
Inside the Buyer's Mind: Who's Buying & What Industries
From Transaction Talk by Jennifer Fox and Eric Sigman
April 13, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 48
About this episode
The episode explores what buyers are looking for in today's deal market with insights from buy-side advisor Steven Smith.
What are buyers really looking for in today's deal market? In this episode of Transaction Talk, Jennifer Fox and Eric Sigman are joined by Steven Smith of Business Transfers & Strategies, a buy-side advisor who works closely with individual buyers, private equity groups, and strategic acquirers. He breaks down how each type of buyer approaches acquisitions and what drives their decisions, from growth potential and scalability to long-term alignment. The conversation also explores shifting industry trends, key risks shaping buyer behavior, and what can make or break a deal during the process. Throughout, Steven emphasizes a central theme: success in today's market comes down to fit, not just chasing the hottest industries. Tune in to hear the full scope of our conversation and what today's buyers are really looking for! Key Points From This Episode: Welcoming returning guest, Steven Smith of Business Transfers & Strategies. Types of buyers: individuals, private equity groups, strategics, and family offices. What each type of buyer is looking for, from scalability to long-term fit. Key risks buyers assess: employees, customers, and industry factors. Industries that are gaining…
People in this episode
Hosts: Jennifer Fox, Eric Sigman
Guest: Steven Smith
Topics covered
- buyer's mindset
- acquisitions
- industry trends
- buyer behavior
- deal process
- fit vs. chasing industries
Keywords
- buyers
- acquisitions
- private equity
- industry trends
- deal market
- buyer behavior
- scalability
- fit
- risks
- automation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Business Transfers & Strategies, private equity groups, strategic acquirers, home services, electrical contracting
More episodes of Transaction Talk
- Understanding Reps, Warranties & Deal Risk · June 12, 2026 · 21 min
- Why Small Businesses Matter to Our Communities with Gregory Giacopelli · May 27, 2026 · 20 min
- What is My Business Worth - How Valuations are Made · May 12, 2026 · 27 min
- Top 5 Deal Killers With Aaron Fox · April 29, 2026 · 25 min
- When Is the Right Time to Sell · March 30, 2026 · 21 min
- Don't Go It Alone: Building the Right Team to Sell Your Business · March 12, 2026 · 17 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Transaction Talk podcast page.