In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Duane Donner, founder and CEO of Founder Advisors, to talk about what it takes to build a company that is valuable, transferable, and aligned with a larger purpose. Duane shares how early failure, burnout, and a hard reset in both business and life shaped the way he rebuilt his career and eventually grew an M&A advisory firm focused on stewardship, trust, and long-term impact.

Together, Drew and Duane unpack what CEOs and business owners need to understand about succession, deal readiness, valuation, private equity, and leadership depth. The conversation matters for leaders because it reframes transition planning as more than a financial event. It is also a leadership decision about reducing risk, preserving influence, and building something that can last beyond the founder.

• Learn more about Duane Donner and Founder Advisors here
• Connect with Duane on LinkedIn
• Take the Investment Grade Assessment
• Learn more about Abide and Lead Ministry

Interested in learning more about Acumen visit us here.

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Clint Overton, founder and managing partner of Boardroom Bullpen, for a conversation about sabbaticals, faith, entrepreneurship, and the role of the trusted advisor. Clint shares how a 21-year career in large organizations, followed by private equity, fractional COO work, and a season of reflection, shaped the way he now helps businesses grow.

Dan and Clint also explore the practical side of leadership, including strategy, organizational structure, execution, and the levers business owners can pull to unlock growth. For CEOs and leaders, the episode offers a grounded perspective on building the right support around the business, identifying what gets in the way, and making smarter decisions about how growth actually happens.

Learn more about Boardroom Bullpen or The Mercury Collective

Connect with Clint on LinkedIn

Listen to Call to The Bullpen Podcast

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Drew Lints, founder of Revflow Growth Partners, to talk about systems, AI, and how to scale a business without losing the human element.

They break down common misconceptions about automation, where businesses waste time on manual work, and how to identify the right opportunities for AI. Drew shares his approach to building custom solutions, why one size fits all systems fall short, and how leaders can use process to create more capacity for people, not less.

If you are trying to grow your business while staying focused on what matters most, this conversation will help you think more clearly about where to start.

Connect with Drew:
https://revflowpartners.io

Learn more about Acumen:
https://acumenimpact.com