How To Prepare for a Successful M&A Transaction With Shawn Flynn

Andy Cahill is a Leadership Development Consultant and an Associate Partner at KONU, an international boutique consultancy for leadership development and change management. As a transformative coach, he works with purpose-driven leaders and entrepreneurs to help them make a positive difference in the world. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed science-fiction novel Gradient and the host of The Wonder Dome podcast.

In this episode…

We are constantly faced with life's complexities, and without the proper tools, navigating through all the difficulties can be challenging and may even lead to despair. One way to overcome this is by letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose in our lives.

Andy Cahill, a seasoned consultant in leadership development, advocates for incorporating mindful practices to enhance conscious living. To achieve this, Andy recommends heightening your awareness of your immediate environment and taking the time to make well-informed decisions. He further emphasizes the importance of taking control of your life by carving out time for rest and slowing down, as this can play a pivotal role in facilitating effective adaptation to changes in your professional or personal life.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Andy Cahill, a Leadership Development Consultant and an Associate Partner at KONU, about strategies for managing life's complexities. They also discuss the need for conscious living, how to embrace change, and tips for slowing down.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• KONU 
• Andy Cahill on LinkedIn
• Gradient by Anders Cahill 
• Adaptive Leadership Network
• Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization (Leadership for the Common Good) by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
• The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow
• The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Michael Koehler is the Founder and CEO of KONU, an international boutique consultancy for leadership development and change management. Michael also teaches leadership as an Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosts the On The Balcony podcast, where he inspires change agents, executives, and others passionate about personal development.

In this episode…

According to studies, most people love change if it is in their favor. In organizations, people may be reluctant to change due to ineffective leadership or the fear of loss. 

It's essential for the company's visionary leader to implement strategies that inspire teams to embrace change. Employees may fear losing control, their status, or their sense of connection with others. Engaging and communicating effectively with your team encourages positive change. Identify all potential losses that may occur and help them overcome their fears.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Michael Koehler, the Founder and CEO of KONU, about change management strategies. They also discuss Michael's adaptive leadership framework, the difference between authority and leadership, and tips for overcoming loss.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• KONU
• Michael Koehler on LinkedIn
• Adaptive Leadership Network
• The Wexner Foundation
• On The Balcony podcast
• Leadership Without Easy Answers by Ronald A. Heifetz
• Out of the Shadows: Reimagining Gay Men's Lives by Walt Odets

Laura Renner is the Founder and Managing Director of Freedom Makers, a virtual assistant agency supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs with admin support. Freedom Makers pairs companies with qualified, versatile, and experienced military spouses. Laura, a former Public Affairs Officer for the US Air Force, is passionate about connecting talented military spouses with motivated small business owners. As a small business owner, she understands the stress associated with running a business and the challenge of being a military spouse struggling to build a career when assignments can change at a moment’s notice.

In this episode…

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, lifestyle businesses have increased in popularity. As a result of global lockdowns, remote work is becoming normalized — allowing people the flexibility to work from anywhere. Military spouses who often forego career opportunities due to the unpredictability of active duty assignments and transfers have benefited from the accessibility to remote positions. Are military spouses the answer for small business owners looking to outsource specialized work?

Finding the ideal virtual assistant is a challenge for many business owners. Confidentiality, trust, and discipline are key skills required when hiring an assistant, but finding the right person can be an arduous task. According to Laura Renner, the environment that military families live in helps them to stay organized, making them an asset for entrepreneurs.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Laura Renner, the Founder and Managing Director of Freedom Makers, to discuss how utilizing military spouses as virtual assistants can help build your lifestyle business. Laura shares why military spouses are ideal candidates for virtual assistant roles, what criteria to consider when hiring an assistant, and why lifestyle businesses utilize virtual assistants.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Laura Renner on LinkedIn
• Freedom Makers
• Patricia De Fonte on LinkedIn
• "Estate Planning with Patricia De Fonte" on the Pillar6 Podcast
• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Michael Hyatt on LinkedIn
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History by Bruce Cumings
• Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
• Books by Andre Dubus

Crystal Shanks is the CEO and Certified Business Coach at Run Right Business Consulting, where business and executive coaches help entrepreneurs and executives thrive through professional and personal development. Run Right’s coaching program is uniquely personalized for each person and focuses on core needs, including marketing, sales, operations, leadership, financial mastery, career advancement, and mindset. Crystal has coached thousands of owners and businesses worldwide to generate maximum profits and substantial results for nearly 15 years.

In this episode…

People hire business coaches and consultants for various reasons, including having a sounding board, gaining accountability, and helping with business challenges. They provide valuable support and guidance to leaders wanting to propel themselves to another level of success. However, to effectively support clients, consultants must ask a bevy of questions to identify pain points.

