Dreamcatchers

Kerry Harris has exited two companies. But what makes her story powerful isn’t the deal. It’s what happened after. In this episode, we unpack five hard lessons founders ignore about selling their business: * Why deals fall apart * How control structures shape exit outcomes * The emotional cost of acquisition * The identity vacuum after closing * And why success can feel strangely empty This is an honest conversation about what the exit does to founders behind the scenes. If you think you’re ready to sell, listen first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Hulbert built Pareto from scratch, scaled it to about £50M in revenue, and exited for around $100M, retiring at 37. But the most interesting part of his story is what happened next. In this episode, Andrew explains how he avoided the post-exit crash many founders experience by preparing himself personally, not just preparing the business. We talk about working with a business psychologist, the “Exit Island” concept, how he decompressed after closing, and why the things that looked like success (cars, status, noise) were far less fulfilling than reconnecting with his wife, kids, friends, and health. This is a practical, honest conversation for founders who are approaching an exit and wondering: Who am I without the business, and what comes next? We cover: preparing for exit mentally, clean exits vs earn-outs, identity after exit, relationship repair, health during the sale process, significance and meaning, and what Andrew would do differently if he built it again. Guest: Andrew Hulbert Hos

What happens after the deal closes is the question too few founders ask. In this conversation on Your N.E.X.T., Jerome Myers sits down again with Dr. Michelle Fritsch to explore why even highly successful founders feel lost, disconnected, or unprepared after exiting their businesses. Together, they unpack the often-ignored realities of post-exit life—identity loss, health decline, strained relationships, and the myth that money alone creates fulfillment. The conversation also introduces the thinking behind the Exit Ready Summit, a boardroom-style experience designed to help founders prepare not just financially, but personally, relationally, and purposefully for life beyond the business. [00:00 – 07:00] | The Question Founders Avoid Most founders ask when to exit, not who they’ll be afterExits are transformational portals, not just transactions Identity loss is the biggest blind spot in exit planning [07:01 – 14:00] | Why Health Is the First Domino Burnout is often a biological warning,

What happens when success finds you before you think you’re ready for it? In this episode of Your N.E.X.T., Jennifer K. Hill shares her unexpected exit journey and the deeper transformation that followed. From building and selling a company she never intended to create, to redefining identity, purpose, and alignment after the sale, Jennifer unpacks why true fulfillment doesn’t come from brute force or hustle.  This conversation explores connection over control, purpose over performance, and why having the right tools, mentors, and inner clarity can change everything about what comes next. [00:00 – 07:30] The Unexpected Exit Jennifer never planned to build or sell a company, yet received an unsolicited acquisition offerReputation, relationships, and alignment created opportunity without pursuit Exit success came from service, not strategy alone [07:31 – 15:45] Failure, Alignment, and Starting Again Jennifer’s first business failed despite prior corporate success Leaving misaligned e

What happens after the deal closes is the question too few founders ask. In this conversation on Your N.E.X.T., Jerome Myers sits down again with Dr. Michelle Fritsch to explore why even highly successful founders feel lost, disconnected, or unprepared after exiting their businesses. Together, they unpack the often-ignored realities of post-exit life—identity loss, health decline, strained relationships, and the myth that money alone creates fulfillment. The conversation also introduces the thinking behind the Exit Ready Summit, a boardroom-style experience designed to help founders prepare not just financially, but personally, relationally, and purposefully for life beyond the business. [00:00 – 07:00] | The Question Founders Avoid Most founders ask when to exit, not who they’ll be afterExits are transformational portals, not just transactions Identity loss is the biggest blind spot in exit planning [07:01 – 14:00] | Why Health Is the First Domino Burnout is often a biological warning,

Most founders believe the value of their business lies entirely inside their operating company. In this episode, Jason Bush joins Jerome Myers to challenge that assumption and expose one of the most overlooked exit-planning risks: real estate misalignment. Drawing from Jason’s two exits, his background in engineering, business advisory, and commercial real estate, and his work at Linville Team Partners, this conversation unpacks how poorly structured leases, ownership entities, and rent strategies can quietly destroy enterprise value.  You’ll hear real-world horror stories, surprising valuation math, and a powerful framework for turning real estate from a liability into a strategic wealth-building lever before an exit ever hits the market. [00:00 – 07:00] From Engineering to Exit Clarity Jason shares his early career as a civil engineer and his first successful business exit Why one exit worked and another failed despite strong income The difference between owning a “job” and building a sel

Many founders believe the exit is the finish line, but what happens after the deal closes often reveals a deeper challenge. In this solo episode, Jerome Myers explores why so many exited founders unknowingly rebuild the very businesses and lifestyles they were desperate to escape. He introduces the concept of the “ghost business” and explains how unprocessed identity loss, fear, and unresolved trauma quietly pull founders back into familiar patterns of overwork and self-imposed prisons.  Through powerful metaphors, real-world observations, and reflective questions, Jerome reframes the exit as a starting line rather than an ending. He offers a path toward clarity, freedom, and intentional post-exit living. [00:00 – 03:15] The Ghost Business That Follows Every Founder Many founders rebuild businesses not from purpose, but from discomfort with stillness The post-exit “next thing” often exists to avoid more profound identity questions Fulfillment is mistaken for activity, leading to busy work i

