Watch Here: https://youtu.be/TsR70CCiXjE

About the Guest(s): Matt Bodnar, a rising star in mergers and acquisitions, has a diverse background that spans from Goldman Sachs to entrepreneurship. After purchasing his first IT service business post-college, he honed his deal-making skills, culminating in the establishment of his holding company, Eidolon Capital. Specializing in lower-middle market acquisitions, particularly in blue-collar, value-oriented, and baby boomer-owned businesses, his portfolio includes companies in sink manufacturing, pallet racking, and IT/software. His approach emphasizes value and long-term investment.

Summary: In this episode, Matt Bodnar, a rising star in mergers and acquisitions, dives deep into deal-making strategies. They explore Matt's journey from Wall Street to entrepreneurship, focusing on his expertise in lower-middle market acquisitions. The conversation highlights the importance of building genuine relationships, active listening, and structuring creative deals like zero down and zero out-of-pocket transactions. Matt shares personal anecdotes, including unconventional deals and aqua hires, emphasizing the significance of understanding seller motivations for successful buyouts. Additionally, they discuss the importance of deal flow and learning from mistakes, stressing the need for robust pipelines in acquisition success.

Key Takeaways:

The essence of mergers and acquisitions lies not just in financial savvy, but in creating genuine connections and understanding seller motivations.
Zero down or zero out-of-pocket deals are possible with a well-developed deal pipeline and creative structuring based on sellers' needs and business assets.
Rapport building and active listening are critical skills in negotiation, often determining the success of an acquisition more than the financial offer.
There is a significant opportunity to acquire and optimize undermanaged businesses, particularly in sectors where owners are looking to retire without succession plans.
Practical involvement and willingness to operate the acquired business, at least initially, can lead to better management hires and long term-success.

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Contact Matt on
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbodnar/
Website: https://mattbodnar.com/newsletter/
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E209: Building Bridges, Closing Deals: Mastering Rapport & Zero Down Strategies w/ Matt Bodnar

How2Exit: Buy, Don't Build - M&A of Small Businesses