Best Barnaby Cook Podcasts (2025)

1
The Impact On Mental Health of Selling An Agency with James Routledge 42:03

2M ago42:03

42:03

summary In this conversation, James Routledge shares his journey as an entrepreneur, focusing on his experiences with Sanctus, a mental health business. He discusses the challenges of navigating failure, the complexities of business growth and investment, and the emotional journey of selling his company. James reflects on the impact of his identity…

1
Navigating The Agency M&A Landscape with Andy Day 42:43

3M ago42:43

42:43

In this conversation, Andy Day shares his journey from the music industry to founding Capital A, an M&A advisory firm focused on marketing services. He discusses the challenges of business partnerships, his experiences with private equity, and the struggles he faced after exiting his first business. Andy also delves into the evolution of his adviso…

1
How Eric Pierre Saved His Client Over Half A Million Dollars Through Tax Planning 26:05

3M ago26:05

26:05

summary In this conversation, Eric Pierre, CEO of Pierre Accounting, shares his journey from a corporate employee to a successful entrepreneur specializing in tax planning for high net worth individuals. He discusses the importance of tax mitigation strategies, his involvement in M&A deals, and the challenges faced when dealing with the IRS. Eric a…

1
The Freedom Point with Joe LoPresti of Arlington Wealth Management 28:22

3M ago28:22

28:22

summary In this conversation, Joe Lopresti, founder of Arlington Wealth Management, discusses the unique financial needs of business owners, emphasizing the importance of planning for the future, particularly regarding exit strategies and achieving personal freedom. He introduces the concept of the 'freedom point,' which allows business owners to l…

1
Starting, Selling, Buying Back and Selling Frank PR Again with Graham Goodkind 39:14

4M ago39:14

39:14

summary In this conversation, Graham Goodkind shares his journey from working in PR to founding Frank PR, discussing the challenges and triumphs of growing the agency, navigating acquisitions, and ultimately transitioning to employee ownership. He reflects on the lessons learned throughout his career, the importance of creativity in business, and h…

1
Navigating the Startup Acquisition Landscape with Andrew Gazdecki 24:50

4M ago24:50

24:50

summary In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki, CEO and founder of Acquire.com, shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing his experiences with various startups and the emotional aspects of selling a business. He discusses the inception of Acquire.com, aimed at streamlining the startup acquisition process, and emphasizes the importance of prepara…

1
Creative Dealmaking in M&A with Jim Stevenson 31:37

4M ago31:37

31:37

summary In this conversation, James Stevenson shares his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fundraising, and business turnarounds. He discusses his journey from construction to technology and marketing, leading to his current role in helping companies prepare for exits. Davidson provides insights into the challenges faced durin…

1
Exit With Style, Grace, and More Money with John Martinka 23:08

4M ago23:08

23:08

In this conversation, John Martinka discusses his journey into the M&A world, the importance of preparation for business owners looking to sell, and the emotional aspects of the selling process. He shares insights from his recent book, 'Exit with Style, Grace, and More Money,' and emphasizes the need for business owners to be ready both financially…

1
DBLX Joins Auspicious Group - Nicky Hoyland's Story 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

In this conversation, Nicky Hoyland, Chief Innovation Officer at Auspicious, shares her journey from a film and media graduate to a leader in learning technology and business innovation. She discusses her experiences in building DBLX, the challenges of transitioning from bespoke development to a SaaS platform, and the importance of collaboration an…

1
Merging, Buying & Selling An Agency : The 3Pipe Journey with Jim Hawker 38:22

7M ago38:22

38:22

Summary Jim Hawker, co-founder of 3Pipe, shares his journey of starting and growing the agency over 20 years, including the challenges of mergers, acquisitions, and financial turmoil. He reflects on the evolution of marketing, the importance of strategic growth, and the lessons learned from navigating a significant financial crisis. The conversatio…

