Buying, Selling, and Merging SMBs: Case Studies That Actually Teach

This episode walks through hard, practical SMB case studies—e-commerce, blue-collar services, mergers of equals, manufacturing inventory traps, and a people-first acquisition that worked—showing where deals stumble and where they succeed. We focus on the real drivers of outcomes: price expectations, deal structure, diligence surprises, integration planning, and the human element. Expect clear, actionable checks you can use right away—cohort analysis, transition playbooks, earnout design, inventory aging reviews, and cultural diligence. If you’re buying, selling, or merging a small or mid-size business, this is a compact playbook for avoiding common mistakes and protecting value—plus a short checklist to run before you sign.