Touchstone Talks: Ep 2 - Financial Preparations Impact Business Value
In this episode, the conversation dives into the world of mergers and acquisitions through the lens of patience, process, and precision. The guest shares lessons on why shortcuts backfire, how attention to detail can make or break success, and what it really takes to achieve the best outcome in business transitions. It’s a candid discussion about discipline, resilience, and the mindset required to navigate big changes.
Creators and Guests
Host
Deborah Agrafojo
Deborah has influenced and directed strategic and owner-operator mergers and acquisitions in many different fields. She believes strongly that assisting a business to grow and develop strong practices is the best way to create a company that is poised for exit planning or gaining an equity growth partner.
Producer
David Chmielewski
At the end of 2013 David founded DirectLine Media, a video production company that specializes in creating memorable and compelling video content for businesses. Admired for his unique and creative visual story telling, David continues to work with small to large businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Editor
Stefania Sassano
Known for being determined and focused, Stefania is often the first to memorize lines and dedicates significant effort to each role. She excels in both comedic and dramatic performances, embracing the motto by Mark Twain, "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life," making every project both a professional commitment and a joy.
Guest
Steven Pappas
Steve is an experienced M&A professional with 15 years as an M&A Advisor and over 20 years in business management and sales leadership. He’s a skilled business development professional with a strong sense of urgency and connection to Business Owners and C-level executives. Prior to his M&A career, Steve was an executive within the Information Technology industry. Steve is the former President of Connecticut Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) a community of trusted advisers to privately-held businesses and Association for Corporate Growth (AGC), a global association of professionals involved in mergers and acquisitions. Being active in these associations allows Steve to share his experiences and ideas with other professionals within the M&A industry. In addition to these professional organizations, Steve is a member of New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA) an active association of business owners and advisors. Steve holds a designation as a Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&A MI), the professional standard in middle market transactions, and he specializes in manufacturing, distribution, technology and B2B service companies.