership Group. These principles have helped her navigate her career with resilience and responsibility.   The episode touches on Brenda's experiences in the healthcare sector, where she led acquisitions of physician-owned practices, highlighting the importance of trust and transparency in these deals. She advises entrepreneurs to prepare for exits by focusing on profitability, growth, and reducing dependency on the founder. She also shares insights on raising capital and the significance of a supportive community, such as the Young Presidents' Organization.   Join Alex and Brenda for practical advice and insights on navigating the complexities of M&A, grounded in mindful and conscious leadership principles.   Quotes “I have a very high threshold for staying uncomfortable for as long as I need to in order to make decisions. As an entrepreneur and a leader in any company, but especially in earlier stage companies, that is incredibly valuable.” (06:10 | Brenda Jacobsen)  “One of the things that makes M&A scary, both for companies being acquired and for companies acquiring, is that no matter what you're buying, you are also buying this talented group of people that make that company work. You may not have plans for all of them to continue on in the new entity, but you need them for a certain amount of time, even if it's just for the transition. By really thinking people first through that process, it doesn't have to be hard. It just has to be intentional.” (23:02 | Brenda Jacobsen)  “I think bringing in outside capital can feel like market validation, but I see it as giving away what you've invested blood, sweat, tears, and sleepless nights into, often at a valuation that's not favorable to you in the future. I try to encourage people to think about using the proceeds from the business to reinvest and grow, even if that means the pace is slower, because then the upside is yours instead of someone else's.” (42:57 | Brenda Jacobsen)   Links Connect with Brenda Jacobsen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendajacobsen/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Selling your entire business is different from selling your shares. When you sell your business, the business' existing assets and liabilities are taken over by the buyer and this is unlike a share sale where, save for the change of shareholder, there is no change in the owner of the business' assets. Our next guest sold his marketing and strategy business, he was thrilled with that until he found out the buyer would have paid 300 percent more. Rob Follows, Founder and Chairman, STS Capital Partners shares his experience selling his business and how he is helping his clients in doing so now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you want to see when thinking back on your life from your deathbed?In this episode, Jeff and Rob discuss: Rob's unique childhood and family situation and what he learned from it. Finding the balance in positivity. How Rob found his career in marketing, got involved in non-profit organizations, and began STS Capital. Why you need to stop playing small and start seeing the abundance and thinking BIG.   Key Takeaways: Be willing to learn from others who have more experience than you. No matter what you know, someone else knows more. But don't let them tell you you cannot achieve your dreams. If you see something wrong, don't be afraid to speak up and call attention to the problems. If you have solutions to those problems, bring them too. What you learn when running your business, is only going to help you in your philanthropic giving. Creating money and gathering stuff for yourself is not going to take you very far. You can't take it with you when you go - what are you going to do with the money you've earned? Start to recognize when you are playing small and when you're only playing not to lose, not to win.   "Be your big self. Believe in the dreams that you're inspired to envision. And don't let anybody tell you you can't. Anybody that tells you you can't is not worth listening to. It's time for you to step up, be your biggest self, and make this world a better place in the best way that you possibly can." —  Rob Follows About Rob Follows - Founder and Chairman:Rob's purpose and passion is to help entrepreneurial business owners achieve maximum value when the right time comes to sell. Today, Rob has been involved with or led over a thousand M&A transactions, with a total transaction value of over $100B.Rob led STS as its Founder and Chief Executive Officer for over two decades until he scaled to the role of Chairman in 2023. As Chairman, Rob works to further external business development efforts that include engagements with clients, participating and recruiting in the speaker circuit, and writing his book “Everyone has Their Own Everest, What is Yours?” among other initiatives.In addition to being Chairman and Founder of STS Capital Partners, Rob is also the founding Chairman of Altruvest Charitable Services, a Canadian charity that provides training and tools to improve the performance of local charities so they can give more to their causes. In 1998, Rob received the Top 40 Under 40 leadership award for the work he had done in creating 1,000 new jobs in Canada, as well as founding and growing Altruvest Charitable Services which has now contributed over $10 million since its establishment.Along with his work and charitable accomplishments, Rob is also an extreme adventurer. When Rob summited Everest on May 24, 2006, he became part of an elite group of people who have climbed all Seven Summits. Connect with Rob Follows:Website: https://stscapital.com/ Email: rob@stscapital.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robfollows/   Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Deciding to start or to modify your Strategic Partner Program isn't a simple choice. You have to ensure that the people you bring on as your strategic partners have the same mission vision, and desired outcomes that your organization does.  Today we will take ideas and insights from Angie Scheribel, Director of Partner Networks at STS Capital Partners. And, if you have questions about if it's time for you to launch your Strategic Partner program, give us a call. What you'll learn: What is a strategic partner program What to consider when implementing a strategic partner program How to scale a strategic partner program How to qualify strategic partners using five factors How you can determine the success of a strategic partner program What are the types of strategic partners How to keep strategic partners committed to the program What are the potential pitfalls of a strategic partner program How can leaders address potential challenges in your program. Resources: Relationship University  Insight Timer - The Free meditiation app Angie Scheribel on LinkedIn When you need to hire top sales professionals, turn to a recruiting partner that speaks sales. Alaant Workforce Solutions. Learn more and book a discovery call at www.fullfunnelfreedom.com/alaant The perfect CRM system, streamlined business processes and happier customers – Eligeo CRM Inc can make it happen for your business. Go to www.fullfunnelfreedom.com/eligeo for more info Full Funnel Freedom https://fullfunnelfreedom.com Sandler on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sandler_yyc/  Sandler in Calgary - www.hamish.sandler.com/howtosandler Connect with Hamish Knox on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/ Sponsorship or guest inquiries - podcast@fullfunnelfreedom.com

With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO, and investment banker, John co-founded align5 advisors in 2013 to advise growth company entrepreneurs and family enterprises on a variety of strategic issues including sell-side and buy-side M&A. Prior to this, John was a managing director with STS Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank. John was also the President and CEO of Appletree Answers, a call center company he founded in 1995. He grew the company organically by implementing strategies from Rockefeller Habits 2.0, and through a series of acquisitions to 24 U.S. locations and 650 employees. John sold Appletree Answers to a strategic buyer in June 2012. In addition to growing the company‘s revenue and profitability, Appletree Answers had a remarkably low turnover rate of 18% versus the industry average of 110%.To reserve a personalized marketing roadmap strategy session for your business, visit https://itmarketingconsult.com.

IN THIS EPISODE:  In this episode our host, Philip Guarino, is joined by Rob Follows. Rob's passion for helping entrepreneurs and family run businesses maximize their venture's exit led him to found STS Capital Partners, where he has been involved with over 1000 venture deals. By pulling from his experience on both sides of a negotiation, Rob shares what he wishes he had known as an entrepreneur during his first exit, and the value of finding an advisor who aligns with your company values.  Philip and Rob discuss the key differences between financial and strategic buyers, and the perseverance needed to build a venture from the ground up. Tune in to this episode to learn how to successfully value your venture, and optimize your exit strategy. And keep an out for HAE's four-part series on exit strategy, featuring Rob Fellows and the STS Team.   GUEST BIO: Rob Follows', Founder and CEO of STS Capital Partners, passion is to help entrepreneurial business owners achieve successful Exits and support the creation of billions of dollars in philanthropic capital. STS = Success to Significance through Selling to Strategics™. He has been involved in or led over a thousand M&A transactions, with a total transaction value of over $100B.  He has held various roles with YPO, including Founding Chapter Chair; former Chair of the Global Deal Network; Founding Chair of the Executive Committee of the Social Enterprise Networks; and, as a YPO Best of the Best Premier Speaker: ‘Everyone has their own Everest, what is yours?'

Investors' default position is to find reasons not to buy your boutique. They are looking for the risks and approach due diligence as a way to de-risk their investment. On this episode, Harry Dugan, Managing Director at STS Capital Partners shares how to build your firm to minimize those risk for a potential acquirer.

Welcome to this week's Wisdom and Wealth Podcast. Join us for a discussion with Kempten Schwab of STS Capital Partners on how he guides business owners through the emotional and psychological journey of exiting their closely held business. Additionally we will talk more about how he helps entrepreneurs monetize the strategic value of their privately owned business.  Thank you for listening! Please let us know what you think and also pass along any questions you have after listening. Kempten Schwab is not affiliated with CWM, LLC. 

Welcome to this week's Wisdom and Wealth Podcast. Join us for a discussion with Kempten Schwab of STS Capital Partners on how he guides business owners through the emotional and psychological journey of exiting their closely held business. Additionally we will talk more about how he helps entrepreneurs monetize the strategic value of their privately owned business.  Thank you for listening! Please let us know what you think and also pass along any questions you have after listening. Kempten Schwab is not affiliated with CWM, LLC. 

Martin Hunter is the managing partner of URGEO and host of What CEOs Talk About. He is not afraid to roll his sleeves up and get into the guts of a business. Martin has the exceptional ability of translating vision into frontline operations. He is an energetic, authentic, and engaging leader who lives to inspire people of all ages and walks of life. His strengths in leadership were learned through 10 years of active military experience where he learned the implementation of KAIZEN systems.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:The intent behind meetingsWhy being transformational in relationships is importantHow meetings factor into relationship building and maintenanceWhat message your unexplained lateness or absenteeism sendsHow to factor an attention refresh into your meeting preparationFostering respect through communication in regards to unavoidable latenessWhy your intention in meetings must be deliberateBeing thoughtful in regards to timeSponsors for This EpisodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode…Host Martin Hunter addresses punctuality and calendars to examine what messages you may be sending through lateness or breaking appointments without communication. Martin takes the time to break down why schedules matter to both parties involved and how relationships are both built and maintained through mutual respect.Martin asks vital questions of everyone in this episode. Are you putting your meetings back to back and therefore not giving yourself time to be transformational in your relationships? Do your meetings actually matter? Even in a Zoom meeting, he points out that there is an actual person on the other end of that meeting with their own desire to talk and listen. Respect for that time is key.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter breaks down what sharing information is all about and why respecting the time and humanity involved in meetings is important. He asks listeners to consider what message being late sends, how to schedule time for preparation between meetings, and why notice of emergent circumstances that may disrupt your schedule is key to respecting relationships.Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInWhat CEOs Talk AboutLet Martin know what tools you use to manage your time. Share your thoughts.Sponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Greg Moser is an E-Commerce professional with over 20 years of experience in Online Marketing, Operations, Software & Fulfillment for E-Commerce businesses along with more traditional brands & retailers in aiding their transition online. In his role as President & CTO of ShipCalm, an E-Commerce Fulfillment company, and 3PL, he oversees all activities of ShipCalm's leadership team and works with hundreds of small and midsize business owners to help them optimize their operations and scale.ShipCalm is an E-Commerce fulfillment company and third-party operations & logistics provider for small and midsize businesses. With a modern approach to technology, and fulfillment facilities strategically located on both the east and west coasts, ShipCalm is the perfect partner to scale your company's operations.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:How a birthday present changed a 12-year-old's lifeWhy he had to “ground” himself to build software after he made a recommendation that floppedHow hard lessons open new doorsWhy adversity builds bright futuresWhat laser-focused meansWhy you need to have milestones in businessWhy do you need to hear 100 “No”sWhy you need to understand your valuesSponsor for This EpisodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode…Greg Moser was that surfer kid that grew into running a successful company ShipCalm. He explained that acting was never going to be his career; however, his laser focus brought him to software programming and building ShipCalm into a successful company. Greg talks about why tenacity and milestones in place will help you stay on track with clear direction.Greg talks about ShipCalm's values as a company and the importance of understanding the people who are working for you. Your top-level executives have different needs than your factory and front-line workers. Workers need various incentives.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and guest Greg Moser, the President & CTO of ShipCalm, discuss the importance of having tenacity in business. Greg talks about why you need to pick a north star, grind through, and inspire your team to join you on the journey. One of the questions is: “How do you build a subculture within your organization?”Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInShipCalmGreg Moser on LinkedInHarland Sanders - The KFC Founder and A Story of Being Rejected 1009 TimesVolodymyr ZelenskyyMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the WorldSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

