Ever wondered what it truly takes to build a thriving business and achieve a successful exit? In this captivating episode of Angels Exits and Acquisitions, host Jeff Barnes sits down with David Miller, a renowned CEO Coach, serial entrepreneur, and "Growth Alchemist," to uncover the secrets behind scaling companies and making strategic exits. David shares his unique "Method and Magic" approach, blending battle-tested frameworks with the often-overlooked human elements of business growth. In this insightful conversation, David, a "southern boy from Knoxville, Tennessee," delves into his journey from an analyst who influenced Warren Buffett to acquire a company, to founding and exiting multiple 8-figure businesses, including a financial services firm and a cannabis company. He explains how his entrepreneurial spirit, initially clashing with corporate management at American Express, led him to build his own successful ventures and later dedicate himself to helping other elite founder-operators. David emphasizes that business success is not just about numbers; it's about an "invisible magic" that transforms good companies into great ones, rooted in trust, energy, and leadership presence. Key Points from the Interview: • The "Method & Magic" of Growth: David's unique methodology combines proven scaling strategies and operational excellence with crucial human elements like trust, energy, and authentic leadership presence, which he calls the "alchemy of scale". He believes that "growth without soul is just numbers on a page". • The Power of Delegation & People: A critical insight for successful scaling and exiting businesses is the ability to delegate effectively and trust your team. David highlights that most challenges are "people problems" and stresses the importance of finding the "right person on the right bus, in the right seat" and letting them work their magic, even detailing the transformative role of a Chief of Staff in his own journey. • Emotional Detachment for a Successful Exit: David shares his personal experience of exiting businesses by learning to "intellectualize the emotions" and objectively view the company from a business perspective, emphasizing that this detachment is vital for making sound decisions. Major Timestamps: • 00:32: David Miller's entrepreneurial journey and background, from Knoxville to corporate America at American Express, and his leap into founding his own firms. • 01:33: Deep dive into scaling and successfully exiting businesses, including his financial services firm (PeachCap) and a vertically integrated cannabis company (Flow Gardens). • 05:13: Unpacking the secret to successful exits: the critical need to separate emotions from business decisions and the power of effective delegation. • 11:25: The pivotal role of key hires, exemplified by David's Chief of Staff, and how such roles enable visionary CEOs to operate at a high strategic level. • 24:53: The fascinating story of how David, as a young analyst, contributed to Warren Buffett's acquisition of Clayton Homes, and his ultimate advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Connect with David Miller:  Website: alchemyofscale.com  Instagram: @davidmiller.buzz Connect with Jeff Barnes:  Website: https://www.jeffbarnes.ceo/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpbarnes/ #Hashtags: #BusinessGrowth #ScalingUp #Entrepreneurship #CEO #ExitStrategy #Leadership #DavidMiller #JeffBarnes #AngelsExitsAcquisitions #BusinessCoach #WarrenBuffett #FinancialServices #CannabisIndustry #Delegation #BusinessStrategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices