Build and Exit
As a chartered management accountant by trade, I uncovered my true potential at 37, moving from a well-paid corporate job to building my own accounting and consultancy firm. Having worked on 5-10 acquisitions or business exits each month for clients, I understand the key challenges business owners face, including getting the real value they want for their business, whilst having the right controls and processes in place so the business can run independently of the owners. The Build and Exit podcast will include conversations, stories and real-life examples of day-to-day challenges business owners face, different methods of growth including acquisitions and top tips on how owners can transition from working in their business to working on it, enabling them to maximize their value on exit. I will also include episodes where I share my own learnings on business management and how Wilkinson Accounting Solutions are planning to continue to grow by acquisition.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Financial freedoms means different things to everybody. Achieving it means living the life you want but imagine having it and then losing it all.
In this episode I am joined by Meena Adnani, who worked hard against the expectations those around her had. She was judged, because of being a woman and also because of her cultural background. All of which she blocked out to reach her dreams and achieve financial freedom.
She reveals how she lost everything to then build her life back up and reach 7 figures. And she shares how she achieved this, the connection between self-worth and net worth and the importance of a growth mindset.
“All the money that I saved until I was 46 was gone” – Meena Adnani
Timestamps
02:09 – The importance of adversity to Meena
05:50 – Meena’s constant need to prove herself
12:03 – Meena on coping with financial loss
18:07 – Julie’s personal healing journey
22:03 – Meena on overcoming financial loss
28:25 – The importance of a growth mindset
Connect with Meena
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-kumari-adnani/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/STRONGANDSHINE
Strong and Shine - https://www.strongandshine.com/
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/meenakumariadnani
The Comeback Masterclass - https://www.strongandshine.com/the-comeback
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvq6gfNoP_4dfIJulL6C6A
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Imagine going from waitress to financial freedom all through acquisitions.
That is exactly what my guest in this episode, Della Kirkman, achieved. She found a way to buy small businesses and grow them organically to build and exit. She is now on a mission to supports 10,000 women to build wealth through acquisition.
In this episode Della reveals how she achieved financial freedom through acquisitions, and how she changed her career from waitress to business owner. She also shares her experiences in making the deals and what her top tips are for anyone looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
“I bought a job and grew that organically and was able to exit” – Della Kirkman
Timestamps
01:47 – From waitress to business owner
04:38 – What the deal structure looked like
07:30 - Buying and selling with creative financing strategies
10:55 – How Della’s deal worked
12:30 – The power of confidence in making deals
16:55 – Della’s top tips for becoming a business owner
Connect with Della
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dellakirkmancpa/
Shift-n-Gears - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/
Shift-n-Gears Newsletter - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/newsletter
9 Steps to selling your business - https://www.shift-n-gears.com/9-steps-to-selling-your-businessDella's Acquisition Expressway - https://www.dellakirkman.com/a/2147831762/qLE3Joz6
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Acquisitions would be far easier if all sellers were educated on what’s involved.
Knowing what happens post-acquisition is part of the learning that needs to happen to secure a successful deal.
In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss the importance of KPI based target setting and why you should audit the legal aspects of your deals. We also share why being truthful is so important for the seller to ensure the buyer sees your business as a good deal. We also talk about the fact that selling in full is not your only option for a happy retirement.
“You’ve got to know the truth” – Julie Wilkinson
Timestamps
02:41 - What post acquisition integration involves
04:52 - Why targets need to come from KPIs
06:39 - Auditing your legals
08:52 - Why sellers need to know the truth
11:09 - Why you need to invest in the right resources
14:51 - Becoming a more educated seller
Connect with Kush Birdi
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/
X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors
Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Imagine being in £100K of debt because of a scam.
This is a nightmare situation for any business owner who puts their trust into others and is exactly the position my guest, Kath Jones found herself in.
She is the founder of Think Wine Group and ended up losing £100K after her agent scammed her and the funding she got to salvage the situation never came through.
Kath shares how all of this has impacted her mental health as well as the business and the lessons she has learned from it. She also discusses the steps she is taking to ensure this never happens again.
“Nobody knew where he had gone, the winery couldn't find him, it was just crazy” – Kath Jones
Timestamps
01:58 - Kath on starting her wine business
06:21 – Kath’s experience with investment scams
10:55 – The consequences of being scammed
15:29 - Dealing with anxiety and denial in a business deal
19:32 – What Kath wishes she had done differently
26:40 – The most important lesson to learn
Connect with Kath Jones
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-jones-638682a0/
Think Wine Group - https://www.thinkwinegroup.co.uk/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Not being aware of the financial or legal implications of a deal can have disastrous consequences.
From intellectual property protection, staffing issues to outstanding debts, there are many aspects of a deal that need to be checked as part of your due diligence.
In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss where due diligence can impact deals and our personal experiences working with both sellers and buyers throughout the due diligence process. We cover where lawyers and accountants fit into the process and the biggest problems we have seen throughout our time working in the acquisitions space.
“On the legal side due diligence is so important” – Kush Birdi
Timestamps
02:41 - How Julie supports acquirers with due diligence
05:09 - Where due diligence impacts deals
08:11 - Why due diligence is important for legals
11:15 - Julie's experiences post acquisition
15:12 - Due diligence and lawyers
18:38 - The completion accounts process
20:25 - The biggest problem in acquisitions
Connect with Kush Birdi
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/
X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors
Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Heads of terms are a key aspect of any acquisition.
The buyer and seller need to agree on these to show serious intent for the deal. But there are many key issues both parties need to be aware of. In this episode Kush Birdi and I discuss our experiences working with heads of terms.
We also share how the buyer and seller can become aligned and why this is so important. The common problems that can arise whilst creating heads of terms and crucially what you need to make sure is in them.
Kush Birdi is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Birdi & Co. An independent, multi-service law firm that believes by bringing energy and positivity to everything they do, working across commercial, corporate law, employee and finance law specialising in M&A.
“Most people don’t understand the importance of heads of terms” – Julie Wilkinson
Timestamps
02:41 - Julie's experience with heads of terms
06:32 - The importance of a good advisory team
07:59 - The buyer and seller need to be aligned
12:40 - Why you should get 3rd party advisors
15:55 - What needs to be in heads of terms?
12:24 - The importance of exclusivity in acquisitions
24:12 - Common issues with heads of terms
26:28 - People want to buy an asset not a job
Connect with Kush Birdi
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/
X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors
Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Jan 08, 2024
Monday Jan 08, 2024
There are many risks to consider as a buyer in acquisitions.
Not being prepared can have severe consequences. You need to do your due diligence and plan every aspect to ensure its success.
In this episode I am joined by Kush Birdi to tell you all you need to know about the legal consequences buyers can face and how to ensure you are covered all the way through your acquisition process. From risk planning, corporate governance to due diligence we cover it all, as well as our views on no money down deals.
Kush Birdi is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Birdi & Co. An independent, multi-service law firm that believes by bringing energy and positivity to everything they do, working across commercial, corporate law, employee and finance law specialising in M&A.
“Good bookkeeping is the foundation to all accuracy” – Julie Wilkinson
Timestamps
01:42 - An introduction to Kush
02:48 - Financial information companies need
07:26 - What are buyers looking for?
12:46 - Getting the right deal team
16:21 - The importance of risk planning
20:38 - No money down deals
25:56 - The more you plan the easier it will be
Connect with Kush Birdi
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi/
X - https://twitter.com/KushBirdi
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirdiandCoSolicitors/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxnIW2dWuwRRMTLC4-tUhg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birdiandcosolicitors/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@birdiandcosolicitors
Birdilaw - https://birdilaw.com/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Have you checked your brand’s intellectual property?
Imagine having £7million of investment held because you found another business already had your name. This is exactly what happened to a company my guest in this episode, Matthew Cusack, is working with.
Matt is Managing Director of National Business Register Group Limited (NBR), an Intellectual Property business, and is responsible for driving the business’ strategy and growth plans. He firmly believes that “people buy people” and relationships are key to the growth of any successful business.
In this episode he discusses the importance of IP (Intellectual Property) to businesses and the risks of not protecting your brand. He also shares what to have in your shareholder agreements and what to do if you are concerned about your IP.
“Every transaction is unique, and every transaction throws up its challenges” – Matthew Cusak
Timestamps
01:35 – An introduction to Matthew
03:10 – What IP is and why it’s important
05:40 – The risks of not protecting your brand
10:28 – What to have in a shareholder agreement
15:10 – Why you need to understand accounting principles
21:27 – The unique challenges of every transaction
23:49 – What to do if you are concerned about IP
Connect with Matthew Cusak
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-cusack-8a209534/
National Business Register LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-biz-nbr/
National Business Register Linktree - https://linktr.ee/corinelliott
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Download the RacketPal app and get a 50% discount with this podcast when you enter WILKPAL at sign up.
RapketPal on the App Store - https://shorturl.at/iDFIS
RacketPal on Google Play - https://shorturl.at/givA2
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
You must get used to hearing “No” when trying to raise funds to start a business idea. Knowing that eventually you will hear the yes you need is all the motivation you need to keep going.
That was the belief my guest in this episode had to get his idea off the ground. Robert Riza is the Co-Founder and CEO of RacketPal, a platform built out of a love for racket sports.
He talks about what it took to get funding for the project and how getting the funding was only the start of the challenges he faced. He also gives advice on what you need to generate funding and the information he reports to investors.
“I just knew that the next person I called the next person I reached out to, the next person I emailed could change my life” – Robert Rizea
Timestamps
02:12 - An introduction to Robert
03:55 - Making a plan for the money needed
09:53 - The challenges of phoning for funding
14:22 - What you need to start a funding round
18:59 - Pricing founder salaries into funding
20:50 - Reporting financials to investors
27:25 - What is the future for RacketPal?
Connect with Robert Rizea
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-rizea/?originalSubdomain=uk
Twitter - https://twitter.com/robertrrizea?lang=en-GB
RacketPal website - https://racketpal.co.uk/
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
Download the RacketPal app and get a 50% discount with this podcast when you enter WILKPAL at sign up.
RapketPal on the App Store - https://shorturl.at/iDFIS
RacketPal on Google Play - https://shorturl.at/givA2
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
This is part 2 of a special episode of The Build & Exit podcast where the tables get turned and Julie is in the hot seat. Julie was interviewed live on NTV to tell her personal and business story.
In this episode Julie gives the business side of her story, talking about how her business journey started, the advice she has for people looking to become entrepreneurs and the fundamentals that every business owner should have in place when running a business.
“Try and step outside of your comfort zone” – Julie Wilkinson
Timestamps
05:18 – Julie hands in her notice
07:28 – How Julie got into acquisitions
09:39 – Why Julie started her podcast
12:46 – The importance of valuing a business
17:24 – How Julie built a company quickly
22:47 – Julie’s tips for aspiring entrepreneurs
Connect With Julie Wilkinson
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewilkinson-accounting/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wasolutions
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsonaccountingsolutio4018
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonaccountingsolutions
Website - https://wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk/
Before you go, don’t forget to leave a comment and review if you got something out of this episode!
