Nick Bradley

Most founders build great businesses but leave millions on the table when they exit.

Why? You’ve been optimizing for revenue, not enterprise value.

By the time you’re ready to sell, the issues that destroy multiples are already baked in - and buyers see them immediately.

I install the operational infrastructure and growth systems that prepare founder-led businesses for 8-9 figure exits.

Not “exit prep” in your final six months. This is 12-36 month transformation work.

The 3 Exits Every Founder Must Complete:

1. Exit the Chaos - Build systems so the business runs on infrastructure, not heroics

2. Exit the Operations - Develop leadership so you’re CEO, not operator

3. Exit the Business - Sell for premium multiples

Most founders are still trapped in Exit #1 when they decide to sell.

My Background:

I spent 10 years as a Private Equity CEO and Operating Partner across 27 transactions totaling over $5 billion in exits. I’ve sat on both sides of the table - building businesses and evaluating them for acquisition.

I’m also the author of Exit for Millions, the #1 bestselling book on building businesses for premium exit.

How I Work:

It starts with a Strategic Consult - a half-day intensive where I show you what your business is worth today, what it could be worth tomorrow, what’s limiting your value, and the roadmap to exit for big multiples.

From there, we work together through a structured 1-3 year partnership where I install the operational infrastructure and growth systems that transform your business into an institutional-grade asset ready for premium exit.

Ready to find out what your business is worth?

DM me or email jenna@highvalueexit.com

CEO & Founder, Exit Specialist / Business Scale-Up Mentor

We Help Successful CEOs, Founders, & Entrepreneurs Build High Value, High-Impact, Exitable Businesses.

​Our passion is empowering growth-minded business owners to scale rapidly towards a high-value exit and ultimately, freedom.

That’s why we’ve developed exclusive masterminds, full-service partnerships, and dedicated support to accelerate your impact, and give you back the power and control you deserve.

Our Scale-to-Sale Methodology is the result of 60+ years of combined experience with private equity firms and business transactions, designed specifically for rapid scale toward financial independence.

In working with us, you will gain the focus, direction, and momentum to intentionally and consistently grow your company’s value…

Giving you the leverage and power you need to generate rapid, impressive growth, and with it, the freedom to live your life on your terms.

PE firms aren't geniuses. They just know something you don't.

How to turn $10M into $50M in 3-5 years while you're grinding for 15% growth.

After 12 years in PE, I'm going to give you their playbook.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:

𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵

Not just any growth. Predictable, repeatable, scalable growth through systems.

You know, the boring stuff founders avoid because it's not sexy.

𝟮. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

PE firms are ruthless about EBITDA. Cut waste. Optimize pricing.

A 3-point margin improvement on $20M = $600K added to valuation. That's real money, not vanity metrics.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

Strategic debt accelerates growth without diluting equity. PE uses leverage intelligently.

Most founders are terrified of debt. PE firms use it like rocket fuel.

𝟰. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

This is where monster returns happen. I was part of a 12-acquisition roll-up that exited for $2B at 14x.

While you're obsessing over organic growth, someone's building an empire through M&A.

𝟱. 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Move from 4x to 8x by becoming more attractive than competitors. Better systems. Stronger team. Lower risk.

Same business. Double the exit price.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:

Most founders pull one lever: revenue.

PE firms pull all five simultaneously.

That's how they create 5x returns in 36 months while you're grinding for 15% annual growth.

You don't need to sell to PE to use this playbook.

Start pulling all five levers. Systematically.

That's how you build a business buyers fight over.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝟱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀? 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁? 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄.

#FounderJourney #ExitPlanning #InvestorGradeBusiness #HighValueBusiness #PrivateEquity #BusinessExit

I help founders build investor-grade businesses that achieve 8-9 figure exits | Former Private Equity CEO & Operating Partner | Mentor & Board Advisor | $5B+ in Exits

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Black Sterling Group

Founder & Principal

Seshan Nissanka LLC 

I help businesses scale revenue, optimize profitability, and build strong teams.

→ Advised business owners on financial strategy, marketing, and operations to increase revenue and efficiency.
→ Implemented automation & system improvements to reduce inefficiencies and improve scalability.
→ Developed hiring & retention frameworks to help businesses attract and keep top talent.
→ Built strategic growth plans for businesses looking to expand, streamline, or restructure.
→ Worked with firms to improve cash flow, profitability, and pricing strategies to maximize margins.

Business Growth & Operator

Multiple Organizations

I built and scaled high-performing teams, developed sales & marketing strategies, and helped businesses grow.

→ Led business development & sales initiatives across multiple industries, driving new client acquisition.
→ Trained & built high-performing teams to improve retention, efficiency, and sales.
→ Optimized sales & marketing funnels to improve conversion rates and customer engagement.
→ Implemented revenue growth strategies that increased profitability & market share.
→ Developed leadership & operational frameworks that helped businesses scale efficiently.

Business Development

Banks

→ Structured capital solutions for business owners to finance growth, acquisitions, and expansion.
→ Advised high-net-worth individuals on wealth management, investment strategies, and estate planning.
→ Worked with business owners to optimize cash flow, financial planning, and capital allocation.
→ Developed strategies to improve business financial health, helping owners increase profitability.
→ Managed relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and financial leaders to drive business success.

Private & Business Banker

Growth Partner for 7-Figure CPA Firms | Ads & AI Automations Helping Firms Grow from $1M → $3M+ | Built 7–8 Fig Businesses | Ex-Private Banker | Founder | Investor

I skipped the safe path and built my own.

From private banking suites to private acquisitions, I’ve spent over a decade scaling founder-led businesses that move fast and grow with clarity. 

