Growth + Exit

Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett
  • 5.0 (2)
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This is the Growth + Exit Podcast, where owners of privately held, middle-market companies talk about founding, scaling, and exiting their businesses successfully.

  1. 1D AGO

    Accelerating Value in Private Equity Through Best-In-Class Brand Strategy

    Scott Markman is the Founder and President of MonogramGroup, a global brand consultancy and marketing agency. With nearly 45 years of experience, he has worked with private equity firms and portfolio companies to develop brand strategies that drive growth and differentiation. Scott is a recognized thought leader in branding and hosts the Beer Stories for Private Equity podcast. In this episode… Growth often comes with uncertainties like limited resources, evolving strategies, and constant pressure to adapt. How can founders navigate these challenges while positioning their companies for long-term value? According to branding and private equity expert Scott Markman, it starts with persistence, disciplined decision-making, and a willingness to evolve. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging flexible talent early on, maintaining strong cash flow management, and continuously refining your positioning as your business grows. Additionally, brand strategy is a powerful driver of value creation, especially in competitive markets.  In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with Scott Markman, Founder and President of MonogramGroup, to discuss building and scaling a brand-driven business. Scott shares his early entrepreneurial journey, how he entered private equity, and why branding is a critical lever for value creation.

    48 min

  2. MAR 25

    Building a Resilient Business Through Leadership, Culture, and Growth

    Jim Fitzgerald is the Co-founder and CEO of Paycile, a fintech company that provides real-time payment reconciliation and API-driven solutions for insurance premiums and claims processing. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he has decades of experience building and scaling businesses, including Taradel, a marketing technology company that grew into a multi-time Inc. 5000 honoree. Jim has also built strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 brands. In this episode… Building a business is rarely a straight path. Leaders are constantly forced to adapt, make decisions with incomplete information, and navigate internal and external challenges. What separates those who sustain growth from those who stall when conditions change? For serial entrepreneur Jim Fitzgerald, the answer lies in taking action and treating every outcome as a learning opportunity. He emphasizes making decisive moves rather than overanalyzing, using successes and failures as data points to guide future strategies. Jim also highlights the importance of building a cohesive culture by hiring people who align with your values and fostering trust during difficult times. His approach centers on adaptability, continuous learning, and creating an environment where teams can respond effectively to change. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with Jim Fitzgerald, Co-founder and CEO of Paycile, about entrepreneurship and scaling businesses. Jim shares his approach to decisive action and learning from failure, how culture supports teams through challenges, and his advice on preparing early for a smooth business exit.

    45 min

  3. MAR 18

    How To Start a Business With a Sprinter Van

    Brookelyn Avila is the Owner of Van Sharks, a family-owned business that designs, builds, and services custom conversion vans for businesses, travelers, and fleet operators. As an entrepreneur with a background in communications, she has launched several ventures. Brookelyn is known for her visionary leadership and commitment to excellence. In this episode… Starting a business in an unfamiliar industry demands adaptability, discipline, and a willingness to learn quickly. Entrepreneurs often face uncertainty when stepping into new markets, yet many find ways to build momentum and grow. What does it take to navigate risk, scale a young business, and stay focused through the challenges? According to entrepreneur and business owner Brookelyn Avila, growth in a new industry begins with mastering the fundamentals of business rather than the technical details of the field. She emphasizes the importance of generating consistent demand, building strong partnerships, and understanding every aspect of your operation — especially in the early stages. Brookelyn also advises entrepreneurs to keep fixed expenses low and preserve cash whenever possible, giving the business room to learn and adapt without excessive financial pressure. Growth becomes manageable when founders remain hands-on and continuously refine their processes. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Brookelyn Avila, Owner of Van Sharks, about building and scaling a company in a new industry. Brookelyn shares how she entered the van conversion market, the impact of becoming a certified Mercedes-Benz Expert Upfitter, and why standardizing products can help growing businesses scale more efficiently.

    46 min

  4. MAR 11

    The Business of Creating Entrepreneurs: Rapid Growth Through Renting Food Trailers

    Gabriel Arguello is the Founder and CEO of Rent 2 Own Trailers, which provides food trailers with flexible, low‑cost ownership options for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Under his leadership, Rent 2 Own has grown into a national resource for customized mobile business solutions. Before founding Rent 2 Own, Gabriel built and scaled a candy business, insurance and financial advisory agencies, and restaurants. In this episode… Starting a business comes with challenges ranging from securing funding to maintaining steady growth. How can entrepreneurs navigate these obstacles and scale their ventures? Versatile entrepreneur Gabriel Arguello emphasizes the importance of thoroughly researching your business idea before diving in. He advises entrepreneurs to build strong relationships with customers and the local community to foster lasting trust. Gabriel also stresses the value of setting up efficient systems from the start and keeping your team engaged. Planning, persistence, and people are essential for long-term growth. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Gabriel Arguello, Founder and CEO of Rent 2 Own Trailers, to discuss how to scale a business while building strong customer relationships. Gabriel shares insights on overcoming financial challenges, maintaining quality control through vertical integration, and using servant leadership to inspire teams.

    43 min

  5. MAR 4

    Bankruptcy Ends a Multi-Generation Family Business: A Cautionary Tale

    Davis Anderson is the Founder of The Manufacturers' Collective, an advisory practice dedicated to supporting family-owned American manufacturing companies through strategic planning and generational succession. As a third-generation manufacturing leader, he has over 40 years of experience in family-owned business ownership and management. Davis is also the author of Sustaining a Family Jewel, which details effective succession planning. In this episode… Many family-owned business owners eventually face the decision to pass their companies to the next generation. How can you ensure the next leader steps up seamlessly? What is involved in family succession planning? Succession planning advisor Davis Anderson emphasizes the importance of starting succession discussions early. Family members should be involved in these talks regularly, even if they feel uncomfortable. Planning shouldn't wait until the transition is imminent; it requires preparing both the business and the family for a smooth changeover. By taking proactive steps, family-owned businesses can ensure long-term success and avoid the pitfalls that arise when succession is rushed or neglected. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Davis Anderson, Founder of The Manufacturers' Collective, to discuss generational succession in family-owned businesses. Davis shares the lessons he learned from his leadership role, the importance of early succession planning, and advice for navigating difficult family discussions.

    52 min

  6. FEB 25

    Capital Market Readiness: What Every Middle Market Founder Needs To Know

    Doug Tatum is the Chairman of Newport LLC, a business advisory firm helping middle-market companies grow and exit. He is also a member of the teaching faculty at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. Before his current roles, Doug was the Chairman and CEO of Tatum LLC, a national professional services firm he helped grow to over 1,000 professionals across 30 offices before its acquisition by Spherion in 2010. He is also the author of No Man's Land: Where Growing Companies Fail, a critically acclaimed book that has won four national Best Business Book awards. In this episode… Private company owners are operating in a market that's drastically different from a decade ago. Capital is abundant, private equity firms are more aggressive, and even smaller companies are fielding acquisition calls. How can founders focus on daily growth and navigate capital markets?  According to Doug Tatum, an expert in capital markets and emerging growth companies, the shift is structural, not temporary. With massive private equity funds seeking deals, founders must decide whether to build a scalable platform or position themselves as a strategic add-on — a choice that affects valuation, control, and long-term upside. Doug encourages owners to prepare for the capital market early by understanding how deals are structured, investing in their businesses, and aligning strategy with long-term wealth goals.  In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with Doug Tatum, Chairman of Newport LLC, about capital market readiness for emerging growth companies. Doug talks about the rise of private equity add-on deals, the differences between platform and tuck-in strategies, and why founders must shift from an operator to an investor mindset to protect and grow their wealth.

    32 min

  7. FEB 18

    Using Strategic Acquisitions To Prepare for an Exit in Tech Services

    Arlin Sorensen is the VP of Ecosystem Evangelism for IT Nation at ConnectWise, a software company that develops IT management tools and community platforms for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT solution businesses. In his role, he facilitates ecosystem engagement and thought leadership across the IT Nation community while advising business leaders through consulting and peer groups. With over three decades of experience as an IT leader and entrepreneur, Arlin founded and grew Heartland Technology Solutions and HTG Peer Groups (now IT Nation Evolve), a global community fostering leadership and collaboration among MSP owners, which was acquired by ConnectWise. In this episode… As business owners scale their companies, they often encounter bottlenecks in leadership, decision-making, and growth. How can entrepreneurs navigate these hurdles while ensuring sustainable growth?  According to seasoned tech entrepreneur Arlin Sorensen, the key lies in creating a solid foundation, making informed decisions, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Having a strong support system, especially during acquisitions, can guide critical decisions and help avoid costly mistakes. Arlin also recommends maintaining transparency and inclusivity with employees to build loyalty and trust. These steps can transform a company's trajectory and make leadership more manageable over the long term. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Arlin Sorensen, VP of Ecosystem Evangelism for IT Nation at ConnectWise, to discuss effective growth strategies for businesses. Arlin shares his experience on building loyal teams, handling acquisitions, and the importance of life planning post-exit.

    47 min

  8. FEB 11

    Scaling Through Freedom: How Founders Can Build Businesses That Run Without Them

    Jordan Solender is the Founder of IT Select, where he serves as an IT Executive helping organizations transform their technology procurement with faster, AI-driven models, cutting client cycles from 120 to as few as 30 days across 38 states. He previously sold a technology advisory firm in an eight-figure exit. An entrepreneur since age 13, Jordan has built businesses in technology, events, hospitality, and coaching, speaks widely on AI transformation, and helps leaders optimize processes for scale. In this episode… Scaling a business often brings a moment when growth starts to feel heavier instead of freer. Leaders can find themselves buried in decisions, constantly rescuing teams, and losing sight of the bigger picture. What does it take to build an organization that can thrive without depending on constant founder involvement? Experienced entrepreneur and leadership coach Jordan Solender maintains that long-term scaling comes from structure. This involves defining clear outcomes, assigning ownership, and creating systems that allow teams to move confidently without waiting for permission. By hiring decision-makers and building accountability through measurable expectations, leaders can replace burnout-driven hustle with sustainable momentum. The result is a business that grows through empowerment rather than sacrifice. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with Jordan Solender, Founder of IT Select, about building scalable businesses that free founders. Jordan discusses removing founders as bottlenecks, building leadership clarity and accountability, and shifting from hustle to structure for sustainable growth.

    30 min
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5
out of 5
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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
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growth + Exit (c) 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth + Exit