Buying vs. Starting a Business: Lessons from 9 Deals with Eben & Ali Hartzenberg

Buying vs. Starting a Business: Lessons from 9 Deals with Eben & Ali Hartzenberg

Eben and Ali Hartzenberg arrived in America with nothing, started from scratch, and built a portfolio of nine retail businesses. In this episode, they open up about facing fear, the power of data over intuition, what makes their marriage-meets-business-partnership work, and the red flags that tell them to walk away from a deal. Connect with Ali and Eben Hartzenberg: Ali@bennali.com [Ali@bennali.com] Eben@bennali.com [Eben@bennali.com] Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

What Is an ESOP? Employee Stock Ownership Plans Explained - Matt Middendorp

Most business owners exploring an exit only hear one pitch: sell to private equity or a strategic buyer. Matt Middendorp, Director of ESOP Consulting at VisionPoint Capital, joins the show to make the case for a third path — selling to your own employees. Matt breaks down what an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) actually is, the biggest misconceptions owners have about price, control, and legacy, and why ESOP companies often outperform their non-ESOP peers on growth, retention, and productivity. We get into eligibility rules, vesting, valuation, timelines, and one of the most overlooked ESOP tax benefits — one that can mean a tax-free exit for the right seller. If you're a business owner weighing your exit options, or just curious how employee ownership actually works in practice, this episode lays it out in plain terms. Connect with Matt Middendorp: www.esopready.com [http://www.esopready.com/] matt.middendorp@visionpointcapital.com [matt.middendorp@visionpointcapital.com] 715.897.0879 Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

Why High Performers Break: Trauma, Stress & Business Success - Robin Afinowich

Most business owners think they're making rational decisions. Robin Afinowich says otherwise. In this episode, Matt sits down with Robin Afinowich — a clinically trained mental health counselor, national speaker, and daughter of M&A legend Jim Afinowich — to unpack how unresolved stress and trauma quietly shape the decisions business owners make every day. From childhood adversity to burnout in leadership, Robin breaks down the science behind why high performers overwork, over-please, and struggle to stay present — and what to do about it. You'll learn why the "fawn" response is the most common (and most dangerous) pattern among executives, why stress and trauma leave the same physical fingerprint on the brain, and why the body always tells the truth even when the mind is "holding it together." This isn't a therapy session — it's a practical look at the inner drivers behind outer success, and why ignoring them eventually costs founders their health, relationships, and joy. Connect with Robin Afinowich: Trauma & Resilience Professional Training-Development-Speaking visit: https://trauma-forward.com Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

The Truth About Building Wealth Nobody Talks About - Alexa D'Agostino

What actually creates lasting wealth? And why do so many entrepreneurs hit a ceiling despite working harder than ever? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and marketing strategist Alexa D'Agostino to discuss the uncomfortable truths behind scaling a business, building wealth, and transitioning from founder to owner. Alexa has built and exited multiple companies, helped generate billions in revenue, and created the exclusive Wealth Mastery Summit, where high-level entrepreneurs, investors, and operators gather to solve real business challenges. Together they explore why wealth isn't built through one lucky break, how founders unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their businesses, why finding the right "Number Two" is critical for growth, and how successful entrepreneurs know when to pivot instead of stubbornly pushing forward. If you're building a business—or planning to acquire one—this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, identity, and long-term success. Connect with Alexa: https://www.alexadagostino.com [https://www.alexadagostino.com] Instagram: @dralexadagostino http://wealthmasteryevents.com [https://wealthmasteryevents.com] Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

Building Wealth Beyond Your Business - Ted Young

Most business owners spend years building income through their business, but far fewer create a strategy to turn that income into lasting wealth. In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with wealth advisor Ted Young of Anasazi Investment Group to discuss the financial decisions that can make or break a business owner's future. Ted shares the biggest mistakes he sees entrepreneurs make, why diversification matters, how to prepare for a successful exit, and what it really means to become "work optional." The conversation also explores retirement planning, investment strategies, tax considerations, market volatility, and the emotional challenges many owners face after selling their businesses. Whether you're actively growing a company, preparing for an exit, or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions, this episode provides practical insights on building wealth that lasts. Connect with Ted Young: Anasaziinvestmentgroup.com Ted.young@raymondjames.com [Ted.young@raymondjames.com] 602-953-8802 Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: admin@ampedsuccess.com [admin@ampedsuccess.com] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.