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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

Release Date: 05/27/2025

Inside Case Western’s Center for Family Business with Laura Bonnet (EP 20) show art Inside Case Western’s Center for Family Business with Laura Bonnet (EP 20)

Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman

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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, entrepreneurship, and life after business ownership. Brian’s story is one of intentional decision-making, continuous learning, and the courage to reinvent yourself.

Mark and Brian discuss:

  • Military Precision in Business: Lessons from strategic intelligence and risk management.
  • Bootstrapping to Success: Scaling Evolution Consulting without debt.
  • Breaking Growth Barriers: How private equity and strategic partnerships fueled expansion.
  • The Exit Journey: Challenges, lessons, and the importance of cultural fit with investors.
  • Life After the Exit: Finding passion and purpose in winemaking at Violet Vines.
  • Family, Freedom & Legacy: Balancing career ambitions with personal priorities.

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About the Guest:

Brian Zawada is a resilience strategist, business advisor, and winemaker. With nearly 30 years of experience in business continuity and operational resilience, Brian has worked across industries including manufacturing, pharma, biotech, and consumer goods. He is the author of The Business Continuity Operating System and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Continuity Institute. Today, he channels his passion into Violet Vines, a boutique winery in Oregon, alongside his family.