Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco

Negotiating the purchase price and seller note can make or break a business transaction. In this week’s episode of the Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco podcast, Laura shares how both buyers and sellers can approach these conversations with clarity and strategy. She lists the components that make up a purchase price, why seller notes matter, and how to structure deals that balance risk and reward...

Due diligence is often seen as an action taken by the buyer in a business transaction; however, it is just as important that sellers are completing a thorough and timely due diligence themselves. In this week's episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, Laura discusses the proper steps that sellers can take in due diligence to set themselves up for a smooth transaction. She highlights facets th...

Buying and selling a business can get pretty complicated. It’s not always easy to understand which fees come from where in these transactions.  In today’s episode of the Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco Podcast, Laura highlights the various legal fees that are involved in a typical M&A transaction. She goes over the importance of understanding the different fee structures including hourly, fi...

Mistakes are inevitable when beginning to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. However, as someone who is experienced in both law and business, Laura DiFrancesco offers a few mistakes that can be avoided when buying a small business. You cannot view business transactions similarly to other transactions, as there are many additional elements to consider: the transfer of operations and ke...

Welcome to Episode 19 of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco! Buying or selling a business isn’t as simple as shaking hands and signing a check. In this episode, Laura unpacks the complexities of membership interest purchases in mergers and acquisitions. She particularly focuses on the differences between corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs). The discussion highlights the importance o...

Welcome back to Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco. In any business, employees are one of the most crucial parts on the way to success. This episode focuses on the critical aspects of employee transition during mergers and acquisitions. Laura discusses the differences between stock and asset purchases, the importance of employee retention strategies, and the legal considerations involved in these t...

Welcome back to Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco. Laura gets asks so many questions in her consultation calls- most of which are asked over and over again. So, Laura decided to make a whole podcast episode going over the most asked questions in a consultation call. She discusses how to structure a transaction when a licensed business is involved, dissects a variety of licenses, explaining which p...

Welcome back to Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco! In this episode, Laura discusses how buyer’s can approach a deal when there’s real estate in M&A transactions. Remember, just because the property is being leased does not mean that real estate is not involved in the transaction! Laura highlights the different implications of leased versus purchased real estate, and the proper steps to take in...

Welcome back to the Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco podcast! In this episode, Laura dives into the mechanics and strategic value of put options within mergers and acquisitions. She explores how put options provide investors with liquidity and exit certainty while offering operators opportunities to regain control and simplify ownership structures. Drawing on her extensive experience, Laura break...

Welcome to our first ever combo podcast episode! That’s right, the We Grow Together Podcast and the Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco are releasing the same episode. It is not often that a topic of conversation aligns with both podcasts, but in recent events, we believe that this issue affects us all. The popular app, TikTok, went dark on Saturday January 18, 2025 around 10:30pm. In this episode,...

Welcome back to the Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco podcast! In this episode, host Laura DiFrancesco dives deep into the critical topic of deal breaking in M&A (mergers and acquisitions). Emphasizing the importance of due diligence, she also debunks common myths about lawyers in the dealmaking process and highlights the importance of financial due diligence as a first line of defence. Laura...

Welcome back! In this episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, I explore the intricate timeline of selling a business, breaking down each phase from initial planning to post-sale integration. Selling a business is a significant milestone, and careful planning at every stage is crucial to maximizing value and minimizing stress. Understanding this timeline will give you the strategic advantage...

In this episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco , let's explore the creation and growth of Rejigg , a revolutionary marketplace for buying and selling small businesses. I sit down with co-founder, Alex Hinch, and founding team member, Bobby Jackson, to discuss their platform's role in connecting motivated buyers with SMB owners ready to sell. Rejigg’s unique model, offering sellers direct con...

In this episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco , I tackle one of the most critical aspects of any acquisition—post-closing integration. Successfully merging two companies is more than just signing the dotted line; it's about seamlessly integrating operations, aligning cultures, and setting the stage for long-term success. I’ll walk you through the strategies and practices for effective integ...

In this episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, I explore the exciting world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) conferences in the U.S. Laura shares her experiences attending and speaking at top ETA events like the Harvard ETA Conference, Booth-Kellogg Conference, and the Southeast ETA Conference. From choosing the right events to setting networking goals, this episode offers insi...

In this episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, I explore one of the most pivotal stages in any business acquisition—closing the deal. From getting all your documents in order to navigating the final hurdles of due diligence, closing requires meticulous planning and coordination. I'll walk you through important steps, including how to manage timelines, what to expect during the closing proce...

This episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, is a re-upload of Fireside Chat Q&A hosted by Alex Hinch, co-founder of Rejigg. In this episode, we explore the legal complexities and strategies for successful M&A transactions in the small to medium-sized business space. We discuss essential topics such as how to prepare legally for acquisitions, how to ensure your deal is structured to...

Welcome to Episode 6 of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, "Due Diligence: A Critical Step." In this episode, Laura discusses the cornerstone of any successful merger or acquisition: thorough due diligence. Tune in and explore the critical areas of focus, including financial, legal, and operational checks that every investor needs to consider.

Welcome to Episode 5 of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, where we tackle the subject of mitigating risks in M&A transactions. Understanding and addressing risks is essential for protecting your investment and having a successful acquisition. Join Laura DiFrancesco, a seasoned M&A attorney, as she shares invaluable insights and strategies to help you navigate the complexities of M&A r...

In this week's episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, I focus on one of the most critical components of any business acquisition: the Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI isn't just a preliminary step—it's the foundation that shapes the entire transaction. Join me as I discuss the importance of getting the LOI right from the start, covering key elements such as purchase price, deal structure, an...

In this episode, Laura DiFrancesco discusses the importance of navigating SBA guidelines and acquisitions. She provides insights into the role of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in supporting small businesses through lending programs and the impact of SBA guidelines on deal structures. Additionally, she shares about SBA compliance and approval, emphasizing the evolving nature of SBA guidel...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco, where today we delve into the key considerations for asset purchases versus stock purchases in business acquisitions. We’ll cover decision factors, case studies, and the implications for both buyers and sellers. The episode provides insights into tax implications, strategic considerations, and the importance of due diligen...

Join Laura DiFrancesco in the inaugural episode of "Dealmaking with Laura DiFrancesco," where we delve deep into the journey of acquiring a business. From sparking initial interest to the critical steps of navigating due diligence, the art of negotiation and the final triumph of closing the deal—this episode is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to understand the M&A process. Resources M...