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 […]

Where Do Buyers Come From?

In Episode 4 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Portage VP, Thomas Bevilacqua, get together to talk all about buyers – who they are, what drives them and how a proper profiling process can help sellers find their perfect match.  Here are 5 key takeaways for business owners thinking […]

How a Business Valuation Helps with a Management Buyout

A business valuation is a critical step in a management buyout (MBO) process, as it helps the management team understand the true worth of the business they are interested in acquiring. A management buyout occurs when a company’s current management team or key employees purchase a significant portion or all of the business from its […]

A Seller’s Experience: The Right M&A Advisor Makes All The Difference

In Episode 3 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen chatted with longtime friend of the firm and former Portage client, Len Hume. Len joined Jim to talk about his experience as a seller interested in finding a buyer who would carry on the legacy he and his wife Annette had […]

Financial Planning: The Key to a Seller’s Sanity + Success

Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen sat down with Wesley Haynes, Senior Investment Advisor RBC Wealth Management, Parekh-Haynes Group for the second installment of The Selling Successfully Podcast. Jim and Wesley discussed what comprehensive financial planning really means and the role it plays in selling your business and enabling your future. They also stressed the […]

Don’t Sell Yourself (or your business) Short!

Lights, camera, action! Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen kicked off the inaugural episode of The  Selling Successfully Podcast with special in-house guest, Portage Partner and Head of Valuations, Ryan Buist.  Jim and Ryan candidly captured the need-to-knows and best practices for business owners regarding early planning and maximizing business valuation.   Here are the 5 […]

Selling Your Business Should Not Be A 50/50 Coin Flip

So, you’re ready to sell your business. You have an M&A advisor helping you, your numbers are in order, and you’re feeling confident. But did you know that only half of the businesses will successfully sell—and that’s with a qualified advisor?   For years, member advisors of the International Business Brokers Association and the M&A Source […]

Stay Bonuses Add Value When Selling A Business

We’re selling a business in which a management team member holds a minority equity stake. This critical employee stands to get a small windfall in the sale. On top of that, the seller was telling us she meant to give this employee a nice financial gift as a thank you afterwards. That’s where we pumped […]

Capital Gains Exemption & Business Valuations Under Bill C208: What You Need to Know

Changes to the Income Tax Act have brought significant shifts in the taxation of small businesses, especially when it comes to intergenerational transfers. The new Bill C208 provides tax relief to small business owners seeking to transfer shares in the business to their family members. Before the passage of the bill, share transfers from business […]