Built to Sell Radio

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Built to Sell Radio is a weekly podcast for business owners interested in selling a business. Each week, we ask an entrepreneur who has recently sold a business why they decided to sell their business, what they did right and what mistakes they made through the process of exiting their business. Built to Sell Radio is the ultimate insider's guide to approaching the most important financial transaction of your life.

Recent Episodes
  • Ep 492 Mastering the Deal: How Greg Alexander Got $162M for a 30-Person Firm—and What He’s Learned from Watching 50 Other Exits Up Close
    May 2, 2025 – 58:39
  • Ep 491 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: The Case for Unsexy
    Apr 25, 2025 – 01:03:55
  • Ep 490 Exit Story: How a Middleman Built and Sold a $19M Distribution Business
    Apr 18, 2025 – 52:12
  • Ep 489 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: Sequoya Borgman on How Independent Sponsors Buy Companies, Structure Deals, and Spot Pretenders
    Apr 11, 2025 – 01:06:52
  • Ep 488 Exit Story: Garren Hilow on Selling for $190M, Taking Stock, and Missing His Earn-Out
    Apr 4, 2025 – 59:23
  • Ep 487 After the Deal: How the Ultra-Wealthy Invest After Selling Their Business
    Mar 28, 2025 – 01:07:15
  • Ep 486 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: The Harvard Playbook for Buying Your Business
    Mar 21, 2025 – 01:00:55
  • Ep 485 After the Deal: The Psychology of Selling—Kill Criteria, Walkaway Mindset & Why “Telling Your Company’s Story” Often Drives Up Your Multiple
    Mar 14, 2025 – 01:09:30
  • Ep 484 How to Know When It’s Time to Sell
    Mar 7, 2025 – 01:10:04
  • Ep 483 Exit Story: Frank Shultz on Escaping the 50/50 Trap and Buying Out a Partner
    Feb 28, 2025 – 01:28:07
  • Ep 482 Exit Story: Bob Gilbreath — "The Adult Version of the Marshmallow Test" and How to Capitalize on an Earn-Out
    Feb 21, 2025 – 01:17:00
  • Ep 481 After the Deal: What 70 Founders Reveal About Generational Wealth, the Achievement Trap & the Happiness Illusion
    Feb 14, 2025 – 01:02:50
  • Ep 480 Exit Story: The $80M Deception—How Kevin Wagstaff Walked Away and Won
    Feb 7, 2025 – 01:27:38
  • Ep 479 Exit Story: How to Attract a Fortune 500 Acquirer With Brock Weatherup
    Jan 31, 2025 – 01:18:05
  • Ep 478 After the Deal: When Can You Afford to Fly Private? with Preston Holland
    Jan 24, 2025 – 01:21:01
  • Ep 477 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: Lessons from Analyzing Thousands of Real-Life Transactions
    Jan 17, 2025 – 54:11
  • Ep 476 Exit Story: How Ben Landers Avoided an Earn-Out in His 8-Figure Sale of Blue Corona
    Jan 10, 2025 – 01:11:25
  • Ep 475 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: Adam Kerrigan on Selling His Service Business, Acquiring 16 More, and Moving From a 1X to a 15X Multiple
    Jan 3, 2025 – 01:04:20
  • Ep 474 2024 Year-End Special: The Insider’s Guide to Maximizing Your Exit
    Dec 27, 2024 – 38:37
  • Ep 473 Exit Story: How Grace & Stella Survived a $28M Setback to Sell for 5.8x EBITDA
    Dec 20, 2024 – 55:15
  • Ep 471 Exit Story: Kaelon Egan on Selling AccelaSchool to PowerSchool, Targeting Strategic Buyers, and Avoiding Earn-Outs
    Dec 6, 2024 – 31:50
  • Ep 470 After the Deal: James Ashford on the Aftermath of Selling a 12-Employee Company for 8 Figures
    Nov 29, 2024 – 01:20:36
  • Ep 469 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer: The Private Equity Roll Up Playbook
    Nov 22, 2024 – 01:10:55
  • Ep 468 The Hustler’s Guide to a Big Exit: How Shane Neman Conquered the Business of Partying
    Nov 15, 2024 – 01:04:20
  • Ep 467 From High School Dropout to $419M Exit: Mike Fata’s Journey with Manitoba Harvest
    Nov 8, 2024 – 52:52
  • Ep 466 Building a $35M Home Services Business, Overcoming Personal Tragedy, Private Equity ‘musical chairs’, and Securing a 10x EBITDA Exit with Carrie Kelsch
    Nov 1, 2024 – 55:39
  • Ep 465 Negotiation, Earn-Outs, and the Pitfalls of Stock Deals in His $4.6M Exit with Pete Neubig
    Oct 25, 2024 – 50:47
  • Ep 464 Built to Flip: How to Buy, Build, and Sell a Business with Jim Lindstrom
    Oct 18, 2024 – 56:33
  • Ep 463 How Luke Peters Turned a Used Bar Fridge into an $80M Acquisition Target
    Oct 11, 2024 – 59:56
  • Ep 462 Matt Ebert on Selling Control to Private Equity and Expanding Crash Champions to 645 Locations
    Oct 4, 2024 – 57:11
  • Ep 461 Aaron Levenstadt on Narrowing Your Focus to Broaden Your Appeal, Building an Advisory Board, and the Rule of 20 for a Successful Exit
    Sep 27, 2024 – 50:03
  • Ep 460 How Jessica DeLuca Sold Cult Beauty for £275M and Created 29 Millionaires
    Sep 20, 2024 – 01:16:49
  • Ep 459 Alex Bean on Why He Was Miserable After Selling Divvy for $2.5B: Raising Capital vs. Going It Alone, Talking to Kids About Money, the Happiness Trap, and the Disease of More
    Sep 13, 2024 – 52:01
  • Ep 458 Inside the Mind of an Acquirer with Tim Schumacher
    Sep 6, 2024 – 51:04
  • Ep 457 Negotiation Masterclass: Harvard’s Jim Sebenius on Maximizing Your Business Sale
    Aug 30, 2024 – 55:36
  • Ep 456 The Hidden Risk In Selling to Private Equity: A Cautionary Tale From Protein Bar’s Matt Matros' on How to Avoid a 7-Figure Mistake
    Aug 23, 2024 – 54:20
  • Ep 455 William Brown on Turning a $50 Course into a Seven-Figure Exit, Navigating Diligence, and Creating a Million Dollar Webinar
    Aug 16, 2024 – 42:44
  • Ep 454 A Rare Glimpse Inside the Secret World of Corporate Development
    Aug 9, 2024 – 01:01:25
  • Ep 453 The Small Business Acquirer: Inside the Mind of Kristi Herold
    Aug 2, 2024 – 54:54
  • Ep 452 How to Turn a 3x EBITDA Offer into 5x. Creative earn out structures. Declining projects without losing a customer and selling a service business with Paper Leaf founder, Jeff Archibald.
    Jul 26, 2024 – 55:43
  • Ep 451 Nicole Osmer on selling her $10M agency, the dangers of a fast LOI, minimizing re-trading, deciding when to sell, and how to tell your employees about an acquisition
    Jul 19, 2024 – 01:07:12
  • Ep 450 Exiting Mainstreet: Michael Lynch on How to Sell a Smaller Business
    Jul 12, 2024 – 01:08:49
  • Ep 449 Transforming a Personal Brand into a Sellable Company with Amazon guru Kiri Masters
    Jul 5, 2024 – 01:03:56
  • Ep 448 How David Sinkinson Bootstrapped AppArmor to a $40M Exit (Avoiding a Costly Negotiation Mistake)
    Jun 28, 2024 – 01:12:47
  • Ep 447 The Psychology of Entrepreneurship with Bill Hudenko
    Jun 21, 2024 – 37:11
  • Ep 446 Exiting a Family Business on Top with Tom Deans
    Jun 14, 2024 – 50:27
  • Ep 445 How Connor Tomkies Led Support Ninja to an 8-Figure Exit
    Jun 7, 2024 – 34:19
  • Ep 444 Inside the Mind of a Venture Capitalist with Stanford’s Ilya Strebulaev
    May 31, 2024 – 59:02
  • Ep 443 Anne Mahlum on selling [solidcore] for $100M
    May 24, 2024 – 01:10:08
  • Ep 442 Matt Dixon on Teaching Your Employees to Sell
    May 17, 2024 – 55:25
Recent Reviews
  • GrowFearlessly
    Curiosity satisfied
    John ask insightful questions, well beyond the numbers. Business is about people and John gets it. Excited to watch other episodes.
  • TA 1977 SE
    Great content!
    Many podcasts available that applies to multiple business’s.
  • adamnmel
    Practical and inspiring
    As a small business owner, who hopes to one day sell my business, the Built to Sell Radio podcast has been a constant source of inspiration and practical advice. It is well worth the listen to any small business owner with great aspirations.
  • adamchappelle
    Worth a listen
    Love the show and the guest that are brought on!
  • PodListener1229
    Great for small business owners
    This podcast is helpful for both owners positioning themselves to be able to sell in the future as well as owners controlling making acquisitions
  • KHB26
    A must listen for all entrepreneurs
    This is a fantastic, must listen podcast that is a must listen for all entrepreneurs and deal advisors. Each week John will go deep in deal mechanics, psychology, valuation and terms with a diverse set of principles sharing their personal stories. John has a disarming approach that enables these principals to share aspects of the deal that are not usually talked about. I’ve had my M
  • JandCDaron
    Engaging
    Enjoy the insights from different perspectives of a transaction. John does a great job engaging the guest to simplify the complexity and expectations of a deal.
  • Wine Dad Jeff
    Always on point
    I’ve been listening for years and this is long overdue. First, the content is fantastic: deep, rich and insightful. If you are in business (or want to be) and even if you don’t think you want to sell, you should listen to this for the insights about business building that we all need. As host John Warrillow has said for years, managing your business as if you will sell someday helps you to manage better. It drives you to make sure things are in order, or at the least you are aware of what you’re leaving undone and why. Second, John is a master interviewer. He knows these topics inside and out, having been doing this kind of research and work for a very long time (from writing the book Built to Sell over a decade ago and doing this podcast for years). He sometimes asks the very question that pops up in my own head from what a guest is saying, and more importantly he asks questions that I wouldn’t have even thought of. He’s concise and intuitive. Third, he’s been keeping the info and focus fresh, too. Sometimes I think I don’t want to hear from another media company or Saas business (though I always still end up learning something useful, even though I run a retail business), and then John comes up with a whole new angle. Lately he’s been interviewing people from ‘the other side of the table,’ a series of interviews with acquirer’s, so that we business owners who one day might sell are better informed about what that looks like. Fantastic!
  • Heirloom Tree
    Spectacular podcast
    Hi John. Thanks for producing this podcast. I’ve listened to at least half of them. Your books are fantastic as well. I give a copy of Built to Sell to every friend in business. Thanks so much
  • Nosa.I.
    Learnt so much
    Been listening for 2 years and must say I’ve learnt so much from John and his guests. ETA is definitely the future
  • CharlieB11133467
    Great resource!
    Recently discovered this podcast and look forward to any time I can get an episode in. I’m currently growing a small company towards an exit and I feel like I’m eavesdropping on a masterclass each time.
  • chrisnunes
    Critical Seller Perspectives!
    As a Searcher thinking about the end goal, it's critical to hear the exit stories from the people who are selling - what process did they follow to build an attractive company, what was the selling process like, how did buyers honor the company (or attempt to screw them over)... So if you're considering ETA, John & Colin's pod brings you must-listen anecdotes, deal points, and networking opportunities that you can't get anywhere else!
  • ljm702
    A rare gem!
    There are a lot of business owner focused podcasts out there, but few that provide real suggestions to grow the value and harvest the value we’ve all worked so hard to build. This is that podcast!
  • p hammer.
    Each listen adds to my knowledge.
    I continue to listen to this show as I find it motivating and keeps me focused on our ultimate goal. Each time I listen I always get a nugget to add to my toolbox so when we sell our business we will get what we deserve.
  • Jenny, CRNA
    Amazing and a must for business owners
    I have been listening to Colin’s show since I discovered it over 1.5 years ago. You will LEARN SO MUCH from his guest interviews. I really think this is a must listen for every entrepreneur so that you can be prepared for the day you decide you have given your best and it’s time to pass the torch. I know for a fact that I will be light years ahead of where I would have been without this show when it comes to selling our businesses. Thank you Colin! You are so so so appreciated!
  • rdgilby
    Useful and entertaining
    Each episode is a unique story straight from heroes on the journey. You won’t find these guests elsewhere, and John brings out the best from them. Wish I listened before selling my company!
  • spauldingdecon
    Love the content
    I get most out of others experiences. You get one shot at selling your business. Arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.
  • RWilliamsiii
    Great examples of scaling up and exiting
    Built to Sell is a great resource to get real world stories of scaling up and exiting.
  • abjones1
    Inspired
    Learning so much thanks to this show, excited to pull and apply nuggets in my business.
  • Tessa Anjali
    Pocket M&A
    I sit with my notebook and listen to these podcasts. Every podcast gives you a nugget of wisdom which I write down for use later on. The knowledge from these podcasts is invaluable. I am hoping to use these points from preparing my company to dealing with life after exit. Thank you for doing these podcasts. You are helping so many entrepreneurs.
  • jezzy6
    Get the insight into what it’s like to sell your business…
    If you're an entrepreneur or a business owner seeking insights, strategies, and inspiration to take your venture to the next level with an exit in mind, then "Built to Sell Radio" is an absolute gem. From tech startups to service-based companies, each episode introduces a different industry and showcases the unique challenges and triumphs faced by the guests in building their business . By delving deep into their stories, he uncovers valuable lessons that entrepreneurs can apply to the sale of their own businesses.
  • The Daly Coach
    Incredibly useful info!
    I’m a franchise consultant who has taught every candidate I’ve worked with for 20!years to build their business in order to sell it! I love the rich content and format of this podcast! While most franchise businesses are small businesses, the principles taught here all apply! LVC. Building reoccurring revenue. Learning how to talk about your business not just your product! Some of this is intrinsic for franchisees because of training and systems offered in a franchise but some still has to be self taught! Great job! So valuable!! Most owners have their greatest ROI upon exit, so why not start with the end in mind? Love it!! Kim Daly @TheDalyCoach
  • TopClassActions
    Mandatory Listening for EVERY Entrepreneur
    If you are ever going to consider selling your business, big or small, you need to listen to Built to Sell. You’ll learn how to build your business to make it as appealing as possible to potential acquirers while hearing from buyers and sellers of businesses. I can’t recommend this podcast enough!
  • jeffcef
    Solid Advice, Grounded Perspective
    Great listening for founders who are beginning to think about an exit. So much leverage during this time period.
  • Contymom
    Immensely helpful
    I love this podcast. As a small business owner, potentially looking to sell my company. Eventually, I found his books to be indispensable and his podcast to be extremely helpful. Recommend it for anyone that is looking to build and potentially solve business.
  • Heyjoelle
    Production side could use some updates
    I learn a lot from the show and I’m grateful I found it, but the intro music is pretty incongruent with the content - kinda butt rock for business. And the levels are all over the place - you’ve been around too long to have crummy sound quality - lots of tools out there that can help with that. Which leads me to my second point - it’s a very bro-y show. Just give some consideration to a more diverse listenership maybe? Otherwise this is a great resource for business owners planning exits - essential really.
  • Can-Am Girl
    Chuck Crumpton’s Interview Was Fantastic
    I found incredible value in the episode with Chuck Crumpton. He was humble, insightful, and offered practical advice on how to avoid potential mistakes in selling a company.
  • Innovative SimSolutions
    Rave Review - Innovative SimSolutions
    I love John Warrillow and his podcasts and guests! He inspired me to start my own podcasts The Sim Cafe! Keep us growing. Many thanks! Deb
  • FAVE300
    Great show at a great time!
    Love the stories and advice- thank you!
  • DC 200
    Let The Guest Talk
    Host (John W) talks more than the guests.
  • JPCoastalCrew
    Great show with tons of gold
    I look forward to the show weekly. Always a great story with a lot of great info for any entrepreneur.
  • Tom8831
    Underrated Show!
    I listen to a lot of podcasts on business/entrepreneurship/leadership and I can honestly say this is one of the more interesting and in depth looks into not only selling a business but overcoming obstacles, stimulating growth and then going through the sales process. As a business owner myself I find this podcast very enjoyable. You guys are great keep up the good work! *Side note as an avid reader- I also loved his book Built to Sell * Would love an extra show in between the longer episodes if possible….
  • Max Branding
    John is magical to listen to
    Wow. John opened up a completely new way of thinking about my business. This podcast is an excellent crash course every single episode. Dive in
  • johnjoel
    Ignore at your own peril
    John is a generous soul who shares what it really takes to build a valuable business, whether you plan to sell someday… or not!
  • Benglasslaw
    John Asks the Questions The Listener is Thinking of
    I'm a small business owner with twu businesses. I love listening to how others, particularly those who are running businesses that are bigger than mine, think. John has interviewed, it seems, biz owners from across the spectrum of types and sizes. What I like best is that John asks simple questoins that we are all thinking of (How did it feel to tell your parners? Your employees? What was it like to sell you business, which was your baby? Did you ever have second thoughts later? What were the conversatoins with yoiur spouse as you started thinking about this? What would you do differently. Honestly, this is my favorite podcast, and I do tend to listen to a lot of different ones, but these stories never get boring. Great job
  • Rushlover2112
    Fun and engaging stories for business owners
    It was my pleasure to be a guest on Built to Sell Radio and I recommend the podcast enthusiastically for all entrepreneurs and business owners interested in a play-by-play of everything that goes into the sale of a buiness. As a guest, I enjoyed John's energy and ability to ask engaging questions. I've received multiple comments from friends on what a great host he is. And as a listener, I always find these episodes full of helpful information as well as just fun to relive the journey with owners and entrepreneurs across such a broad spectrum of businesses. A must-listen for business owners.
  • Amy Abroad
    Sell-side storytelling
    I recently started working in mergers & acquisitions and have gotten so much value from this podcast. I really enjoy hearing stories from the seller’s side - business decisions, sale process, and emotions that come into play. John is a super interviewer and asks detailed and clarifying questions. Would like to hear from more women and people of color.
  • MTM Wisconsin
    Great Interview Style
    John brings on great guests and engages them fabulously with his calm, insightful interview skills. He leads each guest down a path of discovery while also providing listeners with real, tangible value. Highly recommend.
  • Dig Deep Research
    Fantastic podcast for business owners
    I would highly recommend this podcast to any business owner. I listen to each episode as soon as it’s released, and always look forward to the next. Please consider interviewing more female entrepreneurs so listeners can learn from their unique perspectives.
  • Darlanay
    Always Worth the Listen
    I always enjoy these podcasts. Great questions and inspiring stories.
  • leot34
    A must listen for every entrepreneur!
    I’ve received a ton of value from this podcast. John is a great interviewer and asks tough questions while still respecting the non-disclosures of the people he interviews. Keep them coming!
  • fonzie5566
    Exceptional content
    Great interviewing skills with qualified entrepreneurs. I look forward to the listen every week.
  • ethan k
    One of my favorite podcasts
    John, keep it up! You are not talking to a vacuum! I’ve read and recommended both books, as well as podcast, to my EO Forum and others. John is a fantastic interviewer and storyteller. His stories and those of his guests are not only inspirational, but also give practical take-away value.
  • Bonanza86
    Must Listen
    John’s podcast is a must listen to anybody that owns their own business. Every interview provides unique lessons and perspective. I also highly recommend the book Built to Sell.
  • deverman
    John always asks the right questions
    He teases out strategy and techniques for preparing and negotiating a Buisness sale.
  • Steph_SD
    Great host, awesome show
    John is an expert in his field. This show is a must for all business owners!
  • Maze Decker
    Amazing show!!
    Thankful for all the helpful insights and actionable tips this show has provided me with (so far!)
  • Karen Briscoe, Author
    Achieve success at a higher level!
    Not for just business owners and CEO's! Want to achieve success at a higher level in business AND life! Truly inspiration and information that is transformative. Karen Briscoe, 5 Minute Success author and podcast
  • Travel Business Success.com Radio
    Nuggets of Gold Every Episode
    If you want to start, grow and sell your business easier and for a lot more, then why not follow the steps of many who have done it before? John not only has brilliant guests who have been there, done that, the great questions discussed will save years of learning and could double or more your big exit payday. Fun. Though provoking and entertaining. "2 Thumbs up"
  • RussellWallace1707
    Best Podcast to get ready to Sell
    I’ve referred many CEO’s / Owners to this Podcast. You can apply these lessons to all of your companies from today through the rest and if your life. Listen to all of these and you’ll get the top top multiples :)
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