Calder Capital is pleased to welcome Jakob Simonds as Lead Analyst of our Central Services team. Jakob joined our team for the Winter/Spring 2021 Internship program. He’ll be staying on as financial analyst and lead of new client onboarding. While you may remember him as our Guacamole Hater, there is far more to share about Jakob than his aversion to avocados. A recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, Jakob is a Grand Rapids native, a University of Michigan sports enthusiast, and a lover of the outdoors. He takes his coffee black, and yet on par with his willingness to try new things, he’s looking forward to further espresso bar training from Calder’s in-house baristas. While Jakob’s day-to-day responsibilities have remained relatively unchanged from his time in the internship program, Jakob has assumed a leadership role. “I spend time overseeing the work of the other analysts and interns, and onboarding new clients,” he says. “I’m still doing a lot of the same daily tasks (creating financial models, valuations, and comprehensive marketing materials) but I would say that overall I’m working on a lot more of the big-picture initiatives.” Jakob is excited to continue growing along with Calder. “I would also […]
Market Remarks Q3 2021: Max Friar Interviews Transaction Attorney Andrew Longcore
In lieu of our usual collaborative Q3 report, our Managing Partner Max Friar sat down with colleague and longtime friend Andrew Longcore for a Q&A on what he’s been seeing in the Q3 business market. Andrew has unique experience as both a transaction attorney and M&A advisor facilitating deals. Max: How are owners/sellers feeling right now? What are the reasons behind these feelings? Andrew: The M&A market is extremely active right now. There seems to be an increase in burnout or looking for a change in life. The pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty and caused others to reevaluate their priorities. I do anticipate a tipping point coming. I do not know when but with the number of business owners that are experiencing burnout, that are nearing (or are past) retirement age, and the number of distressed businesses surviving on government subsidies, I expect to see the number of businesses available to be bought on the rise. Max: Are there any themes driving buyer interest/activity? For example, low interest rates, SBA incentives? Andrew: Each buyer is unique but for individual buyers, I believe there is a growing desire to take control of their professional life and not rely on […]
Calder Capital Buy-Side Client Update: September 2021
The leaves are beginning to change and the air is feeling crisp. At Calder, we are stocking the fridge with hard apple cider and as much pumpkin spice coffee as possible. Our Buy-Side team is hard at work fulfilling our current buy-side clients’ mandates. September set a new record for lead generation! How do we do this? It’s 90% elbow grease combined with 10% data science. We combine a personal touch, marketing automation, and data analytics to hone best practices with the tedious work that no one wants to do – lots of research, cold calls, and email outreach. Select Seller Leads Developed in September: Establishing Credibility as a Buyer Owners frequently receive inquiries from potential buyers that lead nowhere. In fact, 9 out of 10 buyers that investigate a business acquisition will never even close a deal! While this is a reality, over time potential sellers grow weary and skeptical of inquiries and become concerned about devoting time to buyer introductions as they fear it will just be a waste of time. This makes it even harder for a serious buyer to engage an owner about selling. How do you establish the credibility needed to […]
Max Friar of Calder Capital, LLC Honored as Bronze Stevie® Award Winner in 2021 American Business Awards®
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 29, 2021 – Max Friar, Founder and Managing Partner of Calder Capital, LLC was named the winner of a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Entrepreneur of the Year – Financial Services category in The 19th Annual American Business Awards® today. The American Business Awards are the USA’s premier business awards program. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be virtually presented to winners during a live event on Wednesday, June 30. “Friar exhibits great skills of leadership and entrepreneurship. Calder has had yearly substantial growth and it looks like he knows how to move fast and make changes.” -Judges “I’m honored to receive this recognition alongside so many impressive and hardworking honorees,” remarked Friar, regarding the award. “I am so proud of our team, each of whom buckled down in 2020 and refused to let the pandemic stop our growth and progress. Thank you also to the American Business Awards’ judges who gave their time to analyze so many entries. This has truly been an honor.” According to judges, “In a time where many small business owners are struggling to keep their doors open and fighting the urge to simply close […]
Calder Capital/SBDA Quarterly Market Pulse
Hear from our advisors what the Q1 2021 M&A market looked like from a boots-on-the-ground perspective. Trending: #bloodsweatandtears #sellonahighnote #beaggressive #PPP As we’re headed into the second quarter of our second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s reflect back on some of the patterns of Q1 in the Mergers and Acquisitions market. Overall, 2021 looks strong going forward. Transactions for our first quarter have declined a bit from Q1 of 2020, which was immediately pre-pandemic, however, the aggregate value of our 2021 transactions were significantly larger causing us to have a record Q1 in terms of sales. As far as we can see, the slight decline is not due to buyer demand or available capital, which is at a record high–but rather, supply has slowed a bit as sellers wait out the market while they try to rebuild valuation. Not surprisingly, at Calder we’ve noticed that buy-side M&A has especially taken off vs this time last year. “The economy and environment is becoming energized at the thought of an end to COVID with the vaccines coming out,” raves Garrett Monroe, Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (MAA) at Calder Capital. The general consensus is that the market is “frothy,” and flush […]
Featured: Ian Watts
M&A Advisor at Calder Capital Graduate of Northwood University Small Business Junkie Motto: Do it afraid! Favorite Activity: Listening to and watching Mindset (psychology and neuroscience), Business and Leadership Audiobooks and Podcasts. And on the weekends, watching action, suspense and movie dramas. Karaoke Night Song: (He hasn’t found it yet, but here’s hoping he will hanging out with the team at Calder.) What motivated you to become an M&A advisor? I’m a small business junkie who loves to help others fulfill their small business goals and dreams. And Calder is an amazing company to be a part of to do just that. Calder has a stellar team, track record of success and great unique selling proposition that adds massive value to our clients. How did you come to work at Calder Capital? I reached out to Max [Managing Partner at Calder Capital] via the website to inquire if there was an opportunity for me to add value to the team. And after connecting with Max, I let him know that he wouldn’t be able to get rid of me! What kinds of businesses do you like to work with? I love service-based businesses. In particular, I have a special […]
Starlite Kitchens and Baths, Inc., of Byron Center, MI Acquired by KSI Kitchens of Brighton, MI!
Calder Capital, LLC, is thrilled to announce that Starlite Kitchens and Baths, Inc., of Byron Center, Michigan has been acquired by KSI Kitchens of Brighton, Michigan! Founded in 1971, KSI Kitchens is now family owned and operated by Brian and Lauren Tolles. KSI proudly operates eight locations throughout East Michigan and Ohio, with Starlite now their ninth design center. The acquisition was a strategic one for KSI, as adding Starlite will allow KSI to serve the West Michigan community in designing and remodeling the kitchens or baths of their dreams. “We are proud to have Starlite as our newest addition to KSI, and to be able to serve the West Michigan community,” said Brian Tolles, owner of KSI Kitchens. “Rog and Sandi have built an incredible business, and we are excited to continue what they started. Scott and the Calder team were incredibly helpful throughout the process, always available to answer any questions we had, and they kept things running smoothly.” Roger and Sandi Bronsink became the sole owners of Starlite Kitchens in 2018. The Company was founded in 2000 by Sandi’s father and brothers, and Roger and Sandi took over the business as the original owners began to retire […]
Walerko Tool & Engineering Corporation of Elkhart, Indiana Acquired by Mno-DREK, LLC!
Calder Capital, LLC is pleased to announce that Walerko Tool & Engineering Corporation of Elkhart, Indiana has been acquired by Mno-DREK, LLC, of Dowagiac, Michigan! Mno-DREK is a holding company of manufacturing businesses, formed by Mno-Bmadsen and DREK Holdings. Walerko Tool and Engineering Corp. makes for a strategic addition to the Mno-DREK portfolio. Established in 1952 by the Walerko family, Walerko Tool & Engineering is a family business that has passed through generations with over 60 years in business. Walerko offers a wide range of services, including CNC machining and castings, weldment, piece parts, prototype parts, fixtures, and gages. Due to its broad service offerings, the Company attracts customers from many different industries, including aerospace, construction equipment, press and automation, pumps manufacturing, automotive, and others. Ed Walerko became the sole owner of the Company in 2008 when he bought out his father and siblings’ shares. Having been involved in the Company since his youth, and operating it for over a decade, Ed sought to sell the business in order to retire. He engaged with Calder Capital, LLC, to find the right buyer for his family’s long-standing business. Rick Purcey, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor at Calder Capital, LLC, served as the […]
Introducing Jakob Simonds: Guacamole Hater
Introducing Jakob Simonds to our Winter/Spring 2021 Semester Internship Program! Here at Calder Capital, we thrive on our culture of learning and curiosity, which is why our internship program is so important. In fact, many of our advisors came to us as undergraduate interns, green and eager to learn! Our internship program is not coffee runs and paper pushing. Our interns work hard behind the scenes at every stage of our M&A process. They keep our prospecting process moving, they have their hands in every financial analysis and valuation, and they collaborate to put together our Confidential Information Memorandum for each client that’s launched to market. Since they’re such an integral part of our team, we want to introduce who’s working behind the scenes for the first few months of 2021. We’re proud to introduce Jakob Simonds! Jakob is a senior at Grand Valley State University. He’s studying Finance with a focus on investments, so he’s a natural fit here at Calder Capital. He lives on black coffee and a willingness to learn from the past, even if that means accepting the mistakes along with the good memories. While Jakob is still dialing in what he’s going to do after […]
Featured: Scott Nicholson, Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor
About Scott Nicholson Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor at Calder Capital Bachelor of Science in Economics from Aquinas College Master of Business Administration from West Michigan University Skilled Vocalist & Showman Motto: Be brutally honest and treat each client like they are your parent. Favorite Activity: Hanging with friends – the activity is just a bonus. Karaoke Night Song: “Brown-Eyed Girl” What motivated you to become an M&A advisor? I have worked for years as a mortgage loan officer. I have enjoyed the transactional nature of the career. The M&A business is the same but instead of many small deals, you work on fewer big more complicated transactions. All the moving parts and intense emotions involved motivate me and keep things challenging. How did you come to work at Calder Capital? Max [Managing Partner at Calder Capital] and I became friends over a number of years. We talked about each other’s business and came to enjoy certain aspects of each. As Max grew he suggested I might enjoy taking on a project or two and I agreed. The relationship has grown from there. What kinds of businesses do you like to work with? I like the people more than the businesses. […]