Secrets to Selling Your Business

Steve Wampold: Innovator, Entrepreneur, and Joy-Bringer. Steve’s professional journey is marked by an unyielding passion for bringing joy into people’s lives through innovative product design. As the founder of BigMouth Inc, Steve harnessed his creativity to revolutionize the novelty pool float market, achieving multi-million-dollar success and earning the title of “Vendor of the Year” from Target in 2016’

In this episode, Jacob Koenig welcomes Steve Wampold, the former CEO of Big Mouth and the current CEO of Bouncy Bands and Punchkins. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with how his penchant for humor and creativity led him to sell practical jokes online, eventually founding Big Mouth in the early 2000s. The company flourished, growing significantly in revenue by selling to major retailers. However, facing uncertainties about future growth and having never extracted significant money from the business, Steve turned to Woodbridge and Larry Reinhart for advice, leading to a decision to explore the market’s interest in his company.

Steve recounts the exhilarating experience of being pursued by multiple investors, attributing the successful sale to Woodbridge’s broad market approach and competitive process, which garnered higher-than-expected offers. Post-sale, Steve describes a period of adjustment and reaffirms his passion for entrepreneurship. He shares his current ventures with Bouncy Bands and Punchkins, emphasizing the joy of creating products and working with a tight-knit team without the pressures of his previous CEO role. In closing, Steve praises Woodbridge for their effective process and hints at potential future engagements with them for his current ventures.

Here’s what to expect this episode:     

• Entrepreneurial Evolution: Steve’s story is a testament to how entrepreneurial vision, when coupled with creativity and persistence, can lead to substantial growth and success.

• Strategic Decision-Making in Business Sales: The decision to explore the market through a sell-side engagement, highlights the importance of understanding market dynamics and being open to opportunities that may reshape a business’s future.

• The Emotional Aspects of Selling a Business: They discuss the period of adjustment post-sale and the mix of excitement, uncertainty, and nostalgia that business owners often face during and after the transition.

• Life After a Major Business Transaction: Steve talks about his ventures post-Big Mouth, specifically Bouncy Bands and Punchkins, emphasizing the importance of continuing to pursue one’s passion and the joy of creating new products without the intense pressures of his previous role.

• The Importance of the Right Partnerships and Advice: The episode underscores the value of expert advice, thorough market exploration, and strategic positioning in achieving favorable outcomes in business transactions.

Connect with Steve Wampold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wampold-002a5547/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Zach is passionate about helping companies grow and evolve into high-functioning, high-impact organizations. He has 20 years of executive experience, as well as 5 years of implementing his expertise to help entrepreneurs. Zach’s passion and knowledge in organizational strategy make him an ideal leader for businesses seeking to scale. He offers tried and true solutions to solve even the stickiest issues. No shortcuts here; just honest advice that works. His aim is to help bring your business up to the next level. Zach lives in Franklin, TN with his wife Jacki who is a clinical therapist and helps lead Intentional Schools, and their three sons, Nyzire, Ahmir, and Sammy. 

In the episode, Zach Montroy, founder and CEO of the Intention Collective, shares insights on the challenges entrepreneurs face, especially when scaling and growing their businesses. Montroy emphasizes the importance of leadership and team-building, outlining how loneliness in leadership roles can impede growth. He underscores the necessity for entrepreneurs to foster a healthy team environment, citing that leadership is not just about managing a team but also about self-improvement and holistic health. Montroy mentions Brené Brown’s perspective, “Who you are, is how you lead,” stressing the significance of being inwardly sound and principled. He discusses the importance of aligning team members with the company’s vision and ensuring that each member is in the right role, leveraging their unique skills and passions to contribute to the company’s growth.

