Most business owners don’t wake up one day and decide to sell their company. The decision is usually years in the making.

In this episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef talks to Ben Wagner, Senior Director at Benchmark International, for a special Q&A focused on the questions business owners ask most often before going to market.

Ben brings forward topics that frequently shape exit decisions:

• Should I sell now, or wait?
• What if my EBITDA improves in two or three years?
• How do I know if private equity is the right fit?
• What will happen to employees after the deal?
• And how can I prepare before I am ready to sell?

Drawing from his conversations with business owners every day, Ben shares practical insights on market preparation, buyer interest, private equity, business durability, unsolicited offers, and the factors that can influence a successful outcome.

Whether you’re considering a sale in the near future or simply want to build a stronger, more valuable business, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you prepare for whatever comes next.

What You’ll Learn

• Why waiting to sell isn’t always the safest or most profitable strategy
• The key factors buyers evaluate when assessing a business
• How to determine whether your company is ready for the market
• What private equity firms are looking for in today’s environment
• How market conditions can impact timing, valuation, and buyer interest
• Ways to increase business value
• The role of management teams, recurring revenue, and customer diversification in buyer demand
• Why unsolicited offers do not represent the full value of your business
• How preparation can protect your team, legacy, and future options
• How to prepare emotionally and strategically for an exit
• Why building a durable business creates more options, whether you sell or not

What does it take to build a business that can withstand uncertainty, adapt to changing markets, and continue to grow?

In this episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef speaks to Andrew Wright, the CEO & Founder of Franklin Street, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Ally Capital Group, and Co-Founder of Next Level Brands. Drawing from his experience of building businesses, investing in companies, and leading teams, Andrew shares practical lessons on navigating market uncertainty, evaluating risk, and creating long-term value.

Discover how diversification helped Franklin Street navigate the 2008 financial crisis, why the strongest leaders put people first, and what separates businesses that thrive through change from those that struggle to adapt.

Andrew also discusses his approach to evaluating investment opportunities, building high-performing cultures, identifying emerging talent, and adapting to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Throughout the conversation, he offers candid insights on leadership, community, entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying focused on what you can control.

Whether you’re growing a business, leading a team, evaluating opportunities, or preparing for your next stage of growth, this episode delivers valuable lessons on communication, resilience, and long-term planning.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to build resilience into your business during changing market conditions
• Why diversification can create opportunity during periods of uncertainty
• The traits successful leaders and investors look for in people
• How to transition from operator to leader
• What business owners should know about AI and the future of work
• Why authentic relationships remain a competitive advantage
• How purpose can drive stronger long-term results than success alone

In this episode of Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef answers common questions business owners ask about valuation, buyers, and the M&A process as unfamiliar terms start to surface.

Joining him is Kayla Sullivan, Benchmark International’s Operations Director, who brings more than a decade of M&A experience and insights gained from hundreds of transactions. Acting as the voice of the audience, she asks the questions business owners want answered, while Dara Shareef breaks down what EBITDA is, how businesses are valued in the M&A market, and what factors impact business value.

Whether you’re actively preparing for a sale, considering a sale, or simply looking to better understand what drives business value, this conversation delivers practical insight into how buyers evaluate opportunities and what business owners should know as they plan for the future.

What You’ll Learn

• What EBITDA is and why buyers use it
• How businesses are valued in the M&A market
• The difference between enterprise value and equity value
• Common misconceptions about private equity
• What buyers look for when evaluating a business
• Factors that can impact business value and buyer interest
• Why timing and market conditions matter in the sale process