Podcasts about ebitda

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack break down what “smart investing” actually looks like for home service operators—starting with the truth most owners miss: if you run a business, you're already an investor. You're investing money, attention, and people every day.They start with a practical framework for P&L investing (software, headcount, SG&A): if your business sells for a multiple, then any new expense should produce a return that justifies that multiple—otherwise, you may be quietly reducing enterprise value.From there, they unpack the difference between balance sheet investments (trucks, equipment, inventory) vs P&L investments, why banks and buyers mostly care about EBITDA, and how focusing on fewer initiatives can drive more profitable growth.Then they shift into the “outside the business” conversation: when diversification helps, when it's a distraction, and how operators can think in two buckets—cash-flow assets that fund life, and enterprise-value assets that build wealth.If you're adding software, hiring leaders, buying equipment, or debating real estate vs reinvesting in the core business—this episode gives you a clean way to think about ROI, focus, and capital allocation.What You'll LearnWhy every operator is an investor (capital, people, and attention allocation)A simple rule for P&L expenses: should this generate a 3x+ return based on your business multiple?The difference between investing on the balance sheet vs the P&L

Professional sports franchises are some of the most recognizable brands on earth, yet many operate with negative annual cash flows. This deep dive moves past the scoreboard to explore the "Billion-Dollar Paradox": how trophies worth billions can lose money on paper while their valuations double every decade.The Pillars of Team RevenueModern sports finance has moved far beyond ticket sales and hot dogs. Today, revenue is driven by long-term, stable engines:Media & Broadcast Rights: The "stability engine" of sports. Leagues like the NFL have secured over $100 billion in media deals with giants like Amazon and ESPN. These deals provide a guaranteed income floor that supports high valuations regardless of on-field performance.Stadium Economics & Premium Seating: The real differentiator is controlling the "premium experience." Teams like the Dallas Cowboys generate over $600 million annually through high-margin luxury suites, club access, and naming rights deals (e.g., the $700M crypto.com Arena deal).The Real Estate Play: Sophisticated owners now build "entertainment districts" around stadiums. The Atlanta Braves' development, The Battery, actually generates more operating profit than the baseball team itself due to steady rental income and higher margins.The Financial Drains: Why Teams "Lose" MoneyDespite massive revenue, the high cost of competitiveness creates a brutal balance sheet:The Cost of Winning: Player salaries typically account for 50% to 60% of total revenue. This is a gargantuan fixed cost compared to other industries.The Luxury Tax: Leagues use this penalty to discourage runaway spending. Teams like the Golden State Warriors have paid hundreds of millions in penalties just to keep a championship-caliber roster together, viewed as an investment in long-term brand equity.Infrastructure Debt: Modern stadiums cost between $1B and $5B. These are financed with massive debt packages tied to future media revenue, making interest payments a significant recurring cost.Valuation vs. ProfitabilityIn sports, traditional metrics like EBITDA are often useless because they are volatile or negative. Instead, finance teams use:Revenue Multiples: Valuing a team based on total annual revenue divided by the sale price. Because revenue (from media) is predictable and growing, this provides a more stable anchor for billionaires and private equity firms.Asset Appreciation: Owners view teams like fine art or exclusive real estate. The scarcity of franchises (fixed supply) combined with rising global demand drives valuations up even when the income statement is in the red.Case Studies: Strategy on the SpreadsheetFC Barcelona: A cautionary tale of brand strength failing to protect a team from a "debt trap" caused by rigid player contracts and heavy infrastructure loans.Phoenix Suns: A textbook turnaround showing how modernizing ticketing analytics and stadium monetization can skyrocket a team's valuation before a single game is won.Oakland Athletics (Las Vegas Relocation): A pure infrastructure strategy—abandoning a money-losing venue for a new stadium they control in a high-tourism market.

Jen Gaster: How she sold her business to her team (and kept the tax bill at zero)Jen Gaster launched HR Heads in 2008 at the height of the financial crisis with a six-month-old baby and zero income security.17 years later, she runs three brands, 22 people, and just completed an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transaction.Tax-free exit, 5-year payout. The employees own the business when the mortgage is paid off.One week after they completed the deal, Rachel Reeves changed the rules.EOT payments are now taxable for anyone doing it after the budget.Jen got in just in time.But here's what makes this story different.She built the business with her husband Rupert. Same office but separate brands and working processes (They've literally only attended one client meeting together in their entire lives!)This week on The RAG Podcast, Jen tells the full story.We cover:Starting a business during the 2008 financial crash with a babyWorking with your spouse without destroying your marriageWhy she admits "I don't think I'm a brilliant man manager"The EOT transaction and how they structured a tax-free exitHow Rachel Reeves' budget changed the rules one week after they completedWhy legacy mattered more than a trade saleThis isn't about building an empire.It's about a founder who wanted to reward the people who built the business with her and managed to do it without a tax bill.If you've ever wondered whether there's another way to exit, this episode has the blueprint.__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: AtlasAdmin is a massive waste of time. That's why there's Atlas, the AI-first recruitment platform built for modern agencies.It doesn't only track CVs and calls. It remembers everything. Every email, every interview, every conversation. Instantly searchable, always available. And now, it's entering a whole new era.With Atlas 2.0, you can ask anything and it delivers. With Magic Search, you speak and it listens. It finds the right candidates using real conversations, not simply look for keywords.Atlas 2.0 also makes business development easier than ever. With Opportunities, you can track, manage and grow client relationships, powered by generative AI and built right into your workflow.Need insights? Custom dashboards give you total visibility over your pipeline. And that's not theory. Atlas customers have reported up to 41% EBITDA growth and an 85% increase in monthly billings after adopting the platform.No admin. No silos. No lost info. Nothing but faster shortlists, better hires and more time to focus on what actually drives revenue.Atlas is your personal AI partner for modern recruiting.Don't miss the future of recruitment. Get started with Atlas today and unlock your exclusive RAG listener offer at https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: HoxoEvery recruitment founder is investing in LinkedIn.Spending thousands on Recruiter licences.Building connections. Posting content. Growing networks.But here's the question almost no one can answer:How much revenue is LinkedIn actually bringing into your business?Most founders have thousands of connections but no clear process to turn that attention into cash.That's the problem we solve.At Hoxo, we help recruitment founders build predictable revenue systems on LinkedIn, not just noise or vanity metrics.Our clients are turning LinkedIn into £100K–£300K in new billings within months, using their existing networks and a simple repeatable process.To show you how it works, we've created a short training video exclusively for RAG listeners.In less than 10 minutes,...

Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same.Register for the webinar: What Killed Deals in 2025 - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/44r1pH5Topics in Robert's interview:Influence of his late fatherThe “go bigger” search philosophyAppeal of the home health care industry17-month acquisition processChoosing to operate “in the weeds” of the businessLeading with high expectationsFocusing on increasing salesAchieving 15% growth in 8 monthsWorking capital dynamics in home careInvesting in employeesReferences and how to contact Robert:LinkedInAizik Zimerman on Acquiring Minds: Founder Mode for ETA $6m to $25m in 3 YearsMorgan McCauley on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a $2.5m Home Care BusinessDevin Fitzgerald on Acquiring Minds: Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of EquityRobert Graham & Aaron Blick on Acquiring Minds: How to Build a Roll-Up to $60m RevenueJérôme Bouillon on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy & Double a Home Care AgencyGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

UNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/41Sm05NIn this episode, Jordan Ross sits down with Todd Taskey to unpack what really drives the value of a digital marketing agency when it's time to sell. They explore how AI, tech enablement, and recurring revenue models are reshaping business valuations and exit strategies. Todd breaks down the financial levers like EBITDA, buyer types, and strategic acquisitions that can dramatically affect an agency's sale price. Whether you're preparing for a near-term exit or planning long-term growth, this episode offers a roadmap to positioning your agency for maximum value in a rapidly evolving market.ChaptersIntroduction to Business ValuationMarket Trends and Valuation MultiplesThe Impact of AI on Agency ValuationStrategic Acquisitions and Market PositioningRevenue and Retention as Key MetricsNavigating the Future of Agency GrowthThe Role of Strategic BuyersConclusion and ResourcesTo learn more go to 8figureagency.coTo reach out to Todd go to www.towerpartners.comTo listen to Todd go to SecondBitePodcast.com

A la tête du groupe Kerogo, Christophe Pingard nous partage le dynamisme du marché de l'expertise comptable, notamment en ligne via sa plateforme Keobiz qui opère auprès de 17.000 clients TPE/PME. 60M€ de chiffre d'affaires et un objectif d'aller cogner plus de 200M€, le groupe surfe sur la révolution qui s'opère dans ce secteur très large (il représente à lui seul plus de 23 milliards d'euros à l'année, uniquement sur le marché français). Le génie du modèle Tech-Enabled-Services prend ici tout son sens, avec une expertise pointue entre les mains des meilleurs spécialistes au sein des cabinets d'expertise comptable. Mailler le territoire grâce à un réseau physique, faire des rachats et bénéficier de l'appui de cette stratégie de Build-Up pour booster la croissance, toute une feuille de route passionnante où la puissance de la Data récoltée au travers des discussions audio ou visio entre les experts comptables et leurs clients révèle tout son sens. Equipé du CRM Salesforce, le groupe conserve tout ce qui fait le sel de sa profitabilité, à savoir sa capacité à facturer son client grâce à ses missions. Chapitres : 0' - Découverte de Kerogo et sa mission de copilote financier 3'09 - L'impact de la technologie sur l'expertise comptable 7'47 - Comment la data et l'IA enrichissent le CRM Salesforce 15'06 - Les clés de l'acquisition et de la gestion client chez Kerogo 26'25 - Critères et enjeux de la stratégie M&A de kerogo 31'43 - La transition vers le zéro papier et la facture électronique 35'39 - Maximiser l'upsell et transversaliser les expertises du groupe 43'31 - Objectifs de marge EBITDA et la vision stratégique future

"Efficiency is the new equity." In the traditional agency model, growth usually means hiring more people to do more manual work. This linear relationship eats into your margins, complicates your operations, and ultimately caps your agency's valuation. To truly scale, you have to break the link between revenue growth and headcount.My guest, Rodney Mattos Sr., returns to the show to break down the math behind this shift. In this episode, we explore how his platform allows agencies to move from "people hours" to "precision hours." We get into the financial mechanics of how reducing OpEx through automation doesn't just increase profit - it expands your EBITDA multiple, exponentially increasing your enterprise value. This is the strategy for building a predictable, high-value agency that investors love.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://calendly.com/aneary/strategy-sessionKEY MOMENTS(00:00:00) How AI Multiplies Agency Value (00:16:18) The "Post Office" Solution: Solving Data Gridlock (00:23:41) The Mirror Effect: Technology That Reflects Human Judgment (00:35:28) The Math: How Efficiency Expands Your Multiple (00:41:47) The Shift From "People Hours" to "Precision Hours" (01:05:03) The Goal is Freedom, Not Fewer PeopleCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

Com a chegada da IA, um novo ativo ganha mais valor nas empresas: a experiência das equipes que vão lidar com ela. Se você já conhece ROI, EBITDA e NPS, chegou a hora de conhecer o ROEx - Retorno sobre Repertório Acumulado - uma métrica inovadora que permite calcular o valor do conhecimento e da experiência das equipes e indivíduos. CONVIDADOS: Fran Winandy, CEO da Acalântis Services, e Martin Henkel, fundador e diretor da SeniorLab.Links do episódioA página do LinkedIn de Martin HenkelA página do LinkedIn de Fran WinandyO artigo "ROEx: O retorno sobre repertório como capital estratégico", publicado na HSM ManagementO filme “Um Senhor Estagiário”, com Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway e Rene Russo, direção de Nancy MeyersO livro “A revolução da longevidade”, de Alexandre KalacheO blog “etarismo.com.br”O site do IBGE com dados demográficos e populacionaisO livro “Longevidade - Uma breve história de como e por que vivemos mais”, de Steven JohnsonO livro “A Trilha Da Longevidade Brasileira: Os segredos de quem alcançou a vida longa, plena, saudável e feliz”, de Martin Henkel e João SengerO livro “Sempre Repórter”, de Lilian Ross, traduzido por Jayme da Costa Pinto  A The Shift é uma plataforma de conteúdo que descomplica os contextos da inovação disruptiva e da economia digital.Visite o site www.theshift.info e assine a newsletter

Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die businessRegister for the webinar: How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3XysjZBTopics in Scott's interview:Wishing he had listened to his gutThe risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentrationManaging highly skilled primadonnas Employee theftLosing key employeesLong sales cycles and fixed quotesForced Covid shutdownRazor and blade business modelFacing aggressive creditorsFiling Chapter 7References and how to contact Scott:LinkedInLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

2025年11月，特斯拉的股东投票通过了CEO马斯克的最新薪酬方案，如果实现了这份方案里的所有目标，马斯克在未来十年，可以获得累计1万亿美元的薪酬。这个数字不仅远超此前上市公司高管的薪酬纪录（此前这个纪录也属于马斯克），甚至可以在全球上市公司里排名前10。要拿到这笔钱，特斯拉届时的市值要达到8.5万亿美元，这个数字可以拍到全球GDP第三。比万亿美元更有趣的是，这个超乎想象的数字之所以被提出，是因为此前特斯拉给马斯克提供的一份薪酬，被法院否决了。于是特斯拉提出了一个更夸张的方案。| 主播 |肖文杰、约小亚| 时间轴 |02:31 这份方案之所以诞生，是因为上一份方案被否决04:07 12级台阶的“白金成就”08:27 EBITDA小课堂13:15 特拉华州的衡平法院可不一般17:15 “压倒性的影响力”22:27 谁支持，谁反对26:32 这份方案里比数字更反常的一个条款30:01 创始人CEO的悖论35:17 这份方案赌的只是特斯拉吗？| 延伸资料 |特斯拉董事会关于马斯克薪酬方案的公告https://ir.tesla.com/_flysystem/s3/sec/000093807625000017/fsbateslase-gen.pdf马斯克前后两份薪酬对比https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2025/09/29/the-trillion-dollar-man-comparing-musks-2018-pay-plan-to-his-latest-tesla-award/特拉华州衡平法院对2018版薪酬的判决https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/court-of-chancery/2019/ca-2018-0408-jrs.html| 后期制作 |潘鑫| 声音设计 |刘三菜| 收听方式 |你可以通过小宇宙、苹果播客、Spotify、喜马拉雅、网易云音乐、QQ 音乐、荔枝、豆瓣等平台收听节目。| 认识我们 |微信公众号：第一财经 YiMagazine联系我们：thatisbiz@yicai.com

Dr. Andreas Seifert, CEO von Easybill, nimmt uns mit auf die Reise vom Morgen an der Elbe ins Zentrum eines der technisch unterschätztesten Geschäftsfelder: Rechnungsstellung. Im Gespräch mit Carsten Puschmann erklärt Andreas, warum Produkt-Tiefe und Compliance die unsichtbaren Wettbewerbsvorteile sind, wie Easybill 50.000 aktive Kunden gewonnen hat — und warum die anstehende Pflicht zur E-Rechnung (01.01.2028) ein riesiger Wachstumshebel für europäische SaaS-Player ist.Wir reden über:

Optima Health PLC (AIM:OPT) chief executive Jonathan Thomas talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company's strong first half performance, posting 17% revenue growth. Thomas credited both organic expansion and recent M&A activity, including the acquisitions of Cognate Health in Ireland and Care first, as key contributors. “The market backdrop is really good. There's great demand for our services. We're winning new business, and we anticipate to continue to grow,” said Thomas. He outlined how Cognate Health has now been rebranded as Optima Health Ireland, with the company beginning to leverage revenue synergies across jurisdictions. Care first, which complements Optima's existing EAP and mental health operations, is expected to complete its integration in Q4 of the current financial year. Thomas also discussed the company's operational transformation programme, which is designed to improve margins and scale effectively as growth continues. This includes clinical enhancements, automating processes, and optimising central support functions. The interview also touched on Optima's £210 million UK Armed Forces contract, now being mobilised, and £8.3 million of new business either signed or at preferred bidder stage—positioning the company for growth into FY27 and FY28. Looking ahead, Thomas reaffirmed the company's target of reaching £200 million in revenue and £40 million EBITDA, driven by organic growth, operational efficiency, and further M&A. For more interviews like this, visit Proactive's YouTube channel. Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications for future updates. #OptimaHealth #HealthcareStocks #EarningsUpdate #MergersAndAcquisitions #OperationalTransformation #MentalHealthServices #HealthcareUK #RevenueGrowth #EBITDA #ProactiveInvestors

Have you ever thought about what happens to your business when you're ready to step away? In this episode, Erin Fenstermaker, certified exit planner and pet industry veteran, breaks down the key elements that make a pet business valuable and sellable. She discusses the importance of recurring revenue, documented systems, and building a team of employees over independent contractors. Erin also explains what EBITDA is, what influences it, and how emotional readiness impacts a successful exit. Whether you're brand new or 30 years in, this conversation offers a roadmap to long-term value and future-proofing your business. Main Topics Exit planning and unplanned events Employees vs independent contractors What makes a business transferable Understanding EBITDA and business valuation Emotional aspects of selling a business Main Takeaway: "Exit planning is simply good business strategy." Whether you're thinking of selling or not, building a business that can operate without you creates value, freedom, and peace of mind. From documented systems to employee-led teams, what you build today impacts your options tomorrow. Even if you never sell, you'll gain a stronger, more resilient business that supports your lifestyle. So don't wait until it's too late—start exit planning now, because it's really just smart strategy. About our guest: Erin Fenstermaker is a certified exit planner and business consultant with over 20 years of experience in the pet industry. Through her firm, EF Consulting, she helps pet service businesses improve their operations, convert from independent contractor models to employee-based teams, and prepare for acquisition or sale. Erin also works with larger pet product companies through Birdseye Advisory Group and brings deep knowledge of market trends, business valuation, and strategic growth. She's passionate about building sustainable, scalable businesses that are both profitable and people-centered. Links EARN 1 CEU for PSI or NAPPS Erinfenstermaker.com - Pet industry consultant & certified exit planner (CEPA) Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

Points of Interest00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes M&A advisor Todd Taskey, who specializes in investment banking transactions for digital marketing agencies doing $1–5M in EBITDA.01:30 – 02:40 – What Investment Banking Actually Means for Agencies: Todd explains what “investment banking transactions” are in plain language, covering how his team guides owners from first conversations through closing and integration.02:40 – 06:30 – The “Second Bite” Thesis and Evolutionary Transactions: Todd introduces his “second bite” concept using real client stories, showing how selling part of an agency can be a strategic leap forward rather than the end of an owner's journey.06:30 – 09:20 – Private Equity as Growth Partner, Not Villain: Marcel raises common fears about private equity, and Todd contrasts horror stories of big corporate deals with growth-focused PE in the $2M EBITDA range that needs more good people, not fewer.09:20 – 12:30 – How Earn-Outs Go Right (or Wrong): Todd shares how unrealistic projections in a pitch deck can make earn-out targets impossible, and explains his playbook for setting conservative growth assumptions that founders can actually beat.12:30 – 16:30 – Inside the Private Equity Business Model: Todd breaks down how PE funds are structured, how they earn management fees and returns, and why growing EBITDA and achieving multiple expansion is central to their strategy.16:30 – 19:30 – Case Studies of PE-Backed Agency Growth: Using examples like Power Digital and other PE-backed platforms, Todd illustrates how tucking in specialized agencies (CRO, Amazon, etc.) can generate outsized returns for both founders and investors.19:30 – 24:30 – Why Private Equity Wins: Data, Rigor, and Talent: Todd describes the level of analysis PE brings to the table—cohort analysis, retention metrics, financial rigor—and how this “art and science” combination helps them repeatedly grow and sell agencies.24:30 – 28:40 – The Experience Imbalance and Need for a Real Process: Marcel highlights the experience gap between founders and professional acquirers, and Todd explains why running a structured process with multiple buyers is essential for true price discovery.28:40 – 33:10 – Free Consulting: What the Market Really Values in Your Agency: Todd outlines how conversations with 20–30 serious buyers surface recurring themes—“this, that, and the other thing”—that tell you exactly what to fix to increase valuation, even if you do not sell.33:10 – 38:30 – AI, Efficiency, and the Future of Agency Valuations: Todd shares his view that AI will most directly impact valuations through efficiency gains and margin expansion, allowing agencies to stack more clients on the same headcount and drive higher EBITDA.Show NotesConnect with Todd:LinkedInTower PartnersEmail: todd@towerpartners.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Helen Buchan-Connor on why she's building offshore teams and hitting $600K revenue"All I wanted to do was make £100,000. That's it"Helen Buchan Connor started her recruitment business in September 2020.Her husband had just been diagnosed with lymphoma.COVID had locked down Singapore a week earlier.She was working from her lift lobby because there was no space for an office.Most people would've waited for a "better time."Helen didn't have that luxury.First year: $350K revenue, $50K profit.But then 2023 hit. The market turned. She lost $200K.She'd taken investment. Signed a JV with a well-known player in the industry.The advice she got?"Work harder. Do more calls."But you can't bring UK-style metrics into Southeast Asia and expect them to land."In Southeast Asia, trust is built off relationships. In the West, it's built off performance."So Helen stripped it back. Looked at what the big tech companies were actually doing.Amazon. Google. The major media agencies.They were all offshoring. Quietly.She decided to do it loudly.Today:- Three-person team- $600K revenue- Phone off at 7 pm- Present mother and wife- Building offshore hubs for ad tech clients across Southeast AsiaThis week on The RAG Podcast, Helen breaks down exactly how she built it.We cover:- Why she started in the middle of a pandemic with a seriously ill husband- How she turned $350K Year 1 into a $200K loss in Year 3- Why the JV investment model failed her (and what she learned)- The Southeast Asia + Philippines combination that changed everything- How she's consulting clients OUT of hiring decisions (and still growing revenue)- Why "surviving is thriving" when you're a working parent building a businessThis isn't about grinding harder or scaling to 50 headcount.This is about building a recruitment business that fits your life.Not the other way around."Surviving is thriving. If you've got it together at the end of the week, you're good. If your kids like you, you're good. If you've got a couple of clients and you can invoice them, you're good."If you want to understand how to build profitably without sacrificing everything else, this episode is essential.__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: AtlasAdmin is a massive waste of time. That's why there's Atlas, the AI-first recruitment platform built for modern agencies.It doesn't only track CVs and calls. It remembers everything. Every email, every interview, every conversation. Instantly searchable, always available. And now, it's entering a whole new era.With Atlas 2.0, you can ask anything and it delivers. With Magic Search, you speak and it listens. It finds the right candidates using real conversations, not simply look for keywords.Atlas 2.0 also makes business development easier than ever. With Opportunities, you can track, manage and grow client relationships, powered by generative AI and built right into your workflow.Need insights? Custom dashboards give you total visibility over your pipeline. And that's not theory. Atlas customers have reported up to 41% EBITDA growth and an 85% increase in monthly billings after adopting the platform.No admin. No silos. No lost info. Nothing but faster shortlists, better hires and more time to focus on what actually drives revenue.Atlas is your personal AI partner for modern...

In this Seller Master Class episode, the team digs into readiness: the unsexy work that makes or breaks your deal.Last time, they explored the decision to sell. This week is all about getting your house in order so buyers can move quickly and confidently through diligence.We cover why “time kills all deals” and how the vibrancy or cadence of a deal is driven by how fast you can deliver clean, accurate information.Financial readiness basics:Clean P&L with defensible add-backs and clear, normalized EBITDAMoving from cash to accrual accounting and resolving open issuesUnderstanding your revenue mix (recurring vs. one-time vs. resale, deferred revenue)Showing consistency over years, not just monthsPeople & leadership readiness:Reducing over-dependence on the founder across sales, operations, and deliveryDemonstrating a leadership team that can scale and executeSuccession planning — including “who's in the tent” during a transactionUsing data (e.g., sales leadership forecasting growth from customer intimacy) to prove leadership impactOperational readiness:Tool stack hygiene, systems that actually work, and useful dashboardsPSA/ticketing discipline and clarity on what makes up your gross marginTransferable contracts with clean renewal and termination languageCustomer satisfaction metrics buyers will want to seeCustomer & contract hygiene:Clear target market and GTM strategy (vertical, size, geography, problem-based, etc.)Demonstrating long-term, renewing, high-intimacy customer relationshipsMaking sure contracts and your chart of accounts tell the same story buyers see in the dataLegal and compliance housekeeping:Corporate and regulatory filings (e.g., secretary of state docs, LLC details)Clean cap tableFixing misclassified contractors, missing signatures, and expired MSAs before diligenceIf you only have 90 days to get ready:Prioritize financial readiness and third-party-vetted numbersTighten up contracts and leadership accountability (“who's who in the zoo”)Start building a data room with financial, contract, and operational data buyers will expect to seeTying it together with strategy:How “selling in” vs. “selling out” ties to your readiness storyShowing that your differentiation, GTM, and organization are well thought out — and executable with or without the founder in the seatThis episode is perfect for:Founders and leaders of IT services and MSP firms who see an exit on the horizon and want to avoid value-eroding surprises in diligence. Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Buy, sell, or grow your tech-enabled services firm with Revenue Rocket.

If you've ever wondered what happens when you mix hustle, humility, a bit of chaos, and a moment of pure stage-fright… this episode has you covered.This week, I sat down with Tom James, Managing Director of Bill's Restaurants, and a man whose career has taken him from glass collector to running iconic hospitality brands with a detour involving an incident with Jamie Oliver. Is that really his name?it's every bit as painful and glorious as it sounds.But beyond the comedy gold, Tom brings serious insight on leadership, culture, brand evolution, and the real work behind transforming a casual dining business in a turbulent market.In This EpisodeThe 16 year old glass collector who instantly fell in love with the buzz of hospitalityWhy hospitality should count as national serviceThe mentor who changed Tom's life and convinced him to skip his degree for a bar manager job at 20Becoming a General Manager at 24 and the power of someone seeing potential in you before you see it in yourselfForgetting everything you think you know when joining a new business (and why it matters)The Padstow Hotel summer that taught him more in four weeks than the entire year beforeWhy casual dining's old “playbooks” no longer work in a market that changes every two monthsHow Bill's rebuilt its identity, doubled EBITDA, and refocused the business around culture, data and genuine hospitalityWhy six out of ten experiences are basically an invitation to try somewhere elseStand-Out Quotes“You've always got to find a way. The failures… what are the learnings? How can I do it better?”“The nicest, kindest, most generous man I've met in hospitality is Bill — he's still our cultural benchmark.”“Six out of ten is saying: try somewhere else next time.”“The best loyalty comes from emotional connection — not discounting.”“I learned more in four weeks running that hotel than in the entire year before.”Why ListenThis episode is a masterclass in:Leadership without egoCulture-driven transformationBrand identity in a challenging marketThe messy, human, hilarious reality of hospitalityAnd above all, Tom's story is a reminder of why this industry is so special:it takes good people, stretches them, teaches them, shapes them — and occasionally gives them stories they'll never, ever live down.Including Jamie OliverShow PartnersA big shout out to the first of today's show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud's time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philAlso, a massive shout out to our new show partners ApronRunning a hospitality business means juggling endless payments - from suppliers to staff - all while keeping cash flow in check. That's where Apron helps.With Apron Bill Pay, you can manage every supplier payment in one place, approve and schedule bills,...

