The Most Important Deal You'll Ever Make

By Heather Valeri, CBI, CEO & Founder, Meridian Business Advisors

It was a bitter cold Thanksgiving Eve in Massachusetts. Outside, the world was stringing lights and preparing to carve turkeys. Inside, I was cradling my infant son, panic tightening my chest like a vise.

We had just received the call: My husband’s new employer had gone belly up. Just like that, our benefits vanished. Our safety net shredded. Our baby—sick, in diapers, on medication and prescription formula that cost over $100 a can—needed surgery. I had left my corporate job only months earlier to care for him full time. And now, we had no income. No backup. And no idea what to do.

We didn’t want to ask family for help. We were newlyweds in a fixer-upper house, doing our best to stand on our own feet. But survival doesn’t care about pride. I called my old boss. 

“Heather,” she said, without skipping a beat. “You’ve always had a good head on your shoulders. You’re resourceful. You’re a self-starter. You don’t need permission. Start something.”

And so I did. That conversation became the catalyst for my first consulting business. Marketing and M&A was already in my DNA—I just hadn’t yet claimed my title. That moment didn’t feel brave or bold. It felt desperate. But now I know: Sometimes the fire that threatens to destroy you is the same one that forges your future.

What’s in Your DNA?

I’ve always had entrepreneurship in my blood. When most little girls were playing Barbies, I was designing greeting cards and selling lemonade. At 12, I ran a newsletter delivery service for a property management company. I wasn’t dreaming of being a ballerina—I wanted to be Maddie from Moonlighting… a sharp, jet setting CEO in heels and in control.

But life wasn’t a sitcom. I grew up in a single-parent home with an abusive alcoholic. I learned young how to negotiate peace, read people’s moods, and stretch grocery money I earned myself. I learned what independence felt like—because I had no choice.

And I also learned that survival could become a superpower. 

Years later, that same grit helped me build three businesses including Meridian Business Advisors. I had worked for one of the world's largest brokerage firms but knew I could do it better. Provide white glove service to my clients, serve with transparency and integrity, and deploy better marketing strategies. Most importantly, choose my clients and build a dream team focused on excellence and integrity.

I became the first female business broker in Charleston a decade ago. While I've earned numerous awards and certifications throughout my career, I take the most pride in achieving the Certified Business Intermediary designation—an elite credential held by fewer than 10% of brokers worldwide. My grit and determination have propelled me to scale Meridian Business Advisors successfully. Over the years, I have guided thousands of entrepreneurs through the challenges of building, scaling, and exiting their businesses.

Yet, despite all the accolades and deals I’ve closed, I’ve never forgotten where I started—or what truly matters.

What Happens When We Forget Ourselves 

A few years ago, I met two clients whose journeys starkly illustrated the importance of prioritizing well-being. Let’s start with Ben. Ben ran an $8M contracting business, employed 30 people, and worked 60-80 hours a week. He kept putting off the listing of his company. 

“I just need to get through this next quarter,” he’d say. “Next year’s our year.” But life doesn’t wait for your calendar. A small black spot on his foot turned into an infection, leading to a hospital stay and, ultimately, the unthinkable: an amputation. His business unraveled, and his team scattered. The reality struck hard—his business, which had consumed him, could not survive without him.

Then there was Kelly, another client whose journey reflected the need for balance. Kelly had been told “no” by four banks—divorced, burned out, and underestimated. Despite her struggles, I saw the potential in her vision. I helped Kelly acquire a business that doubled her footprint and reduced her commute by two hours, giving her back time with her children. I helped her design a business model that wasn’t dependent solely on her, allowing it to thrive independently. Years later, I had the joy of helping her sell that company for six times her initial investment.

Ben and Kelly's stories illustrate an important truth: transformation doesn’t come from hustle alone; it comes from intention and the willingness to prioritize well-being.

You see, business success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about wellness.

And self-care isn’t just a spa day or your annual checkup—it’s your daily contract with yourself. It’s about hydration, setting boundaries, rest, and implementing systems that allow you to scale a business without letting it consume your identity.

I had my own health scare not long ago, which reminded me: we cannot serve others if we’re running on empty. We cannot build empires if we’re silently falling apart. Today, I embrace a new lifestyle—whole foods, daily exercise, better sleep-put myself before deals.

I coach my clients to do the same. The most successful leaders I know—Oprah, Brené Brown, Joanna Gaines—live in alignment: spiritually, personally, and professionally. We all should.

The Deal That Matters Most

When my grandfather was on his deathbed, he told me something I’ll never forget:

“I’d give away my fortune, if I could have my time back. I lost my children. My family. That’s what mattered most. But I didn’t see it then.” 

I was 15 years old. I didn’t fully understand. But now, I do.

I believe in building wealth. I believe in scaling companies. I believe in using business as a tool to transform lives.

But I also believe that the real ROI—the return on intention—is in your joy, your health, your relationships.

Entrepreneurship is a gateway to independence, impact, and financial freedom. It’s how we create jobs, strengthen families, and uplift communities. Women now own nearly half of all small businesses. That’s progress—but it’s only the beginning.

As the founder of Meridian Business Advisors, my mission is clear: I want to change one million lives through business ownership. Because when leaders rise, communities rise.

And when women build with both heart and strategy, we don’t just break ceilings—we build ladders.

But don’t forget: the most important deal you’ll ever make isn’t with a buyer or investor.

It’s with yourself.

So make it a good one.