Host Scott Couchenour sits down with Harman Construction President and CEO, Wayne Witmer, to explore the strategic advantages of Employee Stock Ownership. In this episode, they break down the critical question: Is an ESOP the right choice for your business transition? Join us as we discuss how to balance leadership succession with a commitment to the people who helped build your business.

Tune in weekly to hear more from Mastery Partners and to receive relevant key content on your journey to maximizing your business value!

GET THE BOOKS: Start with Maximizing Business Value by Tom Bronson

Learn More about Scott Couchenour
Scott Couchenour currently serves as the “Fourth Quarter” life and business coach and founder of Serving Strong since November of 2007. Scott helps business owners and executives in their 40's and 50's who are in pursuit of their next adventure in life. He concentrates on helping create clarity and design a comprehensive life and business plan. He helps not only with strategy but secures solid traction through an iterative approach. Scott's clients are reaching new heights and accomplishing much more than they ever thought possible. Scott is also the host of the podcast show, Serve Strong Finish Strong which began in June of 2022 on the Mission Matters Podcast Network.

Learn More about Wayne Witmer
Wayne Witmer joined Harman in 1990, the day after returning from his honeymoon. Married with four children, Wayne enjoys family, travel, sports, and music. Wayne holds a business administration degree from Eastern Mennonite University and worked his way up from project management and business development to president and CEO. “Communicating with employees and clients to make sure that goals and expectations are met is very important,” says Wayne. “I work hard at making that a priority.”

Active in the industry and community, Wayne is past president of AGCVA Valley District, Has served as an AGCVA state board member and was selected for the Butler Building Systems national advisory council. He is a past member of Harrisonburg Rotary Club board and served as club President. Wayne currently is a member of the Central Valley Habitat for Humanity Board. Faith and trust in God is what keeps him focused and inspired to lead well in all he does.

Mastery Partners

Elevating Businesses to Achieve The Business Owner’s Dream Exit
The unfortunate reality is that for every business that comes on the market (for whatever reason), only 17% of them achieve a successful exit. You read that right. 83% of attempted business transitions never reach the closing table. Mastery Partners is on a mission to change that. We ELEVATE businesses to achieve maximum value and reach that dream exit.

Our objectives are simple - understand where the business is today, identify opportunities for dramatic improvement, and offer solutions to enhance the business, making it more marketable and valuable. And that all starts with understanding the business owner’s definition of his or her dream exit.
Mastery has developed a 4-Step Process to help business owners achieve their dreams.

STEP 1: Transition Readiness Assessment
STEP 2: Roadmap for Value Acceleration
STEP 3: Relentless Execution
STEP 4: Decision: Now that desired results are achieved, the business is ready for the next step in the journey!

CONNECT WITH MASTERY PARTNERS TO LEARN MORE
LinkedIn
Website

© 2025 Mastery Partners, LLC.

In the conclusion of this high-stakes conversation, Amy Morin and Dawn Hryshko, CEO of The Exit Planning Team, move from theory to execution. Building on last week's discussion, part two focuses on the specific tax structures and strategic maneuvers that can make or break a business transition.

Dawn leverages her 30+ years of CPA expertise to simplify the complex, showing you exactly how to align your business operations with tax-saving strategies that maximize your net proceeds. If you want to ensure the IRS isn't your biggest beneficiary when you exit, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.

#maximizebusinessvalue #masterypartners #DawnHryshko #SimplfyingTaxStructures

GET THE BOOKS: Start with Maximizing Business Value by Tom Bronson

Learn More about Amy Morin
Amy Morin is an accomplished entrepreneur and Business Growth Coach who brings exceptional value to your network. She has an impressive background as a Certified EOS Implementer®, Outgrow Sales Advisor, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor®. What makes Amy truly remarkable is her real-world success. She co-founded and scaled a company from zero to $40 million in revenue across multiple states before executing a successful exit. Later, she purchased a struggling Montana fly-fishing resort, implemented effective systems and accountability measures, and transformed it into a profitable enterprise that she also successfully exited.

Learn More about Dawn Hryshko
Dawn Hryshko is a seasoned CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor with over 30 years of experience helping business owners prepare for and navigate successful exits. As a co-founder of The Exit Planning Team, she specializes in combining tax strategy, business valuation, and financial analysis to drive growth and transition readiness. Her background includes leadership roles at major firms and advising family-owned and mid-market companies across industries.
With a Master of Taxation and a track record of strategic advisory success, Dawn is a trusted guide for entrepreneurs ready to align their business, financial, and personal goals for a smooth and profitable exit.

Mastery Partners

Elevating Businesses to Achieve The Business Owner’s Dream Exit
The unfortunate reality is that for every business that comes on the market (for whatever reason), only 17% of them achieve a successful exit. You read that right. 83% of attempted business transitions never reach the closing table. Mastery Partners is on a mission to change that. We ELEVATE businesses to achieve maximum value and reach that dream exit.

Our objectives are simple - understand where the business is today, identify opportunities for dramatic improvement, and offer solutions to enhance the business, making it more marketable and valuable. And that all starts with understanding the business owner’s definition of his or her dream exit.
Mastery has developed a 4-Step Process to help business owners achieve their dreams.

STEP 1: Transition Readiness Assessment
STEP 2: Roadmap for Value Acceleration
STEP 3: Relentless Execution
STEP 4: Decision: Now that desired results are achieved, the business is ready for the next step in the journey!

CONNECT WITH MASTERY PARTNERS TO LEARN MORE
LinkedIn
Website

© 2025 Mastery Partners, LLC.

In this week’s episode of "Maximize Business Value," Amy Morin sits down with Dawn Hryshko, Co-Founder and CEO of The Exit Planning Team, for an in-depth conversation on a critical business hurdle: Simplifying Tax Structures & Business Strategies for Business Owners. Part two will be released next Friday! Stay tuned for more insights!

Tune in weekly to hear more from Mastery Partners and to receive relevant key content on your journey to maximizing your business value!

#maximizebusinessvalue #masterypartners #DawnHryshko #SimplfyingTaxStructures

GET THE BOOKS: Start with Maximizing Business Value by Tom Bronson

Learn More about Amy Morin
Amy Morin is an accomplished entrepreneur and Business Growth Coach who brings exceptional value to your network. She has an impressive background as a Certified EOS Implementer®, Outgrow Sales Advisor, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor®. What makes Amy truly remarkable is her real-world success. She co-founded and scaled a company from zero to $40 million in revenue across multiple states before executing a successful exit. Later, she purchased a struggling Montana fly-fishing resort, implemented effective systems and accountability measures, and transformed it into a profitable enterprise that she also successfully exited.

Learn More about Dawn Hryshko
Dawn Hryshko is a seasoned CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor with over 30 years of experience helping business owners prepare for and navigate successful exits. As a co-founder of The Exit Planning Team, she specializes in combining tax strategy, business valuation, and financial analysis to drive growth and transition readiness. Her background includes leadership roles at major firms and advising family-owned and mid-market companies across industries.
With a Master of Taxation and a track record of strategic advisory success, Dawn is a trusted guide for entrepreneurs ready to align their business, financial, and personal goals for a smooth and profitable exit.

Mastery Partners

Elevating Businesses to Achieve The Business Owner’s Dream Exit
The unfortunate reality is that for every business that comes on the market (for whatever reason), only 17% of them achieve a successful exit. You read that right. 83% of attempted business transitions never reach the closing table. Mastery Partners is on a mission to change that. We ELEVATE businesses to achieve maximum value and reach that dream exit.

Our objectives are simple - understand where the business is today, identify opportunities for dramatic improvement, and offer solutions to enhance the business, making it more marketable and valuable. And that all starts with understanding the business owner’s definition of his or her dream exit.
Mastery has developed a 4-Step Process to help business owners achieve their dreams.

STEP 1: Transition Readiness Assessment
STEP 2: Roadmap for Value Acceleration
STEP 3: Relentless Execution
STEP 4: Decision: Now that desired results are achieved, the business is ready for the next step in the journey!

CONNECT WITH MASTERY PARTNERS TO LEARN MORE
LinkedIn
Website

© 2025 Mastery Partners, LLC.