Economic headwinds are real — and they’re reshaping both trading performance and buyer appetite. In this episode of The Quiet Exit Podcast, Stephen McConachie explores how interest rates, wage pressures, and energy costs ripple through SME deals in the UK — not just on spreadsheets, but in owner mindset and buyer confidence.

Across a calm, practical 90 minutes, you’ll learn:

• Rates: Why higher borrowing costs change leverage, valuation sensitivity, and timing — and how to demonstrate resilience when debt feels heavier.

• Wages: How rising people costs affect margin and morale, what buyers look for (productivity, retention, rationale), and three ways to evidence stability without hype.

• Energy: Why volatile energy bills are a litmus test for adaptability — and how framed responses (“we adapted by…”) reassure buyers more than perfect numbers.

• When headwinds combine: How stacked pressures create fatigue for owners and caution for buyers — and why transparency beats perfection every time.

• Buyer appetite under pressure: The quiet shifts (greater selectivity, valuation discipline, preference for resilient cash flows, deeper interest in culture/retention).

• Mindset & momentum: Practical ways to keep your own rhythm steady so the deal’s rhythm stays steady — including weekly reflection and shared-load practices.

Real, anonymised case stories (manufacturing, logistics, distribution, cleaning services) show how small signals and specific commitments keep deals alive without pressure.

Resource: The Headwinds Resilience Map — a simple tool to map pressures, document adaptations, and present a clear resilience narrative to buyers.
👉 epitomecapital.co.uk/quiet-exit-club

Quiet deals don’t rely on hype. They rely on rhythm, clarity, and evidence of adaptability. Hold the rhythm — and your exit can move calmly, even in heavy weather.