Most business owners spend decades building something remarkable — then walk away with nothing. Today, Donny sits down with Ottawa entrepreneur Markian Pergat, who runs a successful seasonal business and now helps small business owners prepare for life beyond their companies. What unfolds is an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, capital, debt, and why the most important financial move Markian made had nothing to do with his business.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The 80% Statistic — Why most small business owners never actually exit, and what "exit-able" really means (it's not the same as "sellable")
• The Mortgage Trap — How Markian had to temporarily take a job as an employee just to qualify for a mortgage — despite employing people who qualified more easily than him
• The First Policy Loan — What Markian did the second his policy had borrowing capacity, and why the simplicity of it was the proof he needed
• Using a Policy to Buy a Business — The real story of accessing capital from his own contract — no bank, no approval required — to acquire an income-producing asset

The Quote That Landed: "If it only benefited you when you died, they should've called it death insurance. Life insurance is something you use while you're living."

One Piece of Advice for the Business Owner Grinding: Start before you're ready. The compounding curve does little in the early years and everything in the later ones. Whether it's your policy or your exit prep — the earlier you start, the more time does the work.

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