E48:  ELISE MITCHELL - 3 TIME FOUNDER & CEO and TIGER 21 CHAIR

Today, my guest is Tiger 21 chair and three-time entrepreneur Elise Mitchell, who founded Mitchell Communications Group, which was named a top ten fastest growing PR firm globally.

Elise was named PR Week's Public Relations Professional of the Year and a top 50 power player in PR. She's also the author of Leading Through the Turn.  Under Elise's Leadership, her agency grew initially using an outsourced talent model while landing global brands, including Walmart, Procter and Gamble, Hilton Hotels and Tyson Foods. Her company was a two time Inc 500/5000 fastest growing company.

And in 2013, Elise successfully completed a strategic sale of her company to global ad agency powerhouse Dentsu. In this episode, Elise and I discuss how she learned to turn adversity into opportunity to launch her business. Why you should take calls from prospective acquirers even if you don't want to sell your business, and how setting your business and team up for success after you're gone is the true measure of a great exit.

I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Elise Mitchell.

EPISODE 48 SHOW NOTES AND REFERENCES:
EliseMitchell.com and Velocity Collective LLC:  https://elisemitchell.com/
"Leading Through The Turn" (McGraw Hill):  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/125986099X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Mitchell Communications acquired by Dentsu:  https://talkbusiness.net/2013/01/mitchell-communications-acquired-by-dentsu/
How To Handle Inbound Interest:  https://exitwise.com/blog/someone-just-offered-to-buy-your-company-now-what

WHERE TO FIND ELISE MITCHELL:
LinkedIn:  /elisemitch
Twitter:  @elisemitch

WHERE TO FIND TODD SULLIVAN (HOST, M&A ADVISOR, AND CEO of EXITWISE):
LinkedIn: /toddfsullivan
Twitter: @Todd_Sullivan

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E47:  SVEN MILDER - FOUNDER, STARTUP ADVISOR, and M&A EXPERT
Today, Todd Sullivan talks to Sven Milder, a serial entrepreneur who has built, purchased and sold multiple companies throughout Europe and Southeast Asia.

Sven understands how to raise capital, how to leverage low cost workforces, and how to use technology to improve efficiencies and profitability in any business he's involved in. Sven shares how he thinks about fundraising for startups, why he's now buying profitable companies as platforms for growth, and using technology to support his M&A endeavors. 

Sven's Experience:
Over the last decade Sven has helped 300+ Founders Raise US$140M+ in capital and supported US130M+ in acquisitions. In that same time he's launched, grew, scaled & exited 2ventures. 

Sven's Expertise:
Sven is an expert in funding, acquisitions and company turn arounds for scalable businesses under 90 days. By delivering you fast track growth, he is able to make an impact in your and his world.

I hope you enjoy the conversation with Sven Milder.

EPISODE 47 SHOW NOTES AND REFERENCES:
Pitch-House:  https://pitch-house.com/
Founders Tribe Newsletter:  https://founderstribe.xyz/newsletter 

Beyond Venture Capital: Exploring Funding Options for Entrepreneurs in 2023

WHERE TO FIND SVEN MILDER:
LinkedIn: /svenmilder
Twitter: @svenmilder

WHERE TO FIND TODD SULLIVAN (HOST, M&A EXPERT, AND CEO of EXITWISE):
LinkedIn: /toddfsullivan
Twitter: @Todd_Sullivan

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E46:  MELISSA KWAN - 3X BOOTSTRAPPER / CEO OF EWEBINAR

Join Todd Sullivan in a conversation with Melissa Kwan, the co-founder and CEO of eWebinar, a top automated webinar platform. Prior to eWebinar, Melissa spent 13 years building three successful companies without venture capital backing. Her last company, Spacio, became the real estate industry's number one open house sign-in solution, helping agents automate lead capture and follow up. 

Melissa sold Spacio in 2019 to a strategic buyer. After years of struggling to build her company with virtually no resources, our fellow founders will easily relate to Melissa's story, especially those who have not had the benefit of venture capital funding.

From eating one meal a day to reduce our personal burn to growing Spacio to over 100,000 users and selling for mid-seven figures. Melissa Kwan gives our listeners a good look into the expectations versus reality of building and exiting a successful SaaS business. 

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Melissa!

EPISODE 46 SHOW NOTES AND REFERENCES:
HomeSpotter Acquires Open House Innovator Spacio - https://blog.homespotter.com/2019/01/17/homespotter-acquires-spacio/
eWebinar - https://ewebinar.com/automated-webinar-library
The 10 Aha! Moments That Got Us to Acquisition While Maintaining 94% Control - Part 1 of 2 | Part 2 of 2
The 10 non-negotiables that led me to start eWebinar
Design the life you want to lead (not around the next demo)
PROFIT LED Podcast, hosted by Melissa Kwan - https://ewebinar.com/podcast

WHERE TO FIND MELISSA KWAN:
LinkedIn: /melissakwan
Instagram: @themelissakwan
Twitter: @themelissakwan

WHERE TO FIND TODD SULLIVAN (HOST, M&A EXPERT, AND CEO of EXITWISE):
LinkedIn: /toddfsullivan
Twitter: @Todd_Sullivan

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E45:  Ryan Vaughn - Executive Coach/Founder of Inside Out Leadership

Today Todd Sullivan is joined by Ryan Vaughn, the founder of VNN Sports, one of the largest marketing platforms in the U.S. for high school sports.

Ryan caught the entrepreneurial bug at an early age when he started selling Pogs to his classmates in the fourth grade. Through the following years of self-discovery, as well as trial and error, Ryan raised capital and willed VNN to life. Ryan made the decision to personally exit his business in 2020 and now coaches, executives and founders through their entrepreneurial journeys at his latest company, Inside Out Leadership.

Today, Ryan and I talk about the resiliency and optimism required for entrepreneurs to build a company against serious headwinds that are often hard to anticipate. We talk about how lonely it can be in the CEO seat when making major decisions that can seriously affect the lives of your family, partners and employees. And finally, we debate when a founder should personally exit the business to focus on his or her next stage of life and leave part of their entrepreneurial legacy in the hands of others.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ryan Vaughn.

Episode 45 Show Notes & References:

The Midlife Unraveling - https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/

What Is Bootstrapping In Entrepreneurship – https://exitwise.com/blog/what-is-bootstrapping-in-entrepreneurship 

Are You Prepared To Sell Your Business - https://exitwise.com/blog/are-you-prepared-to-sell-your-business

Beyond Venture Capital: Exploring Funding Options For Entrepreneurs in 2023 - https://exitwise.com/blog/beyond-venture-capital-exploring-funding-options-for-entrepreneurs-in-2023

Where To Find Ryan Vaughn:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhvaughn/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RyanHVaughn
Inside Out Leadership - https://www.leadinsideout.io/

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host, M&A Expert, and CEO of Exitwise):
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan
Exitwise - https://exitwise.com/
Email - [email protected]

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E44:  Ryan Landau - Founder/CEO of Purpose Jobs and Startup Community Champion

Today Todd Sullivan is joined by a great friend, multi-time founder, and Iron Man Athlete, Ryan Landau.

Ryan, along with his brother Andrew, built Chalkfly, a company that helped transform how school and office supplies are purchased online. Launched in 2012, Chalkfly was among the fastest growing early stage e-commerce companies out there. It was quickly acquired by Global Office Solutions in under three years.  

Ryan's one of the most introspective and corporate culture conscious founders that I know.  It's not easy to make the decision to sell your business so quickly. But Ryan has some great stories and great advice for all of us who may be thinking about selling our business in the early innings. 

I hope you enjoy the conversation with Ryan Landau. 

Where To Find Ryan Landau:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlandau/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RyanKLandau
Purpose Jobs - https://www.purpose.jobs/

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host, M&A Expert, and CEO of Exitwise):
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan
Exitwise - https://exitwise.com/
Email - [email protected]

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E43:  Craig Dickens - Entrepreneur and CEO of JD Merit Investment Bank

Today, Todd Sullivan's guest is Craig Dickens, a serial entrepreneur with thirteen exits, who decided to start an investment bank to help demystify the M&A process and help fellow founders create the exits they deserve.

Craig is one of the investment bankers on the Exitwise platform, and we decided to have  on to share his particular expertise for guiding first time sellers to not leave money on the table when selling their companies. In today's discussion, we chat about what to watch out for with unsolicited offers. We talk about translating emotion into finance by educating our clients before and throughout the entire sale process.

And finally, we share why all business owners should have an investment banker on speed dial years before you're ready to sell your business. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Craig Dickens. 

Where To Find Craig Dickens:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdickens/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/DickensCraig

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host, M&A Expert, and CEO of Exitwise):
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

Episode 43 Show Notes & References:
Beware of the Pre-emptive Offer – https://jdmerit.com/beware-of-the-preemptive-offer/ 

Trifecta of M&A -  https://jdmerit.com/the-trifecta-of-ma/ 

BoomerPreneurs – secure your legacy https://jdmerit.com/boomerpreneurs-secure-your-legacy/ 

Managing Emotions in M&A Process https://jdmerit.com/managing-emotions-in-an-ma-deal-2/ 

Why Have an Investment Banker on Speed Dial - https://jdmerit.com/investment-banker-on-speed-dial/ 

MySwimPro - https://myswimpro.com/
NIX Biosensors - https://nixbiosensors.com/
Mergers & Acquisitions Explained: Quality of Earnings Q&A - https://exitwise.com/blog/mergers-and-acquisitions-explained-quality-of-earnings-q-and-a
The Importance of Quality of Earnings When Selling Your Business - https://exitwise.com/blog/the-importance-of-quality-of-earnings-when-selling-your-business

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

42: Today, join Todd Sullivan in his conversation with Nick Huber, a serial entrepreneur who has leveraged his substantial social media audiences to drive incredible value for his businesses and for the entrepreneurs who he advises and invests in with.

With a partner, Nick built his first storage service business right out of college, but decided to sell the business to focus on building a self-storage and real estate empire. Nick and Todd talk about how he used his first company to learn how to make money, how to delegate work, and how to uncover bigger opportunities. Nick also shares how every business owner should be building their audience through social media to leverage this often untapped distribution channel for their businesses.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Nick Huber. 

Where To Find Nick Huber (Guest):
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sweatystartup
Business Brokerage - https://nickhuber.com
Personal Brand - https://sweatystartup.com
Self Storage - https://boltstorage.com
Bold SEO - https://boldseo.com
Insurance - https://titanrisk.com
Recruiting - https://recruitjet.com
Landing Page / Web Development - https://webrun.com
Overseas Staffing - https://supportshepherd.com
Debt and Equity - https://bluekeycapital.com
Tax Credit - https://taxcredithunter.com
Cost Segregation - https://recostseg.com
Performance Marketing - https://adrhino.com
Pest control - https://spidexx.com

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host):
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E41:  Join Todd Sullivan and Mac Lackey, a serial entrepreneur who's built and sold six businesses with multiple eight figure exits to NBC Sports and News Corp, just to name a few.

Mac has been featured on CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, USAToday and The New York Times, and now spends his time working with business owners through his extraordinary program called ExitDNA, which helps grow businesses from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars so they can be sold for maximum value. Mac and I not only talk about his insights to business growth and maximizing exits, but we also have some fun learning how he went from playing pro soccer out of college to buying a professional soccer team after selling his last business.

I hope you enjoyed the conversation with Mac Lackey.

Where To Find Mac Lackey (Guest):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maclackey/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MacLackey
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/maclackey

Episode 41 Required Reading, Listening & Viewing:

• Creating The Exit Opportunity - Mac Lackey eBook
• ExitDNA -  Mac's platform to help founders create a powerful OPTION to exit on their timeframe, terms and at maximum value
• Algeciras Club de Futbol - In March, 2023, Mac officially became a part-owner of the Spanish futbol club, Algeciras FC 
• MacLackey.com

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E40: Join Todd Sullivan and Greg Head, a software and SaaS expert with multiple exits under his belt, as they discuss his background building exceptional businesses, the experiences that shaped his view of Venture Capital as a growth vehicle, and his path to becoming a champion for practical founders everywhere.

Greg not only explains how venture capital often imposes unrealistic growth requirements, but he also emphasizes how founders who retain their equity experience larger personal financial wins when it comes time to sell their businesses. 

Greg is a 30-year software industry veteran who was part of the startup-to-scale journeys of three different software companies in the CRM industry, including one IPO. 

Today, Greg spends his time mentoring SaaS founders on the value of bootstrapping their companies to retain equity, ownership and control of the business decisions. 

I hope you enjoyed the conversation with Greg Head.

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

Where To Find Greg Head (Guest):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheadaz/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GregHead

Episode 40 Required Reading, Listening & Viewing:

• Practical Founders podcast
• Practical Founders Peer Groups
• Gregslist.com - Gregslist is the curated up-to-date list of local software and SaaS companies in 12 major cities in North America.
• Scaling Point - Helping practical software startup founders grow and create valuable companies without big funding.

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/ 

E39: Today our guest is Derek Gaskins, a good friend and founder of Retail Bloom (now Blue Wheel Media), a full service e-commerce and digital marketing company, which Derek created inside the walls of his family's third generation business, Aleva Stores.  Derek grew this business quickly and then separated it from his family's business to sell it to a private equity firm in a very creative and lucrative transaction.

Derek is an e-commerce and digital marketing visionary and in today's discussion shares his advice on how to value a business inside a parent company, when to sell your business, and how to structure a transaction to really bet on the future.

Where To Find Todd Sullivan (Host):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

Where To Find Derek Gaskins (Guest):

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgaskins/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/derekgaskins 

Episode 39 Required Reading, Listening & Viewing:

• Aleva Stores
• Blue Wheel (formerly Retail Bloom)
• The Story of Aleva Stores - Derek Gaskins on the The Pre W. Smith Show
• Unveiling the Power of Rollover Equity

The Wise Exit is an Exitwise Production. Are you a business owner looking to sell your business faster, for more, and with less complexity? Learn how Exitwise's founder-led team helps you maximize your exit value and simplifies the M&A process: https://exitwise.com/