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. 4d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growth + Exit (c) 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth + Exit