Are you ready to dive into the strategies behind building thriving businesses and impactful partnerships? Discover how partnering with the right leaders can transform companies and markets. In this episode, John Block, co-founder and CEO of Unity Partners, takes us through his fascinating journey from childhood aspirations to leading a game-changin…

Are you ready to transform the way you think about mergers and acquisitions? Discover the secrets to a clean exit and the revolutionary approach of conscious capitalism in this enlightening episode of M&A Masters. Join host Patrick Stroth, an expert in executive and transactional liability, as he welcomes Sunny Vanderbeck, co-founder and managing p…

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 ins…

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 se…

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 bestsell…

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…

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 in…

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 ad…

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…

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: M&A in California …

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: Why he b…

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 …

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 te…

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 pr…

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 is a quality of earnings report? Why is it different from an audit? How to tell a story with numbers …

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: His firm’s buy-and-hold strategy Working with B2B b…

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 stra…

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. …

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…

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: The importance of using a wide pool of buyers What it means to be long-term…

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 m…

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: His take on reps & warran…

How can M&A Masters tap into the power of human capital? In this episode, I’m joined by Doug McCormick, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of HCI Equity Partners. He’ll give an inside look at his firm, which partners with family and founder-owned manufacturing, services, and distribution companies in the lower middle market. Doug will br…

When your small business owner client is in a room full of MBAs, they can feel out of their depths… So how do you keep your client’s emotions in check during a high-stakes sale? Alan Clark is here to share his perspective as a sell-side advisor helping clients exit their businesses. Alan also reveals why he thinks a common 2023 M&A prediction is wr…

In M&A, having a set of core principles to guide your thinking is essential… Ken Heuer of Kidd & Company is here to share the firm’s 3 core principles and how they make business decisions simple. We also discuss What Kidd & Company brings to the table for the lower middle market The emergence of a new reps & warranties product to protect sellers An…

How can M&A firms succeed in the e-commerce niche? Kelcey Lehrich, co-founder and CEO of 365 Holdings, is here to share how he provides e-commerce brands with a permanent home when entrepreneurs are seeking an exit. Kelcey also breaks down what makes consumer products thrive in the marketplace—and why you should treat e-commerce as a channel, not a…

As we prepare for the new year, it’s time to set your strategy… “What strategy?,” you might think, “We just need to make more money.” But a business without a strategy is destined for failure. Especially in today’s changing world, where an unexpected crisis could derail your business. And it’s not enough to set a strategy… You have to execute it, t…

What does it take to bring technology and data capital to middle-market businesses? In today’s digital world, there’s enormous opportunity in helping business owners embrace technology… In this episode, I’m joined by Vinay Bachireddy, managing partner at Weave Growth Partners. Weave Growth Partners is a Silicon Valley firm that backs owners and exe…

When you have an indefinite holding period, you’re buying for the long term… What are the strategies of firms that operate in this way? Ben Brown, founder of Alderman Enterprises, is here to share his perspective on M&A. We discuss: Benefits of the buy & hold strategy Why his firm sticks to the lower middle market Ben’s take on reps & warranties in…

There’s enormous opportunity in professionalizing and scaling founder-owned businesses. But what does it take to become a leader in this area? In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Madland of Huron Capital for an inside look at the firm. We’ll also discuss: Opportunities in the service sector M&A in the Midwest The history of Huron Capital Heather…

The sell-side of M&A brings unique challenges and opportunities… In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Parker of Roy Street Advisors for an inside look at a sell-side firm. We’ll also cover: Why the first offer isn’t always the best offer The importance of documentation Reps & warranties from a sell-side perspective M&A trends for 2023 And more…

Why do M&A Masters love the lower middle market? You get the opportunity to aggressively scale family businesses… In this episode, I’m joined by Justin Smith of LongWater Opportunities, a private equity firm based in the Midwest. Justin’s firm has firsthand experience growing family businesses, and he’s here to share his expertise. We’ll also cover…

What does it take to be an M&A Master for the IT and cybersecurity industries? Jamar Freeman of Moonshot Equity Partners is here to share his firm’s holistic approach to acquiring and building market-leading companies. Listen to learn: The 4 strategies that set Jamar’s firm apart The advantage of guaranteed payouts Jamar’s take on reps & warranties…

If you’re an independent sponsor or a capital provider, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Independent Sponsor Conference… Featuring one-on-one networking meetings with people hand-selected to match you… This is an unbeatable opportunity to connect with someone and lay the groundwork for deals… In this episode, Jeffrey Brooker, an organizer of the…

M&A is never just about chasing numbers…. It’s about the people who trust you with their business… A business that represents generations of hard work—and a family’s legacy. My guest Chris Parisi knows this well. At Carl Marks Advisors, which has been around since 1925, Chris secures clean exits for lower middle market business owners. In this epis…

Cloud-based infrastructure is one of the most rapidly expanding industries today… And this episode’s guest, Sean Frank, is an expert on it. As the founder of Cloud Equity Group, Sean invests in lower middle market companies in the web hosting and cloud-based infrastructure sectors. Listen to find out: What Sean looks for in a company The problem wi…

How do you get owners to stop thinking like operators… And start thinking like investors? For the lower middle market, this mindset shift is crucial for a clean exit. In this episode, I talk to Sly Buford, founder and CEO of Tenth Street Group, which specializes in helping lower middle market businesses grow, scale, and exit. Sly had an unconventio…

In this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we sit down with Marty Fahncke to talk about M&A for the lower middle market. Marty is a partner at Westbound Road, LLC and has over 30 years of experience in building and growing businesses. Listen to learn: How businesses can double revenue without increasing sales How owners can leave a legacy with their bu…

You might think of M&A as a zero-sum game… But that’s where many business owners go wrong. It might surprise you to hear that building trust with the opposing side is the key to securing your clean exit. This episode’s guest, Alistair McBride, coaches business owners in the fine art of negotiating M&A deals. Alistair has seen deals succeed when bus…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we’re sitting down with Deborah Smith to talk about real estate, a first on this show! Deborah is the Co-Founder and CEO of The CenterCap Group. The CenterCap Group, LLC, is a boutique investment bank providing strategic advisory, capital-raising, and consulting related services to public and private corporati…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we sit down with Patrick Turner to talk about how his company is transforming good companies into great companies through their partnerships. Patrick Turner is the Managing Director of VSS. VSS is a private investment firm that invests in the information, business services, healthcare and education industries.…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we speak with Jennifer Mandelbaum, Senior Investment Director at Halogen Ventures. Halogen Ventures is a California-based Venture Capital fund focused on investing in early stage consumer technology startups with a female on the founding team. Female led businesses represent a massive opportunity. They deliver…

Global M&A volumes hit a record in 2021 and that pace is expected to continue as we head into the second quarter of 2022. Family-owned businesses continue to be front and center in many of these deals, which is why I wanted to rewind my episode with James Darnell for my listeners today. I sincerely believe that there is a huge marketplace of compan…

If the past two years have taught us anything, it is we need to have a thriving manufacturing sector. With the inability to meet supplies of offshore parts with demand here at home and the new instability in Europe and it’s more important than ever to have a thriving US manufacturing sector. That’s why today, on M&A Masters, I am rewinding my conve…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, I’m revisiting my conversation with Ryan Milligan, Partner at ParkerGale. I am rewinding this episode for two reasons. The first is that the ParkerGale Capital podcast, The Private Equity Funcast opened the entire private equity world to me over five years ago. The second reason is in our conversation. Ryan an…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, to celebrate International Women’s Week we’re rewinding my conversation with Suzanne Yoon. In 2020, Suzanne’s firm, Kinzie Capital Partners, in Chicago was honored by the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) as the North American female-founded firm of the year. The Wall Street Journal has also recogn…

Today on M&A Masters, we’re rewinding my interview with Jon Finger, a Partner at McGuireWoods in Dallas. The reason I want to take you back to this show is because of the unique things Jon’s practice is bringing to the M&A space. They were the first to dedicate themselves to introducing independent sponsors to their capital partners. Jon says, “As …

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we’re sitting down with Renny Sie, Vice President of Business Development and Investor Relations at the private equity firm Boyne Capital. Established in 2006, Boyne Capital takes a different approach to investing—one that forges lasting and collaborative relationships with companies whose founders and familie…

On this week’s episode of M&A Masters, we sit down with Laurin Parthemos to talk about culture. Laurin is a Principal at Kotter, a company named after Dr. John Kotter, the world’s foremost change expert. Kotter’s approach to merger & acquisition integration focuses on culture and people first. Laurin says, “Culture is more and more seen as that dif…

This week on M&A Masters, I want to revisit with you a special episode featuring the conversation I had with Domenic Rinaldi. Domenic is the President and Managing Partner of Sun Acquisitions, a buy-side and sell-side M&A advising firm. Domenic also hosts his own podcast, M&A Unplugged, ranked among the top M&A podcasts in 2021. Listen to this spec…