Learning to Lead: Insights from a First-Time Business Owner   Tune in for real value in this episode as Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman chat with Ashley Comeau. Find out what it was really like for Ashely buying a business with no prior ownership experience. She talks about why she and her husband chose to purchase an existing business instead of starting from scratch, how they approached evaluating the opportunity, and what ultimately made them pull the trigger. Ashley dives into the emotional side of ownership, the unexpected challenges that came up after closing, and how she’s learning to build systems and lead a team while growing into the role of owner. She also reflects on the value of having trusted advisors, what she’d do differently, and what’s made the whole journey worth it so far.

Unlocking Exit Value: Why 3 Years of Prep Pays Off In this high-value episode, Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman are joined by Sean Kennedy of Adams Brown for an in-depth discussion on how sellers can unlock hidden value in their businesses years before a sale. Sean shares actionable strategies on de-risking, financial preparation, business transferability, and navigating buyer expectations in today’s M&A landscape. Whether it’s dealing with customer concentration, preparing for earn-outs, or understanding how to mentally and emotionally commit to selling, this episode is essential listening for owners planning an exit. Special thanks to listener Kristen Kienzle for asking a key question about post-sale commitments and how long sellers should expect to stay involved. Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/c7FmWM4J2LQ

Don’t Kill the Deal: Smart Tips for Sellers In this episode of How to Buy and Sell a Business Successfully, host Sam Foreman teams up with co-host Jacob Weman to chat with Neil Miller, M&A attorney at QC Rock in Kansas City. Together, they delve into the critical importance of assembling the right deal team, the often-missed value creation opportunities during LOI negotiations, and how missteps—like taking your eye off operations—can tank a deal. With real-world insights and practical guidance, this episode is essential for anyone considering buying or selling a business. Special thanks to listener Matt Jones for a thoughtful question on post-closing breaches. Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/ErcLLqVFjGw

In this insightful episode, M&A attorney Pat Linden joins hosts Sam Foreman and Jacob Wayman to uncover how early preparation, deal structuring, and assembling the right team can dramatically impact outcomes in business sales. Pat pulls back the curtain on common seller misconceptions, the dangers of treating legal and financial advisory as commodities, and how lack of planning can quietly drain millions from deal value.   If you're aiming for a life-changing exit—not just any exit—this episode is a great start. Special thanks to listener Matt Jones for asking about legal exposure post-closing and how sellers can protect themselves.  

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 steps away. Special thanks to an anonymous listener for asking, “How do you know if an ESOP is the right fit for your business?” John walks through his own experience with clarity and candor. Learn more about John's business, Strategic Value Partners, here: https://strategicvaluepartnersks.com/

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 insurance planning well in advance of a sale to protect themselves, maximize valuation, and ensure smoother transitions. Practical advice on cyber risks, employment practices liability, and building a strong risk management culture makes this episode a must-listen for anyone preparing to buy or sell a business.     Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/nHXr66pw0Mo

In this episode, Samuel McVay, a serial entrepreneur, shares his journey of starting and managing over 14 businesses since 2012. Samuel discusses with Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman the ups and downs of business growth, highlighting the challenges of scaling too quickly and the importance of finding the right partners with deep expertise. He emphasizes the value of creativity in business and how he brought his expertise to starting, acquiring, and growing businesses in various industries, including cleaning, pest control, and appliances, and how his experience has helped him identify hidden potential in companies, and how the right relationships are key to growth.  

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 just successful on paper but transformative for the people who make the company great.  Check out the video version at: https://youtu.be/oXnzYeCoNXI

In this episode, Maddie Butler, co-owner of Kent AV, joins Jacob Wayman and Sam Foreman, and shares her journey from employee to entrepreneur and the challenges that come with taking ownership of a business. She talks about the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, creating a strong company culture, and the role of leadership in business success. Maddie also emphasizes the value of mentorship, continuous personal growth, and staying ahead of industry trends. If you're considering buying or selling a business, or just navigating leadership transitions, this episode offers insightful advice on managing change and building a culture that matters.     

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 company. She also explores the complexities of the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) as a unique exit strategy, highlighting the benefits and challenges it poses for business owners looking to sell.    

In this episode, Brent Bashure, 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 important it is for business owners to step out of the day-to-day operations, building teams that can continue the business without them. This episode challenges the conventional thinking in the private equity world, advocating for a human-centered approach that focuses on long-term value. 

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 changers. Jed is a US Air Force veteran, New York University alum, and worked for both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft.  Jed is putting his real-world education in the deal process and as a business owner to work as the Managing Director of Sunset Coast Partners, and is actively working to help other business searchers have a successful experience as a business owner.   Watch the video epsidoe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gwZweUMc_Xw

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 parties, and how losing trust can kill the deal.    Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RacdtoQFlHQ

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 during the deal process and beyond. Chip is a pilot, Navy veteran, and Harvard grad. Prior to purchasing CMJ, Chip served as Director of Sales and Strategy for Textron Aviaton, and founded Girasol Capital.  

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 and the post-closing net working capital true-up. Ben is vice president of Tarsus where he advises business owners and C-suite executives seeking to optimize and grow their businesses.     

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 companies, and how the basic economics of the business impact how a buyer looks at its value. Rick discusses his book “The Forecast: An Inside Look at How Successful Leaders Drive Revenue Growth”.  You can purchase a copy HERE.

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 is more accessible than many business owners expect.   Watch the video episode at: https://youtu.be/yI4egvZXZH0

Scott Flucke, COO and General Counsel of Highmount Capital joins hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss his work with Highmount Capital, his experiences with M&A, and in particular, their recent investment in Dude Perfect.  Scott shares a wealth of wisdom and experience, and what he and the team at Highmount look for in great founders – humility, integrity, and a clear grasp of the value proposition.   Check out the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IMnO9S_JeGM 

Hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss some of their favorite things learned about M&A and business in 2024.  One of Jacob’s highlights is remembering to think about the end in the beginning and remembering why you started in the first place. Sam reflects on a formula for decision making and the connection to creating value. Somehow, they tie it all to Mario Kart.  

Alyssa McGinn, Managing Partner of infoFluency joins hosts Jacob Wayman of Wayman Consulting, and Sam Foreman of Foreman Law to discuss the impact that data can have on growing the value of a business, and using data to tell the powerful stories that can increase.  Alyssa shares a broad range of insights from her experience as a data expert and what a powerful impact data can have on value.