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January 28, 2020
Dealmaking Is A Way Of Life For Ken Ganley, Bob Serpentini
By Mark Scott
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.
January 16, 2020
John Ziss Jr.: Are You Ready To Make A Deal?
Dealmaking readiness is an important part of M&A strategy, says Kurtz Bros. Inc.'s John Ziss Jr.
January 3, 2020
Deal Us In
Dealmaking has become a part of the playbook for companies competing in the market today. We talked to some of Nashville's top dealmakers to learn how M&A is being woven into strategic plans — sometimes from the start — as a means of growth.
December 27, 2019
Philadelphia 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 26, 2019
Cleveland 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 24, 2019
Columbus 2019 Dealmaking Year in Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 23, 2019
Chicago 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 23, 2019
Pittsburgh 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 23, 2019
Detroit 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 17, 2019
Everstream’s Brett Lindsey: Don’t Be Afraid To Uncover Your Own Deal Opportunities
When you develop an effective M&A strategy to inform your decisions, you minimize the risk of making crucial mistakes. Everstream’s Brett Lindsey explains.
December 12, 2019
Rob Dube: Being Mindful Is Key To Being An Effective Dealmaker
It seemed like a good deal, but things changed quickly for Rob Dube when he sold imageOne. Fortunately, he got it back and learned a valuable lesson about mindfulness.
December 5, 2019
Deal Us In
Business owners can’t afford to ignore M&A — even if they’re not actively looking to buy or sell. That’s because competitors are out scooping up a new technology, diversifying into new geographies, raising growth capital, and implementing long-term exit plans that help them run their companies better.
December 4, 2019
Stuart Sorkin: Turnaround Deals Can Be Fulfilling, If You Know What You’re Facing
Assess a company from every angle before you go forward with acquiring the business.
December 4, 2019
Blue Olive’s Ed Weinfurtner: Focus On The Opportunity In Dealmaking And You’ll Find Success
Blue Olive Partners’ Ed Weinfurtner is always driven to find the next challenge. His attitude helps him turn tough situations into great opportunities.
November 27, 2019
Gary DeJidas on staying conservative in today’s market and an inside look at an ESOP
In Gary DeJidas' mind many acquisitions are overpriced today, which is why GAI Consultants buys cautiously in an uncertain economy. The chairman and CEO also gives his perspective on ESOPs after 27 years under that ownership structure.
November 25, 2019
Peninsula Capital’s Ty Clutterbuck: How To Find Your Way To A Great Deal Opportunity
Achieving synergy in business doesn’t have to be about making cuts. Through dealmaking, it can be a path to growth opportunities, says Ty Clutterbuck.
November 21, 2019
Henniges Autmotive’s Larry Williams: Keys To Working Effectively With Private Equity Ownership
Larry Williams has used simple, honest dialogue to build strong ties with each PE firm that has owned Henniges Automotive.
November 19, 2019
Home Chef’s Pat Vihtelic: What’s The Recipe For Success In Your Business?
Pat Vihtelic created Home Chef to transform the way we all cook and eat. A lucrative deal with Kroger has allowed him the space to do just that.
November 13, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz Shares His Secrets To Good Dealmaking
Brian Demkowicz has a process for everything, enabling Huron Capital to continually make the right call on dealmaking opportunities.
November 6, 2019
Clearcover’s Kyle Nakatsuji: Talk To As Many Investors As You Can
Pitching investors works best when you connect with as many as possible, says the auto insurer's CEO.
November 5, 2019
O2’s Jay Hansen: M&A Works Best When Both Sides Are Ready To Deal
Dealmaking works better when there is M&A expertise on both sides of the table, says the private equity firm's managing partner.
October 31, 2019
Thar Process’ Lalit Chordia: How to find the right investors or buyer
With growth comes the need for funding, says Lalit Chordia. The CEO of Thar Process, who sold two of his other companies in 2009 and 2016, shares his philosophies for raising capital and exiting a business.
October 30, 2019
Staffing Solutions’ SueAnn Naso: When Buying A Business, Take The Time To Do It Right
SueAnn Naso and Carmella Calta are good friends. But they still had to follow the proper steps when Calta sold her business, Staffing Solutions, to Naso.
October 18, 2019
Always on the lookout for opportunities, Rhett Ricart sees talent as key
Rhett Ricart, who has bought and sold a number of dealerships over the years for Ricart Automotive, shares his M&A strategies and how the family business is tackling succession planning.
October 18, 2019
Buddy Flerl on today’s hectic and fatiguing deal market
Veteran dealmaker Buddy Flerl talks about what he’s seeing in the market and his approach to dealmaking.
October 17, 2019
Acquisitions Drive Opportunity As MAI Nears $7B
Acquisitions have MAI Capital poised to top $7 billion in assets under management, says Rick Buoncore, with more deals and more growth to come.
October 16, 2019
Sphera’s Paul Marushka: A Little Conversation Can Go A Long Way In Dealmaking
One M&A transaction can lead to another, if you take the right approach. Paul Marushka explains how dealmaking is driving his vision at Sphera.
October 10, 2019
Jeremy Flack: Dealmaking Isn’t Supposed To Be Painless
You'll never get a deal done if you’re unwilling to compromise at the negotiating table, says Flack Global Metals CEO Jeremy Flack.
October 10, 2019
Tecum Capital’s Matt Harnett: Investors should work on the business, not in it
The PE firm’s founding partner shares his insights into how Tecum Capital manages the investments in makes in its more than 40 portfolio companies.
October 3, 2019
TriPower Capital's Robert Sharpe: Capitalizing on Underserved Markets
The TriPower founding partner talks about his eye for making deals in the food and beverage space and one of the most common problems with today’s business landscape.
September 27, 2019
2019 Columbus Dealmaker Of The Year Awards
The Smart Business Dealmakers Conference brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and advisers at the Hilton Columbus Downtown on Sept. 25. During the conference, Smart Business
September 24, 2019
Deal Veteran Mike Sayre Pulls Back Curtain With Lessons Learned
Innovative Leadership Institute President Mike Sayre shares lessons learned from decades of dealmaking.
September 19, 2019
Foundation’s David Wood On Management Transitions
Foundation Investment Partners founder David Wood talks about his approach to minimizing trouble when making acquisitions.
September 10, 2019
How MCM Capital Looks At Acquisitions
Senior Managing Partner Mark Mansour takes us inside his approach for evaluating investment opportunities at MCM Capital.
September 6, 2019
Svoboda Capital's Jeff Piper: Culture, Leadership Are Keys
Managing Director Jeff Piper about Svoboda Capital Partners' formula for identifying good investment opportunities and what entrepreneurs can do to capture the eye of investors.
September 5, 2019
Warren Anderson: Early McDonald's Deal Built Distribution Powerhouse
Warren Anderson admits his approach to dealmaking is less refined than that of many entrepreneurs. “I'm kind of like a cowboy,” the founder of The Anderson-DuBose Co. says.
August 29, 2019
Peninsula Capital's Ty Clutterbuck
Peninsula Capital Partners' Ty Clutterbuck talks about his approach to making and assessing acquisition opportunities.
August 28, 2019
Winding River Consulting's Gary Shamis
Gary Shamis, who has spent a lifetime in business making deals and growing companies, talks about his skills as a deal negotiator and lessons he’s learned as an investor.
August 28, 2019
Ilya Bodner blazes insuretech trail with Bold Penguin
Serial entrepreneur Ilya Bodner says every startup needs an idea, capital and great people. That's become the lens through which he makes all his decisions in building Bold Penguin, his fast-growing insuretech business.
August 23, 2019
John Rowady's rEvolution Accelerates Growth Through Deals
John Rowady, founder and president at marketing agency rEvolution discusses his passion for M&A and the strategy he follows to identify the right acquisition targets.
August 16, 2019
Cinderella Story: How Michael Blair Built Deka Lash
When Michael Blair and his wife Jennifer founded Deka Lash in 2011, the reaction from Pittsburgh was raised eyebrows and roadblocks. Today, he has 60 franchise locations across the country.
August 8, 2019
How Andrew Lefkowitz Ferments Deals
Andy Lefkowitz is an experienced dealmaker, having two major exits from one business. He also knows what he doesn’t know. That's his formula for success at his latest business, Locus Fermentation Solutions.
August 7, 2019
Dominic DiPuccio: Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Deal attorney Dominic DiPuccio talks about prioritizing what's important and what's not when buying or selling a company.
July 30, 2019
Tom Ferkovic: Assessing Deal Opportunities In Health Care
Thomas Ferkovic, CEO of Medic Management Group, talks about dealmaking in health care, both from the perspective of the physician and the potential investor.
July 24, 2019
Stephen Polk On Buying, Selling And The Power Of Data
Former R.L. Polk CEO Stephen Polk talks about the sale of the business, his Highgate family office investing platform and his continuing love for data-driven processes.
July 18, 2019
BioAdvance’s Rick Jones: Look Beyond The Dollars When Investing In Biotech
Rick Jones, an internist-turned-entrepreneur who is now a partner at the VC firm BioAdvance, offers cautionary advice to investors who would let dollar signs block a more practical insight into biotech investing.
July 18, 2019
Dave Zilko On Selling Garden Fresh Gourmet
Dave Zilko talks about how the Garden Fresh Gourmet deal got done, the emotional toll that dealmaking can take and the move Campbell’s made earlier this year to sell the business.
July 16, 2019
Michael Canty: Quit Whining And Go Make Some Money
Turnaround CEO Michael Canty talks about his approach to making deals in tough situations and the value of staying true to your convictions.
July 9, 2019
Planning Is Timeless; So Is Change
Sequoia Financial Group's Tom Haught and Cohen & Co.'s Randy Myeroff talk about the value provided and the risks that need to be considered when planning for M&A activity.
July 9, 2019
Don Nystrom On Dealmaking Pitfalls
Don Nystrom, CEO of Dynamic Aerospace and Defense, shares his insights into the common mistakes to avoid in the dealmaking process.
July 3, 2019
Carl Grassi: Keys To Better Dealmaking
McDonald Hopkins Chairman Carl Grassi shares some of the key issues he thinks business owners need to factor into their approach to dealmaking.
June 28, 2019
Michael Araten: When PE backing isn’t about the money
How former K'NEX CEO Michael Araten chose the best private equity partner to back his international expansion — before his business became collateral damage in the Toys 'R' Us bankruptcy and was sold.
June 25, 2019
For Stonewood's Kenn Moritz, patience, flexibility drive success
The PE firm's president talks about the importance of staying flexible during dealmaking and why the fewer owners in a deal, the better.
June 21, 2019
Philadelphia ASPIRE Dealmakers Event Photos
The Philadelphia 201 Hotel was the site of Philadelphia's biggest CEO-focused M&A conference on June 12. Check out the event photos.
June 20, 2019
2019 Chicago Dealmaker Of The Year Awards
The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference brought together hundreds of dealmakers, investors and entrepreneurs at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago on June 19. During the conference, Smart Business Dealmakers recognized a few top deals and dealmakers in the Chicago region.
June 19, 2019
For Allison Finkelstein, cap tables play critical role in investing
Startup founders should focus on how to achieve reasonable growth to get the next round of funding, the experience angel investor says.
June 14, 2019
2019 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
During the ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference on June 12, Smart Business Dealmakers recognized some of the top deals and dealmakers in the Philadelphia region.
June 13, 2019
Hickory Farms CEO Diane Pearse's keys to successful dealmaking
Hickory Farms CEO Diane Pearse talks about gaining dealmaking expertise and the best strategies to follow when your company is being targeted by potential buyers and/or investors.
June 11, 2019
Dale Buckwalter on buying and selling companies with high valuations
3 Rivers Capital co-founder Dale Buckwalter shares his thoughts on how to make returns in the current market of high valuations.
June 10, 2019
SeventySix Capital’s Wayne Kimmel leverages social capital of athletes to rise above noise
SeventySix Capital Managing Partner Wayne Kimmel discusses how celebrity can help investors and startups stand out in a noisy media landscape to create opportunities for all parties involved.
June 6, 2019
Arsenal’s Maria Thompson: Investors Want Businesses That Solve Problems
Investors aren’t looking for unique business opportunities, says Arsenal venture partner Maria Thompson. They want business models that solve problems, preferably big ones.
May 31, 2019
Dan Silberberg: Pick an M&A strategy and plan your exit
The founder at DIGINTEL taps his 45 years of experience of M&A experience to discuss M&A strategy and building a business architecture that's sellable.
May 22, 2019
Stonehenge's Peter Davies: How to buy in a peak market
The managing partner of Stonehenge Partners shares his approach to buying with multiples approaching a peak, and how buying strategies have changed in the current environment.
May 21, 2019
Ancora’s Brian Hopkins: Relationships Fuel Dealmaking Activity
The Ancora managing director talks about the role relationship-building plays in his dealmaking activity and the value of maintaining discipline.
May 17, 2019
Signal's Marc Kiven: An entrepreneur's approach to dealmaking
The founder of the groundbreaking digital marketing company talks about what he looks for in an investment opportunity and how he sets the stage for the company’s future.
May 16, 2019
Ed Wethli: Kiva Han-Crazy Mocha deal took time to brew
A year into the Crazy Mocha acquisition, the benefits of the deal are finally falling into place for the coffee roaster that wanted a growing retail empire.
May 9, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photos
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel was the site of Northeast Ohio biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on May 2. Check out 100+ photos from the event.
May 7, 2019
MCM's Mark Mansour: Stick To What You Know To Come Out Ahead
Mark Mansour was young, hungry and eager to establish his dealmaking credentials. Mal Mixon was an established entrepreneur who had already built a billion-dollar business at Invacare, but was always
April 24, 2019
OTC's Philip Derrow: On ESOPs, culture and getting good advice
Ohio Transmission CEO Phil Derrow, talks about the challenges of ESOPs, openness during transactions and two important rules when making deals.
April 18, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photo Gallery
The Westin Book Cadillac was the site of Detroit's biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on April 11. The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference featured panel discussions with some of Detroit's top dealmakers, as well as extensive networking opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers who make deals happen in metro Detroit.
April 17, 2019
Leon Rubinov on Incline Equity’s M&A strategy and value creation
Leon Rubinov doesn’t like to play favorites with Incline Equity Partners investments. “All our kids are cute,” the senior partner says. “We don’t love one any more than the other. They’re all special."
April 5, 2019
Ray Dalton: Good opportunity doesn’t always mean good fit
Focus drives results and results attract buyers, says A. Ray Dalton. This week, Ray discusses his approach to identifying the right investment opportunity and the importance of finding ways for your team to win in the dealmaking process.
April 5, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz: Dealmaking is back in Detroit
The PE firm's co-founder explores the method that fuels his dealmaking productivity and the role Midwestern values play in the firm’s success.
March 29, 2019
Chip McClure finds deals in unloved world of Tier 2, Tier 3 suppliers
By founding Michigan Capital Advisors, he has created a private equity firm that addresses the lack of access to capital that prevents suppliers from keeping up with customer demand and diversifying beyond the auto sector.
March 29, 2019
Nordson's Anne Pombier: Creating value through acquisitions
Before joining Nordson, Anne Pombier led or participated in more than 100 transactions ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 billion in size. Now she helps identify and pursue M&A targets that can create value for Nordson on a global basis.
March 27, 2019
Quick Med Claims' Michael J. Lewis: A CEO's approach to M&A
In four years, the CEO of Quick Med Claims has gone through two sales and initiated five acquisitions. Now, he’s interested in passing along that knowledge.
March 22, 2019
BlueTree's big 2018: A unicorn, strong exits and new investors
It’s been an exciting and unprecedented year for Catherine Mott and BlueTree Capital, including her venture fund's first unicorn holding.
March 21, 2019
2019 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
Recognizing the top deals and dealmakers in the Pittsburgh region.
March 14, 2019
Irwin Car’s Bill Baker: Find synergies in your acquisition strategy
After doing nearly 60 deals throughout his career, Bill Baker knows himself. He’s a niche strategist who looks to buy companies where one-and-one makes three.
March 12, 2019
RPM’s Jim Karman: Skip the drama and avoid turnarounds
Retired RPM International COO Jim Karman reflects on the fateful deal that convinced him to steer clear of turnaround acquisitions and shares lessons learned from his dealmaking career.
March 8, 2019
Atlas Oil founder Sam Simon: How to maximize your deals
The master dealmaker talks about his humble beginnings, his approach to investment opportunities and the importance of being a disciplined dealmaker.
March 7, 2019
vitalxchange's Charu Ramanathan: survival skills trump MBA thinking
The co-founder and CEO at vitalxchange talks about the value of following your instincts and the real skills entrepreneurs need to succeed.
