Crafting a Perfect Exit Strategy: A Guide to Selling Your Business Internally

Selling a construction company is one of the most significant decisions a business owner will face. In this episode of Construction Genius, Eric Anderton sits down with Tony Moayed, founder of TriCorp Group and President at TMCS, Inc., to uncover the strategic and emotional journey of transitioning his business to new leadership.

Tony didn’t choose the highest bidder—he chose a path that prioritized loyalty, culture, and his company's legacy. If you’re considering selling your business or planning for retirement, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hard-earned lessons.

🎙 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Internal Over External?

   • Tony’s decision to forgo millions from external buyers to protect his company’s culture.

   • The risks and rewards of selling internally.

2. Timing the Transition:

   • How Tony’s planning process evolved over nearly a decade.

   • The importance of starting early and avoiding a rushed exit strategy.

3. Structuring the Deal:

   • Innovative financial mechanisms that allowed employees to buy in without upfront cash.

   • Avoiding common tax pitfalls with the help of the right advisors.

4. Selecting the Right Leaders:

   • Tony’s criteria for choosing successors were loyalty, capability, and independence.

   • The "three-legged stool" approach to leadership: operations, estimating, and accounting.

5. Navigating Challenges:

   • Managing client relationships during the transition.

   • How Tony maintained trust while stepping back from day-to-day operations.

   • Lessons from past partnerships and how they shaped this deal.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• A successful exit is about more than money—it’s about legacy, culture, and the people who make your business thrive.

• A well-structured internal sale can benefit everyone involved when handled with foresight and care.

• The role of trust, both in leadership and in navigating the complexities of a business sale.

📚 Additional Resources:

• Listen to Tony’s first interview about rebuilding TriCorp: https://www.constructiongenius.com/podcast/tony-moayed

• Link to the book Outlive by Peter Attia: https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599

• Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-moayed-2641624/

🎧 Don’t miss this episode if you’re:

• A construction business owner considering your exit strategy.

• Curious about the benefits and challenges of an internal sale.

• Looking for practical advice on leadership transitions and preserving company culture.

📘 Ready to Lead Smarter? Check out Eric’s book, Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies. It’s packed with insights to help you tackle the unique challenges of construction leadership. Get your copy here.

🎓 Want to Level Up Your Leadership? Explore The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader. This hands-on course helps construction professionals master leadership skills like productivity, conflict resolution, and team management. Learn more about the course here.

📞 Interested in Coaching? Book a 10-minute call with Eric to explore how his coaching for construction executives can help you and your business thrive. Schedule your call now.