<p>What does it really take to build a business that lasts—not just financially, but culturally and personally?</p><p>In this episode, Allison sits down with <strong>David Hori</strong>, an experienced operator, investor, and advisor who has spent over 25 years scaling, acquiring, and exiting businesses while preserving the people and culture behind them.</p><p>David has led multiple successful exits, including a company acquired by Toyota, and has achieved something incredibly rare in growth and transition: integrating more than 1,100 employees with a 98% retention rate. He brings a buyer’s mindset, not a consultant’s playbook—focused on real-world decisions that give owners more options, not more noise.</p><p>Together, Allison and David dive into the <strong>mindset shifts and operational processes required to scale well</strong>, not fast. This is a practical, honest conversation about:</p><ul><li><p>The leadership mindset required to grow beyond founder-led bottlenecks</p></li><li><p>The processes owners need in place before scaling, stepping back, or exiting</p></li><li><p>What business owners often overlook when trying to grow sustainably</p></li><li><p>Why people and culture matter more than spreadsheets during transition</p></li><li><p>What private equity often gets wrong—and what owners should understand early</p></li><li><p>How thinking like a buyer creates clarity, leverage, and long-term optionality</p></li></ul><p>This episode is especially valuable for founders and owners who:</p><ul><li><p>Have built something meaningful and want to protect it</p></li><li><p>Feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next move</p></li><li><p>Care about legacy, not just valuation</p></li><li><p>Want clear processes and grounded leadership—not hustle-driven growth</p></li></ul><p>If you’re thinking about scaling, stepping back, or eventually exiting, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions long before you’re forced to.</p><p>🎧 Listen in and learn how to build a business that truly lasts.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>