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June 10, 2021
George Nemphos of Nemphos Braue
By Dustin S. Klein
Podcast: The founding member of law firm Nemphos Braue shares his thoughts on the activity he’s seeing, deals he’s been closing for clients, and what’s different from the deals that got done in 2019 and early 2020.
May 13, 2021
Darrell Freeman on firing himself to grow his business
When serial entrepreneur Darrell Freeman was running Zycron, an information technology company he founded in 1991, the market decided that he wasn't the best person to run it. So he fired himself.
May 7, 2021
Thomas Hillman and Jim Eberlin share lessons learned
Thomas Hillman, managing partner at Lewis & Clark Capital, and Jim Eberlin, founder and CEO of TopOPPS offer their perspective and approach to dealmaking, as well as some of the lessons they’ve learned over their decades-long careers.
February 12, 2021
Truck Centers’ John Hopkins on moving the family business forward
While he expects to participate as an acquirer, Truck Centers’ John Hopkins is structuring the family business so that selling remains the furthest thing from the family's mind.
January 8, 2021
Dealmaker Conversations: Hugh Cathey
ChromoCare CEO Hugh Cathey shares his insights on the M&A market and his outlook for future dealmaking.
October 23, 2020
Chris Adams on how the pandemic, presidential election are affecting M&A
Park Place Technologies Chris Adams offers his sense of what’s likely to be on the minds of dealmakers through the balance of a year plagued by uncertainty.
October 2, 2020
Kassel Equity Group's Brett Motherwell on balancing dealmaking opportunity and risk
Kassel Equity Group Managing Partner Brett Motherwell talks dealmaking during the pandemic and the importance of careful deal structures to mitigate M&A risks.
May 21, 2020
Jay Katarincic shares the methods behind early stage VC investing
With early stage investing, it’s not about hitting every single time in order to have a successful fund, says Jay Katarincic, managing director of venture capital firm Draper Triangle. That's because it's often more art than science.
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.
May 15, 2020
PMCF’s Joe Wagner: Dealmaking Community Continues To React, Respond To COVID-19
Dealmaking has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but activity hasn’t stopped, says Joe Wagner, managing director and partner at Plante Moran Corporate Finance.
April 24, 2020
Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast Debuts
The Smart Business Dealmakers podcast, which will post updated episodes periodically during the week, features interviews with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers from across the markets we serve.
April 24, 2020
Leery investors = More Scrutiny
Podcast: CLA partner Bo Butters sees increased scrutiny on deals in the wake of the coronavirus, but he also expects there will be operators who are unwilling to untangle their businesses from the mess caused by the pandemic, creating opportunities for buyers.
April 24, 2020
Burr & Forman's Tucker Herndon: Stay Calm
While there is plenty of reason for concern in the M&A space right now, C. Tucker Herndon has some firm advice for business owners.
April 24, 2020
Metz Lewis’ John Lewis: Caution is the new normal
John Lewis expects employers to remain cautious in terms of deal activity, long-term commitments and employee compensation during this unprecedented time.
April 23, 2020
KJK’s Jon J. Pinney: The Deal Market Will Recover, But Big Changes Are Likely
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to life doomsday scenarios that even seasoned dealmakers like Jon J. Pinney dismissed as the stuff of Hollywood.
March 19, 2020
Banner Solutions’ Brendan Deely: Kick The Tires A Little Harder To Find The Right Deal
Dominating strategy always wins out over dominant personalities as Brendan Deely is assessing potential acquisition targets.
March 18, 2020
Vivek Gupta: A deliberate deal process will pay off for buyers
The more time you spend selecting the right acquisition and utilizing a thorough diligence process, the more likely you are to get better returns down the line, says Mastech Digital President and CEO Vivek Gupta. Based on his past experience, he provides advice for other buyers.
March 6, 2020
Pittsburgh 2020 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
Smart Business Dealmakers recognized some top deals and dealmakers in the Pittsburgh region at the Smart Business Dealmakers Conference on March 5. Here are the 2020 Dealmaker of the Year Award winners.
March 4, 2020
Randy Markey: Integrity, Character Matter More Than Just About Anything in Dealmaking
Randy Markey's No. 1 tip for an effective investment strategy: Make sure it's an opportunity you can explain to your grandmother.
February 28, 2020
Dealmakers Conference Photos
The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark was the site of the biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event in St. Louis on Feb. 23. The Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, presented by U.S. Bank, featured panel discussions with some of St. Louis' top dealmakers, as well as extensive networking opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers who make deals happen in Greater St. Louis.
February 27, 2020
2020 Dealmaker of the Year Awards, Nashville
Smart Business Dealmakers is recognizing some top deals and dealmakers in the Nashville region. Here are the 2020 Dealmaker of the Year Award winners!
February 13, 2020
2020 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
Smart Business Dealmakers is recognizing some top deals and dealmakers in the St. Louis region. Here are the 2020 Dealmaker of the Year Award winners!
February 12, 2020
Marcum’s Gregory J. Skoda: Before You Sell, Examine The Deal From Every Angle
When Gregory J. Skoda finalized a deal for Skoda Minotti to become part of New York-based Marcum LLP, it was part of a growth strategy, not a path to exit the business he launched in 2001.
February 4, 2020
Hylant’s Kim Riley: Dealmaking Provides Opportunity To Those Willing To Put In The Work
Relationship-building is a big part of Kim Riley’s M&A strategy at Hylant Cleveland.
January 28, 2020
Dealmaking Is A Way Of Life For Ken Ganley, Bob Serpentini
Bob Serpentini and Ken Ganley are always ready to make a deal, and their recent acquisition of three Pat O’Brien Chevrolet dealerships is a perfect example of the duo’s go-big-or-go-home mentality.
January 27, 2020
Marc Hawk: Take on investors with care, great care
With no collateral and a high-powered growth strategy, RevLocal had to utilize angel and equity investing to grow. CEO Marc Hawk shares how the digital marketing company selected the right investors.
January 23, 2020
The State of M&A In Nashville
As the Smart Business Dealmakers Conference heads to Nashville to put M&A center stage, we asked top local dealmakers give their assessment of the state of the Nashville M&A scene.
January 23, 2020
Victory Capital’s David C. Brown: Each Day Is A New Challenge, A New Opportunity To Make A Deal
If you’re not buying, and you’re not selling, you’re thinking about it and evaluating potential opportunities, says Victory Capital’s David C. Brown.
January 22, 2020
Jamie Van Buren coaches newly minted CEOs on buying and growth
Jamie Van Buren estimates he’s bought about 20 businesses over the course of his career, but today he truly enjoys mentoring young presidents and CEOs on buying companies and strategic initiatives to help the acquired company grow.
January 17, 2020
Victor Thorne takes a smarter, more disciplined approach to investing
Victor Thorne was bit by the entrepreneur bug early. In his mid 20s, he started his first company with his older brother. Today, the partner at Origin Malt is still enthusiastic about investing and entrepreneurship, but his focus has changed.
