Built to Sell Radio

Dr. Kristin Kahle helps businesses pick a benefits program for their employees. She started three insurance agencies and the first two were service businesses that sold for a modest 1.5-2 times EBITDA. With her third business, Kahle wanted to attract a higher multiple, so she decided to transform it into a technology company.

In 2011, Jodie Cook started an eponymously named social media agency, JC Social Media. Over the next nine years, Cook built the business up to 16 employees. Then, she decided to sell at the end of 2020 and thought her company could be worth in the 5-7 times EBITDA range.

Along with three friends, Sebastian Johnston co-founded TheAmazeApp in 2014. The idea was based on a simple idea. Social media influencers could upload a picture of what they were wearing and tag the clothing on TheAmazeApp’s database of e-commerce retailers. Then, when one of their followers purchased the item, TheAmazeApp would receive a commission they shared with the influencer. 

Eytan Wiener started Quantum Networks as a simple Amazon Reseller of technology gadgets. The business model was basic. Resell a semi-known brand’s product on Amazon, or source a device people wanted in China and resell it on Amazon at a slim margin.

This past month, we've interviewed four riveting guests on Built to Sell Radio. John shares the transferable lessons on Built to Sell Intel, a monthly live webinar hosted for our listeners. In this 1-hour, jam-packed session, we’ll be discussing: How Ben Leonard’s 95% sales channel dependency on Amazon cut Beast Gear’s valuation. The danger in being “too committed to the deal” and how this affected Marc Elkman’s sale of Fresh Meal Plan. How Wes Mathew’s doubled an offer without turning off the acquirer. Mike Agugliaro’s strategy to save his business partner from quitting which helped increase revenue from $700,000 to $32 million.

Carrie and Dave Kerpen started Likeable Media, a social media agency, in 2006. The business grew to more than 50 employees when the couple met for their annual partner's retreat. The Kerpens realized their business had blossomed into a big success which they estimated was close to 90% of their net worth. 

Shawn Finder built email marketing platform Autoklose to $1 million in revenue when a chance encounter at a conference led to an acquisition conversation with VanillaSoft. Finder thought his company was worth much more initially than VanillaSoft did – their valuations were quite far apart and both sides had to negotiate to ultimately meet in the middle.

Mike Agugliaro is an electrician by trade and over 12 years built Gold Medal Service to around $700,000 in revenue with his partner Rob Zadotti. The days were long, which was one reason Zadotti decided to quit. Agugliaro took a few days to consider how things had gotten so bad. He realized they had been making a lot of mistakes and knew they could do better.  Agugliaro convinced his partner that if he would stay, they could build a better company together. Zadotti agreed, and that kicked off a journey that would see Agugliaro and Zadotti build Gold Medal Service into a $32 million company with double digital profit margins.

Marc Elkman built Fresh Meal Plan, a meal delivery service for healthy eaters, from an idea to $20 million in annual revenue in just three years. Still in his twenties, Elkman earned a # 70 spot on the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing companies in America. Then he caught the attention of New Heights Capital, a private equity group focused on the fitness industry. New Heights acquired the controlling interest in Fresh Meal Plan in 2016 and Elkman continues to hold a minority stake. 

Over the last month, we've interviewed four fascinating guests on Built to Sell Radio. John Warrillow shares the transferable lessons with you on Built to Sell Intel, a monthly live webinar hosted for our listeners. Dr. Jeremy Weisz hosts this Q&A and asks for John's take on four successful exits.