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Ken Goodrich — legendary home services operator, turnaround specialist, and former CEO/Chairman of Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing — to unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and successfully exit a home service business.Ken shares the origin story that shaped his entire career: buying his first HVAC business at 25, getting crushed by payroll tax mistakes, and discovering The E-Myth at the exact moment everything fell apart. That wake-up call turned into a repeatable business-building playbook — one he's used to build and sell six home service companies, including taking Goettl from $11M in revenue and losing $3M to $250M across 11 locations and 1,000+ employees.John and Ken dig into the real mechanics of multi-location growth: why most owners hit a wall, how daily scoreboards and call-by-call discipline keep branches aligned, and what changes before you have a full senior leadership bench. Ken also lays out his view on the “sweet spot” for exits, when to bring on capital, and why operators should treat every growth phase like a 1,000-day value creation sprint.If you're thinking about acquisitions, preparing for multi-market expansion, or asking “when is the right time to take chips off the table?” — this episode is the blueprint.What You'll LearnHow Ken used E-Myth systems to go from tech-owner chaos to scalable processThe multi-branch management cadence that keeps remote locations on-trackWhy “easy lead years” create sloppy habits — and how to run with a scarcity mindsetThe real EBITDA thresholds that change your exit options and multiples

Csatlakozz áremelés előtt: dec. 15-én bezár a BB PRO - https://bbpro.hu Ebben az adásban Adi és Zoli teljesen őszintén beszélgetnek arról, milyen volt a Brocasterz egyik legnehezebb, mégis legtanulságosabb időszaka. Adi elmeséli a teljes háttértörténetet: hogyan kellett a működést újratervezni, miért lett elengedhetetlen a csapat átszervezése, milyen hibákat követtek el a toborzásban, és hogyan alakult át a vezetői működése egy mikromenedzsmenttel teli időszak után újra stratégiai gondolkodássá. Közben Zoli a Nomád Cruise-ról jelentkezik be valahonnan Szamoa mellől, és hoz egy éles, üzleti szemléletformáló nézőpontot: hogyan kell EBITDA-módszerrel gondolkodni a cég valós profitjáról. Az epizódban érintjük a román Brocasterz update-et és Zoli cégátvilágítási-sztorijának tanulságait is arról, hogy hogyan nem lett cégeladás az ALH életében. Dolgozz velünk és tanulj tőlünk az adásokon is túl:

In this enlightening episode of MSP Business School, host Brian Doyle sits down with Brian Hoppe to dig deep into the dynamic world of Managed Service Providers. With decades of experience under his belt, Hoppe shares invaluable insights on navigating the tricky terrain of business growth, from the nascent stages to gearing up for exit strategies. The discussion opens up at IT Nation, a gathering close to Hoppe's heart for its opportunities to reconnect and expand within the MSP community, setting the stage for a conversation rich in experience and industry insight. Tackling the trajectory from startup to maturity, the duo explores crucial strategies for MSPs. Brian Hoppe emphasizes understanding financial fundamentals early on, like gross margin and EBITDA, which are vital for eventual scalability and exit readiness. He stresses the importance of evolving from a tech-oriented approach to a shareholder mindset, which ensures MSPs are not only viable but thriving engines of innovation and profit. This thought leadership episode is a treasure trove for MSPs at any stage of their journey, especially those eager to future-proof their operations amid constant technological evolution. Key Takeaways: Understand Financial Metrics: Early understanding of key financial metrics, such as gross margin and EBITDA, is essential for sustainable business growth in the MSP industry. Shift to a Shareholder Mindset: Transitioning from a technician-oriented mindset to a shareholder's perspective can dramatically reshape businesses' value creation and growth strategies. Develop a Sales Engine: Scaling successfully involves moving beyond owner-led sales to building a robust growth engine that isn't dependent solely on referrals. Focus on Leadership Development: As businesses grow, establishing a second tier of leadership and fostering a mature, scalable organization becomes crucial. Prepare for Exit Early: Exit strategies should be planned early in the business life cycle, ensuring maximum valuation and smooth transitions when opportunities arise. Guest Name: Brian Hoppe LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianhoppe/ Company: Brian Hoppe Coaching Website: https://brianhoppe.com/ Show Website: https://mspbusinessschool.com/ Host Brian Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoylevciotoolbox/ Sponsor vCIOToolbox: https://vciotoolbox.com

Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exitRegister for the webinars: How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rBI4NbHow to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - Dec 11th - https://bit.ly/4owBkNWTopics in Andy's interview:His experience as an Army intelligence officerWhen in doubt, do the dirtiest jobThe military concept of “left seat, right seat” trainingSearching from the public libraryVeterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadershipRewards of leading young menGaining warm leads in new marketsHis team's competitive edgeExiting his business to run for mayor of DenverInvesting in self-funded searchersReferences and how to contact Andy:LinkedInSearch Fund Secondaries GroupAndy's webinar: Liquidity Options for Search InvestorsWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

This episode is your essential guide to surviving financial due diligence, the number one hurdle in selling your business. Learn how to prepare your company's books before you go to market, ensuring buyers see a clean, consistent EBITDA that justifies your asking price. Stop leaving millions on the table and discover the expert moves that speed up the process and guarantee a successful M&A exit. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More?  Most Common Deal Killers When Selling Your Business Preparing Financial Statements When Selling a Business M&A Due Diligence Preparation Additional Resources: Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today. Sign up for an Assessment and Valuation of Your Business. Courses: The Art & Science of Selling a Business Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue   If you have any topic or guest suggestions, please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.

Interview with Trent Mell, CEO of Electra Battery Materials Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/electra-battery-metals-tsxvelbm-pioneering-north-americas-critical-mineral-independence-7527Recording date: 5th December 2025Electra Battery Materials is progressing with construction of North America's first battery-grade cobalt refinery, marking a significant step toward reducing Western dependence on Chinese critical mineral processing. The Canadian facility, located just north of Toronto, targets production of 6,500 tons annually starting in 2027.CEO Trent Mell described the company's transformation as "Electra 2.0" following a comprehensive financial restructuring. The company raised $82.5 million in new capital from three levels of government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, alongside private investors. Simultaneously, lenders converted 60% of $67 million in debt to equity, demonstrating confidence in the project's viability. This recapitalization addresses the financial constraints that had paralyzed development over the previous two years.The brownfield refinery redevelopment carries an estimated capital expenditure of $69 million and is valued at over $250 million upon completion. At full capacity, the facility targets $30 million in annual EBITDA, with first-year production expected to generate $15-18 million during the 12-month ramp-up period.Commercial stability comes from a five-year tolling agreement with LG, the largest non-Chinese cobalt buyer globally. This contract covers 60-80% of production at fixed processing margins, insulating Electra from cobalt price volatility. Mell emphasized a conservative approach: "Don't get greedy. Lock in a margin. Let's just not mess it up."Demand fundamentals remain robust despite slower electric vehicle adoption rates. Mell noted that industrial and defense applications, including military drones and night vision goggles, would consume the facility's entire output even without EV demand. Indicative interest already stands at twice production capacity.The 2026 construction timeline includes contractor selection in December 2025, with detailed budgets released in January 2026. Cold commissioning begins late 2026, positioning the facility for commercial production throughout 2027. China currently controls approximately 70% of global cobalt refining capacity, making Electra's domestic processing capability strategically significant for North American supply chain security.View Electra Battery Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/electra-battery-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

In this episode of Built to Sell Radio, John Warrillow sits down with Ujwal Arkalgud, who built the same company twice. Chapter one was a classic problem: a profitable, founder-heavy services firm with impressive EBITDA but a ceiling on valuation. Chapter two began when he turned that service into a productized offering, transformed how customers bought his work, and ultimately sold for more than 15x EBITDA — roughly three times the offer he received as a simple service provider. 

Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door, scaled his home-service company to more than $300M in annual revenue and over 1,100 employees. His journey spans two decades of failures, rebuilding, systemizing, and mastering leadership. In this episode, he breaks down talent acquisition, firing top performers, building an owner-mindset workforce, and the philosophy that helped him 10x EBITDA in under two years.A grounded, tactical conversation on scaling, discipline, mentorship, and the mindset required to build a dominant organization.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Frank and Jon unpack:• Why today's competitive landscape means growth-motivated buyers must approach deals differently.• The three core reasons advisors pursue acquisitions - and which ones actually lead to long-term success.• How leverage, bank financing, and EBITDA-based lending really work in practice.• Why “fixer-upper” books may offer the strongest ROI.• How elite buyers win deals by understanding the emotional side of selling a practice.• The art of creating a safe landing place for sellers, their teams, and their clients.• Why phased buyouts and seller glide paths often create better retention and better economics for everyone.Jon also shares numbers, structures, and stories that demystify the math behind buying a practice - and the mindset required to scale from practitioner to true enterprise builder.If you're a buyer, seller, or advisor considering M&A in any form, this episode is a blueprint you can't afford to miss.Resources:Jon Kuttin's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankuttin  Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.comElite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.comElite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.comJEDI Database Solutions | Data Intelligence for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.comListen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/eliteconsultingpartners

When entrepreneurs think about selling a business, they picture a clean formula: EBITDA × multiple, a "strategic buyer," and a smooth six-month process that ends with a big wire hitting their account.  What almost no one pictures is the real complexity behind an exit. The psychology, the timing, the identity shift, the risk calculus, and the reality that most founders aren't just selling a business… they're handing over a lifetime's work to someone else. That's the part nobody warns you about. Most owners obsess over valuation, but the real danger is preparing too late, choosing the wrong advisors, or stepping into negotiations with a fantasy number another broker promised them to win the listing.  And the cost of that mistake? Years lost, deals collapsing, and owners discovering too late that they should have fixed their accounting, diversified their customer base, or tightened operations years before approaching the market. And underneath all of it is an even deeper truth: exits aren't just financial events; they're emotional ones. If you don't know what your life looks like after the wire hits, you're at risk of waking up with more money than you've ever had… and less purpose than you've ever felt.  In this episode, I'm joined by Gregory Kovsky, president of IBA, one of the oldest and largest business brokerage firms in the Pacific Northwest. We dig into why the market is hotter than ever, how valuation actually works, the unique pitfalls sellers don't see coming, and why the real exit planning starts long before you think you're ready.   Guest Bio Gregory Kovsky is the President and CEO of IBA (International Business Associates), the Pacific Northwest's oldest and largest business brokerage firm. Gregory has successfully negotiated the purchase and sale of over 300 privately held companies and family businesses in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, North Carolina, and Massachusetts since joining IBA as a mergers and acquisitions intermediary in 1994. He has also built a seven-figure, self-managing business across ten locations. He has successfully facilitated transactions involving manufacturing and distribution companies, industrial, marine, and automotive businesses, technology and software companies, and service, education, and retail businesses. A commercial real estate professional for over 30 years, Gregory commonly provides his clients with comprehensive representation in selling a business and the associated real estate. To learn more, visit https://ibainc.com/.   About Your Host From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America's #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is the founder of The Money School™ and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier. His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works. Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.  

