Sports teams are just that, a team. It's rare one player can do it all. Even Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, etc, didn't win every year. In business a solid team that reduces the owner's role (no owner dependency) is a key value driver. Listen for some examples and stories about great teams and strategies. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Co…

Nick Anderson is the (fairly new) CEO of OneAccord in Kirkland, WA. His task is to streamline their value proposition, which is now helping companies increase value. They do it through fractional C-level people, coaching, and strategic planning. Each client gets a "Success Manager" in addition to their on-the-ground advisor. This assures accountabi…

There are value drivers galore and in this episode (recorded in beautiful Antigua, West Indies where you can hear the roar of the surf) we cover why having an exit plan increases a company's value. From the financials to the employees and customers to showing how you've grown over the last few years it let's a buyer know you're serious and motivate…

In 2012 I published two posts, one with tips for business buyers and one with tips for sellers. When I came across it in my files I realized those tips are just as relevent today as they were in 2012 (and many decades prior). For buyers it's about being aggressive throughout the process. For sellers, it's getting educated on what's involved (like m…

Recorded in beautiful Antigua, West Indies (hear the roar of the surf). It's always a great and interesting story when talking about sloppy bookkeeping,, inaccurate financial statements, and anything similar. But let's not forget that many companies have very clean books and the financial statements actually reflect the performance of the company. …

Nick Pili is the Senior VP in charge of Merger Vault, as service of www.businessesforsale.com, which is the largest marketplace in the world for businesses for sale. He has been with the company since day one, in the UK. Now based on Charlotte NC, runs Merger Vault, a managed listing service for business brokers. Nick discusses their value add serv…

Wyatt Wheeler is a former business owner who now helps companies reduce costs. With P3 Cost Analysts he reviews overhead costs and finds savings and contract breaches that reduce costs, now an in the future. He shares some examples of saving companies from a few thousand dollars a year to well into six figures. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contac…

Don't do things the same old way because that's the way you've always done them. I give an example of how I "got smarter" plus examples of doing it smarter and better with: Marketing Sales Operations Customer Service Technology Hope you enjoy this fun episode. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sur…

No, I'm not crazy, there are lessons from the recent Boeing airplane popping a door plug and business operations improvement. Listen to hear an example of how a small business, 20 years ago, had a better tracking system than Boeing seems to have had in 2024. Plus a few tips from things companies have done or didn't do to help improve your situation…

After reading a blog post where the author said interest rates shouldn't affect the price of a business I realized that's not true. It may not affect the value an appraiser would put on the business but the price is different - it's the market at work. I go through interest rate history, why it matters, and give examples of loan payments and total …

Craig Halena îs the owner of Buyken Metal Products and Valley Nut & Bolt. He bought Buyen at the end of 2016 and has doubled sales and tripled profits, all with 2/3 the number of employees from when he bought it. He purchased Valley in 2023 and is implementing the same improvements. Listen as he discusses: Know your strategic advantage Acting like …

Third time is the charm! Normally Lisa joins me in Q1 to discuss SBA changes, lending practices, and the market. With the SBA just having released their third update this year (plus one backroom one) Lisa is back. We discuss: Majority stock purchases (seller retains some shares) with an SBA loan. New minimum buyer equity injection rules (scary to t…

My special guest Suzan Sturholm is the owner of All Things HR. In this incredible discussion she covers: Staff challenges DEIB (the B is belonging) Remote/Hybrid work and related polices AI-empowered workforce evolution Exempt vs. non-exempt salary thresholds Compliance - wage & hour laws, employee leaves and time off, discrimination laws, and more…

Jon Stoddard is the Host of "Top M&A Entrepreneur's Podcast" and joins me for a fascinating discussion on business buying, search funds, make-believe deals, and a lot more. He is also the author of, How to Buy a Million Dollar Business. You can connect with Jon at jon.stoddard2016@gmail.com or (520) 488-6704. See his podcasts at https://www.youtube…

My friend Billy Poll with NAI-Puget Sound Properties joins me to discuss the turbulent commercial real estate market. Billy gives his insights on: Retail, industrial, and office market conditions Landlord relations Leases and lease traps The benefits of using a broker The property and its lease can make or kill a buy-sell deal (we've had three pote…

A little different in this episode as I'm joined by my friend Chris Boland, a promotional products expert. We're all used to the junk we get at conferences, right? Chris takes a different approach, as we can attest to have been his customer many times. He strives to get unique and high quality items. Listen as he discusses industry changes, the ben…

Mario Juarez is a born story teller and helps others get their story out to the public. A journalist by trade, he's always been attracted to good stories. At Microsoft he helped co-workers craft their message to make sales. in this episode (which just flew by as we recorded it) we discuss: Why tell stories Leveraging stories in (small) business Wha…

Taken from a story in the headlines I discuss how business buyers and sellers often do the easy things not the tough things. Of course, when they do the tough things (the right things) their process goes faster, smoother, and better. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our videos h…

Danya Shakfeh is a Chicago and Florida based buy-sell attorney for small businesses. She discusses deals and what sellers can do to make it go smoother. She also works with franchisees. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our videos https://nokomisadvisory.com/ https://www.martinka…

Malcolm Peace is an Austin, Texas based entrepreneur who has bought an improved numerous companies. He explains what his team and he have done to "modernize" these businesses to improve efficiencies, create systems, and growth. You can reach Malcolm at https://tsetserra.com/ or 512-775-6559. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either webs…

Gregory Kovsky joins John to discuss their experiences, what makes a good client (aka good deal), and more based on their combined 50+ years of experience in the buy-sell industry. Specific topics include: What they each like most about the intermediary business. What makes a salable business. What makes a good buyer. Banking and bankers - what the…

What exactly is a competitive advantage? Watch and listen for some practical examples from large, medium, and small businesses. And why you need to have and refine your competitive advantage. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our videos https://nokomisadvisory.com/ https://www.ma…

Lisa Forrest with Live Oak Bank discusses the sweeping changes in the May 2023 SBA Standard Operating Procedures. We discuss SBA 7A loan business acquisition loan basics plus changes to: Life insurance requirements Buyer equity (cash) injection to the deal Seller equity post-close (now allowed) The seller's role post-close This podcast will make yo…

Business buyers and owners often don't pay as much attention to location as they should. Location is important for not just retail. Hear some real life examples of why it's important for others businesses and some exceptions to the rule. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our vide…

Warren Buffett was quoted in the Wall Street Journal about his biggest mistakes in analyzing companies and missing on growth potential was on the top of the list. There are a lot of things for a buyer to analyze and for an owner/ seller to concentrate on. Hear why growth should lead the pack (and why it's about having great people). John Martinka J…

Cerebro Capital is a technology platform to expedite the lending process for their clients. With well over 1,000 lenders in their system they can match the borrower with the best partner and analyze the terms and conditions. Robert Schaeffer is on their Capital Markets Team and shares his thoughts on his firm's value, process, the market, interest …

The first thing many people do when looking at a profit and loss statement is check out the bottom line and move on. But that's just part of the story. There are a lot of things within the statement that shed light on the net income amount. And year-to-date statement are full of their own traps. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either …

It's an industry we all frequent, hospitality. Whether it's a restaurant, resort, hotel, or airline, we use them and they should be customer service friendly. Hear some lessons on what doesn't work, a correction, and what business buyers often bring to the customer service equation. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or gi…

In our never-ending political season it seems the politicians get further and further away from helping their constituents and more into nothing but reelection. Listen for three key lessons politicians can learn by paying attention to the M&A industry. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to che…

When buying (or selling) a business the landlord and/or a bad lease can kill a deal. Unless the business can be easily and inexpensively be moved the buyer needs a lease, including options, at least as long as the term of their loan. The buyer and especially the bank don't want the buyer forced out while still owing money - it can be very expensive…

Most small businesses don't do a statement of cash flows and when the CPA does one it's often not paid attention to. Yet, it can be very insightful. Plus, I share a hilarious story about a guy at a PE firm who completely doesn't understand them. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out …

A lawsuit by Chase bank against a startup they bought, Frank, caught my attention because if even half of what Chase claims is true it means they did one heck of a sloppy job on diligence. Buyer fever anybody? My experience is buyers of small to lower middle market businesses are over the top on their diligence, which is good. And of course there's…

Lisa Forrest with Live Oak Bank joins John for a discussion of what's going on with business acquisition loans. One of our most popular guests, she's back for her third visit, and it's always informative. During our talk she covers: New SBA rules and rumored rules What Live Oak Bank doesn't want to see (or lend on) What's happening to business buye…

Laurie learned a lot of lessons when her partners and her sold their business. She now works with clients, mainly in professional services, on succession planning (with heart). Listen as she discusses: Her lessons learned and the #1 detailer - from navigating the tricky pathfrom independence to sale. The triple win succession formula - Doing succes…

Tom Granger tells us exactly what digitalization and digital transformation, why it's important for all of us, and does so only after his very interesting story of how he got into business. FDG Web takes on complicated projects and successfully completes them. Sure, they can do a basic website but their clients want them to help with CRM and ERP in…

Jim Eschweiler has a deep hospitality industry background and currently heads Top Pot Donuts in Seattle. We discussed: (This is the most important) Top Pot's special Christmas donut for 2022 His objectives at Top Pot The future of businesses like coffee shops, donut shops, etc. Things he's done and lessons learned We know you'll like it! 425-576-18…

Bill Hanlin is an old and dear business friend - and, he's a business valuation expert who teaches classes on valuation worldwide. Bill shares with us insights on: What's beyond the financial statements The tricky subject of accelerated depreciation Why EBITDA isn't what really matters Covid headwinds and tailwinds Best things to do to increase val…

Lessons from little kids and how balancing the old versus the new is important in business (and life). I cover five areas and compare old ways versus new ways (often technology) and how they can work together. And, spoiled alert, relationships (still) rule in buy-sell deals. 425-576-1814 john@johnmartinka.com jessica@martinkaconsulting.com Contact …

Business buyers often want the largest company possible. But what if a smaller one is a better fit? Then, the buyer gets all the benefit of their hard work as the company grows. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our siste…

I annoy family members by always asking, why? But it gets to the heart of the matter. Questions are what let salespeople figure out the customers problem and are great when buyers and sellers meet. Listen for some examples business buyers and sellers should ask each other. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes i…

When times are tough the first thing many owners think is, "I'll sell it." Here's two examples of owners who did the opposite and how it worked out. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisa…

My doctor is one of the smartest people I know. Let he doesn't follow prudent health advice (too busy). Learn how to take care of your business to make it healthier and more valuable. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our…

The Antigua roads and drivers make it difficult to get anywhere in a timely manner. Make it as easy as possible for your customers plus your business buyer or your seller. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister comp…

Meeting a business seller? Meeting a business buyer? Have a customer visit? A stunning first impression really makes a difference. Listen and hear examples the good and the bad. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our siste…

Communication with a buyer for one of our client companies brought back memories and not good ones. He thought he was pretty special when really he was more like a scam artist. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side representation firm). We're also at: 425-…

This followup to a previous podcast on the same subject covers some different and more serious issues with erratic and inaccurate accounting. Serious enough to scare away business buyers. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side representation firm). We're also a…

This is being posted on August 29, one day before NFL teams cut down their rosters from 80 players to 53. There's a lot that goes into it and it's heartbreaking for some players and a dream come true for others. This episode gives business lessons from an NFL coach on what goes into keeping or cutting players and covers: Having the best team. Balan…

As I say in my opening, apologies to Charles Dickens for copying (modifying) one of his most famous book titles. Listen to a comparison of two companies. One is fully invested in management and the future and the other has an owner in control of everything (aka, an owner dependency). For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.c…

Some people think buying or selling a business is similar to buying or selling a car (or a house). It's not - it's much more complex, there are frustrations, and that's before it gets to the attorneys. Listen and learn, including a real life example. New podcast just released. In "Overpay for a Business? Not Getting Enough When Selling" I discuss w…

The most common expressions I hear from business buyers and sellers are: Buyers - I don't want to overpay for the business. Sellers - I don't want to give it away. Listen and learn why these are not the most important questions a buyer or seller should have. It comes down to your objectives and getting the deal done. For more about Martinka Consult…