Podcast
The Exit Planning Coach
Hosted by John F. Dini · EN
Welcome to The Exit Planning Coach, a podcast for financial consultants, advisors, and anyone who works with business owners. Hosted by John F. Dini CExP, CEPA, expect to hear tips and tricks from experts across many areas of business. This is a podcast for beginners just starting and those who have been active in this field for years. Expect episodes weekly across all podcast platforms, as well as YouTube.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
From Owner Dependence to True Business Freedom
4d ago00:11:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the ExitMap Podcast with John F. Dini, Blair Koch, Managing Partner of TAB Denver West, shares her approach to helping business owners move from dependence to true independence by strengthening leadership teams and shifting decision-making away from the owner. She emphasizes that most barriers to transition are self-imposed—owners struggle to let go, even when their teams are capable. Through a coaching-based approach rooted in deep relationships and thoughtful questioning, Koch helps owners clarify both business and personal goals, often years before an exit. The conversation highlights key signals that owners are ready to step back, the importance of building the right advisory team, and the often-overlooked challenge of defining purpose after the business. Ultimately, successful exits begin long before a transaction—by helping owners create a business, and a life, that can thrive without them.
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Beyond the Deal with Jeff Adam
Apr 1400:30:18Tap to summarizeBeyond the Deal with Jeff Adam: Why the Best Business Exits Start with What Comes Next In this episode, John F. Dini speaks with M&A expert Jeff Adam—President of Adam Noble Group and advisor on more than 800 business sales—about what truly defines a successful exit. Jeff shares why his process has remained grounded in listening first, how life after the business often matters more than the sale itself, and why advisors must sometimes walk away from lucrative deals that aren’t the right fit. From real-world examples of missed red flags to stories of dramatically increased valuations through preparation, this conversation highlights the difference between transactional thinking and long-term advisory impact.
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Amanda Bussa - From Exit Planner to Exit Doer
Mar 300:30:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the ExitMap Podcast, John F. Dini interviews Amanda Bussa, CBEC, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Bussa Financial Partners, about her 24-year career serving business owners—beginning on September 11, 2001. Amanda shares how she entered financial services straight out of college with a focus on business owners from day one, developing an “approach talk” that identifies coordination gaps in estate planning, succession planning, wealth accumulation, and risk management. Rather than positioning herself as a business consultant who “does everything,” she emphasizes education, collaboration, and long-term accountability. The conversation explores:How to transition from being an “exit talker” to an “exit doer”Why referrals and centers of influence are her primary marketing engineWhat defines an ideal client (open, transparent, collaborative)The importance of professional designations to build credibilityWhen to bring in outside specialists for valuation enhancementThe entrepreneurial mindset required to serve business owners effectivelyAmanda’s story blends grit, discipline, and authenticity—highlighting the parallels between athletics and entrepreneurship, the realities of building a firm from scratch, and the importance of choosing clients intentionally as your practice matures.
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Melinda Adams - The Exit Myth From Corporate Success to a Purpose-Driven Exit Spreaker
Feb 1000:30:03Tap to summarizeThe Exit Myth: From Corporate Success to a Purpose-Driven Exit Why selling the business isn’t the finish line—and how real exit readiness changes everything.In this episode of the ExitMap Podcast, John Dini, The Exit Planning Coach, sits down with Melinda Adams to unpack the realities behind entrepreneurship, exit planning, and what truly happens after the sale of a business. Melinda shares her journey from corporate leadership at IBM and Oracle to owning—and eventually selling—a multi-location business, candidly discussing the costly mistakes she made by not being exit-ready. Together, they explore why so many owners underestimate taxes, overestimate proceeds, and fail to plan for life after the transaction. Melinda explains how her own exit experience reshaped her career, leading her to help owners identify their “freedom point” and avoid becoming part of the 75% who regret their exit. The conversation highlights the importance of holistic planning, assembling the right advisory team, and treating exit readiness as good business planning—not a last-minute event. For advisors and business owners alike, this episode reinforces a critical truth: a successful exit isn’t about selling the business—it’s about designing the life that comes next.
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The Next Act: Helping Business Owners Find Purpose After the Exit
Jan 1300:30:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Exit Planning Coach Podcast, host John F. Dini welcomes back Joe Markovich, who shares both a personal and professional transition—from relocating from Vancouver to Maryland to launching a new collaborative effort with Ennis Legacy Partners. The conversation centers on a challenge many business owners face after exiting their companies: loss of identity, purpose, and structure. Joe introduces The Next Act, a structured program designed to help owners rediscover meaning in life after business using the Japanese concept of ikigai—the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and how you’re rewarded. Together, John and Joe explore why traditional retirement thinking often fails entrepreneurs, why “filling time” isn’t the same as fulfilling it, and how purpose-driven planning can dramatically improve post-exit satisfaction. The episode reinforces a powerful message for advisors and owners alike: a successful exit isn’t complete unless life after the business is intentionally designed.
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Chris Snider and EPI-Creating Value Acceleration and Shaping an Industry
Dec 200:30:32Tap to summarizeThe Exit Planning Coach PodcastGuest: Christ Snider, CEO of The Exit Planning InstituteCreating Value Acceleration and Shaping an IndustryIn this compelling edition of the ExitMap Podcast, hosted by John F. Dini, The Exit Planning Coach, EPI CEO Chris Snider shares the candid story behind the creation of the Value Acceleration Methodology and how it evolved into the leading standard for exit planning advisors nationwide. From his early career in process improvement and growth consulting to the breakthrough insights that shaped Value Acceleration, Chris reveals the principles that drive real, measurable results for business owners. He also explains how the Exit Planning Institute scaled this methodology into a national movement—building a thriving community of advisors, expanding professional development pathways, and elevating the quality of exit planning across the profession. CEPAs will gain valuable perspective on where the industry is heading, why Value Acceleration remains so effective, and how EPI is investing in deeper training, specialization, and long-term advisor success. Whether you're a seasoned advisor, CEPA or early in your practice, this episode offers insight, clarity, and motivation from the leader who helped define the modern exit planning landscape.
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Beyond the Owner-How Family Systems Shape Successful Exits Compressed
Aug 2100:32:41Tap to summarizeBeyond the Owner: How Family Systems Shape Successful ExitsInclusive planning, legacy thinking and trusted advisory teams drive long-term success.In this episode of the Exit Planning Coach Podcast with John F. Dini, family business expert Amy Wirtz shares powerful insights on how family dynamics, collaboration, and clear communication shape successful business transitions. Drawing from her background as a collaborative divorce attorney and senior consultant with the Family Business Consulting Group, Amy discusses the importance of listening first, educating owners on their options, and engaging the full family system—not just the founder. She offers real-world examples of navigating generational shifts, avoiding conflict, and building governance structures that support long-term success. Whether you’re an advisor or a business owner, Amy’s perspective will change how you think about planning for the future.
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Building EPIC - The Story Behind the Software that Launched Exit Planning
Jun 2400:39:50Tap to summarizeBuilding EPIC: The Story Behind the Software that Launched Exit PlanningIn this episode of The Exit Planning Coach Podcast, host John F. Dini interviews Elizabeth Mower, former president of the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) and the original architect of EPIC—the first exit planning software on the market. Elizabeth shares how her background in law and business led her to a pivotal role in shaping the early exit planning profession. She recounts the creation of EPIC’s planning logic, her unexpected 15-year tenure at BEI, and how that experience inspired her current work at entreVector. The conversation then shifts to the evolving needs of business owners and the workforce, as Elizabeth introduces her latest innovation: Vector Connect, a DIY program designed to bridge the generational gap in employee engagement through community impact initiatives.
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Dustin Cordier - Designing a Business You Can Step Away From
Apr 29, 202500:24:54Tap to summarizeDesigning a Business You Can Step Away FromDustin Cordier, CEPA, founder of StepZero Coaching, shares his journey from Air Force pilot to aviation entrepreneur to exit planning advisor. He explains the meaning behind "StepZero"—the importance of clarity and intention before taking action—and how these ideas shaped his approach to business growth and exit planning. Dustin discusses why he chose to focus on the aviation industry, the power of niching, and how strong systems allowed his former business to thrive even after he and his partners exited. He also offers advice for business owners and advisors on building companies that create real freedom and options, and how authentic community involvement leads to stronger business development. His insights offer a practical roadmap for anyone looking to create lasting value in both business and life.
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Navigating the Descent - John Leonetti on Protecting Wealth and Legacy in Business Exits
Mar 18, 202500:35:48Tap to summarizeNavigating the Descent: John Leonetti on Protecting Wealth and Legacy in Business ExitsIn this episode of the Exit Planning Coach podcast, host John F. Dini interviews John Leonetti, founder and CEO of the International Exit Planning Association (IEPA). Leonetti shares his journey from working in his father's textile business to founding the IEPA after experiencing firsthand the lack of succession planning resources. After obtaining law and finance degrees and working in M&A and wealth management, he wrote "Exiting Your Business, Protecting Your Wealth" and established the IEPA (originally Pinnacle Equity Solutions). The IEPA distinguishes itself by focusing on practical implementation and requiring members to submit actual exit plans for certification. Leonetti emphasizes that successful exit planning isn't just about financial outcomes but about transforming entrepreneurs' lives by helping them prepare for life after business and preserve their legacy.
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