https://simplecast.com The ExitEngine™ Podcast How do I sell my business? How can I make my business more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The ExitEngine™ Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of ExitEngine™, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. © 2025 The ExitEngine™ Podcast en-us Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:51:52 +0000 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:52:02 +0000 http://www.myexitengine.com The ExitEngine™ Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/7274b616-1008-401f-8734-b32e8ae292e3/b8ce1af2-e7bf-4c0a-aae3-0a311c8a1882/3000x3000/with_jo_stapleton_and_john_canniffe_2.jpg?aid=rss_feed http://www.myexitengine.com episodic How do I sell my business? How can I make my business more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The ExitEngine™ Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of ExitEngine™, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe false https://feeds.simplecast.com/EONTG_4X business, business planning, strategic planning, business roadmap, mergers and acquisitions, m&a, sell my business, exit planning, exit strategy, business improvement, entrepreneurship, owning a business Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe jo@myexitengine.com 2eef09f8-d79f-4ee3-93a3-a7157f060a8e Ep 85 | Don’t Sell Your Business For The Wrong Reasons with Micah Fraim Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:51:52 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 85 | Don’t Sell Your Business For The Wrong Reasons with Micah Fraim Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:09:14 Most founders don’t sell their business because it’s the best financial decision. They sell because they’re exhausted. And that mistake can cost them millions in lost value, future income, and long-term freedom. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor Micah Fraim to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in business ownership: Why founders rush to sell—and why it’s often the wrong move. Micah shares what he sees behind the scenes when founders come to him with deals already on the table… and why he often tries to talk them out of selling. This conversation goes deep into: • burnout as a hidden driver of bad exits • why “exit planning” is fundamentally misunderstood • how most businesses plateau—and what to do instead • the difference between building a business vs. building an asset • how to turn your company into a long-term “oil well” instead of a one-time payout If you’re building a company and thinking about your future—even if a sale isn’t imminent—this episode will change how you think about growth, value, and optionality. In This Episode • Why burnout—not strategy—is driving many exits • The dangerous misconception behind “exit planning” • Why most founders sell too early (and regret it) • How private equity deals actually play out after the LOI • The “wealth gap” most founders never calculate • Why your business may be worth less than you think (to a buyer) • The shift from operator → business builder → asset creator • How to increase value before ever thinking about a sale • Why due diligence should happen before a buyer shows up Guest Spotlight Micah Fraim https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-fraim-cpa-a2680a1a/ https://fraimcpa.com/ Micah is a CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor who works with growth-focused, founder led businesses to improve profitability, structure, and long-term value. Unlike traditional accountants, Micah takes a holistic approach—helping founders think beyond taxes and into strategy, scalability, and exit readiness. He’s known for doing something unusual: When founders come to him ready to sell… he often tries to convince them not to. About ExitEngine ExitEngine helps founders turn their businesses into assets buyers compete for. Using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™, ExitEngine provides the diagnostics, strategy, and advisory support needed to grow smarter, reduce risk, and build companies that are transferable, scalable, and valuable. Because the best exits aren’t improvised—they’re engineered. If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • your current company structure • the biggest risks impacting enterprise value • opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • how the ExitEngine framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: https://www.myexitengine.com/book-call Most founders don’t sell their business because it’s the best financial decision. They sell because they’re exhausted. And that mistake can cost them millions in lost value, future income, and long-term freedom. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor Micah Fraim to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in business ownership: Why founders rush to sell—and why it’s often the wrong move. Micah shares what he sees behind the scenes when founders come to him with deals already on the table… and why he often tries to talk them out of selling. This conversation goes deep into: • burnout as a hidden driver of bad exits • why “exit planning” is fundamentally misunderstood • how most businesses plateau—and what to do instead • the difference between building a business vs. building an asset • how to turn your company into a long-term “oil well” instead of a one-time payout If you’re building a company and thinking about your future—even if a sale isn’t imminent—this episode will change how you think about growth, value, and optionality. In This Episode • Why burnout—not strategy—is driving many exits • The dangerous misconception behind “exit planning” • Why most founders sell too early (and regret it) • How private equity deals actually play out after the LOI • The “wealth gap” most founders never calculate • Why your business may be worth less than you think (to a buyer) • The shift from operator → business builder → asset creator • How to increase value before ever thinking about a sale • Why due diligence should happen before a buyer shows up Guest Spotlight Micah Fraim https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-fraim-cpa-a2680a1a/ https://fraimcpa.com/ Micah is a CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor who works with growth-focused, founder led businesses to improve profitability, structure, and long-term value. Unlike traditional accountants, Micah takes a holistic approach—helping founders think beyond taxes and into strategy, scalability, and exit readiness. He’s known for doing something unusual: When founders come to him ready to sell… he often tries to convince them not to. About ExitEngine ExitEngine helps founders turn their businesses into assets buyers compete for. Using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™, ExitEngine provides the diagnostics, strategy, and advisory support needed to grow smarter, reduce risk, and build companies that are transferable, scalable, and valuable. Because the best exits aren’t improvised—they’re engineered. If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • your current company structure • the biggest risks impacting enterprise value • opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • how the ExitEngine framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: https://www.myexitengine.com/book-call false full 83 0bafa445-f46d-4e4a-9d61-39dc98fc7871 Ep 84 | The Power of PEOs for Growing Companies with Pete Samson Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:51:21 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 84 | The Power of PEOs for Growing Companies with Pete Samson Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:52:47 As companies grow, managing HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance becomes increasingly complex. Many founders eventually encounter the world of PEOs (Professional Employer Organizations) — companies like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet that provide outsourced HR infrastructure through a co-employment model. But understanding when a PEO makes sense, how they work, and how to choose the right one can be confusing. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Pete Samson, a specialist who helps companies navigate the PEO marketplace and find the right HR infrastructure for their stage of growth. The conversation explores how the PEO industry works, the advantages and pitfalls of the model, and why many founders end up stuck in arrangements they don’t fully understand. If you’re scaling a business and trying to manage HR, benefits, and compliance without building a massive internal HR department, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most common solutions growing companies consider. In This Episode • What a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) actually does • How the co-employment model works • Why many companies move to a PEO as they grow • The hidden complexities founders should understand • How companies evaluate and switch PEO providers • The role of brokers in navigating the PEO marketplace Guest Spotlight Pete Samson https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-samson-b61081181 Pete specializes in helping companies navigate the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) marketplace. Rather than representing a single provider, Pete works as an independent advisor who helps companies evaluate multiple PEO options and find the best fit for their needs. With relationships across the major providers in the industry — including firms like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet — he helps business owners understand the trade-offs, costs, and operational implications of the co-employment model so they can make informed decisions about their HR infrastructure. Visit https://clevelandbenefitpartners.com/ About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our mission is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • Risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call As companies grow, managing HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance becomes increasingly complex. Many founders eventually encounter the world of PEOs (Professional Employer Organizations) — companies like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet that provide outsourced HR infrastructure through a co-employment model. But understanding when a PEO makes sense, how they work, and how to choose the right one can be confusing. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Pete Samson, a specialist who helps companies navigate the PEO marketplace and find the right HR infrastructure for their stage of growth. The conversation explores how the PEO industry works, the advantages and pitfalls of the model, and why many founders end up stuck in arrangements they don’t fully understand. If you’re scaling a business and trying to manage HR, benefits, and compliance without building a massive internal HR department, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most common solutions growing companies consider. In This Episode • What a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) actually does • How the co-employment model works • Why many companies move to a PEO as they grow • The hidden complexities founders should understand • How companies evaluate and switch PEO providers • The role of brokers in navigating the PEO marketplace Guest Spotlight Pete Samson https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-samson-b61081181 Pete specializes in helping companies navigate the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) marketplace. Rather than representing a single provider, Pete works as an independent advisor who helps companies evaluate multiple PEO options and find the best fit for their needs. With relationships across the major providers in the industry — including firms like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet — he helps business owners understand the trade-offs, costs, and operational implications of the co-employment model so they can make informed decisions about their HR infrastructure. Visit https://clevelandbenefitpartners.com/ About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our mission is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • Risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call false full 82 e913fa23-d13e-4b08-98cb-c1121f5490f9 EP 83 | Why Founder-Led Companies Struggle to Scale — The Brain Science Behind Better Teams with John Myers and Duncan Austin Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:56:36 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com EP 83 | Why Founder-Led Companies Struggle to Scale — The Brain Science Behind Better Teams with John Myers and Duncan Austin Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:35:45 Most founder-led companies eventually hit a ceiling. Revenue grows. The team expands. But decision-making, culture, and performance still revolve around the founder. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with John Myers and Duncan Austin to explore how brain science, group dynamics, and neuroplasticity influence leadership, culture, and company performance. Their work examines how teams actually think, learn, and adapt together — and how organizations can intentionally reshape those patterns to unlock higher levels of collaboration, decision-making, and performance. For founders trying to scale a company beyond themselves, understanding how teams function as collective intelligence systems can be a game changer. In This Episode: • How brain science influences leadership and team performance • The concept of collective intelligence inside organizations • Why group dynamics shape culture more than strategy • How neuroplasticity allows teams to change how they think and collaborate • What founders can learn about building adaptable, high-performing organizations If you’re building a company in the $5M–$50M range, understanding how teams learn, adapt, and make decisions together can be one of the most powerful levers for long-term growth and enterprise value. Guest Spotlight John Myers & Duncan Austin — TryBthrive John Myers and Duncan Austin work together at TryBthrive, a UK- and US-based consulting firm focused on team transformation, collective intelligence, and organizational culture. Led by CEO John Myers, TryBthrive applies neuroscience and neuroplasticity-based training, often supported by AI-measured learning systems, to help organizations understand how teams think, collaborate, and perform. Their work helps companies reshape group dynamics and leadership behaviors to improve decision-making, collaboration, and long-term performance across complex organizations. About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our goal is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Exit planning isn’t about selling your business tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, we invite you to schedule a Value Acceleration Call with our team. During this call, we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • The biggest risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ system helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call Most founder-led companies eventually hit a ceiling. Revenue grows. The team expands. But decision-making, culture, and performance still revolve around the founder. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with John Myers and Duncan Austin to explore how brain science, group dynamics, and neuroplasticity influence leadership, culture, and company performance. Their work examines how teams actually think, learn, and adapt together — and how organizations can intentionally reshape those patterns to unlock higher levels of collaboration, decision-making, and performance. For founders trying to scale a company beyond themselves, understanding how teams function as collective intelligence systems can be a game changer. In This Episode: • How brain science influences leadership and team performance • The concept of collective intelligence inside organizations • Why group dynamics shape culture more than strategy • How neuroplasticity allows teams to change how they think and collaborate • What founders can learn about building adaptable, high-performing organizations If you’re building a company in the $5M–$50M range, understanding how teams learn, adapt, and make decisions together can be one of the most powerful levers for long-term growth and enterprise value. Guest Spotlight John Myers & Duncan Austin — TryBthrive John Myers and Duncan Austin work together at TryBthrive, a UK- and US-based consulting firm focused on team transformation, collective intelligence, and organizational culture. Led by CEO John Myers, TryBthrive applies neuroscience and neuroplasticity-based training, often supported by AI-measured learning systems, to help organizations understand how teams think, collaborate, and perform. Their work helps companies reshape group dynamics and leadership behaviors to improve decision-making, collaboration, and long-term performance across complex organizations. About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our goal is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Exit planning isn’t about selling your business tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, we invite you to schedule a Value Acceleration Call with our team. During this call, we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • The biggest risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ system helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call false full 81 dd73585f-f378-4415-b06d-3cbbba99a1ea EP 82 | Financial Clarity = Exit Power: Why Every Founder Must Know Their Financial Truth with Cody Price https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-pricefamilybookkeeping/

https://pricefamilybookkeeping.com


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]]> Fri, 6 Mar 2026 15:34:25 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-pricefamilybookkeeping/

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]]> EP 82 | Financial Clarity = Exit Power: Why Every Founder Must Know Their Financial Truth with Cody Price Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:06:22 Most founders don’t hate making money. They hate the accounting. And that’s exactly where many businesses lose control of their growth—and their eventual exit. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Cody Price, founder of Price Family Bookkeeping, to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of business value: financial visibility. Because the truth is this: If you don’t understand the numbers driving your business, you’re not just missing information —you’re limiting your ability to scale, raise capital, or sell your company. Cody shares what he sees every day working with founders across industries—from ecommerce and construction to agriculture and real estate—and explains why poor financial systems often kill deals right before closing. We discuss: • Why bookkeeping is one of the least favorite parts of running a business • How financial blind spots create hidden profit leaks • The difference between bookkeeping, controllers, and CFO-level strategy • Why accounting mistakes often kill M&A deals in the final stages • How founders can build financial clarity long before they plan to exit Because exit planning isn’t something you do when you’re ready to sell. It’s something you build into the business years earlier. If you’re a founder growing toward a future exit, this conversation will help you see your numbers—and your business—more clearly. 🚀 ExitEngine 30-Day Sprint CTA Ready to see the true value of your business? Most founders don’t know: • what their company is really worth • where profit leaks are hiding • or what buyers would flag in due diligence. That’s exactly why we built the ExitEngine 30-Day Value Sprint. In just 30 days we help founders: ✔ Establish a baseline valuation ✔ Identify profit leaks and risk areas ✔ Diagnose exit-readiness gaps ✔ Map a clear roadmap from growth → exit It’s the fastest way to understand how to increase the Total Exit Value of your company. 👉 Learn more: www.myexitengine.com Most founders don’t hate making money. They hate the accounting. And that’s exactly where many businesses lose control of their growth—and their eventual exit. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Cody Price, founder of Price Family Bookkeeping, to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of business value: financial visibility. Because the truth is this: If you don’t understand the numbers driving your business, you’re not just missing information —you’re limiting your ability to scale, raise capital, or sell your company. Cody shares what he sees every day working with founders across industries—from ecommerce and construction to agriculture and real estate—and explains why poor financial systems often kill deals right before closing. We discuss: • Why bookkeeping is one of the least favorite parts of running a business • How financial blind spots create hidden profit leaks • The difference between bookkeeping, controllers, and CFO-level strategy • Why accounting mistakes often kill M&A deals in the final stages • How founders can build financial clarity long before they plan to exit Because exit planning isn’t something you do when you’re ready to sell. It’s something you build into the business years earlier. If you’re a founder growing toward a future exit, this conversation will help you see your numbers—and your business—more clearly. 🚀 ExitEngine 30-Day Sprint CTA Ready to see the true value of your business? Most founders don’t know: • what their company is really worth • where profit leaks are hiding • or what buyers would flag in due diligence. That’s exactly why we built the ExitEngine 30-Day Value Sprint. In just 30 days we help founders: ✔ Establish a baseline valuation ✔ Identify profit leaks and risk areas ✔ Diagnose exit-readiness gaps ✔ Map a clear roadmap from growth → exit It’s the fastest way to understand how to increase the Total Exit Value of your company. 👉 Learn more: www.myexitengine.com false full 80 76ebd23e-bbad-4579-b790-04820a384ee0 Ep 81 | Frozen Founders: The Psychology Behind Exit Decisions w/ Jeff Munn Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:11:32 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 81 | Frozen Founders: The Psychology Behind Exit Decisions w/ Jeff Munn Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:13:26 The biggest exits fall apart long before the deal table — inside the founder’s mind. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with executive coach and Pick Now podcast host Jeff Munn to explore the emotional and psychological side of building, scaling, and eventually selling a business. Together they unpack: ✔ Why decision paralysis keeps founders stuck ✔ The fear behind selling a company you built from nothing ✔ Why burnout leads to bad exits ✔ The psychology of earnouts and loss of control ✔ How founders accidentally sabotage value by staying too involved ✔ Why “exit planning = growth planning with intention” Jeff shares his powerful Pick Now Method, helping leaders stop overthinking and start taking decisive action — a skill that directly impacts enterprise value and exit outcomes. If you’re a founder between $2M–$20M revenue (or heading there), this conversation will completely change how you think about growth, leadership, and your eventual exit. 👤 Guest Contact — Jeff Munn Jeff Munn Host — Pick Now Podcast Founder and President - Creating Extraordinary Futures Helping founders scale with clarity, reduce decision stress, and lead without burnout. https://jmunn.com/join-my-community https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmunn/ 🚀 ExitEngine 30-Day Sprint If this episode hits close to home, it’s because most founders wait too long to prepare for exit. The ExitEngine 30-Day Value Sprint helps you: ✔ Understand your real valuation ✔ Identify saleability risks buyers will find anyway ✔ Reveal profit leaks and growth blockers ✔ Build a roadmap toward a premium exit 💡 Exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about growing smarter today. ➡ Learn more at myexitengine.com The biggest exits fall apart long before the deal table — inside the founder’s mind. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with executive coach and Pick Now podcast host Jeff Munn to explore the emotional and psychological side of building, scaling, and eventually selling a business. Together they unpack: ✔ Why decision paralysis keeps founders stuck ✔ The fear behind selling a company you built from nothing ✔ Why burnout leads to bad exits ✔ The psychology of earnouts and loss of control ✔ How founders accidentally sabotage value by staying too involved ✔ Why “exit planning = growth planning with intention” Jeff shares his powerful Pick Now Method, helping leaders stop overthinking and start taking decisive action — a skill that directly impacts enterprise value and exit outcomes. If you’re a founder between $2M–$20M revenue (or heading there), this conversation will completely change how you think about growth, leadership, and your eventual exit. 👤 Guest Contact — Jeff Munn Jeff Munn Host — Pick Now Podcast Founder and President - Creating Extraordinary Futures Helping founders scale with clarity, reduce decision stress, and lead without burnout. https://jmunn.com/join-my-community https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmunn/ 🚀 ExitEngine 30-Day Sprint If this episode hits close to home, it’s because most founders wait too long to prepare for exit. The ExitEngine 30-Day Value Sprint helps you: ✔ Understand your real valuation ✔ Identify saleability risks buyers will find anyway ✔ Reveal profit leaks and growth blockers ✔ Build a roadmap toward a premium exit 💡 Exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about growing smarter today. ➡ Learn more at myexitengine.com false full 79 5273000e-0f4f-4f10-8331-29b27d3ff690 Ep 80 | The Private Equity Playbook for Exiting Founders with Aaron Alpeter https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/

