Exit Insights

Send us Fan Mail You've sold your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT—now what? Many founders think their job is done, but the reality is that the longest earn-out period often begins after the sale. In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword dive into the post-exit journey, uncovering how former owners can reduce risk, accelerate payments, andensu...

Send us Fan Mail Are you constantly solving problems, putting out fires, and feeling like your business would collapse without you? You’re not alone. Many business owners build their companies around people instead of structure - leading to inefficiencies, stress, and an unattractive business when it’s time to sell. In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword exp...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a business irresistible to investors? Adrian Mendoza, founder of Mendoza Ventures, shares his playbook for scaling and selling businesses. Learn why institutionalising finances and governance is a game-changer, how to identify repeatable revenue streams, and why documenting your business model can make or break your exit. "The goal is to find the landmines before t...

Send us Fan Mail Many entrepreneurs are natural optimists - it’s what drives them to start and grow successful businesses. But when it comes to exit planning, that same optimism can lead to overconfidence, unrealistic expectations, and costly mistakes. In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore:✅ Why entrepreneurs often underestimate the challenges of s...

Send us Fan Mail What’s holding your business back from reaching its full potential? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dive into the transformative power of capacity planning. Learn how to:✅ Spot and fix operational bottlenecks.✅ Ensure sustainable growth without cash flow crises.✅ Transition from focusing on revenue to drivin...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to step back from your business, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword sits down with exit planning expert Len Bruskiewitz to discuss your options, from family succession and employee buyouts to third-party sales. Discover why planning ahead can increase your valuation by up to 300% and how reducing owner dependence makes your business more at...

Send us Fan Mail Maximising your business valuation goes far beyond just cutting costs. In this episode ofthe Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington reveal the secret formula: Profit x Multiplier = Valuation—and how to work smarter, not harder, to double your business’s worth. Discover why focusing on the multiplier can make a bigger impact than profit alone. Learn how...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to have an "exit ready" business? In this episode of the ExitInsights Podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington unpack theessentials of exit planning for business owners who want to maximise value andtransition on their terms.🎯 Key takeaways include:The difference between a "sellable" business and one that maximises valuation. How...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Exit Insights features Scott Couchenour, a “fourth quarter” coach who helps business owners prepare for life beyond the sale. Scott shares his Four Life Quarters framework, explaining how business owners in their 60s and beyond can make a meaningful impact post-exit. If you’re starting to plan your succession, don’t miss Scott’s tips on avoiding regrets, finding ne...

Send us Fan Mail What happens after you exit your business? David Buck joins us to discuss the often-overlooked side of exit planning—personal and relational readiness. From setting a new purpose to planning a fulfilling post-exit lifestyle, David’s insights will help you transition smoothly and find joy beyond the deal. “Don’t just exit—prepare for what’s next.” Discover how to create a balanced...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the secret to aligning your employees’ goals with your business success? DarrylBates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington discuss The Ladder to Equity, exploring performance bonuses, profit sharing, and equity options. Discover how these strategies foster loyalty, reduce turnover, and prepare your business for a high-value exit. Key insight: “When employees understand business f...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know only 20% of businesses that go to market end up selling? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington break down what makes a business sellable, explore strategies to increase your business valuation, and share tips to ensure a favourable exit.💡 “Buyers want momentum—businesses standing still are often going backwards.”Whether you’re at £1M or £5M re...

Send us Fan Mail In this Exit Insights episode, Eisha Armstrong from Vecteris discusses about productizing professional services. Eisha shares key strategies for business owners looking to productize their service offerings to increase scalability and valuation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of transitioning from selling time to offering standardized, scalable services and the cultural...

Send us Fan Mail How do you build a business that’s both profitable and attractive to buyers? In this episode, Denise Nurse, founder of Halebury and TV presenter, shares her roadmap to creating an exitable business. Denise’s story is packed with insights, from establishing systems to negotiating earn-outs and managing life post-exit. Tune in to learn how setting an exit plan early can boost your v...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the secret to growing a business from £1M to £10M and beyond? In this episode,Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington reveal the triple revenue rule: the key to scaling sustainably. Learn how investing in systems, building leadership, and evolving your role as a business owner can make the difference between stalling and scaling.“Every time your business triples in siz...

Send us Fan Mail Is procrastination keeping you from maximising your business’s value? In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword tackle the common excuses that hold business owners back from preparing their businesses for sale. Discover how mitigating risks, separating yourself from daily operations, and planningahead can lead to higher valuations and smoother...

Send us Fan Mail How do advisors value a business, and what can you do to boost yours? In this episode, Doug Lawson, co-founder of MarktoMarket, takes us behind the scenes of business valuations, sharing practical insights for owners preparing to exit. Discover the top factors that increase your valuation, why clean financials matter, and how to make your business attractive to buyers. As Doug put...

Send us Fan Mail In this timely episode, Daryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington discuss the recent UK legislation requiring Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) to secure independent third-party valuations. Discover how this impacts business owners looking to exit and why fair market valuations are crucial to protecting employee interests. Hear how the Business Insights Report from Succession Plu...

Send us Fan Mail Is Your Business Ready to Sell? Discover the Sellability Score! In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore how to prepare your business for a successful exit. They discuss the essential elements of exit planning, including the owner’s readiness, business resilience, and financial goals. ‘Exiting a business isn’t just about the numbers,’ says Darryl. Tune...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the secret to a seamless business exit? In this episode, Henry Woodman shares how he built his company to be completely independent of him—making it more attractive to buyers. From documenting processes to delegating leadership, Henry walks us through how he prepared his company for sale and ultimately sold it for 20x EBITDA. Don’t miss this inspiring story of smart exit pl...

Send us Fan Mail Is your business ready for an exit? In this episode of Exit Insights, Brad Sugars, founder of ActionCOACH, shares his top tips for planning your exit and maximising your business valuation. From systemising your business to transitioning from CEO to chairman, Brad offers invaluable insights to help business owners create a saleable asset that can thrive without them."Every bu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Charlotte Bate from MAD-HR highlights the importance of preparing your SME for the future by structuring your business effectively. She discusses why building a strong leadership team, solidifying your organisational design, and documenting key operational processes are essential steps for success. These foundations not only increase your business’s value but also...

Send us Fan Mail Are you still at the centre of everything in your business? Bradley Hamner, founder of Blueprint OS, shares his system for scaling businesses in the £500,000 - £3,000,000 revenue range. In this episode, Bradley reveals how to transition from doing everything yourself to leading a well-oiled machine. Learn the five key principles for making your business scalable, reducing owner-de...

Send us Fan Mail Are you focusing on the right numbers in your business? Measuring what truly matters is essential for effective management. Businesses often overlook the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive success. In a recent podcast with Claire Hancott, the phrase "what gets measured, gets managed" came up, highlighting the need to monitor metrics align...

Send us Fan Mail How does a pricing strategy impact a business's exit plan? In a recent podcast discussion with pricing expert Jenny Miller, the critical role of pricing in maximising business value and ensuring sustainable profitability, even under new ownership, was uncovered. One key lesson from the conversation highlighted the significance of systemised pricing and its role in building co...