Merger She Wrote ®

Protect your sale by uncovering legal landmines and HR risks before it’s too late! Thinking about selling your business? Don’t let hidden employment issues kill your deal. Employment law pro Sarah O’Keefe joins Paloma Goggins to reveal the silent deal-breakers—like misclassifying contractors, outdated offer letters, and family members on payroll with no paper trail. You’ll learn how simple fixes—l...

Building a successful business worth selling requires strategy, resilience, and purpose.   Tyler Copenhaver-Heath shares his extraordinary journey from a humble dirt lot with no electricity to founding a groundbreaking automotive customization company trusted by clients like the Rolling Stones, WWE, and the NFL. In this episode, Tyler reveals how he defied traditional business norms—reinvesting pr...

Steve Adams went from bagging groceries to building—and selling—two successful businesses. In this episode, he shares how a family emergency led him to take over a struggling maintenance company, and how government contracts became the key to scaling and stability. From the truth about vending machines to navigating tough negotiations during his exit, Steve offers practical advice and honest insig...

Cybersecurity isn't just for big tech, it’s crucial for any business looking to grow or sell. In this episode, cybersecurity expert Paige Hanson, co-founder of SecureLabs, breaks down why strong security practices can make or break your company’s future. With 60% of small businesses never recovering from cyberattacks, this conversation is a must-listen. Paige shares how threats change as you...

Every business owner eventually faces the pivotal question: What’s next? Whether you plan to sell, pass the company to family, or explore another path, the outcome depends on how and when you prepare. In this episode, wealth strategist Suzie Eyrich shares why the most successful transitions begin three to five years before an exit. This timeframe allows key strategies to take root, from tax-effici...

Purchasing a business is exciting but often overwhelming, especially when it comes to financing. In this episode, Dan Foley from Evolve Bank pulls back the curtain on SBA lending, offering valuable insights into the process. He shares how his shift from processing applications to helping clients create compelling business plans led to higher approval rates and more confident buyers. Dan reveals co...

Kazem Harfouche, Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, explores a major market gap affecting small business owners across the U.S. Many successful businesses with decades of profitability and under $3 million in EBITDA face uncertain futures because they don’t fit the high-growth model private equity firms prefer. As Kazem puts it, “The kids don’t want to take them over because they’re not cool...