How He Sold His Business for 8x Profit | Leigh Wells

<p><b>Leigh Wells</b> sold his business for 8x profit after building Comma Group from a bootstrapped start in 2016 to 80 headcount and a trade sale to Amplify in March 2021. This episode of <b>The Ownership Journey</b> with host <b>James Lamb</b> breaks down how to sell your business with real numbers on business exit strategy, business valuation and deal structure. If you want to buy, sell, scale or exit, you will hear exactly what worked, what went backwards in year three and what made due diligence fast and clean.</p><p>You will learn how three cofounders funded growth by reinvesting profit, used software vendor partnerships for leads and delivery, scaled to 50 to 60 perm plus 20 to 30 consultants, and ran a 5 to 7 year exit plan with reviews every six months. You will also hear why the US move failed, why redundancies followed, why a European private equity roll up offer was declined, and how a corporate finance introduction led to the Amplify trade sale.</p><p>Leigh then explains payment in full. Day one check, two year earn out cut from four, equity rolled into top Co, 8x on his sale versus 16.5x on the private equity buy in, plus removal of the contingent element after year one numbers landed. He then shares <b>The Founders Exit</b>, his platform to make founders exit ready with valuation guidance, deal structure education, data room prep and a strategic journey plan from pre revenue to 30M.</p><p><b>Key topics covered:</b></p><ul> <li>How three cofounders bootstrapped Comma Group and scaled to 80 headcount</li> <li>Why a 5 to 7 year exit plan plus six month reviews shaped every hire</li> <li>What broke in the US expansion and what redundancies taught about control</li> <li>How corporate finance advice stopped a weak roll up deal</li> <li>How day one check plus two year earn out plus top Co rollover paid out</li> <li>Inside The Founders Exit plus data room plus valuation plus readiness system</li></ul><p><b>Chapters</b></p><p>(00:00) Introduction<br>(02:21) Cofounders Plus Bootstrapped Start<br>(05:02) Scaling To 80 Headcount<br>(05:41) Why Comma Group Plus US Setback<br>(08:13) Private Equity Approach Plus First Corporate Finance Lesson<br>(10:47) 8x Multiple Plus 16.5x Private Equity Buy In<br>(11:38) Day One Check Plus Two Year Earn Out<br>(12:33) Life After Exit Plus Time Plus Family<br>(18:30) Why Founders Struggle To Exit Well<br>(27:45) Inside The Founders Exit Platform<br>(45:00) Exit Ready From Day One Plus Final Advice</p><p><b>Show:</b> T