Built to Sell: Transitioning Your Business with Purpose
Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Jason sits down with Michael Roth, Managing Partner of V&R Capital, to explore how business owners can thoughtfully prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—selling their business. From his personal journey through entrepreneurship and tragedy to founding a firm focused on family-owned businesses, Michael shares the unique challenges and critical steps involved in planning a sale. Whether you’re retiring, or just want to ensure your legacy, this episode offers valuable direction.
Tune into this episode to also learn:
- Why building a business “to sell” benefits you—even if you never sell.
- The major pitfalls business owners face when preparing for a transition.
- What private equity and family offices really mean for sellers.
- How VNR Capital invests alongside their clients to align long-term success.
What we discussed
[00:01:00] Jason introduces Michael Roth and the mission of V&R Capital.
[00:02:15] Why V&R focuses on family-owned businesses and their unique needs.
[00:03:29] Michael’s career journey from Anheuser-Busch to tech entrepreneur.
[00:05:09] How personal tragedy shaped his transition into business advisory.
[00:07:33] Founding V&R Capital with a mission to support underserved founders.
[00:09:31] The mindset shift: building a company for market value, not just personal preference.
[00:11:09] How early market feedback creates smarter business decisions.
[00:12:41] The truth about valuations—and why they often fall short.
[00:14:20] Why V&R invests their own capital alongside clients.
[00:16:11] Understanding private equity and family office dynamics.
[00:17:37] Common missteps in scaling or prepping a business for sale.
[00:19:25] The urgency of early planning—why 5 years from retirement means action today.
[00:21:02] How a good sale can benefit both your team and your legacy.
[00:23:25] Picking the right advisors for a once-in-a-lifetime event.
[00:24:43] What sellers often do next—and why many get back into business.
3 Things To Remember
- A business built to sell is often a better-run business—even if you never plan to sell it.
- Engaging a trusted advisor early gives you time to plan intentionally, not reactively.
- Understanding your buyer’s perspective helps you make smarter growth and exit decisions.
Memorable moments:
(00:05:09) “We can’t plan our tragedies… and that certainly changed my life.”
(00:14:36) “Now the seller’s family knows we’re completely committed to them until they’re out.”
(00:23:52) “You need to have great advisors. And they have to work together well, or it just doesn’t work.”
Useful Links
Connect with Jason Gabrieli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongabrieli
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