Episodes
In this episode, we discuss strategic steps for Equipment Leasing and Finance companies as they grow and evolve. The leadership of some of these businesses may decide to remain a certain size and complexity and be “ lifestyle businesses”, providing healthy cash flow to the owner(s) while they continue to run the business. However, other options exist, and exiting the business for a favorable multiple to a bank or other buyer can be an excellent strategy, the dream plan for many...
Published 10/10/22
Before you sell your company, even the odds. This episode features guests Mark Achler and Mert Iseri, authors of the recent book, Exit Right: How to Sell Your Startup, Maximize Your Return and Build Your Legacy. Exit Right demystifies how to conclude the startup journey, a perfect complement to our podcast, which focuses more on the exits of larger middle-market companies. As Brad Feld states in the Foreword, “Mert and Mark set the roadmap for how entrepreneurs and business owners can...
Published 06/01/22
This episode continues with our “industry spotlight series” where we focus on specific trends and opportunities in middle-market M&A transactions. Our previous episodes have covered four industries in which Colonnade has played a significant role as an M&A advisor to both buy-side and sell-side clients. We add F&I Agencies & Payment Plan Providers as industries where we deeply know the dynamics and players so as to provide exceptional service to clients who hire us to assist...
Published 05/02/22
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay pick up their discussion around the due diligence process related to the sale of a company. This episode is a great add-on to the previously released four-episode series exploring the due diligence process: EP003: Business aspects of due diligence EP004: Legal aspects of due diligence  EP005: Accounting aspects of due diligence  EP006: Technology aspects of due diligence  As we explore the organizational aspects of a due diligence data room,...
Published 04/05/22
Published 03/01/22
This episode continues our series of "industry spotlights," in which we focus on specific trends and opportunities in middle market M&A transactions.
Published 01/06/22
This episode continues our series of "industry spotlights," in which we focus on specific trends and opportunities in middle market M&A transactions. This episode focuses on the automotive reconditioning industry, a $5.4 billion industry that is highly fragmented and ripe for consolidation. Colonnade has extensive transaction experience in the automotive services industry and has been the sell side or buy side M&A advisor on many of the automotive services industry transactions that...
Published 12/07/21
In previous episodes, Colonnade Advisors has outlined our unique 16-week sales process timeline in four phases: pre-marketing, go to market, management presentations/buyer due diligence, and exclusivity/documentation. In this episode, we will be doing a deep dive on indications of interest ("IOI"), which take place at the end of the go to market phase, and letters of intent ("LOI"), which take place at the end of the management presentations/buyer due diligence phase.
Published 11/08/21
This episode continues our series of "industry spotlights," in which we focus on specific trends and opportunities in middle market M&A transactions. This episode kicks off several episodes around the finance and insurance ("F&I") products industry, estimated at $80+ billion in size at the retail level. Specifically, this episode is all about vehicle service contract ("VSC") administrators.   Colonnade has extensive transaction experience in the automotive F&I products industry...
Published 08/10/21
This episode kicks off a series of “industry spotlights” in which we focus on specific trends and opportunities in middle market M&A transactions.   Our first episode in this series is all about an exciting niche industry ($35 billion) that Colonnade has dominated in the role of advisor to both buy-side and sell-side clients. This industry focus has allowed us to deeply know the industry players and provide exceptional service to clients who hire us to assist them in a transaction.
Published 07/19/21
We are excited to focus today’s episode on the final phase of our unique 16-week sales process. Today we are focused on phase four: exclusivity/documentation.
Published 05/25/21
In previous episodes, Colonnade Advisors has outlined our unique 16-week sales process timeline in four phases: pre-marketing, go to market, management presentations/buyer due diligence, and exclusivity/documentation. Today’s episode focuses on phase three: management presentations/ buyer due diligence.
Published 04/26/21
In this episode, Jeff Guylay focuses on the best practices to maximize after-tax proceeds from a transaction. Jeff is joined by featured guest Raj Rathi, co-founder of Rathi Singh Private Wealth Management, to share his insights from helping his clients understand the nuances of how best to manage their wealth.
Published 03/01/21
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay discuss the different types of auction processes we use in a sale transaction, including a negotiated deal, a small process, a targeted auction, and a broad auction. Gina and Jeff talk about each approach's pros and cons and why Colonnade advises clients on selecting one versus the other, recognizing that each situation is unique and calls for a customized approach to the market.
Published 02/01/21
This is a special episode discussing how to build successful business relationships. In this episode, Gina Cocking, is joined by featured guest Willard Bunn, a managing director at Colonnade Advisors. One of the key takeaways from this episode is that trust is a critical factor in building a successful business relationship.
Published 01/14/21
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay focus on valuation - determining what your company is worth.
Published 12/02/20
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay continue their discussion on deal structuring. Today they focus on roll-ups. Key takeaways from this episode are: • Highly fragmented industries are ripe for roll-ups • A roll-up is an attractive exit alternative for companies that are subscale or have an incomplete management organization • Transparency from both the buyer and the seller leads to the most successful outcomes
Published 11/16/20
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay continue their discussion on deal structuring. Today, we explore reps and warranties ("R&W") insurance. In this episode, we cover: 1. What is R&W insurance? 2. What is the pricing of R&W insurance? 3. What is the process to obtain R&W insurance?
Published 10/30/20
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay continue their discussion on deal structuring. Go to coladv.com/podcast to see the full show notes for this episode.
Published 10/15/20
Today we explore earn outs, a form of contingent consideration in which the buyer and seller share both the risk and upside/reward based on the future performance of the business. Other episodes in our series about deal structure include price and terms, roll over equity, R&W insurance, and roll ups. Earn outs have been used in about 20% to 25% of middle-market M&A deals in the last few years, and the use of this financial tool is expected to increase during and after the COVID-19...
Published 09/23/20
In an M&A transaction, price is generally the most important part of the deal structure. However, there are several other essential components. In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay discuss various aspects of a deal structure, including deal form, transaction consideration, contingent consideration, the importance of the employee issues and the certainty of close. 
Published 09/14/20
Colonnade Advisors investment bankers Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay conclude their four-series deep- dive into the world of due diligence. This episode focuses on technology aspects of due diligence when selling a company.
Published 08/24/20
In this episode, Gina Cocking and Jeff Guylay continue their discussion around the due diligence process related to the sale of a company. This episode is part of a four-episode series exploring the due diligence process. In today’s episode, we invite our featured guest, Joe Kaczmarek, to share his insights on how companies can best prepare for an M&A transaction. Joe is the National Fintech practice leader at RSM, a leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services focused on the...
Published 08/11/20