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Exit Insights
Exit Insights episodes
- From Transactional to Transformational: Building a Team That Drives Exit Value with Kevin Harrington
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Your people could be your greatest intangible asset – or your biggest blind spot.
In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial role that people and culture play in business valuation, exit preparation, and long-term sustainability.
If you're thinking about succession planning or want to increase the attractiveness of your business for sale, understanding how to engage, recruit, and retain the right people is essential.
If you treat people like a commodity, they’ll treat your business like a transaction.
You’ll learn:
- Why “Human Resources” is an outdated and dangerous mindset
- How to build a culture that aligns people with your business mission
- Why hiring for attitude beats hiring for skill
- How culture can increase – or kill – your business value
Whether you're planning to exit in 2 years or 10, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on building a business that works without you.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
31 min - Why Not All Revenue Is Equal: What Buyers Really Want with Kevin Harrington
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If your revenue stopped tomorrow, would your business survive? More importantly – would anyone want to buy it?
In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how the structure and quality of your revenue impacts your business valuation and exit options.
💡 You’ll learn:
- Why buyers favour subscription and contracted income over one-off sales
- How to avoid the risks of customer and supplier dependence
- What your revenue says about your values – and how that impacts culture and staff retention
- Why predictable, ethical revenue drives better exit outcomes
If a customer has to convince you to work with them… it’s probably not the right revenue!
Whether you're actively preparing for exit or just thinking ahead, this episode offers clear advice to help you turn your revenue into a strategic, saleable asset.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
29 min - Intangible Assets: Why Positioning Is a Business Game-Changer with Kevin Harrington
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Most business owners focus on the numbers they can see – balance sheets, P&L, cash flow. But what about the value that doesn’t show up on your financial statements?
In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dig into positioning – one of the most powerful but often overlooked intangible assets. It’s the first in a mini-series about the off-balance-sheet factors that make or break your exit.
You'll discover:
✅ How to make your business stand out in a crowded market
✅ Why smart positioning can increase your business valuation by 30%
✅ How to reduce owner-dependence and create sustainable growth
✅ What the 95/5 rule means for your marketing and long-term reputation“Positioning isn’t a branding exercise – it’s a valuation strategy.”
During this episode, Darryl refers to a previous podcast episode:
Unleashing the Power of Intangible Assets: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs with Andrew Sherman – which can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hoa7PkjO70rdUNYWMnVew?si=9049e621bfd64e44
Whether you're starting to think about succession planning or you're actively preparing for exit, this episode is packed with tips you can use right now to strengthen your business and your future.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
30 min - Start with the End in Mind: Chris Everard on Building Exit-Ready Businesses
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Chris Everard knows what it takes to build a business that sells. After starting and successfully exiting seven companies, he’s now helping others do the same as a Business Architect at Fabric Business Solutions.
In this episode of Exit Insights, Chris shares the practical lessons he learned from 20+ years of exits, including:
- Why starting with the end in mind gives you the best chance of a high-value exit
- How to remove owner dependence and build a self-sustaining team
- The ‘boring’ bits – like contracts, governance, and systems – that make or break a deal
- How peer-to-peer accountability fuels sustainable growth
Whether you're just starting to think about succession planning or actively preparing for exit, this episode is packed with takeaways that could add serious value to your business.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
41 min - Systemise to Scale: How to Grow Without Becoming a Corporate Clone with Kevin Harrington
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Is your business growing – or just getting busier?
In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how SME business owners can achieve scalable growth without copying the clunky habits of big corporates.
Too many owners try to grow by adding more people, more processes, and more pressure. The result? Bottlenecks, burnout, and a business that’s still heavily reliant on the owner.
Kevin and Darryl break down the four essential systems every business needs to become scalable and valuable – making it easier to step back, increase business valuation, and prepare for a smooth exit.
What You'll Learn
✔️ How SMEs grow through steps, not smooth curves – and how to navigate those growth spurts
✔️ The dangers of copying corporate habits
✔️ The four systems you need to support growth without increasing owner dependence
✔️ The real meaning of systemisation (hint: it’s not about software!)
✔️ How to make your business more attractive to buyers by keeping it simple
Whether you’re years away from selling or just starting to think about your future, this episode will help you create a sustainable, exitable business that works without you.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
31 min - SME vs Corporate: Finding the Right Growth Path with Kevin Harrington
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If you’re a business owner looking to scale, maximise your valuation, or plan your exit – this episode is a must-listen.
Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to discuss why many SMEs lose their edge when they try to behave like corporates – and how to avoid it. They unpack the key inflection points in business growth (£1M → £3M → £10M), what structures actually support scaling, and how to build a leadership team that reduces owner dependence and drives value.
Whether you’re planning your exit or just want to be ready, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes and make your business more attractive to a buyer.
🔑 Topics include:
- Functional vs role-based structures
- Cultural changes as your team grows
- Avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy
- Professionalising your leadership team
- Succession planning and exit preparation tips
🎧 Listen now to build a business that’s not just profitable – but sellable.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
35 min - Weaving Business and Wealth: The Fabric Approach to Exit Planning
Send us Fan Mail
Most business owners have heard of an IFA or a wealth manager. But what’s a family office – and why is it a game-changer when preparing for a business exit?
In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to break down the real difference between IFAs, wealth managers, and private offices – and how Fabric brings together both business architecture and wealth strategy to support owners through every stage of exit preparation.
You’ll learn:
- Why traditional financial planning often falls short for business owners
- The unique challenges of first-generation business owners
- How Fabric weaves together business strategy and personal wealth to increase business valuation and reduce owner dependence
If you want to maximise value and exit on your terms, this episode is for you.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
28 min - The Starting Point: Why Every Exit Begins with a Current State Assessment
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Before you can maximise the value of your business or plan your succession, you need to know exactly where you stand today.
In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington break down the importance of a current state assessment – the essential first step in exit planning.
They explore:
- Why risk is the biggest driver of business valuation.
- The red flags buyers look for (owner dependence, messy financials, client concentration, weak contracts)
- How to make your business run smoothly without you at the centre
- Why aligning your personal wealth plan with your business plan is vital
💡 “If you can’t take a three-month cruise without calls from the office, your business isn’t ready to sell.”
Whether your exit is two years away or ten, this episode will help you reduce risk, increase valuation, and prepare for a smooth transition on your terms.
👉 Find out more about Fabric Business Solutions: https://thefabric.uk/
👉 Take a look at the Exit Insights YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitInsights
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
36 min - Beyond the Numbers: What Really Drives Business Valuation
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What really drives business valuation – and how do you make your company truly exit-ready? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by regular guest Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial differences between financial optimisation and strategic value creation.
Together, they break down:
- Why CFOs and business architects play complementary roles in exit planning
- The difference between tangible financials and intangible growth drivers
- What really impacts your valuation multiple beyond just profit
- How to create a business that's attractive to buyers AND scalable post-exit
- Real-world lessons from Bunnings, Homebase, and other brand missteps
Whether you're 3–5 years from selling or just want to build a more valuable business, this episode will help you get laser-focused on what matters most.
👉 Tune in to learn how to work on your business – not just in it – and prepare for a high-value, low-risk exit.
👉 Find out more about Fabric Business Solutions: https://thefabric.uk/
👉 Take a look at the Exit Insights YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitInsights
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
25 min - From Cookies to Cash-Outs: Real Lessons in Building a Business That’s Exit-Ready
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What if you discovered you weren’t building a business, but a lifestyle job – just when it was time to sell?
Brandon Harris, serial entrepreneur and now business architect at Fabric, joins Exit Insights to share his journey from cookie start-up and gym ownership to guiding other owners on their exit preparation journey.
In this episode, Brandon reveals:
- How family dynamics and founder alignment can make or break a business
- The exit he didn’t plan – but had to make
- Why financial planning and legal agreements are non-negotiable
- How a passion-led business can still lead to a successful exit – if you get the fundamentals right
Whether you’re actively preparing for sale or just starting to think about succession planning, this episode will show you the difference between being busy and being built to sell.
👇 https://thefabric.uk/
Take a look at the new Exit Insights YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitInsights
✅ Discover your 'Business Sellability Score' and determine if your business is ready for sale: Business Sellability Score
🎧 Listen to the Exit Insights Podcast: Tune In
📖 Learn how to eliminate owner dependence in your business: Get your copy
❓Curious about joining Exit Factor Find Out More
🌐 Visit the Exit Factor Website: Explore
41 min
About Exit Insights
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the podcast that's dedicated to helping business owners prepare for exit so you can maximise value and exit like a boss. I'm Darryl Bates-Brownsword and I want to introduce you to the…
Exit Insights podcast presented by Fabric Business Solutions. The aim of the podcast is to share the message that if you want to get the most from your life's work, maximise the valuation and exit on YOUR terms, then you will need to prepare your business so that it's ready for exit, you are exit ready and the business is attractive to be acquired. Did you know that 55% of exits are unplanned and are due to death, divorce, or disability, and for those business owners that do get to take their business to market only 20% of them end up agreeing on a deal? there are also too many deals that are never completed because the owners left before the earn-out agreement was completed. It doesn't have to be this way! You'll be interested if you are a business owner and you've been running your business for a few years now and you are at the early stages of thinking about what's next for you. You're going to be in the 1 to 30 million revenue bracket and you're likely to be based in the UK, USA, Australia, or New Zealand. You may be feeling stressed or frustrated with running the business or you may be running out of energy or simply looking to change direction. It doesn't matter why you are looking to exit or sell; this podcast will help you to identify best practices and what you have to do to orchestrate an exit on YOUR terms. We are addressing the burning issues and topics that business owners want to know about when they start to think about selling their business. Guests include experts from all areas related to the succession planning and exit planning process - from employee ownership, personal financial planning, tax, legal and through to estate planning. We're also talking to people who have already sold their businesses and tapping into what the experience was like and what they learned along the way. We ask them what they know now that they wished they knew before they started the process. We discuss the 21 Steps used by Succession Plus and developed by Craig West to help you structure your business so that you're one of the 20% of business owners who will be able to complete a successful exit. The topics will include things like: When should I start planning?What is an exit strategy and exit planningHow will I exit my business?Can I sell my business - is my business sellable - who will buy my business?How will the business be valued?What's my business worth?How can I improve the business valuation - value potential?What can I do to make it more attractive to be acquired and speed up the process?How do I prepare my business and make sure that it's exit-ready?How long will it take to prepare the business for sale?Will I have to work an earn-out period?M&A and acquisitionsOwner dependenceSystemising, systems and systematizingGrowth and scalingBrand value and IP - (Intellectual property) including intangible assetsHow do I increase the multipleI want to sell my businessCan I sell my business to my employees MBOWill I get all my money upfront?What are the risks for me when I sell my business?What will happen to the employees?What will happen to the brand?What about my legacy?How will I know that my business is exitable?When should I start exit planning?Who should I tell that I'm thinking about selling my business? If this sounds like the questions that you want answered, then I hope you enjoy listening and learning how to exit like a boss. If you like what you've heard so far, please subscribe so that you will be notified of each new episode.