DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer

Corey Kupfer

Why do some companies grow by leaps and bounds while others only inch forward? Simple. They embrace Deal-Driven Growth in addition to organic growth! DealQuest is where you learn how to strategize, prepare for, find, and complete deals to grow your company faster. Listen in as host Corey Kupfer takes you behind the scenes with some of the world’s most fascinating deal-savvy business leaders. This is the one place where they can share openly the secret to deals they have done (or failed to do) and the issues, opportunities, benefits, pitfalls and lessons learned. Here you learn first-hand all about: Powerful deals that require little capital, mergers, acquisitions, and tuck-ins, Joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances, licensing, raising capital and onboarding key employees, negotiating, structuring, finding, valuing, closing and integrating deals. Don’t be the one at the table who doesn’t grasp the power of Deal-Driven Growth!

  1. Episode 390: Tax-Smart Exit Planning with David Flores Wilson

    3D AGO

    Episode 390: Tax-Smart Exit Planning with David Flores Wilson

    From Olympic sprinter to trusted advisor helping entrepreneurs save millions in taxes, David Flores Wilson shares proven strategies for QSBS planning, equity compensation design, and preparing business owners for successful exits both financially and personally. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with David Flores Wilson, CFA, CFP, Managing Partner at Sinceres, who advises entrepreneurs and business owners in New York City on personal financial planning from formation to exit and beyond. David is a multiple Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor whose guidance has appeared in CNBC, Yahoo Finance, the New York Times, US News and World Report, and Investment News. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how QSBS planning can potentially exclude $10 million to $70 million or more in capital gains from taxes when structured correctly, why LLC to C Corp conversion timing creates dramatic differences in tax outcomes, and how QSBS stacking through non-grantor trusts multiplies exclusions. David shares why equity compensation plans often fail to motivate the specific people they target and what questions to ask before choosing a vehicle. You'll also learn about the personal readiness component of exit planning that determines whether entrepreneurs thrive or struggle after selling their businesses. DAVID'S JOURNEY: David's path to financial planning started with entrepreneurial instincts in an unexpected place. Growing up in Guam, he ran a comic book arbitrage business as a kid, discovering price differences between local stores and mainland mail-order catalogs. His father was a CPA with a home office, and despite wanting nothing to do with accounting, David absorbed financial concepts through osmosis that would later prove invaluable. After college at UC Berkeley, David joined Lehman Brothers and worked through the financial crisis. During that time, colleagues started coming to him with financial planning questions, and he realized helping people with their money was his true passion. He sat on that realization for years before eventually transitioning to financial planning. When Covid hit in 2020, David and his partner Dan Ryan launched Sinceres, and the firm has been growing since. OLYMPICS LESSON: David represented Guam in track and field at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, competing in the 200 and 400 meters. The experience taught him something crucial about career selection. Unlike running, where pushing harder brings diminishing returns and constant injury risk, financial planning offers the opportunity to improve incrementally every single day. That compounding knowledge approach now drives how he serves clients. KEY INSIGHTS: QSBS planning stands out as potentially the most powerful tax planning tool for qualifying entrepreneurs. C Corps meeting holding period and active business requirements can exclude $10 million in gains, or 10 times basis for older shares, with new legislation increasing that to $15 million. The planning becomes even more powerful with LLC conversions where market value at conversion becomes the QSBS basis. The biggest mistake with equity compensation involves choosing vehicles based on what owners like rather than what motivates specific employees. "Equity" can mean participation in profits, upside potential, a seat at the table, or financial disclosure. Different people value these differently, and the best planning starts with understanding objectives before selecting tools. Exit planning involves three components that David implements from the first meeting with business owners. Getting personally ready addresses what provides purpose after selling. Getting financially ready ensures the numbers work. Getting business ready covers everything from customer concentration to management team development. The recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act has changed QSBS holding periods, SALT deductions, and AMT rules. Business owners should review their planning with advisors rather than assuming previous strategies still apply. Perfect for entrepreneurs considering entity structure decisions, business owners thinking about exit planning, and anyone interested in tax-efficient wealth building strategies. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/davidfloreswilson FOR MORE ON DAVID FLORES WILSON: https://www.planningtowealth.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfloreswilson/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: David Flores Wilson's credentials and areas of expertise [02:55] - Growing up in Guam with a comic book arbitrage business and CPA father [07:58] - Representing Guam at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and career lessons from athletics [09:28] - QSBS fundamentals: Exclusions, holding periods, and qualifying business requirements [10:45] - LLC to C Corp conversions and the basis multiplication strategy [11:40] - QSBS stacking through non-grantor trusts and family gifting [19:40] - Equity compensation design: Why attraction, retention, and incentive vehicles often miss the mark[28:37] - Journey from Lehman Brothers through the financial crisis to launching Sinceres [31:59] - Exit planning framework: Personal, financial, and business readiness [41:27] - Recent tax law changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act [44:09] - What freedom means: Making impact through continuous improvement Guest Bio David Flores Wilson, CFA, CFP, is Managing Partner at Sinceres, advising entrepreneurs and business owners in New York City on personal financial planning from formation to exit and beyond. His areas of expertise include qualified small business stock planning, business exit planning, and equity compensation planning. David is a multiple Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor whose guidance has appeared in CNBC, Yahoo Finance, the New York Times, US News and World Report, and Investment News. He represented Guam in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and sits on the Board of Directors as treasurer of the Lower East Side Girls Club. David is active in Entrepreneurs Organization, the Estate Planning Council of New York City, Advisors in Philanthropy, and the Exit Planning Institute. Host Bio Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes Episode 325 - Kelly Finnell: Using ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: Understanding Business Valuation and Exit Planning Realities Episode 328 - Richard Manders: Post-Exit Transitions and What Comes After Selling Your Business Episode 339 - Solocast 74: Equitizing Key Employees and Succession Planning Strategies Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow David Flores Wilson: Website: https://www.planningtowealth.com Keywords/Tags QSBS planning, qualified small business stock, business exit planning, equity compensation, entrepreneur tax strategy, LLC vs C Corp, financial planning for business owners, exit planning institute, tax-efficient wealth building, business succession planning, capital gains exclusion, non-grantor trusts, C corporation conversion, equity incentive plans, entrepreneur financial advisor

    46 min
  2. Episode 389: From Startup to PE Exit in Three Years with Josh Davis

    FEB 4

    Episode 389: From Startup to PE Exit in Three Years with Josh Davis

    From ten years of entrepreneurial struggles to PE exit in three years, Josh Davis shares proven strategies for scaling through acquisitions, building proprietary systems, and navigating the identity shift that follows a successful exit. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Josh Davis, CEO of JL Davis Enterprises, a five-time founder, business acquirer, and turnaround expert with multiple exits including to a US private equity-backed firm. Josh built one of Canada's fastest-growing logistics startups alongside his wife Loretta, scaling it from the ground up before it was acquired by one of North America's largest transportation companies just three years after launch. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how to scale a company through strategic acquisitions without outside capital, why building proprietary software became a major competitive advantage, and what the post-sale transition really feels like when you stay on as CEO. Josh shares the visionary and integrator partnership dynamic that creates breakthrough results, why most post-exit entrepreneurs struggle with minority investments, and what freedom means when you deliberately keep your family office smaller than outside investors want. JOSH'S JOURNEY: Josh's entrepreneurial drive started early watching both grandfathers build successful businesses. On his mother's side, his grandfather ran a construction company, warehouse business, and real estate ventures. On his father's side, his grandfather was a successful mining entrepreneur who became Josh's closest mentor. But Josh also saw his parents go through financial struggles and divorce, which made him view entrepreneurship as the path to stability rather than risk. In his early twenties, Josh dropped out of business school when his grandfather became sick with cancer. He spent two years learning about business and understanding how to acquire distressed mining properties. After his grandfather passed, Josh got exposure to acquisitions, due diligence, and integration through his grandfather's connections. But for the first ten years, he didn't understand the real importance of building teams, building systems, and building a real company. THE TURNING POINT: At twenty-eight, Josh made a deliberate decision to actually learn how to be an entrepreneur. He read every business book he could find, connected with mentors, and joined a private peer advisory group with seasoned entrepreneurs in their sixties, seventies, and eighties. That group has been a game-changer for thirteen years. A few years later, he married his wife Loretta. Their skills were completely opposite. Josh was the visionary with strengths in leadership and sales. Loretta brought systems, processes, and operational excellence from her commerce degree at one of Canada's top universities. The combination created the breakthrough. BUILDING THE LOGISTICS COMPANY: When Josh and Loretta launched their logistics company, they realized the Canadian transportation industry was old school with manual processes and paper systems. They couldn't find software that fit their needs, so they hired four developers and built their own. After eight months, they launched custom software that tracked gross profit per head, enabled profit-sharing structures, and attracted top talent. The second key was acquisitions. They bootstrapped with bank debt and systematically acquired distressed transportation and warehousing businesses, bringing in their own software, systems, and team members. After developing their operating system for acquisitions, each deal got easier. THE PE EXIT: The conversation about selling started when Loretta raised it. She was pregnant with their first child and knew she didn't want to run operations in a 24/7 transportation logistics business. They had also hit a capital constraint since the low-margin business required more capital every time they grew. They engaged an M&A advisor and found a well-capitalized US private equity-backed firm with Canadian roots in North American transportation. POST-SALE TRANSITION: Josh describes post-exit life as giving a child up for adoption and living in the same house. He stayed on as CEO for two years, and having financial backing from the larger entity was a huge relief. But when the transition ended, his partners were gone, his wife had been out for two years, and the company had become more corporate. The day he told the team was emotional, and when his email was finally turned off, the quiet was striking. KEY INSIGHTS: Josh's original plan post-exit was to take small equity positions and sit on boards. What he found was that he actually likes getting his hands dirty, and working with founders who weren't ready for the advice proved challenging. Some founders would realize they didn't want to do the work and would ask Josh to buy them out instead. That misalignment led JL Davis Enterprises to pivot toward full acquisitions while being highly selective about minority investments. FREEDOM AND FAMILY OFFICE: Josh and Loretta deliberately keep JL Davis Enterprises smaller than outside investors want because they prefer the freedom to choose who they invest in and which organizations they support. Without outside capital, they can make investments directly to help kids at risk and support causes they care about. Perfect for entrepreneurs considering acquisitions as a growth strategy, founders preparing for PE exits, business owners figuring out what comes after they sell, and anyone interested in how the visionary and integrator partnership creates breakthrough results. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/joshdavis FOR MORE ON JOSH DAVIS: https://jldavisenterprises.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/scaling-with-josh-davis/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: Josh Davis' journey from serial entrepreneur to PE exit and family office [05:55] - First entrepreneurial experiences and the first ten years of learning [10:36] - The sailing storm that taught lessons about leadership and preparation [14:00] - The turning point at 28 and joining a private peer advisory group [19:32] - Building the logistics company from startup to PE exit [24:59] - Growth through acquisitions and developing a repeatable integration playbook [31:27] - How the PE exit conversation started and engaging an M&A advisor [36:47] - The two-year transition structure and deciding to step down [46:56] - Lessons from minority investing and pivoting to full acquisitions [50:12] - What freedom means: the ability to choose and support the next generation Guest Bio: Josh Davis is a five-time founder, business acquirer, and turnaround expert with multiple exits including to a US private equity-backed firm. Known for scaling underperforming companies fast, Josh blends grit, faith, and operational excellence to help founders grow with clarity and purpose. As Co-Founder and CEO, he built one of Canada's fastest-growing logistics startups, scaling it from the ground up before it was acquired by one of North America's largest transportation companies just three years after launch. Today he runs JL Davis Enterprises alongside his wife Loretta, acquiring businesses and consulting founders on how to scale, build high-performance teams, and prepare for exit. Grounded in faith and family values, Josh brings a no-fluff, people-first approach to business. He's been named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 and believes true success means building a business that serves your life, not the other way around. Host Bio: Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes: Episode 366 - Jodi Hume: Founder Exits and the Emotional Journey Behind Major Business Decisions: Explore the psychological dimensions of exits and what founders need to prepare for beyond the transaction. Episode 336 - Devan Gonzalez: Building a Franchise Empire Through Visionary-Integrator Partnership: Learn how complementary skill sets between business partners create breakthrough results. Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: When NOT to Take Venture Capital Money: Discover alternative funding sources and how to evaluate whether outside capital is right for your business model. Episode 332 - John Martinka: Acquisition Entrepreneurship and Building Companies Worth Buying: Master the fundamentals of acquiring and operating businesses for long-term suc

    53 min
  3. Episode 388: Navigate International Deals Successfully with Corey Kupfer

    JAN 28

    Episode 388: Navigate International Deals Successfully with Corey Kupfer

    In this remastered DealQuest solocast, Corey Kupfer shares insights from over 35 years of cross-border deal-making experience. Originally recorded when the podcast was still called Fueling Deals, this episode remains highly relevant for entrepreneurs considering international expansion or partnerships with foreign companies. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why international deals offer significant growth opportunities in less saturated markets The critical importance of finding trusted local partners who understand culture, laws, and how business actually gets done in foreign jurisdictions How employment laws, IP protections, and disclosure requirements vary dramatically across countries and why this matters for your deals Cultural considerations that can make or break international transactions, including business card etiquette, relationship building timelines, and signing ceremony customs Why due diligence processes must be adapted for each jurisdiction's available information and verification methods How foreign companies entering your market could become partners, joint venture collaborators, or even buyers rather than competitors CROSS-REFERENCED EPISODES Episode 173 with Wendy Pease covers international deal lessons in depth Episode 337 with Jonathan Gardner discusses cultural integration in M&A transactions Episode 175 with Natasha Miller explores strategic partnerships with competitors ABOUT THIS EPISODE This remastered episode was selected from the DealQuest archives because the advice and frameworks remain timeless. Corey discusses why globalization will continue despite disruptions, how to approach market entry in foreign jurisdictions, and the opportunity to turn potential foreign competitors into strategic partners. CONNECT WITH COREY LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer Website: coreykupfer.com ABOUT COREY KUPFER Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. He is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker who is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. Corey is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.

    22 min
  4. Episode 387: Mastering Debt Decisions and Alternative Investments with Stas Sukhinin

    JAN 21

    Episode 387: Mastering Debt Decisions and Alternative Investments with Stas Sukhinin

    From investment banker to crypto fund strategist, Stas Sukhinin shares insider perspectives on how credit committees really make decisions, why over-leveraged companies fail fast during downturns, and where stablecoins are creating trillion-dollar transaction opportunities. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Stas Sukhinin, a finance veteran with over 19 years of experience spanning investment banking, corporate lending, and alternative asset management. Stas began his career at internationally recognized institutions including UniCredit and Societe General, where he helped pioneer mezzanine loan products in Eastern Europe. By age 29, he had become a senior partner at one of the region's largest mezzanine lenders, managing a team of 20 finance professionals and overseeing a $450 million loan portfolio. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover what really happens inside credit committees when your loan application gets reviewed and why factors unrelated to your business can determine outcomes. Stas explains how strong companies can go from healthy to restructuring in just three to four months when leverage catches up with them, and the critical difference between how first-time owners and experienced operators approach debt decisions. You'll learn the two key factors that determine how much debt your business can handle, why working capital provisions in purchase agreements deserve more attention than most buyers give them, and how sellers legally present financials in the most favorable light. The conversation also covers Stas's experience investing in the 2017 ICO boom where 90% of projects went to zero but winners returned 50x to 100x, why venture capital investors sometimes block deals that would be life-changing for founders, and where stablecoin transaction volume is already reaching trillions while most people remain unaware. STAS'S JOURNEY: Stas's path into finance started at age 14 when a classmate brought a business magazine to school. Reading about business owners selling companies for millions crystallized his direction. He knew he wanted to be in corporate lending where he could see businesses, analyze financials, and speak directly with owners while working with numbers at a bank. His first role as a junior credit analyst gave him exactly that. He progressed from working with small businesses that had no financials to mid-sized companies to large corporations. Each step taught him more about how deals really get done from inside the institutions making funding decisions. CREDIT COMMITTEE INSIGHTS: Stas pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when loan applications reach credit committees. The reality differs dramatically from what most business owners imagine. Factors affecting approval can seem completely unrelated to the specific deal. Maybe the bank already has a competitor in their portfolio. Maybe the receivable financing department has a different relationship with someone in your industry. One offhand comment from a committee member who hasn't read the full memo can change the entire trajectory of a conversation or result in higher interest rates. DEBT MANAGEMENT LESSONS: The pattern Stas has seen destroy companies in months follows predictable steps. Revenue drops or stagnates. Margins deteriorate because of increased competition and client uncertainty. Debt ratios that looked comfortable suddenly reach concerning levels. Refinancing options disappear just when needed most. Interest rates climb. Everything compounds simultaneously. The difference between experienced and first-time business owners comes down to scenario planning. Experienced operators build safety margins and stress-test assumptions. First-time owners assume conditions will continue as they are. That assumption determines survival. ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS: Stas joined a crypto investment fund at its inception in 2017 during the ICO boom. Out of many investments, approximately 90% went to zero. The winners returned 50x or 100x. His observation about liquidity cycles was particularly interesting. Traditional venture now averages seven-year holding periods while crypto projects can reach liquidity events in three or four years through token distributions. On stablecoins, Stas sees enormous opportunity in programmable money. Transaction volume is already in the trillions though most people in developed countries don't realize the scale. Goldman Sachs reportedly reduced bond settlement time from three days to minutes using blockchain technology. Perfect for business owners considering debt financing, entrepreneurs navigating capital raising, and anyone interested in how credit decisions really get made and where alternative investments are creating new opportunities. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/stassukhinin FOR MORE ON STAS SUKHININ: https://www.thesourcer.so https://www.linkedin.com/in/stassukhinin/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: Stas Sukhinin's 19 years in finance from investment banking to crypto [03:26] - First deal experience: Structuring a real estate development loan with disbursement tied to sales  [05:47] - Hidden factors: Why deals get rejected for reasons unrelated to underwriting criteria[08:20] - Committee dynamics: How one comment from an uninvolved member changes deal trajectories [11:41] - Timing and instruments: When companies use the wrong type of capital [15:55] - Risk assumptions: The difference between first-time and experienced business owners [18:29] - Volatility factors: How income stability determines appropriate leverage levels  [21:09] - M&A implications: Structuring adjustment provisions for concentration risk  [24:09] - Liquidity advantages: Why crypto offers shorter holding periods than traditional venture[27:55] - Venture math: The story of a VC blocking a life-changing exit for 1x returns [29:27] - Due diligence limitations: Legal ways sellers present favorable financials  [32:14] - Stablecoins explained: Digital tokens designed to maintain dollar parity  [36:31] - Programmable money: Smart contracts that execute automatically on conditions  [38:00] - Financial advisory services: How Stas helps business owners understand their financials[39:14] - Freedom defined: Removing gatekeepers and accessing financial systems without barriers Guest Bio: Stas Sukhinin has over 19 years of experience in finance spanning investment banking, corporate lending, and alternative asset management. He began his career at internationally recognized institutions including UniCredit and Societe General, where he helped pioneer mezzanine loan products and shaped the market in Eastern Europe. By age 29, Stas had become a senior partner at one of the region's largest mezzanine lenders, managing a team of 20 finance professionals and overseeing a $450 million loan portfolio. He later served on boards of several private companies, deepening his expertise across credit investments and corporate governance. Recognizing early opportunities in alternative assets, Stas joined a crypto investment fund at its inception in 2017 and continues to lead its strategy and operations. He now helps business owners run more efficiently from the lens of financials through his advisory practice. Host Bio: Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes: Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: When NOT to Take Venture Capital Money: Explore alternative funding sources including private credit, SBA loans, and sale-leasebacks with a fractional CFO who works with startups on capital strategy. Episode 370 - Gerry Hays: Democratizing Venture Capital Through VentureStaking: Discover alternative approaches to early-stage investing that don't require massive checks or exclusive networks. Episode 85 - Nick Adams: Seed Stage Venture Capital Funds: Understand how traditional VCs think about early-stage deals and what metrics they evaluate from the investor perspective. Episode 351 - Solocast: Deal Structures Beyond M&A and Capital Raising: Learn about joint ventures, strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and other creative partnership models for business growth. Episode 324 - Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt: Tech Due Diligence in M&A: Explore how technology systems and cybersecurity impact business valuation and deal outcomes. Episode 330 - Pete Mohr: Preparing Your Business for Exit: Unde

