Client Overview Established in 1979 by Reuven and Zehava Itelman, Herco is one of the largest gold jewelry wholesalers in the United States. Herco’s catalog is a mainstay for thousands of independent jewelers who rely on it to source unique and high-quality...
Discover the latest updates in the world of forward-thinking investment banking.
30 Ways to Leave Your Company
Selling a Business, M&A, M&A Education & Market
I am slightly embarrassed as I recall Paul Simons’ 1975 release of “50 Ways to Leave your Lover”. As a budding 11-year-old, I giggled at the new term “lover”. However, on reflecting back now, having advised hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEO’s, the context...
The high cost of “Do Nothing.”
Education, M&A, Owner Considerations, Selling a Business
While few middle-market companies ever reach the finish line of a successful M&A exit, nearly every entrepreneur I’ve met dreams of one day selling their business for a premium—unlocking the funds to power their next venture, retire in comfort, or create...
Five Common Blind Spots Business Owners Have That Reduce Business Value and Limit Exit Options.
Owner Considerations, Exit Planning, Selling a Business
Dodge these common pitfalls that jeopardize your business value. 1. Failure to have an exit plan I firmly believe that the biggest blind spot is not having goals for the ultimate and inevitable exit. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Even if a business owner never...
How to Negotiate a Deal with Private Equity – Price & Terms
Selling a Business, Education, M&A, Private Equity Recapitalizations
If you're a CEO, founder, or entrepreneur contemplating selling your company to a private equity (PE) firm, understanding the fundamentals of price and deal terms is essential. While valuation often steals the spotlight, savvy sellers know that the structure and terms...
The Trifecta of M&A
Selling a Business, M&A, M&A Education & Market
In our experience at Merit Investment Bank & Co., we have found that there are three foundational elements that must be in place before we can apply a strategic approach to a successful M&A process for Entrepreneurs and CEOs. When these three conditions...
Why Having an Investment Banker on Speed Dial is Crucial… Especially Now.
Like many of your advisors who provide valuable services and expertise, adding an investment banker to your list of trusted advisors is crucial to your success. Most Entrepreneurs rely on advisors such as CPA’s, Attorneys, Wealth Managers, and Commercial Banking...
5 Things To Do Right Now if You’re Thinking About Selling
Are you considering selling your business? If so, you likely have many questions, and among the most common is: How much is my company worth? The answer may surprise you. A study conducted by MassMutual uncovered that the average owner overvalued their business by...
10 Tips For Selling your Business
Strategic Advisory, Business Valuation, Selling a Business, Sell-side
As a business owner, the last year has been quite a roller coaster, especially if you have been considering the sale of your business. Perhaps you had even started the process to go to market before the pandemic only to see the deal fall apart as uncertainty shut down...
Selling Your Print & Graphics Business
Selling a Business, Valuation, Sell-side, Exit Planning
Businesses in the print and graphics industry have been forced to make massive adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with retail customers lived in uncertainty while waiting out shutdowns, and others that served the event vertical are still waiting for their...
10 reasons why now is the right time to sell
Selling a Business, Sell-side, Strategic Advisory, Business Valuation, Exit Planning
10 Reasons Why Now is the Right Time to Sell Traditional wisdom touts that you should never attempt to "time the market," but a preponderance of evidence suggests NOW is the best time to sell your company. 1. Economy Post-COVID, the economy is rebounding....
Selling your business is like running a marathon
Selling a Business, Sell-side, Exit Planning, Value Creation
Many Entrepreneurs wake up one day and think, “I want to sell.” Some have a health scare or are forced into it. Some receive the coveted letter “XYZ Acquisition Company has been retained and has a qualified client looking to buy YOUR business” (Beware!). And some are...