Everyone wants to know the number: what you sold your company for, the valuation, the payout. But as Jerome Myers reveals, the number is not the finish line. It is only one mile marker on the journey. In this solo episode, Jerome uncovers what truly defines a successful exit: peace, purpose, and freedom. Through powerful stories and practical frameworks, he explains the four hidden levers —structure, timing, control, and alignment — that determine whether your exit becomes an evolution or a regret.
Founders will walk away with tools to measure success beyond money and to negotiate for a life that feels right, not just a deal that looks good.
[00:00 – 03:30] The Illusion of the Headline Number
The world celebrates the sale price, but that number rarely reflects true success
Founders often chase valuation without understanding its emotional cost
“You can hit your financial goal and still miss your life goal”
[03:30 – 07:30] The Hidden Levers: Structure and Timing
Structure determines how money actually reaches you — not just what’s promised
Beware of earnouts and rollover equity tied to someone else’s performance
Timing affects your freedom; stretched payments can quietly fund your own exit
[07:30 – 11:30] Control and Alignment: The Freedom You Forget to Negotiate
Freedom isn’t automatic after an exit — it’s negotiated
Many founders unknowingly trade autonomy for an employment clause
Alignment between values and culture is the silent determinant of post-exit peace
[11:30 – 15:30] Redefining Winning: Beyond the Transaction
Create a non-negotiables list — your personal term sheet
Identify your true freedom number after taxes and fees
Measure deals through the Freedom Compass: control, connection, meaning, and sustainability
[15:30 – 19:00] The Power Questions That Reveal True Value
Founders lose leverage when they ask for valuation instead of impact on the future self
Strategic questions expose power dynamics — “Who controls the capital stack post-close?”
Emotional readiness is key: “Do I know what I’m walking toward?”
[19:00 – 21:30] Exit as Evolution, Not Ending
The exit isn’t closure — it’s a portal to who you’re becoming
Peace is the ultimate return on investment
“The company was never the dream; it was a vehicle for it”
Key Quotes:
"You can hit your financial goal and still miss your life goal." - Jerome Myers
“If you do not define your non-negotiables, someone else will, and it will not be for your benefit." - Jerome Myers
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