Calling all small business warriors who feel chained to their business! Do you run your business or does your business run you? You’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into it and it is time to set yourself free. I’m Bobby Mascia – owner of a wealth management firm, family office, manufacturing business, 18 store Dunkin Franchise, and de facto business coach. My goal? To liberate your business— whether it be operationally, prep for a sale, a legacy handover, or self-management. The roadmap to this freedom is something we will uncover together in Business Unchained.” Join me as I learn about fellow entrepreneurs, dissecting their past, present, and future.
Iliya Zogovic
Iliya Zogovic is the Founder and Managing Partner of DBD Partners, bringing extensive experience in investment banking and corporate growth. Previously, he served as CEO of ONEtoONE Corporate Finance USA, where he successfully launched and led the U.S. division to become the bank’s most profitable branch in under four years. Before that, Zogovic was President and CEO of EMG & GSP, a major sales and marketing organization in Mexico and Central America, growing it into a global operation with over 10,000 employees.
Reference Links:
Iliya Zogovic Social Media
Episode Highlights:
Imagine running a business forever, knowing that the key to true success isn't just selling, but buying — buying a thriving business at 27, taking the helm, and steering it to even greater heights. What does that kind of bold vision look like? For many entrepreneurs, it’s a dream come true, and one that sets them apart. But how do you get there?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia is joined by Iliya Zogovic, a seasoned entrepreneur and investment banker, to explore the intricacies of entrepreneurship, business management, and the vital role financial acumen plays in building a successful company.
(00:01) ”I started working when I was still in college. I eventually ended up buying that business when I was 27. The most successful people are the ones who look at businesses holistically; you need to understand your strengths and weaknesses.”- Iliya Zogovic
(08:13) “At one point, we had around 10,000 employees across Mexico and Central America. That creates, I would like to say, one issue a day, but it's really like 100 different bombs that explode every single day.”- Iliya Zogovic
(44:35) “Run your business like you were going to run it forever because great companies are bought, they're not sold”- Iliya Zogovic
The decision to sell a business is often fraught with emotional challenges, especially for entrepreneurs who have dedicated decades to building their companies. Iliya stresses the need to address these emotional concerns early in the process to ensure a clear and balanced decision.
(54:13) “Stop comparing yourself against others. Think about how this changes your life and how that moves you.”- Iliya Zogovic
By following Iliya’s insights, entrepreneurs can better navigate the complexities of their business journeys, ensuring long-term success and personal fulfillment.
In this episode:
About Jeff Wald
Jeff Wald is an entrepreneur, key-note speaker, and author with deep expertise in start-ups and the future of work. He founded Boomerang Intelligence and Work Market, the latter of which was acquired by ADP. He has co-founded multiple ventures, including Bento Engine and Independently.ai. Jeff’s best-selling book, The End of Jobs, explores how AI and robotics reshape the labor market. With a background in finance at JP Morgan and GlenRock, he also founded Spinback, later sold to Salesforce. Jeff frequently speaks about business innovation and has been featured in leading media outlets. He holds an MBA from Harvard and a BA from Cornell University, he’s also a producer of the Tony Award-winning A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
Reference Links:
Jeff Wald’s Social Media
Episode Highlights:
Are you ready to rethink the future of work and entrepreneurship? In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, how do startups and job markets adapt to the seismic shifts brought on by AI and automation?
In this episode of Business Unchained, Bobby Mascia engages in a compelling conversation with Jeff Wald, a hedge fund entrepreneur, best-selling author, and startup veteran. The episode delves into the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the evolving job landscape influenced by technology and AI, and the myriad challenges and triumphs encountered in the startup realm.
[39:04] “Everything you can do to increase your probability of success, you have to do, and taking capital definitively increases your probability of success.”-Jeff Wald
Jeff Wald’s book, “The End of Jobs,” serves as a cornerstone for discussing the future of work. Jeff emphasizes the importance of grounding and talks about the future in historical context and factual data, especially as AI and robotics reshape the labor market. He highlights the dichotomy of opinions surrounding AI: some view it as a threat to jobs, while others see it as a tool for increased efficiency. Jeff explains that the reality lies somewhere in between. While some jobs will be lost or transformed, new opportunities will also emerge, leading to a net balance in job availability.
[09:06] “I won’t pretend that I don’t think about it from time to time, like what could have been, the mistakes I made, the decisions that I made that were wrong, and how at the end of the day, I am the one responsible for that”-Jeff Wald
Jeff discusses the high failure rate of startups, the necessity of capital, and the value of strong relationships and advisory boards. The episode underscores the significance of persistence, community support, and strategic planning in achieving entrepreneurial success.
Tune in to this episode of Business Unchained to gain invaluable insights into building resilience and navigating the future of work!
