Is an ESOP the Correct Exit Strategy for Your Business? With Kevin Vonderau and Dan Bender Ep. 8 - S1
Release Date: 08/12/2025
De-Risking Your Business: Jim Doyle on Partial Sales and Full Exits Ep. 40 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Many entrepreneurs start their exit journey with a partial sale to de-risk from a substantial portion of their wealth being tied up in the business. Doing so sets them up for an eventual full exit. In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Jim Doyle, who founded and sold Jim Doyle and Associates (now JDA.Media). Jim shares his experience of navigating ESOPs (employee stock ownership plans) and eventually selling his business to a strategic buyer. Jim discusses: The process of making his business “sellable” How the ESOP helped his employees develop an ownership mindset, enhancing the...
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Professional Management and Business Legacy with Joni Fedders Ep. 39 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Are you ready to transform the way you run your business? Today on the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Doman introduces Joni Fedders, President of Aileron, and explores the unique nonprofit organization based in Dayton, Ohio. Together they explore how Aileron helps business owners and their teams embrace professional management to elevate their lives and organizations. Follow along to hear Joni’s passion for professional management, and how it empowers businesses and their owners to articulate a vision, align their organization towards it, and successfully navigate ownership transitions. Joni...
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From Growing Pains to Profit With Ron Nagy Ep. 38 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale a family business into a multi-location, multi-million dollar empire? In the latest installment of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman talks with Ron Nagy, a successful second-generation business owner, about his journey of transforming a single-location body shop into a multi-location thriving enterprise, the challenges faced along the way, and the strategic decisions that led to their successful growth and eventual sale. Ron discusses: How Nagy’s Auto Collision came to be and how it evolved over time The challenges faced during the...
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Navigating the Emotional and Practical Aspects of Business Transitions With Joe Scheid Ep. 37 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Are you a business owner standing at the crossroads of change, wondering what to do next? You’re not alone. In this episode, Mark Dorman and founding member of the Legacy Advisors Network, Joe Scheid tackle the often-overlooked but critical issue that business owners face: the complex challenge of financial planning during pivotal transitions. Together they unravel the emotional and technical layers of financial decisions, drawing on Joe’s involvement with the Legacy Advisors Network and the Exit Planning Institute. By exploring the capabilities of the Capitalize software and...
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Executing A Successful Exit Plan With Rich Craig Ep. 36 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
With a rapidly evolving marketplace and the persistent talent shortages in the accounting industry, the need for expert guidance in succession planning has never been more critical In this insightful episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Rich Craig, Managing Partner at 415 Group. Together, they discuss the intricacies of growing an accounting firm and the broader challenges that the industry faces. Rich imparts his wisdom on the vital topic of succession planning for business owners, underlining the significance of strategic foresight and the support of trusted professionals. By exploring the 415...
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The Remarkable Journey of The Pearl Valley Cheese Company With Chuck Ellis Ep. 35 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Have you ever wondered what it takes to run and operate a successful business? How about doing it over multiple generations spanning nearly a century? In the latest installment of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman sits down with Chuck Ellis, recently retired president and CEO of the renowned Pearl Valley Cheese Company in Ohio. Listen as they delve into the rich history, challenges, and expansions of the cheese industry, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of family businesses and the cheese production process. Guest discusses: The Swiss immigrant influence on the...
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Maximizing Sales Strategies With Melanie French Ep. 34 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Do you need help with developing sales functions in your business? Well, don’t go anywhere because you’ve come to the right place! This week, guest Melanie French, a fractional VP of Sales, joins Mark Dorman to discuss the importance of developing and improving sales functions in mid-size companies. Melanie shares her journey from a Sales Contributor to a VP of Sales, highlighting the challenges and growth strategies she implemented. The conversation delves into key topics such as the significance of sales strategy, process, CRM utilization, sales team management, and the impact of...
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Crafting Success Through Navigating Governance Challenges With Mike Catan Ep. 33 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
If you’re a business owner wrestling with the idea of passing the torch or expanding your family’s business footprint, take heart—you’re in good company. In the latest edition of the Finish Big Podcast Mark Dorman talks with Mike Catan, the former CEO who propelled Pat Catan’s and Darice Incorporated from a humble family craft store to an impressive empire with 35 retail outlets and a comprehensive wholesale distribution network. Through Mike’s narrative, this episode explores the tactical execution of professional governance and the indispensable contributions of external...
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Exploring Business Valuation and Market Dynamics with Scott Gabehart Ep. 32 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
Do you understand the true value of your company? In today’s enlightening conversation, Mark Dorman talks with Chief Valuation Officer at BizEquity, Scott Gabehart to shed light on the complexities of business valuation. With Scott’s extensive experience and insight, this episode demystifies the valuation process and illustrates how BizEquity’s innovative platform is making accurate valuations accessible to businesses of all sizes. By jumping into the nuances of key performance indicators, the influence of interest rates on mergers and acquisitions, and the evolving landscape of the...
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CEPA and Business Transition Triumphs with Steve Hopkins Ep.31 - S1
Finish Big 1.0 w/ Mark Dorman
What do you need to make the most of your succession plan? What strategies and information could exit planners provide? Join Mark Dorman and his guest Steve Hopkins, Owner of Charter BTA, in exploring the critical nature of devising contingency plans for business owners. Together they touch on the advantages of having a CEPA credential and the contributions of the Exit Planning Institute. Mark and Steve discuss: His background in business exit transition planning What the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation is and why is Steve pursuing it How Steve’s personal...
info_outlineEmployee stock opportunity plans aren’t just for employees as the name suggests. Business owners can benefit from ESOPs just as much.
In this episode, Mark Dorman is joined by Kevin Vonderau, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Westfield Bank, and Dan Bender, Senior Vice President at Westfield Bank, in discussing the role of ESOPs in business planning both for business owners looking to exit their business and their employee’s retirement plans.
Kevin and Dan discuss:
- What ESOP stands for and how it fits within business planning
- How ESOPs work for employees versus business owners
- What a leveraged ESOP is and the bank’s role in those types of ESOPs
- Top five industries that benefit from including ESOPs
- And more
Resources:
- Westfield Bank
- ESOP Resources
- Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham
Connect with Kevin Vonderau:
Connect with Dan Bender:
Connect with Mark Dorman:
- LinkedIn: Mark Dorman
- Succession.plus/us/
- Call: (330) 350-5410
- Email Mark: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: Succession Plus US
- Facebook: Succession Plus US
About our Guests:
Kevin Vonderau has been meeting the banking needs of clients in Northeast Ohio for over 25 years. During that time, he has gained a broad understanding of the services and products that they offer to solve their client’s financial needs. This deep knowledge and experience allows Kevin to not only create solutions for his customers but also gives him the expertise to help them avoid or overcome obstacles. At Westfield, they know that in business, it’s all about networking. Kevin look for ways to help his customers build their contact base. Through various events, many of which they host here on the Westfield campus, and his network of trusted colleagues, he is able to connect his customers with experts outside of the banking industry who can help them grow their businesses and plan for their future.
Dan Bender is an experienced Commercial Relationship Manager with Business Banking and Middle-Market experience in the Greater Cleveland area. His expertise includes establishing credit facilities for working capital, capital expenditures, business acquisitions, and real estate purchases and refinancing. He also maintains commercial relationships for non-borrowing customers who require treasury management services.