Best Bruce Eckfeldt Podcasts (2025)

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How to Think Like a Strategic CEO with Bruce Eckfeldt 35:50

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25d ago35:50

35:50

Success doesn’t come from working harder, it comes from thinking differently. In this episode, I talk with Bruce Eckfeldt, strategic coach and 5x Inc. 500 founder, about how to shift from founder mode to CEO-level thinking. If you’re feeling the strain of growth and wondering why your business feels harder at $7M than it did at $1M, Bruce breaks do…

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20: Struggling to Scale Your Expertise? How Thomas Michael Turned SAP Training into a 7-Figure SaaS Exit 37:48

5d ago37:48

37:48

What happens after you sell your company for millions and walk away with no earnout? In this episode, Bruce Eckfeldt sits down with Thomas Michael, a former SAP consultant turned founder who scaled an online training company and exited with a clean deal. Thomas shares how he transformed his business into a subscription model, prepared for acquisiti…

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How To Build A Resilient Business Without Burning Out with Margo Crawford 40:05

11d ago40:05

40:05

What if stepping back from your business didn’t mean losing control—but gaining clarity? In this episode, I talk with Margo Crawford, founder of Business Sherpa Group, about the five-year succession plan that helped her shift from CEO to Chair—and the deep mental work it took to let go without giving up. You’ll learn: When to start planning your ex…

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19: Managing Mid-Performer Assets: A Tactic for Founders Facing M&A Stagnation 39:11

10d ago39:11

39:11

Frank Williamson, CEO of Oaklyn Consulting, joins Bruce Eckfeldt to explore what happens when a business stagnates—performing decently, but not meeting growth or exit expectations. He shares real-world insights on managing misaligned cap tables, preparing for strategic exits, and dealing with investor pressure. Frank offers clear tactics to transfo…

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18: From Near Bankruptcy to 10X Exit: How Sam Arman Mastered the Art of Selling Businesses 50:52

18d ago50:52

50:52

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, serial entrepreneur Sam Arman shares how he built and sold multiple companies—sometimes under pressure, sometimes for massive wins. From his first computer assembly business disrupted by Dell to a 10X private equity-backed exit during COVID, Sam reveals the emotional and strategic pitfalls founders face in M&A…

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How to Think Strategically in an AI World with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize 51:51

1M ago51:51

51:51

When your business is growing fast and AI is changing the game every week… how do you keep your head clear and your strategy sharp? In this episode, I sit down with Hamza Mudassir—lecturer at Cambridge and founder of Strategize—to talk about mental clarity, digital twins, and how to make smarter decisions in an age of overload. Here’s what we dig i…

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16: Inside 47 Acquisitions: What Experienced Buyers Look for in a Successful Acquisition 39:25

1M ago39:25

39:25

David Turner, CEO of Velocity Now and former CRO at IHS, joins the show to unpack what truly drives successful business exits. With firsthand experience leading 47 acquisitions and scaling IHS from $320M to $1.8B, David offers rare insight into the buyer’s mindset. Founders will gain actionable strategies to prepare for sale, avoid common missteps,…

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17: Building Brand Equity for Scalable Growth and Maximizing Business Exit Value 37:03

1M ago37:03

37:03

In this episode, Lysle Wickersham shares his journey from creative director to scaling a $170M agency and navigating multiple exits. As founder and CEO, he emphasizes the power of brand equity in driving enterprise value and achieving successful exits. Lysle breaks down how early-stage businesses can align positioning, brand strategy, and operation…

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How EOS Helped Steve Maly Break Through a Growth Plateau (After 20 Years in Business) 36:53

1M ago36:53

36:53

What happens when your agency hits a growth ceiling—and brute force stops working? In this episode, Steve Maly shares what finally pushed him to adopt EOS, how it changed his team’s rhythm and decision-making, and why hiring a $500 intern changed the trajectory of his business. Here’s what you’ll take away: How to spot the real reason your growth h…

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15: How Leslie Adams Scaled and Sold a Multi-Generational Scrap Metal Business 44:59

1M ago44:59

44:59

In this episode, Leslie Kraatz Adams shares the remarkable journey of scaling and exiting Federal Metals, a third-generation scrap metal business. Starting with deep family roots and evolving industry dynamics, Leslie transformed the company from a local scrapyard into a major regional player in Western Canada. She candidly discusses leadership cha…

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How to Train Your Brain for Entrepreneurial Resilience with Paola Telfer, Sens.ai 44:45

2M ago44:45

44:45

Your brain is your business’s most valuable asset—so why aren’t you training it? In this episode, I talk with Paola Telfer, founder of Sens.ai, about how she turned a personal brain injury into a mission to help entrepreneurs perform better mentally. We dig into the science of neurofeedback, how to stay sharp under pressure, and why brain optimizat…

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14: Inside a Rapid M&A Deal: How Calvin Johnson Prepared Lykki for a Fortune 500 Exit 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

From washing cars as a teen to selling a business with over $290M in sales, Calvin Johnson’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Calvin shares how he built and exited Lykki, an office supply and coffee delivery company, and the key lessons he learned around culture, technology, and timing. Founders looking to sc…

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How to Rebuild Purpose After Selling Your Company with Jess Stewart, Jess Stewart LLC 33:38

2M ago33:38

33:38

What comes after the big exit? For Jess Stewart, it wasn’t freedom—it was confusion. In this episode, we unpack how she rebuilt both her purpose and leadership rhythm after selling her company. If you’re feeling stuck in your business or unsure about what comes next, Jess’s story offers a practical path forward. Here’s what we cover: The emotional …

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13: Inside Cannabis Private Equity: Scalable Models, Smart Terms, and Investor Strategy 36:58

2M ago36:58

36:58

In this episode, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Jordan Youkilis, founding partner of Key Investment Partners, to explore how cannabis investing offers unique challenges and opportunities for founders. Jordan shares his journey from traditional finance to cannabis private equity, highlighting lessons in capital deployment, deal structuring, and scaling b…

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How to Build Exit-Ready Growth with Philip Blackett 43:16

2M ago43:16

43:16

Success isn’t just surviving chaos—it’s building toward your exit. In this episode, I talk with Philip Blackett, founder of Dream Business Makeover and LifeAfter40.com. He’s been through the fire—literally rebuilding a cemetery business during COVID while pulling double shifts at Chick-fil-A to make payroll. We talk exit strategy, leadership, and w…

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12: Lessons from Four Exits: How Pete Martin Built, Scaled, and Sold Without Regrets 44:34

2M ago44:34

44:34

Serial entrepreneur Pete Martin joins the show to unpack his journey across four business exits, including a standout 12x EBITDA sale to KPMG. Drawing from both personal and professional highs and lows, Pete shares powerful lessons on building scalable, values-driven companies, designing for exit, and avoiding the common pitfalls that sabotage foun…

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The Truth About Buying a Business (Most People Won’t Tell You) — with Richard Parker, Diomo Corporation 53:25

2M ago53:25

53:25

Buying a business sounds like a shortcut—but most people never make it to the finish line. Why? Because they chase the wrong deals. In this episode, I talk with Richard Parker, founder of Diomo Corporation, about what really works when you're looking to acquire a business that fits you—and what most people get completely wrong. 🎯 You’ll Learn: Rich…

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11: How Alan McLaren Scaled Two Agencies, Built a Personal Branding Powerhouse, and Prepped for Exit 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

Alan McLaren, co-founder of Strata Originals, shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurial success. In this episode, he reveals how he scaled two marketing agencies, built a powerful personal branding firm, and supports founders preparing for strategic business exits. Alan discusses M&A readiness, founder well-being, and how pers…

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How to Build a Personal Capital Stack with Mark Cecchini, Quadrant Capital 47:03

2M ago47:03

47:03

Your business is growing—but is your personal wealth strategy keeping up? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cecchini, a wealth advisor who works with high-growth founders, to break down what it really means to build a personal capital stack. 🎧 We cover: Why “just invest in Vanguard” isn’t a real plan How to make decisions when income’s uneven W…

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10: Behind the Exit: Lessons from Ross Shanken’s Nine-Figure Journey with Jornaya 51:41

3M ago51:41

51:41

Ross Shanken, founder and former CEO of Jornaya, shares the story behind building a pioneering lead verification platform and guiding it to a nine-figure exit. In this episode of From Angel to Exit, Ross unpacks the strategic frameworks, operational challenges, and personal insights that fueled his success—from initial market entry to final acquisi…

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06: From Side Hustle to Strategic Exit: Lessons from Scaling Unique World 44:44

3M ago44:44

44:44

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, host Bruce Eckfeldt sits down with Eddie Geller, serial entrepreneur and founder of Unique World, to unpack the gritty, insightful journey from launching early web services to a high-stakes M&A exit. Geller candidly shares the highs and lows of scaling a business, from client concentration pitfalls to post-acq…

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09: From Coffee Brand Success to Corporate Governance Mastery: Joshua Maidan on Scaling and Exiting Right 44:12

3M ago44:12

44:12

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt speaks with entrepreneur and investor Joshua Maidan, whose journey from Colombia to New York led to the creation of a high-end coffee brand with international acclaim. Maidan shares how he scaled the business using real estate savvy, aggressive strategy, and deep operational structure. The episo…

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04: How Shawn Freeman Scaled an MSP to $5M and Exited at 1.4x Revenue 44:48

3M ago44:48

44:48

Shawn Freeman, founder of a successful managed service provider (MSP), joins Bruce Eckfeldt to share his journey from launching a tech side hustle to scaling a $5M business and executing a 1.4x revenue exit. He reflects on key inflection points in leadership, recurring revenue strategy, and the emotional and operational complexities of being acquir…

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02: Unlocking the Second Bite: Maximizing Business Exits with Todd Taskey 47:06

3M ago47:06

47:06

Todd Taskey, an M&A advisor and angel investor, joins Bruce Eckfeldt to discuss the nuances of business exits and private equity partnerships. Taskey explains the importance of structuring deals to optimize cash, equity, and earnouts. He highlights how founders can use a sale to accelerate growth rather than just exit, and shares real-world example…

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03: From Clarity to Close: Strategizing Your Ideal Business Exit with Suren Kapse 38:37

3M ago38:37

38:37

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt speaks with Suren Kapse, a seasoned advisor and coach specializing in M&A and exit strategies. Suren shares hard-earned insights on how founders can prepare for successful exits, whether selling for people, assets, scale, or client access. He also unpacks how buyers evaluate cultural fit, valuat…

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08: Inside Middle Market M&A: What Every Business Owner Must Know Before Selling 43:13

3M ago43:13

43:13

In this sharp and candid episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Bill Snow, Managing Director at Focus Investment Banking and author of several books on M&A. With nearly two decades of experience in the middle market, Bill shares blunt truths and practical advice on what it really takes to sell a business. From valuation myths to p…

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01: From Founding to Exit: Scaling Mass Communications and Life After 44:42

3M ago44:42

44:42

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, host Bruce Eckfeldt sits down with Darren Mass, the founder of Mass Communications, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey from launch to acquisition. Darren shares how his early fascination with engineering led him to build a successful telecom company, the strategies he used to scale, and the key decision po…

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07: Lessons from a Failed M&A to a Successful Exit: The Founder Story Behind ClassTag 44:21

3M ago44:21

44:21

In this compelling episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Vlada Lotkina, founder of ClassTag, an EdTech platform that transformed parent-teacher communication. From her entrepreneurial upbringing in Ukraine to a successful exit in the U.S., Vlada shares the challenges of monetizing in the K-12 sector, navigating a failed M&A, and …

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05: From Bootstrap to Buyout: Scaling Tech Startups with Strategic Go-to-Market and Exit Fit 49:54

3M ago49:54

49:54

In this episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt speaks with serial entrepreneur Shreesha Ramdas about his journey from risk-averse engineer to founder of multiple successful startups. Shreesha shares his unique “startup fitness” framework, lessons from bootstrapping LeadFormix through to its acquisition by SAP, and his current work with Lumbe…

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How to Stop Profit Leaks in a Growing Business with Kevin Bees, ProfitHive 27:14

3M ago27:14

27:14

Growth doesn’t always mean profit. In this episode, I’m joined by ProfitHive founder Kevin Bees to talk about how growing businesses leak money—and how to stop it. Kevin shares the 7 hidden areas where founders lose margin, plus a tactical framework for getting your financial house in order without becoming an accountant. 🎧 What you’ll learn: How t…

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How Simplifying Your Business Drives Real Growth with Mikael Dia, Funnelytics 56:27

3M ago56:27

56:27

Success isn’t just about scale—it’s about control. And sometimes that means cutting through the chaos you created. In this episode, I sit down with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, to talk about how simplifying your operations, offers, and mindset can unlock the growth you’ve been chasing. We get into the real stuff: what happens after the VC ch…

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Welcome to From Angel to Exit 6:08

3M ago6:08

6:08

From Angel To Exit is a business podcast exploring the entrepreneurial journey of scaling a business from raising your first round of funding to exiting. We cover the trials and tribulations that founders face, the pitfalls and pratfalls you want to avoid, as well as the joy and impact that success can bring. Join us on our next episode, where we s…

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Reclaim Control of Your Business with John F. Kettley, Sales Masters Guild 31:50

3M ago31:50

31:50

Ever feel like the business you built is running you? In this episode, I sit down with John F. Kettley, founder of Sales Masters Guild, to talk about how entrepreneurs lose their way as their company grows—and what it really takes to regain control of your business. We talk mindset, sales systems, burnout, and the moment most founders realize they’…

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Building a Purpose-Aligned Business with Amit Garg, Tau Ventures 41:06

3M ago41:06

41:06

Let’s be honest—most founders are chasing traction without stopping to ask: Is this still what I want to build? In this episode, I talk with Amit Garg, Managing Partner at Tau Ventures, about what it means to build a purpose-aligned business from the ground up. From launching a hospital in India to raising $86M for a venture fund, Amit shares what …

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How to Lead a Visionary Business Without Losing What Matters with Justin Breen 59:08

4M ago59:08

59:08

Success isn’t always what it looks like on the outside. In this episode, I talk with Justin Breen about what it really means to lead a visionary business—with clarity, intention, and zero fluff. We unpack Kolbe scores, mindset patterns, and the four traits that set true visionaries apart from the pack. 🔥 Inside this episode: How to measure your lif…

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How to Create Copy That Converts with Will Green, Copy Road 37:39

4M ago37:39

37:39

What if everything you know about “value-driven copy” is wrong? In this episode, I talk to Will Green, Founder of Copy Road, about what actually makes copy convert. We dive into the difference between trust and tricks, and why the best copy doesn’t need a sales funnel—it needs a promise, proof, and process. 🔥 What you’ll learn: Why most copywriting…