In this episode, we sit down with Larry Attenhofer, a senior commercial banking leader at Hancock Whitney with nearly three decades of experience financing middle-market businesses.

Larry walks through how banks actually underwrite deals, what separates strong borrowers from risky ones, and why relationships and communication matter just as much as financials.

This conversation covers:

• How banks define the middle market and why it matters
• What credit analysts and bankers look for in a “good” deal
• Common red flags that kill deals early
• Working capital lines, leverage, and balance sheet structure
• How business owners should prepare years before an exit
• Why the banker CPA attorney triangle is critical for growth and M&A
• Career advice for future bankers and finance professionals

This episode is essential listening for founders, operators, dealmakers, and finance professionals who want to understand how capital decisions are really made behind the scenes.

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode, we sit down with Andre Broussard, a seasoned CPA operating at the intersection of private equity, venture capital, and middle-market deal execution.

Andre shares how he functions as a “CFO by the hour” for founders, operators, and investment groups and why accounting today is far more about psychology, judgment, and trust than debits and credits.

This conversation covers:

• How CPAs support PE and VC firms before, during, and after exits
• Why psychology and sociology matter more than spreadsheets in dealmaking
• Common mistakes founders make when preparing to sell a business
• What causes deals to fall apart late in the process
• How AI and automation are reshaping accounting and financial diligence
• The difference between VC growth thinking and PE cash-flow discipline

This episode is for dealmakers, investors, founders, and operators who want a clearer picture of how financial reality and human behavior collide in real transactions.

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode host Josh Wilson sits down with CJ Miller, a transactional attorney who has built his career in the boardroom rather than the courtroom.

CJ shares his journey from growing up in a small family business in South Louisiana to becoming a trusted advisor for banks, entrepreneurs, and middle-market companies. He explains what transactional law really looks like day to day and why helping people structure deals, manage risk, and plan for the future brings lasting fulfillment.

This conversation covers:

• The role of a transactional attorney in business growth and M&A
• Why Louisiana law is different from the rest of the U.S.
• The reality of career pivots and returning to what fits
• Lessons learned from moving in-house and back to private practice
• Practical advice for business owners preparing to sell their company

This episode is for founders, dealmakers, attorneys, and operators who care about process, clarity, and building something that lasts.

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode of The Deal Podcast, we sit down with Edward Bienvenu, a commercial banker based in Lafayette, Louisiana, to unpack how relationship-driven banking actually works at the community level and why some of the best deals are the ones you never do.

Edward shares his unconventional path into commercial banking, starting in biology before realizing finance offered the right balance of structure, people, and long-term impact. What began as an analyst role evolved into a career built on advising business owners, structuring thoughtful deals, and helping companies grow responsibly.

This conversation goes beyond credit scores and spreadsheets. Edward explains how experienced lenders evaluate deals from a global perspective, looking at the full picture of a business owner’s assets, risks, and long-term plans rather than relying on automated approvals or one-dimensional metrics.

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode of The Deal Podcast, hosts Josh Wilson and Jude David sit down with Paul George, consultant, speaker, and host of The Paul George Show, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, faith, business, and life after the exit.

Paul shares his personal mission framework, “Love God, serve others, and die with no regrets,” and explains how a lack of personal clarity often leads to broken businesses, burnout, and regret after successful exits.

The discussion explores the contrast between nonprofit and for profit leadership, the role of mission and values in building scalable companies, and why many founders wait too long to think about succession, legacy, and life beyond ownership.

Listeners will hear honest insights on:

• Why profit and purpose are not opposites
• How attachment to money and identity can quietly undermine leaders
• What happens when founders sell their business without a plan for what’s next
• How faith, discernment, and discipline show up in real-world dealmaking
• Why the most successful exits are prepared years in advance

This episode is for founders, operators, and investors who want to build businesses that last, exit well, and live with clarity beyond the transaction.

Connect with the Guest:

Paul George: LinkedIn

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@thedealpodcast

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

On the show, we sit down with Lance Strother a coach, entrepreneur, inventor, man of faith, and lifelong developer of people. Lance is the kind of dealmaker who doesn’t just chase outcomes. He builds lives, teams, and cultures that last.

Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Lance shares how his journey through coaching, ministry, invention, and business shaped a philosophy that challenges how most leaders think about success. We explore why having “many irons in the fire” is not a flaw when it’s rooted in a clear mission, and how authenticity becomes one of the strongest forms of insurance for a fulfilled life.

