Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Jason Gabrieli sits down with Michael Roth, Managing Partner of V&R Capital, to explore how business owners can thoughtfully prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—selling their business. From his personal journey through entrepreneurship and tragedy to founding a firm focused on family-owned businesses, Michael shares the unique challenges and critical steps involved in planning a sale. Whether you're retiring, or just want to ensure your legacy, this episode offers valuable direction.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

• Why building a business “to sell” benefits you—even if you never sell.
• The major pitfalls business owners face when preparing for a transition.
• What private equity and family offices really mean for sellers.
• How VNR Capital invests alongside their clients to align long-term success.

What we discussed

[00:01:00] Jason introduces Michael Roth and the mission of V&R Capital.

[00:02:15] Why V&R focuses on family-owned businesses and their unique needs.

[00:03:29] Michael’s career journey from Anheuser-Busch to tech entrepreneur.

[00:05:09] How personal tragedy shaped his transition into business advisory.

[00:07:33] Founding V&R Capital with a mission to support underserved founders.

[00:09:31] The mindset shift: building a company for market value, not just personal preference.

[00:11:09] How early market feedback creates smarter business decisions.

[00:12:41] The truth about valuations—and why they often fall short.

[00:14:20] Why V&R invests their own capital alongside clients.

[00:16:11] Understanding private equity and family office dynamics.

[00:17:37] Common missteps in scaling or prepping a business for sale.

[00:19:25] The urgency of early planning—why 5 years from retirement means action today.

[00:21:02] How a good sale can benefit both your team and your legacy.

[00:23:25] Picking the right advisors for a once-in-a-lifetime event.

[00:24:43] What sellers often do next—and why many get back into business.

3 Things To Remember

1. A business built to sell is often a better-run business—even if you never plan to sell it.
2. Engaging a trusted advisor early gives you time to plan intentionally, not reactively.
3. Understanding your buyer’s perspective helps you make smarter growth and exit decisions.

Useful Links

Connect with Jason Gabrieli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongabrieli

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Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Journey, host Michael Pallozzi sits down with Harrison Edwards, president of My Painter & Exteriors in Arlington, Virginia, to explore his remarkable journey from starting a business at age 20 to running a thriving painting and exterior contracting company by 29. Harrison shares candid insights about overcoming early challenges, understanding profitability, growing a scalable business, and learning critical lessons from tough projects. This conversation highlights practical strategies for contractors and entrepreneurs aiming to enhance their business acumen and accelerate growth.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

• How to accurately price jobs for profitability.
• Key differences between residential and commercial projects.
• The importance of investing in your employees beyond compensation.
• Strategies for scaling your business while maintaining quality control.

What we discussed

[00:01:15] Harrison’s background and how he started My Painter & Exteriors at 20 years old.

[00:03:17] The realization of how crucial understanding financials and pricing jobs correctly is.

[00:05:36] Harrison shares a business idea that didn't initially succeed and how he learned from it.

[00:07:36] Differences between managing residential versus commercial contracting projects.

[00:08:25] Experiences and challenges from handling a large, year-long commercial project.

[00:11:16] Launching his second company, Bright Bins, and navigating its unique market.

[00:14:55] Insights on scaling My Painter & Exteriors from startup to nearly $4 million annually.

[00:16:37] The importance of clearly communicating your vision and investing in your team.

[00:19:18] How consultants can accelerate your business’s growth and provide clarity.

[00:21:09] Harrison’s vision for his businesses over the next five years.

3 Things To Remember

1. Clearly understanding your overhead and accurately pricing jobs from the start is crucial for sustainable business growth.
2. Effective leadership involves investing in your employees' development and clearly communicating the vision and status of your business.
3. Working with the right consultants and mentors can dramatically accelerate your learning curve and enhance business outcomes.

Useful Links

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE

Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey, hosted by Michael Pallozzi. In this episode, Michael speaks with Jon Winters, President of MSC Flooring, about his journey from painting houses in high school to co-founding and growing Michigan Specialty Coatings into a thriving business. Jon shares how early failures shaped his business philosophy, the lessons learned from traveling the world, and the importance of living below your means to weather any economic storm. Listen in for candid insights into building a resilient company culture and managing growth through challenges.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

● How a small painting gig turned into an entrepreneurial journey.

● The pivotal lessons Jon learned from early business failures.

● Why living below your means is critical for entrepreneurs.

● How coaching and EOS helped MSC break growth barriers.

What we discussed

● [00:01:02] The story behind MSC’s name change and branding.

● [00:02:21] Jon’s first taste of entrepreneurship painting houses in high school and college.

● [00:06:33] Traveling for 18 months and the life lessons learned abroad.

● [00:14:44] How Jon transitioned from touring with Disney on Ice to the coatings industry.

● [00:20:32] Early struggles with product failures and how they pivoted MSC’s focus.

● [00:25:18] Celebrating 20 years in business and growing a team of over 70 people.

● [00:27:49] How EOS and coaching transformed MSC’s operations and leadership.

● [00:31:22] Jon’s advice on living below your means and preparing for economic downturns.

3 Things To Remember

1. Running a business comes with hard lessons — early failures can define future success.
2. Leveraging coaching and structured systems can help break through growth ceilings.
3. Living below your means builds resilience and confidence to handle economic uncertainty.

Useful Links

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE