In this episode we sit down with Ariez Dustoor of NB Group to go behind the curtain of lower-middle-market M&A and private equity investing. We dive into how Ariez evaluates founder-led businesses, structure transactions that align both seller and buyer incentives, and build sustainable value post-acquisition. If you’re an entrepreneur preparing for an exit, an investor looking at control or growth buy-outs, or an advisor seeking to understand what really matters in deal execution — this conversation offers real-world insight into how deals get done and how to partner for the long-term.