Listen in! Learn how to start, grow, and sell your business.
This series of podcasts includes interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing their experience and knowledge on how to build a successful and lasting business.
If you want more information, please reach out to one of our business advisors to book a one-on-one consultation.
Inside Hubspot's Surprising acquisition of the Hustle
Episode 375 | February 3, 2023 | 01:18:58
Sam Parr founded the Hustle, a media company that delivers business and tech news to millennials in an engaging and relatable way, in 2015. The business was an instant hit with readers, generating millions of page views in only a few months.
By 2020 Sam Parr had grown the Hustle to $15 million in revenue, attracting the attention of tech giant HubSpot. A few months later, the tech conglomerate acquired the Hustle in a lucrative eight-figure deal. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Find top talent before others do.
Grow a passionate audience base.
Raise your prices without upsetting your customers.
Defeat the market leaders in your industry.
Boost your acquisition offer using a surprising negotiation technique.
The Inside Story of Stripe’s Acquisition of Indie Hackers with Co-Founder Channing Allen
Episode 366 | December 2, 2022 | 01:15:43
In 2016 Channing Allen and his brother Courtland founded Indie Hackers, a blog and forum that encourages founders to transparently share their ideas and stories.
After only eight months, the brothers had grown the business to $8,000 in revenue when they received an unexpected email from Patrick Collison (co-founder and CEO of Stripe), who was looking to acquire the company.
Although tempted to keep building, Stripe’s offer was too good to refuse. The brothers agreed to be acquired by Stripe in March 2017. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Build a thriving online community.
Share your journey to attract a loyal following.
Transition from founder to employee without losing your passion.
Negotiate favorable deal terms using an unconventional strategy.
Build an engaged following using a crafty tactic.
The Hidden Cost of being a Hands-On Boss With the Founder of Create & Cultivate, Jaclyn Johnson
Episode 365 | Nov. 25, 2022 | 49:17
In 2012, Jaclyn Johnson founded Create & Cultivate, a media company that educates and inspires women to succeed in business.
By the end of 2019, Johnson had grown to $14 million in revenue ($4 million EBITDA) when acquirers came knocking again. This time she was ready. Create & Cultivate was acquired by Corridor Capital in a deal valued at $22 million. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Ensure your business can succeed without you.
Build a thriving online community.
Create partnerships with well-known brands.
Avoid a common error made during due diligence.
Respond to a shrewd acquirer looking to get your business for a discount.
Inside the Mind of an Acquirer - Nathan Winch
Episode 359 | October 14, 2022 | 01:01:46
U.K.-based Nathan Winch started his career as a private equity investor after selling his first company, Winch Pharma, in 2017.
Since then, Winch has acquired over 20 businesses, with a focus on logistics and infrastructure companies. In the latest installment of Built to Sell Radio’s Inside the Mind of an Acquirer series, you’ll learn how to:
Understand how an investor structures an acquisition.
Build your management team to avoid an earn-out.
Dodge the most common blunder made during due diligence.
Avoid turning off an acquirer during the selling process.
Prepare your company to be acquired.
Why Candy Banners Sold for a Mint
Episode 358 | October 7, 2022 | 51:11
In 2014, Tim Grassin founded Candy Banners, which designs ads that show up along the top, bottom, and sides of a website.
Grassin built a remote team in the Philippines to minimize his costs. Hiring inexpensive developers allowed Grassin to charge lower rates to agency owners, resulting in rapid growth.
The business had grown to over seven figures in revenue in 2020 when Grassin received an acquisition offer from one of his clients, Native Touch. The offer valued Candy Banners at around five times EBITDA, and the deal closed in 2021. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Build a company that can thrive without you.
Establish trust with a team of freelancers.
Repair a damaged relationship with your co-founder.
Structure a favorable earn-out when selling your business.
Avoid a tricky mistake many founders make during due diligence.
A Regrettable Deal
Episode 356 | September 23, 2022 | 50:50
In 2013, South African entrepreneur Jason Bagley started Firing Squad, a lead generation company specializing in cold emails.
In 2020, Firing Squad signed an agreement to be acquired by Southern Web and was later rebranded to SiteCare.
The deal was something Bagley would later come to regret.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Write cold emails that people actually open.
Productize a service.
Transfer your “ninja skills” to your employees.
Increase pricing without losing your customers.
Avoid the mistake that left Bagley with nothing.
