Advertise on podcast: 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.