In this episode of the M&A Mastermind Podcast, host Nick Olsen interviews David Miller, an international business coach and entrepreneur. David shares his journey from managing money in college to becoming a successful business owner and M&A advisor. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'magic' behind business growth, which includes intuition, creativity, and the alignment of values. David discusses the essential qualities that leaders need to possess for successful acquisitions and how to assess whether a company is ready for growth through acquisition. He also introduces his CapEx Flex methodology, aimed at simplifying the M&A process for small business owners. Takeaways Successful acquisitions require alignment of values and strategy. Experience is crucial for leaders looking to acquire other companies. Balancing IQ and EQ is essential for effective leadership. Starting small is key when considering acquisitions. Cultural fit is a significant factor in successful mergers. Understanding what you're buying in an acquisition goes beyond revenue. Assessing readiness for acquisition is a critical step. Growth through acquisition should be a well-considered strategy. Understanding the time factor in acquisitions is essential. Soft skills can significantly impact acquisition success. Setting realistic expectations helps reduce anxiety. Cross-selling can enhance revenue post-acquisition. Keywords M&A, acquisitions, mergers, business growth, CapEx Flex, integration, expectations, soft skills, success stories, business strategy, advisory About the show The M&A Mastermind Podcast is your go-to source for the latest industry trends and strategies to level up your M&A practice. The show features thought leaders who specialize in the lower middle market space and share their experiences and expertise across key areas of execution, such as: market analysis, lead generation, deal management, strategic partnerships, buyer access and much more. With host Nick Olsen, each episode's "mastermind" will share ways in which they have found success in navigating the M&A industry to best support the small-to-medium sized private business owners they focus on serving.