In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa sit down with Clint Fiore, Founder and CEO of Dealonomy, to break down what really happens behind the scenes in lower middle market mergers and acquisitions.

Clint shares how his journey started with a simple goal: buy a business. That curiosity led him deep into the world of business brokerage, deal structuring, and valuation — and ultimately to building Dealonomy, a firm designed to bring more education, transparency, and alignment to the transaction process.

The conversation dives into the biggest misconceptions buyers and sellers have, how SBA financing actually works in practice, and why many deals fall apart. Clint also explains why Dealonomy does not charge sellers and how that approach shifts incentives in meaningful ways.

If you are considering buying your first business, selling a company, or building a career in M&A, this episode provides practical insight from someone who has structured and supported real transactions.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

· How Clint Fiore built Dealonomy after exploring business ownership himself

· The truth about business valuation and why education matters for sellers

· Navigating SBA loans, deal terms, and common financing pitfalls

· How broker incentives shape transactions and why Dealonomy does not charge sellers

Guest Contact Information

Clint Fiore

Founder & CEO, Dealonomy

Website: https://www.dealonomy.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintfiore/

Additional Resources

Join us at the M&A Launchpad Conference on May 2, 2026 in Houston, TX. This event brings together serious buyers, sellers, brokers, lenders, and operators who are actively closing deals.

Use code LAUNCH for $200 off your ticket.

Register at: https://malaunchpad.com

To learn more about working with Equity Launchpad on acquiring, scaling, or exiting a business, visit: https://www.equity-launchpad.com

For direct inquiries, email: [email protected]

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Ben Suttles sit down with Bob Stabell of Think Tax Strategies to discuss how R&D tax credits, revitalized and expanded under the One Big Beautiful Bill, are creating real leverage for business buyers. Bob breaks down what qualifies today, how credits can be accessed retroactively in certain situations, and why these incentives matter far beyond traditional manufacturing or technology companies.

Bob Stabell

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions.

       00:00 – M&A Launchpad Conference invitation + code LAUNCH for $150 off

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa sit down with Kevin Ramsier, founder of Sier Capital, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a private equity platform.

Kevin shares his journey from leaving a stable corporate career to launching a firm built on disciplined deal sourcing, strong relationships, and flexible investment structures. He explains why private equity success hinges on three core pillars—equity, deals, and people—and how an imbalance in any one area can limit growth.

The conversation goes beyond theory and dives into execution, highlighting the realities of sourcing deals, structuring investments, and surrounding yourself with people who elevate the business. Kevin also reflects on risk-taking, adaptability, and the personal growth that comes with entrepreneurship in the M&A space.

Key Topics Discussed

Contact:

Kevin Ramsier  Founder, Sier Capital  [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askramsier/

Additional Resources

Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group.   Visit: www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com 

Chapters

00:00 – M&A Launchpad Conference overview 

01:21 – Meet Kevin Ramsier and his background 

02:59 – Leaving corporate and betting on entrepreneurship 

07:43 – The three legs of private equity: people, deals, and capital 

10:40 – Deal sourcing and relationship-driven growth 

19:13 – Recent deal structures and financing strategies 

23:44 – Investment flexibility and aligning with investors 

28:39 – Favorite types of businesses and future goals 

31:06 – Rocket Round

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Ben Suttles sit down with Enrique Rodriguez, owner of Mag General Power Solutions. Enrique shares how he went from electrical engineer, master electrician, and professional engineer to business owner by acquiring an electrical contracting business for $450,000 in an all-cash deal in September 2024.  

In this podcast episode, we discuss: 

Guest Contact Info: 

Additional Resources: 

In this episode, the M&A Launchpad Podcast hosts, Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew, share the unfiltered story behind their acquisition of H&M Plating, an industrial chrome plating company with multiple locations and a large operational footprint. They walk through how the deal was sourced off-market, how the capital stack evolved after a significant appraisal gap, and what it took to operate the business post-close. This is a candid look at the realities of buying and running a heavy manufacturing business—and the lessons they learned the hard way.

Key Topics Discussed:

· Sourcing an off-market manufacturing acquisition

· Structuring a $20M deal when valuations change

· AR lending, seller notes, and earnouts

· Reps & warranties in equipment-heavy businesses

· Navigating the post-acquisition J-curve

· ERP implementation, culture change, and leadership turnover

M&A Launchpad Conference

Join us at the M&A Launchpad Conference happening in May in Houston. This one-day, high-impact event is designed for acquisition entrepreneurs serious about sourcing, structuring, and closing deals. Use code LAUNCH for $200 off.

Learn more at: https://www.malaunchpad.com

Sponsor

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions.

Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner.

Visit: www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com.

About Equity Launchpad

Equity Launchpad helps acquisition entrepreneurs move from interest to ownership through education, content, community, and real-world deal experience. Through conferences, podcasts, and insights from active buyers, Equity Launchpad supports those serious about buying and operating businesses.

Learn more at: https://www.equity-launchpad.com

Reach out to Casey and Feras at [email protected]

About The M&A Launchpad:

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew sit down with entrepreneur and investor Mandy McAllister to unpack what business ownership really looks like behind the scenes. Mandy shares how she used small apartment buildings to buy her way out of a W2, why she added a car wash and a motel to her portfolio, and how she manages the very real brain space cost that comes with owning operating businesses.

From constant maintenance at the car wash to guest experience at her Wisconsin lake motel, Mandy breaks down the expectations, challenges, and mindset shifts required to own and grow multiple businesses while still being an engaged mom and community builder. She also talks about Go Abundance Women, building a tribe of high-performing women, and why more women should be in the business acquisition game.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

· How Mandy transitioned from medical device sales into apartment investing

· Using midsize multifamily as a floor of income to safely leave a W2

· Why the wealthiest people she met owned businesses, not just real estate

· Buying a car wash: constant breakdowns, brain space, and risk-adjusted returns

· How expectations shape your experience of challenges in business ownership

· The motel acquisition story and repositioning it as a lake-town experience

· SOPs, guest communication, and designing memorable peak moments

· Running numbers, worst-case scenarios, and asymmetric risk/reward bets

· The power of community: Go Abundance Women and thinking bigger together

· Why we need more women in acquisitions and how Mandy backs female-led deals

Guest Contact Info:

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themandymcallister

· Website: https://www.mandymcallister.com

Additional Resources:

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner. Visit: www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com.

Attend the M&A Launchpad Conference – Upcoming May2, 2026 in Houston, TX This one-day event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and dealmakers who are serious about buying and scaling businesses. Learn from headliners, talk to real operators who have closed deals, and connect with vendors who can support your quality of earnings, due diligence, capital raising, and financing needs. Get your ticket at https://www.malaunchpad.com and use code LAUNCH for $150 off.

For all M&A Launchpad and podcast inquiries—or to connect with hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa—email [email protected]. Explore more at https://www.equity-launchpad.com.

Patrick Galleher of Boxwood Partners breaks down how a professional $100M sell-side process works—prepping financials, running IOIs, conducting management meetings, and choosing the right private equity partner.

We cover the full seven-month timeline, rollover equity, how buyers are screened, and the biggest mistakes founders make when they take their eye off the business. Patrick also shares real examples of deals that drew massive buyer demand.

What We Discuss

• How Boxwood structures sell-side processes for $50M–$150M deals

Guest Contact Info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickgalleher/

Additional Resources

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group

M&A Launchpad Conference – May 2, 2026 - Houston, TX

Contact the Hosts

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew sit down with Trent Lee, a multi-year IBBA Top Individual Deal Maker and #1 business broker in the U.S. for closed transactions. Trent breaks down how great brokers actually think about valuation, deal structure, and—most importantly—how they qualify both sellers and buyers. 

From getting price and structure “bankable” for SBA lenders to using SDE, EBITDA, and adbacks the right way, Trent explains why most brokers are doing sellers a disservice and how he approaches deals very differently. He also shares exactly what buyers need to do to be taken seriously, stand out in a database of 45,000+ buyers, and get access to the best pre-market listings. 

