UNSTOPPABLE PODCAST - Harry Sardinas

How To Build A Business That Can Sell For Millions - Mark Mills OBE DL And Harry Sardinas

Mark Mills · August 12, 2026

Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Mark Mills

Podcast: UNSTOPPABLE PODCAST - Harry Sardinas

August 12, 2026 · 54 min

Did you know most businesses fail due to a lack of recurring income? In this episode, Mark Mills shares the five essential steps every entrepreneur must follow to ensure they not only survive but thrive in their businesses.

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How To Build A Business That Can Sell For Millions - Mark Mills OBE DL And Harry Sardinas
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UNSTOPPABLE PODCAST - Harry Sardinas

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Key topicsThe fastest exit is usually the one that leaves the most money behindMany founders start thinking seriously about selling only when they are already tired, distracted, or ready to move on, which can push them into a rushed process before the business is truly buyer-ready. Speed feels sensible when the owner wants certainty, but it often means accepting today’s value rather than building the proof, sales momentum, and operational strength that gives buyers confidence to pay more. Mark Mills OBE has seen through his own exits and advisory work that the biggest uplift often comes from using the 18 to 30 months before sale deliberately, not just waiting for a buyer to appear. For founder audiences, this creates a practical conversation about what to improve before going to market, how to time an exit properly, and why patience can be one of the most profitable decisions an owner makes. The hardest part of selling your business is realising you are not the businessMany founders spend years preparing the numbers for an exit but far less time preparing for the identity shock that can come with handing over the company they built. A sale can look clean on paper while still bringing grief, doubt, relief, fear, and a sudden loss of purpose, especially for owners whose business has shaped their daily life for decades. Mark Mills OBE has sold five businesses himself and now guides founders through the full sale process, so he understands that a successful exit is not just about valuation, timing, and buyer interest. For founder audiences, this opens up a candid conversation about how to prepare emotionally for the sale, protect decision-making during the process, and step into life after exit without feeling like the best part of their story is behind them. The money that changes your exit is usually hidden inside the business alreadyMany founders assume a buyer will value the business based on today’s accounts, but the biggest uplift often comes from value that has never been properly surfaced, packaged, or explained. Long-running companies can be full of underused assets, weak pricing, wasted margin, messy sales habits, and operational blind spots that quietly suppress the number a buyer is willing to pay. Mark Mills OBE has built and sold five companies, including Cardpoint at a £175 million valuation, and now uses a 40-step sale process to help owners find the hidden value before they enter the market. For founder audiences, this creates a practical conversation about what to fix, what to prove, and what to show a buyer before the sale process begins. View all topics →

About Mark Mills

Mark Mills, podcast guest

OBE Business Sale Advisor Helping UK Founders Maximise Exit Value

5 Businesses built & sold£175M Cardpoint exit valuation6,500 Cash machines in Cardpoint network£500M+ Monthly cash dispensed by Cardpoint network

Mark Mills OBE is a business sale advisor who helps UK founders sell their businesses for maximum value.

He got into this work after spotting overlooked value as a child selling broken biscuits at school and then carrying that instinct into founding and exiting companies. The early biscuit story taught him to see what others ignore and to turn small advantages into commercial wins, a thread that runs through his approach to identifying hidden value in mature businesses. Over time that practicality led him from founding companies to deliberately learning from each exit and packaging those lessons into a repeatable system.

He has built and sold five businesses, most notably building and exiting Cardpoint at a £175 million valuation; Cardpoint floated on AIM at £7 million, grew to 6,500 cash machines and 300 employees, and dispensed over £500 million a month. Since 2007 he has worked as a Non-Executive Chairman and advisor applying his methods to other owners. In December 2024 he was awarded an OBE for services to Business and Charity and he holds the title of Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Day-to-day he steps in as Non-Executive Chairman, works directly with founders to uncover hidden value, and manages the full sale process from preparation through to finding the right buyer.

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About this episode

Mark Millsis an accomplished business sale advisor and the UK founder of a firm that helps entrepreneurs prepare their businesses for sale at maximum value. He has a remarkable track record, having started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age by selling biscuits. Mark's insights into business strategy have earned him recognition, including being appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to business and charity.

He explains:

◼ Understand the importance of a recurring income model in business.

◼ Learn how to interrogate and refine your business model for maximum efficiency.

◼ Discover the key selling strategies that ensure sustainability.

◼ Learn to charge what you're truly worth and not undervalue your services.

◼ Embrace the idea of pivoting when necessary to adapt to market changes.

◼ The final takeaway for business growth

The views and opinions expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or this podcast. The content of this conversation is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, business, investment, tax, or other professional advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information discussed..

Five Steps to Make Your First Million - Mark Mills And Harry Sardinas

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:31 - Mark's Early Entrepreneurial Journey

00:02:45 - Step 1: Recurring Income Model

00:04:59 - Main Strategy

00:05:19 - Step 2: Bulletproof Business Model

00:08:40 - Step 3: Learn to Sell

00:09:02 - Important Lesson

00:12:03 - Step 4: Charge More

00:13:05 - Business Advice

00:15:26 - Step 5: Don't Be Afraid to Pivot

00:21:36 - The Importance of Mentorship

00:25:11 - Challenges in Business

00:29:46 - Mark's OBE Award

00:34:08 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

A message from Mark Mills: "Always remember, your destiny is in your hands. If you work hard and refine your business model, the opportunities are endless."

About The Host:

Get ready for Harry Sardinas Speaking, where inspiration meets action! He has spoken at the same events where world-class speakers such as Tony Robbins and Les Brown also spoke.

Harry Sardinas is a Business Growth Strategist, Empowerment, Public Speaking, and Leadership Coach based in London. Through Harry Sardinas Coaching, he inspires and empowers entrepreneurs, gold medalists, celebrities, investors, millionaires, and leaders to unlock their full potential, achieve business success, and make a lasting impact in their industries.

With 288,000+ followers and a mission to recognize entrepreneurs and connect visionary investors with business opportunities, Harry Sardinas Events, such as Speakers Are Leaders Awards and Entrepreneurs Are Leaders, empowers individuals to grow, lead, and create lasting improvements in their lives and businesses.

Harry Sardinas Workshops help companies transform their products into global brands both from the stage and in front of the camera through his signature program, Speakers Are Leaders, which has reached over 10,000 attendees on stages worldwide and more than 1 million people online.

🎙 Harry Sardinas Podcast Unstoppable features over 500 millionaires and entrepreneurs who share their journeys, challenges, and key lessons on how they have grown their businesses. We believe every founder has the potential to be wealthy, healthy, and happy. To join this empowering movement, book your spot here: https://www.harrysardinas.com/Podcast

👉 Explore events, speaking, branding, and marketing solutions for entrepreneurs and influencers here: https://linktr.ee/harrysardinas

📩 Whatsapp Harry Sardinas at ‪‪‪+44 7775 596554‬‬‬ to collaborate. -

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"Unstoppable Podcast - Harry Sardinas," podcast brings you inspiring conversations with influential millionaires, angel investors, property investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who are making a massive difference in the world with their innovative products and services.

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