The Business Exit Strategy Most Founders Start Too Late w/ Mike Bennett
Release Date: 08/27/2026
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The Business Exit Strategy Most Founders Start Too Late w/ Mike Bennett
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Most business owners think their exit value will come down to EBITDA and an industry multiple. But buyers are not only evaluating what the company earns; they are deciding how much risk they would inherit. That risk can show up in customer concentration, weak financial reporting, founder dependence, an incomplete leadership team, or a business that has not been prepared to operate without its owner. In this episode of Money School Elite, I sit down with Mike Bennett, founder of Crewe Capital, to examine what sophisticated buyers actually look for and why strong exits often take...
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info_outlineMost business owners think their exit value will come down to EBITDA and an industry multiple. But buyers are not only evaluating what the company earns; they are deciding how much risk they would inherit.
That risk can show up in customer concentration, weak financial reporting, founder dependence, an incomplete leadership team, or a business that has not been prepared to operate without its owner.
In this episode of Money School Elite, I sit down with Mike Bennett, founder of Crewe Capital, to examine what sophisticated buyers actually look for and why strong exits often take years to build.
We also explore why a business does not have one fixed value, how multiple indications of interest can create competitive tension, and why the right buyer may see strategic value that another completely misses.
What You’ll Discover In This Episode
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Why buyers price a business according to risk, not the effort it took to build
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The operational weaknesses that can quietly reduce your exit valuation
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Why founder dependence can make an otherwise profitable company harder to sell
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How tracking the right KPIs helps you understand whether your business is truly ready for market
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Why speaking to one buyer can leave significant value on the table
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How multiple indications of interest reveal what the market actually believes your company is worth
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Why the highest-value buyer may come from outside the traditional private equity landscape
About the Guest
Mike Bennett is the Managing Partner of Crewe Capital. Mr. Bennett held senior positions with three different investment banking firms before this. Mr. Bennett provides capital solutions to middle-market companies and alternative investment advisory to institutional clients. Mr. Bennett has completed over 100 investment banking transactions. Expertise includes mergers, acquisitions, corporate finance, strategic advisory, fundraising, and direct investment in real estate, private equity, and private credit. Mr. Bennett sits on multiple boards and is actively involved in his community by participating in various organizations with a charitable focus. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. To learn more, visit crewe.com and send an email to [email protected].
About Your Host
From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is the founder of The Money School™ and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.
His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.
Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.
Resources
Private Money Guide: https://go.moneyschoolrei.com/book-podcast
Wealth Wednesday Webinar: https://go.moneyschoolrei.com/wednesday-webinar-podcast
Mapping out the Millionaire Mystery: https://go.moneyschoolrei.com/newbook-podcast