What does it take to build a company, nearly lose it twice, and still walk away with a successful exit?
In this episode, Sam Penny sits down with John Williamson, founder of Construct Health. John grew his physiotherapy business to 40 staff, faced near-bankruptcy during the mining downturn, and ultimately rebuilt, restructured, and sold his company to a national group. Along the way, he discovered that resilience isn’t just about spreadsheets and strategy — it’s about daily habits, tough conversations, and choosing to keep turning up when everything inside you wants to quit.
Whether you’re an owner thinking about your exit, or a buyer wanting to understand what it really takes behind the numbers, this conversation is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why cash flow discipline matters more than revenue in high-growth businesses.
- How acquisitions can quickly turn toxic — and what to watch out for in due diligence.
- The mental and physical habits John used to survive the darkest entrepreneurial moments.
- How he restructured his business, repaid debts, and rebuilt trust with staff and stakeholders.
- What it really feels like to walk away after 17 years when you finally sell your company.
Quotes from John
- “I didn’t know if I could do it or not, but I knew I was going to keep turning up.”
- “Even when you’re growing fast, cash flow is an issue. I learned that the hard way.”
- “Sometimes survival isn’t about brilliance — it’s about refusing to walk away.”
Resources & Links
- Connect with John Williamson on LinkedIn
- Learn more about his new venture: Unventured.life
(coming soon)
Like What You Hear?
This episode was originally recorded for Sam’s other podcast, Why’d You Think You Could Do That? — a show about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. If you want more stories of bravery and resilience, follow it wherever you get your podcasts.
And don’t forget to subscribe to Built to Sell | Built to Buy so you never miss an episode on maximising value, preparing for exit, and buying businesses the smart way.
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