Built to Sell Radio Review: The Ultimate Entrepreneur’s Exit Strategy Podcast by John Warrillow
Our Rating: 5/5 Stars – Built to Sell Radio stands as the definitive podcast for entrepreneurs planning their exit strategy. With over 520 episodes of pure gold, this show has become the go-to resource for business owners who want to maximize their company’s value and execute a successful sale.
Meet John Warrillow: The Master of Business Exits
John Warrillow isn’t just another business podcast host—he’s a battle-tested entrepreneur who has walked the walk. As the founder of The Value Builder System™, Warrillow has dedicated his career to helping business owners create companies that can thrive without them and ultimately sell for maximum value.
Warrillow’s credibility stems from his impressive track record. He has started and successfully exited four companies, including one that was acquired by a public company. This real-world experience gives him unique insights that you simply can’t get from academic theory or secondhand knowledge.
His bestselling book “Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You” was recognized by both Fortune and Inc. as one of the best business books of 2011 and has been translated into 12 languages. The book’s success naturally led to the creation of Built to Sell Radio, which has become a phenomenon in its own right.
Warrillow has continued to build on his expertise with additional bestselling books including “The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry” and “The Art of Selling Your Business: Winning Strategies & Secret Hacks for Exiting on Top.” This trilogy of books forms the foundation of knowledge that makes Built to Sell Radio so valuable.
Podcast Format: Intimate Conversations with Real Exit Stories
Built to Sell Radio follows a compelling interview format that feels more like listening to a private conversation between two successful entrepreneurs than a traditional podcast. Each episode typically runs 30-45 minutes, making it perfect for a commute or workout session without being overwhelming.
Warrillow’s interviewing style is masterful. He asks the hard questions that other hosts might shy away from, diving deep into the nitty-gritty details of deal structures, valuation negotiations, and the emotional rollercoaster of selling a business. His guests aren’t just sharing surface-level success stories—they’re revealing the strategic decisions, mistakes, and pivotal moments that shaped their exits.
The show features several recurring series that keep content fresh and focused:
- Exit Stories – In-depth interviews with founders who have successfully sold their businesses
- Inside the Mind of an Acquirer – Conversations with buyers, private equity partners, and investment bankers
- After the Deal – Exploring life after selling a business, including the psychological and financial aspects
- Mastering the Deal – Tactical episodes focused on negotiation strategies and deal structures
What Makes Built to Sell Radio Different from Every Other Business Podcast
In a sea of generic business podcasts, Built to Sell Radio stands out for several reasons that make it absolutely essential listening for serious entrepreneurs.
Laser-Focused Content
While most business podcasts try to cover everything, Built to Sell Radio maintains an unwavering focus on one critical topic: building and selling valuable businesses. This specificity means every episode delivers actionable insights directly relevant to your exit strategy.
Real Numbers and Transparent Discussions
Warrillow isn’t afraid to discuss actual dollar amounts, valuation multiples, and deal structures. Episodes regularly feature discussions about businesses selling for millions, tens of millions, and even hundreds of millions of dollars. This transparency provides invaluable benchmarking data for listeners.
Diverse Range of Industries and Deal Sizes
The podcast covers exits across every conceivable industry, from tech startups to traditional manufacturing businesses, service companies to e-commerce brands. Whether your business is worth $1 million or $100 million, you’ll find relevant examples and strategies.
Expert-Level Deal Structure Analysis
Warrillow expertly unpacks complex deal structures, explaining earn-outs, equity rolls, seller financing, and other sophisticated mechanisms in language that any business owner can understand. This education is worth thousands of dollars in consulting fees.
Types of Standout Episodes That Make This Show Essential
Service Business Transformations – Episodes featuring entrepreneurs who transformed traditional service businesses into sellable assets, often achieving valuations 3x higher than initial offers.
Nine-Figure Exit Stories – Deep dives into massive exits where founders share the strategic decisions and deal structures that led to hundred-million-dollar sales.
The Real Math Behind Big Exits – Eye-opening breakdowns of how large sale prices translate to actual founder payouts after venture capital liquidation preferences and deal structures.
Life After the Sale – Candid discussions about the psychological and practical challenges entrepreneurs face after major exits, including dealing with sudden wealth.
Unlikely Success Stories – Inspiring episodes featuring entrepreneurs who overcame significant obstacles to build and sell multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses.
Why Listeners Are Absolutely Obsessed with Built to Sell Radio
The passionate fanbase of Built to Sell Radio didn’t happen by accident. Forbes ranking it as one of the world’s 10 best podcasts for business owners is just the beginning. Here’s why entrepreneurs consider this podcast essential listening:
Actionable Intelligence from the Trenches
Every episode is packed with specific, actionable strategies that listeners can immediately implement in their businesses. Whether it’s structuring earn-outs, negotiating with private equity, or identifying strategic acquirers, the content is immediately applicable.
Emotional Support for the Exit Journey
Selling a business is one of the most stressful experiences an entrepreneur can face. The podcast provides crucial emotional support by sharing stories from founders who have navigated similar challenges and come out successful on the other side.
Network Effect and Community
Listeners often describe feeling part of an exclusive community of serious entrepreneurs. The shared knowledge and vocabulary from the podcast creates connections and opportunities that extend far beyond the episodes themselves.
Constantly Evolving with Market Trends
Warrillow keeps the content fresh by adapting to current market conditions. Whether it’s discussing how COVID-19 affected valuations or exploring new buyer categories like family offices and independent sponsors, the podcast stays ahead of the curve.
Production Quality and Consistency
The podcast maintains exceptional production standards with clear audio, consistent release schedules, and well-researched content. This reliability means listeners can count on regular, high-quality content delivery.
Who Should Listen to Built to Sell Radio (And Who Shouldn’t)
Perfect For:
- Established Business Owners – If you’re running a business with at least $1M in revenue and thinking about your exit strategy, this podcast is essential
- Serial Entrepreneurs – Those who plan to build and sell multiple businesses will find endless value in the strategic insights
- Private Equity and M&A Professionals – Industry professionals use the podcast to stay current on market trends and deal structures
- Business Advisors – CPAs, lawyers, and consultants who work with business owners find the content invaluable for client conversations
- High-Growth Startups – Founders raising capital or planning eventual exits benefit from understanding buyer psychology and market dynamics
Not Ideal For:
- Complete beginners to entrepreneurship who haven’t started their first business
- Lifestyle business owners who never plan to sell
- Those looking for general business advice rather than exit-focused strategy
The Built to Sell Radio Learning Journey
New listeners often ask where to start with 520+ episodes. Here’s the optimal approach:
Start with Recent Episodes (500+) – These reflect current market conditions and deal structures. The quality and production value are at their peak.
Focus on Your Industry – Search for episodes featuring businesses similar to yours. The tactical insights will be immediately relevant.
Master the Fundamentals – Listen to episodes about valuation basics, deal structure, and buyer psychology before diving into advanced topics.
Follow Series – The “Inside the Mind of an Acquirer” and “After the Deal” series provide concentrated learning on specific aspects of the exit process.
Ready to Transform Your Business Exit Strategy?
Join thousands of successful entrepreneurs who rely on Built to Sell Radio for expert exit strategy insights. Start listening today and discover the secrets that could add millions to your business sale.
Get Expert Exit Strategy Help at GoSBA →
Connect with M&A professionals who understand the strategies discussed in Built to Sell Radio
Frequently Asked Questions About Built to Sell Radio
The Bottom Line: Why Built to Sell Radio is Essential Listening
In an entrepreneurial landscape where 90% of businesses never successfully sell, Built to Sell Radio provides the strategic advantage that separates those who exit successfully from those who don’t. John Warrillow has created something unique: a masterclass in business exits disguised as entertainment.
The podcast’s strength lies not just in the caliber of guests or the quality of insights, but in its unwavering focus on one crucial goal: helping entrepreneurs build businesses that are both valuable and sellable. Every episode moves you closer to that goal.
For serious entrepreneurs, Built to Sell Radio isn’t just recommended listening—it’s required listening. The strategies, insights, and real-world examples shared in this podcast have literally helped entrepreneurs add millions to their exit valuations. Can you afford not to listen?
Start Your Built to Sell Radio Journey Today
Available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Begin with the most recent episodes and work your way through the extensive archive. Your future self—and your bank account—will thank you.
Take Your Exit Strategy to the Next Level
Ready to implement the strategies you’ll learn from Built to Sell Radio? Connect with M&A professionals who can help you execute a successful business sale.
