Ep. 449 - ExitDNA Founder, Mac Lackey

Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief

Second in Command with Cameron Herold

Entrepreneurship, Business, Management, Careers

4.5 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Mac Lackey, founder of ExitDNA.

During this fascinating conversation, Cameron and Mac explore the journey of business leaders who are crafting legacies while preparing for transformative opportunities. You'll discover how embracing proactive strategies and gaining clarity on personal and professional goals can unlock unimaginable potential.

You'll learn the critical balance between ambition and pragmatism. Through real-life examples, the discussion explores the importance of timing, preparation, and the courage to make life-changing decisions. Whether facing an unexpected twist or contemplating the best path forward, the stories reveal how understanding key factors — ranging from market dynamics to personal priorities — can empower leaders to seize opportunities on their terms.

This episode offers a wealth of insight for those ready to chart a course toward greater freedom and purpose. For any entrepreneur wondering how to shape the next chapter of their journey, this conversation is both a guide and a source of inspiration.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

How the analogy of Rembrandt paintings in the attic illustrates the concept of strategic value beyond financial metrics. (10:24)
The dynamic of buyers wanting to buy companies on the rise and the importance of presenting a compelling future vision. (13:13)
The importance of building a business that doesn't rely on the founder's presence, which increases its value and personal freedom. (16:46)
The need to get clear on the value required to achieve personal and business goals and to be willing to walk away if the deal doesn't meet those criteria. (26:55)
And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Mac: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's Cameron Harold, the host of the Second Command podcast. Before we dive in, there's something
0:04.4	you need to know. If you're a C-O-O-V-P operations or you're in any role where you're the second
0:10.0	command to the CEO, the C-O Alliance is the place for you. If you're the integrator to the visionary,
0:16.7	you're going to want to join us. The C-O Alliance is the world's leading community for the second command.
0:22.4	We've had over 500 members like you join from 17 countries to grow their skills,
0:27.5	connections, and confidence.
0:29.1	You'll get the tools, friendships, and a 10x guarantee to ensure that you get your money's worth.
0:34.6	Go to COOalliance.com to learn more and see if you qualify.
0:38.9	You can even book a free call with our team to ask questions. Now let's jump into this week's
0:43.3	episode. And I didn't realize until I was kind of out of building my companies how unique that
0:49.9	was. Everyone I was talking to, every entrepreneur said, do you think my company's worth five
0:55.8	times EBITI or seven times EBITI? I was like, who cares? Let's talk about your strategic value.
1:01.7	Let's find buyers that are willing to pay you a massive premium because you solve a real problem
1:07.3	for them. And I didn't understand how unique that perspective was. And so a lot of what I do
1:13.7	within exit DNA is I help entrepreneurs create the option to exit in the future. But a lot of it
1:19.9	truly comes down to looking at their business differently, creating an irresistible exit story,
1:26.2	and finding those unique, often strategic buyers who really
1:30.6	have to have what they're building. And that's something pretty different.
1:38.7	Welcome to the Second and Command podcast, produced by the C.O. Alliance and brought to you by its founder, Cameron Harold.
1:47.4	In the second in command podcast, we talk to top COOs who share the insights, strategies, and tactics that made them the chief behind the chief.
1:56.6	And now, here's your host, Cameron Harold.
2:06.8	Thank you. And now, here's your host, Cameron Herald. Today I'm joined by Mack Lackey, founder of ExitDNA, for a conversation about crafting a lasting legacy while preparing for game-changing opportunities.
	...

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