Montroy also delves into the practicalities of growing a sustainable business, discussing the use of tools like the Predictive Index and the Kolbe assessment to understand team members’ intrinsic motivations and align their roles accordingly. He highlights the importance of setting up correct business systems, using leading indicators for success, and ensuring that each team member knows their key performance indicators. Montroy addresses the emotional aspects of leadership, especially during pivotal moments such as selling a company.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Importance of Holistic Leadership: The significance of being a holistic leader who is inwardly sound and self-aware. The concept emphasizes that personal well-being and emotional intelligence are crucial for leading a team effectively and fostering a healthy, sustainable business environment.
• Team Alignment and Utilization of Strengths: The necessity of aligning team members with the company’s vision and strategically placing them in roles that match their unique talents and passions. Tools like the Predictive Index and the Kolbe assessment are discussed as methods to identify and harness these intrinsic motivations and skills.
• Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement: The need for clear key performance indicators for each team member and emphasizes focusing on leading indicators of success to ensure the company is on the right track towards its goals.
• Navigating Leadership Challenges: The emotional and mental challenges leaders face, especially during significant transitions like selling a company. It brings out the importance of coaching, mental health support, and having a supportive network to navigate these complex situations effectively.
• Continuous Improvement and Servant Leadership: The episode underscores that effective leadership in today’s dynamic business environment requires a commitment to personal growth and a dedication to serving and developing one’s team.

Connect with Zach Montroy:

https://intentioncollective.co/meet-our-team/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Chris Tatge is the founder and president of DC Materials, a company that has been at the forefront of innovation in construction for the past four years. But what sets Chris apart is where his journey began – as a struggling high school student with no purpose and direction, who through mentorship and support evolved into a successful turnkey framing contractor. Today, he’s a self-made entrepreneur who is disrupting the construction industry.

In this episode, Chris Tatge, CEO and founder of DC Materials, joins the host, Jacob, to discuss the growth and success of his company. DC Materials, known for framing labor and materials in multifamily spaces, has been recognized as the 539th fastest-growing private company in the US and third in Wisconsin, according to the 2023 Inc 5000 rankings. Tatge outlines the unique business model of DC Materials, which combines providing both material and labor, a practice uncommon in Wisconsin but prevalent in other parts of the US. This approach, along with strategic wholesale material purchases and value engineering opportunities, contributed to the company’s exponential growth. Tatge also touches on how the pandemic affected the business, highlighting their agility in adapting to fluctuating material costs and the advantages they had over traditional lumber yards.

The discussion then shifts to Tatge’s journey from carpenter to industry innovator. He credits his involvement with the National Framework Council and encounters with professional framing contractors for inspiring a shift in his business focus from labor to material profit. DC Materials specializes in framing for apartment buildings, and Tatge shares their plans for expansion, including a larger lumberyard and new office space. He also discusses the labor market, emphasizing their strategies for remaining a preferred employer for subcontractors. Towards the end of the conversation, Tatge reflects on the broader industry trends, noting significant mergers and acquisitions in the lumber space and the venture capital interest sparked by a McKinsey report calling for innovation in construction. Finally, he shares his vision for the future, which includes off-site construction and continued mentorship and influence within the industry.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Innovative Business Model: DC Materials, stands out in the Wisconsin market for its unique approach of combining both labor and material provision in the construction of multifamily wood apartment buildings.
• Adaptability During the Pandemic: Navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in dealing with fluctuating material costs. Their agility and unique business model allowed them to be more responsive and less affected by the rapid changes in the market compared to traditional lumber yards.
• Professional Growth and Industry Influence: Tatge’s personal journey from a hands-on carpenter to an industry innovator is highlighted. His involvement with the National Framework Council and interactions with professional framing contractors in other regions played a significant role in his professional development and the strategic shift in his business focus.
• Future Expansion and Industry Trends: insights into broader industry trends, such as significant mergers and acquisitions in the lumber space and the increasing venture capital interest in construction innovation.
• Commitment to Quality and Labor Relations: The importance of quality in their projects and maintaining good relationships with subcontractors. Strategies like prompt payment and resolving disputes favorably for subcontractors ensure that DC Materials remains a preferred employer and maintains a reliable labor pool.

Connect with Chris Tatge:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-tatge-38007a72/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Rich Woo is a Founder, Author, and Podcast Host. He runs his wealth advisory firm, Catalyst Planning Partners, where he helps business owners and executives save time and money on taxes to create generational wealth for their future legacies. Rich’s book, The Relationship Recession, soon to be released is focused on addressing the gap of more than 100M+ Americans who are dissatisfied with the level and depth of their relationships. Rich’s podcast, The Power of Connections, examines the powerful lessons we can learn from our relationships and how they are shaping where we are going and who we are becoming.

In this podcast episode, the host welcomes Rich Woo, founder of Catalyst Planning Partners, author, and podcast host. Woo shares his background story, highlighting his journey from growing up in Chicago as a child of immigrants to establishing his career in corporate finance and eventually transitioning into the financial advisory and planning arena. This shift in his career was partly influenced by a personal tragedy – the loss of his mother in an accident during his teens, which underscored the importance of planning in his life. Woo’s desire to combine working with numbers and people led him to create Catalyst Planning Partners, where he and his team focus on assisting business owners and executives with tax savings and goal achievement.

Woo also discusses his other passions, including his podcast ‘The Power of Connections’ and his book ‘The Relationship Recession.’ He delves into the significance of relationships in personal happiness, as highlighted by a Harvard study, and addresses the widespread dissatisfaction in American relationships. Woo connects these themes to his role as a financial advisor, emphasizing the importance of understanding clients’ life goals beyond financial success.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• The Importance of Personalized Financial Planning: The significance of personalized financial planning, especially how individual life experiences, like personal tragedies, can shape one’s approach to financial security and planning. Woo’s story emphasizes that effective financial advice is not just about numbers, but also about understanding individual life stories and goals.

• The Role of Relationships in Personal and Financial Success: The critical role of relationships in achieving personal happiness and success. By referencing his book ‘The Relationship Recession’ and his podcast ‘The Power of Connections’, he highlights the importance of meaningful relationships in life, which is a key element often overlooked in the pursuit of financial wealth.

• Integrating Professional and Personal Growth: Personal experiences and interests can be integrated into one’s professional life to create a more fulfilling career. Woo’s transition from corporate finance to financial planning was driven by a desire to connect with people and make a significant impact in their lives, blending his professional expertise with his personal passion for relationships and community.

• Preparation and Planning for Major Life Events: Valuable insights into the necessity of planning and preparing for major life and financial events, such as selling a business or planning for retirement. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in one’s goals and assembling a knowledgeable support team ahead of time to ensure successful outcomes.

• Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond Wealth: The concept of finding purpose and fulfillment beyond just accumulating wealth. Woo’s narrative and advice encourage listeners to contemplate what truly brings satisfaction and meaning to their lives. This perspective challenges the conventional focus on financial success as the sole indicator of a successful life, urging a more holistic approach that includes personal relationships, life satisfaction, and meaningful pursuits.

Connect with Rich Woo:

https://catalyst.nm.com/team.htm

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Dave Castro is an entrepreneurial force behind the innovative IceBrekr app, a platform designed to revolutionize the way individuals connect at gatherings by leveraging the power of cell phone ID technology. With a career spanning over 20 years in the software industry, including co-founding a healthcare software company later acquired by Dr. Oz’s ShareCare corporation, Dave has consistently been driven by a fascination with technology and a desire to create impactful software products. His vision for IceBrekr stems from his belief that life’s most meaningful achievements are rooted in the connections we make. The app reflects this philosophy, allowing users to selectively share information and efficiently find relevant connections, thus alleviating the awkwardness often encountered in networking scenarios. Dave’s ambition with IceBrekr is not just to transform networking at events but to redefine how we forge personal and professional relationships for the foreseeable future.

In this podcast episode, the host welcomes David Castro, the founder and CEO of the Icebreaker app, a novel tool designed to facilitate networking and connections at events. Castro explains that Icebreaker uses the radio signals from users’ phones to detect others nearby who also have the app, displaying their profiles on the user’s discovery screen. This feature enables users to connect with people within their vicinity, enhancing the quality of networking experiences.

The conversation shifts to how the pandemic affected the rollout of Icebreaker. The need for social distancing ironically benefited the app, as it encouraged the development of features for virtual and hybrid events. The podcast then explores Castro’s extensive entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of patience, prioritization of sales, and operational efficiency. He shares insights on the value of having solid standard operating procedures, reliable metrics, and a clear understanding of a company’s status when considering acquisitions. Castro concludes by highlighting upcoming features of Icebreaker aimed at further enhancing networking efficiency. He envisions a transformative impact on networking events, particularly for introverted individuals, by enabling them to efficiently connect with the most relevant people. The episode ends with a reminder about the unique spelling of the Icebreaker app (ICEBREKR) and where to find it.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Innovative Networking Technology: Listeners will learn about the Icebrekr app’s unique technology that uses phone radio signals to identify and connect with people nearby at events.

• Enhanced Connection for Introverts: The Icebrekr app facilitates initiating conversations and targets meaningful interactions, making networking events less daunting and more productive.

• Adaptation During the Pandemic: The discussion reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic led to the strategic pivot of Icebrekr, incorporating features for virtual and hybrid event networking. This adaptation underscores the importance of flexibility and innovation in business.

• Entrepreneurial Insights: The significance of patience, the critical role of sales, and the importance of operational efficiency in a startup’s success. These insights are particularly useful for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals.

• Future Developments and Vision: A glimpse into the future developments of the Icebreaker app, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize networking events. Castro’s vision for the app includes features that will further maximize the return on investment for event attendees, transforming expectations and experiences at networking events.

Connect with Dave Castro:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaaroncastro/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Craig Davis is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the Mortgage Finance Industry. Starting his career in 2001 as a top-producing Account Executive, Davis quickly ascended into management and leadership roles by 2009, where he demonstrated a knack for developing successful teams, branches, regions, and divisions in both sales and operations. His leadership philosophy centers around the idea that personal success is deeply intertwined with the success of his team, a belief that has guided him throughout his career. This philosophy led to the creation of Ascend Xperience Coaching and Consulting, where he focuses on optimizing client success, enhancing leadership skills, reducing friction, and boosting momentum. Davis is not just a successful professional; he is also a recent conqueror of cancer, a devoted family man, and a friend to many.

In this episode, Jacob Koenig welcomes Craig Davis, founder and president of Ascend Experience Coaching and Consulting, who previously worked in mortgage finance for over 20 years. Davis shares his journey from the mortgage industry to starting his own business, which was part of his “life after mortgage” plan. He explains that his leadership style, rooted in fostering a positive mindset, played a significant role in his professional success. Davis’s decision to start his business was accelerated by the closing of the company he helped take public, viewing this as an opportunity rather than a setback. Additionally, he discusses his experience as a cancer survivor, describing how he adopted an endurance mindset to overcome the disease. This approach involved focusing on small, manageable actions and maintaining a positive attitude, which he believes were key factors in his recovery.

Davis offers insights on the challenges entrepreneurs face when selling their businesses. He emphasizes the importance of remembering the initial inspiration behind the decision to sell and advises focusing on daily actions rather than fixating on the end result. The episode concludes with Davis reiterating the importance of focusing on daily activities and actions that lead to the desired outcome, and not solely on the outcome itself.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Transitioning from Mortgage to Coaching: learn about Craig Davis’s shift from a successful career in mortgage finance to founding Ascend Experience Coaching and Consulting. This part of the discussion offers insights into how professional transitions can lead to fulfilling new ventures.

• Mindset and Leadership: Davis emphasizes the critical role of mindset in both personal and professional success. He shares his belief that focusing on helping others succeed is a key to his own success, providing a valuable lesson in leadership and personal growth.

• Overcoming Cancer with Resilience: A significant highlight is Davis’s battle with stage three cancer and how he adopted an ‘endurance mindset’ to navigate this challenging period.

• Advice for Entrepreneurs Selling Their Business: Davis offers practical advice for entrepreneurs considering the sale of their businesses. He stresses the importance of remembering the initial motivation for selling and concentrating on daily tasks rather than just the final goal, a strategy that can be applied to various aspects of business and personal endeavors.

• Shift from Owner’s to Leader’s Mindset: An insightful takeaway is Davis’s discussion on the difference between an owner’s and a leader’s mindset, especially relevant for those undergoing business transitions. He describes how leadership involves guiding and motivating a team towards common goals.

Connect with Craig Davis:

https://ascendxc.com/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Episode Summary:

Randolph Ewing, an experienced lawyer since 1978, holds extensive expertise in various legal domains, including mergers and acquisitions, international law, finance, sports, and general business. His career includes partnerships in notable law firms such as Reynolds Allen & Cook; Looper, Reed, Ewing & McGraw; and Boyer, Ewing & Harris. He offers a comprehensive range of legal services, particularly in transactional law, advising a diverse clientele comprising private equity firms, large and small private companies, as well as individual entrepreneurs and investors.

In this insightful podcast episode, host Jacob Koenig, welcomes a seasoned legal expert, Randolph Ewing, to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on a recent successful deal they closed together, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of legal and financial advisors. The expert shares his perspectives on navigating complex business transactions, highlighting the importance of strategic negotiation and the role of legal counsel in ensuring smooth and successful deal closures. He emphasizes the value of experience and expertise in dealing with various aspects of business law, particularly in mergers and acquisitions.

The discussion then delves into the nuances of business transactions, with the expert explaining the dynamics of working with different types of lawyers and the impact of their experience on deal negotiations. He emphasizes the importance of having a professional lawyer on both sides to navigate allocation risk issues effectively. The conversation also touches upon broader trends in business sales, the evolution of seller-friendly transaction environments, and the critical role of effective communication between clients and their advisors. The legal expert shares anecdotes and insights from his 45 years of experience, offering a deeper understanding of the legal landscape in business transactions and the strategic considerations essential for successful deal-making.

Here’s what to expect this episode:  

• Insight into Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Expertise: valuable insights into the world of mergers and acquisitions from a seasoned legal expert, including strategies for successful deal negotiation and closure.

• Importance of Professional Legal Representation: the crucial role of having experienced and specialized legal representation on both sides of a transaction, highlighting how this can impact the negotiation and outcome of business deals.

• Trends and Evolution in Business Transactions:  how the landscape of business sales has changed over the years, particularly noting the shift towards more seller-friendly environments and the implications of these changes.

• Risk Management in Business Deals: gain an understanding of the complexities of risk allocation in business transactions, including how risks are identified, negotiated, and managed by legal professionals.

• Practical Advice and Anecdotes from Experience: the real-world anecdotes and practical advice drawn from the expert’s 45-year career, offering a realistic view of the challenges and considerations in the field of business law and transactions.

Connect with Randolph Ewing:

https://www.ewingjones.com/attorney-randolph-ewing.html

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Vin Infante is a Master Mindset Coach, licensed psychotherapist & Keynote Speaker. He has spent over a decade learning and working with thousands of people in varying capacities, including hospitals, clinics, in-patient units, homeless shelters, school systems, and private practice. With an extensive background in psychology, mindset, behavior, neurology, and physiology, he uses his knowledge to help individuals unlock and achieve their unique definition of success.

In this episode, the Jacob Koenig welcomes Vin Infante and they discuss his professional journey, detailing his transition from traditional psychotherapy to becoming a mindset coach and speaker. He shares personal experiences of overcoming anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, and his desire to impact the world positively. Infante’s career path has been diverse, including roles as a psychotherapist, firefighter, and eventually founding a coaching business. He emphasizes the importance of finding fulfilling work and the challenges of balancing multiple roles, ultimately leading to his decision to focus solely on coaching.

Infante delves into his unique coaching methodology, a blend of therapy, mentoring, and coaching, aimed at addressing shortcomings he perceived in traditional psychotherapy. He was inspired by the work of Tony Robbins and other innovative approaches to personal development. Infante’s methodology is particularly effective for high performers, entrepreneurs, and business owners, helping them address deeper personal issues to become more coachable and achieve higher levels of leadership and personal growth. He stresses the importance of continual personal development, asserting that the level of leadership and business success one can achieve is directly proportional to their level of personal growth. Infante concludes with advice for entrepreneurs facing the emotional challenges of selling their businesses, emphasizing the need to find new purposes and engage in meaningful contributions beyond their professional achievements.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Vin Infante’s diverse career journey, including roles as a psychotherapist, firefighter, and coach, highlights the importance of pursuing fulfilling and impactful work.

• Infante’s unique coaching methodology combines elements of therapy, mentoring, and coaching to address limitations he observed in traditional psychotherapy.

• He emphasizes that personal development is crucial for entrepreneurs and leaders, as their level of success is intrinsically linked to their personal growth.

• Infante advocates for a mindset shift in understanding life events, encouraging people to actively create their life experiences rather than passively endure them.

• For those facing major career transitions, such as selling a business, Infante stresses the importance of finding new purposes and ways to contribute meaningfully to society.

Connect with Vin Infante:

https://www.vincentinfante.life/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Aaron has successfully started and scaled two multi-million-dollar companies, each with over 125 employees. A few years ago, his second successful start-up, Home Care Pulse®, began to hit the ceiling and that’s when he discovered the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. 5-years after implementing EOS, Home Care Pulse has become a powerhouse in the home care industry, employing hundreds. Aaron is now a trained Certified EOS Implementer®, helping leadership teams create a lasting vision that is shared by all, gain traction on their vision by instilling discipline and accountability throughout the organization, and help build a healthier, more cohesive leadership team.

