Dream Exit - Mike Malatesta

Your Next: A Guide to Finding Fulfillment After Your Exit Hosted by Jerome Myers

Selling your business can lead to great rewards...or nightmare regret. So how do you set yourself up for a smooth, meaningful exit?

In this episode, entrepreneur Mike Malatesta shares his blueprint for the “Dream Exit.” With many years of acquiring companies himself, Mike formulated the Dream Exit concept to help owners maximize value and purpose when transitioning out. Through his exits, Mike learned the hard lessons of what not to do. Now he’s on a mission to get you exit-ready beforehand by building business value, aligning buyer expectations, and mapping post-sale goals.

Get ready to take notes - and craft your dream exit!

[00:00 - 03:18] Intro: The Dream Exit Concept

• Mike formulated the "Dream Exit" based on acquiring companies and seeing unprepared owners regret their exits
• He combined skillsets to create a program helping owners maximize business value and personal meaning when transitioning out

[03:19 - 14:06] Mike's Exits and Lessons Learned

• Mike exits his first bootstrapped startup after 22 years, stressing the importance of planning with audited financials, and systems, and not being the "tallest building"
• He made mistakes running his own sales process but learned to let professionals handle negotiations while controlling the message

[14:07 - 25:30] Finding Meaning and Value After Selling

• Many relationships vanish after selling, but Mike stayed on to ensure promises were kept to employees
• Reputation and care for your team matter as much as the exit check.
• Mike invested proceeds into a private equity platform in his industry to find meaning, apply his skills, and provide opportunities

[25:31 - 42:18] Navigating Private Equity vs. Venture Capital

• Mike explains how private equity buys mature companies for growth and cashouts unlike venture capital's high-risk/reward model
• For venture, Mike follows proven managers and accepts likely failure if the lead is strong

[42:19 - 52:12] Achieving the Dream Exit You Deserve

• This means post-exit comes from asking yourself questions no one else does and mapping out a plan beforehand
• Mike helps people interpret what buyers are saying to align expectations and avoid problems
• Sellers should ensure a good transition for employees, the buyer, and themselves

Key Quotes:

"Any situation you're unprepared for or haven't been questioned about is likely to cause problems." - Mike Malatesta

"My value doesn't come from formal education but from real-life experiences I've lived through." - Mike Malatesta

Connect with Mike!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemalatesta/

Website: https://mikemalatesta.com/

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Dreamcatchers is a welcoming group focused on personal growth rather than fitting into a specific demographic. It attracts a diverse crowd from various backgrounds and ages, united by the desire to achieve more. Learn more at www.itooktheredpill.co

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