Growth + Exit

Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Management

This is the Growth + Exit Podcast, where owners of privately held, middle-market companies talk about founding, scaling, and exiting their businesses successfully.

  1. 4h ago

    Building and Selling a Podcast Production Company

    John Corcoran is the Founder and CEO of Smart Business Revolution AI, an agency helping service businesses boost visibility in AI search and attract clients. He co-founded Rise25, a B2B podcast production agency that builds relationships, referrals, and strategic partnerships for businesses, which he helped scale before its acquisition. A former Clinton White House writer and attorney, John has more than a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, podcasting, and relationship-driven growth. In this episode… Growing and selling a business successfully takes more than generating revenue. From finding the right business model to building a reliable team and preparing for acquisition, the decisions entrepreneurs make along the way can shape their company's long-term value. How can business owners create a scalable company while positioning it for a successful exit? John Corcoran, an entrepreneur with expertise in B2B podcasting and AI visibility, maintains that adapting to market demand and choosing the right business model can create a foundation for sustainable growth. He highlights the value of recurring revenue, strategic hiring, and strong client relationships. John also emphasizes financial discipline, maintaining organized records, and preparing for due diligence well before selling. These strategies can help founders build businesses that are both profitable and attractive to potential buyers. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with John Corcoran, Founder and CEO of Smart Business Revolution, about building, scaling, and selling a podcasting agency. John shares how he pivoted from live events to B2B podcasting, bootstrapped growth past $1 million in annual revenue, and navigated Rise25's acquisition. He also discusses lessons from the sale and his next venture in AI search visibility.

  2. Oct 28

    How 2 Broken Computers and 2 Guys Built and Sold a Successful IT Company

    Steven Dastoor is the Chief Transformation Officer at Tusker, a technology solutions provider specializing in managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and advisory services. He founded Citon Computer Corp and led it for nearly three decades, growing it into a regional IT leader before its acquisition. With over 30 years of founder experience, Steven specializes in operational rigor, strategic integration, and guiding companies through complex growth toward meaningful exits. In this episode… Growing a successful business takes more than attracting customers and increasing revenue. The decisions business owners make about hiring, operations, and long-term strategy can shape their company's future. How can entrepreneurs build a scalable business while preparing for an exit? Entrepreneur and business transformation executive Steven Dastoor believes sustainable growth starts with operational discipline, strong relationships, and thoughtful planning. Building repeatable processes, maintaining accurate financial records, and learning from peer advisory groups can help business owners navigate challenges and prepare for future opportunities. Steven emphasizes the importance of running a company as though it's always ready to sell, even when an exit isn't an immediate priority. By prioritizing leadership development, employee trust, and strategic decision-making, founders can create lasting value and position their businesses for a smoother acquisition. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Steven Dastoor, Chief Transformation Officer at Tusker, to discuss business growth strategies and successful exit planning. Steven shares lessons on bootstrapping a business, leveraging peer advisory groups, and preparing for due diligence. He also explores post-acquisition integration, leadership development, and the importance of choosing the right customers.

  3. Oct 21

    How To Scale Through Strong Leadership and Accountability

    Jennifer Forte is a Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, an organization that helps entrepreneurs implement a system to build stronger businesses. Drawing on expertise in finance, HR, and team development, she coaches leadership teams on vision, execution, and healthy workplace culture. Before becoming an EOS implementer, Jennifer helped grow Lakeview Dental Care from one practice to a $17 million, multi-location business with more than 100 employees, before leading it through an eight-figure exit. In this episode… Growing a successful business takes more than increasing revenue or expanding to new locations. As a company scales, managing cash flow, developing strong leaders, and maintaining a healthy workplace culture can become increasingly challenging. How can entrepreneurs build the right systems and teams to support sustainable growth while creating a business that thrives beyond their daily involvement? Entrepreneur and leadership expert Jennifer Forte understands that sustainability requires financial discipline, clear roles, and effective delegation. After helping scale a family-owned dental business to multiple locations and an eight-figure exit, she learned that increasing revenue alone doesn't guarantee profitability. Instead, Jennifer emphasizes empowering employees, developing strong managers, and establishing core values that guide decision-making. By building a culture of accountability and investing in leadership development, business owners can overcome growth challenges, improve profitability, and create lasting value. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Jennifer Forte, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, to discuss scaling a business through effective leadership and sustainable growth. Jennifer shares strategies for improving profitability, strengthening team accountability, and creating a positive workplace culture. She also discusses the challenges of running a family business and lessons from achieving an eight-figure exit.

  4. Oct 14

    How Italian Clothing, Trolleys in New York, Personalized Songs, and a Jetski Led to 3 Exits

    Dave Pike is the Founder and former CEO of New York Trolley Company, an event transportation business serving New York City. A strategy and operations leader with 17 years of experience, Dave has built, scaled, and successfully sold three companies spanning apparel, transportation, and AI-powered personalized music. He is also the author of The New Startup and a mentor to early-stage founders through the Founder Institute. In this episode… Building a successful business is less about finding one perfect idea and more about testing, adapting, and knowing when to move on. Entrepreneurs who validate demand early, stay close to customers, and prepare for an eventual sale can make smarter decisions as they grow. What does it take to build, scale, and successfully exit multiple businesses? For serial entrepreneur and strategy and operations leader Dave Pike, the answer starts with testing an idea before investing too heavily in it. Across three successful businesses, that approach helped him learn what customers actually wanted, adjust his strategy, and grow with greater confidence instead of relying on assumptions. Dave carried that same mindset through each stage of entrepreneurship, using what he learned from the market to decide where to invest, when to adapt, and when it was time to sell. His experience proves that disciplined testing can become the foundation for smarter growth and stronger business decisions. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with Dave Pike, Founder and former CEO of New York Trolley Company, about building, scaling, and selling businesses. Dave shares how to validate business ideas, identify the right customers, and prepare for a successful exit. He also discusses marketing lessons, due diligence, entrepreneurship, and the inspiration behind The New Startup.

  5. Oct 7

    Family Business Owners: 12 Questions You Need To Answer

    Thomas William Deans, PhD, is a best-selling author and globally recognized expert on family business succession and intergenerational wealth transfer, helping families and business owners navigate ownership transitions and long-term wealth planning. He has delivered more than 2,000 keynote presentations worldwide. Dr. Deans is the author of Every Family's Business, Willing Wisdom, and The Happy Inheritor, books that guide families, advisors, and leaders through business exits, estate planning, and preserving family wealth. In this episode… Building and transitioning a business requires more than strong operations and financial performance. Owners should also consider how ownership, wealth, and leadership will evolve over time. What steps can business owners take to create a successful exit and prepare for the future? Family business succession and intergenerational wealth transfer expert Dr. Tom Deans explains that ownership succession and management succession are separate issues; preparing someone to run a company does not automatically mean they are prepared to own it. Business owners shouldn't simply give a company to the next generation, but instead have honest conversations about whether heirs are willing and able to invest their own capital and take on ownership responsibility. Dr. Deans also highlights the importance of family meetings and advisors in creating a plan that protects both the business and family wealth. Smooth transitions require clarity, preparation, and intentional decision-making. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Thomas William Deans, PhD, best-selling author and family business succession expert, about creating a business transition strategy. Dr. Deans discusses why owners should build with the end in mind, why the next generation must be prepared for ownership responsibility, and how thoughtful planning can protect family wealth. He also shares lessons from selling his own family business.

  6. Sep 30

    How Entrepreneurs Can Build Scalable Companies That Last

    Todd Girvin is the Founder and CEO of Futuremakers Leadership Forge, a peer advisory and executive coaching community for leaders of innovative organizations. A former technology founder and CEO, he helps executives strengthen leadership, navigate complex decisions, and build healthier, more resilient companies. Todd previously co-founded Improving, a software development consulting firm, where he served as CEO, corporate board member, SVP, and Houston Branch President before exiting. In this episode… Scaling a business takes more than landing new customers or growing revenue. As teams expand, leaders must learn when to delegate, how to preserve company culture, and where acquisitions can accelerate growth. What helps entrepreneurs scale successfully without losing sight of the company's purpose? For serial entrepreneur and executive coach Todd Girvin, scaling with purpose starts with intentional leadership and continuous improvement. Building clear roles, setting expectations, gathering meaningful client feedback, and developing leaders internally can create the structure needed for sustainable growth. Todd also emphasizes cultural fit when pursuing acquisitions and encourages entrepreneurs to identify a clear north star that guides their decisions. These practices help business owners build stronger organizations while staying focused on where they want to go. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with Todd Girvin, Founder and CEO of Futuremakers Leadership Forge, about scaling businesses through intentional leadership. Todd shares how to build accountability, use acquisitions for growth, and navigate a business exit. He also touches on executive coaching and finding a clear north star.

  7. Sep 23

    The Benefits of Co-Founding in Professional Services

    Kimberly (Kim) Wasney is the Co-founder of Ripples Edge Advisors, a Chicago-based advisory firm helping business owners grow strategically, prepare for transition, and build more transferable companies. An experienced operator and former head of business development, Kim grew the company's revenue from $160K to $9 million over the course of five years. Her background includes scaling revenue, building teams and processes, and guiding owners through growth, capital, strategic planning, and M&A decisions. In this episode… Growing a business means building it with the future in mind. For many business owners, decisions around scaling, succession, and a potential sale become easier when exit planning starts well before a transaction is on the table. How can founders grow intentionally while keeping their long-term options open? Business growth expert Kim Wasney explains that owners benefit from preparing for transition years in advance rather than waiting until they are ready to sell. Strong processes, the right leadership team, clear financial goals, and trusted advisors can create more flexibility when evaluating a sale, raising capital, bringing in a partner, or pursuing another path. Kim also emphasizes defining the right client and business fit, communicating openly with co-founders, and resisting the urge to perfect every detail before taking action. Thoughtful planning gives business owners more choices and greater control over what comes next. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with Kimberly (Kim) Wasney, Co-founder of Ripples Edge Advisors, about intentional growth and exit readiness. Kim shares why owners should plan early, how evolving M&A conditions affect sellers, and why alternatives to a traditional sale deserve consideration. She also touches on co-founder relationships and building a trusted advisor network.

  8. Sep 16

    Key To Entrepreneurial Success: Pick the Right Partner

    Victoria Sivrais is the Co-founder of Female Mavericks, a platform helping ambitious moms launch and scale profitable businesses while raising families. With experience in ESG, investor relationships, and executive communications, she helps women entrepreneurs develop their business vision to scale. Victoria previously co-founded and exited Clermont Partners, was named to PRWeek's 40 Under 40, and is the co-author of Entrepreneur Like a Mother. In this episode… Building a company often means learning the operational side of entrepreneurship while you're already in motion. From hiring and cash flow to scaling and planning for an eventual sale, what does it take to grow a business without losing sight of the bigger goal? According to entrepreneur and strategic advisor Victoria Sivrais, strong revenue alone isn't enough; founders need to understand profitability, manage cash flow carefully, hire with long-term goals in mind, and surround themselves with trusted advisors. Victoria also emphasizes the value of delegating sooner, building systems that support growth, and knowing when an opportunity — or potential buyer — isn't the right fit. With these steps, entrepreneurs can build a stronger, more scalable, and more valuable business. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Victoria Sivrais, Co-founder of Female Mavericks, about building, scaling, and exiting a business. Victoria shares lessons on managing cash flow, making smarter hiring decisions, and preparing for a successful sale. She also discusses post-exit entrepreneurship, supporting women founders, and creating practical resources for business owners.

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About

This is the Growth + Exit Podcast, where owners of privately held, middle-market companies talk about founding, scaling, and exiting their businesses successfully.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growth + Exit (c) 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth + Exit