Episode 109

Thriving Beyond the Bottom Line with Dena Jalbert

Published on: 24th September, 2025

On today’s Performance Mindset, Amy welcomes Dena Jalbert, founder and CEO of Align Business Advisory Services. Align is one of the top women-led M&A consulting firms in the Southeast and is based in Winter Park, Florida. Dena works with companies of all shapes and sizes, from Fortune 500 giants to small, overlooked businesses that just need the right strategy to shine. Over the course of her career, she’s done over $3 billion in deals and is passionate about growing businesses, creating opportunities, and helping entrepreneurs see the potential of what they’ve built.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  1. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, and amortization) and its impact on a business’s valuation.
  2. Taking a partnership approach in M&A transactions with service providers of all types.
  3. The catalyst behind Dena Jalbert’s decision to start her own business and leave Corporate America.
  4. Why investors are buying smaller businesses now instead of large businesses worth millions or billions of dollars.
  5. Some of Dena’s more memorable “pinch me” moments that drive her “why.”
  6. The role of empathy in transactions involving small and family-owned businesses.
  7. Tools she employs to help someone sell a business whose identity may be wrapped up in their business.
  8. Dena’s process for walking a client through whether or not it’s time to sell their business.
  9. Turning down the highest offer to find the best fit for the business.
  10. The one mindset shift that can help someone move from just running a business to building value.

Connect with Amy Calandrino here:

Beyond Commercial - beyondcommercial.com/amy-calandrino-ccim

Amy Calandrino - linktr.ee/amycalandrino

Connect with Dena Jalbert:

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/denajalbert

Website - alignba.com

Email - djalbert@alignba.com

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About the Podcast

The Performance Mindset Show - Helping you level up in entrepreneurship, commercial real estate, leadership and life
The Performance Mindset Show - Helping you level up in entrepreneurship, commercial real estate, leadership and life
Success isn’t just about the deals you close or the investments you make - it’s about how you think, grow, and lead.

Hosted by Amy Calandrino, founder of Beyond Commercial, The Performance Mindset Show explores the habits, strategies, and mindset shifts that drive peak performance in business, real estate, health, and life.

Based in sunny Orlando, Amy and her guests dive into leadership strategies, decision-making frameworks, mental resilience, and personal growth. From cutting-edge commercial real estate insights to biohacking, neuroscience, entrepreneurship, and spiritual well-being—this podcast is for the endlessly curious who want to level up in all aspects of life.

Each episode features inspiring conversations with top-performing business leaders, investors, mindset experts, and high achievers across various industries. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, optimize your brain and body, or simply gain insights from some of the most driven individuals out there, you’re in the right place.

Ready to expand your mindset and unlock your full potential?

📍 Connect with Amy Calandrino:
🔗 BeyondCommercial.com
🔗 AmyCalandrino.com

Let’s build, grow, and thrive—together. 🚀

About your host

Profile picture for Amy Calandrino

Amy Calandrino

I thrive on meeting clients face-to-face, shaking hands, and helping them achieve their short and long-term goals. For me, it's all about the personal touch combined with a strategic lens. I get great satisfaction from finding the best space and maximizing returns for my clients. But BEYOND the transaction, what truly drives me is developing personalized strategies to help them build wealth.

My clients and colleagues describe me as having both head and heart. I’ve earned CCIM and SIOR designations, and Beyond Commercial is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). I’m recognized as a key influencer in the industry.

Developing ongoing relationships and seeing my clients thrive is what truly drives me. Business owners and investors benefit from my extensive knowledge of inventories, trends, and space. While I have a hyper-local focus in Winter Park and Greater Orlando, I have global reach through alliances with other boutique brokerages and the Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance (CRESDA).

While Central Florida is home, I developed an affinity for Winter Park while earning my degree at Rollins College. Its charm reminds me of my New England roots. Today, I feel blessed to serve many of the area’s businesses and property owners. I also contribute to the community as a Park Avenue District Board member, part of the Main Street America program.

Beyond my work at Beyond Commercial, I'm involved in initiatives that align with my professional and personal aspirations. Alongside my husband Phil, I co-founded the Calandrino Foundation to inspire entrepreneurship, starting with our youth. I’m also passionate about sharing insights through my Performance Mindset podcast, where I engage in thought-provoking conversations with fellow business leaders.

My upcoming book, From Perfect to Real: Embracing Authenticity for Peak Performance, will chronicle my personal struggles, professional journey, and the SPORT Success System® I developed for achieving peak performance.

While providing above-and-beyond service is a priority, my greatest loves are my faith and family. Phil and I cherish raising our two lively children. In my downtime, I also enjoy a round of golf or running a 5k.

The team at Beyond Commerical and I are ready to serve you above and BEYOND. Connect with us today!