1
The Impact of the October Budget on the M&A Market with Saul Cohen 40:40

7M ago40:40

40:40

Summary In this conversation, Saul Cohen, owner of Expert Eye, shares his journey from working in corporate finance to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He discusses the importance of providing tailored financial advice to entrepreneurs, the impact of personal experiences on his career choices, and the challenges faced by busine…

1
I Sold My Small Agency – And It Put Me In a Wheelchair with Holly Tennock 50:58

7M ago50:58

50:58

In this conversation, Holly Tennock shares her journey from being a journalist to founding her own PR agency, Journalista, and the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur. She discusses the growth of her agency, the complexities of navigating leadership, and the eventual sale of her business. Holly reflects on her experiences during the trans…

1
On Entrepreneurship and Growth - How Ben Fitter-Harding sold his business, Cardboard Fish 28:28

7M ago28:28

28:28

In this conversation, Ben Fitter-Harding shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception and growth of his first business, Cardboard Fish, a communications technology company. He discusses the challenges and successes of navigating the acquisition process, the emotional impact of selling a business, and the transition to his new venture…

1
Auspicious Group Acquires Greg Moyer's Blue Chalk - A Very Personal Story 40:53

8M ago40:53

40:53

In this conversation, Greg Moyer, CEO of Blue Chalk Media, shares his extensive career journey in the media industry, from his early days in journalism to his pivotal role in launching the Discovery Channel. He discusses the founding of Blue Chalk Media, emphasizing the creative freedom it provided him and the challenges of running a media company.…

1
Quality of Earnings: What You Need to Know with John Hannum 32:50

8M ago32:50

32:50

In this conversation, John Hannum, founder of PPS Solutions, discusses his journey in finance, the importance of CFO services for small businesses, and the intricacies of SBA loans. He explains the quality of earnings process, the differences between asset and share purchases, and shares insights on the buy-side perspective in M&A transactions. Joh…

1
Buying 'Ugly' Businesses with Lee Bushell 38:56

8M ago38:56

38:56

In this conversation, Lee Bushell shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early ventures in selling clothing at school to his experiences in the nightclub industry and transitioning into law. He discusses his approach to mergers and acquisitions, the strategy behind his investment group, and the importance of focusing on cas…

1
The Silver Tsunami: Myth or Reality? with Mike Finger 46:22

9M ago46:22

46:22

Mike Finger, a small business owner and expert in the transaction space, shares his insights on selling small businesses. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the basics of selling a business and dispels common misconceptions. Mike discusses the challenges faced by business owners in valuing and selling their businesses, including inflated…

1
Integration and Growth: Combining the Strengths of Two Agencies With Richard Simpson from Tayburn 32:54

9M ago32:54

32:54

Richard Simpson talks about his role in sales and how it helped him access opportunities. He discusses the history and specialisations of Tayburn, the design agency he joined in 2008. Richard also explains how he acquired equity in the business and how his role evolved over time. He then delves into the process of the acquisition by Lewis, includin…

1
The EMI Scheme: Incentivising Long-Serving Employees 32:07

10M ago32:07

32:07

Nick Morgan, Group CEO of We Group, shares his experience with building and exiting multiple businesses. He discusses his background and the different agencies he has been involved with, including bars, pubs, and a distressed agency. Nick also talks about the three agencies within We Group: an independent events company specialising in festival pro…

1
Taylor Christoffel: From Employee to CEO of Uncubed 26:15

10M ago26:15

26:15

Taylor Christoffel, CEO of Uncubed, shares the story of the company's evolution from HR software to employer branding production. He joined Uncubed in 2016 and eventually acquired the company in 2024. Taylor discusses the value of the company's legacy and the passion he brings to the business. He highlights the expansion of Uncubed Studios into the…

1
Preparing Your Business For A Successful Sale with Cindy Anderson 37:39

10M ago37:39

37:39

Cindy Anderson, a certified public accountant and M&A consultant, shares insights on preparing a business for sale and navigating the M&A process. She emphasizes the importance of clean financial records and understanding the buyer's perspective. Anderson recommends working with advisors and creating a clear integration plan to ensure a smooth tran…

