
Hosted by Matthew Meehan, Luigi Rosabianca · EN

Are your employees’ financial futures secure? If not, here’s what might be missing from your business game plan. In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project Podcast, we sit down with Courtenay Shipley, founder of Retirement Planology. She’s not just redefining how businesses handle retirement; she’s making it accessible, understandable, and essential for companies looking to retain talent and provide meaningful benefits. Courtenay breaks down how strategic retirement planning impacts recruitment, retention, and a company’s bottom line—all while making the topic engaging and digestible. Episode Highlights: Why retirement planning is essential for employee retention and business success “Retirement Planology” – what it means and why branding matters Creative benefits that go beyond traditional retirement plans The reality of Social Security and why it’s not enough Options for different business sizes: Solo 401(k)s, Simple IRAs, and more How Courtenay pivoted from a music major to a top expert in retirement planning Want to keep your top talent happy and loyal? Learn how strategic retirement planning can be a game-changer for your business. Favorite Quote: “Social security - I also call it social insecurity - is usually between 20 to 40 percent of somebody's working income…That's a really good, solid basis. But we need to build on top of it.” Connect with Courtenay: http://www.linkedin.com/in/cshipley https://www.retirementplanology.com/learnmore Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, we sit down with Jeff Villwock, aka the "Acquisitions Professor." Jeff shares incredible stories from his decades-long career in investment banking and acquisitions, detailing everything from the 2008 financial crises to navigating COVID-19 as he helped businesses grow and survive. If you're serious about buying or selling a business, Jeff’s insights on navigating the real risks, learning from failures, and managing complex deals are pure gold. Who is Jeff? Jeff Villwock is a seasoned M&A expert with a wealth of experience in hospital group acquisitions, investment banking, and business growth strategies. Known for his sharp, no-BS approach, Jeff now dedicates his expertise to helping individuals and businesses thrive through acquisitions. Episode Highlights: The surprising twists of acquisitions during the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 Why diligence, grit, and adaptability are essential in high-stakes deals Insider tactics to reduce costs and maximize profits in business operations The importance of having the right “why” before buying a business Tips for sellers on getting businesses ready for sale Tune in to learn the real story behind successful acquisitions and what it takes to be prepared for anything that comes your way. Favorite Quote: “If you can get the person to understand why they want to buy a business, what do they bring to the table, then you can start… talking about which sector might look good.” Connect with Jeff: jeff@jeffvillwock.com www.acquisitionsprofessor.com https://www.jeffvillwock.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvillwock/ Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Ever wonder how your business would hold up under public scrutiny? In today’s episode, we dive into the world of reputation management—what to do when a PR crisis hits and why it’s crucial for every business owner to be prepared. John P. David, founder and CEO of David PR Group, joins The Liquid Lunch Project to discuss the ins and outs of managing a business's public image. From handling bad reviews to tackling major reputational crises, John shares his expert advice on preventing minor issues from snowballing into full-blown disasters. This episode covers the tools and strategies every small business needs to protect its reputation in an age where one viral post can make or break a brand. Here’s what we’re covering: What qualifies as a “crisis” and why it's subjective Steps every business should take to be crisis-ready The role of media policy in protecting company reputation Why some reviews should be left alone—and when to fight back Case studies of major brands and their crisis management hits and misses How the “camera in every pocket” culture has changed PR strategy Who is John? John P. David is a public relations expert specializing in reputation management. With decades of experience and a published author on the topic, John has become a go-to for businesses looking to handle sensitive public relations issues. His book, How to Protect or Destroy Your Reputation Online, delves into techniques for maintaining a positive online image. Ready to bulletproof your business's reputation? Tune in now to learn how a proactive approach to PR can save you in a crisis. Favorite Quote: “The best defense when it comes to review sites is offense. Talk to your existing customers and have them write reviews for you.” Connect with John: https://www.facebook.com/DavidPRGroup https://twitter.com/johnpdavid https://www.youtube.com/user/miamipublicrelations https://www.instagram.com/davidprgroup/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpdavid/ https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/28843/john-david Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Mom-and-pop shops are the new darlings of Wall Street. But why are hedge funds suddenly interested in your local HVAC company? Let’s break it down. In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Wagner, one of the founders and principals of The Exit Group, to explore why Main Street businesses are becoming more attractive to Wall Street. From private equity’s growing interest in smaller, essential service businesses to why baby boomers are cashing in on decades of hard work, Jordan provides insights into the mechanics of these deals and how small business owners can position themselves for a profitable exit. Whether you’re running a plumbing company or thinking about your next business move, this episode sheds light on why “boring” businesses are suddenly a hot commodity. Episode Takeaways: Why essential, “boring” businesses like HVAC and plumbing are now attractive to private equity. How generational shifts and the rise of subscription services are changing the landscape for service businesses. Private equity’s impact on improving valuations for small businesses. Factors that drive higher valuations: recurring service revenue, growth, and management structure. The long-term strategy of private equity: scaling operations and building efficiency. Why private equity is now interested in white-collar trades like CPA firms and legal services. The growing interest in property management businesses due to their recurring revenue model. Want to know if your business could be the next target for private equity? Tune in to find out how you can position your company for a lucrative exit and take control of your financial future. Favorite Quote: “We call them boring businesses, but Wall Street loves them because they’re essential— plumbing, HVAC, lawn care. They create fundamental, scalable value.” Connect with Jordan: Website: https://www.exitgroup.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanwagner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-wagner-b9249135/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanwagnerx/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC38aM6GMEa2MaSVIEEng9Q