Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman sits down with serial entrepreneur Dee Vaidya. Born in Bombay and raised in Pune, Dee's journey spans continents, industries, and decades — from rubber and plastics to electronics, Dell manufacturing, geospatial intelligence, and building a $50M+ government contractor before a successful exit. From starting with just $5,000 and a dream in Mary's family home, to winning a $200M global geospatial intelligence contract for the U.S. government, Dee's story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and long-term thinking. This is a powerful conversation about immigration, entrepreneurship, family, culture, federal contracting, scaling, and giving back. Mark and Dee discuss: Early Roots & Education – Growing up in India, IIT Bombay, and following his father's entrepreneurial path. Family & Partnership – Building businesses with Mary and raising three children through multiple relocations. Reinvention – Moving from rubber & plastics into electronics, then into digital mapping and defence work. The Dell Years – Building PCs for Michael Dell in the early days of Dell Computer. Technographics Growth – From a small acquisition to a $50M+ company and 400+ employees. Geospatial Intelligence – Mapping the world for defence, navigation, and national security. Advisors & Mentors – The impact of Don Noble and building a world-class advisory team. The Exit – Selling Technographics to CACI and navigating a complex data room process. Giving Back – Launching the Wayne County Economic Forum to bring world-class speakers to Wooster. Life After Exit – Golf, table tennis, community leadership, and staying active. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 [email protected] About the Guest: Dee Vaidya is a serial entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses across manufacturing, electronics, and geospatial intelligence. Born in India and educated at IIT Bombay, the University of Akron, and Purdue University, Dee moved to the U.S. to pursue entrepreneurship and the free-market system. He is best known for founding and growing Technographics, a geospatial intelligence company that won a $200M global contract and grew to over 400 employees before being sold to CACI. Dee is also the founder of the Wayne County Economic Forum and a recipient of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Award for his contributions to the community.

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Michael Carter — serial entrepreneur, venture investor and founder of BizEquity, and now founder & CEO of Entrepreneurs Management Group (EMG.AI). Michael has built platforms used by hundreds of thousands of businesses, created large shareholder value, and now aims to democratise entrepreneurship with an AI-driven roadmap and founders' co-pilot. Mark and Michael discuss: BizEquity origin — why business valuation needed democratising and the early insight that launched BizEquity. Democratisation — making knowledge faster, cheaper and more accessible for entrepreneurs. EMG.ai & the Roadmap — the 73-step Entrepreneurs Roadmap and the vision to be a coach/agent for founders. Digital Agents — what an entrepreneur's agent is, how it's built on LLMs and why every company will want one. Who EMG serves — solopreneurs, first-time founders and early-stage teams that lack VC networks. Monetisation & product path — free entry via Ben (the agent), moving to pro/agent subscriptions and community. Mission Capitalist Club — a non-partisan crew, think-tank for entrepreneurs, and community experiments. Big picture — entrepreneurship as the new athletic profession: coaching, repeatable playbooks and scaled mentorship via AI. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 [email protected] About the Guest: Michael (Mike) Carter is a serial entrepreneur and founder of BizEquity (the world's largest online business valuation platform) and now Entrepreneurs Management Group (EMG.AI). Mike has helped platforms used by c.400,000 businesses, created substantial shareholder value, and now focuses on building tools (roadmaps + AI agents) that democratise entrepreneurship — giving founders an accessible coach, playbook and business brain. He also founded the Mission Capitalist Club, a philanthropic, apolitical entrepreneurs' community in Philadelphia.

