About Finish Big - The Podcast with Mark Dorman from Legacy Business Advisors.
If you're an entrepreneur – you know what it means to take personal and financial risks, create jobs that support your community, and devote most of your time to your business. But do you know how to plan for a successful exit from your business? Do you know who should be involved in creating your succession or transition plan – and the steps along the way? Welcome to Finish Big – The Podcast with Mark Dorman from Legacy Business Advisors. The podcast theme is inspired by critically acclaimed business Author Bo Burlingham, author of Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top. In this podcast, you'll hear success stories of exit plans done right – and pick up practical tips based on years of Legacy Business Advisors' expertise and knowledge about the largest and most important financial transaction of your life.
Business Owners- Know Your Value using BizEquity (EP 21)
Mark Dorman interviews Cal B. Parker and Kevin Saad of BizEquity, exploring how their platform simplifies business valuation and empowers owners with proactive planning insights.
24 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Inside Case Western's Center for Family Business with Laura Bonnet (EP 20)
In Episode 20 of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman welcomes Laura Bonnet, Founding Director of the Center for Family Business at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Established in 2023, the Center for Family Business was created to connect and equip multi-generational family enterprises to build stronger legacies. Laura brings a powerful blend of strategy, corporate leadership, and advisory experience to the role — having held executive positions at American Greetings and advisory roles at McKinsey & Company, as well as experience with General Motors and Disney.
In this episode, Mark and Laura explore the unique dynamics of family enterprises, the challenges of multi-generational transition, governance, strategy, and the importance of intentional legacy building.
This is a must-listen for family business owners navigating succession, leadership development, and long-term continuity.
Mark and Laura Discuss:
The Birth of the Center for Family Business – Why Case Western launched it in 2023.
Family Business Complexity – Why governance and relationships matter as much as performance.
Multi-Generational Transition – Preparing next-gen leaders early.
Strategic Discipline – Lessons from McKinsey applied to family enterprises.
Corporate vs Family Culture – Key differences in decision-making.
Legacy Thinking – Moving from wealth creation to legacy stewardship.
Emotional Capital – The unseen driver of family business success.
Board Structures & Governance Models – Professionalising the family enterprise.
Education & Community – The role of universities in supporting family firms.
Balancing Growth & Harmony – Keeping business and family aligned.
Connect with Mark Dorman:
Succession Plus US
LinkedIn: Mark Dorman
LinkedIn: Succession Plus
Facebook: Succession Plus
(330)-416-9271
mdorman@succession.plus
About the Guest:
Laura Bonnet is the Founding Director of the Center for Family Business at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Prior to launching the Center in 2023, she served in executive leadership roles at American Greetings and worked at McKinsey & Company advising clients across industries. Her career also includes experience with General Motors and the Walt Disney Company.
Laura combines strategic expertise with a deep understanding of multi-generational enterprise to help family businesses build governance, leadership continuity, and sustainable legacies.
1 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
How to Exit with Satisfaction: A Founder's Playbook with Robert "Bob" Hothem S2 (EP 19)
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman sits down with longtime friend and exit strategist Robert "Bob" Hothem, founder of Exit with Satisfaction.
After building one of the largest TAB (The Alternative Board) franchises in the world — growing to 68 members and seven boards — Bob strategically exited his own business and launched a new venture focused on helping owners prepare emotionally and strategically for their exit.
Mark and Bob discuss:
Self-limiting beliefs
The emotional side of entrepreneurship
Why most owners wait too long to start exit planning
The danger of identity being tied to your business
And why "when the circus leaves town" is the hardest moment for many founders
If you're a business owner anywhere between $1M–$8M in revenue — this conversation is for you.
Connect with Mark Dorman:
Succession Plus US
LinkedIn: Mark Dorman
LinkedIn: Succession Plus
Facebook: Succession Plus
(330)-416-9271
mdorman@succession.plus
About the Guest:
Robert "Bob" Houghtem is the founder of Exit with Satisfaction, a boutique advisory firm helping small and mid-sized business owners prepare emotionally and strategically for successful exits.
Before launching Exit with Satisfaction, Bob built one of the largest TAB (The Alternative Board) franchises globally, growing to 68 members and seven peer advisory boards in the Dayton, Ohio region.
With decades of experience working alongside private business owners — beginning during his corporate career with John Deere — Bob focuses on mindset, belief systems, operational value enhancement, and proactive transition planning.
Inside a recent episode
Business Owners- Know Your Value using BizEquity (EP 21)
Published 10 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] But I'm going to take a step back, and ladies and gentlemen, I'll tell you, I've looked at this new report. We've dug deep, my partner, Chris Goble, and I. It's very, very impressive. But, Cal, you made a statement in the opening there that 98% of small business owners don't know the value of their business. I mean, that's an incredible thing. Unfortunate statistic, for lack of a better phrase. Why do you think that is so? I mean, is it cost inconvenient? What is it? You know what? I think now the percent might be a little bit less, hopefully because of the help of BizEquity now and the advisors that are focused on it, especially the SIPAs. […]
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