Rudy Mawer shares his journey of building multimillion-dollar businesses through strategic partnerships, celebrity collaborations, and leveraging AI and automation. Rudy shares insights on acquiring iconic brands during the COVID-19 pandemic, his strategic partnership with Ty Lopez, and building multi-million dollar businesses while running an expansive agency. He reveals his innovative approach to celebrity partnerships through his company, More Capital, and how he's leveraging AI to streamline operations and amplify success. Rudy also emphasizes the importance of adaptability in business and teases his upcoming participation at the Deal Con M&A CEO Summit.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Rudy Mawer
• 00:00:29 - From Agency Owner to Partnering with Global Icons
• 00:02:25 - Acquiring Pier 1 and Other Iconic Brands
• 00:04:38 - Scaling Teams While Maintaining Efficiency
• 00:08:31 - Running Multiple Brands Under One Roof
• 00:09:11 - Building Profitable Brands with Celebrity Partners
• 00:13:00 - Why Celebrity Brands Are Easier to Exit
• 00:17:23 - Transforming Business with AI and Automation
• 00:20:18 - Rudy’s Upcoming Appearance at Deal Con M&A CEO Summit

Links and Resources:

• Mawer Capital
• Personal Website
• Rudy on YouTube
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

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Joshua B. Lee, known as the "Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn," shares how he’s helped businesses scale by focusing on authentic human connections. He talks about the evolution from MySpace to LinkedIn, revealing why personal brands are critical for business success today. Joshua talks about content strategies that work on LinkedIn, the importance of trust in business deals, and how AI is shaping the future of search. He also tells hard lessons he’s learned from bad deals and points out how partnerships and communication can make or break a business. Tune in to learn how to leverage LinkedIn for real growth and avoid common pitfalls.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - Starting Strong: The Power of Positive Polarization
• 00:00:44 - Meet the Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn: Joshua B. Lee’s Journey
• 00:01:49 - From MySpace to LinkedIn: A Social Media Pioneer
• 00:04:09 - Humanizing Your Brand: Why it Matters More Than Ever
• 00:07:53 - LinkedIn Strategies for Real Business Success
• 00:11:25 - Building Trust on LinkedIn: Why Personal Connections Matter More Than Ever
• 00:15:40 - The Content Game on LinkedIn: Strategies that Win
• 00:17:43 - Storytelling & Engagement: Crafting Content that Sticks
• 00:18:21 - Becoming a Value Aggregator: The Secret to LinkedIn Success
• 00:21:10 - Trust and Lessons from Bad Deals: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know
• 00:26:11 - Power of Partnerships: Communication and Collaboration
• 00:28:58 - AI’s Impact on LinkedIn: Future Trends to Watch
• 00:32:46 - Upcoming Event: Deal Con Live — Join the Revolution of Business Growth

Links and Resources:

• Joshua on LinkedIn
• StandOut Authority
• Joshua on Facebook
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

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In this episode, Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his first business at age six to building a marketing empire that has generated over $2.9 billion in revenue for clients. He opens up about the highs and lows of running a business, including how mental health challenges nearly led him to quit. Erik also breaks down his approach to scaling through acquisitions, managing anxiety, and how he keeps pushing forward despite setbacks. If you want to hear real talk about building a business, managing tough moments, and thriving in the marketing world, this episode is for you.

Chapters

• 00:00 | Igniting Progress: The Power of Forward Momentum
• 00:30 | Meet Erik Huberman: Hawke Media’s Game-Changer
• 00:59 | Erik’s First Steps: From a 6-Year-Old Entrepreneur to Building Empires
• 01:53 | Mountain Peaks and Deep Valleys: Navigating the Highs and Lows of Business
• 04:54 | Mental Health Struggles: How Anxiety Pushed Erik to the Brink
• 10:56 | The Art of Exits: Lessons from Erik’s Early Business Sales
• 12:45 | Scaling Hawke Media: Inside Erik’s Acquisition Strategy
• 15:00 | The Vision: Future Goals and What It Takes to Dominate the Market
• 21:59 | Profit Margins and Growth: Balancing Expansion with Efficiency
• 25:23 | Integrating Teams: The Cultural Challenges of Merging Businesses
• 29:46 | Legal Terms: How Erik Handles Attorneys and Deal Terms
• 31:35 | Unveiling the Fund: What Hawke Ventures Looks for in Investments
• 33:15 | Investment Strategy: From Tools to Success Stories
• 40:31 | Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Excitement for DealCon Live in Nashville

Links and Resources:

• Erik Huberman
• Erik on LinkedIn
• Hawke Media
• HawkeTalk Podcast
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

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Max Finn shares his journey from early success with Facebook marketing to leading the charge on TikTok. He discusses the mindset shift required to approach deals with confidence, the importance of having options, and the fine line between abundance and scarcity in negotiations. Max also talks about key strategies for leveraging media to raise capital and the value of knowing when to walk away from a deal.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - The Perils of Exciting Deals: Avoiding Costly Concessions
• 00:00:47 - Spotlight on Max Finn: A Pioneer of Digital Marketing
• 00:02:21 - Masterminds and Market Shifts: Max's Event During the COVID-19 Surge
• 00:04:04 - Mastering Media: High-Quality Leads Through Precision Strategies
• 00:07:29 - The Future of Media Buying: Innovations and AI’s Role
• 00:10:14 - A Game-Changing Exit: Selling Startup Drugs to Russell Brunson
• 00:13:54 - Smart Deal Crafting: How to Create No-Risk Win-Win Deals
• 00:17:05 - The Hard Lessons: Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape
• 00:18:22 - Investor Insights: Preferences, Deal Terms, and Hidden Traps
• 00:20:20 - The Power of Knowledge: Leveraging Experience in Negotiations
• 00:21:00 - Confidence in the Room: Negotiating from Strength
• 00:23:11 - Building an Abundance Mindset for Deal-Making Success
• 00:30:13 - TikTok Shop Revolution: New Opportunities for Brands and Creators
• 00:32:25 - AI’s Role in Creative Generation: Where the Future is Headed
• 00:33:14 - CEO M&A Summit: A Preview of What’s to Come

Links and Resources

• Max Finn
• Max on LinkedIn
• Unicorn Innovations
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

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Digital marketing pioneer Dennis Yu shares his expert advice on how businesses can amplify their success by focusing on what works and scaling those wins. From his proven Dollar-a-Day strategy to the power of the Lighthouse model, Dennis breaks down steps for growing agencies and boosting client results. Whether you're running local campaigns or working with global brands, this conversation offers advice on using data to identify winning content, choosing the right clients, and marketing without relying on traditional sales calls. Get ready to rethink how you approach marketing and business growth!

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - The Secret to Being 'Google-able' and Why It Matters
• 00:01:21 - Legendary Insights: A Conversation with Digital Marketing Pioneer Dennis Yu
• 00:02:55 - From Data Analyst to Marketing Guru: The Rise of Dennis Yu
• 00:04:45 - A Case Study in Success: How a Religious Campaign Went Viral
• 00:07:00 - Choosing Clients Wisely: Elevating Winners with Proven Strategies
• 00:09:07 - Exploring the Dollar-a-Day Strategy: Maximizing Impact with Minimal Budget
• 00:11:43 - Influencer Marketing and Organic Reach: A Game-Changer in Campaigns
• 00:13:29 - Scaling Local Businesses: Case Studies from World Gym to Plumbing
• 00:16:53 - Local Celebrities and the $399 Couch: A Marketing Masterclass
• 00:19:29 - Creative Campaigns that Surprised Everyone: Turning Unexpected Successes into Gold
• 00:21:00 - Mentorship and the Lighthouse Strategy: Building Powerful Networks
• 00:23:28 - Lighthouse Leaders in Action: Real-World Case Studies
• 00:26:46 - The Economic Model of Agency Growth: Revenue Sharing and Scaling
• 00:30:39 - Creating Content that Converts: Setting Expectations and Delivering Results
• 00:33:55 - Acquiring and Scaling Agencies: Building Legacies through Business
• 00:38:15 - Legacy Building in Action: How Business Can Shape the Future
• 00:40:20 - Event Highlights and What’s Next: Wrapping Up with Powerful Insights

Links and Resources:

• Dennis on LinkedIn
• Dennis Yu
• The Definitive Guide to TikTok Advertising by Dennis Yu
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

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Tom Shipley and Matt Bodnar break down the world of business valuations and deal structures. They talk about how valuations are more an art than a strict science, influenced by market conditions, negotiation strategies, and individual motivations. Their discussion covers examples of how businesses are bought and sold, highlighting the strategies that can make or break a deal. With case studies and insights, they offer a no-nonsense guide to understanding the true value of a business and how to approach acquisitions with a savvy mindset.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - Valuation: The Art Behind the Numbers
• 00:01:15 - Meet Tom and Matt: Masters of M&A
• 00:02:00 - Cracking the Code: Deal Structure Essentials
• 00:04:50 - Real-Life Valuation Stories You Need to Know
• 00:08:17 - Unlocking Hidden Value: Key Deal Structure Tactics
• 00:12:45 - Seller Financing and Rollover Equity: Maximizing Your Deal Potential
• 00:17:14 - Creative Financing: Power Moves in Business Deals
• 00:20:45 - Join Us at DealCon: Your Next Big Step in M&A

Links and Resources

• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator
• Matt Bodnar
• Matt on LinkedIn
• Science of Success Podcast
• Location Based Marketing for Restaurants by Matt Bodnar

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Tom Shipley and Matt Bodnar discuss the often-overlooked strategies for sourcing acquisition opportunities that go beyond traditional methods. They challenge the common reliance on brokers and competitive marketplaces, advocating instead for the power of off-market deals and the value of weak ties in your network. Tom and Matt provide simple and effective steps to consistently generate high-quality leads. Whether you’re an established entrepreneur or new to acquisitions, Tom and Matt offer straightforward tactics that can change how you approach deal-making and business growth.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - The Goldmine of Backyard Deals: How Local Networks Can Lead to Big Wins
• 00:01:09 - Meet Tom Shipley and Matt Bodnar: Serial Entrepreneurs & Deal Con Hosts
• 00:01:52 - Why Acquisitions Are the Fastest Path to Business Growth
• 00:02:36 - No Tech, No Problem: Simple Lead Generation Hacks for Finding Deals
• 00:05:35 - Unleashing the Power of Networking for Deal Flow
• 00:06:37 - The Science of Weak Ties: Your Secret Weapon in Business
• 00:08:32 - How to Proactively Source Deals Before Your Competitors Do
• 00:10:27 - Why Off-Market Deals Can Be Your Biggest Win
• 00:13:25 - Next-Level Strategies for Programmatic M&A
• 00:19:05 - Inside Events: Networking, Real Deal Stories, and High-Stakes Negotiations
• 00:21:08 - Event Invitation: Join 100 CEOs in Nashville for Deal Con

Links and Resources:

• Matt Bodnar
• Matt on LinkedIn
• Science of Success Podcast
• Location Based Marketing For Restaurants by Matt Bodnar
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Deal Playbook? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

This episode breaks down the immense potential that agencies and e-commerce brands hold for strategic acquisitions. Tom and Matt share their insights on why these sectors are prime for investment, highlighting the overlooked opportunities that many business owners miss. They argue that now is the time to capitalize on these opportunities, with a focus on the untapped potential in smaller agencies and brands. Through their conversation, they outline practical strategies for identifying and executing successful acquisitions, making a compelling case for why this approach could be the key to significant growth and success in today's market.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 The Power of Acquisitions: Transforming Brands to $100M+
• 00:02:50 Why Agencies are the Untapped Gold Mine for M&A
• 00:05:21 Hidden Opportunities in Underperforming Agencies
• 00:07:42 Why Most Private Equity Firms Overlook These Profitable Agencies
• 00:09:04 Maximizing Cross-Selling and Operational Synergies
• 00:10:35 E-Commerce Growth: Leveraging Existing Infrastructure for Success
• 00:12:10 Unlocking the Potential of Niche Markets: The Portable Sink Success Story
• 00:14:43 The Risks and Rewards of Product Expansion in E-Commerce
• 00:16:30 Crafting a Programmatic Acquisition Strategy for Long-Term Success
• 00:18:00 Meet the Experts at DealCon: Join Us in Nashville

Links and Resources:

• Matt Bodnar
• Matt on LinkedIn
• Science of Success Podcast
• Location Based Marketing For Restaurants by Matt Bodnar
• Tom Shipley
• Tom on LinkedIn
• Agency Ventures Aggregator

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Deal Playbook? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!