Mergers & Acquisitions Strategy and Intelligence

Today’s post will be revealing a creative Strategy a British Businessman used for a unlikely Acquisition netting him 60 million pound richer on just 4 million in finance. This post will share more about his creative strategy, and ask the question? Did he use secret intelligence from former British Intelligence to make a deal of a lifetime?

Mergers & Acquisition Case Study

This is Mr. Peter Jones. Mr. Jones usually appears on the Hit TV Show Dragon’s Den on the BBC. During one episode many years ago on the BBC. Peter interviewed a quiet Businessman that did not seem like a creative business magician. When this man was pressed in the interview about his transaction that netted him 8 figures? He revealed a creative strategy that made him an 8 figure fortune.

The man we are talking about in this article is British Businessman and Financier Mr. Chris Dawson. Mr. Dawson negotiated his way to a very lucrative Transaction of a lifetime. Paying literally pennies on the pound.” Making him 60 million pounds richer all of just 4 million in finance.

“How did he do this?

Business Communications Strategy

Did you know as a Business owner and Community leader how you communicate with the Public and Business community is more important than ever? Most Executives and business owners would rather stay quiet and out of the news and it’s ridiculous untrue headlines. However there are a select few Business figures Id like to point out who made it work for them. One of those people is my friend Mr. Marcus Lemonis CEO and Chairman of Camping World and Host of the Hit TV Show The Profit. Marcus has basically turned Prime Time Television into a Deal Flow PR machine for his Company. And if you really consider all things being equal? So has Mr. Peter Jones with his BBC Series and Appearances on Dragons Den. It’s literally the Entrepreneurs Deal Flow Machine. It’s pure Brilliance under the understanding of being a Reality TV Series. This type of strategy is not cheap. However I feel both of these fella’s understand full well the power of the Mass Media. So much so they are laughing all the way to the bank.

This next use of Mass Media and creative strategy for business exhibits pure brilliance.

Developing Business Strategy

This brings me to my point for Strategy on today’s post. A British Businessman named Chris Dawson used the Media clearly to his advantage. Basically what he did was this. The small Business Finance community was informed through Business NEWS, a failing Business Department store was accepting offers. However here is what happened next?

Chris used a someone other than himself to drop a hot tip to several journalists that cover this area in the business papers. The business tip shared that the Failing Department Store had five buyers already in line to buy the failing business. The Media Reported this story. This reported new story basically worked so well. No other buyer wanted to pursue making a offer for the failing company. Leaving Chris as the only Offer which happened to be a low ball offer. This worked in his favor. He cornered and had tricked the competition in to moving on. Leaving him as the only last option for the Failing Business. LOL HAHA!

Since he closed this Transaction. You can already see this strategy secured him a deal of a Lifetime. What other factors made this opportunity so lucrative for Mr. Dawson? Chris owns a chain of Department Stores and it was super easy for him to liquidate all the extra product he had just acquired. Making him a very very rich man. Plus He used the Media to kill off interest from other buyers. That is sure brilliance. But that’s not all that he did to secure this huge Business victory. In the end? It’s likely Mr. Dawson was not only just lucky. Word on the street from my own sources within my community share? He had help from a shadowy group of former British MI6 professionals. We will never know. But I can share this. His deal wasn’t all luck.

M&A Deal and Market Intelligence

Competition Is Fierce. Have a team of Advisors willing to secure on the ground intelligence rather than finance intelligence is vital to successful transactions. I do have several Attorneys and Accountants that have confided in me some of the large firms have become relaxed on the due diligence standards. To combat this when it matters the most? You need professionals who can ensure victory with information not easily found with normal due diligence.

The current Mergers and Acquisitions Market is so competitive and fierce most Private Investors and Private Equity Buyers do sometimes need extra information on markets and on Targets. With all the moving parts and info needed to make a decision? The finances sometimes do not tell the entire story. Wouldn’t it be nice if your executive team had peace of mind with secret information like Chris Dawson? We can offer advisory consulting, and Executive management consulting other firms can not. If your team needs an extra layer of security and intelligence? CONTACT ME NOW. Myself and my veteran brothers come from a variety of backgrounds and all of us have served inside the Intelligence and Military Special Operations community.

Using our teams specialized training and Global War on Terror experiences. Our professionals can ensure your team of executives a extra layer of security while your team of executives and Attorneys are at the negotiating table. Or for when making a group decision to move forward with a transaction. Our small group includes service within Army 75th Rangers. Army Special Forces Green Beret NCO’s, and Senior Officers, and experienced Operators from Marine Special Operations.

In conclusion developing a strategy and securing additional information for business transactions is a smart play. The only thing that truly matters in todays hyper competitive environment is information others are trying to hide. It could very well be a life changing event, or put in play a series of events that create a extraordinary win for you and your team. I hope you enjoyed todays post. And I will hope you found this story and strategy of a British Businessman useful.

Godspeed.

Business Articles, Mergers and Acquisitions

I Interviewed The Trillion Dollar Man Dan Peña

So a few month’s back I reached out to the QLA Founder who is known online as the one and only Mr. Dan Peña. When I submitted my Questions to him little did I know his answers would be just as entertainingly colorful as his Youtube videos.

Here is the thing. I knew nothing about Dan until one of my close Mentors who himself is a Bad Ass Senior Big 4 Partner sparked my curiosity one day while on a Zoom call in September. Sure I have seen suggested videos about Dan before. But I paid them no interest. But this day I made a note and went to watch what this guy was all about. What I found was? Dan’s videos are about helping normal average non high performers to try and reach or obtain a level of Business sophistication that makes them super wealthy through a methodology called QLA.

