Nicholas Spezio, Director of Transaction Services at Expo Group, discusses the world of private equity and venture capital. Private equity firms invest capital into mature businesses with long-term growth potential, often seeking a controlling stake. Venture capital firms, on the other hand, invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity. Spezio emphasizes that private equity investors are attracted to recurring revenue-based businesses, while venture capitalists are interested in early-stage investments. He also discusses the timing of selling a business and the challenges that entrepreneurs face when transitioning to being an employee after selling their business.

• Private equity firms invest in mature businesses, while venture capital firms invest in early-stage companies.
• Private equity investors are attracted to businesses with recurring revenue streams.
• The timing of selling a business depends on the owner's future plans and goals.
• Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their reasons for selling and the long-term implications before making a decision.
• Integration post-acquisition can be a laborious process, requiring financial and operational due diligence.
• Working capital calculations can be contentious in deals, and sellers should be prepared for adjustments and negotiations.

Tulips & Company, a corporate film agency, was founded in 2002 by Laure Cousin and Charles Drouin. They started the business in the attic of Laure's house with a focus on creative storytelling. Over the years, they grew the company and gained recognition through awards. In 2018, they decided to sell the company to its employees in a unique way. They created a new company called Ortus, owned by the employees, which gradually buys shares in Tulips using profits from the company. This allows the employees to become shareholders without taking on debt. The transfer of ownership will be complete in 10 years, with the employees owning 65% of the company.

• Tulips & Company was founded in 2002 as a corporate film agency with a focus on creative storytelling.
• The founders, Laure Cousin and Charles Drouin, decided to sell the company to its employees in a unique way.
• They created a new company called Ortus, owned by the employees, which gradually buys shares in Tulips using profits from the company.
• The transfer of ownership will be complete in 10 years, with the employees owning 65% of the company.

Jacqueline O'Donovan OBE shares her journey of owning and growing a waste management business, O'Donovan Waste Disposal, after her father's passing. She discusses the challenges of taking over the business at a young age and the close-knit dynamic of working with her siblings. Jacqueline highlights the importance of a strong work ethic and cohesion within the family. She also talks about the growth and success of the business, becoming an employer of choice, and leading the industry in sustainability and digitalization. The conversation concludes with the decision to sell the business and the process of finding the right buyer. Jacqueline O'Donovan shares her experience of selling her waste management company and transitioning to a new chapter in her career. She emphasizes the importance of relationships and due diligence in the selling process. Jacqueline discusses the challenges of finding the right buyer and valuing the business. She also talks about her current ventures, including her PR marketing agency. Jacqueline encourages women to be confident and assertive in their careers.

• Taking over a family business at a young age requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.
• Building a successful business involves continuous learning, innovation, and staying ahead of the competition.
• Creating a positive work environment and being an employer of choice can attract top talent and contribute to business success.
• Selling a business requires careful planning, finding the right buyer, and maintaining a good relationship with advisors throughout the process. Building strong relationships and conducting thorough due diligence are crucial when selling a business.
• Finding the right buyer who understands and appreciates the business is essential.
• Valuing a business can be a complex process, and it's important to have a clear understanding of the factors involved.
• Transitioning to a new chapter in one's career can be exciting and challenging, but maintaining a strong work ethic and adaptability is key.
• Jacqueline O'Donovan's current ventures include a PR marketing agency and investments in various industries.
• Women in business should be confident, assertive, and supportive of one another.

Connect with Jacqueline O'Donovan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-o-donovan/

Connect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/

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Loreta Tarozaite is a marketing communications consultant and executive coach with a background in news anchoring. She helps business owners and executives improve their on-camera and on-stage presence, particularly in using video as a medium. Loreta emphasizes the importance of personal branding, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and encourages the use of video to build rapport and trust with the audience. She advises starting with simple videos, such as recording oneself describing the scenery or talking through a cooking process, to get comfortable with being on camera. Loreta also offers coaching on presentation skills for both on-camera and on-stage appearances.

• Loreta helps business owners and executives improve their on-camera and on-stage presence, particularly in using video as a medium.
• Personal branding is crucial, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, to build visibility, authority, and trust.
• Starting with simple videos, such as recording oneself describing the scenery or talking through a cooking process, can help build comfort with being on camera.
• Loreta offers coaching on presentation skills for both on-camera and on-stage appearances, emphasizing the differences between the two mediums.

Connect with Loreta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretatarozaite/

onnect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/

Join The Exit Plan mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iC8sIY

Mike Silver, the founder of an experiential agency called Stretch, shares his journey of setting up an experiential marketing agency called Stretch in Cape Town, South Africa. We talk about its growth, a merger with another agency in Johannesburg and it’s eventual sale to a WPP affiliate. He discusses the challenges, learnings, and post-sale experiences, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs considering a similar path.

Takeaways

• Invest in growth and take risks to achieve exponential growth
• Stay focused on the core business and strategy during the acquisition process
• Prepare for a different dynamic post-acquisition, with a shift in responsibility and accountability

Connect with Mike Silver on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/experiencemike/

Connect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/

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Tim Drake, a semi-retired agency owner, shares his journey of building and selling his agency for £20 million. He discusses the various pivots his agency went through, from graphic design to websites to mobile-first business. Tim emphasizes the importance of finding the right business partner and maintaining a ruthless focus on building and selling. He explains the earn-out structure of the deal and how they exceeded expectations. Tim also highlights the significance of culture, agility, and a deep understanding of running a business in achieving success. He encourages agency owners to consider different approaches to achieve their financial goals.

Takeaways

• Pivoting and adapting to new technologies and market demands is crucial for the success of an agency.
• Finding the right business partner who complements your skills and shares your vision is essential.
• Maintaining a ruthless focus on building and selling can lead to significant financial success.
• Culture, agility, and a deep understanding of running a business are key factors in achieving success in the agency industry.

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-drake-6b41569/

Connect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/

Join The Exit Plan mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iC8sIY

George Hughes, founder of Small Films, shares his experience of starting and acquiring businesses in the video production industry. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from working in the television industry to running his own company and the importance of understanding the objectives of clients. Hughes also talks about how he acquired Maia Films, an education specialist company, during its liquidation process. He explains the negotiation process, the assets he acquired, and the impact on his business. He concludes by reflecting on the lessons learned and the potential for future acquisitions.

Takeaways

• Transitioning from working in a specific industry to running your own company requires understanding the objectives of clients and adapting to their needs.
• Acquiring a business during its liquidation process can be a strategic opportunity, but it requires careful negotiation and assessment of the assets and liabilities involved.
• The acquisition of Maia Films has the potential to significantly increase Small Films' turnover and establish the company as a dominant player in the education content industry.
• Timing is crucial in business acquisitions, and acting quickly can help secure clients and maximize the benefits of the acquisition.
• Reflecting on the experience, being more aggressive and proactive in the acquisition process could have yielded even better results.

Connect with George on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgemhughes/

Connect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/

Join The Exit Plan mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iC8sIY

Takeaways

• Evidential design brings scientific thinking and research into the design process, allowing for more objective decision-making.
• Implementing evidential design can lead to successful projects and awards, as demonstrated by the case study with World Vision.
• Growing up as a business owner involves developing processes, understanding the financials, and taking a more strategic approach.
• Selling a business requires finding the right buyer who aligns with the company's values and long-term goals.
• The earn-out period can be affected by unforeseen events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but open communication and flexibility can help navigate challenges.
• Transitioning from a business owner to a non-executive role allows for more free time and the opportunity to pursue new ventures.

Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveroyle/

Connect with Barnaby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnabycook/