Jeremy Harbour ┃ Buy, Build, Exit: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Scaling Without More Capital

Most entrepreneurs spend years trying to grow one customer at a time. But what if there was a faster path?In this conversation, Fleet sits down with globally recognized mergers and acquisitions expert Jeremy Harbour to explore how entrepreneurs can use acquisitions, mergers, and exit planning to build wealth more strategically. Jeremy explains why buying an existing business often carries less risk than starting one from scratch, how to structure acquisitions with little or no upfront capital, and why every entrepreneur should build a company that's ready to sell—even if they never plan to.Together, they discuss the mindset shift from operator to investor, the importance of stepping out of the day-to-day, and practical strategies for increasing enterprise value through better systems, strategic partnerships, and thoughtful acquisitions. Whether you're building your first company or preparing for your next chapter, this episode offers a powerful framework for creating scalable businesses and lasting financial freedom.Key Timestamps00:00 Introduction03:30 Jeremy's first business failure and the lessons it taught him08:45 Why acquiring a business can be less risky than starting one17:10 Building your business with an exit strategy from day one29:20 Transitioning from operator to investor and board-level thinking39:15 How mergers and acquisitions create leverage and accelerate growth51:30 Structuring deals with little or no upfront capital1:05:10 The emotional side of selling a business1:14:45 Building roll-ups, creating enterprise value, and scaling strategically1:24:00 Jeremy's advice for entrepreneurs looking to buy, build, and exitMemorable Quotes"You don't have to run the entire marathon—you can start much closer to the finish line by acquiring an existing business.""The entrepreneur's job isn't to do every job forever—it's to create shareholder value.""Build businesses to sell, because that's how you create real leverage and long-term wealth."Topics DiscussedMergers & acquisitionsBuying businessesExit planningEnterprise valueScaling through acquisitionsEntrepreneurial leverageNo-money-down acquisitionsRoll-up strategiesLeadershipCEO mindsetSuccession planningBusiness valuationWealth creationStrategic partnershipsEntrepreneurshipResources Mentioned:Jeremy Harbour's 21-Day M&A Email CourseTo receive the free course, email "HeartMind" in the subject line to: [email protected] also recommends following his educational content through Harbour Club and his social media channels.Connect with Jeremy HarbourWebsite:https://harbourclub.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/harbour.jeremyYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HarbourClubLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbourConnect with UsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartmindinstituteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartmindinstituteFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hmisummitcommunity