Host Nick Olsen brings together both sides of a completed M&A deal — business owner Merry Korn and her investment banker, Sharon Heaton of sbLiftOff. Merry built Pearl Interactive Network into a 1,300-employee social enterprise before selling it with Sharon's guidance, and together they share the strategic planning, trust-building, and market realities behind a successful GovCon exit.

Key Topics:

• Building a social enterprise with over 1,300 employees

• Strategic exit planning from the start

• Choosing the right M&A advisor and building trust

• Market factors affecting business valuation

• Importance of team and culture in the sale process

About the Show: The M&A Mastermind Podcast provides actionable insights and effective strategies tailored for dealmakers in the lower middle market. Hosted by Nick Olsen, the show features conversations with leading industry experts who share valuable knowledge on topics such as industry intelligence, deal management, collaborative successes, and specialized expertise. Listeners who support small to medium-sized business owners will find practical tactics and advice they can immediately apply to advance their mastery in mergers and acquisitions.

Subscribe and never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Resources: Fired to Inspired by Merry Korn firedtoinspired | sbLiftOff sbliftoff | Merry Korn on LinkedIn linkedin | Sharon Heaton on LinkedIn linkedin | Cornerstone International Alliance

Keywords: GovCon M&A, lower middle market exit planning, selling a social enterprise, M&A advisor trust, business valuation, buyer selection, M&A deal structure