Hear how Optimal Healthcare executives navigated their own merger discussions and what you can consider when evaluating potential partners. Transcript: Episode 2: How do I find the right business partner [Investment and Insurance Products are: Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guaranteed May Loose Value] [Music playing] [People at a table laughing and talking] [Cash Confessions logo] [WF Male Speaker] Another thing we've heard from our clients. We're looking to merge but need to find the right partner. How do we choose someone who aligns with our vision? [Male Speaker] Great question. Because I've lived it for the last year and a half as we transition and integrated with, the Keralty organization. So, as Optimal, we've been involved with a privately held business, in the medical distribution supply chain space. As ownership was sunsetting, that asked me to come and run and grow the business. Five years went by, add another two for COVID. So, we went through the period where the theme and the mission of the company was to keep Optimal operational. So as that happened, the investment side of the business and the merger discussions started. My commitment to our team was to preserve the fabric of Optimal and selection of a partner. As we went through, 14 to 15 private equity venture capital firms, I quickly knew that this was not the path. And, even consulting with Wells Fargo at the time, my plans, through that process, we narrowed down to more of a strategic. And when you talk of or with strategic, you have to find somebody that speaks your language. And in our case, it's both English and Spanish. And, through a reference in the industry, we were connected with, the Keralty organization. As they were looking to expand the U.S. business, our Optimal story by fate started to come together. As I was explaining what our intent for the future would be, it started to match up to their needs. And I think we're just at the beginning, now we're getting started. [WF Male Speaker] That's great to hear and thanks for the background. I think it's very relevant for a lot of our clients. [Woman Speaker 1] I would definitely say that having trust from the beginning, Manny said, we will never enter into a partnership where our company is in jeopardy. It is always going to be someone that's going to protect the people and someone that's going to protect the assets and ensure that we can grow. And, even if we had to grow slowly, that we were going to grow with a solid foundation. And he was adamant about that from the beginning. Absolutely guiding us down the right path. So, I think that says a lot. [Female Speaker 2] For these, companies that are looking for a new partner just take the time, right. Just look for the correct people or the correct company to join your company. And I think that that's a key. That happened with Optimal, right? They took the time to find the correct partner, and it has been amazing, really. [Music playing] [Cash Confessions logo] [Wells Fargo logo] [©2024 Wells Fargo & Company] PM-06042026-6489312.1.23

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