How2Exit: Buy, Don't Build - M&A of Small Businesses

About the Guest:Callum Laing is not your average M&A expert. A serial entrepreneur and the author of four books (Agglomerate, Progressive Partnerships, Boardroom Blueprint, and Entrepreneurial Investing), Laing is also the founder of Unity Group, the Veblen Director Program, and Guild. His work focuses on democratizing board access, simplifying capital raising, and helping legacy business owners scale without losing control. His innovation in the agglomeration model challenges the assumptions of private equity and redefines how small businesses can achieve scale and liquidity.Summary:In this episode of How2Exit, guest host Roger Glovsky dives into the nuanced world of M&A and business trust-building with Callum Laing—an entrepreneur, author, and architect of the agglomeration model. With over 100 M&A transactions under his belt, Laing reveals why the most valuable asset in business isn’t capital—it’s trust. From forming influential board networks to designing incentive-aligned holding companies, Laing explains how deeply human psychology shapes scalable business outcomes, especially when preparing to exit. The conversation spans innovative M&A structures, the underestimated power of personal connections, and why tech-savvy entrepreneurs must still master the art of building real relationships—especially in an AI-driven world.Key Takeaways:Boards as a Competitive Advantage: A functional, diverse, and supportive board not only adds credibility during an exit but also ensures operational continuity—making a business more attractive to acquirers.Access vs. Opportunity: The Veblen Director Program was designed to break barriers for overlooked professionals (e.g., those without elite credentials), helping them land their first board seats and contribute meaningfully.Guild as a Capital-Raising Network: Laing’s second venture, Guild, evolved to teach entrepreneurs how to raise capital by first understanding investor needs—flipping the traditional pitch-first model on its head.Trust Multiplies Velocity: Trust accelerates deal flow, reduces friction, and increases the efficiency of capital and collaboration. Building a public profile plays a critical role in earning it.Give First, Gain Later: Inspired by concepts like the Boulder Thesis and Adam Grant's Give and Take, Laing emphasizes building relationships by offering value before asking for anything in return.The Agglomeration Model: Laing’s signature innovation—business owners join a public holdco by exchanging private shares, keeping operational control while benefiting from scale, liquidity, and mutual incentives.AI Will Amplify the Human: As AI automates tasks, the human edge will lie in trust-building, empathy, and long-term relationship management—skills no algorithm can yet replicate.Longevity Over Hype: Contrary to Silicon Valley’s growth-at-all-costs model, Laing designs business systems with staying power, informed by centuries-old governance principles.--------------------------------------------------Contact Callum onLinkedin:Website:--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/8WBIPpmXVVYAbout the Guest: Andy is the CEO and co-founder of Creatively Disruptive—a “revenue growth agency” that helps small businesses scale sustainably. His background is as varied as it is inspiring: from rugby coach to pizza delivery driver to sales manager at CarMax, to eventually buying and selling his own businesses. Today, he helps over 110 small businesses reach profitability through consulting, marketing, and strategic advisory. With clients ranging from gymnastics gyms to local banks and contractors, Andy’s team becomes the trusted growth partner business owners call when they're staring at the ceiling at 3am.Summary:In this episode of How2Exit, host Ronald Skelton sits down with Andy Seeley, CEO and co-founder of Creatively Disruptive—a marketing firm built with the heart of a small business owner in mind. From his humble beginnings delivering pizza and coaching rugby, Andy takes us on a journey through his first business acquisition, the painful lessons of the Great Recession, and the creation of a marketing agency dedicated to not just ads, but sustained profit and legacy-minded growth.This conversation isn’t just about marketing—it’s a playbook for anyone looking to grow a business that can be sold, scaled, or succeeded. Whether you’re looking for marketing advice, trying to build a business that isn’t just a glorified job, or prepping for an eventual exit, Andy brings real-world wisdom, tactical insight, and a lot of heart.Key Takeaways:Build your business like you’re going to sell it—even if you don’t. Creating a business with an exit mindset forces smarter systems, better financial tracking, and a more independent team.Know your numbers. Track your metrics. Too many small business owners fly blind. Understanding lead cost, client lifetime value, and profitability changes everything. Profit beats revenue—every time. “Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity.” Andy’s agency prioritizes actual business growth over hollow vanity metrics.Most businesses aren’t failing—the owner’s systems are. Drawing from the “dog whisperer” analogy, Andy says it’s not the marketing or the platform—it’s usually the operator. And changing behavior is key.Hire an agency that thinks like a partner, not a vendor. Look for agencies that consult on financials, profitability, and goals—not just ads.AI is a business owner’s multiplier—but you still need a BS meter. AI can do wonders, but it takes wisdom to know when it’s wrong and when it’s working.Build a team. Business is a team sport. Success doesn’t come from solopreneurship—it comes from surrounding yourself with mentors, consultants, and staff who elevate your game.Don’t hand over your business systems. Own them. Even if you hire experts, Andy stresses that business owners must know enough to make smart decisions. Never fully abdicate responsibility.--------------------------------------------------Contact Andy onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseeley/Website: http://www.creativelydisruptive.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/PnKoDPkgKFIAbout the Guest: Rosco Graves is the founder of Polaxis Professional Services and a former Deloitte advisor. He’s navigated both the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies and the trenches of small business ownership—including launching a yoga franchise. Today, he helps small business owners prepare financially for growth, funding, and exits, specializing in turning messy books into stories buyers want to hear.Summary: In this episode of How2Exit, Ron sits down with Rosco Graves—former Deloitte advisor turned entrepreneurial CFO—to unravel the financial blind spots that plague many small businesses. From owning a yoga franchise to running Polaxis Professional Services, Graves offers rare insight on what owners get wrong when starting, running, and especially exiting a business. The conversation is an eye-opening roadmap for founders, buyers, and anyone serious about unlocking business value through financial clarity. Graves doesn’t just talk balance sheets—he breaks down the real-life implications of sloppy books, sketchy add-backs, and why sellers often sabotage their own exits to save a few tax dollars. This is one of the most tactical and truth-heavy episodes of the season. Key TakeawaysMost Small Business Owners Don’t Understand Their Financials – Many don’t know what “good books” look like, and believe that filing a tax return is sufficient for running or selling a business.You’re Not Fooling Anyone with Your Add-Backs – There’s a line between aggressive adjustments and devious manipulation. Sophisticated buyers will catch it.Clean Financials Win Deals – Having a finance-savvy team member who can explain your numbers is more valuable than having the best broker in the world.Sloppy Books Kill Value – Underreporting income to avoid taxes might save you 30 cents today but cost you $3 per dollar at exit.Inventory Stuffing and Payroll Gimmicks Are Red Flags – Buyers should watch for sudden revenue spikes without corresponding operational changes.Buying Existing Businesses Beats Starting from Scratch – Graves advocates for acquiring operational businesses over new franchise launches due to lower risk and immediate cash flow.You Can’t Outsource Sales if You Don’t Understand It – Founders must embrace being generalists early on and learn the core levers of their business.Sellers Often Sabotage Trust – If you’ve lied to the IRS, why would a buyer trust you? Reputation, transparency, and consistency are deal-makers.--------------------------------------------------Contact Rosco onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roscograves/Website: http://www.polaxis.co/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/JAnrssj-v2gAbout the Guest: John Martinka is a veteran dealmaker who has spent nearly 30 years helping executives exit corporate life by buying businesses—and helping business owners exit with style and grace. Based in the Pacific Northwest, John runs Nokomis Advisory Services alongside his daughter, focusing on $5–15 million deals. He’s also the author of five books, including Buying a Business That Makes You Rich and If They Can Sell Pet Rocks, Why Can't You Sell Your Business?Summary: In this insightful episode of How2Exit, host Ron Skelton sits down with seasoned M&A advisor and author John Martinka, founder of Nokomis Advisory Services. With three decades of experience and five books under his belt, John shares a no-nonsense view of the acquisition world—highlighting why rapport trumps spreadsheets, how buyers sabotage themselves, and what sellers really care about when handing over the keys. This episode is a goldmine for first-time buyers and retiring business owners alike. John deconstructs the psychology behind a sale, the pitfalls of MBA-fueled delusions, and the reality that good businesses do sell—just not always to the highest bidder.Key Takeaways:People, not just numbers, drive deals: Relationships and cultural fit often outweigh the purchase price. If the seller doesn't like you, you won't get the deal—no matter what you offer.Sellers want a safe pair of hands: Beyond valuation, owners care about who will take care of their people, their customers, and their legacy.Most buyers never close a deal: John estimates 94% of buyers walk away without ever completing an acquisition. It’s not about funding—it’s about grit, relationship-building, and actually doing the work.New buyers often ask for financials too soon: Many rookie buyers blow the deal by jumping to numbers without building trust. This is a relationship business, not just a spreadsheet game.The “Ivy League trap” is real: Fancy degrees don’t mean you’re qualified to run a blue-collar business. Know the culture before you buy—or you’ll get eaten alive.Forget perfection—buy a good business and go: In today’s climate, waiting to find a ‘perfect deal’ is a mistake. If the business fits your skill set and the seller trusts you, don’t sharpen the pencil—just close.Due diligence goes beyond the books: Understand the customers, culture, suppliers, and lease terms. Financials alone won't reveal the real risks or opportunities.Small business accounting is messy: Expect creative add-backs, non-GAAP practices, and a paper trail that takes digging. Don’t panic—but don’t blindly trust either.--------------------------------------------------Contact John onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmartinka/Website: http://www.nokomisadvisory.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode:▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch: https://youtu.be/I8AUgv479HAAbout the Guest: Jed Morris Jed Morris is the Managing Partner of Sunset Coast Partners, an independent sponsor firm focused on acquiring defense contractors. A former Air Force veteran and Microsoft engineer, Jed’s journey into entrepreneurship was marked by soaring ambition — and a brutal, humbling failure that left him facing nearly $1 million in personally guaranteed debt. Rather than hiding, Jed leaned in, building a growing community of fellow acquisition entrepreneurs committed to telling the full truth about the real risks behind buying businesses. He now actively shares his hard-won lessons through his writing, speaking engagements, and his "Start Searching Challenge" program for first-time buyers.Summary: In this raw and revealing conversation, Ron Skelton sits down with Jed Morris, Managing Partner of Sunset Coast Partners, to unpack the brutally honest realities of buying small businesses. A fellow veteran and self-funded searcher turned investor, Jed shares his journey from military service to big tech — and then into the world of business acquisitions, including his painful first-hand experience with failure, personal guarantees, and crushing debt. This isn't a feel-good "buy a business with no money down" fantasy — it's a boots-on-the-ground look at the risks, the egos, the missteps, and the hidden hazards first-time buyers need to face if they want a real shot at success. Far from doom and gloom, the episode offers sharp wisdom for new buyers: how to approach culture shock, why the "passive ownership" myth is dangerous, and the reality that buying a business means buying people first. It's a masterclass in what can go wrong — and what it actually takes to do it right.Key Takeaways:Buying businesses is buying culture, not just cash flow.Success hinges more on managing people and adapting to inherited cultures than on financial spreadsheets."No money down" deals are real — but extremely rare and dangerously hyped.Buyers pursuing these unicorns must be ready for much higher risk profiles and massive deal flow effort.First-time buyers drastically underestimate change management.Rolling into a 30-year-old business and expecting quick improvements without cultural buy-in is a recipe for revolt.Early relationships with PE firms and investment bankers are critical.If you're planning to flip a business to private equity later, you better design the acquisition and growth with their preferences from day one.In distress, culture collapses faster than cash flow.When things go wrong, the hidden dynamics — loyalty, trust, morale — become your battlefield, not just your P&L.Defense contracting offers real opportunity, but brings unique barriers.Issues like security clearances, government contract classifications, and niche buyer pools make it a specialized but lucrative target market.Surviving business ownership demands humility, patience, and real respect for frontline workers.Ivy League degrees and fancy vests won't save you from getting "eaten alive" if you can't relate to your workforce.Building for an exit must start before you buy.If you don't know what a future buyer needs — team, systems, margins — you're not "building to sell," you're just surviving.--------------------------------------------------Contact Jed onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedmorris/Website: https://jedbmorris.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...? ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode: E277: Most Marketing Teams Get Axed After a Sale - Here's How to Make Yours Unkillable - https://youtu.be/BbypHaRpOtA▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/BbypHaRpOtAAbout the Guest: Victoria Hajjar is the founder of Ugli Ventures and a marketing strategist with deep experience building brands from the inside out. With a background that spans A&E, real estate development in China, and leading marketing departments for high-growth companies, Victoria has learned to build marketing engines that are scalable, measurable, and ready for acquisition. Her superpower? Turning messy marketing into a growth asset—fast.Summary: In this episode of How2Exit, host Ron Skelton sits down with Victoria Hajjar, founder and CEO of Ugli Ventures, for an energetic, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to build a marketing machine that adds value in an M&A context. Instead of chasing vanity metrics or relying on branding for branding’s sake, Hajjar breaks down the systems, scorecards, and human factors that make marketing a driver—not a passenger—of enterprise value. Whether you're a seller prepping for exit or a buyer looking to avoid post-acquisition marketing disasters, this is required listening. Victoria doesn’t just theorize—she’s been on the acquisition side and knows firsthand what it looks like to inherit a marketing mess… or a marketing moat.Key Takeaways:Marketing departments often feel the most vulnerable in acquisitions because buyers usually already have their own team. But dismissing the seller's marketing team too quickly risks losing the local expertise and systems that are driving current revenue.Buyers should pause before overhauling anything—Victoria recommends a 60-90 day observation window before making marketing changes post-acquisition.Most sellers don’t have a documented, measurable marketing system, and this lack of structure reduces perceived business value.Brand value isn’t just logos or followers—it’s trust, relationships, and conversion rates. You need to prove that your audience responds to your messaging with measurable action.Having one “rainmaker” on the marketing team is risky. Buyers want marketing systems that are transferable and not tied to individual talent.Scorecards, SOPs, and a full-funnel strategy (not just top-of-funnel lead gen) are what differentiate valuable marketing machines from chaotic ones.AI can’t replace human accountability. You can use AI tools for implementation and analysis, but you still need a human to own the marketing outcomes and make judgment calls.Hyper-personalization is the future of marketing. With AI, customers will expect messages tailored to their unique context. Businesses need to prepare for that now—or get left behind.--------------------------------------------------Contact Victoria onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-hajjar/Website: http://www.ugliventures.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode: E276: She Built a 7-Figure Practice in 2.5 Days a Week—Then Taught Everyone Else How to Exit - https://youtu.be/v4cOn6Py_-Q▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/v4cOn6Py_-QAbout the Guest: Dr. Ruth Mannschreck is no ordinary advisor—she’s a former dentist who redesigned her practice around her family’s needs, scaling it with systems, hiring, and delegation. After helping fellow professionals do the same, she now coaches small business owners on how to make their companies scalable and sellable. Her advisory work blends operational excellence with human psychology, emphasizing leadership, culture, and communication.Summary: In this episode of the How2Exit Podcast, Ron sits down with Dr. Ruth Mannschreck—a former dentist turned business advisor—to unpack what it really takes to create a business that’s both enjoyable to own and easy to sell. With decades of experience under her belt and a personal story that led to a complete transformation in how she approached business, Ruth lays out a playbook for designing companies that are “self-propelled,” scalable, and ultimately sellable.From building systems and replacing yourself, to cultivating culture and leadership that retains employees and attracts buyers, Ruth’s approach is deeply human and refreshingly practical. This is a must-listen for any service-based business owner (from dentists to drywallers) who dreams of exiting on their terms—without the chaos.Key Takeaways:Necessity breeds systems: Ruth transformed her dental practice into a two-and-a-half-day workweek business after a family crisis, focusing solely on systems, delegation, and efficiency—while growing revenue.Self-propelled businesses sell better: The key to a scalable, sellable business is removing the owner from day-to-day operations. A business should run like an orchestra, with the owner as conductor—not a one-person band.The “client journey” is everything: Ruth advises mapping the client experience from the very first call to ongoing follow-up, with clear expectations and responsibilities for each step.Surround yourself with champions (not just experts): You don’t need a CMO—you might need a tech-savvy teenager who’s a social media champion. Ruth emphasizes creative, affordable talent that fits your needs.Culture beats compensation: Employees stay where they feel seen, supported, and developed. Leadership is about painting a compelling vision and nurturing people’s personal and professional growth.Communication style matters: Teams should be trained to adapt their communication to different customers—some want stories, others want the facts. Meeting people where they are improves loyalty and conversions.Organizational clarity is non-negotiable: Ruth’s “A-B-C” test helps identify which tasks employees love, tolerate, or despise. This insight can guide hiring, delegation, and even retention strategies.Owner dependency kills deals: A company that relies too heavily on the founder for sales or operations becomes nearly impossible to sell without a significant discount or risk premium.--------------------------------------------------Contact Ruth onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthmannschreck/Website:  self-propelledbiz.com--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode: E275: How AI is Changing Small Business Forever – Jonathan Mast on Scaling After the Acquisition - https://youtu.be/Q2QTYAN7Juo▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/Q2QTYAN7JuoAbout the Guest: Jonathan Mast isn’t your typical AI guru. At 55, with a Gandalf-like beard and 20 years in digital marketing, he’s positioned himself as the “voice of reason” in a landscape full of overhype and under-delivery. His company, White Beard Strategies, teaches business owners how to use AI without losing their minds—or their margins. Mast’s approach blends deep industry experience with a no-nonsense communication style. He’s not selling pipe dreams; he’s offering a toolkit.Summary: In this refreshingly candid episode of the How2Exit Podcast, Ron Skelton flips the usual script. Instead of diving into how to buy or sell companies, he sits down with Jonathan Mast—founder of White Beard Strategies and self-declared AI pragmatist—to tackle a more pressing question: Now that you've bought a business, how do you scale it with AI? With a long white beard and a sharper edge on reality than most AI evangelists or fearmongers, Mast offers a grounded, practical view of how artificial intelligence is changing the game for business owners. From cutting costs without cutting quality, to using AI as a "force multiplier" for human creativity, the conversation strips away the hype and lays down a roadmap that business buyers and owners can actually use.Key Takeaways:AI is an “Easier Button,” Not an Easy Button: Mast cautions that AI won’t magically solve all your problems—but it will streamline, accelerate, and amplify your existing business processes if used right.Prompt Engineering is Just Delegation 2.0: The most effective prompts treat AI like a new hire—tell it what role it’s playing, what task you need, what the output should look like, and give it context. Then ask, “Do you have any questions?”AI Won’t Replace Humans—But Humans Who Use AI Will Replace Those Who Don’t: The real risk isn’t AI taking your job—it’s your competitor using AI better than you and outpacing your entire operation.Agents Are the Next Frontier: Current tools still need your input, but AI agents—autonomous task-doers with goals instead of prompts—are coming. These could revolutionize business ops by handling repetitive, logic-based tasks with little oversight.AI Is a Skill Multiplier: A mediocre copywriter becomes competent with AI. A great copywriter becomes world-class. AI doesn’t level the playing field—it widens the gap between skilled and unskilled.Bias Is Inevitable—Just Like in Humans: Every AI model reflects the biases of its creators. That doesn’t invalidate its usefulness, but it does mean you need to be vigilant about aligning its output with your brand’s tone and truth.Business Intelligence on Steroids: Jonathan envisions a near future where agents will analyze data from every platform—Google Analytics, YouTube, LinkedIn—and proactively suggest growth strategies without human prompting.Start Small, Start Now: You don’t need to be an engineer or visionary to benefit. Begin with basic tasks like drafting emails, summarizing reports, or analyzing transactions—and build from there.--------------------------------------------------Contact Jonathan onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjmast/Website: http://whitebeardstrategies.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out : ▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0#How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/L90nZyyR1qsAbout the Guest: Ashish Gupta is the founder of Scale Up Exec, a firm specializing in fractional COO services for growing businesses. With a background in tech startups, corporate leadership at Apple, and turnaround management in the e-commerce space, Gupta has a proven track record of scaling companies and preparing them for exits. His approach blends operational efficiency, strategic growth, and leadership coaching to help founders achieve their business goals.Summary: In this episode of the How2Exit Podcast, host Ronald Skelton sits down with Ashish Gupta, founder of Scale Up Exec, a fractional COO firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses scale, streamline operations, and prepare for exits. Gupta’s experience spans from founding a wireless startup acquired by Qualcomm to managing billion-dollar budgets at Apple, to turning around distressed e-commerce businesses and advising companies on high-impact growth strategies. The conversation dives deep into the role of a COO, how founders can recognize when they need operational support, and what it takes to transition from a hands-on entrepreneur to an owner ready for an exit.This episode is a must-listen for business owners struggling with growth plateaus, operational inefficiencies, or founder burnout. Gupta provides an eye-opening perspective on how businesses should think about leadership transitions, succession planning, and the strategic use of fractional executives to achieve scalable success.Key Takeaways:The Invisible COO Role in Small Businesses – Even if a company doesn’t have a formal COO, someone is always filling the operational leadership role, whether it’s the founder or an informal manager.Why Founders Get Stuck – Most entrepreneurs are either visionaries or execution-focused, but rarely both. Without a strong operations leader, founders can get caught in a cycle of inefficiency, distraction, and burnout.Recognizing Exit Readiness – Not all business exits are the same. Some founders just want to step back from day-to-day operations, while others need a full buyout. Knowing the difference is crucial for structuring the right transition.Strategic vs. Financial Buyers – A company’s value depends on who the buyer is. Strategic buyers may care more about market share or IP, while private equity and individual buyers are EBITDA-focused. The key is optimizing the right metrics.Boredom is a Business Killer – Many founders unconsciously sabotage their businesses because they get bored after a few years. This often leads to side projects, disengagement, or operational neglect.Fractional COOs as a Scalable Solution – Many companies under $10 million in revenue can’t justify a full-time COO, but a fractional executive can provide high-level leadership and operational improvements without the full-time cost.The Power of Small Changes – Business turnarounds don’t always require sweeping changes. Gupta advocates for a step-by-step approach to transition founders out of operations, proving that small wins build trust and momentum.AI’s Emerging Role in Operations – While AI is improving efficiency in operational management, it still lacks the human touch necessary to navigate company culture, team motivation, and complex decision-making.--------------------------------------------------Contact Ashish onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/Website: https://scaleupexec.com/--------------------------------------------------💰If you’d like additional ways to support this podcast, you can become a paid subscriber here: https://how2exit.substack.com/►Visit Our Website: https://www.how2exit.com/📧For Business Inquiries: Me@4sale2sold.comDon't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to the How2Exit channel and press (🔔) to join the Notification Squad and stay updated with new uploads.✨👇🏻SUBSCRIBE HEREhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ONnhwaKSTPFt2nOxKoXXQ?sub_confirmation=1𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬...?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬👍 Like the video (it helps a ton!)💬 Comment below to share your opinion!🔗 Share the video with anyone you think might help :) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬📱Stay Tuned On Our Social Media :» Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronskelton/» Twitter - https://twitter.com/ronaldskelton» Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/How2Exit» Newsletter - http://deeper.how2exit.com/🎬SUGGESTED VIDEOSDon't forget to watch 📽 Our other videos. Please check them out :▶️Previous Episode: E273: Are You Making This Mistake? – Why 80% of Small Businesses NEVER Sell - https://youtu.be/2Q11T0Dnvu4▶️E135: Sam Rosati On His Journey From Being A Lawyer To Becoming An Entrepreneur In The ETA Space - https://youtu.be/D2qJOidptRA▶️E100: CEO Of Flippa Blake Hutchison Discusses Innovations In Buying And Selling Digital Assets - https://youtu.be/R1D5guQU9Z0 #How2Exit # # 💖Thanks for watching! 💖Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/how2exit-buy-don-t-build-m-a-of-small-businesses--4859429/support.