The 4D's & 3 What's of Business Succession Planning (EP 4) S2
Release Date: 03/03/2025
Creating Shared Success: Inside the Ohio Employee Ownership Center with Chris Cooper S2 (EP 14)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last. Mark and Chris discuss: The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership. The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who...
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What is the “Fredo” effect- and how might it impact your Family Business? S2 (EP13)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman sits down with Professor Kimberly Eddleston of Northeastern University and Cornell University’s Smith Family Business Initiative. Professor Edelston is one of the world’s leading scholars in family business and entrepreneurship—ranked among the top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and recognized by Family Capital as one of the world’s Top 25 Family Enterprise Academics. Mark and Kim discuss: The Fredo Effect – What it means, how it appears in real family businesses, and why it’s so hard to talk about. Family...
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Community over Competition-Inside the NTMA Movement With Roger Atkins (EP 12) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA). Roger shares his remarkable journey—from sweeping floors in his father’s Houston machine shop to leading a national organisation of over 1,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers. Mark and Roger discuss:: Manufacturing Roots: Growing up in the shop, discovering purpose, and falling in love with the craft. Resilience in Business: Navigating oil downturns, 9/11, and economic uncertainty while keeping businesses alive. Community...
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Part 2 - The use of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT’s) in Business Succession Planning With Corey Rosen (EP 11) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman welcomes back Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), for Part 2 of their conversation on alternative ownership structures—specifically, the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Following their earlier discussion on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Mark and Corey explore how EOTs differ, their origins, and why some business owners may choose them over ESOPs. They cover the practical, cultural, and philosophical factors driving this emerging succession strategy in the U.S. Mark and Corey discuss: ...
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Part 1- The benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP’s) as a Business Transition Alternative with Corey Rosen (EP 10) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of Finish Big the Podcast, Host Mark Dorman is joined by Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and one of the world’s leading experts on employee ownership. Corey shares his decades-long journey—from drafting the original ESOP legislation on Capitol Hill to helping thousands of business owners implement employee stock ownership plans. He and Mark explore the massive impact ESOPs can have on succession, company culture, employee wealth, and long-term legacy. Mark and Corey discuss: From Policy to Practice: How Corey transitioned from...
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Just Keep Punching: Real Talk on Business Resilience With Sigi Loya (EP 9) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman is joined by Sigi Loya—an entrepreneur with a remarkably diverse background spanning corporate America, real estate finance, healthcare entrepreneurship, and business coaching. Sigi Loya shares his evolution from a corporate employee benefits expert to founding multiple businesses, including a holistic medical practice and TAB Pittsburgh, a peer-to-peer advisory board franchise. He also discusses launching Affordable Business Valuations with his son to empower business owners with accurate and actionable insights into their...
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From Consulting to Crafting Wine: Life After Business Exit with Brian Zawada (EP 8) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Brian Zawada—a seasoned business continuity and operational resilience expert, entrepreneur, author, and now boutique winemaker. Brian shares his incredible journey from serving as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force to co-founding Evolution Consulting, scaling the business, and navigating a successful private equity-backed exit. Today, he’s living a new chapter as the co-founder of Violet Vines, crafting exceptional Oregon wines. This episode is packed with insights on risk management, leadership,...
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How to Leverage Exit Planning for Business and Personal Freedom with Renee Russo (EP 7) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman interviews Renee Russo, a dynamic CEO, coach, exit planner, and speaker from Melbourne, Australia, now based in Vancouver, Canada. Rene shares her journey from corporate accounting at KPMG to becoming a sought-after business coach and exit planner. She dives into how her personal challenges and professional pivots led her to develop an innovative approach to business freedom and growth. Renee's story highlights resilience, transformation, and the power of leveraging proven processes to turn chaos into clarity. She is passionate about...
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"Once Again”- building an Investment Advisory Business not once but twice and then “Paying it Forward” with Fred DiSanto (EP 6) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman interviews Fred DiSanto, Chairman and CEO of Ancora Investments. Fred shares his inspiring journey from playing college sports to building a $10 billion investment firm. He discusses pivotal career moments, including his transition from institutional sales to founding Ancora, the challenges of scaling the business, and the strategies that have driven its success. Fred emphasises the importance of strong relationships, assembling top-tier talent, and offering innovative solutions like activism and alternative investments to...
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Economic Tightropes: Inflation, Tax Cuts, and Government Efficiency with Robert Brant Hammer (EP 5) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of Finish Big, Mark Dorman engages with Brant Hammer, a finance professor and investment expert, to discuss the pressing economic challenges of inflation and their impact on businesses. They dive into Biden’s economic policies, Trump’s potential strategies for growth, and actionable insights for entrepreneurs to build strong succession plans. This conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for business leaders navigating a rapidly evolving economy. Mark and Robert discuss: WVU’s Student Managed Investment Fund gives students real world investment experience....
info_outlineWhat are some of the most common pitfalls family business owners face when planning for "The Four D’s," and how can they proactively address them?
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman sits down with James Aussem, a distinguished attorney specialising in succession planning, mergers, and acquisitions. Together, they explore the challenges of planning for “The Four D’s”—Death, Disability, Departure, and Discord—and share actionable strategies for family businesses to navigate transitions successfully.
James discusses his journey from a tax attorney at Ernst & Ernst to a career dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and family business owners. He provides insights into why closely held family businesses require unique planning approaches, touching on key considerations like ownership requirements, business sustainability, and equity among family members.
Mark and James discuss:
- Death, Disability, Departure, and Discord – The essential planning considerations for business owners.
- The Three W’s for Family Businesses:
- What do current owners need?
- What can the business afford?
- What is fair for all stakeholders?
- Mistakes to Avoid in Succession Planning – How miscommunication and lack of planning can lead to failure.
- Baby Boomer Business Transitions – Advice for the wave of retiring entrepreneurs
Connect with Mark Dorman:
- Succession Plus US
- LinkedIn: Mark Dorman
- LinkedIn: Succession Plus
- Facebook: Succession Plus
- (330)-416-9271
- mdorman@succession.plus
Connect with James Aussem:
- LinkedIn: James Aussem
About Our Guest:
James Aussem is a seasoned attorney and shareholder at Cavitch, Farmelo, and Durkin Co., L.P., specialising in succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and estate management. With over 40 years of experience, he’s a trusted advisor to family businesses, simplifying complex legal issues to deliver practical solutions.
A Hall of Fame inductee by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Jim is also recognised annually as one of The Best Lawyers in America. Known for his entrepreneurial mindset, Jim is dedicated to helping business owners plan for success and longevity.