With 14 years of coaching executives and leaders under her belt, Crystal Shanks is no stranger to the business world. If you’re looking to elevate yourself or grow your business, her advice is to work with a business coach and be ready to be vulnerable and connect on an emotional level. Coaches can unveil barriers blocking your potential to reach your goals, so you must be willing to share to get to the heart of things. When you commit to the process, the walls will break and clear a path to determine what’s holding you back and the measures you can take to move forward.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Crystal Shanks, CEO and Certified Business Coach at Run Right Business Consulting, to discuss the influence of executive coaching on business growth. She shares what motivates people to work with a business coach, inspirational case studies about past clients, and the differences between a business coach and a life coach. Plus, Crystal offers a special homework assignment as a first step toward growing your business.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Crystal Shanks on LinkedIn
• Run Right Business Consulting
• Yelp Reviews for Run Right Business Consulting
• ProVisors
• The Art of Closing the Sale: The Key to Making More Money Faster in the World of Professional Selling by Brian Tracy

Brad Stroh is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Achieve, a digital personal finance company helping people plan for their future. Formerly known as Freedom Financial, Achieve offers innovative customized financial solutions including financial education, home equity loans, personal loans, and debt resolution.

In this episode…

Inflation makes it difficult for Americans to pay for their most basic needs. As prices continue to increase, so is the cost of borrowing. Taking a loan from the bank is an option, but it only helps until you have to pay it back — and getting out of debt is an arduous process. What can you do to shift your financial narrative?

Solving your financial problems starts when you take control of your finances. One way you can do this is by increasing your financial literacy. Brad Stroh helps his clients get out of debt and achieve financial freedom by creating customized solutions. He also advises them to make a budget, create an emergency plan, and find an accountability partner.

On this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Brad Stroh, the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Achieve, to talk about consumer lending and tips for getting out of debt. Brad also discusses how he maintains his company’s culture, the areas Achieve's impacted, the challenges he’s faced, and the business mistakes he’s made.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Brad Stroh on LinkedIn
• Achieve
• Dr. Jeremy Weisz on LinkedIn
• John Corcoran on LinkedIn
• Rise25
• Andrew Housser on LinkedIn
• Achieve MoLO
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
• Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (Good to Great, 2) by Jim Collins and Jerry I Porras
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Patricia De Fonte is the Founder and Owner of De Fonte Law PC, an estate planning firm based out of San Francisco, California. Through her relationship-based approach, Patricia works with clients to create highly personalized value-based estate plans tailored to protect and provide for their loved ones. She is an Estate Planning Attorney highly regarded within the ProVisors community.

In this episode…

What do you need to start estate planning? Which documents and professionals do you need to protect your estate and loved ones?

In estate planning, there are three key areas to consider — you, your assets, and your dependents. Have you considered who will care for you in case you become incapacitated? For your own peace of mind, it is crucial that your dependents are protected and well taken care of. Writing down a list of names is not enough. According to Patricia De Fonte, an Estate Planning Attorney, 33% of people who inherit assets lose them within three years. It is, therefore, critical to ensure the person entrusted with your assets can take good care of them to prevent losses and fights among your family and friends.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Patricia De Fonte, Founder and Owner of De Fonte Law PC, to share top tips and strategies for estate planning. Patricia explains what estate planning involves, the right time to start the process, and the value of working with financial advisors. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• De Fonte Law PC
• Patricia De Fonte on LinkedIn
• "Using Financial Tools To Make Better Financial Decisions With Eric Dunn" on the Pillar6 Podcast
• "Sports Legends and the Four Pillars of Success With Andrew Bernstein" on the Pillar6 Podcast
• "Preparing for a Successful M&A Transaction With Shawn Flynn" on the Pillar6 Podcast
• The Silicon Valley Podcast
• ProVisors
• Ian Burditt on LinkedIn
• Freedom Makers
• LegalZoom
• The Philosophy of Money (Routledge Classics) by Georg Simmel

Shawn Flynn is a Principal at Global Capital Markets, a middle-market investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation. As an investment banker, Shawn advises business owners on decisions involving M&A transactions and raising growth capital. He also hosts The Silicon Valley Podcast where he interviews entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and leaders in the tech industry.

In this episode…

A successful M&A transaction requires cooperative participants on both the business and banking sides. It is critical that you launch your business with a growth plan and exit strategy intact. Preparing your exit strategy with ample time allows you to focus on achieving your business goals, increasing your business value, and handing it over to the buyer on your terms.

If you're a business owner looking to scale your company through a merger or acquisition, there are key points to take into consideration. According to Shawn Flynn, a mid-market investment banker, working with the right advisors is crucial. Start preparing for your exit early by providing due diligence to avoid losses and help make the transition seamless. This will also help you attract the right investors.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Shawn Flynn, a Principal at Global Capital Markets, to discuss how M&A transactions work. They also discuss common challenges business owners face in the transaction process, the value of working with a financial advisor, and when to start preparing for a business exit.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Shawn Flynn on LinkedIn
• Global Capital Markets
• The Silicon Valley Podcast
• Software Profit Streams(TM): A Guide to Designing a Sustainably Profitable Business by Jason Tanner and Luke Hohmann
• Never Say Whatever: How Small Decisions Make a Big Difference by Richard A. Moran
• The Private Equity Playbook: Management’s Guide to Working with Private Equity by Adam Coffey

Roman Polnar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Pillar6 Advisors, a multifaceted financial planning and wealth management firm geared toward serving successful individuals and families with active lifestyles. Roman is also a Partner at Pillar6 College Planning, where he helps families unlock debt-free money from the financial aid system so they can avoid loans and navigate the system with ease.

Roman has over 18 years of experience in the financial services profession, working for some of the nation’s most recognized names. After 10 years in the corporate world, he left to build an independent firm that would do things differently, and that’s when Pillar6 Advisors was born.

In this episode…

The recent bank collapses in the US have left many people concerned. Customers reacted by withdrawing their money, creating further problems in our financial system. 

What steps should individual customers and businesses take to protect their investments? What can the government do to protect its citizens?

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar is joined by Chad Frazen from Rise25 to talk about the recent bank collapse. They discuss the causes of bank failures, the effects on interest rates, and tips for protecting your money.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman Polnar on LinkedIn
• Roman Polnar's mailing list
• Chad Franzen on LinkedIn
• Rise25
• Financial Planning Association
• Silicon Valley Bank
• Signature Bank

Roman Polnar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Pillar6 Advisors, a multifaceted financial planning and wealth management firm geared toward serving successful individuals and families with active lifestyles. Roman is also a Partner at Pillar6 College Planning, where he helps families unlock debt-free money from the financial aid system so they can avoid loans and navigate the system with ease.

Roman has over 18 years of experience in the financial services profession, working for some of the nation’s most recognized names. After 10 years in the corporate world, he left to build an independent firm that would do things differently, and that’s when Pillar6 Advisors was born.

In this episode…

Balancing your work and personal life can be challenging to navigate. What can you implement in your daily routines to live a well-rounded, successful life?

For Roman Polnar, there are three key areas that he’s passionate about: managing your personal finances, leadership and entrepreneurship, and attention to personal wellness. Having interviewed many professionals and thought leaders on the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman has gained wisdom on how to live a well-rounded life.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar is interviewed by Chad Franzen from Rise25 to discuss the main takeaways from memorable interviews he conducted with thought leaders over the past year. They discuss leadership tips, personal finance best practices, and how to manage stress.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Chad Franzen on LinkedIn
• Rise25
• Jim Amerman on LinkedIn
• "Connecting Tax Planning With Philanthropy” with Jim Amerman
• Nancy Paul on LinkedIn
• "Pay Less for College - Without Relying on Financial Aid” with Nancy Pau
• Dr. Mark Salisbury on LinkedIn
• "College Tuition Transparency” with Dr. Mark Salisbury
• Michael Mischler on LinkedIn
• Brian Gemmer on LinkedIn
• "Investment Decisions in Uncertain Markets” with Brian Gemmer and Michael Mischler
• Andy Block on LinkedIn
• "How Reverse Mortgages Work” with Andy Block
• Andrew Bernstein LinkedIn
• "Sports Legends and the Four Pillars of Success” with Andrew Bernstein
• Eric Dunn on LinkedIn
• "Using Financial Tools To Make Better Financial Decisions” with Eric Dunn
• Samantha Grant on LinkedIn
• "From Loss to Abundance — Finding Time and Meaning” with Samantha Grant
• Dr. Ben Bernstein on LinkedIn
• "Beating Stress and Being at Your Best” with Dr. Ben Bernstein
• Charlotte Smith on LinkedIn
• "Living Life by Design and Leading With Purpose” with Charlotte Smith
• Leah Rosenthal-Kambic on LinkedIn
• "Calling on Super-moms & Super-dads With Young Kids!!!!” with Leah Rosenthal- Kambic

Samantha Grant is the Founder of GUSH Productions, an award-winning media production company based out of San Francisco. She is a journalist, Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, and educator who has produced films that range from polished traditional broadcast pieces to edgy and innovative online-only content. Samantha has over 20 years of experience working in the film, media production, and tech startup industries.

Samantha holds a BA in American studies and literature from Yale University and a master’s of journalism in cinematography and film/video production from the University of California, Berkeley.

In this Episode

What can you learn from painful memories? How can you use tragic experiences to become a better person and improve your life?

Having experienced the loss of her 15-year-old home to a tragic fire, Samantha Grant learned valuable lessons about focusing on the most important things in life. Although she lost her possessions, she still had the love of her family and community. Samantha now uses her journalism skills to help people find meaning in life, remove distractions that prevent them from enjoying the moment, and find inner peace. She also encourages people to accept help and intentionally connect with others.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Samantha Grant, the Founder of GUSH Productions, about the lessons she learned from the tragic loss of her home. They also talk about materialism, the power of journaling, and her family's healing process.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• GUSH Productions
• Samantha Grant on LinkedIn
• The Fire Journal Project
• Melanie Vetter on LinkedIn
• Wellfleet Circle
• Siddhartha: A Novel by Hermann Hesse