Latest Episode 
207: Gregory Kovsky: "The Hidden Barriers To Becoming a Real Business Broker"
Selling a business is often the largest financial transaction of an entrepreneur’s life—but according to Gregory Kovsky, most business owners underestimate how complex the process really is.
In this conversation, Erik sits down with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates (IBA), to unpack the realities of business brokerage, M&A advisory, and what separates elite dealmakers from average brokers. Gregory shares lessons from more than 30 years in the industry, inclu
Recent Episodes
207
July 30, 2026
207: Gregory Kovsky: "The Hidden Barriers To Becoming a Real Business Broker"
Selling a business is often the largest financial transaction of an entrepreneur’s life—but according to Gregory Kovsky, most business owners underestimate how complex the process really is. In this conversation, Erik sits down with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates (IBA), to unpack the realities of business brokerage, M&A advisory, and what separates elite dealmakers from average brokers. Gregory shares lessons from more than 30 years in the industry, inclu
206
July 29, 2026
206: Olivia Bryant: "Culture Breaks When Values Become Words"
What happens when an HR executive, hospitality operator, and culture strategist all show up in the same person? In this conversation, Erik sits down with Olivia Bryant to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in business: culture. Drawing from decades of experience spanning hospitality, technology, finance, HR, and operations, Olivia shares why culture isn't a soft concept—it's a business system. Together, they unpack the post-COVID shift in employee values, the hidden power of hospital
205
July 28, 2026
205: AI Will Disrupt Tasks, Not Entire Jobs
Erik argues that AI will displace some tasks and some people, but the bigger story is job redefinition and hiring growth driven by unlocked market value. He lays out five examples, contrasting “tasks” AI can replace with “jobs” that exist because humans add customer value. 🧭 Conversation Highlights AI can replace tasks, but it does not automatically replace jobs, because jobs are bundles of quality, judgment, coordination, and accountability Customer value is what expands markets, and AI can h
204
July 27, 2026
204: "How To Coach Through The Delegation Mess" ft. Alli Murphy
Delegation doesn’t go wrong because you delegated. It goes wrong because something underneath was already broken, and now you can see it. The real work for a senior leader is to respond in a way that protects trust while helping your people solve the problem on their side of the table. 🧭 Conversation Highlights Delegation often reveals process, skill, or expectation breakdowns that were already present, especially when you assign “new-to-them” work. Don’t confuse urgency with control: jumping
203
July 23, 2026
203: Eric Wiklendt: "What No One Talks About in M&As About Adding Value"
In this conversation, Erik sits down with Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at Speycide Equity, to pull back the curtain on private equity, acquisitions, and the future of manufacturing. Eric explains how investors think about value creation, why stable cash flow beats optimistic projections, and what separates companies that are attractive acquisition targets from those that struggle to command premium valuations. Along the way, they explore the differences between private equity and venture ca
202
July 22, 2026
202: Vincent Azzolina: "What Does It Take to Lead in a Zero-Mistake Environment?"
Vince Azzolina shares how his career pivoted from CFO to COO at Myers Wells Service, moving from behind-the-scenes finance to hands-on operational leadership. They discuss incentives, the shift from cost-per-barrel to hourly pay to reduce unsafe driving, and how safety and engagement became core to profitability and retention. 👤 About the Guest Vince Azzolina is COO of Myers Wells Service, an oil and gas trucking provider headquartered in Western Pennsylvania. He leads financial performance and
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