Smart Exit: The Power of Wealth Management

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen was joined by Ed Lee, Investment Advisor at RBC, to talk about the importance of holistic wealth planning and management now to set business owners and their families up for a successful future.  Here are the 5 key takeaways for […]

Mastering Mergers: Acquisition Lessons Learned

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. Here are the 5 key takeaways for those thinking about or ready to acquire a […]

The M&A Lawyer Leverage

Lawyer managing business accounts. Close up of a senior businessman hands checking final report before submission. Close up of hands of leadership signing business contract.

In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Kevin Fernandes, Partner at KMB Law, discussed the critical role M&A lawyers play in rounding out a seller’s comprehensive and competitive deal team. Here are the 5 key takeaways for business owners thinking about or ready to sell. Some […]

Top 8 Reasons Buyers Walk Away From an M&A Deal

Making the decision to acquire a business can be a complicated process fraught with risk. Even when the financials look good and the potential rewards seem great, there are several reasons why a buyer might decide to walk away from a deal. Understanding these reasons can help sellers prepare for negotiations and improve the likelihood […]

M&A Trends: Six-Month Update For 2023

If you follow global M&A news, you may know that larger deals have seen a slowdown these last six months, as rising interest rates and fears of a banking crisis have affected the market. According to data from Dealogic, global M&A deal volume fell by 17% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the […]

M&A In 2022: Is This The Year To Sell?

If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably had a rough couple of years – and the challenges aren’t over. While COVID-19 may be weakening its grip, talent shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation are still very much at play. And yet, the economy is surging. Many of the business owners we talk to have all […]

Tracking Your Business Perks

Business owners take any number of perks from their business, from the more standard items like auto expenses, memberships, and insurance plans to extras like entertainment, vacations, or an additional family member on the books. Perks are a way for owners to be further compensated for their hard work. However, these perks can also complicate […]

When is the Right Time to Plan the Sale of Your Business

If you are a business owner, at some point you have likely asked yourself, “I wonder how much my business is worth.” Perhaps you’re considering selling, thinking about estate planning, or maybe you’re just curious if your business strategy is adding value. We’re seeing that many sellers start reaching out to their trusted advisors such […]

Entrepreneurs Really Do Think Of Business As Their Baby

Many business owners say selling their business feels like giving a child up for adoption. As it turns out, that’s not just a metaphor. Research shows entrepreneurs really do think of their business as a kid. Researchers found parallel brain activity between owners thinking about their business and parents thinking about their kids. In either case, similar areas of […]

The Happiest Business Owners Know What’s Next

I recently came across Bo Burlingham, the former executive editor for Inc. magazine and author of several books, including Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top.  What I learned from his book is many business owners are unhappy after selling their companies. It doesn’t really matter how much someone got for their business – some sellers are delighted while others […]