Dan’s coaching and teaching videos are also meant to help the Entrepreneurs who struggle with sales so they have a fighting chance. And to toughen up so to speak. Dan is a Military Veteran like myself, he served around the Vietnam era and honestly as a fellow Veteran? Dan is 100% hard as fucking nails.

And so I asked him a few Questions only a Military Veteran would be able to ask. And these are colorful his answers…

Mr. Dan Peña’s Backstory

Before becoming very wealthy by taking Great Western to an IPO on the London Stock Exchange Youtube Sensation and QLA Founder nicknamed the Trillion Dollar Man Him Self Mr. Dan Peña, was busy serving in the United States Army. (DANS WEBSITE )

Dan Peña began his career as a financial analyst on Wall Street. … He went on to become president of Great Western Resources, Inc., a Houston-based oil company eventually listing his Company on the London Stock Exchange. After a Board of Directors shake up, Dan Walked away after the dust settled with a very large multi million dollar pay day. (Dan Peña Youtube Channel) Click pic for Youtube Channel.

I asked Dan many questions. But to keep this article short for all intensive purposes? Here are the answers that have the most value for you. Thank’s DAN it’s a privilege to interview a fellow Veteran.

How Dan Peña Made His Millions?

-QLA can it work for any veteran?

ANY VET THAT HAS TRUE COMMITMENT & FOCUS, PLUS HE NEEDS 2 BE REALLY HUNGRY!

-What is the key to becoming Successful and established as a Investor?

SUCCESS IN ANYTHING IS ALL ABOUT FOCUS!

“WARNING” IF you find profanity offensive, and if you have trouble with realizing the truth about yourself? This is not for you. DAN Will not spare your feelings. Read on at your own peril.

-Do you feel being a Combat Trained Ranger Trained Infantry Officer helped you be successful in the tough and difficult world of Investment Finance?

IN THE 60’S, WHEN I WENT THRU INFANTRY OCS, FROM DEC 1966 TO JUN 1967, RANGER TRAINING CAME AS PART OF INFANTRY OCS – BUT WE GOT NO BADGE CERTIFICATION! Ranger TRAINING WAS NOT AS LONG AS RANGER SCHOOL – BUT EXTREMELY INTENSE!

BUT NO DOUBT, IT TUFFENED US UP LIKE NOTHING IN CIVILIAN LIFE! IN THOSE DAYS, THEY LITERALLY BEAT US – PUT BATTERY CABLES 2 UR BALLS – PUSHED U OUT OF TREES WID UR ARM/LEG TIED, 2 DISLOCATE UR JOINTS – PLUS IF CAUGHT IN TERRIST TACTICS, STAKED U OUT ON AN ANT HILL & POURED HONEY OVER U – LEAVING U A COUPLE DAYS! MY BEST MAN ALMOST DIED ON SUCH A HILL!

SUCCESS IN ANYTHING IS ALL ABOUT FOCUS!

-How do you scout for talent?

GREAT POTENTIAL, LEAVE GREAT FACT PATTERNS OF PAST ACTVITIES!

-How do you acquire Deal Flow?

THRU R DREAM TEAM BOARD & R OUTSIDE LAWYERS/ACCOUNTANTS, PLUS R UR BANKS!

-Where do you see your Private Equity Group in 10 years?

WE R NOT PE! BUT QLA WILL BE AROUND 4 EVER! I HAVE BIN WORKING THE MODEL 4 MORE THAN 50YRS!

GOOD HUNTING!

Mr. Pena’s Controversial Teaching methods are honestly how you build winners. The Military Trained him for War, he trains young men at his Castle in Scotland to win.

Did you happen to catch my latest article News interview on the latest Acquisition? “HERE”

I was surprised that Dan truly does want what’s best for all people. And the straight facts are Dan doesn’t like to see weakness within his fellow Entrepreneurs. His twisted love albeit fucking twisted and dysfunctional is meant to be a Soldiers Affection in a way. You have to be a Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine to understand where I am coming from. And this is why so many men who did not serve in uniform find him offensive. Business is fucking hard. And he want’s to transform you to be able to accept the ridiculous rejection you will face if your in any business. That’s why he behaves the way he does.

What is Dan Peña's Military Ranks?

Dan Peña was discharged from the United States Army at the Rank of Lieutenant

To all my fellow Veterans, Men or Women, Bad Ass Infantry or Sailors that man the Conning tower on submarines. Here is a Cheers to you. As I sign off? I hope you found this interview useful, I know I had a blast conducting it.
As we say in the Marine Corps. SEMPER FI

-DOC OUT!

Mergers and Acquisitions

Youtube’s Best Acquisition Entrepreneur Show

This morning while I was sipping my coffee Jon Stoddard’s Mergers & Acquisitions Podcast was referred by a Attorney and Im convinced it’s the best damn M&A show online. 100%! No kidding everyday I spend 2 hours after I wake up on study time learning and training for new skills. For the last month I began learning Python coding, and it seriously takes time to learn how to code. But when I opened Youtube I had a message from a New York Attorney that read? “Thought this would be helpful for you to watch in the morning as you train.” This is what I found when I clicked the link. Jon Stoddard’s Mergers and Acquisitions Youtube Show. Since I am in this small Business community I immediately stopped what I was doing and watched the video. Click picture to watch his channel.

What is Youtubes Best M&A Podcast?

According to Entrepreneur Investment Group Partner Sharp J? Jon Stoddards Youtube show about Mergers and Acquisitions is the most informative online.

Christopher Wick M&A Entrepreneur

The first video I watched was the Talented and high energy Mr. Christopher Wick who has a growing and profitable track record of making one Transaction a year. Bravo Good Sir. This is fantastic. I was immediately drawn in because the language and struggles, challenges faced by this good man was exactly the same I am facing. But in a different industry. LOL If you have not watched this youtube show with Jon and Christopher? Do it now.

There is a entire community out there that has the experience that I have been looking for. As I watched this amazing interview? I suddenly found it was if a vail of obscurity was lifted. Matters of financing transactions, finding deal flow, and more was shared generously.

Patch Baker – 100 plus Acquisitions

My second video I began devouring was Patch Baker, interestingly Patch is a former Marine veteran and has completed over one hundred Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions. Plus Patch’s company MOBIUS marketing and media is a former client and partner of juggernaut Black Rifle Coffee Company who just went public.

https://youtu.be/GLb_uAwVP2o

All this content is so valuable and helps the Entrepreneurs who are out doing exactly what they are doing begin asking the right questions. And start pursuing the right answers. Path Baker’s entire conversation on conversion rates and mathematics behind advertising and paid ad spend was eye opening. I had a inkling that this was the case. But he just confirmed to me why so many small businesses fail when placing ads on Facebook and Google. It’s truly fascinating how he went into and shared how Sir. Richard Branson quietly took over the British Virgin islands using strategy that seemed completely natural. It makes sense. I would highly suggest you check out Patch and watch his interview in it’s entirety.

Mergers and Acquisitions Stories and Experience Goldmine

In conclusion for today’s post? I would love to share that there is a entire eco system of content out there if you know where to find it. Patch Baker was saying in his conversation that going super niche is sometimes not the right play. Look at Blockbuster. In the 1990’s everybody was lining up for a chance to go super niche like this failed American brand. Evolution and change happen daily. If you don’t change and don’t keep evolving as a entrepreneur trying to improve growth and create better value in the market? It’s likely you as a entrepreneur probably won’t succeed. The lesson’s learned from this show are truly unique. So I would highly suggest if your are in the Mergers and Acquisitions space and are researching the eco system as a entrepreneur? You will one hundred percent need to watch this fantastic Youtube show by Mr. Jon Stoddard.

Godspeed

Business Articles, Finance Articles, Venture Capital

Ten Common Problems Entrepreneurs Face With Venture Capitalists

Yesterday I found myself chatting with a local Kansas City VC Attorney and he shared some personal experiences that really shared a few challenges Entrepreneurs face when seeking Venture Capital Partnerships. These insider secrets and failures really snapped a few things into perspective. The VC’s must be very selective and use strategic selections to keep and sort the deal flow that is not a waste of time.

If you really think about it? Venture Capitalists are bombarded with so much junk? Often real opportunities must be challenged and sorted. And the only way to accurately find the real opportunities? Is to create impossible standards and a crucible of challenges. The following is common things Venture Capitalists say to Entrepreneurs who are seeking Capital Partnerships or Investments.

Investor, Partner, or Venture Capitalists

Are you seeking a Partner or Money Investor? Is a question VC’s will likely directly ask you. However if you don’t know what your seeking? Your going to end up disappointed and likely roadkill. Fair warning. When a VC say’s they are Value investors? That means they like to fix things and make money.

However some will add money and other things like connections, guidance for improving operations and more. Some just give you money and say go get busy without guidance or mission support.

Did you catch my last Article and Post on “How Entrepreneurs Stay Safe When Investors Invest?” Read this article before accepting investment money from anyone. Back on topic an Back to business.

Often times when your in the Boardroom with a VC you should already know what you want, how much money your asking for and a laundry list of other details. If your there and unprepared? It’s likely your going to be disappointed like I shared earlier and roadkill. You should always be prepared and have a battle plan that is at least 6 months out.

Impossible Odds and Certain Rejection

2. Thank you for coming in and presenting your vision and business. However my partners just won’t let us move forward right now. (They say this because you weren’t convincing or exciting. They were just curious.)

How to handle this?

I would Thank them for your time. And leave. All things considered? Your going to face lots of rejection. Thousands of people who reject you and your business vision. However it’s likely you will work for face to face meet for over a year. And when you get in that boardroom with a Investment Committee? It was all for nothing. You fail and you move on. Your value process should be creating a huge pipeline. That’s your edge in a market filled with rejection and time wasters.

Scheduling Problems and Impossible Follow Up?

3. Trouble Scheduling a Meeting? Ok. So your a Entrepreneur your working hard and your finding it nearly impossible to have a meeting scheduled with Investors. What is happening? Well two things are happening. A. The Investment Team is watching you and looking at your background and your business vision. They also won’t tell you they are doing this. But expect it to be happening covertly behind your back. B. They want to see if your easily distracted and they want to test your mettle so to Speak. Don’t give up. Be polite. Be Confident. And under no Circumstances be a jerk or look weak.

People in general will watch your behavior and read in detail your communications. If your nice and sincere and completely committed? It will show in your perseverance. To many people call once or twice and are frustrated and never call back or follow up. This is the game they are playing. And it’s ridiculous at times. There is always a reason they don’t answer. It’s been my experience. People will Lie, deceive, and play games. However playing games and protecting their portfolios is how they stay above the fray in the business world.

How are you treated when your invited for a interview?

4. Are you meeting a Vice President of Development or are you meeting in a Board room with a Committee of Partners and Principals? This will gauge the level of interest the Private Equity Firm, Venture Capitalists will have in you as the entrepreneur or new business team.

A. If they place you in a small room with a VP of Development and a smile? This means it’s likely your not very attractive. B. If they invite you in to a large nice board room with coffee and a team of Partners and Principals? Your deal is fucking HOT!!! Act accordingly.

Is the Equity and Finance Structuring Trustworthy?

