How to shift your mindset as of a 9 figure CEO, strategic shifts to successful exits, the exit playbook and the exit readiness assessment
Hey LinkedIn tribe, summer break is fast approaching and I hope Q2 of 2025 has been a success?
Before we jump into today's newsletter I wanted to share a new tool we've been working on called 'The Exit Readiness Assessment'. Its for CEO's and founders that dream of exiting from their business operations but have been stuck working in the business not on the business.
The assessment will benchmark you against five main areas that you need to focus on that can accelerate your business exit. At the end you receive a personalised report on the areas your doing well in and areas for improvement.
I know what you might be thinking ohh but Adam my business is only (x) years old.
And that's exactly the reason why should take the assessment, it doesn't matter if your a new CEO or founder or one with 20 years + experience. Its never too late to plan your exit.
Take the assessment today and let us know what you scored.
The mindset shift that changed everything (and what I’m doing differently now)
It’s been a few months since the last newsletter… and let’s just say, it’s been a wild ride.
We’ve had some explosive podcast episodes, conversations that cracked open big ideas — but behind the scenes, I’ve been going through a deep internal reset. One that’s reshaped not just how I lead, but why I do what I do.
A few months ago, things weren’t clicking. Despite all the effort, something felt off. So I hit pause, stepped back, and asked myself the uncomfortable question:
Is what I’m building aligned with my purpose and vision? The honest answer? No.
I was chasing outcomes that didn’t light me up. Delivering value, sure — but not meaning. I felt the friction. The kind that comes when your calendar is full, but your soul feels empty.
Here’s what that period taught me:
1. Clarity over complexity
Legacy and impact drive me — not just revenue. I had to reconnect with what I want to be known for, and how I want people to feel through my work.
2. Niching down takes courage
When you’ve built a toolkit of skills, it’s tempting to try and do it all. But generalists rarely lead movements. I’ve found a niche (announcement coming soon) that excites me and solves a real, visible gap.
3. Stop chasing 2x when you're built for 10x
Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy book 10x is better than 2x hit me hard. I realised I’ve spent years pursuing safe growth — but it was draining me. Thinking bigger is actually lighter. Freer.
4. Comfort is the killer of momentum
If I want to leave a mark, I need to unlearn some habits and rebuild new ways of thinking. I call this shift prospective — the mindset required for legacy-level leadership.
We’re all a work in progress. There’s no single blueprint — just honest reflection, bold moves, and small moments of clarity along the way.
What mindset or strategic shifts have you made recently? I’d love to hear what’s changing for you.
Here are some awesome shows we've done recently check them out
The exit playbook: why acquisitions are your fast track to financial freedom
What if you could skip the 3-year startup grind and scale your business… by buying one instead?
In this episode, I sit down with The Harbour Club - Largest Community of Certified M&A Professionals —Wall Street Journal bestselling author, mergers & acquisitions maestro, and founder of the Harbour Club—to crack open the real playbook for buying, scaling, and exiting businesses.
With 30+ years and 300+ deals under his belt (including taking a company public on NASDAQ), Jeremy shares why acquisitions—not startups—are the secret weapon for entrepreneurs craving freedom.
We dissect how to avoid costly mistakes, structure “no money down” deals, and turn volatile small businesses into exit-ready assets.
5 takeaways you’ll steal from our conversation
1. Stop chasing profits. Freedom comes from selling businesses—not grinding day-to-day ops.
2. Set-and-forget is a myth. Markets evolve—stay hands-on or lose your shirt.
3. Buy for the exit. Document systems, track buyer-friendly metrics (recurring revenue, margins).
4. Replace outdated tactics FAST. Fax blasts worked in the 90s… today’s buyers want modern growth engines.
5. Win-win deals exist. Use “work-in-buyout” strategies to acquire businesses while they pay for themselves.
GUEST DETAILS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbour
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theharbourclub9544
21 day email course: https://www.harbourclubevents.com/email-course
Want to scale like a 9-figure CEO? Start by thinking like one
Mike Fata built and sold Manitoba Harvest for $419M—today, he’s revealing the mindset shifts, toughest decisions, and biggest lessons that took him from startup founder to industry leader.
Mike is the co-founder and former CEO of Manitoba Harvest, a best-selling author, investor, and mentor to entrepreneurs scaling their businesses. After exiting his company in a $419M deal, he now helps founders build and sell businesses successfully.
Mike shares his journey from an overweight teenager to a health-conscious entrepreneur, how he scaled Manitoba Harvest into a 9-figure business, and the emotional rollercoaster of selling his life's work. This episode dives deep into leadership, decision-making, personal transformation, and the key mindset shifts required to go from 6 to 9 figures.
Here are 5 takeaways from this masterclass:
ABOUT THE GUEST
Website: www.mikefata.ca
Strategic shifts for successful exits
You’ve built something from the ground up—but what if the very traits that made you a successful founder are now the biggest blockers to scaling and exiting?
In this episode, I speak with John Spence , one of the world’s leading authorities on business and leadership. Named by the American Management Association as one of America’s top 50 leaders to watch—alongside the likes of Larry Page and Jeff Bezos—John became CEO of the Rockefeller Foundation at just 26 and has since advised both Fortune 10 giants and small, fast-growth businesses across the globe.
I’ve known John for years, and every time we speak, I’m reminded just how deeply he understands what makes a business thrive—or fail.
This conversation was rich in insight, challenge, and practical strategy.
Here are 5 key takeaways from our conversation:
ABOUT THE GUEST
News and Announcements
We are coming up to our 5th year anniversary of the business strategist podcast and I've had the privilege of interviewing some the biggest minds and thought leaders in the world. As part of this we've teamed up with Spotify and launched a series of video podcasts where you can get deep dive insights and get up close and personal. Check us out here!
Learn how to exit from your business operations in just 90 days or less.
If your an established founder or CEO's and have dreaming of wanting to exit but have built a business that depends on you the 'Founder exit accelerator' is for you! A 90 day sprint to give you the foundations to exit from your business ops and free you from the day to day.
The first cohort is only for exclusively only for 6-8 founders (I know the spaces will go quick) If this sounds like you, sign up to the waitlist and you will get early access to the event when we are ready to launch.
Check out my YouTube Channel here
🔔 Need more advice and tips on business strategy? Follow me and hit the bell to be notified when I post and go live.
🌍 My mission: Only 18% of business owners strategically plan their exit—a gap rooted in uncertainty, burnout, or lack of clarity. My mission is to empower founders to reclaim control of their legacies, transforming fear into purpose-driven exits that unlock financial freedom and lasting impact.
Have a wonderful week ahead and don't forget to follow and subscribe
#StrategicShift #leadershipevolution #exitstrategy
The insights shared on mindset shifts for CEOs are crucial for navigating the complexities of business growth and exit strategies. Emphasizing clarity and purpose over mere revenue is a transformative approach. As leaders, we must continuously adapt and refine our strategies to ensure alignment with our core values and vision. This assessment tool is a valuable resource for founders at any stage, encouraging proactive planning for successful exits.