Budget Your Business

Keeping Leaders Without Giving Away Equity with Devon Cury

E#57: What does it take to keep your best leaders from leaving? In this episode, Scott Geller sits down with Devon Cury of Sasta Financial Group to discuss executive benefits and long-term incentive plans for small and mid-sized businesses. Devin explains how business owners can use customized retention strategies to reward key executives, protect company value, support succession planning, and create stronger leadership continuity. The conversation explores how executive benefits work, when they make sense, the financial considerations involved, and why investing in top talent can generate significant long-term returns for both the company and its leaders.  Podcast Recommendation: Success for the Athletic Minded Man Find out more about Devon Cury:  Sastafinancial.com Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ [https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2352056/fan_mail/new]

Are Budgets Helping or Hurting Your Business? Bjarte Bogsnes Take with Beyond Budgeting

E#56: In this episode of Budget Your Business, Scott Geller welcomes Bjarte Bogsnes, one of the leading voices behind the Beyond Budgeting movement, to challenge traditional budgeting and management practices. Throw out the old corporate and welcome a refreshing new approach for large and small businesses. They discuss why annual budgets often create unintended behaviors, how separating target setting, forecasting, and resource allocation can improve decision-making, and why businesses should focus on adaptability rather than rigid plans. Bjarte shares practical examples from organizations that have embraced more dynamic planning methods and explains how small businesses can maintain the agility of a startup while still growing and scaling successfully. Book Recommendation:  This is Beyond Budgeting by Bjarte Bogsnes Find out more about Bjarte Bogsnes:  https://bogsnesadvisory.com/ [https://bogsnesadvisory.com/]  BBRT.org [http://bbrt.org]  Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ [https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2352056/fan_mail/new]

The Business Exit Strategy Few Owners Understand … ESOPs with Katy Whitehead

E#55: In this episode of Budget Your Business, Scott Geller sits down with Katy Whitehead to break down how ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) work and why they are becoming an increasingly popular succession strategy for business owners. They discuss how ESOPs can help owners preserve company culture, reward employees, maintain independence, and create a long-term transition plan without selling to an outside buyer. Katy also explains the financial structure behind ESOPs, the role of cash flow and valuation, how employees benefit from ownership, and the key factors business owners should evaluate before considering an ESOP. Book Recommendation: The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Find out more about Katy Whitehead: https://esoptrustcompany.com/ [https://esoptrustcompany.com/]  Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ [https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2352056/fan_mail/new]

Brant Lingle Reveals The Exit You Haven’t Planned Yet (hint, it’s Your Succession)

E#54: In this episode, Scott sits down with Brant Lingle to unpack one of the most overlooked areas of business ownership: succession planning. They discuss why many owners delay or avoid these conversations, how early planning creates more options and better outcomes, and why communication with family, employees, and advisors is critical to getting it right. Brant shares practical ways to get started—from leveraging trusted advisors to building a long-term vision—and emphasizes that a well-executed transition creates clarity, reduces stress, and sets up both the current and next generation for success.  Book Recommendation: Harvard Business Review Find out more about Brant Lingle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantlingle/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantlingle/]  Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ [https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2352056/fan_mail/new]

Bank Series Recap: What Every Banker Told Me (And What It Means for You)

E#53: In this episode, Scott Geller wraps up the series he conducted with banking experts. He distills conversations with bankers across community, regional, CDFI, and large institutions (via a new and unique conversation style) into one clear takeaway. He breaks down how different banks serve different stages of growth, highlights why relationships with proactive bankers matter more than most owners realize, and challenges common misconceptions around lending. The episode closes with practical guidance on what actually gets deals done and helping business owners think more strategically about their banking partnerships.  Let Scott know what you thought of the Banking Series and whether you would like to listen to other series - throw in series ideas even! You can email him at scott.geller@capitisadvisors.com [scott.geller@capitisadvisors.com].  Book Recommendation: The Man Who Knew by Sebastian Mallaby Find out more about Scott Geller:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-geller-cfo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-geller-cfo/] scott.geller@capitisadvisors.com [scott.geller@capitisadvisors.com]  Find more episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and here: https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ [https://budgetyourbusinesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2352056/fan_mail/new]