Build a Business Worth Buying

We unpack the emotional and strategic complexities of selling a business—including the hard-earned lessons Lane learned from his own exits, why perspective is so hard to find as a founder, and what really goes on behind the scenes of a successful deal. You’ll hear Lane’s take on the four key pillars buyers look for, why owner dependence is a dealbreaker, how to create a competitive process, and wh...

In this episode, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Dave DiGiacomo, partner at Michael Best and head of their cannabis practice, who brings a rare dual perspective as both M&A attorney and former founder. Dave’s journey from launching an organic pet food company to navigating deals from $10 million to over $1 billion gives him unique insight into what makes a business irresistible—or impossible...

On this episode of Build a Business Worth Buying, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Curtis Matsko, the unconventional CEO and founder of Portland Leather Goods—a brand famous for its cult following, vertical integration, and refusal to follow the typical startup playbook. Curtis shares the behind-the-scenes story of transforming a garage side-hustle into a nearly $200 million business, all without...

On this episode of Build a Business Worth Buying, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Rodney Manzo, founder of Anvyl—a supply chain technology company that evolved from a startup serving spreadsheet-weary teams to a robust orchestration platform that caught the attention of Sage for acquisition. Rodney draws on his deep experience across Apple, Harry’s, and Anvyl to share practical wisdom about find...

On this episode of Build a Business Worth Buying, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Jess Meher, an accomplished entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Wonderment—an innovative e-commerce tracking and customer experience platform recently acquired by Loop Returns. Jess shares the true story behind Wonderment’s founding, from identifying a gap in post-purchase customer experience and finding early...

In this episode, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Glenn Gooding, President of iDrive Logistics and renowned parcel and transportation analytics expert. With over two decades at UPS and firsthand experience on the front lines of M&A, Glenn is the go-to voice for unraveling the complexities of shipping, scaling, and unlocking real value in logistics-heavy businesses. Get ready to hear candid, a...

Welcome back to Build a Business Worth Buying! In this episode, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Spencer Matthews, an operator-turned-investor with first-hand experience scaling and selling companies in the nutraceutical space. Spencer was a founding team member at Microbe Formulas, where he helped scale the business from zero to $50 million in annual revenue before leading it through a successfu...

On this episode of Build a Business Worth Buying, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Tim Hoskins, President of Quester and author of  Insights on the Brink . Together, they dive deep into the world of innovation inside large organizations, uncovering the real reasons why some companies succeed at bringing breakthrough ideas to life while others get stuck in their own history and biases. Tim shares...

On this episode of Build a Business Worth Buying, host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Maia Benson, a veteran startup operator, investor, and current Chief Business Officer at FlavorCloud. With nearly two decades of experience across Silicon Valley, venture investing, and critical roles in e-commerce infrastructure—including a pivotal stint leading Shopify's fulfillment ambitions—Maya brings candid,...

In this episode of "Build a Business Worth Buying," host Aaron Alpeter sits down with Kunal Thakkar, a seasoned leader in global supply chain management. With experience spanning two decades across various industries, Kunal shares his insights into evaluating businesses for acquisition. Having led operational due diligence for several acquisitions, Kunal sheds light on the complexities and strateg...

David, a seasoned entrepreneur and thought leader in innovation, dived into the intricacies of building, scaling, and selling businesses with me. Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation: 1. Understanding Timing and Market Forces: David emphasized that successful exits often align with market timing and external forces. Founders should aim to predict market changes and ensure they are well-p...

Exciting new episode on Build a Business Worth Buying! Join me as I sit down with Alex Yancher, CEO of Passport Global, to unravel the complexities of cross-border e-commerce and the strategic moves in acquisitions. Alex shares invaluable insights from his journey of building, scaling, and selling businesses. 🎙️ Key Takeaways: Building vs. Buying:  Always work on building your capabilities. If acq...

Dive into the world of international trade with me and Chris Wall from Zeus Logics as we unravel the shift in global economics from former President Trump's trade disruptions to China's growing influence. Get strategic insights on protectionism trends, understand the complexities of supply chains, and discover how businesses can adapt to a transforming landscape. Explore how the right moves today...

Dive into the complexities of sourcing and manufacturing in today's fluctuating markets and gear up your business for success! 📌 Key Takeaways: Strategic Sourcing: Learn why diversifying manufacturing locations beyond China is critical in the face of tariffs and geopolitical shifts. Stephen explains the "China plus one" strategy and how it mitigates risks. Building Strong Partnerships: Discover h...

In this episode, Jim delves deep into the impacts of tariffs, the necessity of dynamic supply chains, and the concept of "re-globalization." We'll discuss critical strategies for adapting business supply chains amid global shifts, the importance of customer satisfaction over profit margins, and how companies can build strong, resilient systems to ensure sustainability and profitability. Jim will a...

We dive deep into the complex landscape of global trade, human rights, and the potential implications of a returning Trump administration on tariffs and trade policies. Three Key Takeaways: Human Rights and Supply Chain Integrity: We explore how U.S. efforts to avoid products linked to forced labor, like Xinjiang cotton, align with its identity rooted in freedom and human rights. This raises the q...