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an independent sponsor, or a founder thinking about selling in the next few years, this is a masterclass in how deals actually get done in the small and lower-middle market. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss: 

How Trent went from frustrated seller to award-winning business broker and credentialed appraiser 

Why most business brokers get valuation wrong—and how that hurts both sellers and buyers 

The appraisal and valuation process: SDE vs. EBITDA, adbacks, debt service coverage, and SBA guidelines 

How Trent “indoctrinates” sellers with education before he ever takes a business to market 

Getting sellers realistic on both price and terms (the price/terms “teeter-totter”) 

Why some owners discover they’re not actually ready—or able—to exit when they first call a broker 

How Trent built a 45,000+ buyer database and uses pre-market listings to drive competition 

The rise of more sophisticated buyers and why “buying boring businesses” is beating startup risk 

Seller financing realities: when seller notes help, when they hurt, and why he rarely recommends big carries for SBA deals 

How to approach brokers the right way as a buyer (and what instantly tags you as a tire kicker) 

Why being “industry agnostic” is a red flag and how to define a strong, credible buy box 

The right sequencing: proof of funds, SBA pre-approval, and moving fast on non-binding offers 

How to use due diligence to justify price adjustments when adbacks or owner comp are off 

Trent’s Rocket Round: competitive tennis, a $19M triple-up exit story, and how he uses AI and automation to close more deals than most brokers combined 

Guest Contact Info: 

Website: https://www.sellbusinessinlasvegas.com 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentlee 

YouTube (free education for buyers and sellers): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncOtmBY1gbuE6wDyaFfwBw 

Social & free buyer resources hub: https://linktr.ee/trentlee 

Additional Resources: 

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner. Visit: http://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com. 

Attend the M&A Launchpad Conference – Coming October 2025, date and location TBD. This one-day event brings together operators, searchers, independent sponsors, lenders, and deal professionals for tactical sessions on deal sourcing, capital raising, quality of earnings, due diligence, and post-close operations. Get your ticket at https://www.malaunchpad.com and use code LAUNCH for $150 off your ticket. 

M&A Launchpad Hosts Contact – To connect with hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa about deals, partnerships, or speaking, email: [email protected] 

About The M&A Launchpad:

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew chat with Houston-based operator and Army veteran Raj Kankaria, owner of Lone Star Attorney Service—the largest process service company in Harris County. Raj breaks down how a career pivot and a tough life moment led him to discover a niche, recurring-revenue business, why he structured the acquisition with heavy seller financing, and how implementing EOS unlocked rapid growth from ~700–800 serves per month to ~1,200 in just a few months. We get into margins, pricing, who pays for service of process, the realities of post-close change management, and how disciplined leadership from the military translates into small-business execution. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss: 

Guest Contact Info: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajkankaria/ 

Company: Lone Star Attorney Service (Houston, TX) 

Email: (shared during the episode) 

Additional Resources: 

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O’Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner. Visit: https://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com 

M&A Launchpad Conference – Upcoming May 2, 2026 in Houston, TX. Get your ticket at https://www.malaunchpad.com and use code LAUNCH for $150 off. 

Contact the Hosts – Email Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa at [email protected]. Equity Launchpad helps founders and operators learn to buy, operate, and scale small businesses. Learn more at https://www.equity-launchpad.com 

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew sit down with Josh Davis (JL Davis Enterprises) to unpack how he and his wife built one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in Canada—bootstrapped—then exited to a private-equity–backed strategic buyer in just three years. Josh shares the pivotal mentorship that shaped him, the asset-light pivot that unlocked scale, how custom software and ruthless scorecards drove margins, and what he learned operating under PE during a two-year earn-out. He also walks through his current family office and consulting work—helping founder-led SMBs get people, systems, and leadership right. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss: 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Josh Davis 

Connect with Josh Davis 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scaling-with-josh-davis/ 

Company: https://jldavisenterprises.com 

Additional Resources 

The M&A Launchpad Conference – Join us in Houston for the 2026 M&A Launchpad Conference, a premier event designed for acquisition entrepreneurs, investors, and operators focused on buying, scaling, and selling businesses. Expect actionable sessions, curated networking, and access to dealmakers who are actively acquiring and scaling companies. Learn more and reserve your spot at https://www.malaunchpad.com — use code LAUNCH for $150 off your ticket. 

O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner. Visit https://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com to learn more. 

Get in touch with show hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa at [email protected]. 

About The M&A Launchpad: