Ep 364: Scaling Marketing To Sell A $2.2B Advisory Firm And Advising Advisors On The Lessons Learned From Selling, with Ted Jenkin
Dec 19, 2023
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Ted Jenkin discusses selling his $2.2B advisory firm and guiding advisors through mergers/acquisitions. He shares lessons on building a consulting firm, niching down, recognizing true profit margins, and maximizing firm value. Ted also talks about transitioning post-sale, outsourcing weaknesses, and valuable advice for advisors. Topics include evaluating firm value, marketing strategies, balancing roles, financial challenges post-transaction, navigating success fees, maximizing firm value through marketing/growth, and strategies for scaling/selling advisory firms.
Ted Jenkin's firsthand experience of selling a $2.2 billion AUM firm guides advisors through mergers and acquisitions.
The 'manufactured celebrity approach' can boost a firm's success but may lead to burnout.
Assessing cultural fit, clean financials, and negotiating terms are crucial for advisors aiming to sell their firms.
Deep dives
Consulting on Financial Practice Sales
Assisting financial advisors in maximizing the value of their firms, consulting involves guiding advisors through the process of selling their practices. Providing insights on the acquisition landscape, the consultant helps clients assess potential buyers and evaluate offers. By facilitating introductions to interested buyers and assisting in constructing redacted financials and confidential information memorandums, the consultant aims to showcase the practice's value and negotiate favorable terms for the sale.
Key Considerations for Advisors Selling Their Practices
Advisors looking to sell are guided in assessing whether the sale aligns with their goals, focusing on cultural fit, non-negotiable aspects of the deal, and the desired level of involvement post-sale. Understanding the importance of a clean set of financials, the consultant helps in preparing redacted financials and quality of earnings reports to present a clear picture of the practice's performance to potential buyers.
Facilitating Buyer Meetings and Evaluating Offers
The consultant arranges and attends initial meetings between advisors and potential buyers to gauge compatibility and interest. Through these meetings, the advisor can explore various buyer options and assess the level of engagement and alignment with their vision. Additionally, the consultant assists in evaluating offers, comparing terms, and negotiating to secure the best possible deal for the advisor.
Guiding Advisors Through the Sales Process
Acting as a mediator, the consultant supports financial advisors throughout the sale process, providing advice on deal structures, understanding the implications of different offers, and ensuring clarity in financial documentation. By offering ongoing guidance and support, the consultant aims to help advisors navigate the complexities of selling their practices and achieve favorable outcomes in the transactions.
Negotiating an Acquisition Deal
The process of negotiating an acquisition deal involves various steps, including moving from initial exploration to reaching an indication of interest or a letter of interest. Considerations during negotiations include the sale price, ongoing compensation for advisors, and the potential for additional benefits like a second bite of the apple, which could involve stock incentives or retirement packages.
Factors Influencing Firm Valuation
In determining the value of a financial advisory firm, factors such as revenue, EBITDA, and size play crucial roles. Maximizing margins and focusing on fee-based revenue can enhance a firm's attractiveness to potential buyers. Additionally, growth rates, operational efficiency, and employee structure, including W-2 vs. 1099 arrangements, impact the success of a firm sale and its valuation.
Ted Jenkin is the consultant of JPTD Partners, a consulting firm based in Atlanta that helps financial advisors gather offers, negotiate, and ultimately sell their advisory firms. What sets Ted apart is his firsthand experience of selling his own $2.2 billion AUM firm, cultivated over a decade. This unique perspective as a former owner deeply influences his approach, enabling him to empathetically guide other advisors through the nuances of mergers and acquisitions.
Listen in as Ted shares the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions, diving into insights from his journey of building a consulting firm and the strategies he employed, such as the 'manufactured celebrity approach', which skyrocketed his firm's success but also led to burnout. He also discusses the nuances of how buyers evaluate advisory firms, the importance of niching down for scalability, and the lessons he learned about recognizing true profit margins and the real value of a firm. You'll hear about his transition from business owner to employee post-sale, the significance of outsourcing weaknesses early on, and invaluable advice for advisors aiming to maximize their firm's value when considering a sale.