About Scott Nicholson
Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor at Calder Capital
Bachelor of Science in Economics from Aquinas College
Master of Business Administration from West Michigan University
Skilled Vocalist & Showman
Motto: Be brutally honest and treat each client like they are your parent.
Favorite Activity: Hanging with friends – the activity is just a bonus.
Karaoke Night Song: “Brown-Eyed Girl”
What motivated you to become an M&A advisor?
I have worked for years as a mortgage loan officer. I have enjoyed the transactional nature of the career. The M&A business is the same but instead of many small deals, you work on fewer big more complicated transactions. All the moving parts and intense emotions involved motivate me and keep things challenging.
How did you come to work at Calder Capital?
Max [Managing Partner at Calder Capital] and I became friends over a number of years. We talked about each other’s business and came to enjoy certain aspects of each. As Max grew he suggested I might enjoy taking on a project or two and I agreed. The relationship has grown from there.
What kinds of businesses do you like to work with?
I like the people more than the businesses. I enjoy finding what makes the owners tick and helping them move to the next phase of their life.
What motivates you to work hard each day?
My Dad had the same job for close to 40 years. I don’t think he ever called in a day sick. I watched that and it became a part of me. The thing I did differently was I found work that I find challenging and fun. It is easy to work each day when you have that.
Describe the wildest thing that’s ever happened to you at work/during a project.
Max and I were called to meet with a farmer that was in need of selling some of his land to raise some capital. The farmer said he had a lab where he created new strains of plants. He asked if we would like to see it. We did, and he proceeded to take us back into the woods where he had a replica of the trailer that was the lab in Breaking Bad along with numerous cars up on blocks. I think both Max and I were watching our backs as we approached the trailer. Indeed he was experimenting with numerous forms of plant life. To this day, we’re not sure what else he may have been cooking up in there.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
Pay attention to what you do best. Don’t lose focus on things that take you away from that and spend more time learning how technology can help make you better.
What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I was in a traveling musical that toured through 5 states. I was part of the song and dance corps. I actually received a scholarship to college for voice.
To read about Scott’s most recent acquisition, click here.
We tried to get him to record Brown-Eyed Girl, but he humbly declined.