Paul Cowley: Why Businesses Fail and How To Sell a Tech Company!

2025-05-23

🚨 Fun Fact: 80% of partnerships fail. This one didn’t — and the reason why will surprise you. In this episode of the #bydesignpodcast, Dale, Marty, & Paul break down how the power of three partnership model led to years of growth, a successful exit, and almost zero drama along the way. From how they handled exits, to avoiding toxic compensation issues, to why founders staying too involved kills valuation, this conversation is full of real, hard-earned lessons.If you’re a business owner, founder, or partner in a growin...

🚨 Fun Fact: 80% of partnerships fail.

This one didn’t — and the reason why will surprise you.

In this episode of the #bydesignpodcast, Dale, Marty, & Paul break down how the power of three partnership model led to years of growth, a successful exit, and almost zero drama along the way. From how they handled exits, to avoiding toxic compensation issues, to why founders staying too involved kills valuation, this conversation is full of real, hard-earned lessons.

If you’re a business owner, founder, or partner in a growing company — this is required listening.

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💡 What You'll Learn:

- The silent killer of most partnerships (and how they avoided it)

- Why equal pay structures reduce conflict

- The magic of “three” in leadership & decision-making

- How they scaled through a revenue plateau

- Why overly involved founders hurt company value

- The power of taking a “punt” every year (aka strategic risk)

- Why radical transparency builds long-term trust

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📌 **Resources & Links:**

🌐 Learn More About Exit Strategy & Leadership – https://www.bydesignadvisors.com/contact-us

🎧 Subscribe to By Design Podcast for more unfiltered leadership truth bombs

📘 Finding Significance by Marty Osborne – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTQD79BH/?bestFormat=true&k=finding%20significance%20marty%20osborn&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k1_1_12&crid=37ZRISVQPV8P3&sprefix=marty%20osborn

🧠 Take the DISC Assessment – https://profiles.innermetrix.com/VO/b2a2eb33/en

Website: https://www.bydesignadvisors.com/

Dale's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalethrush/

Marty's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-osborn-78ba9b5/

Tom's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrjoh

📺 Don’t forget to **LIKE + SUBSCRIBE** for more unfiltered business leadership content.

💬 Comment below:

**What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about working with partners?**

#PartnershipSuccess #BusinessExitStrategy #LeadershipTeam #FounderMistakes #ByDesignPodcast #MartyOsborne #ScalingACompany #PEO #CultureByDesign #ExitPlanning #HowToSellACompany #AvoidPartnershipDrama

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