When is the best time to sell your business? According to Mac Lackey, it’s never too early to prepare. Drawing from his six successful exits, Mac believes in the power of a strategic exit—selling based on unique value rather than financials. It’s all about thinking ahead and identifying what makes your company special. Whether you sell in one year or five, being ready allows you to seize opportunities and maximize your business's worth.

About Mac Lackey

Mac Lackey has been building and selling businesses for over 25 years. He’s launched six companies across industries like tech, media, and apparel, with each one successfully exiting for seven or eight figures. Mac’s entrepreneurial journey has been defined by smart decision-making, from launching his first web-based company during the early days of the internet to consistently recognizing market opportunities. Known for his knack for spotting early trends and creating strategic value, Mac helps other entrepreneurs prepare for lucrative exits through his program, ExitDNA, where he helps founders prepare for profitable exits.

Key Insights:

• Prepare for your exit early. Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell. Begin planning your exit as soon as possible by organizing finances, improving operations, and creating value.
• Sell when the market is right. Timing is crucial. Monitor market trends and industry shifts so you can sell at a time when your business is most valuable.
• Focus on product-market fit. Instead of worrying about building a massive company right away, focus on finding the right product-market fit. Once you get that right, you can grow faster.
• Tell a compelling story. Create a clear narrative that explains why your business is valuable. Tailor this story to appeal to potential buyers, highlighting benefits of your business.
• Stay curious and adaptable. Mac attributes his success to his intellectual curiosity and willingness to adapt. Ask questions about what’s changing in the world, and be ready to pivot your business model or strategy as necessary.

Mac's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Connect with Mac Lackey:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

When I sold my last business, I struggled because I wasn't prepared from the beginning. Having a clear exit plan, knowing my business's value, and keeping important documents organized would have made a major difference. I wish I met Rachel Murphy back then because she had a solid strategy from day one. She built relationships with potential buyers early, focused on revenue growth, and understood the importance of brand strength.But now you can learn from her and make your future exit as smooth as possible!

About Rachel Murphy

Rachel Murphy is a successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the digital and health sectors. She has founded and exited two companies, including Difrent, an award-winning digital services company that delivered transformational projects for the NHS and other public sector clients. Her expertise in user-centered design and digital solutions has made a significant impact in these fields.

Currently, she leads The Grafter, a consultancy helping professional services businesses grow, scale, and exit, maximizing their value. Rachel is also a public speaker and health tech advisor. Her strategic approach focuses on early exit planning, understanding business valuation, and organized documentation.

Key Insights:

• Understand your valuation. Understand the factors that contribute to your business's value, such as revenue growth, profitability, intellectual property, and brand strength.
• Diversify offerings. Explore opportunities to expand into related sectors. For instance, if your business is in healthcare, consider entering private healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences to diversify and increase market presence.
• Document important processes. Develop detailed documentation of your business processes. This includes creating a playbook that outlines how your business operates, which is essential for scaling and for potential buyers.
• Develop a strong brand. A recognizable and trusted brand can significantly enhance your business’s valuation and appeal to buyers.
• Be honest. Be upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of your business. Buyers appreciate transparency and it builds trust, which can lead to smoother negotiations and a more realistic valuation.

Rachel's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Connect with Rachel Murphy:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

We often talk about strategy—growth strategy, sales strategy, marketing strategy. When it comes to content, strategic content is a game-changer. Aligning content with clear goals builds trust and credibility, leading to sustainable growth. This strategy (pun intended) can work for any business, and today, John Hall, an entrepreneur and growth architect, is telling us how to make the most out of it.

About John Hall

John Hall is a co-founder of Influence, which he grew to 100 employees and sold in 2018. Now, as the Chief Strategist at Relevance.com and co-founder of Calendar.com, he helps people manage their time and relationships better. He’s also the author of the best-selling book “Top of Mind” and has won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

John shares his entrepreneurial insights in weekly columns for Forbes and Inc. and writes for over 50 publications, including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. Known for his straight talk in PR, SEO, and thought leadership, he’s invested in many successful businesses. When he's not working, John loves spending time with his family. He’s passionate about helping great companies and people thrive.

