SFC Deal Closing Success Story
A Success Story of Persistence, Collaboration and Community — with Searcherboost
Eighteen months of cautious outreach kept Grania Michel circling deals. One mindset reset—and a crew that wouldn’t let her coast—put her under LOI in 14 days and across the finish line 120 days later as owner of Associated Photo & Imaging.
On this SFC panel we reverse-engineer that sprint with the specialists who steered the legal, lending, and integration work:
Grania Michel – Owner/Operator, Associated Photo & Imaging
Jared Johnson, VP @ First Internet Bank
Joe Spina – Partner, Cullen & Dykman LLP
Patrick Dichter, CEO @ Appletree Business Services
We’ll dig into
The clock-reset question that kills analysis paralysis.
Assembling a deal team that spots potholes before you hit them.
Loan packaging that gets lenders to “yes” on schedule.
Legal moves that keep closing dates from drifting.
Day-one operator priorities that protect the upside.
If you’re sitting on unanswered LOIs—or just tired of solo-search echo chambers—come see how structure + community cut the timeline in half.
Thank you to our Partners:
First Internet Bank: One of the nation's fastest-growing preferred SBA lending banks. Leader in small business finance, offering industry leading expertise and customer service. Contact: Jared Johnson
Cullen and Dykman LLP: A full-service law firm with dedicated M&A and Operating Solutions that delivers top-tier, cost-effective legal services to Search Funds, Independent Sponsors and more. Contact: Joseph Spina
Baker Newman Noyes: Assurance, Tax, and Advisory Services that Deliver Results. Founded to create opportunities for our clients, our employees, and our communities. Contact: Scott McKenzie
Aspen HR: White Glove PEO, HR, Payroll, and Benefits Partner for search funds, alternative investment firms and their portfolio companies. Receive large company benefits at a fraction of the cost. Contact: Mark Sinatra
Oberle Risk Strategies: Specialty insurance brokerage providing industry leading services and complimentary due diligence assessments of commercial insurance and employee benefits needs. Contact: Search Fund Team
About Search Fund Coalition
SFC is a community of Small & Lower Middle Market Business Searchers, Entrepreneurs, Intermediaries, and Service Providers supporting entrepreneurial dreams.