The Number

Most business partners never put anything in writing for the day the relationship stops working, and by the time a dispute erupts, court can feel like the only path forward. In this episode, lawyer Aileen Furey explains why nearly every lawsuit settles anyway, what a fight really costs once you add up the legal bill and the toll on your focus and sleep, and how to have the hard conversation before it ever reaches a courtroom. It's a practical look at protecting both your business and the partnership behind it.


In This Episode

  • Why 97% of lawsuits settle before trial, and what that means for how you should handle a dispute

  • What court actually costs, from the $25,000 small claims limit to roughly $50,000 to fully pursue a $100,000 claim with no guaranteed outcome

  • The hidden costs of a legal fight: lost focus, lost sleep, and time pulled away from running your business

  • Why a signed partnership or shareholder agreement is only worth the conversation you're willing to have behind it

  • How the 5-to-1 ratio and a “trust bank” keep partnerships healthy before conflict ever starts

  • When to have the hard conversation yourself, and when to bring in a neutral third party


Featured Quote


“97% of lawsuits don't make it to trial. They resolve before court. So if that's where we know we're all headed, let's stop the dance and have these conversations sooner and more directly so that people can get back to business.”  — Aileen Furey


About the Hosts

Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.

Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. She works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.


About Our Guest

Aileen Furey is the founder of Fresh (freshadvice.ca). She began her career on the account side at M5, one of Atlantic Canada's largest advertising agencies, before going to law school and practicing criminal and civil litigation at established firms. She now works with entrepreneurs to resolve business and partnership disputes through negotiation and direct conversation rather than the traditional court process, stepping in as a neutral facilitator or as an advisor behind the scenes.


Resources & Links


Connect With Black Star Wealth

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Creators and Guests

Host
Kelsey MacAulay
When the Black Star team needs something done, they go to Kelsey! Wendy Brookhouse is his wife: when she has a new financial invention, Kelsey builds it and brings it to life - he does the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to!
Host
Wendy Brookhouse
The Financial Planner for ambitious growth oriented Entrepreneurs
Editor
Shaun Whynacht
I’m the founder of Blue Cow Marketing and father of an amazing little boy. helping other business owners overcome challenges is my passion.

What is The Number?

The Number is a business podcast about the numbers that actually run your business.

Each episode focuses on one number. Revenue, profit, cash flow, capacity, time, valuation, customer cost, risk, or exit readiness.

Hosted by Wendy Brookhouse, and often joined by Kelsey MacAulay, the show breaks down what that number means, why it matters, and how it should influence the decisions you make as an owner.

Some episodes feature guests. Some are honest conversations. Some are solo deep dives.

If you own a business and want better clarity, better decisions, and better outcomes, it starts with knowing your numbers.