The AGC Experience podcast features our AGC Talks speakers sharing their message in an audio podcast that you can listen to from anywhere. Listen in to our recent AGC Talks featured guest. Listen as Anthony David Adams shares Psychedelics, Creativity & Deep Leadership a motivational talk with AGC Minneapolis August 2021. Join us for a vibrant talk and discussion with Anthony David Adams sharing the wisdom he has won coaching billionaires, running an underground psychedelic therapy practice, and acquiring Captain Morgans Pirate Island in Panama. Gain a new powerful perspective and tools (whether you are a creative genius or creatively blocked) that will enable you to find new solutions, navigate inner and outer challenges and inspire transformation from the teams that you lead.   Speaker Bio: Anthony David Adams is a visionary, inventor, activist, artist, entrepreneur, and transformational coach / trusted advisor to the founders of the world's greatest organizations and their teams. Hes known for his capacity to support the world's most powerful leaders in doing deep inner and outer work. Anthonys body of work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including PBS, CNN, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Time, The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Fox. Clients have included founders and teams from Asana, One Project, Bombas, Summit Series, The United Nations, Ben & Jerrys, Google, and The Salvation Army. His products and inventions have been sold everywhere from Urban Outfitters to Ritz Carlton Hotels. Anthony is an advisor to STS Capital Partners and a former World Games Invitee. He holds a BA in Psychology from Edinboro University and an MS in Urban Planning from Wisconsin. As an activist, he's one of the country's leading voices on psychedelics and mental health reform - recently becoming the first person to hold space for an underground MDMA therapy session on national television. Hes credited with being a primary catalyst in integrating race-segregated proms in southern public schools as well as ending corporal punishment in New Mexico, which has since prevented millions of children from being legally beaten.  AGC Accelerated Global Connections is a business networking organization that helps connect business professionals globally through in person networking, motivational talks, and online social profiles. To learn more about AGC and membership in this growing organization.  Visit https://www.joinagc.com/ 

Arun Vijayaraghavan is a software leader in Broadcom Software, leading a central engineering group responsible for the DevOps infrastructure and Machine learning services. Over the past decade, Arun has led engineering, and product management teams focused on modernizing traditionally legacy products used in mission-critical areas such as supply chain management and core infrastructure software.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:Why legacy software is still relevantWhat DevOps developers doWhat is the Modernization of technologyWhy you would want to modernize technologyWhy people and culture is an integral piece to modernizing techniquesThe impact of AI on modernization practicesHow COVID affected digital infrastructureThe connection between speed and simplicityThree key points to modernizing technologySponsors for This EpisodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode…Would you rebuild a train station or airport? Or would you build and improve upon the current facilities? It is similar to legacy software. Sometimes it is better to build on to the current system instead of starting from scratch. There is always a way to expand what you have with modernized technology without disrupting its core. Arun Vijayaraghavan the R&D Director at Broadcom Software uses his experience in supply chain software and interest in machine learning to help teams move towards technology goals from a development operations (DevOps) perspective.Businesses who have specific goals and metrics in mind when looking at technology will have better success if they work backward from that goal or metric. Arun explains how legacy infrastructure can be modernized with current technologies allowing for expansion and protection, which can significantly speed up processes and simplify the experience for the consumer. Arun discusses that AI and COVID are pushing companies to seek technology modernization.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and guest Arun Vijayaraghavan discuss the importance of modernizing legacy software to serve consumers better. Modernization is about improving and investing in what you have. Arun summarizes what he thinks is essential to this process; having a goal in mind, not assuming software can't be modernized, and the importance of people and company culture.Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInArun Vijayaraghavan on LinkedInBroadcomBroadcom on LinkedInBroadcom on TwitterWhat Do CEOs Need To Know and Do For Cyber'The 4 Hour Workweek' by Timothy FerrissSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need to get in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Sam Chang is a serial entrepreneur who started his journey as a door-to-door meat salesman in college. After making nearly $2000 on his fourth day on the job, Sam decided to drop out of school and work with a door-to-door sales company. While he was there, he helped grow that team from 25 agents to 300 agents selling for one of Canada's largest telecom companies. Since then, Sam has helped scale companies of all industry types and sizes, including the most recent company he started, VTMEMBER, which he scaled from 0-65k a month in monthly recurring revenue in 6 months.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:Why the dog-eat-dog mindset will be the downfall of the corporate worldHow VTMEMBER combats taking advantage of lesser income countriesWhy cold calling is a superpowerHow leading from the front produces the best resultsWhen was the last time someone told you noHow failure and success correlateHow Sam's business plan builds loyalty and accountabilitySponsors for this episodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode….How does being a door-to-door salesman inspire someone to start their own business and earn over $65,000 a month in their first six months? Sam Chang, a Taiwanese Canadian out of Vancouver, did just that. After dropping out of university at 19, he used his sales experience to climb the corporate ladder. He now uses his expertise in sales and cold-calling to guide his company VTMEMBER, a virtual assistant company, to new heights.Sam recalls two instances where the dog-eat-dog way of the corporate world caused him to snap and leave. The corporate world's structure employs what Sam termed the “Golden Handcuffs”. However, through this adversity, he rose and built VTMEMBER. By creating opportunities for employees within the company, he has created a space that encourages career development and growth.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and Sam Chang discuss how the corporate world keeps people within its clutch with Golden Handcuffs. VTMEMBER extends worldwide and was built with both employees and consumers in mind. Applications like Zoom have allowed businesses to take on global expansion. Sam and Martin discuss how his unique business structure challenges global inequalities and builds loyalty within his company.Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInVTMEMBERSam Chang on LinkedInSam Chang on InstagramSam Chang on Facebook'The 4 Hour Workweek' by Timothy FerrissBook: Wolf of Wall StreetMovie: Wolf of Wall StreetSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Guest: Andy Harris, Managing Director of STS Capital Partners. STS guides companies through the journey to achieving an extraordinary exit by selling to a strategic buyer. STS Capital Partners is a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International. Learn more.  Overview: When it's time to sell your company, what are your options? What can you do to ensure you get the best possible exit? Step one: put the best possible team together. A deal this BIG and this important requires a CFO who's been down this road before, an investment banker who knows how to get the best possible valuation for your company, and a CEO who is crystal clear on what his/her goals are for the exit.  On today's show, Andy Harris explains how owners can prepare their company for a sale, present it in the best possible light, and sell it to a strategic buyer who might pay a significant premium over a financial buyer.

Liz's workshops and book are for people wrestling with the big questions of life. They may be on a healing journey already, or maybe they're feeling lost and yearning for something more. They might have anxiety or depression - or perhaps they're just thinking, “There's GOTTA be more to life.”Her core message is that our childhood coping mechanisms are not meant to be permanent.Liz wrote this book because it took her fifty-eight years to figure out most of her shit. And that's okay. She definitely doesn't have everything sorted out. But, Liz learned a few things that she wanted to share. Things that will help other people figure out their own stuff sooner.When Liz was six years old, her favorite aunt, Linda White, disappeared at the age of nineteen. As Liz's mother moved into the role of crisis management, she completely checked out of parenting. They moved into her grandparents' house, and Liz grew up in Linda's bedroom. They all endured five very long years of not knowing if she was even alive. And today, more than fifty years later, Linda's case remains unsolved.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: A tale from Liz's childhoodWhat Liz terms “Victimtown” and the places withinMartin's implementation of “fear-setting” as a CEOUse of our “heart-voice” to talk back and calm fearConversation techniques to destigmatize talking about mental healthTools to dealing with stressors and strugglesHow visiting “Victimtown” can be beneficialIdentify root causes to recognize and fix problemsSponsors for this episodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode….Liz Long is about to turn 60 and is in the beginning of her third career, where she feels she is finally meant to be. She started out in accounting with other entrepreneurial experiences over the years. Liz then moved to her second career of managing a team of agents in the residential industry. Now she is a mental health advocate by sharing her story through writing and publishing a book about her mental health journey.Liz shares an excerpt from her book Victimtown, an Unavoidable Destination, and the Gifts it Offers, prompting the overall discussion of what “Victimtown” is and the places within. Through this Liz, and Martin are able to hit on key tools CEOs can use to discuss and deal with mental health in both the workplace and personally.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and guest Liz Long discuss mental health and how, through her analogy of “Victimtown” talking about mental health in the workplace can be less daunting. Liz highlights how childhood development can greatly affect coping mechanisms and tools to deal with stressors. Liz and Martin discuss how therapy can help in recognizing and fixing negative coping mechanisms.Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInLiz Long WritesLiz Long on LinkedInLiz Long Writes on FacebookLiz Long Writes on InstagramMelody Beattie - BoundariesSTS Capital PartnersAltruvest Charitable ServicesSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Hailing from London, UK, and having lived across Slovakia, Russia, Italy, Spain, Brazil, the UAE, and now living in Vancouver, Canada, Katarina Polonsky has a Masters in Gender Studies from the University of Oxford. An experienced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional, her specialism is bringing DE&I  to corporations to foster better working environments, happier employees, and more efficient teams.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:Katarina Polonsky explains the difference between inclusion and diversityHow when you only focus on diversity in day to day operations can isolate employees and breed resentmentWhy inclusion produces happier and more productive employeesHow to drive behavioral changeUnderstanding and celebrating where people come from and how to apply it to businessHow to build your awareness of yourself and recognize the different things in life that have given you a leg upWhat are you giving up by helping others?Why entitlement breeds resentment and angerSponsors for this episodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode….Katarina Polonsky brings a worldly viewpoint to her work with businesses and organizations looking to bring a breath of fresh air to their companies. Following the me too movement, the events surrounding the death of George Floyd, and a worldwide pandemic.  Businesses and organizations are having to look at how to move forward in this rapidly changing world.Companies that are using logic, reason, compassion and empathy to create psychological safety workspaces to guide people are finding that their productivity and worker retention is higher. People are happier where everyone wins and a community is strong. There is now hope in a once bleak looking world.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and guest Katarina Polonsky talk about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Katarina explains why business and organizations need to be working more on inclusion and less on diversity. Keep your employees sane, happy and more productive. Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInKatarina Polonsky on LinkedInMindGymPrevious  Episode: It Takes Intentional Solutions For Intentional Problems with Jason MercerDolly ChughSTS Capital PartnersAltruvest Charitable ServicesSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

In 1996, Jay and his team launched a website design division which eventually landed the Backstreet Boys band as a client. They knew from that point on, they'd always "Want it That Way"​ and in 2001, spun-off the division as a separate company.Today, Firespring has thousands of clients in all 50 states and all over the world. It became Nebraska's first Certified B Corp in 2014 and was named by Inc. Magazine in 2016 as one of America's "50 Best Workplaces."​ Jay has invested in more than 50 startups and is a passionate advocate for the Silicon Prairie having served on the Nebraska Angels BOD since its inception.Jay and his wife, Tawnya, have a goal to "have a meaningful experience together in 100 countries." He sits on several nonprofit boards and is an avid supporter of programs that embolden our youth to become servant leaders. Jay has appeared on CNN and other news outlets discussing the evolution of purpose-driven companies and is considered a leading authority on social entrepreneurship, modern marketing practices and the nonprofit sector.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:Jay Wilkinson's youth surrounded by entrepreneurs in NebraskaHow he came to found Firespring, and the name transition it went throughWhy Jay believes capitalism doesn't have to be an evil influenceHow Firespring is structured to be an evergreen companyWhat the Power of 3 meansHow Firespring will transition towards an ESOP model (and what that is)The purpose of the 11 minute Firestarter meetingHow The Do More Good Movement came aboutThe accountability and beauty of being a B CorpThe one quote that inspired everything behind Do More GoodSponsors for this episodeThis episode is sponsored by STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.In this episode….Jay Wilkinson grew up in Nebraska, in a family of entrepreneurs that stretches back to his great grandparents. His first business mentor was his grandmother who lived to be 103 and was friends with Buffalo Bill. Jay took the hard work rooted upbringing to heart and worked it into his entrepreneurial wiring, starting several businesses in college, many of which failed, all of which taught him a lot. Today he is the Founder and CEO of Firespring, a marketing agency that is a certified B Corporation known for the good work they do in their communities.Jay has structured Firespring to be an evergreen company that is transitioning to ESOP, an employee stock ownership program. He is passionate about doing good, doing right by employees and stakeholders, and about serving people more than simply lining pockets with profit. To that end he has also founded the Do More Good movement: a movement whose purpose is to help companies “evolve on their path to purpose and become Benefit Corporations”. In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and Jay Wilkinson discuss how corporations can redirect focus towards people to upend the “evils of capitalism” belief permeating today's culture. Jay discusses key strategies Firespring employs to engage with communities and ensure all employees are not only valued but active in giving back alongside the company. Jay and Martin share visions for the future and Jay's “focused, powerful, positive energy”, as described by Martin, is both inspiring and encouraging. Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInJay Wilkinson on LinkedInFirespringDo More Good MovementROI of Why podcast‘Firms of Endearment' by Raj SisodiaStephen Grellet quoteSTS Capital PartnersAltruvest Charitable ServicesSponsor for this podcast...This podcast is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need toget in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Styron Powers' favorite earned title is Dad. He is the proud father of a beautiful, intelligent black woman!  Styron Powers, a former Vice President, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Global executive (BP, ExxonMobil, Lockheed Martin, etc),has led teams in ~30 countries. He took his parent's mentoring on the power of education to heart and graduated from Harvard University Advanced Management; Rutgers University – MBA; and North Carolina State University BS in Chemical Engineering and Biological Science. In 2017, Styron retired from industry and today dedicates his time and investment expertise to assisting his blog readers in achieving financial freedom. He manages his family's multi-million-dollar rental property business and stock investment portfolio with his wife and daughter and authors the financial literacy blog WealthBuildingPowers.com.While happy to share his finance and investment lessons, he is NOT a licensed financial advisor or planner. Please do not construe suggestions in his blog or today's talk as recommendations for your situation. For individual financial advice, please seek your licensed CPA or financial advisors or, even better, improve your financial literacy. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:How Styron educated himself on financial mattersWhy he started his blogThe importance of delayed gratification and how it helps save moneyWhat a Roth IRA isHow planning for the future is a necessary considerationHow COVID exposed America's collective lack of savingsWho Styron sees coming to him for financial helpAlternate post secondary institutions to consider that don't incur Ivy League expensesThat it's not too late to learn to manage your moneyIn this episode….Styron Powers worked in health and safety for some very large corporations. His job, as he put it, was to protect life: the health, wellness, and physical safety of employees. Throughout his career he was able to work in 30 different countries and he met a lot of wonderful people. He also made a lot of friends who would tell him that they'd be working for the rest of their lives and when he asked why, they said they couldn't afford to retire. That's when he started reading about US financial management and how poorly many American manage their finances. Styron discovered that about 60% of Americans cannot afford a $400 emergency bill - be it car, heating, medical, or any other sudden cost. So he started writing a blog to help Americans understand how he had personally chosen financial freedom and how to achieve it for themselves. He also does coaching and mentorship - though he's careful to tell folks he's not a replacement for a licensed financial advisor - and passes forward the insights that financially helped him.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter and Styron Powers talk about a fundamental path to financial freedom; that of not spending more than you earn. Styron shares how he was raised to value money and instructed to always save a portion of it. He and Martin discuss delayed gratification, really thinking through purchases, and the vital necessity of planning for your future. Resources mentioned in this episode:URGEOContact email: info@urgeo.comMartin Hunter on LinkedInPowers Investments Management, LLCStyron Powers on LinkedInWealth Building Powers on Instagram'The Millionaire Next Door' by Thomas J. Stanley Ph.D. and William D. Danko Ph.DRoth IRASuicide Prevention and Crisis Services in BCSuicide Prevention and Crisis Services in Canada'The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life' by Alice SchroederSponsor for this episode...Episode sponsors:  STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services.This episode is brought to you by URGEO.URGEO is the Latin for urge: A strong desire to drive change, stimulate thought, incite feeling, and encourage action. Martin Hunter and his team provide liberation for the CEO and Board of a company through their fractional COO services.URGEO's fractional COO services help to move you through growing pains so that your company can flourish and improve its profits.They have worked with a multitude of companies in SaaS, CPG, mining, and transportation, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. They specialize in helping companies avoid roadblocks and stay on the right strategic and operational track for growth.If you are a visionary and want an integrator to get everything done for you, then you need to get in touch with URGEO today.To learn more about their services, visit https://www.URGEO.com or email them directly at info@urgeo.com

Shamil Hargovan is an entrepreneur, CEO, and brand leader who has built award-winning products and services, consumer devices, B2B platforms, and applications generating over $4B in direct revenues. As STS Managing Director, Shamil leads sell-side M&A deals, supporting business owners and founders on their journey to a strategic exit.Shamil also co-chairs the STS Capital Success to Significance™ pillar focusing on social impact and legacy potential. He serves as CEO of Altruvest Charitable Services, an affiliated foundation of STS and a global not-for-profit organization that provides training and tools to improve the governance of community-based charities. Prior to STS, Shamil co-founded Wiivv Wearables, and as CEO, grew the company 68x in three years to become the largest supplier of custom 3D printed footwear worldwide.In this episode….Shamil Hargovan was born in Australia and spent his formative childhood years in Tanzania, before the family moved to Cupertino, California when he was a teenager. He laughs about what culture shock it was to go from sometimes not having reliable power supplies to the heart of Silicon Valley in a single move. Now a resident of Seattle, he has forged a successful career as an entrepreneur, CEO, and brand manager who currently works for STS Capital Partners and Altruvest Charitable Services. The idea of using his success and skills to give back to communities and those in need is one of his passions.Shamil notes that 85% of charities are underserved, unknown, or working as pillars in communities but without necessary visibility and that during the pandemic 66% of these small charities either went under or entered financial difficulties. Altruvest started with having heavy hitter consultants and executives going into charities to help with governance to improve process and assist in the ability to run in a sustainable manner. He now works to bring entrepreneurs, corporations, and individuals into Altruvest to pair them with charities of their choice as board members to facilitate stable growth and sound practices.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter talks with Shamil Hargovan about their shared passion for investing in the business of nonprofits with time, energy, and support as well as money. They discuss how there is a perception that people don't believe they have the skills to offer to a charity but that non-profit businesses are exactly that - businesses who still need finance experts, IT and marketing professionals, and leadership just as any other business does. 

A successful entrepreneur in his twenties, Rob Follows sold his marketing and strategy business in 1992 for 27x EBITDA. He was thrilled with that — until he found out the buyer would have paid 300% more for it. That started his journey to create STS Capital Partners, a unique M&A advisor firm focused on making extraordinary exits possible.As well as being CEO and Founder of STS Capital Partners, Rob is also the founding Chairman of Altruvest Charitable Services, a Canadian charity that provides training and tools to improve the performance of charitable organizations so they can give more to their causes. In 1998, Rob received the Top 40 Under 40 leadership award for the work he had done in creating 1,000 new jobs in Canada, as well as founding and growing Altruvest Charitable Services which has now contributed over $10 million since its establishment.Shamil Hargovan is an entrepreneur, CEO, and brand leader who has built award-winning products and services, consumer devices, B2B platforms, and applications generating over $4B in direct revenues. As STS Managing Director, Shamil leads sell-side M&A deals, supporting business owners and founders on their journey to a strategic exit.Prior to STS, Shamil co-founded Wiivv Wearables, and as CEO, grew the company 68x in three years to become the largest supplier of custom 3D printed footwear worldwide. He drove an award-winning e-commerce experience and led commercial partnerships with international governments and sports, athleisure, and wellness brands, including Dr. Scholl's and Lululemon.In this episode….Rob Follows is Founder and Chairman of STS Capital. As a skilled young entrepreneur he sold his business for great profit in 1992 only to learn the buyer would have paid much more: Rob is now driven to help other entrepreneurs achieve full value for their business. Shamil Hargovan works at STS Capital as Managing Director, North America. Like Rob, Shamil is an entrepreneur who grew his business into great success and only recently exited, in 2020, to a private strategic capital group. He is inspired by Rob's massively transformative purpose of creating billions of dollars of new philanthropic capital.Rob and Shamil explain how STS Capital fills a need in the business world by employing entrepreneurs who have all sold businesses, who understand the entrepreneurial spirit and emotional needs of their clients and want to provide real valuable exit strategies for them. While Rob focuses a lot of energy on finding the best people for STS and developing those people, Shamil leads sell-side deals and works to ensure business owners are heard and advised soundly without focusing solely on the financial end of things.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, Martin Hunter talks with Rob Follows and Shamil Hargovan about the many things entrepreneurs should consider while on the journey towards selling their business. Rob explains how they are really “sell-side advisors” more than M&A, Shamil details how collaborative the process is between STS and both buyer and seller, and both have a desire for business owners to be able to trust the process with STS.

Rob Follows is the founder and chairman of STS Capital Partners, as well as an extreme adventurer. Throughout his personal and professional successes, he has internalized the concept of finding one's dharma, or purpose. Rob used the pandemic as a time to reconsider what he was doing with his life, and invested heavily in his business, opening new offices around the United States, and emerging from the pandemic with a business three times the size it was before.

Shamil Hargovan is the Managing Director of STS Capital Partners and CEO of Altruvest Charitable Services, where he is bettering the human condition through impactful business. In 2016, Shamil was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Manufacturing and Industry – and again in 2017 to the Forbes 30 Under 30 All-Star list. He has also been featured as one of Inc Magazine's "50 Emerging Global Entrepreneurs to Watch".  He shares his story on this episode.  Heart Stock Radio is a production of KBMF 102.5 FM and underwritten by Purse for the People.  

"We are about Success To Significance through Selling To Strategics." - Rob FollowsSTS stands for Success To Significance through Selling To Strategics. STS' mission is to be the best sell side advisor in the world, and to support entrepreneurs and family business owners maximize value on their journey to an Extraordinary Exit. Rob Follows is driven to helping entrepreneurial business owners achieve maximum value when the right time comes to sell. He has a passion for helping people live their vision and wants to help other entrepreneurs achieve full value for their business.Today, Rob has been involved with or led over a thousand M&A transactions with a total transaction value of over $100 billion. As well as being CEO and founder of STS Capital Partners, Rob is also the founding Chairman of Altruvest Charitable Services, a Canadian charity that provides training and tools to improve the performance of charitable organizations so they can give more to their causes.Rob is a true believer in contributing leadership. He has held various roles with Young Presidents' Organization and World Presidents' Organization, including founding chapter chair, former Chair of the Global Deal Network, Founding Chair of the Executive Committee of the Social Enterprise Networks, serving on the networks committee of the international board of YPO for over five years and contributing to over 100 events as a YPO best of the best premier speaker.Rob is also an extreme adventurer. When Rob summited Everest on May 24th, 2006, he became part of an elite group of people who have climbed all Seven Summits. His adventures also include skiing the North and South poles. Canoeing the Nahanni River in the Canadian Arctic.  The first international descent of the Onan River on the Siberia/Mongolia border. Completing the 250-kilometer Gobi Desert Ultra Marathon and 110-mile Trans Rockies Challenge. Rob has practiced deeper meditation and mindfulness with the Tibetan monks at the Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Tiger's Nest Monastery, and other monasteries in Bhutan.Rob's academic accomplishments include a BA with distinction from the University of Toronto; an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University; a certificate in Not-for-profit management from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College; the Arbor Award from the University of Toronto as an international leader in corporate philanthropy; a master's degree from Oxford University's Saïd Business School in Advanced Strategy and Corporate Philanthropy. He was also honored by being identified as one of the "Group of 175": the 175 most visionary and philanthropic living graduates in the history of the University of Toronto.Today, Rob Follows and STS Capital Partners is presented to you by Deep Wealth.The Deep Wealth Experience has you learn the 9-steps of preparation in 90-days. At the end of the 90-day's you create a blueprint to help you optimize your business value. You also have the certainty of capturing the maximum value for your liquidity event.‍SHOW NOTESThe importance of knowing the difference between a sell-side advisor and an investment bankerRob shares how he had the largest independent marketing services business in CanadaHow Rob sold his business for 27 times EBITDA to later learn his  buyer would have paid 100 times EBITDAWhy Rob created STS Capital Partners as a result of his experienceSTS Capital stands for "Success To Significance" through “Selling To Strategics”The advantage of sell-side advisory that business owners won't find anywhere elseHow financial buyers, VCs, Private Equity, and SPACs  look for death, disease, divorce, disability, disenchantment, and disintermediation to buy as low as they can to aim to buy low from entrepreneurs and sell high to strategic buyersHow you too can “Sell To Strategics”

Today we visit with Rob Follows.  Rob is the Chairman and CEO of STS Capital Partners.  Rob helps people who are ready to sell their business, giving them the freedom to contribute their time, treasure and talent to make the world a better place.As leaders, we can create success from challenges in life.  If we view adversity as a friend and teacher, there’s a potential for significant self-understanding. Listen as Rob shares his stories of adversity and the lessons he learned from it.He also explains how reflection and meditation are keys to self-understanding, the importance of finding a mentor, and putting a life plan in place.Key Topics:Rob gives us an overview of his company, STS Capital PartnersThe two things that led Rob to look for a mentor and the resulting mental exercise that helped him look forward and create a plan for his lifeRob explains how he aligned his life to his end of life objectivesRob explains how adversity built his inner strength leading him to make decisions to define his happinessAs a leader, Rob explains how he became unafraid to receive honest feedbackHow life planning, making a list and putting a 5-year date on it, leads to a focus on self-understanding, improvement, and learningKevin shares his sheer moments of clarity from his discussion with RobRob gives advice to his 23-year-old self

We have a special episode for you today as we close out the decade. A best of 10 podcast episodes from the Scaling Up Podcast that our listeners and production crew have loved over the years! Happy New Year!   Stacy Bare is a veteran of the Iraq war and is the Founder of Bare LLC, a consulting firm working to grow healthy organizations, people, and places through health and adventure. He is also the Founder of Adventure Not War, which aims to climb, ski, and adventure in places veterans have fought in.   Brian Solis is a digital analyst and anthropologist, where he studies disruptive technology and how it impacts the market, society, and individuals. He is also a keynote speaker and the author of eight books. Brian became a digital anthropologist in the late ’90s to study how emerging technologies are changing our society and our behaviors. The goal was to understand these changes so that new technology would have a positive impact on us and not a negative one.   Nick Nanton is a four-time Emmy Award Winning Director, Producer, and Filmmaker. A master storyteller, Nick is recognized as one of the top thought-leaders in the business world and is the author of StorySelling. On today’s podcast, Nick and I dive right into the art of storytelling and how to tell your story in a compelling and engaging way.   John Ruhlin is the author of GIFTOLOGY: The Art & Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through The Noise & Drive Referrals and founder of the Ruhlin Group. There are an art and science to using gifts to cut through the noise and drive real referrals to your business. In this episode, John discusses how to use gifts to scale your business and increase referrals.   John Ratliff first applied The Scaling Up Rockefeller Habits when he was the Founder/CEO of Appletree Answers. He grew it from a relatively small company in 1995 to 700 employees, before selling it in 2012. Today, he is the Managing Director of STS Capital Partners and sits down with Bill to discuss our overall mental health and how to combat depression when you’re sitting at the top.   Verne Harnish is the author of Scaling Up, Founder and CEO of Gazelles. He is also co-founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and the Birthing of Giants.   Morra Aarons-Mele is the founder of award-winning digital agency Women Online and its database of women influencers, The Mission List. She is an internet marketer who has helped launched online campaigns for world leaders and organizations including the United Nations, Malala Fund, Hillary Clinton for President, President Obama, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Morra is also the author of Hiding in the Bathroom.   Ron Lovett is an author, entrepreneur, and leader with a passion for change. He is the Founder of Connolly Owens, where he and his team build companies with a purpose. They teach companies how to create accountability so that their entire team is focused on the same company goals.   Lara Hodgson is the co-founder, president, and CEO of NOW Corp. She also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Harvard Business School. NOW Corp is the company she co-founded to free small businesses from the burden of funding trade credit and to enable small business growth. The concept for NOW Corp’s NOWaccount payment system stems from the challenges Lara faced when growing her manufacturing business, Nourish.   Carl Gould is an entrepreneur and business growth expert. Carl has built three multi-million dollar businesses by the age of 40, has mentored the launch of over 5,000 businesses and has trained and certified over 7,000 business coaches in 35 countries.   Interview Links: “Stacy Bare — Adventure Not War” “Brian Solis — Live a Happier, More Productive Life” “Nick Nanton — ‘Storyselling’ – How to Tell Your Personal Story” “John Ruhlin — The Strategic Way to Use Gifting” “John Ratliff — It’s Lonely at the Top: Your Work and Your Mental Health” “Verne Harnish — The Biggest Mistakes in Scaling Up” “Morra Aarons-Mele — How to Network and Show up While Being An Introverted Leader” “Ron Lovett — Remove Mid-Level Management Through Task Mapping” “Lara Hodgson — How Lacking Resources Generates Innovation” “Carl Gould — Get More Customers Without Compromising on Price”   Resources: Scaling Up Workshop: Interested in attending one of our workshops? We have a few $100 discounts for our loyal podcast listeners!Scaling Up for Business Growth Workshop: Take the first step to mastering the Rockefeller Habits by attending one of our workshops. Scaling Up Summits (Select Bill Gallagher as your coach during registration for a discount.) Bill on YouTube   Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then head over to iTunes and leave a review. Help other business leaders discover the Scaling Up Business Podcast so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.   Scaling Up is the best-selling book by Verne Harnish and our team for Gazelles Coaching, on how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. My name is Bill Gallagher, host of the Scaling Up Business Podcast and a leading Gazelles Coach. Gazelles is the term we use for fast-growing companies.   We help leadership teams with 4 Decisions around People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash so that they can Scale Up successfully and beat the odds of business growth success. Scaling Up for Gazelles companies is based on the Rockefeller Habits 2.0 (from Verne’s original best-selling business book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits).  

John is currently CEO of Scaling Up Coaches and Managing Director & Partner of align5 advisors. In his leadership role of Scaling Up Coaches, John will be utilizing years of business experience and relationships with business thought leaders to grow a dynamic community of coaches impacting entrepreneurs and scaling companies around the globe. With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO and investment banker, he co-founded align5 advisors in 2013 (in partnership with STS Capital) to advise growth company entrepreneurs and family enterprises on a variety of strategic issues including sell-side and buy-side M&A.Before founding align5 advisors, John was a Managing Director with STS Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank specializing in middle-market M&A.John was also the President and CEO of Appletree Answers, a telephone answering service company he founded in 1995. He grew the company organically by implementing strategies from Rockefeller Habits 2.0, and through a series of acquisitions to 24 U.S. locations and 650 employees. John sold Appletree Answers to a strategic buyer in June 2012. John is passionate about strategy, company culture and employee engagement. In addition to growing the company's revenue and profitability, Appletree Answers had a remarkably low turnover rate of 18% versus the industry average of 110%.John comes into his role in the coaching organization having spent the last 5 years as a strategic advisor to Verne Harnish and Scaling Up. He is active in Virgin Unite, a charitable foundation created by Sir Richard Branson.John lives in Wilmington, Delaware, with his wife Lynne and their three children. As an avid pilot, John flies his TBM 850 single-engine turboprop plane for both business and pleasure.--------------------CONNECT WITH PETER BOOLKAH:--------------------http://www.Boolkah.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Boolkahhttps://www.instagram.com/pboolkah/https://www.linkedin.com/in/boolkahhttps://twitter.com/boolkah--------------------ABOUT PETER BOOLKAH--------------------Peter Boolkah (AKA The Transition Guy) is the World’s #1 Business Transition Coach whose main passion in life is to work with talented and high performing business owners who are in the process of creating exciting, high growth businesses. Peter helps you to navigate and transition through the crucial growth pains that all growing businesses experience making it as painless and exciting as possible.It is important to remember that businesses do not just grow and develop on their own, it is up to us and our teams to make this happen by making every day purposeful. As businesses grow some parts of the journey will be easier than others and most owners do not have all the answers. Starting a business is one of the most exciting things we get to do and we all have aspirations of achieving great things. In fact Peter is yet to meet someone who started a business with the intention of failing.Peter’s ultimate life goal is to inspire and empower over 100,000 Entrepreneurs to create long term thriving businesses resulting in the creation of 1,000,000 jobs.So if you are scaling up your business, you’re in a business transition period, and want to know more then connect with Peter at Boolkah.com--------------------THE TRANSITION GUY --------------------Peter Boolkah is the World's #1 Business Transition Coach and also known as ‘The Transition Guy’. This YouTube channel and his podcast is where he shares his unique and direct approach to taking back control of your business (and your life) while growing and transitioning your business from one level to the next.As a business owner, transitioning your business is all about setting and reaching your goals as well as business transition planning and process. Do you want to accom

Rob Follows: Founder and CEO of STS Capital Partners   In this episode, Nathan and Rob Follows discuss: The STS Capital Partners value proposition.  Issues business owners should consider before selling. Philanthropy and creating legacy. Setting big goals to inspire your heart and mind.      Key Takeaways: It’s not what you think you’re worth as a seller, it’s what the buyer sees doing with your firm that matters most. Doing your homework in advance of a sale can lead to a significant increase in selling price. You don’t need a magical DNA mix to accomplish things in life, anyone can accomplish big goals with reflection, planning, and execution. Find a way to accomplish your goals. You don’t have to rush them, you just have to do them.     "You’ve got to set big goals, ones that you love and inspire you. Anyone can do that; it does take being brave." — Rob Follows     Connect with Rob Follows: Rob Follows, Founding Chairman & CEO 4 Robert Speck Pkwy Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S1 Phone 905.804.1934   Email:  rob@stscapital.com LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/robfollows/ Company Website:  www.stscapital.com  Company LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/sts-capital-partners/about/      Connect with Nathan Mersereau:  Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com Twitter: @NathanMersereau LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau Address: 36800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304   Show Notes by Podcastologist/Show Producer: Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

A successful merger or acquisition is usually the result of a shared vision, a differentiated brand and an aligned culture. Unfortunately, the majority of mergers and acquisitions fail. In this episode of Expert Opinion, Rob Follows, Founder and CEO of STS Capital Partners, talks with BrandingBusiness Founding Partner Ryan Rieches about the different types of buyers, the importance of a strong brand, and the best ways to position and prepare your company for a successful merger or acquisition.

Competitive Advantages of Great Culture - 3 Universal Truths in Business with John Ratliff. Discover the power of a dream, 3 myths about employees, what great companies focus on and do better than anyone else, and more. John founded Appletree Answers in 1995 and sold it in 2012. He is currently Managing Director of STS Capital Partners, an international mergers and acquisitions firm and a Partner and CoFounder of align5 - a business consultancy that focuses on strategic coaching and execution planning for growth entrepreneurs. Recorded live at the Genius Network Annual Event. If you would like access to the full video presentation, the special resources, and show notes for this episode please visit GeniusNetwork.com/51 Here’s a glance at what you’ll learn from John in this episode: Power of a Dream: How to give yourself a huge competitive advantage by building a great company culture 3 myths about employees and the big secret to having team members who are super happy to work for you How John shifted his frontline employee turnover from 100% to 19% while growing his company 32x the industry average What great companies focus on and do better than anyone else to attract, hire and retain superstar talent How to properly implement core values, net promoter and team meetings so your team effectively drives your vision and business The one most important question you can ask yourself (and the one most important action step you can take) to create an extraordinary team

John Ratliff first applied The Scaling Up Rockefeller Habits when he was the Founder/CEO of Appletree Answers. He grew it from relatively small company in 1995 to 700 employees, before selling it in 2012. Today, he is the Managing Director of STS Capital Partners, and sits down with Bill to discuss our overall mental health and how to combat depression when you’re sitting at the top. When it comes to mental health, John looks back and reflects that he had been struggling with it since he was a little kid. So, instead of facing it, he did what most people did, he dived into his work, and did not confront what was going on with himself internally. When it comes to mental health, sleep is very important, yet John picked a business where he didn’t get much of it at all. He was working 100 hours a week, and was up at all hours of the night when he first started his answering service. He was so sleep deprived that he doesn’t remember the entire year of 1997. To be completely honest, John kept his life-long battle with depression a complete secret from everyone in his life until now, when he’s finally able to talk about it. It was something he didn’t want anybody to know about. From the outside, he was often the life of the party and a fun guy to be around. Bill reflects on his own personal experience and how many entrepreneurs pretend that it’s all ‘cool,’ when it really is not. Through some reflection, Bill was able to notice, just like John, the various ways we try to hide from the outside world, and to make it look like we’re more than just okay. It seems entrepreneurs have the tendency to overcompensate to try and avoid what’s going on in the inside, which has its pros and its cons.   Interview Links: STSCapital.com John on LinkedIn   More Resources: Scaling Up for Business Growth Workshops: Take the first step to mastering the Rockefeller Habits by attending one of our workshops. Scaling Up Website Gazelles Website Bill on YouTube  

When your clients sell their business, are you frustrated that you don't always add the resulting windfall to your AUM? There's a simple way to insert yourself in the sales process, add more value to your clients, and ensure you get your fair share of the proceeds to manage. One of the objectives of my podcast is to help advisors figure out ways to add more value to their client relationships that goes beyond money management. Today, we'll discuss how you can add tremendous value to your clients by helping them get top dollar for their company by selling to strategic investors. My guest is Rob Follows, Founding Chairman and CEO of STS Capital Partners. Rob is one of the world's leading mergers and acquisitions experts and his firm specializes in helping mid-market private businesses get maximum value for their companies by selling their business to a strategic--as opposed to financial--investor. If you have clients who own a successful private business, you'll want to listen to this podcast and read the show notes.