SUCCESSFUL PREPARATION AND SALE OF SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES TO PALLADIUM EQUITY'S HERITAGE FUND

EPI CONEJO VALLEY CHAPTER

The owner of Southwest Strategies wanted to monetize his ownership in the company he founded. He also wanted a financial partner to assist a strategic goal of making acquisitions in his industry. He had an unsuccessful transaction attempt several years prior to beginning a formal preparation for sale and didn’t know if his company was salable and if so, for a valuation that made sense to him. After engaging GHJ Advisors to prepare for a transaction, his company was ready for a deal. With GHJ’s assistance, the owner engaged the best fit investment banking firm, which ran a process by which Palladium Equity’s Heritage Fund acquired the business in a majority recap transaction. Since the closing, Southwest has acquired 3 additional companies, executing on the strategic vision.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • What should an owner do with the company they founded to ensure transaction readiness?
  • What is it like to negotiate with and be owned by a financial sponsor group?
  • What did this transaction process look like and how can other owners learn from Chris’ experience?

 

About the Presenter:

Hear from industry expert David Horwich, Managing Director, GHJ Advisors, Chris Wahl, CEO, Southwest Strategies, and David MacDonald, Principal, Palladium Heritage. 

Event Location

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Pacific Time
Where: Vintage Room at the Westlake Inn | 32037 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Cost: $100 | Free for Members
EPI Hours: 2
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Who Should Attend?

  • Attorneys

    You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.

  • CPAs/Accountants

    Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.

  • Wealth Managers

    You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.

  • Financial Advisors

    One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.

  • Valuation Analysts

    Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.

  • Investment Bankers

    Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.

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    Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.

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    One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.

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    Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.

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    Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.

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    One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.

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    More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.

  • Other Professional Advisors

    Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.

  • Private Business Owners

  • Professional Advisors

  • Members of Family Business Boards

  • Business Consultants

  • Other Business Professionals

  • Business Owners

  • Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors

EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER