What's Your Deal? | Business Buying, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit Strategies

Most business owners think they're making rational decisions. Robin Afinowich says otherwise.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Robin Afinowich — a clinically trained mental health counselor, national speaker, and daughter of M&A legend Jim Afinowich — to unpack how unresolved stress and trauma quietly shape the decisions business owners make every day. From childhood adversity to burnout in leadership, Robin breaks down the science behind why high performers overwork, over-please, and struggle to stay present — and what to do about it.

You'll learn why the "fawn" response is the most common (and most dangerous) patter...

What actually creates lasting wealth? And why do so many entrepreneurs hit a ceiling despite working harder than ever?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and marketing strategist Alexa D'Agostino to discuss the uncomfortable truths behind scaling a business, building wealth, and transitioning from founder to owner.

Alexa has built and exited multiple companies, helped generate billions in revenue, and created the exclusive Wealth Mastery Summit, where high-level entrepreneurs, investors, and operators gather to solve real business challenges.

Together the...

Most business owners spend years building income through their business, but far fewer create a strategy to turn that income into lasting wealth.

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with wealth advisor Ted Young of Anasazi Investment Group to discuss the financial decisions that can make or break a business owner's future.

Ted shares the biggest mistakes he sees entrepreneurs make, why diversification matters, how to prepare for a successful exit, and what it really means to become "work optional."

The conversation als...

What happens when one of the most influential financial educators of all time sits down to talk business, investing, and the mindset behind wealth creation?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler welcomes Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and founder of the Rich Dad brand. With more than 40 million books sold worldwide, Robert has spent decades challenging conventional financial wisdom and encouraging people to think differently about money, investing, debt, and entrepreneurship.

Robert shares the lessons he learned from having both a "rich dad" and a "po...

What if you could build multiple streams of income through ownership in small businesses — without running every business yourself?

In this solo episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler breaks down the exact framework he used to build ownership interests in more than 20 businesses across multiple industries through strategic equity deals and partnerships.

If you are interested in learning more about the Multiple Streams of Income Framework please email - admin@ampedsuccess.com 

Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success:

Instagram: @ampedsuccess

Website...

What if the biggest threat to your business isn't competition, the economy, or a bad deal—but your own operating system?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt and Audrey Uhler sit down with performance strategist and executive coach MJ Gordon to discuss why so many high-performing entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck in a constant state of stress.

MJ has worked with leaders from organizations like Adidas, the NFL, and NerdWallet, helping them improve performance without sacrificing their health, relationships, or quality of life. Together, they explore the hidden costs...

What does it really take to build a successful life without sacrificing your health, family, happiness, or purpose along the way?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with legendary entrepreneur and speaker David Meltzer for one of the most powerful conversations we've had on the show.

David shares the lessons he learned after losing over $100 million, rebuilding his life through faith and purpose, and dedicating his mission to empowering over 1 billion people to be happy.

Connect with David Meltzer

Instagram: @dav...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with longtime business partner Kristian Gose and private lending veteran Bill "Billy A" Anastopoulos for an inside look at the world of private money lending, hard money loans, fix-and-flip financing, bridge loans, and real estate investing.

With more than 80 years of combined experience and thousands of funded transactions between them, this conversation dives deep into how private lending actually works behind the scenes — from funding deals in as little as 48 hours to evaluating risk, protecting investors, and helping borrowers capitalize on opportunities traditional banks simply can't move fa...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Lindsey Quinn, founder of HeartWise Collective to talk about one of the biggest shifts happening in business today: artificial intelligence.

Lindsey shares how she went from running a traditional consulting business in the orthodontic industry to building AI-powered systems that help business owners save time, improve efficiency, and create better workflows without adding more staff or burning themselves out.

Matt and Lindsey break down how small business owners can start using AI in practical ways, from creating branded content and marketing systems to analyzing...

What does it really take to get approved for an SBA loan when buying a business?

In this episode of What's Your Deal? with Matt Uhler, Matt sits down with SBA lending expert Steve Johnston and financing specialist Lindsay Denton to break down the truth about SBA loans, business acquisition financing, and why most buyers get it wrong.

If you've heard horror stories about SBA loans taking forever—or getting declined at the last minute—this episode will completely change your perspective.

They cover what lenders are actually looking for, how deals get appr...

What does it take to build a business that scales beyond you?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with franchising expert and entrepreneur Jeff Dudan to unpack what makes franchise ownership work, how to scale a business through systems, and why great businesses are built with the end in mind.

Jeff shares how he built and scaled AdvantaClean to over 240 locations before a successful exit, and how he now helps franchise brands grow through HomeFront Brands.

Timestamps:

1:16...

What happens when a key employee becomes one of the most valuable partners in a small business?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with longtime business partner Ryan Carr to discuss small business ownership, business partnerships, leadership, entrepreneurship, company culture, employee management, and business growth.

Ryan shares his journey from employee to owner after starting with a Northern Arizona commercial property maintenance company in 2016 and becoming a business partner in 2018. Today, he helps lead one of the top commercial property maintenance companies in Arizona, providing parking lot sweeping, pressure washing...

In this special anniversary episode of What's Your Deal?, the mic flips as Sarah interviews Matt Uhler on one of the most requested topics yet—how to build multiple streams of income through small business ownership.

After producing 40+ episodes covering buying, managing, and exiting businesses, this conversation dives into the strategy Matt has personally used to build a portfolio of 20+ income-producing businesses—what he calls his own "business mutual fund."

Matt breaks down the Faucet Framework, a proven system for creating diversified, predictable income without relying on a single source. From minimiz...

What does it really take to leave a stable career and step into business ownership?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Kevin Mizell, a former government construction engineer manager who walked away from a high-level career to buy a small business—right in the middle of the pandemic.

Kevin shares the real, unfiltered truth about what it's like to go from a W2 job to owning a business. From taking on large debt for the first time, to navigating labor challenges, to realizing that "passive income" isn't what most people th...

What does it really mean to be a great leader?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with leadership coach Keith Cowling to unpack what most people get wrong about leadership—and how to actually build influence that lasts.

Keith shares lessons from over 30 years of working with business owners, teams, and individuals, revealing why leadership starts internally—not externally. From letting go of ego to learning how to truly develop people, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level advice.

If you've ever struggled with mana...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with repeat guests Luke McCarthy and Colton Imming to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in today's world—Bitcoin.

This conversation goes far beyond crypto hype. It dives into the fundamentals of money, inflation, asset ownership, and long-term wealth strategy.

Luke and Colton share why they've shifted their focus from traditional assets like real estate into Bitcoin, how they're using it to protect their wealth, and what it means for the future of investing.

If you've ever questioned how money actually wo...

What happens after you sell your business?

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Paul Hickey, CEO of Legacy Wealth Management, to talk about one of the most overlooked parts of business ownership: what comes next after the exit.

Paul shares insights from decades of experience in global finance, investment banking, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and entrepreneurship. Together, Matt and Paul unpack why so many business owners focus on getting out of the business but fail to prepare for life after the sale.

They discuss the emotional side...

On this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Jeff Tomasulo, founder and CEO of Vespula Capital Management.

Jeff brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial markets as an investor, trader, and risk manager. In this conversation, he breaks down the mindset behind protecting capital, building wealth beyond your business, and using smarter strategies to reduce downside risk while creating long-term opportunity.

This is an important episode for business owners, investors, and sellers who want to think more intentionally about what happens to their money before...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Carlos Salguero, President and Founder of CS3 Investments, to break down why multifamily real estate isn't just "real estate"—it's an income-producing business.

Carlos shares his journey from growing up in Ecuador working in his family's print shop to building and exiting multiple businesses, and ultimately scaling into commercial multifamily—now totaling 1,900+ doors. Together, Matt and Carlos connect the dots between buying businesses and buying properties, including how experienced operators find opportunities in deals that developers often leave on the table.

T...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with John Bowens, Director of Head of Education & Investor Success at Equity Trust, to break down one of the most overlooked wealth tools for entrepreneurs and investors: self-directed retirement accounts.

John explains what "self-directed" actually means, why most retirement money stays locked in mutual funds by default, and how investors can use IRAs, 401(k)s (and even HSAs) to invest in real estate, private lending, private equity, pre-IPO stock, cryptocurrency, and precious metals—all while keeping the tax advantages of retirement accounts.

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler interviews Larry Yatch — former U.S. Navy SEAL officer turned entrepreneur strategist and high-performance coach — about the unseen survival patterns that drive decisions in business, money, leadership, and relationships.

Larry explains why most people misunderstand trauma: it's not about the event — it's about the subconscious strategy your brain adopts to survive when your perception of control is taken away. Those strategies can create success… but they can also create burnout, misalignment, and self-sabotage if they remain unrecognized.

Matt ties this directly to what he...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Colton Imming, to unpack what it really looks like to leave a W2 career behind, bet on yourself, and step into business ownership.

Colton shares his path to a private equity environment that rewarded performance — and how a long-term plan with his wife, Katie, helped them prioritize freedom, family, and control over their time. That journey eventually led to Colton partnering with two others to build a holding company focused on acquiring and stewarding small businesses.

From there, the co...

In this special "Deal or No Deal" episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with returning guest Keith Sklarsky to dissect a real $5.5 million logistics business — and decide whether it's worth pursuing.

On paper, the business checks some important boxes: multi-million dollar revenue, strong recent growth, and nearly $1 million in projected discretionary earnings. But as Matt and Keith dig deeper, the red flags begin to surface.

From fluctuating earnings and aggressive marketing spend to questionable independent contractor classifications and unrealistic valuation multiples, this episode is a masterclass in disciplined deal ev...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Keira Hamilton, a former high school English teacher with a master's in education from UC Berkeley who made an unexpected leap into business ownership.

Keira and her husband bought their first business — a San Francisco laundromat — in 2023, learned fast why "passive income" is often a myth, and then sold the laundromat in 2024 after improving systems and operations to make the business more transferable. From there, they moved to San Diego and acquired their next business: Sunshine Window Cleaning, an off-market service company they foun...

Most business owners spend years building something valuable — yet never prepare it to be sold.

In this shorter episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler and Sarah Rainwater break down why exit readiness is one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) strategies in business ownership. Preparing your business for exit isn't just about selling — it's about running a healthier, more profitable, and more valuable business today, while preserving the option to exit when and how you choose.

Matt shares real-world experience from decades of buying, selling, and advising business owners, including why most businesses are...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt breaks down real estate through the lens of business acquisition with August Biniaz, Co-Founder and CIO of CPI Capital.

This conversation goes beyond property investing and gets into what it really means to acquire, operate, and scale assets like a business.

August shares how he evaluates deals, raises capital, structures deals, and manages risk—principles that directly mirror buying operating companies, not just real estate.

00:16 Meet August Biniaz + CPI Capital overview

01:55 From broker → fix & flip...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with returning guest Dana DeVito, coach and consultant with Elite Performance Associates, to tackle one of the most common — and costly — problems business owners face: becoming the bottleneck in their own business.

Many owners start their companies because they're great technicians. But as the business grows, that same strength becomes the very thing that limits scale, profitability, and freedom. Dana and Matt unpack why owners struggle to let go, how perfectionism and micromanagement quietly hold businesses hostage, and why delegation without accountability always fails.

If you...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Maxwell Nee, Chairman of Family Office Insider. Maxwell specializes in capital structuring, partnerships, and large-scale growth opportunities.

Maxwell shares how he moved from an unfulfilling corporate banking career into high-level dealmaking across industries like renewable energy, mining, waste processing, and advertising. This conversation dives deep into the mindset behind raising capital, structuring partnerships that actually work, and why clarity, resourcefulness, and communication matter more than money.

Timestamps: 

01:20 – Maxwell's background and Family Office Insider

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Eric Tastet, whose journey took him from 20 years in ministry to becoming VP of Client Strategy at Aspire Tour—and the lead instructor for Aspire's Tax-Free Crypto Education program.

Eric breaks down what he's learned about human dynamics, why most people get stuck in "learning" instead of actually taking action, and how relational equity is often the real currency behind influence and results. They also dig into the mindset shift between being a contributor vs. a creator, why consistency beats motivation every time, and how sel...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt is joined again by one of our most-listened-to guests, Lindsay Denton. For the past seven years, Lindsay has worked side by side with Matt arranging financing for business acquisitions inside the brokerage. Now, through Amped Funding Advisors, she is assisting buyers and sellers nationwide structure deals for approval and funding.

They break down why business financing is nothing like getting a car loan or a mortgage, why SBA loans come with so many rules, and how to navigate those rules without losing your mind or your deal...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with close friend and colleague Steve Williams, CEO of Aspire Family Bank, to unpack a powerful alternative to traditional estate planning: the Family Bank.

Steve shares his journey from growing up in generational poverty to climbing the corporate ladder— and then walking away to build a boutique real estate development firm with his wife. Along the way, he learned the hard lessons of leadership, doing hard things, and raising kids who have accountability instead of entitlement.

Covering topics like—why whole life insurance are the only...

In this heartfelt episode, Matt sits down with his wife, Audrey Uhler, for an unfiltered conversation about marriage, blended family life, and the realities of running multiple businesses together. They share how they've navigated financial stress, busy travel schedules, parenting transitions, and the constant pull between work and family.

Matt and Audrey open up about what it takes to keep both a marriage and a business thriving through seasons of change. They also talk about the emotional shift that comes with an emptying nest, rediscovering purpose, and dreaming up their next chapter together.

T...

In this episode, Matt sits down with longtime friends Steve and Michele Sullins — two powerhouse restaurateurs who've built, bought, and sold multiple restaurants and retail stores over the past 35 years. Michelle started with a coffee cart in Sedona and grew it into a thriving restaurant empire, while Steve worked his way up from dishwasher to opening restaurants for major resort brands like Hyatt and Loews.

Together, they've mastered the balance of systems, leadership, and partnership — both in business and marriage. From promoting employees into management to scaling multiple locations at once, they share how they've built lasting succ...

Matt shares the origin story behind his career in business brokerage and ownership: growing up with a single mom working seven days a week, taking third-shift janitorial work at 13, and starting his first company at 17. A shop teacher's nudge ("why not start a business doing what you already know?") led to a janitorial company that scaled from one account to 40 employees across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

That first exit came with hard lessons—especially around reading P&Ls and not letting the business "run" the owner. The sale also revealed a bigger truth Matt has se...

Today we welcome Dana De Vito, a longtime business owner, franchise operator, and co-founder of Elite Performance Associates. From owning Jack in the Box and Scooter's Coffee franchises to coaching business leaders, Dana shares his insights on responsible growth, the difference between consulting and coaching, and why defining a desired end statematters more than tactics. This conversation digs into lessons learned from franchising, building culture, and balancing ambition with life outside of business.

Timestamps:

00:01 – Intro & welcome to the show

00:32 – Meet Dana De Vito: from...

In part two of our series on preparing your business for sale, Matt is once again joined by Lindsay Denton. Together they dive deep into the often-overlooked details that can make or break a deal: commingled entities, lease negotiations with landlords, environmental and maintenance concerns, and the importance of correctly titled assets.

Packed with real-world stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners looking to maximize their exit value — and for buyers who want to understand the hidden risks behind the numbers.

2:25 – Preparing for sale: beyo...

Part 1 of a two-episode series on preparing your business for sale. Today, Matt is joined by Lindsay Denton (Financing Specialist at WCI Business Brokers) to break down what sellers must have dialed in before they list.

Timestamps: 

1:00 – Why seller preparation matters

3:10 – Business financing vs. home financing

5:50 – The importance of organized financials

7:55 – Real-world examples of deals derailed

15:10 – When sellers change their minds mid-process

19:30 – Hidden obligations & underlying debt issues

...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Cristian Cruz, a former Miami firefighter who walked away from a secure career and pension to pursue entrepreneurship and business ownership. Cristian shares his bold decision to leave behind stability for opportunity, his first steps into startups, and why he's now focused on buying an established business instead of building from scratch.

This candid conversation dives into risk, motivation, family legacy, and how Cristian is approaching his first acquisition with patience, direction, and clarity. If you've ever wondered what it takes to leave the safety of...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with longtime client and friend Chad Cook—a true serial entrepreneur who has started, grown, and sold 12 businesses over the last 34 years. From his humble beginnings running a paper route and selling donuts to owning large-scale Family Fun Centers and a statewide Dippin' Dots distribution business, Chad shares the real stories behind his business ventures, including the wins, the lessons, and the near-bankrupt moments.

Matt and Chad discuss the strategic mindset required to build sellable businesses, the importance of family support and faith, and how Chad's ability to...

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with David Davis—an academic-turned-entrepreneur who transitioned from a PhD and professorship in hospitality to launching not one, but three service-based businesses. David shares his real-world startup journey, including the shift away from higher ed, the grit it took to build Fuse Topline Solutions, Boundless Hospitality, and a commercial laundry operation, and the financial realities of building a business from scratch. This conversation is packed with wisdom on balancing family and business, managing investor relationships, and knowing when to pivot. 

Timestamps: