The ExitEngine™ Podcast

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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How do I sell my business? How can I make my business more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The ExitEngine™ Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of ExitEngine™, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep 85 | Don’t Sell Your Business For The Wrong Reasons with Micah Fraim

    Most founders don’t sell their business because it’s the best financial decision. They sell because they’re exhausted. And that mistake can cost them millions in lost value, future income, and long-term freedom. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor Micah Fraim to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in business ownership: Why founders rush to sell—and why it’s often the wrong move. Micah shares what he sees behind the scenes when founders come to him with deals already on the table… and why he often tries to talk them out of selling. This conversation goes deep into: • burnout as a hidden driver of bad exits • why “exit planning” is fundamentally misunderstood • how most businesses plateau—and what to do instead • the difference between building a business vs. building an asset • how to turn your company into a long-term “oil well” instead of a one-time payout If you’re building a company and thinking about your future—even if a sale isn’t imminent—this episode will change how you think about growth, value, and optionality. In This Episode • Why burnout—not strategy—is driving many exits • The dangerous misconception behind “exit planning” • Why most founders sell too early (and regret it) • How private equity deals actually play out after the LOI • The “wealth gap” most founders never calculate • Why your business may be worth less than you think (to a buyer) • The shift from operator → business builder → asset creator • How to increase value before ever thinking about a sale • Why due diligence should happen before a buyer shows up Guest Spotlight Micah Fraim https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-fraim-cpa-a2680a1a/ https://fraimcpa.com/ Micah is a CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor who works with growth-focused, founder led businesses to improve profitability, structure, and long-term value. Unlike traditional accountants, Micah takes a holistic approach—helping founders think beyond taxes and into strategy, scalability, and exit readiness. He’s known for doing something unusual: When founders come to him ready to sell… he often tries to convince them not to. About ExitEngine ExitEngine helps founders turn their businesses into assets buyers compete for. Using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™, ExitEngine provides the diagnostics, strategy, and advisory support needed to grow smarter, reduce risk, and build companies that are transferable, scalable, and valuable. Because the best exits aren’t improvised—they’re engineered. If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • your current company structure • the biggest risks impacting enterprise value • opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • how the ExitEngine framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: https://www.myexitengine.com/book-call Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 9m

  2. MAR 20

    Ep 84 | The Power of PEOs for Growing Companies with Pete Samson

    As companies grow, managing HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance becomes increasingly complex. Many founders eventually encounter the world of PEOs (Professional Employer Organizations) — companies like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet that provide outsourced HR infrastructure through a co-employment model. But understanding when a PEO makes sense, how they work, and how to choose the right one can be confusing. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Pete Samson, a specialist who helps companies navigate the PEO marketplace and find the right HR infrastructure for their stage of growth. The conversation explores how the PEO industry works, the advantages and pitfalls of the model, and why many founders end up stuck in arrangements they don’t fully understand. If you’re scaling a business and trying to manage HR, benefits, and compliance without building a massive internal HR department, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most common solutions growing companies consider. In This Episode • What a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) actually does • How the co-employment model works • Why many companies move to a PEO as they grow • The hidden complexities founders should understand • How companies evaluate and switch PEO providers • The role of brokers in navigating the PEO marketplace Guest Spotlight Pete Samson https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-samson-b61081181 Pete specializes in helping companies navigate the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) marketplace. Rather than representing a single provider, Pete works as an independent advisor who helps companies evaluate multiple PEO options and find the best fit for their needs. With relationships across the major providers in the industry — including firms like ADP, Insperity, and TriNet — he helps business owners understand the trade-offs, costs, and operational implications of the co-employment model so they can make informed decisions about their HR infrastructure. Visit https://clevelandbenefitpartners.com/ About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our mission is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, schedule a Value Acceleration Call with the ExitEngine team. During this call we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • Risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ framework helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  3. MAR 13

    EP 83 | Why Founder-Led Companies Struggle to Scale — The Brain Science Behind Better Teams with John Myers and Duncan Austin

