Family Office

Chris shares his professional journey, from his early days in the industry to his current role, and how those experiences have shaped his thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to deals today. He emphasizes the value of strategic planning, trust-building, and preparation in driving successful outcomes.

Together, Chris and John walk through the key steps of selling a business, including preparing confidential materials, determining valuation, managing buyer interest, and collaborating closely with legal and financial advisors. Chris highlights the importance of doing your homework: quality of earnings reports, well-organized data rooms, and readiness for due diligence are all essential. They also explore how to identify the right buyers and assemble the right team to lead the process.

Whether you are considering selling your company or want a clearer look at how M&A works behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insights and advice from someone who has been in the trenches.

Episode Overview: This episode explores investment banking, M&A, succession planning, and considerations for a successful business exit.

Disclosure:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. John Sleeting is an employee of Clearwater Capital Partners. All opinions expressed by participants are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Clearwater Capital Partners.

Mr. Geyer is not a client of Clearwater Capital Partners. No compensation was provided to Mr. Geyer in exchange for his participation or comments. Mr. Geyer has no other material conflict of interest relating to his relationship with Clearwater Capital Partners.

Join host John Sleeting for a special edition of Entrepreneurial Legacies, celebrating the people, stories, and purpose behind Clearwater’s 5th Annual Charity Supercar Show.

In this episode, we spotlight the true power of community through conversations with passionate entrepreneurs, generous sponsors, and the inspiring beneficiaries this event supports. Driven by passion and inspired by giving, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one event drives real impact and why it matters.

Disclosures:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions, and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. John Sleeting, John Chapman, James Chapman, and Greg Davis are employees of Clearwater Capital Partners.

Fellowship Housing is a client of Clearwater Capital Partners. Kim Downing, Courtney Burton, Allison Chrastka, Nicholas Ehardt, Kyle Sulkar, Cesar Marin, Tracie Rasmussen, Andrew Royce, Sandy Schwab, Adarsh Shukla, Ahmed Shaaban, and Noah Shaaban are not clients of Clearwater Capital Partners. Bluestone Advisors is not affiliated with Clearwater Capital Partners.

No compensation was provided to these individuals in exchange for their participation or comments. All opinions expressed by participants are solely their own and do not reflect the opinion of Clearwater Capital Partners. Investment advice offered through Clearwater Capital Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Investment Advice offered through Clearwater Capital Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor.

In this episode of Clear Conversations, John Sleeting sits down with Jeff Haanen for an insightful discussion about the challenges business owners face during major transitions, particularly during mergers and acquisitions.

Drawing from his personal and professional experiences, including his departure from the Denver Institute for Faith and Work, Jeff shares how this pivotal moment shaped his views on calling, identity, and leadership.

Together, John and Jeff explore the often-overlooked emotional aspects of selling or transitioning a business. Jeff brings a unique perspective, influenced by his background in economics, theology, and entrepreneurship, and explains why understanding one’s deeper purpose is just as important as any financial detail.

Jeff also introduces his latest initiative, Better Exit, which aims to help business owners navigate these changes with emotional clarity and spiritual grounding. This conversation is essential listening for anyone considering their next steps—because exiting a business is not only about what you leave behind, but also about the person you are becoming throughout the journey.

Disclosures:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. John Sleeting is an employee of Clearwater Capital Partners. All opinions expressed by participants are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Clearwater Capital Partners.

Mr. Haanen is not a client of Clearwater Capital Partners. No compensation was provided to Mr. Haanen in exchange for his participation or comments. Mr. Haanen has no other material conflict of interest relating to his relationship with Clearwater Capital Partners.