On this episode of Sell Side Shorts, we dive into one of the most important – and often overlooked – aspects of selling your business: choosing the right professional team. For many founder-owners, the sale of their company is a once-in-a-lifetime event. While it’s new territory for them, the professionals they bring to the table handle these complex transactions every day.

We break down the key players every owner should consider:

• M&A Attorney – to negotiate letters of intent, purchase agreements, and ensure deals get across the finish line.

• Tax Advisor/CPA – to keep a close eye on the numbers and structure the deal in the most tax-efficient way.

• Investment Banker – to craft the story, market the business, attract multiple buyers, and drive competitive pricing.

• Wealth Advisor – to plan for what comes after the sale, ensuring the proceeds are allocated wisely and aligned with the owner’s long-term financial goals.

Together, these professionals form more than just a checklist – they’re a team. When they know each other and work seamlessly, the process runs smoothly, negotiations are stronger, and the outcome is better for the seller. We also discuss why aligning incentives and fees is critical to making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about an exit or are already deep into planning, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to start building your own winning team.

On this episode of The Sell Side Podcast, host Michael Stanley sits down with Hayden Worsham, fourth-generation leader of Worsham Brothers, a Corinth, Mississippi–based general contractor celebrating 80 years in business. Hayden shares the company’s remarkable origin story—launched in 1945 with $1,500 by three Ole Miss–trained civil engineers fresh from World War II—and how Worsham evolved from highways and bridges to a boutique commercial contractor serving Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee (with work in Kentucky and Arkansas).

Hayden traces his own path—from civil engineering and national consulting work to high-growth GC experience in Atlanta—before returning home in 2022 to acquire the firm through a company-first, metrics-driven earn-out. He details the turnaround playbook: doubling down on people, restoring confidence with weekly wins, and modernizing operations with integrated project management and accounting systems so field teams can make real-time decisions on site.

The conversation tackles resilient culture (decades-long employee tenures), the value of a boutique GC experience, and a disciplined view of growth—prioritizing strategic partners, healthy pace, safety, communication, and doing what you say you’ll do. If you’re interested in succession, buying a family business, or how a mid-market contractor differentiates in the Mid-South, this one’s a masterclass in legacy, leadership, and operational excellence.

n this installment of Sell Side Shorts, we break down three essential pieces of the M&A process: teasers, SIMs (Confidential Information Memorandums), and the all-important financials.

We start with the teaser — a one-page, anonymized overview that highlights the key points of your business and sparks initial buyer interest. From there, we explain the SIM, the more detailed document provided after interest is shown and an NDA is signed, which tells the full story of your business with history, financials, and strategy.

Finally, we dive into why financials receive so much attention early in the preparation phase. Numbers ultimately tell the story to potential buyers, and presenting them clearly and effectively can make all the difference in showing the true value of your business.

If you’re preparing for a sale, this episode gives you a straightforward look at how these documents fit together and why they matter in setting the stage for a successful deal.