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 Jordan Solender, Founder of IT Select, about building scalable businesses that free founders. Jordan discusses removing founders as bottlenecks, building leadership clarity and accountability, and shifting from hustle to structure for sustainable growth.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Aneesa Muthana, Co-owner and CEO of Pioneer Service Inc., to discuss resilient leadership in manufacturing. Aneesa talks about growing up in the industry, walking away from a near-sale during the pandemic, and building an executive team that enables scalable growth and long-term impact.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Philip de Souza, CEO of HotLunch.com, about building resilient businesses and planning for life after an exit. Philip discusses shifting from product-driven thinking to trust-based leadership, the lessons he learned from selling a company, and the daily habits that support long-term growth and personal accountability.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Bill Himmelstein, Founder and CEO of Tenant Advisory Group, about building a values-driven business amid uncertainty. Bill talks about starting a company during the 2008 crisis, why relationships will outlast AI in commercial real estate, and how sale-leaseback strategies can fuel business growth.
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.
