Vincent Alessi's Advanced Materials Exit And Journey To OpenAI The Exit

30:27

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: In this tactical and deeply personal episode, patent attorney and engineer Craige Thompson shares how a devastating loss in his family sparked a lifelong mission to help entrepreneurs protect—and profit from—their innovations. From protecting EBITDA during an exit to engineering “commercially valuable choke points,” Craige reveals how patents can give you a monopoly-like edge and even solve for all five of Porter’s Five Forces. You'll learn when not to file a patent, how to evaluate whether your idea is truly novel, and why licensing your IP with “field of use” carve-outs can lead to surprising monetization wins. Whether you're startup-curious or exit-ready, this episode is packed with frameworks, red flags, and real-world examples to rethink IP as a strategic weapon, not just legal paperwork. -- Craige grew up in his father’s entrepreneurial small business in Fond du Lac, WI, where he learned the importance of protecting small businesses and helping them thrive. At Thompson Patent Law, Craige built a firm that focuses on creating Litigation Quality Patents® services—intellectual property assets designed to drive measurable business value. Their team ensures clients avoid unnecessary costs by focusing only on patents with real strategic potential. Through his Amazon #1 best-seller Patent Offense and the Litigation Quality Patent Podcast, Craige shares strategies to maximize IP value. Craige on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigeothompson/ Website: https://thompsonpatentlaw.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Exiting in Silicon Valley: Derek Collison on Cloud Wars, Kubernetes, and Synadia 37:11

hace 8 días37:11

37:11

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Derek Collison, founder and CEO of Synadia and previously Apcera and creator of Cloud Foundry, explores his storied career in tech, entrepreneurship, and building platforms that shaped modern cloud computing. From starting with a Commodore 64 at age 12 to working at Google, VMware, and founding Apcera—Derek shares how he turned distributed systems challenges into billion-dollar ideas. He unpacks the high-speed growth, fundraising challenges, and exit to Ericsson, before launching his latest venture, Synadia, built on the NATS open-source tech now downloaded over 300 million times. Derek opens up about: Getting into tech as a teenager in the 1980s Building Cloud Foundry at VMware after a call from Paul Maritz Starting Apcera and scaling to 150 employees in 12 months Navigating an acquisition by Ericsson amidst Kubernetes disruption How to survive the VC game: from seed to Series B His playbook for product-led platform companies and why most fail The emotional toll, decision-making pressure, and rewards of being a founder Why introverts need to lean in and chase serendipity How Synadia is powering AI at the edge, connected cars, and Industry 4.0 "Be humble, lean in, and don’t delay hard decisions" — Derek’s advice rings true for every founder navigating the speed and pressure of today’s tech ecosystem -- Derek Collison is a 30 year industry veteran, entrepreneur, and pioneer in secure and large-scale distributed systems and cloud computing. He helped change the way financial, transportation, and logistics systems fundamentally worked while spending over a decade at TIBCO, designing systems that still power much of those industries today. During his time at VMWare, Derek designed and architected CloudFoundry, the first open-source enterprise PaaS. He then founded Apcera, a company designed to drive security and policy into easy to use platform technologies. After the successful sale of Apcera to Ericsson, Derek took the messaging technology he designed to power the CloudFoundry and Apcera systems, NATS.io, and created Synadia. Synadia is pioneering secure and global messaging as a digital utility to help drive security and powerful communication and collaboration into IoT, edge, and cloud computing systems. Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcollison/ Website: https://www.synadia.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
From Founder to Fortune: How to Exit Without Regret with Chris Vanderzyden 33:36

hace 15 días33:36

33:36

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Chris Vanderzyden, founder and CEO of Legacy Partners and a former CPA turned entrepreneur, doesn’t just talk about selling companies—she's lived it. Twice. After experiencing the good, the bad, and the "wish-I-knew-that-earlier" of business exits, she set out to reinvent the process. Her mission? To help business owners walk away from their life's work not just with a check, but with peace of mind. The Wake-Up Call: Chris shares how too many entrepreneurs are caught off guard—often approached by buyers with zero preparation. Letters of intent in hand, they’re suddenly scrambling to understand their business’s true value and what the deal means for their future. Her message is clear: Don’t wait for a knock at the door. Start planning today. Chris built Legacy Partners around a simple idea: exiting a business is personal. It’s about money, sure—but it’s also about identity, timing, legacy, and life after the deal. Her team helps owners develop a “master exit plan” that includes: Valuation early and often: Not just to know what your business is worth today—but what can be done to intentionally increase that value before selling. Tactical tax planning: Like estate freezes and trusts—moves that take time and can’t be done in the eleventh hour. Team building: From M&A attorneys to wealth managers, having the right specialists matters. (Spoiler: your real estate lawyer isn’t the one to negotiate your exit.) What are Chris’s top takeaways? Biggest mistake you can make? Waiting too long to plan—and failing to understand your EBITDA is more important than just growing revenue. Timing is everything—externally (sector roll-ups, interest rates, market trends) and internally (don’t wait until you’ve “maxed out” the business). Growth potential matters: Buyers want a runway ahead. If it looks like there’s no room left to scale, it can hurt your valuation. It’s not about the top-line number—it’s what’s left after taxes, debt, and fees that really counts. -- Chris Vanderzyden is the President & CEO of Legacy Partners, LLC, an exit planning and M&A advisory firm dedicated to serving privately held, middle-market business owners, in creating and executing successful exit strategies resulting in the harvesting and preservation of wealth. She began her career as a CPA for Coopers & Lybrand, the company that later became PricewaterhouseCoopers following a merger, and subsequently served as an asset manager with Northwest Asset Management in Los Angeles. Following her positions in the corporate world, Chris became an entrepreneur and has successfully built and sold multiple businesses. She has over twenty years of experience consulting for M&A firms and privately held businesses as they grow and ultimately execute their exit plans. Chris’s Latest Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2M2dWDc Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisvanderzyden/ Website: https://legacypartnersllp.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Maximizing Value, Minimizing Stress: Sarah Hawley on Financial Planning Business Exits 38:35

hace 22 días38:35

38:35

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Sarah Hawley’s entrepreneurial journey started at 18 when she joined her family's financial planning business. By 25, she was leading the company, building a successful 17-year career before expanding into multiple ventures. From her first financial planning exit to multiple million-dollar successes, Sarah has mastered the art of business growth, high-value exits, and client relationship management. Along the way, she navigated burnout, built a thriving community for women entrepreneurs, and faced the challenges of fundraising for her latest venture. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, strategic transitions, and the realities of scaling businesses. -- Sarah Hawley is a serial entrepreneur and investor in startups, having founded 8 companies since 2009. Following three successful exits, she is currently the Founder & CEO of growmotely.com (the first global platform for sourcing, growing and leading remote teams), and the Co-Founder of the League of Extraordinary Women. She's personally fueled by a passion for challenging the status quo of how we work, conscious culture and leadership, community, diversity and equality, and living life on one's own terms. Website: https://www.leagueofextraordinarywomen.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theleaguewomen/ Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahriegelhuth/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
$1-25M Exit Expertise: Edward Valaitis's Exit Winner Strategy 31:12

hace 29 días31:12

31:12

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Edward Valaitis, founder and managing director of Edison Avenue, shares tactical insights from his extensive experience helping businesses worth $1-25 million navigate successful exits. Drawing from his background in commercial banking, CPA work, and strategy consulting, Edward emphasizes starting exit planning at least three years before selling. He details the critical components of valuation preparation, including cleaning financial statements, eliminating personal expenses from business books, addressing aging accounts receivable, and securing long-term customer contracts. Edward warns against accepting unsolicited offers, which he calls "the steak dinner" scenario in his book "Exit Like a Winner," where experienced buyers take advantage of unprepared sellers. He explains the important distinction between financial buyers (95% of the market) and strategic buyers, who might pay premium prices for businesses that complement their existing operations. Edward also discusses how industry trends and personal timing should influence exit decisions, recommending his "hourglass grid" exercise to help entrepreneurs realistically assess their remaining productive years. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Edward Valaitis is currently the Founder & Managing Partner of Edison Avenue. Edison Avenue helps entrepreneurs with annual sales of $1 Million to $25 Million to achieve financial success by representing them in the sale of their business, business valuation, business acquisition searches, and fast growth consulting. Edward Valaitis earned the prestigious Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation in 2013. He also earned his Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional (CM&AP) designation in 2017. He has more than 30 years of experience building, managing, and leading high-quality professional services firms with expertise in merger and acquisition transactions, turnarounds, acquisitions, risk consulting, strategy, due diligence, commercial lending, marketing, business development, and leadership. Website: https://edisonavenue.com/ Edward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valaitis/ Edward’s Book: https://a.co/d/8hvrbYE -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
The Three Curves of Exit Timing: Paul Pappageorge's Strategic Framework 28:26

hace 5 weeks28:26

28:26

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Paul Pappageorge, founder and CEO of Ashland Capital Advisors, shares valuable insights from over two decades of helping business owners plan and execute successful exits. After selling his own company in 2004 and making numerous mistakes, Paul developed a passion for guiding entrepreneurs through this complex process. Paul explains the meticulous exit planning process his firm uses, starting with understanding value drivers and realistic valuations based on industry comparibles. He discusses the differences between financial and strategic buyers, noting that strategic acquisitions are rarer but potentially more lucrative when entrepreneurs can articulate their unique market position. Paul frames optimal exit timing as the intersection of three curves: the business lifecycle, personal wealth accumulation goals, and personal life stage. His key advice: regularly revisit exit planning to gain control and ultimately exit on your own terms. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Paul Pappageorge is the Founder and CEO of Ashland Capital Advisors. Paul is a Certified Exit Planning Expert known for his thoughtful approach to business. His 30+ years in business started in public accounting and migrated to business ownership, successful exits, and now helping others to do the same. Paul has been designated as a home care industry expert by Business Brokerage Press, a leading publisher in the brokerage sector. Website: https://ashlandcapitaladvisors.com/ Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ppappageorge/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Realistic Exit Expectations: Mike Oleksak's Valuation Wisdom 33:50

hace 6 weeks33:50

33:50

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Mike Oleksak, Executive Director at Exit Planning Exchange, shares insights from his extensive experience helping business owners prepare for successful exits. After starting his career in finance and management consulting, Mike co-founded the first chapter of Exit Planning Exchange in 2007, creating a network that now spans 22 chapters nationwide. He discusses the importance of bringing together diverse advisors—from accountants and attorneys to consultants and financial planners—to help business owners navigate the complex exit process. Mike emphasizes starting exit planning 3-5 years in advance to properly prepare financials, address management succession, and establish realistic valuation expectations. Mike also examines current market trends, including the increased involvement of private equity firms in acquiring middle-market businesses and how market conditions like interest rates affect timing and valuation. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Mike Oleksak’s experience covers finance, consulting and sales, with Bank of Boston, Thomson Financial, Trek Consulting, and State Street. He co-founded the Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) an organization with 20 chapters across the U.S. XPX is a business association for advisors to privately held businesses on growth and exit strategy. Mike was a co-founder of and worked 10 years at Trek Consulting where, as both a management consultant and a coach, he worked with clients to grow their businesses, tell their story better to raise financing, attract investment and acquirers. Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoleksak/ Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoleksak/ Free Range Thinking Website: https://www.freerangethinking.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Exit Ready Operations: Dawn Andrews' Business Systems Approach 28:57

hace 7 weeks28:57

28:57

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Dawn Andrews, CEO of Free Range Thinking, shares valuable insights on building systems that increase business value at exit. Drawing from her background in an entrepreneurial family, Dawn discusses how proper processes and documentation are critical for attracting buyers and commanding higher valuations. Dawn also addresses specific challenges female founders face during exits, highlighting the need to overcome both external underestimation and internal self-doubt through meticulous preparation and confident storytelling. She advises founders to decide on their exit timeline years in advance to shape current operations and stresses the importance of maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders during the process. Her key advice to her past self: "take risks and be messy" rather than seeking perfection. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Dawn Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Free Range Thinking, a boutique Business Strategy Consultancy that enables entrepreneurs to lead their businesses with unwavering confidence, intelligence, and passion. She’s an executive leadership coach, growth strategist, and acclaimed trainer and speaker. Her work includes collaborations with Maria Shriver, Shriver Media, and leading Women’s History Month programming for global pharmaceutical titan AbbVie. She’s also the host of the She’s That Founder podcast, like your morning coffee, but for your soul and career ambitions. As the Female Leadership Accelerator (FMxLA) founder, she’s committed to amplifying the influence of the next generation of female leaders to make their reverberations felt in their communities, in the US, and across the globe. Dawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freerangethinking/ Free Range Thinking Website: https://www.freerangethinking.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
From $1.8M Seller to Educator: Ben Zogby and Flippa University 33:24

hace 8 weeks33:24

33:24

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Ben Zogby, head of Flippa University, shares his journey from chemical engineer to successful entrepreneur, highlighting how he launched HighStrike, a trading education community that he sold on Flippa for $1.8M, after starting eight failed ventures. Ben discusses how he grew HighStrike through Instagram marketing, evolving from manual engagement to working with influencer networks, before selling through Flippa in 2022. After being told by a competitor in 2020 that his business wasn't sellable, Ben spent two years systematizing operations, ultimately attracting three competing offers that increased the sale price by $300,000. Now leading Flippa University, an educational platform for buyers and sellers of online businesses, Ben emphasizes the importance of early exit preparation and proper business tracking from day one. Drawing from his experience both selling and buying businesses on Flippa, he aims to help others achieve successful exits and acquisitions. His key advice to his past self: take every venture seriously from the start, rather than waiting for success to implement proper business practices. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Ben Zogby started a trading platform subscription business as a solo, bootstrapped founder in 2018. After growing the business for 5 years and experiencing what it's like becoming an entrepreneur, Ben felt that it was time to take some chips off the table. Ben emphasizes that Flippa helped him find a buyer for his business, valued at $1,800,000. The sale was his introduction to digital asset M&A, which has become his career. In Flippa University, Ben will walk you through the whole process of buying and selling from his experience having done both at a high level. Check Out Flippa University: https://university.flippa.com/ Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-zogby-9178692a4/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
From Nail Polish to $100M Exit: Tracy Holland's Beauty Journey 35:15

hace 9 weeks35:15

35:15

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Tracy Holland, founder of Inner Fifth and Goodwill Brands, shares insights from building and selling Hatch Beauty, a company that co-created beauty brands with retailers. Starting with scented nail polish in her 20s, Tracy developed deep retail relationships that led to founding Hatch Beauty in 2009. She discusses the challenging journey of taking the company to market twice – first pulling it off at $50 million revenue when realizing rapid growth would soon hit $80 million, then successfully selling at nearly $100 million with 18% EBITDA margins. Tracy emphasizes crucial lessons about exit planning, including having upfront discussions with partners about exit strategy, carefully managing information exposure during the sales process, and understanding the differences between strategic and private equity buyers. She also stresses the importance of letting the market determine valuation rather than setting price expectations prematurely. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Tracy Holland is a founder, investor, board member, and entrepreneur who is an authority on beauty and wellness with a global track record of incubating and launching brands. Tracy has dedicated her career to creating new brands and success stories by spotlighting innovation, amplifying authentic and celebrity voices in beauty and personal care, and nurturing promising talent, especially other women entrepreneurs. Websites Mentioned In The Episode: https://innerfifth.com/ - https://goodwillbrands.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyholland/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Leveling the Investment Field: Laurits Just Announces Flippa Invest 40:07

hace 10 weeks40:07

40:07

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Laurits Just, manager of Flippa Invest, shares his journey from working at BlackRock to co-founding Bits for Digits, a marketplace for partial business acquisitions that was later acquired by Flippa. Inspired by a blog post about Basecamp's partial sale to Jeff Bezos, Laurits and his co-founder created a platform to facilitate similar transactions for founders without direct access to high-profile investors. Now managing Flippa Invest, Laurits discusses their new data-driven alternative financing platform that connects accredited investors with digital business owners seeking growth capital. The platform allows US-registered businesses to raise between $50,000 and $1 million, with potential for oversubscription, while leveraging integrated data from sources like Stripe and QuickBooks to showcase business performance. Emphasizing that "data doesn't discriminate," Laurits highlights how this approach can level the playing field for founders seeking investment. For more insights about alternative financing and digital business growth, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Laurits Just is currently the Manager for Flippa Invest, a new data driven alternative financing product from Flippa. Previously Laurits was with BlackRock’s fintech arm and before that he was with Rocket Internet’s venture development division. Laurits is also the exited Co-Founder & CEO of BitsForDigits which was acquired by Flippa.com. Website for : https://flippa.com/invest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurits-just/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Navigating Deal Killers: Jim Stevenson's 25 Years of M&A Wisdom 30:38

hace 11 weeks30:38

30:38

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Jim Stevenson, founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, shares strategic insights from 25 years of advising companies through exits and acquisitions. Jim discusses crucial aspects of preparing a business for sale, emphasizing the importance of running solid fundamentals while leaving room for buyers to see growth potential. He also highlights common mistakes that kill deals, including overvaluation, waiting too long to sell, and founder dependence. Jim explains how multiples vary by sector and the importance of realistic comparisons with similar companies rather than billion-dollar corporations. Rather than seeking perfect timing, Jim advocates for taking action while being prepared for a process that can span 12-15 months plus earnout periods. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Jim Stevenson is the Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, an International Growth Consultants company with the goal of making growth the objective of your strategy and the result of your transformation. Jim is passionate about creating strategies that focus on customers while developing propositions, creating go-to-market plans and aligning capabilities to drive revenue and business growth. Website: https://www.bletchleygroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
From Basement to Nine Figures: Aaron Spivak's Hush Story 38:43

hace 12 weeks38:43

38:43

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Aaron Spivak, founder of The Founders Club, shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a juice shop in his mother's basement at 18 to building Hush, a premium weighted blanket company that achieved nine-figure success. Aaron discusses how Hush innovated in response to market challenges, developing the world's first cooling weighted blanket when faced with 70,000 competitors. Instead of racing to the bottom on price, they elevated their product to $349, achieving $50 million in annual sales with double-digit margins. The exit to a publicly traded sleep company came through intentional positioning and relationship building, though Aaron describes the year-long process at age 25 as incredibly lonely. This experience inspired him to create The Founders Club, a community supporting entrepreneurs through resources and connections he wished he had during his exit. His key advice to his past self: stay delusional and trust that it will work out. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Aaron is a 29-year-old Canadian serial entrepreneur who co-founded Revitasize at 18 years old—an organic cold-pressed juice kitchen serving high-quality juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and a variety of vegan options. Prior to this, Aaron co-founded a sleep improvement company called Hush, selling a product now considered to be the world's most popular (and reviewed) weighted blanket—designed to help those with sleep issues, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and more. Within its first 24 months, Hush grew into an eight-figure brand. In 2021, Aaron sold Hush to Canadian sleep giant Sleep Country in a landmark acquisition, marking a significant milestone in Canadian e-commerce history. Aaron recently launched The Founders Club, a community for high-growth founders seeking virtual, in-person, and local connections with like-minded CEOs, founders, and executives in the CPG, e-commerce, and retail sectors. Website: https://www.foundersclubofficial.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-spivak1/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Three Exits over 35 Years: Zoe Kalar's Global Success Story 41:16

hace 13 weeks41:16

41:16

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Zoe Kalar, founder and CEO of WeAre8, shares insights from her remarkable journey through three successful exits over 35 years, including one for $100 million. Starting her first company at age 21, Zoe discusses the challenges of early exits, including painful earn-outs and misaligned values with acquirers. She shares crucial lessons from her experiences across different markets - from her first bootstrapped company in Australia to building a transformative business in China, and later creating a data infrastructure company that became the backbone of media trading in the US. Currently leading WeAre8, a safe social media platform that shares advertising revenue with users, she stresses that successful exits are less about the financial outcome and more about the journey and the team. For more insights about strategic exits and entrepreneurship, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Zoe Kalar, is a visionary tech entrepreneur who has built four transformative businesses over the last 35 years including NY based Standard Media Index, the world’s largest media data business. As founder of WeAre8, Zoe is shifting the power of big tech back into the hands of the people. Zoe's mission is to inspire, empower and enable a billion people to make a positive impact every day through a revolutionary social experience, while redirecting the $500bn ad market to people, publishers, nonprofits and planet projects. WeAre8 is the future of social, one that connects, inspires, and serves humanity. Websites: https://www.weare8.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-kalar/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Parent Communities to a National Brand: Lindsay Pinchuk's Bump Club Tale 37:13

hace 14 weeks37:13

37:13

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Lindsay Pinchuk, founder and CEO of Lindsay Pinchuk Marketing, shares her journey from building Bump Club, a community-focused business for expectant parents, to its eventual exit. Starting in 2010 as a series of local events in Chicago, Lindsay grew the company into a national brand working with major retailers like Target and Nordstrom, reaching millions of parents monthly. In 2019, she sold to Advantage Marketing Solutions, but the transition proved challenging as the B2B-focused acquirer struggled to understand the community-driven, B2C nature of her business. Lindsay discusses crucial lessons about exit preparation, particularly for community-based brands, including the importance of developing a personal brand separate from the company and ensuring all promises are documented in writing. Despite not receiving her full earn-out and the eventual closure of Bump Club, Lindsay emphasizes the significance of maintaining integrity and preserving legacy during an exit. Her key advice to her past self: trust your gut and don't let buyers rush the process. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Lindsay Pinchuk is a brand igniter, a marketing expert, and a community builder. She has over 25 years of experience in creating and growing brands, both for herself and for her clients. She is the Founder and CEO of Lindsay Pinchuk Marketing + Consulting, a company that offers consulting, coaching, and speaking services to businesses of all sizes and stages. Websites: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/ - https://www.dearfoundher.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypinchuk/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Transforming Autoimmune Care: Mette Dyhrberg's Mymee Journey 30:25

hace 15 weeks30:25

30:25

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Mette Dyhrberg, founder and CEO of Mymee, shares her entrepreneurial journey from her first venture in Denmark to building a successful health tech company. Starting at age three with a toy stove and cafeteria, Mette's entrepreneurial spirit led her through various industries, from a cleaning company with 160 employees to children's motor skill enhancement programs. Her current venture, Mymee, emerged from her personal battle with autoimmune diseases, where she applied process optimization principles to improve her health. Despite having no healthcare background, Mette successfully built a health tech platform that has helped thousands of people improve their quality of life. She discusses the challenges of raising venture capital, the importance of customer feedback as a key metric across all businesses, and shares insights about exit timing and preparation. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Mette Dyhrberg is the founder of Mymee, a data-powered digital care program for autoimmune patients, with the aim of transforming autoimmune care as a whole. Mette is an economist turned diagnostician with 15+ years of building startups, and someone who took matters into her own hands, hacked her own health, and soon began helping others do the same. Drawing on ideas and methods from Lean, systems thinking, and software engineering, her company Mymee is built to support iterative health improvement for the individual. Website: https://www.mymee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mettedyhrberg/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Angel Investing with Purpose: Xandra Laskowski's Investment Philosophy 30:50

hace 16 weeks30:50

30:50

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Xandra Laskowski, founder and CEO of Osea Angel Investors, shares her journey from tech industry veteran to angel investor. After retiring in 1998, she started a family office in 2008 and began angel investing in 2013. Xandra discusses key criteria for startup investments, including the importance of founders having prior exit experience and maintaining two years of runway. She emphasizes the critical role of early exit planning, strategic market positioning, and maintaining strong metrics for successful scaling. Drawing from her experience investing primarily in female-founded companies, Xandra highlights the challenges and opportunities in healthcare tech, sustainability, and financial technology sectors. Despite seeing positive trends in female founder representation through her syndication partners, she acknowledges the persistent challenge of only 2% of funding going to women-run companies. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Xandra Laskowski is an angel investor and startup advisor with over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience with large multinational tech companies as well as startups as founder, investor, advisor and board member. She has held positions as Worldwide Commodity Manager and National Major Accounts managerial roles before moving into the Angel Investment and startup worlds. She founded OSEA Angel Investors in 2017, a women focused angel investment group based in Newport Beach, California. Website: https://www.oseaangelinvestors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xandra-laskowski-765b1813/overlay/contact-info/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Bridging the Funding Gap: Kristen Cooper's Startup Ladies Story 31:19

hace 17 weeks31:19

31:19

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Kristen Cooper, CEO and founder of The Startup Ladies, shares insights on empowering women entrepreneurs to secure funding and scale their businesses. Starting from informal meetings, Kristen built an organization that now has 150 members across five states. Kristen discusses the significant funding gap for women entrepreneurs, noting that women founders secured only 2% of the $170 billion invested in US startups in 2023. She highlights her organization's innovative approach to addressing this disparity by training high-net-worth individuals to invest in women-led companies, rather than relying solely on traditional VC and angel investor channels. Key advice includes conducting thorough customer discovery, building strong foundations before seeking funding, and focusing on human connections in pitch presentations. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Kristen Cooper has over 10 years of experience as the CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, where they are on a mission to increase the number of women starting up scalable businesses and help them secure investment to grow. The Startup Ladies is a professional membership organization that identifies, educates, connects, and increases investment in women entrepreneurs across various industries and stages.As a startup leader, Kristen has leveraged her background in building technology and raising money to help entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate members achieve their goals. She also writes a column for the Indianapolis Business Journal, where she shares her experience and insights on startups, tech, women in business, and LGBTQ+ issues. Website: https://www.thestartupladies.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristencooper23/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Exit Ready at Any Scale: Adam Kirsch's Advisory Wisdom 30:40

hace 18 weeks30:40

30:40

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Adam Kirsch, Director at West Monroe, shares insights from his journey as both an entrepreneur and M&A advisor. Starting with early ventures in high school and college, Adam has experienced exits from both sides of the table and now coaches companies through their exit processes. Adam emphasizes the importance of being "exit ready" from day one, highlighting key preparation steps like maintaining an organized data room, developing clear roadmaps, and building relationships within your ecosystem. He stresses that many of the same questions arise whether selling a company for thousands or billions. Adam warns against common mistakes like valuation disconnects and poor communication, noting that personality conflicts can derail otherwise solid deals. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Adam Kirsch is an entrepreneur with 12+ years of professional experience spanning tech/digital strategy, venture capital, product strategy, marketing/business development, operations, private equity advisory/M&A, and management consulting. Adam is currently applying his skills at West Monroe to help private equity firms and strategic buyers intelligently invest in, operate, and exit businesses. Adam’s background is in entrepreneurship and venture capital, a skill set he leveraged to launch WM's Sell-Side Advisory (Quality of Technology™) group while guiding management teams through late-stage capital raises and exit processes. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adamjkirsch Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
The Three Ps of Exit: Rose Hamilton's CPG & Exit Wisdom 31:51

hace 19 weeks31:51

31:51

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Rose Hamilton, CEO and founder of Compass Rose Ventures, shares insights from her extensive experience helping CPG brands scale and prepare for exits. With a background at companies like Best Buy, The Vitamin Shop, and Pet360, Rose now specializes in working with founders and investors in the health, wellness, pet, beauty, and food industries. Rose emphasizes the importance of staying connected to customers while scaling, noting that founders often lose touch with their core market as they grow. She advises founders to begin with the end in mind when preparing for an exit, implementing proper systems and processes early, and building strong communities around brands. Rose highlights the value of the crucial "three Ps" that founders should have in place within their business - people, process, and systems - and warns against common pitfalls like trying to do everything alone or hiring too quickly. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Rose Hamilton has 20+ years of experience working with and advising 50+ consumer companies of all sizes, including Petsmart, The Vitamin Shoppe, Nutrafol, and Mend. Rose has helped raise over $70M in funding and generated over $600M in additional revenue by applying her proven omnichannel and community-led methodology. She specializes in providing consumer executives with direct, thoughtful, and strategic outside perspective. Website: https://compassroseventures.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosehamilton/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Seven Exits and Counting: Justin Goodbread Blitzscaling to Exits 34:59

hace 20 weeks34:59

34:59

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Justin Goodbread, CEO of Financially Simple, reflects on his journey through seven successful business exits, with his most recent venture scaling to an eight-figure exit in just 49 months. Justin discusses the alarming statistics around business exits, noting that of 11 million businesses expected to attempt selling in the next few years, only one million will successfully transact, and just 4% of those will be pleased with the outcome and exit amount. He emphasizes the importance of understanding business value and identifying value gaps across eight key areas: planning, leadership, sales, marketing, people, operations, finance, and legal. His approach focuses on preparing businesses for maximum value through strategic timing and defendable metrics. Justin also shares how he successfully negotiated valuations by demonstrating historical performance and accurate forecasting. Currently, Justin helps other business owners through speaking engagements, writing, and his Value Growth Academy. For more insights on building and selling businesses, listen to the full episode of The Exit. -- Justin Goodbread is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and business coach with over 30 years of experience in scaling and exiting successful businesses. Beginning his entrepreneurial journey at just 15, Justin learned early the transformative power of business ownership and financial independence. His impressive track record includes selling his last business for over $10 million within just 49 months, marking him as a top-tier expert in the business community. Justin's expertise is particularly valuable for seasoned business owners, especially those in service industries with annual revenues exceeding $500,000. He excels in helping these entrepreneurs break through growth barriers and prepare for lucrative exits. His strategic guidance focuses on enhancing business value and making companies appealing to potential buyers. Website: https://www.justingoodbread.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodbread/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@justingoodbread Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
The Great Wealth Transfer: Scott Bushkie's M&A Insights 32:08

hace 21 weeks32:08

32:08

-- Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Scott Bushkie, Managing Partner and founder of Cornerstone Business Services, shares insights from his 26-year career helping business owners navigate successful exits. Scott discusses the upcoming massive wealth transfer as Baby Boomers retire, with 50% expected to transfer their businesses by 2030. He emphasizes the importance of early exit planning, comparing entrepreneurship to a marathon where initial excitement fades into a plateau. Scott stresses the importance of working with specialized M&A professionals, sharing examples where proper advisory helped achieve 15-20% higher valuations. Currently, Scott helps educate business owners through his book "Finish Strong" and various outreach programs at Cornerstone. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Scott Bushkie is the Managing Partner and Founder of Cornerstone Business Services. With more than 25 years of experience in the M&A industry, Scott is a recognized thought-leader, bringing investment bank level services to buy-side and sell-side transactions in the lower middle market. He has successfully executed hundreds of transactions domestically and internationally, working with private equity firms, family offices, and strategic buyers. Websites - https://www.cornerstone-business.com/ - https://scottbushkie.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbushkie/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
The Art of Exit Preparation: Kirk Michie's Advisory Insights 34:48

hace 22 weeks34:48

34:48

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Kirk Michie, Managing Partner at Candor Advisors, shares insights from his 30-year career in capital markets and M&A advisory. He discusses his transition from financial advising to helping founders navigate successful exits. Kirk emphasizes the importance of understanding your "why" as a founder before pursuing an exit, noting that matching with the right buyer depends on understanding one’s core motivations and objectives with your exit. Regarding valuations and buyers an owner will face, Kirk speaks through how the multiples and types of buyers will change according to characteristics of your business and variables including EBITDA size, revenue sources, and risk factors. Kirk heavily stresses the need for proper preparation and protection, which includes professionalizing financials before sharing with potential buyers, avoiding sharing raw QuickBooks data, and being cautious about revealing too much information too soon. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Kirk Michie is the Managing Partner of Candor Advisors, consultants to founder-led businesses contemplating capital events and value enhancement. For more than 30 years, Mr. Michie has worked with entrepreneurs, closely held business owners, and high net worth families to achieve their strategic planning, liquidity, and legacy objectives. Mr. Michie has raised and deployed more than $1 billion of capital, been involved with evaluating more than 2,000 direct investments, and participated as principal or advisor on dozens of buyout, refinancing, or sale transactions. Websites - https://candor-advisors.com/ - https://www.ebitdauniversity.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkmichie/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Mastering Restaurant Exits: Robin Gagnon's We Sell Restaurants Story 30:23

hace 23 weeks30:23

30:23

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Robin Gagnon, co-founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, takes us through her 21-year journey helping restaurant owners navigate exits. Her company has grown to become the largest restaurant brokerage firm in the nation, operating in 45 states with over 1,000 listings valued at approximately $450 million. Robin emphasizes the importance of proper financial documentation and presentation when preparing for a sale, explains how franchise restaurants typically trade at higher multiples than independent restaurants, and discusses the benefits of selling individual locations versus grouping them together. She advises owners to start the exit process early, obtaining independent third-party valuations, and maintaining good relationships with franchisors during transitions. For more details and insights from her entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, a brand that has carved an unparalleled niche in the industry as the nation's leading and only business broker franchise focused on restaurants. Under Robin’s leadership, We Sell Restaurants has grown to 45 states where it dominates the restaurant for sale marketplace and franchise resales, delivering on the founder’s vision to sell more restaurants than anyone else. Robin is a member of the IFA (International Franchise Association) Board of Directors Vice Chair of the Franchisor Forum and Past Chair of the Women’s Franchise Committee. Website - https://www.wesellrestaurants.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robingagnonrestaurantbroker Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Patents and Profitable Exits: Todd Sullivan's M&A Wisdom 30:36

hace 24 weeks30:36

30:36

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Todd Sullivan, CEO of ExitWise, shares insights from his journey through multiple successful exits, starting with a hockey equipment patent that he licensed and sold 22 months after creating it. After this, Todd progressed through several ventures, including companies acquired by CBS and Microsoft. Todd emphasizes the importance of balancing venture capital expectations with personal goals, advising entrepreneurs to prioritize their own financial security over investors' demands for outsized returns. Through ExitWise, Todd now helps other founders navigate M&A processes. His advice to entrepreneurs is to view exits as part of a longer journey rather than a single defining event, encouraging founders to take wins when available and build upon their successes. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Todd Sullivan is a highly successful tech entrepreneur who has built and sold 4 companies. His companies have been acquired by strategics including Microsoft, CBS and Amer Sports and a private equity backed platform. Today, Mr. Sullivan is the CEO of Exitwise.com where his company helps founders and business owners who are thinking about selling their businesses, hire and manage the world’s best M&A experts to maximize the sale of each business. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/ Exit Wise Website & Podcast - https://exitwise.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@exitwise Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Founder-Friendly Exits: Tim Schumacher's SaaS Acquisition Philosophy 28:37

hace 25 weeks28:37

28:37

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Tim Schumacher, co-founder of SaaS Group, shares insights from his experience acquiring and growing software businesses. He discusses his journey from founding Sedo.com to co-founding SaaS Group, emphasizing his belief in subscription-based business models and stable revenue streams. Tim and SaaS Group's philosophy prioritizes a founder-friendly approach to acquisitions, focusing on cultural fit, team preservation, and transparent deal processes. Tim believes that the timing of an exit should be based on personal readiness rather than market conditions, and deal structures should align with the founders' goals and circumstances. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- While Tim Co-Founded Saas.group in 2018, he also is General Partner at World Fund and is a recognized entrepreneur and climate investor. Alongside founding World Fund, Tim has previously co-founded the world’s largest domain marketplace Sedo.com in 2001 before founding Eyeo - the makers of Adblock Plus. He has also invested in companies such as Ecosia, gridX, Zolar, Pachama and CarbonCloud and was awarded ‘Best Male Investor’ at the German Startups Association Awards in 2020. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschumacher/ Saas.Group - https://saas.group/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Navigating M&A: Andrew Dickow's Insider Perspective 27:44

hace 26 weeks27:44

27:44

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Andrew Dickow, Managing Director at Greenwich Capital Group, shares insights from both the buy and sell sides of mergers and acquisitions. Andrew discusses valuation methodologies, focusing on the importance of clean financials and understanding market multiples. Specifically in the food and beverage industry, he introduces his "40/20 rule" as performance benchmarks to receive an attractive valuation: 40% gross margins and 20% EBITDA margins. He explains leveraged buyouts, highlighting their benefits to both parties involved in the deal while cautioning about the risks of over-leveraging. He also advises entrepreneurs to be wary of unsolicited offers from private equity firms and emphasizes the importance of hiring proper advisors to run a competitive process. Regarding timing, Andrew notes a recent boom in M&A activity due to anticipated lower interest rates and potential tax implications. For more details and insights, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Andrew Dickow is a Managing Director at Greenwich Capital Group and Townsend Street Capital with over 18 years of experience in both mergers and acquisitions and business operations. Andrew leads the Food and Beverage/Consumer practice for GCG and TSC and has significant experience working with consumer-packaged goods, distribution, contract manufacturing, and ingredient companies. Andrew focuses on both the sell-side and buy-side and has advised numerous clients through recapitalizations, leveraged buyouts, business valuations, and financial analyses. Website: https://greenwichgp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdickow/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
From Bootstrapped to 4000 Employees: Connor Tomkies' Support Ninja Saga 29:04

hace 27 weeks29:04

29:04

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Connor Tomkies shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including the successful exit of Support Ninja, a company he bootstrapped and scaled to over $50 million in revenue and 4,000 employees. Connor discusses the challenges of growing a people-focused business vs. a software-focused business. In preparation for exits, Connor suggests entrepreneurs create a confidential information memorandum (SIM) before engaging bankers or brokers to find the best acquisition partner for their business. Connor also emphasizes the value of mentorship and peer support during and after the exit process. In light of this, Connor currently runs the Entrepreneur Cooperative, a community focused on supporting founders through the exit process and beyond. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Connor Tomkies is all about helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and enjoy life after a successful exit. Whether it's through Operator Equity, the Entrepreneur Cooperative, or hosting the Made It Podcast, he's there to support founders with growth and smooth exits. Now Connor invests through Operator Equity, where he invests in founder-led businesses and helps entrepreneurs navigate through successful exits with minimal hassle. Website: www.entrepreneurcooperative.com Connor’s Podcast: www.madeitpod.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Disrupting Aviation Education: Jason Schappert's M0A Success Story 30:50

hace 28 weeks30:50

30:50

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Jason Schappert, founder of M0A, shares his journey from flight instructor to successful entrepreneur, specifically discussing how he bootstrapped M0A, an online aviation education platform, from zero to an eight-figure exit over 16 years. Jason highlights the challenges of disrupting traditional aviation education by moving ground school online, facing skepticism but ultimately proving successful. The exit process, initiated by a customer inquiry, took 10 months to complete. While that sounds like smooth sailing, Jason mentions how valuable the two previously failed acquisition attempts were in preparing the company for its eventual successful exit and the importance of subscription-based revenue and proprietary technology in achieving a favorable valuation. For more details and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, listen to the latest episode of The Exit. -- Jason Schappert is a serial entrepreneur and financial technology visionary dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve financial freedom. He is the co-founder of Moola, an AI-driven investment platform that simplifies complex financial concepts and provides personalized insights and recommendations to help users make informed investment decisions. Prior to Moola, Jason successfully built and exited a previous business, demonstrating his entrepreneurial prowess and ability to build successful ventures from the ground up. He is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and believes that everyone deserves access to the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve financial security. Jason is a strong leader, committed to continuous learning and personal development, and a devoted husband and father. His mission is to empower the next generation to take control of their financial futures and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial freedom and live a life free from financial stress. Websites: https://moo.la/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moola_copilot/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschappert/ Check Out Flippa’s Data Insights Tool: https://flippa.com/data-insights -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/…

T

The Exit - Presented By Flippa

1
Preparing for the Multimillion-Dollar Exit: Wayne Zell’s 44 Years of Wisdom 31:38

hace 29 weeks31:38