When to sell your agency, exit comms, acqui-hire advice: Agency Q&A with Karl Sakas & Mike Belasco

Get agency advice on when to sell your agency (via guest expert Mike Belasco), how to communicate with your team about a potential future exit, advice on doing an acqui-hire exit, and more—in the August 2024 episode of Agency Office Hours with Karl Sakas. To “jump” to a specific Q&A segment, click the timecode links below.

First, I interviewed guest expert (and past coaching client) Mike Belasco—on when it’s time to sell your agency, and how he achieved a successful 100% exit.

• Lifestyle vs. Equity: “What was your initial vision for the agency, and how did it evolve over time?” [starting at 2:34]
• Exit Options: “How did you decide which exit option was right?” [starting at 7:15]
• Internal Buyer: “How did you approach selling your agency to a team member?” [starting at 12:04]
• Exit Timing: “How do you know when it’s the right time to sell your agency?” [starting at 15:28]
• Deal Structure: “How did you go about structuring your exit?” [starting at 17:30]
• Exit Workshop: Save $400 on your October 2-16 workshop ticket, if you register by August 31st: Control (and Maximize) Your Agency Exit

Then, I answered questions from agency owners in Vancouver and Washington, D.C.—including how to communicate to your team, and how to secure a solid “acqui-hire” exit.

• Exit Communications: “How do you handle telling your team you’re thinking of selling?” [starting at 29:31]
• Employee Equity: “What should we consider around employee incentives?” [starting at 35:56]
• Exit Strategy: “How can agencies prepare for an ‘acqui-hire’ exit?” [starting at 45:30]
• Acquisition Terms: “What can we expect as we approach an ‘acqui-hire’ exit?” [starting at 51:18]

Top resources from the live event:

1. Save $400 on your October 2-16 workshop ticket… if you buy by August 31st: “Control (and Maximize) Your Agency Exit”
2. Are you running an Equity or Lifestyle agency?
3. Why your agency’s employees don’t think like an owner
4. Before you tell the team, consider the Ideal Outcome vs. Minimum Acceptable outcome.
5. Consider the various types of acquirers.