5. We are going to be fair with structuring Debt, and equity positions. (Unless your good good trust worthy friends? Don’t trust this whatsoever.) You should be taking steps to protect your interests and your equity. Have your own personal corporate Attorney negotiate the structures and equity positions that are best for you. If they threaten to walk away? You walk away first. You don’t want to beg or plead for anyone to ever be your capital partner or be the reason you wasted 20 years on a business that ended up not paying you a healthy equity piece.

The business world is extremely unfair at times. Make sure you know that the Attorneys for the VC will rob you without a gun. Or try to freeze you out as slave labor. Act accordingly. Your welcome.

The Lie Of Performance Based Equity Buy Back

6. Based on Performance you can earn back more equity down the line. ( Meaning if you perform at impossible levels? You will earn back equity in the company.) This should be pretty obvious. You want to do your background checks and put in the effort of interviewing previous successful and unsuccessful Venture Capitalists partners or entrepreneurs. You always want to work with well known names and Business leaders known for integrity and know for taking care of their people.

You don’t want to find out later you are on your own with a ship that is sinking. And your investment partners don’t care either way. They will just come in with corporate raiders and destroy the sinking ship. Leaving you with a failed experiment and a new sad life story. Be smart.. Be prepared, Be vicious in your approach for success.

Control Your Expectations

7. Our procedures for getting our partners funding as VC’s takes a month or two. ( This should be suspect) If you are lucky enough to sit down with a Venture Capital fund? It’s likely that they level of interest is moderate. But based on most of the experiences you should already have from others who have worked with them? You should know that its more likely that your in for a 1 year wait. Or longer. Prepare and keep a full pipeline. Often times after a few month’s they may call you back and follow up. Just to dig and see if your still interested for a sit down or if you have quit. More than likely your in for a year or two wait with VC’s. Be prepared to survive and fill up your VC Pipeline.

Feigning Interest as Investors

8. OH YA WE ARE INTERESTED!!! ( Honestly it’s more likely they are interested in your product or Intellectual property. Can they replicate it? Can they be the first knock off?) Be informed the game is largely rigged for Entrepreneurs. The only hope you have at fairness is from a Banker and someone you know treating you well. Don’t expect VC’s to invite you in and automatically partner and write you a check. Or work with you for the success of the project. Often they are not well organized and are ver opportunistic. Make sure your professional deck is clean, clear, concise with a time line. Don’t wait around. Be proactive and never ever get excited just because they called you back. Lower your expectations. But be pragmatic. You will thank me later.

Financial Modeling, Number Charts, and BS Statistics

9. You think all the financial models and assumed projections will impress their Accountants. WRONG! It will be dissected, interrogated, your math will be questioned for all failures. And you will have to answer slick impossible questions. But the good news is if you happen to have a CPA worth their salt? You can avoid the interrogation and punt to the Accountant or Analyst on your team.

Start at Failure and Build up from there

10. Just expect everything to be almost impossible with downsides and failures around every corner. If your able to prepare and research and interview all possibilities before hand? You may just have a fighting chance. Thank you for reading. I know this post seems impossible. As it was meant to be this way. Honestly most entrepreneurs need to not only change their expectations. But also settle in for a long, disappointing ridiculous ride. That is my experience and you should be aware the world of business is a cruel and unfair place. Make sure you are prepared for certain failure. And do prepare a mindset of certain failure. Armor your expectations and this will ensure your success one day.

Godspeed

Business Articles

How to get a job in Private Equity?

If you have been planning to make the move into the Private Equity space, your probably wondering “How can you get a Job in Private Equity?” Right? Well this post is all for you!

I imagine many of you who visit this Post. Are currently working as an associate at a large New York Bank or Financial Institution? Or maybe your a broke college student that just finished earning your MBA and your wanting to get in the door for Private Equity? Great news for you. What I am about to share with you. Comes from experienced Private Equity Partners and Professionals who have been there and done that! So let me introduce you to a Youtube Channel I have been watching on this subject. It’s that good!

I need to introduce Mr. Peter Lynch. Who is Peter Lynch?

According to his website “A Simple Model”, Peter Lynch, is previously a founding member of the investment team at Hilltop Opportunity Partners (“HOP”), a merchant banking business launched by Dallas-based Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH). Before joining HOP, I spent 8 years working for Argenta Partners, a private equity firm focused on control-only equity investments. From 1989 through 2016 Argenta achieved a cumulative annual internal rate of return for all invested limited partner funds of 27% net of GP carried interest and fees. Prior to that, I worked with the M&A team at Rabobank International in New York City, and with JPMorgan in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Santiago, Chile. To prepare myself for the professional world I attended the University of Pennsylvania.

To drive home how important it is to get your foot in the door for Private Equity? I would highly suggest you watch this One on One interview between Peter and his friend Brett. Brett is a Partner of a Private Equity firm, finished his MBA at Columbia and has risen in the Partnership of his own private equity firm. Watch the video and take notes to gain an edge on “How to get a Job in Private Equity.”

In this video below you will learn a few things and “How to’s”

-Develop a network for getting in the Door.

-Follow Up on past opportunities while simultaneously developing a relationship.

-Fast tracking your way to succeeding in the Private Equity Space.

-What you need to commit to and how to make things happen for your interviews.

To learn more about Private Equity? Please visit Mr. Lynch’s Youtube Channel (CLICK HERE!)

Take it from the Private Equity Pro’s who have worked and risen in Private Equity. this. The video interview below is a must watch, if your wanting to learn “How to get a Job in Private Equity?”

I do hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did. This entire interview was fantastic.

In conclusion please be sure to go check out Mr. Lynch’s website all about Private Equity “A Simple Model” I have to include the brilliant training Mr. Lynch offers and teach’s on his Website. Its a training website for Financial Professionals in Private Equity.

Thanks for coming by, I hope this brings you incredible insight and value like it did for me.

Business Articles

The Rule Of One Hundred

Robert Kyosaki “Rich Dad Poor Dad” best selling author teaches Entrepreneurs to look at 100 properties if your in Real Estate, or look at 100 Business’s if your in Private Equity before making a decision to buy. Why would I share expert advice from the ultra successful Investor Robert Kyosaki? Because I have used his advice and won! It’s that simple. Here is another reason I follow Roberts teachings and listen intently. Robert and myself are both USMC Veterans and trained Pilots, we literally have many things in common with each other like seeing the world through entrepreneur lenses. Not to mention a laundry list of other interests that intersect. His advice is 100% rock solid. This is why I listen to his advice and share his fantastic wisdom. Im going to share why this business rule and strategy could be useful for all areas of your life and how it has worked for me. And since I am naming Business Heavy Weights I personally watch. Do you know who Noah Kagan is? Look him up! I feel Noah would most likely agree a 100% with my post.

What is the 100 Rule?

Here’s the problem I see most of the time with Entrepreneurs. They expect results way to quickly and they have no strategy at all. Or they just have no patience and are quick to move on to the next project without really giving their best. However if you do decide to use this information in this blog post? It’s likely you may be impressed with the results. And this information may just change your entire life!

Many month’s ago I was driving my usual circuit of pit stops and making my way to the Plaza’s Barnes & Nobles Book store. While driving an interview video popped up of Noah Kagan the CEO of App SUMO & OK DORK and Ryan Holiday author of “Trust Me Im Lying” . If you don’t know who these fellow Entrepreneurs are? You should go watch some of their Content and Read Noah’s book. 100% They get it!! And we have similar experiences of knocking on thousands of doors and learning rejection is just apart of the process and will make you stronger. This is one thing I really love about Noah videos. He is transparent about his battles. I can relate to his experiences 100%

While Noah and Ryan were sitting at a Table on this video interview their conversation veered to a subject about the The One Hundred Rule. Your probably asking yourself What is the One Hundred rule? Im happy your thinking ahead. The One Hundred Rule is exactly this in it’s definition. Say your writing a Blog or starting a Youtube Channel or even Selling a product you made to the open market. The One Hundred rule makes it clear that in order to know if your Blog, Youtube Channel, or Product is worth pursuing and not quitting? You must write One Hundred Blog Posts, create One Hundred Youtube Videos or even Pitch the product you made to One Hundred Executives before deciding if this was worth your time to keep going? Or to quit. This same rule can be applied to Finance, M&A, and especially Business Strategy!!

The One Hundred Rule Used By Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger

If you watch Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s videos from the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meetings Q&A sessions. You will hear in their answers how Warren and Charlie have both referred to looking at One Hundred Businesses before deciding which business they would like to invest in and take a official position. There must be only one explanation. They use the One Hundred Rule. I have even heard Warren Buffett refer to reading a Hundred different Annual reports in order to begin his deliberation on which company to invest in when the market was bearish. Fascinating stuff right? Yep!

How Im Using the One Hundred Rule in Mergers & Acquisitions?

If your in the Big leagues of Business your definitely not ever going to just rush into a decision of buying a business. It’s been my experience that many people will openly lie to you. They will waste your time, and they will try and deceive you along the way for their own gain. Here’s a great example. While searching for Vineyards in the Midwest as Targets to buy it became very clear very fast almost all the vineyards in the midwest are small family run farms with a very small section of vineyards on these remote country estates. They do have make great small income streams from their cash flow.

The revenue streams from these Vineyards and Wine tasting businesses relies heavily on traffic from the city’s. They rely on this traffic so they are able to stay in business. And then Corona Virus hit! That basically destroyed this cottage industry literally overnight. And many of these country vineyards and estates were put on the market by online Business and Real Estate Brokers. I had inquired about a few of these vineyards or estate’s because I could see these vineyards repurposed for maximum returns on investment. But almost every Broker I spoke with wanted to highlight the Vineyards history of profit. And market these real estate properties as turn key businesses. I don’t know about you. But investing in a business that relies on a market that has gone bust is not a attractive investment opportunity. LOL I did not buy an estate vineyard. Because I looked at One hundred Wine and Beverage opportunities. That decision and using this strategy saved me from making a bad decision.

How the One Hundred Rule is shaping my Business & Finance Blog?

As this blog continues to grow and continues to introduce new Business Strategies in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Business Strategies and more. We see I am using the One Hundred Rule to evaluate the optimal direction I as the writer and content producer should travel. The input and support this blog is receiving from the Business community is truly a blessing and humbling at the same time. Especially considering I am not a professional writer.

So at the end of the day if you want to test an idea, a business strategy or an idea in your personal and professional life? I would recommend to try using the One Hundred Rule when deciding if something is worth pursuing or not. It gives you metrics, it gives you data and results to look on and ask yourself? This is interesting or it isn’t interesting. Should you put more time into this idea or shouldn’t you? Because realistically at the end of the day If you have followed this rule and pushed through the roadblocks and challenges. I feel your likely to agree you accomplished something amazing and surprised yourself. All because you took the time to use this fantastic little rule. Thank you for reading and thank you for your thoughts and comments below.

Do you agree using the One Hundred rule give you an advantage when most people in our society are likely to quit when they don’t see results after attempting a task or goal once or twice? Let me know.

Godspeed

Business Articles

Types Of Accredited Investors?

Are Entrepreneurs looking for Partners and Investors in all the wrong places?

