How To Buy And Sell A Business

Preparing, Valuing, and Structuring Your Deal For Long-term Success

Preparing, Valuing, and Structuring Your Deal For Long-term Success
In this episode of the How to Buy or Sell a Business Successfully podcast, Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman welcome David Barnett to the show. As a small business expert, he now runs a consulting firm that helps buyers and sellers navigate business transitions working primarily across North America.
David breaks down what truly makes a business attractive to buyers and what can stand in the way of a successful deal. He explains the importance of having strong systems, a capable team, and a business that can operate without the owner at the center of everything.
Watch the video episode YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Dxj8wvLm010

Leading While Learning: A First-Time Business Buyer’s Experience

Join Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman in this episode of How To Buy & Sell A Business Successfully and welcome guest Caleb Edelman, a small business owner who bought his first company without prior industry experience. He transitioned from a corporate role into entrepreneurship through acquisition.
 
Get insights into what it’s really like to step into an unfamiliar industry and lead a team that knows more than you. Find out how Caleb navigated the challenges of being a first-time business owner, from building trust and shifting his mindset to managing daily operations and long-term growth. Hear more on how he worked with the seller during the transition, and what he’s still figuring out along the way. Whether you're exploring your first acquisition or already in the thick of ownership, this episode offers key takeaways and honest lessons from someone learning by doing.

Growing and Going

Real World Lessons In Buying Your First Business
In this episode, Jake and Sam talk with seasoned entrepreneur Stephen Owens.
In this episode, Stephen brings a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, sharing:
How to navigate deal structures and stakeholder alignment and lessons learned from past transactions that succeeded — and where others fell short.

Learning to Lead: Insights from a First-Time Business Owner

Learning to Lead: Insights from a First-Time Business Owner
Tune in for real value in this episode as Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman chat with Ashley Comeau. Find out what it was really like for Ashely buying a business with no prior ownership experience. She talks about why she and her husband chose to purchase an existing business instead of starting from scratch, how they approached evaluating the opportunity, and what ultimately made them pull the trigger. Ashley dives into the emotional side of ownership, the unexpected challenges that came up after closing, and how she’s learning to build systems and lead a team while growing into the role of owner. She also reflects on the value of having trusted advisors, what she’d do differently, and what’s made the whole journey worth it so far.

Unlocking Exit Value: Why 3 Years of Prep Pays Off

Unlocking Exit Value: Why 3 Years of Prep Pays Off
In this high-value episode, Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman are joined by Sean Kennedy of Adams Brown for an in-depth discussion on how sellers can unlock hidden value in their businesses years before a sale. Sean shares actionable strategies on de-risking, financial preparation, business transferability, and navigating buyer expectations in today’s M&A landscape.
Whether it’s dealing with customer concentration, preparing for earn-outs, or understanding how to mentally and emotionally commit to selling, this episode is essential listening for owners planning an exit. Special thanks to listener Kristen Kienzle for asking a key question about post-sale commitments and how long sellers should expect to stay involved.
Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/c7FmWM4J2LQ

Don’t Kill the Deal: Smart Tips for Sellers

Don’t Kill the Deal: Smart Tips for Sellers
In this episode of How to Buy and Sell a Business Successfully, host Sam Foreman teams up with co-host Jacob Weman to chat with Neil Miller, M&A attorney at QC Rock in Kansas City. Together, they delve into the critical importance of assembling the right deal team, the often-missed value creation opportunities during LOI negotiations, and how missteps—like taking your eye off operations—can tank a deal.
With real-world insights and practical guidance, this episode is essential for anyone considering buying or selling a business. Special thanks to listener Matt Jones for a thoughtful question on post-closing breaches.
Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/ErcLLqVFjGw

Why Last-Minute Planning Kills Business Value (and How to Avoid It)

In this insightful episode, M&A attorney Pat Linden joins hosts Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman to uncover how early preparation, deal structuring, and assembling the right team can dramatically impact outcomes in business sales. Pat pulls back the curtain on common seller misconceptions, the dangers of treating legal and financial advisory as commodities, and how lack of planning can quietly drain millions from deal value.
 
If you're aiming for a life-changing exit—not just any exit—this episode is a great start. Special thanks to listener Matt Jones for asking about legal exposure post-closing and how sellers can protect themselves.
 

Scaling, Exiting, and Paying it Forward: John Wadsworth’s M&A Playbook

In this episode, seasoned business owner and advisor John Wadsworth shares how he built, scaled, and exited his company through an ESOP, turning lessons from a decades-long entrepreneurial journey into a mission to help others do the same. Joined by hosts Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman, John offers powerful advice on leadership, transition planning, risk tolerance, and building a business that’s built to last—even after the founder steps away.
Special thanks to an anonymous listener for asking, “How do you know if an ESOP is the right fit for your business?” John walks through his own experience with clarity and candor.
Learn more about John's business, Strategic Value Partners, here: https://strategicvaluepartnersks.com/

Don’t Overlook Insurance on Your Deal

In this episode Sam Foreman interviews Tyler Fee from Fee Insurance Group to explore the often-overlooked but essential role insurance plays in the M&A process. Tyler discusses key topics such as the importance of tail policies, the risks of last-minute insurance planning, and how hidden coverage gaps or past claims can impact a deal’s final valuation. They emphasize why both buyers and sellers need proactive, strategic insurance planning well in advance of a sale to protect themselves, maximize valuation, and ensure smoother transitions. Practical advice on cyber risks, employment practices liability, and building a strong risk management culture makes this episode a must-listen for anyone preparing to buy or sell a business.  
 
Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/nHXr66pw0Mo

Serial for Breakfast: Managing Growth and Acquisitions With Multiple Businesses

In this episode, Samuel McVay, a serial entrepreneur, shares his journey of starting and managing over 14 businesses since 2012. Samuel discusses with Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman the ups and downs of business growth, highlighting the challenges of scaling too quickly and the importance of finding the right partners with deep expertise. He emphasizes the value of creativity in business and how he brought his expertise to starting, acquiring, and growing businesses in various industries, including cleaning, pest control, and appliances, and how his experience has helped him identify hidden potential in companies, and how the right relationships are key to growth.