The Number You Need to Sell Your Business and Retire (ft. Dominic Baldwin)

In this episode, Tom Griffiths speaks with Dominic Baldwin, founder of Zentum, a financial advisory firm that takes a unique approach to helping business owners prepare for life after selling their business.Dominic explains how Zentum focuses primarily on business owners who are transitioning into the next chapter of their lives—whether through retirement, selling their company, or pursuing new personal ambitions. Unlike many traditional financial advisers who charge a percentage of assets under management, Zentum operates on a fixed-fee model based on time and complexity. This structure removes potential conflicts of interest and allows the firm to focus entirely on guiding clients toward decisions that genuinely support their long-term wellbeing.A key theme discussed throughout the conversation is the idea that financial wellbeing is not simply about the amount of money someone receives when they sell their business. Dominic highlights that many entrepreneurs expect to feel immediate happiness and fulfilment after a sale, but the reality can often be very different. Without the structure, purpose, and routine that business ownership provides, some individuals experience a decline in satisfaction despite having significant financial resources.To address this challenge, Zentum works with clients well before a sale—often 12 to 24 months in advance—to help them define what their next chapter of life should look like. This process includes identifying the most important priorities in their lives, clarifying personal and family values, and ensuring that future financial decisions align with those principles.From these conversations, Dominic and his team help clients calculate their “number”—the amount of wealth required to support their desired lifestyle and future goals. Rather than relying on assumptions or comparisons with peers, this figure is built through detailed financial modelling that considers spending goals, lifestyle plans, risk tolerance, and long-term contingencies.The episode offers valuable insight into the emotional and strategic aspects of exiting a business, highlighting the importance of planning not just for financial success, but for a meaningful and fulfilling life beyond entrepreneurship.Contact Dominic here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-baldwin