Mergers & Acquisitions, Interview With American Fortune CEO
“Entrepreneurs are not afraid to take risks, work hard, have focus, and a sincere desire to help people” – Brian Mazar, MBA, Certified Business Intermediary
Brian Mazar, CEO of American Fortune
When you plan to sell your business, hiring a Business Broker or Mergers & Acquisitions Adviser is the first thing you want to do. American Fortune assures to represent their clients completely, we have only the client’s best interest at heart. You are also advised not to sell your business if the time is not right, which in turn assures highest market price at the time of sale.
Q: Give an introduction to your business.
A: American Fortune Mergers & Acquisitions LLC is a premier provider of Business Advisory services in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions (Business Sale & Acquisitions), Business Consulting, Business Growth/Exit/Succession Planning and Business Valuations for companies with annual revenues up to $50 million. The set of our unique processes increases the value and marketability of your business. We provide expertise in areas of growth and profitability, business due diligence, financial analysis, tax minimization and value maximization. American Fortune will prepare your business for the market, discretely market the business for sale, find the right buyer, and sell the business at the best price, at the right time. At American Fortune Mergers & Acquisitions LLC, we adopt an unusual approach. We may actually discourage you from selling or buying a business until the timing and conditions are right, ensuring you a successful outcome. Our Business Advisers will work closely with your Attorney and CPA to make sure you have the right information and provide you with smart options, so you can take the best decisions for your business sale. We maintain excellence by retaining Business Advisers who possess a solid base of credentials and experience, which guarantees you a solutions-oriented approach to your business sale needs.
Q: Give a brief description about yourself.
A: Brian Mazar holds a BS degree in Industrial Management plus an MBA. He has also attained the title – “CBI” (Certified Business Intermediary). Over a period of 22 years, Brian held key business and operations positions with four Fortune 500 companies that were Tier 1 suppliers to GM, Ford and Chrysler. He has broad business, management, operations and technical knowledge, particularly in manufacturing and technology sectors. In 1998, Brian founded a new firm under the name American Fortune Mergers & Acquisitions. American Fortune provides Merger and Acquisition services inclusive of Business Exit, Succession Planning and Business Valuations. American Fortune also provides expertise in growth and profitability, business due diligence, financial analysis, tax minimization and value maximization.
Q: What ignited the spark in you to start your firm?
A: I recognized that the current approach and process in the sale of business (mergers and acquisitions) does not serve the business owner (seller). The process used by most business brokers, merger and acquisitions and investment banking firms allows business buyers to set the stage and control how a business will be sold. The current approach leaves these sellers exposed and vulnerable. In most cases, buyers get what they want at the expense of business seller’s expectations. Once I learned the mechanics of the mergers & acquisitions industry, I conceived a different model which levels the playing field for business sellers.
Q: How important have good Merger & Acquisition Advisers been to your success?
A: Our employees have to possess expertise in accounting, finance, contracts, general business and business systems, mergers & acquisitions, business exit planning, business valuations, negotiations as well as posses a MBA or equivalent. So, I would say that their knowledge and experience has been of equal importance to the firm.
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A: Marketing & Sales expertise/experience, people skills, good communication skills and finally passion for the product or service. So that the customers are served with excellence.
Q: How many hours do you work a day on average?
A: One should look at work as service to others; if business owners take this approach than 10-12 hrs a day will not feel like work.
Q: What motivates you?
A: My passion to help and serve others in solving their problems and also helping them meet their business and personal goals.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
A: I look around the world for poorly delivered services in mergers & acquisitions, exit planning and business valuation and replace them with excellent services. I also look for unsatisfied needs and provide services that meet those needs.
Q: What are your ideals?
A: My ideals are simple and straight – To offer honest and excellent services to my customers.
In the case of sale of a business, an owner selling his businesses does not like an interference of a middle man or a broker. All he wants is an honest advocate who can fully represent him and his interests, and not ‘play both sides of the aisle’.
Q: How do you define success?
A: For me, success means meeting customers’ needs with affordable and excellent services that meet their goals and desires.
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A: Do what you enjoy. If you do not like what you do, then find something to do that does not feel like work even though you are spending 10-12 hrs a day doing it.
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A: Alexander Graham Bell. Because he invented the early telephone while trying to help his wife who could not properly hear.
Q: What book has inspired you the most?
A: From Good to Great by Jim Collins. This book inspires people to do their best and develop skills to improve oneself.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
A: It allows me to put my creativity and passion to work.
Q: To what do you most attribute your success?
A: Possessing and honing my skills in: mergers & acquisitions, exit planning, business valuation, marketing, sales, people skills and communication skills. And I should not forget to mention, the passion for my work.
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A: My most satisfying moment is, when I sell a business satisfying the seller’s goals and at the same time know that the buyer that I sought out to buy the business will be successful in operating and growing the same.
Q: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
A: Entrepreneurs are not afraid to take risks, work hard, and have focus and a sincere desire to help people.
Q: What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A: Electronic mode of marketing such as the Internet, articles on the web, blogging and press releases.
Q: How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
A: This culture was a result of my own belief system. It comes from my heart, soul and mind.
Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
A: I do not think I have made any major mistakes till date. But yes I made some smaller mistakes which were listening to other people’s advice and not my own. I recommend that every entrepreneur seek information and guidance, but do not allow others to make decisions for you.
Q: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
A: Sailing, hiking/walking, playing my saxophone and gardening.
Q: What makes you happy?
A: Helping people solve their problems and meet their goals. Also, I derive a tremendous joy when we successfully perform a mergers & acquisitions deal for our client.
Q: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
A: Not spending as much time with my family as I would like to.
Q: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A: Tom Monaghan, founder of Dominos Pizza. He has built a good business but I admire him the most for his strong values, morals and beliefs. Tom posses integrity and exceptional character.
By Brian S. Mazar, CBI, MBA
American Fortune Mergers & Acquisitions
