Episode 156 – Know your Broker: Kevin Layton

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Andy and Doug welcome one of our “newer” brokers, Kevin Layton, a software engineer turned business broker. Through his impressive background in aerospace and digital marketing, Kevin shares his intriguing career journey from high-tech exec to facilitating lucrative business acquisitions.

Tune in to learn about the dynamics of the brokering world and discover how Apex’s team approach is helping sellers find the perfect match for their businesses. Stay informed about the latest trends and insights on business acquisitions, and don’t forget to visit the Apex website for more resources, including blogs, podcasts, and listings of both active and sold businesses.

Episode 155 – The Art of Exit Planning: Aligning Business Goals with Market Realities

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This episode features a special presentation by Doug and Valerie Vaughn. They revisit their well-received EPI chapter meeting presentation, “Bridging the Gap,” to discuss the importance of aligning business owners’ goals with market realities.

You can view the companion video by clicking this link.

Discover the various types of goals that business owners consider when planning their exit. Doug and Valerie discuss common misconceptions in business valuation, explain the role of M&A intermediaries, and suggest strategies to help owners prepare for successful transitions. The conversation explores financial, legacy, and emotional goals, as well as practical techniques for aligning expectations with market conditions. Andy contributes to the discussion by presenting real scenarios and myths related to quick sales, valuations, cash transactions, and transitional periods for business owners. The episode wraps up with practical advice on involving M&A advisors early in the exit planning process to ensure a smoother and more profitable exit strategy.

Episode 154 – Call Me When You Have a Serious Buyer

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Welcome to another episode of the Apex Business Advisors podcast. Today, we’re covering our recent closings, including the story of a unique mailbox rental company acquisition. Our main topic is the misconception there are few “serious buyers.” We finally discuss the strategies to bridge the gap between seller expectations and market realities, including the role of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI) in helping business owners prepare for a successful sale.

Episode 152 – 2024 Year in Review

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This podcast episode is our annual review. Tune in to hear market insights from Andy and Doug as they discuss the competitive nature of the industry, emphasizing the quick turnaround of business engagements at Apex in comparison to the general nine-month to a year market average. They also delve into the impact of past economic events like COVID-19 on business valuations, and how Apex’s focus is shifting towards more recent trends in 2025.

Episode 151 – The Best of Apex Business Advisors Podcast: Navigating Seller Financing

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Andy and Doug explore both the desirable and undesirable aspects of seller financing, providing valuable insights into how clean financial practices and market conditions can influence the success of sale transactions.

The episode touches on recent economic conditions, including rising interest rates and shifts in bank lending standards, and how these changes impact the viability of seller financing as a reliable option. Doug discusses scenarios of bad seller financing, marked by overpriced businesses with unverified cash flows, and contrasts them with examples where good seller financing has led to mutual benefits for both parties involved.

Episode 151 – The Best Of: Selling to Family Members

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In this best of episode, we’re joined by Valerie Vaughn to discuss the unique dynamcis of selling a business to a family member.

We delve into the complexities of family dynamics, the challenges of preparing a business for sale, and how the involvement of a dedicated team, including wealth managers, accountants, and attorneys, paved the way for a smooth transition. Valerie shares insights into the strategies employed to double the business’s value over a few years and how these efforts culminated in a successful hands-off transition from parents to son.

Episode 150 – Smashing Success or Fad Business?

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In this episode of the Apex Business Advisors podcast, Andy and Doug dive into the world of fad businesses, featuring an engaging discussion on Rage Rooms. They explore the initial excitement around these trendy ventures like axe throwing, wine and paint experiences, and escape rooms, questioning their long-term viability in the ever-evolving market.

The hosts also reflect on their experiences with other fad businesses, like Andy’s former smoothie and supplement shop and the rapid rise and fall of boxing franchises. They emphasize the importance of evaluating a business’s longevity and the role of personalities in driving success, offering valuable insights for prospective buyers and sellers. Don’t miss this deep dive into understanding what makes or breaks a fad business!

Episode 149 – The Best of the Apex Business Advisors Podcast: The Standard for a Seller

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In this best of episode we discuss the standards expectations of a seller with our friend and colleague, Chuck Campbell.

Chuck shares insights into the importance of understanding a business deeply before agreeing to sell it, emphasizing the need for realistic valuations and marketability. He elaborates on the four crucial metrics that define a suitable seller and a trustworthy, communicative relationship. Real-life examples bring these points to life, including challenging scenarios and lessons learned the hard way.

Episode 148 – The Best of the Apex Business Advisors Podcast: Selling

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In this episode of our Best of Series, we revisit an episode where we discuss the dos and don’ts of selling in the 4th quarter.

Doug and Andy discuss common pitfalls, such as improper financial management aimed at reducing taxes, which can negatively impact a business’s valuation. They provide insights into planning ahead, offering strategies for cleaning up financials, optimizing taxes, and effective decision-making to enhance negotiation power and timing.

Episode 147 – The Best of the Apex Business Advisors Podcast: You’re Ready, but is your business?

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In our best of series, we revisit an episode where we discuss the confluence of Business, Owner, and Financial Readiness.

Get valuable advice on preparing your business three to five years ahead of time, learning from real-life case studies of businesses that hit their sale targets through diligent preparation and strategy adjustments. This episode underscores that proactive planning and setting aligned expectations with brokers can pave the way for a successful business exit.