From Angel To Exit

20: Struggling to Scale Your Expertise? How Thomas Michael Turned SAP Training into a 7-Figure SaaS Exit

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What happens after you sell your company for millions and walk away with no earnout? In this episode, Bruce Eckfeldt sits down with Thomas Michael, a former SAP consultant turned founder who scaled an online training company and exited with a clean deal. Thomas shares how he transformed his business into a subscription model, prepared for acquisition with precision, and what surprised him most after the sale. A must-listen for founders planning their own exits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Switching to SaaS doubled the exit multiple through recurring revenue.
  • Preparing for an exit can take 1–2 years—start early and organize everything.
  • Making yourself unimportant in the business is key to a clean transition.
  • Culture by design significantly improves team morale and buyer appeal.
  • A good advisory board can add millions in value pre-exit.
  • Many buyers will lowball; knowing industry multiples is essential.
  • Post-exit identity loss is real—plan ahead for your next chapter.
  • Don't underestimate the power of financial and operational clarity in due diligence.

    • Links & Resources

    • Thomas Michael
      • Website: thomasmichaellive.com
      • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmichael1/

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                From Angel To ExitBy Bruce Eckfeldt