Why the Biggest Number Doesn’t Mean You’ve Won - Jerome Myers

Everyone wants to know the number: what you sold your company for, the valuation, the payout. But as Jerome Myers reveals, the number is not the finish line. It is only one mile marker on the journey. In this solo episode, Jerome uncovers what truly defines a successful exit: peace, purpose, and freedom. Through powerful stories and practical frameworks, he explains the four hidden levers —structure, timing, control, and alignment — that determine whether your exit becomes an evolution or a regret.  Founders will walk away with tools to measure success beyond money and to negotiate for a life that feels right, not just a deal that looks good. [00:00 – 03:30] The Illusion of the Headline Number The world celebrates the sale price, but that number rarely reflects true success Founders often chase valuation without understanding its emotional cost “You can hit your financial goal and still miss your life goal” [03:30 – 07:30] The Hidden Levers: Structure and Timing Structure determines how money actually reaches you — not just what’s promised Beware of earnouts and rollover equity tied to someone else’s performance Timing affects your freedom; stretched payments can quietly fund your own exit [07:30 – 11:30] Control and Alignment: The Freedom You Forget to Negotiate Freedom isn’t automatic after an exit — it’s negotiated Many founders unknowingly trade autonomy for an employment clause Alignment between values and culture is the silent determinant of post-exit peace [11:30 – 15:30] Redefining Winning: Beyond the Transaction Create a non-negotiables list — your personal term sheet Identify your true freedom number after taxes and fees Measure deals through the Freedom Compass: control, connection, meaning, and sustainability [15:30 – 19:00] The Power Questions That Reveal True Value Founders lose leverage when they ask for valuation instead of impact on the future self Strategic questions expose power dynamics — “Who controls the capital stack post-close?” Emotional readiness is key: “Do I know what I’m walking toward?” [19:00 – 21:30] Exit as Evolution, Not Ending The exit isn’t closure — it’s a portal to who you’re becoming Peace is the ultimate return on investment “The company was never the dream; it was a vehicle for it” Key Quotes: "You can hit your financial goal and still miss your life goal." - Jerome Myers “If you do not define your non-negotiables, someone else will, and it will not be for your benefit." - Jerome Myers Join industry leaders shaping the future and secure your spot at the Exit Planning Summit today! https://exitplanningsummit.com/speakers Ready for your next chapter?Start Your Assessment Now 👉 https://theexitparadox.com/assessment Leave a Review + Help Others Achieve a Great Legacy If you found this episode valuable, leave us a review and share it with someone who wants to expand their business growth. Your Next is more than a podcast—it’s a community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and ages, united by a shared passion for personal growth and achieving excellence.  🎧 Explore our previous episodes or learn more about our mission at https://exittoexcellence.com. Your next chapter starts here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices