Poised for Exit

As co-owner of Hi Tempo Sports [https://www.hitempo.com/] and founder of the Foot Lab [https://www.hitempo.com/foot-lab/], Brad Nelson brings over four decades of entrepreneurial experience rooted in grit, persistence, and a deep commitment to customer well-being. From starting out in ski boot fitting to becoming a certified pedorthist, Brad has built a business legacy grounded in service and innovation. In this episode, Brad sits down with Julie to share the full arc of his journey, from acquiring Hi Tempo in 1978 to growing it into a regional powerhouse and thoughtfully transitioning ownership to the next generation of leadership. With humor and humility, Brad reflects on the lessons he learned the hard way, the power of mentorship, and how his background in foot health became a life-changing service for thousands. The conversation explores the emotional and strategic realities of succession planning, the challenges of educating young athletes on long-term injury prevention, and how the outdoor recreation industry has shifted in the wake of COVID. Brad also discusses why every owner needs to start planning their exit far earlier than they think. Whether you're facing a transition or just getting started, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom and encouragement for business owners at every stage. Learn more about Hi Tempo here: https://www.hitempo.com/ [https://www.hitempo.com/]Learn more about the Footlab here:https://www.hitempo.com/foot-lab/ [https://www.hitempo.com/foot-lab/] Connect with Julie Keyes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/], Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

As Managing Broker at VR Business Brokers of the Twin Cities [https://vrtwincities.com/] and a Certified Business Appraiser, Young Bebus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vrtwincities/] brings a rare mix of financial expertise, strategic insight, and deep empathy to her work with founders. After immigrating from South Korea and reinventing her career more than once, she now helps business owners make confident, well-informed decisions during one of the most pivotal chapters of their lives. Selling a business isn’t just a financial decision - it’s an emotional one. Many owners hesitate to engage an M&A advisor out of fear: fear of losing control, fear of hidden agendas, or fear of being misunderstood. In this episode, Young addresses those concerns head-on and explains how thoughtful, trust-based advisory can ease the emotional burden and maximize outcomes. The conversation explores real-world examples, including a complex deal that nearly unraveled - and what saved it. Listeners will also learn the one action every business owner should take now to protect value and lay the groundwork for a future sale, even if that sale is still years away. Don’t miss Young’s upcoming event: the Sell Well Summit on September 24, 2025, at the Graham Center of the Better Business Bureau. This all-day event is designed for business owners who want to build a transition plan, understand valuation, and position themselves for a profitable, tax-smart sale! To learn more or book a consultation, visit www.VRTwinCities.com [http://www.vrtwincities.com/], email youngb@vrtwincities.com [youngb@vrtwincities.com], or connect with Young on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vrtwincities [https://linkedin.com/in/vrtwincities] Connect with Julie Keyes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/], Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Succession in a family business isn’t just about passing the torch. It’s about building the right foundation to support the next generation and protect the legacy for years to come. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Lurey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremylurey/], Founder and CEO of Family Legacy 1st [https://familylegacy1st.com/], returns to the show to share what actually works when it comes to family business transitions. As the founder of Family Legacy 1st, Jeremy has spent over two decades helping multigenerational businesses put strong governance in place, develop leadership teams, and plan for succession. He and Julie discuss real-world cases, including international families preparing third-generation members to become thoughtful shareholders, and Midwest businesses navigating fairness between siblings and non-family executives. Jeremy explains why professionalizing a family business can help protect both relationships and results. He shares how families are using charters, annual meetings, and defined leadership roles to create clarity. He also highlights the value of non-family leadership and how tools like insurance and non-equity compensation can bring stability during transition. They also explore current trends in family business exits, from shifting valuations to ownership challenges. Jeremy stresses the emotional side of succession and the importance of patient, honest conversations throughout the process. This is a valuable listen for anyone working in or with family-run businesses! Find Jeremy here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremylurey/] Learn more about Family Legacy 1st here [https://familylegacy1st.com/] Connect with Julie Keyes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/], Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Muthu Periakaruppan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/muthu-periakaruppan-cpa-7169973/], CPA and President of MP Sales Tax, to dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but critical when preparing to sell a business: sales and use tax. Muthu explains how many business owners, especially in industries like manufacturing, life sciences, and trucking, unknowingly overpay sales tax and may be eligible for sizable refunds. He walks us through how his firm helps recover those funds and ensures clients are in compliance before a sale. We cover key issues like multi-state nexus, exemption certificates, voluntary disclosures, and how these all impact the value of a business during an exit. We also dive into the topic of AI, as Muthu shares how it is transforming invoice review, helping his team flag potential refund opportunities faster and focus on strategy instead of routine tasks. With a background as a former state auditor and years of experience advising privately held companies, he brings a sharp perspective on how to protect business value and avoid tax surprises during due diligence. If you're interested in learning how to avoid costly tax mistakes, this conversation is a must-listen! Connect with Muthu here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/muthu-periakaruppan-cpa-7169973/] or email: muthu@mpsalestax.com Connect with Julie Keyes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/], Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Colin Hirdman,  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinhirdman/]entrepreneur, strategist, and co-founder of Rainmaker [https://rainmakergrows.com/], to explore the untapped potential of LinkedIn as a true growth engine for business. Colin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his first company just weeks after college to co-founding Monkey Island Ventures [https://www.monkeyislandventures.com/] and helping business leaders build targeted lead-generation systems using LinkedIn. We dive into how Colin and his team help founders, advisors, and sales professionals stop wasting time on surface-level posting and start using tools like Sales Navigator, live streams, and LinkedIn events to activate first-degree connections and drive meaningful results. Colin breaks down practical strategies for identifying ideal client profiles, building authentic relationships at scale, and using LinkedIn in a way that feels human, not spammy. Whether you’re a solopreneur, advisor, or sales leader, this episode offers immediately actionable insights for turning your LinkedIn network into real sales opportunities without relying on likes, comments, or canned messages. If you’re looking to level up your LinkedIn strategy, this conversation is a must-listen. Check out Colin’s resources here: Rainmaker Messages GPT [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-wYOrm79jv-rainmaker-messenger] Rainmaker Poll GPT [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67c0e1a75f64819185be70b86ffef68e-rainmaker-poll-creator] Rainmaker Livestream GPT [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67d452fa02b481919f5e84ceaa2e6d55-rainmaker-livestream-assistant] https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67d452fa02b481919f5e84ceaa2e6d55-rainmaker-livestream-assistant Connect with Julie Keyes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/], Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor