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

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 […]
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 […]
Maximizing Your Gains: Why an Independent Business Valuation is Crucial for Capital Gains Tax

Selling your business can be a profitable venture, but it also comes with the responsibility of capital gains tax (CGT). Calculating the correct amount of CGT can be complicated, especially when there are various factors affecting a company’s value. This is where an independent business valuation comes in- to keep shareholders tax compliant and avoid […]
Structuring an M&A Deal

Orchestrating an M&A deal involves several key steps, including valuation, documentation, buyer identification, negotiation, and due diligence. Here is a general outline of how to structure an M&A deal: It’s important to note that M&A transactions can be complex and involve many legal, financial, and operational considerations. As a result, it is common for both […]
Why You Need An M&A Lawyer

When selling your business, the M&A lawyer plays a crucial role throughout the negotiation and transaction process. They help you understand the complexities involved in a transaction and how to navigate through them. They know how to translate legal jargon into plain language and help you evaluate the pros and cons of various deal structures […]
Buyer’s Top Focus Is Employee Team

Employees. Finding them. Keeping them. It’s on everyone’s mind right now. And for the company or person who buys your business, it just may be their number one concern. In the latest IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse Report, a quarterly survey of M&A advisors, respondents indicated that employees were buyers’ number one due diligence […]