Scale to Sell

You may feel ready to exit, but is your business truly prepared?   In this episode of Scale to Sell, hosts Adam and Steve Burton unpack powerful insights from two exit planning conferences. From valuations to AI to family handoffs, they break down what most owners miss—and how to fix it. Whether you're five years out or thinking about it now, this episode could reshape your strategy.   Steve and A...

What makes recurring revenue the darling of the business world today?  In episode 40 of the Scale to Sell podcast, Adam and Steve Burton explore the power of incorporating a recurring revenue model into your business. This episode highlights why recurring revenue businesses, like HVAC and lawn services, are highly valued by private equity firms and competitors alike. Discover how building predicta...

Ever wondered how to make more money while spending less time in the business?  In this episode, father-son duo Adam and Steve Burton take on the challenge many business owners face: balancing work and life while increasing profitability. Listen in as they uncover the secret to working smarter, not harder. Adam and Steve walk us through: (04:20) The common pitfalls business owners face and how to...

What if boosting your team's financial know-how could also boost your business's success? That's the crux of today's episode, as we explore the power of workplace financial education. Join Steve Burton and guest James Blanton, a specialist in financial education and the brain behind "PemLife," as they uncover why a financially savvy workforce is critical. Learn about the "Personal Economic Model,"...

Summary: What's your plan for life after selling your business? Even if you're not ready to exit, giving this some thought could save you a lot of trouble down the road. Episode 37 of the Scale to Sell podcast with Adam and Steve Burton unpacks what comes after selling a business and why planning for it is crucial. With 70% of business owners feeling unsatisfied a year after selling, it's vital to...

What does it take to pass down your business to the next generation successfully? Join Adam and Steve Burton on this episode of Scale to Sell as they break down the tricky process of internal business transfers. Whether it's grooming your child to take over the family business or handing it off to a key employee, there's a lot more to consider than you might think. Adam and Steve Burton discuss: ...

Summary:   What does it take to successfully grow your business through acquisition in a landscape bustling with opportunity?   In this episode, Steve Burton and M&A expert Jeff Snell discuss growth through acquisition – one of the swiftest routes to scaling your business. With millions of baby boomers ready to pass on their businesses, now is a prime time for owner-operators to capitalize on this...

Celebrating One Year of Scale to Sell: Key Takeaways for Business Owners (Ep. 34)   Summary:   What are you missing out on?   In this special anniversary episode, Adam and Steve Burton celebrate one year of the Scale to Sell podcast by diving into the critical lessons learned from real business owners. Are you aware that only 20-30% of small businesses successfully sell? Adam and Steve explore the...

Summary:   Are you just checking boxes with your taxes? It might be costing you a fortune.   In this episode, Steve Burton dives into the crucial difference between tax preparation and tax planning with Blake Schaper, CPA, MST, CTFA, CEO of BrookHaven Family Office. With extensive experience on teams that handle accounts ranging from NFL team owners to budding entrepreneurs, Blake sheds light on t...

Does your P&L sheet capture your company's true value? Adam and Steve Burton beg to differ.   In this episode, they tackle a crucial topic that often eludes business owners: knowing and growing your business value. This episode is packed with straightforward insights to help you understand how to not just measure profitability but also build real, marketable value.   Adam and Steve discuss:    (04...

Summary:   Why wait for the big payday when selling your business?   In this episode, Adam and Steve Burton dive into why harvesting value from your business before exiting is crucial. With engaging insights, they explore strategies for diversifying your assets and ensuring you aren't putting all your eggs in one basket. They emphasize understanding your business's value, planning strategically, a...

Summary:   Are you setting goals for 2025 but find yourself wondering why they often fall flat?   In this episode, Adam and Steve Burton discuss setting goals that stick. They're diving into actionable steps to ensure success in both life and business, teaching you how to become a true DOER with their memorable acronym: Dream, Outline, Execute, Review.   Adam and Steve discuss:    (04:00) Dream: S...

