"The day you start your business is the day you should start planning your exit." – Steve FisherIn this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh is joined by Steve Fisher, partner at Strategy Partners Group and longtime CFO with deep experience across industries from financial services to manufacturing to professional services. Steve lays out the hard truths about financial blind spots, owner dependency, and why most business owners wait far too long to prepare for an exit.Steve breaks down the single biggest mistake that derails deals — failing to build standardized, reliable financials that buyers can trust — and explains why owner involvement in day-to-day operations directly reduces business value. He reveals how ad-backs, cash flow forecasting, and a clear growth story can transform the way buyers see your deal.You’ll also hear the real story of a dental practice that went from running out of a checkbook to securing a private equity acquisition — proving the power of financial discipline to create exit success.You’ll Learn:🔹The #1 financial blind spot that kills exit value🔹Why you should start exit planning from day one🔹The difference between running a business to grow vs. running to sell🔹How lifestyle expenses and ad-backs impact valuation multiples🔹Why owner dependency drives down value (and how to fix it)🔹The role of forecasts in shaping buyer perception🔹Why 18–24 months of preparation beats a rushed 9–12 month sprint🔹How telling the right financial story wins trust and higher offersWhether you’re planning to sell in two years or someday down the road, this episode shows you exactly what buyers want — and what most owners get wrong.Connect With JohnLinkedIn - / marshcreek Connect With SteveLinkedIn - / steven-fisher-cfo 🔸 Get a Complimentary Business Valuation: https://www.mcreek.com/what-is-my-bus...📌 Subscribe To The PowerExit™ Insights Newsletter:https://www.mcreek.com/newsletter/🌐 More resources ➝ https://www.mcreek.com/About John Marsh:John Marsh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marsh Creek Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm that helps business owners navigate the sale of their companies with confidence and clarity. Since founding the firm, John has closed hundreds of millions in transactions and earned national recognition as Top Global Producer by the International Business Brokers Association and part of the Firm of the Year by M&A Source — the highest honors in the industry.Before launching Marsh Creek, John served as CFO and later General Manager of a high-growth medical device company, where he led over $300 million in M&A activity, including a $161 million sale to private equity. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ernst & Young and Frazier & Deeter, where he focused on financial reporting and audit services for both Fortune 100 companies and privately held businesses. John holds a BA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. He lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with his wife and two daughters.Hashtags:#exitstrategy #businessadvice #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #privateequity #mergersandacquisitions #businessforsale #financialadvisors #businessowner
