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Investors & OperatorsA Podcast by 51 Labs Author: 51 Labs
The M&A market can be boring, but everyone has a story. The Investors & Operators podcast is about discovering the stories people were holding back, didnt know how to tell, or forgot about. The goal is simple: fresh, authentic storytelling to bring people together in the M&A community. With over 1M organic views and counting on LinkedIn, 51 Labs is disrupting the M&A market through the use of videography and content creation. In a market that longs for authenticity, 51 Labs helps strengthen your brand and tell your story. From concept to distribution, we strategize and produce thoughtful content to be used across a multitude of channels, to help you stand out in an otherwise traditionally boring market. New episodes every other Thursday at 6:00am Eastern. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep. 145: Matt Salisbury, Founder at EVP Strategic Advisors
Episode 145
Thursday, 22 January, 2026
Topics:“99% Right Is 100% Wrong” MindsetMaximizing Outcomes in a Sale ProcessPost-Close Seller Regrets...and so much more.Top TakeawaysMake your first deals your brand. Matt emphasizes that early deals define how the market sees you and become proof of your standards and the caliber of clients you can win. That’s why it pays to set a clear bar for what you’ll take on: deal quality, counterparty strength, and your ability to run a clean process.Build an advisory board with a clear purpose. Matt notes that advisory boards only create value when you’re clear on what you want from them At Edgeview, advisors were brought in for credibility, introductions, and high-level guidance. That clarity kept the relationship lightweight and efficient. Decide early whether you need a stamp-of-approval and network board with periodic check-ins or an operator board that requires heavy preparation and greater accountability.Private business owners: not every great outcome is a sale. The best path forward might be a recap, a minority partner, or a keep-and-grow strategy with the right buyer. Before going to market, owners should align on liquidity needs, legacy goals, leadership succession, and employee impact. That clarity reframes value from price alone to after-tax outcomes and long-term fit.Mid-level bankers: don’t get stuck as “the execution person.” If you don’t build a revenue lane, you’ll never leave the trenches. The bankers who create real leverage carve out a clear wedge—a vertical, sponsor set, buyer niche, or unique POV—and spend real time developing deal flow and ideas, not just executing.About Matt SalisburyMatt Salisbury has built, scaled, and exited two successful investment banking firms over a 25+ year career, advising on 100+ M&A and strategic transactions primarily for private business owners. Matt launched EVP Strategic Advisors to focus on helping entrepreneurs navigate complex strategic decisions with clarity and confidence.About EVP Strategic AdvisorsEVP Strategic Advisors is a boutique advisory firm dedicated exclusively to privately held and family-owned businesses. Rather than pushing owners toward a transaction, EVP helps founders clarify their long-term goals, evaluate strategic options, and maximize outcomes across growth, liquidity, and legacy.
