Just the Facts with John Foster

2026-05-20

May 20, 2026

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed how business owners thinking about selling in 2027 can start preparing now, including valuation, clean financials, reducing owner dependence, confidentiality, timing, deal terms, and life after the sale.

2025-11-19

November 19, 2025

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discuss why businesses that rely too heavily on the owner often struggle to sell—and what owners should do now to build transferable value and prepare for a successful transition.

2025-09-03

September 3, 2025

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed the rise in small business sales, what buyers and sellers need to know, and how to navigate the 2025 market.

2025-07-23

July 23, 2025

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed why business deals fall apart—and how sellers can avoid common pitfalls during the sale process.

2025-05-28

May 28, 2025

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed key 2025 exit trends for small business owners and the top benefits of working with a professional broker.

2025-02-19

February 19, 2025

John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed common reasons why business owners decide to sell their profitable companies.

2024-07-17

July 17, 2024
John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed nine key mistakes to avoid when selling your business.

05-15-2024

May 15, 2024
John Foster and Michael Schwantes discussed the importance of seller financing and strategies to bridge the gap between seller expectations and buyer offers.

2024-03-20

March 20, 2024
In this insightful episode, “The Important Considerations in Buying a Business,” John Foster is joined by Michael Schwantes, CEO of Creative Business Services, to share vital considerations for anyone looking to buy a business. Drawing from Michael’s extensive experience and the depth of knowledge within Creative Business Services, they offer invaluable advice for navigating the complexities of business acquisition. This episode is a rich resource for aspiring and seasoned business owners alike, providing a roadmap for successful business buying strategies from the heart of our expertise.

2024-02-28

February 28, 2024
John Foster and guest Michael Schwantes discuss vital strategies and considerations for selling your business successfully.

2023-12-06

December 6, 2023
Michael and John discussed the mistakes business owners make when selling a business.

2023-09-20

September 20, 2023
John Foster shared valuable insights on the essential factors to consider when selling your business.

2023-08-02

August 2, 2023
John Foster is put in the interviewee’s seat, providing a deep dive into the current market conditions for selling businesses and commercial real estate.

2023-06-07

June 7, 2023
Michael and John discussed the emotional rollercoaster when selling a business.

2023-05-31

May 31, 2023
John interviewed Jamie Zastrow, Executive Director of Manitowoc County EDC (Progress Lakeshore). Jamie and John speak about entrepreneurship in the show and how PROGRESS LAKESHORE can help these folk.

2023-04-05

April 5, 2023
John Foster’s “Just The Facts” radio show on April 5th featured a discussion with Michael Schwantes, President and CEO of Creative Business Services, who shared insights on how to identify serious buyers and close more deals.

2023-02-01

February 1, 2023
Michael and John discussed the benefits of buying a business versus starting one from scratch.

2022-12-14

December 14, 2022
John Foster, as an interviewee, discussed what 2023 would look like for business sales and commercial real estate.

2022-11-02

November 2, 2022
Michael and John discussed the 5 do’s and don’ts when selling a business.

2022-08-03

August 3, 2022
Michael and John discussed fifteen to twenty ways business brokers pay for themselves when selling a business.

2022-05-04

May 4, 2022
Michael and John discuss goodwill and how goodwill can affect the value of your business.

2022-03-02

March 2, 2022
John Foster, as an interviewee, discussed why there are several reasons to consider selling your business in 2022.

2022-01-05

March 2, 2022
On today’s radio show, Michael Schwantes and I talk about the importance of hiring the right business broker. All business brokers are NOT created equally, and I recommend you interview a few brokers to see who might be the best “fit”. In today’s program, we discuss nine interview questions to select the right Broker or M&A professional to sell your business!

2021-11-10

November 10, 2021
On today’s radio show, Michael Schwantes and I talk about the importance of hiring the right business broker. All business brokers are NOT created equally, and I recommend you interview a few brokers to see who might be the best “fit”. In today’s program, we discuss nine interview questions to select the right Broker or M&A professional to sell your business!

2021-08-25

August 25, 2021
On today’s show, John Foster invited Mike Garsow, our VP of Business Development, to discuss the 12 important factors to a successful closing and some of the strategies efforts that CBS-Global has in place in terms of marketing.

2021-07-14

July 14, 2021
The six steps to prepare your business for sale; John Foster and Michael Schwantes discuss this topic on his weekly radio show.

2021-05-05

May 5, 2021
John Foster and Michael Schwantes discuss two topics (1) the consequences of the change on the capital gains tax considered by the Biden administration and how this might affect when you sell your business, and (2) some of the mistakes business owners make when considering the sell of their businesses.

Buying a Business during a pandemic?

September 16, 2020

Buying a Business during a pandemic?
John Foster and Michael Schwantes discuss the implications of buying a business during COVID 19.

2020-05-13

May 13, 2020
Buying a Business during a pandemic? John Foster and Michael Schwantes discuss the implications of buying a business during COVID 19.

2020-01-15

January 15, 2020
Think of Selling your business? What values does a professional business brokerage firm bring to the table? Business Broker’s John Foster and Josh Phillips from Creative Business Services discuss this and other topics on John’s weekly radio program on WOMT’s Just the Facts.

2019-12-11

December 11, 2019
Thinking of buying or selling your manufacturing business? Manufacturing expert Mike Van joins Just the Facts to discuss manufacturing and why it’s important to work with a business broker that can speak your language and understand your story.

2019-09-04

September 4, 2019
Thinking of buying or selling your manufacturing business? Manufacturing expert Mike Van joins Just the Facts to discuss manufacturing and why it’s important to work with a business broker that can speak your language and understand your story.

2019-06-12

June 12, 2019
Mike Schwantes and I speak about considerations before selling your business.

2019-03-13

March 13, 2019
On John Foster radio program he discusses important factors to consider leading up the a successful business closing!

2019-02-20

February 20, 2019
What value does a business broker bring to the table? John Foster discusses this and other topics his weekly radio show.

2018-11-14

February 20, 2019
What value does a business broker bring to the table? John Foster discusses this and other topics his weekly radio show.

2018-10-25

October 25, 2018
Governor Scott Walker joins WOMT’s Just the Facts with John Foster to discuss the manufacturing and agriculture industry within Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Agriculture industry announces its endorsement for Walker during his 2018 Governor election campaign.

2018-08-10

August 10, 2018
Considerations for business owners selling business.

2018-05-02

May 2, 2018
Things to think about in the sale of your business.

2018-03-29

March 29, 2018

WOMT’s Just the Facts with John Foster discusses the following questions during today’s segment:

Why do you want to sell your business?

Is 2018 a good year to sell your business?

Why family succession might not be the best idea.

2018-01-04

January 4, 2018
Ten reason business won’t sell.

2017-12-13

December 13, 2017
Build business value before listing.

2017-11-07

December 13, 2017
Statistics on Selling your Business.

2017-10-06

October 6, 2017
Buy a Business or Start from Scratch.

2017-09-19

September 19, 2017
Important Steps in Selling a Business.

2017-07-03

July 3, 2017
13 Tips to consider BEFORE you Sell your Business.

2017-04-07

April 7, 2017
13 Tips to consider BEFORE you Sell your Business.

2017-01-23

January 23, 2017
Business Valuations and M&A Trends.

2016-12-19

December 19, 2016
General Info On Selling your Business