This conversation goes deep into themes leaders rarely talk about openly:

• Why love can be a serious business strategy with real teeth
• How humility and truth drive real growth in the boardroom
• What inventing, failing, and finding the right business partner actually teaches you
• Why asking boldly and early changes the trajectory of your career
• How loss, faith, and service shape resilient leaders and dealmakers

Lance also shares the story behind building and launching a nationally recognized sports training product, what he learned about partnerships, and why integrity matters more than ROI alone.

If you lead people, build companies, or wrestle with balancing ambition, faith, and responsibility, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Connect with Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-strother-8360243b/

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this powerful Part 2 of The Deal Podcast with Sean Phalon, we go deeper beyond capital, real estate, and transactions into the why behind the work.

Sean opens up about:

• Growing up as an adoptee and finding his identity
• Building $85M+ in real estate pipeline and managing over 200 units
• Lessons from selling a mortgage company to a bank
• How personal transformation shifted his business philosophy

He also shares what it means to build from the inside out anchoring your business around your values, your time, and your faith, instead of chasing external validation.

This episode touches on everything: vision, leadership, family, faith, and the calling to serve through business.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why building your life around your values changes how you lead
• The difference between being a “go-getter” vs. a “go-giver”
• How to structure businesses that protect your time and legacy
• Why over-communication is critical in remote leadership
• The value of using your network with intentionality, not volume
• How Reach Labs is empowering real estate tech entrepreneurs

Guest:

Sean Phalon – Mortgage Executive | Founder | RE Investor 200+ Units | Distressed RE Expert

Connect with Sean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sphalon/

Host Joshua Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

Presented by: FA Mergers

Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com

Like this episode? Subscribe and leave a review.

Want to be featured? Submit your deal at https://www.thedealpodcast.com

What separates a good deal attorney from a great one? In this episode of The Deal Podcast, hosts Joshua Wilson and Scott discuss the legal side of mergers and acquisitions with veteran corporate attorney Frank Slavich, who brings over 25 years of experience in corporate law, M&A, lending, and commercial real estate.

Frank unpacks the real role of an M&A attorney: not to kill deals, but to protect clients while keeping transactions moving. You’ll hear how he balances business logic with legal risks, the importance of choosing the right partners, and how emotional attachments can sabotage a sale.

From succession planning to the infamous “Texas Shootout” clause, this is a must-listen for dealmakers, founders, and brokers looking to close clean deals. Frank also shares insights on how AI is (and isn’t) currently impacting legal practices.

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Dan Daly shares his remarkable journey from selling cars on the wholesale lot to overseeing ultra-luxury brands like Bugatti and Bentley, and now leading a $50M international private equity fund focused on boutique hospitality properties.

Dan dives into:

• How competitive discipline (like training for an Ironman) shapes success in business
• Lessons from the car sales floor that translate directly to dealmaking and turnarounds
• His experience scaling automotive dealerships from underperformers to global leaders
• The mindset required to thrive in international investing and lifestyle-driven real estate
• His upcoming Golden Visa Fund targeting high-growth opportunities in Portugal, Costa Rica, and Japan

This is a masterclass in execution, customer experience, and the power of betting on yourself.

Connect with the Guest:

Dan Daly: LinkedIn

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@thedealpodcast

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Inside a Real Deal Roundtable: Lessons from Thousands of M&A Transactions

In this exclusive episode of The Deal Podcast, the FA Mergers team, Jude David, Scott Shea, Chase Kenner, and host Joshua Wilson, sit down for a raw, behind the scenes conversation about what really happens when a mid market business goes to market.

Topics discussed:

• The biggest mistakes sellers make when approaching an exit
• Why waiting until you’re “ready to retire” can cost you millions
• What buyers are really looking for and why momentum matters
• The myth of inflated valuations and the danger of unrealistic expectations
• How independent sponsors often retrade deals and why it happens
• When FA Mergers turns down a sell-side engagement
• The truth about upfront fees and what to demand from your advisor

Whether you’re an owner, operator, or investor, this episode is packed with tactical wisdom from people who live in the trenches of dealmaking every day.

Connect with the team

• Jude David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/
• Scott Shea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-shea-0514b2a4/
• Chase Kenner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasekenner/
• Joshua Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. 

Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

To Contact Us, Please Visit:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/