Exit On Your Own Terms - Succession Planning with Jamie M. Waldren, Founder and CEO of JN Private Wealth

Most MSP founders spend years building value but almost zero time thinking about life after the deal.That’s exactly why I sat down with Jamie Waldren—author of Exit on Your Own Terms—to unpack what real succession planning looks like.Questions We Tackled:When should you actually start planning your exit? What’s the first step if you’re starting from zero? Why do most founders only think about exiting when a buyer shows up? How does your exit vision impact the type of buyer you choose? What makes succession planning harder for sub-$10M MSPs? Where do things go wrong without a plan? Key Insights (Don’t Miss These):An exit needs a Succession Plan like a road trip needs a Map  You can do one without the other, but you’ll probably get lost. Start earlier than you think 1–3 years minimum. 3–5 years is ideal. Work backward from your life—not your valuation Your retirement goals should drive your deal structure.Owner dependency kills value If all key relationships run through you, buyers get nervous.~50% of exits are forced Death, disability, or unexpected events—planning isn’t optional. ESOPs are underrated (especially < $10M MSPs) A powerful, tax-efficient way to reward loyal teams.Your plan determines your buyer PE vs strategic vs employees vs family—this isn’t random.One Action to Take Today:Ask yourself: “Who is the right next owner of my business—and what does my life look like after?” That single question changes everything.If you’re an MSP founder thinking about an exit in the next 3–5 years, this episode is a must-listen.Happy to share the episode—just drop a comment or DM.This podcast is hosted by Madhur Duggar.  Madhur is a Senior M&A Advisor at Excendio Advisors and focuses on IT ServicesReach out to Madhur at [email protected] or 212.731.4230  Book an Appointment with him on his LinkedIn at (34) Madhur Duggar | LinkedInCheck out Excendio Advisors and our amazing content at www.excendio.comReach out to Jamie Waldren on his LinkedIn at Jamie M. Waldren, CFP® | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/madhur-duggarwww.linkedin.com/in/madhur-duggar