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with food industry executive and entrepreneur Pat Viancourt, owner and CEO of Herman Pickle Company in Garrettsville, Ohio. With decades of leadership experience across Seagram, Nestlé Waters, Hospitality Mints, Paragon Foods, and multiple private-equity-backed businesses, Pat shares how he went from corporate CPG and private equity to owning a family-built pickle company with both beloved legacy brands and major national partnerships. For listeners thinking about buying a business, exiting corporate life, or scaling a niche manufacturing company, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons on leadership, humility, and growth. Mark and Pat discuss: From Corporate to Ownership – How Pat moved from big consumer product companies and private equity into owning his own business. The Entrepreneurial Leap – Why he walked away from a secure executive role to search for a company to buy during COVID. Finding Herman Pickle Co. – The serendipitous story of revisiting a company he first saw 10 years earlier and turning it into his own. Checking Your Ego at the Door – What it really means to wear every hat in a small/mid-sized business, from "presidential to janitorial". Brand & Product Strength – The story behind Don Herman's half-sour and full-sour pickles and why customers say, "That's what a pickle should taste like." Nathan's & Private Label – How Herman Pickle Co. became the exclusive licensed manufacturer for Nathan's Famous pickles and a major player in private-label refrigerated pickles. Growth & Automation – Balancing labour challenges, automation, and operational efficiency while expanding distribution across the U.S. Vision for the Future – How Pat plans to make Herman Pickle Co. "bigger, faster, stronger" without losing its quality, culture, or roots. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 [email protected] About the Guest: Pat Viancourt is an experienced CEO, food industry executive, and business owner. Over his career, he has led and grown companies in food manufacturing, foodservice distribution, secondary packaging, and custom printing, working with respected private equity groups such as Linsalata Capital Partners, Odyssey Investment Partners, and others. In 2021, Pat purchased Herman Pickle Company in Garrettsville, Ohio, a family-founded business known for its Don Herman fermented pickles and its role as the exclusive licensed manufacturer of Nathan's Famous refrigerated pickles. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its branded, licensed, private-label, and foodservice business while investing in automation and operational efficiency. Pat brings together corporate discipline, entrepreneurial courage, and a deep respect for legacy brands—showing how a well-run niche manufacturer can grow, innovate, and still stay true to its roots.

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last. Mark and Chris discuss: The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership. The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who built life-changing wealth through ownership. ESOP Advantages – Why employee ownership creates win-win outcomes for owners, workers, and communities. Succession & Legacy – How founders can exit while preserving culture and jobs. EOT vs ESOP – The differences between Employee Ownership Trusts and ESOPs, and when each fits best. Collaboration & Support – How the OEOC partners with advisors, foundations, and business owners to make transitions possible. Success Story – A Cleveland company that became 100% employee-owned, creating over 200 new owners. The Future – Why Ohio leads the way in employee ownership and what it means for the next generation of business owners. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 [email protected] About the Guest: Chris Cooper is the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. With over two decades of experience, Chris has worked with hundreds of business owners to explore employee ownership as a succession solution. He leads programs focused on succession planning, ownership culture, and employee-owned startups, and coordinates Ohio's Employee-Owned Network, which includes more than 100 companies. Chris has spoken at national and international conferences across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Bermuda, and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute. His work bridges research, education, and real-world impact—helping business owners finish strong while keeping their companies and communities thriving.

In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman sits down with Professor Kimberly Eddleston of Northeastern University and Cornell University's Smith Family Business Initiative. Professor Edelston is one of the world's leading scholars in family business and entrepreneurship—ranked among the top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and recognized by Family Capital as one of the world's Top 25 Family Enterprise Academics. Mark and Kim discuss: The Fredo Effect – What it means, how it appears in real family businesses, and why it's so hard to talk about. Family Dynamics – How loyalty, guilt, and generational expectations can turn a strength into a weakness. Research Findings – 33% of families admit to having a "family impediment" member—and why the real number is likely much higher. Nepotism vs Accountability – What happens when roles aren't clearly defined and bad behavior goes unchecked. Prevention & Governance – Practical tools to reduce risk: rules of entry, clear job descriptions, and outside boards of advisors. Culture & Communication – How open dialogue, fairness, and transparency can keep both relationships and revenue healthy. Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 [email protected] About the Guest: Professor Kimberly Eddleston is a globally recognized expert in family business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. She serves as a Research Fellow at Cornell University's Smith Family Business Initiative and teaches at Northeastern University in Boston. Her groundbreaking work explores how families can be both a resource and a constraint in their companies. Kim has authored award-winning papers, delivered workshops around the world, and helped countless families navigate the complex emotions of succession and leadership transition.