Martinka Consulting's Getting the Deal Done Podcast

When buying (or selling) a business the landlord and/or a bad lease can kill a deal. Unless the business can be easily and inexpensively be moved the buyer needs a lease, including options, at least as long as the term of their loan. The buyer and especially the bank don't want the buyer forced out while still owing money - it can be very expensive to move. Here about some deal killers and an...

Most small businesses don't do a statement of cash flows and when the CPA does one it's often not paid attention to. Yet, it can be very insightful. Plus, I share a hilarious story about a guy at a PE firm who completely doesn't understand them. John Martinka Jessica Martinka Contact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our videos https://nokomisadvisory....

A lawsuit by Chase bank against a startup they bought, Frank, caught my attention because if even half of what Chase claims is true it means they did one heck of a sloppy job on diligence. Buyer fever anybody? My experience is buyers of small to lower middle market businesses are over the top on their diligence, which is good. And of course there's one of my favorite lines, "Just when a...

Lisa Forrest with Live Oak Bank joins John for a discussion of what's going on with business acquisition loans. One of our most popular guests, she's back for her third visit, and it's always informative.  During our talk she covers: New SBA rules and rumored rules What Live Oak Bank doesn't want to see (or lend on) What's happening to business buyers as interest rates hav...

Laurie learned a lot of lessons when her partners and her sold their business. She now works with clients, mainly in professional services, on succession planning (with heart). Listen as she discusses: Her lessons learned and the #1 detailer - from navigating the tricky pathfrom independence to sale. The triple win succession formula - Doing succession planning the “right” way. Creating true buy-i...

Tom Granger tells us exactly what digitalization and digital transformation, why it's important for all of us, and does so only after his very interesting story of how he got into business. FDG Web takes on complicated projects and successfully completes them. Sure, they can do a basic website but their clients want them to help with CRM and ERP integration, have APIs for seamless transaction...

Jim Eschweiler has a deep hospitality industry background and currently heads Top Pot Donuts in Seattle. We discussed: (This is the most important) Top Pot's special Christmas donut for 2022 His objectives at Top Pot The future of businesses like coffee shops, donut shops, etc. Things he's done and lessons learned  We know you'll like it! 425-576-1814 john@johnmartinka.com  jessica@...

Bill Hanlin is an old and dear business friend - and, he's a business valuation expert who teaches classes on valuation worldwide. Bill shares with us insights on: What's beyond the financial statements The tricky subject of accelerated depreciation Why EBITDA isn't what really matters Covid headwinds and tailwinds Best things to do to increase value Above all, Bill discusses the ab...

Lessons from little kids and how balancing the old versus the new is important in business (and life). I cover five areas and compare old ways versus new ways (often technology) and how they can work together. And, spoiled alert, relationships (still) rule in buy-sell deals. 425-576-1814 john@johnmartinka.com  jessica@martinkaconsulting.com Contact us via either website or give us a call and be su...

Business buyers often want the largest company possible. But what if a smaller one is a better fit? Then, the buyer gets all the benefit of their hard work as the company grows. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-...

I annoy family members by always asking, why? But it gets to the heart of the matter. Questions are what let salespeople figure out the customers problem and are great when buyers and sellers meet. Listen for some examples business buyers and sellers should ask each other. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consult...

When times are tough the first thing many owners think is, "I'll sell it." Here's two examples of owners who did the opposite and how it worked out. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side repr...

My doctor is one of the smartest people I know. Let he doesn't follow prudent health advice (too busy). Learn how to take care of your business to make it healthier and more valuable. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.c...

The Antigua roads and drivers make it difficult to get anywhere in a timely manner.  Make it as easy as possible for your customers plus your business buyer or your seller. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side...

Meeting a business seller? Meeting a business buyer? Have a customer visit? A stunning first impression really makes a difference. Listen and hear examples the good and the bad. Recorded in Antigua, West Indies with the sounds of surf and ocean breezes in the background.  For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-...

Communication with a buyer for one of our client companies brought back memories and not good ones. He thought he was pretty special when really he was more like a scam artist. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is at: www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side representation firm). We're also at: 425-576-1814 john@johnmartinka.com  jessica@marti...

This followup to a previous podcast on the same subject covers some different and more serious issues with erratic and inaccurate accounting. Serious enough to scare away business buyers. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company is www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side representation firm). We're also at: 425-576-1814 john@johnmartinka.com  jessic...

This is being posted on August 29, one day before  NFL teams  cut down their rosters from 80 players to 53. There's a lot that goes into it and it's heartbreaking for some players and a dream come true for others. This episode gives business lessons from an NFL coach on what goes into keeping or cutting players and covers: Having the best team. Balancing now with the future. How players...

As I say in my opening, apologies to Charles Dickens for copying (modifying) one of his most famous book titles. Listen to a comparison of two companies. One is fully invested in management and the future and the other has an owner in control of everything (aka, an owner dependency). For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company's new website will be...

Some people think buying or selling a business is similar to buying or selling a car (or a house). It's not - it's much more complex, there are frustrations, and that's before it gets to the attorneys.  Listen and learn, including a real life example. New podcast just released. In "Overpay for a Business? Not Getting Enough When Selling" I discuss why price shouldn't...

The most common expressions I hear from business buyers and sellers are: Buyers - I don't want to overpay for the business. Sellers - I don't want to give it away. Listen and learn why these are not the most important questions a buyer or seller should have. It comes down to your objectives and getting the deal done. For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Ou...

Richard Parker is a veteran intermediary, purchaser of over a dozen businesses, seller of all but one of them, and the author of "Buy a Good Business at a Great Price." Richard shares his story and provides: How he came to write his buyer operational guide. Insights into his most memorable clients. Tips to business buyers so they can buy the right business at the right price and avoid ba...

This episode starts with a story about a know-it-all client who didn't think he needed a transition plan until day one of business ownership.  This is one of, if not the top, forgotten items in buy-sell deals. Why? Because everybody is scrambling to get it closed. Learn the four key elements every transition plan should have. And, if you want a copy of our plan template, call or email us. For...

When you make it easy for people you get better results. Listen to John discuss making it easy for: Business buyers Business sellers Operations, including: Employees Customers Suppliers For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company's new website will be up in June 2022, www.nokomisadvisory.com (a sell-side representation firm). We're also at: 425...

A friend was lamenting how he really wasn't needed at any of his locations. He questioned his value, his usefulness, and he had a damaged ego. Listen to my response (the first part being, don't worry about adding value because you're creating value, by not being needed). For more about Martinka Consulting go to www.martinkaconsulting.com. Our sister company's new website will b...