Episódios
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Reselling today is not the same as reselling was yesterday. Reselling today is not the same as reselling was yesterday. Mike Harvath and Ryan Barnett dive into reselling in the tech-enabled services industry. They note the impact of cloud-based services on reselling margins and the importance of building a robust services business to complement reselling. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for private equity firms in valuing reselling businesses, emphasizing the need for advisory firms like Revenue Rocket to navigate the complex landscape.
Episode Outline:
Reselling's Evolution and Its Impact on M&AThe Renaissance of Value-Added ResellingChallenges and Opportunities in Specialty ResellingThe Role of Private Equity in ResellingThe Future of Reselling and Its Impact on CustomersRelated Episodes:
Episode 178: The Pros and Cons of IT Reselling in M&A Transactions. Listen now >>
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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This episode of Shoot the Moon covers Buyer & Seller perspectives in the last week(s) leading up to close.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 83: The 11th Hour. Listen now >>
Episode 154: What Will be Your Take Home Portion of the Deal? Listen now >>
Episode 158: Between the LOI & Deal Close, What should you Expect? Listen now >>
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Utilizing Marketplaces for M&A Deals. Third party marketplaces have really emerged in the past few years. These are services that a buyer or seller subscribes to to find deal related information and oftentimes try to match your company as best as possible through AI or manual matching.
Matt Lockhart and Ryan Barnett discuss the evolving landscape of third-party marketplaces for M&A transactions in the tech-enabled services sector. They highlight the increasing interest in these marketplaces, driven by the growing recognition of the value in tech services firms. They note that while marketplaces like Axial, PE Marketplace, and GRV Source can broaden the pool of potential buyers and sellers, they also present challenges such as the generalized nature of listings and the need for specialized understanding and marketplaces are a useful tool but should be part of a broader outreach strategy.
1. The use of third-party marketplaces like BizBuySell, DealStream, Axial, and PE Marketplace for finding and selling businesses.
2. Marketplaces can be a useful tool to increase the top of the sales funnel, but require careful curation and alignment between buyers and sellers.
3. Buyers using marketplaces may not always have deep industry expertise, leading to potential misalignment.
4. Sellers should proceed with caution when using marketplaces alone, as significant work is still required to properly prepare a business for sale.
5. Advisors can play a critical role in helping both buyers and sellers navigate the complexities of the M&A process.
6. Competition for deals can increase when using marketplaces, as the goal is to get in front of as many potential buyers as possible.
7. Buyers should view marketplaces as one tool in their inorganic growth strategy, not the sole source for finding acquisition targets.
8. Proper cultural, strategic, and financial fit are essential for successful transactions, regardless of the sourcing method.
9. The group discussed the recent podcast episode on "Buying a Company is Not Like Buying a Car" and the importance of this mindset.Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Mike, Ryan, and Matt from Revenue Rocket discussed the importance of understanding the strategic, cultural and financial fit when evaluating potential buyers in tech-services M&A transactions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just financial capability. They highlighted the complexities of M&A transactions, the emotional aspects for founders, and the role of a competent advisor in navigating the process and ensuring a win-win scenario for both buyers and sellers.
Key points
1. Buyers often approach acquiring a company like buying a car, but sellers see it as a complex partnership that requires strategic, cultural, and financial alignment.
2. Sellers, often founders, have built their business with blood, sweat, and tears, and are protective of their team and customers when considering a sale.
3. Buyers need to approach the process with an open mind, seek to understand the seller's perspective, and demonstrate how they can create value together, not just offer a price.
4. Advisors play a critical role in facilitating the right buyer-seller fit, rather than just facilitating a transaction.
5. Sellers are looking for buyers who are a good cultural and strategic fit, not just the highest bidder.
6. Buyers making offers without proper diligence or understanding the seller's motivations can be a turnoff for sellers.
7. The introduction and early interactions between buyers and sellers set the tone for the entire process.
8. Buying a company is a complex, relationship-building process, not a simple transaction like buying a car.
9. Sellers have leverage in the current market and can be selective in choosing the right buyer.
10. Advisors can help both buyers and sellers navigate the process and find the best fit.
Immediate turn offs for sellers from buyers:
Coming off too strong of how to run a business vs trying to understand the seller's business model - sellers need to know that the buyer is low risk for their employees, customers, and have an open mind about how to do things as a combined entity. This challenges the success of post-merger integrationA buyer's attitude about their successful pastBe careful what documents you put in front of a seller too earlyBlowing the introduction call - this meeting sets the tone for the entire process between both parties! Take it seriouslyOur job is to help buyers & sellers find the best cultural fit, strategic fit, and financial fit to make a win-win-win scenario for all parties. This has been our speciality for IT Services firms for 25 years. Reach out to schedule a no obligation introduction call.
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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EPISODE OUTLINE:
Partnerships in business and their importance in growth.Valuation and buyout considerations for businesses with multiple partnersThe importance of documentation, shareholder agreements, operating agreements and moreValuing a business for partner buyout or sale, importance of credible outside counsel, and potential impact of a departing partner on continuityManaging partnerships, exit strategies, and value creation in businessRELATED EPISODES:
Episode 168: Adjustments to EBITDA and Valuation based on Owner Comp. Listen now >>Episode 162: Aligning Leadership in M&A for a Better Deal Outcome. Listen now >>Episode 144: Navigating Exit Strategies: What are your Options? Listen now >>Episode 136: CEO and Leadership Transitions When Selling your IT services Firm. Listen now >>Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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We talk alot about Multiples of Revenue & EBITDA when it comes to an M&A deal. In this episode we are unpacking how we use them, why they are important, and how buyers & sellers can align when it comes to deal multiples.
What is a multiple?Why are multiples used in M&A deals?How is a multiple calculated? Does it include items like cash harvest or employee agreements?Based on different categories, different sub-industries in tech-enabled services will warrant different multiple ranges. What are some of those categories and ranges? For example: Staffing companies, resellers, custom app dev, CSPs, MSPs, cybersecurity, generative AIHow do other items, like size, geography, vertical market concentration in clients, impact a multiple? How do non-financial factors like culture impact a multiple?How do Revenue and EBITDA multiples interact? We’ve seen firms with high profit margins result in deals that are 2-3X revenue.If someone hears a multiple, it feels like they hear either the highest number if they are trying to sell or the lowest if they are trying to buy. How do you explain the nuances to a buyer or seller?If multiples are more of a gut check on the proper ranges of a deal, how often are M&A enterprise values tied directly to a multiple of EBITDA?How important is it to get the proper deal comparisons if multiples become a method of comparing two firms?If a deal is based on a multiple of EBITDA, how do buyers and sellers agree what is in or out of adjusted EBTIDA?What are examples of firms that traded well outside of an industry norm for a multiple?EPISODE SUMMARY:
Multiples, such as a multiple of EBITDA, are commonly used in M&A deals as a simple way to gauge the value of a company. However, they are not the sole determinant of a company's valuation.Adjustments to EBITDA, known as "add backs", can be made to account for one-time expenses or other factors that will not continue post-transaction. The agreed-upon adjusted EBITDA is a critical factor in determining the multiple.Many factors beyond just the EBITDA multiple impact the final enterprise value in a deal, including strategic fit, cultural fit, and buyer synergies. The multiple is more of a planning tool than a definitive valuation.Higher profitability tends to correlate with higher multiples, while lower profitability may not support a revenue multiple above 1x. Finding truly comparable companies can be challenging.Deals sometimes trade outside of typical multiple ranges due to strong strategic fit or other unique factors, highlighting that multiples are not the only consideration in valuation.RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 141: Add-Backs 101. Listen now >>
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Questions we dive into in this episode all about building relationships with a banking partner for M&A deals:
What role do banking partners play in M&A deals within the IT services sector?What key criteria should companies consider when evaluating potential banking partners for M&A transactions?How do you assess the experience and expertise of a banking partner in the IT services industry?How important is the relationship between the buyer and the banking partner and what signs indicate a trustworthy and reliable banking partner?How can a company evaluate the financial strength and stability of a banking partner?How can buyers effectively evaluate the interest rates offered by different banking partners? What factors should be considered when comparing interest rates from various banks?What strategies can buyers employ to negotiate better interest rates with their banking partners? Are there specific terms or conditions that buyers should focus on to secure favorable rates?How do interest rates impact the overall cost of financing an M&A deal?How should companies assess the track record and success rate of a banking partner in previous M&A deals?How significant is a banking partner’s reputation in the IT services industry and what methods can be used to verify and evaluate a bank’s reputation?What role does the banking partner play in the due diligence process during an M&A deal?What will you need to provide to secure a loan?How do banking partners assist in identifying and mitigating risks associated with M&A transactions?How can buyers evaluate and compare the fee structures of different banking partners?Are there any hidden costs or fees that buyers should be aware of when working with a banking partner?Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Let's first understand customer concentration. Customer concentration is essentially where is revenue concentrated in your firm? Is it held by a few clients, a lot of clients? If you are in the bucket of having revenue very concentrated by a few good clients, or your acquiring a firm structured this way, this podcast episode is for you.
Why is customer concentration such a significant concern in M&A transactions?
What customer-related metrics are buyers looking for in an M&A transaction?
What red-flags will buyers be looking for concerning customer concentration?
What’s normal for large customers in the IT services world? How does this vary by category between MSPs, application developers, or software channel partners?
If you are a seller and have high levels of customer concentration, what should you expect in terms of purchase price adjustments?
Can you explain how earn-out provisions and contingent payments work with customer concentration?
What types of representations and warranties should will a buyer seek from the seller regarding customer relationships?
How can holdbacks or seller financing help mitigate risks?
What are the critical components of a successful customer transition plan post-acquisition?
How can representations and warranties insurance help in managing customer concentration risks?
Can you share any real-world examples where customer concentration was a significant issue in an M&A transaction and how it was successfully managed?
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 152: Understanding Reps & Warranties for Buyers and Sellers. Listen now >>
Episode 90: Selling-In v Selling-Out. Listen now >>
Episode 73: Levers & Currency: M&A Deal Structures. Listen now >>
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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How large of a company can you buy?
Let’s assume you’ve found a company that’s a great strategic and cultural fit.
Can you speak to different acquisition types? For example, tuck-in, platform, or merger?What key metrics should you consider in the evaluation of the firm? (Revenue, EBITDA addition, growth rates, Return on investment)What’s the general guidance of how large a firm should be compared to revenue? (.5 to 2X revenue)What type of debt ratios should you consider?How do future earnings / cash flow considerations play in the size of a deal?If it’s a larger firm, how do you approach integration of the firm differently?Is there a quick formula that helps determine the rate of return for a firm or how many years are needed to receive a returnShould you buy the biggest firm you can? (Discuss a small deal is as much work as a large deal)If you are buying a firm that’s bigger than you, how do you approach integration differently?How does working with a funding partner, like a strategic PE firm, change the size of deal you should consider?Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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How does culture influence successful M&A deals? In this episode, we are talking about the importance of cultural fit when organizations come together in a merger or acquisition. We have special guest, Chelsey Nord, Revenue Rocket's Director of Strategy joining us on this podcast to share her expertise and experiences.
Questions Chelsey dives into:
How do we define culture?How does organizational culture influence the success of M&A deals?What evidence do we have that culture impacts performance?How do most firms plan for culture fit as they look to buy or sell in today’s environment?What is RRCG’s perspective around culture fit in M&A? What’s the goal?What is RRCG's Approach to Culture Fit in M&A?What are greenlights or positive signs early in the M&A process that culture fit will be favorable?When in the M&A process should culture be addressed? Are there certain milestones?RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 112: Why Culture Matters in Tech Focused M&A Feat. Chelsey Nord
Episode 111: Culture and IT Services Companies feat. Chelsey Nord
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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What is a process and if you are considering one what should you think about when hiring a firm to help you do it? How do you vet firms?
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:
Introduction to selling your business with a process.
What is a process and what is a deal facilitation?
What types of processes are there?
Structured process – soliciting a limited but significant, number of buyers to evaluate the business and put forth an offerBecoming a platform by selling in, typically with a PE firmMinority investment: selling a portion of equity while retaining full ownershipManagement buy-out or an employee stock ownership planRecapitalization: restructuring capital but owners retain ownership and continue to manage the businessSpin-off/Divestiture – carving out part of the businessDeal facilitation – you’ve identified a potential buyer and need want to get a deal doneIf we compare having a structured process where you are put in front of a number of buyers to deal facilitation, where one buyer is already identified, what are the merits of running the process?
Let’s start with the enterprise value of a deal – how does that change between a process and a facilitation?
What about timing for a transaction? Which one will run faster? Are there parts of the process that will run the same (e.g. DD, legal drafting)
How does competition between buyers impact the process?
If you’re doing just deal facilitation, will a buyer really know the maximum potential of their firm?
How easy is it to convert from a deal facilitation to a full process?
Why would someone not want to run a full process?
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 179: How to Evaluate Multiple Offers for your Tech Services Business. Listen now >>Episode 165: What is Deal Facilitation? Listen now >>Episode 125: Value of an Industry Specific M&A Advisor. Listen now >>Episode 110: Identifying the Ideal Suitor. Listen now >>Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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In this Shoot the Moon podcast episode, we have special guest and marketing guru Mark Coronna. This conversation centered around the importance of marketing for tech-enabled services companies, with a focus on prioritizing marketing, creating a unique value proposition, and investing in growth strategies. Mark and Ryan discuss the benefits of fractional marketing executives, including providing immediate expertise and improving marketing and sales alignment. They also highlighted the challenges of aligning business strategy with marketing strategy, selecting and implementing the right technologies, and bridging the gap between strategy and execution. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the critical role of marketing in driving long-term growth and valuation for midsize businesses.
good marketing = profitable growth = good valuation!
If you can listen to this episode and change your thinking a little bit, that is the goal!
MEET MARK CORONNA & AUTHENTIC BRAND
Authentic® is a community of Fractional CMOs who help growing businesses Overcome Random Acts of Marketing® and confidently take the next right step to build revenue. Mark Coronna is Authentic's Chief Development Officer, and his driving goal is to work with businesses to create profitable growth through "full-stack" marketing programs which start with a differentiated strategy and market position and end with excellent go-to-market execution and strong financial results. You can reach Mark at [email protected]
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Break up fees or Transaction Termination fees: A fee put in place by a buyer or a seller that if the deal does not transact as outline, there could be a fee owed to one party or the other. This is a mechanism to help buyers and sellers move along a deal and if the deal doesn't get done, is a safeguard for the parties. It's typically paid by a buyer for making the decision to terminate a letter of intent (LOI) prior to close. These are usually introduced for very specific reasons like something looming or previous interactions between a buyer and a seller. These are not typically common in an IT Services deal, because of the privately held nature of this industry but we have been seeing them more lately. We don't believe this will become a standard operating procedure but does happen on a case by case basis.
Why does this happen? Well, the cost of diligence and doing the work is high as you begin to move from LOI to close, and this helps to keep both parties at the table, and if the buyer decides to terminate, then the seller has some compensation for the effort, and dollars spent on the deal up to that point. Sometimes a deal will fail because the seller found a better deal with a different buyer.
When would you not pay a breakup fee? There are some things that would warrant a transaction being terminated. If a buyer cannot secure financing, a major client terminates their contract between LOI and close, or key personnel decide to not come along for the ride. These scenarios should be outlined in the agreement or a separate agreement.
Introduction to Breakup Fees: Can you explain what breakup fees are and why they are used in M&A deals?Historical Context: How have breakup fees evolved over time in the tech-services sector?Calculation and Standards: How are breakup fees typically calculated in tech-services M&A deals? Are there industry standards or benchmarks?Purpose and Benefits: What are the main purposes of including a breakup fee in an M&A agreement?Types of Breakup Fees: Are there different types of breakup fees? If so, what are they and how do they differ?Buyer and Seller Perspectives: From the buyer's perspective, what are the advantages and potential risks of breakup fees? How about from the seller's perspective?Negotiation Tactics: How do negotiation tactics differ when discussing breakup fees? What are some common points of contention?Case Studies: Can you provide examples of successful tech-services M&A deals where breakup fees played a critical role?Legal Framework: What legal considerations should companies be aware of when including breakup fees in their M&A agreements?Financial Impact: How do breakup fees impact the overall financial health of the companies involved, both in the short and long term?Impact of Market Conditions: How do varying market conditions, such as economic downturns or booms, affect the negotiation and implementation of breakup fees?Common Pitfalls: What are some common pitfalls to avoid when structuring breakup fees?Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Mike Harvath and Matt Lockhart from the Revenue Rocket team recently attended a large MSP Conference in Chicago where Mike had the opportunity to speak on "10 Questions to Consider before Selling your Tech-Services Firm." In this episode, Mike, Matt, and Ryan are unpacking one of these questions, Selling-In vs Selling-Out and some takeaways from this recent conference.
A few areas we touch on in this episode:
Unpacking and advice for those owners saying "I'm not willing to sell but I'm willing to buy"Understanding your options for Selling-InWorking with a capital partnerPick Selling-in OR Selling-Out, not bothDiving into no deal is the same and deal structures are uniqueQuick Takeaways from the Channel Partner MSP Growth Show in May 2024Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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If you’re a tech services CEO going through a process of selling your business and get to a point where multiple firms are looking to acquire you, you need to evaluate your options. What should someone be looking for?
Questions
First off: how does someone get multiple offers?
What’s an exclusivity clause in an LOI?
How should a seller approach negotiations when they have multiple interested buyers?
We talk about deals getting done when there’s a strategic, cultural, and financial fit. How do you evaluate the strategic fit?
Can you discuss the importance of cultural fit between the buying and selling companies? How should this influence the evaluation of offers?
What are the key financial metrics that sellers should focus on when comparing different offers? How do these metrics impact the decision-making process?
Beyond enterprise value price, what other terms in an M&A offer should sellers pay close attention to?
How do you evaluate transition terms for owners?
Should the due diligence process be a factor in deciding which buyer to move with?
What are common pitfalls or mistakes that sellers make during the M&A evaluation process and how can they be avoided?
Could you share insights on the role of legal, accounting, financial advisors, and MYA advisors in the M&A process? How critical is their expertise in evaluating offers?
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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This conversation highlights the importance of reselling in the tech-enabled services industry and the need for strong relationships between resellers and vendor partners.
Some highlights of this episode:
Reselling in the IT industry, from its origins to present dayVendor-reseller relationships, challenges, and evolution towards services-led businessesReseller business models, margins, and M&A valuationsReseller businesses, valuation, and margin optimizationReselling and services in the tech industryListen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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What information should a potential seller give out?How should a person taking a call evaluate the buyer and their seriousness and intentions?How should a seller interpret the strategic fit? What questions should a potential seller as and when should they ask them?What should a seller do between the first reach out and the next call? (Set up how RR sets up a screening call)What should a seller expect in a process? E.g. screening call, NDA, intro meeting, financials, LOI, DD, closeHow should a seller determine what their firm is worth?When should a seller start negotiating?How should a seller deal with multiple buyers?How should a seller work with their team?What role does an M&A advisor play for a seller?
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 156: Understanding Caps and Baskets in M&A Transactions. Listen now >>Episode 141: Add-Backs 101. Listen now >>Episode 92: Why You Should Take the Call from an M&A Advisor. Listen now >>Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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In this week's episode of "Shoot the Moon," hosts Mike Harvath, Ryan Barnett, and Matt Lockhart delve into a significant and exciting acquisition opportunity—Project Maya. The episode centers around the opportunity to acquire a specialized Philippine-based outsourcing firm renowned for its application support across various enterprise applications like ServiceNow, SAP, and Microsoft, among others. The firm, codenamed Project Maya, stands out with its $11 million revenue run rate and robust EBITDA profit margins, backed by a strong team of over 300 members delivering exceptional service, which has enabled it to secure notable global multinationals as clients.
The crew dives into not only the highlights of Project Maya's efficient operational model and its strategic market positioning but also explores the broader implications and opportunities of outsourcing in the Philippines—a premier destination known for its excellent English proficiency, cultural affinity with the West, and exceptional customer service standards. The discussion transitions into strategic insights on how companies can leverage such opportunities to enhance global service delivery and optimize cost efficiencies.
To learn more about Project Maya, click here.
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Is it worth trying to time the market for a sale or not?
Some of the questions we talk through:
Can you explain the concept of "timing the market" in the context of selling an IT services business?What key indicators suggest it's an excellent time to sell an IT services company?How do macroeconomic factors influence the decision to sell an IT services business?What historical trends have you seen in the IT services M&A market that might inform timing decisions?What role does the competitive landscape play in the timing of a sale?Can you discuss the risks and rewards of trying to time the market for a sale?How should a company prepare for a sale to capitalize on favorable market timing?Could you talk about a time when a company successfully timed the market for their sale, and what lessons can be learned from that?What advice would you give to business owners who are uncertain about the right time to sell their IT services business?Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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How do you source sellers on your own, and why is it so hard? Here are some of the questions we are digging into in this episode:
What is buy-side M&AWhy should companies be considering buying other firms?What goes into buying a company?What’s hard about sourcing when your doing the deal yourself?How do you create the list?How do you reach out to buyers?How do you determine value?How do you craft a LOI?What do you need to do in Due Diligence?How do you deal with disagreements if there are no advisors?How do you get through legal log jams?Why should you use an advisor?RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 164: Elements of a Great Introduction Call. Listen now >>
Episode 163: Strategies to Manage High Seller Expectations. Listen now >>
Episode 155: A Short vs a Long LOI. Listen now >>
Episode 129: Questions to Ask Before you Consider an M&A Initiative. Listen now >>
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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