Jason Hendren

Jason Hendren started a business, grew it, sold the majority to private equity, ran it as the CEO, sold it again, stayed on as the CEO, bought some complimentary businesses, and then retired for a few weeks. It was an intense 20 years, but he sure learned a lot. He learned how to grow a business and sell it. He also learned the art of buying businesses and how sophisticated investors evaluate acquisition targets. Things I Wish I Knew Before I SOLD TO PRIVATE EQUITY is the book Jason wishes he had before he did his first sale. Today, Jason Hendren is a CEO coach, speaker, and exit planning advisor. Jason’s experience makes him uniquely qualified to guide entrepreneurs in building a valuable business and planning for an eventual exit. Jason started his career as an Industrial Engineer working in manufacturing. Shortly after obtaining his MBA, he became the operating partner of a startup business that he eventually acquired and grew into a nationally recognized manufacturer of energy efficient lighting. After a decade of growth, Jason sold the majority of his equity to a private equity group and stayed on as the CEO. In the following years, Jason was heavily involved in the company’s M&A activities which included selling the business again to another private equity group. Jason was integral in the acquisition and integration of two prestigious brands in the lighting industry while evaluating dozens of other potential acquisitions. Jason applies the lessons he’s learned to help business owners grow their enterprise value and ultimately exit from their businesses. Jason’s experience as a selling entrepreneur and acquiring investor gives him the perspective to advise owners on the moves they should make before, during, and after a sales process. Jason earned a BSIE and MBA from the University of Central Florida where he supports first generation scholarships, entrepreneurship programs, and the Football Shareholders Society. Jason is also a volunteer football coach at Sanford Seminole High School where his team won the 2020 8A state championship. Jason lives in downtown Orlando, Florida, with his wife Carol and their dogs Pfingsten and Ravenclaw.