The Growth + Exit
Podcast
Expert Advice for Middle Market Business Owners on Growing, De-Risking, and Exiting Their Business
Latest Episodes
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney talks with Tom Carney, CEO of Royal Basket Trucks, about leading through transformation and building a resilient company culture. Tom discusses his transition from tax law to business leadership, the lessons he learned from scaling a small team into a 200-person enterprise, and the importance of embracing change while staying true to core values.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Matt Vuckov, Co-founder and CEO of TalentCraft, to discuss workforce development and the future of work. He explains the challenges of scaling a business during rapid growth, how to attract and retain top talent in competitive markets, and the partnerships shaping national workforce strategies.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett hosts Stephen Brent May and Hami Arrington, Co-founders and Chief Strategy Officers at One Foot Over, to discuss how marketers can combine strategy with action. Together, they share the agency’s origin story, explain their clarity before tactics philosophy, and reveal how launching their B2B Happy Hour podcast helps them connect with and educate their audience.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney welcomes RJ Blake, President and CEO of Blake Willson Group (BWG), to discuss building a resilient business rooted in values. RJ explains how military service shaped his leadership style, the lessons he learned from managing cash flow challenges, and the role of innovation labs in driving efficiency.
Welcome to the Growth + Exit Podcast, where business owners, CEOs, and industry experts share the inside story of how they’ve grown, strengthened, and successfully exited their companies.
Hosted by Newport Managing Directors Heather Bennett and Susan Kearney, each episode offers candid conversations and practical insights tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of mid-market, privately held businesses.
New episodes drop twice a month.
Meet Your Hosts
Heather Bennett
Managing Director, Newport LLC
Corporate leader turned growth strategist, Heather brings 20+ years of experience managing $100MM brands, advising CEOs and entrepreneurs, and helping businesses scale through innovation, marketing, and executive development.
Susan Kearney
Managing Director, Newport LLC
A serial entrepreneur, growth expert, and digital innovator, Susan has founded, built, and sold several businesses; partnered successfully with both VC and PE investors; and participated in both buy and sell-side transactions. She leverages this expertise to help business owners scale and exit their companies successfully.
