Build a Business Worth Buying

Aaron Alpeter
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  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

Build a Business Worth Buying brings you candid conversations with industry leaders, M&A experts, and successful founders. Learn advanced strategies to scale, optimize, and prepare your business for an acquisition—because building a business worth buying starts with smart decisions today.

  1. How Procter & Gamble Integrated Native Without Killing What Made It Special | John Huljak

    2d ago

    How Procter & Gamble Integrated Native Without Killing What Made It Special | John Huljak

    When Procter & Gamble acquired Native, the deodorant brand that had become one of the most recognizable names in DTC personal care, the real challenge wasn't the deal. It was what came next. John Huljak was one of a small number of P&G veterans asked to join the Native team post-acquisition. His assignment had no playbook: go in, learn, and figure out where you can help. What happened over the next several years became one of the more instructive case studies in modern brand integration. In this episode, John and Aaron go deep on what actually separates acquisitions that accelerate a brand from ones that slowly flatten it. They talk through the P&G-native integration playbook that worked, the moments that almost went wrong, and the framework John built for knowing when to push change and when to wait for the brand to be ready. Topics covered: Why large companies acquire emerging brands (and what they're actually buying)The "native integrated us" approach that changed how John thought about his roleHow to earn trust when you're the acquirer in the roomWhich operational inefficiencies are secretly the brand's competitive advantageThe co-manufacturer story: why the same argument failed 9 times before it landedHow to know when a brand is ready to scale vs. when scale will damage itThe translation problem between acquiring company language and founder languageIf you're thinking about what comes after an exit, this episode offers one of the clearest looks at that question we've put on the show.

    1h 5m
  2. Strategic FOMO: The Acquisition Driver No One Talks About

    Jun 16

    Strategic FOMO: The Acquisition Driver No One Talks About

    Marc Held has started and sold multiple supply chain companies — and he's developed a clear framework for why businesses actually get acquired. In this episode, Aaron and Marc break down the 5 real reasons buyers write checks, why venture investors and founders are less aligned than you think, and how to use data as a moat that actually holds up. Marc also shares his take on when to raise angel vs. venture capital, what falls apart in late-stage due diligence, and why strategic FOMO produces the most interesting acquisition valuations. If you're building a business with an exit in mind — or you should be — this one is worth your time. Topics covered: The 5 reasons companies get acquiredWhy "strategic FOMO" produces nonlinear valuationsHow to read a buyer's investor relations reports to find your fitWhen venture incentives work against your exitAngel vs. venture: which is right for your businessWhat turns data into a defensible moatHow AI changes the signal-to-noise problem in supply chain

    50 min
  3. Why Scaling Too Fast Quietly Destroys Your Business (Lessons from Walmart & Starbucks)

    Jun 2

    Why Scaling Too Fast Quietly Destroys Your Business (Lessons from Walmart & Starbucks)

    Most founders think scaling creates value. In reality, poorly designed operations destroy it long before diligence begins. This episode is for founders, operators, and investors who want to build businesses that scale predictably, survive leadership transitions, and become truly acquirable.

    49 min
  4. Why Most Founders Raise Too Much Money and Ruin Their Exit

    May 19

    Why Most Founders Raise Too Much Money and Ruin Their Exit

    Most founders think valuation and fundraising determine success, but Steven Edelstein argues the real drivers are differentiation, emotional conviction, and operational clarity. This episode is for founders, operators, and CEOs who want to build durable companies that scale intelligently and become genuinely attractive acquisition targets.

    53 min
  5. How to Build a Cash Flow Machine Buyers Actually Want

    May 5

    How to Build a Cash Flow Machine Buyers Actually Want

    Most founders think profitability equals safety, but this episode shows why cash flow and discipline matter far more. This is for founders and operators who want to build businesses that survive downturns and actually get acquired.

    56 min
  6. Why “Science-Backed” Beauty Doesn’t Matter (What Buyers Actually Look For)

    Apr 21

    Why “Science-Backed” Beauty Doesn’t Matter (What Buyers Actually Look For)

    Most founders think scientific validation drives value in consumer brands. In reality, buyers care far more about repeat purchase behavior, profitability, and customer love. This episode is for founders building in beauty, CPG, or any product category where marketing claims can blur with real differentiation. If you are thinking about exit, this conversation reframes what actually moves multiples.

    49 min
  7. Why “Great Taste” Is Killing Your Apparel Business

    Apr 7

    Why “Great Taste” Is Killing Your Apparel Business

    Most founders think great product equals great business. In apparel, that belief can quietly destroy margins, inventory turns, and ultimately exit value. This episode is for founders and operators who want to build scalable, sellable brands by balancing creativity with commercial discipline.

    48 min
  8. Stop Starting Businesses. Start Buying Them Instead.

    Mar 24

    Stop Starting Businesses. Start Buying Them Instead.

    Most founders assume they must build their companies entirely through organic growth. In reality, acquisitions can accelerate growth, reduce risk, and dramatically increase enterprise value. This episode is for founders and operators who want to scale intelligently and build a business that buyers actually want.

    53 min
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Build a Business Worth Buying brings you candid conversations with industry leaders, M&A experts, and successful founders. Learn advanced strategies to scale, optimize, and prepare your business for an acquisition—because building a business worth buying starts with smart decisions today.

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