From Angel To Exit

32: How Founder Complacency Kills Value—and What Scott Allison Did Differently

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What do you do when you hit “enough”—but your business still has room to grow? In this episode, Scott Allison, co-founder of Allison Marketing, shares how he scaled a boutique PR firm into a global agency with 52 offices and $100M in revenue. He dives into the challenges of founder complacency, the nuances of strategic M&A, and how he architected a smooth, 11-year earn-out. From exit readiness to post-acquisition purpose, this is a masterclass in growing and exiting with intention.

Key Takeaways:

  • “Growth is a decision”—you must consciously commit and act to scale.
  • Founder complacency is a major threat to long-term business value.
  • Timing specialist hires correctly is crucial for sustainable growth.
  • Strategic M&A can be a major growth engine—if you plan early and stay methodical.
  • A thoughtful, multi-year exit plan leads to better terms and less regret.
  • Emotional detachment from deals is key—don’t fall in love with the transaction.
  • Identity and purpose after exit require just as much planning as the deal itself.
  • Smooth leadership transitions take time; gradual step-downs work best.

    • Timestamps:

    • 00:16 – Introduction to the episode and sponsor message
    • 01:24 – Meet Scott Allison, co-founder of Allison Marketing
    • 02:03 – Scott's early career and unexpected path to entrepreneurship
    • 04:52 – Building a company from scratch and facing early challenges
    • 06:07 – The growth of Allison Marketing to a global presence
    • 08:07 – Key lessons learned in leadership and scaling a business
    • 11:24 – The role of acquisitions in business growth
    • 13:24 – Transitioning from CEO to a new chapter
    • 15:28 – Advice for entrepreneurs considering selling their business
    • 18:24 – Scott's future plans and passion projects

      • Links & Resources

      • Scott Allison
        • Website: https://www.allisonworldwide.com/
        • Email: [email protected]

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                  From Angel To ExitBy Bruce Eckfeldt