The Selling Successfully Podcast

In the world of business exits, we often focus on the transaction. The reality is that the strongest exits are built years before a company ever goes to market.In this episode of the Selling Successfully Podcast, Jim sits down with Dan Holstein, award-winning business coach at Kaizen Performance Improvement Corp, to explore how coaching helps owners build stronger, more scalable, and more transferable businesses long before a sale is on the table.They discuss:• What pre-sale readiness really means• The operational discipline required to build optionality• The most common risks in founder-led companies• How coaching reduces owner dependency and strengthens leadership teams• Why the strongest exits are earned, not timedJim and Dan also share a real client story about how coaching transformed a business and laid the foundation for a successful exit once Portage became involved.If you are a business owner thinking about scaling, succession, or selling in the future, this conversation will reshape how you think about preparation. Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 In this episode, Jim from Portage joins Kevin Laleyan from PE Gate for a conversation on what drives successful transactions in today’s lower middle market.They discuss the common pitfalls buyers encounter and why both buyers and sellers need the right team in place to properly implement systems and processes after a deal closes. Alignment between both sides is essential, and PE Gate explains how they help uncover shared objectives and create clarity when navigating complex transactions.The discussion also explores PE Gate’s flexible approach to deal structuring, including minority investments, rolled equity, vendor take-back financing, and majority ownership. By identifying operational weaknesses early and putting real skin in the game, PE Gate partners with management teams to build stronger businesses and work toward a successful exit.Together, Portage and PE Gate focus on the lower-middle market, ensuring sellers are matched with buyers who are not only qualified, but truly the right strategic fit. Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In this episode, Nick Olsen, Managing Director at Cornerstone International Alliance (CIA), joins Jim to discuss how global buyer networks and data intelligence are transforming the M&A landscape. He shares insights on CIA’s role in the market, the scope of its international buyer network, and how data-driven strategies empower more efficient deal-making. We also explore how CIA’s reach enhances Portage’s sell-side process, hear examples of successful cross-border engagements, and get advice for business owners preparing for a sale. Packed with practical insights and forward-looking perspectives, this conversation offers a clear view of the strategic value behind buyer intelligence.Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

A powerful conversation featuring Liz MacRae, President of Village Wellth. Liz shares her unique journey into M&A, the friction points she’s solving for buyers, and her insights on where the industry is headed in the next 3–5 years. From actionable advice for today’s buyers and sellers to bold predictions about AI and tech disruption in deal-making, this episode is packed with strategic gold.Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In this episode, we're exploring the rise of Fractional CFOs, their role in guiding businesses through economic challenges and succession planning as well as their impact on successful deals. Learn why Fractional CFOs are becoming indispensable in today's M&A landscape and how to leverage Fractional CFO expertise for your next big move.Guest: Bhavna Duggal | Former Principal & Chief Financial Officer at The CFO Centre of Canada and current Interim Chief Financial Officer at Securian Canada.Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Buying a business can come with twists and turns and we’re here to help navigate. We keep lines of communication open during negotiations, make sure both parties have the right people at the table, ensure due diligence is done correctly and more.We know all of the steps and keep everyone on the right track throughout. Guest: Ryan Buist | Portage M&A Advisory Partner & Head of Valuations. [email protected] you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Selling or buying a business is not a decision made lightly, and knowing and trusting the individuals you're working with is crucial. The personal nature of this is front and center in everything that we do, which is why this particular episode is so important. Guest: Ryan Buist | Portage M&A Advisory Partner & Head of [email protected] you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Selling a business is a much more complex undertaking than most entrepreneurs realize. Join us for a peek into our proprietary, in-depth process which helps us ensure the successful sale of your business.Guest: Ryan Buist | Portage M&A Advisory Partner & Head of [email protected] you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

When it comes to retirement, there is much more to consider than just the numbers. This episode of The Selling Successfully podcast reminds sellers of a necessary introspective process they must undertake to truly assess their level of retirement readiness. Guest: Ryan Buist | Portage M&A Advisory Partner & Head of [email protected] you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Amidst the daily hustle, it's crucial that business owners do not overlook the long-term financial health of their business and personal wealth. Learn how in the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, when Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen sits down with guest Edward Lee, Investment Advisor at RBC ([email protected])To learn more about Portage M&A Advisory visit our website at: portagemaadvisory.comThank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen gets the inside scoop and buyer perspective from recent client Sean Brown, Partner at Summit Ridge Capital and now CEO of Burloak Tool & Die: [email protected].   To learn more about Portage M&A Advisory visit our website at: portagemaadvisory.com Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

M&A lawyers play a critical role in rounding out a seller’s comprehensive and competitive deal team. Learn what to look for when adding this expert to your team.Guest: Kevin Fernandes | Partner at KMB Law | [email protected] Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

This episode provides all you need to know about buyers - who they are, what drives them and how a proper profiling process can help sellers find their perfect match. Guest: Thomas Bevilacqua | Portage M&A Advisory | [email protected] you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

For many, selling their business is uncharted territory. The right advisor will confidently and calmly guide you on your path to a successful sale. Guest: Len Hume | Former Portage Client | Former Owner of Professional Cleaning Specialists (PCS) of NiagaraThank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

A comprehensive financial plan that merges business and personal documents is critical for selling your business and enabling your future. Learn how your financial advisor and M&A expert can and should work together to help you better prepare yourself and your business for sale.Guest: Wesley Haynes | Senior Investment Advisor RBC Wealth Management | Parekh-Haynes GroupTo learn more about financial planning contact Wesley at [email protected] You can catch the next episode on our podcast page at portagemaadvisory.com.Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Canadian business owners continue to leave money on the table when it comes to selling. Learn how early planning and a proper business valuation make all the difference. Guest: Ryan Buist, Portage M&A Advisory Partner and Head of Valuations.To learn more about business valuations contact Ryan at [email protected] can catch the next episode on our podcast page at portagemaadvisory.com.Thank you for listening! Find or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.