How can you effectively prepare your SaaS for an exit? And what should you know about the valuation drivers, buyer types, and metrics that matter most? In a live episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast recorded at SaaS Summit Benelux, host Joran sat down with René de Jong to unpack what it takes for SaaS companies to scale and prepare for a successful exit in 2026. René helps entrepreneurs—specifically SaaS founders—design effective exit strategies and navigate the full process of selling their businesses to third parties. Across the conversation, he offered clear and pragmatic insights on what separates the SaaS businesses that grow and sell well from those that struggle, how buyers evaluate companies in the current market, and why topics like the rule of 40, net revenue retention, AI-driven scalability, and deal structure matter now more than ever. From early-stage focus at 0 to 10K MRR to strategies for moving toward 10 million ARR, René shared guidance grounded in what he sees every day in the market.This episode turns the full discussion into a clear, actionable narrative that stays true to the original conversation and is easier to follow and revisit.Key Timestamps(0:00) - SaaS Summit Benelux intro, B2B SaaS scaling 2026, Rule of 40, NRR, ARR multiples, Earnouts, Strategic buyers, 0-10K MRR, 10M ARR(0:50) - Guest intro, SaaS M&A advisor, SaaS exit strategy, SaaS acquisition process(1:14) - Scaling your SaaS for 2026(1:20) - What separates SaaS winners in 2026(1:26) - Rule of 40, Efficient growth, ARR multiple valuation(2:18) - Go-to-market strategy, New business team, Net Revenue Retention (NRR), Expense efficiency(3:05) - NRR benchmarks, Churn, Customer concentration, Market standards(4:01) - Efficient growth vs spend, AI scalability, Revenue per employee(5:06) - AI native SaaS costs, VC vs mature SaaS valuation, EBITDA vs ARR(6:38) - VC backing for AI native startups(6:48) - Freemium model 2026, Valuation cycles, EBITDA focus, AI hype, ARR multiples(8:05) - Sponsor: B2B SaaS affiliate marketing, Reditus(8:49) - SaaS valuation benchmarks, ARR multiples range(9:01) - 3.5x ARR cash at close, Earnout, Reinvest, Deal structure(10:34) - Venture capital vs Private equity(10:43) - Strategic buyers, One plus one equals three, Synergy valuation(11:22) - Build list of strategic acquirers, Exit planning(11:29) - Headline valuations vs reality, Purchase price, Earnouts, Deal terms(11:51) - Earnout as bonus, Cash at closing, Burnout risk(13:05) - 2026 growth loop, AI in land and expand, Product-led growth, AI agents(14:10) - 0–10K MRR advice, Founder mindset, Learn fast, Mentors, SaaS community(15:35) - Smart capital, Operator investors, Non-dilutive help(16:06) - 10K MRR to 10M ARR, Focus, Buy-and-build strategy, Autonomous growth, 3–5 year plan(17:43) - Contact info, LinkedIn, anno9082.nl(18:03) - Outro, Subscribe, Sponsor the show, Reditus call-to-action

Points of Interest00:01 – 01:28 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the focus of the episode on why cash flow deserves as much attention as profitability in agency businesses.01:28 – 03:31 – Two Extreme Cash Flow Scenarios: Carson shares real client examples of agencies with tight cash despite solid operations and others with healthy bank balances masking eroding profitability, highlighting why cash and profit are easy to confuse.03:31 – 07:35 – Cash Flow vs Profitability and the Accrual Lens: Marcel explains that cash flow and profitability are correlated but distinct, outlining how agencies can be profitable with poor cash flow or unprofitable with strong cash, and introduces the importance of having both cash and accrual views.07:35 – 11:01 – Debt, Leverage, and the Cost of Poor Cash Flow: The conversation turns to agency debt, debt service ratios, and how borrowing is often used to cover weak unit economics, with Marcel warning how costly debt and “poor person pricing” can wipe out thin margins.11:17 – 18:03 – Lever One: Speeding Up Cash Collection: Marcel walks through practical ways to accelerate cash in the door, including stronger payment terms, bigger deposits, earlier invoicing, incentives for early payment, AR processes, auto-pay, and invoice factoring, while stressing how faster cash can create a dangerous illusion of higher profitability.18:03 – 21:28 – Lever Two: Delaying or Spreading Expenditures: The discussion shifts to reducing or smoothing cash outflows via flexible labor, aligning contractor terms with client terms, shortening the “cash down payment” needed to serve large projects, and avoiding unprofitable work chosen only for easier cash flow.21:28 – 26:34 – Variable Cost Models, Leasing, and Refinancing: Marcel outlines options like moving from upfront to usage-based models, leasing instead of buying, using tax planning, and refinancing expensive lines of credit into longer-term, lower-interest loans to ease monthly cash burden.26:34 – 29:04 – The Trap of Short-Term Cash Fixes: They highlight how tactics that conserve cash now—high-interest credit, invoice factoring, short-term debt—often make the business more expensive to run later, and stress the importance of applying for credit while the business is still healthy.29:04 – 33:12 – Lever Three: Building Cash Reserves and Planning for Seasonality: Marcel explains how to build three to six months of operating expenses plus two to four payrolls in cash, manage owner distributions, plan for slow periods like holidays, and use shareholder loans and credit strategically.33:12 – 36:21 – When Big Cash Reserves Hide Problems: The hosts discuss how large cash balances can mask emerging profitability or cash flow issues, arguing for a disciplined cadence of reviewing both cash and accrual metrics so owners see problems before they become crises.36:21 – 40:25 – Key Profitability Benchmarks Agencies Should Track: Marcel summarizes the core accrual benchmarks—delivery margin, direct delivery margin, overhead as a percentage of AGI, operating margin, average billable rate, utilization, and average cost per hour—as the foundation of sound unit economics.40:25 – 43:11 – Cash Flow Metrics and Parakeeto's Evolving Role: The episode closes with a rundown of cash-specific metrics—cash reserves, operating cash flow vs EBITDA, AR/AP days, CAC payback, debt service coverage, and line-of-credit usage—and a look at how Parakeeto is expanding its services to help agencies manage profitability and cash flow holistically.Show NotesPodcast Episode on Revenue Recognition with Marcel & CarsonLink to Notes File For Cash Flow ImprovementLove the PodcastLeave us a review here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast, Brad Sugars, founder and chairman of Action Coach, breaks down what real freedom actually looks like and why most entrepreneurs never reach it!  He does that by teaching you the three layers of wealth that every founder must master to create true long-term freedom. He explains how active wealth is built inside the business, how passive wealth is created through disciplined investing, and how lifestyle wealth ensures that money translates into time, health, and meaningful relationships.Brad outlines the fundamentals of building a sellable company, including why buyers prioritize a consistent two-year track record, how EBITDA multiples shape valuation, and how different buyer profiles can change the trajectory of an exit. He also shares his approach to consistently moving profit out of the business and into assets that compound over time, with a simple real-estate model and a diversified investing strategy at the core.Finally, Brad highlights the importance of intentionally designing a life that aligns with your values, not just your workload, and why founders must treat time, energy, and relationships as strategic assets.Subscribe to The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast for more conversations on strategy, wealth building, and designing a life that scales with you.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

Emily Van Eyssen on why she's firing staff and replacing them with AI"I automated someone's entire job out of my business.""They're gone. That role doesn't exist anymore."Emily Van Eyssen isn't talking about the future.She's talking about last month.She had no recruitment experience when she started.Zero training. Never worked for an agency. Stumbled into it during the pandemic through a government contract she still doesn't understand why she won.Most people would have crashed and burned.Emily placed 200 young people into employment, made a lot of money, and accidentally built a completely virtual recruitment business.When the pandemic ended and the scheme shut down, she had a choice.Go back to managing Airbnbs (which she hated), or figure out how to make recruitment work.Three years later:30-35 placements per monthTeam of just 8 people300+ people placed globallyJobs being automated out of existence in real-timeBut here's what makes Emily's story urgent.She's not planning for an AI future. She's living it right now.South African talent + AI super users = roles disappearing overnight.She fired someone last week for refusing to use AI. That job is now gone forever.One of her team automated their own role out. They're still there. The role isn't.She's training 5,000 people per month in South Africa on AI (and employing none of them).She's targeting 100 placements per month by Easter. Same 8-person team.This week on The RAG Podcast, Emily tells you exactly what's coming.We cover:Why she fired someone for refusing to adopt AI (and automated their job immediately)How one team member automated an entire salary out of the businessThe South Africa + AI combination making UK roles obsoleteWhy she's training thousands in AI but employing none of themWhat happens to recruitment when one person can do the work of fiveHer plan to 3x placements without hiring a single personThis isn't a prediction about 2030.This is happening right now. In Emily's business. Today.And if you're not preparing for it, you're already behind.If you want to understand what the next 12 months actually look like for recruitment, this episode is essential.__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: AtlasAdmin is a massive waste of time. That's why there's Atlas, the AI-first recruitment platform built for modern agencies.It doesn't only track CVs and calls. It remembers everything. Every email, every interview, every conversation. Instantly searchable, always available. And now, it's entering a whole new era.With Atlas 2.0, you can ask anything and it delivers. With Magic Search, you speak and it listens. It finds the right candidates using real conversations, not simply look for keywords.Atlas 2.0 also makes business development easier than ever. With Opportunities, you can track, manage and grow client relationships, powered by generative AI and built right into your workflow.Need insights? Custom dashboards give you total visibility over your pipeline. And that's not theory. Atlas customers have reported up to 41% EBITDA growth and an 85% increase in monthly billings after adopting the platform.No admin. No silos. No lost info. Nothing but faster shortlists, better hires and more time to focus on what actually drives revenue.Atlas is your personal AI partner for modern recruiting.Don't miss the future of recruitment. Get started with Atlas today and unlock your exclusive RAG listener offer at...

In this episode the hosts walk through evaluating a potential acquisition of a Houston‑area elevator services company, debating whether a 7.5× EBITDA asking price can pencil out given the financing constraints and growth challenges.Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/strong-cash-flow-elevator-services-business-houston-texas/2439153/?J=bot&bn=114637964&bd=20251110&utm_source=bizbuysell&utm_medium=emailsite&utm_campaign=htmlbotWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

The latest edition of the retail industry's leading podcast features an in-depth conversation with Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods Market and Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores, who shares Amazon's rapidly expanding grocery ambitions. Already surpassing $100 billion in gross sales, Amazon is leaning into grocery as a strategic category driven by frequency, loyalty, Prime stickiness, and the potential to unite all household purchasing into a seamless digital and physical ecosystem.Buechel explains how Amazon is transforming grocery shopping—a category in which consumers currently visit four to five retailers a month—into a single, unified experience. With more than 1,000 same-day grocery delivery locations today scaling to 2,300 cities, store-level innovations such as Whole Foods Daily Shop formats, and the integration of perishables directly into Amazon baskets alongside electronics or apparel, the company is erasing long-standing channel barriers. He also outlines the “one grocery” operational vision: unified supply chains, technology stacks, and customer journeys across banners, while preserving the brand trust and standards that Whole Foods customers demand.The episode opens with co-hosts Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc breaking down early holiday results. This year's hottest retail storyline, however, may be the sudden emergence of agentic AI. Tools such as Amazon's Rufus and ChatGPT are now influencing search and conversion decisions, helping fuel what the hosts dub “the most agentic Christmas yet.” With traffic gains from AI agents multiplying, the shift from traditional search to intelligent assistants is poised to accelerate dramatically in 2026.The discussion then turns to Kohl's, and the decision to name interim CEO Michael Bender to the permanent position. The hosts frame this as symptomatic of a deeper issue: a retailer with declining relevance in a shrinking total addressable market.On the heels of new quarterly earnings reports they also spotlight the theme of “profitless prosperity”—brands reporting modest sales improvements but sliding EBITDA as tariffs, promotions, and supply chain pressures erode margin—the overarching message: top-line growth is not victory unless gross profit dollars follow.The episode concludes with the remarkable rise of Google's AI game, and Sears inexplicably still operating a handful of stores (though likely not for much longer). SPECIAL OFFER for our listeners! SAVE 20% on registration for the all new Shoptalk Luxe event in Abu Dhabi January 27-29.For more info go to https://luxe.shoptalk.com/page/get-ticket and then register using our special code : RRLUXE20 About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Most restorers talk about “building a valuable business,” but few know what their company is actually worth — or what truly drives valuation in this industry.In Episode 10 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates, Michelle sits down with JT and Tim to break down the real factors behind restoration valuations, from EBITDA and recurring revenue to leadership depth and owner dependency.Whether you're planning for the future, preparing for growth, or simply want to understand how buyers think, this episode gives you the clarity (and reality check) you've been looking for.

Most restorers talk about “building a valuable business,” but few know what their company is actually worth — or what truly drives valuation in this industry.In Episode 10 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates, Michelle sits down with JT and Tim to break down the real factors behind restoration valuations, from EBITDA and recurring revenue to leadership depth and owner dependency.Whether you're planning for the future, preparing for growth, or simply want to understand how buyers think, this episode gives you the clarity (and reality check) you've been looking for.

In this episode the hosts walk through evaluating a potential acquisition of a Houston‑area elevator services company, debating whether a 7.5× EBITDA asking price can pencil out given the financing constraints and growth challenges.Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/strong-cash-flow-elevator-services-business-houston-texas/2439153/?J=bot&bn=114637964&bd=20251110&utm_source=bizbuysell&utm_medium=emailsite&utm_campaign=htmlbotWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

Jim and Abigail Zimmerman are a father-daughter investment team at Lowell Capital Management, combining Jim's two decades of disciplined value investing since founding the firm in 2003 with Abby's research-focused approach to identifying small-cap companies with fortress balance sheets and strong free cash flow generation.The episode is sponsored by TenzingMEMO — the AI-powered market intelligence platform I use daily for smarter company analysis. Code BILLIONS gets you an extended trial + 10% off https://www.tenzingmemo.com/3:00 - Abby shares her first stock purchase of American Eagle in middle school, using it as a gateway to understanding that investing isn't abstract but about owning real businesses and thinking like an owner.5:21 - The Zimmermans explain their core philosophy: “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” emphasizing that fewer things need to go right in an investment, citing Peter Lynch's principle that if you can't explain what a company does to an 11-year-old in a sentence or two, you probably shouldn't own it.8:34 - Jim discusses their strategy of buying growth companies at value prices, explaining their best investments are companies trading at 5-6x EBITDA with no debt that possess sustainable moats allowing intrinsic value to compound over time.12:00 - Discussion of the Sprouts Farmers Market case study, demonstrating how they identify turnaround situations where strong unit economics exist but the market hasn't recognized the potential yet.28:00 - Abby explains their disciplined selling process, particularly the importance of position sizing and their “20% trim rule” when stocks appreciate significantly to maintain portfolio balance.35:00 - The team reveals their contrarian approach during market dislocations, specifically discussing how they deployed capital during the COVID crash by focusing on companies with fortress balance sheets.42:00 - Jim shares wisdom from his father Lowell: live beneath your means, invest the excess, and build things over time - the Charlie Munger approach that shaped their entire investment philosophy.51:00 - Discussion of free cash flow as the ultimate metric, with both emphasizing that businesses generating cash can survive any environment and capitalize on opportunities when competitors stumble.57:05 - Abby defines success as alignment - living in a way that reflects what matters most, building something meaningful with family, and treating others well while maintaining disciplined investing even when unpopular.1:00:24 - Bogumil adds perspective on wealth preservation across generations, noting the US uniquely allows both creation and multi-generational preservation of wealth.Podcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm's employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- Most business owners believe selling their company is a single event—a signature on a dotted line. But according to Chris Spratling, Founder of Chalk Hill Blue, treating your exit like an event is the fastest way to leave millions on the table. In this episode, we unpack why the "illusion of readiness" kills deal value and why over half of all founders regret their exit within 12 months. Chris shares his experience from the private equity and consulting worlds to explain exactly what modern buyers are looking for. We move beyond basic EBITDA multiples to discuss the psychology of the seller, how to survive forensic due diligence, and the shift from "growth at all costs" to "predictability." If you are building a business with the intention of selling—whether next year or in a decade—this conversation is your blueprint for maximum value and zero regret. In this episode, you will learn: The "Illusion of Readiness": Why having a profitable business does not mean you have a sellable business. The 8-10 Drivers of Value: What acquirers actually look for (hint: it's not just your bottom line). Deal Structure Strategy: How to align earn-outs, non-competes, and tax efficiency with your personal life goals. The Negotiation Edge: How one seller secured a 40% premium over the initial offer simply by being better prepared than the buyer. Market Shifts: Why post-COVID buyers are paying for predictability over hockey-stick growth. The Regret Trap: Why 50% of owners hate their deal a year later and how to ensure you aren't one of them. -- Timestamps: (01:49) Why selling is a journey, not an event (03:36) The difference between Perceived Value and Market Value (05:56) Seller Readiness vs. Business Readiness (09:21) How to negotiate deal structures and multiple bids (17:55) How buyer psychology has changed in the last 5 years (22:54) The #1 piece of advice: "Prepare like your life depends on it" -- Chris Spratling is the founder of Chalkhill Blue Limited, a leading business coaching and consulting practice that helps UK business owners scale effectively and prepare for profitable exits. With more than 30 years of experience owning, buying, and selling multiple seven-figure businesses, he brings deep, practical insight to every client engagement. He is also the author of The Exit Roadmap: The Insider's Guide to Selling Your Business Profitably, where he distills his proven approach to exit planning and leadership transformation, including how to understand whether a business is truly sale-ready. Website - https://chalkhillblue.org/ Check out his book - https://a.co/d/cKVGTFs Take the Exit Readiness Survey - https://chalkhillblue.org/exitreadiness-survey -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

For many owners, private equity feels like a black box: a buyer shows up with a multiple, some debt, and a term sheet, and it is hard to tell whether you are getting a fair shake or being set up for a painful re-trade later.  In this Inside the Mind of an Acquirer episode of Built to Sell Radio, John Warrillow sits down with Speyside Equity managing director Eric Wiklendt.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Skinny on Wall Street, Kristen and Jen unpack the story stirring up markets: Michael Burry's latest warning that Big Tech is overstating earnings by extending the “useful life” assumptions on their GPUs. The conversation becomes a real-time teach-in on depreciation, useful life estimates, GAAP vs. tax depreciation, and how a small shift in an accounting estimate can meaningfully inflate EPS—especially for mega-cap tech stocks that trade heavily on P/E multiples. Kristen walks through exactly how depreciation affects valuation, and why some metrics (like EBITDA) and methodologies (like the DCF) are untouched by the choice of useful life. The big question the duo wrestle with: is Burry identifying a real risk, or is this a nothingburger amplified by market paranoia? From there, Jen shifts to the fixed income landscape ahead of the December Fed meeting—one the central bank must navigate without key data (payrolls and CPI) that won't arrive until after the rate decision. She breaks down how Powell is managing optionality near the end of his term, how the market is pricing a December cut, and what a likely dovish successor (Kevin Hassett) could mean for rates in 2026. They also dig into credit markets: years of high coupons have fueled relentless reinvestment demand, but an uptick in issuance—especially from AI-heavy hyperscalers—may finally rebalance supply and demand. The duo look abroad as well, analyzing the UK's newly announced national property tax and what it signals about global fiscal stress.The episode wraps with big updates from The Wall Street Skinny: the long-awaited launch of their Financial Modeling Course, the continued fixed income course presale, and new January 2026 office hours, plus the return date for HBO's Industry (January 11!). To get 25% off all our self paced courses, use code BLACKFRIDAY25 at checkout!Learn more about 9fin HERE Shop our Self Paced Courses: Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HERE Wealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others' experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE.

In episode #332, Ben Murray explains why AI companies with high inference costs and lower gross profit margins must scale dramatically faster—up to 6x larger—to match the financial performance of a comparable SaaS business. Using simple financial modeling and the core principles of SaaS economics, Ben breaks down how AI margins, variable COGS, and TAM expansion interact to shape the financial trajectory of AI-native companies. This episode builds on a recent blog post and downloadable Excel model, both linked in the show notes. Key Topics Covered Why SaaS metrics still apply to AI companies, but with different economic inputs The impact of AI inference costs on gross margin and scalability Comparing a SaaS company at 80 percent gross margin vs. an AI company at 55 percent Why an AI company needs 6x the revenue to generate the same EBITDA How lower gross profit changes cash flow, EBITDA, and company valuation Why larger TAM and higher ACV potential in AI may offset lower margins How attacking labor budgets expands revenue opportunity for AI products The myth that SaaS metrics are “broken” for AI companies Understanding how COGS scale in SaaS vs. AI and why the math still works Evaluating OPEX profiles when modeling scale scenarios How to use the downloadable template to test scenarios for your own AI or SaaS business Why This Matters This episode is critical for: AI founders modeling their unit economics SaaS founders embedding AI and needing to understand margin changes CFOs, controllers, FP&A leaders, and finance teams navigating AI cost structures Investors assessing the scalability and valuation profile of AI companies Operators planning cash runway, revenue forecasts, and growth investment Understanding these financial dynamics early ensures you can forecast accurately, raise capital more effectively, and prepare for due diligence with confidence. Resources Mentioned Full blog post on AI vs. SaaS economics: https://www.thesaascfo.com/the-real-economics-of-saas-versus-ai-companies/ SaaS Metrics Course: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/the-saas-metrics-foundation

This episode is sponsored by Troy Roofing Inc. LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ In this Dropping Bombs episode, second-generation roofer and multi-million-dollar owner Troy Musulman reveals how blue-collar grit scales real companies. He exposes industry roll-ups, margins, and consumer traps, explaining how he escaped a wage ceiling and dominated the tear-off roofing niche. Troy also reveals why most "lifetime" warranties are actually just marketing.   Action takeaways: pricing with discipline, strategic material sourcing, documenting installs, and unifying with solid operators to increase EBITDA and exit options. Learn how to evaluate offers, avoid slow-pay partnerships, and the simple phrase that saves thousands. Whether you own a home, run a crew, or just hate getting hustled, this episode shows how to keep more money—and more leverage—on your side.

What does it really take to scale a home services business from a shoestring budget to seven figures and then do it five times over? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Teddy Slack Jr., Founder of BizScore.ai, who has built and scaled five different service-based businesses from scratch to seven figures. He's a serial entrepreneur who transformed an $8,000 startup into a company generating 43% EBITDA—before selling it at a five-times multiple. In this episode, Teddy shares his journey, his lessons on marketing, pricing, and leadership, and why he's now documenting his newest venture in real time for contractors everywhere. Key Takeaways: → Why flat-rate pricing revolutionized his industry and boosted closing rates. → The importance of tracking marketing ROI instead of “throwing spaghetti at the wall. → Why getting out of day-to-day operations is the key to scale and freedom. → The mindset shift every contractor must make to turn a job into a business. → The challenges and opportunities of entering a brand-new industry from scratch. Teddy Slack Jr. helps blue-collar business owners turn chaos into clarity and profit. Over the last 20 years, he has successfully built five service-based businesses from scratch to seven figures, all within their first 12 months. Most recently, he scaled and exited his home service business for a 5x multiple, growing it to $1.6 million in annual profit with zero owner involvement. Today, Teddy partners with select owner-operators as a strategic growth operator, bringing the systems, financial discipline, marketing power, and leadership infrastructure necessary to scale businesses without burnout or guesswork. Unlike traditional coaching, Teddy works hands-on in the trenches with business owners to turn their operations into streamlined, profitable machines that can run and eventually sell without them. Teddy is also the creator of BizScore, an AI-powered financial health tool that helps service businesses assess their financial situation and take action to plug profit leaks and grow with confidence. Connect With Teddy: Website: https://www.bizscore.ai/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teddyslack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddyslack/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growth is exciting, but in healthcare scaling too fast without pressure-tested operational systems can lead to disappointing outcomes including decreased EBITDA, increased risk and poor patient experience. In this week's episode, Jamie welcomes teammate Adin Bradley back to the show as they break down what foundational systems must be in place before expanding, and why a solid operational foundation is your true growth engine. Tune in as Adin shares a preview of his session planned for Polaris' January Masterclass: The Leadership Advantage - a "don't miss" opportunity designed to recalibrate your operational perspectives and catapult plans for scale! LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Wait, you're telling me that a $100 million plus acquisition just occurred in the North American protein bar market…and I've never once mentioned the brand name throughout its almost decadelong existence? That simply cannot be TRU! Though, before anyone tries to ignorantly throw dirt on my name…I'll finally reveal why I've been publicly ignoring TRUBAR! However, it was just announced that TRUBAR would be acquired by Eti Gida, a Turkish CPG company, for approximately $142.5 million. And if you were trying to understand the valuation…as of the 2025 third quarter closing (dated September 30, 2025), trailing twelve months revenue from the TRUBAR segment would be just shy of $61 million. So, this would imply a 2.3x trailing twelve-month revenue multiple. And this is why I suspect TRUBAR “retail investors” are unhappy with the M&A transaction, as it would mark what I believe to be one of the lowest revenue multiples in the last decade of the protein bars market. Yet, for several varied reasons…TRUBAR isn't ONE Brands, Quest Nutrition, FITCRUNCH, Barebells, Power Crunch, or a few other protein bar companies involved in recent M&A activity. Firstly, unlike the negative EBITDA (on a trailing twelve-month basis) at TRUBAR, these other protein bar companies actually made money. Next, while customers might enjoy the taste (and consumption experience) of TRUBAR products, there isn't anything differentiated about them. If you weren't familiar, protein bars are mostly a contract manufacturing “follow the leader” dominated category with a “sea of sameness” market composition. But even if TRUBAR differentiation could've been gained by form factor uniqueness (complexity), it still requires creating (or owning) the manufacturing process if a protein snacking company really hopes to secure longer-term defensibility (and competitive advantage). Then, with Big CPG jumping heavily into “protein-ified variants” of their leading snacking brands, it will further deepen the competitive landscape and transform “protein” into a battleground category as it proliferates across the entire grocery store. And you can argue that most of the beforementioned protein bars are dealing (at some level) with this same challenge (as the market evolves, expands, and segments further), but mainstream buyers don't know about TRUBAR. Yes, retail availability has grown substantially in recent years…and revenue growth has largely accompanied it, but TRUBAR still has an extremely low U.S. protein bars market share and brand household penetration percentage overall. But to understand if new ownership can materially improve the likelihood that TRUBAR will become culturally relevant with the next generation of modern protein snacking customers, I'll more closely examine Eit Gida...which is among the top CPG manufacturers based in Turkey (becoming well-known in multiple geographies across various bakery and snacking categories). Though, you might be wondering…why is a Turkish Big CPG strategic acquiring a relatively small Canadian public company selling plant-based protein bars mainly in the U.S. market? But more importantly if Eti Gida can really help TRUBAR carve out a distinct niche in the crowded North American protein bar market.

Interview with David Cataford, CEO of Champion Iron Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/g-mining-ventures-tsxgmin-champion-iron-tsxcia-playbook-for-success-7198Recording date: 24th November 2025Champion Iron stands at a compelling inflection point for investors seeking exposure to steel industry decarbonisation. After seven years and over $2 billion of capital investment, the Canadian iron ore producer is weeks away from completing its transformation into one of the world's premier ultra-high-grade concentrate suppliers, with the major expenditure cycle ending December 2025 and material free cash flow generation beginning 2026.The company just delivered its strongest quarterly performance in two years, generating approximately $175 million EBITDA with record sales of 4 million tonnes. This operational momentum comes as Champion works through a 3-million-tonne stockpile of premium 66.2% concentrate that provides near-term cash generation visibility as inventory converts to sales over coming quarters. Management owns over 10% of the business, ensuring strong alignment with shareholder interests.Champion's most significant catalyst arrives with December 2025 completion of its $500 million DR Pellet Feed project, over 80% complete with remaining work focused on piping and electrical systems. This upgrade transitions half of production – approximately 7-12 million tonnes annually – to up to 69% iron ore concentrate, positioning Champion amongst the world's highest-grade producers with first commercial shipments expected early 2026.The strategic rationale extends beyond grade premiums. Current production ships approximately 9 million tonnes annually to China, incurring freight costs of $23-25 per tonne whilst competing against proximate Australian and Brazilian suppliers. The DR Pellet Feed material targets North Africa, Middle East, and European customers where Champion's Canadian location becomes proximity advantage, reducing freight costs whilst commanding premiums for material essential to Direct Reduction Iron processes central to steel decarbonisation.Champion's ore stability provides critical competitive advantage. The company maintains an unblemished on-specification delivery record, enabling long-term contracts with sophisticated buyers who cannot tolerate specification risk in DRI feedstock. Whilst premiums for high-grade material currently sit at historical lows, Champion has witnessed premiums reaching $45 per tonne during previous periods of tight supply, suggesting significant upside potential as steel industry decarbonisation accelerates.The valuation disconnect presents compelling opportunity. Champion trades at market capitalisation under $2 billion against over $6 billion in replacement costs – approximately 70% discount to asset replication value. This gap exists despite management's unblemished track record of delivering three consecutive major projects on time and on budget since 2017. Management is now evaluating share buybacks as value-creating strategy given this substantial discount.Iron ore pricing resilience stems from Chinese domestic production economics. China produces over 450 million tonnes at relatively high cost, creating natural price support as high-cost producers curtail output when prices decline. This dynamic has provided consistent support around $100 per tonne despite analyst forecasts of lower pricing since 2015.Beyond current operations, Champion secured attractive growth optionality through its Kami project – potential 9-million-tonne-per-year development with 49% sold to Nippon Steel and Sojitz. Partner equity contributions fund several years of permitting and feasibility work without requiring Champion shareholder capital, with construction decision possible in 2027.With capital expenditure cycle ending December 2025, Champion maintains four-year track record of semi-annual dividend payments (10 cents per share) whilst evaluating enhanced returns as free cash flow materialises. Multiple value drivers converge through 2026: working capital release, cost improvements, premium product sales, and enhanced capital returns at compelling valuation for investors believing in iron ore price stability and steel decarbonisation trends.View Champion Iron's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/champion-iron-limitedSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Mark Thomas walked away from a six-figure salary without a concrete plan.Three co-founders. One investment. Strict 9-month covenants.Then came March: dozens of pitches, everyone loved the vision, but almost no one was buying. The retained leadership search model wasn't landing. They started questioning everything.One week later, four retained searches landed. Revenue hasn't stopped climbing since.12 months in: £1M+ revenue, 75% retained work, and a business model nobody else in insurance recruitment is executing at this level.In this episode:Why he nearly pivoted to golf (and why recruitment pays better)The £150k-£350k leadership gap nobody was serving properlyTurning down every role under £120k to protect the brandBuilding the "Real Madrid of recruiters" with 10-15 elite billersHow retained search gives you three-month revenue visibilityThe profit share model that creates a partnership without equityThis isn't a scale-to-50-people story. This is about building a boutique firm where being the worst recruiter in the room means you've hired brilliantly.For recruitment founders who want quality over quantity and believe 10 great people beats 50 average ones.__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: AtlasAdmin is a massive waste of time. That's why there's Atlas, the AI-first recruitment platform built for modern agencies.It doesn't only track CVs and calls. It remembers everything. Every email, every interview, every conversation. Instantly searchable, always available. And now, it's entering a whole new era.With Atlas 2.0, you can ask anything and it delivers. With Magic Search, you speak and it listens. It finds the right candidates using real conversations, not simply look for keywords.Atlas 2.0 also makes business development easier than ever. With Opportunities, you can track, manage and grow client relationships, powered by generative AI and built right into your workflow.Need insights? Custom dashboards give you total visibility over your pipeline. And that's not theory. Atlas customers have reported up to 41% EBITDA growth and an 85% increase in monthly billings after adopting the platform.No admin. No silos. No lost info. Nothing but faster shortlists, better hires and more time to focus on what actually drives revenue.Atlas is your personal AI partner for modern recruiting.Don't miss the future of recruitment. Get started with Atlas today and unlock your exclusive RAG listener offer at https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: HoxoEvery recruitment founder is investing in LinkedIn.Spending thousands on Recruiter licences.Building connections. Posting content. Growing networks.But here's the question almost no one can answer:How much revenue is LinkedIn actually bringing into your business?Most founders have thousands of connections but no clear process to turn that attention into cash.That's the problem we solve.At Hoxo, we help recruitment founders build predictable revenue systems on LinkedIn, not just noise or vanity metrics.Our clients are turning LinkedIn into £100K–£300K in new billings within months, using their existing networks and a simple repeatable process.To show you how it works, we've created a short training video exclusively for RAG listeners.In less than 10 minutes, you'll learn:- Why most recruiters are getting zero measurable ROI from LinkedIn- How small, niche teams are generating consistent inbound demand- The 3X Revenue System we use to turn LinkedIn into a predictable cash-generating...

How are you fostering a love for giving and generosity in your heart and home?In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Bob discuss: The transformative power of the Bible.Transitioning business skills into managing charitable donations.Capping your EBITDA and using additional revenue for generosity.Collaborative giving for a greater impact.  Key Takeaways: Giving generously starts with a heartfelt desire to bless others.Bringing your children on a generous path can be a journey that looks different for every family.The richness in relationships and purpose is greater than the richness of a large bank account.Sometimes what feels like moving backwards in life is the first step in the better path that God has prepared for you.  "If you're at that crossroads where you're trying to choose between full consumption and generosity, I can guarantee you you will not regret choosing the generous path." —  Bob Collins Episode References: National Christian Foundation: https://www.ncfgiving.com/Every Tribe Every Nation: https://eten.bible/ About Bob Collins: Prior to TrustBridge, Robert served for 16 years with the National Christian Foundation, an organization that has facilitated over $10 billion in charitable giving in the U.S. to more than 50,000 charities in over 100 countries. Prior to that, he was Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Equity Investment Management), where he led a 54-person team responsible for investing $36 billion in European and Global equities portfolios. Connect with Bob Collins:Website: https://www.trustbridgeglobal.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinsrobert/  Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdvFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

If you're a roofing or home service owner thinking about selling in the next 1–5 years, this is required viewing. Tim and Gregg Schonhorn (Business Development Advisor, SF&P Advisors) unpack the real story behind platform roll-ups, the Minnesota Rusco / Nucco situation, AirPros, and why roofing is still 5+ years behind HVAC, plumbing, and electrical on the private equity curve.You'll hear why some buyers are rock-solid long-term partners… and others are ticking time bombs built on ugly debt structures and bad covenants.In this conversation, you'll learn:How roofing PE platforms are actually structured (and where they make their money)Why deals like Minnesota Rusco and AirPros went sideways – and what warning signs you can spot earlyHow storms, demand cycles, and “one huge year” really factor into your valuationThe difference between real platforms and “let's bundle 10 shops and flip” con jobsHow to vet a buyer's debt, covenants, and capital stack so you don't get wiped out by their financingWhy integration (systems, CRMs, chart of accounts, handbooks, compensation) is what creates real enterprise valueHow culture, community reputation, and referrals quietly drive higher multiples for roofing businessesPractical steps to add 3–5% net and hundreds of thousands of EBITDA before you go to marketIf you want to protect your people, your brand, and your upside when you sell, this episode will give you the questions to ask and the traps to avoid.

In this episode the hosts dissect a $23 million asking‑price acquisition of a Miami‑based specialty contractor with $41 M revenue, $4.7 M EBITDA, a $52 M backlog—and dig into its contract structure, accounting risks and deal suitability.Business Listing Link – https://businessesforsale.nuwireinvestor.com/business-opportunity/specialty-contractor-with-long-term-contracts-and-62mm-backlog/2395873/?J=ANWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.