Podcast
The Built to Exit Podcast with Jason Sisneros
Hosted by Jason Sisneros · EN
The Built to Exit Podcast with Jason Sisneros is meant for those looking to cut through the noise of business ”gurus” and the fake online digital marketers. My goal is to serve viewers and listeners with tools to identify their freedom and build their businesses to exit. I successfully exited my businesses and learned much through both failure and success. I hope that this podcast creates a community through which you can acquire knowledge, strategies, tactics, tools, and connections so that you can build your business for exit and earn your freedom.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
America is in a Blue Collar Crisis (w/ Kory and Ali Anderson)
2w ago00:53:23Tap to summarizeAmerica spent 40 years telling young people not to go into the trades. Now we are paying for it.Get The Exit Code Blueprint (Free):https://exitcodeblueprint.com/This conversation between Jason Sisneros, Kory Anderson, and Ali Anderson breaks down one of the biggest threats most business owners are not paying attention to: America’s skilled trades crisis.Foundries are closing. Generational knowledge is disappearing. Young people are not replacing the tradesmen retiring out. And the same industries we depend on for defense, infrastructure, energy, transportation, manufacturing, and national security are running out of people who can actually build, repair, cast, weld, machine, and produce.Kory and Ali Anderson are on the front lines of that fight.Through Anderson Industries, Dakota Foundry, Muncie Castings, and Iron Warrior Academy, they are working to preserve American manufacturing, rebuild the skilled trades pipeline, acquire and strengthen foundry operations, and inspire the next generation to step into work that actually keeps the country running.What’s covered:→ Why America’s lack of skilled tradesmen is becoming a national security issue, not just a labor issue→ How 40 years of deindustrialization weakened our manufacturing base and drained generational trade knowledge→ Why the U.S. has lost massive foundry capacity — and why that matters for defense, infrastructure, and domestic production→ The real reason foundries are closing: succession problems, lack of reinvestment, regulation, and no replacement pipeline→ Why every retiring baby boomer tradesman creates a gap America is not prepared to fill→ How Kory went from a 9-year-old with a dream to build the world’s largest steam tractor to building and acquiring foundries→ Why Kory bought his first foundry in 2014 and how that became part of a larger mission to preserve American manufacturing→ How Ali brought marketing, PR, branding, and operational thinking into one of the oldest industries in the world→ Why SOPs, documentation, and training are critical when the old masters of the trades are retiring out→ How AI is being used inside foundries to speed up SOP creation, training, and operational consistency→ The vision behind Iron Warrior Academy and their goal to help bring 100,000 skilled tradesmen into the industry by 2030→ Why the AI boom may actually increase demand for electricians, HVAC techs, construction workers, concrete crews, manufacturers, and builders→ What business owners need to understand about the coming labor shift: the future belongs to people who can actually build→ What it takes to run a mission-driven business as a married couple→ The role faith plays in Kory and Ali’s marriage, leadership, business decisions, and ability to keep going when the pressure gets realConnect With Kory and Ali Anderson:https://madebyanderson.com/Chapters:0:00 – Intro: The 2,700°F work America depends on1:27 – Meet Kory and Ali Anderson1:46 – Kory’s childhood dream to build the world’s largest steam tractor4:15 – How Ali met Kory at a steam threshing show6:08 – Why a business has to be treated like a machine8:26 – What Ali learned moving from corporate consulting into manufacturing9:21 – SOPs, training, and surviving generational transitions11:23 – Why losing American manufacturing capacity threatens national security17:24 – The regulatory pressure small manufacturers face19:18 – Billy the Lost Boiler and inspiring kids into the trades21:19 – The mission behind Iron Warrior Academy27:33 – What Anderson Foundries is looking for in future acquisitions32:51 – How foundries are using AI to build SOPs and train faster38:50 – Ali’s vision for scaling skilled-trades training40:02 – Kory on AI, data centers, and the coming skilled labor shift45:13 – Building a business as a married couple49:17 – The role of faith in business, marriage, and leadership52:43 – Final advice for business owners#entrepreneur #sellingyourbusiness #businessexit #builttoexit #americanmanufacturing #skilledtrades #manufacturing #foundry #smallbusiness #businessownership
Transcribe →CEO Hunter: What Bad Hiring Costs You (w/ Kip Knippel)
3w ago00:40:47Tap to summarizeKip Knippel built Kip Search into a national C-suite recruiting firm by doing the opposite of what everyone else does — he never posts jobs.Get the FREE Exit Code Blueprint: http://exitcodeblueprint.com/This conversation between Jason Sisneros and Kip Knippel gets into what it actually takes to place the right leader in the right seat, why 93% of businesses that go to market never close, and what founders do to blow the deal before they get to close.What's covered:→ Why retained search firms never post jobs... and where the best C-suite talent is actually hiding (they're not looking)→ The AI hiring trap: companies are paying for tools nobody's trained to use, and the wave of overnight "AI experts" making it harder to find real ones→ What PE firms are paying a premium for right now... and how an AI-augmented team changes your multiple before you ever talk to a buyer→ The Arena: how Kip matches post-exit founders to high-growth companies through blind profiling and manifesto videos, without the 6-month search timeline→ The identity crisis that kills deals at the closing table... and why rock-solid founders blow up their own sale when they haven't figured out what's next→ The reticular activating system (RAS) exercise Kip uses with every candidate to get clear on what role they're actually looking forFind the Right Executive (or Your Next Role): https://kipsearch.comChapters0:00 – Intro0:51 – Who Kip is and what he built2:37 – Kip's career arc (law school, M&A, CBRE, executive search)4:04 – How KIPP Search works and what retained recruiting actually means9:46 – What companies look for in a C-suite hire (and why skill is the last filter)13:29 – How to hire a chief AI officer when you don't understand AI yourself18:02 – What PE firms want right now (AI-augmented businesses and the capacity)24:04 – What post exit life should look like29:33 – Blind profiling, manifesto videos, and AI-assisted matching32:44 – Work-life balance after 30 years in business and three kids37:52 – The golden nugget: how to find what you're actually looking for#entrepreneur #executivesearch #businessexit #builttoexit #privateequity
Transcribe →We Almost Died 4 Times. Then Exited For $2.3 Billion (with Todd Davis of LifeLock)
May 801:04:17Tap to summarizeTodd Davis built LifeLock from a 7-person call center into a $2.3 billion acquisition by Symantec... and nearly lost the company 4 times along the way. Get The Exit Code Blueprint (Free): https://exitcodeblueprint.com/This conversation between Jason Sisneros and Todd Davis breaks down the decisions, mistakes, and pivots that kept LifeLock alive through FTC battles, a CMO who blew the budget by $2M, and a single day that erased $1 billion in market cap. What's covered: → The "decisive point" framework Todd used to cut through 3,000 distractions and focus the whole company on one number → Why giving out his Social Security number on live TV was a calculated risk, not a stunt — and how it filled the call center before he got back to his car → The $24M legal fight that nearly killed LifeLock at over $100M in revenue — and why Todd picked Goldman Sachs specifically to "fight dirty" when it came → What it looked like the Sunday before telling 700 employees they were going to war with the FTC → Why only 3.5% of businesses that go to market actually close — and what the 93% miss Connect with Todd Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-davis-340058142
Transcribe →You Lost Millions on Your Exit Already... w/ Brandon Agamennone and Jeff Breeding
May 200:47:24Tap to summarizeMost business owners think they’re building toward a payday. What they don’t realize is that they absolutely have already lost millions before a single offer ever hits the table... because of the work they failed to do years before the sale. In this episode of Exit Team with Jason Sisneros, Jason sits down with Brandon Agamennone and Jeff Breeding from Victory Private Wealth to unpack the hidden mistakes that destroy exits, the planning most owners avoid, and why building post-exit wealth starts long before the business ever goes to market. Connect with Victory Private Wealth: 🌐 https://victoryprivatewealth.com
Transcribe →Why a Former Falcon Calls the NFL a “Hobby” w/ 2x NFL All-Pro Ovie Mug
Apr 2200:34:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Built To Exit, Jason Sisneros sits down with former Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli for an in-depth conversation about identity, long-term vision, and why even an NFL career should never become your endgame. Ovie shares how pre-med schooling, strong identity and family values, and having an endgame mindset shape success in football, business, and life after the league. Connect with Ovie Mughelli: Website: https://onoconsulting.info/ Email: ovie@onoconsulting.info Jason Sisneros, known as “The Architect,” is a globally recognized business strategist, turnaround expert, and creator of the Built to Exit system — a proven methodology to stabilize, scale, and sell companies with precision. He has rescued, rebuilt, or repositioned 165+ companies in 14 countries, including 26 of his own successful exits, saving businesses over $100M and preventing hundreds of bankruptcies. A strategic partner in advanced tech, including high performance computing and cloud infrastructure, he brings future-ready insights to company valuation and exit readiness. Jason has delivered 3,000+ keynotes worldwide and been featured in Forbes, Inc., and Business Insider. Trusted by private equity and founders alike, he equips leaders to control the price, timing, and terms of their exit.
Transcribe →Why You Stop Short (When Other Business Owners Never Give Up) w/ Mairin Moore Cane
Mar 1100:33:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Built to Exit, host Jason Sisneros talks with Mairin Moore Kane about how leaders can define themselves regardless of circumstance and why the story of your life is shaped by the decisions you make when everything seems to be going wrong. They cover Mairin’s journey from running multiple businesses across several states to being bedridden for three years with chronic illness, the identity crisis that can happen when productivity disappears, and how leaders often tie their worth to performance until life forces them to rethink everything. They also talk about the turning point that changed everything for Mairin. In the middle of her lowest moment, she realized that even though everything around her was falling apart, she could still decide how her story would end. That decision reshaped her leadership, her purpose, and the way she now helps others rise through adversity. Find Mairin Root, Realign, and Rise Podcast: https://mairinmoorecane.com/podcasts/ Website: https://mairinmoorecane.com/
Transcribe →The Private Equity Survival Guide: You MUST Win Before You Sell (w/ John Leonetti)
Mar 400:55:30Tap to summarizeBeacon Hill Advisors (John Leonetti): https://beaconhillequitygroup.com In this episode of Built to Exit, host Jason Sisneros talks with John Leonetti about how owners can sell a business without getting blindsided in diligence, pricing, or terms. They cover why selling a business is a “no do-over” process, how buyers think, and what owners can do now to protect price and reduce deal risk: get the business less tied to the owner, keep clean books that a lender can follow, and build a team that can run day-to-day without the founder in every decision. They also talk about the personal side of a sale, including how owners handle the shift after closing, plus a straight view on AI and why it is already changing competition and buyer questions. Find JohnBeacon Hill Advisors: https://beaconhillequitygroup.com/ International Exit Planning Association: https://theiepa.com/ Built to Exit https://builttoexit.biz
Transcribe →How To Build A Business That Runs WITHOUT YOU (From someone who's done it)
Feb 2400:18:35Tap to summarizeTo build a truly hands-off business, you must structure your operations as if you are selling them tomorrow. Even if you plan to keep the company forever. This video explains why the "Built To Exit" framework is actually the fastest path to owner autonomy, helping you replace yourself with systems that generate cash flow without your daily involvement. Why this matters now: Most business owners are trapped in a "prison sentence" of their own making because they build for income, not enterprise value. By adopting an exit-ready mindset, you force the business to operate independently of you, securing both your freedom today and your wealth tomorrow. In this video, you will learn: - Why "Everybody Exits" is the necessary mindset shift for removing owner dependency. - How to reverse-engineer your "End Game" number to stop operational leakage. - The difference between "As-Is" and "Pro Forma" EBITDA (and why it proves -- autonomy). The 9 crucial steps to turn a high-stress job into a self-managing asset.
Transcribe →The Next 4 Years Will Change Small Business Forever
Jan 2600:44:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jason Sisneros dives into the shifting landscape of small and mid-sized businesses, emphasizing the importance of preparing for an eventual exit and the need to build companies that can thrive without the owner's constant involvement. He highlights how current economic changes and technological advancements, like AI, are creating unique opportunities for business owners who focus on innovation, professionalism, and strong customer relationships. The key takeaway is that success now depends on discipline, clarity, and readiness to adapt, as the standards for business operations and exits have risen.Want to know where your business stands? Take our free assessment: https://builttoexit.biz/getstarted/ Watch our podcast LIVE every Saturday at 9amET: Twitter (X) : https://twitter.com/thejsisnerosWant the Exit Insider each week? Sign up with this link.http://eepurl.com/ixhM06Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.sisneros.1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sisneros/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thejasonsisnerosJason Sisneros, known as “The Architect,” is a business strategist, investor, and speaker with 26 exits and support for 165+ companies. Founder of Built to Exit, he helps entrepreneurs escape burnout by building scalable, sellable businesses. His mission: empower founders to achieve freedom, purpose, profit, and legacy.
Transcribe →Speed Won’t Save Your Small Business. This Will. (Interview with Kirk Chugg)
Jan 1900:52:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jason Sisneros has a thoughtful conversation with Kirk Chug about the importance of long-term relationships in business, ethical entrepreneurship, and the power of personal standards—both in leadership and family life. Kirk Chug shares insights from his experience as a custom tailor and founder of the Gentleman Project, highlighting how listening to your customer and personal integrity can elevate a business and enrich personal connections. The discussion is a blend of practical business wisdom, the significance of self-respect, and the impact of setting a positive example for those around you.Want to know where your business stands? Take our free assessment: https://builttoexit.biz/getstarted/ Watch our podcast LIVE every Saturday at 9amET: Twitter (X) : https://twitter.com/thejsisnerosWant the Exit Insider each week? Sign up with this link.http://eepurl.com/ixhM06Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.sisneros.1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sisneros/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thejasonsisnerosJason Sisneros, known as “The Architect,” is a business strategist, investor, and speaker with 26 exits and support for 165+ companies. Founder of Built to Exit, he helps entrepreneurs escape burnout by building scalable, sellable businesses. His mission: empower founders to achieve freedom, purpose, profit, and legacy.
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