The Pitfalls of Staying On After You Sell

Apple Podcasts
Spotify_Podcast
Google_Podcasts
deezer
iHeartradio

The Pitfalls of Staying On After You Sell

If you won a Harley Davidson, what would you do with it? Craig Daley sold it--and started a new life. Committed to the new ideas he had for a traditional market, Craig’s first foray into direct mail marketing was funded by that motorbike sale--much to his huge success.

Believing in the power of looking at existing businesses and industries with fresh eyes, Craig reinvented what it meant to keep overheads down and operating costs low. From his direct one-on-one work with competitors to navigating a public health insurance system, Craig learned through years of hard work and perseverance what it really means to take hold of a national market.

Now coaching startups, SMEs, and growing entrepreneurs looking for the innovative ways they can scale and sell their businesses, Craig is sharing his years worth of experience so that others can do it in half the time. Knowing that you’re only as good as your weakest person--and the importance of getting clear on what really works best for you--I sat down with Craig to talk about the ups and downs of staying on in a business long after you sell.

If you’ve been tossing around the idea of ongoing work in your business before you formally exit, I think this episode might be for you. Sharing the few key, pivotal things every business owner needs to consider and negotiate before they reach a transaction deal, I have a feeling that Craig’s insight could save you a lot of hardship and frustration down the road.

What you will learn in this episode

In this episode we’ll cover everything from:

  • The ups and downs of including a holdback in a private equity sale (and why it can be such a shock for businesses with lower turnover)
  • Why it’s important to have your company ducks in a row before you go to market (even if the transaction period will take 12 months or more)
  • What Craig recommends nailing down to help navigate your business sale negotiations
  • The one (big) thing you need to clear up if you’re going to stay on and work post-sale

About Our Guest

BBS podcast - Craig Daley

Craig Daley

Craig Daley holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and has had a distinguished 35-year career in business, management and turnaround projects for distressed businesses as well as exponentially growing small-medium sized operations in numerous industries. He spent over 20 years in upper and senior management in full-service hotel / food & beverage operations while managing budgets with total operations responsibility.

Most recently, he was the Founder and CEO of Comfort Medical Supply, LLC, a nationally-accredited home medical equipment company that grew to national acclaim and a 3-time recipient of the Inc 500, “Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in America” award. Under his guidance, the company formed with $20,000 in 2003 and grew to $12 million in 10 years.

After a successful acquisition of Comfort by a private equity group in 2011 and continuing his tenure with Comfort as Chairman and CEO, Daley resigned in early 2013. Now semi-retired, he provides interim executive management, consulting and financial services for all types of businesses on a global scale. He has Board experience and guides and advises businesses through his advisory firm, Portfolio Management Group. He is a member of The ExecRanks, a provider of highly-qualified Board member for numerous businesses in the U.S.

Connect with Craig Daley

Show Notes

(4:25) Why Craig recommends being careful what you wish for with exponential growth--because you just might get it. (Also, the two qualities you have to have to navigate a major growing period.)

(7:40) Why Craig sold his Harley--and how he used the money to kickstart an innovative business model with a traditional market and product.

(14:05) How Craig and his team negotiated with direct competitors to support customers nationwide--and how they secured the sale and passed on maintenance work to someone else.

(23:20) How major industry changes led to Craig deciding it was time to sell and move on--and how that decision was further solidified by the buyer’s new team.

(28:20) The ups and downs of including a holdback in a private equity sale--and why it can be such a shock for businesses with lower turnover.

(33:45) Why it’s important to have your company ducks in a row before you go to market--even if the transaction period will take 12-months or more.

(37:50) The one thing that makes all the difference in the course of business--especially among the different layers of management.

(38:25) What Craig recommends nailing down to help navigate your business sale negotiations--and the one (big) thing you need to clear up if you’re going to stay on and work post-sale.

(41:37) Listen to Craig discuss his current role working with startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs trying to scale, build valuable businesses, and navigate exit transactions.

(48:50) Craig’s one take-away tip? Find the best people you can to bring to your organisation. You’re only as good as your weakest person, so get the best people you can find and treat them well.

Subscribe to our newsletter now!


Recent Episodes

Explore our podcast library by searching for specific topics, industries, or focus areas such as acquisition, growth, or exiting using our search bar below..

>