The Number

For two out of three business owners, selling the company will be the largest financial transaction of their lives. Yet most have never had it valued, and many don't know where to begin. In this episode, Wendy Brookhouse and Kelsey MacAulay dig into the number 66, why business value belongs right alongside revenue and profit as a metric worth tracking, and the practical first steps owners can take, often years ahead of a sale, to understand what their business is worth and build it into something worth transitioning.In This EpisodeWhy business value deserves a seat next to revenue and profit as a number to track every yearWhat the "66%" and "less than 40%" figures reveal about how few owners actually know their numberHow to get a baseline read on your business's worth when a sale is still 5 to 10 years outWhich levers can lift both your profit and your multiple, and why that combination changes the sale price so dramaticallyWho belongs on your exit team, and why a transaction specialist is not the same as your generalist lawyerWhy waiting until you're tired weakens both your energy and your bargaining positionFeatured Quote"The person buying your business generally wants to buy cash flow. They don't want to buy a job." — Kelsey MacAulayAbout the HostsWendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.Resources & LinksCEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor): the credential Kelsey points to when choosing an advisor who specializes in transitionsBaseline business valuation: an informal valuation to establish a starting number, referenced in the episode as a service Black Star Wealth offersCanadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB): succession research cited in the episode (roughly 76% of owners planning to transition within 10 years, and 9% with a written plan)Connect With Black Star WealthWebsite: blackstarwealth.comLinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse | Kelsey MacAulayPodcast: The Number, available on all major platformsIf knowing your number feels overdue, visit blackstarwealth.com to learn whether a baseline valuation is a fit for where you're at.

Episode: The Real Bottom Line with Wendy Brookhouse Guest: Jennifer Williams, Founder of Firefly InsightsIn this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Williams, founder and partial owner of Firefly Insights, to unpack one of the most exciting developments for Canadian entrepreneurs — Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).If you’re a business owner starting to think about succession, exit planning, or legacy, this episode will open your eyes to a whole new way to transition your business — one that rewards your team, sustains your community, and can even save you millions in taxes.We talk about:Jennifer’s unique path from nonprofit work to social entrepreneurship and employee ownershipThe tough mindset shift around profit versus missionHow to find the right scale in your business without burning outThe new Canadian EOT legislation and what it means for small and mid-sized companiesWho qualifies, how the trust is structured, and the real financial and cultural benefitsMy favorite moment: when Jennifer breaks down how profit can amplify your mission rather than distract from it.If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for my business when I step away?”, this conversation might just change the way you think about exit planning.Connect with Jennifer: fireflyinsights.ca Email: jennifer@fireflyinsights.ca

In this episode, I'm joined by the incredibly insightful Lissa Daub, founder of Strong Impact Academy. We met online through a couple of mutual groups, and it was a meeting that just felt like kismet. Lissa hails from Edmonton, Alberta, and she’s a force to be reckoned with.Lissa and I dive into some of the most critical topics for business owners, from the mindset shifts of moving from corporate to entrepreneurship, to the surprising truth about owning a restaurant (it's not always sexy!). We talk about how the pandemic actually opened up new opportunities and simplified things for business owners, and Lissa shares her biggest lesson: you can’t just build it and expect them to come.The heart of our conversation is all about the end game. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Lissa is passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand that a profitable business isn't always a sellable one. We explore why it's so important to think about the value of your business as a key performance indicator and how to avoid the "owner's trap," where you build a job for yourself instead of a sellable asset. We also talk about The Exit Lab, a workshop that helps business owners intentionally prepare for their future.In this episode, Lissa and I discuss:My favorite Lissa quote: "A profitable business is not always sellable, but a sellable business is always profitable."Why entrepreneurs are notorious for chasing shiny objects and how to stop.The biggest mistake business owners make around exit planning (and why it could cost you a fortune).How to hire strategically so you can focus on the things you love to do.The staggering statistic that 75% of business owners regret selling their business a year later and how you can avoid it.Connect with Lissa:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissadaub

Some entrepreneurs build one business and call it a day. Dalene Allen has built — and sold — more than one… and kept right on making powerful connections.In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Dalene to unpack her journey from direct sales leader earning pink Cadillacs, to running and selling the largest business referral network in Atlantic Canada, to launching her own networking company.Dalene opens up about how she navigated each exit, why she believes human connection will always beat automation, and the simple habits that keep her network alive and thriving.You’ll hear:How she turned a Mary Kay career into a sellable assetWhat it really takes to exit a franchise businessThe 10-minute-a-day LinkedIn strategy that worksHer top tips for beginner, intermediate, and pro networkersHow to instantly make new contacts feel welcomeWhether you’re building a business to sell or looking for better ways to meet the right people, Dalene’s story is packed with ideas you can put to work right away.Connect with Dalene Allen Email: dalene@networkingnaturally.ca Website: networkingnaturally.ca

In this episode, I chat with Gord Stevens, former owner of Uncommon Grounds, Rum Runners, Sugar, and more. Now the COO at Halifax Partnership, Gord shares what it was like to build multiple businesses with heart — and how he eventually transitioned out of ownership without losing what made those businesses meaningful.We cover:Gord’s journey from finance to food and retailWhy creativity and storytelling are business superpowersThe personal challenges of selling a business you loveKey steps to prepare your business for saleHow to keep your business from depending entirely on youThe Real Bottom Line? Your business can be a reflection of your values and a valuable asset — but only if you start building with the end in mind.

Guest: M. Shannon Hernandez, Messaging & Marketing Strategist and Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™Episode Summary: Feeling drained by social media? Struggling to see real business results from all your posts? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with M. Shannon Hernandez to talk about a more sustainable, joyful approach to marketing—one that doesn’t leave you glued to an algorithm.Shannon is the Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™, where she helps business owners create organic marketing strategies that align with their values and bring in revenue. With over 25 years in curriculum design and work featured on CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC, Shannon knows how to craft messaging that connects and converts.We dive into:Why relying solely on social media is a mistake for most business ownersThe power of email marketing and why it should be your primary sales driverHow to simplify your marketing while increasing your resultsThe one-platform-plus-email strategy that keeps your marketing effective and joyfulHow to build true community in your business (hint: it’s not just online)Quotes from the Episode:“One platform that brings you so much joy plus email marketing that drives revenue. That is the perfect blend.” – M. Shannon Hernandez“Publishing more content, yelling louder, or dancing on TikTok won’t fix your marketing if your messaging isn’t landing.” – M. Shannon Hernandez“If they can’t hear you, you can’t help them.” – M. Shannon HernandezConnect with Shannon: Website: www.joyfulbusinessrevolution.comLinkedIn: M. Shannon HernandezResources & Links:Grab Shannon’s free resource: 65 Story Ideas for Better Email Marketing → joyfulbusinessrevolution.com/65storyideasLearn more about The Real Bottom Line Podcast: therealbottomline.caJoin us for our Renew & Recharge Retreat: Exploring the Flavors, Culture, and Creativity of Mexico in September 2025: https://bit.ly/4c53OYKOur Tuscan Retreat is May 2-8, 2026. We don’t quite have the registration page ready yet, but if you are interested in more info, please email us.Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable conversations to business owners like you.What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Let’s continue the conversation—connect with me on LinkedIn and share your thoughts!

Welcome to The Real Bottom Line with Wendy Brookhouse. In this episode, Wendy sits down with April Roberts, a high-performance coach for female entrepreneurs, to explore her incredible journey from practising law to building and selling a successful financial planning business.What You’ll Learn:How April transitioned careers and built her financial planning firm from the ground up.Insights into selling a business while maintaining client and team trust.The power of intentional planning and the "CEO Calendar" for scaling success.Why rest, energy management, and personal growth are critical for entrepreneurs.How April helps business owners unlock their full potential as a high-performance coach.Memorable Moments:April’s candid stories about life’s curveballs and finding new paths.Lessons in transitioning a family business while safeguarding its legacy.Practical tips on leveraging time and energy for greater productivity.Resources and Links:Connect with April at Vixen Gathering.Join Wendy's Business Value Amplifier Program: https://www.businessvalueamplifier.com/For financial strategies, visit Black Star Wealth.Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories!