DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer

Most business leaders think scaling requires massive capital investment. But what if I told you companies are scaling from 7 to 9 figures through strategic partnerships instead? That's exactly what this business scaling expert has been doing for the past decade. Through systematic partnership frameworks and strategic deal-making. And guess what? His approach started when he was just 13 years old,...

Most entrepreneurs think M&A and capital raising are the only "real" deals. They're missing 90% of the opportunities. In this DealQuest solo episode, I break down the full spectrum of deal types that can solve virtually any business challenge: Strategic partnerships and alliances Technology licensing and transfer deals Operational and supply chain partnerships Asset deals and real estate trans...

Most entrepreneurs think raising VC money means they've "made it." But Tom Dillon learned something different during his years in investment banking and running a PE-backed company. After analyzing countless deals and experiencing the pressure firsthand, he discovered that VC money comes with a specific expectation: IPO-level returns. "For a lot of VCs, they kinda look at things in terms of roulet...

Georgi Feidler shared some incredible stats with me... Over 50% of small businesses are owned by Baby Boomers. 60% of those have zero succession plan. That's billions in wealth transfer happening right now and most of it is going to be messy. Georgi has spent 20+ years helping founders navigate this transition. Her approach isn't just about finding buyers - it's about building businesses that can...

Attention entrepreneurs: If you think working 80+ hour weeks makes your business more valuable... the data says otherwise. This conversation will change how you think about business building forever. James Brown didn't just sell his business for multiple cash offers he proved that less owner involvement equals higher business value. James is the founder of BizTech Guru, a business consultant who t...

If you think Shark Tank shows you how real investment deals work, it's time to look deeper. After 35+ years of structuring actual deals, I have some thoughts. Don't get me wrong. Shark Tank has done incredible things for entrepreneurship awareness. It's entertaining. It introduces people to concepts like customer acquisition costs and business valuations. But as someone who negotiates real deals,...

If your definition of success still sounds like someone else’s dream… It’s time to rewrite it ⁠ I was deeply moved by this conversation with the incredible Rha Goddess. - CEO of Move The Crowd, the author of The Calling, and a cultural innovator who has helped hundreds of changemakers stay true to themselves while making bank.⁠ In this episode, she breaks down how to negotiate deals with soul, rec...

Feeling stuck inside someone else’s definition of success? If you’re a financial advisor dreaming about building a business on your terms, this is for you. Because here’s the thing… The RIA model is one of the most powerful paths to real independence in the wealth management space. And this DealQuest episode, we’re talking with Chuck Failla—founder of Sovereign Financial Group and a fierce advocat...

Why REPORTERS might know more than the CEOs they cover… ⁠ Couldn’t agree more with the insights dropped by Diana Britton and Ian Wenik on this episode of DealQuest.⁠ ⁠ In case you don’t already know Diana & Ian…⁠ Ian is the Editor at Citywire RIA and host of This Week in Wealth⁠ Diana is the Managing Editor at WealthManagement.com and host of The Healthy Advisor Podcast⁠ Together, they’ve inte...

For YEARS, business owners have been told to wait for the right time to make deals, especially when the economy feels uncertain.⁠ ⁠ But… that strategy could be killing your momentum. ⁠ In this solocast episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’ll break down…⁠ - Why fear-based decisions kill more deals than a downturn ever could - How to shift your mindset from reactive to strategic - What smart deal str...

What you think selling a startup looks like vs. what it actually looks like Here’s what most founders assume about startup acquisitions…⁠ ⁠ You need to raise millions in VC funding first⁠ Only “unicorns” get acquired⁠ It’s a long, complicated process with lawyers and bankers⁠ You need to scale like crazy before you sell⁠ Only big-name founders get exits⁠ ⁠ NOPE.⁠ ⁠ You can build a lean, profitable...

Is your business really built to scale? Most entrepreneurs dream of growing fast… but here’s the truth: speed alone won’t get you to sustainable success. This insight from business growth expert Robert Levin says it all… Scaling isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about getting better, stronger, and more profitable in the long run. And more and more entrepreneurs are learning this the HARD way af...

Want to make your business irresistible to buyers? Let’s talk MARKETING in M&A… Too often, businesses focus only on financials when preparing for an acquisition— But buyers don’t just pay for numbers. They pay for BRAND, POSITIONING, and GROWTH POTENTIAL. If you’re ignoring marketing due diligence in M&A, you’re leaving money on the table. A strong marketing strategy = higher valuations, s...

Thinking about selling your business? You need strong G2 & G3 leadership in place first. Tune into my solocast episode to see why it’s a game-changer for valuation, deal structure, and a smooth exit. If you're an investor or business owner planning for the future, pay close attention… Because leadership gaps can kill a deal before it even starts. A strong leadership pipeline ensures: Higher bu...

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN YOUR CAREER AND REAL ESTATE INVESTING." Many people believe you can't successfully invest in real estate while maintaining another career or business. THINK AGAIN. Joel Miller has been investing in rental properties since 1978 and has flipped over 100 houses since 1991 – all while maintaining a 35-year career as a professional mobile DJ with 5,051 appearances. And...

Mergers are exciting… until the real work begins. I had an incredible conversation with Jonathan Gardner on this podcast episode. This is something we don’t talk about enough… (We spend so much time focusing on closing the deal)… But we’re not REALLY talking about what happens after—the post-merger integration that can make or break the entire deal. When you… Align teams and company cultures seaml...

Had an incredible conversation with Devan Gonzalez about scaling a fitness business the right way—without burning out or sacrificing quality. We broke down how he went from corporate trainer to thriving gym owner, built a game-changing franchise model, and turned sales into service (no sleazy tactics here). We covered so much in this episode, including: - How Devan went from corporate trainer to t...

Sovereign wealth funds are changing the M&A game! Keep reading to find out how Everyone is talking about private equity in mergers and acquisitions... but they’re overlooking a major player. Sovereign wealth funds are making big moves in the investment advisory space. And they’re reshaping valuations, deal structures, and long-term exits in ways that most advisors aren’t prepared for. If you’r...

Hold on to your coffee cups, folks —we're diving deep into the world of private capital, emerging markets, and coffee investments today!⁠ In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’m chatting with Cole Shephard, founder of Green Coffee Company, about how he turned Colombian agriculture into a business powerhouse. This episode is a game-changer for anyone interested in real estate, coffee, or emer...

Want to unlock the real secrets of building a successful franchise? Then you NEED to hear this conversation with franchise expert Greg Mohr! In this episode, Greg breaks down the biggest mistakes new franchise owners make and what it actually takes to create a business that works for you—not the other way around. Greg has helped countless entrepreneurs break free from the 9-5 and find the perfect...

Want to learn the secrets to a lucrative business exit?! Then you NEED to check out this episode with business transition expert John Martinka! John has been helping entrepreneurs buy, sell, and scale businesses for over 25 years… In this episode, he’s revealing the key strategies that make the difference between a profitable business sale and a missed opportunity. BTW… these are real-world tactic...

If you’re trying to predict where the M&A market is headed in 2025… you need to hear this. The economy, the election, the shifting deal landscape—there’s a LOT to unpack. And in this episode, we’re breaking it all down. What’s happening in the market right now Where deal opportunities are (and where they’re drying up) The biggest risks and how to navigate them • • • FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: h...

Are YOU the bottleneck in your business? In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Mohr, certified exit planning coach, to share actionable strategies to reclaim your time, build a self-sustaining business, and exit with confidence.⁠ You’ll get the lowdown on: - Creating a business that works for you - How to plan your exit strategy early -The secret to building a brand and team...

When it comes to business growth, it’s not about chasing every opportunity or following the latest shiny object. Here’s the thing: You need to focus on what actually works. So stop overcomplicating it. What really moves the needle? Building systems that help you scale and finding the right strategies that actually make sense for YOU. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I sat down with Cliff...

If this is the year YOU plan to scale your business while unlocking the freedom you’ve always dreamed of… Then this podcast episode is for you! Richard Manders, an accomplished entrepreneur and seasoned business coach, joins me to discuss: How to prepare your business for inevitable challenges (even when things are going great)... The secret to choosing a capital partner who adds real value beyond...