1
The Timing and Considerations of Selling a Business with Nicholas Spezio 32:07

10M ago32:07

32:07

Nicholas Spezio, Director of Transaction Services at Expo Group, discusses the world of private equity and venture capital. Private equity firms invest capital into mature businesses with long-term growth potential, often seeking a controlling stake. Venture capital firms, on the other hand, invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity. S…

1
A Unique Way To Sell A Company To It's Employees 43:21

11M ago43:21

43:21

Tulips & Company, a corporate film agency, was founded in 2002 by Laure Cousin and Charles Drouin. They started the business in the attic of Laure's house with a focus on creative storytelling. Over the years, they grew the company and gained recognition through awards. In 2018, they decided to sell the company to its employees in a unique way. The…

1
Empowering Women In Business: Jacqueline O'Donovan's Story 47:21

11M ago47:21

47:21

Jacqueline O'Donovan OBE shares her journey of owning and growing a waste management business, O'Donovan Waste Disposal, after her father's passing. She discusses the challenges of taking over the business at a young age and the close-knit dynamic of working with her siblings. Jacqueline highlights the importance of a strong work ethic and cohesion…

1
Using Personal Branding To Attract Potential Buyers 39:57

11M ago39:57

39:57

Loreta Tarozaite is a marketing communications consultant and executive coach with a background in news anchoring. She helps business owners and executives improve their on-camera and on-stage presence, particularly in using video as a medium. Loreta emphasizes the importance of personal branding, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and encourag…

1
A Merger, Then An Acquisition: Mike Silver's Story of Scaling And Selling His Experiential Marketing Agency 34:51

12M ago34:51

34:51

Mike Silver, the founder of an experiential agency called Stretch, shares his journey of setting up an experiential marketing agency called Stretch in Cape Town, South Africa. We talk about its growth, a merger with another agency in Johannesburg and it’s eventual sale to a WPP affiliate. He discusses the challenges, learnings, and post-sale experi…

1
How Tim Drake Sold His Mobile-First Agency For £20 Million 32:56

12M ago32:56

32:56

Tim Drake, a semi-retired agency owner, shares his journey of building and selling his agency for £20 million. He discusses the various pivots his agency went through, from graphic design to websites to mobile-first business. Tim emphasizes the importance of finding the right business partner and maintaining a ruthless focus on building and selling…

1
Buying A Video Production Company Out Of Liquidation: George Hughes' Story 42:10

1y ago42:10

42:10

George Hughes, founder of Small Films, shares his experience of starting and acquiring businesses in the video production industry. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from working in the television industry to running his own company and the importance of understanding the objectives of clients. Hughes also talks about how he acquired Mai…

1
Selling A Design Agency To An Investment Group: The Story Of The Yard Creative 31:23

1y ago31:23

31:23

Steve James Royal, co-founder of The Yard Creative, shares his journey of building and selling a design agency. The Yard Creative is an evidential design agency that focuses on bringing scientific thinking and research into the design process. Steve discusses the challenges and successes of implementing evidential design, including a case study wit…

1
What Makes a Business Attractive to Acquirers with Arthur Petropoulos of Hillview Partners 40:39

1y ago40:39

40:39

Arthur Petropoulos, the managing partner at Hillview Partners, discusses his work in mergers and acquisitions and capital advisory for middle market companies. He shares how he got into this line of work and the process of setting up and growing his own firm. Petropoulos explains the importance of building infrastructure and processes in businesses…

1
From Freelancing To A Team Of 35. Alex Price's Story Of Growing And Selling His Agency 33:53

1y ago33:53

33:53

Alex Price, founder of 93 Digital, shares his journey of building and selling his digital agency. He started freelancing in web design at a young age and eventually grew his agency to a team of 35. The agency focused on WordPress and B2B tech clients, and later expanded into digital marketing services. Alex decided to sell the agency when it was in…

