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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Questions To Ask When Hiring An M&A Advisor

When it comes time to sell your business, the right M&A firm can make all the difference. From running a well-organized process, to generating multiple offers, and negotiating the best possible fit for your goals, your advisor needs to bring a mix of transactional skills, resources, and chemistry to the table. These are some questions […]
10 Key Risk Drivers Affecting the Sale of Your Business

If you’re thinking of selling your business in the next 3-5 years, you may want to consider possible risk drivers that could affect the purchase price of your company. Assessing these factors is key for sellers seeking to maximize the value of their business in preparation of a sale. Some of the key risk factors […]
Representation and Warranty Insurance in M&A

When selling your business, you make a set of promises to the buyer. You “represent and warrant” certain facts about the business. Essentially, you’re certifying that you provided accurate information and that there are no known issues pending (e.g., financial, legal, tax, compliance, etc.). If it turns out those promises are false, the buyer has […]
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 […]