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How2Exit: Buy, Don't Build - M&A of Small Businesses: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ronald P. Skelton
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- Aug 1, 202553 min
E288: Les Csorba Reveals the Real Reason Most Leaders Don’t Last
About the Guest:Les Csorba is a partner at Heidrick & Struggles, specializing in CEO and board succession, primarily in the energy sector. With roots in the first Bush administration’s Presidential Personnel Office, Les has spent 30+ years advising leaders. His new book Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly dives deep into the science and practice of self-awareness in leadership.Summary:On the How2Exit Podcast, Ron Skelton sits down with Les Csorba, a veteran executive coach, author, and partner at Heidrick & Struggles. With more than three decades in executive search and CEO coaching, Les shares a powerful perspective: leadership—not just capital, strategy, or technology—is the determining factor in building and sustaining successful businesses. His insights highlight why self-awareness, humility, and feedback cultures matter more than ever in today’s high-stakes M&A environment.The conversation digs into the nuances of finding the right CEO, avoiding the trap of “people pleasing,” and why so many deals fail due to culture, not spreadsheets. Les also teases his new book Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly, where he unpacks why most leaders think they’re self-aware but aren’t—and what it takes to close that gap.The Key Takeaways:Leadership Greater than Capital or Strategy: While capital, strategy, and technology are vital, Les stresses that leadership is the real driver of long-term business success.The Self-Awareness Factor: The best leaders balance strong confidence with humility and candid self-reflection—an incredibly rare skill set.People Pleasing Is a Blind Spot: Over half of leaders identify as people pleasers, which often results in poor decisions like leaving the wrong people in key roles.Feedback Culture is Essential Great organizations don’t wait for annual reviews—they create ongoing, transparent feedback loops where leaders and teams hold each other accountable.Integration Is Where Deals Fail Many M&A transactions collapse not over numbers, but because two cultures can’t align. Leadership due diligence is as critical as financial diligence.Few CEOs Last Long-Term Most CEOs average 5–6 years in the role; exceptions like Jamie Dimon succeed by reinventing themselves and empowering strong lieutenants.Blind Spots Are Universal Every leader has blind spots. The real question is whether they have the courage to name and engage them.The Digital Age Hurts Self-Awareness Constant distractions from technology and social media erode the reflective space leaders need to truly know themselves.--------------------------------------------------Contact Les onLinkedin:Website:--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.
- Jul 25, 20251h 10m
E287: Building a Business Without Owning It | Strategic M&A, Turnaround Risks & Exit Planning
Watch Here: https://youtu.be/n8w08TJMPdIAbout the Guest: Fadi Malouf is a strategic buyer, advisor, and capital partner focused on buying, growing, and exiting companies with scale potential. His career began in the fitness and wellness space before shifting into software, tech, and eventually structured M&A. Now the founder of FM Capital and FM Advisory, Fadi partners with operators and investors to fund deals, implement systems, and position companies for high-value exits. He is currently raising a $100M fund and works with over 60 independent advisors across his network.Summary:In this episode of the How to Exit Podcast, Ron sits down with Fadi Malouf, a seasoned M&A strategist and founder of FM Capital and FM Advisory. Fadi shares a refreshingly candid look into his evolution from personal trainer to software company exit, to advising and funding acquisition deals in the lower-middle market. The conversation covers not only how Fadi thinks about deal structure, ownership vs. control, and turnaround risk—but also how his personal values and lived experiences shape the way he buys and builds businesses.Listeners will find this episode especially compelling if they’re trying to bridge the gap between being an operator and becoming an investor. Fadi doesn’t hold back on his disdain for turnaround deals, his belief in control over ownership, and his obsession with systems, delegation, and operational execution. But what makes this interview resonate is the philosophical undercurrent: businesses are problems to be solved, but you better love solving them.Key Takeaways:Buy with an exit in mind – Fadi learned the hard way that starting a company without thinking about its eventual exit is a recipe for pain and lost value.Turnarounds are not for amateurs – He strongly advises new buyers to avoid turnaround deals unless they have the capital, team, and turnaround-specific experience.Control beats ownership – Fadi prioritizes control over equity, emphasizing results and alignment rather than maximizing ownership at the expense of execution.The real bottleneck is often the founder – Companies under $3M in revenue are frequently hampered by owners who haven’t fired themselves from key roles.Invest in systems and delegation early – Fadi emphasizes the importance of building a company that runs without you; hire people smarter than you and get out of the way.Culture kills or scales – If you buy a company with entrenched staff resistant to change, expect a battle. Culture change is slow and hard.Capital without credibility is a deal killer – Bringing money to the table means nothing if the operator can’t prove capability or relinquish control.Fall in love with the problem – You’ll face chaos, adversity, and setbacks. If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’ll break you.--------------------------------------------------Contact Fadi onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadimalouf/Website: https://fadimalouf.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HERE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.
- Jun 27, 202558 min
E286: Deals Don’t Fail on Paper—They Fail in People
Watch Here: https://youtu.be/xEx9d94kzI0About the Guest:David Miller is a seasoned dealmaker with an unusually diverse portfolio. From growing a finance firm in the depths of the 2008 crisis to diving headfirst into cannabis cultivation, clean energy, and even competitive fashion, Miller blends strategy with heart. He’s a global speaker, EO member, MIT graduate, and firm believer that small business is powered by soul—not spreadsheets. His coaching practice is rooted in aligning people, strategy, and scalable systems to turn growth into exit velocity.Summary: David Miller’s journey isn’t your typical “finance guy turned entrepreneur” story—it’s a gritty, globe-spanning career that merges heart and horsepower. From buying his first company via seller financing to managing roll-ups in industries as varied as cannabis, clean energy, fashion, and finance, Miller shares hard-earned insights from the trenches. In this in-depth episode, Ron Skelton and David dig into what actually makes M&A work—hint: it’s not just spreadsheets and strategy. It’s trust. Culture. Emotional intelligence.This conversation serves as a blueprint for anyone serious about scaling through acquisition. Whether you're on your first deal or your fifteenth, Miller’s frameworks around emotional readiness, culture integration, and trust-building are worth replaying. Often.Key TakeawaysM&A Begins with Trust: Deals live and die on rapport—not just with the seller, but with the acquired team. Trust is the true currency in successful transactions.Seller-Financing Wins: Miller's first acquisition was a small, seller-financed deal—highlighting that not every transaction needs SBA debt or a PE fund.Don’t Skip Culture Fit: A players don’t stick around if you bulldoze culture. Integration takes time, patience, and listening.Vision Without Execution is Fantasy: Miller emphasizes method + magic = alchemy. Intuition and process must coexist.Diversification is Learnable: He’s run companies in industries as varied as cannabis, fintech, and fashion. Why? Because business fundamentals—people, process, and trust—are universal.Buyers Often Move Too Fast: Rushing in to change systems, fire people, or “fix” things too soon leads to resistance and turnover. Observe before acting.You Might Outgrow Your Business: Founders need to recognize when their business has surpassed their skillset—and decide whether to level up or step aside.Most M&A Fails Are People Failures: 70% of acquisitions fail, and it’s rarely because of numbers. It’s trust breakdowns, poor communication, and mismanaged change.--------------------------------------------------Contact David onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-miller-business-coach/Website: davidmiller.buzz--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HERE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.
- Jun 20, 202557 min
E285: How to Sell a Business in Puerto Rico (Without Losing Your Mind or Millions)
Watch here: https://youtu.be/ru4JXKUa180About the Guest: Francisco Uriarte is Managing Partner at Connelly Capital, a Puerto Rico-based M&A advisory firm. With over 60 transactions completed and $800 million in closed deals, Uriarte combines operational experience as a former business owner with a deep understanding of sell-side representation, especially in the unique legal and cultural context of Puerto Rico. His firm operates across Latin America and the continental U.S., but remains rooted in his home market, guiding business owners through one of the most emotional and financially significant decisions of their lives.Summary: Francisco Uriarte didn’t plan on becoming a mergers and acquisitions advisor—he lived it first. From running a cheese factory to building a supermarket chain, his hands-on entrepreneurial background shaped how he approaches dealmaking in Puerto Rico today. In this episode of How2Exit, Francisco takes us behind the curtain of buying and selling businesses in a unique legal and cultural environment. His firm, Connelly Capital, has completed over $800 million in transactions, specializing in helping sellers prepare the right way—mentally, financially, and operationally.Uriarte’s experience-based wisdom turns the abstract into the actionable. This isn’t theory. It’s field-tested insight from someone who’s sat in every seat of the table—buyer, seller, and advisor. If you’re thinking about buying in Puerto Rico or just want to better understand the human and technical nuances of closing deals, this is one of the most practical and well-rounded episodes in the series.Key Takeaways:Seller psychology is everything – If the seller doesn’t have a clear “Plan B” after the sale, they may subconsciously sabotage the deal.Pre-sale readiness is underrated – Many businesses, especially sub-$3M in revenue, don’t keep formal books. That can make them unsellable.Quality of earnings is make or break – A clean, reliable QofE builds trust fast. Sloppy books erode it instantly.Working capital traps are real – Mismanaging receivables, payables, or inventory can silently kill your valuation.Puerto Rico adds complexity – Buyers need local counsel due to differences in labor law, taxes, and asset/stock sale implications.Culture matters more than projections – Uriarte advises buyers to prioritize growth culture over growth forecasts.Trust beats valuation – The highest bid doesn’t always win. Preparedness, transparency, and trust often close the deal.Rep and warranty insurance is rare but growing – It's underutilized in smaller deals, but that’s beginning to change.--------------------------------------------------Contact Francisco onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscouriarte/Website: http://www.connellycap.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.
- Jun 13, 20251h 1m
E284: Breathwork, Business, and Big Exits: How Monica Garcia Uses Calm to Crush M&A
Watch Here: https://youtu.be/Vc2XhcablroAbout the Guest: Monica Garcia Duggal is an investment banker turned entrepreneur, financial consultant, and breathwork evangelist. With decades of experience spanning institutional finance, entrepreneurship, and real estate, Monica brings an unmatched blend of analytical rigor and human insight. She’s also the author of The Power of Breath: The Gift of Self-Actualization Through Meditation and is currently developing offerings in personal and business finance to help people scale or exit with grace—and clarity.Summary: In this refreshingly unique episode of the How2Exit podcast, host Ron Skelton sits down with Monica Garcia—a former investment banker, serial entrepreneur, and breathwork advocate—for a dynamic conversation that fuses the hard numbers of finance with the soft power of emotional intelligence. Monica unpacks her journey from English major to high-level financial analyst, her path to launching and exiting a successful company, and the surprising role breathwork played in helping her—and her clients—make smarter business decisions.What starts as a conversation about buying and selling companies becomes a masterclass in how personal awareness, emotional regulation, and intentional calm can make you not only a better businessperson, but a wealthier one. With over 30 years of financial experience, Monica proves that deep breaths and deep spreadsheets are not mutually exclusive—they’re complementary. Key Takeaways:Monica's Unique Origin Story: She started as an English and rhetoric major aiming for law school but fell into investment banking through a temp job—and never looked back.From Analyst to Operator: After earning her Series 7 and 63 licenses and getting deep into finance, she pivoted into real estate investing, entrepreneurship, and consulting, eventually launching and selling a company after 16 years.The Exit Process: It took Monica and her team three years to prepare their business for a successful exit, including rebranding and building SOPs that made the company operate independently of its founders.Post-Exit Transition: Unlike many founders, she stayed on for three years post-sale to support the acquirer’s team—a 100-year-old company that had previously struggled with a hands-off acquisition.Breathwork as a Secret Weapon: Monica discovered breathwork during a personal health crisis and now teaches it as a tool to improve decision-making, reduce stress, and regulate nervous system responses—especially during high-stakes transactions like exits.Combining Logic and Intuition: Monica advises founders to create a “contract with themselves” about their exit terms and to use breathwork to stay grounded when emotions or outside pressures threaten to override those decisions.Breathwork = Better Returns: She claims that making decisions from a calm, regulated state can improve your financial decision-making by up to 30%.Beyond Money: Wealth, according to Monica, is not just financial—it's emotional, physical, and relational. Breathwork enhances all of it.--------------------------------------------------Contact Monica onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicagduggal/Website: https://www.monicagarciaduggal.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode: E283: Callum on Building Trust, Board Power, and the Agglomeration Exit Strategy for Entrepreneurs - https://youtu.be/KL531iKznSQ▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And S
- Jun 6, 202554 min
E283: Callum on Building Trust, Board Power, and the Agglomeration Exit Strategy for Entrepreneurs
About the Guest:Callum Laing is not your average M&A expert. A serial entrepreneur and the author of four books (Agglomerate, Progressive Partnerships, Boardroom Blueprint, and Entrepreneurial Investing), Laing is also the founder of Unity Group, the Veblen Director Program, and Guild. His work focuses on democratizing board access, simplifying capital raising, and helping legacy business owners scale without losing control. His innovation in the agglomeration model challenges the assumptions of private equity and redefines how small businesses can achieve scale and liquidity.Summary:In this episode of How2Exit, guest host Roger Glovsky dives into the nuanced world of M&A and business trust-building with Callum Laing—an entrepreneur, author, and architect of the agglomeration model. With over 100 M&A transactions under his belt, Laing reveals why the most valuable asset in business isn’t capital—it’s trust. From forming influential board networks to designing incentive-aligned holding companies, Laing explains how deeply human psychology shapes scalable business outcomes, especially when preparing to exit. The conversation spans innovative M&A structures, the underestimated power of personal connections, and why tech-savvy entrepreneurs must still master the art of building real relationships—especially in an AI-driven world.Key Takeaways:Boards as a Competitive Advantage: A functional, diverse, and supportive board not only adds credibility during an exit but also ensures operational continuity—making a business more attractive to acquirers.Access vs. Opportunity: The Veblen Director Program was designed to break barriers for overlooked professionals (e.g., those without elite credentials), helping them land their first board seats and contribute meaningfully.Guild as a Capital-Raising Network: Laing’s second venture, Guild, evolved to teach entrepreneurs how to raise capital by first understanding investor needs—flipping the traditional pitch-first model on its head.Trust Multiplies Velocity: Trust accelerates deal flow, reduces friction, and increases the efficiency of capital and collaboration. Building a public profile plays a critical role in earning it.Give First, Gain Later: Inspired by concepts like the Boulder Thesis and Adam Grant's Give and Take, Laing emphasizes building relationships by offering value before asking for anything in return.The Agglomeration Model: Laing’s signature innovation—business owners join a public holdco by exchanging private shares, keeping operational control while benefiting from scale, liquidity, and mutual incentives.AI Will Amplify the Human: As AI automates tasks, the human edge will lie in trust-building, empathy, and long-term relationship management—skills no algorithm can yet replicate.Longevity Over Hype: Contrary to Silicon Valley’s growth-at-all-costs model, Laing designs business systems with staying power, informed by centuries-old governance principles.--------------------------------------------------Contact Callum onLinkedin:Website:--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2
- May 30, 20251h 3m
E282: How to Build a Sellable Business: Profit-First Marketing & Exit Strategy with Andy Seeley
Watch Here: https://youtu.be/8WBIPpmXVVYAbout the Guest: Andy is the CEO and co-founder of Creatively Disruptive—a “revenue growth agency” that helps small businesses scale sustainably. His background is as varied as it is inspiring: from rugby coach to pizza delivery driver to sales manager at CarMax, to eventually buying and selling his own businesses. Today, he helps over 110 small businesses reach profitability through consulting, marketing, and strategic advisory. With clients ranging from gymnastics gyms to local banks and contractors, Andy’s team becomes the trusted growth partner business owners call when they're staring at the ceiling at 3am.Summary:In this episode of How2Exit, host Ronald Skelton sits down with Andy Seeley, CEO and co-founder of Creatively Disruptive—a marketing firm built with the heart of a small business owner in mind. From his humble beginnings delivering pizza and coaching rugby, Andy takes us on a journey through his first business acquisition, the painful lessons of the Great Recession, and the creation of a marketing agency dedicated to not just ads, but sustained profit and legacy-minded growth.This conversation isn’t just about marketing—it’s a playbook for anyone looking to grow a business that can be sold, scaled, or succeeded. Whether you’re looking for marketing advice, trying to build a business that isn’t just a glorified job, or prepping for an eventual exit, Andy brings real-world wisdom, tactical insight, and a lot of heart.Key Takeaways:Build your business like you’re going to sell it—even if you don’t. Creating a business with an exit mindset forces smarter systems, better financial tracking, and a more independent team.Know your numbers. Track your metrics. Too many small business owners fly blind. Understanding lead cost, client lifetime value, and profitability changes everything. Profit beats revenue—every time. “Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity.” Andy’s agency prioritizes actual business growth over hollow vanity metrics.Most businesses aren’t failing—the owner’s systems are. Drawing from the “dog whisperer” analogy, Andy says it’s not the marketing or the platform—it’s usually the operator. And changing behavior is key.Hire an agency that thinks like a partner, not a vendor. Look for agencies that consult on financials, profitability, and goals—not just ads.AI is a business owner’s multiplier—but you still need a BS meter. AI can do wonders, but it takes wisdom to know when it’s wrong and when it’s working.Build a team. Business is a team sport. Success doesn’t come from solopreneurship—it comes from surrounding yourself with mentors, consultants, and staff who elevate your game.Don’t hand over your business systems. Own them. Even if you hire experts, Andy stresses that business owners must know enough to make smart decisions. Never fully abdicate responsibility.--------------------------------------------------Contact Andy onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseeley/Website: http://www.creativelydisruptive.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-
- May 23, 202552 min
E281: Escaped a Cult, Built Digital Empires, and Acquired a Motorcycle Business Turnaround
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.
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About How2Exit: Buy, Don't Build - M&A of Small Businesses
Welcome to How2Exit, the premier podcast for entrepreneurs, advisors, and everyone in between who wants to dive deep into the world of buying, growing, and selling small businesses valued below $20 million. Our mission is to equip you with the insights and strategies you need to succeed in the small business M&A space.Join us as we talk to the best in the industry and explore the full process of buying, growing, and selling businesses. You'll gain invaluable knowledge from interviews with successful entrepreneurs who have navigated the M&A journey and experts who offer their wisdom on sourcing deals, building rapport, conducting due diligence, closing transactions, integrating acquisitions, and preparing for a successful exit. We cover it all, so you can make informed decisions and take calculated risks.At How2Exit, we pride ourselves on providing an unmatched resource for those looking to thrive in the small business M&A world. Whether you're a seasoned entrepr
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