EP335 Turning your Business Into a Sellable Asset
Release Date: 12/02/2025
The Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode of The Cash Rich Exit Podcast, host sits down with Muneer Feeroze and Clark Steffy of Canadian Benefits Associates to unpack two powerful retirement tools for incorporated entrepreneurs: individual pension plans (IPPs) and retirement compensation arrangements (RCAs). Together, they walk through where these plans can outperform an RRSP, what “tax smart” really means in practice, and the operational realities founders need to understand before setting anything up. In this conversation, they cover: Who an IPP is for, and when it starts to beat an RRSP Muneer...
info_outlineThe Cash Rich Exit Podcast
Host breaks down the basics of individual pension plans (IPPs) for Ontario incorporated business owners and professionals. She explains what an IPP is, who it fits best, and why it can be a powerful tool for turning corporate success into predictable personal retirement income as part of a cash rich exit strategy. Episode overview If you are incorporated in Ontario, this is a practical primer on how an IPP works as a defined benefit pension plan set up by your corporation. Colleen covers why IPP contribution room can outpace RRSP room after age 40, how contributions are...
info_outlineThe Cash Rich Exit Podcast
It’s time for an annual tradition on The Cash Rich Exit Podcast: the Fun Frank Advice montage. In this special episode, host curates a fast-moving mashup of “wisdom, wit and wonderfully unfiltered moments” from this year’s guests. It’s designed to be easy to consume when you’re driving, between meetings, or out for a walk. This montage is both a recap of the year and a highlight reel of the mindset shifts, practical realities, and straight talk leaders wish more founders heard earlier. Colleen also shares a key message that anchors the show: every business owner...
info_outlineThe Cash Rich Exit Podcast
“Too Much Money Chasing Too Few Good Businesses” - Candid Insights from M&A Veteran Chad Morissette This episode dives deep into what actually drives a successful business sale - from the emotional readiness of the founder, to internal due diligence, to navigating PE firms and family offices. Key Highlights Chad’s journey from tech entrepreneur to M&A specialist The difference between Main Street vs lower middle-market businesses Why personal readiness is more important than business readiness The 2-year preparation window that can make or break a deal ...
info_outlineThe Cash Rich Exit Podcast
In this episode of ‘The Cash-Rich Exit Podcast’, host welcomes back serial entrepreneur and M&A advisor Scott Duke, founder of Business Succession Group. Scott talks about his latest innovation - The Value Acceleration Calculator (VAC) - a practical, data-informed tool to assess sellability, estimate value, and identify key levers to increase enterprise value over time. This conversation covers: Why 80% of businesses never sell, and why most founders never realize the enterprise value they hoped for. How the VAC can score your business’ sellability and identify...
info_outlineThe 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...
info_outlineThe 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...
info_outlineThe 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...
info_outlineThe 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...
info_outlineThe 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...
info_outlineIn this episode of ‘The Cash-Rich Exit Podcast’, host Colleen O’Connell-Campbell welcomes back serial entrepreneur and M&A advisor Scott Duke, founder of Business Succession Group. Scott talks about his latest innovation - The Value Acceleration Calculator (VAC) - a practical, data-informed tool to assess sellability, estimate value, and identify key levers to increase enterprise value over time.
This conversation covers:
-
Why 80% of businesses never sell, and why most founders never realize the enterprise value they hoped for.
-
How the VAC can score your business’ sellability and identify where risk lives inside your operations.
-
The three levers every founder must understand: revenue, profit efficiency, and multiples - and how each affects your future exit.
Key Highlights
Most businesses aren’t sellable in their current state. Scott explains that many founders assume every business can be sold at some price - when in fact, buyers will simply walk away if the future cash flow risk is too high.
Sellability comes down to risk reduction. The most critical factor? Dependence on the owner. If a founder is the primary relationship-holder, salesperson, or decision bottleneck - buyers see future cash flow uncertainty.
Future cash flow is everything. Buyers don’t buy past success - they buy the probability of future earnings repeating. Historical financials are just the rearview mirror.
Three levers drive valuation:
-
Revenue
-
EBITDA efficiency (“how many pennies you keep per dollar”)
-
Multiple
Scott emphasizes that many owners obsess over revenue (the “vanity number”) rather than profitability and valuation mechanics.
Energy matters. A founder’s personal capacity to implement change can determine whether the strategy should be: a buildup to sale, or a multi-year harvest of cash flow instead.
You can request the Value Acceleration Calculator by contacting Colleen O’Connell-Campbell directly via Linkedin
If this episode sparked your curiosity about:
-
increasing enterprise value
-
reducing exit risk
-
preparing for a sale in 3-10 years
-
or planning a personal Cash-Rich Exit
Reach out to Colleen O’Connell-Campbell for a 1:1 Wealth Gap Analysis.
And don’t forget to follow and rate the podcast - five stars appreciated!
***
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.