Alejandra Santos, founder of Into the Next and host of the Scale to Exit Podcast, joins host Mark Osborne on the B2B Growth Blueprint podcast to share how 17 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategic growth shaped her mission to help business owners scale lean and exit smart. With a background spanning CPG, tech, e-commerce, professional services, M&A, and CFO consulting, Alejandra explains why most businesses never achieve the exit they dream of—and how mindset, predictability, and operational clarity play a crucial role in creating a sellable asset.  She breaks down the differences between VC-backed startups and bootstrap business owners, why so many businesses grow chaotically instead of strategically, and how an exit strategy is a good business strategy. Alejandra also reveals the tools she uses to help companies move from chaos to clarity—including financial modeling, forecasting, transferability systems, and her proprietary Scale & Exit Readiness Index.  Quotes:  "We are on a mission to bridge the gap between a business and a sellable asset."  "Only 20% ever get the exit of their dreams—and 80% regret the exit they get."  "If you're asking people for money, you need to have an exit strategy."  "The things that make a business sellable are the same things that give owners more freedom."  "How do you make yourself more replaceable? How do you make an employee replaceable?"  "People think top-line revenue means exit-ready. No—100% the opposite."  "Start thinking not about selling your business, but how to create more freedom for yourself."  Takeaways:  Exit planning is a smart business strategy that provides owners with clarity, freedom, and long-term value.  VC-backed and bootstrap businesses experience growth differently and require different mindsets and tools.  Predictability—of cash flow, revenue, and operations—is critical for both scaling and selling a business.  Transferability of skills and processes reduces dependency on key people and increases enterprise value.  Recurring revenue drives stability and valuation—chasing new customers every month creates chaos.  Businesses often confuse revenue growth with value creation; sustainable systems and diversification matter more.  A clear long-term financial target helps align leadership and create a measurable roadmap to a successful exit.  Conclusion:  Alejandra Santos's journey underscores that creating a sellable, scalable business is rooted in clarity, predictability, and strategic foresight—not just revenue growth. By building repeatable systems, documenting processes, strengthening financial visibility, and aligning leadership around a long-term value goal, business owners can reduce chaos, increase freedom, and position themselves for the exit—and the life—they truly want. Alejandra's mission is not just about selling businesses, but about helping owners build enterprises that create legacy and long-lasting wealth.  Links Mentioned:  Website: Into the Next – https://intothenext.com   Guest Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlbweiss   Email: [email protected]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealejandrasantos/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385833208579320/user/684872850/  

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