In this episode of Poised for Exit, Ann Marie Liotta, CPA and U.S. Wealth Strategist with Gallagher, and Mike Winn, CEPA and Financial Advisor with Chartered Wealth Partners, join the show to discuss POLI, or Partnership-Owned Life Insurance, a planning strategy designed for high-earning business owners, partners, and leadership teams.

The conversation explores why this strategy is sometimes described as a “Super Roth,” how it can support tax-free growth and tax-free distributions, and why it may be attractive to business owners who have already maxed out traditional retirement planning options. Ann Marie and Mike also discuss how POLI can be used as a retention tool for key employees without giving up equity, including examples for closely held businesses, law firms, medical groups, family offices, and private equity-backed companies.

Finally, they touch on important considerations including investment risk, suitability, time horizon, guaranteed issue requirements, institutional pricing, and the importance of working with experienced advisors who understand the structure. For business owners and advisors looking beyond traditional planning tools, this episode introduces a unique strategy worth understanding.

Connect with Ann Marie Liotta here or by email at annmarie_liotta@cfgllc.com
Connect with Mike Winn here or by email at mwinn@charteredwealth.com

Download the POLI Overview here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Podcaster, and Instructor

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Jen Roth, Founder and CEO of Blue Sparq Marketing, joins the show to discuss how intentional marketing systems can drive sustainable growth and increase business value. Drawing from her experience building and leading marketing agencies, Jen shares how business owners can stop guessing at marketing and build a clear plan that supports growth.

The conversation explores why marketing and sales must work together to create a predictable pipeline, how CRM systems and better lead tracking can improve decision-making, and why cutting marketing during slower periods can ultimately hurt long-term growth. Jen also explains how fractional marketing teams can give companies access to the strategy and execution they need without the cost of building a full in-house department.

Jen also shares how AI can help marketing teams work more efficiently, without replacing the strategy and judgment that make marketing effective. They also touch on the importance of documenting institutional knowledge, building systems that do not rely entirely on the owner or top salespeople, and why these investments can make a business more scalable, transferable, and attractive to future buyers.

Finally, Jen talks about her experience with Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and how the global peer community has supported her growth as an entrepreneur and leader. She shares why having a trusted network of fellow business owners, opportunities to learn from shared experiences, and a more holistic approach to leadership have been so meaningful in her journey.

Connect with Jen Roth here
Connect with Blue Sparq Marketing here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Brian Cox, Partner at Traction Capital, joins the show to discuss what private equity buyers are really looking for when evaluating founder-led businesses. Drawing from his experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, Brian shares practical insights into how business owners can better position themselves for a successful exit.

The conversation explores the factors that influence buyer confidence and valuation, including clean financials, succession planning, operational readiness, and the importance of having a clear growth strategy. Brian also explains common deal structures, such as rollover equity, seller involvement after closing, and earn-outs, and why flexibility and alignment are essential to creating successful outcomes for both buyers and sellers.

The discussion also touches on the growing role of AI within portfolio companies, the benefits of working with experienced advisors throughout the transaction process, and why owners who begin planning early are often best positioned to maximize value and achieve the exit they envision.

Connect with Brian Cox here
Connect with Traction Capital here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this milestone 300th episode of Poised for Exit, we celebrate six years of conversations with business owners, advisors, and industry experts. Since launching in 2020, the podcast has grown from a local audience to listeners around the world!

In this episode, we sit down with Janice Miller, Managing Partner of Miller Haga Law Group and author of Coopertition.

Janice joins the show to discuss the legal side of exit planning and why preparation years in advance can have a significant impact on the outcome of a business transition. The conversation covers due diligence readiness, succession planning, family business dynamics, and the legal and strategic decisions that can influence business value, buyer confidence, and transaction success.

Janice also shares practical advice for business owners looking to reduce risk, strengthen their businesses, and better prepare for future transitions.

As we celebrate 300 episodes of Poised for Exit, this conversation serves as a reminder that meaningful outcomes, whether in business, transitions, or life, are often the result of thoughtful planning long before the moment arrives.

Connect with Janice Miller here
Learn more about Coopertition here
Learn more about Miller Haga Law Group here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Anna Coskran, President of NTH, Inc. joins the show to discuss why commercial real estate can play a major role in business transitions and exit planning. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience in commercial real estate and construction management, Anna shares practical insight into how real estate decisions can either support or complicate a successful transition.

The conversation explores how leases, building ownership, and property-related obligations can impact business value, flexibility, timing, and buyer appeal. Topics include landlord approval rights, personal guarantees, long-term lease commitments, deferred maintenance, and how overlooked real estate details can create unexpected challenges during a sale or succession process.

The episode also covers the differences between leasing and owning during a transition, including sale-leaseback structures, succession planning considerations, and how real estate strategy can affect valuation. Anna shares real-world examples of business owners navigating lease renewals, ownership transitions, and changing market conditions, along with the importance of having the right advisory team in place early.

The discussion also touches on today’s commercial real estate market, changing workplace expectations, the importance of flexibility, and why business owners should view real estate as a strategic business tool rather than simply a financial asset.

Connect with Anna Coskran here
Connect with NTH, Inc. here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, John Ammannand Tim Urban, CPAs with John A. Knutson & Co., join the show to explain how R&D tax credits work and why many business owners may qualify without realizing it. They discuss the fundamentals of the federal R&D tax credit, including the types of activities that may qualify and why these credits are not limited to large corporations or technology companies.

John and Tim also break down common misconceptions around R&D credits, including the idea that innovation must be new to the world rather than simply new to the company itself. The conversation covers the IRS four-part qualification test, the importance of documentation, why failed projects can still qualify, and how startups may be able to apply credits against payroll taxes.

The episode also explores AI-related investments, startup applications, and common concerns surrounding third-party R&D credit firms. John and Tim explain what business owners should understand before pursuing a claim and offer practical insight into how companies can better evaluate potential opportunities and requirements surrounding R&D tax credits.

Connect with John Ammann here
Connect with Tim Urban here
Learn More about John A. Knutson & Co.here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Mariano Jurich, Senior Product Leader at Making Sense, returns to the show to share insights on how private companies are navigating the rapid evolution of AI and enterprise technology. With deep experience across product strategy, software development, and business transformation, Mariano offers a practical perspective on what’s changing and what actually matters.

Mariano discusses how companies are approaching AI adoption today, highlighting the importance of aligning new technologies with business goals rather than chasing trends. He explains why AI is simply a tool, not a strategy, and why many organizations struggle with implementation due to lack of clarity, adoption, and unrealistic expectations.

The conversation also explores how private equity-backed and middle market companies are shifting toward smaller, high-ROI use cases rather than large-scale transformations. Mariano shares how decision-making has evolved, why speed alone is no longer a competitive advantage, and why human-led strategy and thoughtful implementation remain critical for driving meaningful outcomes in a rapidly changing landscape.

Connect with Mariano Jurich here
Learn more about Making Sense LLC here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Hilary Spreizer, Owner and CEO of The Latitude Group, shares her unexpected journey from employee to owner after purchasing the company during the uncertainty of COVID. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from leading sales and revenue generation to building the operational structure needed to scale a growing business.

Hilary explains how strategic hires, stronger systems, and a focus on scalable infrastructure helped the company achieve significant growth and earn a Fast 50 award. She also shares lessons on leadership, surrounding yourself with people who know what you don’t, and implementing frameworks like EOS to create accountability and long-term organizational stability.

The conversation also explores how mid-market companies are approaching AI, hiring, and technology adoption. Hilary discusses why many businesses rush into AI tools without a clear strategy, the operational and privacy risks that can create, and why companies should focus first on identifying the business problem before investing in technology solutions.

The episode highlights the connection between operational scalability and enterprise value, particularly for owners preparing for future growth or exit planning. Hilary shares why reducing founder dependency, building resilient teams, and slowing down long enough to create the right blueprint can dramatically improve long-term outcomes.

Connect with Hillary Spreizer here
Learn more about The Latitude Group here

Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor