The Exit - Presented By Flippa

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit, serial entrepreneur and investor Bubba Page opens up about his journey from building a bootstrapped B2B sales company (Launch Leads) to launching Influence.VC, a venture fund focused on consumer tech and creator-led startups. Bubba shares how his first successful exit funded his lifestyle and family, while his venture-backed failure taught him invaluable lessons about ego, resilience, and emotional health. He emphasizes the often-overlooked value of lifestyle businesses, those that generate strong cash flow without external funding, and challenges the myth that venture capital is the only path to success. The conversation dives into the power of the creator economy, and how partnering with influencers can accelerate brand growth with lower customer acquisition costs. Bubba also reflects on selling his business just days before the 2020 COVID shutdown. Listen to the episode for real-world insights for founders questioning when to sell, whether to raise capital, or how to build a profitable business without burning out. -- Bubba Page is a single dad to 8 incredible kids—four boys, four girls—a devout Christian, and a serial entrepreneur who’s built and sold multiple companies, including a three-time Inc5000 standout, LaunchLeads.com, which he sold in 2020. Now, he’s pioneering Influence.vc, a venture capital syndicate on AngelList, where his social media influencer expertise invests and turbocharges startups. He is also a sought-after advisor in fundraising, B2B sales, influencer marketing strategy, and angel investing, a frequent podcast guest, and soon-to-be author of Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship, blending business and Christian principles for family life. Named one of 2024’s 'Coolest Entrepreneurs' by UVBizQ Magazine, he has also written for Inc Magazine. Bubba Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bubbapage/ Websites: https://influence.vc/ - https://thebusinessbootcamp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubbapage/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode, Kerri Glover, M&A Advisor at Sagewood and the former founder of one of Colorado’s largest wedding planning firms. Kerri reveals how she went from bootstrapping a solo wedding planning side hustle to building a 20-person team, operating globally, and eventually selling her service-based business for a 7-figure exit. She shares the behind-the-scenes of preparing for a successful sale, covering everything from SOPs and financial clean-up to branding decisions and letting go of founder dependence. Kerri also offers her perspective on the biggest mistakes sellers make, how real estate impacts deal timelines, and what buyers really want in today’s market. Whether you’re building a service business or planning your next move, this conversation is packed with timeless advice on how to turn your business into a valuable, transferable asset. -- With over two decades of experience in the wedding industry, Kerri Glover's journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her expertise, honed through planning over 1,500 weddings globally and contributing to the creation or redevelopment of 25 venues, is matched only by her insatiable thirst for knowledge. With an MBA from Regis University and a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School, Kerri brings a unique blend of creative vision and business acumen to every project she undertakes. In 2016, Kerri sold her firm, the largest wedding planning company in Colorado, with Sagewood Advisors, where she is now an M&A Advisor helping others do the same. Kerri Glover on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrilglover/ Websites: https://gosagewood.com/ - https://www.weddingvenuebroker.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Linda Hamilton, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and longtime CPA, shares practical strategies for business owners preparing for a future exit, emphasizing the importance of readiness, clean financials, and documented systems. Key Takeaways: Exit Planning is About Optionality, Not Just Selling Many business owners avoid thinking about exits too early, but Linda argues that preparing early builds resilience and optionality, not just a path to sell. The Cost of Not Preparing Citing a 30% valuation gap between male and female founders, Linda underscores how lack of preparation—especially around clean books, contracts, and succession—can significantly impact sale outcomes. Readiness vs. Attractiveness Linda encourages using assessments to evaluate both how attractive your business is to a buyer and how ready you are to exit. She shares a story of a founder nearly derailing a deal by not securing key employee agreements. Key Indicators of Exit-Readiness - Critical elements include: Clean, audited financials Signed client/vendor contracts Repeatable and documented systems Cash flow visibility and control over AR/AP Transferability & Systemology As a certified systemologist, Linda highlights the importance of mapping your customer journey and operational systems to ensure the business can run without you—critical for buyer confidence and deal value. Building a Support Team Successful exits rely on coordinated advisors: CPAs, attorneys, brokers, and wealth advisors. A SIPA-certified exit planner often acts as the “quarterback” to align everyone's efforts with the owner’s goals. Timing & Purpose Timing an exit is personal. Many owners regret selling too soon because they lack a post-exit purpose. Linda encourages planning for life after the sale as part of the overall exit strategy. Empowering Female Founders Linda advocates for financial fluency and readiness assessments to help women negotiate from a position of strength. Confidence comes from awareness—knowing your numbers, your risks, and your value. Final Advice: Linda wishes she had done her own business readiness assessments earlier in her career, highlighting how early preparation can influence smarter long-term decisions. -- Linda Hamilton is a CPA and CEPA, (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) who is passionate about helping women business owners achieve financial fluency to grow, profit & scale. Linda founded Grow Profit Scale™, a coaching and mastermind program designed to empower women entrepreneurs with financial fluency, profit amplification, and scalable business strategies. In addition to Grow Profit Scale, Linda is also the founder of Linda A. Hamilton CPA LLC, where Linda and her team provide accounting, tax, and strategic financial planning services. With over 35 years as a CPA, CGMA, CEPA, and SYSTEMologist®, she has helped countless business owners develop strong financial systems, improve profitability, and plan for successful exits. Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindahamiltoncpa/ Websites: https://www.growprofitscale.com/ - https://www.lahcpas.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Jonathan Bennett, an advisor at Clearly Then and former founder of a successful B Corp consulting firm, shares his insights on selling a business. He recounts his own exit journey, highlighting the emotional challenges like grief and identity loss. Jonathan stresses the importance of selling while still energized, choosing the right successor, and open communication during handovers. He offers smart negotiation tips and discusses finding purpose after an exit, making for a thought-provoking conversation on navigating the emotional terrain of business sales.

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Steve McGarry sits down with Christy Brown, CEO of Dr. Noze Best, to unpack her remarkable journey from engineer to multi-exit entrepreneur. Raised in a family of gritty builders and innovators, Christy shares how early exposure to a family-run real estate business inspired her transition from corporate consulting to launching her first eCommerce-focused agency in the early 2000s. Key topics discussed: The Power of Accelerators: Christy breaks down how accelerators build founder confidence, drive growth, and connect entrepreneurs with critical networks. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: She details her role in leading a women-focused accelerator that graduated 260+ founders, contributing over $2.5B in economic impact. Exit Strategy Insights: Christy shares candid lessons from her exits—including a public company earn-out—and the emotional and cultural shifts that follow a sale. Misconceptions about Exits & Venture Funding: From unrealistic timelines to overestimated payoffs, Christy demystifies what exits actually look like behind the headlines. Personal Advice: From reverse-engineering your life around your business to negotiating with clarity, Christy offers practical guidance for both aspiring and seasoned founders. Final takeaway: “Scaling is a strategy. Exiting is personal.” – a reminder that success is defined not just by valuation, but by the life you build alongside your business. -- Christy Brown is a proven leader with twenty years of leadership in entrepreneurship, customer development, and strategic innovation and solutions. Christy is a known resource for innovating traditional business models and scaling emerging businesses from inception to exit. She is a solution-oriented leader with expertise in technology, financial, and operational areas of growth stage businesses. Christy brings a heavy-duty management acumen with a focus on culture, diversity of thought, and design thinking. Her experience drives improvements and scale in organizations, fostering a culture of transformational change. Christy Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-brown-a54aa0/ Website: https://drnozebest.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Anne Mahlum, founder of the boutique fitness chain solidcore and the nonprofit Back on My Feet, shares her inspiring journey from launching a running club for the homeless to building a $100M fitness empire. She discusses her strategic exit plan, the importance of strong leadership during growth, and the complexities of negotiating her business sale. Anne emphasizes the value of asking for what you're worth, the power of shared success, and trusting your unique vision as a founder. Her key advice? Think big, stay bold!

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: What really happens when a founder decides it’s time to sell? In this powerful and practical episode, Steve McGarry sits down with Anthony Citrolo, CPA, serial entrepreneur, and managing partner at the NYBB Group, to unpack what really goes into preparing a business for sale. But this isn’t your average M&A conversation. Anthony takes us behind the curtain to reveal the emotional, psychological, and strategic decisions founders face as they approach a life-changing exit. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why the real exit plan starts the day you launch the business - The #1 mistake founders make when valuing their business - How to prepare your business (and yourself) before a buyer ever knocks - The danger of “key man” risk - and how to build a business that runs without you - What buyers really want: cash flow, scalability, and low concentration - Why 75% of sellers are unhappy post-exit - and how to avoid that fate - How to spot and address hidden risks that could kill your valuation “Most founders don’t realize they’re living vicariously through their business until it’s too late.” Anthony Citrolo With 20+ years in the trenches helping family-owned and founder-led businesses exit, Anthony shares war stories (like Frank, the manufacturer with 98% of revenue tied to 7 customers), practical frameworks, and wisdom earned through decades of hands-on deals. If you're a founder, even if you're years from selling, this episode will change how you think about growth, leadership, and legacy. Listen now to learn how to not just sell your business—but exit on your terms. -- Anthony J. Citrolo is a Managing Partner and Founder of The NYBB Group, LLC, the Exit Strategy Lab and NYBB Commercial Real Estate. Anthony’s clients include privately held companies and family-owned businesses. These are typically companies with revenue of $5M to $100M. Anthony represents HVAC, industrial service, finance, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, healthcare and all service companies. He helps these owners develop a clear and cohesive exit strategy, works to know and improve valuation and actively represents them in a sale or acquisition in a Merger and Acquisition transaction as their advisor and intermediary. Anthony is a CPA and a CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) and develops comprehensive strategies for owners and families. He also has completed the CEPA course and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. In addition, Anthony is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor AND Certified Exit Map Coach. Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonycitrolo/ Website: https://thenybbgroup.