Southard Financial

Introducing Our Newest Team Member, Transaction Advisory Specialist Scott McIllwain

Written by Wayfind Marketing on . Posted in Blog

Selling a business that you have either built from the ground up or spent considerable time growing to what it is today is challenging and overwhelming.

First of all, you’re handing someone else the keys to something that you are deeply connected to. And most likely, it will be a total stranger. That can create quite a bit of anxiety!

On top of that, there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Selling a business isn’t as easy as listing a lawnmower on Facebook Marketplace. There are valuations to be done, financial reports to be compiled, buyers to vet, and more.

If you’re buying a business, it can be just as difficult.

You want to perform your due diligence to make sure it’s a good deal. Then you want to make sure the seller sees you as the best person to take care of their “baby”…at the best possible price, of course.

A New Transaction Guide Is Here

In a world where buyers and sellers both need a reliable guide, there’s nothing like knowing that you’re walking through the process with someone who has been there many, many times before.

Because we believe our clients should get to work with the best transaction advisors possible, Southard Financial is pleased to welcome Scott McIllwain to the team!

Scott brings a wealth of transaction advisory experience that we are excited to have as a benefit to our clients. He was most recently the Managing Member & Founder of West End Capital Holdings, LLC in Nashville, TN, and will split his time between Nashville and Memphis while serving our customers nationwide.

Scott has been helping people buy and sell businesses for well over 22 years. Additionally, he has been involved in numerous other finance-related enterprises giving him a wide network of business relationships and insights into many different industries.

Here’s a quick list of Scott’s professional background:

  • Transaction Advisory Consultant, Southard Financial, LLC, Memphis, TN (2022-present)
  • Managing Member & Founder, West End Capital Holdings LLC, Nashville, TN (2012-present)
  • Founder & Member, Alliant Capital Advisors, LLC Atlanta, GA & Nashville, TN (2001- 2012)
  • Commodities Futures & Options Trader, New York, NY; Chicago, IL; & Memphis, TN (1989-2001)
  • Commodities Trading Associate, Refco, Inc. & Sparks Commodities, Memphis, TN (1987-1989)
  • Serial Entrepreneur, Co-founded & sold four profitable companies; SAM Corp (Agricultural information & Biotechnology), STA Trading (Agricultural boutique trading, research & brokerage), Alliant Capital Advisors LLC (Lower Middle Market Sell-Side Firm), & NetPeak (Smart grid demand response), (1989 – present)

Critical Transactions Deserve The Best

Buying or selling on your own can be a nightmare. Partnering with a firm that is less than qualified can lead to unnecessary mistakes, wasted time, and either spending too much or receiving too little.

Our team has helped numerous clients avoid failure and enjoy success in all kinds of business transactions for over 35 years. And the addition of Scott McIllwain to our team enhances our capabilities as a reputable valuation and advisory firm.

Learn more about our Transaction Advisory services, or connect with Scott directly to find out what we can do for you!

Recent Activities

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Bonze Sponsor of The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2021, 2022, and 2023

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association in 2020 and 2021

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Member Bank Sponsor of the Ole Miss Banking & Finance Symposium in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Co-Sponsor of the National Center for Employee Ownership ESOP Nuts & Bolts Event in 2018

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Corporate Sponsor of the Mid-South Minority Business Council in 2017 and 2018

  • Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023

  • Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2019, 2020, 2021 (virtual), and 2024

  • Dave Harris attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019

  • Mark Orndorff and Matthew Jakes attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2017

  • Southard Financial attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2020 (virtual) and 2021 (virtual)

  • Mark Orndorff attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2023

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company

  • David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Orlando, Florida on October 16-17. They gave a presentation titled “Can Employees Really Impact Company Value?”

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain

  • David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Atlanta, Georgia in February, 2019 on the topic of “Valuation Appraisal Checklist – 10 Things Your ESOP Appraiser Should be Doing”

  • David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO

    David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October, 2018 on the topic, “Communicating Valuation: Tools, Tips, and Examples”.

  • Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.

    Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.

  • David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Birmingham, Alabama in September, 2018. He led a workshop called “The People’s Roundtable Interactive Workshop – A series of ‘Build to Last’ activities that focus on developing successful communication and team building programs for employee owners of all generations.” Speakers included Dolores Lawrence, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates; Lindsay Baublitz, SCandH Capital; David Harris, Southard Financial LLC

  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts & Bolts Seminar of the NCEO

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts and Bolts Seminar of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in August, 2018 on the topic of “What’s Your Company Worth? – ESOP Valuation.”

  • Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital

    Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital

  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute 2018 held in Memphis, TN in January, 2018 on the topic of Succession Planning titled “What is Your ‘End Goal’?”

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