Because no one wants to see their hair cut too short, BevNET is pleased to announce that Brette Simon, a partner with Bryan Cave LLP , will be speaking during the BevNET Live event in New York City on June 4 and 5. In her presentation, called “Avoiding the 10 Percent Haircut, ” Ms. Simon, an expert on transactions involving venture capital-backed enterprises, will discuss ways that beverage entrepreneurs can maximize their company’s valuation during investment rounds and company sales.
A strong valuation isn’t important just when it comes to selling the business or partnering with investors, however – it’s also important when seeking loans, distribution, and even when trying to attract talented employees.
Ms. Simon has represented several entrepreneurial CPG companies that have gone through the process of investment and sale, and her presentation will provide entrepreneurs with the tools to get their financial houses in order.
After all, a messy financial situation can lead to the dreaded “haircut” to a company’s valuation that can hurt entrepreneurs and their investors alike. Ms. Simon’s best practices can be quickly implemented for companies at all growth stages, and can provide long-term guidelines for maintaining the fiscal health of beverage companies from their very beginning.
About Brette Simon
Brette Simon is a corporate law partner in the Santa Monica office of the international law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, where she advises public and private entities in mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private equity and venture capital investments, and general corporate matters. She has represented private equity funds and strategic buyers and sellers in leveraged recapitalizations, stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, and private investments. She also structures joint ventures and strategic alliance transactions, and serves as outside corporate counsel for many of her clients.
Brette has been practicing in the field of corporate law since 1994. Her representative transactions include the sale of: ASR Food Distributors, Inc. in its sale to Gold Star Foods, Inc., a portfolio company of Prospect Partners. a natural and organic baking manufacturer in its sale to an international, strategic buyer; Southbridge Group LP in its sale of the stock of Huxtable’s Kitchen and the assets of Pasta Kitchen, two of its portfolio companies, to Arlon Group; Catterton Partners in connection with its growth equity investment in NJOY; and Okami Foods, Inc. in its acquisition by Fuji Food Products, Inc. Brette has spoken at numerous industry conferences as well as to several chapters of the Entrepreneurs Organization and Vistage. She has also written articles on a variety of corporate legal topics, and has been extensively quoted in business and industry publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Deal and the Nutrition Business Journal .
Ms. Simon ranked first in her graduating class and graduated Order of the Coif from UCLA School of Law, where she was editor of the UCLA Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree in quantitative economics from the University of California at San Diego, where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, including recognition as one of the top 13 dealmakers in the U.S. for the middle market by The Deal, a leading corporate finance publication, and being selected as a winner of the inaugural “40 Under 40” award by The M&A Advisor.