Key Insights:

• Target the right audience. Use specific, detailed keywords to attract the right people for your business to reach those who are most likely to convert into clients.
• Measure, measure, measure. Regularly evaluate how well your content is performing against your business goals. Use these insights to tweak your strategies and improve your results.
• Invest in sustainable growth. Focus on investments and clients who are committed to ethical, sustainable practices. This not only ensures long-term success but also aligns with your values.
• Leverage AI for content creation. AI tools can help you create, repurpose, and optimize content more efficiently. Incorporate AI to streamline your content process and keep the quality high.
• Focus on quality over quantity. Producing high-quality, impactful content is more beneficial than churning out large volumes of mediocre material. Quality content builds credibility and engages your audience more effectively.

John's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Get John’s book “Top of Mind”

Connect with John Hall:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X
• Website

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

Being adaptable isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for any entrepreneur who wants to see their business thrive for years to come. Flexibility in business helps you to navigate unexpected challenges, seize new opportunities, and pivot when necessary. My interview with Bakari Akil reminded me of just how important it is to build your business with that flexibility at the core, so that you can effectively address any changes in the market without having to reinvent your operations every single time.

About Bakari Akil

Bakari Akil is an experienced entrepreneur and investor with a strong background in acquisitions and business development. As the Managing Director of Graves Hall Capital, Bakari has successfully led the acquisition of several companies, demonstrating a keen eye for identifying valuable opportunities. His approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in flexibility and adaptability, allowing him to navigate complex deals and build a diverse portfolio of businesses.

Other than his work in acquisitions, Bakari loves sharing his knowledge and experiences in digital nomadism. He has traveled extensively while managing his ventures, proving that with the right strategy, business can be conducted from anywhere in the world.

Key Insights:

• Diversify your investments. I’ve always believed in spreading your business interests across different industries. This way, if one area faces challenges, others can keep your overall business stable.te
• Delegate to experts. Hire experienced professionals to handle daily operations. This frees you up to focus on strategic decisions and big-picture growth instead of wasting your time on small tasks.
• Prioritize recurring revenue. Look for businesses with steady, recurring revenue. This ensures a reliable cash flow and helps your business stay resilient.
• Do your homework. Always visit and verify business operations in person before making any big decisions. This ensures you’re getting exactly what you expect.
• Avoid depending on key individuals. Structure your business so that its success isn’t tied to one person. This makes transitions smoother and reduces risk of making your operations stuck because someone isn’t there.

Bakari's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Connect with Bakari Akil:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• YouTube

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

Contrary to the belief that focusing on purpose detracts from profitability, many purpose-driven companies experience robust financial performance. A strong focus on creating a positive impact can differentiate a company in a crowded marketplace, attract loyal customers, and drive sustainable growth. As Dominnique Karetsos has seen with Healthy Pleasure Group, profit with purpose is not just possible - it can open up new revenue streams and market opportunities, put companies at the forefront of innovation, and help them attract like-minded partners and investors.

About Dominnique Karetsos

Dominnique Karetsos is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in more than 40 markets. She founded Healthy Pleasure Group and co-founded Minthub, focusing on building a global ecosystem for sexual health and technology. Dominnique is also a General Partner at Amboy Street Ventures, the first fund dedicated to investing in sexual health and women's health technology.

Known for her knack for spotting trends and reshaping brand strategies, she helps startups and established brands grow and thrive. With degrees in international marketing, management, and advanced supply chain management, Dominnique blends her diverse skills to lead with vision and purpose. She's passionate about driving social change and innovation in the sexual health industry, making a real difference in people's lives.

Key Insights:

• Stay consumer-centric. Always focus on your customers' real needs. Listening to them and adapting your products or services accordingly is a sure way to set you apart from competitors.
• Create a culture of inclusivity. Make diversity a priority and ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, which can enhance creativity and innovation.
• Embrace compassionate leadership. Practice empathy in your interactions. Listen to your team’s concerns and show understanding. Higher employee morale, better collaboration, and lower turnover are likely to follow!
• Stay agile and adapt quickly. Be willing to pivot and adapt based on market trends and feedback. Use agile methodologies to manage projects. Your company is more likely to survive and thrive when it can swiftly respond to market changes.
• Leverage your unique story. A distinctive brand that resonates emotionally with your audience will set you apart from competitors. Use your personal and company story to build a unique brand identity. Share your journey and mission openly so that people know where you stand.

Dominnique's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Connect with Dominnique Karetsos:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Instagram
• X

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

Sustainable growth hinges on leadership tactics that delegate authority and responsibility. Adam Sandman’s journey of bootstrapping, diversifying markets, and building a strong global team, demonstrated that smart, intentional decisions are what drive long-term success. His approach to leadership—decentralized, customer-focused, and growth-oriented—is what empowers teams to innovate and adapt, ensuring the company remains resilient and competitive in a global marketplace.

About Adam Sandman

Adam Sandman is the founder and CEO of Inflectra, a company that creates tools for software testing and automation. His journey with programming started when he was just ten, making computer games for fun. Later, he studied Physics at Oxford University but realized that working in labs wasn’t for him. So, he moved to the U.S. to follow his passion for technology.

One of Adam’s first big roles was at Sapient, where he worked on projects for the U.S. Marine Corps. Eventually, he decided to start his own company, and that’s how Inflectra came to be. What began as a small business grew into a leader in the software industry. Adam’s focus has always been on creating innovative products and expanding the business. Today, Inflectra is known around the world for its top-notch software management tools.

Key Insights:

• Start small, stay in control. Build your business without relying on outside funding so you can make decisions that align with your long-term goals. This way, you maintain control over your company’s direction and can grow at your own pace.
• Mix up your client base. Diversify your client portfolio by balancing startups with more established companies to provide stability and reduces the risk of losing significant revenue during market downturns.
• Build strong partnerships. Develop relationships with partners who can help you reach new customers and expand your business. These partnerships can act as a force multiplier, amplifying your sales and marketing efforts.
• Define your sales process. Before hiring salespeople, map out your sales process and understand the specific roles needed. Make sure you hire the right people for the right tasks and avoid costly mistakes.
• Focus on customer needs. Prioritize building products and services that truly meet your customers’ needs, even if it goes against industry trends. A customer-focused approach builds loyalty and drives long-term success.

Adam's best advice for entrepreneurs:

Connect with Adam Sandman:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Instagram

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website

Building wealth isn’t just about making money but managing it wisely. Mike Brown, entrepreneur, investor and wealth coach, found out post-exit from his company that without proper financial strategies, you can quickly lose it all. Luckily for him, Mike used his setbacks to build a comprehensive wealth-preserving strategy, which he now shares with other entrepreneurs to help them avoid his mistakes and build lasting financial stability.

About Mike Brown

Mike Brown is a successful entrepreneur and investor, who started his career as a Navy pilot flying F/A-18 Super Hornets. After leaving the military, Mike entered the oil and gas industry and built an eight-figure investment firm, which he sold in 2019. Facing financial challenges after the sale, Mike learned the importance of smart money management, which he now uses in his coaching program Unbreakable Wealth to help other entrepreneurs build and manage their finances.

Key Insights:

• Diversify but don’t overdo it. Avoid putting too much of your money into high-risk investments. A balanced approach helps you grow wealth steadily without unnecessary stress.
• Examine your money habits. Take a hard look at your relationship with money and how it influences your decisions. Fixing any unhealthy habits can prevent future financial headaches.
• Set realistic financial goals. Figure out what you truly need to be happy. Clear, achievable goals give you direction and purpose. It’s not always about having more money, but about having enough to meet your needs and desires.
• Seek advice from experts. Their insights can help you adopt effective wealth management practices and avoid common mistakes. Learning from others’ experiences can save you time and money.
• Prioritize your core business. Your main business is your best investment. Focus on growing and strengthening it before spreading your resources too thin in unrelated ventures. This ensures sustainable growth and stability for the long haul.

Mike’s best advice for entrepreneurs:

Building lasting wealth is not rocket science. Sign up for Unbreakable Wealth’s coaching program to learn exactly how you create a stable financial future, and don't forget to mention "Beyond 8 Figures" for a special bonus!

Subscribe to Mike’s free weekly finance newsletter

Connect with Mike Brown:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X
• Website

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Website