Touchstone Talks: Ep 4 - Beyond the Numbers: Jeffrey Rich on the Human Side of M&A
In this episode, we sit down with Jeffrey Rich, one of the three partners at Touchstone, to delve into his journey from a proprietary trader on Wall Street to becoming a key figure in mergers and acquisitions. Jeffrey shares his experiences in the high-stakes world of finance and his transition into the M&A industry, highlighting the emotional and intellectual challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the philosophy behind Touchstone's team approach, the complexities of closing deals, and the factors that influence successful business exits. Jeffrey also reflects on his passion for working with business owners, the importance of thorough pre-market evaluations, and his personal aspirations beyond the financial sector. Tune in to gain valuable insights from a seasoned M&A advisor who is dedicated to helping clients achieve their business goals.
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.
Guest
Jeff Rich
Jeff Rich has 25 years’ experience in buying and selling companies both nationally and internationally. His clients include founders, family businesses, private equity groups, family offices, venture capital firms and corporations Jeff loves to help company owners navigate the challenges of selling their companies and get them to the finish line. Jeff is himself a business owner, having founded or acquired several companies. Prior to Touchstone, he worked as a proprietary equity trader, owned a large stake in a publicly traded uranium company, and provided insurance solutions to many of the world’s largest law firms. When he is not serving clients, you might find Jeff in his church, backpacking with his six children in the mountains of Colorado or relaxing with his wife on a beach in Mexico.
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.