💡 Episode Summary In this episode, host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell sits down with Karl Sigerist - Managing Director at Shaughnessy Group and a seasoned corporate finance and M&A expert. Karl brings decades of experience helping mid-sized, often family-owned Canadian businesses (with revenues between $5 million and $50 million) navigate their most important transition: the sale of their company. They explore what makes this "overlooked middle" of the market so unique, why selling isn't like selling your house, and how strategic planning years in advance can unlock both legacy and liquidity. Karl also shares behind-the-scenes insights from real client success stories and demystifies the role of private equity in today's business transitions. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why $5M-$50M companies are underserved in traditional M&A processes The importance of long-term planning and education before an exit Why you should start exit preparation 2-3 years in advance - or earlier How cultural fit between buyer and seller drives long-term success How private equity can protect rather than destroy value The difference between a transaction and a journey Why you shouldn't fall in love with your business - and how to prepare it for its next owner 💬 Fun, Frank Advice from Karl "Don't fall in love with your business. It's a tool - not your identity. Treat it like a prized vintage car. Maintain it, polish it, and when it's time to sell, make sure it goes to someone who'll care for it as well as you did." 🔗 Connect with Karl Sigerist on LinkedIn 💬 Connect with Colleen If you're a Canadian business owner planning your own cash rich exit, it's never too early to start. Connect with host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell on LinkedIn Request a complimentary Wealth Gap Analysis to see where you stand on your exit timeline 🎧 Subscribe and Share If you enjoy this conversation, please: ⭐ Leave a 5-star review 🔁 Share the episode with a business owner who needs to hear it 🎙 Follow The Cash Rich Exit Podcast for more insights from founders, investors, and exit experts *** The Cash Rich Exit Podcast is brought to you by O'Connell-Campbell Wealth Management at RBC Dominion Securities. All opinions expressed by the host, Colleen O'Connell-Campbell, and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of RBC Dominion Securities. This podcast is for informational purposes only before taking any action based on information in this podcast you should consult with a qualified professional. Colleen O'Connell-Campbell is a Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.