From Family Office to Global Advisor: Stephen Marks' Guide to Smarter Acquisitions

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Stephen Marks, founder of Emmersion Capital and Apertura. Stephen shares his journey from managing family office portfolios to building a global advisory business focused on cost-effective due diligence and labor solutions through nearshoring. The conversation dives deep into M&A strategy, talent acquisition in Latin America, and the mindset shift from high-growth investing to long-term wealth preservation. If you’re an independent sponsor, entrepreneur, or lower-middle market investor looking to reduce costs and access skilled labor without sacrificing quality, this episode is for you. In this podcast episode, we discuss: · How to dramatically reduce due diligence costs · The advantages of nearshoring and talent pools in Latin America · Why family offices prioritize wealth preservation overgrowth at all costs · How independent sponsors can outsource administrative and technical functions · Strategies for solving the skilled labor shortage in niche industries · Building a hybrid model that blends U.S. leadership with offshore talent · Why communication and cultural alignment matter in outsourcing · Key lessons for working with family offices as an entrepreneur or sponsor Connect with Stephen Marks: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdmarks  Company: https://emmersioncapital.com  Apertura (Talent Solutions): https://apertura.co Additional Resources: · Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Visit: https://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com · Attend the M&A Launchpad Conference on May 3rd in Houston — a premier event for entrepreneurs, investors, and dealmakers in the lower-middle market. Tickets and details at https://www.malaunchpad.com · Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube · Get in touch with show hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa at – [email protected] · Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale, or sell your business? Visit: https://www.equity-launchpad.com About The M&A Launchpad:    The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur,  we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad:  🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/