Épisodes

  • Fire Yourself: Your Business Won't Sell Without It
    Jan 21 2026
    "You don't buy a house without a real estate agent. Don't sell your business without experts on your side of the table." - Grant EdwardsIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh welcomes Grant Edwards, a fractional CFO based in Atlanta with over eight years of experience helping business owners prepare for, successfully exit, and move forward into a better life post-sale.Grant has worked with founder-led businesses, private equity groups, and family offices across all revenue stages—from pre-revenue to $300M+. And he's seen the same pattern repeat: business owners who go into a transaction without professional guidance leave millions on the table.You'll Learn:🔹 Why adjusted EBITDA and "mud in your numbers" determine your true valuation🔹 How quality of earnings audits uncover hidden value (and why buyers won't share it with you)🔹 The difference between private equity acquisitions and founder-led buyouts🔹 Why owner dependency kills deal value and how to systematically reduce it🔹 The one financial action to take right now if you're two years out from selling🔹 How to identify the three types of discretionary spending before a buyer does🔹 What buyers really look for in financial statements—and what owners consistently overlookGrant's core philosophy: as a fractional CFO, his job is to be the non-emotional, expert voice on your side of the table. Because when millions are at stake, emotions cost money.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With GrantLinkedIn - / grant-edwards-35b3794 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#PowerExitPodcast #BusinessExit #FractionalCFO #OwnerDependency #ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #EBITDA #PrivateEquity #BusinessSale #Entrepreneurship #ExitPlanning #FounderLed #BusinessOwner #DealStructure #FinancialAdvisory #QualityOfEarnings #BusinessCoach #M&A #ExitReadiness #SuccessfulExit
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    32 min
  • Going Solo? What Every Business Owner Should Know Before Selling
    Jan 7 2026
    "When you sell a business without representation, you're not walking away clean—you're walking into a minefield." - Peter ChatelIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh welcomes Peter Chatel, a seasoned business coach and former Coca-Cola executive with over 200 companies observed across his career. Peter shares the critical blind spot most business owners face: they believe selling a business works like selling a house—list it, show it to anyone, get offers, walk away. The reality is far more complex and costly.The uncomfortable truth: business owners who attempt for-sale-by-owner transactions consistently undervalue their assets and expose themselves to unforeseen risks. Unlike real estate, business sales demand strategic gating, rigorous buyer qualification, and professional representation—or you'll leave millions on the table.You'll Learn:🔹 The proven cost of DIY business sales: sellers who work alone achieve 6-11% less than those with professional representation🔹 Why confidentiality in business sales is everything (and how for-sale-by-owner deals destroy it)🔹 The critical difference between showing a business and showing a house to unqualified prospects🔹 How professional vetting and proof-of-funds requirements protect your valuation🔹 Why 75% of unrepresented real estate transactions end in litigation (and what this teaches about business sales)🔹 How professional representation scales value across your organizationPeter's perspective is grounded in a unique vantage point: he's seen corporate leadership at scale, built successful companies, and now applies those insights to real estate and business advisory. His conclusion: just as you wouldn't sell a luxury home without representation, you shouldn't sell your business alone.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With PeterLinkedIn - / peterchatel 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#BusinessExit #ExitStrategy #DiySaleMistake #BusinessValuation #MergersAndAcquisitions #ExitPlanning #BusinessSale #ProfessionalRepresentation #ConfidentialitySale #DueDiligence
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    41 min
  • Post-Sale Liability And How to Protect Yourself
    Nov 12 2025
    “If you do an asset sale and you don't have a tail policy to cover those products and completed operations claims that may come in post-sale, you're out there on your own.” - Allan WebbWelcome to another episode of the Power Exit Podcast. John Marsh welcomes Allan Webb, partner at Snellings Walters insurance agency, with 30 years of commercial insurance expertise. Allan reveals a critical blind spot most business owners face: they think selling a business works like selling a house—sign papers, get cash, walk away. They're wrong.The reality is brutal: if you sell your business and a claim arises nine months after closing, someone still needs to pay. That someone could be you.You'll Learn:🔹The critical difference between asset sales and stock sales (and why liability handling changes everything)🔹How general liability policies work and what "triggering the policy" really means🔹Why claims after closing fall under "completed operations"—and how tail policies protect you🔹What EMR is, why buyers obsess over it, and how it impacts deal valuation🔹The difference between tail policies, E&O insurance, and reps and warranties insurance🔹Real examples of contractors who benefited from tail policies (and those who didn't)🔹Why captive insurance structures complicate transactions and what to watch for🔹Common mistakes sellers make around insurance before exit🔹How to streamline your risk management program and eliminate buyer concernsWhether you're doing an asset sale or stock sale, Allan reveals why insurance isn't just a line item—it's a deal-maker or deal-breaker.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With AllanLinkedIn - / allanbwebb 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletterhttps://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John MarshJohn Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#businessexit #exitstrategy #tailpolicy #businessinsurance #mergersandacquisitions #commercialinsurance #businessvaluation #duediligence
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    44 min
  • You Know the Value of Your Home — What About Your Business?
    Oct 30 2025
    "The more valuable you are to the business, the less valuable it is to other people." – Colin BowmanIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh welcomes Colin Bowman, partner at Cultivate Advisors, who specializes in enterprise value acceleration for business owners preparing for exit. Colin shares a powerful insight from speaking to rooms of 100+ business owners across the country: almost everyone can tell you their home's value, but 90% have no idea what their business is worth—despite it being their most valuable asset.Colin reveals why only 3% of businesses that go to market actually get the value owners think they deserve. The discussion dives deep into the concept of enterprise value as the North Star—more important than revenue or profit alone. You'll discover Colin's powerful mentor story about leadership. When he complained "I wish I could just clone myself," his mentor responded: "What I hear you say is, I wish I was a better leader." That moment transformed how he built teams and what changed his entire approach to recruiting company builders versus loyal workers.You'll Learn:🔹Why the "three stars" framework (sales, operations, finance) is the bare minimum leadership team before exit🔹How to get your business running on 10 hours per week or less of owner time🔹The Shackleton expedition recruiting strategy: "Superstars Only" and why listing challenges attracts top talent🔹The "core four" external team every owner needs 2+ years before exit: wealth manager, tax strategist, legal counsel, and M&A advisor🔹Why making yourself irrelevant is the key to maximizing business value (even though it's emotionally hard)🔹When to exit: at peak performance when you're most excited, not after the business has crested downWhether you're planning an exit or want to build a business that doesn't depend on you, Colin's insights show exactly why enterprise value acceleration isn't just exit planning—it's better business planning.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With ColinLinkedIn - / colinbbowman 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation: https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#BusinessExit #EnterpriseValue #MAAdvisory #ExitPlanning #BusinessValuation #OwnerDependency #LeadershipTeam #ExitStrategy #BusinessGrowth
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    28 min
  • Why 90% of Business Exits Fail (And How You Won't)
    Oct 2 2025
    "Plan, plan, plan. You never know when something out of your control is gonna pop up where you find yourself where exiting is more important now than it was." – Randy HendershotIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Randy Hendershot, founder of Evolution Advisors and a seasoned M&A professional with 12 years of deal-making experience. Randy shares his unconventional journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car regional vice president managing 45 locations and 350 employees to becoming one of California's most selective business advisors.Randy reveals why he refuses to work with unprepared sellers and why "lousy phone calls" from desperate business owners drive his passion for early education. He breaks down the brutal reality that 9.9 out of 10 business owners have never sold before and why most fail because they lack a basic plan.Randy also tackles the emotional side of exits, explaining why sellers often have nowhere to turn during the most vulnerable moment of their business lives. He reveals how half of his job involves psychology and why he tells clients that choosing a buyer is like a first date – if there are conflicts early on, they'll only get worse.You'll also hear his "Chapter Three" framework for post-exit planning and why sellers who don't know what they'll do after closing sometimes walk away from deals at the last minute.You'll Learn:🔹Why Randy calls unprepared seller calls "lousy phone calls" and how to avoid being one🔹The "one buyer is no buyer" rule and why leverage matters more than you think🔹How customer concentration killed deals (and one client's seven-year journey to fix it)🔹Why Randy's firm doubled in size by adding his son to expand into San Diego🔹The psychology behind buyer-seller relationships and the "first date" principle🔹How to build an advisory team that gets deals done vs. creates roadblocks🔹Why "essential businesses" became the hottest trend among private equity buyers🔹The three-to-five-year planning window that separates successful exits from disasters🔹How emotional readiness trumps financial readiness in determining exit success🔹Why taking 24 hours before reacting to deal issues can save transactionsWhether you're years away from selling or starting to think about your exit strategy, Randy's practical wisdom reveals exactly why the most successful exits begin with a plan – and why waiting until you're burned out guarantees disappointment.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With RandyLinkedIn - / randyhendershot 🔸*Get a Complimentary Business Valuation* https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌*Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter*https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#BusinessExit, #MAAdvisory, #ExitStrategy, #Entrepreneurship, #BusinessBroker, #SuccessionPlanning, #ScaleAndSell, #OwnerMindset, #DealMaking, #BusinessValue
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    37 min
  • The $10,000 Guarantee That's Changing M&A Forever
    Sep 13 2025
    "Clean books, clean books, clean books." – Clint FioreIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Clint Fiore, CEO of Dealonomy and one of the most well-known business brokers on social media. Clint breaks down the harsh realities of preparing a business for sale, revealing why most owners fail before they even start the process.Clint shares his controversial approach to business brokerage – including a $10,000 guarantee that's never been claimed – and explains why he turns away 95% of potential clients. He reveals the single biggest destroyer of business value and why the average small business owner spends their entire tenure proving to the IRS they don't make money, only to struggle when it's time to prove to buyers that they do.From his unique "ranging" approach to valuations to his zero-fee seller model where buyers pay all costs, Clint demonstrates how innovation is disrupting traditional business brokerage. He also shares the surprising research on what actually makes sellers happy after an exit (hint: it's not the money) and why taking a 3-4 week vacation is the ultimate test of business readiness.You'll also hear about the Texas plumber with a $3 million EBITDA business who's already building his dream wine tasting room – proof that the best exits happen when owners are running toward something, not away from their current business.You'll Learn:🔹Why "clean books" is Clint's #1 rule for business value (and what happens when you ignore it)🔹The difference between business brokers, M&A advisors, and investment bankers by deal size🔹How Dealonomy's $10,000 guarantee works (and why they've never paid it)🔹Why Clint passes on deals that would make other brokers rich🔹The surprising factors that determine post-sale happiness (money ranks low)🔹How to test if your business can run without you (the 3-4 week vacation rule)🔹Why ranging valuations work better than precise asking prices🔹The red flags that signal an owner isn't ready to sell🔹How buyers really pay in Dealonomy's revolutionary model🔹Why ego and owner dependency kill business valueWhether you're considering an exit in the next few years or just starting to think about building a sellable business, this episode reveals exactly what separates successful exits from failed attempts.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With ClintLinkedIn - / clintfiore Get a Complimentary Business Valuation: https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#businessexit #cleanbooks #businessvaluation #businessbrokers #entrepreneurship #mergersandacquisitions #sellyourbusiness #smallbusinessowners #exitstrategy #powerexitpodcast
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    37 min
  • Exit Mistakes That Cost Millions
    Aug 29 2025
    "The day you start your business is the day you should start planning your exit." – Steve FisherIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh is joined by Steve Fisher, partner at Strategy Partners Group and longtime CFO with deep experience across industries from financial services to manufacturing to professional services. Steve lays out the hard truths about financial blind spots, owner dependency, and why most business owners wait far too long to prepare for an exit.Steve breaks down the single biggest mistake that derails deals — failing to build standardized, reliable financials that buyers can trust — and explains why owner involvement in day-to-day operations directly reduces business value. He reveals how ad-backs, cash flow forecasting, and a clear growth story can transform the way buyers see your deal.You’ll also hear the real story of a dental practice that went from running out of a checkbook to securing a private equity acquisition — proving the power of financial discipline to create exit success.You’ll Learn:🔹The #1 financial blind spot that kills exit value🔹Why you should start exit planning from day one🔹The difference between running a business to grow vs. running to sell🔹How lifestyle expenses and ad-backs impact valuation multiples🔹Why owner dependency drives down value (and how to fix it)🔹The role of forecasts in shaping buyer perception🔹Why 18–24 months of preparation beats a rushed 9–12 month sprint🔹How telling the right financial story wins trust and higher offersWhether you’re planning to sell in two years or someday down the road, this episode shows you exactly what buyers want — and what most owners get wrong.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With SteveLinkedIn - / steven-fisher-cfo 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation: https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.Hashtags:#exitstrategy #businessadvice #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #privateequity #mergersandacquisitions #businessforsale #financialadvisors #businessowner
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    30 min
  • Owner Dependency Is Killing Your Exit Value
    Aug 15 2025
    “You're the biggest asset of your business. That's not going with the new owner for any extended period of time. And that's what I think is a big deal killer." - Dan MahonyIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with Dan Mahony, founder of Transcendent Sales Solutions and a veteran sales leader who has helped countless business owners scale and sell on their own terms.Dan pulls back the curtain on owner dependency — the #1 deal killer when selling a business — and shares real-world strategies for breaking free from being your company’s sole rainmaker. He reveals how to build a repeatable, data-driven sales infrastructure, find the right people, and put the systems in place that make your business more valuable to sophisticated buyers.From qualifying leads with ruthless precision to transforming revenue models for recurring income, Dan explains what private equity and strategic acquirers really look for — and the metrics that can make or break their decision to buy.You’ll also hear the inside story of a client Dan helped pivot from a transactional license model to a high-value SaaS subscription model — resulting in millions in guaranteed recurring revenue and a successful exit just months later.You'll Learn:🔹Why owner dependency is the silent killer of business exits🔹The specific sales infrastructure every scalable business needs (strategy, people, process, and systems)🔹How to qualify leads and avoid spending 60% of your time on deals that won’t close🔹The simple shift that can turn a stagnant sales team into a revenue-generating machine🔹How moving to a recurring revenue model can skyrocket your valuation🔹What deals in your pipeline are really worth (and how to track them)🔹The key metrics buyers want to see before making an offer🔹Why some owners never get the exit they want — even when the solution is right in front of themWhether you’re preparing for an exit or just want a stronger, more self-sustaining business, this conversation will give you the roadmap to get there.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With DanLinkedIn - / danielmahony 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation:https://bit.ly/4kClcJh📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://bit.ly/4kebXPy🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.#businessexit #salesstrategy #powerexitpodcast #businessgrowth #exitplanning #sales #saas #businessvaluation #mergersandacquisitions #entrepreneurship
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    32 min