In this episode of Legendary Exits, Micah welcomes Nick Bradley — private equity expert, exit advisor, and author of Exit for Millions: The Private Equity Blueprint. With years of experience leading multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and helping founders navigate their own exits, Nick brings a candid, insider look at what it truly means to scale, sell, and succeed in the world of private equity.

In this conversation, Nick reveals how founders can shift from building companies to building valuable assets — ones that attract top-tier buyers and command premium valuations. He shares his five-pillar “Scale to Sale” framework, explaining why clarity of the end game is the first step to an extraordinary exit. From demystifying private equity to exposing common misconceptions about selling your business, Nick’s insights empower entrepreneurs to level the playing field and play to win.

Key themes include how to position your business as a platform rather than a bolt-on, why terms often matter more than price, and how a founder’s identity sets the ceiling for growth. Nick also dives into what truly makes an exit “legendary” — one defined not only by wealth, but by freedom, purpose, and long-term impact.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

00:00:00 Welcome to Legendary Exits

00:01:52 Why Nick Wrote Exit for Millions / Demystifying Private Equity for Founders

00:03:23 The Truth About Private Equity / Myths, Misconceptions, and Knowing the Rules of the Game 

00:05:27 Price vs. Terms / Why Founders Should Negotiate Terms Over Valuation

00:07:21 Sell-Side Control / Choosing the Right Buyer and Protecting Your Legacy

00:15:24 Scaling to the Level of Your Identity / Why Leadership Limits Business Growth

00:16:30 The Five Pillars of “Scale to Sale” / Nick’s Framework for Building a Valuable Company

00:19:06 Should You Sell to Private Equity? / Knowing If It’s the Right Fit for You

00:22:45 Platform vs. Bolt-On Acquisitions / How Private Equity Builds Value

00:27:51 Deal Structures That Win / Cash, Earnouts, and Equity Rollovers Explained

00:32:23 Defining a Clear End Game / Avoiding Regret After the Exit

00:36:31 Avoiding the “Franken-Business” / How to Build Strategic Acquisitions

00:40:01 Real Case Study / Ascend Learning’s $2.3B Private Equity Exit

00:42:51 Becoming a Platform Business / How to Attract Premium Buyers

00:46:50 How to Connect with Nick Bradley / Book, Podcast & LinkedIn

Join Micah Brandenburg, growth partner and exit strategist, as he unpacks the keys to achieving a legendary exit. Drawing on over 20 years of experience scaling companies, Micah shares actionable insights to help entrepreneurs live a life of significance, fund their unique financial goals, and build a legacy that transforms lives. Learn more at www.legendaryexits.com. 

The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Exit for Millions: The Private Equity Blueprint for Scaling & Selling Your Business for Maximum Value

https://a.co/d/grP8ZII