01: From Founding to Exit: Scaling Mass Communications and Life After
Darren Mass, founder of Mass Communications
Darren Mass, founder of Mass Communications, joins Bruce Eckfeldt to share his journey from startup to successful exit. Growing up as a hands-on problem solver, Darren found his passion in telecom engineering and eventually launched Mass Communications. He discusses the challenges of early-stage growth, including financial sacrifices, strategic hiring, and leveraging networking to land his first clients.
Darren outlines his philosophy on scaling a company, emphasizing teamwork over ego, smart financial decisions, and leveraging existing industry relationships. A crucial turning point in his business came when he realized the power of acting like the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company—even before achieving that level of success. His strategic vision paid off when he sold the company for $40 million, a goal he had written into his original business plan a decade earlier.
He also provides insights into recognizing when to sell, how to approach negotiations, and the importance of planning for life after an exit. Darren candidly discusses the challenges of staying on as an employee post-sale, the culture shift he experienced, and why he ultimately left to pursue new ventures. Today, he focuses on coaching founders through the emotional and strategic aspects of business growth and exits, helping them clear "head trash" and align their goals with long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
Scale your company by thinking and acting like the CEO of a $10M+ business from the start.
Prioritize teamwork and avoid CEO ego—build a strong team that drives success.
Always be open to discussing an exit, but ensure the timing and valuation align with your goals.
Identify early warning signs of burnout or stagnation to determine the right time to sell.
An exit is just the beginning—have a plan for your next move before the deal closes.
Money alone doesn’t create happiness; purpose and relevance post-exit are crucial.
Entrepreneurs should define whether they’re running a lifestyle or growth business early on.
Use LinkedIn strategically—it’s a vital platform for networking, brand-building, and business growth.
