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November 18, 2022
Entrepreneur Focus: Kathryn Finney
Genius Guild Founder, CEO and Managing Partner Kathryn Finney shares her entrepreneurial journey and the impact she's been able to have through it....
By Adam Burroughs
November 4, 2022
Expert Social Influencers Change the Marketing Landscape
Working directly with brands and retailers, The Desire Company matches them with the right experts to trial, test and review products, producing video reviews for use at the point of sale and across digital marketing channels. These partnerships are proving to drive an increase in conversions, time on site and an increase in marketing effectiveness, resulting in a six times revenue increase for the company in the past 12 months. As a result, brands are taking notice and want in on this new approach. ...
By Dan Pender
October 21, 2022
Begin With The End In Mind
MATH Venture Partners' Mert Hilmi Iseri and Mark Achler, along with UBS's James Jack and Michael R. Gatewood, share valuable personal lessons learned over several successful M&A exits. ...
By Adam Burroughs
October 7, 2022
Shifting Perspective When Bringing On PE
Serial entrepreneur Stephen Marshall on how founders and CEOs need to prepare their company, and themselves, for major events in a business's lifecycle. ...
By Adam Burroughs
September 23, 2022
Tailor your M&A approach
IDEAL CEO and Director Steve Henn on getting an organization prepared for acquisitions....
By Adam Burroughs
September 9, 2022
Preparing for sell-side diligence
CMC Materials' Daniel Woodland on issues that arise when selling a business. ...
By Adam Burroughs
August 26, 2022
A look at M&A in today's food & beverage sector
Prairie Capital Advisors' Terry Bressler and Dan DeLap on how the deal market in the food and beverage sector is playing out this year, their expectations for the near-term, and factors that both buyers and sellers should consider ahead of a transaction....
By Adam Burroughs
August 11, 2022
When there's more than money to a deal
Orbus Past Chairman & Owner Simon Perutz on his former company's acquisition...
By Adam Burroughs
July 29, 2022
When selling, get answers before the deal closes
Ten35's Sherman Wright on preparing to sell a business and the liquidity event that follows....
By Adam Burroughs
July 22, 2022
Price Taker vs. Price Maker and the effect on value
BMO Harris Bank's John Chalus and Tecum Capital's Matt Harnett on the economic factors that are affecting deals and how buyers and sellers can adjust. ...
By Adam Burroughs
July 6, 2022
Preparing yourself to prepare for a sale
Prospect Partners' Louis Kenter on steps a business owner should take to prepare to sell their company....
By Adam Burroughs
July 6, 2022
Identifying the right capital partners
Tiesta Tea Company's Dan Klein on what he looks for in investors beyond capital as well as the company's plans for growth. ...
By Adam Burroughs
June 29, 2022
Risk management in M&A
Aclaimant Co-Founder and Board Member Michael Schultz on dealing with risk in M&A transactions, and how his company is applying its recent $15 million raise....
By Adam Burroughs
June 22, 2022
The complexity of pre-sale estate and wealth planning
DP+'s Mark Petrosky, Cendrowski Corporate Advisors' John Alfonsi and Pitcairn's Andy Busser on how a seller's approach to the pre-planning and execution — including taking the impact of taxes into consideration — may be the difference between a deal's success and failure. ...
By Adam Burroughs
June 17, 2022
How ITS Logistics' Scott Pruneau Proved His Company's Uniqueness
In the last quarter of 2020, ITS Logistics launched an almost entirely virtual sales process that ultimately ended with its acquisition by GHK Capital Partners in mid-2021. CEO Scott Pruneau says navigating the process without bringing anybody under the tent was a challenge....
By Adam Burroughs
June 17, 2022
Argo Fresh's Clint Lewis: Running A Public Company With A PE Partner
In AgroFresh, Clint Lewis is leading a public company that has a private equity investor. 'It's a unique dynamic," Lewis says....
By Adam Burroughs
June 10, 2022
Edovo Divests to Improve Mission Focus
Edovo CEO Brian Hill on his venture, its recent acquisition and raising capital....
By Adam Burroughs
June 2, 2022
To raise funds, show investors the math
PhotoniCare's Ryan Shelton on raising funds and the company's future....
By Adam Burroughs
May 26, 2022
Step back before answering every request for information
David Gollob, along with BKD's Thomas Murtagh, Orbus' Simon Perutz, and Levenfeld Pearlstein's David Solomon on how uncertain times have dramatically impacted how to understand the strategic goals of strategic and financial buyers, and what that means for sellers....
By Adam Burroughs
May 19, 2022
The rise of cyber diligence
Aon Risk Services' William Shortt, along with Ice Miller's Reena Bajowala, Guaranteed Rate's Darin Hurd, Chicago Bears' Justin Stahl and Aon Risk Services Che Bhatia, on the rising importance of cyber diligence in M&A transactions. ...
By Adam Burroughs
May 11, 2022
What to look for in an investor
Kanbrick Co-Founder Tracy Britt Cool on what to look for in an investor. ...
By Adam Burroughs
May 6, 2022
How Catch Co. Caught On With Investors
Catch CEO Ross Gordon on how the company caught on with investors, and where they go after the company raised a $38 million Series B....
By Adam Burroughs
April 28, 2022
Using partnerships to set up an acquisition
Hickory Farms CEO Diane Pearse talks about the company's recent acquisitions, broadening its brand and how the Wicked Good Cupcakes deal came to be. ...
By Adam Burroughs
April 14, 2022
Akoya Capital Finds Success With New Platform
Akoya Capital's Bob May talks about the formation of Beacon, its acquisitions, and how macro challenges such as labor are affecting the platform's progress....
By Adam Burroughs
March 24, 2022
Athletico PT's Mark Kaufman on M&A lessons learned
Athletico PT Founder and Executive Chairman Mark Kaufman talks about the M&A lessons he's learned in his more than 30 years with the company....
By Adam Burroughs
February 18, 2022
The value and risk of relationships
BCD CEO Jeff Burgess, along with BMO Harris' John Chalus, BDO Consulting's Robert Berdanier and Tecum Capital's Matt Harnett, discuss the nuances of selling and buying a company, and how to conduct due diligence and successfully negotiate deal terms in this new normal. ...
By Adam Burroughs
January 14, 2022
How to diligence the human side of a transaction
RSM US LLP Ian O'Brien, Thunderbird LLC's Phil Kretekos and Wintrust's Adam Fuchs talk about the human side of buy-side transactions....
By Adam Burroughs
November 17, 2021
WinTrust’s Paul Carlisle on market liquidity and its impact on deals
WinTrust Financial Corp.'s Paul Carlisle looks at the challenges facing the market, the state of capital, and the conditions dealmakers could expect for the remainder of the deal year. ...
By Adam Burroughs
October 15, 2021
Is ESG the next big thing for middle-market M&A?
Nick Fink and Amantia Muhedini, along with Michael Gatewood, discuss ESG and whether it's the next big thing for middle-market M&A...
By Adam Burroughs
August 27, 2021
Creating a demand scenario through an auction
A discussion of companies’ sell-side prep and M&A options, including auctions, strategic buyers and risk mitigation....
By Adam Burroughs
June 30, 2021
Driving a successful sale
MADSKY and CodeBlue CEO Hunter Powell joins BMO’s Jennifer Johnson, CLA’s Adrian Nohr and IDEAL Industries’ Steve Henn, to talk about transaction preparedness during the Chicago Smart Business Dealmakers Conference....
By Adam Burroughs
May 28, 2021
What to know when buying businesses in the cannabis industry
Jamil Taylor and Kevin Slaughter discuss the unique considerations that need to be made when buying businesses in the cannabis industry....
By Adam Burroughs
March 31, 2021
Diane Pearse: Brand leads the way in M&A at Hickory Farms
CEO Diane Pearse talks about Hickory Farms' M&A approach as well as the current and future state of the business....
By Adam Burroughs
March 5, 2021
Stuart Sorkin on why disruption is overrated
Former Affy Tapple CEO Stuart Sorkin talks investment approach and deal criteria, and why disruptors are overrated....
By Adam Burroughs
February 5, 2021
Warren Young values sellers who stick around
Warren Young, chairman of Acme Industries and Automation NTH, on his experience as an acquirer, and advice to sellers on striking win-win deals....
By Adam Burroughs
January 8, 2021
Locke Lord’s Michael Wilson sees a faster deal pace, but caution, in 2021
Locke Lord Partner Michael Wilson says though M&A activity remains high, the ways in which investors are transacting — a flight to quality, greater willingness to do minority investments — has changed heading into 2021....
By Adam Burroughs
December 11, 2020
Dean Zayed on how being a seller informed his approach to being a buyer
Brookstone Capital Management's Dean Zayed talks about both the AmeriLife and the FormulaFolios deals, and how one informed the other....
By Adam Burroughs
October 2, 2020
John Rowady Keeps rEvolution Ready For Action
John Rowady, rEvolution’s founder and president, says now is the ideal time for meaningful acquisitions that could set a business up for wins well into the future....
By Adam Burroughs
September 2, 2020
Minimize risk and protect shareholders with financial opinions
Greg Cook, a director with Prairie Capital Advisors, explores fairness and solvency opinions as a means of minimizing risk and protecting shareholders....
By Greg Cook
August 7, 2020
VillageMD's Tim Barry: Keep Your Investors Close In Tough Times
VillageMD CEO Tim Barry talks about the importance of communicating with investors and keeping the door open to opportunity during the disruption....
By Adam Burroughs
August 6, 2020
MRI Software Buys MacMunnis
Solon-based MRI Software has acquired Chicago-based MacMunnis Inc., a provider of lease administration solutions to businesses managing complex lease portfolios....
By Michael Marzec
July 15, 2020
Thirty-One Gifts Gets Growth Capital From Kanbrick
Thirty-One Gifts founder Cindy Monroe has taken on a growth equity partner in Kanbrick, the investment firm led by former Waren Buffett deputy Tracy Britt Cool and Brian Humphrey. Terms were not disclosed.v...
By Michael Marzec
July 2, 2020
Cyprium Partners’ Michael Conaton: Get Ready For EBITDAC
Cyprium Partners co-founder MIchael Conaton discusses where he thinks investors will look when they begin scrutinizing deals as the economy starts to recover and the rise of EBIDTA before COVID....
By Adam Burroughs and Mark Scott
June 25, 2020
Cyprium Partners makes non-control investment in Chief Enterprises Holding
Cyprium Investment Partners has completed a new preferred equity and subordinated debt investment in Chief Enterprises Holding LLC...
By Adam Burroughs
June 19, 2020
Bravo Wellness Acquires PUSH Wellness
Cleveland-based Bravo Wellness has acquired Chicago-based PUSH Wellness. The companies both provide personalized, progress-based health improvement goals that materially reward each program participant....
By Michael Marzec
June 12, 2020
Howard & Howard’s Dan Cotter: Don’t Wait To Make A Business Interruption Claim
Many companies will be taking a harder look at their business interruption and disaster recovery insurance coverage in the wake of COVID-19, says Dan Cotter, an attorney with Howard & Howard....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
June 8, 2020
Wintrust’s Paul Carlisle: Investors Who Weather Pandemic Will Find Deal Opportunities On Other Side
Paul Carlisle discusses how investors view the current deal market and what business owners can do to prepare for the second half of the year....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
May 26, 2020
Cresco Labs Reaches Deal To Acquire Four Ohio Cannabis Dispensaries
Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Upon closing, Cresco would have a total of five dispensaries in Ohio – the maximum allowed by the state....
By SBN Staff
May 15, 2020
Prairie Capital Advisors' Ken Serwinski: Dealmakers Continue To Operate With An Abundance Of Caution
Buyer’s market, or seller’s market? In this time of global pandemic, how about neither, says Prairie Capital Advisors Co-founder and Chairman Ken Serwinski....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
May 8, 2020
Conco sold to Rising Point Capital
Chicago-based Rising Point Capital has acquired Conco Holdings, which is located in the Pittsburgh area. Tecum Capital Partners and UMB Capital Corp. provided subordinated debt and equity. The investor group also partnered with the Saxon-Godish Family and existing management team, who will remain with Conco and retain a significant stake....
By Jayne Gest
