summary In this conversation, James Routledge shares his journey as an entrepreneur, focusing on his experiences with Sanctus, a mental health business. He discusses the challenges of navigating failure, the complexities of business growth and investment, and the emotional journey of selling his company. James reflects on the impact of his identity as a founder and the lessons learned through his experiences, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of himself and his future aspirations. tak...
Apr 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 67
In this conversation, Andy Day shares his journey from the music industry to founding Capital A, an M&A advisory firm focused on marketing services. He discusses the challenges of business partnerships, his experiences with private equity, and the struggles he faced after exiting his first business. Andy also delves into the evolution of his advisory firm, the creation of platforms like Deal Engines and Agencies.co, and how he leverages digital tools to facilitate M&A transactions. The c...
Mar 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 66
summary In this conversation, Eric Pierre, CEO of Pierre Accounting, shares his journey from a corporate employee to a successful entrepreneur specializing in tax planning for high net worth individuals. He discusses the importance of tax mitigation strategies, his involvement in M&A deals, and the challenges faced when dealing with the IRS. Eric also emphasizes the significance of proper financial planning for business owners, especially those considering selling their businesses. The conve...
Feb 27, 2025•26 min•Ep. 65
summary In this conversation, Joe Lopresti, founder of Arlington Wealth Management, discusses the unique financial needs of business owners, emphasizing the importance of planning for the future, particularly regarding exit strategies and achieving personal freedom. He introduces the concept of the 'freedom point,' which allows business owners to live their ideal lives without financial constraints. The discussion covers various aspects of wealth management, including lifetime cashflow planning,...
Feb 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 64
summary In this conversation, Graham Goodkind shares his journey from working in PR to founding Frank PR, discussing the challenges and triumphs of growing the agency, navigating acquisitions, and ultimately transitioning to employee ownership. He reflects on the lessons learned throughout his career, the importance of creativity in business, and his current role in guiding the agency's future. takeaways Graham Goodkind's career began with work experience in PR. He founded Frank PR in 2000, cele...
Feb 12, 2025•39 min•Ep. 63
summary In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki, CEO and founder of Acquire.com, shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing his experiences with various startups and the emotional aspects of selling a business. He discusses the inception of Acquire.com, aimed at streamlining the startup acquisition process, and emphasizes the importance of preparation for founders considering selling their businesses. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI into business processes and the future ...
Feb 06, 2025•25 min•Ep. 62
summary In this conversation, James Stevenson shares his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fundraising, and business turnarounds. He discusses his journey from construction to technology and marketing, leading to his current role in helping companies prepare for exits. Davidson provides insights into the challenges faced during a turnaround of a marketing services business, the sale process, and the importance of creative deal-making. He emphasizes the need for business...
Jan 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 61
In this conversation, John Martinka discusses his journey into the M&A world, the importance of preparation for business owners looking to sell, and the emotional aspects of the selling process. He shares insights from his recent book, 'Exit with Style, Grace, and More Money,' and emphasizes the need for business owners to be ready both financially and emotionally before selling. The discussion also covers current market trends, the impact of AI on businesses, and the challenges posed by the...
Jan 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 60
In this conversation, Nicky Hoyland, Chief Innovation Officer at Auspicious, shares her journey from a film and media graduate to a leader in learning technology and business innovation. She discusses her experiences in building DBLX, the challenges of transitioning from bespoke development to a SaaS platform, and the importance of collaboration and networking in business. Nicky also reflects on the impact of AI on the industry and her excitement for the future of technology in enhancing human e...
Jan 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 59
Summary Jim Hawker, co-founder of 3Pipe, shares his journey of starting and growing the agency over 20 years, including the challenges of mergers, acquisitions, and financial turmoil. He reflects on the evolution of marketing, the importance of strategic growth, and the lessons learned from navigating a significant financial crisis. The conversation culminates in his exit strategy and thoughts on the future of agency growth. Takeaways Started 3Pipe in April 2004, the same month as Facebook. The ...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 58
Summary In this conversation, Saul Cohen, owner of Expert Eye, shares his journey from working in corporate finance to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He discusses the importance of providing tailored financial advice to entrepreneurs, the impact of personal experiences on his career choices, and the challenges faced by business owners in the current economic climate. The conversation also delves into the implications of recent changes in business taxation, the dynamics of ...
Nov 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 57
In this conversation, Holly Tennock shares her journey from being a journalist to founding her own PR agency, Journalista, and the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur. She discusses the growth of her agency, the complexities of navigating leadership, and the eventual sale of her business. Holly reflects on her experiences during the transition post-sale, the impact of COVID on her business, and her insights on leadership and team dynamics. In this conversation, Holly and Barnaby discus...
Oct 31, 2024•51 min•Ep. 56
In this conversation, Ben Fitter-Harding shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception and growth of his first business, Cardboard Fish, a communications technology company. He discusses the challenges and successes of navigating the acquisition process, the emotional impact of selling a business, and the transition to his new venture, Dodgems and Floss, a creative agency. Ben reflects on the lessons learned throughout his journey and the importance of foresight in business plannin...
Oct 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 55
In this conversation, Greg Moyer, CEO of Blue Chalk Media, shares his extensive career journey in the media industry, from his early days in journalism to his pivotal role in launching the Discovery Channel. He discusses the founding of Blue Chalk Media, emphasizing the creative freedom it provided him and the challenges of running a media company. Moyer reflects on the growth of Blue Chalk, the development of his team, and the impact of industry changes on their business. He also delves into hi...
Oct 02, 2024•41 min•Ep. 54
In this conversation, John Hannum, founder of PPS Solutions, discusses his journey in finance, the importance of CFO services for small businesses, and the intricacies of SBA loans. He explains the quality of earnings process, the differences between asset and share purchases, and shares insights on the buy-side perspective in M&A transactions. John emphasizes the significance of clean financial records for business owners preparing for sale and offers practical advice for navigating the com...
Sep 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 53
In this conversation, Lee Bushell shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early ventures in selling clothing at school to his experiences in the nightclub industry and transitioning into law. He discusses his approach to mergers and acquisitions, the strategy behind his investment group, and the importance of focusing on cash flow and ethical business practices. Lee emphasizes the significance of having a solid exit strategy for business owners and provides valuable insig...
Sep 18, 2024•39 min•Ep. 52
Mike Finger, a small business owner and expert in the transaction space, shares his insights on selling small businesses. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the basics of selling a business and dispels common misconceptions. Mike discusses the challenges faced by business owners in valuing and selling their businesses, including inflated expectations and lack of knowledge. He also shares his own experiences with buying and selling businesses, including turnaround acquisitions. Mike of...
Sep 11, 2024•46 min•Ep. 52
Richard Simpson talks about his role in sales and how it helped him access opportunities. He discusses the history and specialisations of Tayburn, the design agency he joined in 2008. Richard also explains how he acquired equity in the business and how his role evolved over time. He then delves into the process of the acquisition by Lewis, including the valuation, deal structure, and integration of the two agencies. Sales experience can provide access to valuable opportunities in the creative in...
Aug 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 51
Nick Morgan, Group CEO of We Group, shares his experience with building and exiting multiple businesses. He discusses his background and the different agencies he has been involved with, including bars, pubs, and a distressed agency. Nick also talks about the three agencies within We Group: an independent events company specialising in festival production, The Fair, creative placemaking We Are Placemaking and event operations / health and safety We are OPS. He emphasizes the importance of transp...
Aug 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 50
Taylor Christoffel, CEO of Uncubed, shares the story of the company's evolution from HR software to employer branding production. He joined Uncubed in 2016 and eventually acquired the company in 2024. Taylor discusses the value of the company's legacy and the passion he brings to the business. He highlights the expansion of Uncubed Studios into the European market and the opportunity to improve employer branding in Europe. Taylor's background in video production and his dedication to building th...
Aug 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 49
Cindy Anderson, a certified public accountant and M&A consultant, shares insights on preparing a business for sale and navigating the M&A process. She emphasizes the importance of clean financial records and understanding the buyer's perspective. Anderson recommends working with advisors and creating a clear integration plan to ensure a smooth transition post-sale. She also discusses the challenges of earnouts and the emotional impact of selling a business. Overall, Anderson advises busi...
Jul 31, 2024•38 min•Ep. 48
Nicholas Spezio, Director of Transaction Services at Expo Group, discusses the world of private equity and venture capital. Private equity firms invest capital into mature businesses with long-term growth potential, often seeking a controlling stake. Venture capital firms, on the other hand, invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity. Spezio emphasizes that private equity investors are attracted to recurring revenue-based businesses, while venture capitalists are interested in early-...
Jul 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 47
Tulips & Company, a corporate film agency, was founded in 2002 by Laure Cousin and Charles Drouin. They started the business in the attic of Laure's house with a focus on creative storytelling. Over the years, they grew the company and gained recognition through awards. In 2018, they decided to sell the company to its employees in a unique way. They created a new company called Ortus, owned by the employees, which gradually buys shares in Tulips using profits from the company. This allows th...
Jul 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 46
Jacqueline O'Donovan OBE shares her journey of owning and growing a waste management business, O'Donovan Waste Disposal, after her father's passing. She discusses the challenges of taking over the business at a young age and the close-knit dynamic of working with her siblings. Jacqueline highlights the importance of a strong work ethic and cohesion within the family. She also talks about the growth and success of the business, becoming an employer of choice, and leading the industry in sustainab...
Jul 10, 2024•47 min•Ep. 45
Loreta Tarozaite is a marketing communications consultant and executive coach with a background in news anchoring. She helps business owners and executives improve their on-camera and on-stage presence, particularly in using video as a medium. Loreta emphasizes the importance of personal branding, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and encourages the use of video to build rapport and trust with the audience. She advises starting with simple videos, such as recording oneself describing the sc...
Jun 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 44
Mike Silver, the founder of an experiential agency called Stretch, shares his journey of setting up an experiential marketing agency called Stretch in Cape Town, South Africa. We talk about its growth, a merger with another agency in Johannesburg and it’s eventual sale to a WPP affiliate. He discusses the challenges, learnings, and post-sale experiences, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs considering a similar path. Takeaways Invest in growth and take risks to achieve exponential growt...
Jun 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 43
Tim Drake, a semi-retired agency owner, shares his journey of building and selling his agency for £20 million. He discusses the various pivots his agency went through, from graphic design to websites to mobile-first business. Tim emphasizes the importance of finding the right business partner and maintaining a ruthless focus on building and selling. He explains the earn-out structure of the deal and how they exceeded expectations. Tim also highlights the significance of culture, agility, and a d...
Jun 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 42
George Hughes, founder of Small Films, shares his experience of starting and acquiring businesses in the video production industry. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from working in the television industry to running his own company and the importance of understanding the objectives of clients. Hughes also talks about how he acquired Maia Films, an education specialist company, during its liquidation process. He explains the negotiation process, the assets he acquired, and the impact ...
May 29, 2024•42 min•Ep. 41
Steve James Royal, co-founder of The Yard Creative, shares his journey of building and selling a design agency. The Yard Creative is an evidential design agency that focuses on bringing scientific thinking and research into the design process. Steve discusses the challenges and successes of implementing evidential design, including a case study with World Vision. He also talks about the growth of the business, the sale process, and the transition to working for a new owner. Steve shares insights...
May 22, 2024•31 min•Ep. 34
Arthur Petropoulos, the managing partner at Hillview Partners, discusses his work in mergers and acquisitions and capital advisory for middle market companies. He shares how he got into this line of work and the process of setting up and growing his own firm. Petropoulos explains the importance of building infrastructure and processes in businesses to reach the one million EBITDA mark, which is a key threshold for attracting buyers. He also highlights the factors that make a business attractive ...
May 15, 2024•41 min•Ep. 40
