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In episode two of this three-part Sofa Stories x Clearwater special, we focus on valuation and unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of selling a business. Joined by Michael Loudon and Joe Dyke, both Partners at Clearwater, we explore how valuation really works in practice and why it is rarely just a number on a spreadsheet.

From EBITDA multiples and market benchmarks to scarcity, strategy and buyer psychology, this episode looks at what actually drives value in a real transaction and what can quietly undermine it.

This episode explores:

• Why valuation is as much about perception as it is financial performance
• The difference between value, price and headline multiples
• How strategic fit, competition and buyer appetite influence outcomes
• Common red flags that can damage value late in a process
• The role preparation, readiness and timing each play in maximising value
• Myths around earnouts, private equity and whether you really need to run a full process 

Whether you are questioning what your business might be worth, challenging assumptions you have heard elsewhere, or thinking about how to maximise value before a future exit, this episode offers candid insight from advisers who have negotiated valuations across a wide range of sectors and deal types.

Contact Clearwater;

Website: clearwatercf.com 

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearwater-corporate-finance/

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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What is it really like to sell your business, beyond the headlines and valuation multiples?

In this first episode of a three-part Sofa Stories x Clearwater special, we go behind the deal to demystify the realities of selling a business. Joined by Rich Goldsack, Partner and Head of Clearwater’s Leeds office, and Gareth Iley, Group COO and founding member of Clearwater, we unpack what business owners should expect long before a deal is done.

From the very first conversation with an M&A adviser to the emotional highs and lows of due diligence and negotiation, this episode explores:

• What buyers actually look for — and why profit, cash and business “attractiveness” matter more than headline turnover
• How to prepare your business for sale without losing focus on growth
• Common myths around private equity, partial exits and losing your management team
• Why selling a business is as much a personal and emotional journey as a financial one
• How experienced advisers help owners keep perspective when deals get intense — or wobble at the last minute 

Whether you’re an owner-founder just starting to think about an exit, or simply curious about how deals really happen behind closed doors, this episode offers candid insight from advisers who’ve guided businesses through billions of pounds of transactions.

Contact Clearwater;

Website: clearwatercf.com 

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearwater-corporate-finance/

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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Do what you love, then put every cell of your body into it, put every ounce of your energy into it, embrace your inner madness, go with the flow, don’t ignore inspiration, double down, don’t compromise your creativity, go nuts, practice, fail, make yourself vulnerable, refine it, reinvent it, move the goalposts, question it, reframe it, fine tune it, get comfortable with it then change it, get uncomfortable, experiment, elevate it, go beyond your capabilities. 

Ready, Fire, Aim.

Welcome to The Sofa Stories Podcast with NB and Choc.

Now, let’s get into it!

Thank you listener, we love you! 🫶🏼

This episode is sponsored by Projuvenate - https://www.instagram.com/projuvenate_?igsh=MXBlNTdubnZmNHd6aA== check out the incredible well-being treatments using state of the art technology and an awesome team. 

https://projuvenate.co.uk/our-services/

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Join “NB and Choc” LIVE STYLE at Brook Lane Coffee Co. Alderley Edge.

With our fabulous Training, Development and Coaching Expert and Mentor to teams of professionals in the corporate world as well as children - Jess Lomas.

Jess has an infectious energy and passion for helping others build confidence and a wealth of skills and knowledge to thrive in their environment, be it in school or in the workplace, she helps and inspires many and we are blessed to have her on the Podcast. 

Enjoy the episode , to see and hear more from Jess Lomas, you can visit her IG here;

https://www.instagram.com/illuminate_tdc?igsh=YjU3aDVpaHI1azJr

Enjoy 🤍✌🏼

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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Join us for a  Cheeky little  catch up on the sofa at the boardroom at Arighi Bianchi. Perhaps on your morning run. Will kick things off with electrolytes and some padel , but we will take you to places that you won’t expect.
 

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Ladies, Gents and fellow Pod Lovers. Please permit me to grant you access to “The Ben Wain Experience”. 

A passionate Leader with 20 Years of Retail Sales and Operations Excellence.

With two decades of diverse experience in retail sales, performance management, and high-level operations, dedicated to driving success through a people-centric approach. His coaching style emphasises strong support, motivation, and meticulous attention to detail, consistently delivering outstanding results for his clientele. 

Ben Wain, welcome to The Sofa Stories Podcast… LET’S GET INTO IT.

Find Ben on social media.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwain?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

https://www.tiktok.com/@benwaincoach

https://www.instagram.com/ben_wain

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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We had the pleasure of welcoming Joe Sealey on the Pod, we talked to Joe who is an ex pro footballer (West Ham) about his fantastic business Mr Whippy (confectionery), Real Housewives of Cheshire and his lovely wife Nicole Sealey, we talked the menopause, padel of course, the untimely death of his late father and Manchester United Goalkeeper Les Sealey, we covered addiction, his busines journey, boxing and more!

This episode is a treat, let’s get into it…. 

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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DEAR STAN…. ✍️ 

I’m delighted to have recorded a bonus episode of The Sofa Stories Podcast with a true gentlemen and fellow Stan from New Jersey, NY- @chejames1985 (IG) James is an official “Stan” as featured in the Eminem documentary “Stans”, this 30 minute bonus episode will release tomorrow, that’s 26th August, to coincide with the release of Stans streaming on Paramount Plus…

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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Good morning to our wonderful listener and friend! We are delighted to bring you this episode, which is true to form a very cheeky 5K.

Which includes a little bit of the following and more….

NB exclusive on Chester Zoo.

Choc - the Bobby Davro experience at Palé Hall.

A social media masterclass, thanks to el burrito monster.

And a seasoning of some other delicious stuff, come on now, let’s get into it.

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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Ryan Harris, a business man who is passionate about development and mindset runs - School Of who as well as running “wrap around childcare” at schools, they also have holiday camps spanning across 8 locations in Greater Manchester.

Ryan said “COVID was the reset I needed”. 

A time in which he focused on his mindset and personal development, since then his business has been flying.

Ryan focused on what he loves doing within the business: marketing strategy, planning campaigns, creating content and constantly finding creative ways to wow the children and parents who use School Of Play.

In this chat NB and Choc are able to dissect Ryan’s mindset and delve into all the things he’s learnt from business and from his own research. 

You’ll have to let us know what you take from this episode or what you can relate to already.

A biggie that stands out for me is that CURIOSITY is a superpower (Oli).

One thing I think we can all agree on though is that play / having fun is the secret to accidental and authentic learning - no matter what age or level you are at.

LET’S GET INTO IT….

To Contact School Of Play you can use the links below.

https://www.instagram.com/schoolofplay.uk?igsh=MTVsYmNpeGJ4bTh0OA==

https://www.schoolofplay.org.uk/

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