Tabak Business Sales Podcast

The Tabak Business Sales Podcast is your inside look at the world of buying and selling businesses in New Zealand. Hosted by experienced business brokers Damien Fahey and Sam Cherry, each episode unpacks the process of business sales—from appraisals and profitability to preparing a business for market and debunking common myths. Whether you're a business owner considering your next move, a buyer exploring opportunities, or simply curious about what goes into a successful sale, this podcast is designed to inform, guide and empower. Expect expert insights, real-world advice, and the occasional guest from across the business and finance landscape. New episodes released regularly. Follow us to stay in the loop.
Episode 7: Why Tabak?
In the final episode of Season One, Damien and Sam answer a big question:
“Why choose Tabak over other business brokers?”
They reflect on what makes Tabak different — from their specialist, boutique approach to their nationwide network of experienced brokers — and share real stories that highlight their values, credibility, and commitment to doing things right.
They cover:
- What makes Tabak a boutique specialist brokerage — and why that matters
- The value of experience across industries, accounting, importing, retail, and more
- How their size enables personal service without internal competition
- The importance of empathy and responsiveness during one of the biggest transactions in a business owner's life
- Why so many referrals come from accountants, bankers, and former clients
- A few real-world case studies of successful, smooth sales — and one where a delay resulted in a $600K gain
- How Tabak handles tricky buyers, uncertain sellers, and drawn-out negotiations with honesty and clarity
- Why they never take on a business they don’t believe they can sell
Whether you're looking to sell, referring a client, or just curious about the people behind the process, this episode is a transparent, experience-backed look at what Tabak stands for — and why people trust them.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please consider sharing it with a client or colleague, and leaving a review to help others discover the show.
Episode 6: Getting Real about Buyers
In this episode of the Tabak Business Sales Podcast, Damien and Sam unpack the often-overlooked side of business sales: the buyers.
From ambitious tradies to experienced investors, they explore the wide range of motivations, expectations, and readiness levels they encounter in the market — and what it takes to match the right buyer with the right business.
You’ll hear:
- The four main buyer types Tabak works with — from first-timers to bolt-on buyers
- How buyer experience levels change the sales process
- What most new buyers underestimate (hint: it’s not just the money)
- The importance of hands-on involvement — even in a “managed” business
- Why “passive income” is often a myth in business ownership
- Real stories of buyer-vendor fit: when it works and when it doesn’t
- The critical role of buyer aptitude, attitude, and realistic expectations
Whether you’re thinking of buying a business or just want insight into how deals actually get done, this episode offers practical, unfiltered advice from two experts who’ve seen it all.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please consider sharing it with a client or colleague, and leaving a review to help others discover the show.
Episode 5: Information Memorandums
The Power of a Strong IM
Your business deserves more than a half-page flyer.
In this week's episode, Damien and Sam reveal what goes into a comprehensive, compelling Information Memorandum (IM) — and why it's crucial to the business sales process.
They cover what buyers are looking for, how to present your business truthfully (without oversharing too early), and why Tabak's IMs are often referred to as the "open home" for your business.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please consider sharing it with a client or colleague, and leaving a review to help others discover the show.
Episode 4: Confidentiality
Silent Listings – Solid Deals
Confidentiality isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the backbone of most business sales.
In this short but insightful episode, Damien and Sam unpack the real-world impact of confidentiality during the sale process. They share why most Tabak listings remain anonymous, how leaks can affect staff and buyer confidence, and what systems they’ve built to protect vendors every step of the way.
They cover:
- Why businesses are marketed anonymously
- What “goodwill” really means
- The risk of leaks and how to handle them
- Real examples (including one involving a beauty clinic, an NDA… and a loose-lipped spouse)
- Off-market sales and when they’re the right fit
- How Tabak vets buyers to protect your business
If you’re thinking about selling — now or in the future — this episode will give you a clearer understanding of why discretion matters and how to keep control of the process.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please consider sharing it with a client or colleague, and leaving a review to help others discover the show.
Episode 3: The Art of Selling a Business
In this episode of the Tabak Business Sales Podcast, Damien and Sam lift the curtain on appraisals of value — what they are, how they differ from formal valuations, and why getting them right matters so much.
- Packed with real-world stories and examples, they explore:
- The difference between a valuation and an appraisal of value
- How Tabak builds financial models and identifies valid add-backs
- Why risk is the number one driver of a business’s multiple
- The role of tangible vs intangible assets in valuation
- What happens when goodwill expectations are out of step with reality
- The dangers of unrealistic advice from well-meaning neighbours or accountants
- Why experience and data matter more than generic “2.5x profit” rules
- The importance of the owner’s role (and how it affects handover periods)
Whether you're a business owner, an accountant, or just valuation-curious, this episode provides a detailed and practical overview of what really goes into valuing a business — and where people get it wrong. If you found this episode helpful, please consider sharing it with a client or colleague, and leaving a review to help others discover the show.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please follow and share with someone who’d benefit.
Episode 2 - The Art of Selling a Business: When, Why and How
In this episode of The Tabak Business Sales Podcast, Sam Cherry and Damien Fahey dive into the practical side of selling a business—what signals it might be time to sell, how to prepare, and the most common mistakes business owners make along the way.
From spotting early indicators like burnout or shifting market conditions, to understanding the impact of performance trends and reliance on the owner, Sam and Damien unpack what makes a business truly ready for sale.
They cover key areas including:
- When is the right time to sell—and why waiting too long can backfire
- Preparing the business: financials, systems, and stock management
- The importance of reducing owner reliance and creating a transferable operation
- What buyers (and their advisors) are really looking for
- Common myths around valuation multiples (and why “three times profit” doesn’t always stack up)
- Why responsiveness and clear documentation are essential to a successful sale
- Real-world stories that show how deals are shaped and decisions are made
Whether you're a business owner thinking about your next move, an accountant advising clients, or a buyer exploring opportunities, this episode is full of practical tips, honest insights, and expert commentary from two brokers who’ve seen it all.
🎧 Tune in now and if you're finding these episodes valuable, please follow and share with someone who’d benefit.
Episode 1 - Meet the brokers behind Tabak Business Sales Christchurch
In the very first episode of The Tabak Business Sales Podcast, Damien Fahey and Sam Cherry introduce themselves, share their professional backgrounds, and talk about the journey of Tabak Business Sales.
With over 27 years’ combined experience in business sales—and extensive backgrounds in accounting, banking, manufacturing, IT, and distribution—Damien and Sam explain how they each found their way into business broking and what continues to drive their work today.
In this episode, they cover:
- The origins and nationwide reach of Tabak;
- Why business sales fall under real estate law;
- What sets Tabak apart from traditional brokerages;
- The importance of transparency and fit when taking on listings;
- How their national network supports smarter business sales; and
- A step-by-step overview of the sales process—from initial meeting through to settlement.
🎧 Click this link to listen now and follow us on Social Media to stay updated.