Most business owners say they care about faith, family, and freedom, yet their schedules tell another story.

In this episode, Steve and Adam Burton dig into a question that changes everything: if you stepped away for a month, would your business survive or collapse? This conversation exposes the hidden trap owners create when everything relies on them, and why you cannot scale what depends on you.

They walk through the three roles every founder plays, operator, owner, and investor, and show how shifting into the right one opens the door to freedom, growth, and a stronger exit. You'll hear how to realign your time with your values and build a business that can truly run without you.

What to expect:

• How to tell whether you're a business owner or a business operator

• Why dependence on the owner destroys value, freedom, and exit options

• The three roles every founder must understand, operator, owner, and investor

• Practical steps to replace yourself, strengthen your team, and regain your time

• And more!

Resources:

• Get your free personalized report at www.scaletosell.com/value

• Unlock your business's potential with our free Scale to Sell self-assessment

• Book your free discovery call with us today!

Connect with Our Team:

• Website: Scale to Sell

• info@scaletosell.com

• LinkedIn: Scale to Sell

• Facebook: Scale to Sell

• YouTube: Scale to Sell

• Instagram: Scale to Sell

Connect with Adam Burton and Steve Burton:

• LinkedIn: Adam Burton

• LinkedIn: Steve Burton

What if this year finally becomes the year you build a business that gives you real freedom, not more stress?

In this episode, Steve and Adam Burton outline the five components of the SCALE framework and how each one supports a business that can operate smoothly and maintain value beyond the owner's day-to-day involvement. Their discussion focuses on systems, financial structure, team leadership, strategic direction, and the long-term positioning of the company.

They explain how these areas relate to growth, operational consistency, and eventual transition planning. The conversation also covers considerations for owners who want to reduce key person dependence, evaluate risk, or understand how different business functions influence valuation.

• An overview of the SCALE framework and how the five elements fit together.

• Discussion of the operational and financial factors that contribute to transferable value.

• Practical points for owners who are assessing future options, including succession and exit pathways.

• And more!

Resources:

• Get your free personalized report at www.scaletosell.com/value

• Unlock your business's potential with our free Scale to Sell self-assessment

• Book your free discovery call with us today!

Connect with Our Team:

• Website: Scale to Sell

• info@scaletosell.com

• LinkedIn: Scale to Sell

• Facebook: Scale to Sell

• YouTube: Scale to Sell

• Instagram: Scale to Sell

Connect with Adam Burton and Steve Burton:

• LinkedIn: Adam Burton

• LinkedIn: Steve Burton

Most founders have no idea what their business is actually worth, yet 70 to 90 percent of their net worth is tied up in it.

In this episode of Scale to Sell, Steve and Adam break down the "wealth gap" that traps so many business owners and why guessing at your valuation is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.

They share stories of owners who built their retirement plans on assumed business values, only to discover they were millions off when they finally got a real valuation. From customer concentration issues to founder dependency to outdated systems, Steve and Adam explain the hidden factors that quietly drag value down and threaten a successful exit.

What you'll take away:

• Why the majority of your net worth is trapped in the business

• How inaccurate assumptions ruin exit plans

• What buyers actually pay for (hint, it's not revenue alone)

• Three steps to close the wealth gap and harvest your equity

• And more!

Resources:

• Get your free personalized report at www.scaletosell.com/value

• Unlock your business's potential with our free Scale to Sell self-assessment

• Book your free discovery call with us today!

Connect with Our Team:

• Website: Scale to Sell

• info@scaletosell.com

• LinkedIn: Scale to Sell

• Facebook: Scale to Sell

• YouTube: Scale to Sell

• Instagram: Scale to Sell

Connect with Adam Burton and Steve Burton:

• LinkedIn: Adam Burton

• LinkedIn: Steve Burton