Poised for Exit
Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.
Poised for Exit
Laying the Foundation for a Legacy
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we sit down with Kathleen Wickstorm, CEO of Spec 7 Group, a construction company specializing in waterproofing and protecting commercial buildings. Kathy shares her unusual journey from a career in healthcare to running a successful construction business, and how she has grown Spec 7 Group into a trusted partner for contractors, property managers, and building owners.
Kathy discusses the company’s core services, including waterproofing, concrete raising, and green roofing, and highlights the importance of maintaining and preserving buildings for the long term. She also talks about her experience as a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, what it took to earn her woman-owned business certification, and how she has woven family succession planning into the future of the company.
Julie and Kathy also explore the challenges and opportunities of leading a family-run business, the role of strategic planning in sustainable growth, and why developing strong service relationships is key to stability during uncertain times. From major projects with universities and hospitals to everyday facility maintenance, Kathy offers insight into what it takes to build credibility, trust, and longevity in construction.
This episode is a great listen for entrepreneurs, family business owners, and anyone interested in how leadership, planning, and perseverance can transform both a business and an industry!
Contact Kathleen at kwickstrom@spec7group.com
Connect with Kathleen here
Find Spec 7 Group here
Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor