Positioning for the Perfect Exit: David McCombie’s Playbook for Maximizing Business Value

Strategy at Scale

Selling a business is one of the most significant strategic decisions an entrepreneur can make. But how do you ensure that you're maximizing your company's value when it's time to exit? David McCombie, founder of McCombie Group and author of Selling Your Business with Confidence: A Practical Playbook for Mid-Market Owners, has spent the last 15 years advising business owners on structuring deals, navigating M&A, and ensuring they sell on their own terms.

David’s journey—from lawyer to McKinsey consultant to investment banker—has given him a unique perspective on business valuation, private equity, and strategic exits. His expertise has made him a trusted advisor to family offices, private investors, and entrepreneurs looking to scale and sell their companies.

In this episode, David shares insights that will fundamentally change the way you think about your business's long-term value and exit strategy, including:

• How revenue models impact business valuation—what potential buyers are really looking for.
• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when selling their business and how to avoid them.
• How private equity firms structure deals—and why business owners should think the same way.
• Why strategic planning for an exit should start long before you’re ready to sell.

Whether you're actively considering an exit or simply want to position your business for long-term success, David’s expertise will help you approach business valuation and deal-making with confidence.

Let’s dive in with David McCombie.

Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.