Nick Akers & Chris Edwards
Tue Jan 27 2026
In this episode of Leading In The Dark, host Nick Akers sits down with entrepreneur Chris Edwards to unpack a full Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition journey—from corporate finance to consulting, through acquisition, exit, and back to startup life.
Chris shares how he acquired a flooring business through a self-funded search, scaled it through operational improvements, and ultimately exited with a remarkable return. More importantly, he opens up about the emotional side of ownership: managing inherited culture, navigating seller dynamics, leading through turnover, and redefining purpose after a successful exit.
Now building a new business from scratch, Chris reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy—and why mastering organic growth is critical before the next acquisition.
This episode is a must-listen for aspiring searchers, operators, founders, and anyone wrestling with what comes after success.
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In this episode of Leading In The Dark, host Nick Akers sits down with entrepreneur Chris Edwards to unpack a full Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition journey—from corporate finance to consulting, through acquisition, exit, and back to startup life. Chris shares how he acquired a flooring business through a self-funded search, scaled it through operational improvements, and ultimately exited with a remarkable return. More importantly, he opens up about the emotional side of ownership: managing inherited culture, navigating seller dynamics, leading through turnover, and redefining purpose after a successful exit. Now building a new business from scratch, Chris reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy—and why mastering organic growth is critical before the next acquisition. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring searchers, operators, founders, and anyone wrestling with what comes after success.