Reid Tileston is an author, keynote speaker and expert in Entrepreneurial Business Ownership. With

the release of his new book, Grit It Done, Reid shares his insights from over 15 years of successful, on-the-ground Entrepreneurial Business Ownership that led him to acquire, grow, and ultimately sell 4 different

companies with successful exits.

His most recent acquisition resulted in a 10x return multiple of invested

capital (MOIC). Reid has exhibited sustained success from being a top performing Anytime Fitness franchisee to working with leading brands such as Harley Davidson, The Milwaukee Bucks, John Deere, Tough Mudder, Master Lock and Microsoft. Additionally, he has been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal and Crain’s.

"I want people to proactively choose either to do it or not to do it so that they can get all in to whatever makes the most sense for them."

Key themes included:

1. Business acquisition vs. startup benefits

2. Financial advantages of business buying

3. Financing accessibility like SBA loans

4. Entrepreneurial journey and personal control

5. Small businesses' economic contribution

6. Knowledge and resource investment importance

7. Relationship-building for business success

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Discounted Pre-Order: www.grititdone.com

Reid's Website: www.reidtileston.com

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidtileston/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/reidtileston

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

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If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Chris Parisi began his entrepreneurial journey young, mowing lawns before diving into the worlds of accounting and private equity. Now a partner at Carl Marks Advisors, he specializes in mergers and acquisitions for family-owned businesses, blending a sharp acumen for finance with a deep respect for the legacy of family enterprises.

Known for his approachable nature and effective communication, Chris thrives on educating and guiding business owners through the complexities of selling their businesses. His ability to simplify intricate financial details and nurture client relationships ensures that every transaction is transparent and tailored to meet individual business goals.

"...they've been the smartest guy in the room... And they get into this process and all of a sudden they're not. And it's my job to make sure that...they fully understand every step in this process."

Key themes included:

1. Structuring private equity buyouts and partnerships.

2. Evolution and perception of private equity firms.

3. Importance of efficient business operations.

4. Role of advisors in complex transactions.

5. Selling and evaluating family-owned businesses.

6. Adjusting business financials before selling.

7. Impact of price adjustments on earnings.

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Email Chris: cparisi@carlmarks.com

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cfparisi/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

RJ Burr, 48, is a third-generation producer of American oil. Born into the industry, Mr. Burr was on his first location before he could walk and has been fascinated by the production of oil his entire life.

Within 3 months of graduating high school, RJ Burr funded his first partnership and never looked back. RJ Burr is now the Senior VP of Corporate Operations at Panex. With a main focus on the Gulf Coast, Mr. Burr’s companies have raised and deployed over $300 million in upstream development and have partnered with some of the largest oil and gas companies, namely Shell, BP, and Marathon, to develop several million barrels in reserves.

"I think, no, we're not perfect. We've made mistakes. But by God, we're the only country in the history of the world that has tried to fix our mistakes, and we paid dearly for it."

Key themes included:

1. Challenges of transitioning to green energy

2. Free market influence on energy adoption

3. Oil industry dynamics and economic impact

4. Environmental implications of oil vs. green energy

5. Importance of entrepreneurial mindset in business

6. Tax benefits and incentives for oil investments

7. American oil companies' role in the global market

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Follow RJ's website: https://www.panex.us/

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj-burr-06a609162

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Alan Ezeir is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of identifying unique opportunities and transforming industries, evident in his pivot from telecom to the domain registration space. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by a spectrum of investments, from the successful build-up of a 7 million strong domain registry to ventures in cryptocurrency, real estate, and private equity.

As an independent sponsor, Ezeir harnesses personal connections and market knowledge to acquire and enhance businesses, bringing a hands-on approach to the value creation process. Beloved for his engaging personality and savvy investment strategies, Alan continues to foster meaningful connections, always on the lookout for innovative ways to grow and enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.

"For the uninitiated, private equity is a term that could mean a lot, but we generally use it as a code word for when someone who puts a deal together, usually referred to as a sponsor, matches the capital needed to acquire that business with some other resources and acquires a business and then does something to professionalize and improve that business."

Key themes included:

1. Transition to domain registration industry

2. Diversification into cryptocurrencies and real estate

3. Private equity and independent sponsors

4. Acquiring and improving businesses strategy

5. Evaluation of business acquisition opportunities

6. Challenges of independent sponsorship

7. The importance of enjoying the journey

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Follow Alan's website: www.circlesquarecap.com

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezeir/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Ryan Sandburg is a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen insight into operational efficiency and business growth. His journey from the construction industry to tech company ownership demonstrates his adaptability and willingness to immerse himself in new sectors.

With his proactive approach to problem-solving and expertise in software implementation, Ryan successfully scaled his company, Presearch Inc., to become a leading provider in background checks for employment. His story is one of leveraging skills learned on the job to carve out a niche in entrepreneurship, embodying the spirit of continuous learning and strategic development.

"Two years ago, I'd be like, man, if I don't work for a day, I'm kind of screwed. I'm too valuable as an employee. So then it came down to, like, restructuring, getting the employees that I trusted to where I could do that, and that's where I'm now. If, if I needed to take a week off, I wouldn't be sweating at night wondering what they're doing. Like, if. If things are going okay, if I set my email forward on, I don't double check that it's getting handled."

Key themes included:

1. Efficiency through shared work processes

2. Evaluating potential business opportunities

3. Building contractor relationships for success

4. Custom software vs. existing solutions

5. Automation importance for scalability

6. Employee training and responsibility

7. Transition from employment to entrepreneurship

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Follow Ryan's website: www.presearchinc.com

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpsandberg/

—

Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Robert Clinkenbeard's story begins with the invaluable lessons he gained while employed by another firm, which would later become the bedrock of his journey into entrepreneurship.

Embracing the natural pathway of learning, Robert is candid about the numerous mistakes he made in the initial stages of his business venture. It was a process of trial and error, a hands-on experience that taught him more than any textbook could.

Together, we'll explore the critical steps a business should take 2 to 3 years prior to a sale, including consulting with CPAs, lawyers, and getting your financials in order. Robert will share personal insights on building a strong seller team and how to position your business attractively for private equity and potential buyers.

"Making sure you have the right leadership team in place so that you're almost at a point where you're not necessarily involved too much on a day to day basis... Just making sure things are cleaned up in terms of entities and business structures. I think all those things are super important just to start planning ahead of time rather than rushing last minute."

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Follow Robert

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-clinkenbeard/

—

Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Jena Dunay believes in the power of ownership in one’s career, advocating for job seekers to approach their work as valuable contributors. Her expertise lies in coaching individuals, especially senior-level job changers, to hone their storytelling and confidence for career success.

With a robust experience in various roles leading up to becoming a chief learning officer, she transitioned back into entrepreneurship to achieve work-life balance and create impactful businesses. Jena's journey illustrates her dedication to personal growth and her drive to empower others in their professional endeavors through her platform, recruittheemployer.com.

Here, we chat about building your career through networking, shifting your mentality, presenting yourself well in interviews, and reevaluating success.

"You need to not look at yourself as just a cog in a wheel. You need to look above that cog in a wheel and actually understand how you contribute to the overall picture and then show that you can create value for an organization in that way and know that you're an asset to an organization, not just someone who gets paid."

Topics discussed in this episode:

1. Adopting an ownership career mentality

2. Importance of building professional relationships

3. Nurturing curiosity and generosity in networking

4. Confidence and clarity in job interviews

5. Strategies for effective career transitions

6. Creating scalable, sellable business models

7. Learning from corporate to entrepreneurial success

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Follow Jena at: www.recruittheemployer.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenadunay/

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Find Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy and rely on to grow your own business free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

John Ovrom is the embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit, channeling his vigor into a successful construction business built alongside his family. With the experience of growth, acquisition, and the rewarding challenge of diversification under his belt, he transitioned from owner to consultant, guiding others through the intricate dance of business exit strategies.

His firm, Exit Consulting, manifests John's expertise and empathetic approach to mentoring business owners grappling with the emotional and logistical complexities of selling their life's work. Stitching together a narrative of transformation and new beginnings, John's journey underscores the value of professional guidance and the art of gracefully stepping away to embrace change.

I chat with him about figuring out your exit plan, when to implement it, and what to expect afterward.

"What is the definition of an exit? Is an exit the last check you receive from the payoff? Is it the last day you worked after staying on for a year or two or three for your earn out? Is it that day? Because then you still give it. Is it the day you close?"

Topics discussed in this episode:

1. Letting go of control for sale

   2. Embracing change for business readiness

   3. Emotional aspects of business exit

   4. Challenges in price increases

   5. Importance of management systems

   6. Setting goals for exit strategy

   7. Value of exit planning consulting

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Follow John at

www.exitconsultinggroup.com

Email at jovrom@exitconsultinggroup.com

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnovrom/

—

Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!