Top M&A Entrepreneurs

Summary

Nathan Lenahan didn’t just “fall” into success—he fought for it. In this gripping conversation, he reveals the raw, unfiltered truth about the challenges he faced in his early business acquisitions and how a single strategic pivot to HVAC transformed everything. You’ll hear how Nathan overcame growth roadblocks, built a powerhouse team, and launched a recruiting business that’s now generating fresh revenue streams. He’s not stopping there—he’s mapping out even bigger moves in HVAC and plumbing. If you want a masterclass in perseverance, strategy, and scaling up, this is the story for you.


Keywords

Nathan Lenahan, acquisitions, HVAC, entrepreneurship, business growth, lessons learned, recruiting, company culture, strategic decisions, challenges



Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nathan Lenahan's Journey
05:30 Lessons from Early Acquisitions
10:49 The Shift to HVAC: Strategic Decisions
18:24 Navigating Growth and Challenges
26:55 Building a Team and Company Culture
36:46 Recent Acquisitions and Future Plans
46:58 The Launch of a Recruiting Business

Summary

In this conversation, Daniel Gertrudes shares his journey from a corporate background to becoming an entrepreneur in the accounting industry. He discusses the challenges and insights gained from acquiring accounting firms, transforming operations to the cloud, and the evolution of financial services. The conversation also delves into marketing strategies, the impact of technology, and the future of accounting in the face of AI and changing market dynamics. Daniel emphasizes the importance of relationships, cash flow management, and the strategic decisions that have shaped his business, Growth Lab Financial Services.




Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
02:38 Acquisition Insights: Buying an Accounting Firm
05:51 Transforming Operations: Moving to the Cloud
08:39 Building Relationships: Merging Cultures in Acquisitions
11:20 Marketing Evolution: From Networking to Digital
14:13 The Value Proposition: Finance as a Service
17:00 Innovating with Streams: Automation and Integration
19:58 The Future of Accounting: Embracing Change and AI
22:45 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from the Journey
25:54 Financial Strategies: Managing Cash Flow and Growth
28:32 Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities and Acquisitions


entrepreneurship, accounting, acquisitions, financial services, cloud technology, marketing strategies, AI in accounting, cash flow management, business growth, customer relationships

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Michael Ly reveals how he built Reconciled from the ground up and then acquired 3 more accounting firms. Discover his secrets to scaling with outsourced accounting, cold email outreach, and using tech to streamline the workload. He uncovers the biggest challenges in the accounting industry today—AI, fewer grads, and more. Michael shares insights on finding capital partners, integrating firms, keeping clients and staff happy, and how to grow even bigger by adding services and moving upstream.

Takeaways

The accounting industry is facing challenges from macro forces such as a drop in the number of accountants graduating and the rise of AI applications.
Reconciled focuses on outsourced accounting and online bookkeeping for lifestyle small businesses.
Cold email outreach has been an effective strategy for attracting clients.
Technology plays a crucial role in managing the workload and improving productivity in the accounting industry. Finding a capital partner is crucial when acquiring accounting firms.
Retaining employees and clients during the transition is a challenge, and a longer transition period can help with retention.
The accounting market is still reliant on local services, and AI tools are more likely to serve solopreneurs and smaller businesses.
Moving upstream and adding services like CFO advisory and tax planning can increase the value and margin of an accounting firm.
The predictability and stability of accounting firms make them attractive for financing.
The need for local accounting services and the complexity of the tax code ensure the continued demand for accounting professionals.





Keywords

accounting firms, acquisitions, industry challenges, Reconciled, outsourced accounting, online bookkeeping, lifestyle small businesses, cold email outreach, technology, acquiring accounting firms, capital partners, integrating firms, evaluating buyers, retaining employees, retaining clients, state of the accounting market, AI in accounting, opportunities for growth

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Industry Challenges
03:06 Focus on Outsourced Accounting for Lifestyle Small Businesses
06:34 Effective Strategies for Attracting Clients
10:28 The Role of Technology in the Accounting Industry
17:28 The Challenges of Implementing AI in Accounting
19:15 The Process of Acquiring Accounting Firms
24:56 Integration and Future Plans
27:30 Retaining Employees and Clients During the Transition Period
32:21 Challenges and Surprises in Acquiring Accounting Firms
34:26 The State of the Accounting Market and the Impact of AI
42:16 Opportunities for Growth: Moving Upstream and Adding Services

Summary

Adam Coffey discusses the re-release of his book, Private Equity Playbook, and the importance of understanding private equity for entrepreneurs. He explains how private equity works, including the process of raising funds, buying and growing companies, and generating returns. Coffey emphasizes the potential for entrepreneurs to use private equity as a tool for wealth creation and multiple exits. He also discusses the concept of buy and build strategies and the role of platform companies in the private equity industry. Adam Coffey discusses his role as an equity plateau and the different ways he is involved in various companies. He explains that he invests in and coaches CEOs, helps with the transition to private capital, and works with private equity firms. Coffey also shares his interest in accounting firms and the reasons why he finds them attractive, such as recurring contracted revenue and low capital expenditure. He discusses the importance of EBITDA in private equity and shares his thoughts on the potential impact of taxing unrealized capital gains.


Keywords

private equity, book release, wealth creation, buy and build, platform companies, equity plateau, investment, coaching, private capital, private equity, accounting firms, recurring revenue, EBITDA, taxing unrealized capital gains



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Release
03:07 The Need to Refresh the Private Equity Playbook
07:48 Understanding Private Equity and Its Impact
12:31 Buy and Build Strategies in Private Equity
18:57 Platform Companies: The Foundation for Growth
25:19 From Exit to Multiple Paydays: Maximizing Wealth Creation
29:53 The Role of an Equity Plateau: Investing, Coaching, and Mentoring
31:48 The Appeal of Accounting Firms: Recurring Revenue and Low Capital Expenditure
53:37 The Potential Impact of Taxing Unrealized Capital Gains

Summary

Patrick O'Connell, a quality of earnings specialist, discusses the importance of analyzing the true earnings potential of a business before buying or selling. He highlights five red flags to watch out for in a potential deal: pending lawsuits, high employee turnover, inconsistent financials, declining market share, and key dependence on a few customers. Patrick emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence and understanding the story behind the numbers. He also provides insights into evaluating two specific deals, a tech wholesaler and a medical tech blog.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Patrick O'Connell and Quality of Earnings
02:12 Unpacking the Concept of Quality of Earnings
08:29 Red Flag #1: Pending Lawsuits
13:10 Red Flag #2: High Employee Turnover
16:24 Red Flag #3: Inconsistent Financials
21:06 Red Flag #4: Declining Market Share
22:59 Red Flag #5: Key Dependence on a Few Customers
26:19 Evaluation of a Tech Wholesaler Deal
32:21 Evaluation of a Medical Tech Blog Deal with 50 Million Visitors



Keywords

quality of earnings, red flags, due diligence, pending lawsuits, employee turnover, inconsistent financials, declining market share, customer concentration, tech wholesaler, medical tech blog

Summary

Sam Rosati co-founder of Premier Solutions Group, discusses his experience in acquiring and growing fence companies in the sunbelt region. He highlights the importance of focusing on commercial fencing, which offers larger projects and a competitive advantage. Sam also emphasizes the significance of building a strong team and delegating tasks to ensure the success of the business. He shares insights on the acquisition process, including the need for capital and the importance of understanding the seller's objectives. Sam discusses the challenges and lessons learned in scaling the business and the importance of effective communication and transparency within the team.




Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
05:10 Starting Premier Solutions Group
09:09 Acquiring West Florida Fence and Partnering with Wes
14:44 Key Factors in Acquisitions
17:31 The Thesis Behind Premier Solutions Group
20:06 Delegating Administrative Tasks
23:17 Managing Friction and Conflict
25:06 Long-Term Goals for Premier Solutions Group
29:02 Lessons Learned and Regrets
31:28 Building a Great Team
34:36 Overcoming Challenges and Mistakes

Meet Robert Kirila and Mark Whaling, the duo behind Black Powder Partners—a game-changing venture that's turning the dream of entrepreneurship into a reality for special forces veterans. Born out of their passion for aiding these heroes as they transition to civilian life, their journey began with Your Grateful Nation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping special forces veterans find success in the corporate world. But they quickly discovered that while many veterans excelled in traditional roles, their true calling lay in the bold, entrepreneurial landscape.

Black Powder Partners is not your typical private equity firm. They specialize in acquiring and growing asset-light service-based micro-cap companies in the Southeast, placing highly skilled veterans in leadership roles. This unique approach combines financial acumen with the indomitable spirit and leadership skills of veterans—making their businesses unstoppable forces in their niches.

With three successful acquisitions under their belt, Black Powder Partners has proven that their model works. They're not just about the bottom line; they're about instilling a culture of leadership and growth. Their focus is on businesses with long-term potential, leveraging the talents of veterans to drive success.

Investors are taking notice, excited by the chance to support a veteran-owned firm that doesn't just hire veterans but celebrates them. With a patient, flexible investment approach, Black Powder Partners is in it for the long haul, aiming for a five to seven-year window for returns. This isn't just business; it's a mission to empower those who have served and to foster a new generation of veteran entrepreneurs ready to conquer the world of business.

Curious how a veteran chiropractor turned a mid-market acquisition into a $10M net worth? 

Henry Silvestriz did just that. Partnering with his corporate-savvy father, they formed Vinci Holdings LLC, spent 21 grueling months in search and due diligence, and finally secured a top-tier medical company.

Now at the helm, Henry shares insider secrets on navigating the personal injury care world, dealing with lawsuit-driven payments, and maintaining a high cash flow. Learn how he overcame challenges with the support of his father and attorney and his ambitious plans for future growth.

Don’t miss this compelling story of resilience, strategy, and success. Read the full blog post and watch the exclusive video interview now!

How do Family Offices make strategic acquisitions that stand out in the competitive world of M&A? 

Fasten your seatbelts because we’re about to dive deep into the journey of James Carey. Imagine starting your career in mortgage banking, only to find yourself working alongside the legendary Wayne Huizenga at his family office. From there, the journey takes you through the corridors of HIG and Peterson Partners, finally landing you at NextSparc, a family office where James currently sits as a partner. This isn't just another career story; it's a masterclass in the art of deal-making.

James Carey reveals the nuanced dance between private equity and family offices, shedding light on the unmatched flexibility and personal touch that family offices bring to the table. With their own capital at stake, these entities can structure deals with a level of creativity and agility that’s hard to find elsewhere. But it’s not just about the money – James will tell you that relationships are the lifeblood of deal sourcing. Partnering with founders and entrepreneurs, building trust, and creating value are at the heart of every successful transaction.

In this riveting conversation, James shares the secrets of deal sourcing and evaluation from a family office perspective. He'll take you through their proactive approach, leveraging vast networks and collaborating with top-tier recruiting firms to unearth potential gems. Initial screenings and quick decision-making are the norm, guided by a blend of experience and razor-sharp intuition. And when it comes to due diligence, James emphasizes the paramount importance of trust and rapport with sellers.

You'll hear captivating stories of red flags and triumphs, from minority investments that exploded into rapid growth to strategic exits that define success. Plus, the critical role of industry experts and operating executives in sealing the deal. Get ready for an insider’s look at the intricate and rewarding world of M&A through the eyes of a seasoned pro.


Chapters

00:00 James Carey's Journey into the M&A World
06:37 The Difference Between Private Equity and Family Office
10:06 The Value of Relationships in Deal Sourcing
23:03 Deal Sourcing and Evaluation
24:41 The Importance of Boring Businesses
27:17 Light Data Requests in Due Diligence
28:40 Counters and Back-and-Forth in Deal Negotiation
33:14 Red Flags in Deal Evaluation
37:35 Successful Deals and Quick Exits
42:28 Involvement of Industry Experts and Operating Executives

Ever wonder what its like to sell Businesses in Dubai?  How is it different than the US?  I aim to find out.  

Tahir Kashif shares his journey into the M&A business, the founding of his business brokerage, and the characteristics of selling Businesses in Dubai.  

He also discusses the differences and similarities between the business markets in the United States and Dubai, highlighting the types of businesses, multiples, how buyers pay,  the process and buyer demand.