Summary:   Are you ready to prepare your business for a successful exit while securing financial freedom and a balanced lifestyle?   In this episode, Steve Burton welcomes Ed de la Rosa to discuss the substantial role a certified exit planner plays in a business's journey, even when exiting isn't immediately on the horizon. Discover how distinct strategies not only enhance a business's value but a...

Summary:   How can enhancing employee benefits simultaneously boost business value and reduce costs?   Steve Burton sits down with Glenn Smith, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Senior Partner of Coastal Region Benefits. Steve and Glenn talk about the untapped potential of supplemental benefits, and how they not only help attract and retain top talent but also play a crucial role in maximizing b...

Summary:   Why do so many businesses fail to sell?   In this episode, Adam and Steve Burton unpack the surprising reasons behind why most businesses don't successfully sell. They dive into the emotional and financial traps that keep entrepreneurs from securing the sale they envision. Adam and Steve emphasize the importance of understanding market value, preparing for personal changes, ensuring bus...

Summary:   Ever wondered how to get your team to take ownership like you do? Making them feel invested might be simpler than you think.   Today on Scale to Sell, Adam Burton and Steve Burton explore seven practical ways to help employees adopt a business owner mindset. The conversation zeroes in on tips to drive initiative, responsibility, and caring as much about the success of your business as y...

  Summary:   How much is employee turnover silently costing your business? Lower employee retention rates can cripple your business value – here's how you can turn the tide.   In this episode, Adam and Steve Burton tackle the rising challenge of employee turnover, offering tactical solutions such as a beneficial payroll tax credit and a future-oriented 401(k) program. These strategies not only red...

Summary:   How can you successfully sell your business and ensure a smooth transition?   In this episode Scale to Sell, Steve Burton speaks with Jeff Snell, a mergers and acquisitions expert, to discuss the nuances of selling a business. Together, they dive into the importance of business valuations, the current landscape of business sales, and strategic planning for a successful exit. You'll lear...

Summary:   How do you assess your business's value and plan for a smooth exit? How do you ensure your business thrives even in your absence?   Join Adam and Steve Burton as they dive into the crucial self-assessment questions every business owner should ask to determine their current status and future goals. You'll learn about the importance of understanding your business value, the necessity of s...

Scale to Sell   5 Stages to Scale and Sell Your Business (Ep. 22)   Summary:   Scaling and selling a business can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies, it can lead to a successful and profitable exit.   How do you identify and protect the value of your business? How do you build and harvest that value to ensure a smooth exit on your terms?   This week on the Scale to Sell podcast, Ada...

Summary: Are you looking to strengthen your business mission statement and see a significant impact on growth? This week on Scale to Sell, Adam Burton chats with Jonathan Sheeley, Executive Consultant at Sheeley Executive Consulting, to explore how the principles of creating a powerful mission statement, often used in nonprofits, can be effectively transferred to for-profit companies.  Jonathan sh...

Summary:   Are you prepared for the unexpected events that could disrupt your business exit plan?   This week on Scale to Sell, Adam and Steve Burton dive into the top five unexpected events – the five Ds – that can greatly impact your business exit strategy, emphasizing the vital importance of preparing for these situations.    They draw upon their extensive experience and references such as Chri...

Scale to Sell   Scale with the End in Mind (Ep. 19)   Summary:   Have you ever thought about the end goal for your business growth?   In this episode of Scale to Sell, Adam and Steve Burton explore the critical concept of "scaling with the end in mind," explaining why it's crucial for business owners to consistently evaluate their business value and plan for their exit strategy.    Discover how to...

Summary In this episode, Adam and Steve discuss the challenge of employee retention and share five ways to retain top talent. They emphasize the importance of having a clear mission and meaningful work, understanding your employees, fostering a positive company culture, offering bonuses and incentives, and providing flexible employee benefits. They also highlight the value of recognizing and ackno...

One of our core values is to "implement than innovate" – the idea that it's better to get started and make improvements than wait forever for it to be quote-unquote "perfect" before it launches (if it ever does). Now that we've gotten the conversation started with the podcast, it's time to elevate the opportunity.   Listen as Adam Burton, co-host of the Scale to Sell Podcast, shares some exciting...