In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Romanko to explore her inspiring journey as a woman in the world of venture capital. Sarah shares valuable lessons from her career, offering a candid look at what to do—and what to avoid—when fundraising. Whether you're a startup founder looking to make your pitch stand out or an entrepreneur seeking to understand what VCs prioritize, Sarah's insights will guide you through the process. Tune in to hear what she looks for in a startup and how founders can position themselves for success in today's competitive funding landscape.

Tradara McLaurine joins us for an inspiring conversation about redefining success, overcoming self-imposed limits, and aligning with your “why.” She shares her personal shift from fearing failure to facing the complexities of fearing success and the ways that mindset can hold us back. We dive into the power of setting boundaries, saying “no” without guilt, and breaking free from validation-seeking and over-apologizing. This episode offers a candid look at stepping into your authentic self and seizing the opportunities that align with your purpose.

In this episode, we sit down with David H. Crean, a seasoned mergers and acquisitions (M&A) expert, to explore the intricacies of scaling your business and positioning it for a successful exit. David shares valuable insights into the various types of buyers in the market—from strategic to financial buyers—and how understanding their motivations can maximize your business's value. Whether you're looking to scale or prepare for an exit, this episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs ready to take the next step. Tune in to learn how to navigate the M&A landscape and achieve your exit goals strategically.

In this episode, I sit down with Sandra White, an Internationally Certified Master Mindset Coach and expert in Emotional Intelligence (EQ), to dive into the power of emotional intelligence in leadership and how it can transform how you run your business. We explore the concept of 'Transitioning' your business to a new buyer starting with the end in mind and working backward to position your business for the ideal exit. Whether you're preparing to scale, exit, or improve leadership skills, this conversation provides key insights on how to lead with emotional intelligence and strategically align your business for future success.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, host Alejandra Santos and Barbara Weltman dive into the crucial steps business owners should take from the beginning to prepare for a successful exit. They explore common challenges entrepreneurs face when scaling their businesses and how to overcome them. The conversation also highlights the unique considerations for women business owners, including what to prioritize in agreements and critical factors impacting long-term success. Whether you're just starting or planning your exit strategy, this episode provides valuable insights to help you navigate the journey.

You can find Barbara Weltman at Your Source for Business Growth | Big Ideas for Small Business.

This podcast is for educational purposes; please consult with a professional before making any decision.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we dive deep into the power of personal healing and development with Mark Mostaed. We explore how healing yourself is essential for making your dreams a reality and attracting the right relationships—both in your personal life and business. Mark shares his journey and insights on how working on yourself impacts the growth of your business, ultimately enabling you to scale and exit successfully. Tune in to learn how personal development is the key to creating legacy wealth through your business.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we explore how strong leadership and a positive organizational culture can significantly impact the value of your business as you prepare for an exit. We use Simon Sinek's "Leaders Eat Last" as a reference to becoming a strong leader who prioritizes their team. We also discuss critical strategies for building trust, fostering a motivated team, and creating a thriving work environment that buyers will find attractive. We also dive into different exit strategies like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and Management Buyouts (MBOs) and why these approaches place the most value on the team and culture.

Whether you're looking to exit through a strategic acquisition, IPO, or internal buyout, this episode offers practical insights on how to lead your business to a successful and profitable exit.

Tell us what you think; any thoughts, feelings, or feedback? Until next time, Adios muchachos!

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of building a rock-solid foundation for scaling your business without losing your sanity or sacrificing quality. We start by exploring why it begins with you, the leader, and how your mindset and personal growth set the tone for sustainable business growth. From there, we dive into building the right team and culture to weather the challenges of rapid expansion and still come out on top. Next, we share actionable strategies for streamlining processes, leveraging technology, and automating repetitive tasks to keep your operations running smoothly as you scale. This is the first one of a series of episodes we will dive into this season. In the next episode, we have an insightful conversation with business and Reiki coach Mark Mostaed. Mark combines his 20 years of practice in Reiki with business to help business owners like us create healthy relationships with our companies.