“Building Value, Preparing for Growth & Transition”

With John Mackey & Ken Wiesenfeld

Episode Overview: In this episode of The Mackey Group Fireside Chat, John Mackey sits down with Ken Wiesenfeld (Wise Financial Consulting) to discuss how fire & life safety owners can build stronger businesses, prepare for transition, and maximize value. From recurring revenue strategies to tech stack investments, and from growth guardrails to busting the biggest myths in M&A—this conversation is packed with insights you can apply right away.

Chapters 21.1 Introduction & Guest Overview

21.2 Consolidation Wave & Why Owners Should Plan Ahead Why business owners should be thinking about future transitions now.

21.3 What Drives Value in Today’s Market Beyond revenue—what buyers are really looking for.

21.4 Recurring Revenue & Guardrails on Installation Balancing installs with service contracts, job costing, and reducing risk.

21.5 Growth & Transition: Why the Time is Now Why waiting can cost you—and how to prepare in advance.

21.6 Myths & Realities: The Truth about Selling Your Business

• Myth 1: “I don’t need to worry about selling; I’m not going anywhere for 10 years.”
• Myth 2: “Buyers only care about revenue.”
• Myth 3: “I’ll fix my systems and processes after I grow.”
• Myth 4: “Installation drives growth; service is just maintenance.”
• Myth 5: “I can do this by myself.”

21.7 Working out Your Financial Muscles

21.8 Why Work with Ken & John How complementary strengths create better outcomes for clients.

Key Takeaways

• Preparedness = leverage: Owners who prepare early get better outcomes.

• Recurring revenue and customer contracts drive valuation.

• Systems and tech stack investments matter more than you think. • Growth strategies should also identify transition “off-ramps.”

• The biggest myths about selling can cost owners millions if left unchecked. Call to Action Thinking about the future of your fire & life safety business? Whether you’re planning for growth, preparing for a sale, or simply want to protect the value you’ve built—now is the time to start the conversation.

Contact John Mackey • LinkedIn:   / mackeyjohn   • Website: mackeygroupllc.com • Email: [email protected]

Contact Ken Wiesenfeld • LinkedIn:   / ken-wiesenfeld-57363225   • Website: wisefincon.com • Email: [email protected]