The Deal Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode of The Deal Podcast, hosts Joshua Wilson sits down with power couple Ashley David and Jude David, who are redefining what it means to chase dreams while keeping faith and family first.

In Part 1, Ashley shares her deeply personal journey from stay-at-home mom of six to unexpected CEO of a faith-based jewelry company. From infertility and loneliness to discernment and divine timing, Ashley opens up about what led her to acquire Pink Salt Riot, a Christian brand she once purchased gifts from for her kids and how God made a way where there seemed to be none.

In Part 2, Jude joins the conversation for a raw and transparent look at what it takes to be married dealmakers navigating priorities, parenting, and partnership. As a seasoned private equity pro and M&A strategist, Jude shares insights on how faith, focus, and radical honesty fuel their business and family life.

Topics Covered:

• Ashley’s journey from infertility to entrepreneurship
• The power of discernment and faith-based decision-making
• Jude’s M&A experience and how he advises Ashley’s growth
• Prioritizing marriage, mission, and money
• Setting boundaries as husband-and-wife entrepreneurs
• Raising a faith-filled family while building businesses

This is not just a podcast episode, it’s a blueprint for blending business, belief, and love. If you’re a visionary, married entrepreneur, or navigating a family business, this one’s for you.

Connect with the Guest:

Jude David – Managing Partner, FA Mergers

Website: https://www.famergers.com

Email: jude@famergers.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/

Learn more about Ashley’s business at: https://www.pinksaltriot.com

Follow them on Instagram: @pinksaltriot

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealPodcast

#TheDealPodcast #VisionaryLeadership #FounderJourney #Entrepreneurship #BetOnYourself #LeavingCorporate #FaithDrivenBusiness #JudeDavid

Contact The Deal Podcast:

https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this episode, Ashley shares a powerful framework for discerning decisions in life and business one rooted in her faith.

Instead of always searching for the perfect “yes,” she learned to pay close attention to God’s “no.” When things feel blocked, off, or unsettled, it’s often divine redirection not failure. Ashley recalls a moment of praying through every possible objection before stepping into her next season of business, and how peace came not from certainty, but from trust.

This is a grounded and personal conversation for anyone who leads by faith and is seeking clarity in the midst of big decisions.

Connect with the Guest:

Ashley – Founder, Pink Salt Riot

Website: https://www.pinksaltriot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinksaltriot

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pinksaltriot

 Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealPodcast

#TheDealPodcast #FaithDrivenEntrepreneur #DecisionMaking #DivineGuidance #ChristianBusiness #PinkSaltRiot #AshleySpeaks #GodFirstLeadership

Contact The Deal Podcast:

https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this heartfelt clip, Jude David shares how the keys to great teamwork, at home and in business, aren’t tactics or tools. They’re character traits.

Jude reflects on the dynamic between him and his wife Ashley, both entrepreneurs, and how understanding each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations has helped them thrive in work and in marriage. While she leads with enthusiasm and creativity, he brings structure and analysis and they’ve learned to respect and support each other’s styles.

This conversation is a reminder that whether you’re building a team, a marriage, or a business, the secret is always the same: compassion, empathy, and patience.

Connect with the Guest:

Jude David – Managing Partner, FA Mergers

Website: https://www.famergers.com

Email: jude@famergers.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealPodcast

Contact The Deal Podcast:

https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

#TheDealPodcast #FounderMarriage #Teamwork #LeadershipTraits #EmpathyInBusiness #CompassionateLeadership #AshleyAndJude #BusinessWithHeart

In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Beau, founder of Beacon Realty, shares his journey from chasing dreams of Major League Baseball to building a business rooted in legacy and purpose.

Beau opens up about how the drive and discipline from athletics translated into entrepreneurship and how a small gesture from a family member (his grandfather’s old business card) became the daily reminder that sparked his own company.

From honoring his grandfather’s legacy with Beacon Realty’s logo to navigating the highs and lows of running a business, Beau’s story reminds us that pivoting from one dream doesn’t mean failure—it can mean finding your true calling.

Connect with the Guest:
Beau – Founder, Beacon Realty
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beau-bourque-b0701435a/
View all of their episodes here:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/guests/beau/

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:
Joshua Wilson LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealPodcast
Contact The Deal Podcast:
https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

In this clip from The Deal Podcast, Jude David explains why stepping away from the billable hour model into deal-based entrepreneurship changed everything and how understanding value from both sides of the table separates amateurs from serious operators.

Jude breaks down how valuation multiples work across the M&A landscape and how buying low and integrating wisely can lead to instant upside. He explains how one company valued at 3x EBITDA externally might be worth 6x+ internally depending on the buyer’s platform, synergies, and strategy.

This is a must-watch for anyone thinking about transitioning from employee to owner, or trying to understand how real value is created through acquisition. You’ll walk away with a clear sense of how seasoned buyers evaluate opportunities and how to start thinking like one.

Connect with the Guest:

Jude David – Managing Partner, FA Mergers

Website: https://www.famergers.com

Email: jude@famergers.com

LinkedIn: Jude David

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn

YouTube Channel: The Deal Podcast

In this episode of The Deal Podcast, Joshua Wilson sits down with seasoned M&A operator, investment banker, and family office founder Jude David. Jude shares his full-circle journey, from corporate attorney to sell-side advisor to full-time buyer, offering unique insight into what it’s like sitting on every side of the deal table.

Jude breaks down the evolution of mid-market transactions, the real mindset shift from billing hours to building equity, and how to spot strategic arbitrage opportunities across industries. Whether you’re a founder exploring an exit, a buyer building through acquisition, or a dealmaker learning the ropes, this is a must-listen masterclass in private market transactions.

Learn how to identify bolt-on growth, understand what financial buyers really want, and structure deals that multiply value. Jude also walks us through managing deal confidentiality, structuring competitive processes, and setting realistic expectations with sellers without the hype.

Connect with the Guest:

Jude David – Managing Partner, FA Mergers

Website: https://www.famergers.com

Email: jude@famergers.com

LinkedIn: Jude David

Connect with the Hosts & The Deal Podcast:

Joshua Wilson LinkedIn

YouTube Channel: The Deal Podcast

Welcome to a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the human and financial side of building enterprise value. Hosted by M&A advisor and executive producer Joshua Wilson, this is The Deal Podcast, brought to you by FA Mergers. We're your front-row seat to the strategies shaping today's lower- and middle-market, from the family-run business to the multi-million-dollar portfolio.

Too often, the world of mergers and acquisitions is seen as a complex, numbers-driven game. We believe it's about the people behind the deals—the bold entrepreneurs, the savvy investors, and the dedicated teams who make it all possible. Each episode, we sit down with the real players in the M&A space: from private equity sponsors and family offices to strategic buyers, serial entrepreneurs, and commercial bankers. We’ll also hear from the crucial professional teams on the front lines, including CPAs, tax and corporate attorneys, and wealth advisors, to uncover the blueprints of success.

Our conversations will delve into every facet of the deal lifecycle. We'll explore the art of acquisitions, the science of scaling through bolt-ons, the complexities of divestitures, and the long-term thinking required for portfolio optimization.

The FA Mergers team brings decades of direct transaction experience, having navigated everything from private market deals to IPOs and SPACs. We've built and sold our own family businesses, so we understand the deeply personal journey of creating and exiting an enterprise. We know what it takes to transform a single business into a valuable, scalable portfolio.

This podcast is more than a stage for thought leaders; it's a collaborative hub for anyone looking to build, scale, or prepare for their next chapter. Whether you’re a business owner seeking a successful exit, an investor looking to grow your portfolio, or a professional advisor supporting clients on this journey, our content is designed to be both educational and actionable.

Join us as we decode the deal, one conversation at a time.