Scale to Exit™ with Alejandra Santos

Most business owners hit a ceiling not because the market isn’t there but because they’re stuck working in the business instead of building one that can run, scale, and eventually sell without them.

In this solo episode of Scale to Exit, I break down the five critical shifts you need to make to scale smarter, leaner, and with less stress:

From owner to investor mindset

From overworked operator to delegator with the right systems and people

From reacting to proactively planning with budgets and forecasts

From controlling everything to trusting your team

From doing to leading with the right KPIs and alignment

I’ll give you practical actions you can implement right away so you can stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that grows in value — and becomes an asset you can exit from on your terms.

And at the end, I’ll share why hiring a Fractional CFO/COO may be the most important decision you make to accelerate this journey. 

If you are planning to sell/exit your business and need a business exit coach/planner make sure you contact Alejandra Santos CEPA MBA Finance OPS

In this conversation with leadership coach and mindset strategist Curtis McCullom, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, sales, and transformation. Curtis shares the core lessons he learned from personal development legends like Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, and Jim Rohn, and how he uses those principles to help leaders and business owners unlock their potential.

We cover:

Why most business and personal challenges trace back to subconscious programming—and how to clear it fast

The 'LEGIT' mindset framework: Learning, Growing, Expanding, and Transforming

How to reframe setbacks so they fuel growth rather than stall it

The power of inspired action versus rigid to-do lists

Leadership lessons for guiding teams through rapid growth without burnout

Why knowing your values is non-negotiable for leading effectively

Practical daily habits to guard your mind and stay in peak performance

If you’ve ever felt like you’re getting in the way of your success, or you know there’s another level you could reach with the right mindset, this episode will give you both the insight and the tools to make it happen.

You can find Curtis: 

Curtis McCullom CEC, CMS-CHt | LinkedIn

In this episode of Scale to Exit, I sit down with the brilliantly bold Colin McIntosh — a serial entrepreneur with an unforgettable sense of humor and a sharp sense of purpose. From launching the viral eucalyptus bedding brand Sheets & Giggles (which scaled to $1M/month in sales in just two years), to exiting a sustainability-focused startup Dirt Cheap Compost, and now building SheetsResume.com to empower job seekers with dignity and real tools — Colin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

We talk scaling under pressure, navigating supply chain nightmares, why most resume builders are scams, and how to build something others can’t live without. Colin also gets real about bootstrapping, burnout, and why AI is both a blessing and a curse for today’s founders. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, impact-driven builders, and anyone who wants to create meaningful businesses with real-world value.

✨ Topics we cover:

Building a viral CPG brand with no money

The emotional toll (and power) of resumes

What “scale to exit” really means

Why sustainability should be baked into your supply chain

Creating tech that serves real people, not just margins

How to validate your business before you risk it all

Navigating predatory accelerators and crowdfunding scams

Whether you’re scaling your company or just getting started, Colin’s transparent and refreshing take on entrepreneurship will leave you thinking differently about what success means.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Scale to Exit podcast for more real conversations with founders building companies and legacies.

You can find Colin McIntosh: 

Colin McIntosh | LinkedIn

Are you wearing all the hats in your business: rainmaker, operator, decision-maker, and firefighter?

In this solo episode of Scale to Exit, I dive into what I call the Owner’s Delegation Dilemma, why founders struggle to let go, how it stalls growth and exit potential, and what you can do about it.

You’ll learn:

The 4 hats that keep founders trapped in the weeds

The 3 identities every business owner operates from—and why only one leads to scale

My signature D.A.D. Framework to help you Detach, Automate, and Delegate

Tactical tools and mindset shifts to build a business that runs without you

If you're ready to stop being your ceiling and start building a company that scales and sells, this episode is for you.

🔗 Grab the free Delegation Readiness Worksheet DM me “DAD” on LinkedIn or Instagram or send me an email to [email protected]

In this energizing episode of Scale to Exit, Alejandra sits down with Denise Aguilar, a global marketing strategist, startup advisor, and 2025 honoree of the 40 Under 40 award, to explore the real strategies that drive visibility, revenue, and long-term growth. As a first-generation Afro-Latina entrepreneur, Denise brings a rare combination of cultural intelligence and tech-forward thinking to every conversation.

They discuss:

Why communication strategies are your startup's secret weapon

How to market with inclusivity and authenticity

Using AI to optimize your funnel without losing your voice

Lead generation tactics that convert

When to invest in paid media vs. organic growth

Why your tech stack matters and how to scale it wisely

Navigating entrepreneurship like a marathon, not a sprint

And the overlooked power of self-care and balance in leadership

Whether you’re bootstrapping your first venture or trying to sharpen your marketing engine, this episode delivers clarity, confidence, and next-step strategies.

You can find Denise Aguilar:

Denise Aguilar | LinkedIn

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we’re joined by entrepreneur and investor Saul Cohen, who shares how founders can unlock growth by thinking beyond building and into buying.

From navigating non-tech industries to funding acquisitions and preparing for an exit, Saul delivers actionable insight for founders at every stage. Whether you’re eyeing your first deal or laying the foundation for a sale years down the road, this conversation will reshape how you approach scale and value.

We cover:

Why acquisition is a powerful growth strategy

How to identify the right time to acquire

The importance of cultural fit (and how to assess it)

What buyers care about beyond EBITDA

How to fund your first (or next) acquisition

Building a business that's attractive to the right buyer

Personal reflections on leadership, learning, and sustainability

If you’re building with the end in mind, this episode is your roadmap.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to scale smarter — and exit stronger.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, Alejandra sits down with Marshall to unpack the world of non-traditional lending, with a special focus on asset-based lending. Whether you're scaling, stabilizing, or preparing for an exit, understanding how to fund your business without giving up equity is a game-changer.

We cover:

What asset-based lending is (and what it's not)

How to prepare your business for funding

Real-world mistakes founders make when managing debt

How to align lender appetite with your business risk

Creative ways to structure loans using operational assets

Why cash flow management and data are your best allies in funding decisions

Plus, Marshall shares his insights on mental health and the mindset needed to navigate financing during uncertain market conditions.

If you're ready to scale without sacrificing ownership, this episode is your blueprint.

You can find Marshall:

In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most misunderstood but critical topics for any business owner: valuation. You might think your business is worth $5M, but is it really? I’m breaking down what drives business value, the most common gaps between perceived and actual worth, and how to identify the blind spots that are silently hurting your valuation. We’ll talk: ✅ What buyers really look for ✅ The 3 most common value gaps I see in businesses ✅ How to increase your multiple before you're even thinking of selling ✅ Why emotional valuation (what you think it’s worth) doesn’t equal market value Whether you’re planning to sell, scale, or want to build a business that commands more, this episode will help you start thinking like a future buyer. 🎧 Let’s close your value gap and unlock your next level. You can connect with Alejandra Santos on https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalejandrasantos/

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Josh Dorfman, sustainability founder and investor, to unpack what it takes to scale mission-driven companies in the climate economy.

Josh shares the behind-the-scenes journey of co-founding Planted, a vertically integrated, carbon-negative building materials company that raised a $2M seed round and scaled to a $15M Series A. Now operating under the Super Cool brand, Josh dives into what founders often get wrong about fundraising, why it's critical to know your valuation, and how to be crystal clear on why you're raising capital in the first place.

We explore:

The power of vertical integration in climate tech

Key strategies for early-stage fundraising and go-to-market

What investors are looking for in this space

How to scale with intention, and position for a firm exit

Whether you’re a climate founder, VC-backed entrepreneur, or scaling a purpose-driven business, this episode is full of real talk and strategy.

Connect with Josh Dorfman :

Josh Dorfman | LinkedIn

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with beauty industry disruptor and serial entrepreneur Nicole Collins, a powerhouse behind brands like ipsy, YUME, and the revolutionary 213Deli.

Nicole shares her journey from being a beauty-obsessed kid in L.A. to co-founding some of the most innovative beauty startups of the last decade. With deep expertise in brand building, influencer marketing, and social commerce, she reveals how she's helped companies scale from startup to household name, and how she thinks about value creation, consumer obsession, and exit readiness from day one.

We talk about:

The founding story behind Ipsy and how it changed beauty marketing forever

Why she and Michelle Phan created YUME and what they learned

How 213Deli is disrupting beauty drops via SMS

Her approach to scaling smart, storytelling with purpose, and preparing brands for potential acquisition

What today's founders need to understand about differentiation, community, and timing an exit

Whether you're a brand builder, founder, or investor, this episode is packed with insights into what it takes to disrupt an industry and exit on your terms.

You can find Nicole Collins at: 

(1) Nicole Collins | LinkedIn