In this episode of Leading In The Dark, host Nick Akers sits down with Kimberli Wasney, co-founder of Ripple’s Edge Advisors—a firm helping owners grow their companies with the exit in mind.

Kimberli brings a unique blend of operational expertise, business development experience, and emotional awareness to the challenges owners face when preparing to step away from their business.

Together, they explore:
• Why most owners wait too long to think about exit
• The difficult process of separating your identity from your company
• How to build a brand that stands on its own—not just on the founder
• The step-by-step path to getting out of the day-to-day
• Why ETA is becoming a powerful option for seller succession
• How culture, values, and leadership continuity shape valuation
• What owners can do today to increase their multiple by 1.5x

Kimberli’s insights are tactical, empathetic, and grounded in real-world experience across industries—from tech to law firms to manufacturing.

If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, searcher, or future seller, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are navigating the unknown, building in the dark, and leading through uncertainty.