From Angel To Exit
From Angel To Exit
Podcast Description
From Angel To Exit is a business podcast exploring the entrepreneurial journey of scaling a business from raising your first round of funding to exiting. We cover the trials and tribulations that founders face, the pitfalls and pratfalls you want to avoid, as well as the joy and impact that success can bring. Join us on our next episode, where we speak about the challenges that real leaders face growing and scaling their organizations and how they’ve overcome them to achieve success and make their mark.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast focuses on the entrepreneurial journey, including challenges of raising funding, scaling businesses, and preparing for exits. Episodes cover themes such as operational challenges, cultural alignment, and strategic growth dilemmas, with specific topics like transitioning company culture post-exit and the significance of personal branding for founders.
From Angel To Exit is a business podcast exploring the entrepreneurial journey of scaling a business from raising your first round of funding to exiting. We cover the trials and tribulations that founders face, the pitfalls and pratfalls you want to avoid, as well as the joy and impact that success can bring. Join us on our next episode, where we speak about the challenges that real leaders face growing and scaling their organizations and how they’ve overcome them to achieve success and make their mark.
What do you do when you hit “enough”—but your business still has room to grow? In this episode, Scott Allison, co-founder of Allison Marketing, shares how he scaled a boutique PR firm into a global agency with 52 offices and $100M in revenue. He dives into the challenges of founder complacency, the nuances of strategic M&A, and how he architected a smooth, 11-year earn-out. From exit readiness to post-acquisition purpose, this is a masterclass in growing and exiting with intention.
Key Takeaways:
- “Growth is a decision”—you must consciously commit and act to scale.
- Founder complacency is a major threat to long-term business value.
- Timing specialist hires correctly is crucial for sustainable growth.
- Strategic M&A can be a major growth engine—if you plan early and stay methodical.
- A thoughtful, multi-year exit plan leads to better terms and less regret.
- Emotional detachment from deals is key—don’t fall in love with the transaction.
- Identity and purpose after exit require just as much planning as the deal itself.
- Smooth leadership transitions take time; gradual step-downs work best.
Timestamps:
- 00:16 – Introduction to the episode and sponsor message
- 01:24 – Meet Scott Allison, co-founder of Allison Marketing
- 02:03 – Scott’s early career and unexpected path to entrepreneurship
- 04:52 – Building a company from scratch and facing early challenges
- 06:07 – The growth of Allison Marketing to a global presence
- 08:07 – Key lessons learned in leadership and scaling a business
- 11:24 – The role of acquisitions in business growth
- 13:24 – Transitioning from CEO to a new chapter
- 15:28 – Advice for entrepreneurs considering selling their business
- 18:24 – Scott’s future plans and passion projects
Links & Resources
- Scott Allison
- Website: https://www.allisonworldwide.com/
- Email: [email protected]
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