Often times Entrepreneurs do not stay curious, they become masters at limiting their own growth and Investing is not a priority. This post will share why you should always keep learning and keep expanding in your own business space. There’s always another level if your willing to take the time and learn. If you are a serious entrepreneur, managing partner of a fund or apart of a Investment Group? There are qualifying questions you must ask to justify the start of a Business relationship with sophisticated investors. And just so people realize this point. Me or my Partners do not just talk to anyone with a few hundred thousand bucks. But if your a serious entrepreneur that has a interest in financial services and joining the Major Leagues of Business investing this is an article you will want to definitely read.

Interestingly last week I met with a Kansas City Accountant from BKD which is a large Transaction advisory Accountant firm in Kansas City. We spoke to each other about attractive investment assets to buy. And must use personal discernment and be very selective and understand the business before investing. If a Investor brings to the table One Hundred Thousand or Fifty Thousand Dollars with no background as a Professional subject matter expert, Accountant, Attorney, or Enterprise Board Member? The answer is a fast but gentle “No Thank you I would not be a good fit to partner with you.” The reality is there are people who have money. But are not accredited investors. Choose your partners wisely.

Their are Non Accredited investors and then Accredited investors. There’s a big difference. And that’s one reason I am writing this guide to share the 3 levels of Accredited Investors for serious entrepreneurs. We will get more into this later.

I must be share there are literally many Con-Artists and Fraudsters in Financial Services. So you must pay close attention to who you consider a professional inside Financial Services & Investing. This article will also give you incredible insights on what to look for when looking for qualified Investors as partners.

Unspoken Rules in Professional Investing

Ok in the Big Leagues of Professional Investing it’s likely that if your not referred by a trusted friend, Board Member, or Corporate Officer/Executive or someone who has a Professional Investment Track record? You don’t entertain any conversation with this person. It honestly is a closed society and sort of Mafioso.

Investors are anything but alike

This will honestly probably disappoint many people in my community. I do not partner or accept money from Non Accredited Investors. But the truth is there are only 3 types of Investors I would choose to partner and work with. I will absolutely go more into detail about these 3 types of Investors. You may want to know this interesting fact from DQYDJ.com This potential investor group is not as small as you think.

We estimate in 2020 there were 13,665,475 accredited investor households in America. Roughly 10.6% of all American households were accredited in 2020. Further, accredited investor households controlled roughly $73.3 trillion in wealth in 2020. They controlled around 76.3% of all private wealth in America measured by the 2019 SCF.
DQYDJ Investment Homepage.

3 Investors Who Should Be On Your Radar

But first let’s look at some basic guidance to keep you safe along your journey. Fund managers live by this guidance, and so should Entrepreneurs. Even though your preferable investors are High Net Worth Families and Individuals, you should keep this at the forefront of your responsibility as a Professional Investor or Entrepreneur.

Never accept one dollar from Grandma’s One hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar life savings.
It’s your fiduciary duty to ensure the person who partners with you has a level of sophistication to understand the risks of start-up investing.
It’s preferable to avoid Start-Up Capital Intensive Businesses as a Entrepreneur
It is also very important that you do screen out and disqualify Investors who are not Financially Literate
It is imperative Entrepreneurs must study and get familiar with Federal Securities Law
Have a Business Attorney as someone who can watch your back and advise you along your career.
Have Advisors you can turn to as a Professional who can introduce you to someone or give you pro guidance.
BE A COMMUNITY LEADER – Take responsibility for people who don’t understand what they are asking.
Don’t be a FRAUD, ALWAYS BE TRANSPARENT, and NEVER EVER BE DISHONEST!!

The Accredited Investor

The SEC defines an accredited investor as either: an individual with gross income exceeding $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with a spouse or partner exceeding $300,000 for those years and a reasonable expectation of the same income level in the current year.

If your a Entrepreneur, Executive, or Professionally savvy Investor you will recognize and most likely appreciate I am taking the time to detail what exactly the definition of an Accredited Investor is. And it is a small population when compared to the United States Population as a whole.

A Qualified Client

This definition comes from my personal relationship with the good Partners and Attorneys of New York City’s International Law Firm Paul Weiss

A Qualified Client according to the SEC 2021 is a Client that has a 2.1 Million Dollar Net Worth Excluding their home.

has at least $1.1 million in assets under management with the investment adviser immediately after entering into the advisory contract; or
the investment adviser reasonably believes, immediately prior to entering into the contract, has a net worth of more than $2.2 million.

Please be sure to read the SEC up to date Investment Advisors Act of 1940

THE SEC UP TO DATE DOCUMENT CLICK HERE

Qualified Purchaser

What is a Qualified Purchaser? A Qualified Purchaser has a Five Million Dollar Net-Worth excluding their primary residence. QP could also be a Entity with Twenty Five Million in Assets and their primary business is not investing. It’s an actual separate company or entity.

Here is the Thomson Reuters Practical Law Definition in detail to keep things on the up and up and legit!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DOCUMENT & EXPLANATION

Keep yourself moving through the roadblocks that deny you access

Are Entrepreneurs looking for Partners and Investors in all the wrong places?

In conclusion,

It feels like I should share the reality I faced as an Entrepreneur who had no financial reputation seeking influential mentors. I was literally meant to fail and go away to do whatever Entrepreneurs who fail go and do. But I didn’t fail. I kept going and being curious. Here is a quick story and reality I faced not knowing that everything I faced was rigged and stacked against me. If it wasn’t for my curiosity and my tenacious ability to withstand punishment and pain? I would have surely never discovered the next level in business finance and the strategy to get their. Please read on!

When I first became an Entrepreneur I had a suspicion that I should go seek out and talk to professional fund raisers. Most of these fund raisers viewed me as a waste of time and not worth a call back nor worthy of a personal meeting. They ignored me, disrespected me in the open. I took all this mistreatment on the chin. I in return did not play their dirty passive aggressive games. They reacted to my calls and visits as if I was a threat and unworthy of their valuable time.

But now these day’s I am not easily dismissed any longer! My market value has gone way up. All because I put in the personal work and received a real financial education. I have done all this by experimenting, researching, and having great teachers inside the Real Estate and Private Equity Fund space. These same Attorneys and Fund Raisers now openly ask me to collaborate on projects and campaigns with Investors. I have proven myself as a fierce competitor. The goal of today’s post, was to share with you. Even though you may feel you know everything about your business space? I promise you most likely should stay curious and stay insanely competitive.

Thank you for reading everyone. Id be happy to hear your thoughts below. Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend.

Godspeed -JS

Business Articles

The Sit Down For Entrepreneurs

If your not sitting down with your Business Partners to collaborate on direction, agreements, leadership and other terms once a year? Your likely setting your business partnership up for certain failure and possible major disagreements. If your willing to ask hard questions up front and use my suggestions in this post? You will walk away with a impressed Business Partner and a solid relationship foundation moving forward.

Accounting is Accountability

I am very aware most Entrepreneurs in small business more than likely are Financial illiterate. They have no way of knowing what they are doing right and what they are doing seriously wrong. The first step in building a Financial Foundation is to take a Accounting class online or at a local community college immediately. Having trouble absorbing the information? Take it two times if need be. Learning these lessons are the foundation for business literacy. Education will begin your financial knowledge foundation. This simple task is often over looked and sadly dismissed as unnecessary. Usually by ignorant and or over confident entrepreneurs doomed from the beginning.

Your Accounting course will begin shaping your thoughts and questions in finance and business. Meaning you will become curious and personally teachable like myself. Figuring out through extended time and gaining more experiences “How business really works.” You need to be aware of when you may be getting robbed in a Board room and a fancy pen with unforgiving businessmen who have blank unemotional faces. I know what your thinking? Harsh? Yep! But I have to prepare you for the reality. I know you probably think I am completely nuts! Because of me slipping that in there. But truth is I have to keep you on your toes.

Being able to take raw numbers and data organize them in excel spreadsheets. Is how you make sense of business numbers and Profit Loss P&L Statements and more projections. Most entrepreneurs fail to consider metrics and numbers. When you can evaluate and know the numbers. This undoubtedly makes you more valuable and attractive as a Business partner. Speaking of partners and investors in business? Your bound to have disagreements. But most times its easily negated by active listening and personal collaborating.

Are You Creating Your Own Business Disasters?

Maybe you have been building your business, maybe you have spent your life savings and built a nice little business with a income stream to match. But you have one problem. Your margins are not allowing your business growth. What do you do? You have a few options. Keep growing at a small rate over time. Risking possible bankruptcy. Or B. Recruiting a Business Partner who can invest Capital or other possibilities to help you grow it fast. Example: Let’s say hypothetically your sitting at a table across from your new capital partner and She or He offers you $150,000 dollars to begin scaling the business. Do you take the money? Or do you ask more questions and try to collaborate? It seems likely many Small Business owners have difficulty in situations like this. If you go look at Business Equipment Financing websites? It’s littered with confused entrepreneurs who have made poor capital decisions. They just did not ask enough questions and did not use metrics.

I would first ask A.”How can we grow this together as a qualifying collaborative question? And B. “What are you looking for in return for investing this money?” Asking these starter Questions are great because they take you deep into collaborating together. Building a solid partnership. But for now let’s hypothetically say you do not take my advice. And you end up….Smiling at your new partner, take the check shake hands. Leave the meeting. And get busy scaling your business to new heights.

But! There is a problem. YES!! YOU HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM!! You have have no mutual understanding. And you have “NO PARTNER or Terms AGREEMENT!”

Agreement’s Mean Collaborating.

Ok let’s say you left that meeting deposited the 150 thousand dollar check in to your business account and began scaling your business right away. A little time goes by and your small business is honestly becoming bigger than you ever thought. The stream of cash flow coming in to your business accounts receivable. It’s powerful. LOL It’s wonderful. Then you get a call out of the blue. It’s your Partner. He or she is confused and annoyed and down right borderline furious. Your partner wants to know “WHY THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY INTEREST’S PAYMENTS?”

You assume you have been a responsible business owner and think to yourself “No problem. I got you!” And ask your partner “How much do you need for interest payment?”. Your partner responds “I need 25.00% percent on the principal.” And just like that! Your life and future business starts to crumble and spiral out of control all from the fact you failed to negotiate terms on the money. And you failed to negotiate your Partnership Agreement. Whoops. Shaking my head. Now you begin seeing doing a little prep work goes along ways.

The Sit Down

There is a reason the Italian Mafia or Cosa Nostra was very effective in business. They were great because they had the sit down! They had behavior Guidelines. Michael Franzese has some genuinely great content. I would highly suggest reading his books.

In the video above your gonna learn some invaluable business advice. And I mean invaluable. So pay attention Capeche? Good! Im gonna stand on my soap box for a second here and share with you some invaluable advice and experience. So pay attention please. In the Military you learn real fast that you will be punished severely for not taking responsibility for anything and everything and everyone as a team. So I suggest you take responsibility for your partnership and team. Recruit a Business Attorney to help you negotiate and prepare your interests for success. Instead of ending with headaches and certain failure.

Did you miss my Post about Creating Trust in Business Negotiations? It is a must read for anyone in business.

Click Here!

