Doreen Binkiewicz: Effective Succession Planning

In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Doreen Binkiewicz, founder of DGL Business Solutions and Certified Profit First Professional, dives into the vital components of exit planning and succession strategies for business owners. She explains how these strategies are not necessarily retirement plans, but rather a way for owners to harvest the value of their business when the time is right. The key, according to Doreen, is making sure that the business is transferrable—meaning it can operate independently of the owner—ensuring long-term value and success.

Doreen highlights the critical difference between “business attractiveness” and “business readiness.” While business attractiveness refers to how appealing a company looks to outsiders, business readiness focuses on internal operations and the company’s ability to function efficiently without the owner. Both elements play a crucial role in determining the real value of a business and its ability to sell or transfer ownership.

Doreen also touches on the importance of financial allocation, a concept central to Profit First principles, where money is separated into different accounts, much like Mike Michalowicz’s money envelope system. This helps business owners manage their natural spending tendencies, building profitability and business value. By meeting clients where they are—whether they are exploring, pivoting, or triggering—Doreen emphasizes the importance of clarity, liquidity, and legacy in crafting a long-term, winning business strategy.