After the Deal: What 70 Founders Reveal About Generational Wealth, the Achievement Trap & the Happiness Illusion
February 14, 2025 |
About this episode
Subscribe:
Most founders focus all their energy on getting to an exit, but few stop to consider what comes next. In this episode of Built to Sell Radio, John Rood shares what he learned after selling Next Step Test Prep to private equity—and why he decided to write Beyond the Exit.
You’ll discover how to:
- Navigate the emotional and psychological impact of selling a business.
- Avoid the “achievement trap” that keeps entrepreneurs chasing the next big thing.
- Rethink what financial freedom really means—and how to use it wisely.
- Manage post-exit expectations with family, friends, and your own sense of identity.
- Avoid common pitfalls that can make life after selling harder than it needs to be.
- Redefine success beyond just building another business.
Rood’s candid insights and research from 70 entrepreneurs who have sold their businesses shed light on the realities of life after an exit.
Show Notes & Links
John’s first episode on the sale of his business
Connect with John on his website
Definitions
Earn-out: This is a financing arrangement for the purchase of a business, where the seller must meet certain performance goals before receiving the full purchase price. It reduces the buyer’s risk and aligns the interests of both parties post-acquisition.
About Our Guest
John Rood
John Rood is an entrepreneur currently leading Proceptual, a platform for AI and Machine Learning regulation compliance. Previously, he co-founded Next Step Test Preparation, growing it into a national leader in health sciences exam prep, which was acquired in 2018. He specializes in building strong teams and driving them towards success through clear strategy and operational efficiency.
