What actually drives a higher valuation when you sell your residential and commercial services business?

In this episode of The Founder’s Journey to Exit, Evergreen M&A Managing Director Hannah Huke sits down with fellow Managing Director Roy Yewah to break down what HVAC, plumbing, pest control, roofing, and landscaping business owners can do months—or even years—before a sale to capture meaningfully more value at exit.

Residential and commercial services is one of the hottest sectors in private equity right now, but not all businesses attract the same buyers—or the same multiples. Hannah and Roy unpack what the best buyers are really looking for, how businesses in this space are valued, and the most common mistakes owners make that quietly cost them millions.

You’ll also hear a clear, founder-level view of:

• Why buyer demand in residential services remains so strong
• How to position your business to attract top-tier strategic and PE buyers
• What drives valuation (and what doesn’t) in HVAC, plumbing, pest control, and landscaping
• How to maximize dollars at close—not just headline multiples
• What the sale process actually looks like from start to finish
• What owners can expect their role to be after the transaction

Whether you’re actively considering a sale or simply want to be prepared when the timing is right, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to exit smarter—and for more. 

For more information, visit evergreenforfounders.com.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.

In this episode of The Founder's Journey to Exit, a podcast by Evergreen M&A, Hannah Huke sits down with Managing Director, Roy Yewah, a seasoned M&A advisor who has worked on transactions across nearly every size and stage of business.

Roy pulls back the curtain on what he’s seen behind the scenes: the most common mistakes founders make when preparing for a sale, the challenges that tend to surface late in a process, and the decisions that separate strong outcomes from disappointing ones. He also shares practical, hard-earned advice for owners who want to maximize value—long before they ever talk to a buyer.

Whether you’re years away from an exit or already getting inbound interest, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at how to approach a sale with clarity, leverage, and confidence.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.

When is the best time to sell your business? In this episode, Evergreen M&A Senior Advisor Hannah Huke sits down with Evergreen Partner Robert Radlich and Managing Director Dr. Azza Kennedy to unpack one of the most common — and costly — questions founders face: exit timing.

They discuss when business owners should start thinking about selling, why the best exits often happen while a company is still growing, and how early preparation creates leverage, optionality, and negotiating power. You’ll learn how private equity buyers evaluate timing, why waiting for “one more year” can backfire, and how getting advice early helps founders protect value, reduce risk, and control their outcome — whether a sale happens now or years down the road.

If you’re a founder considering a future exit, navigating private equity interest, or simply want to understand how to sell from a position of strength, this episode breaks down what smart timing really looks like.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.

If you’re a business, healthcare, or veterinary practice owner thinking about selling in the next 1–3 years, this is the episode you cannot skip.

In this conversation, Evergreen M&A Senior Advisor, Hannah Huke sits down with Evergreen Managing Director, Dr. Azza Kennedy and Evergreen M&A Partner Robert Radlich — a private equity veteran who has executed 40+ healthcare acquisitions and led a $275M exit — to break down what private equity–backed buyers actually evaluate when determining your business’ value.

Together, they unpack the metrics, red flags, financials, and operational fundamentals that matter most during a sale - simply and straightforward.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ What EBITDA really means and why buyers obsess over it
✔️ How founders can clean up their books to increase valuation
✔️ The most common mistakes owners make before going to market
✔️ How staffing, retention, and leadership depth influence offers
✔️ Why messy financials can decrease your valuation 
✔️ What buyers scrutinize most during diligence 
✔️ The difference between growth and profitable growth
✔️ How to think like an investor, even if you’re still operating your business day-to-day

This episode is ideal for:
 • Veterinary practice owners
 • Healthcare founders
 • Multi-site operators
 • Anyone considering a private equity sale
 • Founders who want to understand valuation, EBITDA, and buyer expectations

If you want to sell for maximum value, or simply want to run a more efficient, investor-ready business, this episode gives you the roadmap.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to prepare your business the way buyers actually want to see it.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.

In this episode of The Founder’s Journey to Exit, Senior M&A Advisor Hannah Huke sits down with Evergreen for Founder's Managing Director, Dr. Azza Kennedy, a respected veterinarian and former practice owner, to talk about the emotional journey of selling a business — particularly a veterinary practice built on trust, relationships, and years of personal investment.

Dr. Kennedy shares what it really feels like to go through the sale process: the stress, anticipation, relief, identity shift, and ultimately, the growth that comes from choosing a new chapter. We explore how to prepare yourself mentally and operationally before beginning a sale, why staying calm and centered matters, and when to bring in outside experts to support you through valuation, negotiation, and transition. We talk about the importance of the true value of your business and being realistic on setting your expectations. 

We also discuss one of the hardest parts for most founders — how to tell your team. Dr. Kennedy offers practical language, timing considerations, and guidance for maintaining trust while honoring the people who helped you build the practice.

Whether you’re a veterinary practice owner, healthcare founder, or any business owner considering a transition, this conversation offers grounded insight and actionable takeaways to help you navigate your exit with clarity and confidence.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.

Welcome to The Founder’s Journey to Exit, a weekly podcast by Evergreen for Founders where we sit down with visionary entrepreneurs who’ve built meaningful companies, navigated the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process, and carried forward their legacy. Each episode breaks down pieces of the business sale process — from valuation and deal structure to due diligence and life after the exit — giving founders real, practical insight into what it takes to sell a company successfully.

In this episode, host and Evergreen M&A Senior Advisor, Hannah Huke speaks with Dr. Azza Diasti-Kennedy — a veterinarian, multi-hospital owner, and investor who sold her veterinary practice and is now redefining pet care through telehealth innovation.

Together, they explore:

• How Dr. Kennedy built and scaled a thriving veterinary business
• What founders should know before starting the M&A and sale process
• Lessons learned from partnering with private equity and preserving a legacy
• How life and leadership evolve after the exit

Whether you’re an entrepreneur preparing to sell your business, exploring private equity options, or simply curious about how real founders navigate the exit process — this episode offers candid advice and actionable insights from someone who’s been through it all.

Real founders. Real exits. Real lessons from the journey. Brought to you by Evergreen M&A: Advisory for Founders.