How To Buy And Sell A Business

In this episode, seasoned business owner and advisor John Wadsworth shares how he built, scaled, and exited his company through an ESOP, turning lessons from a decades-long entrepreneurial journey into a mission to help others do the same. Joined by hosts Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman, John offers powerful advice on leadership, transition planning, risk tolerance, and building a business that’s built to last—even after the founder s...

In this episode Sam Foreman interviews Tyler Fee from Fee Insurance Group to explore the often-overlooked but essential role insurance plays in the M&A process. Tyler discusses key topics such as the importance of tail policies, the risks of last-minute insurance planning, and how hidden coverage gaps or past claims can impact a deal’s final valuation. They emphasize why both buyers and sellers need proactive, strategic insuran...

Ryan Bond, Chief People Officer of Thrive Restaurant Group, shares with Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman, every acquisition begins with an invitation: an open hand to join a shared story built on respect, relationships, and growth. Instead of imposing their way, Thrive patiently integrates new teams by honoring what already works and strengthening it through their values. It's a human-first approach that ensures acquisitions aren't jus...

In this episode, Stephanie Klingzell Carlin, founder of C5 Business Advisors, joins 

Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman and discusses the often-overlooked factors that contribute to business valuation, such as culture, workforce, and intangible assets. While most business owners focus on financials, Stephanie explains that factors like employee engagement, geographic location, and brand reputation can significantly impact the value of a ...

In this episode, Brent Beshore, CEO of Permanent Equity, joins hosts Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman to share a refreshing perspective on how private equity can truly create lasting value. Instead of the traditional "buy, strip, and flip" model, Brent discusses how Permanent Equity uses a 30-year investment horizon with no debt, allowing businesses to grow organically and with a focus on preserving their culture.

He highlights how i...

Jed Morris joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Forman Law to share his experience buying a business that ultimately failed, and the painful lessons he learned in the process. Jed talks about the good and the bad from his experience finding, acquiring and running two businesses. He shares tips from his search process, how too much growth too fast can create problems, and how culture and trust are game...

Stephanie Siders, investment banker with CC Capital Advisors joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss the process of successfully selling a business. Sephanie shares practical tips about what buyers are looking for, and how to maximize value in a sale, and why starting to prepare several years in advance can make such a big difference. She shares about the power of trust between the...

Business owner Chip Schellhorn joins co-hosts Jaco Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss his recent purchase of CMJ Manufacturing. Chip shares about his experience running a successful search process, and insights into the importance of working the search process like a job, keys to identifying a good business, and how to develop and maintain an authentic trust-based relationship with the seller duri...

Ben Olsen, an experienced veteran of over 100 M&A transactions, joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss net working capital. Ben breaks down the basics of net working capital and how it impacts the operating performance of a business, what the business is worth, and how it impacts price and financing on a deal. Ben explains what a “peg” is and how it fits into the deal process ...

Experienced business veteran and author Rick Ralston joins co-hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to share his thoughts on building a company worth buying. Rick brings decades of experience helping CEOs and founders make data driven decisions to grow the enterprise value of their businesses.

Rick shares tips on topics such as real v. perceived value, what separates good companies from great compa...

Chris Lee, Managing Partner of Infinity Capital Partners joins hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss the role that investment bankers play in selling a business, and numerous practical tips about increasing the value of a business. Chris shares from his experience about why working with companies in the Midwest is such a great fit for his firm, and how working with an investment banker i...

Stacie Wilson of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd joins hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting Group, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss the importance of preparing for a transaction. Stacie shares stories from her experiences, and what a difference good planning can make. She shares great advice on a range of topics including quality of earnings, due diligence, and tax planning, and the power of planning for what you want...