In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Chris Williams from System Six, delving into his journey of entrepreneurship through acquisition. Chris shares his insightful experience in identifying and acquiring his first business, an accounting firm, and the myriad challenges he overcame in growing it. Chris discusses his background in investment banking and private equity, his education at Stanford, and the pivot to entrepreneurship.  

With lessons on patience, persistence, and unexpected turns in acquisition, this episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in buying and running a business. Also, hear about Chris's first-hand experiences, including client retention, employee management, and effective strategies that doubled his company's revenue in just three years. Tune in for valuable insights and to learn how you can apply these principles to your own entrepreneurial journey. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss:  

• The Draw to ETA 

• Walk Through the Acquisition 

• The Backbone of Businesses 

• Tips to Growing Revenue 

You can connect with Chris Williams by Email: [email protected]  

Additional Resources: 

• Ready to join a community of like-minded business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs.  Join us at the M&A Launchpad Conference happening in Chicago on October 26th!  Meet the podcast hosts, Casey and Feras along with many of our podcasts guests!  Please join us!  Can't wait to see you there!
  

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

• Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale or sell your business? Visit Equity Launchpad 

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa sit down with Darren Palestine from Commercial Finance Partners to discuss the intricacies of SBA and middle market lending. Darren shares his extensive knowledge and experience, offering valuable insights for both borrowers and industry professionals. 

The discussion covers SBA lending, including proforma transactions, unsecured loans for service businesses, and the challenges such as high interest rates and the reliance on historical cash flow. They also explore the state of business acquisitions and how Darren’s team caters to clients needing loans between $10 million and $100 million through a middle market initiative. 

Darren explains the benefits of private credit loans, the importance of thorough cash flow analysis, and the structure of private credit loans tailored to business goals. The episode also addresses the significance of choosing the right originator and the impact of AI on the lending landscape. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss:  

• SBA Lending Challenges 

• Middle Market Lending Strategies 

• Effective Cash Flow Analysis 

• The Future of Lending with AI 

You can connect with Darren by email: [email protected] 

Additional Resources: 

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube 

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

• Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale or sell your business? Visit Equity Launchpad 

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Marc Andre, who transitioned from being an auditor at a finance company to building, growing, and selling an online business. Marc shares how he discovered his passion through a side hustle aimed at making some extra money. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss:  

• The journey for building, growing and then selling a website/online business 

• Email Marketing as a useful resource 

• The impact of AI tools and changes in the content sites and online business space 

• What are people looking for when buying a website 

You can connect with Marc Andre by email and website: [email protected] and https://flipmysite.com 

Additional Resources: 

• Ready to network with experts in the M&A Industry?  Whether you're looking to buy your first business, or a seasoned buyer or investor, find your M&A tribe at the M&A Launchpad Conference coming up on October 26th in Chicago!  M&A Launchpad Conference
  

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

• Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale or sell your business? Visit Equity Launchpad 
  

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Alexis Grant, an entrepreneur with two successful exits and founder of a company that helps sellers learn more about their businesses and position them for an exit. Alexis discusses how data adds value in positioning a business and crafting an offer.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• The transition from journalism to creating and selling a business

You can connect with Alexis Grand by LinkedIn and website: Alexis Grant | Founder at They Got Acquired https://theygotacquired.com/newsletter/ and https://data.theygotacquired.com/

Additional Resources:

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Tato Corcoran, an entrepreneur with a real estate portfolio and a manufacturing business. Tato discusses her journey of running her first business after a long career in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• How hard things make buying a business awesome

You can connect with Tato Corcoran by LinkedIn and website: Tato Corcoran | Entrepreneur, Investor, Speaker, https://tatocorcoran.com/

Additional Resources:

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Kevin McArdle, co-founder and CEO of Big Band Software. Kevin Shares his incredible journey from CP of Sales at Cerner to acquiring and operating over 50 SaaS companies. After a stint teaching high school math, Kevin landed his first tech job at a booming global software company.

His journey to VP was a masterclass in scaling a successful tech business and led him to start and run multiple companies of his own. After realizing that wealth was created as a business owner, he started Big Band, where they apply Fortune 100 principals to small companies on their next leg of growth. Kevin discusses the strategies that he employs to help the current team become more efficient in their day-to-day work.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or someone interested in the SaaS industry, this episode is packed with invaluable insights on buying and managing a software business.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• What is SaaS?

You can connect with Kevin McArdle by X (Twitter) or by website: Big Band Software / @kevin_mcardle

Additional Resources:

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

In this episode, we welcomed Nick Patrick, the Managing Partner at Coda Capital, to discuss his journey from corporate America to purchasing his first business, a catering and wedding venture. The conversation delved into the nuances of transitioning from buyer to seller, exploring the ecosystem, pros, and cons of the catering industry.

This episode highlights the unconventional path Patrick took in acquiring the business, which wasn't the conventional ARR model but relied on strategic thinking and operational expertise. The discussion also touched on the significance of structuring deals with sellers, identifying win-win scenarios, and the mindset of not being wedded to a business indefinitely, as Patrick eventually sold the venture to pursue other opportunities.

Overall, the episode provided valuable insights into entrepreneurship, deal-making, and strategic exits.

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, we talk with Sarah Dusek, entrepreneur and author of Thinking Bigger. Sarah’s mission is to inspire women to generate wealth and enter male-dominated spaces, with her book serving as a guide for business growth.

Sarah transitioned from nonprofit work to founding Under Canvas, a successful glamping company. After moving the business to Yellowstone, it flourished. In 2018, an investment firm acquired Under Canvas. Facing capital challenges, Sarah became a venture capitalist to support women entrepreneurs.

Tune in to hear Sarah’s inspiring story and insights on entrepreneurship. Visit her website for more information.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• Creating the Glamping Industry

You can connect with Sarah Dusek by website: Sarah Dusek | Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur & More (sarahhdusek.com)

Additional Resources:

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa have their first in-person interview with Walker Deibel, author of "Buy Then Build" and Co-Founder of Acquisition Lab. Walker shares the inspiration behind his book, which aims to teach and educate individuals on how to purchase their first business. He reflects on his experiences with his first and second business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges and understanding that there is no perfect deal. 

Walker delves into the origins of Acquisition Lab, a selective program he conceived with the goal of nurturing entrepreneurs. Acquisition Lab builds a community of active participants in the M&A world.  Highlighting the importance of the individual in the success of a business, Walker argues that the risk in M&A and entrepreneurship lies more with the person than the business itself. We explore industries that, while not traditionally seen as attractive in the ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) space, may offer great opportunities. This is a great episode and gives insight into the life of one of the most influential individuals in ETA.   

In this podcast episode, we discuss:  

• Buy Then Build 

You can connect with Walker by LinkedIn: Walker Deibel - Acquisition Lab | LinkedIn 

You can learn more about “Buy Then Build” and Acquisition Lab Here: 

• About - BUY THEN BUILD 

Additional Resources: 

• Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube 

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

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Bakari Akil, founder of Graves Hall Capital. Bakari shares his inspiring journey from initially knowing nothing about M&A to successfully acquiring two $30 million businesses and teaching Cornell MBA candidates about entrepreneurship through acquisition.

His story highlights the power of determination and self-education in overcoming challenges and achieving success in the world of business acquisitions. Throughout the discussion, Bakari emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies for self-education, networking, and developing essential business skills such as negotiations and financing. His insights underscore the significance of practical action and resilience in navigating the complexities of M&A.

The episode also explores the often-overlooked role of personal finance in wealth building and M&A, offering valuable advice and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals. In this podcast episode, we discuss: Resilience The Power of Self Education Taking Action to Overcome Analysis Paralysis Building Wealth Through M&A and ETA.

You can connect with Bakari Akil by his Website: About — Graves Hall (squarespace.com)

Additional Resources: Get in touch with show hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa at - [email protected] Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale or sell your business? Visit EquityLaunchpad.com