What if your path to business ownership was less about finding the “perfect” opportunity and more about cultivating clarity and readiness from the inside out? Are you helping your clients build resilient, sustainable enterprises, or just reacting to their immediate wish lists and blind spots?

Too many advisors and brokers get caught solving surface-level problems, overlooking the underlying systems, preparation, and mindset shifts that actually drive long-term success. As this episode reveals, transformative progress happens when you challenge ambitious owners to plan beyond their current horizon, systematize their operations, and prepare their businesses (and themselves) for the capital, scale, and transitions they dream of.

In this episode, Dayo Oyetuga, Certified Business Advisor at the Washington SBDC, brings experience in both entrepreneurship and large-scale organizational transformation. He shares eye-opening lessons on preparing businesses for growth, demystifying capital readiness, leveraging technology, and mastering the unglamorous—but essential—routines of strategic planning and honest self-assessment.

From helping business owners avoid the “lost opportunity” trap to equipping first-time buyers with the right questions and accountability, Dayo Oyetuga offers practical strategies and real-world stories for anyone looking to move from reactive to deliberate, from overwhelmed to empowered.

Subscribe for more insights on building your deal flow, elevating your advisory skills, and leading your clients toward lasting, meaningful success.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/
Email: gregory@ibainc.com
Website: https://ibainc.com/

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - The Next Venture
• (00:00:34) - Next Venture Alliance Show
• (00:02:05) - What led to your current role at SBDC?
• (00:07:19) - Does Business Planning Help Entrepreneurs Grow?
• (00:10:12) - What Does a Plan Look Like for Your Business?
• (00:16:18) - Does SBDC provide business advisory services?
• (00:24:39) - Clear Clarity on Your SBA Loan
• (00:25:08) - 4 tips for business owners on the loan application process
• (00:31:20) - How to Get More Out of a SBDC Advisor?
• (00:38:27) - An Owner's Role in a Sale
• (00:44:23) - In the Elevator With First Time Buyers
• (00:46:01) - What's the most useful kind of carryover skill from the corporate
• (00:53:31) - Should I Acquire a Successful Business?
• (00:59:05) - How Much Money Do You Want to Make As a Business Owner?
• (01:04:27) - The Right Questions for Advisors
• (01:05:35) - Balance: Research vs. Action
• (01:10:55) - The Transition to a Chief Executive Officer
• (01:15:23) - Does Money Change Your Mind?
• (01:17:45) - How to grow a specialty garden business under your umbrella
• (01:24:59) - Will AI Replace Your Business Tools?
• (01:29:43) - What Kind of Business Advisory Services Should Business Owners Have?
• (01:31:46) - Will the SBDC help you with legal and accounting issues?
• (01:36:06) - Top Sources of Information for Business Owners
• (01:42:39) - 6 tips for becoming a better business owner
• (01:45:21) - 71 and Change: Bringing All As One
• (01:51:03) - On The Acquisition
• (01:52:13) - Dreams of Playing in the NFL
• (01:56:37) - Dreaming of playing for the Finnish national team
• (02:00:49) - Seattle Seahawks player on the World Cup
• (02:04:13) - The Next Venture: Small Business Development

What if the secret to long-term success in business brokerage has less to do with technical skills and more to do with personal authenticity, relentless education, and treating people right? Are you building your deal flow on a foundation of deep regional knowledge, lasting relationships, and a win-win mentality? Or are you simply chasing transactions?

When you look beyond commissions and truly invest in your own expertise and your clients' success, you build not only trust but also a practice that stands the test of time. As this episode reveals, the best brokers, the ones whose businesses endure, obsess over team building, continual learning, transparency, and the strength of their reputations, not just their pipelines.

In this special episode with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of IBA, the lessons go far beyond EBITDA multiples and negotiation tactics. You’ll learn how Gregory’s journey from basketball coach to top dealmaker shaped a leadership philosophy built on the golden rule, education, and team excellence. The episode covers the nuances of local versus national brokerage, the power of full disclosure and mentorship, and how building a legacy means raising the bar for the entire industry, not just yourself. Real-world tales of complex deals, cross-cultural challenges, and the human element of business transitions make this a must-listen for any broker seeking lasting impact.

Subscribe for more insights on how to grow your deal flow and become a truly trusted advisor in business sales and succession.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/
Email: gregory@ibainc.com
Website: https://ibainc.com/

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - The Next Venture
• (00:00:34) - Meet Gregory Kofsky
• (00:03:11) - Gregory Koski on His Background and Fatherhood
• (00:05:00) - Rudy Wade on His Career as a Coach
• (00:18:50) - In the Elevator With Business Brokers
• (00:24:38) - Bradley: Business Broker: A Unique Profession
• (00:34:25) - Local Knowledge of the Northwest
• (00:44:19) - Local Knowledge in Selling a Property
• (00:45:54) - In the Elevator With Steve Jobs
• (00:46:43) - Intermediaries: The Golden Rule
• (00:55:18) - Full Disclosure of Retirement Plans
• (01:05:57) - How Numerology Can Make or Break a Deal
• (01:06:29) - Competition in Business Brokerage
• (01:09:35) - Mentorship and Competitive Business
• (01:21:45) - A Moment of Inspiring a Broker
• (01:29:06) - Recharge Your Battery With Vacations
• (01:37:57) - Pushing the Right Question in Negotiations
• (01:39:22) - The importance of personal relationships in the business
• (01:43:33) - Do Business Real Estate Deals Need a Human Touch?
• (01:49:56) - Does an IBA Broker Need a Multiple?
• (01:56:29) - How Good Are You at Valuing Your Clients'?
• (02:00:08) - Minimum Wage and the Business Owner
• (02:05:22) - Real Estate Broker: Qualifications of Buyers and Sellers
• (02:12:17) - Seizing the Day
• (02:17:04) - IBA President Joe Carbone on His Legacy
• (02:21:53) - Leave the Business Better Than You Found It
• (02:23:32) - How Do You Compare to Your Brokerage Career?
• (02:33:08) - Wales World Cup 2018
• (02:42:06) - Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?
• (02:44:31) - A Moment of Truth

Are you wondering why insurance feels more complicated (and expensive) than ever?

In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with commercial insurance expert Julie Janowicz to pull back the curtain on the real state of insurance—what’s changed, what’s insurable, and what you actually need to know before your next big business move.

From wild stories about insuring axe-throwing bars and navigating drone inspections, to actionable advice on getting the best value from your broker, you’ll hear insider knowledge that’s critical for business owners, buyers, and anyone trying to survive today’s unpredictable insurance environment. Whether you’re dealing with commercial policies, fleet auto, D&O, or want to understand how AI is affecting your rates, this conversation is essential listening.

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for more no-BS conversations with industry insiders.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliejanowicz/
Company: http://www.dcigi.com/
Email: Julie@dcigi.com

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance