The Deal Podcast

He built Lego-verifying software with his daughter and an AI chief of staff named Carl who texts his wife. Justin Obney has strong opinions about what founders keep getting wrong.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Justin Obney, CEO of Obney AI, for a candid conversation on how business owners should actually think about artificial intelligence. Recorded in Baton Rouge at ThreeSixtyEight, the discussion cuts past the hype to a simpler frame: AI is just systems that execute your intent. Justin unpacks what AI transformation really means for organizations, why the fear of job loss reflects a "finite mindset," and how founders can use these tools without drowning in endless tinkering.🎯 What We Cover:- What AI actually is — and how to explain it to anyone- Why "AI makes people more capable, not less necessary"- The finite-mindset trap behind AI job fear- How organizations become AI-enabled and AI-native- Why founders should "pick one tool and go"- Operationalizing intent — the real point of AI systems- What an "agent" is, in plain English- Building personalized software vs. enterprise systems- Raising kids in an AI world without losing the human touch- The skills that matter most: systems thinking and communication🤝 Connect with Justin Obney:🌐 https://www.obney.ai/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinobney/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea:💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/🙏 Special thanks to Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting The Deal Podcast's Baton Rouge Podcast Tour.🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

33 years behind the microphone in Baton Rouge — and a master class on how college sports quietly became one of the biggest deal-making machines in America.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, hosts Joshua Wilson and Scott Shea sit down with Charles Hanagriff — veteran sports broadcaster, co-host of "Live at Lunch" on 104.5 ESPN, and the voice of Eagle 98.1 Gameday for over two decades — recorded on the Baton Rouge Podcast Tour. Charles unpacks how sports betting, NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal reshaped college athletics, and why private equity is now circling conferences and programs. From a $125,000 wager that cost a coach his job to the $50M football roster, he ties the business of sports to the deal-making world business owners know.🎯 What We Cover:- How sports betting changed what fans watch — and how leagues track every wager- The transfer portal as a free-agency bidding war for 18-year-olds- NIL, revenue sharing, and the $20.5M cap schools already blow past- Why staying in college now pays more than going pro for most players- Private equity's move into conferences — and the control that follows- Building audience trust over 33 years — and why honesty wins- Storytelling lessons from Omaha, Katrina, and Hurricane Andrew🤝 Connect with Charles Hanagriff:🌐 https://www.louisianasports.net/personnel/charles-hanagriff/🏢 https://www.guarantymedia.com/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea:💼 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/guests/scott-shea/🙏 Special thanks to Co-Host Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting The Deal Podcast's Baton Rouge Podcast Tour.🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He got told no 2,000 times before Wall Street said yes. Rip Reeves cold-called his way off a borrowed New York City phone book — and four decades later runs the company whose magazine first taught him the business.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, recorded on the Baton Rouge Podcast Tour, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Rip Reeves, CEO of Institutional Investor and former CIO of AEGIS Insurance Services. Rip walks through how global capital actually moves — the allocator-manager ecosystem, why insurance companies, endowments, and family offices invest so differently, and the convergence of public, private, and wealth markets. A candid masterclass for anyone on the GP side of private equity asking whose door to knock on for capital — plus the grit and mentorship behind a 40-year career.🎯 What We Cover:The borrowed phone book and 2,000 cold-call origin storyHow allocators decide where capital flowsWhy insurance, endowments, and family offices invest differentlyThe Yale endowment model: equities, fixed income, alternativesFee compression and the shift toward private marketsWhy single family offices now move like institutionsThe convergence of public, private, and wealth marketsKnowing what you are — and what you're not🤝 Connect with Rip Reeves: 🌐 https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rip-reeves-1b725717/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/🙏 Special thanks to our Co-Host Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting The Deal Podcast's Baton Rouge Podcast Tour. 🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He cashed out everything during the pandemic — left a guaranteed paycheck to raise $30M and buy a bank that didn't exist yet. Five years later, it's quadrupled.In this episode, recorded live in Baton Rouge on our Louisiana Podcast Tour, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Scott Gaudin, President & CEO of Currency Bank. Scott traces his path from folding towels and parking cars under Nick Saban at LSU to acquiring a community bank charter and building it into a $260M concierge business bank owned by 143 shareholders. It's a story about mentorship, "the process," and the math of buying, growing, and selling banks in the lower middle market — for founders, family operators, and the advisors who guide them.🎯 What We Cover:- Why he left a secure role to raise $30M and buy a bank during COVID- The "acquire a charter" strategy vs. starting a bank from scratch- How 200+ Zoom meetings built a 143-shareholder base- The economics of buying a $62M bank at 15x earnings- Choosing your own boss — and getting a "PhD" in banking- Buying and selling branches: the b1BANK and Commercial Capital deals- Why he treats employees as the asset in every acquisition- Acquisition lending for advisors and insurance books of business- Lessons on mentorship, confidence, and serving your community🤝 Connect with Scott Gaudin:🌐 https://www.currency.bank💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-gaudin-56606760🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea:💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/🙏 Special thanks to Venue Host Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting our Baton Rouge Podcast Tour.🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Should you grow your business or protect it? The answer depends on one number — and most owners don't know theirs.In this episode, Joshua Wilson and co-hosts Scott Shea (FA Mergers) and Jeremy Beyt (CEO, ThreeSixtyEight) sit down with Ben Vance, CPA, Director at Faulk & Winkler, who brings nearly 20 years in business valuation, transaction advisory, and family office work. Ben unpacks the difference between "playing offense" and "playing defense" with enterprise value, why the legacy bill-by-the-hour CPA model leaves owners exposed, and how starting the exit-planning process seven years out beats scrambling at the ninth hour. A candid, operator-level conversation on selling your business, deal readiness, and building value that survives due diligence — from the Baton Rouge Podcast Tour.🎯 What We Cover:Offense vs. defense: when to grow value and when to protect itThe "windshield vs. rearview mirror" shift every owner needsWhy the bill-by-the-hour CPA model fails growth-minded ownersOrganized planning vs. controlled chaos in a sale processThe add-backs owners don't realize they're sitting onHow buyers actually value people vs. systemsWhy most deals die — and how early prep keeps them aliveUsing AI to build a real-time data room and Q of E modelReading momentum: when to take chips off the tablePreparedness as a founder's superpower🤝 Connect with Ben Vance: 🌐 https://fw-cpa.com/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/🙏 Special thanks to Co-Host Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting our Baton Rouge Podcast Tour. 🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He built a national construction firm out of a town of fewer than 1,000 people — then sold it without feeling like he sold out.In this episode, Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Lenny Lemoine, founder of LEMOINE, the Louisiana services company he and his brother Tim grew from a family lumberyard into a 1,500-person leader in building, infrastructure, and disaster response. Lenny walks through decades of building enterprise value: the early hard-bid years, the choice to drop hard-bid work to protect culture, the Bernhard Capital Partners deal that let him scale through M&A, and a succession where the organization chose his successor. A candid talk on relationships, grit, and building people over buildings — for any lower middle market owner weighing an exit.🎯 What We Cover:- Starting a commercial construction company where none existed- Why bonding and liquidity are the lifeblood of the business- Walking away from hard-bid work to build a relationship-driven model- The Bernhard Capital Partners deal and scaling through acquisition- "Selling without selling out" and protecting company culture- The weight of leading thousands of employees and their families- Running a year-long, employee-driven succession process- Why relationships are the real engine behind every deal🙏 Special thanks to Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, for hosting The Deal Podcast's Baton Rouge Podcast Tour.🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/🤝 Connect with Lenny Lemoine:🌐 https://1lemoine.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-lemoine-66465054/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea:💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What separates the PE firms that build lasting companies from the ones that destroy them? Jeff Koonce says it comes down to one asset that never shows up cleanly on a balance sheet.Jeffrey Koonce is a Partner at Bernhard Capital Partners, a Baton Rouge-based services and infrastructure-focused private equity firm with more than $6 billion in AUM. A recovering CPA and former tax attorney at Phelps Dunbar, Jeff joined BCP as General Counsel and has been part of the firm's growth from its first fund close through its fifth. Co-host Scott Shea and special guest co-host Jeremy Beyt, CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, join Joshua Wilson for this conversation recorded live at ThreeSixtyEight's studio in Baton Rouge.🎯 What We Cover:What private equity actually looks for beyond EBITDA and cash flowWhy the highest offer rarely wins in a founder-owned dealHow BCP uses a "blueprint" strategy before approaching any targetWhy safety records are a leading indicator of service company qualityThe role of culture in buy-and-build platform successWhy founders who roll equity almost always outperform on the back endHow BCP managed 23 portfolio companies through reporting and technologyThe difference between a PE firm and a family officeWhy brand and goodwill matter even in industrial M&AWhat Jeff asks every founder at the deal table🤝 Connect with Jeffrey Koonce: 🌐 https://www.bernhardcapital.com🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/🤝 Connect with Jeremy Beyt | ThreeSixtyEight: 🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Erik Billet and Jude David built a family office that's done 12 acquisitions in five years — without outside investors, without a fund clock, and without ever planning to flip a single company.In this episode, Erik Billet, CFO of Kin Capital Partners and CEO of Stately Doors and Windows, joins Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA, Managing Partner at FA Mergers, to walk through how a two-man partnership grew into a multifamily office acquiring lower middle market businesses. Erik shares the operating playbook behind their model — why they evaluate 1,000 companies to buy one, why control matters more than capital, why the Buffett model beats the Koch brothers' model for them, and how a late-night phone call turned into one of the best deals of their career.🎯 What We Cover:- Why a family office beats traditional PE for lower middle market acquisitions- The acquisition filter: 1,000 deals reviewed for every one bought- Why control investments matter more than passive capital- The Buffett model vs. the Koch brothers model- Red flags in lower middle market financials- Why three-year PE hold periods destroy good companies- Succession and the family-business question every acquirer must ask- Building a CFO function across a portfolio of companies- The deal that closed a year after the offer🤝 Connect with Erik Billet:🌐 https://kincp.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbillet/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA:💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What happens when a buyer looks at your business and says, "The owner is too involved — we can't pluck him out"? That's the moment your exit value collapses. And it's the moment Jeff Martin has spent a career helping founders avoid.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Jeff Martin — serial entrepreneur, four-time exiter, and founder of Company Growth Academy. Jeff shares hard-won lessons from building and selling companies across real estate, paramedical services, and DNA testing (where he was a true first mover in the franchising space). Today, Jeff coaches second-generation owners and founders running service-based businesses in the $1M–$5M range, helping them push past the development stage into real growth — and building companies that are actually sellable. Jeff, Joshua, and Jude unpack owner dependency, the value-first mindset, the difference between a business and a company, and why the biggest obstacle to growth is almost always the person at the top.🎯 What We Cover:Why business strategy starts with exit strategy — not two years before closeThe "value first" mindset and why revenue and profit followHow to spot the choke points buyers will use to devalue your companyOwner dependency, customer concentration, and other risk factors that crush multiplesThe four stages of company development — and where most owners get stuckWhy "build a business to sell a company" beats "build a business to sell"The vacation test: what really happens if you disappear for 90 daysCoaches vs. consultants vs. advisors — and why every operator needs oneLessons from being a first mover in DNA testing franchisingHow to develop your team so the company can outgrow you🤝 Connect with Jeff Martin: 🌐 https://www.companygrowthacademy.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/companygrowthtv/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@CompanyGrowthTV🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He spent over two decades as a full-time Catholic minister. Then four kids, a tight bank account, and a global pandemic forced a pivot that would reshape everything.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with John Ray Perkins, a top-producing Realtor with Keller Williams Realty of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. After 20+ years in youth and parish ministry at St. Peter's in Carencro and St. Pius X, John Ray launched a real estate side hustle in late 2019 — just months before COVID redrew the map. Six years in, he's running a growing team and rebuilding his business as a system, not a job.This is a story about identity, calling, provision, and the shift from operator to owner — told through the lens of a guy who walked it.🎯 What We Cover:Why he left full-time ministry after 20+ years — and the surrender moment that opened the doorHustling through financial pressure with four kids and "more month than money"How COVID reshuffled both careers in the same six monthsThe Costco conversation that became a six-year client relationshipSelling a service in a relationship-driven market without leading with religionThe mindset class that rewired how he thinks, talks, and parents"You have a high-paying job — not a business" — the wake-up call from his coachBuilding systems, processes, and models so the business runs without the operatorHow he vets seller motivation before taking a listingWhy he changes coaches when he hits a plateau — and how to find the right oneQuality Time Remaining: the framework Jude uses with founders weighing an exitWhy the best businesses to sell are the ones that don't need to sell🤝 Connect with John Ray Perkins: 🌐 https://johnrayperkins.kw.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyheyitsjohnray/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/user/johnrayperkins🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it take to scale a plaintiff's law firm to 17 attorneys across three offices — without losing the mission, the culture, or your sanity? Blake David has done it, and he's still trying cases.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with Blake R. David, founding partner of Broussard, David & Moroux in Lafayette, Louisiana, alongside co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA, Managing Partner at FA Mergers — and Blake's younger brother. Blake is one of the most decorated trial lawyers in the country: ranked #3 on the 2026 Top 10 Louisiana Super Lawyers list out of more than 22,000 attorneys, four-time recognized lead counsel on Top 100 jury verdicts, board-certified in Civil Trial Advocacy, and a Trial Advocacy professor at the LSU Law Center. He's also an active operator — co-owner of Titus Crane Services and Stately Doors & Windows — and a force in Louisiana economic development as past Chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents.This conversation pulls back the curtain on the business behind the practice: how Blake grew from two lawyers and a stack of files to a 17-attorney firm, why he implemented EOS, how he selects cases (and why he turns down 19 out of 20), and what it really takes to be a credible operator inside a courtroom and a boardroom.🎯 What We Cover:Why "excellence is a habit" became the firm's operating principleHow EOS transformed a high-performing firm into a scalable oneThe mentorship model that built every senior partner at the firmHow Blake evaluates a case the way an investor evaluates a dealBuilding a referral-driven business without billboards or mass advertisingLessons from his biggest verdict — and the loss that humbled him right afterInvesting alongside his brother Jude across crane, door, and millwork businessesWhy the Louisiana Board of Regents matters to anyone investing in the stateThe Litany of Humility and what it teaches founders and dealmakersWhy honesty wins the long game in trials, deals, and partnerships🤝 Connect with Blake David: 🌐 https://bdm.law/ ⚖️ https://justiceobtained.com/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the smartest move before your liquidity event isn't talking to your banker — it's talking to a community foundation?In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Missy Andrade, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA), to unpack one of the most overlooked tools in middle market dealmaking: the community foundation. Missy leads a 26-year-old organization stewarding more than $253 million in assets across roughly 1,000 component funds, working alongside CPAs, attorneys, and wealth advisors to turn liquidity events into multi-generational legacies. From donor-advised funds and complex asset gifts — appreciated stock, real estate, mineral rights, art collections, even ownership of operating companies — to the conversation founders should be having before they sign an LOI, Missy walks through how community foundations function as a strategic partner for entrepreneurs, families, and the advisors who serve them.🎯 What We Cover:How community foundations actually work (and why they're like "a bank for donors")Why CPAs send clients to community foundations before a sale closesThe case for charitable planning before liquidity — not afterDonor-advised funds vs. private foundations: when each makes senseHow a billion-dollar Baton Rouge company was transferred to a community foundationComplex asset gifts: stock, real estate, mineral rights, IP, art, and moreDonor intent and how to protect a founder's legacy across generationsThe G2 and G3 succession question every fund holder should askWhy the most successful philanthropists are obsessive — and team-buildersTrust-based philanthropy and why neutrality is a community foundation's superpower🤝 Connect with Missy Andrade: 🌐 https://www.cfacadiana.org/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-bienvenu-andrade-81363b65/ 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Mark Weber made $12,000 his first year in business. He never hired an employee. Three decades later, he's built a portfolio across life insurance, real estate, and mortgage lending — all on strategic partnerships and commission-only hustle.Mark Weber is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and CEO of Mark Weber Enterprises — a multi-layered company spanning real estate, investments, insurance, and mortgage lending. In this episode, Mark sits down with host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, Managing Partner at FA Mergers, to break down the "eat what you kill" operating model that's carried him through 30+ years of entrepreneurship without a single W-2 employee. From his first $28,000 townhouse in 1994 to co-inventing the GreatCatch soft hands trainer (licensed to Cutters Gloves and SKLZ, now sold globally), Mark shares how strategic partnerships, faith-led discernment, and old-fashioned grit built a durable boutique business — and what the next generation of dealmakers needs to hear.🎯 What We Cover:The eat-what-you-kill model and how Mark scaled without fixed payrollHow AI is reshaping life insurance underwriting (policies issued in minutes)Strategic partnerships vs. hiring — how to structure transactional back-office supportTurning a $200 prototype into a $3.33 global retail product (the GreatCatch story)Why grit and work ethic matter more than credentials for the next generationHow faith and discernment shape Mark's go/no-go decisions on dealsThe rental property playbook that started with a single $28K townhouseTeaching kids to hustle: lessons from laying sod and cutting grassInefficient markets, value creation, and why sales skills always winWalking away from the wrong deals — and why the walk-aways matter most🤝 Connect with Mark Weber: 🌐 https://www.leadprofessionalsgroup.com/our-team 🌐 https://donedealnow.com/staff/mark-weber/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-a-weber-a220999/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@GreatCatch08🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA — Managing Partner, FA Mergers: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the smartest growth strategy in your community wasn't being run by a private equity firm — it was being run by a charity?Kim Boudreaux and Sarah Clement of Catholic Charities of Acadiana have spent the last two decades quietly executing one of the most disciplined nonprofit roll-up strategies in Louisiana — growing from a $1.2M agency with 23 employees into a $15M, 90-person, 14-organization platform serving eight civil parishes.In this episode, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Kim Boudreaux, Chief Executive Officer, and Sarah Clement, Chief Administrative Officer and 2023 recipient of the Catholic Charities USA National Management Excellence Award, for a candid look at how mission-driven organizations apply real M&A principles — economy of scale, sub-10% administrative rates, EOS implementation, and rigorous due diligence — to expand impact rather than profit. They open up about merging six nonprofits in a single day, navigating boards, integrating cultures, and the hard call to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour before it was cool.🎯 What We Cover:The bishop's challenge that launched a 20-year roll-up strategyWhy economy of scale matters more in nonprofits than most people thinkThe day they closed six mergers — and what they would do differently nowHow to approach a nonprofit board about a merger without bruising egosUsing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to scale a faith-based enterpriseHow they grew FoodNet 110% and Rebuilding Together Acadiana 290% post-acquisitionThe succession-planning angle that opens nonprofit M&A conversationsHiring people smarter than you — and the test Kim used to vet SarahBuilding a culture of mutual accountability, honest feedback, and "start/stop" exercisesWhy the $15 minimum wage decision changed how the whole organization operates🤝 Connect with Kim Boudreaux: 🌐 https://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-boudreaux-186094175/🤝 Connect with Sarah Clement: 🌐 https://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-clement-562b7913/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the Lord interrupted your career at the peak of the American dream? Saul Keeton walked away from 25 years in commercial real estate. Kevin Granger left nursing and music behind. Both said yes to something bigger.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with Saul Keeton and Kevin Granger of Family Missions Company — the largest lay Catholic foreign missionary organization in the world — alongside co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers. Saul and Kevin share how the Lord rerouted their lives, what it takes to run a mission organization sending 200+ missionaries into 11 countries, and how business owners and stewards of capital can become the shaft of the spear that pushes the gospel into the world's most underserved places. This is a conversation about legacy, kingdom ROI, and what happens when ambition meets surrender.🎯 What We Cover:Why Saul left a 25-year commercial real estate career for the mission fieldKevin's journey from music major to nursing to global missionsHow Family Missions Company became the largest lay Catholic foreign missionary organization in the worldThe "tip of the spear" model — and why business owners are the shaftRunning a mission organization with 20–30 staff and 200+ missionaries in 11 countriesKingdom ROI: how to think about return when souls are the metricWhy 3.6 billion people have never heard the name of JesusGospel poverty, transparency, and how missionary funds actually flowWorking yourself out of a job — building self-sustaining missionsIdentity rooted in being a son of the Father, not a to-do list🤝 Connect with Saul Keeton & Kevin Granger: On IG:Saul + https://www.instagram.com/saulkeetonKevin + https://www.instagram.com/kevinjgrangerFamily Missions: https://www.instagram.com/fmcmissions/ Web: 🌐 https://www.familymissionscompany.com/ 👥 https://www.facebook.com/FamilyMissionsCompany/ 🎙️ Go You Are Sent Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3as5fmjounyu6588WGO8Ek ▶️ Go You Are Sent (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@GoYouAreSent🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it actually take to walk away from a thriving career at the top of your game — and how do you do it without leaving wreckage behind?In this special episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA — Managing Partner at FA Mergers — sit down with Father Jim Brady, JCL, Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Before entering the priesthood, Father Brady spent eleven years building a regional law practice as a litigation partner. He earned a BS in Accounting from Spring Hill College, a JD from the University of Mississippi, and later a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America. His story is a master class in discernment, responsible transition, and the kind of stewardship every founder, partner, and operator eventually faces. Whether you're contemplating a sale, a career change, or the next chapter, this conversation will reframe how you think about calling, exits, and what it means to run toward something rather than away.🎯 What We Cover:How a 29-year-old trial lawyer started hearing a different callThe Holy Thursday moment that changed everythingWhy he gave his partners a full year to unwind the practice responsiblyBuilding your own succession plan before you exitThe "99% pay cut" — what's actually hard about a major career transitionHow to tell the difference between running toward something vs. running from itDiscernment frameworks that apply to founders, sellers, and career changersBringing trusted advisors into your decision instead of going it aloneRunning a large parish like a business — service, solutions, and the customer experienceWhy "small things with great love" outperform grand ambition over time🤝 Connect with Father Jim Brady: 🌐 https://stpiusxchurch.org/staff/fr-jim-brady/ 📧 [email protected]🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What happens when a former musician with degrees in graphic design and public relations becomes the executive director of one of Louisiana's most important startup engines? You get Destin Ortego — and a playbook that's helped founders raise $116M in venture capital and drive over $2 billion in economic impact since 2018.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Destin Ortego, Executive Director of Opportunity Machine, the Lafayette-based nonprofit turning aspiring entrepreneurs into fundable, scalable founders. Destin shares how Opportunity Machine evolved from an LITE-backed initiative in 2009 into a membership-based nonprofit supporting roughly 50 active startup teams across idea, early, and growth stages. The conversation digs into what makes a company actually fundable, why customer discovery kills more bad ideas than any pitch deck, and why curiosity and "humble swag" are the two traits that separate successful founders from everyone else. Destin also unpacks the AI moment, why SaaS-only startups are losing their moat, and why marketplaces and network-effect businesses are built to win the next cycle.🎯 What We Cover:How Opportunity Machine supports founders from idea stage through growth stageThe real definition of "fundable" — and why traction beats vision every timeWhy customer discovery is the single most important skill for early foundersThe difference between leading and lagging indicators (and why vanity metrics lie)Bootstrapping, equity, and non-dilutive funding pathways like SBIR and STTRWhy the average successful founder takes 3.5 tries to get it rightHow AI is reshaping defensibility — and why SaaS alone is no longer a moatThe marketplace comeback: why network effects are the new investor magnetThe mindset shift founders must make to avoid the "permanent underclass"Why buying a business may be more viable than starting one from scratch🤝 Connect with Destin Ortego: 🌐 https://opportunitymachine.org/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/destin-ortego/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it actually take to land a $1.4 billion manufacturing deal in a parish of 70,000 people? Mike Tarantino has the playbook — and he's running it in real time.In this episode, Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Mike Tarantino, President and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, to break down the mechanics of modern economic development dealmaking. Mike walks through how Iberia Parish, Louisiana beat out 15+ competing communities to land First Solar's 2.3 million square foot facility — now employing over 825 people and anchoring an entirely new advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Cajun country. From building the public-private partnerships that move at the speed of business, to courting site selectors, to retaining the legacy businesses that quietly built the local economy, Mike shares the relationship-driven, numbers-first approach that turns a community into a magnet for capital.🎯 What We Cover:Why incentives sweeten deals but never make a bad deal goodHow Iberia Parish landed First Solar's $1.4B advanced manufacturing facilityThe site selector ecosystem and how to get on their radarBuilding public-private partnerships that move at the speed of businessWhat drives location decisions in a remote-work, AI-enabled economyWhy business retention is the unsung hero of economic developmentThe role of generational and family businesses in regional growthBuilding supplier ecosystems around anchor tenants (tier 1, 2, and 3)How Marine Corps discipline translates into dealmaking focusDiversifying a legacy oil and gas economy without abandoning it🤝 Connect with Mike Tarantino: 🌐 https://www.iberiabiz.org 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tarantino-cecd-21693017/ 🎙️ The Mike Drop with Mike Tarantino: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KaiEyDlxpUmGyzzjSUynL🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the same company could give you four bites of the apple? Steven Pivnik did exactly that — and nearly lost it all in between.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with Steven Pivnik, serial founder, endurance athlete, and exit advisor who built and monetized the same software company four separate times before finally selling to a $4 billion competitor. Steven shares the real story behind the wins — and the gut-punch in the middle when he came back from a two-year contract to find fraud, falsified financials, and a company one month from bankruptcy. From immigrating from the former Soviet Union as a toddler to coding Pac-Man on a Commodore 64 to climbing Mount Everest at 55, Steven's story is a masterclass in pattern recognition, founder resilience, and the discipline it takes to actually build something worth selling. Now an executive coach with The CEO Project and exit advisor with Acresis, he helps founders avoid the mistakes that nearly cost him everything.🎯 What We Cover:How Steven licensed the same software to IBM and Microsoft in back-to-back dealsThe "MBA in a box" he got working under a seasoned management team post-acquisitionWhy pattern recognition is the most underrated founder skillThe fraud and betrayal that nearly killed his company while he was awayWhy he interviewed every employee on day one of his return — and cut from 30 to 8How he made good on two missed payrolls over 12 months after coming backThe KPI discipline that separated his second act from his firstBringing in a CEO for the final exit — and how to "love like you've never lost"His ideal client profile: 10+ years in business, $10M+ revenue, 90% of net worth tied upThe transformation founders experience when accountability replaces "we've always done it this way"🤝 Connect with Steven Pivnik: 🌐 https://www.stevenpivnik.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpivnik/ 🎙️ Built to Finish Podcast: https://stevenpivnik.com/podcast/📘 Built to Finish (Book): Available on Amazon:https://a.co/d/0g77FiBE💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it take to turn a text message into a viral brand? Bryan McGehee, founder of Gatr Coolers, did exactly that — starting from a camper with his wife and kids, betting his house on a cooler company, and going full-time the same month COVID shut the world down.Bryan McGehee is the founder of Gatr Coolers, a premium customizable cooler and drinkware brand built out of Thibodaux, Louisiana. Bryan spent years working pipeline jobs, living in hotels and campers, before a text from his brother Mitch sparked an idea that became a decade-long entrepreneurial ride. Joining host Joshua Wilson is co-host Scott Shea, who first connected with Bryan through shared business experiences and knew his story needed to be told.In this episode, Bryan gets raw about the real cost of building a manufacturing company in South Louisiana — hurricanes, inventory tax, staffing wars with oilfield wages, and supply chain chaos that left him waiting on last year's inventory well into this year. He also breaks down the marketing playbook that helped Gatr grow to 50,000 Instagram followers, 50,000 on Facebook, and hundreds of thousands on an email list — almost entirely without paid ads.🎯 What We Cover:How a Thanksgiving text from his brother Mitch became Gatr CoolersWhy Bryan went full-time in March 2020 — and signed a building lease two weeks before COVIDThe "wife test" that shaped every marketing decision Gatr ever madeWhy he ditched influencer culture in favor of real users and user-generated contentHow strategic product partnerships with brands like Realtree and Benelli generated 60–80K emails at a timeThe hidden costs that blindside Louisiana manufacturers: inventory tax, hurricane shutdowns, insuranceWhy he tells college students most of them probably shouldn't start a businessWhat it felt like when a customer cried opening a custom cup engraved with her late sister's photoHis five-year vision: US manufacturing, new product lines, and changing Thibodaux's economyThe brand-naming logic behind dropping the "o" 🤝 Connect with Bryan McGehee: 🌐 https://gatrcoolers.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mcgehee-38b75268/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/gatrcoolers 📸 https://www.instagram.com/gatrcoolers/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the biggest mistake you're making isn't a bad deal or a wrong hire — but spending your life doing things you're capable of instead of things you were made for?Dominic Dupré grew up watching four cousins build successful companies in Louisiana's energy corridor. He graduated into the shale boom, swung sledgehammers on a workover rig, and had his entrepreneurial dreams derailed by the 2014 oil bust — only to be called back into the family business to turn around a failing crude hauling division. What followed was one of the most clarifying journeys we've heard on this show: from survival mode to self-discovery, from operator to investor.Today Dominic is the founding member of Tule Creek Capital, a Gulf Coast investment firm focused on heavy industrial and environmental businesses. Joining host Joshua Wilson is co-host Scott Shea, who first crossed paths with Dominic when FA Mergers was working a logistics deal — and the connection stuck.🎯 What We Cover:Growing up in a Cajun entrepreneurial family and why business was Sunday dinner conversationWhy Dominic never wanted to work in the family business — and what changedThe 2014 oil bust: what happened, who got hurt, and what it taught a young entrepreneurTurning around a failing crude hauling division inside Dupré LogisticsHow the family business exit was structured and what made the transition workMoving from operator mindset to investor mindset — and the gaps in betweenWhy Tule Creek Capital over-indexes on culture and gut instinct in deal evaluationThe key man risk problem that disqualifies most SMB sellers before diligence even startsHow to know when you've found your highest and best use as a founderRich Dad Poor Dad, Traction, and the books that shaped how Dominic thinks about wealth and growth🤝 Connect with Dominic Dupré: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/guests/dominic-dupre/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-dupre/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if the thing slowing your growth isn't what's missing — it's what you refuse to cut?Yarin Gaon sold his fourth company at 28, ran turnarounds as an Entrepreneur in Residence at a venture capital firm, mentored 400+ founders through the University of Chicago and SCORE, and has earned an MBA along the way. Today he runs Fractional Partners, where he applies a private equity-style operating playbook to lower middle market businesses stuck in what he calls the "messy middle" — the $2M to $20M range where founders have product-market fit but haven't decided what's actually worth scaling.In this episode, Yarin breaks down why most founders default to growth by addition (more channels, more customers, more SKUs) when what their business really needs is growth by subtraction. He walks host Joshua Wilson through the exact framework he uses to identify which 20% of a business is generating most of the profit — and why scaling everything else is the silent killer of EBITDA, exit multiples, and founder sanity.🎯 What We Cover:The two mistakes Yarin made before exiting his Israeli e-commerce company at 28Why over-built proprietary systems become a liability — not an asset — at exitThe gap between MBA frameworks and how owner-operators actually run businessesGrowth by addition vs. growth by subtraction — and when each one appliesWhy EOS solves execution problems but can't solve strategic onesHow to attribute true overhead by revenue stream to expose your real profit centerThe mindset shift from operator to owner: resource allocation as the real jobWhy pausing is the hardest — and most profitable — thing a founder can doWhat private equity does post-close that founders should do pre-saleThe Fractional Partner model: more than an advisor, less than a co-founder🤝 Connect with Yarin Gaon: 🌐 https://www.fractional.partners/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaringaon/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/fractional.partners/📘 Free Resource: The Clarity Playbook — playbook.fractional.partners💼 Thinking About a Transaction?FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk.🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He was drowning in investor debt, swinging a hammer in Houston just to make payroll — and still found a way to build something worth fighting for. This is a story about grit, partnership, and what it really takes to grow a trade business from the inside out.George Boudreaux founded Pelican Roofing Company in Lafayette, Louisiana on July 4th, 2014 — not from a place of momentum, but from a burning need to survive. After a real estate venture in Houston went sideways and left him half a million dollars in the hole, he bootstrapped a roofing company and grew it into a regional force. But after years of hurricanes, burnout, and carrying too many people for too long, he knew he needed a partner — not a buyer. Nathan Rath, a 12-year Halliburton veteran who traded oil rigs for rooftops, answered that call. Joining host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea, George and Nathan unpack the real mechanics of finding the right partner, making hard decisions, and building a business with staying power. Pelican Roofing has grown from roughly $9M to $19M in revenue — with no storm tailwind.🎯 What We Cover:How George lost $500K in Houston and rebuilt from scratch with a roofing companyWhy he started Pelican Roofing on July 4th, 2014 — and what that date meantWhat Nathan gave up at Halliburton and why family drove him toward ownershipThe list George wrote in December 2022: "Find a partner by July 4th, 2023"How they structured and inked their partnership deal on August 8th, 2023Growing from $9M to $19M with no hurricane boost — and the hard lessons in betweenThe first principles exercise that led to layoffs right before ChristmasWhat makes a great door-to-door roofing salesperson — and why motivation beats resumeHow Nathan's community roots (and a pelican suit) built Pelican's brand in AcadianaWhat George and Nathan are really looking for before they'd ever do a PE deal🤝 Connect with George Boudreaux: 🌐 https://pelicanroof.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-boudreaux-64031120/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/BoudreauxGeorge/🤝 Connect with Nathan Rath: 🌐 https://pelicanroof.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rath-2aa371120/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

She thought it was total BS. Then they built a company together — and haven't looked back since. Kenny and Stacy Maggard turned a margarita-fueled conversation into Azalea Health Services, a mission-driven mental health company serving seniors in long-term care settings across Louisiana and Texas.Kenny Maggard spent 15 years as a middle market banker at Capital One before stepping into private equity and ultimately taking the leap into entrepreneurship. Stacy Maggard brought a background in marketing and public relations and traded in the stay-at-home season of life for a co-founder title she never expected — and wouldn't trade for anything. Together, they built Azalea Health Services from the ground up, embedding licensed professional counselors inside nursing homes, assisted living communities, and senior independent living facilities to meet residents exactly where they are — literally and figuratively. In just three years, they've served thousands of patients navigating grief, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and life transitions. Joining host Joshua Wilson is co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, who brings his signature depth to the conversation on mission, marriage, and building something that lasts. This episode is equal parts entrepreneurship, marriage, mission, and grit.🎯 What We Cover:How a banker and a stay-at-home mom stumbled into healthcare entrepreneurshipWhy Kenny chose a startup despite having zero interest in startupsThe management service agreement model that gave them a playbookHow Azalea Health Services brings mental health counseling into senior living facilitiesWhat it's really like to run a business with your spouse — the good, the hard, and the hilariousThe barbecue ministry story that became Kenny's north star for the businessScaling a healthcare company when your payer sources are Medicare and Medicare AdvantageHow they divide roles, navigate disagreements, and still like each otherWhat telehealth can and can't do for a geriatric patient populationThe shift in mindset that changed how Stacy thinks about money, calling, and purpose🤝 Connect with Kenny & Stacy Maggard: 🌐 https://azaleahealthservices.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-maggard-jr-89131a8/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacymaggard/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What happens when you hand the keys to an $850 million government operation to someone who thinks like an operator? You get fewer barriers, faster decisions, and a city that starts acting like it has a balance sheet to protect.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Mayor-President Monique Boulet of Lafayette, Louisiana. Monique walks through how she's running Lafayette Consolidated Government like a turnaround — stabilizing day-one operations, reorganizing a 2,000-employee workforce, and stripping out the drama that was keeping businesses and families from investing in the city. From the $200 million Johnson Street revitalization to a sewer-repair program that saved one developer $600,000 off their capital stack, Monique shares how she's removing barriers, inviting private investment, and pulling government out of the way — all while keeping faith, family, and public trust at the center of the work.🎯 What We Cover:Why Lafayette's population stalled inside the city limits — and the playbook to reverse itThe Johnson Street revitalization: a $200M+ project and how it gets funded over 7–10 yearsHow the Bertrand proof-of-concept project is de-risking a much bigger urban redesignRewriting sewer policy to save one developer $600K on a single projectWhy the inventory tax repeal (Amendment 4) matters for Lafayette ParishReorganizing a 2,000-employee, $850M government without raising taxesThe wage adjustment that filled 300+ vacancies and restored basic servicesWhat private investors and developers should know about the current climateLessons from Kathleen Blanco on leading with faith through uncertaintyHow Monique makes big decisions when the outcome isn't predefined🤝 Connect with Mayor-President Monique Boulet: 🌐 https://www.lafayettela.gov/ 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What happens to your business if you don't make it home today?Taylor Davis watched his father — a top vascular surgeon making great money — die at 48 with almost no coverage after a business partnership dissolved and the insurance went with it. His mother sold her dream home and went back to work. That experience became his life's mission.Taylor Davis is a Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, approaching 34 years in the business. He works with individuals and closely held businesses on succession planning, buy-sell agreements, life insurance, long-term care, and charitable giving strategies. A multi-time NAIFA Quality Award recipient and Million Dollar Round Table alumnus, Taylor has spent three decades asking the questions most business owners never get asked — and helping families avoid the financial devastation he witnessed firsthand.In this episode, Taylor shares the origin story that drove him into financial planning, the sales lessons from knocking on doors in North Dakota, and why the most important question in any business relationship is: what happens when you don't make it home?🎯 What We Cover:Why high-income earners are often the most underprotectedWhat really happens to a buy-sell agreement when partners stop getting alongThe question every business owner avoids — and why you can't afford toHow to approach succession planning for a family business with kids in and outWhy discovery never stops — even after 30 years with the same clientThe door-to-door sales lessons that still drive Taylor's practice todayHow to ask for referrals without feeling like you're crossing a lineLong-term care planning and what COVID revealed about coverage gapsCharitable giving strategies that outlive the founder's wishesWhy identity rooted in work — not faith or family — leads to bad outcomes🤝 Connect with Taylor Davis: 🌐 https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/taylor-davis/meet-taylor 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-davis-b926564/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it take to turn a family baking legacy into a viral sensation? Billy and Denny, aka "The Gingerbread Twins", have been proving that faith, hard work, and butter cookies can build something extraordinary.Billy and Denny are the identical twin founders of Gingerbread Twins, a Lafayette, Louisiana bakery rooted in three generations of baking tradition. In this episode, they share one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial stories we've had on The Deal Podcast — a journey that runs from selling cookies out of a shoebox in high school, to building a factory, to a Mardi Gras king cake season that turned them into a nationwide viral phenomenon almost overnight. From learning to bake alongside their father and grandfather, to mastering TikTok content from scratch, to shipping their beloved products across the country, Billy and Denny show what it looks like to build a business on grit, gratitude, faith, and a whole lot of love for their craft.🎯 What We Cover:Three generations of baking heritage — from their grandfather's Dixie Cream Donuts to the founding of TwinsSelling cookies out of a shoebox in high school and discovering their entrepreneurial spirit earlyBuilding Twins Burgers and Sweets from scratch and growing it into a Lafayette institutionLaunching gingerbreadtwins.com and building a nationwide shipping businessThe failed marketing agency, the friend who stepped in, and learning to create their own contentHow one viral Mardi Gras king cake season exploded their business overnightWhere "Ya understand?" really comes from — and why it became their signatureManaging explosive growth, closing a second location, and making smart capacity decisionsHow their upbringing shaped the way they lead their team and treat their customersWhy it was never about the money — and what actually drives them every single day🤝 Connect with Billy & Denny: 🌐 https://gingerbreadtwins.com/ 📱 https://www.tiktok.com/@therealgingerbreadtwins 🔗 https://linktr.ee/gingerbreadtwinscom 📸 https://www.instagram.com/therealgingerbreadtwins 👥 https://www.facebook.com/therealgingerbreadtwins 🧵 https://www.threads.com/@therealgingerbreadtwins💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most financial advisors are sitting on their biggest asset and don't even know it. Dr. Jon Randall breaks down exactly what your practice is worth — and how to build it so buyers are lined up when you're ready.In this episode, Joshua Wilson sits down with Dr. Jon Randall, founder of eXtraordinary Financial Advisors (XFA) and author of The Extraordinary Financial Advisor Practice. With over 25 years of experience coaching financial advisors from $250K to $10M+ in revenue, Dr. Jon unpacks the operational, psychological, and strategic levers that separate stagnant practices from firms that scale to 10X — and eventually sell. Whether you're an RIA, an independent advisor, or building inside a larger enterprise, this conversation delivers a clear-eyed blueprint for turning your book of business into a transferable, high-value asset.🎯 What We Cover:Why the $1M–$1.5M revenue ceiling hits nearly every advisor — and what it takes to break throughHow private equity interest in the financial advisory space signals strong multiples for sellersThe "practitioner to CEO" shift that unlocks 10X growthWhy your clients are more transferable than you think — and how buyers actually see your bookWhat makes a practice highly attractive vs. a difficult acquisitionPartnership equity mistakes that don't show up until you're ready to sellHow to build a partner track with criteria — the KPMG model for independent firmsThe psychology of scaling: why your old model stops working and what to replace it withThe chip-on-the-shoulder driver — and what fuels growth when you don't have oneHow Dr. Jon's Grace Notes non-profit uses music to change trajectories for at-risk youth🤝 Connect with Dr. Jon Randall: 🌐 https://xfa.co 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonrandallxfa/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/xfa.coach 📘 https://www.facebook.com/XFA.COACH💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He was the only survivor of a plane crash that killed five people — burned on 80% of his body, pulled from a coma, and given little chance of a full recovery. What Wade Berzas discovered in that hospital room became the foundation for everything he now teaches entrepreneurs.Wade Berzas is an EOS Implementer, business coach, and speaker who works with privately held entrepreneurial companies of 10 to 250 employees. After a decade as VP of Sales at Global Data Systems — a $40M IT company — and surviving a catastrophic 2019 plane crash that took the lives of his closest colleagues, Wade rebuilt his life around four pillars: Faith, Perseverance, Surrender, and Love. Today he helps leadership teams scale without burning out, build companies that run without them, and create the kind of culture that survives anything. In this episode, Wade shares raw, unfiltered lessons from the crash, the coma, and the comeback — and how those experiences directly shaped his approach to EOS, sales, leadership, and life.🎯 What We Cover:How Wade's entrepreneur father shaped his work ethic from age 5Selling at 15 — and falling in love with the art and science of connectionWhat EOS is and how it transformed a $40M IT companyThe 2019 plane crash — and what happened to the company while Wade was in a comaThe four pillars of a life fully alive: Faith, Perseverance, Surrender, and LoveWhy vision boards matter — and the Superman story that stopped him coldHow ego and fear are the #1 inhibitors holding business owners backThe sales mindset shift that changes everything: stop selling, start connectingWhy entrepreneurs must surrender control to actually growWhat Wade tells the companies he coaches: 10 to 250 employees, call him🤝 Connect with Wade Berzas: 🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-berzas/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/💼 Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most companies are spending money on marketing without knowing if it's working. Jeremy Beyt has built a career proving there's a better way — and it starts long before you run a single ad.Jeremy Beyt is the CEO and Co-Founder of ThreeSixtyEight, a full-service creative agency based in Louisiana known as the Challenger Agency. In this episode, Jeremy joins hosts Joshua Wilson and Scott Shea for a wide-ranging conversation on what most businesses get wrong about marketing, why creativity alone isn't enough, and how he built and merged a company that turned down both a private equity acquisition and a Shark Tank appearance along the way. Jeremy brings a rare perspective — trained as a commercial real estate appraiser, self-taught designer, lifelong drummer, and behavioral economist at heart — and every chapter of his journey informs how he thinks about persuasion, data, and building businesses that last.🎯 What We Cover:Why people make decisions on emotion — and how to build marketing around that truthThe PE firm that courted Jeremy's company with private jets and fancy dinners, and why he said noHow two agencies 368 feet apart merged into one and what almost went wrongWhy most companies are at 5–10% marketing clarity when 40–50% is achievableThe data fundamentals every business owner should know before spending a dollar on marketingHow to align your sales and marketing teams around shared metrics that actually drive decisionsThe difference between spray-and-pray marketing and problem-obsessed creative strategyWhy Jeremy turned down Shark Tank — and what that taught him about autonomyThe operating agreement lesson he'd go back and fix if he couldMusic as the ultimate business analogy: what drummers can teach you about leadership and listening🤝 Connect with Jeremy Beyt: 🌐 https://www.threesixtyeight.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-beyt/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Connect with Scott - https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/Connect with Josh  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Before Scott Rainey owned a safety consulting company, he was getting bit by dogs in North Louisiana — knocking on doors as a landman, trying to convince hostile landowners to let oil companies onto their property. That pivot into entrepreneurship wasn't clean. It nearly ended in bankruptcy. Here's how he got out, started over, and built something worth selling.Scott Rainey is the founder and President of Quest Safety Solutions, a safety consulting firm serving oil and gas service companies across New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. With over 20 years of oil field experience — 15 of them in safety — Scott built his company from the ground up after a near-miss acquisition deal nearly wiped out everything he and his wife had worked to build. Today, Quest functions as a fully outsourced in-house safety department for oilfield operators, handling OSHA compliance, workforce certifications, training management, and insurance coordination — so clients stay on the job and off the audit list. Scott holds an MBA and the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation and lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with his wife Mandy and their three children.Joining host Joshua Wilson is co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA — Managing Partner at FA Mergers, former M&A attorney with 200+ transactions, and founder of a self-funded building materials company grown to 400+ employees via acquisitions. Scott is a longtime personal friend of Jude's, and their shared history makes for a candid conversation about faith, risk, and what it truly takes to build a business worth exiting.🎯 What We Cover:What a landman actually does — and where the TV show gets it right (and wrong)How Scott stumbled from land work and environmental management into oilfield safety consultingThe acquisition deal he rushed into without doing his homework — and why it nearly ended in bankruptcyWhat he wishes he had done differently as a first-time business buyer, including the due diligence he skippedThe conversation every entrepreneur dreads: going home to a pregnant wife after walking away from a job with no planWhy safety is not just a cost center — it is a license to operate, and without it your employees do not go to workHow Quest functions as a full outsourced safety department for 10–70 person oilfield service companiesThe AI agent demo that shifted how Scott sees the future of his entire business modelWhy he is deliberately building Quest Safety Solutions to sell — and what he envisions doing after the exitHis closing advice for any entrepreneur standing at a fork in the road🤝 Connect with Scott Rainey: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-rainey-mba-csp-48058b22/🤝 Connect with Jude David: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/guests/jude-david/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

She spent thousands of dollars on wedding flowers she didn't even love — and watched them end up in the trash by the end of the night. That experience became the blueprint for a business that has now served over 60,000 weddings and helped couples save more than $100 million on flowers.Lauren Bercier is the Co-Founder and CEO of Something Borrowed Blooms, the leading silk floral rental company disrupting the traditional wedding flower industry. In this episode, Lauren joins hosts Joshua Wilson and Jude David to walk through the full entrepreneurial arc — from a bootstrapped idea born in a man cave in Lafayette, Louisiana, to a nationally recognized brand now in the middle of a Series B raise. She breaks down what it actually takes to build a scalable consumer brand, navigate the VC landscape as a female founder, and lead a team of 40 people serving customers across the country — all while staying capital efficient and keeping the mission intact.🎯 What We Cover:How Lauren turned her own bad wedding flower experience into a rent-and-return business modelWhy Rent the Runway inspired the Something Borrowed Blooms conceptThe tech stack evolution: GoDaddy to Shopify to custom platform to BigCommerceWhat 60,000 weddings taught her about scalable, direct-to-consumer operationsThe realities of raising venture capital as a female founder in a female-focused industryHow a Series B in 2025 is funding a platform relaunch that drove 26% YOY sales growth in its first monthExpanding beyond weddings into the broader $10B+ events marketTurning competitor florists into B2B pro partnersWhy polarizing feedback is a signal your business is actually changing somethingThe "shoulds" she ignored — and why staying focused on the model made all the difference🤝 Connect with Lauren Bercier: 🌐 https://www.somethingborrowedblooms.com 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-bercier/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@sbblooms🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/guests/jude-david/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if you could invest like the Hilton family — without having $100 million in the bank? Mark Miller has spent nearly 40 years making that possible, and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on exactly how it works. The strategies, the philosophy, the network — and the surprising backstory of how the Hilton family fortune ended up in a foundation instead of the family's hands.Mark Miller is the Managing Director of the Hilton Family Office and CEO of Hilton Tax and Wealth Advisors, built in direct partnership with J. Bradley Hilton, grandson of legendary hotelier Conrad Hilton. A bestselling author and nationally recognized financial expert, Mark has been featured in Kiplinger's, The New York Times, and Money Magazine and has appeared on Fox News as a financial expert. Recognized as Presidential Businessman of the Year, he received a personal commendation from President George W. Bush. With nearly four decades in financial services — starting at IDS American Express, moving through the brokerage world, building a financial publishing company, and ultimately being asked to run the Hilton Family Office — his core mission has stayed the same: give investors with $500K to $20M access to the same tools, strategies, and disciplines the ultra-wealthy have always used. Lower volatility. Less emotion. Stronger long-term compounding. In this episode, we go inside the Hilton Financial Network, explore the launch of their new technology fund, and unpack what "True Wealth" really means for the high-net-worth families, executives, and business owners they serve. If you've ever wondered how the smart money actually invests — and why your financial advisor probably isn't telling you the whole story — this is the episode.🎯 What We Cover:How Mark went from IDS American Express and the brokerage world to being asked to run the Hilton Family OfficeWhy Conrad and Barron Hilton left their billions to a foundation — not the family — and how that shaped J. Bradley Hilton's mission to build from the ground upThe fundamental difference between retail investors and smart money institutional players — and why the gap shows up in your long-term returnsWhy reducing portfolio volatility often produces better compounding than chasing market highsThe expanding Hilton Financial Network: technology fund (blockchain, digital assets, robotics, biosciences), bridge lending via Hilton Finance, and commercial and residential mortgage lendingThe #1 thing Mark evaluates before any partnership — and why integrity always comes before deal structureThe most common wealth-building mistakes even affluent families keep repeating — and how to avoid themThe Hilton True Wealth Podcast: what it covers and where to find it when it launches in April 2026🤝 Connect with Mark Miller: 🌐 https://www.hiltonwealth.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmiller-hiltonfo/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Some PE deals don't fall apart in due diligence — they fall apart because no one can find the right CEO. Travis Hann has built his firm around solving exactly that problem. If the operator doesn't exist — or can't be found — the deal doesn't happen.Travis Hann is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pender & Howe, a fast-growing boutique executive search firm serving mid-sized companies and investors across North America. He also serves on the board of Kestria, the world's largest global executive search alliance — a network of 42 boutique firms operating in 42 countries. Since founding the firm in 2019, Travis has helped private equity sponsors, family offices, and venture capital investors find the mission-critical operators who make deals possible. For investor-backed businesses, the stakes aren't just high — the deal itself is often contingent on the search. Travis has been assessing executive leaders every month for over a decade, and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on exactly how that process works: how he spots inconsistency, why a polished resume means almost nothing, what it takes to find an operator willing to put their own capital on the line, and why the CEO role today demands a completely different toolkit than it did five years ago.🎯 What We Cover:Why some PE deals are entirely contingent on finding the right CEO or operatorWhat separates a standard executive search from a deal-dependent oneThe consistency framework Travis uses to assess C-suite candidates across multiple touchpointsWhy charisma can be a red flag — and how to see past it to real competencyThe Top Grading methodology and why it stress-tests candidates better than traditional interviewsHow to find operators willing to co-invest and put their own capital in the dealWhen PE firms and investors should engage a search firm — and why earlier is almost always betterDeal vs. team: how to decide which one you're actually betting on in a services businessWhy AI-polished resumes have changed the talent assessment gameWhat the modern CEO role looks like today vs. five years ago — and what the new toolkit requiresThe subtle behavioral signals Travis watches for that most hiring processes completely missHow Pender & Howe grew from a spin-off of 4 people to a 20-person North American firm🤝 Connect with Travis Hann: 🌐 https://www.penderhowe.com 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/travishann💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He only buys companies everyone else is running from — and he's been doing it for 20 years.Nate Moore has built a 700-person operation by acquiring distressed childcare and home care businesses, walking into chaos where others see dead ends, and turning them around through leadership, structure, and a relentless belief in people.Nate Moore is a serial acquisition entrepreneur and founder of Moore Consulting & Investment Group. For over two decades, Nate has operated at the intersection of distressed business acquisitions and people-first leadership — buying broken childcare and home care companies, identifying hidden talent inside failing organizations, and rebuilding them into stable, scalable operations. Today his platform serves 1,500 children per day and employs nearly 700 people across multiple locations.In this episode, Nate shares the mindset behind pursuing deals no one else wants, what he looks for when he walks into a distressed company, and the leadership framework that drives every turnaround. He also gets candid about getting fired from a top sales job at 19, what that moment taught him about influence, and how personal adversity shaped the operator he is today.🎯 What We Cover:Why Nate only buys distressed businesses — and how he spots turnaround potential others missHis path from car sales to flipping houses to acquiring his first company at 22The leadership change that drives every successful turnaround — and why the right person is usually already inside the companyHow he manages 700 employees and 1,500 kids per day using three spreadsheetsThe mindset shift that separates operators who scale from those who stallWhat getting fired from a top car sales job taught him about influence and characterWhy he reads body language in every conversation — and how it makes him a better communicator and leaderHis framework for scaling: be resourceful, don't depend on the resourcesHow he uses his current customer base to identify future expansion opportunitiesThe difference between knowledge and wisdom — and how intentionality bridges the gap🤝 Connect with Nate Moore: 🌐 https://www.mooreconsultinginvestmentgroup.com/team 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-t-moore-ba022231/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most business owners confuse value creation with wealth acceleration — and it's costing them everything after the deal closes. This episode breaks down the family office framework that changes how you think about your business, your exit, and your legacy.Joshua Wilson sits down with Benjamin Domingue, founder of Family Office Partners, a multifamily office serving private business owners from pre-transaction planning through multi-generational wealth management. With over 15 years of experience and involvement in 45–50 family transactions, Ben brings a rare combination of deal-side coordination, wealth advisory, and family planning expertise that most owners never know they need — until it's too late.Ben challenges the conventional exit planning narrative, explains why wealth is built through a series of transactions not a single event, and walks through his three-segment wealth framework — liquidity, longevity, and legacy. He also reveals why fixating on your purchase multiple is exactly what buyers want you to do, and why "doing nothing" is sometimes the best financial advice a newly liquid owner can receive. Also joining the conversation is Jude David of FA Mergers, adding the transaction advisory perspective on deal timing, deal structure, and what sellers are really saying when they think they're talking about price.Topics covered:Value creation vs. wealth acceleration — what advisors should actually focus onWhy "exit planning" is the wrong mental frame for most business ownersThe operating model vs. revenue model gap in ultra-high-net-worth advisingWhy a $20M exit at 45 may not cover your lifestyle — the real mathThe three segments of wealth: liquidity, longevity, and legacyWhy business owners should never lead with their purchase multipleThe psychology of post-exit identity loss and what to do about itWhy "doing nothing" is sometimes the wisest post-liquidity moveHow to structure a second act using PE-backed platformsThe 94% third-generation wealth erosion problem — and how to fight it🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Scott Harkey put $750,000 cash down on an agency tuck-in — and turned it into $10 million in enterprise value inside his group. That's EBITDA arbitrage. And according to Scott, most independent agency operators grinding away at 17–25% margins have never once thought about it. This episode covers the deal math, the culture traps, and the billboard rollup opportunity most investors are completely missing.Scott Harkey is the founder of The Harkey Group, a multi-agency advertising platform with clients including Wynn Resorts, Disney, and Marriott, and Harkey Media, a $200 million out-of-home billboard fund acquiring and developing assets across the U.S. Over a 20-year career he has built, bought, and sold advertising agencies — including a recent exit to private equity — while operating across two distinct rollup verticals: professional services and real estate-adjacent media. Scott is a Forbes Agency Council member, 4A's Business Council member, and national speaker on marketing and brand strategy. His next book, Brand Uprising, is forthcoming from Fast Company Press.In this episode, Scott unpacks why cultural misalignment is the most underestimated deal-killer in agency M&A, walks through real deal math on how tuck-ins create massive multiple arbitrage for operators without PE backing, and explains how a market dominated by three publicly traded giants — Clear Channel, Lamar, and Outfront — leaves 2,000+ independent billboard operators ripe for consolidation. He also shares the pitching framework from Oren Klaff's Pitch Anything that transformed how he wins clients and closes deals. A must-listen for M&A professionals, agency owners, PE sponsors, and entrepreneurs building toward an exit.🎯 What We Cover:Why culture fit kills more deals than pricing — and how to evaluate alignment before you closeThe EBITDA arbitrage math: buying at 3x, selling inside a group at 10x–15x — with real numbersBuilding a boutique agency rollup without PE capital using bank debt and creative deal structuresThe $200M Harkey Media billboard fund and why fragmented out-of-home is a rollup goldmineHis PE exit: what triggered the sale, what cultural misalignment really looks like, and what he'd do differentlyWhy starting from zero is almost always the wrong move — and what he tells every entrepreneur insteadWhy the owner must be the deal person — and why hiring a salesperson is a "kiss of death" for agency new businessCommunity as the new sales strategy: the psychology of why buyers join, not just buyBrand Uprising: the coming convergence of marketing, psychology, and salesMining your losses for data: how 200 failed pitches became his most valuable competitive intelligenceBouncing back from a slump — why internal shifts matter more than external tactics🤝 Connect with Scott Harkey: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharkey 📱 Instagram: @scottharkey💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does a banker actually look for before saying yes to your deal? Ben Smith, Market President at Red River Bank in Lafayette, Louisiana, pulls back the curtain on how banks evaluate business acquisitions, equipment financing, and commercial lending — and what business owners can do right now to set themselves up for growth.Ben brings nearly 25 years of banking experience, starting in credit review and commercial lending before becoming the market president responsible for growing Red River Bank's presence across Acadiana. He breaks down the five Cs of credit, how banks think about risk mitigation, and why the most rewarding deals are often the hardest ones to get across the finish line.Whether you're a business owner thinking about your next acquisition, an entrepreneur looking to finance equipment, or a dealmaker who wants to understand how lenders see your transaction — this conversation gives you a genuine look inside the bank.Topics covered:How banks evaluate business acquisitions using the 5 Cs of creditThe difference between bankable deals and deals that need a PE or alternative routeShort-term vs. long-term financing — structuring debt the right wayEquipment financing: why it's the "easiest deal" and how it actually worksWhat a market president does (it's not just playing golf)How Red River Bank approaches risk mitigation and flexible deal structuringWhy smaller vs. larger banks differ in lending flexibilityThe mindset of a great banker: composure, neutrality, and the duck analogyReal estate market outlook for AcadianaGrowing up in the oil and gas corridor of South Louisiana🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Bubba Page watched a $50K investment grow to $200K on paper — then passed on the chance to cash out. A year later, that company went bankrupt. His position went to zero.That one decision — and the hard-won wisdom that followed — reshaped how he approaches every deal today. He calls it the cookie jar rule: when someone passes the jar, you take a cookie.Bubba Page is a 5x INC5000 serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of Influence.vc — a venture capital syndicate on AngelList built around consumer tech and consumer product companies with high influencer growth potential. After going through Techstars, raising venture capital across multiple companies, and exiting a business in 2020 (the same week COVID shutdowns began), Bubba now reviews nearly 200 deals a month and has built a portfolio that includes four unicorn-stage companies across 25 angel investments and six funds. In this episode, he gets brutally honest about when to sell, how ego-driven angel investors quietly destroy their own wealth, why pattern recognition is the only real edge in early-stage investing, and what it actually takes to get a check from someone who sees 200 deals every month. He also shares the story behind Josh's Pickles — an investment that proves betting on the founder is always the real bet, no matter how unexpected the category.This week, Bubba returned capital to his investors with a 46% net return in just two and a half years — and explains exactly why he took that base hit instead of waiting for the home run. His answer is more strategic — and more honest — than most VCs will ever say out loud.🎯 What We Cover:Why most angel investors lose money — and the minimum deal volume required to build pattern recognitionHow a venture capital syndicate (SPV) works vs. a traditional fund — fees, carry, and structure explainedThe cookie jar rule: what happens when you don't take liquidity when it's offeredThe 1-in-20 vs. 2-in-20 fee model — what syndicates cost vs. what funds cost over a 10-year windowHow to get to the top of an active investor's deal list: warm introductions, traction, and "lines not dots"Why Influence.vc follows lead investors and never leads a roundSecondary market basics: buying out early investors at a discount and when it makes sense to actAI's disruption of the SaaS-dominated VC world — and what smart investors are repositioning towardFrom tech exits to pickle investments: why the founder always matters more than the productBubba's Father Operating System: applying entrepreneurial systems and one-on-ones to family leadership🤝 Connect with Bubba Page: 🌐 https://influence.vc 🌐 https://thebusinessbootcamp.com 🌐 https://fatherhoodmovement.com 💼 Search "Bubba Page" on LinkedIn💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most first-time buyers skip the QoE. Elliott Holland has spent 15 years watching that mistake blow up deals — and families. In this episode, he breaks down exactly when you need one, what it finds, and why the EBITDA number you're looking at may not be real.Elliott Holland is the founder and CEO of Guardian Due Diligence, a Harvard MBA, former private equity professional, independent sponsor, and one of the earliest self-funded searchers in the country. Known as the "King of QoE" on social media, Elliott has reviewed 75+ deals per year across a deal range from $500K to over $100 million, specializing in quality of earnings for self-funded searchers, first-time buyers, and the private equity firms and family offices who want a deal-oriented thought partner — not just an accountant. He built Guardian after a failed self-funded search left him driving Lyft and sleeping on his mom's couch. Today he's the straight-talking due diligence authority that buyers rely on when everything is on the line.🎯 What We Cover:What a quality of earnings (QoE) actually is — and why Elliott calls himself a professional BS callerThe difference between funded search and self-funded search, and why self-funded has the highest growth potentialWhy first-time buyers are uniquely vulnerable — and personally guaranteeing everythingThe exact deal size where a QoE stops being optional ($500K–$1M)What QuickBooks won't show you — and how sellers manipulate EBITDA before going to marketHow bank statements, tax returns, and operating systems tell three different storiesSell-side QoE: why smart sellers pay Elliott before going to marketHow Elliott works as a fractional deal thought partner for PE firms and family officesWhy Elliott chose digital marketing over hand-to-hand combat to build his businessFrom Harvard MBA to Lyft driver to King of QoE — the failure that built Guardian🤝 Connect with Elliott Holland: 🌐 https://www.guardianduediligence.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: Search "Elliott Holland" ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@GuardianDueDiligence💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does an investigative journalist notice that most deal makers miss? Adam Daigle of the Acadiana Advocate has spent 15 years covering business, M&A, and economic development across Louisiana — and his pattern recognition for spotting winners and losers might be sharper than most investors in the room.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Joshua Wilson and Jude David sit down with Adam Daigle, business journalist for the Acadiana Advocate, to explore what investigative reporting and deal making have in common. Adam shares the craft behind asking tough questions, reading people, and spotting business red flags before anyone else — skills that translate directly into the boardroom and the deal room.From why restaurants make terrible investments to how he identified business trends others missed, Adam brings a unique outsider-insider perspective on what makes businesses — and the people behind them — succeed or fail.Topics covered in this episode:What investigative journalism actually looks like in practiceHow to ask hard questions without creating adversariesWhy "no comment" is never a safe answerThe patterns Adam sees in businesses that fail vs. those that thriveWhy restaurants are one of the worst investments for deal-focused buyersThe real problem with restaurant franchise models and royalty structuresHow technology is simultaneously improving and threatening journalismWhy the Acadiana Advocate is expanding while most papers are shrinkingThe challenge of combating misinformation and social media noiseWhy local, trusted journalism matters for business communities🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

From tennis courts in São Paulo to building one of Lafayette, Louisiana's most ambitious mixed-use hotel developments — Gus Rezende's story is one of grit, community, and hard-earned entrepreneurial wisdom.Gus Rezende is the co-founder and managing partner of Social Entertainment, a Lafayette-based holding company with 300+ employees, 12 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations, restaurant concepts including Central Pizza, real estate investments, and the highly anticipated Hotel Lafayette — a groundbreaking downtown development pairing an 82-room boutique hotel with the region's first downtown craft brewery, Bayou Teche Brewing.In this episode, Gus opens up about the full arc: arriving from Brazil with no English, bootstrapping a janitorial company, surviving early failures in food and beverage, buying distressed businesses, building a portfolio that grew faster than their systems could handle — and the hard but necessary maturity of deciding to divest even the things that are working when they no longer fit the vision.Topics covered:Growing up in São Paulo and earning a tennis scholarship to the U.S.How tennis created a career-defining network in LouisianaStarting his first business (a janitorial company) out of necessityEarly failures: Tropical Smoothie and bar ownership as learning laboratoriesBuilding Social Entertainment as a holding company over 18 yearsManaging 300 employees and multiple business lines simultaneouslyThe discipline of divesting — even good investments that don't fit the visionHow a COVID-era phone call sparked the Hotel Lafayette dealStructuring a patient capital project with community-driven investorsWhy incremental wins are the only path to transformational downtown development🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

90% of family wealth is gone by the third generation — and it's not bad investments doing the damage. It's governance failures, the hard conversations nobody has, and the failure to pass down the values and stories that created the wealth in the first place. In this episode, Tim Brown breaks down what actually separates multi-generational family offices from those that quietly fade back to shirt sleeves.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Joshua Wilson sits down with Tim Brown — family office advisor, co-founder of Somos 22 and Fortaleza Network, and consultant to the Anschutz Corporation and Anschutz Investment Company out of Colorado — to explore the full lifecycle of a single family office. Tim maps the three stages every family office moves through: the founder's stage, where the "why" is still being defined and stakeholders identified; the midpoint stage, where governance emerges and the office begins deploying across the capital stack; and the multi-generational stage, where a full institutional team — CIO, chief legal officer, chief of staff, and trust company partner — runs an endowment-style operation built to outlast its founders.But portfolio construction isn't where family offices fail. The hard part, Tim argues, is that third leg of the stool: governance. Who sits on the family council? How do you make in-laws feel like in-laws and not outlaws? How do you build a family bank that gives the next generation the chance to feel like first-generation wealth creators? And how do you pass down not just capital, but the values, stories, and hard-won wisdom that built it? Tim also dives into Somos 22, a global community that hosted over 1,000 unique family offices from 29 US states and 14 countries last year, and Fortaleza — an invite-only, YPO-style network built for deeper connection capital between serious family office professionals.Read Tim's LinkedIn post referenced in this episode — a vulnerable reflection on navigating a difficult 2024, reframing fear through curiosity, and building resilience: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tim-brown-65315811_i-wrote-a-post-the-other-day-about-how-success-activity-7434942942739378176-P84u📌 Topics Covered:The 3 stages of a single family office and what shifts at each levelWhy 90% of family wealth is gone by the third generation"Shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves" — the real reasons it happensCore capital vs. surplus capital and how families think about allocationWhy governance — not investing — is the hardest part of a family officeTurning in-laws into allies: how great family governance actually worksWhy splitting a corpus among heirs quietly destroys generational wealthFamily councils, professional management, and values transmission across generationsSomos 22 and Fortaleza: what they are, who they're for, and how to get connectedAdjacent leadership — Tim's philosophy on vulnerability and storytellingWhy next-gen members silently struggle to live up to the wealth creator82% of the world is employed by private families — what this means for the future🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most business owners are leaving money on the table — not because they're running a bad business, but because they can't prove how good it is. In this episode, we break down exactly what buyers look for and how to build a business that commands top dollar.Joshua Wilson sits down with Mark Sims, a former Chief Information Officer and Head of Strategy & M&A at Scott's Miracle-Gro ($4B company), who now helps businesses transact, transition, and transform through his consulting firm Consult MSG. Mark brings a rare generalist perspective — spanning Fortune 1000 consulting, corporate M&A, and private equity due diligence — to help middle market business owners understand how buyers really evaluate their businesses.Mark introduces his Five C's of Value Creation framework and breaks down the most common gaps he sees in businesses preparing for a sale. From clean financials to vendor contracts to AI implementation, this episode is a practical roadmap for founders who want to maximize exit value — whether they're 18 months out or just starting to think about it.Topics covered:How buyers calculate EBITDA multiples and what moves the needle from 6x to 8xThe Five C's: Competitive Positioning, Cash Conversion Cycle, Clean Financials, Concentration Proof, and CapabilitiesWhy most small businesses struggle most with clean and trusted financialsHow to identify which divisions, geographies, or products are actually profitableThe difference between "run the business" and "manage the business" technologyWhy disorganized data elongates deals and erodes buyer interestHow SOPs and vendor contracts expand your buyer poolPractical AI use cases for small and mid-size businessesThe "parking lot report" AI technique for high-impact client prepWhy being a generalist consultant is a competitive advantage🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What does it look like when faith and dealmaking become the same story? Brandon Robinson — a practicing CRNA turned multi-unit Planet Fitness franchisee — shares one of the most remarkable entrepreneurial journeys you'll hear on this show.Brandon built a portfolio of Planet Fitness locations in Louisiana from a standing start, backed by nothing but a $777,000 landlord contribution, a business partner who said yes without hesitation, and an unwavering conviction that God was guiding every step. He navigated a high-stakes franchise acquisition, a failed $1.36M coffee shop, and a make-or-break dinner in Jackson Hole, Wyoming — where a conversation about funeral wishes moved a dealmaker to tears and unlocked a life-changing exit.This episode is part spiritual testimony, part M&A case study, and part masterclass in entrepreneurial grit. Brandon shares why he left the security of a medical career, how he found the right attorney, the right business partner, and the right buyer — and why the journey, not the closing check, is what he remembers most.Topics covered:Going from CRNA to Planet Fitness franchisee with no franchise experienceHow a random parking lot encounter launched an entire businessGetting into a billion-dollar REIT's space when you have no balance sheetThe $777,000 Weingarten tenant improvement deal and what it meantWhy he chose his exit partner before hearing the offer priceThe Jackson Hole dinner story — and the Paul Meyer connectionHow anesthesia trained him to lead when everything falls apartWhat it means to leave the comfort of a professional career for entrepreneurshipLosing $1.36M in a coffee shop and what he learnedBuilding a legacy, not just a net worth🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What if most private equity firms are using AI completely wrong — and leaving massive IRR on the table because of it? Mohamad Chahine has sat in nearly every seat in the deal ecosystem: corporate engineer at Schlumberger, MBA consultant, PE deal team member, operating partner, and now PE tech founder. In this episode, he shares a rare practitioner's perspective on value creation, the trust curve, and why the PE library desperately needs more voices from people who've actually done the deals.Mohamad is the author of Private Equity Next and is currently building Meit Trium, a platform developing what he calls "AI Value Readiness Operating Systems" — tools designed not to save analyst hours, but to maximize IRR in ways human effort alone cannot.Topics covered in this episode:Mohamad's full-circle journey: engineer → consultant → PE deal teams → operating partner → PE tech founderWhy an engineering mindset is actually an asset in private equityHow PE firms really view consultants — and when they add vs. destroy valueThe concept of Total Value Creation and its five bucketsEBITDA as a flywheel metric and how to trace value creation to its sourceWhat founders need to understand before pursuing PE capitalThe trust curve: why operating partners should be engaged before acquisitionWhy most PE tech startups are solving the wrong problemAI as a multiplication tool vs. an efficiency tool — and why it matters to LPsMohamad's upcoming trilogy: The PE Quarterback, The PE Coach, and The PE Game Plan🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

From sugar cane fields in New Iberia, Louisiana to investing in the next frontier of space technology — Theo Williams' path to venture capital is unlike anything you've heard. If you want to understand how early-stage VC actually works, this episode is required listening.Theo Williams is a Partner at Creations VC, a venture capital firm focused on dual-use space technology across data infrastructure, advanced energy, metals and manufacturing, and defense. Before Creations, Theo led portfolio development at Salesforce Ventures — one of the world's most prolific B2B SaaS investors with a $6B portfolio and 500+ companies including Wiz and Anthropic. He also spent time at TIAA/Nuveen managing farmland, timber, and agribusiness investments across a trillion-dollar platform. In this conversation, Theo breaks down the full arc of venture capital — from fundraising and valuation to due diligence and exit — with rare candor and hard-won perspective.Topics covered:How a Louisiana upbringing shaped Theo's edge as an investorThe VC business model explained simply — how funds raise and deploy capitalWhy early-stage valuations are art, not scienceThe role of academic researchers and PhDs in VC due diligenceHow gut instinct can actually be measured and tracked over timeWhat Salesforce Ventures taught Theo about spotting breakout companiesThe mindset shift required to become a GP and manage other people's capitalWhy "trust but verify" is the most important lesson from small-town to big-dealHow VCs prepare founders for acquisition and work toward a strategic exitWhat Creations VC is investing in today: space tech, energy, defense, and more🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

Most business owners spend years building something great — and almost no time thinking about what comes next. The buyers on the other side? They think about this stuff every single day.In this episode, Joshua Wilson sits down with co-host and Kin Capital Partners co-founder Jude David — an M&A attorney turned acquisition entrepreneur who has closed hundreds of transactions and built a portfolio of a dozen companies from the ground up with his own capital.Jude pulls back the curtain on how Kin Capital evaluates deals, builds platform companies, structures acquisitions for both sides, and navigates the increasingly crowded and complicated world of independent sponsors. Whether you're a business owner thinking about an exit, a buyer evaluating your first acquisition, or an operator managing a growing portfolio, this episode is packed with hard-won insight from someone who has lived every side of the deal table.Topics Covered:What Kin Capital Partners is and how it started with three dudes and a handshakeWhy Jude went from M&A attorney to acquisition entrepreneurHow to evaluate platform businesses vs. tuck-in acquisitionsThe EBITDA thresholds Jude uses to filter deal flow fastWhy manufacturing beats service businesses in an AI-driven worldGeographic strategy mistakes in buy-and-build playsThe real difference between funded PE firms and independent sponsorsWhy blind bid processes hurt sellers — and what to do insteadThe pyramid framework for sustainable business growthQuestions every seller should ask a prospective buyer🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

He sold his company for $230 million right before oil prices collapsed. It wasn't luck — it was a board meeting. Thomas Chance joins The Deal Podcast to share what 30+ years of building, selling, and starting over actually looks like from the inside.Thomas Chance is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, and Louisiana native who built CNC Technologies into the world's largest privately held offshore survey company — 600 employees, 10 offices worldwide, $25M EBITDA — then sold to Oceaneering in 2015 for $230 million. He then spun off and built ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicles), a pioneering unmanned marine technology company, and sold that to L3 Technologies (now L3Harris) in 2018. His father before him built and sold a landmark survey company in 1991. Now his sons are doing the same.Topics covered:Following his father's entrepreneurial path from civil engineer to company founderBuilding a pre-GPS satellite positioning system in the 1980s (before GPS existed)The emotional reality of leaving a family business after a saleHiring the people a new acquirer just laid off — and why it workedGrowing CNC Technologies to 600 people and the world's largest private offshore survey firmWhy a board of advisors (not PE) told him to sell — and why he listenedTiming the $230M exit before the 2015 oil crashCarving out the autonomous underwater vehicle division at closeBuilding ASV and selling driverless boat technology to L3 HarrisStartup advice: learn the industry first, then go start your company🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Jude David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

What do Grammy-winning songwriting credits, merchant cash advances for the Latino community, and a reverse merger into the OTC markets have in common? They're all part of Yoel Damas' story — and it's one you won't forget.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Joshua Wilson sits down with Yoel Damas — entertainment attorney, Grammy-credited songwriter, and now CEO of a publicly traded revenue-based finance company targeting underserved communities. Yoel breaks down how a chance conversation led him from the music business into the world of merchant cash advances, how he spotted a massive gap in capital access for Latino and minority-owned businesses, and how a random meeting about a vodka brand became the catalyst for a reverse merger into the OTC markets. He's now pursuing a NASDAQ uplisting, and he holds nothing back about what he'd do differently.Topics Covered:How the music industry changed from radio gatekeepers to Spotify playlistsWhy artists lose money without proper paperwork — and how Yoel fixed thatThe story behind landing an Apple distribution deal in 2006* when 'it was impossible'How a colleague's tip led Yoel to invest in merchant cash advancesWhy Latinos and gig economy workers were underserved in revenue-based financeWhat a reverse merger actually looks like from the insideOTC shell companies — the pros, cons, and honest lessons learnedThe filed NASDAQ application and uplisting process*His father's decade in a Cuban political prison — and why that shapes everythingWhat Yoel wishes he'd done differently before going public*2006 (corrected post-recording).*Update since recording: Audits for the 2023 and 2024 periods have been completed and publicly announced, and a confidential DRS S-1 has been filed.🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastPowered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/