Deciding to sell your family business can be one of the hardest and most emotional decisions an owner will ever face.

In this episode of Family Business Breakthroughs, host Jim Berner sits down with Ken Koger, Partner at Meridian Associates, to pull back the curtain on what really happens during the sale process.

With over 30 years serving multi-generational companies, Meridian has guided countless families through business valuations, transitions, and mergers with confidentiality, care, and clarity.

Jim and Ken unpack the real-world signs it may be time to sell, from burnout and shifting markets, to lack of succession plans, and share practical ways to increase your company’s value before you sell.

You’ll learn how to:

• Spot early indicators it’s time to consider an exit
• Avoid “expense creep” and strengthen profitability
• Reduce risk from customer concentration
• Navigate the emotional ups and downs of selling
• Protect confidentiality while preparing your team and family

Whether you’re thinking about succession, curious about mergers and acquisitions, or simply want to understand how to maximize business value, this conversation offers insight only decades of hands-on experience can provide.

Listen now for your next family business breakthrough!

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

What happens when you sell your family company—then have to win it back?

Jodi Scott, CEO of SpryLife and cofounder of Green Goo, tells the riveting story of selling to a “values-aligned” acquirer, watching it unravel, firing her entire legacy team in under 24 hours, and battling for 18 months to buy the business back in December 2024.

Rooted in health psychology and integrative medicine, Jody blends science and soul to build plant-based, efficacy-first products that grew from farmer’s markets to shelves at Walmart, CVS, and Target. She opens up about military-family systems that shaped their culture, the hard boundaries that keep love and leadership intact, and the mentors and practices (hello, cold plunges) that kept her present when everything was on the line.

You’ll hear:

• Why they sold - and why they had to buy it back
• The operating system that protected family relationships and fueled retention
• How “efficacy first” won natural + conventional consumers in OTC
• Rebuilding reality: from 40 employees to 6, production first, purpose always
• Jody’s SHAMAN reset (Sleep, Hydration, Antioxidants, Mindset, Avoid, Nature) for resilient leadership
• Innovation sparks: nutritive deodorant, botanical research, and philanthropic training for women abroad

If this episode helped you think differently about continuity and control, follow Family Business Breakthroughs and share it with a fellow owner or next-gen leader.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

What happens when a family business faces a turning point no one saw coming? In this episode of Family Business Breakthroughs, host Jim Berner sits down with Gary Flynn, CEO and co-owner of M. Dumas & Sons—an iconic Charleston retailer with roots dating back to 1917.

When third-generation owner David Dumas developed a degenerative eye disease that left him blind, he was faced with a heart-wrenching decision: close the doors on his grandfather’s store or trust someone outside the family to carry the legacy forward. Enter Gary Flynn, whose experience at Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, and beyond prepared him to step into a family business with a last name that wasn’t his own.

Together, David and Gary forged a partnership built on trust, curiosity, and a relentless focus on customers. In this episode, Gary shares how he honored tradition while helping the business evolve, scaled operations beyond a single storefront, and stayed true to the family’s vision through every challenge.

Listeners will gain timeless lessons on:

• Building trust when leadership extends beyond bloodlines
• Balancing legacy with innovation
• The power of listening, learning, and staying curious

If you’ve ever wondered how to protect and grow a family legacy when circumstances force change, this conversation is filled with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

Succession can make or break a family business. When done well, it builds trust, preserves relationships, and strengthens the company for generations. When mishandled, it can fracture families and sink businesses.

In this episode, cohosts Jim Berner and Sheila Janan talk with Betsi Bixby about a real family business that almost lost everything by trusting the wrong partner.

You’ll hear how a father, who doubted his children’s abilities to run the company, handed power to an outside executive who secretly undermined the family and fostered a culture of fear and distrust.

Betsi shares how Meridian helped uncover the truth, rebuild trust, clarify leadership roles, and transform the company culture, saving both the family and the business.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

Many family businesses grow, expand, and build wealth — but behind the scenes, debt quietly piles up. For some, it becomes a way of life. But it doesn’t have to.

In this episode, cohosts Jim Berner and Sheila Janan talk with Betsi Bixby, who shares real-life stories of family businesses that believed debt was just part of doing business until they realized it was holding them back.

You’ll hear how owners overcame millions in debt, identified where their cash was tied up, and started building real financial freedom.

Betsi explains the three biggest culprits that drain cash, the mindset shifts that lead to lasting change, and the emotional relief of running a business free of crushing debt for owners, employees, and future generations.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

High turnover was draining this family business to the tune of over $2 million a year. They thought their only problem was finding enough warm bodies to fill positions. But the real issue ran deeper: hiring without culture fit and onboarding without support.

In this episode, Jim Berner and Sheila Janan talk with Betsi Bixby about how this company transformed its approach to hiring and culture. You’ll hear how they applied the Meridian Method to streamline hiring, improve onboarding, reward performance, and build a workplace people wanted to stay in — achieving full employment in just 18 months.

If you’re tired of the revolving door in your business, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you hire smarter and retain your best people.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

When a young Next Gen leader took over his family’s wholesale business, he swore he’d never get into retail. But fate — and a repossessed store — had other plans.

In this episode, Jim Berner, Sheila Janan, and Betsi Bixby share the real-world story of how this leader overcame fear, leaned on Meridian’s systems and coaching, and grew his convenience store portfolio from 1 to 15 (with a goal of 25).

You’ll learn how culture became his competitive advantage, how he attracted the right people, and how smart diversification fueled his growth — all while staying true to his values.

Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

In this final episode of our Money Matters mini-series, we tackle the often misunderstood world of financing for family businesses. Host Jim Berner sits down with Meridian’s founder, Betsi Bixby, to explore what really drives lending decisions, how to avoid overpaying, and why debt can be a powerful tool—or a major risk.

Betsi shares real stories from the field, insights from her banking career, and actionable advice on managing banker relationships, understanding risk, and preparing your business for smart, sustainable growth.

Whether you're planning for expansion, considering debt reduction, or navigating succession, this episode is a must-listen for every family business leader ready to take control of their financial future.

Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546