Lightning in a bottle: Entrepreneurial journeys from idea to exit

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.

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 engaging discussion, Paul Hsiao, a UBS Asset Allocation Strategist with a wealth of expertise in macroeconomic analysis, shares key insights about the economy as 2025 unfolds. He highlights the strength of the labor market and consumer-driven growth while addressing concerns over deficits and geopolitical risks. The conversation delves into the expected surge in mergers and acquisitions in 2025 and examines the complexities of AI's role in boosting productivity for businesses. It's a nuanced look at navigating the shifting economic landscape.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.