Welcome to The M&A Launchpad Podcast hosted by Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa with Equity Launchpad. On this podcast, you will gain insights on acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur at Equity Launchpad, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions.
Join hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa on the M&A Launchpad Podcast as they welcome special guest Jon Staenberg, a veteran investor and expert in the search fund space. The conversation explores the growing role of search funds in the transition of small businesses across America and why now is a pivotal moment for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike.
March 27, 2025
Join hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa on the M&A Launchpad Podcast as they welcome Jeremey Ames, Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial. With over two decades of experience and a track record of helping 30,000 individuals step into business ownership, Jeremey brings invaluable insights to the table. Together, they explore different routes to entrepreneurship, from leveraging retirement funds to choosing between franchises and startups.
March 20, 2025
Join hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa on the M&A Launchpad Podcast as they sit down with Nate Pratt, CFA, Vice President of Corporate Development at OneDigital. Nate plays a pivotal role in driving growth in the institutional and wealth advisory space through mergers and acquisitions. With a wealth of experience from leadership roles at Dimensional Fund Advisors, a $575 billion investment firm, and Strategic Investment Solutions, Nate is a seasoned expert in investment consulting and corporate strategy.
March 13, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Michael and Meredith Schlinkert, owners of BackgroundConnect, as they share their journey of acquiring a background screening company in Houston. They discuss their backgrounds, the search process for the right business, the challenges they faced during the acquisition, and their strategies for growth in the first year.
March 6, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Bryan Rand, CEO of Rand & Co Holdings, who delves into the intricacies of being an independent sponsor. Bryan explains the dual aspects of the role: accelerating growth for small businesses and acquiring legacy companies.
February 20, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview JD Beck, a successful entrepreneur in the plumbing and HVAC industry. JD, a graduate from the University of Alabama with an electrical engineering degree, went straight to the army after college. After the army, JD spent time in the corporate world before discovering the world of business acquisitions. In 2022, JD stumbled upon Mountain Valley, a local plumbing and HVAC business, which he then acquired for an incredible price. JD continues to lead and operate Mountain Valley, while simultaneously acquiring other businesses in the space.
February 14, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Rob Carpenter – an accomplished entrepreneur who got his start in AI before AI was popular and eventually exited to begin his own family office focused on home service acquisitions. Rob was born in an Eskimo village in Alaska and moved to Colorado where he launched his first software development company. After buying firms in India and London, Rob sold the business after seven years. Soon after, Rob started Valyant AI, which sought to build holographic employees. Although Valyant was exciting and innovative, it was too early for adapters of AI. Rob exited and after a few ventures, decided to launch the family office to acquire and invest in other established businesses.
February 6, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Brittney Orellano, who shares her inspirational journey of starting a real estate property management company and later acquiring a garage and gate service business in Kansas City. Brittney discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, including working with her husband while raising four children. Like many in this M&A space, Brittney discovered the world of ETA through the teachings of Codi Sanchez and other M&A podcasts. After starting a company, she decided that an acquisition would be her next challenge. Brittney and her husband currently own and manage both SCUDO RE + PM (property management company) and Radio Controlled Garage Door & Gate (garage door and gate service company).
February 3, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Ray Drew, known to many in the M&A space as “SBA Ray”. Ray hosts his own podcast called “The Art of SBA Lending” and provides an in-depth exploration of the SBA lending program, particularly the 7(a) loan. He has 13 years of experience in the lending space and is currently with Truliant Federal Credit Union as an official SBA 7(a) lender. Key topics discussed include the dos and don’ts of SBA lending, loan structuring for business acquisitions, and recent changes to SBA guidelines.
January 24, 2025
In this episode, Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa, of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, interview Dr. Thomas Powell, a serial entrepreneur and investor. Dr. Thomas Powell has over 35 years of experience in banking and finance and has developed a deep understanding of the industry and raising capital. Tom has raised billions of dollars in his career for oil and gas, real estate and business ventures. In his spare time, he is a ski instructor in Nevada. He recently received his law degree in order to fight against the SEC, which we discuss in this episode.
January 17, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Nick Heye. Nick talks about his experience entering the franchise world with Rolling Suds, a power washing and exterior cleaning company. Nick was the fourth franchisee in a new system that has now grown to nearly one hundred, and shares his insights on the challenges and rewards of building a business from the ground up.
January 9, 2025
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Rory Tyer. This past year, Rory bought a retail garden center in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. Although Rory had a career before his dive into ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition), he spent several years searching for the right type of business to buy. Rory’s previous career ventures included being a singer/song writer, videographer, and even in the seminary. Once Rory found the business, the work began to secure, acquire, and operate. We dive deep into the intricacies of searching for and acquiring a business, as well as what challenges Rory faced in this process. Besides owning and operating the South Pleasantburg Nursery, Rory spends time as an executive coach. Rory drops many coaching tips throughout the episode.
December 27, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview John Murphy, who shares his transition from a military career to working at a Fortune 50 company, investing in real estate, and ultimately buying his business. John discusses the leadership skills he transferred from his military experience to entrepreneurship, the challenges of managing cash flow, and the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in his company. The conversation also covers the importance of networking, due diligence in business acquisitions, and strategies for long-term growth and stability in a commercial painting business.
December 19, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Blake Hutchison, the CEO of Flippa. Blake has been running Flippa for six years and shares many insights into how finds the edge to stand out as a giant in the industry. Flippa is a marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to transact on technology-backed businesses.
December 12, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest David Sinkinson. David and his brother Chris founded AppArmor. David discusses his experience founding and growing this public safety software company with his brother. The discussion navigates through their journey from bootstrapping the startup, achieving significant revenue growth, overcoming setbacks, and eventually negotiating a major acquisition by Rave Mobile Safety in 2022.
December 5, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Jordan Hammond. Jordan Hammond shares his journey from experiencing the failure of his first business to building a successful business through strategic acquisitions.
November 21, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Steve Divitkos, discussing the challenges of launching and growing a search fund. Steve shares his experiences as a first-time CEO, the emotional toll, strategic decisions, and the eventual exit from his company. Steve dives deep into what it’s like to be a CEO.
November 14, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa interview Ned MacPherson, who shares his compelling journey of bootstrapping a business from scratch, scaling it rapidly, and eventually exiting to a private equity firm.
November 7, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa interview Jens Grudno, delving into his journey from a finance background to acquiring and turning around a struggling German manufacturing business.
November 1, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Richard Parker. We delve deep into the world of M&A with Richard, who has successfully bought and sold dozens of companies. Richard currently manages Roy Street Advisors, an investment banking firm representing business owners and buyers in the sale of companies.
October 24, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Patrick O’Connell. Today we are focusing on the role of a quality of earnings (QoE) in the M&A process. Patrick discusses the importance of conducting a quality of earnings analysis when transacting.
October 10, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Matt Pohl, Founder of The ReWild Group. Matt shares his journey of transitioning from a corporate job to becoming a business owner.
October 3, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Alan Lockridge about his journey from tech consulting to purchasing and running ‘The Stoneman,’ a business specializing in hardscapes.
September 26, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Bryan Dunn. Bryan talks about his journey from helicopter pilot in the military, to working at Boeing and other companies, and now working at a manufacturing company while simultaneously buying his own business.
September 19, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Niklas James, who shares his journey from Norway to the U.S., where he began his career at Bain & Co., gaining valuable experience in the private equity due diligence process. Niklas discusses his first acquisition, detailing the criteria he sought in the right business, the challenges of taking over a company, and his decision to keep the seller on as president. He also shares the strategies he used to achieve growth, both organically and by adding new elements to the company.
September 12, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa welcome special guest Chris Williams from System Six, delving into his journey of entrepreneurship through acquisition. Chris shares his insightful experience in identifying and acquiring his first business, an accounting firm, and the myriad challenges he overcame in growing it.
August 8, 2024
On this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew & Feras Moussa sit down with Darren Palestine from Commercial Finance Partners to discuss the intricacies of SBA and middle market lending. Darren shares his extensive knowledge and experience, offering valuable insights for both borrowers and industry professionals.
July 26, 2024
On episode 18 of the M&A Launchpad podcast, we welcomed Marc Andre, Founder of Flip My Site. Marc shares how he discovered his passion through a side hustle aimed at making some extra money.
July 18, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Alexis Grant, an entrepreneur with two successful exits and founder of a company that helps sellers learn more about their businesses and position them for an exit. Alexis discusses how data adds value in positioning a business and crafting an offer.
July 12, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Tato Corcoran, an entrepreneur with a real estate portfolio and a manufacturing business. Tato discusses her journey of running her first business after a long career in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.
June 27, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Kevin McArdle, co-founder and CEO of Big Band Software. Kevin Shares his incredible journey from CP of Sales at Cerner to acquiring and operating over 50 SaaS companies.
June 20, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, we talk with Nick Patrick, the Managing Partner at Coda Capital. Nick discusses his journey from corporate America to purchasing his first business, a wedding venue and catering company. Nick dives into the details of transitioning from a buyer to a seller, navigating the unique challenges that come with acquiring a business, and crafting deals that benefit everyone involved.
June 13, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, we talk with Sarah Dusek, entrepreneur and author of Thinking Bigger. Sarah’s mission is to inspire women to generate wealth and enter male-dominated spaces, with her book serving as a guide for business growth.
June 6, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa have their first in-person interview with Walker Deibel, author of “Buy Then Build” and Co-Founder of Acquisition Lab. Walker shares the inspiration behind his book, which aims to teach and educate individuals on how to purchase their first business. He reflects on his experiences with his first and second business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges and understanding that there is no perfect deal.
May 30, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome special guest Bakari Akil, founder of Graves Hall Capital. Bakari shares his inspiring journey from initially knowing nothing about M&A to successfully acquiring two $30 million businesses and teaching Cornell MBA candidates about entrepreneurship through acquisition.
May 21, 2024
Join hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa on the M&A Launchpad Podcast for a riveting discussion with Malcolm Peace, founder of Tsetserra Growth Partners. Malcolm shares essential insights into scaling businesses and integrating sales and marketing strategies.
May 16, 2024
In this episode, Randy Woods shares the journey of founding and selling his tech company, Non-Linear, spanning two decades of growth aligned with the internet’s evolution. Randy identified top talent and strategically sold the company when the timing was optimal, ensuring a favorable outcome for employees.
May 8, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa delve into Kevin Bibelhausen’s journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, focusing on his transition, business acquisition, and operational strategies. Kevin shares his shift motivated by autonomy and the allure of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of assembling the right team and leveraging expertise in finance and operations for his textile business acquisition.
May 3, 2024
In this insightful episode, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa interview Jay B Sauceda to explore the journey of running a logistics business and achieving a successful exit. Jay B’s expertise shines as he shares invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry.
May 1, 2024
In this episode, our guest Shawn Allard shares his recent experience acquiring Novel Ice Cream in Phoenix, AZ. Despite initial reservations about entering the food & beverage industry, Shawn’s journey illustrates the value of seizing lucrative opportunities and approaching each business on its individual merits.
April 25, 2024
We’re honored to interview legendary American Entrepreneur Josh Abramson on today’s episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast. Josh Abramson is the Founder of Vimeo, CollegeHumor.com, BustedTees, and TeePublic.
April 23, 2024
In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Chandler Reed, the Owner and CEO of Get Green NOI, a prominent commercial green energy contractor. This episode is a testament to the power of embracing unforeseen opportunities and navigating the uncharted terrain of entrepreneurship.
April 18, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Bill Snow, a seasoned lower middle market M&A investment banker, to explore the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions. Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience shines through as he guides us through the three key phases of the deal process: Search, Finance, and Negotiation.
April 16, 2024
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, we delve into the journey of Mike Okhravi, a first-time acquirer who courageously ventured into the world of ETA. Departing from his corporate role in the tech industry, Mike embraced the challenge of business ownership by successfully acquiring two small businesses – an epoxy coating enterprise and a towing operation – within an impressively short timeframe.
April 11, 2024
Join us for an insightful conversation with Josh Anhalt, the visionary mind behind GreenPath Energy, a company founded in 2007 dedicated to revolutionizing the detection of methane leaks in oil and gas pipelines.
April 9, 2024