    Most founder-led companies eventually hit a ceiling. Revenue grows. The team expands. But decision-making, culture, and performance still revolve around the founder. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with John Myers and Duncan Austin to explore how brain science, group dynamics, and neuroplasticity influence leadership, culture, and company performance. Their work examines how teams actually think, learn, and adapt together — and how organizations can intentionally reshape those patterns to unlock higher levels of collaboration, decision-making, and performance. For founders trying to scale a company beyond themselves, understanding how teams function as collective intelligence systems can be a game changer. In This Episode: • How brain science influences leadership and team performance • The concept of collective intelligence inside organizations • Why group dynamics shape culture more than strategy • How neuroplasticity allows teams to change how they think and collaborate • What founders can learn about building adaptable, high-performing organizations If you’re building a company in the $5M–$50M range, understanding how teams learn, adapt, and make decisions together can be one of the most powerful levers for long-term growth and enterprise value. Guest Spotlight John Myers & Duncan Austin — TryBthrive John Myers and Duncan Austin work together at TryBthrive, a UK- and US-based consulting firm focused on team transformation, collective intelligence, and organizational culture. Led by CEO John Myers, TryBthrive applies neuroscience and neuroplasticity-based training, often supported by AI-measured learning systems, to help organizations understand how teams think, collaborate, and perform. Their work helps companies reshape group dynamics and leadership behaviors to improve decision-making, collaboration, and long-term performance across complex organizations. About ExitEngine™ ExitEngine™ helps founder-led companies increase enterprise value and prepare for future exits using the Total Exit Value (TEV) System™. Our goal is simple: Help founders build companies that grow beyond them. Exit planning isn’t about selling your business tomorrow — it’s about creating options, freedom, and long-term value. Book a Value Acceleration Call If you’re a founder wondering how valuable and transferable your company really is, we invite you to schedule a Value Acceleration Call with our team. During this call, we’ll discuss: • Your current company structure • The biggest risks impacting enterprise value • Opportunities to increase valuation and saleability • How the ExitEngine™ system helps founders build exit-ready companies Book your call here: 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com/value-acceleration-call Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 36m

  4. MAR 6

    EP 82 | Financial Clarity = Exit Power: Why Every Founder Must Know Their Financial Truth with Cody Price

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-pricefamilybookkeeping/ https://pricefamilybookkeeping.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 6m

  5. FEB 27

    Ep 81 | Frozen Founders: The Psychology Behind Exit Decisions w/ Jeff Munn

    The biggest exits fall apart long before the deal table — inside the founder’s mind. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with executive coach and Pick Now podcast host Jeff Munn to explore the emotional and psychological side of building, scaling, and eventually selling a business. Together they unpack: ✔ Why decision paralysis keeps founders stuck ✔ The fear behind selling a company you built from nothing ✔ Why burnout leads to bad exits ✔ The psychology of earnouts and loss of control ✔ How founders accidentally sabotage value by staying too involved ✔ Why “exit planning = growth planning with intention” Jeff shares his powerful Pick Now Method, helping leaders stop overthinking and start taking decisive action — a skill that directly impacts enterprise value and exit outcomes. If you’re a founder between $2M–$20M revenue (or heading there), this conversation will completely change how you think about growth, leadership, and your eventual exit. 👤 Guest Contact — Jeff Munn Jeff Munn Host — Pick Now Podcast Founder and President - Creating Extraordinary Futures Helping founders scale with clarity, reduce decision stress, and lead without burnout. https://jmunn.com/join-my-community https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmunn/ 🚀 ExitEngine 30-Day Sprint If this episode hits close to home, it’s because most founders wait too long to prepare for exit. The ExitEngine 30-Day Value Sprint helps you: ✔ Understand your real valuation ✔ Identify saleability risks buyers will find anyway ✔ Reveal profit leaks and growth blockers ✔ Build a roadmap toward a premium exit 💡 Exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow — it’s about growing smarter today. ➡ Learn more at myexitengine.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 13m

  6. FEB 20

    Ep 80 | The Private Equity Playbook for Exiting Founders with Aaron Alpeter

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 13m

  7. FEB 13

    Ep 79 | Designing Your Business for Exit with Christie Kaplan

    Most founders build products. Very few intentionally design companies. Even few design their exits. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Christie Kaplan, founder of Startup Design Partners and architect of the design-led venture philosophy. Christie breaks down why: • Product-market fit (PMF) is only the beginning • Founders must design their business models, not just their products • Scaling without intentional design multiplies dysfunction • Your values as a founder determine your exit outcome • Startups move through predictable phases — and most get stuck in perseverance • Why SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) are the most underrated founders • Why serial entrepreneurs think differently about risk and growth • How to align your company with your personal values from Day One • Why listening to customers early prevents valuation problems later If you’re building a startup, scaling from $5M, or thinking about exit planning, this conversation connects: 👉 Founder psychology 👉 Venture design 👉 Enterprise value 👉 Saleability 👉 Intentional growth Christie explains how founders must: ✔ Ask better “why” questions ✔ Stay flexible but not directionless ✔ Avoid scaling broken systems ✔ Design their company to support their life — not consume it Because exit planning isn’t about selling tomorrow. It’s about designing options today. Connect with Christie Kaplan: Startup Design Partners: https://startupdesignpartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-kaplan/ Substack: Building a VC Fund in Public Learn Your Exit Readiness: Start your Total Exit Value Score™ at 👉 https://www.myexitengine.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 21m

  8. JAN 31

    Ep 77 | What Can the CIA Teach Us About Exit Planning?

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynsotolov/ https://www.rjleadershipcoaching.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 8m
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About

How do I sell my business? How can I make my business more valuable? When should I plan to exit my business? All these questions and more are covered on The ExitEngine™ Podcast. Join M&A and Exit Planning experts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe, the co-founders of ExitEngine™, as they introduce you to Exit Planning as the most important business planning exercise that you can do to ensure that you control your business destiny.

Information

  • Creator
    Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The ExitEngine™ Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ExitEngine™ Podcast