Demystifying ESOPs: What Business Owners Need to Know Before Selling

In this episode, Deborah is joined by Rich Glassman of ESOP Plus LLP. Rich shares his extensive knowledge of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), what he considers to be the best-kept secret in the tax code. Learn why ESOPs are a good option to explore when selling your business.

Rich breaks down what an ESOP is, how it works and how it benefits the seller and the company. He addresses some misconceptions including complexity, cost and risk as well as future requirements and costs for the ESOP going forward. Drawing on his background in banking, management, a family-owned business and ESOP law, Rick encourages owners to keep an open mind, seek experienced advisors, and thoughtfully consider whether employee ownership could be the right option for your exit.

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, Rick Vidallon, Creative Director @ VISIONEFX, discusses how businesses can better manage and protect their digital or online assets . He emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over domains, logins, hosting accounts, and passwords, especially when selling or acquiring a company. It highlights best practices such as keeping an updated inventory of online assets, ensuring owners, not just managers, retain essential access. It emphasizes the value of updating websites regularly, ensuring accurate online listings, and using SEO best practices so search engines can properly recognize and rank a business. Even older sites can retain credibility, but fresh content improves visibility. The episode concludes with insights on tailoring social media and content strategies to a company’s audience and industry, and the role VISIONEFX plays in redesigning sites, improving SEO, and supporting content and social postings.

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, employment attorney Bob Brody of Brody and Associates explains key employment-law issues business owners often overlook—from the National Labor Relations Act and protected employee activity to compliance challenges, I-9 requirements, and the importance of proactive audits. With a practice focus on labor, employment and benefits, he discusses how early employment-law preparation can strengthen a company’s position during a sale, and how tools like non-competes, non-solicits, and confidentiality agreements protect a business. Bob also touches on modern challenges such as AI, remote work, and training gaps

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, Michelle Orr of Live Oak Bank shares her decades of experience working in SBA lending and partnering with entrepreneurs looking to acquire businesses. She explains what makes Live Oak’s process unique and her quarterback-style approach from prequalification through closing. Michelle outlines key SBA rules, deal structures, limits, and expectations for both first-time buyers and seasoned acquirers, as well as common red flags such as unstable revenue trends, customer concentration, and heavy seller dependence. She walks listeners through timelines, diligence requirements, and transition planning, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and building the right team of advisors. Michelle also highlights current SBA updates and why she loves helping buyers navigate the acquisition journey.

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, trust and estate attorney Michael Clear, Partner of Wiggin and Dana discusses how thoughtful estate planning can help business owners preserve and protect the wealth created through a lifetime of work. He explains the strategic use of trusts—revocable and irrevocable—to minimize estate taxes, provide asset protection, and ensure family continuity. Clear emphasizes the importance of starting planning well before a sale—ideally two or more years in advance—to take advantage of valuation discounts and tax benefits. With a counselor’s mindset, he guides clients through not just the technical but also the personal aspects of planning, helping families clarify goals, communicate effectively, and set up structures that reflect their values and future aspirations.

TRANSISTOR

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, we sit down with Brad Malicki, an experienced M&A attorney with Halloran Sage to discuss the crucial role legal counsel plays in getting a deal to the finish line. Whether you’re buying or selling, the goal is always the same—negotiate to “yes” and close the deal in a way that works for both sides.

Our guest explains why having the right attorney—one who understands M&A transactions—is essential. From interpreting the Letter of Intent to drafting detailed agreements that prevent future disputes, an experienced M&A attorney knows how to ask the right questions, balance legal protection with deal momentum, and ensure both parties walk away satisfied (if only a little bit happy and a little bit unhappy).

You’ll also hear insights on what differentiates a transactional attorney from a litigator, the importance of clear communication between all parties, and why the best contracts are the ones that get signed, filed, and never need to be revisited.

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, Deborah sits down with Jason Correia, a Principal at CLA and an expert in Quality of Earnings (QoE) analysis for M&A transactions. Jason breaks down why QoE reports are essential for verifying the accuracy of financials, understanding true cash flow, and normalizing earnings to reflect what a business will really look like under new ownership.

Discussed are key topics like normalizing owner-related expenses, determining net working capital, and how these analyses impact deal value and negotiations. Jason also shares insights from his career journey—from auditing to M&A—and how his team at CLA supports both buyers and sellers through every phase of the transaction.

Tune in to learn how QoE can reveal the real earnings story behind the numbers.

www.claconnect.com

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

In this episode, Deborah sits down with Joseph Jaffe—Professional EOS Implementer, Executive Leadership Coach, 6-time author, keynote speaker, and host of Joseph Jaffe is Not Famous and The Entrepreneur’s Journey.

Joseph shares how entrepreneurs can break free from the myth that building a business must be painful. Through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), he helps leadership teams gain clarity and alignment, instill discipline and accountability, and foster trust and healthy collaboration.

From reframing entrepreneurship as discovery instead of struggle to creating “harmonic resonance” among diverse personalities, Joseph offers insights for leaders who want to build thriving teams and sustainable businesses without accepting dysfunction as the norm.

Jaffe is @jaffejuice on all the major socials.

For all links, please visit

https://linktr.ee/jaffejuice

or

www.eosworldwide.com/joseph-jaffe

touchstoneadvisors.com

linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a

directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production