{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/651b0df875e52b001192e36d/69f8b1f2836b4ec71868f311?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"E60: The M&A Truths No One Tells Founders | Advice from an Operator w/Brenda Jacobsen","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/651b0df875e52b001192e36d/1777910342665-c3a39cd1-a669-4ac8-91b0-d9075ea8ae6b.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>What does it really take to sell your business — and are you actually ready?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the InOrganic Podcast, we sit down with Brenda Jacobsen, Managing Director at STS Capital Partners, a sell-side M&amp;A advisory firm focused on helping founders and operators find the right strategic buyer — not just the highest bidder. What makes Brenda unique? She's not a banker by training. She's a former operator who built and sold three companies herself, including a regional network of medical clinics and a corporate mindfulness media company. She's been on your side of the table.</p><p><br></p><p>Brenda walks us through the full arc of what it means to navigate a business exit — from the first internal conversation with your co-founders, to closing day, and everything in between.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><p>🧠 Why most partner misalignments happen before you ever talk to a banker</p><p>📋 The \"Owner's Outcome Exercise\" — a simple framework to get founders aligned on what success actually looks like</p><p>⏰ When to start having exit conversations (hint: it's earlier than you think)</p><p>📉 How to read the hidden clauses in your equity docs that could cost you control of your exit</p><p>💰 Current M&amp;A valuation ranges for digital marketing agencies (3–6x EBITDA) and what moves the needle</p><p>🤖 Why you need to stop \"BS-ing your AI story\" — and what buyers actually want to see</p><p>🏥 A fascinating case study on data ownership in outsourced radiology and why it changed the deal conversation entirely</p><p>👻 How phantom equity can keep your key operators invested all the way through close</p><p>❤️ The emotional side of selling — and how the right sell-side advisor acts less like a banker and more like a witness</p><p><br></p><p>Whether you're planning to sell in 12 months or 12 years, this conversation is packed with practical, honest advice from someone who has lived both sides of the deal table.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Christian and Ayelet</p><p>Ayelet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/</p><p>Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/</p><p>Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.co</p><p><br></p><p>🎙️ Guest: Brenda Jacobsen, Managing Director, STS Capital Partners</p><p>🌐 Learn more about STS Capital: www.stscapital.com</p><p><br></p><p>📌 Subscribe to the InOrganic Podcast for weekly conversations on M&amp;A, growth, and building businesses worth buying.</p><p><br></p><p>#MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessExit #Entrepreneurship #SellYourBusiness #PrivateEquity #MiddleMarket #MAStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Founders #InOrganicPodcast</p>","author_name":"Christian Hassold & Ayelet Shipley"}