In this episode, Jacob had the chance to interview Aaron Marcum. Aaron shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a successful home care agency and later included launching a data analytics company. He discusses the challenges of juggling multiple ventures and how he eventually prioritized well-being in his life, leading to personal and professional growth. Aaron’s transition into cycling became a transformative outlet, and he emphasizes the importance of being present in various aspects of life. He also highlights his exploration of positive psychology and its application to helping entrepreneurs achieve a thriving balance between their personal and professional lives. Aaron’s upcoming book, “Entre Thrive,” combines positive psychology principles with entrepreneurial insights to help others flourish in both realms.

The episode explores themes such as the “good life” mindset, reframing life experiences, and the significance of understanding one’s “why” when contemplating entrepreneurial transitions or exits. Aaron provides valuable advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need to be open about personal and financial goals and the potential for growth and impact in the next phase of life. Overall, the conversation offers insights into entrepreneurship, personal development, and achieving a fulfilling and balanced life.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Entrepreneurial Journey: Aaron Markham shares his 21-year entrepreneurial journey, including his initial success with a home care agency and the launch of a groundbreaking data analytics company for the same industry.

• Balancing Act: gain insights into the challenges of balancing personal and professional life as an entrepreneur. Learn the importance of being present and how it positively impacted both aspects of his life.

• Positive Psychology: Explore the concept of positive psychology and its role in helping entrepreneurs thrive. Aaron shares his journey into the field and how it became a significant part of his life.

• The Good Life Mindset: Delve into the idea of the “good life” mindset, emphasizing the importance of framing life experiences and finding meaning and purpose, even in challenging circumstances.

• Advice for Entrepreneurs: Aaron offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs contemplating exits or transitions, emphasizing the need to understand one’s “why,” be open about personal and financial goals, and recognize the potential for growth and impact in the next phase of life.

Connect with Aaron Marcum:

 https://www.eosworldwide.com/aaron-marcum

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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Lydia Alexandra Renders is the Founder and CEO of Willow, a certified B-Corp and a designated Woman Based Enterprise investment firm, one of just a few firms with this distinction in the USA.  As Chief Investment Officer and Strategist, Alexandra is known for her keen intuitive calls around thematic trends and market cycles.  Particularly adept in predicting and understanding trends, this is the foundation of her work. With 36 years of experience in the industry holding various senior level positions, clients count on her and appreciate her core values of honesty, love, and caring for all beings. Alexandra speaks at investment conferences and in diverse venues to Business Leaders on the path to creating a better world through caring capitalism.  She is also the Director and co-founder of United Inner States of Freedom, where she is a channel, healer, and intuitive.  She connects with source where she shares insight and wisdom to help individuals release past fears and worries ushering a person’s movement into their authentic self and thereby becoming a stronger leader and experiencing more joy in their lives.

In this episode, Alexandria Renders, founder and CEO of Willow, shares her compelling journey of leaving the financial industry after 37 years to start her own company due to toxic work environments and the need for survival. She discusses the challenges faced as a woman executive and the inspiration behind Willow, emphasizing the importance of defining company culture and priorities. The interview also explores Alexandria’s recent experience in finding a new partner for her company, highlighting the emotional connection and compatibility between merging entities. She advises business owners on the emotional aspects of selling a business, encouraging self-reflection and authenticity.

The conversation shifts to effective communication, conflict resolution, and the role of self-reflection in building strong teams. Alexandria stresses the significance of bringing one’s authentic self into the business and encourages business owners to discover who they are. Overall, the episode provides insights into Alexandria’s entrepreneurial journey, her unique company culture, and the emotional aspects of business transactions.

Here’s what to expect this episode:     

• Entrepreneurial Courage: including the courage it takes to break away from the safety of a long-term financial industry career and start your own company.

• Cultural Priorities: The importance of defining and prioritizing company culture. How to create a safe and unique culture within the organization, emphasizing the significance of emotional safety and connection in the corporate world.

• Strategic Business Transition: providing valuable lessons on the strategic considerations, emotional aspects, and effective communication required during business transactions and affiliations.

• Self-Reflection in Leadership: An emphasis on experience with team members and the value of addressing personal fears and emotions in business decisions offer practical insights for leaders.

• Authenticity in Business: bring your authentic self into business. Learn the importance of discovering and integrating one’s true identity into the company, adding value and uniqueness to the organization’s culture and success.

Connect with Alexandra Render:

https://investwithwillow.com/

Connect with Jacob Koenig:

https://woodbridgegrp.com/

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