→ 7 years in private banking, advising high-net-worth clients at top-tier institutions

→ 10 + years running & growing 7 and 8-figure brands with the right talented people, smart systems, and real strategy

→ Now, Founder of Black Sterling Group, scaling and acquiring financial services & fintech firms between $1M–$10M

What I Do:
I help CPA firm owners scale with clarity, automation, and strategy, so they can grow with less stress and more options.

→ I run paid ads that bring in real, qualified leads 
(Key word: qualified) 

→ I build systems and AI workflows that cut 10–20 hours of admin a week

→ I elevate brands to attract premium clients and prep for legacy or exit

→ I buy firms ready to scale or transition into something bigger


Simple systems. Profitable growth. Clean exits.

But this isn’t just strategy, it’s personal.

In 2015, I took a solo trip to Australia and Bali that reframed everything. I realized the most important transformation isn’t operational, it’s internal. (Ask me about it) 

That’s why I write Letters to Ego, a founder-focused newsletter on identity, clarity, and the mindset behind high-performance leadership.

Let’s connect if you’re:
→ A CPA, CFO, or firm owner doing $1M+ and feeling stuck, wanting to grow to $3M, $5M, or $10M but overwhelmed by marketing and operations

→ Tired of inconsistent lead flow, manual follow-up, and unpredictable results and ready to grow with smarter systems (Aka AI) 

→ You’re building a firm meant to last but you’re stuck doing everything yourself, stretched thin, and wondering how to scale without burning out or losing control

DM me if you’re ready to grow faster, lead smarter, or explore what’s next.

Seshan (Say-Shawn) Nissanka

Most business brokers shouldn’t be selling companies
They should still be selling houses

The problem with most business brokers? 
They come from sales, banking, or real estate.

And that’s exactly why the industry’s broken.

We spoke with a business broker last week who’s been in the game for 10 plus years. 

He sighed and said,
“You know what’s wild? Most brokers out here used to sell houses or loans. And now they’re selling people’s lives’ work.”

Let that sink in.

These brokers aren’t operators. 
They’re closers. 

Trained to push deals through, not protect clients.

They don’t care if it’s a good fit. 
They care if it 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴.

And in professional services, CPA firms, law firms, advisory firms, that mindset is poison.

Because this isn’t a transaction. It’s a transition.

You’re not selling a house. You’re selling a legacy.

He told me straight up:

“If you want ethical deals, you need brokers who are CPAs or lawyers, not salespeople.”

Why?

Because they actually get it.

→ They understand the 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭, not just the balance sheet. 
→ They know 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥. 
→ They protect value instead of chasing volume.

They’re not dealmakers. 
They’re advisors.

Here’s the hard truth: Most CPA firm owners make the same mistake their brokers do.

They’re great technicians. But they never learned to think like operators.

Both sides are stuck in the same trap, brilliant at the work, blind to the business.

And that’s why so many great firms sell for pennies on the dollar.

Because the wrong broker doesn’t just cost you a deal. 
They cost you your legacy.

Growth Partner for CPA & CFO Firms ($1M-$3M+) | Scale to Exit-Ready | Built Growth Engines Driving 8×-10x ROI | X- Private Banker | Founder, Investor & Operator

$700K in revenue. 70% margins. 
10 years in business. Zero growth

I talked to a CPA firm owner. 

His wife runs a remote practice doing $700K a year. 

Great margins. 
Offshore team. 
Fully systematized delivery.

But the number hasn’t moved in a while. 

Why?

No marketing. No outbound. No system.

Everything comes through referrals. 

Some clients come in. 

Some churn. 

It washes out every year.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I told him: Referrals are killing your growth.

They’re great for getting started. 

But they’re unpredictable. 
You can’t scale them. 
You can’t control them.

If you want to grow from $700K to $2M+, you need a predictable acquisition system:
→ Paid ads (Meta, Google) targeting a specific niche 
→ High-converting landing pages that educate and capture leads 
→ CRM automation that nurtures without manual follow-up 
→ A qualified appointment flow (10–15 per month, not 100 dead leads)

This isn’t theory. It’s execution. We've built this for firms across tax, CPA, CFO and advisory:
→ 242 leads in 60 days at $17.89 CPL (CPA firm) 
→ 147 qualified calls at $188 CPL, closed 12 clients, $200K in fees (investment bank)

The system works. 

But most owners never build it, until they want to exit. 

Then they realize they built a practice, not a business.

If you’ve been at the same revenue for 3+ years… what’s the #1 thing holding you back? Let’s break it.

Most CPA firms hit $700K… and never grow again

Here's why.

I had a call with a firm owner last week. 

Smart guy. Great margins. 

His wife runs the day-to-day. 

They’ve been at $700K in revenue for a decade.

Not because they 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 grow. Because they never 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 to.

No marketing. 
Barely a website. 
Just inbound referrals and word-of-mouth.

And here’s the thing:

That’s most CPA firms.

They’re comfortable. 
The lifestyle is manageable. 
So they never built a growth engine.

But here’s the problem when you stay in that zone too long:
→ You become dependent on referrals (unpredictable) 
→ You can’t forecast revenue (no control) 
→ You’re not acquisition-ready (buyers won’t pay a premium)

The gap between a $700K lifestyle practice and a $2M+ exit-ready business is massive. 

Most owners don’t realize it until they try to sell.

If you’re stuck in the comfort zone, ask yourself:
• Can I turn client acquisition on and off at will? 
• Can I predict next quarter’s revenue within 10%? 
• Would a buyer pay 3-5x for this today?

If the answer is no, it’s not the market. 

You just haven’t built the system yet.

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Seshan (Say-Shawn) Nissanka

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The Battle

Nick Bradley

Seshan (Say-Shawn) Nissanka

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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