 


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]]> Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:05:29 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/

 


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]]> Ep 80 | The Private Equity Playbook for Exiting Founders with Aaron Alpeter Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:12:44 What does private equity actually look for when evaluating a company? In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Aaron Alpeter, Partner at Izzo Partners, to break down how PE firms assess value, risk, and scalability in founder-led businesses . Aaron shares: • How private equity evaluates EBITDA vs. quality of earnings • Why founder dependence is one of the biggest valuation killers • What makes a company “platform ready” • How recurring revenue and defensibility impact multiples • The difference between growth potential and operational risk • Why PE firms care more about leadership depth than most founders realize • How to prepare for institutional capital — years before you need it This episode is essential for founders in the $3M–$25M revenue range who want to: ✔ Increase valuation ✔ Reduce buyer risk ✔ Attract institutional capital ✔ Build optionality ✔ Exit on their terms Private equity isn’t just buying your past performance. They’re underwriting your future — and pricing your risk. If you want to understand how buyers think before you go to market, this conversation is required listening. Guest Info Aaron Alpeter https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/ Aaron is a Partner at Izba Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in lower middle market companies and helping founders scale with institutional capital. Special Offer for Podcast Listeners: Want to know how exit-ready your company is? Take our 30-day Value Sprint and see your company through the eyes of a buyer. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. 🔎 What does private equity actually look for when evaluating a company? In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Aaron Alpeter, Partner at Izzo Partners, to break down how PE firms assess value, risk, and scalability in founder-led businesses . Aaron shares: • How private equity evaluates EBITDA vs. quality of earnings • Why founder dependence is one of the biggest valuation killers • What makes a company “platform ready” • How recurring revenue and defensibility impact multiples • The difference between growth potential and operational risk • Why PE firms care more about leadership depth than most founders realize • How to prepare for institutional capital — years before you need it This episode is essential for founders in the $3M–$25M revenue range who want to: ✔ Increase valuation ✔ Reduce buyer risk ✔ Attract institutional capital ✔ Build optionality ✔ Exit on their terms Private equity isn’t just buying your past performance. They’re underwriting your future — and pricing your risk. If you want to understand how buyers think before you go to market, this conversation is required listening. Guest Info Aaron Alpeter https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/ Aaron is a Partner at Izba Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in lower middle market companies and helping founders scale with institutional capital. Special Offer for Podcast Listeners: Want to know how exit-ready your company is? Take our 30-day Value Sprint and see your company through the eyes of a buyer. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. 🔎 false full 78 60954f10-4a9a-4500-9896-3265e5c9ec73 Ep 79 | Designing Your Business for Exit with Christie Kaplan Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:25:50 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 79 | Designing Your Business for Exit with Christie Kaplan Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:21:00 Most founders build products. Very few intentionally design companies. Even few design their exits. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Christie Kaplan, founder of Startup Design Partners and architect of the design-led venture philosophy. Christie breaks down why: • Product-market fit (PMF) is only the beginning • Founders must design their business models, not just their products • Scaling without intentional design multiplies dysfunction • Your values as a founder determine your exit outcome • Startups move through predictable phases — and most get stuck in perseverance • Why SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) are the most underrated founders • Why serial entrepreneurs think differently about risk and growth • How to align your company with your personal values from Day One • Why listening to customers early prevents valuation problems later If you’re building a startup, scaling from $5M, or thinking about exit planning, this conversation connects: 👉 Founder psychology 👉 Venture design 👉 Enterprise value 👉 Saleability 👉 Intentional growth Christie explains how founders must: ✔ Ask better “why” questions ✔ Stay flexible but not directionless ✔ Avoid scaling broken systems ✔ Design their company to support their life — not consume it Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow. It’s about designing options today. Connect with Christie Kaplan: Startup Design Partners: https://startupdesignpartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-kaplan/ Substack: Building a VC Fund in Public Learn Your Exit Readiness: Start your Total Exit Value Score™ at 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com Most founders build products. Very few intentionally design companies. Even few design their exits. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Christie Kaplan, founder of Startup Design Partners and architect of the design-led venture philosophy. Christie breaks down why: • Product-market fit (PMF) is only the beginning • Founders must design their business models, not just their products • Scaling without intentional design multiplies dysfunction • Your values as a founder determine your exit outcome • Startups move through predictable phases — and most get stuck in perseverance • Why SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) are the most underrated founders • Why serial entrepreneurs think differently about risk and growth • How to align your company with your personal values from Day One • Why listening to customers early prevents valuation problems later If you’re building a startup, scaling from $5M, or thinking about exit planning, this conversation connects: 👉 Founder psychology 👉 Venture design 👉 Enterprise value 👉 Saleability 👉 Intentional growth Christie explains how founders must: ✔ Ask better “why” questions ✔ Stay flexible but not directionless ✔ Avoid scaling broken systems ✔ Design their company to support their life — not consume it Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow. It’s about designing options today. Connect with Christie Kaplan: Startup Design Partners: https://startupdesignpartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-kaplan/ Substack: Building a VC Fund in Public Learn Your Exit Readiness: Start your Total Exit Value Score™ at 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com false full 77 6c68534f-ca33-43eb-b3a9-2ec0ca5b38f7 Ep 77 | What Can the CIA Teach Us About Exit Planning? https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynsotolov/

https://www.rjleadershipcoaching.com/


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]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:27:26 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynsotolov/

https://www.rjleadershipcoaching.com/


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]]> Ep 77 | What Can the CIA Teach Us About Exit Planning? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:52 Exit planning isn’t just financial — it’s emotional, relational, and intensely human. In this episode of the ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Robyn Sotolov, a former CIA analyst and leadership development expert with experience at Tesla and OpenAI, to unpack what founders can learn from the world’s most high-stakes environments when preparing for an exit. Robyn shares how the CIA’s audience-first communication model, including the “Bottom Line Up Front” (BLUF) principle, maps directly to buyer conversations, management presentations, and due diligence. The discussion explores why transparency builds trust, why guessing erodes credibility, and how empathy becomes a strategic advantage during transactions, transitions, and leadership change. The episode also dives deep into the emotional side of exits — identity loss, grief, resilience, and values — and why founders who fail to prepare for these realities often struggle long after the deal closes. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why exit planning requires more resilience than scaling a business • How CIA-style communication improves buyer confidence during diligence • Why empathy is a strategic superpower in high-pressure exits • How to lead teams through uncertainty, generational shifts, and change • Why values-based leadership protects both value and legacy If you’re preparing for a sale, succession, recapitalization, or major transition, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about exit readiness and leadership under pressure. 👉 Join the ExitEngine Ecosystem and learn how to control your business destiny. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. Exit planning isn’t just financial — it’s emotional, relational, and intensely human. In this episode of the ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Robyn Sotolov, a former CIA analyst and leadership development expert with experience at Tesla and OpenAI, to unpack what founders can learn from the world’s most high-stakes environments when preparing for an exit. Robyn shares how the CIA’s audience-first communication model, including the “Bottom Line Up Front” (BLUF) principle, maps directly to buyer conversations, management presentations, and due diligence. The discussion explores why transparency builds trust, why guessing erodes credibility, and how empathy becomes a strategic advantage during transactions, transitions, and leadership change. The episode also dives deep into the emotional side of exits — identity loss, grief, resilience, and values — and why founders who fail to prepare for these realities often struggle long after the deal closes. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why exit planning requires more resilience than scaling a business • How CIA-style communication improves buyer confidence during diligence • Why empathy is a strategic superpower in high-pressure exits • How to lead teams through uncertainty, generational shifts, and change • Why values-based leadership protects both value and legacy If you’re preparing for a sale, succession, recapitalization, or major transition, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about exit readiness and leadership under pressure. 👉 Join the ExitEngine Ecosystem and learn how to control your business destiny. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. false full 76 04ac5a13-8a2e-4f31-8b1f-255d3568072c Ep76 | Building Exit-Worthy Growth Engines with AI https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisanz19/

www.nextlm.ai


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]]> Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:10:39 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisanz19/

www.nextlm.ai


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]]> Ep76 | Building Exit-Worthy Growth Engines with AI Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:57:18 What if your next customer was already looking for you—right now? In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo and John sit down with Chris Anzalone, founder of NextLM, an AI-driven platform that helps companies identify and engage with buyers who are already in-market for their solutions. But this episode goes far beyond lead gen. Chris shares hard-won lessons from leading biotech companies, exiting public businesses, and now launching a tool that bridges the gap between sales, marketing, and strategic exit planning. What you’ll learn: • Why most businesses chase the wrong customers • How to align revenue growth with long-term valuation • What AI is finally making possible for B2B founders • How “exit-ready” companies think about pipeline predictability • Why the best deals start long before you’re ready to sell Whether you’re selling now or scaling for the future, NextLM shows how smarter growth = higher exit value. Listen now to learn how to build a business that buyers find irresistible—because it already knows how to win. Jon the ExitEngine Ecosystem and learn how to control your business destiny. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. What if your next customer was already looking for you—right now? In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo and John sit down with Chris Anzalone, founder of NextLM, an AI-driven platform that helps companies identify and engage with buyers who are already in-market for their solutions. But this episode goes far beyond lead gen. Chris shares hard-won lessons from leading biotech companies, exiting public businesses, and now launching a tool that bridges the gap between sales, marketing, and strategic exit planning. What you’ll learn: • Why most businesses chase the wrong customers • How to align revenue growth with long-term valuation • What AI is finally making possible for B2B founders • How “exit-ready” companies think about pipeline predictability • Why the best deals start long before you’re ready to sell Whether you’re selling now or scaling for the future, NextLM shows how smarter growth = higher exit value. Listen now to learn how to build a business that buyers find irresistible—because it already knows how to win. Jon the ExitEngine Ecosystem and learn how to control your business destiny. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started. false full 75 33c8b7d7-b21b-4a0a-9817-89190295efbb EP 75 | AI, M&A, and the New Rules of Exit Planning with Jeff Willinger Jeff's phone: 312-622-2300

Jeff's email: jeffwillinger@outlook.com

linkedin.com/in/jeffwillinger


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]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:20:16 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jeff's phone: 312-622-2300

Jeff's email: jeffwillinger@outlook.com

linkedin.com/in/jeffwillinger


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]]> EP 75 | AI, M&A, and the New Rules of Exit Planning with Jeff Willinger Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:36 Most founders think AI is about efficiency, automation, or keeping up with trends. Buyers see something very different. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, we’re joined by Jeff Willinger, a digital transformation and AI strategist with decades of enterprise experience, to unpack how AI is quietly redefining what “value” actually means in M&A. This conversation goes far beyond tools and hype. We break down how buyers use AI today — and how founders can use it now to reduce risk, increase predictability, and expand their buyer pool. You’ll learn: • Why AI maturity is becoming a proxy for operational trust • How buyers evaluate data, governance, and predictability — not just EBITDA • The difference between real AI integration and last-minute “AI wash” • How AI exposes hidden risks before they kill deals • Why exit planning is really growth planning with intention • How AI belongs in your margin slide, not just your tech stack AI isn’t replacing people. It’s increasing confidence. And confidence is what buyers pay a premium for. If you want to build a company that’s scalable, predictable, and ready for exit — whether you sell or not — this episode is essential. Most founders think AI is about efficiency, automation, or keeping up with trends. Buyers see something very different. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, we’re joined by Jeff Willinger, a digital transformation and AI strategist with decades of enterprise experience, to unpack how AI is quietly redefining what “value” actually means in M&A. This conversation goes far beyond tools and hype. We break down how buyers use AI today — and how founders can use it now to reduce risk, increase predictability, and expand their buyer pool. You’ll learn: • Why AI maturity is becoming a proxy for operational trust • How buyers evaluate data, governance, and predictability — not just EBITDA • The difference between real AI integration and last-minute “AI wash” • How AI exposes hidden risks before they kill deals • Why exit planning is really growth planning with intention • How AI belongs in your margin slide, not just your tech stack AI isn’t replacing people. It’s increasing confidence. And confidence is what buyers pay a premium for. If you want to build a company that’s scalable, predictable, and ready for exit — whether you sell or not — this episode is essential. false full 74 7525322f-215e-452b-88e0-9c86419b2cc6 Ep 74 | You’re Not Ready to Sell (Even If You Think You Are) with Stefania Arca linkedin.com/in/stefania-arca

 


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]]> Fri, 9 Jan 2026 15:57:02 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/stefania-arca

 


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]]> Ep 74 | You’re Not Ready to Sell (Even If You Think You Are) with Stefania Arca Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:19:58 Most founders believe exit planning starts when they decide to sell. That assumption is exactly what costs them leverage, value, and control. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, we’re joined by Stefania Arca to unpack what real exit readiness looks like — and why buyers care far more about preparation, clarity, and risk than timing or hype. This conversation goes beyond valuation math and dives into the practical realities buyers scrutinize during a transaction: • Why founders often overestimate how “ready” their business really is • The hidden risks that show up late and get punished in price or terms • How documentation, leadership depth, and operational clarity affect buyer confidence • Why exit planning is actually about building options, not forcing outcomes • What founders can do now to protect and grow value — even if they never sell Exit planning isn’t a future event. It’s a way of running your business with intention. Guest Contact: Stefania Arca https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefania-arca/ 👉 Start with your Exit Readiness Score: https://myexitengine.com 📈 Subscribe for weekly exit planning and value-growth insights 🎧 Listen to the full ExitEngine Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📩 Join the ExitEngine community for founders building companies worth buying Most founders believe exit planning starts when they decide to sell. That assumption is exactly what costs them leverage, value, and control. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, we’re joined by Stefania Arca to unpack what real exit readiness looks like — and why buyers care far more about preparation, clarity, and risk than timing or hype. This conversation goes beyond valuation math and dives into the practical realities buyers scrutinize during a transaction: • Why founders often overestimate how “ready” their business really is • The hidden risks that show up late and get punished in price or terms • How documentation, leadership depth, and operational clarity affect buyer confidence • Why exit planning is actually about building options, not forcing outcomes • What founders can do now to protect and grow value — even if they never sell Exit planning isn’t a future event. It’s a way of running your business with intention. Guest Contact: Stefania Arca https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefania-arca/ 👉 Start with your Exit Readiness Score: https://myexitengine.com 📈 Subscribe for weekly exit planning and value-growth insights 🎧 Listen to the full ExitEngine Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📩 Join the ExitEngine community for founders building companies worth buying false full 73 a6966f3b-f413-4315-b52a-c66f98d13ac1 Ep 73 | Anatomy of a Sellable Business: The Total Exit Value System™ - (Encore Presentation) Fri, 2 Jan 2026 14:38:39 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 73 | Anatomy of a Sellable Business: The Total Exit Value System™ - (Encore Presentation) Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:24 Most business owners think exit planning is about timing the market or finding the right buyer. Buyers see it very differently. In this episode, we break down the Total Exit Value System™ —our 10-part framework designed to help founders understand how buyers actually evaluate, price, and de-risk an acquisition. This isn’t theory. It’s the same lens strategic and financial buyers use every time they look at a business. We walk through: • Why buyers have a structural advantage — and how to close the knowledge gap • The 10 core areas that determine enterprise value and saleability • How financial health, operations, risk, leadership, and scalability interact • Why “clean books” alone don’t create top-tier valuations • How to build value even if you never sell The Total Exit Value System™ isn’t about preparing to sell tomorrow. It’s about building a company that creates options, leverage, and control — whether your exit is 1 year away or 10. If you want to stop guessing and start building value intentionally, this episode lays out the system step-by-step. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. Most business owners think exit planning is about timing the market or finding the right buyer. Buyers see it very differently. In this episode, we break down the Total Exit Value System™ —our 10-part framework designed to help founders understand how buyers actually evaluate, price, and de-risk an acquisition. This isn’t theory. It’s the same lens strategic and financial buyers use every time they look at a business. We walk through: • Why buyers have a structural advantage — and how to close the knowledge gap • The 10 core areas that determine enterprise value and saleability • How financial health, operations, risk, leadership, and scalability interact • Why “clean books” alone don’t create top-tier valuations • How to build value even if you never sell The Total Exit Value System™ isn’t about preparing to sell tomorrow. It’s about building a company that creates options, leverage, and control — whether your exit is 1 year away or 10. If you want to stop guessing and start building value intentionally, this episode lays out the system step-by-step. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 72 81196280-e7f6-4c7f-aa41-6d1a62b470f7 Ep 72 | 10 Exit Planning Moves That Instantly Increase Business Value - (Encore Presentation) Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:56:45 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 72 | 10 Exit Planning Moves That Instantly Increase Business Value - (Encore Presentation) Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:22 78% of business owners plan to fund their retirement by selling their company — yet only about 20% actually succeed. Why? Because most founders think exit planning is something you do at the end, not something you build into the business every day. In this episode, we break that myth wide open. Instead of theory or generic advice, we walk through 10 concrete, actionable items you can start addressing right now to immediately raise or protect the value of your business. These aren’t just “exit strategies” — they’re fundamental drivers of operational strength, risk reduction, profitability, and buyer confidence. We cover: • Why exit planning is really business planning done right • How continuity, risk management, and documentation increase valuation • The operational, financial, and leadership gaps buyers punish most • How to build a business that runs without you • Why these actions improve performance even if you never sell Whether your exit is 1 year away or 10 years out, these steps make your company healthier, more resilient, and dramatically more sellable. If you want control, options, and leverage — this episode is your starting point. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. 78% of business owners plan to fund their retirement by selling their company — yet only about 20% actually succeed. Why? Because most founders think exit planning is something you do at the end, not something you build into the business every day. In this episode, we break that myth wide open. Instead of theory or generic advice, we walk through 10 concrete, actionable items you can start addressing right now to immediately raise or protect the value of your business. These aren’t just “exit strategies” — they’re fundamental drivers of operational strength, risk reduction, profitability, and buyer confidence. We cover: • Why exit planning is really business planning done right • How continuity, risk management, and documentation increase valuation • The operational, financial, and leadership gaps buyers punish most • How to build a business that runs without you • Why these actions improve performance even if you never sell Whether your exit is 1 year away or 10 years out, these steps make your company healthier, more resilient, and dramatically more sellable. If you want control, options, and leverage — this episode is your starting point. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 71 7d3fb4fb-2a11-4bf0-ae11-de39e44793ae Ep 71 | The Trust Lever: How Founder Visibility Builds Exit Value Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:12:04 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Ep 71 | The Trust Lever: How Founder Visibility Builds Exit Value Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:13:42 Most founders think exit planning is about financials, operations, and timing. But buyers look for something deeper first: trust. In this episode of the ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Christopher Thiede, storytelling strategist and creator of Visibility Brief, to explore how founder visibility and narrative control directly impact business value, buyer confidence, and exit outcomes. Christopher explains why buyers don’t just evaluate numbers — they assess leadership credibility, culture, and whether the business can thrive beyond the founder. Through real-world examples, he shows how executive visibility builds intangible assets like trust, goodwill, and perceived stability — all of which influence valuation multiples and deal certainty. This conversation reframes personal branding as a strategic exit lever, not a marketing vanity play. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why buyers care deeply about founder credibility and visibility • How storytelling reduces perceived risk during diligence • When founders must step back — and elevate their leadership team — to increase transferability • How executive visibility supports succession, investment, and exit readiness • Why trust is one of the most underappreciated drivers of valuation If you want to build a business that buyers trust, teams believe in, and markets respect, this episode will change how you think about visibility, leadership, and exit planning. Guest Info: Christopher Thiede, Founder, Visibility Brief https://www.linkedin.com/in/ christhiede/ 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. Most founders think exit planning is about financials, operations, and timing. But buyers look for something deeper first: trust. In this episode of the ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Christopher Thiede, storytelling strategist and creator of Visibility Brief, to explore how founder visibility and narrative control directly impact business value, buyer confidence, and exit outcomes. Christopher explains why buyers don’t just evaluate numbers — they assess leadership credibility, culture, and whether the business can thrive beyond the founder. Through real-world examples, he shows how executive visibility builds intangible assets like trust, goodwill, and perceived stability — all of which influence valuation multiples and deal certainty. This conversation reframes personal branding as a strategic exit lever, not a marketing vanity play. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why buyers care deeply about founder credibility and visibility • How storytelling reduces perceived risk during diligence • When founders must step back — and elevate their leadership team — to increase transferability • How executive visibility supports succession, investment, and exit readiness • Why trust is one of the most underappreciated drivers of valuation If you want to build a business that buyers trust, teams believe in, and markets respect, this episode will change how you think about visibility, leadership, and exit planning. Guest Info: Christopher Thiede, Founder, Visibility Brief https://www.linkedin.com/in/ christhiede/ 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 70 f3acdc84-19c3-47d1-881f-1bc36b876f4e Ep 70 | Sabotage! How You're Instinctively Killing Your Own Exit linkedin.com/in/jürgen-wiehn


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]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:18:43 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/jürgen-wiehn


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]]> Ep 70 | Sabotage! How You're Instinctively Killing Your Own Exit Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:36 Selling your business isn’t just a financial event — it’s an emotional earthquake. Most founders enter the exit process completely unprepared for the stress, identity loss, nervous system activation, and decision-making paralysis that show up when it’s time to let go of something they’ve built for 10, 20, even 30 years. In this powerful episode, transformational leadership coach Jürgen Wiehn breaks down why: • Founders instinctively sabotage their own exits • Your nervous system can trigger fight-or-flight during due diligence • Burnout, stress, and emotional “programming” from childhood show up in negotiations • Decision-making becomes cloudy, reactive, and fear-based • Many owners experience a dark night of the soul while exiting their business • What worked to build your business absolutely will not work to sell it Jürgen shares practical tools founders can use to stay grounded, expand their emotional capacity, and make clearer decisions — even during the most stressful phases of the deal. This episode is for any founder who feels overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, exhausted, or uncertain about what’s coming next. Exit planning isn’t just strategy… it’s self-mastery. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why founders resist slowing down — and how that hurts valuation • How nervous system triggers affect negotiations and leadership • Why fear, shame, and identity loss show up during exit planning • How to build resilience so due diligence doesn’t break you • How to make decisions using both your mind and your body • Why emotional clarity equals business clarity (and better deal outcomes) • Tools leaders can use to avoid burnout and regain focus 📞 Guest Contact — Jürgen Wiehn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgenwiehn/ Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. Selling your business isn’t just a financial event — it’s an emotional earthquake. Most founders enter the exit process completely unprepared for the stress, identity loss, nervous system activation, and decision-making paralysis that show up when it’s time to let go of something they’ve built for 10, 20, even 30 years. In this powerful episode, transformational leadership coach Jürgen Wiehn breaks down why: • Founders instinctively sabotage their own exits • Your nervous system can trigger fight-or-flight during due diligence • Burnout, stress, and emotional “programming” from childhood show up in negotiations • Decision-making becomes cloudy, reactive, and fear-based • Many owners experience a dark night of the soul while exiting their business • What worked to build your business absolutely will not work to sell it Jürgen shares practical tools founders can use to stay grounded, expand their emotional capacity, and make clearer decisions — even during the most stressful phases of the deal. This episode is for any founder who feels overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, exhausted, or uncertain about what’s coming next. Exit planning isn’t just strategy… it’s self-mastery. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why founders resist slowing down — and how that hurts valuation • How nervous system triggers affect negotiations and leadership • Why fear, shame, and identity loss show up during exit planning • How to build resilience so due diligence doesn’t break you • How to make decisions using both your mind and your body • Why emotional clarity equals business clarity (and better deal outcomes) • Tools leaders can use to avoid burnout and regain focus 📞 Guest Contact — Jürgen Wiehn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgenwiehn/ Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 69 dda788ce-a353-40de-8961-2b6b576c6ae0 EP 69| The IP Playbook Every Founder Needs to Learn Now! linkedin.com/in/brenna-legaard

https://inveniolaw.com

 


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]]> Fri, 5 Dec 2025 15:18:12 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/brenna-legaard

https://inveniolaw.com

 


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]]> EP 69| The IP Playbook Every Founder Needs to Learn Now! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:12:40 Most founders dramatically underestimate the value of their intellectual property — and it’s costing them millions at exit. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, IP strategist and patent attorney Brenna Legaard (Partner, Invenio LLP) breaks down how founders can identify, protect, and monetize their intellectual property long before an exit — and why waiting until due diligence is too late. Brenna explains: • Why everything is copyable unless it’s protected • The four types of IP every founder needs to understand (copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, patents) • How small innovations, edge efficiencies, and internal processes often qualify as trade secrets — but only if you identify and protect them • Why patents are critical in deep tech, med-device, pharma, and regulated industries — and how missing your filing window can cost you the entire market • How buyers uncover hidden IP value (and hidden IP risk) that founders always overlook • Why IP can double the value and saleability of a company when handled strategically • How to avoid blowing trademark rights through poor naming, messaging, and product positioning • How to uncover “accidental IP” hiding inside your operations, product, brand, and customer relationships If you’re planning to sell your company in the next 1–10 years, this episode will change the way you think about your business. Guest Contact: Brenna Legaard Brenna advises high-growth companies across med-tech, deep tech, SaaS, manufacturing, and scientific innovation on how to turn IP into enterprise value. Website: https://inveniolaw.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brenna-legaard Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. Most founders dramatically underestimate the value of their intellectual property — and it’s costing them millions at exit. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, IP strategist and patent attorney Brenna Legaard (Partner, Invenio LLP) breaks down how founders can identify, protect, and monetize their intellectual property long before an exit — and why waiting until due diligence is too late. Brenna explains: • Why everything is copyable unless it’s protected • The four types of IP every founder needs to understand (copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, patents) • How small innovations, edge efficiencies, and internal processes often qualify as trade secrets — but only if you identify and protect them • Why patents are critical in deep tech, med-device, pharma, and regulated industries — and how missing your filing window can cost you the entire market • How buyers uncover hidden IP value (and hidden IP risk) that founders always overlook • Why IP can double the value and saleability of a company when handled strategically • How to avoid blowing trademark rights through poor naming, messaging, and product positioning • How to uncover “accidental IP” hiding inside your operations, product, brand, and customer relationships If you’re planning to sell your company in the next 1–10 years, this episode will change the way you think about your business. Guest Contact: Brenna Legaard Brenna advises high-growth companies across med-tech, deep tech, SaaS, manufacturing, and scientific innovation on how to turn IP into enterprise value. Website: https://inveniolaw.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brenna-legaard Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 68 ba34fbec-54b5-4267-b700-7be27ff9afc3 Ep 68: Your Systems Are Costing You Millions linkedin.com/in/frank-piuck

https://organization-renovation.com/

 


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]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:35:25 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/frank-piuck

https://organization-renovation.com/

 


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]]> Ep 68: Your Systems Are Costing You Millions Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:08:34 Every business has hidden value—latent profit, blocked capacity, misaligned incentives, broken processes, and outdated systems that quietly erode performance and destroy valuation. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, organizational renovation expert Frank Piuck reveals why founders almost never see these issues—yet professional buyers and private equity teams spot them immediately during due diligence. And when they do, your valuation drops fast. Frank breaks down the 3 root causes of hidden value inside nearly every business: 1⃣ Misaligned incentives that cause departments to fight each other instead of the real problem 2⃣ Broken accounting logic that dramatically misstates asset value, bottlenecks, and true profitability 3⃣ Slow or distorted information flow that turns solvable problems into multi-month disasters These invisible issues accumulate over years and silently cap your growth, profitability, and saleability. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why every company has hidden value—most of it unseen by leadership • How buyers uncover operational risk you never knew existed • How misaligned KPIs pit departments against each other (and how to fix it) • Why old accounting rules break modern businesses • How bad processes crush customer satisfaction and shorten lifetime value • Why customer service should report to marketing • Why identifying inefficiency before the buyer does increases your negotiating leverage • How AI will surface operational bottlenecks long before humans do • What founders should analyze NOW—before they start an exit Whether you’re 1 year or 10 years away from selling, this episode shows you how to prepare like a buyer, eliminate unseen risk, and dramatically improve your valuation. Get your FREE Total Exit Value Call. Visit http://www.MyExitEngine.com to get started. Every business has hidden value—latent profit, blocked capacity, misaligned incentives, broken processes, and outdated systems that quietly erode performance and destroy valuation. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, organizational renovation expert Frank Piuck reveals why founders almost never see these issues—yet professional buyers and private equity teams spot them immediately during due diligence. And when they do, your valuation drops fast. Frank breaks down the 3 root causes of hidden value inside nearly every business: 1⃣ Misaligned incentives that cause departments to fight each other instead of the real problem 2⃣ Broken accounting logic that dramatically misstates asset value, bottlenecks, and true profitability 3⃣ Slow or distorted information flow that turns solvable problems into multi-month disasters These invisible issues accumulate over years and silently cap your growth, profitability, and saleability. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why every company has hidden value—most of it unseen by leadership • How buyers uncover operational risk you never knew existed • How misaligned KPIs pit departments against each other (and how to fix it) • Why old accounting rules break modern businesses • How bad processes crush customer satisfaction and shorten lifetime value • Why customer service should report to marketing • Why identifying inefficiency before the buyer does increases your negotiating leverage • How AI will surface operational bottlenecks long before humans do • What founders should analyze NOW—before they start an exit Whether you’re 1 year or 10 years away from selling, this episode shows you how to prepare like a buyer, eliminate unseen risk, and dramatically improve your valuation. Get your FREE Total Exit Value Call. Visit http://www.MyExitEngine.com to get started. false full 67 b4de5dbb-3760-4c61-831c-f0e38360ec30 EP 67: Common Legal Traps That Will Kill Your Exit Deal linkedin.com/in/hallamstanton

7thstreetlegal.com

 


 


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]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:54:12 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/hallamstanton

7thstreetlegal.com

 


 


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]]> EP 67: Common Legal Traps That Will Kill Your Exit Deal Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:06:18 Thinking about selling your business — now or someday? Then you cannot afford to miss this episode. In this deep-dive conversation, M&A attorney Hallam “Hal” Stanton breaks down the legal realities behind selling a small or mid-market business — including the traps that kill deals, the mistakes founders make without realizing it, and the strategies that help sellers protect value and close on their terms. We cover: •  Why 40% of small business deals fail before closing — and how to avoid becoming one of them •  The critical financial and legal red flags buyers look for •  Asset sale vs. equity sale: what founders always get wrong •  What an LOI really is (and why exclusivity can hurt you if you’re unprepared) •  How to survive due diligence by preparing years in advance •  The legal documents that matter most — and the clauses sellers should push back on •  How to keep leverage in a negotiation (even as a small founder) If you want to maximize your valuation, reduce risk, and exit your business on your terms, this episode will show you exactly how the legal side works — and how to avoid being blindsided. Explore The ExitEngine™ Platform: Get your Total Exit Value Score™ Learn the 10 drivers of saleability Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. Thinking about selling your business — now or someday? Then you cannot afford to miss this episode. In this deep-dive conversation, M&A attorney Hallam “Hal” Stanton breaks down the legal realities behind selling a small or mid-market business — including the traps that kill deals, the mistakes founders make without realizing it, and the strategies that help sellers protect value and close on their terms. We cover: •  Why 40% of small business deals fail before closing — and how to avoid becoming one of them •  The critical financial and legal red flags buyers look for •  Asset sale vs. equity sale: what founders always get wrong •  What an LOI really is (and why exclusivity can hurt you if you’re unprepared) •  How to survive due diligence by preparing years in advance •  The legal documents that matter most — and the clauses sellers should push back on •  How to keep leverage in a negotiation (even as a small founder) If you want to maximize your valuation, reduce risk, and exit your business on your terms, this episode will show you exactly how the legal side works — and how to avoid being blindsided. Explore The ExitEngine™ Platform: Get your Total Exit Value Score™ Learn the 10 drivers of saleability Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more. false full 66 d96d5067-174a-42ff-ac4e-7a96274fafb7 Ep 66 | The 7 Deadly Assumptions That Will Kill Your Business Sale linkedin.com/in/kevonsaber

legacyoutcomes.com

 


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]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:32:11 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/kevonsaber

legacyoutcomes.com

 


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]]> Ep 66 | The 7 Deadly Assumptions That Will Kill Your Business Sale Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:01:05 Kevon Saber on Exit Planning Most business owners go into an exit blind — and it costs them millions. In this power-packed episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, M&A expert Kevon Saber, Co-Founder of Legacy Outcomes, reveals the 7 deadly assumptions that sabotage business owners during a sale — and how to prevent them. Kevon has personally built and sold multiple companies (including 8-figure exits), and now leads one of the highest-performing sell-side M&A advisory firms in the country with a 94% success rate. In this conversation, he breaks down why 70-80% of business owners fail to sell, why only 6% walk away happy, and the exact steps founders must take to increase their company’s value, negotiating power, and saleability. If you’re even thinking about selling your business in the next 1–10 years, this episode can save you from regret, lost value, and avoidable deal failure. 🔥 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • The 7 deadly assumptions business owners make before selling • Why the market is rigged against uninformed sellers • How brokers accidentally (or intentionally) destroy sale outcomes • Why valuation shortcuts lead to disastrous exits • How prediligence reduces risk, increases value, and builds trust • The truth about earnouts, EBITDA manipulation, and buyer tactics • Why culture, purpose, and legacy matter more than owners expect • How to prepare emotionally for life after the exit 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your business with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. Kevon Saber on Exit Planning Most business owners go into an exit blind — and it costs them millions. In this power-packed episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, M&A expert Kevon Saber, Co-Founder of Legacy Outcomes, reveals the 7 deadly assumptions that sabotage business owners during a sale — and how to prevent them. Kevon has personally built and sold multiple companies (including 8-figure exits), and now leads one of the highest-performing sell-side M&A advisory firms in the country with a 94% success rate. In this conversation, he breaks down why 70-80% of business owners fail to sell, why only 6% walk away happy, and the exact steps founders must take to increase their company’s value, negotiating power, and saleability. If you’re even thinking about selling your business in the next 1–10 years, this episode can save you from regret, lost value, and avoidable deal failure. 🔥 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • The 7 deadly assumptions business owners make before selling • Why the market is rigged against uninformed sellers • How brokers accidentally (or intentionally) destroy sale outcomes • Why valuation shortcuts lead to disastrous exits • How prediligence reduces risk, increases value, and builds trust • The truth about earnouts, EBITDA manipulation, and buyer tactics • Why culture, purpose, and legacy matter more than owners expect • How to prepare emotionally for life after the exit 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your business with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. false full 65 421ecb1a-f651-4b08-85e8-b761652a3962 Ep 65: The ESG Mindset Shift Every Founder Needs Before Exit linkedin.com/in/jtneumann23

jt23impactlabs.framer.website/

 

 


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]]> Fri, 7 Nov 2025 15:14:51 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/jtneumann23

jt23impactlabs.framer.website/

 

 


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]]> Ep 65: The ESG Mindset Shift Every Founder Needs Before Exit Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:08:25 Sustainability isn’t just about the environment — it’s about the survival of your business. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Jon Neumann, Founder of JT23 Impact Labs, to unpack how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles — and company culture — directly impact profitability, scalability, and saleability. With over two decades in heavy industry and more than $100 million in impact-driven results, Jon explains why companies that ignore ESG are quietly losing value — and why those that align profit with purpose are outperforming their peers. From the factory floor to the C-suite, he reveals how innovation, culture, and employee buy-in can transform waste into margin and resistance into growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What ESG really means (and why it’s more than a political buzzword) • How sustainability creates measurable enterprise value • Why culture is more important than cash — and how it multiplies valuation • The true cost of toxic leadership and unchecked hierarchy • How to embed innovation and accountability from the bottom up • Why the companies that adapt — like Tesla and Apple — are the ones that survive Jon also breaks down the mindset shift required to modernize legacy industries, attract next-gen talent, and stay competitive in a market where customers, employees, and investors now demand transparency and purpose. If you’re a founder, CEO, or investor preparing your company for growth or exit, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and the future of value creation. 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your business with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. Sustainability isn’t just about the environment — it’s about the survival of your business. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Jon Neumann, Founder of JT23 Impact Labs, to unpack how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles — and company culture — directly impact profitability, scalability, and saleability. With over two decades in heavy industry and more than $100 million in impact-driven results, Jon explains why companies that ignore ESG are quietly losing value — and why those that align profit with purpose are outperforming their peers. From the factory floor to the C-suite, he reveals how innovation, culture, and employee buy-in can transform waste into margin and resistance into growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What ESG really means (and why it’s more than a political buzzword) • How sustainability creates measurable enterprise value • Why culture is more important than cash — and how it multiplies valuation • The true cost of toxic leadership and unchecked hierarchy • How to embed innovation and accountability from the bottom up • Why the companies that adapt — like Tesla and Apple — are the ones that survive Jon also breaks down the mindset shift required to modernize legacy industries, attract next-gen talent, and stay competitive in a market where customers, employees, and investors now demand transparency and purpose. If you’re a founder, CEO, or investor preparing your company for growth or exit, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and the future of value creation. 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your business with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. false full 64 cfbab600-c83c-4899-a236-98bb1c186f37 Ep 64 | Is Your Business Leaking Profit? linkedin.com/in/ddcampbell

yourproductivitypros.com/

 


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]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:53:36 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/ddcampbell

yourproductivitypros.com/

 


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]]> Ep 64 | Is Your Business Leaking Profit? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:52 Every company is leaking profit somewhere — and most founders have no idea where. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Dianne Campbell, Founder of Your Productivity Pros, to uncover how operational inefficiencies quietly erode profit, scalability, and business value — and how documenting and optimizing your processes can transform your company’s performance. Drawing on her experience with Fortune 50 companies and growing small businesses, Dianne reveals how disorganization, lack of delegation, and undocumented workflows destroy margins and valuation potential. She shares real-world case studies — including one where a contractor increased profit margins by 12% in just six weeks — and walks through practical steps to start capturing hidden value right now. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why “growth” without process creates invisible profit leaks • How to uncover inefficiencies that don’t show up on your P&L • Simple ways to document and optimize workflows across your team • How SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) add 1–2x to your valuation multiple • Why delegation, documentation, and discipline drive scalability and exit readiness If you’re a founder or business owner who feels stuck in the grind — constantly fixing problems instead of scaling your business — this conversation will show you how to replace chaos with clarity and start building a company that runs (and sells) without you. 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your burins with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. Every company is leaking profit somewhere — and most founders have no idea where. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Dianne Campbell, Founder of Your Productivity Pros, to uncover how operational inefficiencies quietly erode profit, scalability, and business value — and how documenting and optimizing your processes can transform your company’s performance. Drawing on her experience with Fortune 50 companies and growing small businesses, Dianne reveals how disorganization, lack of delegation, and undocumented workflows destroy margins and valuation potential. She shares real-world case studies — including one where a contractor increased profit margins by 12% in just six weeks — and walks through practical steps to start capturing hidden value right now. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why “growth” without process creates invisible profit leaks • How to uncover inefficiencies that don’t show up on your P&L • Simple ways to document and optimize workflows across your team • How SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) add 1–2x to your valuation multiple • Why delegation, documentation, and discipline drive scalability and exit readiness If you’re a founder or business owner who feels stuck in the grind — constantly fixing problems instead of scaling your business — this conversation will show you how to replace chaos with clarity and start building a company that runs (and sells) without you. 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your burins with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com. false full 63 bba04e0b-f42b-44af-a7fe-e1d35c305759 EP 63: Is Your Lack of Self-Awareness Holding You Back? https://lescsorba.com/

linkedin.com/in/lestcsorba

https://www.amazon.com/Aware-Power-Seeing-Yourself-Clearly-ebook/dp/B0FLQKMG3H

 


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]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:27:11 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://lescsorba.com/

linkedin.com/in/lestcsorba

https://www.amazon.com/Aware-Power-Seeing-Yourself-Clearly-ebook/dp/B0FLQKMG3H

 


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]]> EP 63: Is Your Lack of Self-Awareness Holding You Back? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:04:05 Most founders think exit value is all about numbers — revenue, profit, multiples. But the real differentiator between an average exit and an extraordinary one is self-awareness. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Les Csorba, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles and author of “Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly”. With decades of experience advising Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and even U.S. presidents, Les shares how self-awareness, humility, and courage shape the kind of leadership that builds trust, attracts investors, and maximizes enterprise value. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why only 10–15% of leaders are truly self-aware — and how to join that elite group • How a lack of self-awareness can silently destroy company culture and deal confidence • The link between emotional intelligence and higher business valuation • How leaders can use feedback, humility, and courage to transform both their company and themselves • Why private equity buyers value emotionally intelligent, coachable CEOs more than any other trait Les also shares stories from the White House, Wall Street, and the boardroom — revealing how leadership under pressure, curiosity, and character define success in every arena. Whether you’re leading a team or preparing your company for sale, this episode will challenge you to look inward — because what you’re aware of, you control. What you’re unaware of controls you. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the world’s first Exit Planning Ecosystem at http://www.myexitengine.com. It’s everything and everyone you’ll need to plan and a execute a successful exit on your own terms and timeline. ExitEngine™ helps founders grow smarter and exit stronger by providing diagnostics, roadmaps, coaching, community, and advisory support that reduce risk, increase value, and make their businesses buyer-ready. Most founders think exit value is all about numbers — revenue, profit, multiples. But the real differentiator between an average exit and an extraordinary one is self-awareness. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Les Csorba, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles and author of “Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly”. With decades of experience advising Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and even U.S. presidents, Les shares how self-awareness, humility, and courage shape the kind of leadership that builds trust, attracts investors, and maximizes enterprise value. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why only 10–15% of leaders are truly self-aware — and how to join that elite group • How a lack of self-awareness can silently destroy company culture and deal confidence • The link between emotional intelligence and higher business valuation • How leaders can use feedback, humility, and courage to transform both their company and themselves • Why private equity buyers value emotionally intelligent, coachable CEOs more than any other trait Les also shares stories from the White House, Wall Street, and the boardroom — revealing how leadership under pressure, curiosity, and character define success in every arena. Whether you’re leading a team or preparing your company for sale, this episode will challenge you to look inward — because what you’re aware of, you control. What you’re unaware of controls you. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the world’s first Exit Planning Ecosystem at http://www.myexitengine.com. It’s everything and everyone you’ll need to plan and a execute a successful exit on your own terms and timeline. ExitEngine™ helps founders grow smarter and exit stronger by providing diagnostics, roadmaps, coaching, community, and advisory support that reduce risk, increase value, and make their businesses buyer-ready. false full 62 2066947a-5c61-452a-a730-74f83d0b249d Ep 62 | Will Your TECH Stack Destroy or Multiply Your Company’s Value? linkedin.com/in/joeinfante

compassleft.com 

 


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]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 20:00:52 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/joeinfante

compassleft.com 

 


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]]> Ep 62 | Will Your TECH Stack Destroy or Multiply Your Company’s Value? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:14:25 Your technology stack is either quietly compounding the value of your business — or quietly killing it. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Joe Infante, Managing Partner at Compass Left, to unpack the hidden role IT plays in determining your company’s true value, saleability, and post-merger success. From ERP chaos and broken integrations to founder-dependent systems and misaligned tech teams, Joe explains why most founders have no idea how exposed they really are — and what they can do right now to turn their technology into a value-creation engine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why buyers dig deep into your tech stack during due diligence — and what red flags they spot instantly How “over-tech” and “under-tech” problems both destroy enterprise value Why clarity, process mapping, and documentation are critical before you ever sign an LOI How to identify failure points in your systems, processes, and people before a buyer does Why culture and communication are just as important as code when integrating after a sale Joe also shares real-world stories of M&A integrations gone wrong — and the simple planning, documentation, and leadership steps that could have prevented seven-figure losses. If you’re a founder preparing for growth, investment, or exit, this episode will completely reframe how you think about your technology — and its impact on your valuation. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the ExitEngine Exit Planning Ecosystem. Visit http://www.myexitengine.com for more. #exitplanning, #MAintegration, #businessvaluation, #ITduediligence, #ERPsystems, #techstackoptimization, #founderreadiness, #businessprocessimprovement Your technology stack is either quietly compounding the value of your business — or quietly killing it. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Joe Infante, Managing Partner at Compass Left, to unpack the hidden role IT plays in determining your company’s true value, saleability, and post-merger success. From ERP chaos and broken integrations to founder-dependent systems and misaligned tech teams, Joe explains why most founders have no idea how exposed they really are — and what they can do right now to turn their technology into a value-creation engine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why buyers dig deep into your tech stack during due diligence — and what red flags they spot instantly How “over-tech” and “under-tech” problems both destroy enterprise value Why clarity, process mapping, and documentation are critical before you ever sign an LOI How to identify failure points in your systems, processes, and people before a buyer does Why culture and communication are just as important as code when integrating after a sale Joe also shares real-world stories of M&A integrations gone wrong — and the simple planning, documentation, and leadership steps that could have prevented seven-figure losses. If you’re a founder preparing for growth, investment, or exit, this episode will completely reframe how you think about your technology — and its impact on your valuation. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the ExitEngine Exit Planning Ecosystem. Visit http://www.myexitengine.com for more. #exitplanning, #MAintegration, #businessvaluation, #ITduediligence, #ERPsystems, #techstackoptimization, #founderreadiness, #businessprocessimprovement false full 61 63a79edf-490a-499d-b290-4f5ee876e501 Episode 61: How HR is Killing Your Overall Business Value linkedin.com/in/brianmvogel

sundogcoaching.com

sensiblehr.com


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]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:21:36 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/brianmvogel

sundogcoaching.com

sensiblehr.com


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]]> Episode 61: How HR is Killing Your Overall Business Value Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:02 Ep 61 | How HR is Killing Your Overall Business Value (And How to Fix It) with Brian Vogel Think HR is just about hiring and compliance? Think again. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Brian Vogel, Founder of Sundog Coaching and Sensible HR, to reveal how overlooked HR issues silently destroy company value — and what you can do right now to turn your people strategy into your biggest competitive advantage. Brian shares what buyers really look for during due diligence: team structure, compliance readiness, leadership strength, and employee retention. He explains why founders who treat HR as a cost center lose millions in valuation — and how those who invest in their people, culture, and compliance see 10X returns when it’s time to sell. You’ll learn: - The top HR red flags that derail deals and lower valuations - Why buyers care more about your people than your products - How to build a “people strategy” that increases transferability and enterprise value - The simple retention and leadership practices that keep key employees through an exit - Why your employees aren’t a cost — they’re your most valuable asset If you’re serious about scaling, selling, or protecting the value of your business, this episode will change how you think about HR forever. 👉 Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership at myexitengine.com. Ep 61 | How HR is Killing Your Overall Business Value (And How to Fix It) with Brian Vogel Think HR is just about hiring and compliance? Think again. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Brian Vogel, Founder of Sundog Coaching and Sensible HR, to reveal how overlooked HR issues silently destroy company value — and what you can do right now to turn your people strategy into your biggest competitive advantage. Brian shares what buyers really look for during due diligence: team structure, compliance readiness, leadership strength, and employee retention. He explains why founders who treat HR as a cost center lose millions in valuation — and how those who invest in their people, culture, and compliance see 10X returns when it’s time to sell. You’ll learn: - The top HR red flags that derail deals and lower valuations - Why buyers care more about your people than your products - How to build a “people strategy” that increases transferability and enterprise value - The simple retention and leadership practices that keep key employees through an exit - Why your employees aren’t a cost — they’re your most valuable asset If you’re serious about scaling, selling, or protecting the value of your business, this episode will change how you think about HR forever. 👉 Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership at myexitengine.com. false full 60 ed4edeeb-4ba2-4332-bc3f-bea332a8e7ec Ep 60: Family Business Chaos: Turning Dysfunction Into a Sellable Company linkedin.com/in/scottgingold

 


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]]> Thu, 2 Oct 2025 23:06:08 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/scottgingold

 


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]]> Ep 60: Family Business Chaos: Turning Dysfunction Into a Sellable Company Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:10:20 Family Business Chaos: Turning Dysfunction Into a Sellable Company Family businesses are the backbone of the economy—but when it comes to growth, succession, and exit planning, they face unique challenges that can make or break their legacy. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Scott Gingold, Principal of Gingold Advisors, a seasoned business troubleshooter and growth strategist who has spent decades guiding family-run and closely held companies through some of their toughest transitions. Scott pulls back the curtain on the dynamics that define family businesses—from unspoken conflicts and generational clashes to succession pitfalls and the emotional ties that complicate exit decisions. He explains why revenue issues are rarely just sales problems, how to uncover the real obstacles holding companies back, and why ignoring uncomfortable truths can derail both growth and exit outcomes. Key insights from this episode include: The hidden challenges unique to family-run companies—and why they differ from traditional businesses How generational shifts, innovation resistance, and old family wounds surface in leadership and strategy Why succession planning often fails—and what it really takes to prepare the next generation (or decide to sell) How dysfunction inside the family erodes company culture, valuation, and buyer confidence Practical steps to realign goals, improve communication, and make a family business truly “sale-ready” Scott also shares candid stories of client interventions—from employees trapped between warring family members to exit processes derailed by ego, fear, and hidden financial realities. Whether you’re building, leading, or preparing to exit a family-owned company, this episode delivers actionable wisdom on protecting enterprise value while preserving family relationships. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine Podcast for more founder stories, exit planning strategies, and practical tools to build a business that works for you—and one day, without you. 👉 Start your exit journey at www.myexitengine.com Family Business Chaos: Turning Dysfunction Into a Sellable Company Family businesses are the backbone of the economy—but when it comes to growth, succession, and exit planning, they face unique challenges that can make or break their legacy. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Scott Gingold, Principal of Gingold Advisors, a seasoned business troubleshooter and growth strategist who has spent decades guiding family-run and closely held companies through some of their toughest transitions. Scott pulls back the curtain on the dynamics that define family businesses—from unspoken conflicts and generational clashes to succession pitfalls and the emotional ties that complicate exit decisions. He explains why revenue issues are rarely just sales problems, how to uncover the real obstacles holding companies back, and why ignoring uncomfortable truths can derail both growth and exit outcomes. Key insights from this episode include: The hidden challenges unique to family-run companies—and why they differ from traditional businesses How generational shifts, innovation resistance, and old family wounds surface in leadership and strategy Why succession planning often fails—and what it really takes to prepare the next generation (or decide to sell) How dysfunction inside the family erodes company culture, valuation, and buyer confidence Practical steps to realign goals, improve communication, and make a family business truly “sale-ready” Scott also shares candid stories of client interventions—from employees trapped between warring family members to exit processes derailed by ego, fear, and hidden financial realities. Whether you’re building, leading, or preparing to exit a family-owned company, this episode delivers actionable wisdom on protecting enterprise value while preserving family relationships. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine Podcast for more founder stories, exit planning strategies, and practical tools to build a business that works for you—and one day, without you. 👉 Start your exit journey at www.myexitengine.com succession planning pitfalls, family-owned company challenges, selling a family business, business valuation, family business succession, scott gingold, exitengine podcast, exit planning, leadership dynamics false full 59 66cc92d1-8d3a-4b2f-a861-319b84b5c2ed The Exit Engine Podcast Episode Fifty Nine: Working toward the best outcome linkedin.com/in/dougpudney

 


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]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:24:28 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/dougpudney

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode Fifty Nine: Working toward the best outcome Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:09:21 Jo and John introduce Doug Pudney, an executive and business coach, to discuss his "value side" approach, which focuses on helping businesses get their values right and creating a roadmap for growth and potential exit by optimizing operations and systems. Doug explains that his method centers on strategy, clarity, conviction, and codification, aiming to build "strategy anchors" and "strategic drivers" to enhance business value and provide owners with optionality. The discussion also covers common business issues like owner dependency and weak systems, the importance of a CEO's role in communication, and the value of automated growth and preparing businesses for a successful exit by providing certainty for buyers. A super-positive look into the best possible outcome! Jo and John introduce Doug Pudney, an executive and business coach, to discuss his "value side" approach, which focuses on helping businesses get their values right and creating a roadmap for growth and potential exit by optimizing operations and systems. Doug explains that his method centers on strategy, clarity, conviction, and codification, aiming to build "strategy anchors" and "strategic drivers" to enhance business value and provide owners with optionality. The discussion also covers common business issues like owner dependency and weak systems, the importance of a CEO's role in communication, and the value of automated growth and preparing businesses for a successful exit by providing certainty for buyers. A super-positive look into the best possible outcome! false full 58 90103103-fcb9-4521-a5ff-e5d93b84b895 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 58: The Intuitive Leader linkedin.com/in/mauricejenkens

intuitiveleader.net

 


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]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:32:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/mauricejenkens

intuitiveleader.net

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 58: The Intuitive Leader Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:12:00 Jo, John, and Maurice Jenkens from "The Intuitive Leader"discuss how intuitive leadership and an exit mindset can benefit founders. Maurice explains intuition as an "inner knowing" that can guide leaders, contrasting it with fear and burnout. They also explore how societal pressures and data overload affect intuitive decision-making, emphasizing that intuition complements data. We conclude by recognizing the importance of early exit planning and continued collaboration. A deep episode! Jo, John, and Maurice Jenkens from "The Intuitive Leader"discuss how intuitive leadership and an exit mindset can benefit founders. Maurice explains intuition as an "inner knowing" that can guide leaders, contrasting it with fear and burnout. They also explore how societal pressures and data overload affect intuitive decision-making, emphasizing that intuition complements data. We conclude by recognizing the importance of early exit planning and continued collaboration. A deep episode! false full 57 985fb8af-8d87-4294-b82e-4bacde0e5c54 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 57: Moving to the Exit Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:58:04 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 57: Moving to the Exit Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:08:30 Jo and John discuss the importance of exit planning, explaining that it involves a mindset shift for business owners to view their company as an asset for sale, which can significantly increase its value and salability. They emphasize setting clear exit goals, assessing current business value, improving salability by reducing founder dependency, and implementing financial cleanliness and diversification of revenue streams. The guys also re-introduce the Exit Engine ecosystem, offering tools like the "total exit value "TEV" acceleration calculator," access to advisory partners, and a supportive community, with a guarantee for members to increase their business's value and salability by 30 points within six months. Get started today!! Jo and John discuss the importance of exit planning, explaining that it involves a mindset shift for business owners to view their company as an asset for sale, which can significantly increase its value and salability. They emphasize setting clear exit goals, assessing current business value, improving salability by reducing founder dependency, and implementing financial cleanliness and diversification of revenue streams. The guys also re-introduce the Exit Engine ecosystem, offering tools like the "total exit value "TEV" acceleration calculator," access to advisory partners, and a supportive community, with a guarantee for members to increase their business's value and salability by 30 points within six months. Get started today!! false full 56 74be8178-9e39-4d35-8786-79bb5c3e241b The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 56: Strategic Networking linkedin.com/in/chelsey-moter

blkbook.io/ 

 


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]]> Fri, 5 Sep 2025 14:26:20 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/chelsey-moter

blkbook.io/ 

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 56: Strategic Networking Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:11:24 We talk with Chelsey Moter, a growth strategist and founder of BLKBOOK, a platform designed to accelerate growth through strategic networking, while also discussing the upcoming launch of the Exit Engine community. Chelsey Moter shares various strategies for effective networking, including leveraging LinkedIn for outreach, practicing reciprocity, and overcoming hesitations to engage one's network, while emphasizing the importance of getting past self-consciousness and viewing feedback as a gift. The discussion highlights the evolution of networking tools, the value of authentic self-promotion, and the strategic approach to building trust and reputation for professional growth and conversions. Improve your networking game NOW! We talk with Chelsey Moter, a growth strategist and founder of BLKBOOK, a platform designed to accelerate growth through strategic networking, while also discussing the upcoming launch of the Exit Engine community. Chelsey Moter shares various strategies for effective networking, including leveraging LinkedIn for outreach, practicing reciprocity, and overcoming hesitations to engage one's network, while emphasizing the importance of getting past self-consciousness and viewing feedback as a gift. The discussion highlights the evolution of networking tools, the value of authentic self-promotion, and the strategic approach to building trust and reputation for professional growth and conversions. Improve your networking game NOW! false full 55 688d5cf5-03ad-4c69-8f31-7e81359b0a6b The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 55: Moving from Founder to Chairperson linkedin.com/in/antoni-kaniowski

a@generativestuff.com

 


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]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:55:51 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/antoni-kaniowski

a@generativestuff.com

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 55: Moving from Founder to Chairperson Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:12:47 Investor, Interim CEO, Acquision Thought Leader Antoni Kaniowski , Jo and John discuss how "cold feet" and a lack of exit planning often hinder business sales, emphasizing the need for owners to prepare their businesses from a buyer's perspective and handle post-acquisition changes transparently. Antoni outlines a 30-60-90-day value creation plan for acquisitions, focusing on team stability, cost optimization, and product/service optimization, with Jo adding that owners should share unimplemented plans as "low-hanging fruit." The discussion also covers the challenges for original founders in post-acquisition operations, the "Entrepreneur in Residence" role, and the shifting expectations in capital markets towards valuing social capital and audience building, as highlighted by Antoni and Jo. The team also explores the challenges for founders transitioning to a chairman role, the importance of aligning founder and CEO goals with compensation, and the need for founders to select CEOs whose personalities align with the company's objectives. Jo concludes by advising business owners to assess their capabilities and goals to navigate their exit, utilizing advisors, hired CEOs, or internal succession. An amazing episode indeed! Investor, Interim CEO, Acquision Thought Leader Antoni Kaniowski , Jo and John discuss how "cold feet" and a lack of exit planning often hinder business sales, emphasizing the need for owners to prepare their businesses from a buyer's perspective and handle post-acquisition changes transparently. Antoni outlines a 30-60-90-day value creation plan for acquisitions, focusing on team stability, cost optimization, and product/service optimization, with Jo adding that owners should share unimplemented plans as "low-hanging fruit." The discussion also covers the challenges for original founders in post-acquisition operations, the "Entrepreneur in Residence" role, and the shifting expectations in capital markets towards valuing social capital and audience building, as highlighted by Antoni and Jo. The team also explores the challenges for founders transitioning to a chairman role, the importance of aligning founder and CEO goals with compensation, and the need for founders to select CEOs whose personalities align with the company's objectives. Jo concludes by advising business owners to assess their capabilities and goals to navigate their exit, utilizing advisors, hired CEOs, or internal succession. An amazing episode indeed! false full 54 fe03cde3-dc95-40b4-94d9-a1e65c710a2c The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 54: Insurance, Derisking, and Improving Valuation Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:34:08 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 54: Insurance, Derisking, and Improving Valuation Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:04:02 Jason Eisman, Jo, and John discuss how strategic investments, including various types of insurance, can significantly enhance a business's value and derisk its operations. We cover the importance of cyber, D&O, EPL, hired and non-owned auto, and reps and warranties insurance, emphasizing that these policies protect against unpredictable events and are often required by investors during due diligence. We conclude that a proactive and continuous review of insurance programs, guided by a knowledgeable broker like Jason, is essential for mitigating risks, increasing business predictability, and ultimately improving sellability, as highlighted by our strong recommendation for an insurance audit. Truly the stuff you never think about, but must! Jason Eisman, Jo, and John discuss how strategic investments, including various types of insurance, can significantly enhance a business's value and derisk its operations. We cover the importance of cyber, D&O, EPL, hired and non-owned auto, and reps and warranties insurance, emphasizing that these policies protect against unpredictable events and are often required by investors during due diligence. We conclude that a proactive and continuous review of insurance programs, guided by a knowledgeable broker like Jason, is essential for mitigating risks, increasing business predictability, and ultimately improving sellability, as highlighted by our strong recommendation for an insurance audit. Truly the stuff you never think about, but must! false full 53 1fda473d-5311-437e-b383-4cdfb920a7b4 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 53: High Stakes Conversations linkedin.com/in/mishkin-cyr

cyrmethod.com/

 


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]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:44:08 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/mishkin-cyr

cyrmethod.com/

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 53: High Stakes Conversations Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:11:16 Mishkin Cyr shares his "dignity approach" to high-stakes conversations, emphasizing listening, understanding underlying motives, and building trust through integrity. Jo and John discuss the importance of common ground, managing buyer rigidity, and clarifying "risk" in negotiations. Key strategies for successful negotiations include setting boundaries, strategic scheduling, and leveraging strong communication skills. The Exit Engine community, led by John Canniffe and Jo Stapleton, was announced to support entrepreneurs in making their companies more salable. Negotiating will never be the same! Mishkin Cyr shares his "dignity approach" to high-stakes conversations, emphasizing listening, understanding underlying motives, and building trust through integrity. Jo and John discuss the importance of common ground, managing buyer rigidity, and clarifying "risk" in negotiations. Key strategies for successful negotiations include setting boundaries, strategic scheduling, and leveraging strong communication skills. The Exit Engine community, led by John Canniffe and Jo Stapleton, was announced to support entrepreneurs in making their companies more salable. Negotiating will never be the same! false full 52 b3eee6af-3b74-4f80-9026-eb4e8412886d The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 52: Meet Svenja Floberg Thiel mail@flobergthiel.de

linkedin.com/in/svenjaflobergthiel

 


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]]> Fri, 8 Aug 2025 13:26:05 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com mail@flobergthiel.de

linkedin.com/in/svenjaflobergthiel

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 52: Meet Svenja Floberg Thiel Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:13:36 Jo, John, and Svenja Floberg Thiel discuss the emotional challenges of business exit, emphasizing that a "dark night of the soul" often triggers a re-evaluation of identity and purpose, requiring individuals to align their internal values with their business and personal lives. Svenja Floberg Thiel outlines a three-stage process for navigating this transformation: awakening, purging, and expansion, stressing the importance of understanding and communicating one's true needs. John and Jo, co-hosts of the "Exit Engine" podcast, re-introduce their platform as a resource for founders to explore these topics, encouraging self-discovery and purposeful exit planning. This is a strong one: Beware of all the Feels! Jo, John, and Svenja Floberg Thiel discuss the emotional challenges of business exit, emphasizing that a "dark night of the soul" often triggers a re-evaluation of identity and purpose, requiring individuals to align their internal values with their business and personal lives. Svenja Floberg Thiel outlines a three-stage process for navigating this transformation: awakening, purging, and expansion, stressing the importance of understanding and communicating one's true needs. John and Jo, co-hosts of the "Exit Engine" podcast, re-introduce their platform as a resource for founders to explore these topics, encouraging self-discovery and purposeful exit planning. This is a strong one: Beware of all the Feels! false full 51 ae5cfaa4-b90d-4ab7-943f-6c9506e68f93 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 51: The Super Stress of Negotiation Fri, 1 Aug 2025 11:36:50 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 51: The Super Stress of Negotiation Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:14:56 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss the stressful and complex nature of M&A negotiations, illustrated through the story of a seller named Laura and a buyer named Dave, highlighting the unusual dynamics and missteps in their interaction. Despite Dave's low initial offer and unconventional tactics, Laura, with guidance, navigated the process by understanding her bottom line and being willing to walk away, ultimately aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. The importance of advisor involvement, clear communication, and understanding both financial and non-financial aspects of a deal were emphasized for sellers. The total inside story, and more importantly, the lessons learned. Don't miss this one! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss the stressful and complex nature of M&A negotiations, illustrated through the story of a seller named Laura and a buyer named Dave, highlighting the unusual dynamics and missteps in their interaction. Despite Dave's low initial offer and unconventional tactics, Laura, with guidance, navigated the process by understanding her bottom line and being willing to walk away, ultimately aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. The importance of advisor involvement, clear communication, and understanding both financial and non-financial aspects of a deal were emphasized for sellers. The total inside story, and more importantly, the lessons learned. Don't miss this one! false full 50 de21e872-1063-4fae-80f9-af74a479450f The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 50: Meet Judy Schramm! linkedin.com/in/judyschramm/

linkedin.com/company/proresource/

jschramm@proresource.com

 

 


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]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:18:02 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/judyschramm/

linkedin.com/company/proresource/

jschramm@proresource.com

 

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 50: Meet Judy Schramm! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:09:19 Welcome to Episode 50! The podcast nearis 60,000 monthly downloads, we continue to discuss the importance of early exit planning as a lens for all business activity, connecting founders and advisors to improve business value and saleability. Judy Schramm, CEO of Pro Resource, highlights the strategic use of LinkedIn for thought leadership and building a personal brand, emphasizing its role beyond job searching in attracting talent and buyers, as well as its unique capabilities for content strategy, global reach, and lead generation. We conclude by emphasizing that a founder's personal brand significantly impacts company valuation, particularly when preparing for exit, as the CEO should step back to allow other leaders to emerge, making the business more attractive to acquirers. Truly an exceptional conversation! Welcome to Episode 50! The podcast nearis 60,000 monthly downloads, we continue to discuss the importance of early exit planning as a lens for all business activity, connecting founders and advisors to improve business value and saleability. Judy Schramm, CEO of Pro Resource, highlights the strategic use of LinkedIn for thought leadership and building a personal brand, emphasizing its role beyond job searching in attracting talent and buyers, as well as its unique capabilities for content strategy, global reach, and lead generation. We conclude by emphasizing that a founder's personal brand significantly impacts company valuation, particularly when preparing for exit, as the CEO should step back to allow other leaders to emerge, making the business more attractive to acquirers. Truly an exceptional conversation! false full 49 fd358972-fdb4-4994-a894-d34a1feeb1ec The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 49: How did we get here? Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:15:02 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 49: How did we get here? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:48:10 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss Wrexham AFC's unprecedented promotion due to smart hiring and strategic growth, comparing it to the "Moneyball" approach in business and sports. They emphasize the "people, process, and product" framework as essential for business success, highlighting that Exit Engine applies these principles to help entrepreneurs understand business growth and exit planning. The speakers explained that exit planning is crucial for all businesses as an insurance policy and a form of good business planning, which creates options and encourages owners to work "on" their business rather than "in" it. Excellent real perspectives on what it takes to prepare for and execute a business sale. Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss Wrexham AFC's unprecedented promotion due to smart hiring and strategic growth, comparing it to the "Moneyball" approach in business and sports. They emphasize the "people, process, and product" framework as essential for business success, highlighting that Exit Engine applies these principles to help entrepreneurs understand business growth and exit planning. The speakers explained that exit planning is crucial for all businesses as an insurance policy and a form of good business planning, which creates options and encourages owners to work "on" their business rather than "in" it. Excellent real perspectives on what it takes to prepare for and execute a business sale. false full 48 0c878aac-8b73-496f-981a-73e404abc372 The Exit Engine Podcast Number 48: Meet Reed Hansen! linkedin.com/in/reedhansen

anzhansen@gmail.com

marketsurge.io 

 


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]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:08:19 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/reedhansen

anzhansen@gmail.com

marketsurge.io 

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Number 48: Meet Reed Hansen! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:10:36 Reed Hansen acquired Market Surge, a digital marketing agency, from Jared, the previous owner, after discovering risks during legal due diligence, which led to a reduction in the acquisition price. Post-acquisition, Reed transitioned the business by addressing technical issues and transforming the sales approach from volume-based to a founder-led growth model emphasizing thought leadership and authenticity, which Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe note, in this conversation, is crucial for building trust. Reed plans to expand services and industries, empowering new hires to handle client relationships to mitigate the challenge of being the central figure for scalability and future exit, which Jo and John highlighted as a critical consideration for founders. Wonderful insights into loving what you do and taking risks for all of the right reasons! Reed Hansen acquired Market Surge, a digital marketing agency, from Jared, the previous owner, after discovering risks during legal due diligence, which led to a reduction in the acquisition price. Post-acquisition, Reed transitioned the business by addressing technical issues and transforming the sales approach from volume-based to a founder-led growth model emphasizing thought leadership and authenticity, which Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe note, in this conversation, is crucial for building trust. Reed plans to expand services and industries, empowering new hires to handle client relationships to mitigate the challenge of being the central figure for scalability and future exit, which Jo and John highlighted as a critical consideration for founders. Wonderful insights into loving what you do and taking risks for all of the right reasons! false full 47 d71ee187-df25-4e25-a45d-e5574d39a873 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode Forty Seven: Meet Jenny Marofsky! linkedin.com/in/jennymarofsky

agencyjen.com

 

 


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]]> Fri, 4 Jul 2025 15:12:55 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/jennymarofsky

agencyjen.com

 

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode Forty Seven: Meet Jenny Marofsky! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:15:00 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe talk with Jenny Marofsky about her business Agency Jen's name origin and focus on empathetic and strategic marketing for purpose-driven businesses, including navigating challenges in the nonprofit sector and the balance between strategic and tactical marketing. Jenny emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing using the aquarium analogy, defining "marketing with meaning," and aligning branding with business goals for a holistic brand experience, while also detailing her "Generate" marketing toolkit for measuring ROI and the necessity of balancing brand awareness with growth-focused tactics. Jo, John, and Jenny highlight the value of intentional marketing, measuring results, and the expertise of fractional CMOs in building sustainable and valuable businesses for potential exit. Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe talk with Jenny Marofsky about her business Agency Jen's name origin and focus on empathetic and strategic marketing for purpose-driven businesses, including navigating challenges in the nonprofit sector and the balance between strategic and tactical marketing. Jenny emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing using the aquarium analogy, defining "marketing with meaning," and aligning branding with business goals for a holistic brand experience, while also detailing her "Generate" marketing toolkit for measuring ROI and the necessity of balancing brand awareness with growth-focused tactics. Jo, John, and Jenny highlight the value of intentional marketing, measuring results, and the expertise of fractional CMOs in building sustainable and valuable businesses for potential exit. false full 46 3e3d2a91-26bf-46c9-9952-66a0f94e4703 The Exit Engine Podcast Epsiode 46: Meet Steve Curran linkedin.com/in/fsucurran

steve@khakiconsulting.com

https://khakiconsulting.com/

 


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]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:25:52 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/fsucurran

steve@khakiconsulting.com

https://khakiconsulting.com/

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Epsiode 46: Meet Steve Curran Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:21:35 Jo introduces Steve Curran of Khaki Consulting, who talks about the influence of military experience on leadership, the differences between entrepreneurial and organizational leadership, and their mission to multiply leadership through self-awareness and team development. Steve emphasizes the shift from individual performer to leader, the inverse relationship of control and ownership, and the importance of trust and feedback. John, Jo, and Steve also explore utilizing visual tools for self-awareness, the continuous nature of leadership challenges, the value of human connection in remote work, and how strong leadership impacts business value and exit planning. An amazing conversation! Jo introduces Steve Curran of Khaki Consulting, who talks about the influence of military experience on leadership, the differences between entrepreneurial and organizational leadership, and their mission to multiply leadership through self-awareness and team development. Steve emphasizes the shift from individual performer to leader, the inverse relationship of control and ownership, and the importance of trust and feedback. John, Jo, and Steve also explore utilizing visual tools for self-awareness, the continuous nature of leadership challenges, the value of human connection in remote work, and how strong leadership impacts business value and exit planning. An amazing conversation! false full 45 3a4e0965-d9e5-4040-adeb-be576362a1d5 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 45: Meet Jennifer Cresswell linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cresswell

https://www.thoughtgro.com/


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]]> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 21:11:26 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cresswell

https://www.thoughtgro.com/


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 45: Meet Jennifer Cresswell Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:11 Jo and John of Exit Engine host Jennifer Cresswell to discuss her expertise in preparing small businesses for exit, focusing on the foundational pillars of structure, people, process, and culture, and the importance of communication. Jennifer emphasizes the typical three-year timeline for a successful exit, the value of fractional executives, and the necessity of well-defined processes and a strong team. Jo, John, and Jennifer, explore topics like aligning business operations with value, the emotional aspects of selling a business, and the significance of understanding company culture in the context of growth and acquisition. One of the best ever!! Jo and John of Exit Engine host Jennifer Cresswell to discuss her expertise in preparing small businesses for exit, focusing on the foundational pillars of structure, people, process, and culture, and the importance of communication. Jennifer emphasizes the typical three-year timeline for a successful exit, the value of fractional executives, and the necessity of well-defined processes and a strong team. Jo, John, and Jennifer, explore topics like aligning business operations with value, the emotional aspects of selling a business, and the significance of understanding company culture in the context of growth and acquisition. One of the best ever!! false full 44 75721d98-9fe9-4d5f-b03d-32fd59802ab5 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 44: The Backdoor to Business Value Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:51:58 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 44: The Backdoor to Business Value Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:56 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss strategies for business owners to understand and improve their company's value for a future exit, emphasizing the importance of measuring current value and setting a target trajectory. They outline key value drivers including revenue growth, cost efficiency, and the EBITDA multiple, along with qualitative factors like clean financials and consistent performance. Jo Stapleton introduces the Exit Engine podcast and their resources, such as the total exit value calculator and webinars, to aid business owners in this process of planning their exit. And don't throw away those old baseball cards! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss strategies for business owners to understand and improve their company's value for a future exit, emphasizing the importance of measuring current value and setting a target trajectory. They outline key value drivers including revenue growth, cost efficiency, and the EBITDA multiple, along with qualitative factors like clean financials and consistent performance. Jo Stapleton introduces the Exit Engine podcast and their resources, such as the total exit value calculator and webinars, to aid business owners in this process of planning their exit. And don't throw away those old baseball cards! false full 43 613333ef-9b9f-4a7f-8890-5a752e00ab07 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 43: Meet Cory Bruscia https://www.linkedin.com/in/corybruscia

https://cmbsalesconsulting.com/

 


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]]> Fri, 6 Jun 2025 14:28:36 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/corybruscia

https://cmbsalesconsulting.com/

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 43: Meet Cory Bruscia Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:56 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe introduce Corey Bruscia, who talks about the importance of a dedicated sales force for business exit and shared insights from their extensive sales background and fractional sales management consulting. Corey Bruscia highlights common issues faced by small to medium-sized businesses, such as the lack of a defined sales process, and emphasized the significance of preparation, listening, and aligning sales strategy with organizational capacity. Participants John Canniffe, Jo Stapleton, and Corey Bruscia explore strategies for building a sales pipeline, the necessity of a repeatable sales process, and the crucial alignment between sales, marketing, and operations for maximizing business value and ensuring a successful exit. Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe introduce Corey Bruscia, who talks about the importance of a dedicated sales force for business exit and shared insights from their extensive sales background and fractional sales management consulting. Corey Bruscia highlights common issues faced by small to medium-sized businesses, such as the lack of a defined sales process, and emphasized the significance of preparation, listening, and aligning sales strategy with organizational capacity. Participants John Canniffe, Jo Stapleton, and Corey Bruscia explore strategies for building a sales pipeline, the necessity of a repeatable sales process, and the crucial alignment between sales, marketing, and operations for maximizing business value and ensuring a successful exit. false full 42 11eb3be6-219d-46e6-a1cc-0f070f28b82c The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 42: Meet Duane Williams linkedin.com/in/duanewilliams01

https://www.siliconroadadvisors.com/

info@myexitengine.com

 


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]]> Fri, 30 May 2025 14:56:22 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/duanewilliams01

https://www.siliconroadadvisors.com/

info@myexitengine.com

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 42: Meet Duane Williams Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:54:55 Duane Williams (Silicon Road), Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss a significant and accelerating economic change, marked by unsustainable spending like healthcare and an overproduction of certain professionals. They considered the value of tangible versus intangible economic activities, with John highlighting technology's role in improving physical businesses. Duane and Jo emphasize the enduring importance of fundamental business principles, providing real value, fostering trust, and the potential for a return to more human-centered business practices amid technological advancements like AI. Big pictures made real! Not to be missed. Duane Williams (Silicon Road), Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss a significant and accelerating economic change, marked by unsustainable spending like healthcare and an overproduction of certain professionals. They considered the value of tangible versus intangible economic activities, with John highlighting technology's role in improving physical businesses. Duane and Jo emphasize the enduring importance of fundamental business principles, providing real value, fostering trust, and the potential for a return to more human-centered business practices amid technological advancements like AI. Big pictures made real! Not to be missed. false full 41 3c82a99f-ccdc-4782-ad23-de3725c46a86 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 41: Stay or Go/Sell or Grow? info@myexitengine.com

 


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]]> Fri, 23 May 2025 18:38:55 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com info@myexitengine.com

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 41: Stay or Go/Sell or Grow? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:46 Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discussed the critical "sell vs. grow" crossroads faced by founders, exploring indicators like fatigue and external offers, and emphasizing the importance of internal assessment and understanding personal goals in the decision-making process. They also highlighted that preparing for growth and a potential exit are fundamentally similar, both requiring business improvement and strategic planning. The conversation then shifted to the potential of AI as a business advisor, offering personalized support and insights for entrepreneurs navigating complex decisions. Essential listening! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discussed the critical "sell vs. grow" crossroads faced by founders, exploring indicators like fatigue and external offers, and emphasizing the importance of internal assessment and understanding personal goals in the decision-making process. They also highlighted that preparing for growth and a potential exit are fundamentally similar, both requiring business improvement and strategic planning. The conversation then shifted to the potential of AI as a business advisor, offering personalized support and insights for entrepreneurs navigating complex decisions. Essential listening! false full 40 ad5f0d3d-58c4-4686-afcd-33a65320c8ac The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 40: Meet Reuben Shears linkedin.com/in/reubenshears

https://www.optimally.ltd/linkedin/start


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]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 13:04:23 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/reubenshears

https://www.optimally.ltd/linkedin/start


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 40: Meet Reuben Shears Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:26 In this episode of the Exit Engine podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with systems architect and founder of Optimally LTD, Reuben Shears, to explore how AI, automation, and smart back-office infrastructure can radically improve business efficiency and scalability. From helping small businesses optimize processes before bottlenecks hit, to using AI-powered custom GPTs for personalized consulting and delivery mapping, Ruben offers insight into the future of operational design. Whether you're preparing to exit or just trying to scale without burnout, this episode is packed with actionable advice on aligning people, processes, and technology. In this episode of the Exit Engine podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with systems architect and founder of Optimally LTD, Reuben Shears, to explore how AI, automation, and smart back-office infrastructure can radically improve business efficiency and scalability. From helping small businesses optimize processes before bottlenecks hit, to using AI-powered custom GPTs for personalized consulting and delivery mapping, Ruben offers insight into the future of operational design. Whether you're preparing to exit or just trying to scale without burnout, this episode is packed with actionable advice on aligning people, processes, and technology. false full 39 0d2f4580-fce5-4a95-a17d-c8871f9ac4c3 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 39: Meet Tish Squillaro linkedin.com/in/tishsquillaro

https://www.linkedin.com/company/candor-management-consulting/

https://candor-consulting.com/

https://www.amazon.com/HeadTrash-Cleaning-Stands-Between-Success-ebook/dp/B00CO9ZE4C

https://www.amazon.com/HeadTrash-Dealing-Overcoming-Other-Peoples-ebook/dp/B01DV61HWY

 


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]]> Fri, 9 May 2025 15:00:03 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/tishsquillaro

https://www.linkedin.com/company/candor-management-consulting/

https://candor-consulting.com/

https://www.amazon.com/HeadTrash-Cleaning-Stands-Between-Success-ebook/dp/B00CO9ZE4C

https://www.amazon.com/HeadTrash-Dealing-Overcoming-Other-Peoples-ebook/dp/B01DV61HWY

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 39: Meet Tish Squillaro Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:03:56 In this episode of the Exit Engine Podcast, co-founders Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with leadership expert and author Tish Squillaro, founder of Candor Consulting and author of HeadTrash: Cleaning Out the Junk That Stands Between You and Success. Together, they explore what really holds founders back during transition and exit stages—not spreadsheets or strategies, but emotional blind spots, misplaced control, and team dysfunction. With candid insight and decades of experience, Tish offers practical wisdom for founders preparing to scale, sell, or simply get out of their own way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or investor, this is a masterclass in the human side of leadership and exit planning. In this episode of the Exit Engine Podcast, co-founders Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with leadership expert and author Tish Squillaro, founder of Candor Consulting and author of HeadTrash: Cleaning Out the Junk That Stands Between You and Success. Together, they explore what really holds founders back during transition and exit stages—not spreadsheets or strategies, but emotional blind spots, misplaced control, and team dysfunction. With candid insight and decades of experience, Tish offers practical wisdom for founders preparing to scale, sell, or simply get out of their own way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or investor, this is a masterclass in the human side of leadership and exit planning. false full 38 d01eaa17-eb08-416c-8a3c-4413a99c21fd The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 38: Meet Shaun Lee & Joe Olwig from 6 Levers https://www.linkedin.com/company/6-levers/

linkedin.com/in/shaun-lee-1122a131

linkedin.com/in/joe-olwig-757755139

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Work-Rethinking-Organization-Framework/dp/1954233418

 


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]]> Fri, 2 May 2025 14:13:16 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/6-levers/

linkedin.com/in/shaun-lee-1122a131

linkedin.com/in/joe-olwig-757755139

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Work-Rethinking-Organization-Framework/dp/1954233418

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 38: Meet Shaun Lee & Joe Olwig from 6 Levers Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:12:15 6 Levers Co-Founders Shaun Lee and Joe Olwig are also authors of a truly compelling book "At the Heart of Work: Rethinking What It Takes to Build a Healthy Organization with the 6 Levers Framework". Jo and John go deep with Shaun and Joe on what it takes for Owner/Founders to become the leaders they have to be in order to succeed in today's hyper-competitive business environment. Of key emphasis is the development and sustainment of a solid, strong, flexible leadership team. Not to be missed! 6 Levers Co-Founders Shaun Lee and Joe Olwig are also authors of a truly compelling book "At the Heart of Work: Rethinking What It Takes to Build a Healthy Organization with the 6 Levers Framework". Jo and John go deep with Shaun and Joe on what it takes for Owner/Founders to become the leaders they have to be in order to succeed in today's hyper-competitive business environment. Of key emphasis is the development and sustainment of a solid, strong, flexible leadership team. Not to be missed! false full 37 e97bcf76-4dab-4bf0-a286-43b3f41aa5d3 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 37: Meet Upswell's Eric Goodstat linkedin.com/in/ericgoodstadt

https://upswellmarketing.com/

 

 


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]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:05:10 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/ericgoodstadt

https://upswellmarketing.com/

 

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 37: Meet Upswell's Eric Goodstat Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:16:03 Jo Stapleton, John Canniffe, and Eric Goodstadt (CEO of Upswell) discuss Upswell's acquisition strategy, focusing on organic growth and strategic acquisitions like Dental Print Marketing and Teridel, while rejecting others due to valuation issues. Key success factors include transparent communication, thorough due diligence, maintaining operational performance during the process, and addressing owner dependency and customer concentration. Big focus on agency acquisition here. Jo Stapleton, John Canniffe, and Eric Goodstadt (CEO of Upswell) discuss Upswell's acquisition strategy, focusing on organic growth and strategic acquisitions like Dental Print Marketing and Teridel, while rejecting others due to valuation issues. Key success factors include transparent communication, thorough due diligence, maintaining operational performance during the process, and addressing owner dependency and customer concentration. Big focus on agency acquisition here. false full 36 ed327ddf-d3ae-452f-92ac-d415a87ca02e The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 36: Meet Bradley Rausch linkedin.com/in/bradley-rausch

 


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]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2025 18:23:15 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com linkedin.com/in/bradley-rausch

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 36: Meet Bradley Rausch Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:17:45 Jo Stapleton, John Canniffe, and Bradley Rausch go deep, focusing on founder dependency in business, covering customer success strategies, the importance of personal branding for founders, and mitigating founder burnout. Key discussion points included defining customer success as "multiplication," activating customer value through timely delivery (48-72 hours), and the crucial alignment between sales and customer success teams. Not to be missed! Jo Stapleton, John Canniffe, and Bradley Rausch go deep, focusing on founder dependency in business, covering customer success strategies, the importance of personal branding for founders, and mitigating founder burnout. Key discussion points included defining customer success as "multiplication," activating customer value through timely delivery (48-72 hours), and the crucial alignment between sales and customer success teams. Not to be missed! false full 35 a46a337a-fbbf-4838-ad9c-3e2ced2059c5 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 35: Ryan Provost & Norman Strobel on the Booz Box Phenomena! https://www.drinkboozbox.com/

linkedin.com/in/ryanprovostofficial

linkedin.com/in/norman-strobel-43a400302

https://loupt.co/offering/booz-box

 


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]]> Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:35:10 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com https://www.drinkboozbox.com/

linkedin.com/in/ryanprovostofficial

linkedin.com/in/norman-strobel-43a400302

https://loupt.co/offering/booz-box

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 35: Ryan Provost & Norman Strobel on the Booz Box Phenomena! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:57:06 Jo spends nearly an hour with Booz Box co-founders Ryan Provost and Norman Strobel. Going deep on the unique challenges that faced them in their innovative product development and successful launch of a truly great tasting, long-shelf life, bag-in-a-box form factor distilled spirits cocktail product. A must listen for anyone in the consumer product space or beating heart entreprenuers thirsty for both knowledge and inspiration! Drink up! Jo spends nearly an hour with Booz Box co-founders Ryan Provost and Norman Strobel. Going deep on the unique challenges that faced them in their innovative product development and successful launch of a truly great tasting, long-shelf life, bag-in-a-box form factor distilled spirits cocktail product. A must listen for anyone in the consumer product space or beating heart entreprenuers thirsty for both knowledge and inspiration! Drink up! false full 34 b910294b-c817-4716-a546-d4a12d82e025 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 34: Meet Maria Meadows Maria's LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/themariameadows

Maria's Email: maria@theresonanceagency.com

https://theresonanceagency.com

 


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]]> Fri, 4 Apr 2025 13:04:49 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Maria's LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/themariameadows

Maria's Email: maria@theresonanceagency.com

https://theresonanceagency.com

 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 34: Meet Maria Meadows Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:06:37 Maria Meadows, Jo Stapleton, and John Canniffe discuss building effective sales systems for mid-market businesses, emphasizing process and infrastructure over individual "rockstar" performers. Key areas included defining the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), implementing pipeline discipline, aligning sales and marketing efforts, and establishing realistic sales projections based on leading indicators. Next steps include refining the ICP, implementing a robust sales process, and exploring alternative financing strategies to secure short-term contracts. Maria Meadows, Jo Stapleton, and John Canniffe discuss building effective sales systems for mid-market businesses, emphasizing process and infrastructure over individual "rockstar" performers. Key areas included defining the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), implementing pipeline discipline, aligning sales and marketing efforts, and establishing realistic sales projections based on leading indicators. Next steps include refining the ICP, implementing a robust sales process, and exploring alternative financing strategies to secure short-term contracts. false full 33 da5e7c0a-b782-47d7-bc75-dd8ff906189e The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 33: Build to Sell! Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:55:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 33: Build to Sell! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:48:40 Jo and John present the essential thinking for "Building Your Business to Sell". If you build it (right), they (the buyers) will come. A combination of strategy and action is called for, and when needed, the expertise of people who have "been there, and done that"! Not to be missed! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness Jo and John present the essential thinking for "Building Your Business to Sell". If you build it (right), they (the buyers) will come. A combination of strategy and action is called for, and when needed, the expertise of people who have "been there, and done that"! Not to be missed! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 32 2455c83f-5432-420c-898f-462fbf2675d6 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 32: Craig Keegan on Rollups

