Build and Exit

Julie Wilkinson

As a chartered management accountant by trade, I uncovered my true potential at 37, moving from a well-paid corporate job to building my own accounting and consultancy firm. Having worked on 5-10 acquisitions or business exits each month for clients, I understand the key challenges business owners face, including getting the real value they want for their business, whilst having the right controls and processes in place so the business can run independently of the owners. The Build and Exit podcast will include conversations, stories and real-life examples of day-to-day challenges business owners face, different methods of growth including acquisitions and top tips on how owners can transition from working in their business to working on it, enabling them to maximize their value on exit. I will also include episodes where I share my own learnings on business management and how Wilkinson Accounting Solutions are planning to continue to grow by acquisition. read less
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Episodes

Steve Lawrence - Resigned from a job to close an acquisition that failed
1w ago
Steve Lawrence - Resigned from a job to close an acquisition that failed
Acquisitions can be an opportunity to change your career.   But what if you quit your job and the deal falls through?   You’re left with no job and no deal.   This is exactly what happened to my guest in this episode, Steve Lawrence. The seller decided not to go ahead at the last-minute leaving Steve in the lurch.   Steve shares the ups and downs of his acquisition experience from his first failed acquisition to then finding the company he went on to buy through a Google search. He talks about the struggles and the positives after the acquisition went through, as well as his huge learning curve of why heads of terms are so important.   “The deal just completely fell out” – Steve Lawrence   Timestamps   01:49 - Steve's failed acquisition 03:39 - An introduction to Steve 07:32 - Did Steve get any reimbursements? 08:30 - Steve's successful acquisition 13:48 - The importance of heads of terms 17:41 - Post acquisition struggles 24:14 - Advice on small term loans 27:03 - Post acquisition positives         Connect with Steve   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/uncomplicatedsteve/ Uncomplicated Group - https://www.uncomplicatedgroup.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Judith Hamilton & Christine Nicholson - £5m in debt because of hidden receipts
Apr 28 2024
Judith Hamilton & Christine Nicholson - £5m in debt because of hidden receipts
Imagine not even knowing you are about to go bankrupt.   Many business owners don’t know what is going with their accounts. With £5 million pounds of debt and another £1 million in stocks that anyone could have taken, this was the reality for one business.   In this episode I am joined by Judith Hamilton and Christine Nicholson, 2 brilliant women working in the exit planning and financial world. We share our experiences working with businesses and what needs to be in place for a well-structured exit.   We also discuss what corporate governance is and why it matters for businesses and exit plans, what you should be looking for in people and why you need to keep your processes simple.   “By the time I opened all the envelopes, have discovered that this business was £5 million in debt” – Christine Nicholson   Timestamps   00:58 - An introduction to Judith and Christine 04:50 - What does processing systems mean? 08:39 - Start with simple processes 12:13 - The key things around controls 20:09 - Governance information needed at exit 26:45 - What you should be looking for with people 31:06 - The 2 biggest things Julie's sees in exits   Connect with Judith   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-hamilton/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/judith_evimero/   Connect with Christine   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-nicholson/ Christine’s website - https://christinenicholson.co.uk/ Get Exit Ready - https://getexitready.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Nigel Carley - Why investing in fractional ownership differs to time share
Apr 14 2024
Nigel Carley - Why investing in fractional ownership differs to time share
Most businesses are built from people’s dreams. The challenge is taking it from that dream to reality.   In this episode I am joined by Nigel Carley who has achieved this through creating The Pinelli Group, as he approached retirement. A company that sells properties in Italy through fractional ownership.   Nigel fell in love with Italy over his career with Alfa Romeo and through hard work and investing his time he found the right properties that would allow him to create the business he dreamed of.   He shares his story on how he created the business, found the properties and transitioned from retirement to business owner.   “Everyone I spoke to literally said, you're absolutely bonkers” – Nigel Carley   Timestamps   02:16 – A personal story of how The Pinelli Group started 11:07 – Successful businesses are built off of dreams 17:30 – Transitioning from retirement plan to business 23:00 – Making it affordable for investors 30:20 – How Nigel’s mindset changed 34:44 – You have to put in the hard work to create change 37:47 – Did Nigel face any negativity? 40:34 – What properties does Nigel currently have   Connect with Nigel   The Pinelli Group - https://thepinelligroup.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thepinelligroup Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepinelligroup/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-carley-94a024298/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Meena Kumari Adnani - Losing everything to hitting 7 figures
Mar 31 2024
Meena Kumari Adnani - Losing everything to hitting 7 figures
Financial freedoms means different things to everybody. Achieving it means living the life you want but imagine having it and then losing it all.   In this episode I am joined by Meena Adnani, who worked hard against the expectations those around her had. She was judged, because of being a woman and also because of her cultural background. All of which she blocked out to reach her dreams and achieve financial freedom.   She reveals how she lost everything to then build her life back up and reach 7 figures. And she shares how she achieved this, the connection between self-worth and net worth and the importance of a growth mindset.   “All the money that I saved until I was 46 was gone” – Meena Adnani     Timestamps   02:09 – The importance of adversity to Meena 05:50 – Meena’s constant need to prove herself 12:03 – Meena on coping with financial loss 18:07 – Julie’s personal healing journey 22:03 – Meena on overcoming financial loss 28:25 – The importance of a growth mindset   Connect with Meena   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-kumari-adnani/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/STRONGANDSHINE Strong and Shine - https://www.strongandshine.com/ Linktree - https://linktr.ee/meenakumariadnani The Comeback Masterclass - https://www.strongandshine.com/the-comeback   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Della Kirkman - How buying a job built her wealth
Mar 18 2024
Della Kirkman - How buying a job built her wealth
Imagine going from waitress to financial freedom all through acquisitions.   That is exactly what my guest in this episode, Della Kirkman, achieved. She found a way to buy small businesses and grow them organically to build and exit. She is now on a mission to supports 10,000 women to build wealth through acquisition.   In this episode Della reveals how she achieved financial freedom through acquisitions, and how she changed her career from waitress to business owner. She also shares her experiences in making the deals and what her top tips are for anyone looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship.     “I bought a job and grew that organically and was able to exit” – Della Kirkman   Timestamps   01:47 – From waitress to business owner 04:38 – What the deal structure looked like 07:30 - Buying and selling with creative financing strategies 10:55 – How Della’s deal worked 12:30 – The power of confidence in making deals 16:55 – Della’s top tips for becoming a business owner   Connect with Della   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dellakirkmancpa/ Shift-n-Gears - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/ Shift-n-Gears Newsletter - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/newsletter 9 Steps to selling your business - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/9-steps-to-selling-your-business Della's Acquisition Expressway - https://www.dellakirkman.com/a/2147831762/qLE3Joz6   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Kush Birdi - Managing cashflow risk post-acquisition
Mar 4 2024
Kush Birdi - Managing cashflow risk post-acquisition
Acquisitions would be far easier if all sellers were educated on what’s involved.   Knowing what happens post-acquisition is part of the learning that needs to happen to secure a successful deal.   In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss the importance of KPI based target setting and why you should audit the legal aspects of your deals. We also share why being truthful is so important for the seller to ensure the buyer sees your business as a good deal. We also talk about the fact that selling in full is not your only option for a happy retirement.   “You’ve got to know the truth” – Julie Wilkinson   Timestamps   02:41 - What post acquisition integration involves   04:52 - Why targets need to come from KPIs 06:39 - Auditing your legals 08:52 - Why sellers need to know the truth 11:09 - Why you need to invest in the right resources          14:51 - Becoming a more educated seller   Connect with Kush Birdi   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/ X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Kath Jones - £100k debt from funding that fell through
Feb 19 2024
Kath Jones - £100k debt from funding that fell through
Imagine being in £100K of debt because of a scam.   This is a nightmare situation for any business owner who puts their trust into others and is exactly the position my guest, Kath Jones found herself in.   She is the founder of Think Wine Group and ended up losing £100K after her agent scammed her and the funding she got to salvage the situation never came through.   Kath shares how all of this has impacted her mental health as well as the business and the lessons she has learned from it. She also discusses the steps she is taking to ensure this never happens again.   “Nobody knew where he had gone, the winery couldn't find him, it was just crazy” – Kath Jones   Timestamps   01:58 - Kath on starting her wine business 06:21 – Kath’s experience with investment scams 10:55 – The consequences of being scammed 15:29 - Dealing with anxiety and denial in a business deal 19:32 – What Kath wishes she had done differently 26:40 – The most important lesson to learn     Connect with Kath Jones   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-jones-638682a0/ Think Wine Group - https://www.thinkwinegroup.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Kush Birdi - Financial and legal due diligence, what can go wrong!
Feb 5 2024
Kush Birdi - Financial and legal due diligence, what can go wrong!
Not being aware of the financial or legal implications of a deal can have disastrous consequences.   From intellectual property protection, staffing issues to outstanding debts, there are many aspects of a deal that need to be checked as part of your due diligence.   In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss where due diligence can impact deals and our personal experiences working with both sellers and buyers throughout the due diligence process. We cover where lawyers and accountants fit into the process and the biggest problems we have seen throughout our time working in the acquisitions space.   “On the legal side due diligence is so important” – Kush Birdi   Timestamps   02:41 - How Julie supports acquirers with due diligence 05:09 - Where due diligence impacts deals 08:11 - Why due diligence is important for legals                 11:15 - Julie's experiences post acquisition 15:12 - Due diligence and lawyers 18:38 - The completion accounts process 20:25 - The biggest problem in acquisitions    Connect with Kush Birdi   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/ X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Kush Birdi - How can buyers and sellers get aligned pre Heads of Terms
Jan 22 2024
Kush Birdi - How can buyers and sellers get aligned pre Heads of Terms
Heads of terms are a key aspect of any acquisition.   The buyer and seller need to agree on these to show serious intent for the deal. But there are many key issues both parties need to be aware of. In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss our experiences working with heads of terms.   We also share how the buyer and seller can become aligned and why this is so important. The common problems that can arise whilst creating heads of terms and crucially what you need to make sure is in them.   Kush Birdi is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Birdi & Co. An independent, multi-service law firm that believes by bringing energy and positivity to everything they do, working across commercial, corporate law, employee and finance law specialising in M&A.   “Most people don’t understand the importance of heads of terms” – Julie Wilkinson   Timestamps   02:41 - Julie's experience with heads of terms          06:32 - The importance of a good advisory team      07:59 - The buyer and seller need to be aligned        12:40 - Why you should get 3rd party advisors         15:55 - What needs to be in heads of terms?            12:24 - The importance of exclusivity in acquisitions 24:12 - Common issues with heads of terms 26:28 - People want to buy an asset not a job                                                 Connect with Kush Birdi   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/ X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Kush Birdi - Legal consequences for acquisitions
Jan 8 2024
Kush Birdi - Legal consequences for acquisitions
There are many risks to consider as a buyer in acquisitions.   Not being prepared can have severe consequences. You need to do your due diligence and plan every aspect to ensure its success.   In this episode I am joined by Kush Birdi to tell you all you need to know about the legal consequences buyers can face and how to ensure you are covered all the way through your acquisition process. From risk planning, corporate governance to due diligence we cover it all, as well as our views on no money down deals.   Kush Birdi is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Birdi & Co. An independent, multi-service law firm that believes by bringing energy and positivity to everything they do, working across commercial, corporate law, employee and finance law specialising in M&A.   “Good bookkeeping is the foundation to all accuracy” – Julie Wilkinson   Timestamps   01:42 - An introduction to Kush                     02:48 - Financial information companies need 07:26 - What are buyers looking for? 12:46 - Getting the right deal team 16:21 - The importance of risk planning 20:38 - No money down deals 25:56 - The more you plan the easier it will be   Connect with Kush Birdi   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/ X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Matthew Cusack - Brand risk causing £7m of investment to be withheld
Dec 4 2023
Matthew Cusack - Brand risk causing £7m of investment to be withheld
Have you checked your brand’s intellectual property?   Imagine having £7million of investment held because you found another business already had your name. This is exactly what happened to a company my guest in this episode, Matthew Cusack, is working with.   Matt is Managing Director of National Business Register Group Limited (NBR), an Intellectual Property business, and is responsible for driving the business’ strategy and growth plans. He firmly believes that “people buy people” and relationships are key to the growth of any successful business.   In this episode he discusses the importance of IP (Intellectual Property) to businesses and the risks of not protecting your brand. He also shares what to have in your shareholder agreements and what to do if you are concerned about your IP.   “Every transaction is unique, and every transaction throws up its challenges” – Matthew Cusak   Timestamps   01:35 – An introduction to Matthew 03:10 – What IP is and why it’s important 05:40 – The risks of not protecting your brand 10:28 – What to have in a shareholder agreement 15:10 – Why you need to understand accounting principles 21:27 – The unique challenges of every transaction 23:49 – What to do if you are concerned about IP   Connect with Matthew Cusak   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-cusack-8a209534/ National Business Register LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-biz-nbr/ National Business Register Linktree - https://linktr.ee/corinelliott     Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!   Download the RacketPal app and get a 50% discount with this podcast when you enter WILKPAL at sign up.   RapketPal on the App Store - https://shorturl.at/iDFIS   RacketPal on Google Play - https://shorturl.at/givA2
Robert Rizea: The hard work started after we received £2m for our start up
Oct 30 2023
Robert Rizea: The hard work started after we received £2m for our start up
You must get used to hearing “No” when trying to raise funds to start a business idea. Knowing that eventually you will hear the yes you need is all the motivation you need to keep going.   That was the belief my guest in this episode had to get his idea off the ground. Robert Riza is the Co-Founder and CEO of RacketPal, a platform built out of a love for racket sports.   He talks about what it took to get funding for the project and how getting the funding was only the start of the challenges he faced. He also gives advice on what you need to generate funding and the information he reports to investors.   “I just knew that the next person I called the next person I reached out to, the next person I emailed could change my life” – Robert Rizea   Timestamps   02:12 - An introduction to Robert 03:55 - Making a plan for the money needed 09:53 - The challenges of phoning for funding 14:22 - What you need to start a funding round 18:59 - Pricing founder salaries into funding 20:50 - Reporting financials to investors 27:25 - What is the future for RacketPal?   Connect with Robert Rizea   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-rizea/?originalSubdomain=uk Twitter - https://twitter.com/robertrrizea?lang=en-GB RacketPal website - https://racketpal.co.uk/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!   Download the RacketPal app and get a 50% discount with this podcast when you enter WILKPAL at sign up.   RapketPal on the App Store - https://shorturl.at/iDFIS   RacketPal on Google Play - https://shorturl.at/givA2
Adrian Knight - Why acquisitions fail with no integration strategy
Oct 2 2023
Adrian Knight - Why acquisitions fail with no integration strategy
The first 72 hours of taking on a new business is always eventful. But a salesperson syphoning leads, and the police called in to stop diggers tearing down buildings at a school must be up there with the hardest first days of any business owner.   This was the reality for my guest in this episode, Adrian Knight. He had a lot of firefighting to perform within his acquisitions that led him to really focus on the back end, something many people don’t do.   He talks about this experience as well as his integration strategies, how having no processes can impact the customer and why even the smallest things can have big financial impacts.   “The police came to stop diggers tearing it down” – Adrian Knight   Timestamps                                     02:10 - An introduction to Adrian 04:49 - Why Adrian focused on the back office 07:12 - Did Adrian have an integration strategy? 13:24 - Did no processes impact the customer? 16:34 - Small things can cause big financial problems 19:51 - Adrian's acquisition story 22:00 - Adrian's future acquisition plans   Connect With Adrian Knight   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianjohnknight/ Spectacular LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectaculargroup/   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Fiona Hudson-Kelly - Tripling the value of her business by understanding financial information
Sep 17 2023
Fiona Hudson-Kelly - Tripling the value of her business by understanding financial information
Achieving financial freedom is the ambition of many that are building to sell their business. But knowing how to get there is a whole different ball game. Understanding the financial side of how to build and exit a business is key to making this dream a reality.   My guest in this episode is Fiona Hudson-Kelly, who has sold businesses for multi-million pound deals. She has experienced selling through venture capitalists and independently.   Fiona discusses the light bulb moment that happened after she finally understood how the financial side of her business worked. She compares the differences between her venture capital and independent deals as well as the importance of resilience in those looking to build and exit their business.   “I sold my business and never had to worry about money again” – Fiona Hudson-Kelly   Timestamps   02:04 - An introduction to Fiona 05:42 - Venture Capital vs Independent 08:15 - The importance of resilience in exiting 10:26 - The difference between profit and cash 16:15 - The problem with financial information 23:20 - Why people need to invest in financial knowledge 27:58 - Julie's experience with management accounts 32:18 - Fiona's investment tips   Connect With Fiona Hudson-Kelly   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionahudsonkelly/ Website - https://www.fionahudsonkelly.co.uk/ X - http://twitter.com/fhudsonkelly Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070806951159   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Julie Wilkinson: Julie’s story live on NTV – Part 1
Sep 3 2023
Julie Wilkinson: Julie’s story live on NTV – Part 1
This is a special episode of The Build & Exit podcast where the tables get turned and Julie is in the hot seat. Julie was interview live on NTV to tell her personal and business story.   In this episode Julie gives the personal side of her life story. You’ll find out about her passions from dogs to being out on the open water. She tells all about how the loss of her mother at an early age impacted her life and how her wellness routine has transformed not just how she starts every day but her mindset towards everything.   This is part 1 of the live interview with Victoria Beale on NTV.   *** Join Julie’s Masterclass How To Understand Accounting Lingo on Tuesday 5th September 12pm BST. Get your ticket here - https://shorturl.at/bsQZ5 ***   “Take control of what you want” – Julie Wilkinson   Timestamps   03:13 - The start of Julie's story 04:27 - How the loss of Julie's mum impacted her 06:52 - Julie's experience travelling 08:09 - Julie's career after travelling 12:22 - How Julie met her husband 13:39 - Julie's tell all about her dogs 15:47 - Julie's outdoor hobbies 16:35 - Julie's interests in wellness 20:34 - Julie's transformation due to wellness 21:07 - How this has impacted Julie’s entrepreneurship   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Steven Pettigrew: How buying a distressed business helped to double operations
Aug 20 2023
Steven Pettigrew: How buying a distressed business helped to double operations
Distressed business deals can be a quick and high earning way to grow by acquisition. It took Steven Pettigrew 4 days to close a distressed deal and since then has grown a business of 80 people.   In this episode Steven gives his insights into how to grow through distressed acquisition deals, managing seller relationships, and the strategies behind industry deals.   Steven Pettigrew is an entrepreneur with over 13 year’s experience across multiple industries. He has been involved in M&A since 2014 which opened up an exciting new chapter in his career. He also works with a select group of joint venture partners, allowing him to be dynamic in his approach with business owners in order to achieve a win-win scenario for all parties.   *** Join Julie’s Masterclass How To Understand Accounting Lingo on Tuesday 5th September 12pm BST. Get your ticket here - https://shorturl.at/bsQZ5 ***     “If I were to do it again, I would acquire a business rather than start one” - Steven Pettigrew   Timestamps   01:45 - An introduction to Steven 03:18 - How quickly did the business grow to 80 people? 05:55 - What you need to do a distressed business? 07:06 - Was the seller relationship hard? 07:59 - Was the acquisition planned? 10:48 - Is there a strategy to industry deals? 12:48 - Why did Steven start his own business? 18:52 - Can you utilise staff across acquisitions?   Connect with Steven Pettigrew   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-pettigrew/ Opulentia Capital - https://opulentiacapital.com/ Opulentia Capital on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/opulentia-capital/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLg_vCxtwB7LV7IgzPtxasw Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opulentiacapital/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D     Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Paul Avins: Growing by 8 figure acquisitions
Aug 5 2023
Paul Avins: Growing by 8 figure acquisitions
