Built to Sell Radio

Ned MacPherson started with website optimization, grew to 70 employees and 8-figure exit. Topics include data analysis for business success, building a data science team, strategic growth, network capital adjustment, smooth sale process, and post-exit rewards.

Jordan Van Schyndel, founder of Dev Barbecue, shares his incredible journey of growing his service business to over 30 employees without anyone quitting. He highlights how a strong company culture fostered loyalty and ultimately attracted a buyer. Topics include the transformative benefits of shifting to a retainer model for client relationships, the complexities of partnership dynamics, and the emotional aspects of selling the business. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and transparency during transitions, creating a supportive environment for lasting success.

In 2015, 25-year-old Alexx Leyva was traveling around Thailand when a shocking phone call brought him back to the United States to take over his father’s $3 million business. Over the next five years, Alexx and his brothers tripled the company and ended up selling it for more than $20 million.

MBA graduates increasingly opting for entrepreneurship through acquisitions. Steve Divitikos shares his journey of acquiring and building a business. Discusses structuring payments in acquisitions, lessons learned from past deals, and the success of search funds. Uncovers the realities of CEO life and importance of mentorship. Explores investing in acquisition entrepreneurs and supporting the search fund ecosystem.

Exploring the priorities when selling a company, including wealth maximization, risk reduction, and preserving company culture. Carl Allen shares insights on different buyer avatars, unique deal structures, personal guarantee insurance, and valuation in business acquisitions. The podcast also covers types of buyers, preparing for a successful sale, and a unique deal structure with the seller as the bank.

Anastasia Koroleva, former tech CEO with a nine-figure exit, discusses life after selling a business. Topics include rebuilding personal foundations, navigating post-exit challenges, achieving closure pre-sale, managing finances, wealth and parenting decisions, and transitioning to a mentoring role for children.

Michael Lieberman, founder of Datastay, shares the story of his software company that was acquired by Autodesk for more than ten times its revenue. Topics include creating a searchable catalog for AutoCAD drawings, building credibility through custom projects, equity distribution, transitioning to a product-based business, dealing with the departure of a key engineer, and the life-changing acquisition by Autodesk.

Adam Coffey, a seasoned CEO with a rich background in private equity, shares insights from his bestselling book, The Private Equity Playbook. He delves into the nuanced relationship between entrepreneurs and private equity sponsors, highlighting strategies for sustainable growth and value creation. Adam emphasizes the importance of viewing company sales as a strategic move for future wealth, while detailing the complexities of due diligence in private equity transactions. Listeners gain a masterclass on navigating this dynamic landscape for better investment outcomes.

Jason Swenk, marketing agency owner turned acquirer, shares his unique perspective on how to sell your service business. From criteria for acquiring agencies to the role of competition in buying and selling companies, he discusses valuable insights and real-life stories. They also touch on the decision-making process, red flags when courting potential owners, and the importance of good operators. The chapter concludes with a discussion on assessing value, deal structures, and reaching out on social media.

Joe Khoubbieh is the Chief Investment Officer at Valsoft, one of the most prolific acquirers of software companies in the last few years. In 2023 alone, Valsoft completed 25  acquisitions in 10 countries. In total, Valsoft has acquired 95 companies and paid the founder 100% of their proceeds in cash in all 95 deals.   In this week's episode of Built to Sell Radio, we get inside Joe's head and find out how he thinks about evaluating companies to buy, structuring a role for the founder post acquisition, the downside of selling to private equity, dealing with egos and what to do when an acquirer tries to re-trade.