In this week’s episode, Jonathan Jay introduces Inner Circle member Martin, one of the sharpest negotiators in the business buying world. What follows is a complete masterclass on negotiation — packed with practical insights, real-world stories, and strategies you can put into action right away.

Martin pulls back the curtain on how to approach deals with confidence, credibility, and control. From mindset techniques to financial structuring, from role-playing negotiations to managing seller expectations, this session is full of wisdom you won’t find on YouTube.

• Mindset first: Why self-belief is the foundation of every successful deal — and how to build it.

• Confidence counts: How to position yourself as the “safe pair of hands” sellers are looking for.

• The art of control: Why asking great questions is the fastest way to take charge of a negotiation.

• Truth over bluffing: Why admitting “I don’t know” can actually increase your credibility.

• Sales skills matter: Why selling is at the heart of deal-making, and how to improve fast.

• Smart financing: Understanding the difference between asset finance and invoice finance — and why cash flow trumps profit in the early stages.

• Avoiding rookie errors: The dangers of making offers without knowing the numbers.

• Spotting skeletons: A simple but powerful line to uncover hidden problems before lawyers get involved.

• Creative structures: How to handle sellers who overvalue their businesses — and still get the deal.

• Emotional buy-in: Why every seller makes decisions with their heart before their head.

If you’re serious about buying businesses, this episode will give you the tools to negotiate with confidence and close deals that others would walk away from. Martin’s energy, storytelling, and practical frameworks make this one of the most valuable sessions we’ve ever shared.

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👉 Connect with Jonathan Jay on LinkedIn for more resources, tips, and insights.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Book a Clarity Call (free, no obligation) → dealmakers.co.uk/clarity
• Jonathan’s YouTube Channel → youtube.com/@JonathanJayDealmaker
• Subscribe to the Business Buying Strategies Podcast archive → dealmakerspodcast.co.uk

If you enjoyed this Q&A format and want Jonathan to do more, let him know by leaving a comment or review!

And if you’re serious about buying your first (or next) business, book your free clarity call today: dealmakers.co.uk/clarity

In this week’s episode, Jonathan sits down with his long-term legal partner, John Andrews, for a masterclass on the legal do’s and don’ts of buying a business.

With over 250 deals completed for Dealmakers clients and three decades of M&A experience, John shares the essential legal knowledge every buyer needs — especially if you’re serious about avoiding costly mistakes.

Whether you’re preparing for your first deal or scaling up your acquisition strategy, this episode gives you the legal edge to navigate deals with confidence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why a Shareholders’ Agreement is Crucial — and why skipping it can cost you dearly later
• How to Choose the Right Lawyer — and why not all solicitors are qualified to handle M&A
• What Goes into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) — and the key clauses that protect you
• The Three Types of Due Diligence — and how each one helps avoid nasty surprises
• The True Cost of Legal Work — from fixed fees to due diligence and abortive deal risks
• Asset Purchase vs. Share Purchase — the pros, cons, and tax implications of each
• What to Expect During the Completion Process — and why most deals are now done digitally
• The Most Common Legal Mistakes Buyers Make — and how to avoid them
• How to Avoid Overpaying or Becoming a “Motivated Buyer” — and stay in control of negotiations
• Why a Strong Legal Team on Both Sides Speeds Up the Deal — and can save you thousands

If you’ve ever wondered what your lawyer should really be doing for you — or how to make sure your deal doesn’t unravel at the last minute — this episode pulls back the curtain on the legal side of business buying.

🎧 Listen now and get legally savvy:

👉 Listen on Spotify

👉 Find all episodes at dealmakers.co.uk

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Book a Clarity Call (free, no obligation) → dealmakers.co.uk/clarity
• Jonathan’s YouTube Channel → youtube.com/@JonathanJayDealmaker
• Subscribe to the Business Buying Strategies Podcast archive → dealmakerspodcast.co.uk

If you enjoyed this Q&A format and want Jonathan to do more, let him know by leaving a comment or review!

And if you’re serious about buying your first (or next) business, book your free clarity call today: dealmakers.co.uk/clarity

In this episode, Jonathan does something a little different: a live Q&A session with listeners and aspiring dealmakers. You’ll hear real, unscripted questions from entrepreneurs across the UK (and beyond) – and Jonathan’s direct, practical answers drawn from decades of dealmaking experience.

In This Episode

• Why traditional “day-one finance + deferred consideration” deals are becoming outdated.
• The big difference between the “vanilla” advice on YouTube and the full-flavour strategies inside Mastermind.
• Should you start with a small (£500k turnover, 5 staff) business – or aim higher?
• Why franchises are often jobs masquerading as businesses (and what to do instead).
• How to buy businesses abroad (Spain, Canada, etc.) and whether the process differs from the UK.
• What percentage of people actually buy a business after joining Mastermind – and why effort is the deciding factor.
• Why brokers are a trap for first-time buyers (and what to do instead).
• The truth about legal and professional fees – and why the business you buy pays them, not you.
• A reality check: why targeting £5–10m EBITDA in 18 months is unrealistic – and what is possible.
• What to do if management buys out the owner while you’re negotiating a deal.
• Is it better to buy near you, or can you run a business from afar?

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Three-Day Foundation Programme → dealmakers.co.uk/foundation (limited to 40 people per intake).
• Book a Clarity Call (free, no obligation) → dealmakers.co.uk/clarity
• Jonathan’s YouTube Channel → youtube.com/@JonathanJayDealmaker
• Subscribe to the Business Buying Strategies Podcast archive → dealmakerspodcast.co.uk

Key Takeaway

Every question reveals the same truth: success in business acquisition isn’t about finding a “magic formula” – it’s about having the right process, guidance, and deal flow. The people who follow the system always end up buying businesses.

Listen Now

If you enjoyed this Q&A format and want Jonathan to do more, let him know by leaving a comment or review!

And if you’re serious about buying your first (or next) business, book your free clarity call today: dealmakers.co.uk/clarity