DATE: July 29, 2022
Nolan’s “Get to Know Us” Blog Series highlights a different team member, offering an inside look into our company culture and the talented professionals who drive our firm. This post highlights Tommy Stream. He joined Nolan in 2015 as an Associate and has since worked as a Senior Associate and is currently Vice President with the firm.
Here’s a little bit more about Tommy!
1. Describe Nolan in 3 words.
Impactful, creative and results-driven
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of working with business owners?
Knowing you’re tasked with delivering a result that is oftentimes the largest economic event of your client’s and their family’s lifetimes is what I find most rewarding about working in M&A at Nolan. This is the impactful, results-driven work that drives our motivation every morning. Failure is not an option; the obstacles we face during an engagement or process are simply experiences that we learn from and adjust to in pursuit of the end goal.
Business owners in the lower middle market are some of the most appreciative, salt-of-the-earth type people I have ever met, and it’s a privilege being entrusted with such a momentous event in their lives. The Nolan ethos is a combination of integrity, professionalism, and fun. This philosophy meshes well with most business owners in the lower middle market.
3. What is your #1 piece of advice for business owners considering a sale?
Get your company’s operational and financial affairs in order prior to engaging a banker. This will help streamline the process and greatly improve chances of success. Having documents and reports (either internally or 3rd-party generated) prepared and readily available will help maintain momentum with buyers as they begin asking granular questions as the process continues. Having your “ducks in a row” as buyers ask questions and furnish document requests will expedite the diligence process and indicates to potential buyers that this is a competitive process.
4. How do you spend your free time?
Since my wife, Sierra, and I do not have kids of our own just yet, we try to spend as much time traveling and taking advantage of our free time as possible. When not traveling, we love spending time with our 10-year-old rambunctious pug, Pippa, and with our four nieces who live in town. Technically a free agent, I play hockey a couple of times per week in a local beer league and am yet clinging to the hope of getting called up by the Blues.
My wife recently acquired a designer fashion company in St. Louis. The process of becoming small business owners has consumed much of our free time over the past six months in an exciting (and educational) sort of way. For anyone that fancies haute women’s apparel or handbags, be sure to check out Byrd Designer Consignment!
5. What are you most looking forward to in the second half of 2022?
On a personal level, Sierra and I have a couple trips planned and are eager to welcome our first nephew into the world in late Summer. All St. Louis and Mizzou-related sports teams will have my interest as well. Professionally, I will be continuing to help our clients achieve their goals, including navigating the ever-changing macroeconomic challenges we face. The second half of 2022 should be another exciting chapter for Nolan and the M&A market!
