Creating Exit Opportunities and Building Generational Wealth Through M&A
In Part 2 of this Behind the Boost conversation, Tom Shipley shares his vision for a new platform designed to help entrepreneurs double or triple the value of their businesses before selling, while also discussing his leadership philosophy and the team-building principles that have guided him across 20+ acquisitions.
Who Is Tom Shipley?
Tom Shipley is a serial entrepreneur, M&A strategist, and founder of DealCon, a CEO-level summit dedicated to helping business owners grow and exit through strategic acquisitions. Over his career, Tom has guided thousands of entrepreneurs through complex business transactions.
Key Themes from Part 2
- The exit gap: Why 75% of businesses under $3 million EBITDA fail to sell and what entrepreneurs can do about it
- Platform building: Tom’s model for merging like-minded businesses to increase valuation multiples before going to market
- Multiple arbitrage in reverse: How rolling businesses into a larger platform can double or triple what sellers walk away with
- High expectations, low pressure: Tom’s leadership philosophy for building and retaining high-performing teams
- Developing and releasing talent: Why great leaders invest in their teams even when those team members eventually move on
Key Takeaways
- Most small business owners leave significant money on the table when they sell because they exit too small
- Merging businesses before a sale can dramatically increase your multiple and your total payout
- AI and market changes are creating more motivated sellers, which means more acquisition opportunities
- High expectations paired with low pressure creates cultures where top performers thrive
- The best leaders develop people for the long run, even if that eventually means helping them move on
About Behind the Boost
Behind the Boost is hosted by Nic Padilla, Director of Channel Partnerships at Boostability. Each episode features entrepreneurs and marketing professionals sharing the lessons that drive real growth. Browse all episodes or learn more about Nic.