How To Buy And Sell A Business

Navigating Family Business Transitions that Honor the Past and Prepare for the Future

Family business transitions can be messy, emotional, and high stakes.
Lance Miller shares what it takes to successfully pass the baton across generations, honor and protect relationships, and stay aligned on what really matters.
If you are facing a transition or planning for one, this episode breaks down how to do it with clarity, trust, and purpose.
 
 

Rethinking Private Equity Deals, A Better Way to Buy Companies

Rethinking Private Equity Deals, A Better Way to Buy Companies
 
What happens when private equity focuses on relationships, flexibility, and long-term value instead of rigid timelines?
 
Chris and Justin from Maple Hill Capital join Jake Wayman and Sam Foreman to discuss how they approach buying businesses, building platform companies, and partnering with management teams. Learn what makes a company attractive to investors, the role of culture in deals, and how sellers can increase their valuation before going to market.
 
Entrepreneurs, founders, and investors will gain practical insights on M&A strategy, platform acquisitions, and creating lasting value in business deals.
 
 

Selling a Business the Right Way: Protecting Legacy, People & Profit

Hosts Jake Wayman and Sam Foreman sit down with Kevon Saber, an expert in guiding sellers through successful exits, to discuss how business owners can prepare for a successful and meaningful sale. Kevon emphasizes that selling a business goes far beyond price—it’s about safeguarding relationships, values, and legacy. He highlights the need to start planning at last one to two years in advance, clearly define goals, and avoid the common “deadly assumptions” that lead to disappointment. The discussion also delves into the emotional side of selling, exploring how entrepreneurs can maintain a sense of identity, mission, and purpose after exiting their business.
 
Watch episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/i-GwIqM9Dj4

Clarity Before the Deal: Lessons from Ty Patton

Clarity Before the Deal: Lessons from Ty Patton
In this episode, attorney Ty Patton joins hosts Jake Wayman and Sam Foreman to unpack what makes business acquisitions succeed—or fail. Drawing from his experience leading and facilitating acquisitions as in-house counsel, Ty explains why having a clear purpose is essential before buying or selling a business. The discussion explores deal discipline, risk management, franchise challenges, and the human side of negotiations. Listeners gain practical insights on avoiding emotional decision-making, identifying red flags, and ensuring every acquisition aligns with long-term goals.

Avoiding Burnout and Bad Deals When Buying a Business

Brandon Gaide joins hosts Jake Wayman and Sam Foreman. In this discussion, the roles are reversed, as Brandon interviews Jake and Sam from his perspective in the search process as a first-time buyer. The discussion dives into how early excitement can quickly turn into anxiety, the importance of defining personal success before a deal, and the dangers of overconfidence for new owners. They emphasize the critical role of due diligence, trust, and a strong advisory team in the transaction. Brandon also shares valuable lessons on preserving company culture, and leveraging AI tools to make smarter buying decisions. It’s a grounded, insightful look at what it truly takes to purchase and lead a business successfully.

Preparing Your Business for a Successful Exit

Preparing Your Business for a Successful Exit In this episode, Daniel White Vice President of Organizational Development & Family Business Services with AGH CPAs & Advisors joins hosts Jake Wayman and Sam Foreman to discuss how business owners can plan and execute a successful exit or transition. Daniel explains why starting early—ideally 2 to 5 years before selling—can dramatically improve valuation, reduce taxes, and ensure smoother ownership transitions. The conversation dives into challenges faced by family-owned businesses, including fairness among heirs and leadership succession, as well as the importance of strong management teams and company culture. Daniel also shares real-world insights on working with the right advisors, avoiding rushed sales, and protecting the legacy of local businesses in the community.

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.