M&A Masters

In this episode, I sit down with Brett Story, the founder of Britehorn Partners, a leading middle-market investment bank. They delve into Brett's transition from corporate law to M&A, the founding and rebranding of Britehorn Partners, and why staying focused on the middle market can be more rewarding than chasing larger deals. Brett also shares insights into the unique challenges and rewards of working with owner-operators to achieve successful exits and the evolving landscape of M&A. He’ll cover:

In this episode of M&A Masters, we're joined by Trever Acers, Managing Director of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation. With over 20 years in the transactions field, Trever brings a wealth of experience and a unique approach to mergers and acquisitions. Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation focuses on the lower middle market, aiming to serve clients with enterprise values between $25 to $250 million across the United States. The firm prides itself on its client-centric approach, aiming to achieve a clean exit for owners, founders, and their investors. Trever will share how he assists clients in planning their exit strategy years in advance, allowing for a more controlled and potentially lucrative selling process.

In this episode of M&A Masters, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sharon Heaton, founder of sbLiftOff. SbLiftOff specializes in providing advisory services to founder-led businesses and government contracting organizations across the United States, focusing on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and more. Sharon, also the author of the Forbes bestseller LIFT OFF: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business, shares invaluable insights into the world of M&A, the journey of founder-led businesses, and the essence of preparing for and navigating the sale process. She’ll cover:

This episode of M&A Masters features Tom Brinegar, the Chief Financial Officer of PEAK Resources, a trailblazing technology and systems integrator based in Denver. Under Tom's financial stewardship, PEAK Resources recently navigated through a complex and successful acquisition by a strategic buyer. With a rich background in finance and the heart of an entrepreneur, Tom's journey offers a unique lens on the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions from the perspective of the acquired. To delve deeper into the world of mergers and acquisitions and to gather invaluable insights from Tom Brinegar's first hand experience, tune into this episode of M&A Masters. Whether you're contemplating an exit strategy or looking to expand through acquisitions, this conversation sheds light on the critical elements that contribute to a successful deal. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly on our website.

Discover the transformative journey of consumer brands into lucrative M&A opportunities… In today’s episode, join us as we welcome Jason Somerville, founding partner of GW Partners. With a unique blend of operational consulting, financial management, strategic planning, and M&A advisory, Jason and his team are known for elevating consumer brands into prime acquisition targets. To gain more insights from Jason Somerville and learn the art of preparing your consumer brand for a successful exit, tune into this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or just hit play above.

Discover the art of strategic mergers in architecture and engineering with M&A expert David Kimbrell. In this episode of M&A Masters, join me as we engage with David Kimbrell, a seasoned M&A authority in the architectural and engineering sector. With over four decades of unmatched expertise, David has masterminded the art of buying, selling, and advising firms in this specialized niche, revolutionizing the concept of strategic mergers and acquisitions. To absorb the full wealth of knowledge shared in this episode, subscribe to M&A Masters on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or hit play above.

In this episode, my guest is Tom Zucker, President and Founder of EdgePoint Capital. Cleveland based, EdgePoint Capital’s advisors bring up-market executive transaction knowledge and real-world M&A and business leadership experience, enabling them to guide owners and founders through transactions and attract qualified buyers. Tom will share his M&A insight, including:

What insights does a top M&A attorney have to share about buying and selling businesses? Spending nearly three decades in California’s dynamic business environment, my guest, attorney Addison Adams, has become known as California’s go-to voice on mergers and acquisitions. In this episode, he’ll share his M&A expertise, including:

In this episode, we’re taking a look at a unique independent sponsor’s M&A strategies. My guest Bakari Akil is the founder of Graves Hall Capital, which seeks to buy and run businesses where owners and founders are seeking an exit. Bakari will share his M&A journey and advice for enticing a seller to do business with you. He’ll also cover:

How can M&A advisors help business owners maximize and monetize their life’s work? That’s the mission of M&A advisory and exit planning consulting firm TobinLeff, whose founder David Tobin is here to speak with me in this episode. David will share how his firm builds relationships long before the deal and meets clients wherever they are in the M&A journey. He’ll also cover M&A in the professional services and marketing sector, his ideal client profile, and more.

What if you had a step-by-step guide to the M&A process? My guest, investment banker Bill Snow, is the author of Mergers & Acquisitions for Dummies, an insider’s handbook about buying and selling companies. In this episode, he’ll share his M&A expertise and give an inside look at the process of writing his book. He’ll also share the one tip that tests if your investment banker has the right negotiation skills for your deal—and give his take on reps and warranties insurance.

In the case of an unexpected death or disability, a business can face hardship and significant economic consequences… But in this episode, we’re covering two essential products that can mitigate this risk: key person life insurance and excess disability insurance. Here to speak with me is Lynne Rosenberg, President of Innovative Solutions, which provides broad market access to leading carriers of annuities, life, disability, and long term care insurance. She’ll cover what businesses need to know about these products and how they can protect your employees, clients, and business.

How can quality of earnings reports impact lower middle market transactions? Patrick McMillan, CFO and Transaction Advisor at Amplēo, is here to share how sellers and buyers can leverage this tool for smoother transactions. Patrick will cover:

What does it take to successfully purchase businesses & grow them for the long term? Malcolm Peace is the founder of Tsetserra Growth Partners, a firm that specializes in buying family-owned small businesses with established Texas legacies. In this episode, he’ll share his M&A wisdom. He’ll cover:

Helping small business owners realize their life’s work is one of the great joys of M&A… But what does it take to have generational impact on owners and founders? Jeff May is the executive vice president of Carolina Acquisitions Partners, which was formed to fulfill a need in the underserved market segment of business owners without succession strategies. Jeff is here to share why planning an exit strategy is critical. As Jeff says, “Is your business ready for you to not come back tomorrow?” We’ll also cover what Jeff looks for in a client, reps & warranties insurance, and more.

If you’re selling, you want to be where your buyers are. But what does it take to thrive in a massive tech industry marketplace? In this episode, entrepreneur, author, and franchise owner Nate Lind gives an inside look at WebsiteClosers.com, which provides sell-side advisory and transactional services for tech companies in the lower middle market. Nate will also share insights from his book Maximum Exit, which guides tech founders through the process of a clean exit.

What is the key to a successful M&A transaction? In this episode, Joseph Durnford, who was recently inducted into the M&A Advisor Hall of Fame, will give his insight on that question. As chairman and senior managing director of JD Merit, Joseph has seen market-transformational transactions. He’s here to share his wisdom on all things M&A, from reps & warranties to his firm’s ideal clients.

M&A is about helping clients make their ambitions a reality… That’s what Bob Goldsmith, Founder and President of Northern Edge Advisors, believes. In this episode, Bob will unpack what Northern Edge Advisors brings to the table for the lower middle market. He’ll also share:

What is M&A like as an independent sponsor? In this episode, I speak to Jonathan Saltzman, managing partner of Torque Capital Group, an independent sponsor that focuses on companies undergoing change or at inflection points where there are opportunities to create value. Jonathan will share his insight on M&A for lower-middle-market automotive and manufacturing businesses. He’ll cover:

Why is transparency the key to success? In this episode, I’m joined by Peter Cook of Everingham & Kerr, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that specializes in providing intermediary services for lower-middle market companies and entrepreneurs. Peter will share his philosophy around transparency and will also discuss: