The Close M&A Podcast with Caber Hill Advisors

In this episode, Craig sits down with economic futurist Andrew Bush to unpack the state of private equity today. They dig into why the era of cheap financing has ended, the five structural forces keeping interest rates higher for longer, and how AI is reshaping productivity for businesses of all sizes. Andy also shares what Baby Boomer business owners need to do now to prepare for an eventual exit, and why the potential opening of 401k access to private equity could reshape the entire landsca...

Peter Billmeyer, co-founder and CEO of Bespoke Commercial Real Estate, joins Craig Castelli to discuss how real estate decisions can shape a business and its eventual sale. They cover lease negotiations, personal guarantees, sale leasebacks, and the differences between owning and leasing a property. Peter also explains how real estate factors into private equity and strategic acquisitions, and why business owners should think about their space as part of their broader M&A strategy. Explo...

In this episode, Craig Castelli and Peter J. Holton discuss how business owners often enter the sale process with firm ideas about what they want, only to land somewhere very different. Using a real client story, they explore the misconceptions around minority versus majority sales and the allure of being a private equity platform. The conversation reveals why letting the process unfold, and having honest advisor-led conversations, leads to better outcomes than locking in assumptions too earl...

Wealth management is about more than investment performance. It is about knowing clients well enough to guide them through major financial and personal transitions. John Celentani, Managing Director of Private Wealth at Dearborn Partners, joins Craig Castelli to discuss the firm’s relationship-driven approach to advising high-net-worth clients. They explore Dearborn’s private wealth and asset management businesses, how advisors can support entrepreneurs preparing to sell their companies, and ...

Craig Castelli sits down with corporate M&A attorney Mark Ryerson of Dickinson Wright to discuss practical dealmaking, current market conditions, and preparing a business for sale. They explore why productive negotiations require business-focused solutions, what founders should expect during due diligence, when to involve key employees, and how regulatory uncertainty affects transactions. Mark and Craig also share why early preparation can increase a company’s value, reduce transaction co...