Hi and welcome back to the Entrepreneur Transition podcast - the only podcast that explores the uniquely human journey involved in building a business, selling it and crucially, life on the other side. In 20 years of working with and advising entrepreneurs, I’ve come to realise that it’s a transition more than it is a transaction and there are so many issues and challenges that a business owner will have to navigate to maximise their success from a financial but more importantly from a human and lifestyle viewpoint. No one epitomises this more than my guest today, Mike Ames. Mike built a recruitment business to £40m turnover before selling for a life-changing sum of money, before going on to help build another business to £24m turnover and selling that. However, as he very candidly explains, after he sold his first business and become fabulously wealthy, he went to a dark place - and really struggled with his own identity and purpose.  His advice on this aspect alone is worth every minute of your time listening.   In a wide-ranging conversation Mike also shares his thoughts on: The difference between building a lifestyle//cash cow business or a ‘scale for sale’ type of business and why it’s essential to know which one you’re runningThe importance of preparing for life after your exit and your relationship with friends, family as well as with yourselfShares some practical insights on how to invest your sale proceeds to ensure the right balance  And towards the end, Mike provides a neat 5-point summary of what it means to have real wealth. This is one of the most candid and inspiring conversations you will hear in a long time. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Mike Ames Show note links The E Myth Michael Gerber Seth Godin Malcolm Gladwell Gary Vaynerchuk Mike Ames - Flair website Mike Ames and Alan Smith ‘ How to Retire Wealthy’ Mike’s Linkedin