Top M&A Entrepreneurs
Welcome to Top M&A Entrepreneurs – your go-to resource for inspiration, insight, and actionable advice on business buying. Each episode features engaging conversations with business buyers who share their “why” and industry service providers who break down the “how.” Learn from the pros and take your next step toward a successful acquisition with confidence.
Episodes
I wanted to know more about QSBS…
So I found someone who used it—not just read the IRS page.
Kevin McGee is an attorney who bought a craft brewing company. He used QSBS to eliminate capital gains tax on the exit.
We sat down and talked about:
- How QSBS works (and what most buyers get wrong)
- New rule changes in 2025 that make it even more powerful
- The legal landmines that can kill your QSBS eligibility
- How to set up a C-Corp to ac...
What do crawfish, Walmart, and 7-Eleven have in common?
Neal Cobb.
He started as a chiropractor. Then built a delivery startup that scaled to 35 states, raised $20M, and was acquired by 7-Eleven. In this episode, Neal shares how he turned down $10M, powered through COVID, and now buys legacy businesses with big EBITDA and long-term upside.
Chapters:
00:00 From Chiropractor to Startup Founder
05:38...
👉 How Ready Are YOU to Buy a Business? Take the free 5-minute quiz:
https://www.dealflowsystem.net/bbr-score 🎯 Get your score. Spot your blind spots. Fix them before they kill your deal.
Jackie Hirsch has sold over 400 businesses since 1998. In this episode, she breaks down the most common mistakes first-time buyers make—and what separates the ones who close from the ones who never will. We talk due diligence,...
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Summary
This guy’s bought SIX companies in just THREE years. And he’s not flipping them. He’s holding for 50 YEARS.
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Sullivan from North Park Group—and if you’re in the M&A game (or want to be), you need to hear this.
Ryan’s not chasing shiny objects. He’s quietly building a portfolio of small, family-run manufactur...
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What Happens When a Guy with Grit Takes on M&A Without a Giant PE Firm Behind Him?
In this episode, Casey Minshew lays it out—no fluff.
He walks us through his real-world journey as an independent sponsor—finding deals, funding them, and figuring it out as he goes. No Wall Street suits. Just persistence, smart due diligence, and a crew he trusts.<...
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What We Talked About:
I sat down with Sean Smith from SMB Investor Network and we broke down exactly how first-time buyers can actually raise equity to buy a small business — without the usual myths, BS, or dead-end advice.
We covered:
- What investors really want to see before they write a check
- Why having your own skin in the game still matters (sorry, no magic button)
- How ...
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Summary
In this conversation, Jon Stoddard and Stephen Speer discuss the current state of the e-commerce sector amidst rising tariffs on Chinese imports. They explore the implications of these tariffs on pricing, supply chains, and acquisition strategies for e-commerce businesses. Stephen shares insights on how to navigate these challenges, emphasizing the importance of...
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Summary
If you’re buying your first business — you need to hear this.
No, you don’t need to become a business broker.
But you’d be crazy not to learn from one.
Because 90% of first-time business sales go through a broker...
So if you want to win the game, you better understand how the game is played.
In this episode, Jeffrey Jump (former Navy, now a business broker who’s seen it ...
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Lindsay Gremmer didn’t just buy a company—she engineered an ATM. Starting with a finance degree and zero illusions about how tough business can be, she acquired Vail Financial Services, an accounting firm with solid bones but untapped potential. What happened next?
She scaled it like a pro.
She optimized operations, built rock-solid client relationships, and turned the busin...
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Alright, here’s the deal—Rob Lombardi went from military life to crushing it in business. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He took some hits, learned some hard lessons, and figured out what actually works: adding value, knowing when to exit, and making smart moves instead of just chasing money.
His secret weapon? Consulting for equity. Instead of just giving advic...
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Summary
Jon Stoddard sits down with Jed Morris—a veteran who swapped the military for business ownership. He thought buying a business would be his golden ticket. Instead? A crash course in what not to do.
Jed dives into his journey through ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition), finding and acquiring a landscaping business, and the hard truth: just because a business looks “boring...
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Summary
In this eye-opening interview, Jon Stoddard talks with Patrick Lange, a top-tier business broker who has mastered the art of selling HVAC companies. Patrick shares his journey from owning an HVAC business to becoming the industry’s go-to expert for buying and selling HVAC companies.
This conversation dives deep into:
The critical importance of ...
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Summary
In this conversation, Jon Stoddard interviews Scott Wiebel from Sierra Pacific Partners, delving into the intricacies of investment banking and the business selling process. They discuss the importance of building relationships for deal flow, the motivations behind selling a business, the due diligence process, and the emotional aspects of closing deals. Scott shares insi...
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Summary
In this conversation, Jon Stoddard interviews Jules Brenner from Metal Solutions Holdings, discussing the company's journey in acquiring multiple welding and metal manufacturing businesses. They explore the importance of partnerships, the challenges of refining a buy box, the self-funding approach, and the unique landscape of California manufacturing. ...
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Summary
Can Self-Funded Searchers REALLY Raise MILLIONS of CAPITAL to Buy a Business? Sean Smith of Search Fund Ventures explains how its done.
Takeaways
• Search Fund Ventures focuses on self-funded searchers and independent sponsors.
• They target essential products and services for investment.
• Investment involves filling equity gaps f...
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Summary
In this conversation, Jon Stoddard interviews John Panaccione, an Army veteran and entrepreneur who co-founded LogicBay and later launched Folla Capital. They discuss the intricacies of participating preferred equity, the challenges of raising capital for small to medium-sized business acquisitions, and the evolving landscape of SBA loans. John shares insights on structur...
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Summary
In this conversation, Daniel Gertrudes shares his journey from a corporate background to becoming an entrepreneur in the accounting industry. He discusses the challenges and insights gained from acquiring accounting firms, transforming operations to the cloud, and the evolution of financial services. The conversation also delves into marketing strategies, the im...
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Summary
Nathan Lenahan didn’t just “fall” into success—he fought for it. In this gripping conversation, he reveals the raw, unfiltered truth about the challenges he faced in his early business acquisitions and how a single strategic pivot to HVAC transformed everything. You’ll hear how Nathan overcame growth roadblocks, built a powerhouse team, and launched a recru...
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Summary
Michael Ly reveals how he built Reconciled from the ground up and then acquired 3 more accounting firms. Discover his secrets to scaling with outsourced accounting, cold email outreach, and using tech to streamline the workload. He uncovers the biggest challenges in the accounting industry today—AI, fewer grads, and more. Michael shares insights on finding capit...
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Summary
Adam Coffey discusses the re-release of his book, Private Equity Playbook, and the importance of understanding private equity for entrepreneurs. He explains how private equity works, including the process of raising funds, buying and growing companies, and generating returns. Coffey emphasizes the potential for entrepreneurs to use private equity as a tool for w...
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