CEO Sales Strategies

How to Exit Without Losing Your Identity | Justin Goodbread [Episode 189]

Justin Goodbread · June 3, 2025

Entrepreneur · Author · Finance · Leadershipin

Interview with Justin Goodbread

How to Exit Without Losing Your Identity | Justin Goodbread [Episode 189]

Podcast: CEO Sales Strategies

June 3, 2025 · 44 min

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How to Exit Without Losing Your Identity | Justin Goodbread [Episode 189]
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Key topicsEmpowering Business Owners to Create ValueAs a seasoned business coach and keynote speaker, Justin Goodbread helps business owners achieve the freedom they desire while still growing their businesses. He offers practical advice on increasing business value, financial management, and strategic planning. Justin shows how to balance business growth with personal freedom, demonstrating that it’s possible to enjoy both. The Reality of Business TransitionsJustin can discuss the harsh reality that a vast majority of businesses fail to successfully transition ownership, with only a small percentage of owners being satisfied with the sale price. He can use his real-world experience of growing and selling seven businesses to illustrate common pitfalls and provide strategies on how to increase the likelihood of a successful transition, whether it’s selling to an outside buyer, passing the business to family, or another exit strategy. Preparing for a Successful Business ExitJustin can share his insights on the critical importance of early planning for a business exit, drawing from his extensive experience in value acceleration and exit planning. He can emphasize that many business owners delay this planning and are often unprepared when the time comes, leading to disappointing results. Justin can discuss actionable steps to make a business attractive to buyers, ensuring that the owner can achieve a successful and profitable exit. View all topics →

About Justin Goodbread

Justin Goodbread, podcast guest

Expert in Business Value Growth and Strategic Exit Planning

7 businesses Built and exited1M+ copies Best-selling books sold worldwide5× Top 100 Most Influential Advisor, Investopedia500+ episodes DecaMillionaire Decoded podcast

Justin Goodbread is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business strategist with decades of experience building, scaling, and exiting service-based businesses. He launched his first venture at just 15 years old, igniting a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and financial independence. Over the years, Justin has built multiple companies—culminating in an eight-figure exit—solidifying his reputation as a trusted advisor to growth-minded business owners.

Justin specializes in helping service-based entrepreneurs—particularly those generating over $500,000 in annual revenue—break through plateaus, enhance enterprise value, and prepare for highly profitable exits. He is the creator of the DecaMillionaire Doctrine, a five-phase framework designed to guide business owners from operational overwhelm to strategic freedom and lasting wealth.

A two-time bestselling author, Justin shares his expertise in his books The Ultimate Sale and Your Baby’s Ugly, offering practical, actionable guidance on maximizing business value. He also hosts the long-running podcast DecaMillionaire Decoded, with over 500 episodes packed with strategies for business growth, exit planning, and leadership.

As a podcast guest, Justin delivers engaging stories, strategic insights, and a relatable approach that resonates with entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of growth and transition. His blend of real-world experience and clear communication makes him a standout voice in conversations about business strategy, legacy building, and financial freedom.

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About this episode

What happens when your business sells—but your identity disappears?

In this episode of the CEO Sales Strategies Podcast, host Doug C. Brown speaks with entrepreneur, exit coach, and bestselling authorJustin Goodbreadabout the hidden emotional risks of selling your company.

Justin has built and sold 8 companies. And he’s seen the same pattern over and over:

High-performing founders hit their number—and end up feeling lost. Why? Because they never designed their life after the exit.

🎯 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why 96% of business owners regret selling

✅ How to avoid the identity crisis most entrepreneurs face

✅ Why money doesn’t guarantee fulfillment

✅ The “5 Fs” framework that ensures you don’t just build value—you build a life

This episode is for founders, partners, and high-level leaders who want more than just a successful exit. They want clarity, purpose, and a plan for what comes next.

🔗 Full episode notes + resources: https://ceosalesstrategies.com/selling-a-business-without-losing-yourself

📩 Contact Doug: youmatter@ceosalesstrategies.com

🌐 Connect with Justin Goodbread: justingoodbread.com

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