Resilient Leadership and Business Growth with Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt

dealquest podcast podcast Jan 08, 2025

In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’m excited to chat with Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt, CEO of TechWerxe, a top IT company out of New Jersey. Sejal’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. After spending 12 years in global banking—working on trading floors in places like Japan, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore—she made a huge career shift into the tech world. Sejal joined TechWerxe in 2012 and became CEO in 2014 after the sudden passing of her husband and the company’s founder, Tejas Bhatt, in 2019.

Since then, Sejal has led TechWerxe with a clear vision: to hit $10 million in revenue by 2025. In this episode, she opens up about how she’s navigated personal loss while pushing her company to succeed, her dedication to giving back to the community, and the lasting impact she’s making through various initiatives. With her background in regulatory compliance, strategic operations, and marketing, Sejal has tons of wisdom to share about leadership, overcoming challenges, and scaling a business

TAILOR YOUR SERVICES TO DELIVER VALUE AND SOLVE SPECIFIC CLIENT PROBLEMS

When Sejal took over TechWerxe, she saw that SMBs couldn’t afford enterprise-level IT solutions. She focused on offering tailored, affordable services to help them grow securely and flexibly.

TechWerxe goes beyond basic tech support, customizing solutions for each client—whether resolving password issues or managing complex cybersecurity. From small firms to regulated industries like healthcare, their services are designed to meet specific needs and prevent costly mistakes. By addressing clients' unique challenges with affordable, reliable solutions, TechWerxe builds strong, lasting partnerships—a lesson for any business aiming to deliver real value.

TECH DUE DILIGENCE IS CRITICAL IN ACQUISITIONS

When acquiring a company, focusing only on revenue, talent, and customer relationships can be risky if you overlook IT infrastructure. Skipping tech due diligence can lead to costly issues like cybersecurity breaches, data loss, or software compatibility problems

Take a close look at how the company handles its data—how they store and protect sensitive info, like customer data and intellectual property. Don’t forget to check out their software, especially any in-house systems they’ve built. These might work fine now, but when you take over, they could cause compatibility issues or even lead to data loss. And make sure to vet their vendors—are they reliable and secure, or do they raise red flags?

UNDERSTAND THE ‘BAGGAGE’ YOU’RE INHERITING

Acquiring a company means inheriting more than just assets and employees—you’re also taking on its history, or “baggage.” This includes issues like outdated employee data, unsecured intellectual property, or poorly managed contracts.

Now, picture this: you take over a company and discover that former employees still have access to critical data or that confidential company information is sitting on their personal devices. That’s a recipe for trouble—think security breaches or even legal headaches. For example, if an ex-employee’s phone still has access to company emails or contracts, it could lead to some serious fallout. These small oversights can cause big problems, like operational chaos, reputational damage, and strained relationships with your current team.. By addressing these issues early, you’ll avoid future complications and ensure a smoother transition.

LET GO OF THE ‘SUPERHUMAN’ PERSONA AND EMBRACE HELP FOR TRUE SUCCESS

Sejal emphasizes the harm in maintaining a “superhuman” persona, where leaders feel they must always be in control. After losing her husband, she realized even strong leaders need support.

Like many women entrepreneurs, Sejal felt intimidated by big decisions, especially financial ones like acquisitions. At first, the fear was paralyzing, but seeking expert advice revealed growth strategies she hadn’t considered, such as joint ventures and alliances. These options gave her a new perspective and the confidence to make decisions that felt right for her business.

No one has to figure everything out alone. For women entrepreneurs, especially, talking to someone with more experience can open up new possibilities and help break down the barriers that hold us back from taking bold steps. Reaching out for guidance can help turn fear into clear, confident decisions.


EXPLORE GROWTH STRATEGIES BEYOND MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Scaling a business doesn’t always mean big mergers or acquisitions. In 2019, Sejal planned to acquire another company but found simpler, less risky ways to grow. By leveraging strategies like strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and referral programs, she expanded her reach without major investments or upheaval.

For example, instead of buying a company, Sejal built partnerships with businesses connected to her ideal customers. Joint marketing and referrals helped her scale sustainably, aligning with her goals and comfort level. Growth doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes, relationships and creative strategies are the smartest path forward.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS BEFORE MERGING OR SELLING YOUR BUSINESS

Before selling or merging your business, especially in industries like managed services, due diligence is crucial. Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to ensure the best decision for your business. Private equity firms and large MSPs often make frequent offers, but understanding the buyer’s goals is key.

Sejal suggests asking:

  • Who’s acquiring the company, and what are their plans? Will they preserve your culture or make changes?
  • What happens to leadership? Will you or your team stay on?
  • How will client contracts and services be impacted?
  • What’s the exit strategy if things go wrong?


Sejal highlights how, in her industry, it's critical clients know who will take over their IT services. Asking these questions protects not just your business, but also your clients and employees.

CLARIFY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS BEFORE ENTERTAINING ACQUISITION OFFERS

Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt takes a deliberate approach to acquisition offers, focusing on her long-term vision. She evaluates deals based on three key factors:

  • Financial Goals: Sejal knows the business valuation multiples she wants and scales her company to meet them.
  • Role Alignment: She’s clear that she doesn’t want to become an employee post-acquisition.
  • Work-Life Balance: Sejal values time with her family while continuing to grow her business.


Despite frequent acquisition offers, Sejal only entertains those that align with her personal and professional goals. This clarity helps her stay focused on what matters most: achieving her business valuation, maintaining her leadership role, and enjoying family time.

KNOW YOUR BUSINESS VALUATION MULTIPLES AND GROWTH MILESTONES

A lot of business owners miss out on opportunities because they don’t understand the key financial benchmarks or "breakpoints" that could significantly boost their company's value. As your business grows, your valuation multiple usually increases too. Sejal points out that hitting the next revenue milestone or growing in size can lead to higher multiples, which directly impact your company's value. To reach those milestones, you might focus on organic growth or explore strategic moves, like mergers or partnerships, to help you scale more quickly.

The takeaway: Do your research on your industry’s benchmarks and plan your growth strategy around them. Knowing where those financial "leap points" are helps you align your goals with actions that increase your business’s value and give you more opportunities down the road.

FREEDOM IS ABOUT ALIGNING YOUR BUSINESS WITH YOUR PASSIONS

For Sejal, freedom means living her dream life with her two sons while supporting causes like St. Jude’s and helping human trafficking victims. To achieve this, she builds a strong business foundation with the right people, systems, and processes, allowing her to step away from daily tasks and focus on what matters most.
Create a business that aligns with your vision of freedom—whether that’s more family time, supporting meaningful causes, or focusing on work that aligns with your values. This approach lets you live a life true to what’s important to you.

Tune in to this episode to hear Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt share her insights on resilient leadership, tech acquisitions, and building a business that aligns with your values.

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Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
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FOR MORE ON SEJAL LAKHANI-BHATT
Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt's LinkedIn
TechWerxe Website

FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER
Corey Kupfer's LinkedIn
Corey Kupfer's Website
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Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.

Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, deal-maker, and business consultant with more than 35 years of professional negotiating experience as a successful entrepreneur and attorney.

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