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“Any business problem can be solved with an acquisition.”

In Episode 1 of Agency Confidential, Jeff Shannon sits down with investor and operator Tom Shipley to break down how agencies actually use M&A as a growth lever—from buying businesses with limited capital to structuring deals that reduce risk.

Tom shares the stories behind his first acquisitions, the criteria he uses to identify potential deals, and why he sees growing opportunity for agency acquisitions amid AI disruption and market uncertainty.

If you’re an agency founder, operator, or leader thinking about growth beyond organic sales, this episode explores the mental models, deal structures, and real-world mechanics behind acquisition-led growth.