Send us a text

Bob Tankesley brings over a decade of M&A advisory experience to this fascinating conversation about what truly separates successful entrepreneurs from those who fail. Having guided countless business owners through the complex process of selling their companies, Bob shares wisdom that's applicable whether you're planning an exit or simply want to build a more valuable enterprise.

At the heart of our discussion is Bob's new book "Exit Teams," which uses a compelling narrative to illustrate why business owners need a collaborative team of advisors - especially when facing sophisticated buyers who come armed with their own team of experts. This imbalance often leads to suboptimal outcomes for sellers who try to go it alone.

Whether you're currently running a business, planning to acquire one, or just beginning your entrepreneurial journey, this conversation provides actionable insights that can help you avoid costly mistakes and build something truly valuable. Find Bob's book "Exit Teams" on Amazon in paperback, hardback, and Kindle formats at https://a.co/d/8Nw1qmf

Send us a text

Bennett Maxwell's entrepreneurial journey reads like a playbook for hustle and strategic growth. From selling candy bars door-to-door as a child in Utah to building a cookie franchise empire, his path showcases how combining sales expertise with smart systems can create extraordinary results.

The real magic happened when Maxwell purchased Dirty Dough, which was then a single cookie store location. He recognized the challenges in the gourmet cookie space and developed a hybrid model that solved a critical industry problem.

Maxwell's insights on scaling are particularly valuable for anyone growing a business. He candidly shares how assembling a board of advisors transformed his company, offering equity to high-caliber entrepreneurs who provided guidance through rapid expansion.

Connect with Bennett at www.bennettmaxwell.com to learn more about his current ventures with Craveworthy Brands and and Franchise KI.

Send us a text

Johnny Palumbo's entrepreneurial story starts at just 16 years old, when he won $20,000 from a high school business incubator competition. That early success planted a seed that would eventually bloom into Simplified Tech, his rapidly-growing AI consultancy now serving businesses across the US and Europe.

After studying computer engineering and computer science at the University of Wisconsin, Johnny landed an internship at BlackRock building their AI initiatives just as ChatGPT was emerging. Though Johnny initially took a full-time role at BlackRock after graduation, he resigned just five weeks later to go all-in on Simplified Tech - a decision he hasn't regretted.

Beyond AI insights, Johnny shares hard-won wisdom about entrepreneurship itself. Success requires persistence, risk-taking, and resilience through inevitable failures. As he puts it: "Starting a business is like running a marathon, but you're out of shape when you start. You have to get fit as you go, but you can't stop to rest." For aspiring entrepreneurs, his message is clear: roll the dice as many times as you can, and enjoy the journey along the way.