Lightning in a bottle: Entrepreneurial journeys from idea to exit

Join hosts Josh Pottinger and Jason Chirogianis as they kick off the year with a deep dive into pre-sale planning for business owners. Joined by Deborah Phares, Senior Strategist – UBS Family Advisory and Jennifer Lan, UBS Senior Wealth Strategist – UBS Advanced Planning Group, the conversation explores why planning early—well before an LOI—is critical to optimizing tax outcomes, preserving legacy, and avoiding post-sale regret. The episode goes beyond technical strategy to examine the emotional and family dynamics of a liquidity event, including governance, communication, and philanthropy.

After 44 years in Washington, John Savercool, former UBS Senior Lobbyist and Head of the U.S. Office of Public Policy at UBS—offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how the gears of American politics are turning right now. In this episode, we discuss what Congress is focused on heading into the fall, and what the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) means for business owners now that it’s officially law. John also shares his take on Elon Musk’s call for a third party, updates on the Middle East and Ukraine, and the outlook for tariffs through year-end. With deep experience in both public service and the private sector, John brings thoughtful perspective to some of today’s most pressing policy questions.

What’s keeping top entrepreneurs up at night in 2025? From navigating AI integration to retaining top talent in a competitive market, the landscape is shifting fast. Christian van Driel, Director and Client Solutions Specialist at UBS, joins us to break down key findings from the 2025 Global Entrepreneur Report, built on insights from over 150 UBS entrepreneur clients and network members. We explore how business owners are thinking about investment trends, cybersecurity, succession planning, and the growing role of family offices—all while balancing personal priorities with long-term business goals in an increasingly uncertain world.

In this episode of Lightning in a Bottle, we sit down with Nick Adkins, healthcare tech entrepreneur and co-founder of PinkSocks.Life, to talk about life after an exit and the transition from building a company to building a movement. Nick shares his journey as a founder in the healthcare tech space, his experience exiting the company, and how he shifted gears to co-found PinkSocks, a global initiative focused on human connection, kindness, and giving back. We dive into the realities of what comes after selling a business—how to redefine purpose, navigate new opportunities, and channel entrepreneurial energy into something meaningful. Enjoy!

Cybersecurity isn’t just for the big players anymore—it’s a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Kyauk from NightDragon, the leading VC firm specializing in cybersecurity, safety, and privacy, to break down today’s top threats and emerging innovations. We dive into the risks facing SMBs, how cyber threats can disrupt M&A transactions, and best practices for managing these challenges. Morgan also sheds light on the rise of SecureTech, innovations in national security, and the biggest trends and threats to watch over the next five years.

Business owners face a wide range of risks—some expected, others unforeseen. The absence or loss of a key employee can disrupt operations and revenue, while the sudden departure of an owner or co-founder due to death, disability, divorce, or retirement can jeopardize the company’s future. So how do you ensure business continuity, protect your company’s value, maintain ownership control, and avoid legal complications? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cooley, President of Prosperity Life Advisors, to unpack these issues and discuss strategies for planning ahead.

When a business is in its growth phase, business owners often face a crucial decision of whether to raise capital through equity or debt. Since there are pros and cons to both, we decided to focus on the debt market for this episode, bringing in Mike Rudolph, Managing Director, KPMG Corporate Finance to provide some clarity. Together, we explore why a business owner would consider raising debt, the different types of debt capital available, key themes from the debt market throughout 2023, expectations for the rest of 2024 and what business owners can do now to increase their success for future debt raises.

Join us as we kick off Part 1 of our two-part series on sell-side due diligence featuring Grace Oh Auguste and Eric Renner from Alvarez & Marsal’s Global Transaction Advisory. During the episode we explore the crucial aspects of due diligence, what sellers can anticipate, and key focal points in financial/tax due diligence. Gain insights on optimizing transaction structures, identifying common tax risks, and preparing effectively for the due diligence process.

Discover the keys to uncommon success in this episode, where we delve into the world of wealth strategy for business owners and entrepreneurs. Join hosts Josh Pottinger and Justin Waring CFP®, UBS Senior Total Wealth Strategist, as they navigate the unique challenges faced by business owners before, during, and after a liquidity event. From understanding the distinctive needs of business owners in their path to financial freedom to addressing pre-sale challenges and post-liquidity hurdles, this episode offers valuable insights. Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of wealth management tailored for entrepreneurs.

Curious about family offices? Tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring Mark Tepsich, UBS Family Office Design & Governance Strategist. Throughout the episode we explore what family offices are, when to establish, and the varied approaches they take such as managing post-liquidity events and integrating businesses. We also discuss their shift from founder-centric models to including next-gen perspectives. Mark also shares best practices and addresses the unique challenges family offices face.

Immerse yourself in the world of investment banking in this episode of Lightning in a Bottle. We’re joined by Brian from UBS Investment Banking, as we conduct a comprehensive exploration into this vital field. We dive into current industry trends, examine the art of capital raising, analyze the present M&A market, and discuss critical timelines to consider when planning to sell your business. This episode serves as a masterclass, providing an in-depth understanding of how investment banking serves as a powerful catalyst in creating opportunities for businesses and investors. Don't miss out on these valuable insights!

Joining us today is Matthew Carter who is an Investment Strategist in our UBS Chief investment Office formulating research for business owners, executives and entrepreneurs. Matthew gives insight on different aspects of succession planning, the three part process of family succession, and what entrepreneurs need to consider during a liquidity event. This dynamic discussion will offer solutions tailored to business owners as they prepare for life after the sale.

What’s one of the most powerful tools for business owners that can help reduce the capital gains associated with a business sale? On this episode, we sit with Joyce Crivellari and Rebecca Sterling, both with UBS’s Advanced Planning Group and former attorneys, to discuss Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and why it’s such a powerful tool for business owners who one day hope to monetize their business. We’ll get into the ins and outs, the opportunities, and challenges and what you should know now so that you can put yourself in an opportunity to take advantage of it when you’re ready. Despite its acronym, QSBS is no joke!