Entrepreneur's Perspective: Reflections On a Successful Exit
October 19, 2015
Hosted by Brendan Anderson and Jeffrey Kadlic
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Guest Information
Episode Description
We had the pleasure of working with serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Leeza Distribution Inc., Jack McDonald, over the past several years; and are thrilled to have him as a guest on The Second Stage to share with you his insights and reflections after successfully exiting his business. We will discuss the importance a back-to-basics approach, focusing on cash flow and internal alignment, as well as the role an objective third party assessment played in Mr. McDonald’s success. We cannot over emphasize how important it is for business owners and entrepreneurs to plan for a successful exit. Self-reflection and focus on vision, strategy, culture and financial metrics can make all the difference between an exit on your terms versus that of others. Everyone will someday exit his or her business, so why not plan for it? Done right, the exit can be as exciting and satisfying as starting the business. Done wrong however, and the result can be devastating.
The Second Stage
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The Second Stage serves as an entrepreneurial forum to exchange ideas and best practices amongst peers. While each business is unique, most companies face the same obstacles on their path to success. The topics and trends addressed within this community of like-minded individuals will include financials and reporting, valuation and value creation, succession planning, human resources, technology, insurance and benefits, as well as many others. The show will be delivered from the perspective of the hosts who view opportunities from both an entrepreneurial and institutional private investor perspective.
The Second Stage also shines a light on the significant impact that entrepreneurs and their growing companies have on creating a vibrant economic base.
Brendan Anderson and Jeffrey Kadlic
Brendan Anderson has spent the past 20 years as an investor and manager of businesses ranging from manufacturing to financial services. Fascinated by the capital gap within the small business growth sector, he rapidly came to the conclusion that providing best practices in addition to growth capital could consistently produce great results for the management, employees, communities, and investors. He is an active member and mentor within Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and is continuously entrenched in its culture of best practices.
Jeffrey Kadlic spent the first 10 years of his career making private investments in an institutional setting. Early success was achieved in large part to an entrepreneurial mindset within a corporate culture. While practicing as an institutional investor, working in and around dynamic small businesses, he recognized that growing small businesses needed more than just an influx of cash to scale operations. Leveraging corporate practices within an entrepreneurial setting, in addition to the capital, was the best way to achieve great performance.
Brendan and Jeffrey are both alumni of Crain’s Forty under 40 and E and Y Entrepreneur of the Year finalists.
Connected by their passion for growing small companies, in 2005, Anderson and Kadlic partnered to co-found Evolution Capital Partners, focused exclusively on advising and investing growth capital in Second Stage Companies. Evolution and its companies recognized on the Inc.500 5000.
