Most entrepreneurs talk about deals. Alex Jekowsky of CENTS has negotiated over $220 million worth of them.

In this episode on negotiation, acquisitions, fundraising, and entrepreneurship, Alex breaks down the real psychology behind high-stakes dealmaking — from navigating multimillion-dollar acquisitions to building trust with investors, overcoming rejection, and turning painful setbacks into transformational opportunities.

But this conversation goes far beyond tactics.

Alex shares the emotional realities of entrepreneurship: the pressure, the uncertainty, the loneliness, and the resilience required to keep building when the odds are against you. From renegotiating a failed acquisition deal on the back of a coffee shop receipt to raising the largest venture round in laundry technology history, this episode is packed with battle-tested lessons on leadership, authenticity, reputation, and growth.

You’ll learn:
• Why the best negotiators focus on alignment, not manipulation
• The hidden danger of “selling” instead of “showing”
• How great founders structure deals people actually want to win
• Why pain tolerance may be the ultimate entrepreneurial advantage
• The mindset shifts that helped Alex scale Sense into an industry-defining company

Whether you’re raising capital, buying a business, leading a team, or negotiating your next opportunity, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who’s lived every side of the table.

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world dealmaking at the highest level.

Connect with Alex Jekowsky:

• 🌐 Trycents - for laundromat owners and anyone interested in the garment care and repair industry

• 💼 Connect on LinkedIn - Alexander Jekowsky