Build and Exit

Julie Wilkinson
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated weekly

Most businesses have finance. Very few leaders fully trust the numbers they are using to make decisions. The Build & Exit Podcast is for founders, CEOs and business leaders navigating growth, acquisitions, financial clarity and exit readiness. Hosted by Julie Wilkinson, each episode explores the operational, financial and structural issues that quietly shape business value, visibility and leadership confidence. Because the biggest business challenges rarely appear when finance is broken. They appear when finance technically works, but leadership has stopped trusting the numbers they need to run the business with confidence. Through conversations with founders, investors, advisers and business leaders, we uncover the lessons behind building businesses that create value, improve visibility, strengthen decision-making and reduce dependency on the owner. Whether you're scaling, preparing for an exit or simply trying to gain greater control of your business, The Build & Exit Podcast provides practical insights from those who have been there before. Subscribe to follow conversations on growth, acquisitions, financial clarity and building businesses that create long-term value.

  1. 5 days ago

    The Operational Risks That Silently Destroy Business Valuations | Build & Exit Podcast

    Most business owners believe their valuation is driven by revenue and profit. Buyers are looking for something else entirely: confidence.  Confidence in the numbers. Confidence in the controls. Confidence that the business is actually as sustainable as it appears on the surface.  In this solo episode Julie Wilkinson walks through a real case study: a business with £20 million turnover that had been offered a 7x multiple by a PE firm.  By the time due diligence was complete, the valuation had been slashed and the exit delayed by five years.  Not because the business was fraudulent. Not because it suddenly stopped trading.  Because of three things that are almost invisible until an outsider starts asking questions: reporting the buyer couldn't trust, a major client leaving mid-process, and a concentration risk that revealed 75% of clients came from a single channel.    Julie also covers what businesses can put in place now — systems assessment, trading reports versus financial reports, and a controls framework — so that when questions come, they already have the answers.  Only 10 to 15% of businesses have a contingency risk plan. This episode explains why that number needs to change, and what it costs when it doesn't.

    21 min

  2. 10 Jun

    Your Systems Are Working. So Why Are You Losing Money? | Build & Exit Podcast

    Nothing is technically broken. Revenue is growing, teams are expanding, activity is high. So why does cash never close where you expect? Why are the same decisions taking longer every month? Why do leaders keep double-checking numbers that should already be right?    In this solo episode Julie Wilkinson breaks down the three operational areas where financial systems quietly fail growing businesses — and what it actually costs when nobody catches it.     She covers the gap between front-end systems (CRM, project management) and back-end finance systems, what happens when purchase orders are bypassed, and why integrity reports — not more data — are what businesses actually need.

    19 min

  3. 3 Jun

    Your Finance Works. So Why Don't You Trust It? | Build & Exit Podcast

    Your finance is technically working. So why does something still feel off?  In this solo episode Julie Wilkinson breaks down one of the most consistent patterns she is seeing across scaling businesses right now: finance is in place, teams are in place, reporting is in place — but business owners are still struggling to trust their numbers and make confident decisions.  Julie explains why the problem is rarely the finance function itself, and almost always the flow of information between operational teams and finance. When that flow breaks down, cash lands in the wrong place, reports get reworked every week, and leaders stall on decisions they should be able to make quickly.  She walks through a practical example — the customer who does not pay on time — and shows exactly where the process breaks, who owns each part of it, and what needs to change for leaders to get confidence back in their numbers.  If you are running a business where finance works on paper but does not always feel reliable in practice, this episode is for you.

    16 min

  4. 17/11/2025

    Why Your Finance Function Might Be Holding You Back with Julie Wilkinson

    Is your accountant really enough to protect your business? In this episode, I break down the five critical financial skill sets that most business owners are missing. Drawing from financial compliance audits and surveys of over 200 SME owners, I reveal why profitable businesses still run out of cash and how hidden risks are costing you thousands without you even knowing. You'll discover real case studies including a business that lost £150,000 in unprocessed expenses, another that missed £85,000 in unbilled sales, and a post-acquisition disaster that uncovered a £750,000 discrepancy. Whether you're scaling through acquisition or preparing for exit, these skills will help you transform your business from a lifestyle into a valuable asset that runs without you. Every business we've audited has at least a 10% cash leak somewhere. Learn how to find yours and fix it before it's too late.   “Business owners don't actually know what finance can do.” – Julie Wilkinson   You’ll hear about: Why "I've got an accountant" leaves you vulnerable to hidden risks Financial literacy: understanding cash flow, margins, and break-even points Forecasting and scenario planning to protect against business-killing risks Data interpretation and why monthly margin fluctuations signal deeper problems Digital finance and automation to prevent operational cash leaks Commercial and strategic thinking for sustainable business growth   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Find out more about our brilliant sponsor Acquisition Masters here - https://www.acquisitionmasters.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!

    30 min

  5. 19/10/2025

    How a group credit rating dropped by £700k because of one failed acquisition with Gavin Page

    Ever wondered what happens when an acquisition doesn’t go to plan? In this episode, I speak with Gavin Page, a serial entrepreneur with 28 years in business and a decade of buy-and-build experience. Gavin grew a group of nine companies turning over more than £8 million, but one failed acquisition changed everything. We dive into the reality of scaling through acquisition, from structuring deals and navigating distressed purchases to the unexpected fallout from Royal Mail strikes and rising energy costs. Gavin shares how overleveraging, weak management teams, and unforeseen market changes can bring down even the most carefully structured groups. But this isn’t just a cautionary tale. Gavin reveals how he rebuilt after collapse, why he now mentors buyers and sellers to avoid the same pitfalls, and what he’s learned about resilience, due diligence, and leadership in high-stakes M&A. If you’re considering buying a business or preparing your own exit you’ll want to hear this one to the end.   “Trust your gut — my biggest mistake was letting my ego say yes when my instinct said no.” – Gavin Page   You’ll hear about: Gavin’s first acquisition and how it all began Lessons from buying a £1 distressed company The Royal Mail strikes and Amazon refunds crisis How overleveraging can destroy a profitable group Energy price shocks and their impact on M&A The importance of strong financial due diligence Avoiding personal risk through smart deal structure Leadership, management teams, and accountability Rebuilding purpose after business failure Coaching others to buy and sell wisely   Connect With Gavin Page   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/expertdealmaker/   Transition 360 Partners - https://www.transition360partners.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Find out more about our brilliant sponsor Acquisition Masters here - https://www.acquisitionmasters.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!

    36 min

  6. 31/08/2025

    Valuations: Fiction vs. Finance: What paper valuations say vs what they really mean

    What really determines the value of a business? In this episode I sit down with Saul Cohen, CEO of The Expert Eye, to explore the mechanics behind valuation and why it is never just about the numbers. We look at how strong financial controls and a clear understanding of EBITDA give both buyers and sellers confidence, and how risk management can make or break a deal. Saul and I also unpack the role governance plays in SMEs and why culture and people are often the hidden drivers of efficiency and value creation. We discuss the responsibilities business owners must accept if they want to maximise their exit options, and challenge some common misconceptions around the role of brokers in the sales process. If you want to understand what makes a business truly valuable and how to position yours for the best possible outcome, you need to listen to this episode.   "Valuation is never just numbers, it’s people and risk.” – Saul Cohen   You’ll hear about: Why understanding financial controls is crucial for business valuation. EBITDA being a key metric in assessing business performance. How risk management directly impacts business valuation multiples. SMEs often overlook operational risks during due diligence. People and culture significantly affect compliance and operational efficiency. Systems and processes being essential for effective governance. Why business owners must take accountability for their financial literacy. Brokers can provide valuable insights, but owners must challenge their valuations. Financial literacy is lacking in the SME sector, impacting decision-making.   Connect With Saul Cohen   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cohensaul/ The Expert Eye - https://theexperteye.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Find out more about our brilliant sponsor Acquisition Masters here - https://www.acquisitionmasters.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!

    56 min

  7. 11/08/2025

    Grew to £12m per year adding 23x onto the value of the company with Sam Penny

    What happens when a casual side hustle explodes into a million-dollar-a-month enterprise almost overnight? In this episode I am joined by Sam Penny, founder of Cheese Therapy, who scaled his cheese distribution business by 23x during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 18 months before choosing to exit. Sam takes us behind the scenes of his explosive growth, unexpected founder departure, and the moment he realised he was no longer energised enough to keep going. Sam opens up about the real cost of building a brand too dependent on its founders, and what he wishes he’d done differently to stay “sale ready.” Whether you're planning to grow through acquisition, raise capital, or exit entirely, Sam’s story is packed with hard-earned lessons that could save you time, energy, and equity. " You don’t sell your business when you’re exhausted, you sell it when you're energised.” – Sam Penny You’ll hear about: How bushfires and COVID catalysed a 23x surge in revenue • Why relying too heavily on founders can limit long-term business value • The importance of building SOPs and internal systems early • How co-founder departures can derail momentum • Why founder energy impacts valuations more than you think • The most overlooked steps to becoming “sale ready” before burnout hits   Connect With Sam Penny   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampenny/ Sam’s Linktree - https://sampenny.com/pages/start   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Find out more about our brilliant sponsor Acquisition Masters here - https://www.acquisitionmasters.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!

    41 min

  8. 20/07/2025

    Buy and Build success: From employment to acquiring a £4m group

    What happens when a successful pharmacist gives up his career to buy a care business—just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic? In this episode, Chike Nwangwu, Managing Director of Nash Homecare and the BESDA Group, shares how he built a £4M care group through four strategic acquisitions in just five years. Chike breaks down the emotional and operational challenges of buying a business, from navigating sudden lockdowns to managing sceptical teams and sceptical family members. Discover how he transitioned from corporate stability to entrepreneurial uncertainty—and the strategies that helped him not only survive but thrive. "Building rapport with the seller can make or break an acquisition.” – Chike Nwangwu   You’ll hear about: How to transition safely from a corporate career into business ownership The critical role of team dynamics and internal leadership in acquisition success Lessons learned from completing two deals simultaneously, including a £1.2M+ acquisition Why building your team before you grow is the secret weapon to scaling How to avoid the trap of “buying yourself a job”   Connect With Chike Nwangwu   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikenwangwu/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Find out more about our brilliant sponsor Acquisition Masters here - https://www.acquisitionmasters.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Most businesses have finance. Very few leaders fully trust the numbers they are using to make decisions. The Build & Exit Podcast is for founders, CEOs and business leaders navigating growth, acquisitions, financial clarity and exit readiness. Hosted by Julie Wilkinson, each episode explores the operational, financial and structural issues that quietly shape business value, visibility and leadership confidence. Because the biggest business challenges rarely appear when finance is broken. They appear when finance technically works, but leadership has stopped trusting the numbers they need to run the business with confidence. Through conversations with founders, investors, advisers and business leaders, we uncover the lessons behind building businesses that create value, improve visibility, strengthen decision-making and reduce dependency on the owner. Whether you're scaling, preparing for an exit or simply trying to gain greater control of your business, The Build & Exit Podcast provides practical insights from those who have been there before. Subscribe to follow conversations on growth, acquisitions, financial clarity and building businesses that create long-term value.

Information

  • Creator
    Julie Wilkinson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Build and Exit

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