11 - Deal or Drama? Navigating the Hard Conversations for Smoother Business Closings

Every experienced business broker has a story about the "deal from hell"—the one that turned into a soap opera or hit a legal landmine no one saw coming. In this episode, host Colette Kemp is joined by veteran transactional attorneys Lisa Crandall and Tad Cook of PLG Law. Together, they pull back the curtain on why some deals stay clean while others spiral into expensive chaos. Learn how to stop playing the "hero" in a failing deal and start playing the expert who spots red flags before they explode. Whether you are a broker, a buyer, or a seller, this masterclass provides the roadmap to keeping your deals on track and your reputation intact. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The Hero Trap: Why trying to "save" a deal can sometimes lead to crossing legal lines. Early Warning Signs: How to recognize the subtle "drama" indicators before they derail a closing. The Broker's Boundary: What you should (and absolutely should NOT) be doing to protect yourself and your clients legally. Building a Cleaner Process: How to structure your very first conversation to ensure a smooth exit months down the line. The "Drama-Free Deal" Checklist: Key questions every broker should ask upfront to vet a deal’s viability. Featured Guests: Colette Kemp (Host): Founder of SureStep Business Advisors and CVBBA Board Member. With 15 years of experience growing and exiting a multi-million-dollar service business, Colette now helps owners ensure they are operationally and emotionally ready for exit. Lisa Crandall (Guest): Attorney at PLG Law specializing in complex commercial transactions, M&A, securities, and franchising. Lisa is licensed in 7+ jurisdictions and serves as a leader in the North Carolina Bar Association. Tad Cook (Guest): Attorney at PLG Law with over 25 years of experience in sophisticated debt financing and business sales across industries like IT, manufacturing, and trucking. Sponsorship Opportunities Interested in sponsoring the CVBBA Insights Podcast Series? Please reach out to Colette Kemp or Heather Valeri for sponsorship details and partnership opportunities. Heather Valeri, CBI, CEPA, CVG Meridian Business Advisors Call or Text: (843) 800-2148 [email protected]   Learn More About CVBBA Interested in joining CVBBA or learning more about the association? Visit www.cvbba.com   Subscribe & Review If you found this episode informative, please subscribe to the CVBBA Insights Podcast and leave a positive review. It helps us grow awareness and continue delivering high value content to the business brokerage community.   Connect with Us: Follow CVBBA on LinkedIn or Facebook