Scale Up With Nick Bradley

Nick shares insights on goal-setting and business planning, emphasizing clarity, simplicity, and execution. He guides listeners through a step-by-step process, creating a vivid vision, setting SMART goals, aligning projects and actions, and emphasizing the importance of culture and alignment in business. The podcast also explores strategic planning, creating high-value businesses, overcoming challenges, and analyzing business using frameworks like SWOT and Porter's Five Forces.

Nick is joined by Rob Huxtable, a partner at executive search firm Falcon, to discuss what it takes to thrive as a C-suite leader in a private equity-backed company. Rob shares his expertise on the characteristics and skills necessary for success in this environment, delving into the importance of self-esteem, execution at velocity, hands-on involvement, effective communication, and influence without authority. They also explore the need for alignment with the specific governance model of a private equity firm. KEY TAKEAWAYS Self-esteem and vulnerability are crucial traits for success in a private equity-backed company. Executives need to believe in themselves, be open to recognising their gaps, and continuously strive for improvement. Execution at velocity is highly valued in the private equity world. Executives must be able to make decisions quickly, be data-driven, and have a sense of urgency to drive results. Hands-on involvement is essential in private equity-backed companies. Executives should be willing to roll up their sleeves, be involved in various aspects of the business, and have a deep understanding of the operations. Effective communication is key. Private equity firms value clear, succinct communication that includes the problem, solution, and action plan. Building trust and maintaining alignment with the board is crucial for success. The ideal skill set for executives in private equity-backed companies includes a strong foundation from a blue-chip company, experience in progressively smaller businesses, engineering scalable operations, and the ability to align with the investment thesis of the firm. Adaptability and the ability to influence without authority are also important skills to possess. BEST MOMENTS "If you don't prepare properly for what is the biggest financial event of your life, you are the prey."  "Private equity investors are some of the brightest and most ambitious and boldest business minds out there, but they're also risk averse, thoughtful."  "You better be reinventing yourself and improving on a constant basis."  "The minute you let that moat run dry, they have no choice but to infiltrate and start taking more control than you might like." "We want to make sure they are systematised and mechanised to scale, without excessive dependency on people and more dependency on process."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ Rob Huxtable LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robhuxtable ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Entrepreneur Joe Stolte shares his experience using AI in marketing campaigns, emphasizing the power of email newsletters in building relationships with customers. He introduces his company, daily.ai, which curates content from thought leaders. AI should be treated as a tool and not a replacement for human expertise. Chapters cover topics such as AI in marketing, scaling a business during the pandemic, content creation using AI and human intelligence, measuring success through metrics, launching a newsletter, and scaling marketing efforts with data and AI.

Nick welcomes Chip Conley, a renowned speaker and author, about the concept of midlife wisdom and the transformative power of embracing new opportunities. Chip shares his personal journey of transitioning from a successful CEO to becoming a modern elder and mentor at Airbnb. He discusses the societal stigma around aging and how reframing our mindset can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Chip also highlights the importance of cultivating wisdom, navigating midlife transitions, and embodying a regenerative lifestyle. The episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone seeking to find meaning and fulfilment in midlife and beyond. Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to shift mindset on aging from negative to positive, emphasising the growth and opportunities that come with age. We must encourage individuals to adopt a growth mindset, where they focus on improving themselves rather than proving themselves, and view success as learning rather than winning. The Modern Elder Academy helps individuals navigate the transitions that often occur during midlife, providing support and guidance during this transformative period. Embrace a regenerative lifestyle and find purpose in giving back to the world, fostering a sense of connection and fulfilment. BEST MOMENTS "Wisdom is metabolised experience, so your life lessons digested, which leads to distilled compassion." "The person who, going into their 50s, is willing to become a beginner again, willing to actually try something out that they're not very good at, but to actually see if they can get into the flow of it."  "We see people who just say, you know what, I know what's next for me. And this group of people are going to hold me accountable and be my support." "I was damn good at getting press for myself and my business, but let's make sure that myself goes first. I was living a life that was very, very dedicated to caring what everybody thought about me."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ Chip Conley - https://chipconley.com/ ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick welcomes Jeremy Snape, a former cricket player for England and now a sports psychologist and leadership consultant. They delve into the parallels between sports and business leadership, focusing on mindset and the importance of a winning mindset. Jeremy shares personal stories from his cricket career, including moments of despair and triumph, and discusses the power of staying present and in control of one's thinking. He also highlights the need for preparation, scenario planning, and the ability to block out pressure.  KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to focus on the present moment, control our thinking and breathing, and stay true to one's strengths. There is a need to manage pressure and negative self-talk - strategies such as breathing techniques, pre-shot routines, and positive self-talk help us to stay focused and perform at one's best. Leaders can learn from top performers in various fields, including sports, to gain insights and inspiration. By studying the habits and strategies of elite athletes, leaders can apply similar principles to their own performance and strive for continuous improvement. Sustained success comes from being purpose-driven and having a bigger why behind one's actions. This purpose can help leaders stay motivated and overcome challenges. BEST MOMENTS "I just thought, what have you done? You've ruined the game. You're never going to play for England again."  "The only thing that I can control is my thinking, my breathing, my balance in this moment."  "It's almost letting go of it in a way." "There's definitely some kind of ability to vision what they want in technicolor."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/  Jeremy Snape - https://www.sportingedge.com/team-jeremy-snape.html Listen to Jeremy’s podcast ‘Inside the Mind of Champions’ via Apple https://apple.co/3kLX2Nd or Spotify https://spoti.fi/302xfIU   ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick is joined by Purdeep Sangha, an expert in business growth, scaling, and leadership, with a specific focus on family businesses. Purdeep shares his personal journey, growing up in an immigrant family and working in the agricultural business. He discusses his transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to align his values and make a bigger impact. The conversation delves into the importance of mindfulness and meditation in effective leadership, highlighting the benefits of emotional mastery and improved decision-making. Purdeep also offers practical advice for those looking to incorporate mindfulness practices into their daily lives.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Family businesses have the potential to scale and transition into successful enterprises if they are structured and operated as such. Mindfulness and meditation practices can have a significant impact on effective leadership, improving emotional mastery, decision-making capabilities, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Creating empty space and being in an alpha theta brainwave state can enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities. Mindfulness and meditation should be seen as a lifestyle rather than a short practice, and consistency is key to experiencing the benefits. Emotions play a crucial role in leadership, as they radiate energy and can be controlled more effectively than thoughts. Developing emotional mastery can positively impact leadership effectiveness and overall results. BEST MOMENTS "I was just kind of tired. I was at a point in my life where I needed to change. So I told my wife that I was going to quit."  "I was constantly about making change and having an impact. A lot of the other people were comfortable. They weren't really taking a look at future opportunities."  "Meditation and mindfulness is a lifestyle. It's not a practice that's there for five or 10 minutes. It's a way of being rather than just a specific five-minute exercise."  "When you reduce your stress, you improve your health. There's a direct correlation there." "You have more control over your emotions than you think, because a lot of it has to do with your physiology. You can use your body to actually influence your emotions." VALUABLE RESOURCES Purdeep Sangha - https://purdeepsangha.com/ Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick is joined this time by Ryan Tansom and Walker Deibel, for a lively discussion about the complexities and misconceptions surrounding buying and selling businesses. They address the rise of misleading marketing tactics that promise easy success in the world of acquisitions, highlighting the importance of understanding the true value of a company and the practical steps needed to achieve a successful transaction. They also explore the different perspectives of acquisition entrepreneurs and independent sponsors, shedding light on the scaling gap that often exists after a deal is closed. With their combined expertise, this fireside chat between three experts provides invaluable insights into the intricacies of the M&A landscape and the importance of approaching it with knowledge and diligence. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a prevalence of misleading marketing tactics in the M&A industry, where people are promised easy and risk-free ways to buy businesses. There is a need for buyers to have a realistic understanding of the value of a business and not overestimate its worth based on unrealistic expectations or anecdotes. It is important for buyers to have a solid understanding of financial statements, particularly the cash flow statement, to make informed decisions and ensure the financial viability of the business. Some buyers may successfully acquire a business but struggle with managing and growing it effectively, leading to potential losses or failure. BEST MOMENTS "You're helping the next generation of entrepreneurs buy companies the right way."  "I think an acquisition entrepreneur is potentially one of the only exits that'll actually work for someone." "I felt like I was as equipped as I could be going into it. All right. I ended up selling that company for seven figures about seven years later."  "You've got to get in the game. If you want to win."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes. https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/ig Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert. His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars. His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact.Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick talks to David Lesperance, a tax advisor and international tax expert, about the complex world of tax mitigation and strategic planning for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to optimise their wealth and minimise tax liabilities. David shares his extensive experience in helping clients navigate the intricacies of residency, citizenship, and domicile options in various jurisdictions, and emphasises the importance of understanding individual goals, family needs, and wildfire concerns to develop tailored strategies.  Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ KEY TAKEAWAYS It is important to consider individual and family needs when planning for tax mitigation and relocation. Factors such as education, lifestyle, and security should be taken into account. Diversification of assets and investments can help mitigate tax liabilities and provide more financial flexibility. This includes considering different jurisdictions and currencies for wealth management. Working with a fee-based advisor rather than a commission-based salesperson can ensure unbiased advice and a focus on the client's best interests. Reverse engineering can be a useful approach to tax planning. By starting with the desired outcome and working backwards, individuals can identify the most effective strategies for minimising tax obligations. BEST MOMENTS "The goal is to keep the dollars paid as low as possible. Zero times even ninety nine point nine percent rate is still zero dollars paid." "Most people tend to over-index and over-invest in their current location and their current currency." "The more direct way of saying it is protecting your ass and your assets." "It's understanding not all family members need to have the same solution." VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ Lesperance Associates - https://lesperanceassociates.com/ ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick is joined by guest Brooke Casanovas to discuss the significance and intention behind mastermind rooms. Brooke shares her journey of attending and hosting masterminds, starting from seeking knowledge and proving herself, to realising the importance of building a network and collaborating with like-minded individuals. They delve into the different tiers of masterminds and the transformative power of being in a room with high-frequency individuals who are aligned with their calling. They also explore the role of mindset and emotional intelligence in creating meaningful connections and experiences within mastermind environments Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ KEY TAKEAWAYS Mastermind rooms are not just about gaining knowledge or making business connections. They are about creating a space for collaboration, transformation, and personal growth. The energy and frequency of the people in the room can greatly impact the synergy and outcomes of a mastermind. Masterminds can be categorized into different tiers based on the participants' objectives and experiences. The first tier focuses on gaining knowledge and proving oneself. The second tier involves networking and seeking referrals. The highest tier is about collaboration, creativity, and giving. Understanding which tier aligns with your objectives can help you choose the right mastermind. Being self-aware and in alignment with your values and purpose is essential for a meaningful mastermind experience. When participants are authentic, vulnerable, and focused on personal growth, the room becomes a space for deep connections, support, and transformation. BEST MOMENTS "For the past decade, I have been studying rooms and environments and the role that they play on synergies, relationships, frequencies, and collaborations." "There's never peace inside. We only find our 'artificial peace' on the outside, which never actually satisfies." "I found that the people that I was working with, these CEOs, their egos were really, really hard to actually manage and get through and actually create change." "There's not any inner peace because they're not listening to the internal voice. They're listening to every voice outside of them and every external stimuli." VALUABLE RESOURCES Find out now if you’re building a high-value, exitable business (even if you have no immediate plans to sell it). You’ll get an instant PDF report with powerful insights specifically tailored to your business in just 4 minutes.https://highvalueexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE HOST  Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and business growth expert.His background is growing and scaling Venture Capital and Private Equity backed businesses globally. Over the last decade, he has completed 117 acquisitions and 25 business exits with a combined valuation of over $5bn dollars.His mission is to help business founders build valuable businesses and create life-changing exits so they can realise freedom, wealth, and impact. CONTACT METHOD Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com  Nick’s Facebook: https://highvalueexit.com/fb Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick’s Instagram: https://highvalueexit.com/igSupport the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

Nick welcomes Joseph Durnford, an expert in M&A transactions with over 30 years of experience. They discuss the changing landscape of private equity, the rise of distributed entrepreneurship, and the emotional aspects of selling a business. They emphasize the importance of having realistic expectations and a clear end game when selling a business, as well as the significance of building the right team for a successful exit.