All Episodes

November 14, 2023 52 mins

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CEO of FE International, Thomas Smale. FE International specializes in tech-focused M&A advisory services for businesses in the $1 to $100 million exit sector. With over 1500 deals closed and a total value of over $50 billion, Thomas' experience in the SaaS, e-commerce, and digital media content categories is awe-inspiring.

One of the key topics discussed was why small business owners choose to engage with Thomas and pursue an M&A exit strategy. Thomas firmly believes that every entrepreneur should have an exit strategy in mind, even if it's not immediate. Whether it's due to personal or financial changes, or the emergence of a new business opportunity, having a specific financial exit goal is crucial.

Thomas shared his insights on the changing landscape of M&A deals. He explained that while strategic acquisitions are still important, the opportunistic aspect of M&A is becoming more challenging. Interestingly, he mentioned that buyers are becoming more disciplined but also more creative. For instance, private equity funds that previously wouldn't consider deals below a certain valuation are now open to smaller deals. This means that there is a lot of demand for relatively small businesses with valuations below $100 million.

Thomas emphasized the importance of focusing on building a good business rather than solely planning for an exit. He cautioned against getting caught up in specific metrics that may not be relevant to every business and advised entrepreneurs to prioritize revenue growth and the overall size of their business. He also highlighted the significance of profitability and tangible results, rather than relying on potential and big visions that have yet to be realized.

To learn more about Thomas' work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.