Back to military service punishments for a second. This is funny in a dark way. Their is a underlying theme to being punished in the military. And this transfers to almost every other part of your life. You are responsible for your behavior and all your future outcomes. This means taking responsibility for anyone, everything, and everyone associated with a goal in mind as you move to that objective as a team. If something falls short. Your mission is disrupted by a mechanical failure. Something breaks? Doesn’t work correctly? Even if something isn’t your fault? Step right up! Spin the wheel of certain misfortune. Guess what? It’s your failure! No one else’s. lol It’s 100$ definitely a cruel way to learn. But it does work.

The Knapkin Contract In Business

If you don’t have a contract or a Agreement written down? Tough Luck! Your Busted Out! Don’t be the victim.

Back when you first sat down and your Partner offered to give you $150,000 dollars to invest in your business. You should have taken the initiative to draw up a knapkin agreement. Negotiate favorable and collaborative investments terms while writing these terms out on a piece of paper at the table with the person offering you the money. You can do this in a Restaurant or anywhere a knapkin is available. At the end of your desired agreement you both sign this binding ad hoc legal document. Then take this document and have your Business Attorney finalize it as a formalized, and signed. This is how you should have done it in the first place.

Capitalize on this opportunity. Don’t ever feel the need rush things and always make counter offers. And do your best to prepare questions and what if’s to protect yourself and your new partnership moving forward. I hope you did gain something or some foresight with this post tonight. Thank you for reading everyone. Please do suggest a topic you would like for me to cover. I would be happy to do so. Email me at JamesonDocSharp@gmail.com

Goodnight & Goodluck!

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I Made The Top 100 Business Blogs online

We would like to Thank Feedspot for naming my Business Blog 97 of the Top 100 Business Blogs Online!

This is a pretty unique opportunity to be included with Business Websites like Entrepreneur and INC.com. I appreciate the opportunity to be taken seriously as a Businessman and Business Blogger to watch. Thank you Anuj Agarwal and his team at Feedspot Blog. Blog.Feedspot.com

Did you catch me on International Business TV 2 weeks ago? If not? Click here for the full story and video.

Business Articles

M&A Proprietary Deal Flow

Most Business Professionals are going to find creating Proprietary Deal Flow on their own without help ridiculously difficult. But if you have a good attitude and use your own professional networks. You may just have a fighting chance. How does a entrepreneur become known as someone that will look at your deal? It just kind of develops on it’s own and happens. Here is a story how I was approached by a Veteran Brother to look at a deal.

How can a Entrepreneur create Proprietary Deal Flow?

If your running a Search Fund, or if your a accomplished Investment Banker, or even Hedge Fund manger creating streams of Proprietary Deal Flow is no easy task. Here’s some fundamentals that will help you along in your search. Let’s get busy.

Some Entrepreneurs, VC, and Private Equity Fund Managers are new school. But most are still using the Old School Deal Flow opportunities. Or better put! Business Partners of a certain wealth level, more likely known as “The good Ole Boy’s Network.” Watch this insightful honest insight form Entrepreneur Naval Ravikant. Oh! Click to read his Almanck Book.

Is Proprietary Deal Flow dead as Naval shares? That depends on who you ask.

First we must list the different way’s many Entrepreneurs, VC’s, Private Equity, and other Investors access Deal Flow Opportunities. And the truth is this. It comes down to your track record, credibility, who you know, and people you currently do business with.

Who do you know?
Angel Investors?
Professionals in your Industry or Space?
Successful Entrepreneurs & Other Business Personalities?
The Good Ole Boy’s models as I like to say?

All great questions of who? Now what actual tangible useful advice can I share with you to begin building that network of Deal Flowing opportunities? This is where it pay’s to be a shrewd networker and belong to certain communities. Truth is I am always strategically looking to develop my network and deal flow opportunities. I must share this particular post will be about being a member of a group that is across the world. Yes I do belong to a few networks that involve groups of men that have served our Country in the Elite Special Operations community. Its a fantastic community to be involved with. Their is always someone who served in Uniform that ended up being a Professional in business somewhere. This community Is packed full of professionals that are great to know!

For purposes to share how opportunities happen. I would like to share with you this short story. A good friend and Veteran Brother who is a newly retired Army Special Forces Green Beret. Let’s call him John.

John is undoubtedly a professionally trained Bad Ass Guerrilla who served in Afghanistan and also has a Business MBA. He was up until recently the Chief Operations and Development Officer for a Harley Davidson Product company. This business is growing because of who John is and the groups of men he knows and activities he does on the weekends. This company manufactures a part for all new Factory Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Listen to this. We follow each other on Instagram and have known each other for sometime prviously in the SOF community. I ended up doing some professional work with a former Team Mate of Johns. And we got to know each other online over time and through friends of friends. John had messaged me he was moving on in life from his position at his company. And the team who built this company wanted to sell. Interestingly this Business has a impressive Hockey Stick sales profile. And is growing literally quarterly. Annual Revenue was right at about 20 million dollars. The owners were motivated to sell. Since they are ready to retire and move on with life.

If you like this Post Check out my previous post on if you should Trust Business Brokers?

At the end of this opportunity it was fast turning into a Broker pursuit. And my mentor and business partner was persuasive enough to share with me we needed to stick with our own industry and strategy. But it was neat to look at this company.

With this story complete you can see having a personal network or belonging to a member only club that expands across the world is ideal for deal flow opportunities. It seems I should probably go into more strategies and developing business relationships to expand on this a very wide subject. I do hope you received something from this moderately long post. Because in the end it’s gonna most likely be people who know you and your business reputation that will approach you. And they will come from all walks in life as Naval Ravikant shares in the Video.

Thanks for Reading & Godspeed!