Lightning in a bottle: Entrepreneurial journeys from idea to exit

Join host Josh Pottinger and Greg Sydor of Guardian Jet for an inside look at the world of private aviation—when it makes sense, how it works, and where investors can go wrong. The conversation breaks down the full spectrum of options—from charter to fractional to full ownership—along with the real costs, trade-offs, and decision frameworks behind each path. Greg also highlights the risks in an unregulated market, offering guidance on how to evaluate providers, avoid costly mistakes, and align aviation with broader financial and business goals. Whether viewed as a strategic tool or a lifestyle upgrade, this episode provides a clear, practical roadmap for navigating private aviation.

Join us as we welcome Admiral Jonathan Greenert, four-star admiral and 30th Chief of Naval Operations, for a candid conversation on today’s geopolitical and leadership challenges. Admiral Greenert shares his perspective on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the China–Taiwan dynamic, and the broader forces shaping global stability. The discussion also turns to executive leadership and trust—from how institutions can maintain credibility in a polarized environment to the attributes that define successful leaders. Drawing from his experience leading the U.S. Navy and mentoring more than 250 flag officers, Admiral Greenert offers timeless lessons for decision-makers in business, government, and beyond.

Mark Tepsich, UBS Family Office Design & Governance Strategist, returns to Lightning in a Bottle to unpack the concept of Family Office 3.0—the next phase in the evolution of wealth management for the ultra-affluent. We look back at how the family office model has changed over the years and dig into why a more robust, resource-rich approach is taking hold. From families managing wealth outside the $500M+ tier to those navigating life after a liquidity event, we’ll break down how investment opportunities, governance structures, and strategic planning are shifting. We also explore how the rise of Family Office 3.0 is reshaping the investor landscape—not just for families, but for the portfolio companies they back.

As 2025 unfolds, what kind of economy is inheriting Trump 2.0? In this special episode featuring Paul Hsiao, UBS Asset Allocation Strategist, we dive into the latest Q1 2025 CEO Macro Briefing Book from the UBS Chief Investment Office, providing business owners with a high-level assessment of economic conditions, policy shifts, and market dynamics. With a resilient labor market, accommodative monetary policy, and strong consumer-driven growth, the economy appears robust. But mounting deficit concerns, policy uncertainty, and geopolitical risks create a more complex outlook. Will dealmaking accelerate in 2025? Is AI optimism overblown? And how should business leaders navigate these shifting tides?

In this episode, we’re joined by Senior Wealth Strategist, UBS Advanced Planning Group, Joyce Crivellari to explore preemptive planning strategies for founders. We discuss the looming sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, business succession planning, and the evolving implications of the Corporate Transparency Act. Joyce also provides a valuable refresher on Qualified Small Business Stock, offering expert insights to help founders prepare for what’s ahead.

In this episode, we explore the role of rep and warranty (transaction) insurance in M&A and how it can help manage risks while keeping deals moving smoothly. Our guest, Matt Wiener, Managing Director with Aon’s M&A Transaction Solutions team (and true expert in this space), explains how this insurance works, its impact on deal structures, and how it can reduce the need for large escrow accounts. It benefits both buyers and sellers by providing added protection and allowing for more a more streamlined transaction. If you’ve ever wondered how to make the M&A process a bit less stressful, this episode has some answers—with fewer sleepless nights in the mix.

We’re going full legal eagle for this episode, bringing in Joe Walsh, seasoned M&A attorney with Selman, Munson & Lerner, to share his expertise and legal perspective for owners navigating the sale of a business. Joe represents buyers and sellers in M&A transactions involving both private and public businesses, specializing in negotiating with private equity, VC firms, investment bankers, and institutional investors. We’ll cover steps to boost your sale process and price, essential legal and financial prep, understanding different types of buyers, the sale timeline, and what makes a business an attractive target. Plus, tips on what to ask for in a Letter of Intent (LOI), negotiating deals, and shielding yourself from post-closing surprises.

In Part II of our sell-side due diligence mini-series featuring Matt Bryce, Erin Horton, and Nico Bascunan with Alvarez & Marsal, we break down Operational Due Diligence (ODD), exploring its key components like business model investigation, scalability, and performance improvement opportunities. We also chat about why investors request ODD to uncover value, confirm costs, identify growth enablers, and share what sellers can expect and how to prepare. Join us to learn about the typical timeline, common risks, and why ODD is so important in making smart investment decisions.

Join us for a milestone episode of our Lightning in a Bottle podcast series! During this special edition, Josh sits down with Sean Hutchinson, Partner at Ready for Next Advisory Group, who brings over 25 years of experience in business strategy and value enhancement to the table. Sean tackles pressing questions from business owners who have been navigating through turbulent times, uncovering impactful value drivers, pitfalls to sidestep when preparing for an ownership transition, the 5 key stages of value maturity, and the intricate dynamics of family businesses.

Join us as we sit down with Bianca Benedetti-Fang, Executive Director, UBS Business Owner Segment, to unravel key insights from the 2023 UBS Investor Watch – a report based on data from 500 business owners surveyed by UBS. We also navigate the unique challenges that female business owners encounter throughout the phases of building, growing, and selling their companies. Discover areas of financial education that better equip female entrepreneurs to navigate the funding landscape, strategies for leveraging unique strengths, and tips to effectively balance personal and professional responsibilities as our society continues to add pressure on women to quite literally “do it all”.

In today’s episode, we have the honor of hosting James Jack, Managing Director of UBS's Business Owner Segment, a true expert in the world of business owners and entrepreneurship. Tune in to discover the latest findings from the latest UBS Investor Watch: Wind in your sails, exploring how business owners navigate challenges like higher interest rates and inflation. Gain expert advice on key business owner preparations, typical challenges, and stage-specific solutions. It’s time to set sail for success!

“In this exciting episode of Lightning in a Bottle, we take you behind the scenes at South by Southwest, one of the world's leading festivals for innovation and technology, set in the heart of Austin, Texas. Our format? Speed interviews! We chat with eight unique founders and business owners who've showcased their ventures at the festival, diving deep into their journeys, triumphs, and valuable insights gained along the way. This episode encapsulates the spirit of South by Southwest – a celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. A heartfelt thank you to all our guests who made this episode possible. Tune in, enjoy, and catch the lightning!"

Joining us today are Mark Achler and Mert Iseri, authors of book, Exit Right: How to Sell Your Startup, Maximize Your Return, and Build Your Legacy. Through strategic interviews with M&A leaders, attorneys, and founders-Exit Right provides a helpful roadmap for business owners to seek more successful exits with their companies. Furthermore, Marc and Mert discuss how trust becomes the ultimate currency for a business sell and provide key examples of what makes the right partner for succession planning.