    41 min
  5. Episode 386: The $12 Million Lesson Hiding in Your Head with Adi Klevit

    JAN 14

    Episode 386: The $12 Million Lesson Hiding in Your Head with Adi Klevit

    From process consultant to helping businesses increase their enterprise value through systematization, Adi Klevit shares proven strategies for documenting operations, preparing companies for successful exits, and ensuring post-merger integrations don't fall apart. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Adi Klevit, founder of Business Success Consulting Group, who has spent over 30 years helping entrepreneurs bring order to their operations. Adi hosts the Systems Simplified podcast and contributes articles to Inc.com. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how documented processes dramatically increase enterprise value when selling a business, why buyers light up when they realize they're purchasing a system rather than just a company, and the concept of "unconscious competence" that keeps valuable knowledge trapped in entrepreneurs' heads. Adi shares how to extract hidden systems behind your natural talents, why entrepreneurs resist systematization even though it creates freedom, and how to get teams to actually follow documented processes. You'll also learn how process documentation complements entrepreneurial operating systems like EOS and Scaling Up, what breaks down in post-merger integration when documentation doesn't exist, and why AI is a powerful tool but cannot replace human judgment. ADI'S JOURNEY: Adi started a tutoring business in 9th grade that grew entirely through referrals, teaching her early lessons about balancing promotion with delivery. After working as VP of Marketing at an international consulting company, she launched her own firm when partnership wasn't available. As a general business consultant, she kept telling clients they needed documented processes, and nothing would happen. Finally, she offered to do it for them, and a niche was born. KEY INSIGHTS: A painting company owner documented all their processes with Adi's help. When he went to sell, the buyer's eyes lit up because he realized he wasn't just buying a painting company. He was buying a complete system and operation. On the flip side, Adi recently got a call from someone who bought a company with 60 employees and nothing documented. If everyone quit tomorrow, he would have no idea how to run what he just purchased. EOS implementers are Adi's biggest referral source because operating systems tell you that you need documented processes but don't create them for you. Adi's firm serves as a fractional process team that does the implementation work entrepreneurs keep pushing off. Too many people think deals are done when documents are signed. Adi works with companies that grow through acquisition, helping them bring new employees up to speed on unified systems. Even when both companies have good systems independently, those systems differ. Integration work determines whether the combined entity functions as one or remains two disconnected operations. For Adi, freedom means the ability to create. The systems she builds generate the freedom she values. Perfect for business owners preparing for exits, entrepreneurs struggling to extract knowledge from their heads, and acquirers concerned about post-merger integration. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/adiklevit FOR MORE ON ADI KLEVIT: https://www.bizsuccesscg.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/ https://www.successreplicator.com  FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: Adi Klevit's journey from childhood entrepreneur to process consultant [09:13] - Starting a tutoring business in 9th grade and learning about business cycles [15:22] - How passion for systematization developed through frustration with clients [18:31] - The painting company story: Buyers purchasing systems, not just businesses [22:04] - Corey's business development system he didn't know he had  [26:37] - Getting teams to actually follow documented processes [34:05] - How process documentation complements EOS and other operating systems  [38:56] - Post-merger integration: Where good deals go to die  [46:26] - Which business areas prove most problematic in integration [51:03] - Why AI cannot replace human judgment in process work [52:56] - Freedom as the ability to create through systems Guest Bio: Adi Klevit is passionate about helping businesses bring order to their operations. With over 30 years of experience as a process consultant, executive, and entrepreneur, she is an expert at making the complex simple. Adi founded Business Success Consulting Group after recognizing that entrepreneurs needed someone to actually do the documentation work they kept putting off. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and delivered many webinars and live workshops sharing her insights on systemizing a business. She hosts the Systems Simplified podcast and publishes a weekly blog, with articles appearing in Inc.com. Known for turning what some see as a dry topic into something fun and practical, Adi shows audiences how to document, implement, and maintain systems that really work. Host Bio: Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes: Episode 337 - Mastering Post-Merger Integration with Jonathan Gardner: Explore how integration teams need authority and cross-functional participation to succeed after deals close. Episode 330 - From Operator to Owner: Business Freedom with Pete Mohr: Discover why being exit-ready creates freedom whether or not you plan to sell. Episode 341 - Avoid Major Scaling Mistakes with Robert Levin: Learn how sustainable growth strategies prevent the chaos that makes systematization essential. Episode 325 - ESOPs as Exit Strategy with Kelly Finnell: Understand alternative exit structures that preserve company culture and employee relationships. Episode 332 - The Art of Lucrative Exits and Business Growth with John Martinka: Master the fundamentals of preparing businesses for successful exits. Episode 333 - How to Franchise Your Business the Right Way with Greg Mohr: Learn how documented systems enable business replication and growth. Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow Adi Klevit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/ Company: https://www.bizsuccesscg.com E-Book: https://www.successreplicator.com Keywords/Tags: business systematization, process documentation, enterprise value, exit preparation, post-merger integration, unconscious competence, scaling businesses, EOS implementation, operational systems, business processes, M&A integration, due diligence, business valuation, entrepreneur freedom, knowledge transfer, team training, business operations, deal readiness, exit strategy, business consulting

    42 min
  6. Episode 385: 2026 Deal Outlook and Market Trends with Brian Meegan

    JAN 7

    Episode 385: 2026 Deal Outlook and Market Trends with Brian Meegan

    From a lumpy 2025 market to building pent-up demand, M&A attorneys Corey Kupfer and Brian Meegan share their frontline perspective on deal trends and what business owners need to know heading into 2026. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with his partner Brian Meegan of Kupfer. to kick off the new year with a candid conversation about the deal market. Together, they've handled dozens of deals totaling hundreds of millions of dollars in purchase price and enterprise value across wealth management, tech, and trade industries nationwide. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover why the 2025 M&A market has been "lumpy" with strong activity in certain sectors while others slowed, and how markets normalize uncertainty when clarity takes too long. Corey and Brian discuss tax legislation certainty versus tariff uncertainty pending Supreme Court review, why pent-up demand builds pressure that eventually releases, and how massive PE dry powder creates deployment urgency. You'll learn why equitizing Generation 2 leadership years before an exit improves options and valuation, how trade industries remain attractive due to AI resistance, and what regional differences mean for deal opportunities. DEAL MARKET REALITY: The end of 2024 was intense, and momentum carried into 2025. Yet conversations with colleagues revealed uneven activity nationwide. Wealth management stayed robust while other sectors slowed. Weaker earnings combined with elevated prices created buyer-seller disconnects. CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY: Markets crave predictability. Recent tax legislation provided clarity around R&D credits and SALT deductions. Tariff policy remains uncertain with potential Supreme Court review, creating productivity costs as companies refigure supply chains. PENT-UP DEMAND: When natural deal flow gets suppressed, it builds pressure rather than disappearing. PE firms sit on enormous capital with fund timeline pressures. Money isn't the constraint. Finding opportunities and having clarity to proceed are the real bottlenecks. THE GEN 2 IMPERATIVE: Equitizing key executives years before a potential exit creates tax-efficient structures, makes companies more attractive to buyers, and gives acquirers confidence. Waiting until deal time limits options and hurts valuation. REGIONAL DIFFERENCES: Brian's Denver practice serves different markets than Corey's coastal work. Colorado features strong tech sectors and alternative energy with California migration. Heavy manufacturing concentrates in Arizona and Nevada. TRADE CONSOLIDATION: Professionalization of trades including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC continues after more than a decade. These industries resist AI disruption, making them attractive for stable revenue and consistent fundamentals. Perfect for business owners considering exits, entrepreneurs evaluating opportunities, and anyone wanting frontline perspective on current M&A conditions. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/brianmeegan2026 FOR MORE ON BRIAN MEEGAN: https://www.kupferlaw.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-meegan/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: Kicking off 2026 with partner Brian Meegan [02:00] - Why the M&A market has been "lumpy" across sectors [04:00] - Tax policy certainty after major legislation passed [08:00] - 2026 outlook and pent-up demand building pressure  [13:00] - Appreciation for DealQuest listeners and clients [16:00] - The importance of equitizing Generation 2 leadership [18:00] - Tax efficiency and planning equity participation early [22:00] - Heavy manufacturing trends in Arizona and Nevada[28:00] - Optimism for 2026 and where opportunities exist Guest Bio:Brian Meegan is a partner at Kupfer., bringing extensive transactional experience from his Denver-based practice. Brian specializes in M&A transactions and complex deal structures across tech, natural resources, and professional services. His Colorado practice provides unique perspective on regional market dynamics outside traditional coastal centers. Host Bio:Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Related Episodes: Episode 331 - M&A Market Outlook for 2025 with Corey Kupfer: Predictions and survey data about M&A activity expectations. Episode 339 - Why Your Gen 2 Matters in M&A with Corey Kupfer: Succession planning and how next-generation leadership affects deal value. Episode 350 - Building Wealth Through Rental Properties with Tom Dillon: The "sweaty startups" concept and trade industry consolidation. Episode 335 - Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Future of Investment Advisory Deals with Corey Kupfer: New capital sources entering wealth management M&A. Episode 330 - From Operator to Owner with Pete Mohr: Business freedom and reducing owner involvement while maintaining value. Episode 206 - Should Uncertainties in the Market Impact Your Deal-Making? with Corey Kupfer: How external factors should influence deal decisions. Social Media: Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow Brian Meegan: https://www.kupferlaw.com/ Keywords/Tags: M&A market outlook 2026, deal trends, private equity dry powder, pent-up demand, tariff uncertainty, trade consolidation, equitizing employees, succession planning, wealth management M&A, Gen 2 leadership, tax policy certainty, interest rates, regional deal markets, Colorado tech sector, entrepreneurship, business growth strategies, dealmaking, exit planning, capital deployment, fund timelines

    33 min
  7. Episode 384: Happy Holidays DealQuest Family

    12/31/2025

    Episode 384: Happy Holidays DealQuest Family

    About fifteen years ago, I gave up the conversation around balance entirely. The word I use instead is integration, and in this holiday episode I share why that shift transforms how entrepreneurs experience everything from year-end deal closings to family obligations. In this holiday episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I share reflections on 2025, point to must-listen episodes, preview what's coming in 2026, and break down the integration mindset that has shaped my approach to business and life. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover why the balance conversation creates unnecessary stress, the four episodes from 2025 worth revisiting, what's coming in January with my partner Brian Meegan, how designing where you live and which clients you take on become integration decisions, why great mergers have integration at their core while failed ones have integration problems, and how clarity creates filters for better decisions. MY INTEGRATION JOURNEY: Balance frames everything as separate competing demands pulling in different directions. Integration creates a lens where choices support multiple priorities simultaneously. Living in Marina del Rey serves integration. Fifteen minutes from LAX. Secure building. Walking my dog along the promenade during breaks. Cold brew moments on the patio before M&A negotiations. Every choice reduces friction. EPISODES WORTH REVISITING: Dave Hersh on Episode 381 delivered one of my favorite interviews ever, sharing hard truths about post-exit challenges through his inner board meeting framework. Bob Bush on Episode 377 told his remarkable journey from East St. Louis to founding Mutombo Coffee with the late Dikembe Mutombo. Jodi Hume on Episode 366 helps founders avoid the regrets that plague up to 85% of entrepreneurs after exits. Hikari Senju on Episode 354 offered a different lens on building AI companies through strategic bootstrapping. WHAT'S COMING IN 2026: January kicks off with my partner Brian Meegan joining to discuss what we're seeing in the deal landscape. Special series are planned diving deep into specific industries similar to our RIA aggregator coverage. KEY INSIGHTS: The great mergers and acquisitions have integration at their core. The ones that fail typically have integration problems. Choosing podcasting over a weekly column reflects integration thinking. This format feels like an extension of who I am rather than an obligation. When you have clarity about what integrates in your life, it creates a filter for decisions, just like whiteboarding sessions create filters for M&A clients. Perfect for entrepreneurs feeling pulled in too many directions, business owners heading into year-end closings, and dealmakers who want to understand how integration principles apply to M&A success. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/holiday2025 FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: Holiday wishes to the DealQuest community [02:00] - Episode recommendations: Four must-listen conversations from 2025 [04:00] - Dave Hersh Episode 381: Psychology behind successful exits "[05:00] - Bob Bush Episode 377: Global dealmaking and Mutombo Coffee [06:00] - Jodi Hume Episode 366: Avoiding post-exit regret [06:30] - Hikari Senju Episode 354: Strategic bootstrapping for AI companies [07:00] - What's coming in 2026 with Brian Meegan [09:00] - The integration versus balance conversation [11:00] - Designing life for integration: Marina del Rey example [14:00] - Integration in deals: Why great M&A has integration at its core [15:00] - Clarity as a filter for decisions [15:30] - Closing thoughts and gratitude Host Bio:Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast and managing partner of Kupfer PLLC. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast reveals how successful entrepreneurs use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, this show covers the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Related Episodes: Episode 381 - Dave Hersh: The Psychology Behind Successful Exits Episode 377 - Bob Bush: From East St. Louis to Global Dealmaking and Mutombo Coffee Episode 366 - Jodi Hume: Founder Regret, Exit Clarity and What Money Can't Buy Episode 354 - Hikari Senju: Building AI-Powered Companies Through Strategic Bootstrapping Episode 328 - Richard Manders: Scale Business Growth and Personal Freedom Episode 323 - Holiday Solocast: Taking Stock and Completing the Year Social Media Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Keywords/Tags: holiday solocast, integration versus balance, work life integration, best podcast episodes 2025, dealquest podcast, Corey Kupfer, M&A insights, post-exit challenges, deal-driven growth, Brian Meegan, 2026 preview

    17 min
  8. Episode 383: Sell Your Business for a Premium with Channing Hamlet

    12/24/2025

    Episode 383: Sell Your Business for a Premium with Channing Hamlet

    From closing dinner conversations that changed his career trajectory to advising on transactions up to half a billion dollars, Channing Hamlet shares proven strategies for selling businesses at premium valuations through proper preparation, understanding sector-specific value drivers, and creative deal structures. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Channing Hamlet, Managing Director at Objective Investment Banking and Valuation, who has over 30 years of experience advising business owners on management issues, transaction execution, and business valuation. Channing's firm specializes in lower middle market transactions, typically ranging from $10-25 million up to $100-150 million in value. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how buyer expectations have dramatically shifted over 25 years and why preparation requirements for premium valuations have intensified. Channing explains why clean accounting is no longer optional, how financial projections can make or break your valuation, and the three key value drivers beyond revenue and EBITDA. You'll also learn creative deal structures that can save transactions when traditional financing becomes challenging. CHANNING'S JOURNEY: Channing's path into dealmaking started at the family dinner table, where his father frequently hosted business visitors for dinner conversations about deals and transactions. His pivotal moment came while working at Legg Mason doing M&A, when a patriarch from a third-generation family business pulled him aside at a closing dinner and shared how much the work had changed his family's life. That moment hooked him on helping entrepreneurs and family businesses navigate successful exits. KEY INSIGHTS: In the mid-1990s, private equity firms paid four to six times EBITDA. Today, good companies sell for 10 to 14 times EBITDA, but buyers expect sellers to show up polished and prepared. Channing identifies three major value drivers beyond EBITDA. First, understanding what drives value in your specific sector. Second, building predictability through recurring revenue and systematized operations. Third, clearly articulating your differentiation and unique value proposition. Financial projections matter because selling takes approximately nine months, meaning buyers pay based on projected results, not historical performance. A last-minute budget won't stand up to scrutiny. Channing also shares a creative deal structure where seller financing at 10% interest saved a transaction when traditional bank financing fell through. Perfect for business owners considering an exit in the next 3-5 years, M&A advisors working with lower middle market companies, and anyone wanting to understand what truly drives premium valuations. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/channinghamlet FOR MORE ON CHANNING HAMLET: https://objectivecp.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/channing-hamlet/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: Channing Hamlet's journey from family dinner table conversations to investment banking [02:17] - Growing up around business deal discussions and choosing the outdoor life [03:45] - The closing dinner moment that changed everything at Legg Mason [08:19] - How the M&A landscape has transformed over 25 years [10:26] - Why buyer expectations and preparation requirements have increased   [18:52] - Understanding sector-specific value drivers through the printing industry example  [23:39] - Market outlook for 2023 and beyond [31:43] - The three legs of Objective's valuation practice[40:03] - Finding Objective Capital Partners and getting in touch Guest Bio Channing Hamlet is a Managing Director at Objective Investment Banking and Valuation, focused on leading the firm's valuation advisory service practice and transaction execution for its investment banking services practice. He is a results-driven executive with 30+ years of experience advising owners on management issues, transaction execution, and business valuation. Channing draws on a diverse background that includes direct management experience, strategy consulting, private equity investing, investment banking, and business appraisal experience to advise his clients. He is actively involved in the LA and San Diego business communities and has spoken at numerous organizations including EO. He was chosen as the Investment Banking Visionary for 2022 and 2021 in Banking and Finance magazine. Host Bio Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: When NOT to Take Venture Capital Money: Explore valuation considerations and preparing for exit from a fractional CFO perspective. Episode 330 - Pete Mohr: Building Exit-Ready Businesses: Discover how to build a business that commands premium multiples through systematization and predictability. Episode 332 - John Martinka: Exit with Style, Grace, and More Money: Learn practical strategies for maximizing value when selling your business. Episode 339 - Solocast 74: Exit and Succession Planning: Corey's insights on preparing for successful business transitions and the importance of advance planning. Episode 88 - Internal Succession Deals: Explore options for transitioning business ownership to next-generation leadership.   Keywords/Tags business valuation, selling a business, M&A preparation, EBITDA multiples, exit strategy, investment banking, lower middle market transactions, sell-side advisory, company valuation, premium valuation, buyer expectations, financial projections, value drivers, private equity, business sale preparation, transaction execution, family business sale, entrepreneurship, dealmaking, business growth strategies

    44 min
4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Why do some companies grow by leaps and bounds while others only inch forward? Simple. They embrace Deal-Driven Growth in addition to organic growth! DealQuest is where you learn how to strategize, prepare for, find, and complete deals to grow your company faster. Listen in as host Corey Kupfer takes you behind the scenes with some of the world’s most fascinating deal-savvy business leaders. This is the one place where they can share openly the secret to deals they have done (or failed to do) and the issues, opportunities, benefits, pitfalls and lessons learned. Here you learn first-hand all about: Powerful deals that require little capital, mergers, acquisitions, and tuck-ins, Joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances, licensing, raising capital and onboarding key employees, negotiating, structuring, finding, valuing, closing and integrating deals. Don’t be the one at the table who doesn’t grasp the power of Deal-Driven Growth!