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. 3d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Sep 9

    2 Exits, 1 Mission: How Building Investor Relations Companies Created Mavericks

    Beth Mazza is the Co-founder of Female Mavericks, a platform helping ambitious moms launch and scale profitable businesses while raising families. A serial entrepreneur and seasoned marketing and communications strategist, she has founded and sold strategic advisory firms focused on investor relations, corporate communications, and executive messaging. Beth now mentors women founders, shares practical growth frameworks through The Founder Files, and is the co-author of Entrepreneur Like a Mother. In this episode… For women building service businesses, sustainable growth often comes down to making the right decisions about hiring, cash flow, funding, and long-term goals. For mothers, those choices also need to support the kind of life they want to build. So what does it take to grow a profitable business while staying aligned with those priorities? Marketing and communications strategist and two-time entrepreneur Beth Mazza has learned that sustainable growth starts with an execution plan, disciplined cash flow management, and a willingness to change course quickly when something isn't working. Her experience building and selling two advisory firms showed her the value of investing early in sales and employee development, maintaining clean financials, and developing relationships with potential buyers years before an exit. Beth also encourages women entrepreneurs to evaluate whether outside funding and aggressive growth expectations truly fit their goals as business owners and mothers. The strongest strategy is to build a profitable company around the life, financial freedom, and long-term outcome the founder wants. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Beth Mazza, Co-founder of Female Mavericks, about building, scaling, and exiting a business while raising a family. Beth talks about the importance of cash flow, how strategic hiring supports growth, and what founders should prepare before a sale. She also discusses private equity, business-model choices, and lessons from her book Entrepreneur Like a Mother.

  5. Sep 2

    How To Build a Resilient Business Through Strong Leadership

    Kelly McLaughlan is the Co-Founder and CEO of KME.digital, a digital marketing agency that helps organizations grow through SEO, paid media, web content, and digital strategy. A systems engineer turned entrepreneur, she leads the firm's strategy, client service, and team development while helping businesses strengthen their online presence. Kelly is also the Co-founder of Power of 100 Washington, DC, which brings together women professionals for charity donations.  In this episode… Building a business over the long term requires more than finding customers and delivering quality work. Sustainable growth often comes from knowing when to adapt, when to delegate, and how to create systems that support both employees and clients. What does it take to grow a company without losing the discipline, relationships, and leadership practices that made it successful? Kelly McLaughlan, a digital marketing expert and entrepreneur, maintains that long-term growth depends on adaptability, trust, and a willingness to make difficult decisions. Diversifying the client base can reduce risk, while developing employees and giving them room to take ownership creates a stronger organization. Kelly also emphasizes building safeguards around delegation, learning from mentors, setting boundaries around work, and embracing tools like AI when they can improve efficiency and client outcomes. Together, these practices help business owners build companies that are more resilient, scalable, and prepared for change. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Kelly McLaughlan, Co-founder and CEO of KME.digital, to discuss building a resilient business and evolving as a leader. Kelly shares lessons on responding to changing client needs, developing a trusted team, and using AI to improve results. She also touches on work-life balance, mentorship, and the importance of strong financial discipline.

  6. Aug 26

    Building Your Deal Team: Chief Financial Officer

    John Cox is a Partner at Newport LLC, a business advisory firm helping middle-market companies grow and exit. With over 35 years of senior financial management experience across private industry and government, he advises owners and CEOs on finance strategy, budgeting, capital markets, M&A, due diligence, and exit readiness. John brings an operator's perspective to helping businesses strengthen financial processes, assess risk, and make informed growth and investment decisions. In this episode… As a company grows, its financial needs change. Solid accounting is important, but owners also need a clearer view of what's ahead so they can make smarter decisions about hiring, investing, growth, and future opportunities. So when is it time to move beyond basic accounting and build a stronger finance function? John Cox, an experienced CFO and strategic advisor, says that the key is adding financial expertise before the business reaches a point where complexity starts creating problems. Budgeting, forecasting, ROI analysis, and better financial processes can help owners make more informed decisions and prepare for bigger moves like acquisitions, raising capital, or selling the business. John also stresses the importance of having the right people in the right roles as a company grows. With stronger financial leadership and solid preparation, owners can reduce surprises, build credibility with investors and buyers, and create more value over time. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with John Cox, Partner at Newport LLC, about building finance functions for growth and exit readiness. John explains when to add finance leadership, how CFOs help prepare for transactions, and why owners may need to upgrade their advisors as the business grows. He also shares lessons from M&A transactions and his family business background.

  7. Aug 19

    Derisking a Financial Climate Solutions Startup With a Board of Directors

    Scott Ryan is the Founder and CEO of Investature, a sustainable finance and fintech company helping organizations align retirement benefits, investment choices, and financed-emissions goals. He leads the company's strategy, growth, partnerships, and development of tools that connect financial wellness with environmental impact. With leadership experience at firms including Salesforce, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and Accenture, Scott has experience in fintech innovation, wealth and asset management, technology scaling, and impact investing. In this episode… A strong business idea only goes so far if the company cannot adapt, attract the right people, and prove its value in the market. For founders building around a larger mission, growth decisions also carry implications about impact, governance, and long-term direction. How can entrepreneurs stay focused on both business performance and the change they want to create? Scott Ryan, a growth-focused executive, sees business as a practical way to advance environmental goals. His approach centers on testing the value proposition, paying close attention to traction, building an experienced board early, and changing course when the market demands it. Scott also stresses the importance of succession planning and creating practical company values when pressure or conflict arises. These practices give founders a stronger framework for making decisions without losing sight of the mission behind the business. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with Scott Ryan, Founder and CEO of Investature, about building a financially viable business around environmental impact. Scott shares the importance of early governance, how traction shapes strategy, and what founders can learn from changing markets. He also discusses mentorship, succession planning, and company values.

  8. Aug 12

    The Strategic Plan for Second-Generation Leaders Wanting To Buy and Grow a Family Business

    Jeff Aplin is the CEO of Aplin, a Canadian staffing and recruiting firm providing temporary, contract, permanent, and IT talent solutions across North America. He leads the company's growth strategy, acquisitions, capital partnerships, and response to industry and technology shifts. Drawing on strategy and operations experience at Deloitte, Jeff has transformed the family business toward recurring revenue, client-centric service, stronger leadership, and scalable expansion. His expertise also includes family-business succession, culture change, executive team building, and private capital. In this episode… Successful business transitions require more than transferring ownership; they demand clear communication, strategic reinvention, and the discipline to put the company's future ahead of legacy habits. Growth becomes more sustainable when leaders align their people, culture, customers, and capital around a shared direction. How can an owner preserve the core of the business while rebuilding what no longer works? According to staffing expert Jeff Aplin, the answer is to separate family and business roles, listen closely to customers, and build a team capable of executing the next stage. He recommends replacing commission-driven work with scalable, recurring-revenue models and asking clients what works, what could improve, how to earn more of their business, and what might drive them away. Equally important are trusted peer groups, carefully selected capital partners, and the willingness to make difficult personnel decisions when the vision outgrows the existing team. Lasting growth comes from combining customer focus with operational courage and disciplined preparation. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Jeff Aplin, CEO of Aplin, about transforming a family business for scalable growth. Jeff explains how disciplined succession, client-centric culture, and the right capital partner can strengthen a company. He also touches on due diligence, peer mentorship, daily focus, and building a team capable of carrying a bigger vision.

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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
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growth + Exit (c) 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth + Exit