DAK Director, Derek Zacharias, shares insights on middle market M&A in this episode of the “Beer Stories for Private Equity” podcast with host Scott Markman.
Derek provides valuable insights into the world of sell-side investment banking, emphasizing the importance of reputation and likeability over just being the “smartest” person in the room. He explains how working on smaller, middle-market deals can be more rewarding than large, high-profile transactions, as you get to see the tangible impact on business owners’ lives.
As a director at DAK, Derek discusses the firm’s focus on serving the lower middle-market, providing high-touch advisory services to family-owned and entrepreneur-led businesses. He also addresses industry trends, such as the impact of elections, interest rates, and the continued role of private equity in the M&A landscape. Throughout the conversation, Derek shares personal insights, including the work-life balance considerations for investment bankers. This engaging discussion provides a unique glimpse into the world of middle market M&A.