Episode 27 (Featuring Randy Vulakovich & Scott Mashuda)

On today’s edition of “Your American Story”, Raja examines the role that our political leaders can play in shaping the climate in which we do business, and in which we live. Plus, we take a look at the challenges and opportunities that a business owner faces when looking to sell his or her business in the current economic state, as well as what a prospective business owner needs to know when it comes time to buy the next (or maybe the first) enterprise. When it comes to our region’s political leaders, are local businesses and constituents REALLY being served effectively? Raja hopes to answer that question, as he goes one-on-one with Randy Vulakovich. The Pennsylvania State Senator talks about his unique background in law enforcement, his ascension through Pennsylvania State Legislature, his take on what Pennsylvania needs to do in order to become a more business-friendly state, and the programs he is working on to get there. Next, Raja discusses the process of buying and selling a business, with the help of Scott Mashuda of the Rivers Edge Alliance Group, a Pittsburgh-based business brokerage firm. Scott discusses the things a business owner needs to know in order to prep your business for sale, in order to attain the maximum return on your substantial investment of time, sweat, and money. Plus, if you’re looking to buy a business, Scott has the answers on what to look for in a prospective company, and what pitfalls you need to avoid along the way.