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Lisa Jones, founder and CEO of Shecom, shares her raw and powerful journey from frustrated corporate employee to seasoned entrepreneur with three exits—and a $50 million goal in sight. After being fired just shy of her probation period, Lisa launched her first business and never looked back. She reveals the hard lessons from early ventures, emphasizing the need for systemization, profitability, and eliminating key-person risk. Now building her “golden ticket” company, Shecom, Lisa leads with vulnerability, kindness, and mission-driven culture, rallying her all-female team around a shared vision. She stresses the power of community, first-party data, and recurring revenue in scaling a sustainable DTC brand. With painful missteps—like nearly going broke on a Bali holiday—behind her, Lisa urges founders, especially women, to get financially literate and think bigger, sooner. Her motto? “Fortune favors the brave.” And she’s boldly proving it. -- Lisa Jones is a passionate E-commerce expert and builder of 3 x multi-million dollar e-commerce brands. Lisa is most famous for co-founding Ecoriginals, the world's greenest nappy and wipes brand, which she sold to a private equity investor in 2020, Lisa is now busy building SHE-com, a global empire for women with e-commerce brands with a community of over 40,000 with a team of 45. Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones-shecom/ Website: https://shecom.co/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- What happens when an eight-figure exit falls apart? For Ben Brickweg, it sparked a decades-long mission to ensure no other founder has to experience the same heartbreak his family did. In the latest episode of The Exit, Ben — founder of Exitworthy, attorney, and seasoned M&A advisor — pulls back the curtain on what really goes wrong in business exits… and how to fix it. What You’ll Learn: The family deal that blew up and why it changed Ben’s life forever How Ben accidentally fell into M&A and worked on 200+ deals his first year Why most founders are unprepared to exit — and how to change that The three-part “Value Mountain” framework: Valuation, Sellability, and Transferability The biggest legal mistakes business owners make when selling Why private equity offers often shift post-LOI — and what to do about it How lifestyle inflation and poor financial planning derail more exits than you'd think What it really means to build an “exit-worthy” business Ben doesn’t just talk theory. He’s been on every side of the table — founder, lawyer, broker, buyer — and he’s seen deals thrive, collapse, and quietly destroy the dreams of unprepared sellers. His advice? Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell. Build your business like you're going to exit — from day one. This is a no-BS, deeply practical episode for anyone who owns a business and wants optionality — whether that means exiting now, or 10 years from now. -- Personal &/or Company Bio: Ben Brickweg has worked with over 2,000 business owners, helping them grow, protect, and sell their companies the right way. He runs two companies, Sagewood Business Advisors and Lodgepole Law, both built to help business owners navigate complex deals and legal challenges. Sagewood Business Advisors is a boutique M&A firm that helps owners understand their value, structure strong deals, and exit on their terms. Lodgepole Law is a provider of fractional general counsel services for acquisition entrepreneurs who need a proactive legal strategy, not last-minute chaos and hourly meters. He is also the creator of Exit Worthy, a platform that includes the podcast, training materials, and resources to help business owners get serious about preparing for a real exit; and Business Legal Fortress, bridging the gap between legal template stores and full-service firms, giving business owners affordable, effective legal protection without the unpredictability of hourly fees. Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbrickweg/ Website: https://gosagewood.com/ - https://exitworthy.com/ - https://lodgepolelaw.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business and you’ll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit: Nellie Akalp, founder and CEO of CorpNet, takes us on a no-fluff journey from launching her first business with just $100 to securing a 20x EBITDA exit to Intuit — all before turning 32. Nellie shares: How she and her husband bootstrapped MyCorporation from their apartment. What made their business irresistible to Intuit (spoiler: no debt, no investors, ultra-clean books). Why the post-acquisition “early retirement” didn’t last — and how that led to launching CorpNet in 2009 during the height of the recession. The pivotal B2B pivot that transformed CorpNet’s growth, including the launch of their Partner Program. How COVID turned into a major growth inflection point, scaling the team from 15 to 200 Why boundaries and mental wellness are non-negotiable for modern founders.. If you’re a business owner thinking about exit strategy, reinvention, or how to scale sustainably while protecting your peace — this episode is packed with golden insights from someone who’s lived it twice. -- Nellie Akalp is an entrepreneur, small business advocate, and mother of four little rockstars. As founder and CEO of CorpNet.com, she has helped more than half a million entrepreneurs start their businesses. Through CorpNet.com, Nellie has also partnered with business professionals such as attorneys, CPAs and more as their silent fulfillment partner helping them incorporate and form LLCs for their clients. Nellie has been named a Top 100 Small Business Influencer by Small Business Trends for the past four years and counting. In 2016 she was named Women Business Owner of the Year by NAWBO VC and her company, CorpNet.com, has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in America in 2015 and 2016. Website: https://www.corpnet.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corpnet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/corpnet.com/ Nellie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellieakalp/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You’ll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/