Scale to Exit with Alejandra Santos

Know Your Value Gap – Why Your Business Isn’t Worth What You Think with Alejandra Santos

In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most misunderstood but critical topics for any business owner: valuation. You might think your business is worth $5M, but is it really? I’m breaking down what drives business value, the most common gaps between perceived and actual worth, and how to identify the blind spots that are silently hurting your valuation. We’ll talk: ✅ What buyers really look for ✅ The 3 most common value gaps I see in businesses ✅ How to increase your multiple before you're even thinking of selling ✅ Why emotional valuation (what you think it’s worth) doesn’t equal market value Whether you’re planning to sell, scale, or want to build a business that commands more, this episode will help you start thinking like a future buyer. 🎧 Let’s close your value gap and unlock your next level. You can connect with Alejandra Santos on https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalejandrasantos/

Know Your Valuation, Know Your Why: Scaling Smart in the Climate Economy with Josh Dorfman

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Josh Dorfman, sustainability founder and investor, to unpack what it takes to scale mission-driven companies in the climate economy.
Josh shares the behind-the-scenes journey of co-founding Planted, a vertically integrated, carbon-negative building materials company that raised a $2M seed round and scaled to a $15M Series A. Now operating under the Super Cool brand, Josh dives into what founders often get wrong about fundraising, why it's critical to know your valuation, and how to be crystal clear on why you're raising capital in the first place.
We explore:
The power of vertical integration in climate tech
Key strategies for early-stage fundraising and go-to-market
What investors are looking for in this space
How to scale with intention, and position for a firm exit
Whether you’re a climate founder, VC-backed entrepreneur, or scaling a purpose-driven business, this episode is full of real talk and strategy.
Connect with Josh Dorfman :
Josh Dorfman | LinkedIn
 

From Disruption to Exit: Building Brands That Scale with Nicole Collins

In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with beauty industry disruptor and serial entrepreneur Nicole Collins, a powerhouse behind brands like ipsy, YUME, and the revolutionary 213Deli.
Nicole shares her journey from being a beauty-obsessed kid in L.A. to co-founding some of the most innovative beauty startups of the last decade. With deep expertise in brand building, influencer marketing, and social commerce, she reveals how she's helped companies scale from startup to household name, and how she thinks about value creation, consumer obsession, and exit readiness from day one.
We talk about:
The founding story behind Ipsy and how it changed beauty marketing forever
Why she and Michelle Phan created YUME and what they learned
How 213Deli is disrupting beauty drops via SMS
Her approach to scaling smart, storytelling with purpose, and preparing brands for potential acquisition
What today's founders need to understand about differentiation, community, and timing an exit
Whether you're a brand builder, founder, or investor, this episode is packed with insights into what it takes to disrupt an industry and exit on your terms.
You can find Nicole Collins at: 
(1) Nicole Collins | LinkedIn
 

From Bankruptcy to an 8 Figure Exit: Joyce Marter on Exiting a Purpose Driven Business

What does going from rock bottom to an eight-figure business exit take?
In this deeply inspiring episode, psychotherapist and bestselling author Joyce Marter shares her incredible journey from financial ruin to founding and scaling a mental health practice that sold for $8 million. She opens up about the mindset shifts that changed everything, the hidden link between mental wellness and financial abundance, and how healing her money story transformed her life and business.
We also dive into:
How unresolved trauma shows up in our relationship with money
The emotional toll of leadership and how to overcome burnout
Practical mindset tools from The Financial Mindset Fix
What it means to build (and exit) a business with purpose and alignment
This is a must-listen for any entrepreneur ready to create wealth from the inside out.
You can find her resources and connect with her here:
Joyce Marter Resources - Joyce Marter
Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP® | LinkedIn
 
 

The Power of the Pivot: Building a Brand That Scales with You with Cheryl Robinson

What do great leaders, successful founders, and magnetic brands share? They master the art of the pivot, and they know how to tell their story.
In this episode of Scale to Exit, Dr. Cheryl Robinson, an international speaker, Forbes contributor, and founder of Creative Renegade Media, shares the fundamental pillars of decisive leadership and why personal branding is no longer optional in today's business landscape.
We dive deep into:🔹 The most common branding mistakes that cost founders opportunities🔹 How to build a leadership brand that speaks before you do🔹 Why networking is still your best growth strategy when done right🔹 How to craft a compelling story that resonates with investors, buyers, and your market🔹 The difference between a snapshot and an elevator pitch — and how to use both
Whether scaling toward a major exit or redefining your next chapter, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead with clarity, communicate purposefully, and grow with intention.
 
You can find Cheryl Robinson:
Creativerenegademedia.com
Check out her FORBES articles
Explore The Happy Habits Club!

Seed Fundraising with No Revenue: How to Price Your Round & Get to Yes with Alejandra Santos

Raising your first round with zero revenue? This episode is your roadmap. I’m breaking down what investors care about at the seed stage, how to justify your valuation without numbers, and the one mistake that could ruin your next round before it starts. Raising capital before you’ve made your first dollar? You're not alone, but you do need a smart strategy. In this solo episode, Alejandra breaks down how pre-revenue fundraising works, what investors look for at the seed stage, and how to defend your valuation confidently without relying on financials. You’ll learn: The fundamental difference between fundraising with and without revenue Standard early-stage valuation methods (Berkus, Scorecard, Risk Factor) What red flags turn investors off fast How to structure your ask and avoid overpricing your round What changes once you have revenue, and how to prepare for it If you’re building a startup and need capital to bring it to life, this episode gives you the exact tools and mindset to raise smarter and scale stronger. Alejandra Santos has dedicated her 16+ career to supporting founders and business owners in creating valuable businesses that can be exited for a high valuation, which means more money in their pockets.
You can find her:
www.intothenext.com/contact
www.theeducatedceo.com 
www.linkedin.com/in/aalejandrasantos 

The Freedom Threshold: Scaling Wealth, Leadership & Legacy with Jeff Socha

What does it really mean to scale your business and wealth with intention? In this episode, Alejandra sits down with Harvard tax strategist and elite financial advisor Jeff Socha to unpack the mindset, strategy, and structure behind building a life and a business that thrives beyond your involvement.
They dive deep into Jeff’s concept of the Freedom Threshold, the critical Five Pillars of Wealth Management, and how to build resilience during economic uncertainty. From hiring the right team to busting dangerous tax myths, this conversation is a masterclass in how the top 0.1% think differently and how you can, too.
Whether scaling to exit or aiming to create more freedom, this episode will leave you thinking bigger, smarter, and more intentionally.
 
You can find Jeff Socha: 
Socha Capital | Family Office Services for Tax-Efficient Wealth Management
(1) Jeff Socha | LinkedIn
 

Exit Smart: M&A Strategies, Buyer Types, and Building a Sellable Business with Jonathan Wilson

You don’t build a business to run it forever — you make it so someone wants to buy it.
In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Jonathan Wilson, a licensed investment banker, M&A advisor, and founder of Dubb Value Creation, to discuss preparing for a successful business exit.
We dive into:
Why every founder needs an exit strategy (even if you’re not selling tomorrow)
Jonathan’s journey from consulting to licensed dealmaker
The different types of buyers and what they’re looking for
Key differences between a broker-dealer and an investment banker
When and why stock vs. asset sales matter in the deal process
Whether you’re considering selling your business one day or want to build a more valuable one, this episode is packed with insights to help you think like a buyer and prepare like a pro.

"Rewiring the Startup Ecosystem: Inclusive Capital, Climate Innovation, and the Future of Venture with Juliana Garaiza

In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with Juliana Garaizar, Founding Partner of Energy Tech Nexus and a trailblazing force in inclusive investing, to explore the shifting landscape of startup funding. From breaking down the flaws in the traditional VC model to championing underrepresented founders and climate innovation, Juliana offers real talk on what needs to change and who’s leading that charge. We dive into the role of ecosystem builders, women investors' rise, and community-based capital's impact. Plus, Juliana shares a few personal reflections on global cuisine and the mindset differences across entrepreneurial cultures worldwide.
Whether you're a founder, investor, or future changemaker, this episode is packed with insight, strategy, and inspiration.
 
You can find Juliana Galaizar: 
Juliana Garaizar | LinkedIn

Are You Building Value or Killing It? How Talent Strategy Impacts Your Exit

Is your workforce strategy setting your business up for a successful exit, or silently killing its value?
In this episode of Scale to Exit, we sit down with Edie Goldberg, Ph.D., a nationally recognized expert in talent strategy and the future of work. Edie shares powerful insights from her books The Inside Gig and Scenario Planning, revealing how business owners can use agile talent planning to scale smarter, build resilient leadership teams, and create a company ready to sell, even if they’re not planning to exit tomorrow.
We dive into:
What makes a talent strategy a value builder or a value killer
How to leverage untapped talent to increase efficiency and scalability
Why agile workforce planning is your secret weapon for exit readiness
The red flags buyers look for in team structure and leadership gaps
You can find Edie Goldberg 
(1) Edie Goldberg | LinkedIn