How To Buy And Sell A Business

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.  

Culture: True Success Beyond The Closing

Ryan Bond, Chief People Officer of Thrive Restaurant Group, shares with Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman, every acquisition begins with an invitation: an open hand to join a shared story built on respect, relationships, and growth. Instead of imposing their way, Thrive patiently integrates new teams by honoring what already works and strengthening it through their values. It's a human-first approach that ensures acquisitions aren't just successful on paper but transformative for the people who make the company great. 
Check out the video version at: https://youtu.be/oXnzYeCoNXI

Buy Your Own Boss: Building Leadership and Legacy

In this episode, Maddie Butler, co-owner of Kent AV, joins Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman, and shares her journey from employee to entrepreneur and the challenges that come with taking ownership of a business. She talks about the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, creating a strong company culture, and the role of leadership in business success. Maddie also emphasizes the value of mentorship, continuous personal growth, and staying ahead of industry trends. If you're considering buying or selling a business, or just navigating leadership transitions, this episode offers insightful advice on managing change and building a culture that matters. 
 
 

Business Value Beyond the Numbers

In this episode, Stephanie Klingzell Carlin, founder of C5 Business Advisors, joins 
Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman and discusses the often-overlooked factors that contribute to business valuation, such as culture, workforce, and intangible assets. While most business owners focus on financials, Stephanie explains that factors like employee engagement, geographic location, and brand reputation can significantly impact the value of a company. She also explores the complexities of the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) as a unique exit strategy, highlighting the benefits and challenges it poses for business owners looking to sell.  
 

Different: A Private Equity Approach Focused on Long-Term Success

In this episode, Brent Beshore, CEO of Permanent Equity, joins hosts Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman to share a refreshing perspective on how private equity can truly create lasting value. Instead of the traditional "buy, strip, and flip" model, Brent discusses how Permanent Equity uses a 30-year investment horizon with no debt, allowing businesses to grow organically and with a focus on preserving their culture.
 
He highlights how important it is for business owners to step out of the day-to-day operations, building teams that can continue the business without them. This episode challenges the conventional thinking in the private equity world, advocating for a human-centered approach that focuses on long-term value. 

Learning the Hard Way: When a Business Fails

Jed Morris joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Forman Law to share his experience buying a business that ultimately failed, and the painful lessons he learned in the process. Jed talks about the good and the bad from his experience finding, acquiring and running two businesses. He shares tips from his search process, how too much growth too fast can create problems, and how culture and trust are game changers.
Jed is a US Air Force veteran, New York University alum, and worked for both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft.  Jed is putting his real-world education in the deal process and as a business owner to work as the Managing Director of Sunset Coast Partners, and is actively working to help other business searchers have a successful experience as a business owner.  
Watch the video epsidoe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gwZweUMc_Xw

Trust Gets Deals Done

Stephanie Siders, investment banker with CC Capital Advisors joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss the process of successfully selling a business. Sephanie shares practical tips about what buyers are looking for, and how to maximize value in a sale, and why starting to prepare several years in advance can make such a big difference. She shares about the power of trust between the parties, and how losing trust can kill the deal.   
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RacdtoQFlHQ