How to Prepare Your Business for a Smooth Exit | Success Clues Podcast Ep 19

In this episode of the Success Clues podcast, host Sam chats with Alex Arnot to break down what founders actually need to know before selling their business.

Most people think exiting is just about finding a buyer and agreeing on a number. In reality, that mindset is exactly why so many exits fall apart, drag on for years, or leave founders with regret (and less money than they expected).

Alex shares:

How to properly prepare your business before you even think about selling

The biggest mistakes founders make when exiting

What buyers really look for during an acquisition

How to avoid destroying value at the final hurdle

And how to exit cleanly, confidently, and on your own terms

If you’re a founder, agency owner, or entrepreneur thinking about selling your business now or in the future, this conversation will save you time, stress, and potentially millions.

0:00 – Welcome to Success Clues + Scribe sponsor message
2:22 – Alex Arnott shares his first business exit experience
5:03 – The six critical steps for a successful exit
6:01 – Building scalable processes with the “Company in a Box” model
11:47 – How to run an exit-readiness health check
16:09 – Building a senior management team buyers want
25:03 – Using EMI schemes to retain talent post-acquisition
28:55 – Aligning all stakeholders on exit strategy and goals
36:34 – Building relationships with potential buyers before you sell
39:16 – Understanding valuation multiples and what drives them
46:42 – The key conditions for a great exit: timing, planning, brand
49:59 – Alex’s final advice: advisors, preparation, and long-term thinking

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Follow Guest:
LinkedIn →   / alexarnot  
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🎧 Listen on:
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6EQG6CV...

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LinkedIn →   / sam-g-winsbury  
Instagram →   / samgwinsbury  
TikTok →   / samgwinsbury  
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