Episode 54: Joe Wabick: Unlocking Growth By Maximizing Value

Joseph is the managing partner and founding member of Chicago based investment bank and restructuring firm Kreshmore Group. Joseph is primarily tasked with the oversight of the existing restructure and M&A platform, implementation of strategic initiatives, project management, and key client relationship management. Joseph steers Kreshmore’s overall vision with the help of a highly experienced advisory staff. Joseph’s background is a mix of restructure /corporate renewal as well as capital markets transaction advisory. In the restructure realm, Joseph specializes in liquidity management, crisis management, balance sheet restructure, and organizational change. In this capacity, Joseph has served as both an interim and fractional CFO as well as CRO. Through Kreshmore, Joseph has served in these roles for both private equity sponsored companies as well as family businesses. Over the course of his career Joseph has closed a multitude of transactions in virtually every industry with a special emphasis on transportation, multi-unit retail chains, clinical medicine, and distribution / wholesale. Joseph has been successful in pushing the fold of capital stack creativity by leveraging equity, complex subordinated structures, traditional financial offerings, and municipal incentives.

In this episode, we discuss:

Planning for Succession
Be an Effective Listener
Problem-Solving Strategy
Personal Touch in Client Relations

Light Bulb Moments:

It’s crucial to plan for your business’s future by thinking ahead about succession. This involves securing support from professionals and being friendly with your clients to build strong, trusting relationships.
Being an effective listener is essential. It requires effort and is not inherent to everyone, but it’s vital for building strong connections and understanding clients’ needs.
Effective problem-solving involves eliminating unknowns, understanding the big picture, identifying pain points, and providing options and solutions to clients. This approach helps in running a recession-proof business.
Treat clients as part of your community. Building friendly relationships can lead to better alignment, trust, and loyalty.