Second Bite Podcast

Dan Khabie is the Co-founder and Partner at CourtAvenue, one of the fastest-growing digital transformation companies in its industry. He began his career as the Co-founder of Digitaria, an award-winning digital agency with clients including DreamWorks and the NFL. As a LinkedIn influencer, Dan speaks frequently about innovation and marketing.  In this episode… Is it possible to start over as an entrepreneur after leaving a lucrative career behind? In this part two episode, hear how a seasoned M&A executive built a digital business through strategic transactions. The Co-founder and Partner of CourtAvenue, Dan Khabie, reveals his decision to leave a public company to launch a business. With host Todd Taskey, Dan talks about how he engaged in a risky deal to transition companies, the key criteria for getting acquired, and CourtAvenue’s future M&A and growth plans.

Dan Khabie is the Co-founder and Partner at CourtAvenue, one of the fastest-growing digital transformation companies in its industry. He began his career as the Co-founder of Digitaria, an award-winning digital agency with clients including DreamWorks and the NFL. As a LinkedIn influencer, Dan speaks frequently about innovation and marketing. In this episode… If you’re considering a transaction, it’s vital to assess your business and identify your end goal. In this part one episode, learn the ins and outs of an unconventional transaction from an expert in the digital space. Dan Khabie, the Co-founder and Partner of CourtAvenue, talks about his decision to sell his public company. With host Todd Taskey, Dan reveals how he navigated low valuation during due diligence, his journey into entrepreneurship, and how he approached his transaction.

Todd Taskey has been an entrepreneur, business owner, investment banker, and business finance advisor for over 20 years. He is currently the M&A Advisor at Potomac Business Capital, where he helps CEOs and entrepreneurs maximize their company’s value and develop a successful exit strategy. His specialties include M&A, strategic acquisition, divestitures, and more. In this episode… According to the Wall Street Journal, private equity only raised half the money last year than it did the year prior. Yet companies with $1-5 million of EBITDA can find valuable opportunities in the market. How can agency founders leverage private equity to accelerate growth? Todd Taskey, the M&A Advisor at Potomac Business Capital, shares the various opportunities in private equity. With guest host Jeremy Weisz of Rise25, Todd discusses how to capitalize on market opportunities for growth, the private equity criteria for agencies, and why founders shouldn’t worry about the decline in private equity money.

Jeff Reynolds is the CEO of Agital, an integrated marketing agency backed by $100 million of capital. He is also the Founder of Human Growth Systems, which helps middle-market service companies develop sustainable business models to drive growth. Before Agital and Human Growth Systems, Jeff spent nearly 20 years leading a 10x growth journey for a marketing services business.  In this episode… Preparing and executing an acquisition requires experience and due diligence. Hear how a strategic acquirer analyzes businesses and their leaders for tuck-ins. Jeff Reynolds, the CEO of Agital, walks through his process for acquiring businesses. With host Todd Taskey, Jeff shares his business acquisition and integration processes, entrepreneurs’ most difficult adjustments following an acquisition, and how to acquire businesses effectively.

Jeff King is the CEO of Barkley, an independent creative company that builds brands. In 2022, the company was named to W shortlist. With over 25 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Jeff began as an intern at Barkley before becoming a respected executive and CEO. In this episode… If you’re considering conducting a transaction, private equity may be a viable option. How can you identify and select a suitable partner for your business? Jeff King, the CEO of Barkley, describes the process of finding a private equity partner. With host Todd Taskey, Jeff shares the benefits of partnering with private equity, how to communicate transactions to your team, and his journey from an intern to the CEO of Barkley.

Patrick Briggs is the CEO of Semify, a white-label partner for SEO, PPC, and Facebook Ads. He is also the Principal and Operating Partner at Broadtree Partners, a lower-middle market PE firm that acquired Semify. With expertise in marketing and growth, Patrick has held various leadership positions at companies, including Yumble, Jetty, and Zazzle.  In this episode… Is it possible to become a CEO without founding a company? With private equity acquisitions, you can transition into the role of CEO seamlessly. Patrick Briggs, the CEO of Semify, shares his trajectory to CEO following an acquisition. With host Todd Taskey, Patrick explains how he maximized Semify’s value after the transaction, the qualities of an exceptional CEO, and how he discovered Broadtree Partners.

Lance Loveday is the Chairman of Closed Loop, a boutique digital advertising agency. The company has managed over $1 billion in digital ad spend for clients, including AWS and Intercom. As an angel investor, Lance serves on the boards of both the Sacramento Angels and Placer Robotics, a regional non-profit teaching STEM skills to local students.  In this episode… If you want to escape from the day-to-day and transition out of your business, consider acqui-hiring. This strategic transaction allows you to acquire a company’s talent and take the burden off yourself. So what else is involved, and how can you benefit from this transaction? Lance Loveday, the Chairman of Closed Loop, shares his trajectory from CEO to Chairman. With host Todd Taskey, Lance shares how Closed Loop acquired a creative team through acqui-hiring, why he has declined opportunities from private equity, and how to integrate new employees following an acqui-hire.

David Slenzak is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Broadtree Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm. With extensive experience in the search fund management process, he has both managed and exited an acquired business. David specializes in government contracting, healthcare, and technology companies.  In this episode… As a lower middle market company with less than $2 million of EBITDA, is it possible to get acquired more than once? When you partner with a strategic private equity group, you can secure the second — and even third — bite of the apple. David Slenzak, the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Broadtree Partners, talks about how he builds and scales platform companies. With host Todd Taskey, David explains how he constructs and invests in sales teams, Broadtree Partners’ ideal companies, and how he navigates management transfers during growth and acquisition.

Lance Hollander is the CEO and Managing Partner of From the Future, an agency that creates sustainable growth for businesses. He is also a Co-founder and Partner at The Agency Shop. With 25 years of experience, Lance has built and sold four digital agencies, including merging Delphic Digital with Hero Digital.  In this episode… If you’re considering engaging in a transaction, how can you negotiate favorable terms and conditions to enhance business value? Learn best practices for structuring a transaction from a seasoned agency founder. CEO and Managing Partner of From the Future, Lance Hollander, talks about the conditions of his merger. With host Todd Taskey, Lance explains how agency owners can navigate a non-compete agreement, how he capitalized on post-transaction opportunities, and his tips for maximizing the value of each transaction.

In this podcast, Ned MacPherson discusses growing through transactions or with private equity, sharing insights on due diligence, value assessment, and deal structuring. He highlights the importance of building relationships with buyers and partnering with private equity. The podcast also explores rewarding loyalty with substantial bonuses, navigating private equity dynamics, and the influence of successful mentors in business.