Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, and Carl Nicpon, Marsh Creek Advisors (Family Business Radio, Episode 55)
Family Business Radio host Anthony Chen was joined on this episode by business consultant Nathan Miller and M&A advisor Carl Nicpon. Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, talked about the routes to business growth that strategic consulting and culture development create. He shared his journey into business consulting and emphasized the importance of investing in people, structuring for growth, and developing a clear company culture. Carl Nicpon of Marsh Creek Advisors focused on the process of preparing for and executing a successful business exit or sale. He shared his personal experience with selling a family business, explained common misconceptions about business valuation, and introduced the concept of a “second bite of the apple.” The episode underscores the value of seeking expert guidance early on for both achieving sustainable business growth and navigating the intricacies of selling or transitioning a business.
Anthony closed the show with a commentary on why it’s vital that you not be afraid to ask for help.
Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.
Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions
Nathan Miller is a global leader with over 25 years of international experience across 11 countries and fluency in four languages. He holds licentiate degrees from universities in Europe.
Leveraging his background in strategic management, organizational development, leadership coaching, and training, Nathan has served in diverse leadership roles, including business management in full-service marketing agencies, management roles in construction companies, and also as a National Director for a global non-profit organization and editor-in-chief of a website in Rome, Italy. He also brings experience in education, counseling, and real estate.
Nathan is passionate about applying his global perspective and diverse expertise to help business owners grow and thrive.
Outside of work, Nathan enjoys basketball, woodworking, and hiking with his wife.
Atlantic Consulting Solutions
Atlantic Consulting Solutions (ACS) provides strategic business consulting tailored to the needs of small businesses that are growing or seek to grow. With over 20 years of experience, their team of MBAs and former executives has assisted over 250 businesses across nearly 40 industries. They understand the real complexities a small business owner goes through and are experts and masters of overcoming those challenges.
Their holistic approach and methodology set us apart. They offer complete guidance, from developing your vision to implementing it successfully. This includes strategy, management, financial, and organizational consulting. They have expertise across all aspects of business, including strategy, finance, operations, HR, and more.
ACS has helped clients raise over $145 million in capital, negotiate major deals, restructure organizations, improve culture, and provide effective transition leadership.
As your trusted advisor, ACS provides in-depth strategic advice to support important decisions. Your success as a business owner and leader is theirs as a company. They understand the complexities organizations at this stage face and draw from real executive experience to provide tailored solutions.
ACS has worked on business model improvements, financial structuring, organizational restructuring, raising capital and obtaining large credit lines and loans. They have also significantly improved company cultures in toxic environments, trained executives/managers to become great leaders, helped companies merge, helped companies acquire others and sell themselves for double the original offer, transitioned COOs, created successful revenue models, and helped negotiate large deals. Finally, they are bilingual consultants who understand the complexities of cultures and approaches.
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Carl Nicpon, Managing Director, Marsh Creek Advisors
Carl Nicpon is an entrepreneur at heart. He was the third-generation owner of a wedding services provider with 14 locations and 200 employees. Carl led the effort to sell the 50-year-old business in a private equity roll-up of the industry, and his first-hand experience gives him an unparalleled understanding of what it’s like for a business owner to bring their company to market and negotiate a successful exit.
Carl is also an Adjunct Professor in the Executive MBA program at the University of Georgia and serves on the Board of the Shore Entrepreneurship Center at Kennesaw State University. He is the Founder of Brio Business Academy, dedicated to guiding business owners as they launch and grow their businesses. He is passionate about education because he believes that business owners make better decisions when they know how and why things work (or don’t!).
Carl graduated from the University of Notre Dame, holds an MA from the University of Chicago, an MBA from the University of Georgia, and an M.Ed. from the University of Loyola. He and his wife live in Dunwoody and have two sons who attend the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Marsh Creek Advisors
Marsh Creek is an M&A and business brokerage firm helping lower middle market business owners sell with confidence. Our typical clients are business owners with annual revenue between $5 and $75 million. While we are based in the Southeast, we proudly serve clients nationwide.
Marsh Creek is proud to partner with the Bristol Group, a network of over 20 advisors from across the country. While leveraging this broad pool of experienced advisors, we remain committed to providing you with a high-touch, high-service approach that is customized to your unique needs. We firmly believe that teamwork is essential to ensuring a successful and fulfilling sales experience for our clients.
The Marsh Creek team is comprised of former business owners who are honored to partner with you on your path to sale. It’s our goal to ensure the largest financial transaction of your life is done right.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Welcome to Family Business Radio
00:39 Nathan Miller’s Journey: From Nonprofit to Business Consulting
03:21 The Role and Impact of Business Consulting
05:22 Cultivating a Successful Business Culture
12:19 Strategic Planning and Organizational Structure for Growth
16:16 Recruiting the Right Team: Mission, Vision, and Values
17:12 Navigating Financial Challenges and Planning for the Future
22:37 Transitioning to Exit Planning: Carl Nicpon’s Story and Insights
28:40 The Pitfalls of a Single Buyer in Business Sales
29:29 Exploring the ‘Second Bite of the Apple’ Strategy
31:30 When to Consider the ‘Third Route’ for Your Business
33:44 Maximizing Business Value for Sale: Strategies and Mistakes
40:31 Enhancing Business Value: Positive Strategies and Practices
46:25 Expert Insights: Common Mistakes and Missed Opportunities in Business
52:00 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Seeking Help and Building a Team
Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio
This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services are offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of RAA. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090, ext. 5075, or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.
Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY, in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA, home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all of the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance, Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.
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