If you study enough M&A transactions — especially founder-led exits — a surprising pattern emerges: many acquisitions begin as partnerships. I’ve lived it personally. Before Pepperjam sold to GSI Commerce (and ultimately eBay), our relationship …
Exit planning isn’t just a financial or legal exercise — it’s a strategic one. And like any strategy, it benefits from structure, reflection, and intentional goal-setting. That’s where planning frameworks like SWOT analysis and OKRs …
In my years working on both sides of the table — as an operator, acquirer, and now as cohost of the Legacy Advisors Podcast — one pattern has stood out: companies that integrate their product …
When it comes to exit strategy planning, many founders obsess over revenue, margins, and growth rates. While those metrics are undeniably important, there’s another intangible that often punches well above its weight in M&A negotiations: …
When most founders think about what makes their business attractive to buyers, they default to the obvious: revenue, profit, and growth. And yes—those matter. But there’s a fourth lever that too many sellers overlook: operational …
Let me start with something I’ve said often on the Legacy Advisors Podcast and in rooms filled with founders: buyers don’t buy potential—they buy proof. You can have a world-class product, an inspiring origin story, …
If you’re a founder thinking about selling your business in the next few years, let me share something that most owners learn too late: Predictable revenue isn’t just nice to have—it’s one of the single …
In today’s M&A landscape, being great isn’t enough. There are thousands of profitable, well-run businesses out there—and many of them are for sale. But only a handful are positioned in a way that makes buyers …
Let’s cut through the noise. If you’re a founder thinking about exiting your company, you’ve probably heard the standard advice: grow revenue, boost profit, keep your books clean. Important? Absolutely. But here’s the truth I’ve …
When it comes to selling a business, the cold truth is this: most companies look the same on paper. Buyers see spreadsheets, forecasts, KPIs, and EBITDA margins—and most businesses blend into the noise. The companies …