In this episode of the BLABO Podcast, host Chris Papin and guest Melissa Gragg discuss the intricacies of business valuation, negotiation, and the importance of mindset in business ownership. They explore the significance of starting with the end in mind, the role of cash flow in determining business value, and the psychological aspects of negotiation. The conversation also highlights the necessity of accurate financial reporting, the impact of deal fatigue, and the importance of preparing for due diligence when selling a business. Melissa shares valuable insights and strategies for business owners looking to navigate the complexities of selling their businesses and achieving successful outcomes.

About Melissa Gragg

Melissa Gragg is a financial mediator, business valuation expert, and trusted guide for individuals navigating high-stakes financial decisions — especially during divorce. With more than two decades of experience in business valuation, litigation support, and collaborative dispute resolution, Melissa helps couples and business owners replace conflict with clarity. She specializes in creating fair, data-driven settlement offers, untangling complex assets, and making financial disclosures easy to understand. As the founder of ValuationMediation.com and The Divorce Allies, Melissa empowers clients to negotiate from a position of strength, avoid unnecessary litigation, and walk away with a plan for lasting financial stability.

To learn more, visit:
https://papinspeaks.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/chris-papin/

In this episode of the BLABO Podcast, host Chris Papin speaks with Raj Patel, owner of Patel Winery, about his unique journey into the winemaking industry. Raj shares insights on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and the need for adaptability in business. He emphasizes the significance of understanding numbers and ROI, finding a niche, and maintaining passion in the face of adversity. The conversation highlights the necessity of building strong relationships and being open to change as key components of success in business.

About Raj Patel:

Raj entered the finance industry after college, where he has worked in private wealth management and residential mortgage sales management. He is currently a VP for a national financial firm.

His long-term goal, however, had always been to own a vineyard by age 55 in order to be able to produce his own Cabernet Sauvignon. But a change in the Napa Valley wine industry in the early to mid-2000s gave Raj the opportunity to start his dream 15 years earlier. In 2007, Raj met Kian Tavakoli, whom he would hire as his consulting winemaker. The two produced the first vintage of PATEL wines at a custom crush, 100 cases of a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate reviewed the wine, scoring it a 95, and has scored the subsequent vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon at 94.

PATEL currently produces a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Right Bank Bordeaux-style Red Wine, and annual production has sold out every year since its inception. The current case production is 1,200 cases.

In addition to careful sourcing fruit from some of the best growers in Napa Valley, Patel ensures quality by selling off the bottom 30% of production each year, “no matter how good,” Raj explains, “to ensure what we work with is truly the best every year.”

So, while long-term plans are to increase total production to 2,500 to 3,000 cases, this growth plan includes production of vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley’s first growth vineyards

For more information, visit www.patelwines.com.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/chris-papin/

In this episode of the BLABO Podcast, host Chris Papin engages with Mucki Sobania, a Solutions Consultant Manager, to explore the intricacies of entrepreneurship and leadership. They discuss Mucki’s unique journey from marketing to solutions consulting, the importance of empowering teams, and the commonalities in leadership across different industries. The conversation emphasizes the significance of building trust, clarity, and a culture of learning within teams, as well as the necessity of modeling desired behaviors as a leader. Mucki shares actionable insights on accelerating team development and the concept of 'failing fast' to foster growth and innovation.

About Mucki Sobania:

Mucki Sobania is a Solutions Consultant Manager. She worked in the tax and accounting space for over 10 years, helping firms evaluate and move toward a more advisory-focused business. Most recently, she led a team of 8 who facilitated product demonstrations.

To learn more, visit:
https://papinspeaks.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/chris-papin/