"The day you start your business is the day you should start planning your exit." – Steve FisherIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh is joined by Steve Fisher, partner at Strategy Partners Group and longtime CFO with deep experience across industries from financial services to manufacturing to professional services. Steve lays out the hard truths about financial blind spots, owner dependency, and why most business owners wait far too long to prepare for an exit.Steve breaks down the single biggest mistake that derails deals — failing to build standardized, reliable financials that buyers can trust — and explains why owner involvement in day-to-day operations directly reduces business value. He reveals how ad-backs, cash flow forecasting, and a clear growth story can transform the way buyers see your deal.You’ll also hear the real story of a dental practice that went from running out of a checkbook to securing a private equity acquisition — proving the power of financial discipline to create exit success.You’ll Learn:🔹The #1 financial blind spot that kills exit value🔹Why you should start exit planning from day one🔹The difference between running a business to grow vs. running to sell🔹How lifestyle expenses and ad-backs impact valuation multiples🔹Why owner dependency drives down value (and how to fix it)🔹The role of forecasts in shaping buyer perception🔹Why 18–24 months of preparation beats a rushed 9–12 month sprint🔹How telling the right financial story wins trust and higher offersWhether you’re planning to sell in two years or someday down the road, this episode shows you exactly what buyers want — and what most owners get wrong.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With SteveLinkedIn -   / steven-fisher-cfo  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation: https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.Hashtags:#exitstrategy #businessadvice #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #privateequity #mergersandacquisitions #businessforsale #financialadvisors #businessowner

“You're the biggest asset of your business. That's not going with the new owner for any extended period of time. And that's what I think is a big deal killer." - Dan MahonyIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Dan Mahony, founder of Transcendent Sales Solutions and a veteran sales leader who has helped countless business owners scale and sell on their own terms.Dan pulls back the curtain on owner dependency — the #1 deal killer when selling a business — and shares real-world strategies for breaking free from being your company’s sole rainmaker. He reveals how to build a repeatable, data-driven sales infrastructure, find the right people, and put the systems in place that make your business more valuable to sophisticated buyers.From qualifying leads with ruthless precision to transforming revenue models for recurring income, Dan explains what private equity and strategic acquirers really look for — and the metrics that can make or break their decision to buy.You’ll also hear the inside story of a client Dan helped pivot from a transactional license model to a high-value SaaS subscription model — resulting in millions in guaranteed recurring revenue and a successful exit just months later.You'll Learn:🔹Why owner dependency is the silent killer of business exits🔹The specific sales infrastructure every scalable business needs (strategy, people, process, and systems)🔹How to qualify leads and avoid spending 60% of your time on deals that won’t close🔹The simple shift that can turn a stagnant sales team into a revenue-generating machine🔹How moving to a recurring revenue model can skyrocket your valuation🔹What deals in your pipeline are really worth (and how to track them)🔹The key metrics buyers want to see before making an offer🔹Why some owners never get the exit they want — even when the solution is right in front of themWhether you’re preparing for an exit or just want a stronger, more self-sustaining business, this conversation will give you the roadmap to get there.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With DanLinkedIn -   / danielmahony  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#businessexit #salesstrategy #powerexitpodcast #businessgrowth #exitplanning #sales #saas #businessvaluation #mergersandacquisitions #entrepreneurship

"Nine out of ten times when we come into a new partnership with a client, this is what we find. And it's not that they're doing it wrong, they're just not doing enough to benefit them. And the common mistake is that people tend to sell what they do versus why them." - Andy Suggs, Owner of Reckon Branding.In this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Andy Suggs, owner of Reckon Branding, a 25-year branding agency that helped create one of the most successful rebranding campaigns in recent history. Andy reveals how a simple Mr. T campaign for Aaron's reached 30 million more people and why 90% of businesses are making critical branding mistakes that could cost them millions in their exit.Andy shares the inside story of how his agency transformed from "Visual Lab" to "Reckon" using their own 3-word brand essence process, and why this rebrand positioned them for a future exit. From working with celebrities who scored 96 on the Q-scale (nearly as high as Shaquille O'Neal's 97) to helping businesses avoid the fatal mistake of selling what they do instead of why someone should choose them.You'll Learn:🔹The fatal branding mistake 9 out of 10 businesses make before selling🔹How a Mr. T campaign increased brand awareness from 49 to 58 points (reaching 30 million more people)🔹The 3-word brand essence exercise that can transform any business🔹Why your brand is NOT your logo and colors (and what it actually is)🔹How to "digitize" yourself as a business owner to increase exit value🔹The difference between owned networks vs. paid marketing for business valuation🔹What business owners can do in 12 months vs. 10 years to prepare their brand for sale🔹Real examples of branding failures that destroyed business value🔹How private equity approaches brand integration during acquisitionsWhether you're planning your exit in the next few years or building for long-term value, this episode reveals the often-overlooked branding strategies that can make or break your business sale.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With AndyLinkedIn -   / andysuggs  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletterhttps://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John MarshJohn Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry. Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#brandingstrategy #businessexit #PowerExitPodcast #mergersandacquisitions #businessvaluation #brandvalue #exitstrategy #businessowner #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #businessbranding #privateequity #businesssale #marketingroi #brandequity

"I gained 60 pounds in the first two months at that project and decided that I love what I did. I just got to do it differently." - Alok Gupta, Founding Managing Partner of Loki Group.In this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Alok Gupta from Loki Group, an M&A expert with 25 years of experience who has worked on some of the biggest deals in corporate history. From leading the $20 billion telecom launch in India with Mukesh Ambani to spearheading the eBay PayPal separation, Alok shares the real cost of high-stakes M&A work — including gaining 60 pounds in two months during one massive project.Alok reveals his unique 4-filter process for evaluating deals and explains why he pivoted from consulting giant corporations to building his own firewood empire. That's right - this M&A expert who worked with billionaires now owns the 5th largest firewood business in America and the largest in the Southeast.You'll Learn:🔹The brutal reality of leading billion-dollar corporate separations.🔹How independent sponsors differ from private equity firms.🔹The 4-filter system that kills 90% of deals before they start.🔹Why represented deals save months of work versus direct approaches.🔹The "multiple arbitrage" strategy that turns $6M into $30M.🔹How a firewood business became more complex than brain surgery.🔹Essential steps to prepare your business for sale (start 3 years early!).Whether you're a business owner planning your exit or curious about the M&A world, this episode delivers insider insights from someone who's been in the trenches of the biggest deals and now applies that expertise to building and buying businesses.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With AlokLinkedIn -   / alokgupta  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry. Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#mergersandacquisitions #businessexit #PowerExitPodcast #firewoodbusiness #MAStrategy #businessvaluation #corporatefinance #exitstrategy #entrepreneurship #privateequity #businessgrowth #eBayPayPal #mukeshambani #LokiEquity

"I've never had a client say, 'man, that wasn't that bad' - it's hell regardless of the deal size." - Rob Swartwood, M&A AttorneyWhat if a single contract clause could destroy your $40 million exit? That's exactly what happened to Rob Swartwood's client - a tech company ready to sell for $40 million until they discovered their $20 million in software licenses couldn't be transferred. The deal collapsed instantly.In this no-holds-barred episode, battle-tested M&A attorney Rob Swartwood pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of selling your business. This isn't your typical legal advice - this is war strategy from someone who treats every deal like combat. As a former Army Ranger turned M&A lawyer, Rob doesn't sugarcoat the truth: selling your business is like "training with live ammunition" where you're fighting professional buyers who want to pay as little as possible.Rob reveals why most business owners are completely unprepared for what's coming. It's like being handed a piece of paper in Chinese when you only speak English - you have no idea what you're looking at, even after going through the entire process. He shares the shocking reality that the purchase price only goes down after you sign that letter of intent, and why every buyer is looking for reasons to cut your payout.You'll learn:🔹The devastating $40 million deal that collapsed over a contract nobody thought to review.🔹 Why Rob screens clients like he's picking soldiers for his foxhole - and what happens when buyers "start shooting at you".🔹 The legal pitfalls that show up in every single deal and how they can cost you millions.🔹 How one client just increased their purchase price by 40% using the right team approach.🔹 Why signing any document without an M&A attorney is financial suicide.🔹 The two words Rob would put on a billboard for every business owner planning to exit.Whether you've received an unsolicited offer or you're planning ahead, this episode could save your deal - and your financial future. Rob's military precision approach to M&A deals has protected countless business owners from leaving millions on the table.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With RobLinkedIn -   / robswartwood  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletterhttps://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry. Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#PowerExitPodcast #businessexit #businessexitstrategy #entrepreneur #businesssale #business #businessowners #mergersandacquisitions

"You can always make more money. You cannot always make more time." - Steve Kaplan, Founder of Peachtree BlindsWhat if the key to your business empire was a past-due $4,000 phone bill? For Steve Kaplan that's exactly how it started. He turned a failing business into a thriving enterprise before making the life-changing decision to sell it all - not for more money, but for more time. In this episode, host John Marsh sits down with Steve for an unfiltered conversation about the entire entrepreneurial journey. This is the story of building a business that became the center of your universe, only to make the difficult choice to walk away. Steve takes us from the gritty reality of raising a company from the ashes of a failed one—starting with just a phone number—to the profoundly mixed emotions of handing over the keys. It’s a raw look at the true cost of entrepreneurship and the personal journey of trading a business you raised like a child for a life you can finally live.You’ll learn:🔹The incredible story of how a $4,000 phone bill became the foundation of a successful company.🔹Why the decision to sell was driven by wanting more time, not more money, and how to know when it's the right moment to exit.🔹The crucial importance of finding a key employee who thinks like an owner to ensure a smooth transition and sale.🔹Practical advice on preparing your financials and the most common reason deals fall apart during due diligence.🔹How to navigate the emotional journey of transitioning from owner to employee and preparing for life after the business.Whether you're starting out, scaling up, or planning your own exit, this episode offers invaluable, real-world insights into building a business on your terms and designing a life you love after the sale.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With SteveLinkedIn -   / steve-kaplan-1538ab1b8  🔸Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John is a seasoned executive with 17 years of experience leading finance, accounting, and operations teams. He played a key role in scaling and selling a medical device company for $161M, led M&A integration and due diligence, and began his career at Ernst & Young. John holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife and two daughters. John also writes a weekly newsletter about M&A, sharing insights to help business owners exit successfully and without regret.

#BusinessExit #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #MergersAndAcquisitions #SellYourBusiness #ExitStrategy #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwner #SuccessionPlanning #M&A #BusinessSale #PowerExit #LifeAfterExit #BusinessGrowth

“97 of entrepreneurs who’ve had exits have regrets - most never saw the pitfalls until it was too late.”- Chris Hanks, Founder of the Institute for EntrepreneurshipIn this eye-opening episode, we go beyond the sale to uncover what no one tells you about business legacy, exit, and life after the deal. Join host John Marsh and special guest Chris Hanks, serial entrepreneur, teacher, and founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurship, as they share real stories from entrepreneurs who’ve walked this path - and reveal the hidden challenges, unexpected rewards, and powerful lessons learned along the way. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to exit your business on your own terms and without regrets.You’ll learn:🔹The real meaning of legacy and how to build a business that outlasts you.🔹 How to avoid the emotional and financial pitfalls that derail so many exits.🔹 The surprising truth about what comes next after you cash out.🔹 Practical strategies to prepare your business for sale, no matter where you are in your journey.🔹 How to find purpose and passion in your next chapter.Whether you’re thinking about selling your business, already in the process, or just curious about what life looks like after the exit, this episode is packed with candid insights, actionable advice, and inspiring stories to help you make the most of your exit - and your future.Connect With JohnLinkedIn -   / marshcreek  Connect With ChrisLinkedIn -   / christopher-hanks  🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More Resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John is a seasoned executive with 17 years of experience leading finance, accounting, and operations teams. He played a key role in scaling and selling a medical device company for $161M, led M&A integration and due diligence, and began his career at Ernst & Young. John holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife and two daughters. John also writes a weekly newsletter about M&A, sharing insights to help business owners exit successfully and without regret.#business #finance #mergersandacquisitions #sellsideadvisor #businesssale #powerexit #marshcreekadvisors #exitstrategy #businessvaluation #marshcreeadvisorypodcast

“Only 25% of the businesses that go to market actually close, and, after the first year, only 5% of sellers are truly happy with the amount of money they got“ - Jeff Silver, Partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram.In this episode, John and Jeff break down one of the most critical - and misunderstood - aspects of selling a business: the Quality of Earnings (QoE) report.You’ll learn:🔹 What a Quality of Earnings report really is and why it matters for both buyers and sellers.🔹 How a well-prepared Quality of Earnings report helps business owners go to market with confidence and protect their valuation.🔹 The risks of skipping due diligence, including “retrades” and last-minute surprises that can derail deals.🔹 Who typically commissions Quality of Earnings reports and how the process differs for buyers and sellers.🔹 Common red flags and pitfalls in financial reporting, especially in industries like contracting and healthcare.🔹 Practical steps for business owners of all sizes to prepare for a successful exit-even if a full Quality of Earnings report isn’t in the budget.Whether you’re planning to sell your business, advising someone who is, or just want to understand the deal process, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you exit on your terms, without regrets.Connect With John MarshLinkedIn ➝   / marshcreek  Connect With Jeff SilverLinkedIn ➝   / jeffsilver1  🔸 *Get a Complimentary Business Valuation*: https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 *Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter*: https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John MarshJohn is a seasoned executive with 17 years of experience leading finance, accounting, and operations teams. He played a key role in scaling and selling a medical device company for $161M, led M&A integration and due diligence, and began his career at Ernst & Young. John holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife and two daughters. John also writes a weekly newsletter about M&A, sharing insights to help business owners exit successfully and without regret.#business #finance #mergersandacquisitions #sellsideadvisor #businesssale #powerexit #marshcreekadvisors #exitstrategy #businessvaluation

In this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, host John Marsh sits down with Andrew Neitlich, former owner of the Center for Executive Coaching, to discuss his experience selling his business. Andrew shares how he built a successful coaching certification business over two decades, what led him to consider selling, and the emotional journey through the M&A process.Key moments in this episode:

• How Andrew built the Center for Executive Coaching from a simple teleclass to a thriving business
• Why he decided to sell despite having a successful lifestyle business
• The importance of having realistic expectations about business valuation
• Navigating the complex due diligence process and legal negotiations
• Life after the sale and maintaining work-life balance
• Valuable advice for business owners considering their own exit

Whether you're actively planning to sell your business or just thinking about your future exit strategy, Andrew's candid insights provide a real-world look at what to expect when taking control of your exit.Connect With Us:Subscribe to the Power Exit Podcast for more stories and strategies from entrepreneurs and M&A experts. If you’re preparing for your own exit, visit Marsh Creek Advisors for resources on valuations, exit planning, and maximizing your business’s potential.Website: https://www.mcreek.com/Learn more about Andrew and the Center for Executive Coaching https://centerforexecutivecoaching.co...#PowerExitPodcast #BusinessSale #MandA #ExecutiveCoaching #ExitStrategy

Selling Your Business on Your Terms – A Founder’s Journey Through Acquisition, Pandemic Challenges, and Life After ExitIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, host John Marsh sits down with Phil Cannizzaro, founder of InfoTank, to unpack the realities of selling a business—from the emotional weight of letting go to navigating unforeseen hurdles like a global pandemic mid-transaction. Phil shares his 22-year journey building a thriving IT services company, the strategic decisions that made his business acquisition-ready, and the lessons learned from exiting on his own terms.Key Discussion Points:

• The Genesis of InfoTank: Discover how Phil transitioned from corporate IT roles to entrepreneurship in 1998, building a referral-based business that carved a niche serving churches, schools, and small enterprises. Learn how relationships and adaptability fueled growth, even through crises like the dot-com crash and the 2008 recession.

• The Decision to Sell: Phil opens up about the personal and professional tipping points that led him to consider selling, including burnout, family priorities, and the unexpected opportunity presented by John’s outreach.

• Navigating the Sale Process: A candid look at the complexities of mergers and acquisitions—from valuation and buyer selection to due diligence. Hear how Phil’s meticulous financial planning and operational foresight streamlined the process, even as COVID-19 introduced unprecedented challenges.

• Transitioning to “Life 2.0”: Phil reflects on handing over the reins to new owners, the emotional shift from founder to retiree, and how he’s embracing post-exit passions like woodworking, travel, and grandparenting.

• Actionable Advice for Business Owners: Phil emphasizes the importance of early exit planning, building a sustainable business model independent of the founder, and surrounding yourself with trusted advisors (CPAs, attorneys, M&A experts) to ensure a seamless transition.

• Building a sellable business: Why operational consistency and diversified client bases attract buyers.

• The role of trust and transparency in buyer-seller negotiations.

• Post-sale transitions: How to structure consulting agreements and protect your legacy.

• Why “timing the market” matters less than timing your life—and how to recognize when it’s time to pivot.

Why Listen?Whether you’re years away from an exit or actively exploring a sale, this episode offers a roadmap for maximizing your business’s value, mitigating risks, and avoiding common pitfalls. Phil’s story underscores the power of preparation, the value of relationship-driven leadership, and the freedom that comes from aligning your exit strategy with your personal and financial goals.Featured Topics:Connect With Us:Subscribe to the Power Exit Podcast for more stories and strategies from entrepreneurs and M&A experts. If you’re preparing for your own exit, visit Marsh Creek Advisors for resources on valuations, exit planning, and maximizing your business’s potential.Website: https://www.mcreek.com/Follow Phil’s Post-Exit Adventures:Explore Phil’s woodworking projects and insights on life after entrepreneurship by following him on Instagram -   / pscannizzaro  Listen Now to gain the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your exit—and your future.