CVBBA Insights

SBA lending continues to be one of the most important financing tools in business brokerage, but the rules, expectations, and lender priorities continue to evolve. In this episode of CVBBA Insights, Heather Valeri sits down with Matt Williams, SVP and SBA Sales Team Lead at United Community Bank, for a timely conversation about the current SBA lending environment and what business brokers need to...

When business owners think about a successful sale, many focus on the purchase price. But sophisticated dealmakers know the real question is what the seller actually retains after taxes, structure, and transition planning.  In this episode of the CVBBA Insights Podcast, host Heather Valeri, CBI, CEPA sits down with Richard B. “Rick” Chess, Counselor at Law, Past President of CVBBA, to discuss prac...

Every experienced business broker has a story about the "deal from hell"—the one that turned into a soap opera or hit a legal landmine no one saw coming. In this episode, host Colette Kemp is joined by veteran transactional attorneys Lisa Crandall and Tad Cook of PLG Law. Together, they pull back the curtain on why some deals stay clean while others spiral into expensive chaos. Learn how to stop p...

Episode Overview In this conversation, Colette Kemp interviews Phil Bongiorno, an expert in the home healthcare industry. They discuss the various niches within senior care, the regulatory landscape, and the future growth of the industry. Phil emphasizes the importance of understanding compliance, operations, and the payer mix for brokers looking to navigate this sector effectively. The conversati...

Episode Overview In this episode of the CVBBA Insights Podcast, we bring you the recording of CVBBA Vision 2026, featuring incoming President AJ Ramsey. Moderated by Colette Kemp and Heather Valeri, this conversation outlines the strategic priorities, growth initiatives, and leadership vision guiding the Carolinas Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA) into 2026. The discussion addresses in...

What if your most valuable ROI in 2026 isn’t financial but relational?   In this episode of the CVBBA Insights Podcast, host Heather Valeri, CBI, CEPA sits down with Larry Long Jr. to challenge how brokers, lenders, and deal partners think about growth, business development, and relationships. Together, they redefine ROI as Return on Intention and explore why authentic, relationship-first strategi...

Most brokers eventually face it: a deal that goes sideways fast. Emotions spike, communication breaks down, and what once looked like a smooth closing suddenly feels impossible. In this episode of the CVBBA Thrive in ’25 Podcast, host Colette Kemp (SureStep Business Advisors) is joined by Sheryl Vazquez (CRE & Business Brokerage Specialist) to unpack a real transaction that nearly collapsed, a...

Host: Heather Valeri, CBI, CEPA — Meridian Business Advisors Guest: Dustin Zeher, CBI, CM&AP — Principal Broker & M&A Advisor, Horizon Business Brokers     In this new episode of the CVBBA Thrive in ’25 Podcast, host Heather Valeri sits down with seasoned business broker and long-time CVBBA/IBBA leader Dustin Zeher to discuss the top five lessons every new broker needs to hear. Whether...

In this special edition of the CVBBA Thrive in ’25 Podcast, hosts Heather Valeri, CBI, CEPA of Meridian Business Advisors and Colette Kemp of SureStep Business Advisors sit down with one of the Southeast’s most trusted SBA lenders — Erica Gregg Parker, VP SBA Lending, Fidelity Bank — to unpack what the recent government shutdown really means for deal flow. Brokers and business owners have been ask...

Episode Overview     Welcome to the CVBBA podcast “Thrive in 25.” In this episode, host Colette Kemp is joined by Michael Goddard, Senior SBA Business Development Officer at Fidelity Bank. Together, they explore the realities of SBA financing from a lender’s perspective — what brokers often overlook, and how to navigate deals more effectively.   They discuss the effects of the government shutdown ...

Think hiring offshore virtual assistants is safe from regulatory changes? Think again. In this episode of the CVBBA Thrive in ’25 Podcast, Heather Valeri of Meridian Business Advisors joins Colette Kemp of SureStep Business Advisors to unpack the HIRE Act... draft legislation that could significantly change how business brokers and M&A advisors work with offshore talent in 2026.   You’ll hear...

Welcome to today's episode of CVBBA Insights: Thrive in '25. Today's host is Colette Kemp. Colette is a proud member of CVBBA and the owner of SureStep Business Advisors where she specializes in helping business owners build more sellable companies by reducing owner dependency through AI-powered systems and smart automation. On this episode, Colette Kemp dives into the sweeping legislation shaking...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of CVBBA Insights: Thrive in ‘25 – I’m your host, Heather Valeri, Board Member of the Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association. It’s an honor to bring you timely insights and expert conversations to help you thrive—no matter where you are on your business journey. Today, we’re kicking things off with a topic that impacts buyers, sellers, brokers, and lenders...