The Lifestyle Investor - Investing, Passive Income, Wealth

036: Mac Lackey on How to Successfully Exit at Maximum Value

Jul 1, 2021

Mac Lackey, an accomplished entrepreneur with six successful exits, shares his unconventional approach to entrepreneurship—achieving high-value sales without sacrificing family life. He recounts his journey from soccer to startups and the lessons learned about concentration risk. Mac emphasizes the importance of knowing what comes next after an exit and preserving leverage. He introduces his ExitDNA method, highlighting how setting boundaries can enhance team growth and strategic value, proving that success can coexist with a fulfilling personal life.

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ANECDOTE

From Soccer To Early Internet Founder

Mac went from a soccer-focused youth to co-founding an internet company right after Netscape launched.
He and an engineer started their first company in early 1995 and fell in love with startup life.

ANECDOTE

Moved Family To Barcelona To Live Differently

Mac and his wife pulled their daughters out of school and traveled to 14–15 countries with a hired teacher.
They loved Barcelona most and moved there, where Mac ran his US company remotely.

ANECDOTE

Early Big Exits But Financial Swings

Mac had two eight-figure exits before age 30 but repeatedly reinvested proceeds into new companies.
His net worth swung dramatically because he rolled winnings into further ventures and took big risks.

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There’s a common misconception that entrepreneurship has to come at a cost; that in order to make a company valuable, a trade-off must occur. If your business goes up, your personal life must come down — and there’s no other way!

Well, today’s guest, Mac Lackey, would humbly disagree.

As an entrepreneur for over 24 years, Mac has started, built and sold six companies — all of which have achieved 7 or 8 figure exits.

What’s more impressive, is that he didn’t do it at the cost of spending less time on his family, his health, or living an exceptional life. As a devoted husband and proud father of two amazing girls, he found a way to do it all. He’s traveled the world, lived abroad, met his idols, had 50 yard line season tickets to his favorite team (FC Barcelona), and never missed a “Donuts with Dad” or a chance to carve a pumpkin with his kids.

Not only has Mac avoided the entrepreneurial grind that we’re taught is inevitable, but he’s developed a repeatable process to start, scale, and sell companies successfully — and is now showing others how they can do the same.

If you want to learn how to maximize the value of your business, build a solid exit strategy, and sell at a premium (without costly trade-offs), you won’t want to miss my conversation with Mac Lackey!

Want the Full Show Notes?

To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit JustinDonald.com/36

Free Gift from Mac Lackey!

Get Mac's FREE report --> The 5 Key Factors a Founder Should Use to Consider IF and WHEN they Sell

Also get a free assessment tool to help you determine your company’s exit readiness!

Visit JustinDonald.com/36 to claim your gift!

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