One of the most common questions asked by established business owners is, “How can I position my company to be sold?”

In this EVOLVE seminar, a panel of entrepreneurs and professionals will discuss the strategic, operational, and financial issues that must be addressed to prepare your business for acquisition.

Our panel will consist of entrepreneurs who have successfully sold companies, as well as legal, financial and transaction intermediaries. They will discuss the amount of work that goes into the selling process, what buyers look for, and how to place a value on your company.

PANELISTS

Ron Repking is the CEO and co-founder of Capable Networks, LLC, a start-up that creates and manages online communities. This is his third start-up, after having founded a high-tech computer consulting company, Bauhaus Technologies, Inc., in Chicago and a non-profit Montessori preschool in Glen Ellyn.

Ron was CEO of Bauhaus for five years and grew the company from $200K in revenue its first year to an annual run rate of $5 million with 30 employees. In 2000, Bauhaus was sold to software giant BEA Systems, Inc., where Ron worked for one year as the Senior Practice Director – Professional Services in the Central Region. His Montessori school has an enrollment of over 70 children, and has been self-supporting in its three years of existence. Ron is currently a member of its Board of Directors.

Ron graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, after which he spent several years at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) as a software developer and consultant.

Rob Reynolds began his career in the Private Equity business. He then spent a number of years in the Management Consulting Industry with Anderson Consulting and Deloitte & Touche.  In 1997 Rob founded Lifeserv Corporation, which he sold in October 2004. Since that time Rob has been actively pursuing investment opportunities as an Angel investor. And most recently he founded a new entrepreneurial venture that combines software-on-demand and ecommerce.  Rob received an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Calgary, and an MBA, with High Distinction, from the University of Michigan. Rob also holds a CFA Charter.  He is an avid golfer, a guitar player and indulges in a glass of Champagne every chance he gets.

Michael S. Roberts is a Partner at Connelly Roberts & McGivney LLC. He graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 1987. He has extensive experience in corporate and securities transactions, technology law, financing and commercial real estate transactions.

He has represented entrepreneurs, acquisition funds, software developers, internet companies, manufacturing and retail enterprises, commercial banks and real estate developers in a wide variety of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private placements of debt and equity, financings, executive compensation and real property transactions. Mr. Roberts is also a certified public accountant.

Gail Zelitzky is founder and principal of Silver-Robins Consulting, a business performance firm that works with small business owners to help them develop and implement strategies to increase their income and profitability.

Gail provides almost 30 years of first-hand entrepreneurial experience and has owned and operated profitable multi-million dollar businesses, including an international gift delivery service for alcohol beverage gifts, an endeavor which earned her world-wide recognition.

Her strengths include strategic planning, sales and marketing, staff productivity and all aspects of business operations. She has bought and sold several businesses and today is considered a ‘go to’ person if you are building a business or taking it to the next level.

Moderator

Kevin M. Gross, a serial entrepreneur, has founded or directed six multi-million dollar training, development, and technology companies. He is currently president of KMG Enterprises, LLC, a unique entrepreneurship advisory firm based in Chicago with clients throughout North America.

KMG Enterprises focuses on helping entrepreneurs create quantum, sustainable growth. This means KMG helps business owners double their top line or bottom line results within six months of implementing a custom-designed KMG Success System. KMG specializes in working with profitable companies with revenues of $1 Million or more, in any stage of growth or decline.

Kevin is familiar with all stages of start-up, growth, restructuring, and harvest. He has taken his own ideas, and those of his clients through all stages of growth, and has helped raised millions of dollars to do so in the process.

Kevin’s talents and achievements have been highlighted in: Entrepreneur Magazine, Workforce Magazine, Success, HR Direct, CLTV, The Chicago Tribune and others. He speaks nationally on the topics of “Sales Acceleration”, “Performance Mapping”, and “Achieving Quantum Growth.”

Kevin earned his BS in Finance and was awarded the title “University Scholar” at Northern Illinois University. He was also named a Ronald W. Reagan Scholar. He has also studied at The University of Chicago, Northwestern’s Kellogg, and earned his MBA in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University, where he was named “Graduate of the Year”.

Kevin’s passion is fostering entrepreneurs through his business and philanthropic efforts. He has served on the board, contributed to, or been an active member of the Chicago Chapter of E.O. International, C.E.O., The Ryan Center for Creativity and Innovation of DePaul University, CEC’s ATHENA Program, The Illinois Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, and the National Foundation for the Teaching of Entrepreneurship.

Business leaders desirous of more rapid growth may contact Kevin Gross, directly at kmg@kmgweb.com for a FREE personalized consultation or visit www.kmgweb.com to learn more.