EP 334 Purpose, People, and the Art of Letting Go
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In part two of this insightful two-part conversation, host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell reconnects with Elizabeth Kilvert, founder of ‘The Unrefined Olive’, to go deeper into how she built, grew, and ultimately exited a purpose-driven business. Elizabeth shares her candid reflections on: Transitioning from founder to seller - and how she knew the timing was right. The emotional side of stepping away from a business built around community and values. How staying connected to purpose helped her navigate both growth and exit with integrity. What she learned about...
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EP333 From Olives to Ownership - Finding Purpose in Entrepreneurship
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode, Colleen O’Connell-Campbell sits down with , the founder and owner of The Unrefined Olive, an award-winning olive-oil and balsamic tasting bar in Ottawa. Elizabeth shares how she transitioned from a career in environmental policy to running a thriving retail business rooted in quality, sustainability, and community connection. She and Colleen unpack the realities of small-business ownership - from managing risk and growth to understanding what a “cash-rich” exit looks like when your brand is deeply personal. Key Highlights From public service to...
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EP332 Unlocking Legacy and Liquidity - Exit Strategies for $5M-$50M Businesses
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
💡 Episode Summary In this episode, host sits down with - Managing Director at Shaughnessy Group and a seasoned corporate finance and M&A expert. Karl brings decades of experience helping mid-sized, often family-owned Canadian businesses (with revenues between $5 million and $50 million) navigate their most important transition: the sale of their company. They explore what makes this “overlooked middle” of the market so unique, why selling isn’t like selling your house, and how strategic planning years in advance can unlock both legacy and liquidity. Karl also shares...
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EP331 Be the Owner, Not the Renter - Building Brands That Last
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode of the Cash Rich Exit Podcast, Colleen O’Connell-Campbell welcomes Joanna Track, serial entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of Good Eggs & Co. Joanna has launched and exited multiple businesses - including Sweet Spot, eLuxe, and The Bullet - and now leads Good Eggs & Co., a consultancy focused on content and context marketing. Known for her candid, no-nonsense approach, Joanna shares what she’s learned about building brands with staying power, navigating exits, and avoiding common pitfalls that entrepreneurs face. Key Highlights: Redefining...
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EP330 Building, Selling, and Thriving Beyond Business
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
Serial entrepreneur Ed Hansen joins host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell on the Cash Rich Exit Podcast to share his decades-long journey founding, scaling, and selling multiple businesses - including Hanson Lawn and Gardens and . In this episode, Ed reveals how mindset, adaptability, and a focus on relationships have shaped his entrepreneurial path. Key takeaways: The early entrepreneurial spark - from cutting grass to building a multi-million-dollar company. Buying vs. selling a business - why every transaction is unique and how to make sure both sides win Building for a future exit...
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EP 329 Strategic Partnerships and Real Estate Insights
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode of The Cash Rich Exit Podcast, host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell sits down with Ashley Hopkins, President & CEO of Paradigm Commercial Group, and Sarah Vandenbelt, Broker of Record & Founder of Paradigm Commercial Real Estate. Together, they share how their unexpected journeys into real estate led to a powerful partnership under the Paradigm brand. We discuss: The winding career paths that brought them into real estate. Why building strategic partnerships and strong networks is critical in a male-dominated industry. How property management is more than...
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EP328 Intentionality, Identity, and the Exit Journey
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
What happens when your exit strategy is about more than just money? In this episode, host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell talks to April Harbottle, a highly experienced M&A advisor and business transition specialist. April has spent years helping small and mid sized business owners unlock the value of their companies and transition successfully, whether through exits or by scaling with new partnerships. Together, they explore how values, identity, and leadership evolution shape the founder journey - especially when it's time to let go. 🔍 Key Highlights Start with an...
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EP327 Rethinking Succession - Why Employee Ownership Might Be your Legacy Move
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
With over $2 trillion in business assets at stake and 91% of Canadian business owners without a succession plan, we’re facing a real crisis. In this episode, host chats with Charlie Iscoe, whose venture - CommonShares - is flipping the script on business exits. Charlie brings Wall Street investment experience and a mission to keep Canadian businesses local by transitioning ownership to employees. He explains how their model allows retiring owners to receive fair market value while protecting their teams and communities. If you’re a founder who says, “I’ll deal with it...
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EP326 Identity, Reinvention and Entrepreneurial Grit
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this candid and energizing episode of ‘The Cash Rich Exit Podcast’, host sits down with author, educator, and tech entrepreneur . From academia to publishing to leading a fast-scaling SaaS platform, Lindy shares her story of transformation and what it really takes to walk away from one professional identity to build another. Together, they dig into what motivates bold career pivots, the value of knowing your numbers (and knowing your worth), and how to preserve optionality - especially as a woman founder in Canada. 🔑 Key Highlights Why letting go of sunk cost...
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EP325 A Scenic Exit - How Peter Deitz Turned an Eight-Year Journey into Shared Prosperity
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode, host chats with Peter Deitz, social entrepreneur and founder of Canada’s first-ever employee ownership trust (EOT) transition at Grantbook. Peter shares how his scenic, eight-year exit journey created space for new ventures, empowered employees, and protected the company’s B Corp values. The episode is a roadmap for any founder looking to exit with both financial return and community impact. 🔑 Key Highlights The Long Game: Peter’s exit took 8 years - twice the time he spent actively running the business. He stayed in a governance role and planned a...
info_outlineWelcome back to The Cash Rich Exit Podcast! I’m your host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell, here to guide you, the Self-Made Nation, through the strategies and stories that lead to successful business exits. In this episode, I’m joined by Boris Petkovic, Director at Sampford Advisors Inc., a leading M&A advisory firm specializing in technology companies.
We chat about the dynamic world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the tech sector, with insights tailored to entrepreneurs and founders aiming for a cash-rich exit.
🎙️ What you’ll Learn in this Episode:
🌐 The State of Tech M&A: Boris shares key trends shaping the post-pandemic M&A landscape, including a significant dip in deal volumes from 2021 peaks and how quality companies are navigating the market today.
📊 Ottawa’s Thriving Tech Ecosystem: Why Ottawa remains a hub for innovation, with its rich history in telecom and the enduring impact of Nortel's legacy. Boris highlights how local resources like Wesley Clover have supported the growth of new startups in the region.
🤝 Private Equity’s Role in M&A: Learn about the key players in tech M&A, from private equity firms to strategic buyers, and how these groups approach acquisitions to expand markets or add product capabilities.
🛠️ When to Start Planning your Exit: Thoughts on the ideal time for tech founders to begin consulting M&A professionals, emphasizing how early planning helps entrepreneurs align their growth trajectory with valuation goals.
🎯 Fun, Frank Advice for Entrepreneurs: Don’t overlook niche markets! Boris explains how focusing on smaller, less competitive “micro markets” can lead to life-changing exits, even without chasing billion-dollar industries.
Are you thinking about your exit strategy? Let’s ensure you’re on the right path to a cash-rich exit. I’m offering a complimentary wealth gap analysis to help you align your financial plans with your business goals. Connect with me on LinkedIn or email to schedule your one-on-one session.
Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a five-star rating - it helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you who are building towards their successful exit.
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The Cash Rich Exit Podcast is brought to you by O’Connell-Campbell Wealth Management at RBC Dominion Securities.
All opinions expressed by the host, Colleen O’Connell-Campbell, and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of RBC Dominion Securities.
This podcast is for informational purposes only before taking any action based on information in this podcast you should consult with a qualified professional.
Colleen O’Connell-Campbell is a Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.