1
When A Seller Passes Away During An Acquisition. Richard Neve from Cognito tells his story. 33:02

1y ago33:02

33:02

Richard Neve, Executive Creative Director at Cognito, shares his professional journey and the acquisition of his agency by Cognito. Cognito is a global agency focused on financial services and financial technology. Richard started as a journalist and later moved into public relations in the financial services industry. In 2017, Cognito acquired Ric…

1
Buying Out A Business Partner (Who Is Also Your Twin Brother) with Gabe and Jack Whitehead 42:28

1y ago42:28

42:28

In this episode of The Exit Plan, Barnaby Cook interviews Gabe and Jack, co-founders of The Shoots Group, a video agency. The twins share their journey of starting the business, scaling it, and eventually deciding to go their separate ways. They discuss the challenges of running multiple brands, the importance of alignment in business partnerships,…

1
Talking All Things M&A with Andy Maher from Endeavour 39:53

1y ago39:53

39:53

Andy Maher, founding partner of Endeavour, shares his career journey and the work his firm does in business advisory and M&A. He discusses the partnerships between Endeavour and Green and Purple, as well as Keystone Lawyers. Andy explains the criteria for taking on a business and the process of identifying potential buyers. He also highlights the m…

1
How To Increase The Value Of Your Business with Jordi Pujol 42:42

1y ago42:42

42:42

SummaryIn this conversation, Jordi Pujol, an expert in investment banking and valuation, discusses the process of valuing a business. He highlights the importance of value markers, such as brand and customer list, as indicators of a company's value. Pujol also emphasizes the significance of process in creating value and scaling a business. He advis…

1
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Selling A UX Agency with Trenton Moss 42:08

1y ago42:08

42:08

Trenton, the founder of a UX agency, shares his experience of selling his business. He discusses the background of his agency and the type of clients they worked with. Trenton talks about the growth and turnover of the agency, as well as the ownership structure and share options. He explains the reasons behind his decision to sell, including a diff…

1
The Decline Of Service Based Business (And What To Do To Transform Yours) 43:40

1y ago43:40

43:40

Caroline Johnson, co-founder of the Business Model Company, discusses the importance of transforming business models to stay relevant and profitable in the face of changing market dynamics. She emphasizes the need for businesses to recognize the decline of legacy service-based models and adapt to more scalable and innovative models. Caroline shares…

1
The Exit Plan Live Recording Part 2 with Lisa Paasche, Nick Berry and Joe Lewin 24:20

1+ y ago24:20

24:20

In this edition of the Exit Plan podcast, Barnaby participates in a live conversation taped at the Riding House Cafe in Fitzrovia. The panellists are Lisa Paasche, former CEO of Verve Search, Nick Berry, partner and M&A advisor at Green Square, and Joe Lewin, CEO of Foundy, an M&A marketplace. The episode begins with insights into the panellists' e…

1
The Exit Plan Live Recording Part 1 with Lisa Paasche, Nick Berry and Joe Lewin 25:58

1+ y ago25:58

25:58

In this edition of the Exit Plan podcast, Barnaby participates in a live conversation taped at the Riding House Cafe in Fitzrovia. The panellists are Lisa Paasche, former CEO of Verve Search, Nick Berry, partner and M&A advisor at Green Square, and Joe Lewin, CEO of Foundy, an M&A marketplace. The episode begins with insights into the panellists' e…

1
From Agency Sale Back to Independence: The Studio Blup Story 41:32

1+ y ago41:32

41:32

The co-founder of Studio Blup, DINES®, tells a gripping story about the agency's path from acquisition to independence in this episode. The discussion provides a thorough examination of the highs and lows they encountered while working for a larger group. At first, Studio Blup was lured in by the prospect of pooling resources and strength as a grou…

1
Green and Purple: A Story of Growth, Acquisitions, and Independence 31:20

1+ y ago31:20

31:20

Welcome to The Exit Plan, a podcast for business owners interested in learning more about selling their business. In this episode, the director and co-founder of Green and Purple, Katie Bent, talks with Barnaby about her career path and the distinctive course of Green and Purple. Starting with her early career in accounting, Katie describes her cor…

1
Insider's Guide: Gareth Reveals the Keys to Successful Business Transitions 45:08

1+ y ago45:08

45:08

The topic of roll-up deals, the target market for BizCrunch, and the value of acquirer community development are all discussed. Gareth highlights the distinct perspectives that professionals like Jonathan Jay and Jeremy Harbour offer in the field of business acquisition. In closing, Gareth encourages listeners to check out BizCrunch, highlighting t…

1
Selling Agencies: Jonathan Baker's Expert Insights on Business Exits 35:22

1+ y ago35:22

35:22

Punctuation's co-owner Jonathan Baker discussed the company's function as an adviser focusing on small to mid-sized marketing services organizations on this episode of "The Exit Plan" podcast. During the interview, Jonathan discussed their twin strategy of offering M&A activities, including buy-side and sell-side searches, valuations, and advising …

1
Tales From A Two Time Exited Founder 45:02

1+ y ago45:02

45:02

Nikki Wheeldon, a versatile entrepreneur with a background in acting, shared her journey from a struggling actor to the founder of Jam Pot, a flourishing business providing freelance operational support. Initially managed solely by Nikki and her husband, Jam Pot's unique business model, devoid of retainers, offered flexible operational services acr…

1
Scaling and Selling A Video Production Company To Key Employees 32:54

1+ y ago32:54

32:54

In this episode, join Andrew on a riveting narrative spanning nine years as he unveils the dynamic trajectory of Origins of Motion. This video production venture began in the quiet corners of Cambridge. The exit, a management buyout by two videographers, followed Andrew's decision due to remote management challenges. The valuation prioritized mutua…

1
Navigating A Gaming Group's Acquisition Adventure 40:48

1+ y ago40:48

40:48

Mike Craddock, co-founder and CEO of Kairos Group, underwent a unique journey, transitioning from a successful career as a YouTuber to leading a social creative agency. Established in 2015, Carros Group, with offices in London, Manchester, and New York, specializes in social media and influencer marketing. Mike's strategic approach includes acquisi…

1
#23: The Impact Of Health On Deciding When To Sell A Corporate Communications Agency 36:22

1+ y ago36:22

36:22

Entrepreneur Peter Kemp, MD of Global 3 Digital, has navigated the dynamic landscape of digital corporate communications. With the establishment of his agency in 1999, Kemp successfully led the company through significant growth, culminating in its strategic sale in 2014. Kemp's journey unfolds with insights into the acquisition process, emphasizin…

1
#22: Selling Your Business? John Starr's Crucial Advice on Brokers, Legal Counsel, and Timing 40:49

1+ y ago40:49

40:49

Welcome to The Exit Plan, a podcast for business owners interested in learning more about selling their business. In this episode, we welcome John Starr, a business owner, mentor and co-founder of PR agency Clairville. Clairville began in 1989, emerging from a publishing company. Facing challenges, they sold the design agency, focusing on PR. With …

1
#21: Turning A Crisis Into An Opportunity Through A Strategic Acqui-Hire with Hasan Fadlallah, Brand Lounge 29:12

1+ y ago29:12

29:12

Welcome to The Exit Plan, a podcast for business owners interested in learning more about selling their business. Hasan Fadlallah is the founder & CEO of Brand Lounge, the region’s leading and award–winning branding consultancy. He is also the Co-Founder & Director of Fullmoon Experiments, a socially driven incubator that develops and grows purpose…

1
#20: Positioning Your Agency For A Sale with Doug Austin, Austin Amplifies 38:06

1+ y ago38:06

38:06

Welcome to The Exit Plan, a podcast for business owners interested in learning more about selling their business. Doug Austin is the Author of Permission to Win, he spent most of his career building, growing, and selling ad agencies until he founded the Austin Amplifies which specializes in helping independent agencies find their next level. In thi…

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Barnaby Cook Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen