In this episode, the M&A Launchpad Podcast hosts, Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew, share the unfiltered story behind their acquisition of H&M Plating, an industrial chrome plating company with multiple locations and a large operational footprint. They walk through how the deal was sourced off-market, how the capital stack evolved after a significant appraisal gap, and what it took to operate the business post-close. This is a candid look at the realities of buying and running a heavy manufacturing business—and the lessons they learned the hard way.

Key Topics Discussed:

· Sourcing an off-market manufacturing acquisition

· Structuring a $20M deal when valuations change

· AR lending, seller notes, and earnouts

· Reps & warranties in equipment-heavy businesses

· Navigating the post-acquisition J-curve

· ERP implementation, culture change, and leadership turnover

M&A Launchpad Conference

Join us at the M&A Launchpad Conference happening in May in Houston. This one-day, high-impact event is designed for acquisition entrepreneurs serious about sourcing, structuring, and closing deals. Use code LAUNCH for $200 off.

Learn more at: https://www.malaunchpad.com

Sponsor

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions.

Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner.

Visit: www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com.

About Equity Launchpad

Equity Launchpad helps acquisition entrepreneurs move from interest to ownership through education, content, community, and real-world deal experience. Through conferences, podcasts, and insights from active buyers, Equity Launchpad supports those serious about buying and operating businesses.

Learn more at: https://www.equity-launchpad.com

Reach out to Casey and Feras at info@equity-launchpad.com

About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew sit down with entrepreneur and investor Mandy McAllister to unpack what business ownership really looks like behind the scenes. Mandy shares how she used small apartment buildings to buy her way out of a W2, why she added a car wash and a motel to her portfolio, and how she manages the very real brain space cost that comes with owning operating businesses.

From constant maintenance at the car wash to guest experience at her Wisconsin lake motel, Mandy breaks down the expectations, challenges, and mindset shifts required to own and grow multiple businesses while still being an engaged mom and community builder. She also talks about Go Abundance Women, building a tribe of high-performing women, and why more women should be in the business acquisition game.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

· How Mandy transitioned from medical device sales into apartment investing

· Using midsize multifamily as a floor of income to safely leave a W2

· Why the wealthiest people she met owned businesses, not just real estate

· Buying a car wash: constant breakdowns, brain space, and risk-adjusted returns

· How expectations shape your experience of challenges in business ownership

· The motel acquisition story and repositioning it as a lake-town experience

· SOPs, guest communication, and designing memorable peak moments

· Running numbers, worst-case scenarios, and asymmetric risk/reward bets

· The power of community: Go Abundance Women and thinking bigger together

· Why we need more women in acquisitions and how Mandy backs female-led deals

Guest Contact Info:

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themandymcallister

· Website: https://www.mandymcallister.com

Additional Resources:

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group – Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and Financial Diligence partner who focuses solely on business acquisitions. Schedule a discovery call with Patrick of O'Connell Advisory Group—your dynamic Quality of Earnings partner. Visit: www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com.

Attend the M&A Launchpad Conference – Upcoming May2, 2026 in Houston, TX This one-day event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and dealmakers who are serious about buying and scaling businesses. Learn from headliners, talk to real operators who have closed deals, and connect with vendors who can support your quality of earnings, due diligence, capital raising, and financing needs. Get your ticket at https://www.malaunchpad.com and use code LAUNCH for $150 off.

For all M&A Launchpad and podcast inquiries—or to connect with hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa—email info@equity-launchpad.com. Explore more at https://www.equity-launchpad.com.

About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/

Patrick Galleher of Boxwood Partners breaks down how a professional $100M sell-side process works—prepping financials, running IOIs, conducting management meetings, and choosing the right private equity partner.

We cover the full seven-month timeline, rollover equity, how buyers are screened, and the biggest mistakes founders make when they take their eye off the business. Patrick also shares real examples of deals that drew massive buyer demand.

What We Discuss

• How Boxwood structures sell-side processes for $50M–$150M deals • Why founders typically keep 15–40% rollover equity • How IOIs work and how 150–350 buyers are narrowed down • What happens inside a 3-hour management meeting • Why sell-side QofE is required before going to market • Common seller mistakes that kill deals • What private equity values most right now

Guest Contact Info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickgalleher/ Website: https://www.boxwoodpartners.com

Additional Resources

Sponsored by O’Connell Advisory Group Work with a trusted Quality of Earnings and financial due diligence partner for business acquisitions. Visit: https://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com

M&A Launchpad Conference – May 2, 2026 - Houston, TX Tickets: https://www.malaunchpad.com Use code LAUNCH for $150 off.

Contact the Hosts info@equitylaunchpad.com https://www.equitylaunchpad.com

About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/