Drew Eckman is the Founder of Balance Capital, a self-funded search firm focused on acquiring and operating small businesses in the lower middle market. With a background spanning finance and operations, Drew brings a rigorous analytical approach to deal sourcing, underwriting, and post-acquisition value creation.

At SMBash 2026, Drew leads a session on Financial Modeling 101 — equipping searchers and first-time buyers with the practical modeling skills they need to confidently evaluate acquisition targets. From building a clean three-statement model to stress-testing assumptions and sizing debt capacity, Drew breaks down the financial fundamentals that separate informed operators from those flying blind.