Exit Velocity

In this episode of Exit Velocity, Amy Morin sits down with Michael Kenneth, President of WealthPoint, to break down one of the most misunderstood exit strategies in business: ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans). Many owners assume ESOPs are only for massive companies or purely altruistic business owners. Michael explains why that’s not true — and how ESOPs can create liquidity, preserve company culture, reward employees, and help owners transition out of day-to-day operations without sacrificing legacy. Amy and Michael also explore the connection between EOS and ESOP readiness, including: What makes a company a strong ESOP candidate Common misconceptions around employee ownership Why leadership teams and accountability increase business value How operational structure impacts valuation The realities of repurchase obligations The long-term financial advantages of ESOP structures Why employee communication and culture matter after the transaction closes If you're a founder thinking about succession planning, exit strategy, leadership development, or building a company that scales beyond you, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world perspective. About Exit Velocity: Exit Velocity is the podcast for owners building businesses that scale without them and exit on their terms. Hosted by Amy Morin of Thrive Coaching, each episode features conversations with operators, advisors, and entrepreneurs focused on growth, value creation, and long-term business success.

Most business owners think clean books and a CPA are enough. They’re not.In this episode of Exit Velocity, Amy Morin sits down with Kirk McLaren, CEO of Growth CFO, to break down the costly gap between financial reporting and financial strategy—and how it impacts your exit.They dive into:Why only 17% of businesses actually sellThe difference between a historian vs. strategic CFOHidden red flags that kill deals during due diligenceThe 3 habits of highly profitable businessesHow to unlock six-figure gains in 90 days (without cutting people or raising prices)If you want to scale smarter, increase valuation, and build a business that runs without you—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Exit Velocity, Amy Morin talks with Corrina Carter, CEO of CMS Mortgage Solutions, about what it really takes to scale a business beyond the founder.Corrina shares her powerful journey from early life challenges to building a 135+ person organization, and how implementing EOS® helped her shift from doing everything herself to leading a scalable, aligned leadership team.We explore leadership, delegation, vulnerability, and the hard truth about why many businesses plateau without intentional systems.Key themes:• Scaling beyond the founder• EOS® implementation and leadership alignment• Delegation and letting go of control• Building a business that can grow without burnout• Exit velocity and long-term value creationWhether you’re growing, restructuring, or planning your exit, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership and scale.

In this episode of Exit Velocity, I sit down with Tina Corner Stolz, founder of LX Council and a leader in peer advisory groups for business owners.Together, we explore what separates business owners who successfully build transferable value from those who remain stuck in the day-to-day grind. Tina shares insights from decades of working with peer groups, revealing how mindset, accountability, and strategic thinking play a critical role in long-term business success and exit readiness.We dive into why most business owners are unprepared when opportunities—like private equity interest—arise, and how common pitfalls like owner dependency and lack of planning can significantly impact enterprise value. The conversation also highlights the importance of shifting from purely tactical work to more strategic leadership, and how peer groups create the structure and pressure needed to drive real execution.If you're a business owner thinking about scaling, stepping back, or eventually exiting, this episode offers practical insights to help you build a business that works without you—and is ready when opportunity knocks.

In this episode, Amy Morin sits down with Perry Buckman to reveal the financial blind spots most business owners face before selling their companies. They share actionable strategies to protect your wealth, plan for the future, and build freedom beyond your business.

In this episode, I sit down with fractional COO Matt Haney, founder of Sinclair Venture, to unpack one of the biggest growth barriers in business: the founder bottleneck.Together, they explore why so many companies stall after early success, how operational blind spots quietly limit growth, and what it really takes to build a business that can scale — and eventually sell — without depending on the founder for everything.Matt shares real-world insights from working inside founder-led companies, including:Why founders struggle to let go of operationsThe hidden cost of keeping the wrong people in the wrong seatsHow EOS creates accountability throughout the organizationWhat buyers look for in operationally mature businessesWhy strong operators unlock founder freedomIf you’re a business owner feeling stuck in the weeds, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, accountability, and scalable growth.