Exit Insights

Hosted by Darryl Bates-Brownsword

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Episodes

191

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the podcast that's dedicated to helping business owners prepare for exit so you can maximise value and exit like a boss. I'm Darryl Bates-Brownsword and I want to introduce you to the Exit Insights podcast presented by Fabric Business Solutions. The aim of the podcast is to share the message that if you want to get the most from your life's work, maximise the valuation and exit on YOUR terms, then you will need to prepare your business so that it's ready for exit, you are exit ready and the business is attractive to be acquired. Did you know that 55% of exits are unplanned and are due to death, divorce, or disability, and for those business owners that do get to take their business to market only 20% of them end up agreeing on a deal? there are also too many deals that are never completed because the owners left before the earn-out agreement was completed. It doesn't have to be this way! You'll be interested if you are a business owner and you've been running your business for a few years now and you are at the early stages of thinking about what's next for you. You're going to be in the 1 to 30 million revenue bracket and you're likely to be based in the UK, USA, Australia, or New Zealand. You may be feeling stressed or frustrated with running the business or you may be running out of energy or simply looking to change direction. It doesn't matter why you are looking to exit or sell; this podcast will help you to identify best practices and what you have to do to orchestrate an exit on YOUR terms. We are addressing the burning issues and topics that business owners want to know about when they start to think about selling their business. Guests include experts from all areas related to the succession planning and exit planning process - from employee ownership, personal financial planning, tax, legal and through to estate planning. We're also talking to people who have already sold their businesses and tapping into what the experience was like and what they learned along the way. We ask them what they know now that they wished they knew before they started the process. We discuss the 21 Steps used by Succession Plus and developed by Craig West to help you structure your business so that you're one of the 20% of business owners who will be able to complete a successful exit. The topics will include things like: When should I start planning?What is an exit strategy and exit planningHow will I exit my business?Can I sell my business - is my business sellable - who will buy my business?How will the business be valued?What's my business worth?How can I improve the business valuation - value potential?What can I do to make it more attractive to be acquired and speed up the process?How do I prepare my business and make sure that it's exit-ready?How long will it take to prepare the business for sale?Will I have to work an earn-out period?M&A and acquisitionsOwner dependenceSystemising, systems and systematizingGrowth and scalingBrand value and IP - (Intellectual property) including intangible assetsHow do I increase the multipleI want to sell my businessCan I sell my business to my employees MBOWill I get all my money upfront?What are the risks for me when I sell my business?What will happen to the employees?What will happen to the brand?What about my legacy?How will I know that my business is exitable?When should I start exit planning?Who should I tell that I'm thinking about selling my business? If this sounds like the questions that you want answered, then I hope you enjoy listening and learning how to exit like a boss. If you like what you've heard so far, please subscribe so that you will be notified of each new episode.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202625 min

The 8 Exit Planning Truths Most Business Owners Learn Too Late

Send us Fan MailIn the latest episode of the Exit Insights podcastDarryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to break down the most common patterns behind successful business exits — drawn from over 190 episodes and real-world experience working with business owners.Listen in as we discuss:🔹 Why starting your exit planning too late is one of the biggest reasons 80% of businesses never sell🔹 How reducing owner dependence can dramatically increase both valuation and buyer confidence🔹 Why predictable and recurring revenue streams make your business far more attractive to buyers🔹 The role of leadership, structure, and succession planning in building a sellable company🔹 How systemising your business creates consistency, scalability, and ultimately higher value🔹 Why intangible assets like brand, IP, and positioning are often the real drivers of valuation🔹 The importance of understanding your exit options early so you can exit on your terms🔹 How aligning your business goals with your personal ambitions leads to more successful outcomes.One of the most powerful insights from this conversation:The businesses that achieve the best exits don’t start preparing when they want to sell.They start years in advance — often without any immediate intention to exit.Whether you're planning to sell soon or simply want to build a stronger, more valuable, and less owner-dependent business, this episode gives you a clear roadmap of what actually drives exit success.🎧 Tune in now to learn how to increase valuation, reduce risk, and position your business to exit on your terms.

June 1, 2026Episode 129 min

The Hidden Value Drivers Most Business Owners Overlook Before an Exit

Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Exit Insights podcastDarryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by corporate finance specialist Jack Minns to explore how early planning can significantly increase business value and help owners exit on their terms.Listen in as we discuss:🔹 Why waiting until you're ready to sell could cost you hundreds of thousands of pounds🔹 How a simple change in pricing strategy helped one software company more than double its valuation🔹 Why recurring revenue is so attractive to buyers and how it reduces perceived risk🔹 The overlooked impact of working capital on the amount of cash you walk away with at completion🔹 How proactive tax planning can help shareholders retain more of the proceeds from a sale🔹 Why owner dependence, customer concentration, and supplier reliance can dramatically reduce value🔹 The crucial difference between running a profitable business and building a sellable businessOne of the most powerful insights from this conversation:The businesses that achieve the best exits don't start preparing six months before a sale. They start two to three years in advance.Whether you're planning to sell in the near future or simply want to build a stronger, more valuable business, this episode offers practical strategies that can have a significant impact on your eventual exit outcome.🎧Tune in now to learn how to increase valuation, minimise risk, and ensure you don't leave money on the table when the time comes to exit.

December 24, 202527 min

The Exit Advantage: Why Building a Sellable Business Starts Today with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan Mail“I don’t want to sell yet, so why should I start planning now?”In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword and co-host Kevin Harrington dig deep into why early exit planning is about more than just preparing for a sale – it’s about building a stronger, more profitable business today.They break down:The hidden cost of owner dependenceWhy waiting until you feel ready might be too lateHow to boost your business valuation without growing revenueWhat makes a business sellable – even if you don’t want to sell yetGetting your business exit-ready isn’t about leaving – it’s about creating a better business while you’re still in it.Whether you're aiming to grow your business, reduce stress, or plan a successful succession, this episode is packed with practical insights for business owners in the £2m–£50m range.🎧 Tap to listen and learn how to exit on your terms.👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

December 17, 202528 min

Let Go to Grow: Breaking Free from Owner Dependence with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailIf stepping away from your business fills you with dread, chances are you're suffering from owner dependence – and buyers can smell it a mile away.In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore what owner dependence really means, how to spot the red flags, and what practical steps you can take to fix it.You’ll discover:The hidden cost of doing too much yourselfWhy owner-dependent businesses are discounted – or never sell at allHow to structure your team so the business thrives without youThe five levels of owner involvement – from "on the tools" to "passive shareholder"💬 “Every step you take away from daily involvement increases your business’s value – and your freedom.”Tune in to learn how to create a self-sufficient, scalable, and saleable business that can succeed without you. White paper: https://www.exitinsights.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/White-Paper-20251216-The-Owner-Dependence-Problem-in-UK-SME-Businesses-v1.2.pdf 👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

December 10, 202530 min

Building a Scalable Business: From Technician to Entrepreneur with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailIn this final episode of our Intangible Assets series on Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the asset that brings everything together: scale.Together, they unpack:Why building a scalable business is essential – even if you never plan to expandHow most business owners fall into the “technician trap”The six intangible assets that must be developed before scale becomes possibleWhat it takes to shift from working in the business to working on the businessHow owner-dependence limits value, options, and exit pathsWhy scalability creates freedom, flexibility, and long-term choiceThis episode is a must-listen for SME owners wanting to future-proof their business, create transition options, and build a company that runs like a true asset – not a job.If you’ve found this series valuable, don’t forget to subscribe. And if you’d like to chat over a coffee about how this applies to your business, Darryl and Kevin are just a message away.👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

December 3, 202532 min

Distribution Channels: The Untapped Intangible Asset in Exit Planning with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailWhat’s your route to market – and is it helping or hurting your business valuation?In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and marketing strategist Kevin Harrington break down how to turn your marketing system into a valuable intangible asset. From understanding why relying on a single channel is risky, to learning how to build a predictable, scalable marketing machine, this episode is essential listening for any business owner thinking about exit planning or improving sustainable growth.Whether you’re just starting to prepare for an exit, or you’re focused on business growth and reducing owner dependence, this episode gives you the practical steps to start futureproofing your marketing efforts – and increasing your business’s value.🎧 Listen in to learn:Specific marketing touchpoints that matterHow to de-risk your lead generation strategyThe secret to turning storytelling into sales power👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

November 26, 202530 min

From Chaos to Control: The Exit-Boosting Power of Documented Processes with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailAre you ready to step back from the daily grind of running your business – without everything falling apart?In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how documenting your systems and processes not only makes your business easier to run, but significantly increases its value.💬 “The only way to show you’re in control of your business is if it’s written down. Otherwise, you’re just guessing.”Whether you're preparing for a future exit or just want your business to stop relying on you, this conversation is packed with real-world tips and simple strategies.You’ll learn:Why systemising is key to exit preparation and business valuationHow to start mapping your processes (with nothing more than Post-it notes)When to systemise (spoiler: it’s sooner than you think)How this shift improves team performance, customer experience, and even your bank manager’s confidence in you🎧 Listen now and discover how to make your business less dependent on you – and more attractive to buyers. 👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

November 19, 202537 min

From Curtain Call to Boardroom: Knowing When to Move On with Dawn Farrow

Send us Fan MailCould you walk away from a thriving business without selling it?This week on Exit Insights, Dawn Farrow shares her extraordinary journey from professional dancer to founder of a fast-growing marketing agency – and why she chose to shut it down just before the pandemic hit.Dawn opens up about:The emotional toll of burnout and identity crisisThe challenges of owner-dependence in a growing businessHow she’s now uniting the UK’s £134bn experience economy through Onsale GroupThis episode is a must-listen if you’re thinking about exit planning, sustainable growth, or wondering how to make your business more valuable and less reliant on you.👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/👇 Find Dawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-farrow/👇 Dawn’s website: www.dawnfarrow.com

November 12, 202530 min

From Transactional to Transformational: Building a Team That Drives Exit Value with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailYour people could be your greatest intangible asset – or your biggest blind spot.In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial role that people and culture play in business valuation, exit preparation, and long-term sustainability.If you're thinking about succession planning or want to increase the attractiveness of your business for sale, understanding how to engage, recruit, and retain the right people is essential.If you treat people like a commodity, they’ll treat your business like a transaction.You’ll learn:Why “Human Resources” is an outdated and dangerous mindsetHow to build a culture that aligns people with your business missionWhy hiring for attitude beats hiring for skillHow culture can increase – or kill – your business valueWhether you're planning to exit in 2 years or 10, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on building a business that works without you.👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/

November 5, 202528 min

Why Not All Revenue Is Equal: What Buyers Really Want with Kevin Harrington

Send us Fan MailIf your revenue stopped tomorrow, would your business survive? More importantly – would anyone want to buy it?In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how the structure and quality of your revenue impacts your business valuation and exit options.💡 You’ll learn:Why buyers favour subscription and contracted income over one-off salesHow to avoid the risks of customer and supplier dependenceWhat your revenue says about your values – and how that impacts culture and staff retentionWhy predictable, ethical revenue drives better exit outcomesIf a customer has to convince you to work with them… it’s probably not the right revenue!Whether you're actively preparing for exit or just thinking ahead, this episode offers clear advice to help you turn your revenue into a strategic, saleable asset.👇 https://thefabric.uk/ 👇 https://exitinsights.co.uk/