48 | Jay David – How to Rescue a Dying Business Before It Is Too Late

48 | Jay David – How to Rescue a Dying Business Before It Is Too Late

What if the numbers you trust most are the ones steering your business into the ground? Jay David has spent his career inside food manufacturing plants, where real decisions carry real consequences. He is a turnaround operator and the author of Turnaround Revelations, and he speaks a language most consultants do not, having lived on both the finance and operations sides of a struggling business. In this conversation with J. Michael Fischer Jr., Jay breaks down the cost of saying yes, why the price your accounting tells you to charge is often the price that starves your business, and how a company can walk away from $700,000 of profit without realizing it. He explains why you can never cut your way back to profitability, what idle equipment and empty desks really signal, and why the moment you are worried about making payroll is the moment it is already too late. If you run or advise a business that is grinding and you cannot figure out why the harder you cut, the worse it gets, this is the perspective most owners only find after the damage is done. The death spiral is quiet until it is not. Listen now. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS * [00:03] Why every yes eventually starts costing you something * [02:07] The baseball player who dropped out, then got hooked on a single community college class * [05:47] Working doubles, closing the bar at 2 am, and out-earning his own accounting job * [08:34] Building a 3D Excel model of the factory floor to see what every decision really costs * [09:31] From scorekeeper to player, and running cost accounting for an $850 million company two years out of school * [10:42] The billion-dollar land grab that buried the balance sheet in debt * [13:06] The first walk-through: what dust, idle machines, and empty desks quietly tell him * [16:27] Why he refuses to make friends, and how he delivers the tough medicine anyway * [19:13] The cost of saying yes, and why the market already decided your price * [23:02] The $700,000 contract a firm walked away from for almost no reason * [26:30] The signal that means it is already too late to save the business * [27:18] Why you can never cut your way back to profit * [28:18] The death spiral that starts when every conversation is about cost * [31:01] The small shift from finance to operations that changed how he reads every business MENTIONED RESOURCES * Do Business Better [https://dobusinessbetter.com/] (Jay's consulting firm and website) * Turnaround Revelations [https://www.amazon.com/TURNAROUND-REVELATIONS-Alternative-Approaches-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0GHQN4YWQ], Jay David's book on Amazon * The Goal [https://www.velocityschedulingsystem.com/blog/the-goal-book-eliyahu-goldratt/], the manufacturing book Jay recommends ABOUT THE GUEST Jay David is a food manufacturing turnaround operator and consultant, and the founder of Do Business Better. Across a career that has run from cost accounting to operations, he has worked inside companies, including a Chicago candy maker, Favorite Brands, Nabisco, and Kraft, helping struggling manufacturers and other businesses fix what is actually broken instead of cutting their way to failure. He is the author of Turnaround Revelations. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayadavid/] | https://dobusinessbetter.comWebsite [https://dobusinessbetter.com] IMPORTANT LINKS * Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality [https://rebrand.ly/dimensionsf37f2b] gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here [https://rebrand.ly/83d770]. * Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog [https://rebrand.ly/7e3544]. * Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank [https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2] Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybmf2026].

47 | Why the Biggest Offer Can Cost You Everything

What if the highest offer on the table is the one that leaves you with the least? A founder once turned down an offer, then a month later celebrated a bigger one that put less money in his pocket. In this solo episode, J. Michael Fischer Jr., Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, explains how that happens and why the number on the front page of a letter of intent is not the deal. Michael breaks down what actually decides what a founder keeps: cash at close, rollover equity, earnouts, escrows, the working capital peg, asset versus stock structure, and tax exposure. He shows why the highest bid is rarely the best bid, why you have to diligence the buyer as hard as they diligence you, and why the strongest exits are built 12 to 24 months before a sale ever starts. If you are years of work away from the most important financial moment of your life, this is the perspective most founders only get after it is too late. The champagne runs out. The structure is what you live with. Listen now. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS * [00:00] – The offer that paid less than the smaller one he turned down a month earlier * [00:40] – Why the big number on the LOI feels like the deal, and why it isn’t * [01:44] – How a single $50 million offer can mean two completely different lives * [02:43] – The line between a real exit and a job with a closing dinner * [03:22] – The “fine print” that is actually the entire deal * [04:37] – Why selling to private equity often means choosing your next boss * [04:53] – The reason the highest bid is almost never the best bid * [05:51] – The buyer you forgot to diligence, and why it costs you later * [06:59] – Why the best exits start 12 to 24 months before the sale * [07:54] – The one crack in your story that quietly drains your price * [08:05] – The invisible asset that holds every deal together * [09:38] – Valuation or outcome? The question that changes everything IMPORTANT LINKS * Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality [https://rebrand.ly/dimensionsf37f2b] gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here [https://rebrand.ly/83d770]. * Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog [https://rebrand.ly/7e3544]. * Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank [https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2] Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybmf2026].

46 | Eric LeGrand – Can Your Worst Setback Become Your Greatest Business Edge?

What if your greatest setback became your launchpad for impact and growth? In this episode, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Eric LeGrand, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and founder of LeGrand Coffee House and Eric LeGrand Bourbon. They dive deep into the raw realities of starting over after unimaginable adversity, challenging common myths about resilience, business, and success. Through candid stories and actionable lessons, Eric unpacks what it truly means to hustle, lead, and build wealth without shortcuts or gloss. This is not a highlight reel, but a playbook for those who refuse to quit. If you miss this episode, you miss the real stories and strategies that separate passionate survivors from passive dreamers. Listen now to claim practical insight you will not find anywhere else. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:05 – The brutal truth behind business “overnight” success 05:29 – Eric reveals the daily grind (and the real face of the hustle) 11:58 – The single hospital moment that shifted Eric’s entire mindset 13:55 – How elite athlete discipline became his recovery superpower 16:05 – Resilience decoded: instincts, training, and relentless belief 18:23 – What a “bad day” really looks like after starting over 24:00 – The wild leap from motivational speaking to coffee entrepreneur 28:51 – Why most business owners misunderstand profit (and what it actually takes) 32:04 – The expensive, high-stakes world of launching a spirits brand MENTIONED RESOURCES * LeGrand Coffee House [https://legrandcoffeehouse.com/] * Eric LeGrand Whiskey [https://www.ericlegrandwhiskey.com/] * Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation [https://www.christopherreeve.org/] * Brian Axelrod [http://linkedin.com/in/brian-axelrod-9747a940] (business partner) * Rutgers University [https://www.rutgers.edu/] * Coach Greg Schiano [https://scarletknights.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/greg-schiano/6284] * Green River spirits [https://greenriverwhiskey.com/] * Miletto Business Advisors [https://dmbk.ca/services/] * ACG Corporate Growth Awards [https://www.acg.org/national-capital/events/24th-annual-corporate-growth-awards-2026] * ShopRite [https://www.shoprite.com/] * Nicholas Creamery [https://www.nicholascreamery.com/] * Rosie’s Pizza [https://rosiesnj.com/menu/] * Broadway Chicken [https://www.broadwaychicken.com/] * Walk to Believe [https://give.reeve.org/event/2026-a-walk-to-believe/e778034] * Kessler Institute [https://www.kessler-rehab.com/] ABOUT THE GUEST Eric LeGrand is the founder of LeGrand Coffee House and co-founder of Eric LeGrand Bourbon. A nationally recognized motivational speaker and philanthropist, Eric is known for transforming life-changing adversity into a platform for business and community impact. He has been honored with ACG New Jersey’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and resilience. 🔗 LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/ericlegrand52] | Website [https://ericlegrand52.com/] IMPORTANT LINKS * Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality [https://rebrand.ly/dimensionsf37f2b] gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here [https://rebrand.ly/83d770]. * Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog [https://rebrand.ly/7e3544]. * Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank [https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2] Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybmf2026].

45 | How to Break the Cycle of Forced Succession

What if your family business legacy is actually a hidden burden? J. Michael Fischer Jr. dives deep into the emotional and strategic fault lines of succession where legacy, guilt, and honest conversations collide. This episode is for founders, operators, and advisors who care about more than just the numbers. If you've ever wondered what really happens when your children don’t want the business, or how to know if your succession plan is built on obligation or true desire, this conversation offers surprising clarity. Get ready to challenge what you think you know about legacy and continuity. Miss this episode, and you risk repeating the quiet mistakes that break families and companies alike. Listen now for honest, actionable strategies and discover why going beyond the deal is the only way to future-proof your legacy. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS * 00:26 – The silent burden founders feel about legacy and identity * 01:35 – The brutal reality when the next generation rejects the business * 02:55 – Why irrelevance—not failure—is the real fear in succession * 04:22 – What children see versus what founders believe about the family business * 05:16 – How guilt and secrecy create fragile succession plans * 06:10 – Why legacy and obligation are dangerously different * 09:35 – The hidden signs your successor wants approval, not ownership * 11:31 – The pivotal moment: When honesty finally breaks the cycle IMPORTANT LINKS * Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality [https://rebrand.ly/dimensionsf37f2b] gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here [https://rebrand.ly/83d770]. * Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog [https://rebrand.ly/7e3544]. * Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank [https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2] Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybmf2026].

44 | Dr. Maria Kunstadter – How Teledentistry Is Breaking Barriers to Better Health

Do you really understand the hidden link between your mouth and your overall health? In this high-impact episode, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Dr. Maria Kunstadter, CEO and co-founder of The Teledentist, to reveal why virtual dental care is so much more than a convenience. It’s a lifeline for millions missing out on essential oral health. They unpack the surprising ways virtual consults are crushing access barriers, breaking down old-school resistance, and quietly transforming how trust and results are built in healthcare. If you think a toothache is “just dental,” you’re missing the bigger, costlier risk to your health and wallet. Listen now to discover bold, exclusive strategies and untold stories from inside the revolution before your competitors or colleagues catch on. Your future advantage is waiting. Don’t let old thinking hold you back. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:32 – The shocking cost of emergency dental visits no one talks about 04:42 – The moment teledentistry exploded overnight (and why) 07:26 – The three pillars that turn virtual consults into real results 08:44 – What a 95 net promoter score really says about patient trust 10:44 – How The Teledentist gets desperate patients fast access 12:07 – Competition enters the scene and shifts the entire landscape 13:45 – The crucial pilot that could save hospitals millions this year 17:42 – Rural health secrets that cut 180-mile drives to one simple call 19:24 – The invisible link between oral disease and your most costly health problems MENTIONED RESOURCES * Cigna [https://landingpages.cignaglobal.com/] * Anthem [https://www.anthem.com/] * American Dental Association [https://www.ada.org/] * Henry Ford Museum [https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/] * WebMD [https://www.webmd.com/] * World Health Organization [https://www.who.int/] * University of Missouri Kansas City Dental School [https://dentistry.umkc.edu/index.html] * Becker’s Conference [https://conferences.beckershospitalreview.com/upcoming-events/] * VSee [https://vsee.com/blog/challenges-designing-telehealth-platform/] (telehealth platform host) ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Maria Kunstadter is CEO and co-founder of The Teledentist, a pioneer in 24/7 nationwide virtual dental care. With a rich background in clinical dentistry and healthcare leadership, she has driven innovation for patient access, championed medical-dental integration, and led key initiatives to serve vulnerable populations. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-kunstadter-883313102/] | Website [http://www.theteledentists.com] IMPORTANT LINKS * Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality [https://rebrand.ly/dimensionsf37f2b] gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here [https://rebrand.ly/83d770]. * Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog [https://rebrand.ly/7e3544]. * Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank [https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2] Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybmf2026].