In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew sit down with entrepreneur, CPA, and attorney Sam Rosati to explore his journey from the corporate world into business ownership. Sam shares how he transitioned into acquiring small businesses, what he's learned along the way, and why he believes taking bold action is more valuable than waiting for perfect information.

The conversation covers everything from running a dumpster rental company during COVID to launching the SMB Bootcamp, a program designed to teach others how to buy and operate small businesses. Sam also breaks down how the independent sponsor model works, the role of cash flow in acquisition decisions, and how personal relationships often drive the best deals.

Whether you're just exploring entrepreneurship or actively acquiring businesses, this episode offers clear and actionable insights from someone who's done it all.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• Sam Rosati’s transition from CPA and lawyer to business owner

• The bold mindset shift required to jump into entrepreneurship

• Lessons from acquiring and operating businesses during COVID

• How cash flow drives smart acquisitions

• The independent sponsor model and why it works

• Why personal relationships matter more than perfect spreadsheets

• How the SMB Bootcamp empowers others to follow Sam’s path

• The emotional side of entrepreneurship—family, fulfillment, and impact

Connect with Sam Rosati:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrosati/

SMBootcamp: https://www.smbootcamp.co/

Additional Resources

• YouTube Video Archive – Explore past interviews and episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@MALaunchpad

• Connect with the Hosts – Reach out to Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa: info@equity-launchpad.com

• Partner with Equity Launchpad – Learn how to invest, acquire, scale, or exit: https://www.equity-launchpad.com

• Attend the M&A Launchpad Conference – Join us for a premier event tailored to entrepreneurs, investors, and dealmakers in the lower-middle market. Make meaningful connections, learn from top speakers, and accelerate your next acquisition. Use code LAUNCH for $150 off your ticket. Reserve your seat here: https://www.malaunchpad.com

About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew welcome guest Chris Edwards, founder of Sanitas Equity and a seasoned acquisition entrepreneur. Chris walks us through the candid story of buying, scaling, and exiting a retail flooring business in Steamboat Springs, Colorado—growing revenue by 50% and doubling profits before securing a 24x return on invested capital.

The conversation dives into what it truly looks like to acquire and operate a traditional small business with SBA financing, the people challenges that come with change, and how systematization using tools like Notion helped turn chaos into a streamlined operation.

This episode offers real-world takeaways on what works—and what doesn’t—when stepping into the operator’s seat for the first time.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• Buying vs. Building a Small Business

• Using SBA Loans to Fund Acquisitions

• Operational Turnarounds and System Building

• Key Employee Challenges and Cultural Fit

• Knowing When to Exit a Business

You can connect with Chris here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-edwards-44664052/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/toph_edwards Email: chris@sanitasequity.com Website: https://www.sanitasequity.com/

Additional Resources: Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MALaunchpad

Get in touch with show hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa at: info@equity-launchpad.com

Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale, or sell your business? Visit: https://www.equity-launchpad.com/

About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, host Feras Moussa sits down with seasoned M&A attorney John Koeppel, Partner at Lippes Mathias, to dive deep into the world of deal-making in the lower middle market. With decades of experience advising on both buy-side and sell-side transactions, John brings a firehose of insight for anyone interested in acquiring or selling a business in today’s market.

John shares what’s trending in 2025, the return of regional banks to the lending scene, and how buyers are getting creative with structuring deals amid changing interest rates. From real-world multiple comps to reps and warranties, and the nuances of independent sponsor strategies—this is a must-listen for aspiring dealmakers and active acquirers alike.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

· What’s happening in the lower middle market right now

· How deal structures have evolved with rising interest rates

· Market multiples by deal size and industry

· Why recurring revenue drives valuation

· Reps & warranties: what they are and how to mitigate risk

· Mistakes buyers make—and how to avoid them

· The rise of the independent sponsor model

· How to bring value with the right operating partner

· Creative deal structuring and alignment with sellers

Connect with John Koeppel:

Email: jkoeppel@lippes.com Website: https://www.lippes.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-koeppel-98b3a833

Additional Resources: · Access our archive of video interviews on YouTube

· Get in touch with show hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew: info@equitylaunchpad.com

· Looking to invest in M&A opportunities or partner with an advisor to acquire, scale, or sell your business? Visit Equity Launchpad

About The M&A Launchpad:

The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions.

The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community.

Connect with M&A Launchpad:

🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/