Main Street Mavericks

Luis Merchan

The American dream isn't built on Wall Street; it's forged on Main Street. Main Street Mavericks is the definitive podcast for the real engine of our economy: the entrepreneurs, the business owners, and the dealmakers. We pull back the curtain on the complex, often-emotional world of buying, selling, and scaling small to medium-sized businesses. Hosted by Venturu co-founder Luis Merchan (CEO), each episode brings you raw conversations and insider stories from the best in the business. Luis, a former public company CEO, offers high-level strategic and financial expertise. Together with top-tier business brokers, seasoned entrepreneurs, and M&A experts, we provide a no-fluff look at what it really takes to succeed. We cover everything from valuation and due diligence to negotiation tactics and post-acquisition growth. Whether you’re looking to buy your first business, preparing for a life-changing exit, or seeking ways to grow, subscribe to Main Street Mavericks for the honest, actionable insights you need to thrive. Brought to you by Venturu, the marketplace making business transactions simpler and more transparent. Learn more at https://www.venturu.com/.

Episodios

  1. Ep. 2: Unlocking $1M in Hidden Value & The Art of the Deal with Ryan Cave

    23/09/2025

    Ep. 2: Unlocking $1M in Hidden Value & The Art of the Deal with Ryan Cave

    What if your business is worth $1,000,000 more than you think? For one seller, that was the reality, and he was moments away from leaving it all on the table. In this episode, host Luis Merchan sits down with a titan of the industry, Ryan Cave, President of Sunbelt South Florida, who has facilitated over half a billion dollars in deals. Ryan pulls back the curtain on the complex, high-stakes world of business brokerage, sharing incredible stories and hard-won lessons from his 20-year career. He reveals that a great broker isn't just a matchmaker; they are a creative problem-solver and a "seller's psychologist" who can navigate the most emotionally charged moments of a deal. This episode is a masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur, current small business owner, or buyer looking to understand the real art of the deal and the immense value a true expert can bring to the table. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Jaw-Dropping Story: How Ryan unlocked an extra $1,000,000 in value for a seller by identifying and solving one critical problem the owner had overlooked.Navigating the "Freak Out Moment": Why almost every deal has an emotional breaking point and how a broker acts as the steady hand to get both buyer and seller to the closing table.The #1 Mistake Novice Buyers Make: It has nothing to do with the financials. Ryan shares a story of a buyer who made all the money he thought he would and was still miserable.Confidentiality Secrets: How to market a business, like one that "rakes the beach", without giving away its identity.The Deal That Got Away: The story of a simple, "boring" light bulb business that became a secret cash-cow goldmine. About Our Guest:Ryan Cave is the President of Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida. With over two decades of experience in Main Street and Lower Middle Market M&A, he has personally overseen more than $500 million in transactions. He is a respected industry leader known for his creative deal-making and his deep understanding of the human element in every transaction. Subscribe to Main Street Mavericks for more unfiltered conversations with the people building the backbone of our economy. Brought to you by Venturu, the marketplace for buying and selling businesses. Learn more at https://www.venturu.com/.

    30 min
  2. Ep. 1: From Crushing Failure to a Multi-Business Empire with Chris Palmer

    23/09/2025

    Ep. 1: From Crushing Failure to a Multi-Business Empire with Chris Palmer

    Welcome to the very first episode of Main Street Mavericks! What if your biggest failure was the necessary first step toward building a life of freedom and success? In this inaugural episode, host Luis Merchan sits down with serial entrepreneur Chris Palmer for a raw and honest conversation about the winding path of entrepreneurship. Chris shares his incredible journey: from graduating the Air Force Academy and launching a construction business, to losing everything in the 2008 financial crisis. Forced back into the corporate world for over a decade, Chris reveals the constant "nag" that pulled him back toward his dream. He tells the amazing story of how a perfectly timed email in a Great Clips salon reignited his passion, leading him to build a 15-location franchise empire. But he didn't stop there. He then launched a luxury boat charter company in Turks & Caicos—all while still working a demanding full-time job. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in a corporate career, recovering from a past business failure, or looking for a practical roadmap to buying their first business. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Power of Failure: How losing it all in 2008 became the most valuable lesson of Chris's career.The Side Hustle Blueprint: The exact strategies Chris used to build two successful businesses while working full-time in retail and private equity.When to Make the Leap: How to know when the opportunity cost of your day job becomes too high.Chris's 3-Point Checklist: His non-negotiable criteria for evaluating any business opportunity (Hint: It has little to do with passion).Decoding Red Flags: How to spot low-margin traps and navigate difficult sellers who might be sitting on the best deals.The Future of Main Street: Why now is the greatest time in the last 50 years to buy a small business. About Our Guest:Chris Palmer is a serial entrepreneur and a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. After an early venture in construction, he built a multi-unit Great Clips franchise and founded Poseidon Charters, a premier luxury boat charter company in Turks & Caicos. His story is a testament to resilience, strategic thinking, and the relentless pursuit of entrepreneurial freedom. Subscribe to Main Street Mavericks for more unfiltered conversations with the people building the backbone of our economy. Brought to you by Venturu , the marketplace for buying and selling businesses. Learn more at https://www.venturu.com/.

    23 min

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The American dream isn't built on Wall Street; it's forged on Main Street. Main Street Mavericks is the definitive podcast for the real engine of our economy: the entrepreneurs, the business owners, and the dealmakers. We pull back the curtain on the complex, often-emotional world of buying, selling, and scaling small to medium-sized businesses. Hosted by Venturu co-founder Luis Merchan (CEO), each episode brings you raw conversations and insider stories from the best in the business. Luis, a former public company CEO, offers high-level strategic and financial expertise. Together with top-tier business brokers, seasoned entrepreneurs, and M&A experts, we provide a no-fluff look at what it really takes to succeed. We cover everything from valuation and due diligence to negotiation tactics and post-acquisition growth. Whether you’re looking to buy your first business, preparing for a life-changing exit, or seeking ways to grow, subscribe to Main Street Mavericks for the honest, actionable insights you need to thrive. Brought to you by Venturu, the marketplace making business transactions simpler and more transparent. Learn more at https://www.venturu.com/.