How to Sell an Agency

In this episode I talk to Will Anderson, Head of Corporate & Commercial at Clarke & Sons - the law firm who assisted me in my agency sale and who has supported dozens of others in the same. I invited Will on to answer some of the trickier questions I have received from listeners since starting this process and to share lessons he's learned from his mergers and acquisition work.  Will steps us through what happens from when an agency finds a potential buyer through to the end of any earn out and also what agencies can be doing years in advance to improve their chance of a later successful sale. Connect with Will here:
Clarke & Son - Clarke & Son Solicitors
Will on LinkedIn
Or with me here:
Website - Mat Bennett, Agency Advisor
Mat on LinkedIn

In this episode I talk to Trenton Moss, who shares his journey with Webcredible, a UX specialist business he founded and sold in 2018. Trenton delves into the challenges and strategies of building and selling a niche agency, emphasizing the importance of resilience and strategic focus. His story offers practical insights for agency owners on growing and preparing their businesses for sale. This discussion is packed with valuable lessons on leadership, specialization, and navigating the sale process, essential for anyone looking to successfully exit their agency.
Connect with Trenton here:
Team Sterka - Client Skills Programme
Trenton on LinkedIn
Or with me here:
Website - Mat Bennett, Agency Advisor
Mat on LinkedIn

In this episode I am joined by Jonathan Smith who built Catch; a 30+ person platform agency that operated from the heart of Soho for 15 years, which he sold in a private equity backed deal.
 
Connect with Jonathan here:
Draft Partners - Agency Growth & M&A Advisors
Jonathan on LinkedIn
Or with me here:
Website - Mat Bennett, Agency Advisor
Mat on LinkedIn

Andrew joined me to discuss the sale of his video production agency just a few weeks after the sale completed. Together we discuss he achieved a sale when others had told him that couldn't be done, and also how that deal has helped him start building a new start with better life balance.
How to connect with Andrew
Andrew on LinkedIn
 
Or with me here:
Website - Mat Bennett, Agency Advisor
Mat on LinkedIn

Success takes different forms. Damian had co-founded a successful, growing agency that was delivering great work to an enviable list of clients, but opted to walk away. Damian's story covers a many facets, from being a cautionary one about building the wrong business, through actionable advice when the tables were turned and he was tasked with finding other agencies to acquire. 
 
How to connect with Damian
Damian on LinkedIn
Make Human Website 
How to connect with Mat
Website - Mat Bennett, Agency Advisor
Mat on LinkedIn
 
 
 
 

A sale is big part of the plan for many who start an agency, so the idea of a "reluctant sale" might raise a few eyebrows, but that was definitely the case with Steve Parks. Steve kindly joined me to share that story, together with the lessons learned from building more than one agency and then shifting to an advisory roll for others. 
How to connect with Steve
Steve Parks on LinkedIn
Convivio Website 
Steve has also now launched a free email course with advice for those looking to sell their agency, which can be found at https://agencysellup.com/ 
How to connect with Mat
Website
LinkedIn
 
 

For many agencies the sale is driven my the founders desire to exit, but Kelly's is a different story. Kelly's story takes us through founding, nicheing down and, success through troubled times then finally selling and choosing to stay on the agency she sold her stake in.
How to connect with Kelly
Kelly on LinkedIn
Rubber Cheese Website 
How to connect with Mat
Website
LinkedIn
 
 

I often ask sold-up founders if they'd ever start another agency, but Jamie Riddell has already done just that. Jamie shares his story not only of how he built and sold, but the lessons he took to do things differently second time around. 
How to connect with Jamie
Jamie on LinkedIn
Escaping Gravity Website
How to connect with Mat
Website
LinkedIn
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieriddell/

I spoke with Nick Boyce about his sale of Pollenary whilst the dust was still barely settled on the sale. Nick describes his own sale as a modest one and it was never about an exit. This type of sale is quite common, but so often dressed up as something else by the time it comes to a press release. It was so refreshing to have Nick on the podcast talking in a far more authentic way about the realities of his sale. 
How to connect with Nick
Nick on LinkedIn
Spin Brands website 
 
How to connect with Mat
Website
LinkedIn

If you are thinking of selling your own agency one day, then the story of Karl's sale of Cognito Integrated Marketing is a must listen.  Karl managed to achieve a deal seemingly without the burdens and downsides that come along with many sales. Karl now works with other agencies on similar journeys, and shares his experience not just of his successful sale, but a number of sales he has supported
 
How to connect with Karl
Website
LinkedIn
Twitter
 
How to connect with Mat
Website
LinkedIn