John Martinka is all about relationships, whether he’s helping someone buy or sell a business or teaching new advisors about the industry. He believes no one wants to do business without a foundation of trust and mutual respect, and that marketing yourself is just as important as your technical skills. John’s experience—from concert promotion to years of M&A consulting in the Seattle area—taught him that creating authentic relationships, giving back through organizations like Rotary, and helping clients get ready for their “next great adventure” is what makes the work meaningful.

Key themes included:

1. Importance of relationship-building in business

2. Preparing businesses for successful exit

3. Owner dependency and management delegation

4. Value drivers for maximizing business sale

5. Financial systems and accurate reporting

6. Role of networking versus prospecting

7. Engaging advisors and consultants effectively

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John's Website: https://nokomisadvisory.com/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarobinsonofficial/

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at https://www.danarobinson.com

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If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Saul Cohen, drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey and the experience of watching his father navigate building and exiting a business, now specializes in helping business owners plan for successful exits and avoid common pitfalls. His work focuses on making sure entrepreneurs consciously decide whether they’re building a lifestyle business or an asset to sell, and then guiding them through the next steps—whether that’s careful tax planning, optimizing for risk, or preparing for acquisitions.

Key themes included:

1. Difference: Lifestyle vs. Asset/Legacy businesses

2. Importance of early exit planning

3. Value of execution over ideas

4. Learning from business failures

5. Preparing businesses for acquisition

6. Wealth transfer and acquisition opportunities

7. Emotional aspects of business valuation and exit

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Saul's Email: saul.cohen@theexperteye.co.uk

Saul's Website: https://profitbooster.scoreapp.com/

Saul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cohensaul/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarobinsonofficial/

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at https://www.danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Tim Smith started out as a child actor and singer in New York City, then turned to business. He got the investing bug, started building his own wealth management and advisory firms, and over time became the founder of a boutique financial services platform with around 100 advisors and billions under oversight. Along the journey, he not only helped entrepreneurs prepare for their exit and long-term financial health but also became a real advocate for financial literacy, especially for creatives and the next generation through his “Financial Dad” podcast.

Key themes included:

1. Preparing businesses for a potential exit
2. Understanding business valuation and market multiples
3. Challenges and strategies in succession planning
4. Managing wealth post-business sale
5. Emotional aspects of selling a business
6. Importance of tax and charitable planning
7. Entrepreneurial mindset and risk tolerance

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Tim's Email: tim@aurorapw.com

Tim's Website: https://www.aurorapw.com

Tim's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thefinancialdad

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarobinsonofficial/

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at https://www.danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!