March 1, 2019
Michael Canty: How to navigate the tricky waters of turnaround investing
Turnaround maven Michael Canty offers his tips for investing in troubled companies and shares the strategy that got Alloy Bellows & Precision Welding back on its feet.
February 18, 2019
Market Garden's Sam McNulty
Sam McNulty talks about his approach to dealmaking, the value of strong partnerships and his keys to success.
February 7, 2019
TruWest Cos.: Innovators wanted
Matt Kennedy and Wendy Jarchow explain how TruWest Cos. and River SaaS Capital identify promising investment opportunities and position them for growth. “We’re looking for industries that are ripe for innovation,” Jarchow says.
January 24, 2019
Adam Kaufman
Last year, Adam Kaufman studied an estimated 500 early-stage companies to assess their long-term viability. Helping startups refine their message and pursue their goals brings the entrepreneur great
January 22, 2019
Lazear Capital’s Ted Lape on transparency, creativity and the rise of ESOPs
Ted Lape talks about transparency in dealmaking, when ESOPs make sense and his most memorable deals.
January 17, 2019
Provariant’s Murad Beg
Provariant's Murad Beg talks about how he stays objective to make the right deals for his clients.
January 9, 2019
Flashstarts' Charles Stack
Entrepreneur and early-stage investor Charles Stack talks with Smart Business Dealmakers about the role of confidence in dealmaking and how changemakers can use it to spark investment in Cleveland.
January 9, 2019
August Carlino on negotiating, risk and preserving a legacy
August Carlino talks about what gets his blood pumping, the Rivers of Steel's acquisition of RiverQuest and his advice for other dealmakers.
December 20, 2018
ChromoCare’s Hugh Cathey learns from success — and failure
Master Dealmaker Hugh Cathey talks about what’s changed in M&A, one of his biggest deals and the importance of learning from career wins and losses.
December 19, 2018
FALCON's Rob Huxtable
FALCON Managing Partner Rob Huxtable talks about his tips for finding leaders who can thrive under pressure, rise to a challenge and help PE firms maximize their investments.
December 7, 2018
Tecum Capital’s Stephen Gurgovits Jr.
Tecum Capital Managing Director Stephen Gurgovits Jr. talks about Tecum's evolution as an investment firm, it's appetite for risk and one of his most memorable deals.
November 16, 2018
BGL’s Andrew Petryk
Investment banker Andrew Petryk shares his thoughts and observations about how best to prepare for the M&A process and maximize the result.
November 9, 2018
Explorys co-founder Charlie Lougheed
Charlie Lougheed looks at the importance of clarity, the value of embracing opportunity and why a great idea alone isn’t enough to capture the excitement of potential investors.
November 8, 2018
Blue Point Capital's Jim Marra
BluePoint's Jim Marra about the challenge of competing in today’s private equity market and the best strategy to minimize risk with your investments.
November 2, 2018
Mark A. Filippell
Mark Filippell talks about important points to consider before you put your company on the market and a pivotal moment for M&A advisory firm Western Reserve Partners.
October 26, 2018
Douglas J. Sibila
Peoples Services CEO Doug Sibila talks about his methodical approach to dealmaking and the role networking plays in his company’s M&A strategy.
October 19, 2018
Jon J. Pinney
KJK Managing Partner Jon Pinney talks about the need for speed in closing transactions, his passion for learning and the role Blockland can play in facilitating more business activity going forward.
October 19, 2018
Chas Withers: Build a strong, consistent narrative for your deal
The Dix & Eaton CEO talks about how to tell a consistent narrative that ties together everyone's interests and conveys the value being created.
October 12, 2018
Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing Institute’s Suzy Teele
Entrepreneur Suzy Teele has helped at least 50 companies grow into market leaders, either as a consultant, adviser or executive. In this Q&A, she talks about how entrepreneurs can build relationships to create partnerships or find investors to grow their companies.
October 12, 2018
Richard R. Hollington III
CapitalWorks CEO Dick Hollington talks about the role preparation plays in developing an effective acquisition strategy and what private equity firms do to make sure they stay on top of their game.
October 12, 2018
MRI's John Ensign on strategy, due diligence and 10,000 rats
John Ensign talks about his acquisition strategy and the importance of making in-person visits to potential acquisition targets.
October 5, 2018
Baiju R. Shah
BioMotiv CEO Baiju Shah talks about his approach to building a team that can get deals done and the opportunity that health care innovation presents to other industries.
October 5, 2018
Thogus' Matt Hlavin: Why I take dealmaking slow and steady
The CEO talks about the drive he had to become more entrepreneurial and factors that have kept him from being more active on the deal scene.
September 28, 2018
Tony Ciepiel
Step2Discovery CEO Tony Ciepiel talks about his strategic approach to dealmaking and the importance of reaching beyond M&A as a means of completing deals that can benefit your business.
September 28, 2018
Tom Chema: Getting Gateway done and the value of taking risks
Tom Chema played a lead role in overseeing the public/private partnership that brought downtown Cleveland a new ballpark for the Indians and an arena for the Cavaliers.
September 28, 2018
Austin Capital Partners' Darrell Austin
Darrell Austin talks about the effect that rising purchase prices have had on M&A players who used to be a lot busier.
September 19, 2018
Paul Smucker Wagstaff
Paul Smucker Wagstaff shares his dealmaking strategy, the role that his team plays in M&A transactions and some key lessons he learned from his time at J.M. Smucker.
September 19, 2018
Steve McHale on flawed deals and knowing when to pivot
Steve McHale shares his thoughts on deals he has made and the approach that leaders take when things don’t go according to plan.
September 14, 2018
Dan T. Moore III
Dan Moore reflects on his career in business, his skill as an innovator and how dealmaking has helped bring it all together.
September 14, 2018
Team NEO’s Bill Koehler
Bill Koehler talks about one of the most gratifying moments of his dealmaking career and the value that a formal M&A strategy can bring to your business.
September 14, 2018
EY’s Chris Smyth
We catch up with EY's Chris Smyth to talk about his principles of effective dealmaking.
September 7, 2018
Cascade Partners’ Ken Marblestone
Ken Marblestone explains why he’s always concerned about something and why there are times when you should not take the advice of your financial adviser.
August 31, 2018
Jon W. Park
Westfield Bank's CEO talks about how to build an effective M&A strategy and common pain points that arise when looking to make a deal.
August 31, 2018
Signet's Tony Manna: Why I'm always ready for a deal
Tony Manna talks about his readiness to examine deals and some great advice he got in his youth from Worthington Industries founder John McConnell.
August 31, 2018
Beth Haas
Cyprium Partners' Beth Haas shares her thoughts on how to find the right vehicle to obtain the necessary capital for your business and how to work through any anxiety you may have over working with an outside firm.
August 24, 2018
Ron Weinberg
Ron Weinberg talks about the origins of today’s active private equity market and his hands-on approach to creating opportunities that lead to profitable deals.
August 24, 2018
Independence Excavating's Victor DiGeronimo Jr.
Vic DiGeronimo talks about taking risks and his key to finding happiness when making a deal.
August 17, 2018
JPMorgan Chase’s Rudy Bentlage
Rudy Bentlage explains the value of transparency in M&A activity and talks about how to know when it’s the right to time to consider selling your business.
August 10, 2018
Metz Lewis’ Chris Brodman
Metz Lewis partner Chris Brodman talks about deal-killing issues and the principles of successful dealmakers.
August 3, 2018
Fred Nance
The global managing partner at Squire Patton Boggs talks about the craft of dealmaking and shares the lessons he has learned to get things done under difficult circumstances.
August 3, 2018
Evolution Capital Partners’ Jeffrey Kadlic
Jeffrey Kadlic about what could be done to open up private equity investment to more people, the common pain points he sees in the M&A process and one of his most memorable deals.
July 27, 2018
Stewart Kohl
The co-CEO of The Riverside Co. talks about how he got his start and mentors who guided him early in his career.
July 19, 2018
Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV
Hoby Hanna talks about what drove two pivotal transactions for his real estate company, the value he places on market share and his perspective on turnarounds.
July 19, 2018
Calfee’s Brent Pietrafese
The dealmaking attorney talks about recent trends in dealmaking and how to avoid legal headaches when involved in M&A activity.
July 13, 2018
Ancora’s Fred DiSanto
Fred DiSanto talks about his approach to dealmaking, his willingness to take risk and his partnership with Carl Grassi.
July 6, 2018
PWC Group’s Ansir Junaid
Ansir Junaid talks about principles of dealmaking strategy and how two trips led to pivotal business deals that made his business what it is today.
June 28, 2018
First National Bank’s Boyd Pethel
Boyd Pethel talks about why companies seek outside capital, the tools banks provide to help in this process and what Cleveland needs to do to take the next step in its own evolution.
June 22, 2018
Cyprium Partners’ John Sinnenberg
John Sinnenberg talks about his evolution as a dealmaker and the lessons he’s learned from deals good and bad.
June 14, 2018
Michael E. Gibbons
Mike Gibbons talks about selling a business, his perspective on the growth of the international M&A market.
June 14, 2018
Transtar’s Neil Sethi
Transfer CEO Neil Sethi talks about what experience has taught him about the flow of deal activity and the important distinction between markets and micromarkets.
June 1, 2018
Anthony Manna
Anthony Manna talks about his approach to dealmaking and the team he’s built to vet and often take the lead on potential opportunities.
May 25, 2018
Victor DiGeronimo Jr.
Vic DiGeronimo talks about how he got his start in the family business and first began to develop the entrepreneurial and dealmaking skills.
May 18, 2018
Stewart Kohl
The Riverside Co. co-CEO talks about how curiosity fuels his passion for dealmaking, how he judges the success of a transaction and the factors that determine the ideal amount of a capital to provide a young business.
May 18, 2018
Rakuten OverDrive’s Steve Potash
Steve Potash talks about the challenges he faced launching OverDrive in the pre-digital world of the 1980s and the pros and cons of debt vs. equity investors.
May 11, 2018
J.W. Sean Dorsey
Master dealmaker Sean Dorsey discusses how the dealmaking business has shifted through the decades and the insights he’s learned along the way.
May 11, 2018
Tucker Ellis’ Jayne Juvan
M&A attorney Jayne E. Juvan talks about what’s driving the increased scrutiny on corporate transactions and the points companies should consider before entering into their next deal negotiation.
May 11, 2018
AdCap Management’s Joel Adelman
Joel Adelman talks about the keys to raising capital, taking risks and doing business in the disaster recovery space.
May 4, 2018
Stephen J. McHale
Steve McHale about the evolution of Explorys, his altruistic approach to dealmaking and what he’s working on now.
May 4, 2018
Attorney Margaret W. Wong
Margaret Wong started her firm in 1978 and it’s only since 2000 that she became more active in dealmaking. She talks about the important deal she made with her godchild and her approach to making acquisitions.
April 27, 2018
RPM's Frank Sullivan
RPM CEO Frank Sullivan talks about his approach to making acquisitions and how he balances M&A with his leadership of the business.
April 27, 2018
Gregory J. Skoda
Master dealmaker Greg Skoda talks about the philosophy of dealmaking, lessons learned creating CBIZ and why it’s so important to listen.
April 27, 2018
Fifth Third Bank’s Joe DiRocco
Joe DiRocco talks about what you should know about your business before you pursue your next M&A transaction.
April 20, 2018
Developer Scott Wolstein
Former Developers Diversfied CEO Scott Wolstein talks about how to know when to walk away, how to minimize mistakes and why you need a strong team to be an effective dealmaker.
March 29, 2018
PwC’s Mark Ross
When Mark Ross isn’t working with George Lucas or helping the NYSE buy Euronext, he’s leading transactions that range up to $10 billion.
March 29, 2018
LeafFilter’s Matt Kaulig
Matt Kaulig talks about the challenges he overcame to position LeafFilter for sale and the passion he has for making deals.
March 23, 2018
PartsSource’s Philip Settimi
Dr. Philip Settimi about the approach he took to negotiate the sale and why he is more focused on organic growth right now than acquisitions.
March 16, 2018
Rocco Di Lillo
Rocco Di Lillo talks about his approach to dealmaking, the process he follows to learn about the business he’s looking to acquire and why being overly cautious can make it a lot easier to sleep at night.
March 9, 2018
R. Louis Schneeberger
Master dealmaker R. Louis Schneeberger talks about the critical first steps to take when looking to make an acquisition, the importance of understanding your industry and why you need to know who’s on your team before you close a deal.
March 9, 2018
Bobby George: The best dealmakers are the quiet ones
Corporate Management Group President Bobby George about what he needs to see in order to buy a business, the discipline to say no and the respect he has for Cleveland’s top dealmakers.
March 2, 2018
Laudan Properties' Kevin Weidinger
Kevin Weidinger talks about the steps he follows to either make a good deal or gain the knowledge he needs to walk away from the table and get to work on the next opportunity.
February 23, 2018
Exodus Capital's Jerry Kelsheimer
Jerry Kelsheimer talks about his approach to making your business attractive to buyers and the value of viewing your company from the perspective of a shareholder.
February 8, 2018
Edward F. Crawford
ParkOhio CEO Edward F. Crawford offers his thoughts on losing his first business, the value he places on people and dealing with rejection.
February 8, 2018
KeyBank's Kip Clarke
Sharing lessons from decades of dealmaking experience, KeyBank's Kip Clarke talks about his strategies for mastering the M&A game.
February 2, 2018
Chris Quinn: What I learned selling Step2
For InterDesign CEO Chris Quinn, dealmaking is all about trust. “Trust begins the very minute you decide to engage and go through the sale process."
February 2, 2018
Directional Aviation Capital’s Kenn Ricci
Directional Aviation Chairman Kenn Ricci shares his company’s 16.6 Rule and why discipline and rigor — a commitment to a plan — are so important.
January 26, 2018
All Pro Freight's Chris Haas
Chris Haas spent a decade growing All Pro Freight Systems at a “grinding” pace until he realized that growth by acquisition could multiply his capacity more quickly.
January 19, 2018
Resilience Capital’s Bassem Mansour
Resilience Capital Partners' co-CEO Bassem Mansour talks about the shifting entrepreneurial mindset, the value of an unbiased professional opinion and the state of today’s capital market.
January 12, 2018
Lubrizol’s Eric R. Schnur
Lubrizol CEO Eric R. Schnur talks about his approach to M&A and how his range of experiences at Lubrizol has made him a better dealmaker.
January 5, 2018
Michael Feuer: How egos killed an OfficeMax/Staples merger
OfficeMax founder Michael Feuer talks about the times he let ego get in the way of a deal and how his approach to dealmaking has changed over the years.
December 15, 2017
BDO’s Bob Littman
Bob Littman talks about being ready to act, finding the right partner and how options have changed for dealmakers over the years.
December 15, 2017
Chris Hyland: Assume nothing
Hyland Software CFO Chris Hyland talks about the importance of asking the tough questions and why you can’t always trust sellers to paint a true picture of the culture at your new acquisition.
December 15, 2017
Stewart Kohl on the art of the deal
Stewart Kohl talks about how the art of the deal has changed over the last 30 years.
December 8, 2017
Tony Mercurio: Bring more leaders
Tony Mercurio shares his thoughts on how to avoid falling victim to the ticking clock when making a deal and why becoming a regular dealmaker could be deadly to your business.
November 30, 2017
Brown Gibbons Lang's Michael Gibbons
Investment banker Mike Gibbons to talk about what CEOs need to know right now about selling their businesses.
November 30, 2017
Bob Campana: 'We have a lot of upside'
Bob Campana talks about the state of the current capital market, some tips that guide his approach to dealmaking and one of his most memorable deals.
November 16, 2017
Sotera Health's Michael Petras
Michael B. Petras knows how to grow a business and he spoke with Smart Business Dealmakers about the best approach to take when negotiating deals with other companies.
November 9, 2017
Monte Ahuja on coming back to Transtar
After Transtar filed for bankruptcy, founder Monte Ahuja reinvested in the company and returned as CEO. We sat down with him to learn why he was willing to take back the helm at Transtar and what he experienced on his return
November 9, 2017
UH’s Tom Zenty
University Hospitals CEO Tom Zenty III talks about his approach to dealmaking and explains why culture can make or break any transaction.
November 9, 2017
Steve Demetriou's 3 rules of dealmaking
Jacobs CEO Steve Demetriou shares his three rules of dealmaking with the Aspire 2017 audience during a question and answer session with Smart Business CEO Fred Koury.
November 3, 2017
Riverside Co.'s Stewart Kohl
Stewart Kohl leads a global private equity firm with more than $6 billion in assets under management and nearly 500 acquisitions under its belt. None of that would have been possible if Kohl had not taken the time to prepare for each negotiation.
