Tag: Private Equity
How Do I Decide Whether Private Markets Fit My Portfolio? (Ep. 14)

How Do I Decide Whether Private Markets Fit My Portfolio? (Ep. 14)

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“How do I decide if private markets are the right fit for my portfolio?” If you’re considering private investments, tying up money can feel like a big trade-off when you’re unsure what you’ll gain. An attractive investment idea alone doesn’t explain how it fits your cash needs or the rest of your portfolio. For some investors, the added complexity may make no private-market allocation a reasonable choice.

In this episode, Jon Meyer speaks with Michael Sustarsic, CFA®, Managing Director and Head of Private Markets at Wealthspire Advisors, about portfolio fit, liquidity, and diversification on Mastering the 360 Mindset. Michael explains how private investment funds work, how commitments can be planned across years, and how his team examines the ways managers create value.

Meyer and Sustarsic break this down into the following discussion points:

  • Are Private Investments Worth the Risks, Costs, and Complexity?
  • What’s the Difference Between Drawdown Funds and Evergreen Funds?
  • How Can I Plan My Private Investment Commitments Over Time?
  • How Do You Evaluate a Private Investment Manager’s Performance?
  • Why Is Diversification Important in Private Market Investing?
  • And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Michael Sustarsic:

About the Guest:

Michael Sustarsic, CFA® is the Managing Director and Head of Private Markets for Wealthspire. Michael leads Wealthspire’s Private Markets group. Within this group, he is responsible for sourcing and performing due diligence on investment opportunities across private equity, private credit and private real assets. Michael is a member of the firm’s Global Private Markets Group and Research Forum.

Prior to joining the firm in 2015, he was a Financial Analyst at General Growth Properties and a Research Analyst with Caldera Investment Group. Michael graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Economics and was a star point guard on the basketball team. Michael is a CFA® Charterholder.

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Selling a Business: What Owners Need to Know Before Going to Market with Blake Johnson (Ep. 7)

Selling a Business: What Owners Need to Know Before Going to Market with Blake Johnson (Ep. 7)

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Thinking about selling your business someday? The decisions you make years before a transaction can have a major impact on value, buyer interest, and your options when it’s time to move on.

What separates a smooth transaction from a frustrating one? And what can business owners do today to prepare for a future sale?

In this episode, Jon Meyer sits down with Blake Johnson, President of SealedBid Marketing, to discuss the business sale process from preparation through closing. They explore why owners should start planning years before a transaction, how buyers evaluate risk, and the importance of building a strong management team. Blake also explains common deal challenges, valuation considerations, working capital, quality of earnings reports, and how advisors can help owners align personal goals with financial outcomes. 

The conversation also covers current buyer activity and what sellers should expect in today’s M&A market.

Key takeaways:

  • Why reducing owner dependence can increase buyer confidence and improve business value
  • How customer concentration and supplier reliance can affect valuation during a sale
  • Why assembling advisors years before a transaction can improve outcomes and preparation
  • How deal terms often matter as much as purchase price when evaluating offers
  • Why quality of earnings reviews can uncover issues before buyers gain negotiating leverage
  • And more!

Connect with Jon Meyer:

Connect with Blake Johnson:

About Our Guest:

For nearly two decades, Blake Johnson has worked closely with sellers, buyers, and advisors to successfully guide M&A transactions in the lower middle market.  He guides clients in their exit and succession planning strategies to optimize outcomes and maximize value.

Before joining SealedBid, Blake earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and gained Sales and Marketing experience with public and start-up companies.  He also holds a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in corporate finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

When not at work, Blake enjoys a busy family calendar, weekends at the cabin, and the occasional round of golf.

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