Brian W. Kensicki, Fredrikson & Byron P.A.

Shareholder, Fredrikson & Byron P.A.

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in the M&A world?

I think the biggest challenges to the M&A world will continue to be macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates, fluctuating inflation, the potential new economic policies by the new presidential administration and world conflict. It’s no secret that business doesn’t like uncertainty. Maybe I’m just getting old, but there seems to be a lot of uncertainty in today’s world. I think that uncertainty will continue to challenge the M&A market.

Without revealing the names of a client, what is the most interesting transaction you’ve worked on lately?

One of the things I enjoy about my job is the opportunity to meet and interact with so many different people and personalities. It’s really fascinating to see how business owners with such diverse personalities and thought processes are able to find different paths to success. I can say with absolute certainly there isn’t one formula for success. I recently closed a sell-side transaction. The seller liked to process things in the car. He would pick me up. I’d pick him up. We would just drive around, chat about the deal and make decisions. I think he just saw it as a quiet and safe space. It worked for him, so it worked for me!

How do you manage work/life balance?

I’m still working on the magic formula. One of the things clients appreciate about my practice is that I’m always available. With that being said, you have to find time for yourself to do a mental reset. For me, that is a mix of exercise and music for at least one hour every day.

What is one thing you would change about Minnesota if you could?

The easy answer is the cold weather, but I’m going to say closer proximity to other major cities. I grew up in Ohio and things were just closer. I miss the spontaneity of being able to hop in a car and go to someplace completely different in just a couple hours.