M&A Talk: #1 Podcast on Selling a Business

Stop letting questionable add-backs and messy books cost you hundreds of thousands on your business sale. Learn exactly what bank lenders, especially those focused on SBA 7(a) loans, will and will not accept when calculating your actual Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE). Discover the concrete steps you must take now to ensure your financials are clean, verifiable, and support the highest multi...

Stop guessing what your business is truly worth and learn the core differences between the lower and upper middle markets and what drives a higher business valuation. Discover why professional buyers focus less on revenue and more on durable cash flow and why professionalizing your operations is your ticket to a bigger exit. Start working on your exit plan now to demand a better multiple later. Vi...

Don't miss the boat on massive tax savings when you sell your company—most business owners wait too long and pay millions more than they should. Discover a powerful, decades-old strategy to legally defer nearly all your capital gains taxes and secure a lifelong income stream after your business exit. Learn when to act and exactly which experts to assemble for your winning exit planning team. View...

This episode is your essential guide to surviving financial due diligence, the number one hurdle in selling your business. Learn how to prepare your company's books before you go to market, ensuring buyers see a clean, consistent EBITDA that justifies your asking price. Stop leaving millions on the table and discover the expert moves that speed up the process and guarantee a successful M&A exit. V...

You already know about independent sponsors and search funds, but the entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) trend is transforming the market. These buyers are sophisticated, well-funded entrepreneurs who buy businesses and ensure a quick succession plan and a smoother closing process for owners ready to retire. Listen to learn why these educated buyers are a powerful, focused group actively l...

Finding a buyer for your business is only half the battle, and due diligence can feel like a daunting hurdle. This episode explores three major trends you can expect in your due diligence process. You'll learn how AI is revolutionizing the process, why specialization matters, and how to get ahead of buyers by doing your own sell-side diligence to get a better price and a faster close.   View the c...

Did you know that you can sell your business without giving up your brand, your team, and your legacy? This episode introduces a unique type of buyer, one who invests in your business without taking it over. You'll learn how to get paid, keep running your company with its brand and culture intact, and have multiple opportunities for additional cash in the future.   View the complete show notes for...

Ever wondered what goes on in a private investor's mind when they're evaluating your business? This episode takes you behind the curtain to get a buyer's perspective on what truly matters in a deal. You'll learn how to overcome a stubborn mindset, the importance of transparency, and why a buyer partnership might be exactly what you need. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn...

It's time to stop focusing on the day-to-day of your business and start thinking about how you want to exit in the future. This episode explores the mindset you need to have to exit your business on your own terms successfully. You'll learn how to build tangible value, empower your team, and define your life beyond the sale.   View the complete show notes for this episode.   Want To Learn More? M&...

Ever wondered what a buyer is really thinking when they evaluate your business? This episode takes you behind the scenes with a CEO who's acquired 11 businesses. You'll learn what makes a company more valuable, the financial red flags buyers watch for, and how to prepare your business to attract the right buyer and close the deal. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More?...

Are you ready to grow your business fast before selling? This episode breaks down how growth equity can help you boost your company's value and secure a much better business exit. Learn the essential components of these deals so you can control your sale and maximize your final payout. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? Accelerate Your Company's Growth Seller's Disc...

Selling a family business is a unique challenge that can present unexpected hurdles. This episode reveals the complexities you'll face and gives you actionable advice on how to handle them. You'll learn how to navigate family disagreements, plan for your legacy, and prepare for a successful sale that satisfies all involved. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? Busines...

Don't let integration problems shrink your payout. This episode guide you through merger integration, revealing how preparing before closing is the secret to a smooth, profitable exit. Learn to proactively shape the transition, de-risk the deal for buyers, and ensure your team stays focused to maximize your sale value. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? The M&A Trai...

When a private equity firm buys your business, what happens if they don't want to sell it before their fund ends? This episode dives into continuation vehicles, a tool firms can use to extend their ownership of your company. We'll explore how firms might use this vehicle and how it could affect your post-sale life and earnout. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? M&A...

If you're thinking about selling your business, you might attract an independent sponsor, a specialized buyer that operates differently from traditional private equity firms. This episode explores how independent sponsors operate, their deal structuring approach, and what they seek in a potential acquisition. Listen to this episode to learn if independent sponsors are a good buyer for you, or if y...

Please note this show was recorded in May 2025, before changes were made to the QSBS regulations. Did you know that a tax benefit, the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) tax exclusion, can save you millions? Discover how properly structuring your company from the start can lead to a tax-free sale of your C Corporation, potentially saving you millions. You'll learn the crucial steps to take now...

Looking to supercharge your business and unlock its full potential? This episode reveals how growth equity can be the key to rapid expansion, even if you don't think you need the capital. Discover the strategic reasons why a growth equity investment can lead to a more lucrative exit in a shorter timeframe, and learn how to prepare your company for a successful partnership that fuels your future. V...

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your business is not negotiating the letter of intent (LOI). Join M&A Attorneys Mital Makadia and David Siegel while we discuss your negotiating leverage, common mistakes, and problematic clauses in the LOI. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? M&A Basics | The Letter of Intent Negotiating the Letter of Intent The...

How can you build your business with the plan to sell it in the future? Join Saul Cohen, a CPA and acquisitions advisor, as we discuss how saleable businesses are intentionally built for sale and typically have higher valuations, with multiples increasing from 2-3 times those of lifestyle businesses. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? M&A Basics: Building a Sellable...

How much had you thought about what life will be like after you sell your business? Join serial entrepreneur and private equity operator Jim Evanger to learn about the life changes after selling a business. Jim shares his experience of selling his first business, the emotional impact, and the subsequent transition to new ventures. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More?...

Have you heard about Search Funds and wondered what sets them apart from other investment-based buyers? Join us and Abdel Rahim, a search fund investor, as we discus the search fund model for selling businesses and how it offers founders a smooth transition, flexibility, and potential equity rollover for sellers.   View the complete show notes for this episode.   Want To Learn More? Entrepreneursh...

Have you been wondering what the "Big Beautiful Bill Act" means for the sale of your business? Join returning guest Bill Weirsema as we discuss the changes that are designed to make M&A transactions more attractive, reduce tax burdens for both buyers and sellers, and stimulate more activity in the market. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? Allocation of Purchase Pri...

What is the most stressful part of selling your business? Join us as we discuss the recent acquisition of National Pavement Partners and the balance they had to strike between completing due diligence and looking after their customers during their busiest season. View the complete show notes for this episode.   Want To Learn More? M&A Reps & Warranties | A Complete Guide Indemnification in Purchas...

Learn all about how the new SBA loan standard operation procedures will influence your sale. Steve Mariani, a financing intermediary, emphasized the importance of understanding these changes, particularly the equity injection rules and the impact on vehicle liens, to navigate SBA transactions effectively.   View the complete show notes for this episode.   Want To Learn More?   SBA Financing When B...

What do buyers look for in a business, and how can you increase the value of your business by focusing on these areas? Join us as we discuss strategies for increasing the value of your businesses to attract buyers with Justin Goodbread, a business coach and financial advisor.   View the complete show notes for this episode.   Want To Learn More?   M&A Guide | The 4 Types of Buyers of Businesses Op...