Knowing the right way to exit a business is not easy if you don’t know what your options are. Having the information you need to find the right exit strategy is what will make your exit plan both achievable and enjoyable.   Paul Avins has a wealth of experience in the acquisitions space and in this episode he gives his insight into why the hard work starts after acquisitions, the different types of exit strategies available and the importance of doing your research on who you are buying from.   Paul Avins is an award winning business coach, speaker and mastermind mentor who is highly sought after in the UK by entrepreneurs and business owners to help them breakthrough the Scale Up Ceiling to create Shareholder Value worth Millions!     *** Join Julie’s Masterclass How To Understand Accounting Lingo on Tuesday 5th September 12pm BST. Get your ticket here - https://shorturl.at/bsQZ5 ***     “Nothing is passive in business” – Paul Avins   Timestamps   03:22 - Paul's background in acquisitions 10:27 - The hard work starts after acquisition 12:04 - How to fund acquisitions 18:58 - How to make an asset safer to buy 24:48 - The importance of bringing people on board 28:12 - Why to Google who you are buying from 36:17 - How to interview for an FD     Connect with Paul Avins   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/ Paul Avins’ Website - https://www.paulavins.com/businessgrowthcoach Paul’s free business growth strategies - https://www.paulavins.com/67-growth-tips Listen to Paul’s podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grown-up-business-podcast/id1536822833   Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Mathew Wainwright: Global entrepreneur generating £125m from acquisition sales in 12 months
Jul 23 2023
Mathew Wainwright: Global entrepreneur generating £125m from acquisition sales in 12 months
Generating £125m from acquisitions in a year is the M&A specialist’s dream. That is exactly what the guest in this episode has achieved. Mathew Wainwright discusses what it takes to start out in the acquisitions space as well as going into the nitty gritty of how Opulentia achieved that incredible milestone. He also covers what leveraged buyouts are, how to mitigate risks in acquisitions and what cash flow problems he has faced.   Mathew Wainwright is the Director of Operations within Opulentia Capital. In the last 18 months Opulentia have grown their turnover portfolio by 125M GBP in revenue. Their trademarked model: "Buy, Build, Sell™️" is to buy or take equity stakes in Small & Medium Sized enterprises inside fragmented industries that they believe they can consolidate through inorganic & organic growth, by working with Owners that want to exit to them or want to partner with them in their next growth spurt and build the group to 50-100M+ pa.   “It’s easier to get bigger deals done that it is smaller ones” – Mathew Wainwright   Timestamps   01:49 - An introduction to Mathew 03:43 - What is a leveraged buy out?                                     07:03 - How to mitigate risks in acquisitions 15:16 - Julie's thoughts on dividend payments 22:00 - What to do before going to financiers 28:22 - Has Mathew ever had acquisition cash flow problems?   Connect with Mathew Wainwright   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-wainwright/ Opulentia Capital - https://opulentiacapital.com/ Opulentia Capital on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/opulentia-capital/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLg_vCxtwB7LV7IgzPtxasw Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opulentiacapital/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D     Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Chris O’Connell - Losing everything after selling a £25m business only to come back fighting
Jul 9 2023
Chris O’Connell - Losing everything after selling a £25m business only to come back fighting
*Content warning* – this post discusses suicidal feelings   How do you see your life after selling your business? You may see happiness, wealth, and security. But just because you sell your business doesn’t mean they are guaranteed. In this episode Chris O’Connell shares his story of selling his business for £25 million only to find his life unravel afterwards. From losing his home, his children, divorce and 3 suicide attempts, Chris’ story is one not to be missed.   After exiting his last business, Chris now coaches leaders on how to build purpose-led businesses that perform. Chris helps businesses solve problems by solving people problems. Because people without a purpose have no centralised reason driving them to perform. He works on best processes, vision execution and harmonising your life with your work.   If you need support for the topics raised in this episode call The Samaritans on 116 123   “Money, scaling and growing a business is not the key to happiness” – Chris O’Connell   Timestamps   01:43 - The highs and lows of Chris' story 05:20 - How Chris came through the other side 07:01 - Was the business ready to sell? 08:42 - Chris' involvement after the sale 10:17 - What happened when it all went wrong? 12:36 - Company problems caused by culture 14:03 - What does Chris do as a coach? 20:16 - The power of a decent board pack 22:13 - Chris' experience with meditation & manifestation   Connect with Chris O’Connell   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/ Basmindset website - https://basemindset.com/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisoconnellcoach   Listen to Chris’ show The Purpose Led Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/72edQlrSeUvLmC2LsqOrQG       Connect With Julie Wilkinson   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/ Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/   Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!