Business Valuation... Real Talk

Having ESOPs as an alternative platform for a potential exit strategy has gained a lot of momentum for a variety of reasons. This podcast explores three areas of interest for considering the ESOP option: 1. Professional Services 2. M&A Growth Strategy and 3. Government support.

Our current economic and market conditions have shifted a great deal in the first quarter of 2025. This shift has brought on both uncertainty and the unknown for any opportunities for M&A for middle market businesses. This month, we will tackle three things to keep an eye on as we go through this next wave. 

To kick off 2025, we are going to discuss Preparing your Business for an Exit, with a special guest, Sankeetha Selvarajah. Sankeetha is the chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Corporate at Romano Law, a corporate law firm in lower Manhattan New York.

The valuation of crypto assets (Bitcoin) has emerged as a critical topic owing to the growth in popularity and adoption of crypto assets. While many recognize crypto assets as a legitimate asset class, many remain skeptical of their value proposition, leading to varied opinions and debates in the industry.

One of the most exciting things about receiving the final valuation report is to turn to page 3 – the value of the company. The truth is the real value of the report follows in the next 70 to 100 pages. And if done correctly, The Day After, you should be able to implement a strategy from the output of your valuation report to take your business to the next level.

There are certain things in the world of valuations, no two businesses are the same and neither are two valuations. If you are in the market to acquire or preparing to sell your company, there are things you need to know and not fall for a poor valuation which could cost one side of the transactions millions and in some cases substantial legal issues.

Over the last several months there has been a big energy shift towards ESOPs. This episode will focus on what is driving this energy shift and what business owners need to know before moving forward with an ESOP. Owners need to understand the importance of having a feasibility study performed.

Cash flow issues and inadequate money management are consistently viewed as the top reasons why businesses fail. It is certainly vital to owners, founders, and boards to sharpen their cash flow forecasting ability and develop a strong understanding of one the most important valuation metrics Free Cash Flow (FCF).

Something you should be aware of regardless of who you make that winning business pitch to, be it a bank, private equity group, venture capitalist, or angel investors. Each one of these groups has a different objective or purpose on why they will invest in your company. 

For Founders and Early-Stage companies, raising capital is priority number one. Understanding why is the first step. Followed by understanding the types of capital raised. Leaving you with the types of sources of a capital raise. 

As we move further into the new year, as an Early-Stage Founder, it is important to understand where you go to raise capital and how you position your business to find the right partner. This is a three-part series. Part 1: Understanding the stages of a capital raise and the platforms that raise capital.

With the Tax Cut and Jobs Act sunset provisions in 2026 quickly approaching, Family
Limited Partnerships have become a very popular vehicle for families that have
appreciable assets. Learn how valuation discounts can be a valuable tool to understand
as you transfer your assets.

Valuation multiples provide a simple yet effective way to assess the worth of a business by comparing it to similar companies in the market. However, using valuation multiples is not just about plugging in numbers and getting a result. It requires a strategic approach and considering multiple factors that can cause different results in the value of your business. 

As a sports fan, most if not all, have a dream of being a sports franchise owner. In this episode, being a minority owner in a sports franchise, may not be as difficult as it may appear. And how the valuation of the franchise can assist you in your decision, for buying the big ticket!

Whether we are backtracking to 2019 or discussing it now in 2023, the most important tool in a company tool box to deal with partnership discussions, how to reward and retain talent, or even understand the current state of the business is having a business valuation. This episode, we will break down each area and show how having a valuation could make those conversations and decisions a little easier. 

When it comes to exiting a business, most are familiar with the big three: Sell to a third party, transfer to a family member or work until you close the business down. Yet, there is another alternative that is not talked about a lot. In this episode, Stephen White, managing partner of Onyx Partners Group will discuss the best kept secret of the exit strategy platform, ESOPs!