Next Venture Alliance Show

Growth Strategies for Small Business Owners, with Dayo Oyetuga

What if your path to business ownership was less about finding the “perfect” opportunity and more about cultivating clarity and readiness from the inside out? Are you helping your clients build resilient, sustainable enterprises, or just reacting to their immediate wish lists and blind spots? Too many advisors and brokers get caught solving surface-level problems, overlooking the underlying systems, preparation, and mindset shifts that actually drive long-term success. As this episode reveals, transformative progress happens when you challenge ambitious owners to plan beyond their current horizon, systematize their operations, and prepare their businesses (and themselves) for the capital, scale, and transitions they dream of. In this episode, Dayo Oyetuga, Certified Business Advisor at the Washington SBDC, brings experience in both entrepreneurship and large-scale organizational transformation. He shares eye-opening lessons on preparing businesses for growth, demystifying capital readiness, leveraging technology, and mastering the unglamorous—but essential—routines of strategic planning and honest self-assessment. From helping business owners avoid the “lost opportunity” trap to equipping first-time buyers with the right questions and accountability, Dayo Oyetuga offers practical strategies and real-world stories for anyone looking to move from reactive to deliberate, from overwhelmed to empowered. Subscribe for more insights on building your deal flow, elevating your advisory skills, and leading your clients toward lasting, meaningful success. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/ Email: gregory@ibainc.com Website: https://ibainc.com/ [https://ibainc.com/] Connect with Oliver: Email: oliver@ibainc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextventurealliance

Building Deals, Teams, and Legacy in Business Brokerage, with Gregory Kovsky

What if the secret to long-term success in business brokerage has less to do with technical skills and more to do with personal authenticity, relentless education, and treating people right? Are you building your deal flow on a foundation of deep regional knowledge, lasting relationships, and a win-win mentality? Or are you simply chasing transactions? When you look beyond commissions and truly invest in your own expertise and your clients' success, you build not only trust but also a practice that stands the test of time. As this episode reveals, the best brokers, the ones whose businesses endure, obsess over team building, continual learning, transparency, and the strength of their reputations, not just their pipelines. In this special episode with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of IBA, the lessons go far beyond EBITDA multiples and negotiation tactics. You’ll learn how Gregory’s journey from basketball coach to top dealmaker shaped a leadership philosophy built on the golden rule, education, and team excellence. The episode covers the nuances of local versus national brokerage, the power of full disclosure and mentorship, and how building a legacy means raising the bar for the entire industry, not just yourself. Real-world tales of complex deals, cross-cultural challenges, and the human element of business transitions make this a must-listen for any broker seeking lasting impact. Subscribe for more insights on how to grow your deal flow and become a truly trusted advisor in business sales and succession. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/ Email: gregory@ibainc.com Website: https://ibainc.com/ [https://ibainc.com/] Connect with Oliver: Email: oliver@ibainc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextventurealliance

The Hidden Risks Business Owners Aren’t Seeing Yet, with Julie Janowicz

Are you wondering why insurance feels more complicated (and expensive) than ever? In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with commercial insurance expert Julie Janowicz to pull back the curtain on the real state of insurance—what’s changed, what’s insurable, and what you actually need to know before your next big business move. From wild stories about insuring axe-throwing bars and navigating drone inspections, to actionable advice on getting the best value from your broker, you’ll hear insider knowledge that’s critical for business owners, buyers, and anyone trying to survive today’s unpredictable insurance environment. Whether you’re dealing with commercial policies, fleet auto, D&O, or want to understand how AI is affecting your rates, this conversation is essential listening. Don’t miss out! Subscribe for more no-BS conversations with industry insiders. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliejanowicz/ Company: http://www.dcigi.com/ Email: Julie@dcigi.com Connect with Oliver: Email: oliver@ibainc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

The Human Side of Money, with Tim Melia of Embolden Financial Planning LLC

When is the right time to start financial planning? Is it only after you’ve “made it,” or is it something you should be thinking about much earlier as a business owner? For many entrepreneurs, financial planning feels like something they’ll get to later. But the truth is, real planning isn’t about perfect timing or complex spreadsheets—it’s about clarity. It’s about understanding your goals, your values, and the “why” behind your decisions. Saving money is important, but planning is what turns uncertainty into confidence and gives your future direction. In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with Tim Melia, Principal at Embolden Financial Planning, for an honest and practical conversation. Tim shares his journey from the tech world into wealth management, lessons learned as a business owner, and his passion for helping clients—from Gen Z to Baby Boomers—make smart, values-aligned financial decisions. If you’re looking for clear guidance and want to start financial planning in a way that actually fits your life, this episode is for you. Listen in, reflect on what truly matters to you, and take the first step forward. Guest Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timjmelia Company: https://www.emboldenfp.com/ Email: tim.melia@emboldenfp.com Connect with Oliver: Email: oliver@ibainc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

Roasted! Better Living Through Coffee with Ben Cook

What does it really take to turn a simple cup of coffee into a thriving community hub? Is the American dream of entrepreneurship still alive in today’s specialty coffee scene? And how does someone go from spinning records in nightclubs around the world to roasting coffee beans in a quiet seaside town? Behind every successful small business is a story of reinvention, risk, and resilience. True entrepreneurship often looks less glamorous than people imagine—it’s built on consistency, grit, and showing up even when the work feels ordinary. Personal background, an eye for opportunity, and a deep connection to community can turn a business into something far greater than its product, especially when adaptability and long-term commitment lead the way. In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov explores Ben Cook’s remarkable journey—from a bohemian upbringing in Berkeley and a thriving DJ career across New York and Europe, to becoming the owner of Better Living Through Coffee in Port Townsend. Together, they unpack lessons from family entrepreneurship, the influence of music and travel, the realities of staff culture, and the challenges—both literal and figurative—of running an independent café, all while debunking myths about what success really looks like. If this conversation sparked ideas about entrepreneurship, community, or redefining success, take the next step—listen to the full episode, visit or support Better Living Through Coffee, and subscribe, share, or leave a review. Guest Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamincook2 Company: ptcoffee.com Email: ben@ptcoffee.com [ben@ptcoffee.com] Connect with Oliver: Email: oliver@ibainc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance