Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO, Owners in Honor
Patrick Flood opens with a critical reality for every business owner: 100% of owners will eventually exit their business, but the value and outcome are determined years before the transition begins. With only 20–30% of businesses that go to market actually selling, inadequate preparation can mean lost enterprise value, unnecessary taxes, limited buyer options and unfavorable deal terms. Drawing from his own family’s experience, Patrick shares how his veteran father unknowingly sold a business for just 15% of its market value because he lacked the right advisers and exit strategy. His message is simple: start early, get the right help and keep learning to maximize what you spent decades building.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Fireside Chat: John Buckridge, CEO, Spartan Aerospace Group
In this candid fireside chat, John Buckridge joins Owners in Honor Co-Founders Patrick Flood and Joe Lerner to unpack the lessons he learned the hard way through multiple business transitions. From leaving millions on the table by not understanding his leverage to navigating the identity and purpose shift that comes with selling a business, John shares why owners need to start preparing years before an exit. The conversation covers how to make yourself replaceable, build a business that can operate without you, find the right advisers and mentors, and use your network to make smarter decisions before, during and after a sale.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 1: Prepare the Business
Module 1: Prepare the Business gives owners a practical roadmap to increasing business value before an exit. Steve Laska, Matt Gomoll and Steve Brykczynski of Trillium Wealth and Trillium Tax break down the three critical gaps every owner should understand: wealth, profit and value. The discussion covers what buyers really look for, how owner dependence and customer concentration can reduce valuation, why clean and credible financials matter, and how professionalizing operations, building a strong team and creating predictable growth can strengthen both the business and the eventual deal. Most importantly, exit preparation is a three-to-five-year process, not something you fix before going to market.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 2: Prepare Yourself
Module 2: Prepare Yourself focuses on the personal side of business ownership and what comes after the exit. Steve Laska, Matt Gomoll and Steve Brykczynski of Trillium Wealth and Trillium Tax explore the identity and purpose shifts that can come with selling a business, along with the realities of replacing business-related lifestyle expenses and generating reliable income after a sale. The discussion also covers taxes, deal structure and why the terms of a transaction can matter just as much as the headline sale price, including opportunities for tax-efficient charitable giving. Owners are encouraged to start planning for life after the business years before the transaction, so they are prepared financially, personally and professionally for what comes next.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 3: Sell the Business
Module 3: Sell the Business brings the exit plan into action, with Michael Shea of Transworld Business Advisors and Andrea Steinbrenner of Exit Consulting Group breaking down what it takes to successfully navigate a sale. The discussion covers choosing the right broker or M&A adviser, identifying the right buyer, understanding deal structure and financing, and why the terms of a deal can matter just as much as the purchase price. They also explore seller financing, tax implications and the importance of protecting what matters beyond the transaction, including legacy, employees, relationships and the owner’s role after the sale. The message is clear: the best time to prepare for a sale is long before you go to market.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO, Owners in Honor
Patrick Flood opens with a critical reality for every business owner: 100% of owners will eventually exit their business, but the value and outcome are determined years before the transition begins. With only 20–30% of businesses that go to market actually selling, inadequate preparation can mean lost enterprise value, unnecessary taxes, limited buyer options and unfavorable deal terms. Drawing from his own family’s experience, Patrick shares how his veteran father unknowingly sold a business for just 15% of its market value because he lacked the right advisers and exit strategy. His message is simple: start early, get the right help and keep learning to maximize what you spent decades building.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Fireside Chat: John Buckridge, CEO, Spartan Aerospace Group
In this candid fireside chat, John Buckridge joins Owners in Honor Co-Founders Patrick Flood and Joe Lerner to unpack the lessons he learned the hard way through multiple business transitions. From leaving millions on the table by not understanding his leverage to navigating the identity and purpose shift that comes with selling a business, John shares why owners need to start preparing years before an exit. The conversation covers how to make yourself replaceable, build a business that can operate without you, find the right advisers and mentors, and use your network to make smarter decisions before, during and after a sale.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 1: Prepare the Business
Module 1: Prepare the Business gives owners a practical roadmap to increasing business value before an exit. Steve Laska, Matt Gomoll and Steve Brykczynski of Trillium Wealth and Trillium Tax break down the three critical gaps every owner should understand: wealth, profit and value. The discussion covers what buyers really look for, how owner dependence and customer concentration can reduce valuation, why clean and credible financials matter, and how professionalizing operations, building a strong team and creating predictable growth can strengthen both the business and the eventual deal. Most importantly, exit preparation is a three-to-five-year process, not something you fix before going to market.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 2: Prepare Yourself
Module 2: Prepare Yourself focuses on the personal side of business ownership and what comes after the exit. Steve Laska, Matt Gomoll and Steve Brykczynski of Trillium Wealth and Trillium Tax explore the identity and purpose shifts that can come with selling a business, along with the realities of replacing business-related lifestyle expenses and generating reliable income after a sale. The discussion also covers taxes, deal structure and why the terms of a transaction can matter just as much as the headline sale price, including opportunities for tax-efficient charitable giving. Owners are encouraged to start planning for life after the business years before the transaction, so they are prepared financially, personally and professionally for what comes next.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
Module 3: Sell the Business
Module 3: Sell the Business brings the exit plan into action, with Michael Shea of Transworld Business Advisors and Andrea Steinbrenner of Exit Consulting Group breaking down what it takes to successfully navigate a sale. The discussion covers choosing the right broker or M&A adviser, identifying the right buyer, understanding deal structure and financing, and why the terms of a deal can matter just as much as the purchase price. They also explore seller financing, tax implications and the importance of protecting what matters beyond the transaction, including legacy, employees, relationships and the owner’s role after the sale. The message is clear: the best time to prepare for a sale is long before you go to market.
Watch the video or click below for audio only.
