Closing Remarks

by Benchmark International
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated weekly

Closing Remarks is Benchmark International’s exclusive podcast, where leading CEOs, thought leaders, business experts, and M&A professionals share insights from the front lines of dealmaking. Each episode explores the strategies, stories, and lessons that shape successful transactions and lasting legacies. Whether you’re an entrepreneur preparing for the next chapter or a professional navigating the complexities of the middle market, Closing Remarks offers the perspectives you need to stay ahead in today’s business landscape.

  1. 4 hr ago

    E24: Hugh Campbell on Why Leadership Matters

    What does it take to build a winning team, and how does leadership make the difference? Leadership starts with having the right people in the right seats, aligned in one direction. But assembling a successful team is just scratching the surface of what great leadership entails. The way you lead will determine your company culture. It will shape how your company scales, how you handle challenges, and even when you know it’s time to sell. In this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef sits down with Hugh Campbell, CEO of AC4S Technologies, to talk about the difference between leading versus managing, building winning teams, knowing when to cut your losses, and why leadership matters during times of change. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Why leadership matters: Understand the difference between supervising, leading, managing, and inspiring people to follow. • How to build a winning team: Discover why putting the right people in the right roles is essential to business success. • How to navigate challenges and change: Learn when to make tough decisions, adapt strategies, and turn setbacks into opportunities. • What makes a successful business exit: Learn why clear communication, strong relationships, and goals beyond the sale price matter in M&A. Episode Chapters 00:00:00 – Meet Hugh Campbell, CEO of AC4S Technologies, and discover what his journey from West Point to entrepreneurship taught him about leadership 00:03:43 – Learn how early experiences shape strong leaders 00:09:38 – How to build credibility that makes people want to follow you 00:13:00 – Build a Super Bowl-winning team with the right people in the right roles 00:14:25 – Understand the difference between supervising, managing, and leading 00:24:58 – Choose investors who align with your business goals 00:28:09 – Build a board that brings real value to your business 00:36:12 – Create a company culture that keeps everyone working toward the same goal 00:40:36 – Recognize when tough decisions are necessary for growth 00:43:50 – Move M&A negotiations forward with direct communication 00:46:22 – Learn why a successful business exit is about more than just the sale price 00:51:11 – Turn setbacks into growth by knowing when to pivot 00:55:23 – Stay adaptable as AI changes the business landscape 00:56:46 – How to use board experience to make better leadership decisions 01:02:35 – Define what you want to achieve before selling your business

    E24: Hugh Campbell on Why Leadership Matters

  2. 21 Oct

    E23: Ed Mitzen On Culture That Scales

    Your business is growing. Your team is expanding. Revenue is climbing. But here's a question worth asking: Is your company culture keeping up?   Maintaining a strong culture as you grow starts with hiring great people, trusting them to lead, and making sure your values show up in everyday decisions. Growth shouldn't mean losing what made your business successful in the first place. For Ed Mitzen, founder of the Fingerpaint Group, protecting company culture was a priority as he grew the business to $250 million in annual revenue and approximately 800 employees. In this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, Ed joins host Dara Shareef to share what he learned about culture, growing a business, choosing a private equity partner, and transitioning out of day-to-day leadership. Whether you're scaling your business or considering a future sale, discover how to protect what you've built, make confident decisions, and prepare for your next chapter.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN · Learn how you can maintain a strong company culture as your business grows. · Build stronger teams by hiring talented people and empowering leaders.  · Understand why cultural alignment matters when you choose a private equity partner. · Gain insights into how you can evaluate acquisitions while protecting your company's values.  · Explore how you can build a business that thrives without your constant involvement.    EPISODE CHAPTERS   00:00:00 – How to Protect Company Culture as You Grow 00:00:54 – Meet Ed Mitzen, Founder of Fingerpaint Group and Co-Founder of the Business for Good Foundation 00:03:19 – Building a $250 Million Business 00:05:03 – Ed's Journey Into Entrepreneurship 00:12:46 – Lessons From Selling His First Company 00:14:46 – Why Hiring Great People Matters 00:18:31 – Balancing Business Growth and Company Culture 00:20:02 – Building Employee Trust and Loyalty 00:23:09 – Maintaining Culture as Your Team Expands 00:25:30 – Building a Business That Runs Without You 00:27:10 – Choosing the Right Private Equity Partner 00:28:57 – Evaluating Acquisitions and Cultural Fit 00:31:20 – Transitioning Out of Day-to-Day Leadership 00:32:15 – Finding Purpose Beyond Business Ownership 00:33:06 – Supporting Entrepreneurs Through the Business for Good Foundation 00:37:02 – Creating Opportunities for Local Businesses 00:38:35 – Strengthening Communities Through Economic Growth 00:43:50 – The Question Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Selling

    E23: Ed Mitzen On Culture That Scales

  3. 14 Oct

    E22: Thad Bench on Building Value

    What happens when the market that helped build your business suddenly changes? You find another way forward. That’s exactly what Thad Bench, founder of BW Health Group (also known as Benchworks), did. Faced with industry disruption, Thad adapted. He expanded into new services, built a strong leadership team, and positioned the company for continued growth. Ultimately, that work helped generate significant buyer interest and led to the sale of BW Health Group. Now a Principal at The HonorWorks Group, Thad brings his entrepreneurial experience and firsthand understanding of building, growing, and selling a business to helping other business owners navigate their own paths forward. In this episode of Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef sits down with Thad to talk about the decisions that built business value and the lessons other business owners can apply to their own companies. Watch to learn how Thad turned experience into practical lessons for business owners. From knowing your numbers and surrounding yourself with the right people to staying open to new opportunities, Thad’s experience offers valuable insights to strengthen your business today, create more options for tomorrow, and make confident decisions about what comes next. What You’ll Learn Discover how adapting to market shifts can unlock new paths to growthLearn how financial insight can help you build business valueSee how experienced advisors can expand your options and strengthen outcomesUnderstand how attracting multiple buyers can create greater opportunityLearn how continued growth can strengthen your position during a potential saleDiscover why the right buyer can deliver beyond the purchase priceGain insights for creating more choices for your business and your future

    E22: Thad Bench on Building Value

  4. 7 Oct

    E21: Keith Marshall on Opportunity and M&A

    You’ve spent years building your business. But have you ever wondered what the future could hold for your company? Keith Marshall is the Founder of Solution Matrix, and he understands what it takes to develop an enterprise from scratch. What started at home grew into a successful manufacturing company built on discipline, service, family, and opportunity. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef sits down with Keith to talk about his journey and the sale of Solution Matrix, facilitated by Benchmark International. They also discuss operations, entrepreneurship, M&A, and finding the right “caretaker for a legacy.” Whether you’re focused on growing your business, exploring new opportunities, or considering what comes next, Keith’s story offers lessons for every stage of the journey. What You’ll Learn How discipline and persistence can help you work through setbacks, adapt when plans change, and keep your business moving forward Why listening to the people using your product or service can uncover needs, strengthen customer relationships, and reveal new opportunities How greater control over key parts of your operations can help you respond when suppliers, production needs, or circumstances change Why looking at the capabilities you already have can uncover opportunities to expand into new products, services, or markets How to think about family involvement in a way that balances opportunity with accountability and gives the next generation room to grow Why reaching the right buyer audience matters and can create more options for your business's future How M&A can help you find a caretaker for a legacy who can take what you built into the next chapter

    E21: Keith Marshall on Opportunity and M&A

  5. 16 Sept

    E20: Q&A on Market Readiness with Dara Shareef & Jordan Wilkins

    Market readiness begins with a basic question. What happens to your business when you are not around?   Imagine going on a six-week river cruise in Europe, turning off your cell phone and refraining from checking email. When you return, will the business be running smoothly? Or did your team need to pause important decisions while you were away?   In this Q&A episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef talks with Jordan Wilkins, Managing Director at Benchmark International. They explore the difference between market readiness and exit readiness.   What You’ll Learn Why market readiness and exit readiness require many of the same actions even if you have no plan to sellHow to tell if your business is too dependent on you and why decision-making needs to extend beyond the ownerHow delegation, functional ownership, and decision rights can reduce founder dependenceHow customer and supplier concentration can create additional points of dependenceHow advisors and market feedback can uncover opportunities you may not see in your businessHow strategic buyers may see value in your people, products, customers, or capabilities beyond EBITDAHow market readiness can give you more options when your priorities and circumstances change With this episode, we’re closing out Season 1 of Closing Remarks. We’ll be back in October with more conversations, insights, and closing remarks. In the meantime, if you’re thinking about what’s next for your business, start a conversation with Benchmark International.

    E20: Q&A on Market Readiness with Dara Shareef & Jordan Wilkins

  6. 9 Sept

    E19: Kal Gullapalli on Risk & Returns

    What would an investor see if they looked at your business today? In this episode of Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef sits down with Kal Gullapalli, CEO of Built Different Brands, to talk about his journey from investment banking at Merrill Lynch and helping raise a hedge fund to entrepreneurship and franchise ownership. Today, his experience includes Dave’s Hot Chicken, Marco’s Pizza, PopUp Bagels, Orangetheory Fitness, and European Wax Center. Drawing on his experience as both an investor and an operator, Kal shares how he evaluates opportunities, thinks about risk and returns, diversifies across brands and markets, builds teams with the right culture, and makes decisions that can influence business value. What You’ll Learn Why self-awareness matters in businessHow Kal thinks about diversification across brands and marketsHow investors weigh risk, return, and opportunity costWhat to look for in brands, management teams, and opportunitiesHow culture and accountability support businessesHow multiples and roll-ups can create opportunityWhy key operators receive bonuses, equity, and insight into value creationHow to build a business beyond the ownerWhy patient, aligned capital matters

    E19: Kal Gullapalli on Risk & Returns

  7. 2 Sept

    E18: Thomas Frey on Selling a Business

    Selling a business can open the door to more than a new phase. It can change how you think about what you built, who you built it with, and what you want to do next. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef sits down with Thomas Frey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP, Software Engineering at Cboe Global Markets. Thomas founded Silexx Financial Systems, a broker-neutral order and execution management system (OEMS), before Benchmark International facilitated its transaction with the Chicago Board Options Exchange (Cboe Global Markets). Together, they reflect on the transaction, the journey that led to it, and the lessons that followed. From building business value and surrounding yourself with great people to embracing AI and finding purpose beyond the transaction, Thomas shares valuable insights for business owners considering a sale and thinking about what comes next. Whether you’re building for growth, exploring a business sale, continuing with an acquiring company, or planning your next chapter, Thomas’s experience offers perspective for every stage of the journey. What You’ll Learn How identifying a specialized market need can create the foundation for business value What business owners can learn from Thomas’s experience exploring an M&A opportunityHow experienced M&A experts and the right people can bring valuable perspective to important decisionsWhy a shared approach may help keep buyers, sellers, and advisors focused on a shared objectiveHow bringing in great people earlier can help owners delegate, develop talent, and growHow AI can change the way businesses scale and why human expertise may become even more valuableWhy having a clear understanding of purpose matters when considering a business sale and what comes next

    E18: Thomas Frey on Selling a Business

  8. 26 Aug

    E17: Ian Barkin on AI, Automation, & Exit Readiness

    AI can create more, automate more, and move faster. But more doesn’t always mean more valuable. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef sits down with Ian Barkin, founder of magentIQ, to discuss building and selling Symphony Ventures, life and purpose after an exit, AI slop, the future of AI and automation, what automation means for the next generation of leaders, and why entrepreneurship is ultimately a team sport. Whether you’re navigating an exit, embracing AI, or thinking about what comes next, this conversation offers lessons for building smarter while keeping the human element at the center. What You’ll Learn How to spot when AI is creating volume and not valueWhy AI-slop can create more workWhere human judgment, context, and connection still matterHow magentIQ combines AI agents and human talentWhat robotic process automation (RPA) can teach us about AI and automationWhy “AI first” is an ambition, while “AI ready” is a planHow stronger processes, documented knowledge, and less founder dependency can make a business both AI-ready and exit-readyHow the “shoe swap” can help leaders see problems from another perspectiveWhat happens to tomorrow’s leaders when AI eliminates the work that once trained themHow “building out loud” can bring family, work and purpose closer together

    E17: Ian Barkin on AI, Automation, & Exit Readiness
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About

Closing Remarks is Benchmark International’s exclusive podcast, where leading CEOs, thought leaders, business experts, and M&A professionals share insights from the front lines of dealmaking. Each episode explores the strategies, stories, and lessons that shape successful transactions and lasting legacies. Whether you’re an entrepreneur preparing for the next chapter or a professional navigating the complexities of the middle market, Closing Remarks offers the perspectives you need to stay ahead in today’s business landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    by Benchmark International
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © by Benchmark International
  • Show Website
    Closing Remarks

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