Most founders expect happiness to arrive the moment the wire hits. But, as Jerome shares in this powerful solo episode, many founders feel more lost after a successful exit than before it. Even when the deal is smooth, the number is hit, and every professional metric says success, the internal experience can feel hollow. Jerome breaks down why joy does not automatically follow liquidity, why identity and purpose collapse after exiting, and how founders can avoid falling into the Post-Exit Void.  He reveals the psychological sequence that unfolds after the deal closes, the hidden shame founders rarely admit, and a new definition of a successful exit that goes far beyond valuation. If you are building toward a liquidity event or still unraveling after one, this episode will give you clarity, language, and next steps to regain meaning, coherence, and direction.  [00:00 – 03:10] The Myth of Automatic Post-Exit Happiness Founders often assume money will solve everything, but joy after a liquidity event is s

Most founders think the hardest part of selling their company is the deal itself. But as Jerome Myers reveals, the real challenge begins in the silence that follows. In this deeply honest solo episode, Jerome breaks down the emotional, identity, and relational fears that make exits so difficult — and why avoiding these truths leads to regret, stalled decisions, and post-exit collapse. Using the metaphor of Pandora’s Box, he explains that what founders fear isn’t the future — it’s finally having to face everything they ignored while building the business. Jerome walks through the hidden fears inside the box, the dangers of avoidance, and the power of strategic identity work. He then shares a founder story that transforms fear into clarity, illustrating how an exit can become a portal to personal evolution rather than an ending. Listeners walk away with a roadmap for beginning the internal work now, and an invitation to access the tools that make a healthy transition possible. [00:00–01:15] The Hidden Strugg

Many founders stay stuck in the space between yes and no, not because of timing, money, or strategy, but because of resistance disguised as logic. In this powerful solo episode, Jerome Myers speaks directly to high performers who feel called to their next chapter yet hesitate to move. He breaks down the most common objections founders use to delay meaningful growth and reveals the deeper fears beneath them—from the discomfort of pausing long enough to feel, to the fear of being truly seen without the armor of achievement.  Jerome also opens up about his own experience with the Founder’s Exit Paradox and the identity unraveling that happens once success goes quiet. This episode serves as a mirror, a challenge, and an invitation to stop circling the life you want and begin stepping into it with clarity, alignment, and courage. [00:00–02:18] Sitting in the Gray Space Founders hesitate not because of time or money but because of quiet resistance Resistance dresses itself up as logic, busyness, and “r

 What happens when life shifts faster than you expect? In this solo episode, Jerome offers a raw and real update on the unexpected changes unfolding in his world. From becoming a faculty member at the Exit Planning Institute to being invited into rooms he once dreamed of, he reflects on recognition, alignment, and the responsibility that comes with thought leadership. Jerome also breaks down the heart of his methodology: helping founders exit to something meaningful rather than from something overwhelming. He shares behind-the-scenes experiences, upcoming speaking engagements, and the personal transitions shaping his next chapter.  This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation that reminds every founder that clarity, purpose, and personal planning remain the true North Star of any successful exit. [00:00 – 01:00] A Solo Episode and a Month of Change Jerome sets the tone with a personal update instead of frameworks or concepts Acknowledges unexpected changes that appeared without warning Frame

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 determine

What if achieving everything you dreamed of still left you feeling empty? In this enlightening episode of the Work You Love podcast, host Danielle Mizrachi sits down with Jerome Myers, founder of Exit to Excellence, to explore what really happens after success. Jerome reveals the emotional aftermath of selling a business—the Exit Paradox—and how he helps founders rediscover meaning beyond money. Together, they unpack why fulfillment, not achievement, is the real finish line, and how to align work with your purpose, joy, and impact. Listeners will leave with a renewed perspective on success: that true wealth isn’t measured in dollars, but in the difference you make and the peace you carry. [00:00 – 07:00] The Exit Paradox Jerome shares how he helps founders rediscover meaning after selling their companies The “Exit Paradox”: the grief, loss, and disorientation many feel after achieving financial success His first exit from corporate life revealed the emotional void behind professional wins

Most founders think they’ll know when they’re ready to exit, but readiness doesn’t arrive with an offer sheet. It’s forged in the years before the deal, through every decision made when no one’s watching. In this powerful episode, Jerome Myers exposes the hidden gap between financial readiness and founder readiness, where many leaders lose more than money: they lose purpose, relationships, and identity. You’ll discover why waiting feels safe but quietly destroys value, how to recognize when you’ve already started your next exit, and how to build the muscle of readiness long before the market, or life, forces your hand. This isn’t about selling your business. It’s about designing your evolution.[00:00 – 04:00] The Illusion of Readiness Exit readiness is more than revenue or valuation; it’s about emotional and operational alignment Many founders mistake momentum for readiness, avoiding the deeper work of letting go Readiness must be trained like a muscle, not treated as a milestone [04:00

What if the very mindset that built your success is now the thing keeping you stuck? In this episode, Jerome Myers, America’s Leading Exit Authority, breaks down the five most common objections founders tell themselves after exiting their businesses and reveals what they truly are: fear wearing logic’s clothes. From waiting for clarity to fearing the wrong move, Jerome reframes each belief and shares how to move from hesitation to evolution. If you’ve built your empire and now find yourself wondering what’s next, this episode is your mirror, not your map for rediscovering meaning and momentum beyond the business. [00:00 – 01:00] The Portal Beyond the Exit Exiting isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of personal evolution Control and certainty no longer serve this new chapter The Founder’s Exit Paradox: the same habits that brought success now create stagnation [01:00 – 02:00] Objection #1: “I Just Need More Clarity” “I need clarity” is often avoidance disguised as prudence Move

Most founders chase the exit as if it’s the ultimate destination. But what happens when the deal closes and you’re left asking, "Who am I without my business?" In this crossover episode from The Amazing Marketing Show, Jerome Myers joins hosts Dmitri Smirnov and Chris Gray to reveal why 75 percent of business owners regret selling their companies, and what the other 25 percent did differently. Jerome shares hard-won wisdom on exit readiness, identity, purpose, and redefining wealth beyond money. He invites listeners to see freedom not as walking away from something, but as stepping into the next meaningful chapter. 00:00 – 04:15 The Reality Behind Business Exits Only 25% of founders who sell their company feel no regret Success without purpose can lead to depression, not freedom True exit readiness requires planning on both financial and emotional fronts 04:16 – 09:30 Loneliness After the Exit Up to 60% of personal relationships fade after leaving a company Without intentiona

Exiting a business is never just about the deal, it’s about who you become on the other side. In this episode, Jerome Myers, America’s Leading Exit Authority, explores the unseen emotional and psychological realities of selling a company. From the illusion of control to the founder’s exit paradox, Jerome explains why independence can’t carry you through the transition and why trust, guidance, and proven frameworks are essential for a fulfilling next chapter.  If you’re approaching an exit, or even just thinking about it, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and invite you to prepare in a way that safeguards not only your wealth, but also your peace, relationships, and purpose. [00:00 – 01:09] Introduction to Business Exits Exits are more than transactions; they’re transformations Many founders believe they can handle the process alone Independence created success, but it can also create blind spots [01:09 – 03:06] Illusion of Control & The Trust Gap Control brings resu

You got the money. Now what? That’s the question too many founders face when the wire hits and the silence sets in. In this episode of Your Next, the mic flips, as Jeroeme sits down with JR Lay for a no-BS conversation about what really happens after you sell your business. Spoiler: it’s not champagne and sunsets. The discussion revolves around The Founder’s Exit Paradox, that sinking feeling of confusion, disconnection, and loss that arises when the work is gone, yet you're still searching for meaning and worth. This is for every visionary who built a mountain, reached the top, and thought, “Is this it?” Jerome shares his raw, personal journey through post-exit chaos, identity unraveling, and the scars that success leaves behind, and how he helps other high-achieving founders find meaning after the money. If you’re building toward an exit, don’t just listen to this episode; study it. [00:00 – 12:00] Time Over Money Why tracking days off beats tracking dollars The hidden cost of chasing success

Selling your business won’t save you if you’re not ready for what comes after, and most founders aren’t. Less than 1% of women founders successfully exit their businesses. That story is changing, and Carrie Kerpen is leading the movement. In this episode of Your Next, I sit down with Carrie Kerpen, founder of The Whisper Group and a successful agency exit veteran, to explore how women are rewriting the rules of business, building companies designed to sell, and creating exits that unlock freedom, legacy, and purpose. We go deep into the reality of life after a big sale: the loss of identity, the challenges of integration, and the path to reclaiming power on your own terms. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after the wire hits, this conversation will change how you think about exits. Press play now, and step into the conversation that could redefine how you see your next chapter. [00:00 – 12:00] The Agency and the Exit Carrie’s journey from co-founding Likable to an 8-figure exit How Built

You planned the deal. You closed the transaction. Everyone’s congratulating you. But then... silence. In this revealing solo episode, Jerome Myers explores the Founder’s Exit Paradox, that unexpected disconnect between financial success and emotional fulfillment. Through real stories and powerful insights, Jerome shares why so many high-performing founders regret their exits and what you can do to avoid that fate. If you’ve sold your business or are planning to, this episode offers the roadmap to reclaim clarity, purpose, and peace on the other side. Tune in now to discover what you really need to prepare for, before, during, and after the exit. [00:00 – 02:00] The Regret No One Talks About 75% of founders regret their exit Why selling your business is more than just a financial move The Exit Paradox explained [02:01 – 04:45] Four Founders, Same Pattern James, Sarah, David, and Maria: different exits, same emotional fallout What financial success can't fix How identity, relatio