Most entrepreneurs spend years trying to grow one customer at a time. But what if there was a faster path?
In this conversation, Fleet sits down with globally recognized mergers and acquisitions expert Jeremy Harbour to explore how entrepreneurs can use acquisitions, mergers, and exit planning to build wealth more strategically. Jeremy explains why buying an existing business often carries less risk than starting one from scratch, how to structure acquisitions with little or no upfront capital, and why every entrepreneur should build a company that's ready to sell—even if they never plan to.
Together, they discuss the mindset shift from operator to investor, the importance of stepping out of the day-to-day, and practical strategies for increasing enterprise value through better systems, strategic partnerships, and thoughtful acquisitions. Whether you're building your first company or preparing for your next chapter, this episode offers a powerful framework for creating scalable businesses and lasting financial freedom.
Key Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Jeremy's first business failure and the lessons it taught him 08:45 Why acquiring a business can be less risky than starting one 17:10 Building your business with an exit strategy from day one 29:20 Transitioning from operator to investor and board-level thinking 39:15 How mergers and acquisitions create leverage and accelerate growth 51:30 Structuring deals with little or no upfront capital 1:05:10 The emotional side of selling a business 1:14:45 Building roll-ups, creating enterprise value, and scaling strategically 1:24:00 Jeremy's advice for entrepreneurs looking to buy, build, and exit
Memorable Quotes
"You don't have to run the entire marathon—you can start much closer to the finish line by acquiring an existing business." "The entrepreneur's job isn't to do every job forever—it's to create shareholder value." "Build businesses to sell, because that's how you create real leverage and long-term wealth."
Topics Discussed
Mergers & acquisitions
Buying businesses
Exit planning
Enterprise value
Scaling through acquisitions
Entrepreneurial leverage
No-money-down acquisitions
Roll-up strategies
Leadership
CEO mindset
Succession planning
Business valuation
Wealth creation
Strategic partnerships
Entrepreneurship
Resources Mentioned: Jeremy Harbour's 21-Day M&A Email Course To receive the free course, email "HeartMind" in the subject line to: crissy@harbourclubevents.com Jeremy also recommends following his educational content through Harbour Club and his social media channels.
Connect with Jeremy Harbour Website: https://harbourclub.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harbour.jeremy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarbourClub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbour
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