# Interview with Domenic Rinaldi, Managing Partner, Sun Acquisitions

- Published: 2026-02-10
- Author: [Connectively](https://blog.connectively.us/author/terkel.md)
- Topics: [Interviews](https://blog.connectively.us/category/interviews.md)
- Source: https://blog.connectively.us/interview-with-domenic-rinaldi-sun-acquisitions/
- Publication: Connectively
- Publisher: Connectively (Terkel, Inc.)
- Editorial policy: https://blog.connectively.us/editorial-policy/

*This interview is with [Domenic Rinaldi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenicrinaldi), Managing Partner, [Sun Acquisitions](https://www.sunacquisitions.com).*

**As Managing Partner, how do you describe your focus in acquisitions and brokerage for privately held companies?**

We help companies with annual revenues between $3 and $50 million acquire or sell businesses across a broad range of industries throughout North America.

**What pivotal experiences led you to the Managing Partner seat in M&A?**

I acquired this business over 20 years ago after a corporate career that spanned Fortune 500 companies to venture-capital-backed startups.

**When sourcing deals with founder-led businesses, what repeatable approach has helped you build trust and open proprietary conversations?**

Our track record of success, which includes over 500 closed transactions across a broad range of industries, has given us valuable insights into just about every issue an owner will face when acquiring or selling a business.

**At the first screen, what signal or metric most reliably tells you a target deserves deeper diligence?**

When margin or revenue growth doesn’t align with historical performance, or when the management narrative diverges from the actual performance of the business.

**With founder-owners, how do you align on valuation and terms while preserving the relationship through closing?**

The work of valuation and terms is done very early in the process. If the value and terms do not match a client’s expectations, we will work with them to understand how they can improve those metrics to meet their goals. Sometimes, that means a prospective transaction has to wait while the owner builds value.

This is why we propose that owners get a value snapshot of their business at least every three years so they know if they are tracking for a future exit. An exit may come at a date and time that was not of the owner’s choosing due to many factors, including:

-   Illness
-   Divorce
-   Partnership breakup
-   Macroeconomic trends
-   Lack of capital

**What deal structure have you used most effectively to bridge valuation gaps in lower-middle-market transactions?**

Earnouts and/or contingent notes are the most frequently used tools to bridge valuation gaps. That said, it is critical that your M&A advisor and attorney are well-versed in these instruments because they are fraught with pitfalls that can easily lead to post-transaction litigation issues.

**What due diligence pitfall have you learned to catch early in closely held acquisitions?**

Non-GAAP financial discrepancies can easily kill a deal, along with improper new working capital calculations.

**For brokers representing seller clients, what one practice most earns your confidence and accelerates your process?**

After 500+ deals, we can pretty accurately anticipate what will happen during a transaction. When we communicate with our clients and set proper expectations, the trust level in the advisor and the firm is unbreakable.

**Post-close, what first-100-days move has most consistently protected or unlocked value in your acquisitions?**

Communication, people, and clients.

Our clients who carefully plan for the post-transaction activities and over-communicate always have a much smoother transition. In addition, when they put the employees and clients first, they earn the trust necessary to propel the company to the next level.

**Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?**

The numbers and process are the easiest pieces of a transaction. What really makes for a successful transaction is having a team of experienced advisors who can anticipate the speedbumps and the knowledge to help you get past what might otherwise kill deals.

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