Craig's links:

·         Appointments  www.C-Keegan.com/Appt

·         Dental Practice www.maprofits.com/Dental

·         Coaching            www.C-Keegan.com/BCoaching

·         LinkedIn              www.C-Keegan.com/LinkedIn

·         Podcast Guest   www.C-Keegan.com/PCGuest

·         Podcast                www.C-Keegan.com/Podcast


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]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:22:55 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com

Craig's links:

·         Appointments  www.C-Keegan.com/Appt

·         Dental Practice www.maprofits.com/Dental

·         Coaching            www.C-Keegan.com/BCoaching

·         LinkedIn              www.C-Keegan.com/LinkedIn

·         Podcast Guest   www.C-Keegan.com/PCGuest

·         Podcast                www.C-Keegan.com/Podcast


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 32: Craig Keegan on Rollups Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:22 Jo and John spend more than an hour going deep with Australian M&A expert Craig Keegan on the ins, the outs, the ups, the downs of Roll-Ups, a truly unique and powerful means of selling your business into a holding company or larger aggregated business organization. It's not right for everybody under every circumstance, but it can be fantastic way to retain meaningful equity while receiving a nice payout. Contact, follow, and reach out to Craig via the links in the show notes. Jo and John spend more than an hour going deep with Australian M&A expert Craig Keegan on the ins, the outs, the ups, the downs of Roll-Ups, a truly unique and powerful means of selling your business into a holding company or larger aggregated business organization. It's not right for everybody under every circumstance, but it can be fantastic way to retain meaningful equity while receiving a nice payout. Contact, follow, and reach out to Craig via the links in the show notes. false full 31 1842908a-ed08-494e-8ee3-4f6e5d027923 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 31: A Field Guide to Identifying Buyers Fri, 7 Mar 2025 13:53:14 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 31: A Field Guide to Identifying Buyers Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:50:08 SHarks, Whales, and Bottomfeeders are but a few of the types of buyers that swim in the business acquision ocean. Jo and John go deep on laying out who they are and what motivates each of them. Consider this the indispensable guide you've been waiting for. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness SHarks, Whales, and Bottomfeeders are but a few of the types of buyers that swim in the business acquision ocean. Jo and John go deep on laying out who they are and what motivates each of them. Consider this the indispensable guide you've been waiting for. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 30 0c358b37-adda-445d-a794-b2925680b5a5 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 30: Getting Down and Dirty with Due Diligence Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:41:02 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 30: Getting Down and Dirty with Due Diligence Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:56:09 Jo and John shine a bright light on what many think is the nastiest part of #sellingyourbusiness , Yep it's #duediligence! With the right on-ramp and support systems, you might just be surprized at the hidden value that many times is uncovered in this process. It doesn't all have to be bad, but it does have to be done. Talk to us about this! Jo and John shine a bright light on what many think is the nastiest part of #sellingyourbusiness , Yep it's #duediligence! With the right on-ramp and support systems, you might just be surprized at the hidden value that many times is uncovered in this process. It doesn't all have to be bad, but it does have to be done. Talk to us about this! false full 29 21ffeda7-4e7b-4760-8730-2e59cd5fbbe2 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 29: A Day in the Life Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:01:46 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 29: A Day in the Life Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:57:09 Jo and John escort the listeners on a guided tour of the exit planning process, asking the big questions, driving for the true answers, confronting the caustic realities along the way. An important part of any journey is knowing where you want to go and choosing the optimal path to get there. In this particular process, shortcuts can be a real trap! You have been warned! Enjoy and please pass on to friends, family members and all those who dream of selling their business and maximize the benefits accrued. Jo and John escort the listeners on a guided tour of the exit planning process, asking the big questions, driving for the true answers, confronting the caustic realities along the way. An important part of any journey is knowing where you want to go and choosing the optimal path to get there. In this particular process, shortcuts can be a real trap! You have been warned! Enjoy and please pass on to friends, family members and all those who dream of selling their business and maximize the benefits accrued. false full 28 1ed1b7a9-4a93-46d2-b6ef-bb6239d52eeb The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 28: Jason Fishman on Crowdfunding Fri, 7 Feb 2025 17:20:58 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 28: Jason Fishman on Crowdfunding Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:07:17 The need to know program on crowdfunding! Jo and John pick Jason's substantial brain on this hottest of hot topics! It's not as easy as it sounds. You have been warned! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness The need to know program on crowdfunding! Jo and John pick Jason's substantial brain on this hottest of hot topics! It's not as easy as it sounds. You have been warned! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 27 Buzzsprout-16539042 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 27: Meet Rob Freeman (Risk Management + Insurance) It goes without saying that Insurance and Risk Management are essential factors in any type of business. Our guest in this episode, Rob Freeman, goes deep on the not so obvious considerations for these keystones, specifically related to those who seek to sell their business. Invaluable would be an understatement to the knowledge he presents herein. Please share this essential program with anyone you care about who's at this point in their life/work journey! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness #riskmanagement #insurance


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]]> Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com It goes without saying that Insurance and Risk Management are essential factors in any type of business. Our guest in this episode, Rob Freeman, goes deep on the not so obvious considerations for these keystones, specifically related to those who seek to sell their business. Invaluable would be an understatement to the knowledge he presents herein. Please share this essential program with anyone you care about who's at this point in their life/work journey! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness #riskmanagement #insurance


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 27: Meet Rob Freeman (Risk Management + Insurance) Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:08:14 It goes without saying that Insurance and Risk Management are essential factors in any type of business. Our guest in this episode, Rob Freeman, goes deep on the not so obvious considerations for these keystones, specifically related to those who seek to sell their business. Invaluable would be an understatement to the knowledge he presents herein. Please share this essential program with anyone you care about who's at this point in their life/work journey! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #s... It goes without saying that Insurance and Risk Management are essential factors in any type of business. Our guest in this episode, Rob Freeman, goes deep on the not so obvious considerations for these keystones, specifically related to those who seek to sell their business. Invaluable would be an understatement to the knowledge he presents herein. Please share this essential program with anyone you care about who's at this point in their life/work journey! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #s... false full 26 Buzzsprout-16453051 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 26: Know Your Brand Story One of the most essential and compelling things we do as humans is storytelling. This is doubly important when considering the sale of your business, because not every nuance, passion or hard earned legacy can be captured by a spreadsheet. Jo and John have perhaps the most important, yet most taken for granted discussion owner/founders need to have: Figuring out your business's "Brand Story". Must listen!


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]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com One of the most essential and compelling things we do as humans is storytelling. This is doubly important when considering the sale of your business, because not every nuance, passion or hard earned legacy can be captured by a spreadsheet. Jo and John have perhaps the most important, yet most taken for granted discussion owner/founders need to have: Figuring out your business's "Brand Story". Must listen!


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 26: Know Your Brand Story Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:10:37 One of the most essential and compelling things we do as humans is storytelling. This is doubly important when considering the sale of your business, because not every nuance, passion or hard earned legacy can be captured by a spreadsheet. Jo and John have perhaps the most important, yet most taken for granted discussion owner/founders need to have: Figuring out your business's "Brand Story". Must listen! One of the most essential and compelling things we do as humans is storytelling. This is doubly important when considering the sale of your business, because not every nuance, passion or hard earned legacy can be captured by a spreadsheet. Jo and John have perhaps the most important, yet most taken for granted discussion owner/founders need to have: Figuring out your business's "Brand Story". Must listen! false full 25 Buzzsprout-16413934 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 25: Identifying a Strategic Buyer Although "The Rise of the Strategic Buyer" may sound like a title for the latest Star Wars streaming series, it truly represents the new reality of merger and acquisitions for small and midsize businesses. Jo and John define, identify, and elucidate how Strategic Buyers can be the big opportunity you been looking for! Enjoy and pass it on! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Although "The Rise of the Strategic Buyer" may sound like a title for the latest Star Wars streaming series, it truly represents the new reality of merger and acquisitions for small and midsize businesses. Jo and John define, identify, and elucidate how Strategic Buyers can be the big opportunity you been looking for! Enjoy and pass it on! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 25: Identifying a Strategic Buyer Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:48:43 Although "The Rise of the Strategic Buyer" may sound like a title for the latest Star Wars streaming series, it truly represents the new reality of merger and acquisitions for small and midsize businesses. Jo and John define, identify, and elucidate how Strategic Buyers can be the big opportunity you been looking for! Enjoy and pass it on! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness Although "The Rise of the Strategic Buyer" may sound like a title for the latest Star Wars streaming series, it truly represents the new reality of merger and acquisitions for small and midsize businesses. Jo and John define, identify, and elucidate how Strategic Buyers can be the big opportunity you been looking for! Enjoy and pass it on! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 24 Buzzsprout-16376455 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 24: The Total Exit Value (TEV) System Jo and John do the deep dive on Exit Engine's TEV System, and it's 10 constituent components. If you've been waiting on that baseline "101" walkthrough of what it takes to prep a business for sale, this is an essential listen! This is truly a competitive, some might say game changing approach. Spread the news!


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]]> Fri, 3 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John do the deep dive on Exit Engine's TEV System, and it's 10 constituent components. If you've been waiting on that baseline "101" walkthrough of what it takes to prep a business for sale, this is an essential listen! This is truly a competitive, some might say game changing approach. Spread the news!


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 24: The Total Exit Value (TEV) System Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:24 Jo and John do the deep dive on Exit Engine's TEV System, and it's 10 constituent components. If you've been waiting on that baseline "101" walkthrough of what it takes to prep a business for sale, this is an essential listen! This is truly a competitive, some might say game changing approach. Spread the news! Jo and John do the deep dive on Exit Engine's TEV System, and it's 10 constituent components. If you've been waiting on that baseline "101" walkthrough of what it takes to prep a business for sale, this is an essential listen! This is truly a competitive, some might say game changing approach. Spread the news! false full 23 Buzzsprout-16344252 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 23: With a Little Help From Your Friends Planning your exit. Selling your business. Strategizing your future. Major undertakings for sure. And while you are the defacto "Subject Matter Expert" for your product or service offering, you can't be the expert for the myriad informed decisions that must be considered. Jo and John provide a rich conversation on the power of expert advisors and informed independent gurus. Odds are your business isn't massive enough to attract the attention of a true investment banking partner, so thinking smaller, more focused, and networking your way to better decisions is the way to go! Essential listening! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy


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]]> Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Planning your exit. Selling your business. Strategizing your future. Major undertakings for sure. And while you are the defacto "Subject Matter Expert" for your product or service offering, you can't be the expert for the myriad informed decisions that must be considered. Jo and John provide a rich conversation on the power of expert advisors and informed independent gurus. Odds are your business isn't massive enough to attract the attention of a true investment banking partner, so thinking smaller, more focused, and networking your way to better decisions is the way to go! Essential listening! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 23: With a Little Help From Your Friends Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:16 Planning your exit. Selling your business. Strategizing your future. Major undertakings for sure. And while you are the defacto "Subject Matter Expert" for your product or service offering, you can't be the expert for the myriad informed decisions that must be considered. Jo and John provide a rich conversation on the power of expert advisors and informed independent gurus. Odds are your business isn't massive enough to attract the attention of a true investment banking partner, so thinking s... Planning your exit. Selling your business. Strategizing your future. Major undertakings for sure. And while you are the defacto "Subject Matter Expert" for your product or service offering, you can't be the expert for the myriad informed decisions that must be considered. Jo and John provide a rich conversation on the power of expert advisors and informed independent gurus. Odds are your business isn't massive enough to attract the attention of a true investment banking partner, so thinking s... false full 22 Buzzsprout-16315826 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 22: Finding Hidden Value! John and Jo reveal the best kept secrets to making your business more appealing to a potential buyer. You should always be looking to market your own company as well as your product and service offerings in the most impactful ways possible. Let's make your business irresistible to those looking to acquire! Not to be missed! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy


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]]> Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com John and Jo reveal the best kept secrets to making your business more appealing to a potential buyer. You should always be looking to market your own company as well as your product and service offerings in the most impactful ways possible. Let's make your business irresistible to those looking to acquire! Not to be missed! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 22: Finding Hidden Value! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:56:50 John and Jo reveal the best kept secrets to making your business more appealing to a potential buyer. You should always be looking to market your own company as well as your product and service offerings in the most impactful ways possible. Let's make your business irresistible to those looking to acquire! Not to be missed! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy John and Jo reveal the best kept secrets to making your business more appealing to a potential buyer. You should always be looking to market your own company as well as your product and service offerings in the most impactful ways possible. Let's make your business irresistible to those looking to acquire! Not to be missed! #sellingyourbusiness #exitplanning #exitstrategy false full 21 Buzzsprout-16273692 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 21: The Fine Art of Failure No human being has gone through life completely failure free. The trick is to use those moments as the best education and character-building exercise imaginable. Jo and John hit the topic hard with a massive dose of caustic reality and yet brilliant insight into those rites-of-passage that we all pass through, but only the smartest thrive off of. Enjoy and share!


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]]> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com No human being has gone through life completely failure free. The trick is to use those moments as the best education and character-building exercise imaginable. Jo and John hit the topic hard with a massive dose of caustic reality and yet brilliant insight into those rites-of-passage that we all pass through, but only the smartest thrive off of. Enjoy and share!


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 21: The Fine Art of Failure Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:54:30 No human being has gone through life completely failure free. The trick is to use those moments as the best education and character-building exercise imaginable. Jo and John hit the topic hard with a massive dose of caustic reality and yet brilliant insight into those rites-of-passage that we all pass through, but only the smartest thrive off of. Enjoy and share! No human being has gone through life completely failure free. The trick is to use those moments as the best education and character-building exercise imaginable. Jo and John hit the topic hard with a massive dose of caustic reality and yet brilliant insight into those rites-of-passage that we all pass through, but only the smartest thrive off of. Enjoy and share! false full 20 Buzzsprout-16232873 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 20: Post_Thanksgiving Reflections There are suprising similarities to both the ramp-up to and ramp-down from Thanksgiving and selling your business. The planning (or lack of), the due-diligence (or lack of), the leftovers (or lack of). As an awesome memorable holiday gathering must be considered, so should your actions heading toward a successful sale. Enjoy John and Jo's reflections on the topic!


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]]> Fri, 6 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com There are suprising similarities to both the ramp-up to and ramp-down from Thanksgiving and selling your business. The planning (or lack of), the due-diligence (or lack of), the leftovers (or lack of). As an awesome memorable holiday gathering must be considered, so should your actions heading toward a successful sale. Enjoy John and Jo's reflections on the topic!


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 20: Post_Thanksgiving Reflections Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:58:10 There are suprising similarities to both the ramp-up to and ramp-down from Thanksgiving and selling your business. The planning (or lack of), the due-diligence (or lack of), the leftovers (or lack of). As an awesome memorable holiday gathering must be considered, so should your actions heading toward a successful sale. Enjoy John and Jo's reflections on the topic! There are suprising similarities to both the ramp-up to and ramp-down from Thanksgiving and selling your business. The planning (or lack of), the due-diligence (or lack of), the leftovers (or lack of). As an awesome memorable holiday gathering must be considered, so should your actions heading toward a successful sale. Enjoy John and Jo's reflections on the topic! false full 19 Buzzsprout-16193481 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 19: The myths and realities of succession planning While HBO's "Succession" might have been a roller coaster ride of family anger and rage-fueled sibling slamdancing, the truth is more level-headed. A solid succession strategy and actionable tactical plan can make a huge difference when you're selling your business. Jo and John go deep on the essential considerations any owner needs to take with his/her family members and employees. #succession #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com While HBO's "Succession" might have been a roller coaster ride of family anger and rage-fueled sibling slamdancing, the truth is more level-headed. A solid succession strategy and actionable tactical plan can make a huge difference when you're selling your business. Jo and John go deep on the essential considerations any owner needs to take with his/her family members and employees. #succession #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 19: The myths and realities of succession planning Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:54:36 While HBO's "Succession" might have been a roller coaster ride of family anger and rage-fueled sibling slamdancing, the truth is more level-headed. A solid succession strategy and actionable tactical plan can make a huge difference when you're selling your business. Jo and John go deep on the essential considerations any owner needs to take with his/her family members and employees. #succession #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness While HBO's "Succession" might have been a roller coaster ride of family anger and rage-fueled sibling slamdancing, the truth is more level-headed. A solid succession strategy and actionable tactical plan can make a huge difference when you're selling your business. Jo and John go deep on the essential considerations any owner needs to take with his/her family members and employees. #succession #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 18 Buzzsprout-16155080 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 18: ESOPs aka Employee Stock Ownership Plans! (with Kelly Finnell) Jo and John go deep with ESOP guru Kelly Finnell, on the ins and outs of all things ESOP! NOT To BE MISSED! An amazing tool to have in your #exitstrategy portfolio.

Kelly's company: https://execfin.com
Amazon link to Kelly's book: https://www.amazon.com/ESOP-Coach-Ownership-Succession-Paperback/dp/B010CKUN9U
National Center for Employee Ownership: https://www.nceo.org/
The ESOP Association: https://www.esopassociation.org/
#exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John go deep with ESOP guru Kelly Finnell, on the ins and outs of all things ESOP! NOT To BE MISSED! An amazing tool to have in your #exitstrategy portfolio.

Kelly's company: https://execfin.com
Amazon link to Kelly's book: https://www.amazon.com/ESOP-Coach-Ownership-Succession-Paperback/dp/B010CKUN9U
National Center for Employee Ownership: https://www.nceo.org/
The ESOP Association: https://www.esopassociation.org/
#exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 18: ESOPs aka Employee Stock Ownership Plans! (with Kelly Finnell) Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:50:10 Jo and John go deep with ESOP guru Kelly Finnell, on the ins and outs of all things ESOP! NOT To BE MISSED! An amazing tool to have in your #exitstrategy portfolio. Kelly's company: https://execfin.com Amazon link to Kelly's book: https://www.amazon.com/ESOP-Coach-Ownership-Succession-Paperback/dp/B010CKUN9UNational Center for Employee Ownership: https://www.nceo.org/The ESOP Association: https://www.esopassociation.org/#exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness Jo and John go deep with ESOP guru Kelly Finnell, on the ins and outs of all things ESOP! NOT To BE MISSED! An amazing tool to have in your #exitstrategy portfolio. Kelly's company: https://execfin.com Amazon link to Kelly's book: https://www.amazon.com/ESOP-Coach-Ownership-Succession-Paperback/dp/B010CKUN9UNational Center for Employee Ownership: https://www.nceo.org/The ESOP Association: https://www.esopassociation.org/#exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness false full 17 Buzzsprout-16114026 The Exit Engine Podcast 17: Life in the Business Universe Post Election Jo and John discuss what business owners should expect from a post-election world. Exit Engine doesn't take a side, other than being on your side! So if tariffs, China, taxes, regulations, M&A are things you're curious about, you're in the right place!


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]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John discuss what business owners should expect from a post-election world. Exit Engine doesn't take a side, other than being on your side! So if tariffs, China, taxes, regulations, M&A are things you're curious about, you're in the right place!


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast 17: Life in the Business Universe Post Election Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:46:44 Jo and John discuss what business owners should expect from a post-election world. Exit Engine doesn't take a side, other than being on your side! So if tariffs, China, taxes, regulations, M&A are things you're curious about, you're in the right place! Jo and John discuss what business owners should expect from a post-election world. Exit Engine doesn't take a side, other than being on your side! So if tariffs, China, taxes, regulations, M&A are things you're curious about, you're in the right place! false full 16 Buzzsprout-16070816 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 16: The Biggest Mistake You Can Make Jo and John hit this one hard. Far too many owners under-prepare and oversell the worth of their business when considering it's sale. Listen up for the bitter truth, aned more importantly, the hard won wisdom that will, unquestionably, put you on the right path. You have been warned. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> Fri, 8 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John hit this one hard. Far too many owners under-prepare and oversell the worth of their business when considering it's sale. Listen up for the bitter truth, aned more importantly, the hard won wisdom that will, unquestionably, put you on the right path. You have been warned. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 16: The Biggest Mistake You Can Make Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:02:49 Jo and John hit this one hard. Far too many owners under-prepare and oversell the worth of their business when considering it's sale. Listen up for the bitter truth, aned more importantly, the hard won wisdom that will, unquestionably, put you on the right path. You have been warned. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness Jo and John hit this one hard. Far too many owners under-prepare and oversell the worth of their business when considering it's sale. Listen up for the bitter truth, aned more importantly, the hard won wisdom that will, unquestionably, put you on the right path. You have been warned. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 15 Buzzsprout-16031535 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 15: A conversation with Financial Planner/Wealth Manager Phil Heness Phil Heness of Edward Jones is an experienced and thoughtful Financial Expert with years of experience and solid street cred. Listen to this in depth (1+ hour!) conversation with Jo and John on the big questions and the even bigger concerns a business owner/founder needs to be acting on. 


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]]> Fri, 1 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Phil Heness of Edward Jones is an experienced and thoughtful Financial Expert with years of experience and solid street cred. Listen to this in depth (1+ hour!) conversation with Jo and John on the big questions and the even bigger concerns a business owner/founder needs to be acting on. 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 15: A conversation with Financial Planner/Wealth Manager Phil Heness Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:05:38 Phil Heness of Edward Jones is an experienced and thoughtful Financial Expert with years of experience and solid street cred. Listen to this in depth (1+ hour!) conversation with Jo and John on the big questions and the even bigger concerns a business owner/founder needs to be acting on. Phil Heness of Edward Jones is an experienced and thoughtful Financial Expert with years of experience and solid street cred. Listen to this in depth (1+ hour!) conversation with Jo and John on the big questions and the even bigger concerns a business owner/founder needs to be acting on. false full 14 Buzzsprout-15989587 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 14: The view from the buyer's side! While you as a business owner looking to sell have your own set of worries and concerns, the view from the buyer's side can be quite different. Appropriately so, as there a many different "types" of buyers, and your business make not be exactly what they crave. All good, as Jo and John go deep on poking into this darkened corner. Enjoy and pass the word! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com While you as a business owner looking to sell have your own set of worries and concerns, the view from the buyer's side can be quite different. Appropriately so, as there a many different "types" of buyers, and your business make not be exactly what they crave. All good, as Jo and John go deep on poking into this darkened corner. Enjoy and pass the word! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 14: The view from the buyer's side! Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:08:44 While you as a business owner looking to sell have your own set of worries and concerns, the view from the buyer's side can be quite different. Appropriately so, as there a many different "types" of buyers, and your business make not be exactly what they crave. All good, as Jo and John go deep on poking into this darkened corner. Enjoy and pass the word! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness While you as a business owner looking to sell have your own set of worries and concerns, the view from the buyer's side can be quite different. Appropriately so, as there a many different "types" of buyers, and your business make not be exactly what they crave. All good, as Jo and John go deep on poking into this darkened corner. Enjoy and pass the word! #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 13 Buzzsprout-15948264 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 13: The 3 Most Important Financial Reports You Need To Know The Balance Sheet, The Income/P&L Statement, and The Cash Flow Statement. The Big Three. John and Jo go deep on why these reports, most importantly the data contained within, can be the difference between a successful business sale and bitter disappointment. Take the time to hear what the team is laying down here! #exitplanning #exitstartegy #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com The Balance Sheet, The Income/P&L Statement, and The Cash Flow Statement. The Big Three. John and Jo go deep on why these reports, most importantly the data contained within, can be the difference between a successful business sale and bitter disappointment. Take the time to hear what the team is laying down here! #exitplanning #exitstartegy #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 13: The 3 Most Important Financial Reports You Need To Know Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:13:36 The Balance Sheet, The Income/P&L Statement, and The Cash Flow Statement. The Big Three. John and Jo go deep on why these reports, most importantly the data contained within, can be the difference between a successful business sale and bitter disappointment. Take the time to hear what the team is laying down here! #exitplanning #exitstartegy #sellingyourbusiness The Balance Sheet, The Income/P&L Statement, and The Cash Flow Statement. The Big Three. John and Jo go deep on why these reports, most importantly the data contained within, can be the difference between a successful business sale and bitter disappointment. Take the time to hear what the team is laying down here! #exitplanning #exitstartegy #sellingyourbusiness false full 12 Buzzsprout-15908749 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 12: Your Paths to Exiting Jo and John pull back the curtain on the less discussed, perhaps more painful paths to exiting your company. Nobody likes bad surprises! Keep yourself well informed and in the know. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John pull back the curtain on the less discussed, perhaps more painful paths to exiting your company. Nobody likes bad surprises! Keep yourself well informed and in the know. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 12: Your Paths to Exiting Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:57:16 Jo and John pull back the curtain on the less discussed, perhaps more painful paths to exiting your company. Nobody likes bad surprises! Keep yourself well informed and in the know. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness Jo and John pull back the curtain on the less discussed, perhaps more painful paths to exiting your company. Nobody likes bad surprises! Keep yourself well informed and in the know. #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellingyourbusiness false full 11 Buzzsprout-15868324 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 11: Closing the Value Gap This is truly an eye-opening (strap your self in!) conversation between Jo and John on the distance betwixt Hopes/Dreams?Expectations and Reality. Unless an owner does the serious work of determing "Total Exit Value", they run the risk of bitter disappointment at best and financial ruin at worst. Must listen! #exitstrategy #exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> Fri, 4 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com This is truly an eye-opening (strap your self in!) conversation between Jo and John on the distance betwixt Hopes/Dreams?Expectations and Reality. Unless an owner does the serious work of determing "Total Exit Value", they run the risk of bitter disappointment at best and financial ruin at worst. Must listen! #exitstrategy #exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 11: Closing the Value Gap Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:17:05 This is truly an eye-opening (strap your self in!) conversation between Jo and John on the distance betwixt Hopes/Dreams?Expectations and Reality. Unless an owner does the serious work of determing "Total Exit Value", they run the risk of bitter disappointment at best and financial ruin at worst. Must listen! #exitstrategy #exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness This is truly an eye-opening (strap your self in!) conversation between Jo and John on the distance betwixt Hopes/Dreams?Expectations and Reality. Unless an owner does the serious work of determing "Total Exit Value", they run the risk of bitter disappointment at best and financial ruin at worst. Must listen! #exitstrategy #exitplanning #sellingyourbusiness false full 10 Buzzsprout-15826670 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 10: The Emotional Side of Exit Planning In addition to all of the Finance, Personnel, and Legal issues associated with exit planning and selling a business, you can't deny the human factors. Specifically the emotions that surround this undertaking. Jo and John have a far ranging conversation about those "feelies" that many of us deny, or at best, ignore. 


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]]> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com In addition to all of the Finance, Personnel, and Legal issues associated with exit planning and selling a business, you can't deny the human factors. Specifically the emotions that surround this undertaking. Jo and John have a far ranging conversation about those "feelies" that many of us deny, or at best, ignore. 


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 10: The Emotional Side of Exit Planning Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:04:34 In addition to all of the Finance, Personnel, and Legal issues associated with exit planning and selling a business, you can't deny the human factors. Specifically the emotions that surround this undertaking. Jo and John have a far ranging conversation about those "feelies" that many of us deny, or at best, ignore. In addition to all of the Finance, Personnel, and Legal issues associated with exit planning and selling a business, you can't deny the human factors. Specifically the emotions that surround this undertaking. Jo and John have a far ranging conversation about those "feelies" that many of us deny, or at best, ignore. false full 9 Buzzsprout-15786406 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 9: Is Your Business Marketable? Jo and John ask the 10 important questions all small and medium size owners need to have answered. Some of them are the hard technical items, some of them are as soft and human as it gets! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John ask the 10 important questions all small and medium size owners need to have answered. Some of them are the hard technical items, some of them are as soft and human as it gets! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 9: Is Your Business Marketable? Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:51:56 Jo and John ask the 10 important questions all small and medium size owners need to have answered. Some of them are the hard technical items, some of them are as soft and human as it gets! #exitstrategy #exitplanning Jo and John ask the 10 important questions all small and medium size owners need to have answered. Some of them are the hard technical items, some of them are as soft and human as it gets! #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 8 Buzzsprout-15734165 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 8: The Power of Community Jo and John go deep on the benefits of being surrounded by a network of diverse business perspectives. It is truly the secret ingredient of the Exit Engine Marketplace of Ideas! Start as a newbie, end up as a mentor! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John go deep on the benefits of being surrounded by a network of diverse business perspectives. It is truly the secret ingredient of the Exit Engine Marketplace of Ideas! Start as a newbie, end up as a mentor! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 8: The Power of Community Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:47:05 Jo and John go deep on the benefits of being surrounded by a network of diverse business perspectives. It is truly the secret ingredient of the Exit Engine Marketplace of Ideas! Start as a newbie, end up as a mentor! #exitstrategy #exitplanning Jo and John go deep on the benefits of being surrounded by a network of diverse business perspectives. It is truly the secret ingredient of the Exit Engine Marketplace of Ideas! Start as a newbie, end up as a mentor! #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 7 Buzzsprout-15702194 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 7: Ten Actionable Items you need to address right now Jo and John go deep on the longest episode to date, spending quality time on the Big 10 issues that need to be addressed by all business owners who need to prepare for the future. Take out your notebooks! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Thu, 5 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Jo and John go deep on the longest episode to date, spending quality time on the Big 10 issues that need to be addressed by all business owners who need to prepare for the future. Take out your notebooks! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 7: Ten Actionable Items you need to address right now Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:04:20 Jo and John go deep on the longest episode to date, spending quality time on the Big 10 issues that need to be addressed by all business owners who need to prepare for the future. Take out your notebooks! #exitstrategy #exitplanning Jo and John go deep on the longest episode to date, spending quality time on the Big 10 issues that need to be addressed by all business owners who need to prepare for the future. Take out your notebooks! #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 7 Buzzsprout-15649787 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 6: The Brave New World of Real Estate John and Jo ride the news of new Fed Regulations about Real Estate broker commisions, etc. It's going to be a bumpy ride! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com John and Jo ride the news of new Fed Regulations about Real Estate broker commisions, etc. It's going to be a bumpy ride! #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 6: The Brave New World of Real Estate Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:43:01 John and Jo ride the news of new Fed Regulations about Real Estate broker commisions, etc. It's going to be a bumpy ride! #exitstrategy #exitplanning John and Jo ride the news of new Fed Regulations about Real Estate broker commisions, etc. It's going to be a bumpy ride! #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 6 Buzzsprout-15594551 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 5: Preparing for Due Diligence More than half of all m&a deals fall through, often due to something uncovered at during a process called Due Diligence. On this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss what happens when the  buyer deep dives into your business to uncover any issues and how you can hedge against issues that arise during this precarious period of the transaction. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com More than half of all m&a deals fall through, often due to something uncovered at during a process called Due Diligence. On this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss what happens when the  buyer deep dives into your business to uncover any issues and how you can hedge against issues that arise during this precarious period of the transaction. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 5: Preparing for Due Diligence Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 01:02:54 More than half of all m&a deals fall through, often due to something uncovered at during a process called Due Diligence. On this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss what happens when the buyer deep dives into your business to uncover any issues and how you can hedge against issues that arise during this precarious period of the transaction. #exitstrategy #exitplanning More than half of all m&a deals fall through, often due to something uncovered at during a process called Due Diligence. On this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss what happens when the buyer deep dives into your business to uncover any issues and how you can hedge against issues that arise during this precarious period of the transaction. #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 5 Buzzsprout-15571862 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 4: Understanding Private Equity Groups What is a Private Equity Group and why should I care? There are more than 9,000 Private Equity Groups with more than 1 trillion dollars of investment money looking to buy healthy companies. In this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss everything you need to know as a business owner about selling (or not selling) your company to a Private Equity Group. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Fri, 9 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com What is a Private Equity Group and why should I care? There are more than 9,000 Private Equity Groups with more than 1 trillion dollars of investment money looking to buy healthy companies. In this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss everything you need to know as a business owner about selling (or not selling) your company to a Private Equity Group. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 4: Understanding Private Equity Groups Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:45:48 What is a Private Equity Group and why should I care? There are more than 9,000 Private Equity Groups with more than 1 trillion dollars of investment money looking to buy healthy companies. In this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss everything you need to know as a business owner about selling (or not selling) your company to a Private Equity Group. #exitstrategy #exitplanning What is a Private Equity Group and why should I care? There are more than 9,000 Private Equity Groups with more than 1 trillion dollars of investment money looking to buy healthy companies. In this episode of The ExitEngine™ Podcast, Jo and John discuss everything you need to know as a business owner about selling (or not selling) your company to a Private Equity Group. #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 4 Buzzsprout-15480742 The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 3: The Emotions of Exit Exiting your company will be oneof most emotional experiences of your life. On this episode of The EXit Engine Podcast, co-hosts and co-founders of ExitEngine, Jo and John discuss the emotions of exiting, what to expect and how to handle yourself during on of the biggest transitions one can ever experience. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe) http://www.myexitengine.com Exiting your company will be oneof most emotional experiences of your life. On this episode of The EXit Engine Podcast, co-hosts and co-founders of ExitEngine, Jo and John discuss the emotions of exiting, what to expect and how to handle yourself during on of the biggest transitions one can ever experience. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast Episode 3: The Emotions of Exit Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe 00:56:10 Exiting your company will be oneof most emotional experiences of your life. On this episode of The EXit Engine Podcast, co-hosts and co-founders of ExitEngine, Jo and John discuss the emotions of exiting, what to expect and how to handle yourself during on of the biggest transitions one can ever experience. #exitstrategy #exitplanning Exiting your company will be oneof most emotional experiences of your life. On this episode of The EXit Engine Podcast, co-hosts and co-founders of ExitEngine, Jo and John discuss the emotions of exiting, what to expect and how to handle yourself during on of the biggest transitions one can ever experience. #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 3 Buzzsprout-15387236 The Exit Engine Podcast: Episode 2 M&A Transactions often face problems during the process. What are some of the all time worst mergers in history and why were they bad? Also what is the Silver Tsunami and why is it important? All these questions and more are covered on  The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to  Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo) http://www.myexitengine.com M&A Transactions often face problems during the process. What are some of the all time worst mergers in history and why were they bad? Also what is the Silver Tsunami and why is it important? All these questions and more are covered on  The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to  Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast: Episode 2 Jo 00:48:48 M&A Transactions often face problems during the process. What are some of the all time worst mergers in history and why were they bad? Also what is the Silver Tsunami and why is it important? All these questions and more are covered on The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure tha... M&A Transactions often face problems during the process. What are some of the all time worst mergers in history and why were they bad? Also what is the Silver Tsunami and why is it important? All these questions and more are covered on The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure tha... false full 2 Buzzsprout-15387188 The Exit Engine Podcast: Episode 1 How do I sell my buisness? How can I make my buisness more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on  The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to  Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000 jo@myexitengine.com (Jo) http://www.myexitengine.com How do I sell my buisness? How can I make my buisness more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on  The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to  Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning


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]]> The Exit Engine Podcast: Episode 1 Jo 00:54:15 How do I sell my buisness? How can I make my buisness more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning How do I sell my buisness? How can I make my buisness more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The Exit Engine Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of Exit Engine, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny. #exitstrategy #exitplanning false full 1