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:

• The future of M&A
• The emotional aspects of selling a business
• Her ideal client profile
• Viewing M&A as a transition to a new chapter
• And more

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.

• Discover how Tom Brinegar and the PEAK Resources team prepared for the acquisition process and why they decided it was the right time to sell.
• Learn about the strategic selection of a buyer and how cultural fit played a crucial role in sealing the deal.
• Tom shares his insights on overcoming due diligence challenges and the unexpected hurdles along the way.
• Understand the pivotal role of reps and warranties insurance in facilitating a smoother transaction, as provided by Rubicon M&A Insurance Services.
• Gain perspective on the post-acquisition changes and Tom's personal journey towards finding new horizons after the successful exit of PEAK Resources.

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.

• Dive into Jason’s transition from investment banking to entrepreneurial success.
• Unearth the impact of visiting suppliers on business deals and relationships.
• Learn how GW Partners uniquely prepares companies for optimal sale conditions.
• Understand the role of metrics and benchmarks in enhancing company value.
• Explore how GW Partners' approach aligns with founder ambitions and business evolution.

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.

• Delve into the intricate world of M&A for architectural and engineering firms.
• Explore David Kimbrell's unique journey from environmental health to M&A mastery.
• Learn how interest rates and market dynamics influence M&A strategies.
• Understand the critical role of creative financing in contemporary M&A scenarios.
• Gain insights into the nuances of representation and warranty insurance in lower-middle market deals.
• Discover the importance of post-sale transition in ensuring deal success.
• And more

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:

• The importance of timing and preparation
• His commitment to the lower middle market
• EdgePoint Capital’s ideal client
• Value of rep & warranties insurance
• An M&A forecast for 2024
• And more

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
• Non-Compete Agreements
• Bulk Sale Law
• Reps & Warranties Insurance
• Predictions for Next Year
• And more

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 believes buying companies is the best wealth building strategy
• What types of companies he’s looking for
• The role of reps & warranties insurance
• And more

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 is a quality of earnings report?
• Why is it different from an audit?
• How to tell a story with numbers
• M&A trends for this year
• And more