How To Buy And Sell A Business

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.

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.