Scale to Exit with Alejandra Santos

In this episode of Scale to Exit, I sit down with the brilliantly bold Colin McIntosh — a serial entrepreneur with an unforgettable sense of humor and a sharp sense of purpose. From launching the viral eucalyptus bedding brand Sheets & Giggles (which scaled to $1M/month in sales in just two years), to exiting a sustainability-focused startup Dirt Cheap Compost, and now building SheetsResume.com to empower job seekers with digni...

Are you wearing all the hats in your business: rainmaker, operator, decision-maker, and firefighter? If so, you’re not alone, but you are the bottleneck.

In this solo episode of Scale to Exit, I dive into what I call the Owner’s Delegation Dilemma, why founders struggle to let go, how it stalls growth and exit potential, and what you can do about it.

You’ll learn:

• The 4 hats that keep founders trapped in the weeds

• The 3 ide...

In this energizing episode of Scale to Exit, Alejandra sits down with Denise Aguilar, a global marketing strategist, startup advisor, and 2025 honoree of the 40 Under 40 award, to explore the real strategies that drive visibility, revenue, and long-term growth. As a first-generation Afro-Latina entrepreneur, Denise brings a rare combination of cultural intelligence and tech-forward thinking to every conversation.

They discuss:

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In this episode of Scale to Exit, we’re joined by entrepreneur and investor Saul Cohen, who shares how founders can unlock growth by thinking beyond building and into buying.

From navigating non-tech industries to funding acquisitions and preparing for an exit, Saul delivers actionable insight for founders at every stage. Whether you’re eyeing your first deal or laying the foundation for a sale years down the road, this conversatio...

In this episode of Scale to Exit, Alejandra sits down with Marshall to unpack the world of non-traditional lending, with a special focus on asset-based lending. Whether you're scaling, stabilizing, or preparing for an exit, understanding how to fund your business without giving up equity is a game-changer.

We cover:

• What asset-based lending is (and what it's not)

• How to prepare your business for funding

• Real-world mistake...

In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most misunderstood but critical topics for any business owner: valuation. You might think your business is worth $5M, but is it really? I’m breaking down what drives business value, the most common gaps between perceived and actual worth, and how to identify the blind spots that are silently hurting your valuation. We’ll talk: ✅ What buyers really look for ✅ The 3 most common value gaps ...

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Josh Dorfman, sustainability founder and investor, to unpack what it takes to scale mission-driven companies in the climate economy.

Josh shares the behind-the-scenes journey of co-founding Planted, a vertically integrated, carbon-negative building materials company that raised a $2M seed round and scaled to a $15M Series A. Now operating under the Super Cool brand, Josh dives into...

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with beauty industry disruptor and serial entrepreneur Nicole Collins, a powerhouse behind brands like ipsy, YUME, and the revolutionary 213Deli.

Nicole shares her journey from being a beauty-obsessed kid in L.A. to co-founding some of the most innovative beauty startups of the last decade. With deep expertise in brand building, influencer marketing, and social commerce, she reveals how...

What does going from rock bottom to an eight-figure business exit take?

In this deeply inspiring episode, psychotherapist and bestselling author Joyce Marter shares her incredible journey from financial ruin to founding and scaling a mental health practice that sold for $8 million. She opens up about the mindset shifts that changed everything, the hidden link between mental wellness and financial abundance, and how healing her mone...

What do great leaders, successful founders, and magnetic brands share? They master the art of the pivot, and they know how to tell their story.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, Dr. Cheryl Robinson, an international speaker, Forbes contributor, and founder of Creative Renegade Media, shares the fundamental pillars of decisive leadership and why personal branding is no longer optional in today's business landscape.

We dive deep into...

Raising your first round with zero revenue? This episode is your roadmap. I’m breaking down what investors care about at the seed stage, how to justify your valuation without numbers, and the one mistake that could ruin your next round before it starts. Raising capital before you’ve made your first dollar? You're not alone, but you do need a smart strategy. In this solo episode, Alejandra breaks down how pre-revenue fundraising wor...

What does it really mean to scale your business and wealth with intention? In this episode, Alejandra sits down with Harvard tax strategist and elite financial advisor Jeff Socha to unpack the mindset, strategy, and structure behind building a life and a business that thrives beyond your involvement.

They dive deep into Jeff’s concept of the Freedom Threshold, the critical Five Pillars of Wealth Management, and how to build resilie...

You don’t build a business to run it forever — you make it so someone wants to buy it.

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Jonathan Wilson, a licensed investment banker, M&A advisor, and founder of Dubb Value Creation, to discuss preparing for a successful business exit.

We dive into:

• Why every founder needs an exit strategy (even if you’re not selling tomorrow)

• Jonathan’s journey from consulting to licen...

In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with Juliana Garaizar, Founding Partner of Energy Tech Nexus and a trailblazing force in inclusive investing, to explore the shifting landscape of startup funding. From breaking down the flaws in the traditional VC model to championing underrepresented founders and climate innovation, Juliana offers real talk on what needs to change and who’s leading that charge. We dive into the role of ecos...

Is your workforce strategy setting your business up for a successful exit, or silently killing its value?

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Edie Goldberg, Ph.D., a nationally recognized expert in talent strategy and the future of work. Edie shares powerful insights from her books The Inside Gig and Scenario Planning, revealing how business owners can use agile talent planning to scale smarter, build resilient leade...

In this powerful episode of Scale to Exit, Alejandra Santos sits down with Sha Nacino to break down the real reason people say yes in business—it’s not logic, it’s connection. Discover how empathy, authenticity, and simply making people feel understood can instantly shift your sales outcomes. Whether scaling a startup or building a legacy brand, this conversation will change how you sell and lead.

Because in the end? People don’t b...

What does becoming a CEO at 20 and a COO by 24 take? For Victoria Pelletier, it’s grit, strategy, and a serious dose of emotional intelligence. In this episode of Scale to Exit, we dive into her journey through mergers and acquisitions—on both sides of the table—and what she looks for in a business before making a deal. We also talk leadership that lasts, brand value that sells, and why EQ might be your secret weapon for scale. Buc...

Product-market fit is just the beginning. In this episode, I’m joined by Peter Cohan—author, investor, and creator of the Value Pyramid—to explore what it takes to grow a business built to last. We explore the layers of the Value Pyramid and how founders can climb from basic survival to sustained strategic advantage.

Peter explains the difference between visionary and reckless leadership, why empathy is essential in crisis, and how...