This is the audio version of “SaaS Business Valuation: What Buyers Really Want.”

In this episode, our host, Sara Vaziri, speaks with David Jacobs, Business Broker – Technology Group, about what truly drives the value of a SaaS business and what buyers evaluate before making an acquisition.

David explains why many software founders overestimate the value of their source code while underestimating the importance of recurring revenue, customer retention, growth, and operational maturity. He shares how institutional buyers, private equity firms, and strategic acquirers assess SaaS companies and why building a business that can operate without the founder is essential for maximizing value.

The conversation also explores the key metrics buyers focus on, including customer churn, customer acquisition cost (CAC), net revenue retention (NRR), recurring revenue, and growth rate. David discusses why some unprofitable SaaS businesses can still command strong valuations and how AI is reshaping software development and influencing future valuations.

Whether you're building a SaaS company, preparing for a future exit, or simply want to understand what creates lasting business value, this episode provides practical insights for founders and business owners.

Key topics:• SaaS business valuation• Selling a SaaS business• SaaS exit planning• Software company valuation• Recurring revenue businesses• Customer churn and retention• Customer acquisition cost (CAC)• Net revenue retention (NRR)• Private equity acquisitions• SaaS due diligence• Owner dependency• Business value building• AI and SaaS valuation• Building a business beyond the founder

For the full video conversation, watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/cqfnMNJ2pAE

Host :

Sara Vaziri, MBA, MSc, CBB, CBIZoom Business Brokers📞 (949) 426-5067📧 sara.vaziri@zbbcorp.com

M&A Advisor, Award-Winning Certified Business Broker, Founder and Office Broker of Zoom Business Brokers, specializing in selling manufacturing, B2B, contractor, wholesale, 3PL, financial-related businesses, and advising business owners through successful ownership transitions.

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saravaziri/

Guest:

David Jacobs
Business Broker – Technology GroupDRE# 02097583

David specializes in selling SaaS, software, IT services, and technology businesses. He helps founders prepare for successful exits by improving business value, reducing owner dependency, and positioning companies for strategic and private equity buyers.

Contact:📞 (415) 297-8562📧 david.jacobs@zbbcorp.com

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesjacobs/
https://www.zoombusinessbrokers.com/

Disclaimer:
This show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, valuation, investment, financial, or business brokerage advice. Please consult your own qualified advisors before making business decisions.

#BusinessValuation #SaaSBusiness #ExitPlanning #MandA #BusinessOwners

This is the audio version of “How a 27-Year Business Failed — And the Financial Warning Signs Owners Miss.”

In this episode, Sara Vaziri and business coach Ellie Marshall discuss a real-world example of a long-established business that ultimately failed after decades of operation, and what business owners can do to avoid a similar outcome.

They explore the financial warning signs many owners overlook, why profitability matters more than revenue alone, and how changing market conditions, rising costs, increased competition, and poor financial visibility can quietly erode a company's foundation.

The conversation covers the importance of understanding financial statements, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), reviewing net profit regularly, and making data-driven decisions instead of relying solely on instinct.

Ellie shares practical insights from her work helping business owners improve profitability, strengthen operations, and create businesses that can operate more effectively without constant owner involvement.

The discussion highlights an important reality for business owners preparing for growth, succession, ownership transition, M&A, or a future sale:

A business that does not consistently generate profit becomes increasingly difficult to grow, transfer, or sell.

Strong financial management is not only about surviving today. It is about protecting future value and building a business that can thrive beyond the owner.

Key topics:

• Business profitability
• Net profit
• Financial statements
• Profit and loss statement
• Balance sheet
• Financial KPIs
• Pricing strategy
• Business coaching
• Business turnaround
• Business growth
• Business value
• Financial discipline
• Risk reduction
• Exit planning
• Succession planning
• Building a business beyond the owner

For the full video conversation, watch on YouTube:

Host:
Sara Vaziri, MBA, MSc, CBB, CBI
Zoom Business Brokers
(949) 426-5067
sara.vaziri@zbbcorp.com

M&A Advisor, Award-Winning Certified Business Broker, Founder and Office Broker of Zoom Business Brokers, specializing in selling manufacturing, B2B, contractor, wholesale, 3PL, and financial-related businesses in California.

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saravaziri/

Guest:

Ellie Marshall, MBA
Coach Ellie Marshall
(978) 844-6349
ellie@coachelliemarshall.com
www.coachelliemarshall.com

Award-winning business coach with an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School and more than 25 years of experience helping HVAC, plumbing, and home service business owners improve profitability, strengthen operations, and create sustainable growth.

She specializes in financial management, operational systems, leadership development, business profitability, cash flow protection, and helping owners build businesses that can operate successfully without constant owner involvement.

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliesmarshall/

https://www.coachelliemarshall.com/

Disclaimer:

This show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, valuation, investment, financial, or business brokerage advice. Please consult your own qualified advisors before making business decisions.

#BusinessProfitability #BusinessValue #ExitPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessOwners

This is the audio version of “How a PEO Helps Business Owners Reduce HR, Payroll, and Compliance Risk.”

In this episode, Sara Vaziri and Ailene Dewar Costello discuss how Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) help growing businesses manage HR, payroll, compliance, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, and employment-related risk.

They explain what a PEO is, how the co-employment model works, and why many business owners begin feeling increasing pressure from workforce management as their companies grow. The conversation explores common HR challenges, compliance obligations, employee retention concerns, workers’ compensation management, and how stronger HR systems can help business owners focus on growth instead of administration.

Ailene shares practical insights into how PEOs can provide access to broader employee benefits, reduce liability exposure, improve operational efficiency, and help businesses create scalable people-management systems.

The discussion highlights an important reality for business owners preparing for growth, succession, ownership transition, M&A, or a future sale:

People systems are business systems.

The more dependent a company is on the owner to manage every employee issue, compliance requirement, and HR challenge, the harder it may be to scale, transfer, or transition that business in the future.

Key topics:

• Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs)
• HR compliance
• Employee management
• Payroll administration
• Co-employment
• Employee benefits
• Workers’ compensation
• EPLI insurance
• Employment law risk
• HR outsourcing
• Employee retention
• Business scalability
• Operational efficiency
• Risk reduction
• Ownership transition
• Business succession
• Building a business beyond the owner

For the full video conversation, watch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/A4qmVE6vO3c

Host:
Sara Vaziri, MBA, MSc, CBB, CBI
Zoom Business Brokers
(949) 426-5067
sara.vaziri@zbbcorp.com

M&A Advisor, Award-Winning Certified Business Broker, Founder and Office Broker of Zoom Business Brokers, specializing in selling manufacturing, B2B, contractor, wholesale, 3PL, and financial-related businesses in California.

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saravaziri/

Guest:
Ailene Dewar Costello, CBPA, aPHR
Vice President of Sales, California | Engage PEO
(714) 393-2297
adewar@engagepeo.com

Ailene has extensive experience in human resources, recruiting, workers’ compensation, healthcare, employee benefits, and compliance. She helps business owners, CEOs, CFOs, and founders strategically manage human capital so they can focus on growth, talent retention, operational efficiency, and long-term business success.

More Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailenedewar/

Disclaimer:
This show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, employment, tax, accounting, valuation, investment, or business brokerage advice. Please consult your own qualified advisors before making any decisions.

#PEO #HRCompliance #BusinessGrowth #OwnershipTransition #BusinessOwners