Selling a business can create financial freedom, but it can also leave a founder without the work, structure, and purpose that defined everyday life.
In this episode of Total Disruption, Michael Libercci and guest co-host Phil Masiello examine what happens after a business exit. Phil shares how different sales affected him, why one successful exit left him feeling unexpectedly lost, and how helping Energizer with direct-to-consumer work eventually became a new agency and a new direction.
The conversation also covers the risks of reinvesting, the cash demands created by growth, and the true cost of outside capital. Michael and Phil discuss preferred shares, dilution, investor expectations, and why founders must understand the complete deal—not simply celebrate the headline amount raised. They close with practical guidance for pitching investors: choose the right audience, know the opportunity, answer honestly, and remember that investors are evaluating the founder as much as the product.
In this episode:
• The emotional aftermath of selling a business
• Why money does not automatically replace purpose
• How growth can consume cash
• Reinvesting after an exit
• Turning a project into the next company
• Why capital terms can change a founder’s final outcome
• Choosing investors who understand your business
• Presenting with confidence without pretending to know everything
• Why investors evaluate the entrepreneur behind the pitch
Follow Total Disruption for honest conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, capital, and the work behind business growth. Share this episode with a founder preparing for an exit or considering outside investment.
Educational discussion only; not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.
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Hosted by Dr. Jake Clendenning & Michael Libercci
Produced in partnership with the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network
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