Poised for Exit
Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.
Poised for Exit
A Real Exit Story: How Preparation and the Right Advisory Team Drove a Premium Outcome
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In this episode of Poised for Exit, Shaun Jackson, business broker with Calhoun Companies, steps in as guest host to interview his client, Dale Doriott, former owner of Injection Molding Solutions. Together, they walk through Dale’s real exit story and the key factors that led to a premium outcome.
Dale shares how he built the business over decades, including navigating the 2008 financial crisis and growing through disciplined operations and reinvestment. He explains how a focus on clarity, organization, and strong leadership positioned the company to stand out to buyers and ultimately command a higher valuation.
The conversation highlights the role of preparation and the impact of having the right advisory team in place. Sean and Dale discuss how alignment between the broker, accountant, and attorney strengthened their position during negotiations, even when working with a large, private equity-backed buyer. They also share how clear communication and trust helped guide key decisions throughout the process.
Dale shares key lessons from the process, including understanding financial metrics earlier and how deal structure decisions like retaining real estate created long term value. He also discusses the benefits of staying on post sale for continuity and success.
This episode offers business owners and advisors a grounded, real-world look at how preparation, leadership, and the right advisory team can drive stronger exit outcomes and lasting value beyond the transaction.
Connect with Shaun Jackson here
Learn more about Calhoun Companies here
Connect with Dale Doriott here
Learn more about Injection Molding Solutions here
Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor