What if the secret to long-term success in business brokerage has less to do with technical skills and more to do with personal authenticity, relentless education, and treating people right? Are you building your deal flow on a foundation of deep regional knowledge, lasting relationships, and a win-win mentality? Or are you simply chasing transactions?

When you look beyond commissions and truly invest in your own expertise and your clients' success, you build not only trust but also a practice that stands the test of time. As this episode reveals, the best brokers, the ones whose businesses endure, obsess over team building, continual learning, transparency, and the strength of their reputations, not just their pipelines.

In this special episode with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of IBA, the lessons go far beyond EBITDA multiples and negotiation tactics. You’ll learn how Gregory’s journey from basketball coach to top dealmaker shaped a leadership philosophy built on the golden rule, education, and team excellence. The episode covers the nuances of local versus national brokerage, the power of full disclosure and mentorship, and how building a legacy means raising the bar for the entire industry, not just yourself. Real-world tales of complex deals, cross-cultural challenges, and the human element of business transitions make this a must-listen for any broker seeking lasting impact.

Subscribe for more insights on how to grow your deal flow and become a truly trusted advisor in business sales and succession.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/
Email: gregory@ibainc.com
Website: https://ibainc.com/

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - The Next Venture
• (00:00:34) - Meet Gregory Kofsky
• (00:03:11) - Gregory Koski on His Background and Fatherhood
• (00:05:00) - Rudy Wade on His Career as a Coach
• (00:18:50) - In the Elevator With Business Brokers
• (00:24:38) - Bradley: Business Broker: A Unique Profession
• (00:34:25) - Local Knowledge of the Northwest
• (00:44:19) - Local Knowledge in Selling a Property
• (00:45:54) - In the Elevator With Steve Jobs
• (00:46:43) - Intermediaries: The Golden Rule
• (00:55:18) - Full Disclosure of Retirement Plans
• (01:05:57) - How Numerology Can Make or Break a Deal
• (01:06:29) - Competition in Business Brokerage
• (01:09:35) - Mentorship and Competitive Business
• (01:21:45) - A Moment of Inspiring a Broker
• (01:29:06) - Recharge Your Battery With Vacations
• (01:37:57) - Pushing the Right Question in Negotiations
• (01:39:22) - The importance of personal relationships in the business
• (01:43:33) - Do Business Real Estate Deals Need a Human Touch?
• (01:49:56) - Does an IBA Broker Need a Multiple?
• (01:56:29) - How Good Are You at Valuing Your Clients'?
• (02:00:08) - Minimum Wage and the Business Owner
• (02:05:22) - Real Estate Broker: Qualifications of Buyers and Sellers
• (02:12:17) - Seizing the Day
• (02:17:04) - IBA President Joe Carbone on His Legacy
• (02:21:53) - Leave the Business Better Than You Found It
• (02:23:32) - How Do You Compare to Your Brokerage Career?
• (02:33:08) - Wales World Cup 2018
• (02:42:06) - Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?
• (02:44:31) - A Moment of Truth

Are you wondering why insurance feels more complicated (and expensive) than ever?

In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with commercial insurance expert Julie Janowicz to pull back the curtain on the real state of insurance—what’s changed, what’s insurable, and what you actually need to know before your next big business move.

From wild stories about insuring axe-throwing bars and navigating drone inspections, to actionable advice on getting the best value from your broker, you’ll hear insider knowledge that’s critical for business owners, buyers, and anyone trying to survive today’s unpredictable insurance environment. Whether you’re dealing with commercial policies, fleet auto, D&O, or want to understand how AI is affecting your rates, this conversation is essential listening.

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for more no-BS conversations with industry insiders.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliejanowicz/
Company: http://www.dcigi.com/
Email: Julie@dcigi.com

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - Next Venture Alliance: The Podcast
• (00:01:00) - Julie Janowicz on Insurance
• (00:02:41) - Insurance: The current state
• (00:08:41) - Private Bars and Commercial Property Underwriting
• (00:18:11) - Do Insurance Companies Deny Businesses Based on Social Media?
• (00:21:06) - Does Insurance Play a Role in a Merger?
• (00:25:13) - Claims Made vs Occidental Claims: What's The Difference?
• (00:30:18) - What Do Large Fleets Need to Know About Auto Insurance?
• (00:31:45) - Commercial Auto Insurance, Washington
• (00:34:47) - Driving Expenses
• (00:40:19) - How Do You Have Hard Talk With Clients?
• (00:46:32) - "A Little Piece of Me"
• (00:52:36) - Insurance Advisor Turns Down Advice From Hip Hop Fans
• (00:58:28) - Bar and nightclubs in the 1980s
• (01:02:09) - New Business Owners: Qualified Experience and Insurance
• (01:06:10) - Do Natural Disasters Affect Property Insurance?
• (01:15:15) - Do You Need Earthquake Insurance?
• (01:20:50) - Insurance Underwriting: AI in the Industry
• (01:26:23) - Is AI Involved in Business Insurance?
• (01:35:52) - Is There an Extra Cost to Working With the Broker?
• (01:37:29) - Insurance Brokerage: What's Different About Us?
• (01:45:51) - Can You Import A Car From Japan? If It's Older Than
• (01:50:03) - Next Venture Alliance: Exploring the Future

When is the right time to start financial planning? Is it only after you’ve “made it,” or is it something you should be thinking about much earlier as a business owner?

For many entrepreneurs, financial planning feels like something they’ll get to later. But the truth is, real planning isn’t about perfect timing or complex spreadsheets—it’s about clarity. It’s about understanding your goals, your values, and the “why” behind your decisions. Saving money is important, but planning is what turns uncertainty into confidence and gives your future direction.

In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with Tim Melia, Principal at Embolden Financial Planning, for an honest and practical conversation. Tim shares his journey from the tech world into wealth management, lessons learned as a business owner, and his passion for helping clients—from Gen Z to Baby Boomers—make smart, values-aligned financial decisions.

If you’re looking for clear guidance and want to start financial planning in a way that actually fits your life, this episode is for you. Listen in, reflect on what truly matters to you, and take the first step forward.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timjmelia
Company: https://www.emboldenfp.com/
Email: tim.melia@emboldenfp.com

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - What Does It Take to Build a Startup?
• (00:00:31) - Startups and Real Estate: The Venture Alliance
• (00:02:30) - How to Start a Business and Get Paid
• (00:08:43) - How to Talk About Financial Planning in a Vocabulary
• (00:15:07) - Should I Offer Financial Planning as an Advice Only Fee?
• (00:21:23) - The Importance of Financial Planning for Kids
• (00:28:57) - What is College Planning for Your Kids?
• (00:31:05) - How to Plan for the Business's eventual sale
• (00:35:42) - How Much Money Do You Need to Sell Your Business?
• (00:39:18) - The Non-Numbers Conversations
• (00:43:57) - How Do You Integrate Your Personal and Professional Lives?
• (00:48:40) - Do Tax Laws Affect How You Structure Your Advice?
• (00:56:53) - The Importance of Talking About Goals With Clients
• (01:01:18) - Will Money Advice Be Replaced by Artificial Intelligence?
• (01:08:42) - In the Elevator With Madison Management
• (01:09:34) - Turnaround: Starting a Business on Your Own
• (01:14:53) - A. Work-Life Balance
• (01:17:02) - In the Transition of a Business
• (01:18:47) - Starting a Business: Flexible Plans
• (01:19:35) - How to Die With Zero
• (01:28:12) - A Financial Planner's Introduction Meeting