Top M&A Entrepreneurs

Jon Stoddard
  • 4.8 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Top M&A Entrepreneurs – your go-to resource for inspiration, insight, and actionable advice on business buying. Each episode features engaging conversations with business buyers who share their “why” and industry service providers who break down the “how.” Learn from the pros and take your next step toward a successful acquisition with confidence.

  1. The 100% Tax-Free Exit - Kevin McGee & QSBS

    JUL 14

    The 100% Tax-Free Exit - Kevin McGee & QSBS

    I wanted to know more about QSBS…  So I found someone who used it—not just read the IRS page. Kevin McGee is an attorney who bought a craft brewing company. He used QSBS to eliminate capital gains tax on the exit. We sat down and talked about: How QSBS works (and what most buyers get wrong)New rule changes in 2025 that make it even more powerfulThe legal landmines that can kill your QSBS eligibilityHow to set up a C-Corp to acquire a business and still qualify Why compliance isn’t optional—it’s everythingThis might be the most overlooked tax strategy in SMB acquisitions right now.

    42 min
  2. From Chiropractor to $20M Exit: Neal Cobb’s Startup Story

    JUN 29

    From Chiropractor to $20M Exit: Neal Cobb’s Startup Story

    What do crawfish, Walmart, and 7-Eleven have in common? Neal Cobb. He started as a chiropractor. Then built a delivery startup that scaled to 35 states, raised $20M, and was acquired by 7-Eleven. In this episode, Neal shares how he turned down $10M, powered through COVID, and now buys legacy businesses with big EBITDA and long-term upside. Chapters: 00:00 From Chiropractor to Startup Founder 05:38 Scaling with Walmart 11:26 Raising Capital & COVID Pivot 17:06 Acquired by 7-Eleven 22:41 EquityX: Buying Legacy Businesses

    56 min
  3. She’s Sold 400 Businesses. Here’s What Most Buyers Get Wrong.

    JUN 12

    She’s Sold 400 Businesses. Here’s What Most Buyers Get Wrong.

    👉 How Ready Are YOU to Buy a Business?  Take the free 5-minute quiz: https://www.dealflowsystem.net/bbr-score  🎯 Get your score. Spot your blind spots. Fix them before they kill your deal. Jackie Hirsch has sold over 400 businesses since 1998. In this episode, she breaks down the most common mistakes first-time buyers make—and what separates the ones who close from the ones who never will. We talk due diligence, adbacks, cultural fit, SBA financing, and why most buyers blow it before they even submit an LOI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Business Brokerage and Jackie Hirsch 03:01 Jackie's Journey into Business Brokerage 05:58 The Importance of Using a Business Broker 09:00 Common Mistakes of First-Time Business Buyers 11:58 Understanding Financials and Due Diligence 15:01 Navigating Seller Motivations and Cultural Fit 18:07 The Role of Adbacks in Business Valuation 21:10 Quality of Earnings and Its Importance 23:53 Market Trends and Buyer-Seller Dynamics 32:06 Navigating the Current Market Landscape 35:07 The Importance of Buyer Preparedness 39:14 Understanding Business Ownership Dynamics 40:51 Challenges in Long-Term Deals 46:04 Investor Expectations and SBA Regulations 49:08 The Shift Towards Online Businesses 56:13 Reflections on a Long Career in Business

    1h 2m
  4. Buying Family Businesses to Hold for 50 Years — Inside the North Park Group Model

    JUN 2

    Buying Family Businesses to Hold for 50 Years — Inside the North Park Group Model

    Take the Business Buyer Readiness Assessment →    Summary  This guy’s bought SIX companies in just THREE years. And he’s not flipping them. He’s holding for 50 YEARS. In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Sullivan from North Park Group—and if you’re in the M&A game (or want to be), you need to hear this. Ryan’s not chasing shiny objects. He’s quietly building a portfolio of small, family-run manufacturing businesses—with one goal: long-term, boring, predictable cash flow. We’re talkin’: How to build real trust with sellers (not just “run the numbers” and throw out LOIs) Why SBA loans are a powerful tool if you know how to use them The surprising red flags he watches for in deals (like customer concentration and operational chaos) Why they only target businesses with 30+ employees (and you probably should too) The emotional side of buying businesses—and how to handle it when stuff hits the fan You’ll also hear why patience beats pressure, how to manage investors the smart way, and why some owners just want a better life… not a better EBITDA. If you want to buy a business—and actually sleep at night after you do—this conversation is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to North Park Group 01:33 The Formation of North Park Group 04:10 Philosophy of Long-Term Ownership 08:50 Funding and Investor Relations 12:09 The Unique Partnership Model 15:59 Acquisition Strategy and Deal Sourcing 19:02 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions 24:34 Challenges in Small Business Acquisitions 33:13 Navigating Business Acquisitions 34:51 Understanding Valuation and Offers 37:27 The Importance of Patience in Acquisitions 40:33 Identifying Consistency in Business 43:39 The Lifestyle of Business Owners 46:31 Financing and Managing Investors 48:25 De-risking Acquisitions 54:14 Top Rules for Debt Management 58:00 The Emotional Side of Acquisitions

    1h 3m
  5. How Independent Sponsors REALLY Buy Businesses (M&A from the Inside)

    MAY 18

    How Independent Sponsors REALLY Buy Businesses (M&A from the Inside)

    Take the Business Buyer Readiness Assessment →  What Happens When a Guy with Grit Takes on M&A Without a Giant PE Firm Behind Him? In this episode, Casey Minshew lays it out—no fluff. He walks us through his real-world journey as an independent sponsor—finding deals, funding them, and figuring it out as he goes. No Wall Street suits. Just persistence, smart due diligence, and a crew he trusts. We talk lessons learned (some the hard way), how to avoid rookie mistakes, and why your network can make or break your next deal. You’ll also hear how Casey’s using tech to gain an edge—and what legacy businesses are hiding in plain sight for anyone paying attention. If you're thinking about buying a business—or want to raise capital without writing a massive check—don’t miss this one. Plus, we dive into what’s happening at the M&A Launchpad Conference and how it’s shaping the future of small business ownership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Casey Minchew and Equity Launchpad 01:41 Understanding Independent Sponsorship 04:46 Lessons from the First Acquisition 09:56 Navigating Challenges in Business 14:35 The Importance of Team and Transparency 19:34 Transitioning to Independent Sponsorship 24:36 Capital Structure and Deal Sourcing 29:57 Building a Business with Integrity 35:22 The Journey of Networking and M&A 36:16 Navigating Business Acquisitions 38:53 The Importance of Networking Capital 40:54 Learning from Past Mistakes 44:04 Understanding Different Business Models 49:18 Compressing Time in Deal-Making 51:15 Exploring New Business Opportunities 54:15 The Role of Seller Financing 55:54 Building Relationships in Business 01:02:26 Creating a Community through M&A Launchpad 01:04:43 The Future of M&A and Market Trends

    1h 8m
  6. Can't Afford the SBA Down Payment?

    APR 28

    Can't Afford the SBA Down Payment?

    Take the Business Buyer Readiness Assessment →   What We Talked About: I sat down with Sean Smith from SMB Investor Network and we broke down exactly how first-time buyers can actually raise equity to buy a small business — without the usual myths, BS, or dead-end advice. We covered: What investors really want to see before they write a checkWhy having your own skin in the game still matters (sorry, no magic button)How to spot businesses that actually attract investors — and which ones scare them offThe biggest red flags investors look for (and how to avoid them)Why SMB investing is exploding right now — and how you can ride the waveHow to get your deal in front of the right investors (instead of getting ghosted)How to position yourself so investors want to work with youIf you’re serious about raising money to buy a business — and you’re tired of bad advice — you’ll want to hear this. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to SMB Investor Network 02:53 The Need for Equity Injection in SMB Acquisitions 06:05 Understanding Investor Preferences and Deal Dynamics 09:12 Evaluating Different Business Models for Investment 12:00 Challenges in Funding Professional Services Firms 15:03 Navigating Personal Capital Requirements for Buyers 18:08 Investor Expectations and Myths in SMB Acquisitions 24:31 Understanding Financial Discrepancies in Business Valuation 26:11 The Importance of Quality of Earnings Reports 27:38 Structuring Attractive Terms for Equity Raises 30:10 Identifying Red Flags in Investment Deals 34:28 The Growing Interest in SMB Investments 36:49 The Process of Submitting Deals to SMB Investor Network 39:01 Strategies for Generating Interest in Investment Deals 41:46 Understanding the Investment Structure and Rights 45:17 The Value Proposition for Passive Investors

    47 min
  7. Ecommerce Brands Must Adapt to NEW Chinese Tariffs NOW

    APR 16

    Ecommerce Brands Must Adapt to NEW Chinese Tariffs NOW

    Take the Business Buyer Readiness Assessment →   Summary In this conversation, Jon Stoddard and Stephen Speer discuss the current state of the e-commerce sector amidst rising tariffs on Chinese imports. They explore the implications of these tariffs on pricing, supply chains, and acquisition strategies for e-commerce businesses. Stephen shares insights on how to navigate these challenges, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and strategic planning for potential buyers. The discussion also touches on the resilience of the American market and the potential for future growth despite short-term hurdles. Takeaways Tariffs on Chinese imports are significantly impacting e-commerce. Margins for e-commerce businesses are likely to be squeezed. Prices across platforms like Amazon are expected to rise. Fear mongering about price increases is prevalent but may be exaggerated. Short-term issues may arise, but the market is resilient. Building significant working capital into deals is crucial. Due diligence is more important than ever in acquisitions. Diversifying supply chains can mitigate risks associated with tariffs. Seller notes may increase as a response to tariff impacts. M&A activity remains vibrant despite current challenges.

    20 min
  8. What Business Brokers Really Think About First Time Buyers

    APR 3

    What Business Brokers Really Think About First Time Buyers

    Take the Business Buyer Readiness Assessment →   Summary If you’re buying your first business — you need to hear this. No, you don’t need to become a business broker. But you’d be crazy not to learn from one. Because 90% of first-time business sales go through a broker... So if you want to win the game, you better understand how the game is played. In this episode, Jeffrey Jump (former Navy, now a business broker who’s seen it all) breaks down: Why most buyers waste everyone's time (and how to not be one of them)What brokers look for in a qualified buyer (hint: it’s not just cash)How valuations really work (and why tax returns matter more than fancy spreadsheets)Why franchises are a different beast (and how to play by those rules)The real reason deals fall apart — and how to avoid itHe even gets into the weeds on: Seller financing (structured right, it’s a cheat code)Cash deals (why they move lightning fast)What markets are 🔥 right now (HVAC, med spas, and more)And here’s the kicker: You’ll hear how he lost every deal during COVID, rebuilt, and what he wishes buyers understood before stepping into a deal. If you’re serious about buying a business, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what brokers know but buyers don’t. And it could save you months of headaches and tens of thousands of dollars. Listen to it. Study it. Use it.

    1h 5m
See All (168)

4.8
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to Top M&A Entrepreneurs – your go-to resource for inspiration, insight, and actionable advice on business buying. Each episode features engaging conversations with business buyers who share their “why” and industry service providers who break down the “how.” Learn from the pros and take your next step toward a successful acquisition with confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Stoddard
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Top M&A Entrepreneurs
  • Show Website
    Top M&A Entrepreneurs

You Might Also Like