Acquiring Minds Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/acquiring-minds Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds b8ab8362-3d95-51ae-b148-b7feb683e906 no en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:18:00 -0400 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:18:10 -0400 https://acquiringminds.co https://img.transistorcdn.com/L4RqrWQWQ35dO2yrZK1oM8-GSsnKnU7x_9oLElypgrQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zYjk2/ZDQwODk5YzNlY2Mw/MTIxN2FkMmYwZTRj/MjMwNS5qcGc.jpg Acquiring Minds https://acquiringminds.co episodic Will Smith Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition Will Smith pod@acquiringminds.co No No Buying a Business to Balance Ambition and Kids Buying a Business to Balance Ambition and Kids full 394af38b-1b8b-4d0f-9318-5d42a30044c2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ana-lia-barragan-kelly-green Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:

  • Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
  • Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
  • Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
  • Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
  • DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
  • SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
  • Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
  • Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
  • Built custom AI app for operations tracking
  • Bought a job first, business later

References and how to contact Ana Lia:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:

  • Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
  • Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
  • Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
  • Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
  • DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
  • SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
  • Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
  • Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
  • Built custom AI app for operations tracking
  • Bought a job first, business later

References and how to contact Ana Lia:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6347 Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:

  • Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
  • Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
  • Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
  • Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
  • DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
  • SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
  • Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
  • Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
  • Built custom AI app for operations tracking
  • Bought a job first, business later

References and how to contact Ana Lia:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Search Fund Journey to $350m A Search Fund Journey to $350m full 612a4ad6-e9ca-44bb-9916-e720bd2471dc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jenna-whigham-abound-health Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jenna’s interview:

  • Investment banking during the 2008 crisis
  • Launching a traditional search fund with her brother
  • Golden Retrievers led to an acquisition
  • Acquiring a $100 million company
  • Financial risk of being a “price taker”
  • Expanding through M&A
  • Software “Trojan Horse” strategy
  • How they decide which states to expand to
  • Managing a 25% staff turnover rate
  • Realities of home care and compliance incidents

References and how to contact Jenna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jenna’s interview:

  • Investment banking during the 2008 crisis
  • Launching a traditional search fund with her brother
  • Golden Retrievers led to an acquisition
  • Acquiring a $100 million company
  • Financial risk of being a “price taker”
  • Expanding through M&A
  • Software “Trojan Horse” strategy
  • How they decide which states to expand to
  • Managing a 25% staff turnover rate
  • Realities of home care and compliance incidents

References and how to contact Jenna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:06:50 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5378 Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jenna’s interview:

  • Investment banking during the 2008 crisis
  • Launching a traditional search fund with her brother
  • Golden Retrievers led to an acquisition
  • Acquiring a $100 million company
  • Financial risk of being a “price taker”
  • Expanding through M&A
  • Software “Trojan Horse” strategy
  • How they decide which states to expand to
  • Managing a 25% staff turnover rate
  • Realities of home care and compliance incidents

References and how to contact Jenna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No "Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business "Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business full fcdf9c5d-b8c5-40cb-b742-3bdca4fda273 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joseph-cruz-aa-equipment-and-supply Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM).

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Joseph’s interview:

  • Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
  • Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
  • The laundromat that started it all
  • Running an “oh sh*t” business 
  • Construction seasonality in Chicago
  • Last-minute GM retirement before closing
  • Running the business while still working his W-2 job
  • The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
  • Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
  • Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner

References and how to contact Joseph:

Articles by Joseph:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM).

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Joseph’s interview:

  • Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
  • Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
  • The laundromat that started it all
  • Running an “oh sh*t” business 
  • Construction seasonality in Chicago
  • Last-minute GM retirement before closing
  • Running the business while still working his W-2 job
  • The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
  • Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
  • Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner

References and how to contact Joseph:

Articles by Joseph:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6788 Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM).

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Joseph’s interview:

  • Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
  • Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
  • The laundromat that started it all
  • Running an “oh sh*t” business 
  • Construction seasonality in Chicago
  • Last-minute GM retirement before closing
  • Running the business while still working his W-2 job
  • The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
  • Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
  • Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner

References and how to contact Joseph:

Articles by Joseph:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Small Acquisition to $30m Industry Leader From Small Acquisition to $30m Industry Leader full ad852e1e-cdb9-4173-ba9e-26d168c85f28 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/robin-kovitz-baskits It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Robin’s interview:

  • Upbringing in the meat industry
  • Early career in investment banking and M&A
  • Her 4-year search for a business
  • Always visit the competitors
  • Critique of the 2-year search clock
  • "Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
  • Her 3 non-negotiables
  • Turning around the gift basket business
  • Solving their storage problem
  • The payoff and price of high ambition

References and how to contact Robin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Robin’s interview:

  • Upbringing in the meat industry
  • Early career in investment banking and M&A
  • Her 4-year search for a business
  • Always visit the competitors
  • Critique of the 2-year search clock
  • "Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
  • Her 3 non-negotiables
  • Turning around the gift basket business
  • Solving their storage problem
  • The payoff and price of high ambition

References and how to contact Robin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6072 It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Robin’s interview:

  • Upbringing in the meat industry
  • Early career in investment banking and M&A
  • Her 4-year search for a business
  • Always visit the competitors
  • Critique of the 2-year search clock
  • "Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
  • Her 3 non-negotiables
  • Turning around the gift basket business
  • Solving their storage problem
  • The payoff and price of high ambition

References and how to contact Robin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years full aad6eb31-754f-4460-ac1a-15c49177acb3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jack-foster-jake-mclaughlin-meineke Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:

  • Childhood friends turned business partners
  • Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
  • Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
  • Consolidating units within the Meineke system
  • Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
  • Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
  • Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
  • Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
  • The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
  • Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital

References and how to contact Jack and Jake:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:

  • Childhood friends turned business partners
  • Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
  • Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
  • Consolidating units within the Meineke system
  • Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
  • Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
  • Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
  • Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
  • The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
  • Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital

References and how to contact Jack and Jake:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6857 Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:

  • Childhood friends turned business partners
  • Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
  • Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
  • Consolidating units within the Meineke system
  • Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
  • Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
  • Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
  • Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
  • The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
  • Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital

References and how to contact Jack and Jake:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years full 4cd52d4d-9e43-4a6b-b4c4-49fad6c1b96b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/corey-mullins-cool-by-design Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • His 20-year career in HVAC
  • Failed buyout of the family business
  • Simultaneous launch and acquisition
  • Buying a truck and a phone number
  • Build-to-sell philosophy
  • Growth through online marketing
  • Waiting too long to hire managers
  • Taking vacations no matter what
  • Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
  • Exiting to private equity in under 4 years

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • His 20-year career in HVAC
  • Failed buyout of the family business
  • Simultaneous launch and acquisition
  • Buying a truck and a phone number
  • Build-to-sell philosophy
  • Growth through online marketing
  • Waiting too long to hire managers
  • Taking vacations no matter what
  • Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
  • Exiting to private equity in under 4 years

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5216 Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • His 20-year career in HVAC
  • Failed buyout of the family business
  • Simultaneous launch and acquisition
  • Buying a truck and a phone number
  • Build-to-sell philosophy
  • Growth through online marketing
  • Waiting too long to hire managers
  • Taking vacations no matter what
  • Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
  • Exiting to private equity in under 4 years

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business 40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business full 2ff68234-371e-457a-8385-d14b5b73dee2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eric-donahue-peninsula-paving Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Navy SEAL career and retirement
  • Performing the basics at a high level
  • His tree service side hustle
  • Old school proprietary search
  • Buying an off-market paving company
  • Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
  • Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
  • 40% revenue growth in 13 months
  • Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
  • Using his military clearance to win jobs

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Navy SEAL career and retirement
  • Performing the basics at a high level
  • His tree service side hustle
  • Old school proprietary search
  • Buying an off-market paving company
  • Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
  • Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
  • 40% revenue growth in 13 months
  • Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
  • Using his military clearance to win jobs

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5602 Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Navy SEAL career and retirement
  • Performing the basics at a high level
  • His tree service side hustle
  • Old school proprietary search
  • Buying an off-market paving company
  • Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
  • Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
  • 40% revenue growth in 13 months
  • Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
  • Using his military clearance to win jobs

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business full cae60355-5592-4a13-b90b-2b9ba0b273ab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brian-anderson-deco-manufacturing After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Career in investment banking/hedge funds
  • Closure of his firm
  • Pursuing small business as an asset class
  • Low multiples are fairly valued
  • Acquiring in manufacturing
  • Learning every operational function himself
  • Acquiring with no debt
  • Being away from his family M-F
  • His big mistake during Covid
  • Selling to his COO

References and how to contact Brian:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov

Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Career in investment banking/hedge funds
  • Closure of his firm
  • Pursuing small business as an asset class
  • Low multiples are fairly valued
  • Acquiring in manufacturing
  • Learning every operational function himself
  • Acquiring with no debt
  • Being away from his family M-F
  • His big mistake during Covid
  • Selling to his COO

References and how to contact Brian:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov

Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5440 After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Career in investment banking/hedge funds
  • Closure of his firm
  • Pursuing small business as an asset class
  • Low multiples are fairly valued
  • Acquiring in manufacturing
  • Learning every operational function himself
  • Acquiring with no debt
  • Being away from his family M-F
  • His big mistake during Covid
  • Selling to his COO

References and how to contact Brian:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov

Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A $6.5m Business Worth Flying To A $6.5m Business Worth Flying To full 53391619-db13-4f10-9492-055bbf10bfc4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/naveen-vinta-bailey-specialty-cranes Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Naveen’s interview:

  • Army experience as a tank mechanic
  • Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
  • Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously
  • Searching for a business one plane hop away
  • Acquiring an aerial work platform business
  • Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
  • 9-12 month sales cycle
  • Improving employee morale
  • Being away from his family during the week

References and how to contact Naveen:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Naveen’s interview:

  • Army experience as a tank mechanic
  • Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
  • Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously
  • Searching for a business one plane hop away
  • Acquiring an aerial work platform business
  • Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
  • 9-12 month sales cycle
  • Improving employee morale
  • Being away from his family during the week

References and how to contact Naveen:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3960 Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Naveen’s interview:

  • Army experience as a tank mechanic
  • Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
  • Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously
  • Searching for a business one plane hop away
  • Acquiring an aerial work platform business
  • Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
  • 9-12 month sales cycle
  • Improving employee morale
  • Being away from his family during the week

References and how to contact Naveen:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Bricklayer to Blue-Collar Empire Bricklayer to Blue-Collar Empire full 47ea7310-c210-4fbe-b6be-035b2d1b3a06 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/justin-escajeda-escajeda-holdings After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • His early career as a stone mason
  • Growing his side jobs into a company
  • Liquidating his real estate investments
  • Focusing on masonry niches
  • Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
  • Recruiting managers based on work ethic
  • His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
  • How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
  • Keeping company names the same after buying
  • The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies

References and how to contact Justin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • His early career as a stone mason
  • Growing his side jobs into a company
  • Liquidating his real estate investments
  • Focusing on masonry niches
  • Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
  • Recruiting managers based on work ethic
  • His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
  • How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
  • Keeping company names the same after buying
  • The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies

References and how to contact Justin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5676 After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • His early career as a stone mason
  • Growing his side jobs into a company
  • Liquidating his real estate investments
  • Focusing on masonry niches
  • Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
  • Recruiting managers based on work ethic
  • His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
  • How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
  • Keeping company names the same after buying
  • The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies

References and how to contact Justin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No No SBA Loan and $75k Out of Pocket No SBA Loan and $75k Out of Pocket full 15f1cab7-3a6d-4dda-b5a8-c25c3451208d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/megan-mcgee-guesthouses-darden After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Megan’s interview:

  • Family background in pest control
  • Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
  • Starting out in traditional search
  • Investors declined to support a deal she loved
  • Pivoting to self-funded search
  • Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
  • Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
  • Buying from a young seller
  • Managing 75 properties
  • Her profitable first year

References and how to contact Megan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Megan’s interview:

  • Family background in pest control
  • Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
  • Starting out in traditional search
  • Investors declined to support a deal she loved
  • Pivoting to self-funded search
  • Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
  • Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
  • Buying from a young seller
  • Managing 75 properties
  • Her profitable first year

References and how to contact Megan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5081 After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Megan’s interview:

  • Family background in pest control
  • Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
  • Starting out in traditional search
  • Investors declined to support a deal she loved
  • Pivoting to self-funded search
  • Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
  • Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
  • Buying from a young seller
  • Managing 75 properties
  • Her profitable first year

References and how to contact Megan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Growing Profits 30% in the First 1.5 Years Growing Profits 30% in the First 1.5 Years full 45303909-8941-4bf7-aeaa-a6de110b56f1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jonathan-taylor-aek-technology Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Searching while working full-time
  • His “now or never” moment approaching 40
  • Restricting his search to Los Angeles
  • Over-equitizing the deal
  • Structuring a forgivable seller note
  • Accepting 60% ownership
  • Finding long-term hold investors
  • Buying from a non-retiring seller
  • Christian stewardship principles
  • Growing revenue 40%

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Searching while working full-time
  • His “now or never” moment approaching 40
  • Restricting his search to Los Angeles
  • Over-equitizing the deal
  • Structuring a forgivable seller note
  • Accepting 60% ownership
  • Finding long-term hold investors
  • Buying from a non-retiring seller
  • Christian stewardship principles
  • Growing revenue 40%

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5467 Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Searching while working full-time
  • His “now or never” moment approaching 40
  • Restricting his search to Los Angeles
  • Over-equitizing the deal
  • Structuring a forgivable seller note
  • Accepting 60% ownership
  • Finding long-term hold investors
  • Buying from a non-retiring seller
  • Christian stewardship principles
  • Growing revenue 40%

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Second Time's the Charm as Owner of a $4m Business Second Time's the Charm as Owner of a $4m Business full 3d422ec4-3525-494a-8d47-fe79297319ca https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joe-springsteen-mallard-systems After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Background in law and operations
  • Divorce as a catalyst for change
  • Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
  • Doing cleanup himself
  • His original growth thesis failed
  • Selling the cleanup business
  • His “Codie Sanchez phase”
  • Prioritizing geography in his search
  • Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
  • Building competitive advantage

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron


]]> After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Background in law and operations
  • Divorce as a catalyst for change
  • Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
  • Doing cleanup himself
  • His original growth thesis failed
  • Selling the cleanup business
  • His “Codie Sanchez phase”
  • Prioritizing geography in his search
  • Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
  • Building competitive advantage

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron


]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4882 After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Background in law and operations
  • Divorce as a catalyst for change
  • Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
  • Doing cleanup himself
  • His original growth thesis failed
  • Selling the cleanup business
  • His “Codie Sanchez phase”
  • Prioritizing geography in his search
  • Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
  • Building competitive advantage

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron


]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide full 6c2b1a48-2a3a-412b-98cb-73327bf83b47 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/edward-mcdonnell-botanical-designs Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Edward’s interview:

  • Mechanical engineering at Honda
  • Choosing traditional search for budget
  • Acquiring an indoor plant/landscaping business
  • Going in with no management experience
  • Digitizing the back office
  • Constantly repeating the company vision
  • Using EOS for efficient meetings
  • Growing to 8 branches in 5 states
  • Exiting and staying on as CEO
  • Searching for his next business in Virginia

References and how to contact Edward:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Edward’s interview:

  • Mechanical engineering at Honda
  • Choosing traditional search for budget
  • Acquiring an indoor plant/landscaping business
  • Going in with no management experience
  • Digitizing the back office
  • Constantly repeating the company vision
  • Using EOS for efficient meetings
  • Growing to 8 branches in 5 states
  • Exiting and staying on as CEO
  • Searching for his next business in Virginia

References and how to contact Edward:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5401 Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Edward’s interview:

  • Mechanical engineering at Honda
  • Choosing traditional search for budget
  • Acquiring an indoor plant/landscaping business
  • Going in with no management experience
  • Digitizing the back office
  • Constantly repeating the company vision
  • Using EOS for efficient meetings
  • Growing to 8 branches in 5 states
  • Exiting and staying on as CEO
  • Searching for his next business in Virginia

References and how to contact Edward:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Year 1 in a $300k SDE Services Business Year 1 in a $300k SDE Services Business full f9ed31be-2220-486a-abb0-299d3013d653 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/scott-crosby-american-services-st-louis Scott Crosby weathered the challenges that come with buying a 4.5-employee services business, and Year 2 is looking up.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • His 2 major career-defining moments
  • 20-hour days in film production
  • Risks of buying from younger owners
  • Economic development resource centers: a hidden gem
  • Looking for business-buyer fit
  • Using an analysis tool he found on TikTok
  • First-time buyer mistakes
  • Replacing nearly the entire staff
  • Underestimating the stress of ownership
  • Modernizing dusty operations

References and how to contact Scott:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Scott Crosby weathered the challenges that come with buying a 4.5-employee services business, and Year 2 is looking up.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • His 2 major career-defining moments
  • 20-hour days in film production
  • Risks of buying from younger owners
  • Economic development resource centers: a hidden gem
  • Looking for business-buyer fit
  • Using an analysis tool he found on TikTok
  • First-time buyer mistakes
  • Replacing nearly the entire staff
  • Underestimating the stress of ownership
  • Modernizing dusty operations

References and how to contact Scott:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5419 Scott Crosby weathered the challenges that come with buying a 4.5-employee services business, and Year 2 is looking up.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • His 2 major career-defining moments
  • 20-hour days in film production
  • Risks of buying from younger owners
  • Economic development resource centers: a hidden gem
  • Looking for business-buyer fit
  • Using an analysis tool he found on TikTok
  • First-time buyer mistakes
  • Replacing nearly the entire staff
  • Underestimating the stress of ownership
  • Modernizing dusty operations

References and how to contact Scott:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to 4x a Small Manufacturer How to 4x a Small Manufacturer full 145e6e40-f227-48f1-af93-2b54e94df923 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tato-corcoran-brandt-molded-marble Tato Corcoran returns with updates on her ownership of a sink maker that had just $400k in revenue when she bought it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Growing her top line revenue
  • Finding a mentor at Starbucks
  • Creating an employee handbook
  • Reconfiguring the factory with new equipment
  • How she implements extreme ownership
  • Profit First accounting
  • Being tied to the real estate market
  • Goals for her real estate portfolio
  • Being a woman in manufacturing
  • When she may be open to selling

References and how to contact Tato:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Tato Corcoran returns with updates on her ownership of a sink maker that had just $400k in revenue when she bought it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Growing her top line revenue
  • Finding a mentor at Starbucks
  • Creating an employee handbook
  • Reconfiguring the factory with new equipment
  • How she implements extreme ownership
  • Profit First accounting
  • Being tied to the real estate market
  • Goals for her real estate portfolio
  • Being a woman in manufacturing
  • When she may be open to selling

References and how to contact Tato:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4452 Tato Corcoran returns with updates on her ownership of a sink maker that had just $400k in revenue when she bought it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Growing her top line revenue
  • Finding a mentor at Starbucks
  • Creating an employee handbook
  • Reconfiguring the factory with new equipment
  • How she implements extreme ownership
  • Profit First accounting
  • Being tied to the real estate market
  • Goals for her real estate portfolio
  • Being a woman in manufacturing
  • When she may be open to selling

References and how to contact Tato:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold full e83790fd-6ef3-4d72-8df6-3d04d6075b3f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/don-grigg-big-adventures Don Grigg reflects on the different outcomes for 2 businesses he bought in his 30s, one of which became his life's work.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Discovering his passion for manufacturing
  • Searching for “small, broken companies” to acquire
  • Closing on 2 businesses within 6 months
  • How plastics recycling works
  • Scaling his plastics recycling business
  • Private equity is a poor fit for small business 
  • Exiting his business felt like losing family
  • His son and daughter’s acquisition
  • Value of family businesses
  • Entrepreneurship through acquisition as your life’s work

References and how to contact Don:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Don Grigg reflects on the different outcomes for 2 businesses he bought in his 30s, one of which became his life's work.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Discovering his passion for manufacturing
  • Searching for “small, broken companies” to acquire
  • Closing on 2 businesses within 6 months
  • How plastics recycling works
  • Scaling his plastics recycling business
  • Private equity is a poor fit for small business 
  • Exiting his business felt like losing family
  • His son and daughter’s acquisition
  • Value of family businesses
  • Entrepreneurship through acquisition as your life’s work

References and how to contact Don:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4935 Don Grigg reflects on the different outcomes for 2 businesses he bought in his 30s, one of which became his life's work.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Discovering his passion for manufacturing
  • Searching for “small, broken companies” to acquire
  • Closing on 2 businesses within 6 months
  • How plastics recycling works
  • Scaling his plastics recycling business
  • Private equity is a poor fit for small business 
  • Exiting his business felt like losing family
  • His son and daughter’s acquisition
  • Value of family businesses
  • Entrepreneurship through acquisition as your life’s work

References and how to contact Don:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Own 20% of Multiple SMBs How to Own 20% of Multiple SMBs full 581385f6-3257-462c-8d43-6dcb21f1e7e4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/how-to-own-20-of-multiple-smbs In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Entering the Airbnb space
  • Joining Ben Kelly’s acquisition group
  • Buying a commercial cleaning business
  • Being a remote “workaholic”
  • Realizing he bought a business in distress
  • First year in survival mode
  • Getting a team of great managers in place
  • His “Equity in Kind” partner model
  • Enjoying search more than operations
  • Building a holding company

References and how to contact Evan:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Entering the Airbnb space
  • Joining Ben Kelly’s acquisition group
  • Buying a commercial cleaning business
  • Being a remote “workaholic”
  • Realizing he bought a business in distress
  • First year in survival mode
  • Getting a team of great managers in place
  • His “Equity in Kind” partner model
  • Enjoying search more than operations
  • Building a holding company

References and how to contact Evan:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6919 In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Entering the Airbnb space
  • Joining Ben Kelly’s acquisition group
  • Buying a commercial cleaning business
  • Being a remote “workaholic”
  • Realizing he bought a business in distress
  • First year in survival mode
  • Getting a team of great managers in place
  • His “Equity in Kind” partner model
  • Enjoying search more than operations
  • Building a holding company

References and how to contact Evan:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $20m Net Worth After 25 Years Buying Businesses $20m Net Worth After 25 Years Buying Businesses full 9af8668f-6827-47d5-acc5-cc1edcabd06c http://acquiringminds.co/articles/paul-lajoie-heritage-hardwood-bizbuypro He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Paul’s interview:

  • Background in Big Six accounting
  • Buying the first business he looked at
  • Partnering with his brother
  • Downsizing his lifestyle in the beginning
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • Detailed partnership agreements
  • You are not smarter than the seller
  • Pivoting to remodeling after 2008 crash
  • Acquisition vs startup success rates
  • His BizBuyPro community

References and how to contact Paul:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Paul’s interview:

  • Background in Big Six accounting
  • Buying the first business he looked at
  • Partnering with his brother
  • Downsizing his lifestyle in the beginning
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • Detailed partnership agreements
  • You are not smarter than the seller
  • Pivoting to remodeling after 2008 crash
  • Acquisition vs startup success rates
  • His BizBuyPro community

References and how to contact Paul:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5812 He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Paul’s interview:

  • Background in Big Six accounting
  • Buying the first business he looked at
  • Partnering with his brother
  • Downsizing his lifestyle in the beginning
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • Detailed partnership agreements
  • You are not smarter than the seller
  • Pivoting to remodeling after 2008 crash
  • Acquisition vs startup success rates
  • His BizBuyPro community

References and how to contact Paul:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No SBA Deal Structuring to Manage Risk in a Cyclical Industry SBA Deal Structuring to Manage Risk in a Cyclical Industry full 6fdd80ce-814f-405a-976a-a057054ddbe4 http://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-kurzrok-hopewell-sheet-metal Andrew Kurzrok connected with his seller over his manufacturing background, leading to a successful deal and transition.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Background in science and national labs
  • Spending all his time traveling for work
  • Wanting to stop traveling when his son was born
  • Studying management at Yale
  • Gaining management experience before searching
  • Making a “no” list
  • Success with cold calling business owners
  • Putting down 25% equity
  • Regional moat of sheet metal
  • His “crawl, walk, run” approach to operations

References and how to contact Andrew:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Andrew Kurzrok connected with his seller over his manufacturing background, leading to a successful deal and transition.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Background in science and national labs
  • Spending all his time traveling for work
  • Wanting to stop traveling when his son was born
  • Studying management at Yale
  • Gaining management experience before searching
  • Making a “no” list
  • Success with cold calling business owners
  • Putting down 25% equity
  • Regional moat of sheet metal
  • His “crawl, walk, run” approach to operations

References and how to contact Andrew:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6258 Andrew Kurzrok connected with his seller over his manufacturing background, leading to a successful deal and transition.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Background in science and national labs
  • Spending all his time traveling for work
  • Wanting to stop traveling when his son was born
  • Studying management at Yale
  • Gaining management experience before searching
  • Making a “no” list
  • Success with cold calling business owners
  • Putting down 25% equity
  • Regional moat of sheet metal
  • His “crawl, walk, run” approach to operations

References and how to contact Andrew:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $250k SDE Acquisition: Limited Downside, Big Upside $250k SDE Acquisition: Limited Downside, Big Upside full 468392f1-fc53-4ea6-ab07-c91c613b2a2e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ville-matias-vilen-easyswing Sensing untapped potential, Ville-Matias Vilén bought a sub-million manufacturer with good IP and global distribution.

Topics in Ville’s interview:

  • Desire to “eat what he kills”
  • 1990’s Finnish Recession
  • Aversion to solving people problems
  • Acquiring a cattle brush manufacturer
  • Funding his deal in Finland
  • Patents as a moat
  • Relocating the manufacturing 5 hours away
  • Sharing ownership with his family’s company
  • Goal to grow 5x in 5 years
  • Long-term holdco vision

References and how to contact Ville:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Sensing untapped potential, Ville-Matias Vilén bought a sub-million manufacturer with good IP and global distribution.

Topics in Ville’s interview:

  • Desire to “eat what he kills”
  • 1990’s Finnish Recession
  • Aversion to solving people problems
  • Acquiring a cattle brush manufacturer
  • Funding his deal in Finland
  • Patents as a moat
  • Relocating the manufacturing 5 hours away
  • Sharing ownership with his family’s company
  • Goal to grow 5x in 5 years
  • Long-term holdco vision

References and how to contact Ville:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4430 Sensing untapped potential, Ville-Matias Vilén bought a sub-million manufacturer with good IP and global distribution.

Topics in Ville’s interview:

  • Desire to “eat what he kills”
  • 1990’s Finnish Recession
  • Aversion to solving people problems
  • Acquiring a cattle brush manufacturer
  • Funding his deal in Finland
  • Patents as a moat
  • Relocating the manufacturing 5 hours away
  • Sharing ownership with his family’s company
  • Goal to grow 5x in 5 years
  • Long-term holdco vision

References and how to contact Ville:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Late 40s Pivot Into Business Buying The Late 40s Pivot Into Business Buying full 86b79f9e-cd63-49ec-8899-ab3b994323ab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jarom-wren-vanlife-outfitters Despite success in corporate, Jarom Wren wanted more freedom, so he traded 5 figures of salary for 7 figures of revenue.

Topics in Jarom’s interview:

  • Realizing he was renting himself to a corporation
  • Mid-career risk assessment
  • Searching for a digital business
  • Choosing the lowest cost Q of E
  • “Deals want to die”
  • Risks of a 4-year old e-com business
  • Offering education as well as DIY products
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Buying 70% of the company
  • His first year report card

References and how to contact Jarom:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Despite success in corporate, Jarom Wren wanted more freedom, so he traded 5 figures of salary for 7 figures of revenue.

Topics in Jarom’s interview:

  • Realizing he was renting himself to a corporation
  • Mid-career risk assessment
  • Searching for a digital business
  • Choosing the lowest cost Q of E
  • “Deals want to die”
  • Risks of a 4-year old e-com business
  • Offering education as well as DIY products
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Buying 70% of the company
  • His first year report card

References and how to contact Jarom:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5778 Despite success in corporate, Jarom Wren wanted more freedom, so he traded 5 figures of salary for 7 figures of revenue.

Topics in Jarom’s interview:

  • Realizing he was renting himself to a corporation
  • Mid-career risk assessment
  • Searching for a digital business
  • Choosing the lowest cost Q of E
  • “Deals want to die”
  • Risks of a 4-year old e-com business
  • Offering education as well as DIY products
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Buying 70% of the company
  • His first year report card

References and how to contact Jarom:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The First Steps to a Family Holdco The First Steps to a Family Holdco full 2cd38260-2e89-4068-aaf1-7a1df8a6514e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/linh-leo-van-deibel-infrastructure-design-solutions Family planning and entrepreneurship converged as Linh & Leo Van Deibel bought their first (and not last) business.

Topics in Linh & Leo’s interview:

  • Making the case for business acquisition
  • Taking family planning into account
  • Searching in the UK as a non-citizen
  • Being taken seriously as an Asian woman
  • Their goal of building a holdco
  • Thousands of meetings with sellers
  • Search is a numbers game
  • Brutal IVF process
  • Giving up on acquiring SaaS
  • Buying an engineering consulting firm

References and how to contact Linh & Leo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Family planning and entrepreneurship converged as Linh & Leo Van Deibel bought their first (and not last) business.

Topics in Linh & Leo’s interview:

  • Making the case for business acquisition
  • Taking family planning into account
  • Searching in the UK as a non-citizen
  • Being taken seriously as an Asian woman
  • Their goal of building a holdco
  • Thousands of meetings with sellers
  • Search is a numbers game
  • Brutal IVF process
  • Giving up on acquiring SaaS
  • Buying an engineering consulting firm

References and how to contact Linh & Leo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5695 Family planning and entrepreneurship converged as Linh & Leo Van Deibel bought their first (and not last) business.

Topics in Linh & Leo’s interview:

  • Making the case for business acquisition
  • Taking family planning into account
  • Searching in the UK as a non-citizen
  • Being taken seriously as an Asian woman
  • Their goal of building a holdco
  • Thousands of meetings with sellers
  • Search is a numbers game
  • Brutal IVF process
  • Giving up on acquiring SaaS
  • Buying an engineering consulting firm

References and how to contact Linh & Leo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Platform with an SBA Loan Buying a Platform with an SBA Loan full 8e34e7f9-10fa-4927-8b2c-08a49a33f2ab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jacob-voswinkel-floors-galore Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jacob’s interview:

  • Recommending markets of 50k-100k people
  • Scraping BizBuySell listings
  • Reaching out to 200 potential investors
  • Raising $1 million equity in 2 weeks
  • Advantages/disadvantages of searching under 30
  • Moving across the country for the transition
  • Flying home on weekends
  • Growing to reduce customer concentration
  • His responsibility to employees
  • Growing 50% in 2 years

References and how to contact Jacob:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jacob’s interview:

  • Recommending markets of 50k-100k people
  • Scraping BizBuySell listings
  • Reaching out to 200 potential investors
  • Raising $1 million equity in 2 weeks
  • Advantages/disadvantages of searching under 30
  • Moving across the country for the transition
  • Flying home on weekends
  • Growing to reduce customer concentration
  • His responsibility to employees
  • Growing 50% in 2 years

References and how to contact Jacob:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6118 Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Jacob’s interview:

  • Recommending markets of 50k-100k people
  • Scraping BizBuySell listings
  • Reaching out to 200 potential investors
  • Raising $1 million equity in 2 weeks
  • Advantages/disadvantages of searching under 30
  • Moving across the country for the transition
  • Flying home on weekends
  • Growing to reduce customer concentration
  • His responsibility to employees
  • Growing 50% in 2 years

References and how to contact Jacob:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Contrarian Bet on a Digital Agency The Contrarian Bet on a Digital Agency full ba0d58db-b494-444d-bfcd-56d6dd26b6d4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/george-stern-growth-marketing-media George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Turning around an Amazon seller’s agency
  • Acquiring 2 small ecommerce businesses
  • Loving the customers more than the product
  • Selling his camping equipment business
  • Acquiring an SEO agency
  • Extreme difficulty getting a loan
  • Big banks aren’t always better
  • Choosing cold calling despite challenges
  • Industry knowledge is overrated
  • Being a “recovering, type-A control freak”

References and how to contact George:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Turning around an Amazon seller’s agency
  • Acquiring 2 small ecommerce businesses
  • Loving the customers more than the product
  • Selling his camping equipment business
  • Acquiring an SEO agency
  • Extreme difficulty getting a loan
  • Big banks aren’t always better
  • Choosing cold calling despite challenges
  • Industry knowledge is overrated
  • Being a “recovering, type-A control freak”

References and how to contact George:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6270 George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Turning around an Amazon seller’s agency
  • Acquiring 2 small ecommerce businesses
  • Loving the customers more than the product
  • Selling his camping equipment business
  • Acquiring an SEO agency
  • Extreme difficulty getting a loan
  • Big banks aren’t always better
  • Choosing cold calling despite challenges
  • Industry knowledge is overrated
  • Being a “recovering, type-A control freak”

References and how to contact George:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business full 2e780a6d-fb88-4f43-b48e-fae8dbfe238a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/philip-koller-roman-enterprises Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Preferred working in a small company
  • His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA
  • Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Paused search due to upcoming second child
  • Bought Roman Enterprises, an automotive paint distributor
  • Inherited exactly 1 employee
  • Did door-to-door sales to learn market
  • Managed customer and supplier concentration risk
  • Drew perseverance from grandfather’s Holocaust survival

References and how to contact Philip:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Preferred working in a small company
  • His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA
  • Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Paused search due to upcoming second child
  • Bought Roman Enterprises, an automotive paint distributor
  • Inherited exactly 1 employee
  • Did door-to-door sales to learn market
  • Managed customer and supplier concentration risk
  • Drew perseverance from grandfather’s Holocaust survival

References and how to contact Philip:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5022 Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Preferred working in a small company
  • His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA
  • Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Paused search due to upcoming second child
  • Bought Roman Enterprises, an automotive paint distributor
  • Inherited exactly 1 employee
  • Did door-to-door sales to learn market
  • Managed customer and supplier concentration risk
  • Drew perseverance from grandfather’s Holocaust survival

References and how to contact Philip:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x) Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x) full 61265b21-b6c6-4d1e-9310-142e848eeaaf https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-orley-red-cottage Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Investment properties as a side hustle
  • Evolving short-term rental ecosystem
  • Difficult transition with the seller
  • Influence of Airbnb on customer expectations
  • Importance of clear communication
  • Rolling up property management companies
  • Concentrating on one region of the country
  • Difference between urban and rural markets
  • Launching a membership program
  • Putting the brand first when making decisions

References and how to contact Matt:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Investment properties as a side hustle
  • Evolving short-term rental ecosystem
  • Difficult transition with the seller
  • Influence of Airbnb on customer expectations
  • Importance of clear communication
  • Rolling up property management companies
  • Concentrating on one region of the country
  • Difference between urban and rural markets
  • Launching a membership program
  • Putting the brand first when making decisions

References and how to contact Matt:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5120 Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in.

Register for the webinars:

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Investment properties as a side hustle
  • Evolving short-term rental ecosystem
  • Difficult transition with the seller
  • Influence of Airbnb on customer expectations
  • Importance of clear communication
  • Rolling up property management companies
  • Concentrating on one region of the country
  • Difference between urban and rural markets
  • Launching a membership program
  • Putting the brand first when making decisions

References and how to contact Matt:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 8-Figure Exit After 5 Years 8-Figure Exit After 5 Years full c83a18b2-d9c6-497f-ad54-c67d11aa7c16 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-vandermyde-petro-west Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner
  • Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing
  • Focusing on EBITDA over revenue
  • A construction mistake that cost the company dearly
  • Parsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar”
  • Advantages of being in a high-growth geographical area
  • Improving customer service to stand out
  • Exiting after 5 years
  • Adrenaline rush of sharing his payday with employees
  • How it feels to be a millionaire

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner
  • Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing
  • Focusing on EBITDA over revenue
  • A construction mistake that cost the company dearly
  • Parsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar”
  • Advantages of being in a high-growth geographical area
  • Improving customer service to stand out
  • Exiting after 5 years
  • Adrenaline rush of sharing his payday with employees
  • How it feels to be a millionaire

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4829 Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner
  • Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing
  • Focusing on EBITDA over revenue
  • A construction mistake that cost the company dearly
  • Parsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar”
  • Advantages of being in a high-growth geographical area
  • Improving customer service to stand out
  • Exiting after 5 years
  • Adrenaline rush of sharing his payday with employees
  • How it feels to be a millionaire

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Complexity Hides Fragility: Losing a $20m Business Complexity Hides Fragility: Losing a $20m Business full f80b575b-d669-4cf4-b630-2f0c16e8b3e0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joe-odell-pharmacy-specialists Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • His blue collar, military background
  • Volunteering without pay for a consulting company
  • Ultimately rejecting the tech industry
  • Finding his search partner at business school
  • Seeking out a complex business
  • Doing traditional search, on his wife’s advice
  • Acquiring a home health adjacent company
  • Post-close cash crisis
  • Losing a key sales rep
  • Fatal “pen stroke risk”

References and how to contact Joe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • His blue collar, military background
  • Volunteering without pay for a consulting company
  • Ultimately rejecting the tech industry
  • Finding his search partner at business school
  • Seeking out a complex business
  • Doing traditional search, on his wife’s advice
  • Acquiring a home health adjacent company
  • Post-close cash crisis
  • Losing a key sales rep
  • Fatal “pen stroke risk”

References and how to contact Joe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5615 Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • His blue collar, military background
  • Volunteering without pay for a consulting company
  • Ultimately rejecting the tech industry
  • Finding his search partner at business school
  • Seeking out a complex business
  • Doing traditional search, on his wife’s advice
  • Acquiring a home health adjacent company
  • Post-close cash crisis
  • Losing a key sales rep
  • Fatal “pen stroke risk”

References and how to contact Joe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying Small to Then Buy Larger ($1m SDE) Buying Small to Then Buy Larger ($1m SDE) full 97a39d37-1f43-4ac8-8d63-e5ae6f94e8b6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joe-soelberg-point-b-sonny-ash The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Leaving corporate for a chance to manage P&L
  • His toughest pitch was to his wife
  • Acquiring a 3D design firm
  • Pivoting hard during Covid
  • Hiring a manager with a design background
  • Acquiring a branding agency
  • Difference between branding and marketing
  • Retainer model for recurring revenue
  • Offering less than listing price
  • His hand-off relationship with his businesses

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Leaving corporate for a chance to manage P&L
  • His toughest pitch was to his wife
  • Acquiring a 3D design firm
  • Pivoting hard during Covid
  • Hiring a manager with a design background
  • Acquiring a branding agency
  • Difference between branding and marketing
  • Retainer model for recurring revenue
  • Offering less than listing price
  • His hand-off relationship with his businesses

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6190 The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition.

Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Leaving corporate for a chance to manage P&L
  • His toughest pitch was to his wife
  • Acquiring a 3D design firm
  • Pivoting hard during Covid
  • Hiring a manager with a design background
  • Acquiring a branding agency
  • Difference between branding and marketing
  • Retainer model for recurring revenue
  • Offering less than listing price
  • His hand-off relationship with his businesses

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Passion & Profit in an American Pastime Passion & Profit in an American Pastime full 23fd0632-ab71-4cb3-91a5-5124216925eb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-fagan-tenpins-and-more Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses.

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • His professional bowling career
  • Connecting with a bowling-specific broker
  • Economic role of league bowlers
  • The decline of bowling in America
  • Traditional bowling vs Bowlero
  • Buying a traditional, older bowling alley
  • Running leaner to pay down debt
  • Employee resistance to change
  • Success with online bookings
  • His goal of managing remotely

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses.

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • His professional bowling career
  • Connecting with a bowling-specific broker
  • Economic role of league bowlers
  • The decline of bowling in America
  • Traditional bowling vs Bowlero
  • Buying a traditional, older bowling alley
  • Running leaner to pay down debt
  • Employee resistance to change
  • Success with online bookings
  • His goal of managing remotely

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6653 Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses.

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • His professional bowling career
  • Connecting with a bowling-specific broker
  • Economic role of league bowlers
  • The decline of bowling in America
  • Traditional bowling vs Bowlero
  • Buying a traditional, older bowling alley
  • Running leaner to pay down debt
  • Employee resistance to change
  • Success with online bookings
  • His goal of managing remotely

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business bonus 0cb8efdb-7265-4a9e-82c0-7d34c7193ed2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tato-corcoran-brandt-molded-marble Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6316 Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business bonus 97730a96-c956-47b2-8b6b-7868fb57929f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/christian-bateson-resolute-services The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6873 The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Generational Brand with $20m in Sales How to Buy a Generational Brand with $20m in Sales full 58ed8b7e-1f00-47a9-9756-934c46ddc049 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/philip-hussey-thos-moser-chenmark Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one.

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Chenmark’s acquisition of Thomas Moser
  • Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman
  • Chenmark’s hold-forever intention
  • Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture
  • Long tenure of craftsmen
  • Commitment to world-class quality
  • Getting away from offering discounts
  • Building talent through their woodworker school
  • Running a company with a strong legacy behind it
  • Downside to owning your manufacturing

References and how to contact Philip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one.

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Chenmark’s acquisition of Thomas Moser
  • Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman
  • Chenmark’s hold-forever intention
  • Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture
  • Long tenure of craftsmen
  • Commitment to world-class quality
  • Getting away from offering discounts
  • Building talent through their woodworker school
  • Running a company with a strong legacy behind it
  • Downside to owning your manufacturing

References and how to contact Philip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4641 Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one.

Topics in Philip’s interview:

  • Chenmark’s acquisition of Thomas Moser
  • Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman
  • Chenmark’s hold-forever intention
  • Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture
  • Long tenure of craftsmen
  • Commitment to world-class quality
  • Getting away from offering discounts
  • Building talent through their woodworker school
  • Running a company with a strong legacy behind it
  • Downside to owning your manufacturing

References and how to contact Philip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reward for 17-Month Deal: $1.8m of EBITDA Reward for 17-Month Deal: $1.8m of EBITDA full 52b30b62-1384-4bb0-9cd8-d51eec6768d5 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/robert-gayden-brightstar-care Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Robert’s interview:

  • Influence of his late father
  • The “go bigger” search philosophy
  • Appeal of the home health care industry
  • 17-month acquisition process
  • Choosing to operate “in the weeds” of the business
  • Leading with high expectations
  • Focusing on increasing sales
  • Achieving 15% growth in 8 months
  • Working capital dynamics in home care
  • Investing in employees

References and how to contact Robert:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Robert’s interview:

  • Influence of his late father
  • The “go bigger” search philosophy
  • Appeal of the home health care industry
  • 17-month acquisition process
  • Choosing to operate “in the weeds” of the business
  • Leading with high expectations
  • Focusing on increasing sales
  • Achieving 15% growth in 8 months
  • Working capital dynamics in home care
  • Investing in employees

References and how to contact Robert:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5816 Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Robert’s interview:

  • Influence of his late father
  • The “go bigger” search philosophy
  • Appeal of the home health care industry
  • 17-month acquisition process
  • Choosing to operate “in the weeds” of the business
  • Leading with high expectations
  • Focusing on increasing sales
  • Achieving 15% growth in 8 months
  • Working capital dynamics in home care
  • Investing in employees

References and how to contact Robert:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The 7-Year Collapse of an SBA Acquisition The 7-Year Collapse of an SBA Acquisition full e7bc7e76-f8d4-4251-93ee-3d45a3610cc6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/scott-duncan-f-m-tool-and-die Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Wishing he had listened to his gut
  • The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration
  • Managing highly skilled primadonnas 
  • Employee theft
  • Losing key employees
  • Long sales cycles and fixed quotes
  • Forced Covid shutdown
  • Razor and blade business model
  • Facing aggressive creditors
  • Filing Chapter 7

References and how to contact Scott:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Wishing he had listened to his gut
  • The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration
  • Managing highly skilled primadonnas 
  • Employee theft
  • Losing key employees
  • Long sales cycles and fixed quotes
  • Forced Covid shutdown
  • Razor and blade business model
  • Facing aggressive creditors
  • Filing Chapter 7

References and how to contact Scott:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5956 Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Wishing he had listened to his gut
  • The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration
  • Managing highly skilled primadonnas 
  • Employee theft
  • Losing key employees
  • Long sales cycles and fixed quotes
  • Forced Covid shutdown
  • Razor and blade business model
  • Facing aggressive creditors
  • Filing Chapter 7

References and how to contact Scott:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No SBA Acquisition to $9m Cash Exit in 5 Years SBA Acquisition to $9m Cash Exit in 5 Years full 3f6fb7c1-9d63-4488-a464-b80fd6737c0c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andy-rougeot-rg-maintenance-search-fund-secondaries Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Andy’s interview:

  • His experience as an Army intelligence officer
  • When in doubt, do the dirtiest job
  • The military concept of “left seat, right seat” training
  • Searching from the public library
  • Veterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadership
  • Rewards of leading young men
  • Gaining warm leads in new markets
  • His team’s competitive edge
  • Exiting his business to run for mayor of Denver
  • Investing in self-funded searchers

References and how to contact Andy:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Andy’s interview:

  • His experience as an Army intelligence officer
  • When in doubt, do the dirtiest job
  • The military concept of “left seat, right seat” training
  • Searching from the public library
  • Veterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadership
  • Rewards of leading young men
  • Gaining warm leads in new markets
  • His team’s competitive edge
  • Exiting his business to run for mayor of Denver
  • Investing in self-funded searchers

References and how to contact Andy:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5271 Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Andy’s interview:

  • His experience as an Army intelligence officer
  • When in doubt, do the dirtiest job
  • The military concept of “left seat, right seat” training
  • Searching from the public library
  • Veterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadership
  • Rewards of leading young men
  • Gaining warm leads in new markets
  • His team’s competitive edge
  • Exiting his business to run for mayor of Denver
  • Investing in self-funded searchers

References and how to contact Andy:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years full ff0cc7ec-5c2f-45d7-98da-6ec6c91f3ba6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/steve-carroll-kelso-industries Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Steve’s interview:

  • Experience working for WalMart corporate
  • Searching while working full time
  • Myth of passive income
  • Large dead deal costs from a failed acquisition
  • Partnering with his childhood friend
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • 100-hour weeks away from his family
  • Rapidly scaling through M&A
  • Beware owners who leave quickly
  • Achieving $1 billion in revenue in 5 years

References and how to contact Steve:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Steve’s interview:

  • Experience working for WalMart corporate
  • Searching while working full time
  • Myth of passive income
  • Large dead deal costs from a failed acquisition
  • Partnering with his childhood friend
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • 100-hour weeks away from his family
  • Rapidly scaling through M&A
  • Beware owners who leave quickly
  • Achieving $1 billion in revenue in 5 years

References and how to contact Steve:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6128 Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Steve’s interview:

  • Experience working for WalMart corporate
  • Searching while working full time
  • Myth of passive income
  • Large dead deal costs from a failed acquisition
  • Partnering with his childhood friend
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • 100-hour weeks away from his family
  • Rapidly scaling through M&A
  • Beware owners who leave quickly
  • Achieving $1 billion in revenue in 5 years

References and how to contact Steve:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying for $600k, Selling for $35m Buying for $600k, Selling for $35m full d86358af-5005-420c-bc10-e5623eaff1bd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jake-bittner-qlarion Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Jake’s interview:

  • Building a nest egg before leaving his job
  • Fallout from his father’s failed businesses
  • Calculating the value of a business losing money
  • Disliking the bureaucracy of large companies
  • Joining his friend to run a distressed company
  • Employee war stories
  • Changing the service they offered
  • Achieving 60% margins 
  • Boosting customer retention
  • Selling the company for 11x earnings

References and how to contact Jake:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Jake’s interview:

  • Building a nest egg before leaving his job
  • Fallout from his father’s failed businesses
  • Calculating the value of a business losing money
  • Disliking the bureaucracy of large companies
  • Joining his friend to run a distressed company
  • Employee war stories
  • Changing the service they offered
  • Achieving 60% margins 
  • Boosting customer retention
  • Selling the company for 11x earnings

References and how to contact Jake:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6056 Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Jake’s interview:

  • Building a nest egg before leaving his job
  • Fallout from his father’s failed businesses
  • Calculating the value of a business losing money
  • Disliking the bureaucracy of large companies
  • Joining his friend to run a distressed company
  • Employee war stories
  • Changing the service they offered
  • Achieving 60% margins 
  • Boosting customer retention
  • Selling the company for 11x earnings

References and how to contact Jake:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When a $2.8m Acquisition Is More Like Zero-to-One When a $2.8m Acquisition Is More Like Zero-to-One full 481b6e80-0ffa-4f07-b858-a3a4ec1ce65d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dave-gilbert-proven Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt.

Topics in Dave’s interview:

  • Leaving tech to buy a white collar business
  • Meeting with 120 owners while searching
  • Buying a business he initially passed on
  • Risks of family members as employees
  • Financial surprises after the transition
  • Losing 23% of revenue when clients left
  • Accountants do not like change
  • Recruiting top talent
  • Importance of listening to employees
  • Transferring his zero-to-one skills

References and how to contact Dave:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt.

Topics in Dave’s interview:

  • Leaving tech to buy a white collar business
  • Meeting with 120 owners while searching
  • Buying a business he initially passed on
  • Risks of family members as employees
  • Financial surprises after the transition
  • Losing 23% of revenue when clients left
  • Accountants do not like change
  • Recruiting top talent
  • Importance of listening to employees
  • Transferring his zero-to-one skills

References and how to contact Dave:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4518 Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt.

Topics in Dave’s interview:

  • Leaving tech to buy a white collar business
  • Meeting with 120 owners while searching
  • Buying a business he initially passed on
  • Risks of family members as employees
  • Financial surprises after the transition
  • Losing 23% of revenue when clients left
  • Accountants do not like change
  • Recruiting top talent
  • Importance of listening to employees
  • Transferring his zero-to-one skills

References and how to contact Dave:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When to Buy a Large Consumer Business When to Buy a Large Consumer Business full a632a90e-34c9-40d7-bcfd-334aa5544a24 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/taylor-mattingly-energy-ogre Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Being Co-CEO with his best friend
  • Buying a business he was a customer of
  • Acquiring a business in his hometown
  • Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market
  • How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker
  • Keeping his call center in Texas
  • “Set it and forget it” model
  • “Listening tour” in the first 100 days
  • Adopting the EOS model
  • Higher leverage deal structure

References and how to contact Taylor:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Being Co-CEO with his best friend
  • Buying a business he was a customer of
  • Acquiring a business in his hometown
  • Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market
  • How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker
  • Keeping his call center in Texas
  • “Set it and forget it” model
  • “Listening tour” in the first 100 days
  • Adopting the EOS model
  • Higher leverage deal structure

References and how to contact Taylor:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4872 Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Being Co-CEO with his best friend
  • Buying a business he was a customer of
  • Acquiring a business in his hometown
  • Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market
  • How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker
  • Keeping his call center in Texas
  • “Set it and forget it” model
  • “Listening tour” in the first 100 days
  • Adopting the EOS model
  • Higher leverage deal structure

References and how to contact Taylor:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA full e3862f3a-89d2-4c62-ad64-535209dd0bbf https://acquiringminds.co/articles/linh-tran-advanced-commercial-group-apex-fund From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Linh’s interview:

  • The "Three Rs" search criteria
  • Being an undercover owner for 18 months
  • Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs
  • Struggling with work-life balance
  • Implementing value-based pricing
  • 80% rule for delegation
  • Why he doesn’t want to exit
  • Fostering deep employee loyalty
  • Corporate philanthropy and legacy
  • What money can’t buy

References and how to contact Linh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Linh’s interview:

  • The "Three Rs" search criteria
  • Being an undercover owner for 18 months
  • Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs
  • Struggling with work-life balance
  • Implementing value-based pricing
  • 80% rule for delegation
  • Why he doesn’t want to exit
  • Fostering deep employee loyalty
  • Corporate philanthropy and legacy
  • What money can’t buy

References and how to contact Linh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6839 From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Linh’s interview:

  • The "Three Rs" search criteria
  • Being an undercover owner for 18 months
  • Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs
  • Struggling with work-life balance
  • Implementing value-based pricing
  • 80% rule for delegation
  • Why he doesn’t want to exit
  • Fostering deep employee loyalty
  • Corporate philanthropy and legacy
  • What money can’t buy

References and how to contact Linh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy Well, Exit Better: A $67m Win in 4 Years Buy Well, Exit Better: A $67m Win in 4 Years full d9f9ca93-cca3-4ab6-a033-31fbbe5ee2a9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/greg-geronemus-smartours-footbridge-partners Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Challenges of searching in New York
  • Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search
  • Strategy of cold email outreach
  • Acquiring at age 26
  • Partnering with a friend
  • Significant challenges of running a tour operator
  • Digital marketing did not move the needle
  • Direct mail was the silver bullet
  • Partnering with universities and religious groups
  • Exiting after 4 years

References and how to contact Greg:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Challenges of searching in New York
  • Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search
  • Strategy of cold email outreach
  • Acquiring at age 26
  • Partnering with a friend
  • Significant challenges of running a tour operator
  • Digital marketing did not move the needle
  • Direct mail was the silver bullet
  • Partnering with universities and religious groups
  • Exiting after 4 years

References and how to contact Greg:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5766 Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Challenges of searching in New York
  • Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search
  • Strategy of cold email outreach
  • Acquiring at age 26
  • Partnering with a friend
  • Significant challenges of running a tour operator
  • Digital marketing did not move the needle
  • Direct mail was the silver bullet
  • Partnering with universities and religious groups
  • Exiting after 4 years

References and how to contact Greg:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 Years Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 Years full 1fcd0b6c-41a8-47f1-96d2-f64287990185 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/gail-hamilton-azodo-real-hearing-usa Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Gail’s interview:

  • Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble
  • Her vision to run her own company
  • Life changing power of hearing aids
  • Switching her search from Vision to Audiology
  • Consequences of untreated hearing loss
  • Financing through hearing aid manufacturers
  • Cross-licensing her providers in multiple states
  • Addressing the Audiologist shortage
  • Intentionally acquiring where she does not live
  •  Find what “brings the flies to the honey”

References and how to contact Gail:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Gail’s interview:

  • Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble
  • Her vision to run her own company
  • Life changing power of hearing aids
  • Switching her search from Vision to Audiology
  • Consequences of untreated hearing loss
  • Financing through hearing aid manufacturers
  • Cross-licensing her providers in multiple states
  • Addressing the Audiologist shortage
  • Intentionally acquiring where she does not live
  •  Find what “brings the flies to the honey”

References and how to contact Gail:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6976 Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Gail’s interview:

  • Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble
  • Her vision to run her own company
  • Life changing power of hearing aids
  • Switching her search from Vision to Audiology
  • Consequences of untreated hearing loss
  • Financing through hearing aid manufacturers
  • Cross-licensing her providers in multiple states
  • Addressing the Audiologist shortage
  • Intentionally acquiring where she does not live
  •  Find what “brings the flies to the honey”

References and how to contact Gail:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Choose Ownership Over Being a CEO Why Choose Ownership Over Being a CEO full 030f319e-f8a9-49b6-b882-735008093b46 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/katherine-butler-dines-rahul-desai-women-travel-abroad After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview:

  • Katherine’s early CEO experience
  • Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership
  • Acquiring without a traditional bank loan
  • Convincing the seller to do a seller note
  • Paying the seller note with float from advance bookings
  • Rahul built custom software to increase margins
  • Searching nights and weekends while at their W-2s
  • Affordability of living in the midwest
  • Vision of acquiring and integrating more travel businesses
  • Learning to delegate and enjoying free time

References and how to contact Katherine and Rahul:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview:

  • Katherine’s early CEO experience
  • Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership
  • Acquiring without a traditional bank loan
  • Convincing the seller to do a seller note
  • Paying the seller note with float from advance bookings
  • Rahul built custom software to increase margins
  • Searching nights and weekends while at their W-2s
  • Affordability of living in the midwest
  • Vision of acquiring and integrating more travel businesses
  • Learning to delegate and enjoying free time

References and how to contact Katherine and Rahul:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5232 After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview:

  • Katherine’s early CEO experience
  • Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership
  • Acquiring without a traditional bank loan
  • Convincing the seller to do a seller note
  • Paying the seller note with float from advance bookings
  • Rahul built custom software to increase margins
  • Searching nights and weekends while at their W-2s
  • Affordability of living in the midwest
  • Vision of acquiring and integrating more travel businesses
  • Learning to delegate and enjoying free time

References and how to contact Katherine and Rahul:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a $5m Media Business Into a $20m Flywheel How to Build a $5m Media Business Into a $20m Flywheel full b2a015a5-cfbf-4aae-a7b8-9f9450f583ea https://acquiringminds.co/articles/clayton-collins-housingwire Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Clayton’s interview:

  • Hire for your skill gaps
  • Flying around the country to meet investors
  • Asking for warm introductions
  • Selling investors on his strategic vision
  • What to look for in a media company
  • Direct relationships with advertisers vs. programmatic ads
  • Rebuilding the sales team over and over
  • Riding the wave of the mortgage industry
  • Maintaining the magic of annual events
  • Selling print ads differs from selling digital ads

References and how to contact Clayton:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Clayton’s interview:

  • Hire for your skill gaps
  • Flying around the country to meet investors
  • Asking for warm introductions
  • Selling investors on his strategic vision
  • What to look for in a media company
  • Direct relationships with advertisers vs. programmatic ads
  • Rebuilding the sales team over and over
  • Riding the wave of the mortgage industry
  • Maintaining the magic of annual events
  • Selling print ads differs from selling digital ads

References and how to contact Clayton:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5451 Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life.

Register for the webinar:

Topics in Clayton’s interview:

  • Hire for your skill gaps
  • Flying around the country to meet investors
  • Asking for warm introductions
  • Selling investors on his strategic vision
  • What to look for in a media company
  • Direct relationships with advertisers vs. programmatic ads
  • Rebuilding the sales team over and over
  • Riding the wave of the mortgage industry
  • Maintaining the magic of annual events
  • Selling print ads differs from selling digital ads

References and how to contact Clayton:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Timing is Everything: Buying a $30m Tutoring Business Timing is Everything: Buying a $30m Tutoring Business full 005a1c93-bc1e-4cd1-92a6-31a9bfd3168d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jared-lenner-dave-serwitz-grade-potential Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jared & Dave’s interview:

  • Jared buying Dave’s tutoring business
  • Dave’s motivation to sell
  • Choosing to work with Search Fund Accelerator
  • Their agreement to “assume positive intent”
  • Why Dave didn’t sell to private equity
  • How the in-person business survived Covid
  • Bookkeeper quit right after transition
  • “Other people’s money is scarier than a PG”
  • Competing with AI in the future
  • How it feels to sell your company

References and how to contact Jared & Dave:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jared & Dave’s interview:

  • Jared buying Dave’s tutoring business
  • Dave’s motivation to sell
  • Choosing to work with Search Fund Accelerator
  • Their agreement to “assume positive intent”
  • Why Dave didn’t sell to private equity
  • How the in-person business survived Covid
  • Bookkeeper quit right after transition
  • “Other people’s money is scarier than a PG”
  • Competing with AI in the future
  • How it feels to sell your company

References and how to contact Jared & Dave:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 7045 Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Jared & Dave’s interview:

  • Jared buying Dave’s tutoring business
  • Dave’s motivation to sell
  • Choosing to work with Search Fund Accelerator
  • Their agreement to “assume positive intent”
  • Why Dave didn’t sell to private equity
  • How the in-person business survived Covid
  • Bookkeeper quit right after transition
  • “Other people’s money is scarier than a PG”
  • Competing with AI in the future
  • How it feels to sell your company

References and how to contact Jared & Dave:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years full b3815fc2-dc8a-4318-adb5-d6aac9a429af https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shaun-stimpson-mitten-fluidpower Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Shaun’s interview:

  • Staying in corporate was the riskier choice
  • Calling 1200 businesses during his search
  • Going back to school to learn more about acquisition
  • Acquiring with his partner, Robert Wolf
  • Raising $6m from outside investors
  • Leaning on his professional network
  • Choosing his investors carefully
  • Acquiring in his mid-40’s
  • Long-term hold strategy
  • Acquiring 3 businesses in succession

References and how to contact Shaun:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Shaun’s interview:

  • Staying in corporate was the riskier choice
  • Calling 1200 businesses during his search
  • Going back to school to learn more about acquisition
  • Acquiring with his partner, Robert Wolf
  • Raising $6m from outside investors
  • Leaning on his professional network
  • Choosing his investors carefully
  • Acquiring in his mid-40’s
  • Long-term hold strategy
  • Acquiring 3 businesses in succession

References and how to contact Shaun:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5817 Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Shaun’s interview:

  • Staying in corporate was the riskier choice
  • Calling 1200 businesses during his search
  • Going back to school to learn more about acquisition
  • Acquiring with his partner, Robert Wolf
  • Raising $6m from outside investors
  • Leaning on his professional network
  • Choosing his investors carefully
  • Acquiring in his mid-40’s
  • Long-term hold strategy
  • Acquiring 3 businesses in succession

References and how to contact Shaun:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Wide Moat in a Consolidating Industry Buying a Wide Moat in a Consolidating Industry full 0dc7eea7-56dd-4278-aedd-c17af92cde42 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ania-aliev-life-support-systems-lss Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Ania’s interview:

  • Rushing to get a deal closed before giving birth
  • Using her people skills to connect with sellers
  • Searching only in the Eastern US
  • Buying an AED sales and service company
  • Myths about AEDs
  • Figuring out the best pricing model
  • Lack of competition in the industry
  • Dealing with “Mom brain”
  • Willingness to say “I don’t know”
  • Stickiness of customers

References and how to contact Ania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Ania’s interview:

  • Rushing to get a deal closed before giving birth
  • Using her people skills to connect with sellers
  • Searching only in the Eastern US
  • Buying an AED sales and service company
  • Myths about AEDs
  • Figuring out the best pricing model
  • Lack of competition in the industry
  • Dealing with “Mom brain”
  • Willingness to say “I don’t know”
  • Stickiness of customers

References and how to contact Ania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5347 Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Ania’s interview:

  • Rushing to get a deal closed before giving birth
  • Using her people skills to connect with sellers
  • Searching only in the Eastern US
  • Buying an AED sales and service company
  • Myths about AEDs
  • Figuring out the best pricing model
  • Lack of competition in the industry
  • Dealing with “Mom brain”
  • Willingness to say “I don’t know”
  • Stickiness of customers

References and how to contact Ania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From €4 Million, to Zero, to €12 Million From €4 Million, to Zero, to €12 Million full d3fa53d5-1bf8-4f52-b036-b3303f21e1b7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ivona-butcher-beire Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic.

Topics in Ivona’s interview:

  • Doing business in a post-Soviet culture
  • Determination to acquire in the Czech Republic
  • Buying a business as a married couple
  • Getting into exhibition services right before Covid
  • Losing all revenue at onset of Covid
  • Pivoting to virtual events
  • Finding work for their carpenters and metalsmiths
  • Aggressively re-negotiating their loan with the bank
  • Buying back the seller note at a huge discount
  • Surviving Covid and doubling EBITDA

References and how to contact Ivona:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic.

Topics in Ivona’s interview:

  • Doing business in a post-Soviet culture
  • Determination to acquire in the Czech Republic
  • Buying a business as a married couple
  • Getting into exhibition services right before Covid
  • Losing all revenue at onset of Covid
  • Pivoting to virtual events
  • Finding work for their carpenters and metalsmiths
  • Aggressively re-negotiating their loan with the bank
  • Buying back the seller note at a huge discount
  • Surviving Covid and doubling EBITDA

References and how to contact Ivona:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5713 Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic.

Topics in Ivona’s interview:

  • Doing business in a post-Soviet culture
  • Determination to acquire in the Czech Republic
  • Buying a business as a married couple
  • Getting into exhibition services right before Covid
  • Losing all revenue at onset of Covid
  • Pivoting to virtual events
  • Finding work for their carpenters and metalsmiths
  • Aggressively re-negotiating their loan with the bank
  • Buying back the seller note at a huge discount
  • Surviving Covid and doubling EBITDA

References and how to contact Ivona:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building Trust as New Owner of a $3m Business Building Trust as New Owner of a $3m Business full eb8459b2-e453-42c4-a918-30503d20679a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ruchik-gandhi-window25 Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education.

Topics in Ruchik’s interview:

  • India > Australia > US immigration
  • Discovery of the wonders of multiple arbitrage
  • Receiving the deal from another searcher
  • Paying a $20k finder’s fee
  • Buying a fabrics and upholstery workroom
  • Learning how to manage a blue-collar workforce
  • Mishandling employee relationships
  • Taking feedback from his managers
  • Earning the employees’ trust
  • His plan for growth in a fragmented industry

References and how to contact Ruchik:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education.

Topics in Ruchik’s interview:

  • India > Australia > US immigration
  • Discovery of the wonders of multiple arbitrage
  • Receiving the deal from another searcher
  • Paying a $20k finder’s fee
  • Buying a fabrics and upholstery workroom
  • Learning how to manage a blue-collar workforce
  • Mishandling employee relationships
  • Taking feedback from his managers
  • Earning the employees’ trust
  • His plan for growth in a fragmented industry

References and how to contact Ruchik:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5094 Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education.

Topics in Ruchik’s interview:

  • India > Australia > US immigration
  • Discovery of the wonders of multiple arbitrage
  • Receiving the deal from another searcher
  • Paying a $20k finder’s fee
  • Buying a fabrics and upholstery workroom
  • Learning how to manage a blue-collar workforce
  • Mishandling employee relationships
  • Taking feedback from his managers
  • Earning the employees’ trust
  • His plan for growth in a fragmented industry

References and how to contact Ruchik:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $1.6m Business for the Inventory Value Buying a $1.6m Business for the Inventory Value full 6055efbf-ba96-4182-ad92-7ca5e880fd88 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/danyelle-nys-decorus-home-staging Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one.

Topics in Danyelle’s interview:

  • Working in her family’s asphalt business
  • Learning about ETA from a masterclass
  • Hiring a coach for the search process
  • Buying a business for the price of inventory + working capital
  • The seller was running it remotely
  • Raising prices and salaries after acquisition
  • Dealing with an obstinate commercial landlord
  • Moving 14,000 sq ft of inventory to a new warehouse
  • Hiring her mom as the bookkeeper
  • “F*** your mood. Follow the plan.”

References and how to contact Danyelle:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one.

Topics in Danyelle’s interview:

  • Working in her family’s asphalt business
  • Learning about ETA from a masterclass
  • Hiring a coach for the search process
  • Buying a business for the price of inventory + working capital
  • The seller was running it remotely
  • Raising prices and salaries after acquisition
  • Dealing with an obstinate commercial landlord
  • Moving 14,000 sq ft of inventory to a new warehouse
  • Hiring her mom as the bookkeeper
  • “F*** your mood. Follow the plan.”

References and how to contact Danyelle:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4888 Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one.

Topics in Danyelle’s interview:

  • Working in her family’s asphalt business
  • Learning about ETA from a masterclass
  • Hiring a coach for the search process
  • Buying a business for the price of inventory + working capital
  • The seller was running it remotely
  • Raising prices and salaries after acquisition
  • Dealing with an obstinate commercial landlord
  • Moving 14,000 sq ft of inventory to a new warehouse
  • Hiring her mom as the bookkeeper
  • “F*** your mood. Follow the plan.”

References and how to contact Danyelle:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying 2 Rivals to Create a Dominant Leader Buying 2 Rivals to Create a Dominant Leader full 365c2b88-b6f9-4aa7-b4ff-67fc5be3cfee https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kyle-poll-getoutpass-pogo-pass When his deal died the first time, Kyle Poll was devastated. But then it came back around, larger and more interesting.

Topics in Kyle’s interview:

  • Skills he learned on his 2-year Mormon mission
  • Growing Gympass from $10m to $100m
  • Aiming for happiness at work and home
  • Earning the respect of brokers
  • Watching his deals die and being outbid
  • Q of E that drastically lowered the business value
  • Emotional rollercoaster of full-time search
  • Completing his acquisition as CEO with equity
  • Finding investors who would bet on growth
  • Merging 2 rival companies

References and how to contact Kyle:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> When his deal died the first time, Kyle Poll was devastated. But then it came back around, larger and more interesting.

Topics in Kyle’s interview:

  • Skills he learned on his 2-year Mormon mission
  • Growing Gympass from $10m to $100m
  • Aiming for happiness at work and home
  • Earning the respect of brokers
  • Watching his deals die and being outbid
  • Q of E that drastically lowered the business value
  • Emotional rollercoaster of full-time search
  • Completing his acquisition as CEO with equity
  • Finding investors who would bet on growth
  • Merging 2 rival companies

References and how to contact Kyle:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6341 When his deal died the first time, Kyle Poll was devastated. But then it came back around, larger and more interesting.

Topics in Kyle’s interview:

  • Skills he learned on his 2-year Mormon mission
  • Growing Gympass from $10m to $100m
  • Aiming for happiness at work and home
  • Earning the respect of brokers
  • Watching his deals die and being outbid
  • Q of E that drastically lowered the business value
  • Emotional rollercoaster of full-time search
  • Completing his acquisition as CEO with equity
  • Finding investors who would bet on growth
  • Merging 2 rival companies

References and how to contact Kyle:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Trades Over Tech: Buying an Appliance Repair Business Trades Over Tech: Buying an Appliance Repair Business full c612894b-c13b-4d71-88eb-4d6516353ea3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brian-seeling-pgm-service Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Being an entrepreneurial kid
  • Moving from IT to blue-collar
  • Getting value from SMBootcamp
  • “Riches are in the niches”
  • Satisfaction of developing people
  • Not all SBA lending is the same
  • “Billionaires do business with billionaires”
  • Tactfully bringing about change
  • Continuing the commission-based compensation model
  • Replacing old tech in the business

References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Being an entrepreneurial kid
  • Moving from IT to blue-collar
  • Getting value from SMBootcamp
  • “Riches are in the niches”
  • Satisfaction of developing people
  • Not all SBA lending is the same
  • “Billionaires do business with billionaires”
  • Tactfully bringing about change
  • Continuing the commission-based compensation model
  • Replacing old tech in the business

References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4206 Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue.

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Being an entrepreneurial kid
  • Moving from IT to blue-collar
  • Getting value from SMBootcamp
  • “Riches are in the niches”
  • Satisfaction of developing people
  • Not all SBA lending is the same
  • “Billionaires do business with billionaires”
  • Tactfully bringing about change
  • Continuing the commission-based compensation model
  • Replacing old tech in the business

References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Acquisition Unlock: €210m in 5 Years Acquisition Unlock: €210m in 5 Years full bd7e9fdb-fad0-4da9-92f0-7145678c165d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-keegan-mail-metrics Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • 10 years in the Irish Defense Forces
  • His app idea that ultimately failed
  • Pivoting his failed business into Mail Metrics
  • Successfully competing against larger print companies
  • 7 years of slow growth
  • Acquiring 2 large companies simultaneously
  • Hiring a tutor to teach him basic finance
  • Buying one business in Ireland and one in the UK
  • Borrowing at a very high interest rate
  • Increasing revenue by $12m in one year

References and how to contact Nick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • 10 years in the Irish Defense Forces
  • His app idea that ultimately failed
  • Pivoting his failed business into Mail Metrics
  • Successfully competing against larger print companies
  • 7 years of slow growth
  • Acquiring 2 large companies simultaneously
  • Hiring a tutor to teach him basic finance
  • Buying one business in Ireland and one in the UK
  • Borrowing at a very high interest rate
  • Increasing revenue by $12m in one year

References and how to contact Nick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5291 Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • 10 years in the Irish Defense Forces
  • His app idea that ultimately failed
  • Pivoting his failed business into Mail Metrics
  • Successfully competing against larger print companies
  • 7 years of slow growth
  • Acquiring 2 large companies simultaneously
  • Hiring a tutor to teach him basic finance
  • Buying one business in Ireland and one in the UK
  • Borrowing at a very high interest rate
  • Increasing revenue by $12m in one year

References and how to contact Nick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $60m Roll-Up That Started With an SBA Acquisition $60m Roll-Up That Started With an SBA Acquisition full c45d6c86-44ac-4965-bfea-2d7a45f86d44 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/onu-okebie-brian-boland-htl-freight Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Brian and Onu’s interview:

  • Forming a partnership in business school
  • Searching for 2.5 years
  • Closing on their first business while still in school
  • Bootstrapping their first acquisition
  • Sacrifice and long commute the first year
  • Willingness to “be bad at something”
  • Complexity of niche/time-sensitive freight
  • Athletic grit carried them through acquisition challenges
  • Learning to pitch to investors
  • 5 acquisitions in less than 5 years

References and how to contact Brian and Onu:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Brian and Onu’s interview:

  • Forming a partnership in business school
  • Searching for 2.5 years
  • Closing on their first business while still in school
  • Bootstrapping their first acquisition
  • Sacrifice and long commute the first year
  • Willingness to “be bad at something”
  • Complexity of niche/time-sensitive freight
  • Athletic grit carried them through acquisition challenges
  • Learning to pitch to investors
  • 5 acquisitions in less than 5 years

References and how to contact Brian and Onu:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5344 Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off.

Register for the webinars: 

Topics in Brian and Onu’s interview:

  • Forming a partnership in business school
  • Searching for 2.5 years
  • Closing on their first business while still in school
  • Bootstrapping their first acquisition
  • Sacrifice and long commute the first year
  • Willingness to “be bad at something”
  • Complexity of niche/time-sensitive freight
  • Athletic grit carried them through acquisition challenges
  • Learning to pitch to investors
  • 5 acquisitions in less than 5 years

References and how to contact Brian and Onu:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 Years Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 Years full 9fb9ead3-2904-43c1-9108-c16f7bf1fe18 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/aizik-zimerman-j-blanton Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working. 

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Aizik’s interview:

  • There is endless opportunity in home services
  • His goal of $1 billion in revenue
  • Advantage of his youthful energy
  • Going all-in on digital advertising
  • Small business = big problems
  • Founder Mode theory
  • Organic growth over acquisitions
  • Your must earn your right to diversify
  • Winning on Google with reviews
  • Hiring overseas for auditing and marketing

References and how to contact Aizik:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working. 

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Aizik’s interview:

  • There is endless opportunity in home services
  • His goal of $1 billion in revenue
  • Advantage of his youthful energy
  • Going all-in on digital advertising
  • Small business = big problems
  • Founder Mode theory
  • Organic growth over acquisitions
  • Your must earn your right to diversify
  • Winning on Google with reviews
  • Hiring overseas for auditing and marketing

References and how to contact Aizik:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4680 Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working. 

Register for the webinar: 

Topics in Aizik’s interview:

  • There is endless opportunity in home services
  • His goal of $1 billion in revenue
  • Advantage of his youthful energy
  • Going all-in on digital advertising
  • Small business = big problems
  • Founder Mode theory
  • Organic growth over acquisitions
  • Your must earn your right to diversify
  • Winning on Google with reviews
  • Hiring overseas for auditing and marketing

References and how to contact Aizik:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Family Offices for Searchers: A Primer Family Offices for Searchers: A Primer full 9c5895dd-b742-4909-94d7-90b88e3f6684 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/james-bohannon-belzberg-co James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors.

Topics in James’s interview:

  • What is a family office?
  • Family office capital sustains private markets
  • You may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffs
  • Private, insular nature of family offices
  • How to network with family offices
  • When it makes sense to exit to a family office
  • Long-term holds are a good fit
  • Playing defense and offense within family offices
  • Family offices do not need to raise capital
  • Family offices may be friendlier to smaller deals

References and how to contact James:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors.

Topics in James’s interview:

  • What is a family office?
  • Family office capital sustains private markets
  • You may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffs
  • Private, insular nature of family offices
  • How to network with family offices
  • When it makes sense to exit to a family office
  • Long-term holds are a good fit
  • Playing defense and offense within family offices
  • Family offices do not need to raise capital
  • Family offices may be friendlier to smaller deals

References and how to contact James:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4834 James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors.

Topics in James’s interview:

  • What is a family office?
  • Family office capital sustains private markets
  • You may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffs
  • Private, insular nature of family offices
  • How to network with family offices
  • When it makes sense to exit to a family office
  • Long-term holds are a good fit
  • Playing defense and offense within family offices
  • Family offices do not need to raise capital
  • Family offices may be friendlier to smaller deals

References and how to contact James:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Deciding to Exit After 2 Years of Ownership Deciding to Exit After 2 Years of Ownership full a6e81ca5-e203-42fe-aee7-763eb3202d27 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jack-saville-strategic-fence-sam-rosati-psg Register for the webinar: 

Jack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision.

Topics in Jack and Sam’s interview:

  • Jack’s motivation to own something and take a risk
  • You are always buying a job
  • Linking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcamp
  • Buying a business far from his family
  • Realizing that he didn’t want to operate a lifestyle business
  • Difficulties of growing in a tourist town
  • Selling the business to Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Joining the leadership of Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Continuously question your why
  • Getting in the game unlocks opportunities

References and how to contact Jack and Sam:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Jack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision.

Topics in Jack and Sam’s interview:

  • Jack’s motivation to own something and take a risk
  • You are always buying a job
  • Linking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcamp
  • Buying a business far from his family
  • Realizing that he didn’t want to operate a lifestyle business
  • Difficulties of growing in a tourist town
  • Selling the business to Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Joining the leadership of Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Continuously question your why
  • Getting in the game unlocks opportunities

References and how to contact Jack and Sam:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5261 Register for the webinar: 

Jack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision.

Topics in Jack and Sam’s interview:

  • Jack’s motivation to own something and take a risk
  • You are always buying a job
  • Linking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcamp
  • Buying a business far from his family
  • Realizing that he didn’t want to operate a lifestyle business
  • Difficulties of growing in a tourist town
  • Selling the business to Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Joining the leadership of Perimeter Solutions Group
  • Continuously question your why
  • Getting in the game unlocks opportunities

References and how to contact Jack and Sam:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No So Much Fun: The Buyer of Choice in a Fragmented Industry So Much Fun: The Buyer of Choice in a Fragmented Industry full 9694fa07-39b0-4357-b3e6-33c465a63251 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mark-anderegg-little-sprouts-newbury-franklin Register for the webinars: 

Mark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Raising a search fund himself
  • Being the “world’s worst searcher”
  • Acquiring a 16-location childcare network
  • Pressure of running an essential business
  • The unsolved staffing conundrum
  • Screening for culture
  • Underestimating the cost of new locations
  • Earning a high-integrity reputation
  • Growing through acquisition
  • Selling the business twice

References and how to contact Mark:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars: 

Mark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Raising a search fund himself
  • Being the “world’s worst searcher”
  • Acquiring a 16-location childcare network
  • Pressure of running an essential business
  • The unsolved staffing conundrum
  • Screening for culture
  • Underestimating the cost of new locations
  • Earning a high-integrity reputation
  • Growing through acquisition
  • Selling the business twice

References and how to contact Mark:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5589 Register for the webinars: 

Mark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Raising a search fund himself
  • Being the “world’s worst searcher”
  • Acquiring a 16-location childcare network
  • Pressure of running an essential business
  • The unsolved staffing conundrum
  • Screening for culture
  • Underestimating the cost of new locations
  • Earning a high-integrity reputation
  • Growing through acquisition
  • Selling the business twice

References and how to contact Mark:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit full 93e9004a-c795-4452-af53-14f35567603d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jerod-pierce-mercurious-olympic-holdings Register for the webinar: 

Jerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out.

Topics in Jerod’s interview:

  • Challenging upbringing in foster care
  • Adaptability as a survival skill
  • Joining the investment club in college
  • Getting his MBA from Harvard Business School
  • Learning about ETA from Rick and Royce
  • Searching only in Seattle by cold calling
  • Buying HVAC before it was cool
  • Value of being there every day
  • Exiting for $90 million-ish
  • His nightmare second acquisition

References and how to contact Jerod:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Jerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out.

Topics in Jerod’s interview:

  • Challenging upbringing in foster care
  • Adaptability as a survival skill
  • Joining the investment club in college
  • Getting his MBA from Harvard Business School
  • Learning about ETA from Rick and Royce
  • Searching only in Seattle by cold calling
  • Buying HVAC before it was cool
  • Value of being there every day
  • Exiting for $90 million-ish
  • His nightmare second acquisition

References and how to contact Jerod:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7793 Register for the webinar: 

Jerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out.

Topics in Jerod’s interview:

  • Challenging upbringing in foster care
  • Adaptability as a survival skill
  • Joining the investment club in college
  • Getting his MBA from Harvard Business School
  • Learning about ETA from Rick and Royce
  • Searching only in Seattle by cold calling
  • Buying HVAC before it was cool
  • Value of being there every day
  • Exiting for $90 million-ish
  • His nightmare second acquisition

References and how to contact Jerod:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Flywheel of Buying Businesses in a Single Region The Flywheel of Buying Businesses in a Single Region full 1707db6d-6625-4138-9fcb-3fe2ab8c8521 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/doug-lepisto-sleeping-giant-capital Register for the webinar: 

Doug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.

Topics in Doug’s interview: 

  • Having one foot in academia, one in business
  • Place-based private equity model
  • Delivering returns while elevating Western Michigan
  • Competitive advantage through building local trust
  • “Find the operator, find the deal” philosophy
  • Investing in searchers with one-on-one education
  • The tide is shifting to long-term hold strategy
  • Western Michigan students intern at portfolio companies
  • 5 elements of his private equity model
  • Plenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operators

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Doug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.

Topics in Doug’s interview: 

  • Having one foot in academia, one in business
  • Place-based private equity model
  • Delivering returns while elevating Western Michigan
  • Competitive advantage through building local trust
  • “Find the operator, find the deal” philosophy
  • Investing in searchers with one-on-one education
  • The tide is shifting to long-term hold strategy
  • Western Michigan students intern at portfolio companies
  • 5 elements of his private equity model
  • Plenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operators

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4927 Register for the webinar: 

Doug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.

Topics in Doug’s interview: 

  • Having one foot in academia, one in business
  • Place-based private equity model
  • Delivering returns while elevating Western Michigan
  • Competitive advantage through building local trust
  • “Find the operator, find the deal” philosophy
  • Investing in searchers with one-on-one education
  • The tide is shifting to long-term hold strategy
  • Western Michigan students intern at portfolio companies
  • 5 elements of his private equity model
  • Plenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operators

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Hiring a CEO to Run Things (and Get Life Back) Hiring a CEO to Run Things (and Get Life Back) full 3ae6c2a3-1b17-4b4f-baf8-b36ef1b0bb41 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jeremy-hunka-summit-cabinet-coatings Register for the webinar: 

Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.

Topics in Jeremy’s interview:

  • Buying a business at age 27
  • Rocky first day as owner
  • Living 1.5 hours from the business
  • Employees wanting him present every day
  • Taking too long to fire an employee
  • Watching sales drop dangerously low
  • Facing resistance from employees
  • Learning to balance empathy with boundaries
  • Hiring a great sales leader
  • Installing a CEO to run the day-to-day

References and how to contact Jeremy:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.

Topics in Jeremy’s interview:

  • Buying a business at age 27
  • Rocky first day as owner
  • Living 1.5 hours from the business
  • Employees wanting him present every day
  • Taking too long to fire an employee
  • Watching sales drop dangerously low
  • Facing resistance from employees
  • Learning to balance empathy with boundaries
  • Hiring a great sales leader
  • Installing a CEO to run the day-to-day

References and how to contact Jeremy:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6574 Register for the webinar: 

Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.

Topics in Jeremy’s interview:

  • Buying a business at age 27
  • Rocky first day as owner
  • Living 1.5 hours from the business
  • Employees wanting him present every day
  • Taking too long to fire an employee
  • Watching sales drop dangerously low
  • Facing resistance from employees
  • Learning to balance empathy with boundaries
  • Hiring a great sales leader
  • Installing a CEO to run the day-to-day

References and how to contact Jeremy:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Few Hours Per Week, a Few States Away A Few Hours Per Week, a Few States Away full 3084f9ce-3637-45a5-9a82-b69358d9f49b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brett-maxam-morcrete-construction Register for the webinar: 

Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up close
  • Involving his wife as a sounding board
  • Buying a business a plane ride away
  • Proactively negotiating for a seller note
  • “Shut up and let them do a little more talking”
  • Using ROBS to fund a 30% down payment
  • Getting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple
  • 13-week cashflow forecast is critical
  • Delegating management to the local team
  • Deciding whether to grow the business or acquire again

References and how to contact Brett:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up close
  • Involving his wife as a sounding board
  • Buying a business a plane ride away
  • Proactively negotiating for a seller note
  • “Shut up and let them do a little more talking”
  • Using ROBS to fund a 30% down payment
  • Getting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple
  • 13-week cashflow forecast is critical
  • Delegating management to the local team
  • Deciding whether to grow the business or acquire again

References and how to contact Brett:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5497 Register for the webinar: 

Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up close
  • Involving his wife as a sounding board
  • Buying a business a plane ride away
  • Proactively negotiating for a seller note
  • “Shut up and let them do a little more talking”
  • Using ROBS to fund a 30% down payment
  • Getting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple
  • 13-week cashflow forecast is critical
  • Delegating management to the local team
  • Deciding whether to grow the business or acquire again

References and how to contact Brett:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Joy & Pain of Buying a Tech Business The Joy & Pain of Buying a Tech Business full 10dd86db-6506-4b55-9356-f2828897e5d9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/felipe-corcuera-beecker Register for the webinar: 

Felipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.

Topics in Felipe’s interview: 

  • Imperfect information in the lower middle market
  • Pivoting from investing to operating
  • Finding a partner with complementary strengths
  • How he defines success during search
  • AI threats to traditional SaaS businesses
  • Testing for seller motivation
  • Valuation based on revenue
  • Aggressively reinvesting in the business
  • Pros and cons of being an AI company
  • Economics of sharing deals for a finder’s fee

References and how to contact Felipe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Felipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.

Topics in Felipe’s interview: 

  • Imperfect information in the lower middle market
  • Pivoting from investing to operating
  • Finding a partner with complementary strengths
  • How he defines success during search
  • AI threats to traditional SaaS businesses
  • Testing for seller motivation
  • Valuation based on revenue
  • Aggressively reinvesting in the business
  • Pros and cons of being an AI company
  • Economics of sharing deals for a finder’s fee

References and how to contact Felipe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6180 Register for the webinar: 

Felipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.

Topics in Felipe’s interview: 

  • Imperfect information in the lower middle market
  • Pivoting from investing to operating
  • Finding a partner with complementary strengths
  • How he defines success during search
  • AI threats to traditional SaaS businesses
  • Testing for seller motivation
  • Valuation based on revenue
  • Aggressively reinvesting in the business
  • Pros and cons of being an AI company
  • Economics of sharing deals for a finder’s fee

References and how to contact Felipe:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers $2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers full f1ae3765-a3a3-44ee-b5ac-1001c26bf37c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/daniel-batista-candeeland-downey About fall conferences: 

Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.

Topics in Daniel’s interview:

  • His experience in the film industry
  • Launching a Latino media brand
  • Searching for a fun business
  • Acquiring an indoor playground 
  • LA demographics are perfect for this business
  • High initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA margins
  • Candeeland Kids’ unique franchising structure
  • Surprisingly low maintenance costs
  • Teenage hourly labor
  • Adding an arcade to his location

References and how to contact Daniel:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> About fall conferences: 

Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.

Topics in Daniel’s interview:

  • His experience in the film industry
  • Launching a Latino media brand
  • Searching for a fun business
  • Acquiring an indoor playground 
  • LA demographics are perfect for this business
  • High initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA margins
  • Candeeland Kids’ unique franchising structure
  • Surprisingly low maintenance costs
  • Teenage hourly labor
  • Adding an arcade to his location

References and how to contact Daniel:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5099 About fall conferences: 

Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.

Topics in Daniel’s interview:

  • His experience in the film industry
  • Launching a Latino media brand
  • Searching for a fun business
  • Acquiring an indoor playground 
  • LA demographics are perfect for this business
  • High initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA margins
  • Candeeland Kids’ unique franchising structure
  • Surprisingly low maintenance costs
  • Teenage hourly labor
  • Adding an arcade to his location

References and how to contact Daniel:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue full c1106651-fd94-4c5e-b630-63545f4fbec2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kyle-boyden-jake-furfaro-rainier-cleaning-solutions About fall conferences: 

Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration.

Topics in Kyle and Jake’s interview:

  • Leaving a “cushy sales job” to buy a business
  • Doing no due diligence on the first acquisition
  • Cons of property management
  • Trading property management for janitorial
  • Buying very small cleaning businesses
  • Losing faith in SBA loan underwriters
  • Educating sellers about valuation
  • Seller financing on all 7 deals
  • Support from previous owners
  • No more acquisitions for now

References and how to contact Kyle and Jake:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> About fall conferences: 

Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration.

Topics in Kyle and Jake’s interview:

  • Leaving a “cushy sales job” to buy a business
  • Doing no due diligence on the first acquisition
  • Cons of property management
  • Trading property management for janitorial
  • Buying very small cleaning businesses
  • Losing faith in SBA loan underwriters
  • Educating sellers about valuation
  • Seller financing on all 7 deals
  • Support from previous owners
  • No more acquisitions for now

References and how to contact Kyle and Jake:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4900 About fall conferences: 

Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration.

Topics in Kyle and Jake’s interview:

  • Leaving a “cushy sales job” to buy a business
  • Doing no due diligence on the first acquisition
  • Cons of property management
  • Trading property management for janitorial
  • Buying very small cleaning businesses
  • Losing faith in SBA loan underwriters
  • Educating sellers about valuation
  • Seller financing on all 7 deals
  • Support from previous owners
  • No more acquisitions for now

References and how to contact Kyle and Jake:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business 4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business full 6cabf0f4-c97d-4b90-8532-345c1ec61054 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/bryan-houck-extra-credit-projects-ecp Register for the webinar:

Bryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency.

Topics in Bryan’s interview:

  • Losing everything in a startup at 41
  • Discovering his personal talents
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Ups and downs of search
  • Importance of meeting the owner
  • Buying an in-person creative agency
  • The “Superbowl winning” team at Extra Credit Projects
  • Talking to clients about price
  • Buying a business at 58
  • The “Stoopid Framework” he invented

References and how to contact Bryan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Bryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency.

Topics in Bryan’s interview:

  • Losing everything in a startup at 41
  • Discovering his personal talents
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Ups and downs of search
  • Importance of meeting the owner
  • Buying an in-person creative agency
  • The “Superbowl winning” team at Extra Credit Projects
  • Talking to clients about price
  • Buying a business at 58
  • The “Stoopid Framework” he invented

References and how to contact Bryan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4451 Register for the webinar:

Bryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency.

Topics in Bryan’s interview:

  • Losing everything in a startup at 41
  • Discovering his personal talents
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Ups and downs of search
  • Importance of meeting the owner
  • Buying an in-person creative agency
  • The “Superbowl winning” team at Extra Credit Projects
  • Talking to clients about price
  • Buying a business at 58
  • The “Stoopid Framework” he invented

References and how to contact Bryan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying and Building a Xerox Dealer to $30m Buying and Building a Xerox Dealer to $30m full ffaf8b7d-d5c6-4670-83fb-3cc87642c315 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jeff-horn-benchmark-masked-rider Register for the webinar:

Jeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • Feeling a calling to lead
  • Leaving a high-paying job to search
  • You have to check the character box
  • Acquiring a Xerox dealership
  • Spending the first 90 days building relationships
  • 3 buckets of growth
  • Learning to rely on great employees
  • Challenges of scaling
  • Growing revenue from $5m to $30m
  • Exiting and becoming an investor

References and how to contact Jeff:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Jeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • Feeling a calling to lead
  • Leaving a high-paying job to search
  • You have to check the character box
  • Acquiring a Xerox dealership
  • Spending the first 90 days building relationships
  • 3 buckets of growth
  • Learning to rely on great employees
  • Challenges of scaling
  • Growing revenue from $5m to $30m
  • Exiting and becoming an investor

References and how to contact Jeff:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4865 Register for the webinar:

Jeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • Feeling a calling to lead
  • Leaving a high-paying job to search
  • You have to check the character box
  • Acquiring a Xerox dealership
  • Spending the first 90 days building relationships
  • 3 buckets of growth
  • Learning to rely on great employees
  • Challenges of scaling
  • Growing revenue from $5m to $30m
  • Exiting and becoming an investor

References and how to contact Jeff:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Searcher’s Second Act: Building a $25m Holdco A Searcher’s Second Act: Building a $25m Holdco full 025c9cb4-8f6d-4282-80ef-8d884c3409c6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eric-calderon-txe-partners Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

After success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Accepting investment from Rick and Royce
  • Acquiring through traditional search
  • Commitment to community banks
  • Ups and downs of the oil and gas industry
  • “You gotta tell your story to anyone who’s listening”
  • Emotional challenges of downsizing
  • Shared services vs. decentralization
  • Recruiting patient capital for a long-term hold
  • Why $1m SDE is the target size for holdco acquisitions
  • Evolving from operator to investor

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

After success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Accepting investment from Rick and Royce
  • Acquiring through traditional search
  • Commitment to community banks
  • Ups and downs of the oil and gas industry
  • “You gotta tell your story to anyone who’s listening”
  • Emotional challenges of downsizing
  • Shared services vs. decentralization
  • Recruiting patient capital for a long-term hold
  • Why $1m SDE is the target size for holdco acquisitions
  • Evolving from operator to investor

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5802 Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

After success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Accepting investment from Rick and Royce
  • Acquiring through traditional search
  • Commitment to community banks
  • Ups and downs of the oil and gas industry
  • “You gotta tell your story to anyone who’s listening”
  • Emotional challenges of downsizing
  • Shared services vs. decentralization
  • Recruiting patient capital for a long-term hold
  • Why $1m SDE is the target size for holdco acquisitions
  • Evolving from operator to investor

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 2 Years to $40m: The Anatomy of a High-Velocity Roll-up 2 Years to $40m: The Anatomy of a High-Velocity Roll-up full 56c7d57c-2344-4638-ba69-5f2fdac02435 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/luis-reyes-ibv-iberian-ventures Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

When Luis Reyes bought a small fire safety business, he saw an opportunity. 24 acquisitions later, he's at $8m EBITDA.

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Luis’s early career
  • Launching a roll-up strategy in Spain
  • Identifying consolidation opportunities
  • First acquisitions in poultry distribution and fire safety
  • Building and leading a team for a high-velocity, high-volume roll-up
  • Integrating operational-complex businesses at scale
  • Leveraging AI in fire safety
  • Spain’s capital markets
  • Adapting acquisition criteria
  • Goal for the platform

References and how to contact Luis:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

When Luis Reyes bought a small fire safety business, he saw an opportunity. 24 acquisitions later, he's at $8m EBITDA.

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Luis’s early career
  • Launching a roll-up strategy in Spain
  • Identifying consolidation opportunities
  • First acquisitions in poultry distribution and fire safety
  • Building and leading a team for a high-velocity, high-volume roll-up
  • Integrating operational-complex businesses at scale
  • Leveraging AI in fire safety
  • Spain’s capital markets
  • Adapting acquisition criteria
  • Goal for the platform

References and how to contact Luis:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4344 Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

When Luis Reyes bought a small fire safety business, he saw an opportunity. 24 acquisitions later, he's at $8m EBITDA.

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Luis’s early career
  • Launching a roll-up strategy in Spain
  • Identifying consolidation opportunities
  • First acquisitions in poultry distribution and fire safety
  • Building and leading a team for a high-velocity, high-volume roll-up
  • Integrating operational-complex businesses at scale
  • Leveraging AI in fire safety
  • Spain’s capital markets
  • Adapting acquisition criteria
  • Goal for the platform

References and how to contact Luis:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From 16 Years in Corporate to a $1m SDE Acquisition From 16 Years in Corporate to a $1m SDE Acquisition full f4f5e8f3-a0d1-4c52-a520-a48c1582eeae https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jesus-wong-gear-re-store Register for the webinar:

After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he discovered ETA, he knew he'd found it.

Topics in Jesus’s interview:

  • Childhood in Mexico and Canada
  • Family history of entrepreneurship
  • Buying a Canadian garment repair business
  • Low capex, high labor costs
  • Structuring his deal without the SBA
  • Mitigating the risk of high customer concentration
  • Value of a high-quality deal team
  • Higher closing costs in Canada
  • Paying 5% interest on his loan
  • Answering the call of entrepreneurship

References and how to contact Jesus:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he discovered ETA, he knew he'd found it.

Topics in Jesus’s interview:

  • Childhood in Mexico and Canada
  • Family history of entrepreneurship
  • Buying a Canadian garment repair business
  • Low capex, high labor costs
  • Structuring his deal without the SBA
  • Mitigating the risk of high customer concentration
  • Value of a high-quality deal team
  • Higher closing costs in Canada
  • Paying 5% interest on his loan
  • Answering the call of entrepreneurship

References and how to contact Jesus:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4545 Register for the webinar:

After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he discovered ETA, he knew he'd found it.

Topics in Jesus’s interview:

  • Childhood in Mexico and Canada
  • Family history of entrepreneurship
  • Buying a Canadian garment repair business
  • Low capex, high labor costs
  • Structuring his deal without the SBA
  • Mitigating the risk of high customer concentration
  • Value of a high-quality deal team
  • Higher closing costs in Canada
  • Paying 5% interest on his loan
  • Answering the call of entrepreneurship

References and how to contact Jesus:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a $25m FedEx Route Empire from $100k Equity Building a $25m FedEx Route Empire from $100k Equity full 71b3d2db-69d7-4366-bb23-2e479b44996e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/avery-tomek-fedex Register for the webinar:

Avery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3 years later, he has 240 trucks and $600k weeks.

Topics in Avery’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to FedEx routes
  • Ups and downs of Covid
  • Expanding his fleet
  • Running his logistics business remotely
  • Everything hinges on weekly deposits
  • What makes a route lucrative (or costly)
  • No marketing or sales. Just operations.
  • Resale value of a FedEx route
  • Demanding nature of the business
  • “If you’re good, the world will compensate you.”

References and how to contact Avery:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Avery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3 years later, he has 240 trucks and $600k weeks.

Topics in Avery’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to FedEx routes
  • Ups and downs of Covid
  • Expanding his fleet
  • Running his logistics business remotely
  • Everything hinges on weekly deposits
  • What makes a route lucrative (or costly)
  • No marketing or sales. Just operations.
  • Resale value of a FedEx route
  • Demanding nature of the business
  • “If you’re good, the world will compensate you.”

References and how to contact Avery:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5363 Register for the webinar:

Avery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3 years later, he has 240 trucks and $600k weeks.

Topics in Avery’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to FedEx routes
  • Ups and downs of Covid
  • Expanding his fleet
  • Running his logistics business remotely
  • Everything hinges on weekly deposits
  • What makes a route lucrative (or costly)
  • No marketing or sales. Just operations.
  • Resale value of a FedEx route
  • Demanding nature of the business
  • “If you’re good, the world will compensate you.”

References and how to contact Avery:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $200m Franchisor (Not Units, the Whole System) Buying a $200m Franchisor (Not Units, the Whole System) full 54360f75-febd-4b6b-9ebe-8a8d74c5172a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tyler-gordon-zach-gordon-basecamp-uptown-cheapskate Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Tyler & Zach Gordon's search for an overlooked industry with good prospects led to a franchise system of thrift stores.

Topics in Tyler & Zach’s interview:

  • Zach and Tyler’s backgrounds in franchising
  • Looking for career fulfillment
  • Formulating a search strategy
  • Focusing on overlooked industries
  • Discovering thrift store franchising
  • Evaluating franchise opportunities
  • Transitioning from franchisee to franchisor
  • Structuring the acquisition and partnership
  • Focusing their marketing on vendors
  • Prioritizing franchisee success and future growth

References and how to contact Tyler & Zach:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Tyler & Zach Gordon's search for an overlooked industry with good prospects led to a franchise system of thrift stores.

Topics in Tyler & Zach’s interview:

  • Zach and Tyler’s backgrounds in franchising
  • Looking for career fulfillment
  • Formulating a search strategy
  • Focusing on overlooked industries
  • Discovering thrift store franchising
  • Evaluating franchise opportunities
  • Transitioning from franchisee to franchisor
  • Structuring the acquisition and partnership
  • Focusing their marketing on vendors
  • Prioritizing franchisee success and future growth

References and how to contact Tyler & Zach:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6684 Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Tyler & Zach Gordon's search for an overlooked industry with good prospects led to a franchise system of thrift stores.

Topics in Tyler & Zach’s interview:

  • Zach and Tyler’s backgrounds in franchising
  • Looking for career fulfillment
  • Formulating a search strategy
  • Focusing on overlooked industries
  • Discovering thrift store franchising
  • Evaluating franchise opportunities
  • Transitioning from franchisee to franchisor
  • Structuring the acquisition and partnership
  • Focusing their marketing on vendors
  • Prioritizing franchisee success and future growth

References and how to contact Tyler & Zach:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A $10m Acquisition for Freedom and Family A $10m Acquisition for Freedom and Family full 252e84b8-8f9a-4edb-aeb2-90742c986e30 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/anica-john-diggypod Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Anica John bought a print-on-demand business to have more time with her kids without compromising her career ambitions.

Topics in Anica’s interview:

  • Experience at Amazon, WalMart, and Disney Streaming
  • Choosing entrepreneurship over returning to office
  • Buying a publishing company for indie authors
  • High capex = moat
  • Diversity of their genres and clientele 
  • Resurrecting a dead deal
  • How DiggyPOD stacks up to Amazon KDP
  • Carefully planning tech upgrades
  • Award-winning customer service
  • Running a business from out of state

References and how to contact Anica:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Anica John bought a print-on-demand business to have more time with her kids without compromising her career ambitions.

Topics in Anica’s interview:

  • Experience at Amazon, WalMart, and Disney Streaming
  • Choosing entrepreneurship over returning to office
  • Buying a publishing company for indie authors
  • High capex = moat
  • Diversity of their genres and clientele 
  • Resurrecting a dead deal
  • How DiggyPOD stacks up to Amazon KDP
  • Carefully planning tech upgrades
  • Award-winning customer service
  • Running a business from out of state

References and how to contact Anica:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5189 Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Anica John bought a print-on-demand business to have more time with her kids without compromising her career ambitions.

Topics in Anica’s interview:

  • Experience at Amazon, WalMart, and Disney Streaming
  • Choosing entrepreneurship over returning to office
  • Buying a publishing company for indie authors
  • High capex = moat
  • Diversity of their genres and clientele 
  • Resurrecting a dead deal
  • How DiggyPOD stacks up to Amazon KDP
  • Carefully planning tech upgrades
  • Award-winning customer service
  • Running a business from out of state

References and how to contact Anica:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No You’ve Been Served: Buying a $1.3m Process-Serving Company You’ve Been Served: Buying a $1.3m Process-Serving Company full 195a35ae-478f-4200-a05a-010f6fcf1728 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/raj-kankaria-lone-star-attorney-services Register for the webinar:

At a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving company. 

Topics in Raj’s interview:

  • From investment banking to process server
  • What he liked about process serving
  • Buying the company from his boss
  • Building industry relationships
  • What TV gets wrong about process serving
  • Technology in process serving
  • Making changes on day one
  • Communicating unpopular changes to employees
  • Trading a high salary for ownership
  • Vision for business growth

References and how to contact Raj:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

At a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving company. 

Topics in Raj’s interview:

  • From investment banking to process server
  • What he liked about process serving
  • Buying the company from his boss
  • Building industry relationships
  • What TV gets wrong about process serving
  • Technology in process serving
  • Making changes on day one
  • Communicating unpopular changes to employees
  • Trading a high salary for ownership
  • Vision for business growth

References and how to contact Raj:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4666 Register for the webinar:

At a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving company. 

Topics in Raj’s interview:

  • From investment banking to process server
  • What he liked about process serving
  • Buying the company from his boss
  • Building industry relationships
  • What TV gets wrong about process serving
  • Technology in process serving
  • Making changes on day one
  • Communicating unpopular changes to employees
  • Trading a high salary for ownership
  • Vision for business growth

References and how to contact Raj:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M full 5974529c-aadf-4be2-a3e3-86a8d98aadac https://acquiringminds.co/articles/enrique-rodriguez-mac-general Register for the webinars:

Enrique Rodriguez bought a project-based construction business (gasp) with $1.4m in revenue. One year later it's at $4m.

Topics in Enrique’s interview:

  • 17 years in project-based construction
  • Getting his MBA and electrician’s license
  • Buying too small for an SBA loan
  • Bringing a machine gun to a knife fight
  • Injecting his own money during the J-curve
  • Doing his own quality of earnings
  • His wife and father’s roles in the business
  • Disagreement with Walker Diebel 
  • Assertiveness in managing employees
  • Celebrating milestones with his team

References and how to contact Enrique:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars:

Enrique Rodriguez bought a project-based construction business (gasp) with $1.4m in revenue. One year later it's at $4m.

Topics in Enrique’s interview:

  • 17 years in project-based construction
  • Getting his MBA and electrician’s license
  • Buying too small for an SBA loan
  • Bringing a machine gun to a knife fight
  • Injecting his own money during the J-curve
  • Doing his own quality of earnings
  • His wife and father’s roles in the business
  • Disagreement with Walker Diebel 
  • Assertiveness in managing employees
  • Celebrating milestones with his team

References and how to contact Enrique:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5612 Register for the webinars:

Enrique Rodriguez bought a project-based construction business (gasp) with $1.4m in revenue. One year later it's at $4m.

Topics in Enrique’s interview:

  • 17 years in project-based construction
  • Getting his MBA and electrician’s license
  • Buying too small for an SBA loan
  • Bringing a machine gun to a knife fight
  • Injecting his own money during the J-curve
  • Doing his own quality of earnings
  • His wife and father’s roles in the business
  • Disagreement with Walker Diebel 
  • Assertiveness in managing employees
  • Celebrating milestones with his team

References and how to contact Enrique:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business full 30b63c60-a26e-4c21-a4df-59baa7b775f8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/yan-vinarskiy-floorguard Register for the webinar:

Yan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.

Topics in Yan’s interview:

  • Using a buy-side broker to search and close
  • Being inspired to take on a large deal
  • Trade-offs of independent sponsor economics
  • Board dynamics and governance
  • Building a pitch deck
  • Refining his investor pitch
  • Expanding the business model
  • Managing 2 separate businesses

References and how to contact Yan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Yan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.

Topics in Yan’s interview:

  • Using a buy-side broker to search and close
  • Being inspired to take on a large deal
  • Trade-offs of independent sponsor economics
  • Board dynamics and governance
  • Building a pitch deck
  • Refining his investor pitch
  • Expanding the business model
  • Managing 2 separate businesses

References and how to contact Yan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6249 Register for the webinar:

Yan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.

Topics in Yan’s interview:

  • Using a buy-side broker to search and close
  • Being inspired to take on a large deal
  • Trade-offs of independent sponsor economics
  • Board dynamics and governance
  • Building a pitch deck
  • Refining his investor pitch
  • Expanding the business model
  • Managing 2 separate businesses

References and how to contact Yan:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership full 65571bf2-310c-4493-9d4a-12a28677780d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/marci-larouech-seay-hr Register for the webinar:

Accomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.

Topics in Marci’s interview:

  • Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO
  • 2 reasons she likes project work
  • Comparing HR consulting and PEO business models
  • Acquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financing
  • Leveraging associations and networks for client growth
  • Building a strong team for high-touch HR service
  • Growth in fractional HR work
  • Becoming the leading HR firm for the pest control industry
  • How AI can be useful for human resources
  • Ease of hiring in HR

References and how to contact Marci:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Accomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.

Topics in Marci’s interview:

  • Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO
  • 2 reasons she likes project work
  • Comparing HR consulting and PEO business models
  • Acquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financing
  • Leveraging associations and networks for client growth
  • Building a strong team for high-touch HR service
  • Growth in fractional HR work
  • Becoming the leading HR firm for the pest control industry
  • How AI can be useful for human resources
  • Ease of hiring in HR

References and how to contact Marci:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5986 Register for the webinar:

Accomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.

Topics in Marci’s interview:

  • Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO
  • 2 reasons she likes project work
  • Comparing HR consulting and PEO business models
  • Acquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financing
  • Leveraging associations and networks for client growth
  • Building a strong team for high-touch HR service
  • Growth in fractional HR work
  • Becoming the leading HR firm for the pest control industry
  • How AI can be useful for human resources
  • Ease of hiring in HR

References and how to contact Marci:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month full 9a94c696-08fe-4aef-84c6-3470bab24434 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ryan-adams-rhino-shield By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Transferring from military to business
  • Focusing on selling one service
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • The business tanked after acquisition
  • Rescuing the company by fixing his sales process
  • Properly incentivizing for the outcome he wants
  • Learning digital marketing himself
  • Cost per acquisition metric
  • Where he finds good sales guys
  • Expanding his territory by buying a competitor

References and how to contact Ryan:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Transferring from military to business
  • Focusing on selling one service
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • The business tanked after acquisition
  • Rescuing the company by fixing his sales process
  • Properly incentivizing for the outcome he wants
  • Learning digital marketing himself
  • Cost per acquisition metric
  • Where he finds good sales guys
  • Expanding his territory by buying a competitor

References and how to contact Ryan:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5506 By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Transferring from military to business
  • Focusing on selling one service
  • Underestimating working capital needs
  • The business tanked after acquisition
  • Rescuing the company by fixing his sales process
  • Properly incentivizing for the outcome he wants
  • Learning digital marketing himself
  • Cost per acquisition metric
  • Where he finds good sales guys
  • Expanding his territory by buying a competitor

References and how to contact Ryan:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years full 9fbea986-ccf2-4f22-b155-022a8de4b3db https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-rao-triple20 Adam Rao took a chance on an exhibit production business that had generated zero revenue in 15 months. It's gone well.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Discovering impact companies
  • Acquiring with a business partner
  • Buying a distressed business during Covid
  • Getting 100% seller financing
  • Inheriting an angry, dysfunctional staff
  • A brutal first 9 months
  • Acquiring an add-on with an SBA loan
  • His role as the visionary
  • Achieving stability by merging companies
  • Reducing waste in a high-waste industry

References and how to contact Adam:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Adam Rao took a chance on an exhibit production business that had generated zero revenue in 15 months. It's gone well.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Discovering impact companies
  • Acquiring with a business partner
  • Buying a distressed business during Covid
  • Getting 100% seller financing
  • Inheriting an angry, dysfunctional staff
  • A brutal first 9 months
  • Acquiring an add-on with an SBA loan
  • His role as the visionary
  • Achieving stability by merging companies
  • Reducing waste in a high-waste industry

References and how to contact Adam:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4903 Adam Rao took a chance on an exhibit production business that had generated zero revenue in 15 months. It's gone well.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Discovering impact companies
  • Acquiring with a business partner
  • Buying a distressed business during Covid
  • Getting 100% seller financing
  • Inheriting an angry, dysfunctional staff
  • A brutal first 9 months
  • Acquiring an add-on with an SBA loan
  • His role as the visionary
  • Achieving stability by merging companies
  • Reducing waste in a high-waste industry

References and how to contact Adam:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit full 64e9ee26-aedc-4d23-8264-b9d48176582e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/phil-miller-pawville Phil Miller turned a tiny pet shop doing $100k in sales into a regional pet boarding brand — and the ideal PE platform.

Topics in Phil’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to the pet industry
  • Slow renovation creating a financial mess
  • Delegation is the key to growth
  • The real cost of a cheap turnaround
  • Building a pet resort brand
  • Accelerating growth with Store Capital
  • Why franchising is a poor option in his industry
  • Dealing with tire-kicking searchers
  • Partnering with private equity
  • Emotional rollercoaster of combining cultures

References and how to contact Phil:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Phil Miller turned a tiny pet shop doing $100k in sales into a regional pet boarding brand — and the ideal PE platform.

Topics in Phil’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to the pet industry
  • Slow renovation creating a financial mess
  • Delegation is the key to growth
  • The real cost of a cheap turnaround
  • Building a pet resort brand
  • Accelerating growth with Store Capital
  • Why franchising is a poor option in his industry
  • Dealing with tire-kicking searchers
  • Partnering with private equity
  • Emotional rollercoaster of combining cultures

References and how to contact Phil:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6622 Phil Miller turned a tiny pet shop doing $100k in sales into a regional pet boarding brand — and the ideal PE platform.

Topics in Phil’s interview:

  • Pivoting from real estate to the pet industry
  • Slow renovation creating a financial mess
  • Delegation is the key to growth
  • The real cost of a cheap turnaround
  • Building a pet resort brand
  • Accelerating growth with Store Capital
  • Why franchising is a poor option in his industry
  • Dealing with tire-kicking searchers
  • Partnering with private equity
  • Emotional rollercoaster of combining cultures

References and how to contact Phil:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence full 0e45f57f-4c03-4ac3-99f4-0ab5185cb875 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-brunnig-kevin-peer-octal-ventures Register for the webinar:

Matt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m manufacturing holdco.

Topics in Matt & Kevin’s interview:

  • Searching for a wife and a business
  • Overcoming the fear of uncertainty
  • Locally searching in St. Petersberg, FL
  • Long term payoff of bringing donuts
  • Quickly growing through marketing
  • Using Pinterest to stoke demand for their product
  • Introducing the Searcher in Residence concept
  • Trade-offs and benefits for the SIR and owner
  • Additional acquisitions in manufacturing
  • Running the holdco with Traction

References and how to contact Matt & Kevin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Matt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m manufacturing holdco.

Topics in Matt & Kevin’s interview:

  • Searching for a wife and a business
  • Overcoming the fear of uncertainty
  • Locally searching in St. Petersberg, FL
  • Long term payoff of bringing donuts
  • Quickly growing through marketing
  • Using Pinterest to stoke demand for their product
  • Introducing the Searcher in Residence concept
  • Trade-offs and benefits for the SIR and owner
  • Additional acquisitions in manufacturing
  • Running the holdco with Traction

References and how to contact Matt & Kevin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7008 Register for the webinar:

Matt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m manufacturing holdco.

Topics in Matt & Kevin’s interview:

  • Searching for a wife and a business
  • Overcoming the fear of uncertainty
  • Locally searching in St. Petersberg, FL
  • Long term payoff of bringing donuts
  • Quickly growing through marketing
  • Using Pinterest to stoke demand for their product
  • Introducing the Searcher in Residence concept
  • Trade-offs and benefits for the SIR and owner
  • Additional acquisitions in manufacturing
  • Running the holdco with Traction

References and how to contact Matt & Kevin:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed full 5b4fabd3-3d10-4e76-94dc-e170ca32758b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/grania-michel-associated-photo-and-imaging Register for the webinar:

A friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI 2 weeks later.

Topics in Grania’s interview:

  • Operating a business in Ecuador
  • Emotional ups and downs during the search process
  • Keeping her search private in the beginning
  • Sending LOIs as quickly as possible
  • Acquiring a commercial printing business in Miami
  • Managing the deal process, debt consolidation, and equity structuring
  • Translating her day one speech to Spanish on the fly
  • Losing key employees after transition
  • Why she recommends buying all the accounts payable
  • Building a long-term legacy for her daughters

References and how to contact Grania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

A friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI 2 weeks later.

Topics in Grania’s interview:

  • Operating a business in Ecuador
  • Emotional ups and downs during the search process
  • Keeping her search private in the beginning
  • Sending LOIs as quickly as possible
  • Acquiring a commercial printing business in Miami
  • Managing the deal process, debt consolidation, and equity structuring
  • Translating her day one speech to Spanish on the fly
  • Losing key employees after transition
  • Why she recommends buying all the accounts payable
  • Building a long-term legacy for her daughters

References and how to contact Grania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4892 Register for the webinar:

A friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI 2 weeks later.

Topics in Grania’s interview:

  • Operating a business in Ecuador
  • Emotional ups and downs during the search process
  • Keeping her search private in the beginning
  • Sending LOIs as quickly as possible
  • Acquiring a commercial printing business in Miami
  • Managing the deal process, debt consolidation, and equity structuring
  • Translating her day one speech to Spanish on the fly
  • Losing key employees after transition
  • Why she recommends buying all the accounts payable
  • Building a long-term legacy for her daughters

References and how to contact Grania:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business full 97fa244e-73a3-4b4b-b6de-687a536042b7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brian-hartman-northside-tree Register for the webinar:

Brian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Picking up the phone is crucial
  • Growing so fast the wheels nearly came off
  • Hiring top-tier managers and ops staff early
  • Managing cash flow and receivables through growth
  • Expanding via acquisition, starting in Dallas
  • Ensuring safety for employees
  • Partnering with another Acquiring Minds guest
  • Aiming for $55–70M in revenue by 2030
  • Buying a business with baby #3 on the way
  • How landscaping is different from tree service


References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Brian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Picking up the phone is crucial
  • Growing so fast the wheels nearly came off
  • Hiring top-tier managers and ops staff early
  • Managing cash flow and receivables through growth
  • Expanding via acquisition, starting in Dallas
  • Ensuring safety for employees
  • Partnering with another Acquiring Minds guest
  • Aiming for $55–70M in revenue by 2030
  • Buying a business with baby #3 on the way
  • How landscaping is different from tree service


References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5300 Register for the webinar:

Brian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Picking up the phone is crucial
  • Growing so fast the wheels nearly came off
  • Hiring top-tier managers and ops staff early
  • Managing cash flow and receivables through growth
  • Expanding via acquisition, starting in Dallas
  • Ensuring safety for employees
  • Partnering with another Acquiring Minds guest
  • Aiming for $55–70M in revenue by 2030
  • Buying a business with baby #3 on the way
  • How landscaping is different from tree service


References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How a First-Timer Pulled Off a $52m Acquisition How a First-Timer Pulled Off a $52m Acquisition full fd1f948a-31d5-4a13-86b5-a4d916f50856 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-huber-support-shepherd-somewhere-com Register for the webinar:


With no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing offshoring agency.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Origin of the Sweaty Startup guy
  • Nick’s role in Support Shepherd’s growth
  • Backstory of the Support Shepherd deal
  • How Nick structured incentives to make it worthwhile
  • What turned off investors
  • Inbound leads collapsing in year 1
  • Is building a Twitter following worth it?
  • Big changes to the business since acquisition
  • The value (or not) of distribution
  • Annual cost and org chart of Nick’s media team
  • Why write a book

References and how to contact Nick:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:


With no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing offshoring agency.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Origin of the Sweaty Startup guy
  • Nick’s role in Support Shepherd’s growth
  • Backstory of the Support Shepherd deal
  • How Nick structured incentives to make it worthwhile
  • What turned off investors
  • Inbound leads collapsing in year 1
  • Is building a Twitter following worth it?
  • Big changes to the business since acquisition
  • The value (or not) of distribution
  • Annual cost and org chart of Nick’s media team
  • Why write a book

References and how to contact Nick:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6293 Register for the webinar:


With no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing offshoring agency.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Origin of the Sweaty Startup guy
  • Nick’s role in Support Shepherd’s growth
  • Backstory of the Support Shepherd deal
  • How Nick structured incentives to make it worthwhile
  • What turned off investors
  • Inbound leads collapsing in year 1
  • Is building a Twitter following worth it?
  • Big changes to the business since acquisition
  • The value (or not) of distribution
  • Annual cost and org chart of Nick’s media team
  • Why write a book

References and how to contact Nick:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit full 9a761810-6cc1-4ba5-8e8c-f03b57d18300 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kevin-ramsier-sier-capital-partners Register for the webinars:


Kevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a truck" business for radon mitigation. 10 years later it was a multi-state franchise.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Finding ways to earn money as a kid
  • Bouncing back from early career setbacks
  • The Wall Street Journal ad that changed everything
  • Turning around a bankrupt concrete business
  • Building and scaling a radon mitigation company
  • Using franchising to manage growth and quality control
  • 3 questions that transformed his life
  • Transitioning into the role of an independent sponsor
  • Investing in people instead of public markets
  • How he teaches his kids to value money

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars:


Kevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a truck" business for radon mitigation. 10 years later it was a multi-state franchise.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Finding ways to earn money as a kid
  • Bouncing back from early career setbacks
  • The Wall Street Journal ad that changed everything
  • Turning around a bankrupt concrete business
  • Building and scaling a radon mitigation company
  • Using franchising to manage growth and quality control
  • 3 questions that transformed his life
  • Transitioning into the role of an independent sponsor
  • Investing in people instead of public markets
  • How he teaches his kids to value money

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4271 Register for the webinars:


Kevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a truck" business for radon mitigation. 10 years later it was a multi-state franchise.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Finding ways to earn money as a kid
  • Bouncing back from early career setbacks
  • The Wall Street Journal ad that changed everything
  • Turning around a bankrupt concrete business
  • Building and scaling a radon mitigation company
  • Using franchising to manage growth and quality control
  • 3 questions that transformed his life
  • Transitioning into the role of an independent sponsor
  • Investing in people instead of public markets
  • How he teaches his kids to value money

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Hometown Holdco: Geography as Moat Hometown Holdco: Geography as Moat full a3f1793b-fb04-421b-b107-ba81c7093bc9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sarah-chiles-matthew-ferguson-aspen-total-automotive Register for the webinar:

Sarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native Aspen.

Topics in Sarah & Matthew’s interview:

  • Backgrounds in engineering and VC
  • Preserving local fabric by buying businesses
  • The “tackle shop” nature of businesses in small towns
  • Seasonality in a small resort town
  • Gaining the respect of employees
  • Vision of a hometown holdco
  • Crisis management when their operator left
  • Modernizing and restructuring the auto repair business
  • Finding out what each employee wants
  • Long-term commitment to Aspen 

References and how to contact Sarah & Matthew:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Producer by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Sarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native Aspen.

Topics in Sarah & Matthew’s interview:

  • Backgrounds in engineering and VC
  • Preserving local fabric by buying businesses
  • The “tackle shop” nature of businesses in small towns
  • Seasonality in a small resort town
  • Gaining the respect of employees
  • Vision of a hometown holdco
  • Crisis management when their operator left
  • Modernizing and restructuring the auto repair business
  • Finding out what each employee wants
  • Long-term commitment to Aspen 

References and how to contact Sarah & Matthew:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Producer by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6119 Register for the webinar:

Sarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native Aspen.

Topics in Sarah & Matthew’s interview:

  • Backgrounds in engineering and VC
  • Preserving local fabric by buying businesses
  • The “tackle shop” nature of businesses in small towns
  • Seasonality in a small resort town
  • Gaining the respect of employees
  • Vision of a hometown holdco
  • Crisis management when their operator left
  • Modernizing and restructuring the auto repair business
  • Finding out what each employee wants
  • Long-term commitment to Aspen 

References and how to contact Sarah & Matthew:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Producer by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA full ea6a4fd3-dbf9-470f-8af2-5e382b918529 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/evan-stewart-direct-one Register for the webinar:

After Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2 years.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • 6 months of imposter syndrome
  • Earning the right to be heard
  • Changes in direct mail printing technology
  • Standing out amongst fierce competition
  • His wife joining the business
  • Moving his family to be closer to the business
  • Accepting investment from friends and family
  • Putting a lien on his house to get the loan
  • Buying into a shrinking industry

References and how to contact Evan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited By Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

After Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2 years.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • 6 months of imposter syndrome
  • Earning the right to be heard
  • Changes in direct mail printing technology
  • Standing out amongst fierce competition
  • His wife joining the business
  • Moving his family to be closer to the business
  • Accepting investment from friends and family
  • Putting a lien on his house to get the loan
  • Buying into a shrinking industry

References and how to contact Evan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited By Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4983 Register for the webinar:

After Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2 years.

Topics in Evan’s interview:

  • Experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • 6 months of imposter syndrome
  • Earning the right to be heard
  • Changes in direct mail printing technology
  • Standing out amongst fierce competition
  • His wife joining the business
  • Moving his family to be closer to the business
  • Accepting investment from friends and family
  • Putting a lien on his house to get the loan
  • Buying into a shrinking industry

References and how to contact Evan:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited By Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B full 12b82527-e8e0-41ba-8353-3d6ee03add58 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/christine-traylor-swann-house Register for the webinar:

Christine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as a side gig for retirees

Topics in Christine’s interview:

  • Pivoting from international development to business owner
  • Acquiring a historic B&B in Dupont Circle 
  • A seller who refused to negotiate on price
  • Living on site with her family at the B&B
  • Calculating the value of the real estate
  • Raising 2 small children in their business
  • Long, frustrating buying process
  • Combining SBA, conventional loan and seller note
  • Difficulty in hiring an innkeeper
  • Standing out amongst the hospitality competition

References and how to contact Christine:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Christine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as a side gig for retirees

Topics in Christine’s interview:

  • Pivoting from international development to business owner
  • Acquiring a historic B&B in Dupont Circle 
  • A seller who refused to negotiate on price
  • Living on site with her family at the B&B
  • Calculating the value of the real estate
  • Raising 2 small children in their business
  • Long, frustrating buying process
  • Combining SBA, conventional loan and seller note
  • Difficulty in hiring an innkeeper
  • Standing out amongst the hospitality competition

References and how to contact Christine:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5369 Register for the webinar:

Christine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as a side gig for retirees

Topics in Christine’s interview:

  • Pivoting from international development to business owner
  • Acquiring a historic B&B in Dupont Circle 
  • A seller who refused to negotiate on price
  • Living on site with her family at the B&B
  • Calculating the value of the real estate
  • Raising 2 small children in their business
  • Long, frustrating buying process
  • Combining SBA, conventional loan and seller note
  • Difficulty in hiring an innkeeper
  • Standing out amongst the hospitality competition

References and how to contact Christine:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1 How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1 full ee571b04-5420-4468-a5d7-1d14a0b2c7c1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jd-hasley-uptown-frame Register for the webinar:

JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all his equity & grown it to $900k.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Finding his business on broker’s own website
  • Buying a retail frame shop
  • Why DFW is a great location for a frame shop
  • Learning to do the framing himself
  • Standing out by answering email quickly
  • Getting customers to pay in full up front
  • 50% growth in the first year
  • Online marketing to drive revenue
  • How frame shops scale
  • Empowering employees to implement change

References and how to contact JD:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all his equity & grown it to $900k.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Finding his business on broker’s own website
  • Buying a retail frame shop
  • Why DFW is a great location for a frame shop
  • Learning to do the framing himself
  • Standing out by answering email quickly
  • Getting customers to pay in full up front
  • 50% growth in the first year
  • Online marketing to drive revenue
  • How frame shops scale
  • Empowering employees to implement change

References and how to contact JD:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4901 Register for the webinar:

JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all his equity & grown it to $900k.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Finding his business on broker’s own website
  • Buying a retail frame shop
  • Why DFW is a great location for a frame shop
  • Learning to do the framing himself
  • Standing out by answering email quickly
  • Getting customers to pay in full up front
  • 50% growth in the first year
  • Online marketing to drive revenue
  • How frame shops scale
  • Empowering employees to implement change

References and how to contact JD:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to Ownership The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to Ownership full bf567c16-270d-4dcf-b4bc-fa6aa6d149bc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kin-sio-lights-on-digital Register for the webinar:

Kin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a business was his ultimate destination.

Topics in Kin’s interview:

  • Immigrating from China
  • Pivoting from tech to entrepreneurship
  • Wanting more flexibility to care for family
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Running his Hawaiian business from Seattle
  • Plans to expand to the mainland
  • Building and maintaining a company culture
  • Converting seller hours to human hours
  • Managing hotel room pricing
  • How culture influences risk taking

References and how to contact Kin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Kin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a business was his ultimate destination.

Topics in Kin’s interview:

  • Immigrating from China
  • Pivoting from tech to entrepreneurship
  • Wanting more flexibility to care for family
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Running his Hawaiian business from Seattle
  • Plans to expand to the mainland
  • Building and maintaining a company culture
  • Converting seller hours to human hours
  • Managing hotel room pricing
  • How culture influences risk taking

References and how to contact Kin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 29 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6507 Register for the webinar:

Kin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a business was his ultimate destination.

Topics in Kin’s interview:

  • Immigrating from China
  • Pivoting from tech to entrepreneurship
  • Wanting more flexibility to care for family
  • Deciding against using ROBS
  • Running his Hawaiian business from Seattle
  • Plans to expand to the mainland
  • Building and maintaining a company culture
  • Converting seller hours to human hours
  • Managing hotel room pricing
  • How culture influences risk taking

References and how to contact Kin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency full bbc628b9-a75d-418b-945f-8c34d0f26e88 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/julia-grant-hensel-lexigate Register for the webinar:

When Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship, husband Grant helped her find a remote business with a great team.

Topics in Grant & Julia’s interview:

  • Julia’s background at BCG
  • Grant’s many zero-to-one businesses
  • Key lessons learned from failed LOIs 
  • Why they avoided SBA loans
  • The acquisition of Lexigate and what made it the right fit
  • Standing out in a competitive process
  • Is AI destroying SEO?
  • Meeting clients and employees before purchase
  • Transitioning from BCG to business ownership
  • Leading a mostly Romanian team

References and how to contact Grant & Julia:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

When Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship, husband Grant helped her find a remote business with a great team.

Topics in Grant & Julia’s interview:

  • Julia’s background at BCG
  • Grant’s many zero-to-one businesses
  • Key lessons learned from failed LOIs 
  • Why they avoided SBA loans
  • The acquisition of Lexigate and what made it the right fit
  • Standing out in a competitive process
  • Is AI destroying SEO?
  • Meeting clients and employees before purchase
  • Transitioning from BCG to business ownership
  • Leading a mostly Romanian team

References and how to contact Grant & Julia:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 26 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5268 Register for the webinar:

When Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship, husband Grant helped her find a remote business with a great team.

Topics in Grant & Julia’s interview:

  • Julia’s background at BCG
  • Grant’s many zero-to-one businesses
  • Key lessons learned from failed LOIs 
  • Why they avoided SBA loans
  • The acquisition of Lexigate and what made it the right fit
  • Standing out in a competitive process
  • Is AI destroying SEO?
  • Meeting clients and employees before purchase
  • Transitioning from BCG to business ownership
  • Leading a mostly Romanian team

References and how to contact Grant & Julia:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue full cbfb0c36-3e48-4a1d-8f3b-a6e897b99015 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/scott-alexander-jairus-marketing Register for the webinar:

Covid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier. It worked.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Buying a digital marketing agency
  • Disappointment with the seller
  • Understanding customer churn
  • Post-transition surprises with bookkeeping
  • Turning around a bad company culture
  • Wartime CEO vs Peacetime CEO
  • Revenue devastated during Covid
  • Rebranding and redirecting the company
  • Using Facebook for medical sales
  • Marketing Agency 101

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Covid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier. It worked.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Buying a digital marketing agency
  • Disappointment with the seller
  • Understanding customer churn
  • Post-transition surprises with bookkeeping
  • Turning around a bad company culture
  • Wartime CEO vs Peacetime CEO
  • Revenue devastated during Covid
  • Rebranding and redirecting the company
  • Using Facebook for medical sales
  • Marketing Agency 101

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6255 Register for the webinar:

Covid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier. It worked.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Buying a digital marketing agency
  • Disappointment with the seller
  • Understanding customer churn
  • Post-transition surprises with bookkeeping
  • Turning around a bad company culture
  • Wartime CEO vs Peacetime CEO
  • Revenue devastated during Covid
  • Rebranding and redirecting the company
  • Using Facebook for medical sales
  • Marketing Agency 101

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity full d22cae56-7edc-4a9f-a430-e4da566ef37d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/devin-fitzgerald-rml-service-group Register for the webinar:

Devin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than create it.

Topics in Devin’s interview:

  • Business is just solving problems
  • It’s easier to buy revenue than create it
  • Losing 8 months to a dead deal
  • Buying 2 declining businesses
  • Turning around a bad work culture
  • Herding sellers to the finish line
  • How the new SBA rules affected his second acquisition
  • Honoring his grandmother’s memory
  • Bringing high energy to work
  • The gift of getting to choose your team

References and how to contact Devin:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Devin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than create it.

Topics in Devin’s interview:

  • Business is just solving problems
  • It’s easier to buy revenue than create it
  • Losing 8 months to a dead deal
  • Buying 2 declining businesses
  • Turning around a bad work culture
  • Herding sellers to the finish line
  • How the new SBA rules affected his second acquisition
  • Honoring his grandmother’s memory
  • Bringing high energy to work
  • The gift of getting to choose your team

References and how to contact Devin:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 19 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4267 Register for the webinar:

Devin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than create it.

Topics in Devin’s interview:

  • Business is just solving problems
  • It’s easier to buy revenue than create it
  • Losing 8 months to a dead deal
  • Buying 2 declining businesses
  • Turning around a bad work culture
  • Herding sellers to the finish line
  • How the new SBA rules affected his second acquisition
  • Honoring his grandmother’s memory
  • Bringing high energy to work
  • The gift of getting to choose your team

References and how to contact Devin:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Use an SBA Loan to Roll Up from $6m to $140m How to Use an SBA Loan to Roll Up from $6m to $140m full fa86c796-6c55-436c-b077-5296d94ac78e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-davidov-pine-street-group Register for the webinar:

Michael Davidov bought a home care agency with an SBA loan. 6 years later, he's grown & acquired to $140m in revenue.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • His “other side of the table” moment in private equity
  • Partnering to buy a home health agency
  • Digitizing a pen and paper business
  • Seeing his employees as customers
  • Narrowly avoiding a payroll disaster
  • Going slow to go fast
  • Rapid growth through additional acquisitions
  • His hiring criteria for leaders
  • Absorbing a business much larger than themselves
  • Growing revenue beyond $100 million 

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Michael Davidov bought a home care agency with an SBA loan. 6 years later, he's grown & acquired to $140m in revenue.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • His “other side of the table” moment in private equity
  • Partnering to buy a home health agency
  • Digitizing a pen and paper business
  • Seeing his employees as customers
  • Narrowly avoiding a payroll disaster
  • Going slow to go fast
  • Rapid growth through additional acquisitions
  • His hiring criteria for leaders
  • Absorbing a business much larger than themselves
  • Growing revenue beyond $100 million 

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 15 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5388 Register for the webinar:

Michael Davidov bought a home care agency with an SBA loan. 6 years later, he's grown & acquired to $140m in revenue.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • His “other side of the table” moment in private equity
  • Partnering to buy a home health agency
  • Digitizing a pen and paper business
  • Seeing his employees as customers
  • Narrowly avoiding a payroll disaster
  • Going slow to go fast
  • Rapid growth through additional acquisitions
  • His hiring criteria for leaders
  • Absorbing a business much larger than themselves
  • Growing revenue beyond $100 million 

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How 1 Couple Bought 2 Businesses How 1 Couple Bought 2 Businesses full 7364e5ac-64e0-4636-97bc-9b6a324a5365 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/lindsay-buckheit-kevin-black Register for the webinar:

The original plan was for Lindsay Buckheit to buy a business. As husband Kevin Black got involved, that plan evolved.

Topics in Lindsay and Kevin’s interview:

  • Their desire to leave corporate life
  • Joining Codie Sanchez’s Contrarian Community
  • No deals after 8 months of part-time searching
  • Enlisting AcquiMatch to help them find a business
  • Closing on 2 businesses
  • Offering a higher sale price in exchange for a seller note
  • Mitigating key man risk in both businesses 
  • Finding a bank to finance their acquisitions
  • Why they recommend flat-rate due diligence services
  • The arduous loan application process

References and how to contact Lindsay & Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

The original plan was for Lindsay Buckheit to buy a business. As husband Kevin Black got involved, that plan evolved.

Topics in Lindsay and Kevin’s interview:

  • Their desire to leave corporate life
  • Joining Codie Sanchez’s Contrarian Community
  • No deals after 8 months of part-time searching
  • Enlisting AcquiMatch to help them find a business
  • Closing on 2 businesses
  • Offering a higher sale price in exchange for a seller note
  • Mitigating key man risk in both businesses 
  • Finding a bank to finance their acquisitions
  • Why they recommend flat-rate due diligence services
  • The arduous loan application process

References and how to contact Lindsay & Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5121 Register for the webinar:

The original plan was for Lindsay Buckheit to buy a business. As husband Kevin Black got involved, that plan evolved.

Topics in Lindsay and Kevin’s interview:

  • Their desire to leave corporate life
  • Joining Codie Sanchez’s Contrarian Community
  • No deals after 8 months of part-time searching
  • Enlisting AcquiMatch to help them find a business
  • Closing on 2 businesses
  • Offering a higher sale price in exchange for a seller note
  • Mitigating key man risk in both businesses 
  • Finding a bank to finance their acquisitions
  • Why they recommend flat-rate due diligence services
  • The arduous loan application process

References and how to contact Lindsay & Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller full 33b00032-b933-4eca-8e4a-de3db57c2386 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jason-jackson-futaleufu-partners Register for the webinar:

Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money & engaging in fraud.

Topics in Jason’s interview:

  • Value of pattern recognition in business
  • Missing fraud despite $400k of due diligence
  • Turning around a business with negative EBITDA
  • When to fire a top performer
  • Fixing a broken work culture
  • Why he decided not to sue the seller
  • Hands-on learning in every role
  • Changing their revenue model during Covid
  • Focusing on cash, culture, and communication
  • Why his investors were thrilled with a 2x return

References and how to contact Jason:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money & engaging in fraud.

Topics in Jason’s interview:

  • Value of pattern recognition in business
  • Missing fraud despite $400k of due diligence
  • Turning around a business with negative EBITDA
  • When to fire a top performer
  • Fixing a broken work culture
  • Why he decided not to sue the seller
  • Hands-on learning in every role
  • Changing their revenue model during Covid
  • Focusing on cash, culture, and communication
  • Why his investors were thrilled with a 2x return

References and how to contact Jason:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5105 Register for the webinar:

Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money & engaging in fraud.

Topics in Jason’s interview:

  • Value of pattern recognition in business
  • Missing fraud despite $400k of due diligence
  • Turning around a business with negative EBITDA
  • When to fire a top performer
  • Fixing a broken work culture
  • Why he decided not to sue the seller
  • Hands-on learning in every role
  • Changing their revenue model during Covid
  • Focusing on cash, culture, and communication
  • Why his investors were thrilled with a 2x return

References and how to contact Jason:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Turning a $250k Investment into $7m+ Turning a $250k Investment into $7m+ full c5fd1f41-6441-4d95-bdf2-3c79d39d440f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/marvin-karlow-raincatcher Register for the webinar:

Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they exited.

Topics in Marvin’s interview:

  • Going from corporate to blue collar business
  • Buying a business with his best friend
  • Picking a lane and staying in it
  • Biggest customer slashing prices right after transition
  • Putting personal money into the business
  • Losing a major customer
  • The customer that turned it all around
  • Buying 2 turnarounds
  • Merging and exiting the businesses
  • Tax savings through QSBS

References and how to contact Marvin:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they exited.

Topics in Marvin’s interview:

  • Going from corporate to blue collar business
  • Buying a business with his best friend
  • Picking a lane and staying in it
  • Biggest customer slashing prices right after transition
  • Putting personal money into the business
  • Losing a major customer
  • The customer that turned it all around
  • Buying 2 turnarounds
  • Merging and exiting the businesses
  • Tax savings through QSBS

References and how to contact Marvin:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 05 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5221 Register for the webinar:

Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they exited.

Topics in Marvin’s interview:

  • Going from corporate to blue collar business
  • Buying a business with his best friend
  • Picking a lane and staying in it
  • Biggest customer slashing prices right after transition
  • Putting personal money into the business
  • Losing a major customer
  • The customer that turned it all around
  • Buying 2 turnarounds
  • Merging and exiting the businesses
  • Tax savings through QSBS

References and how to contact Marvin:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Remote, 20-Year-Old Business with $900k of SDE Buying a Remote, 20-Year-Old Business with $900k of SDE full 611f39c2-309e-4040-aaec-bf56f63d08fd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dan-angel-jayme-moylan-lodging-source Register for the webinar: 

Dan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key number-two.

Topics in Dan Angel’s interview:

  • Leaving his dream career at a hedge fund
  • Coming in a little too hot as the new owner
  • Adding 3 offshore employees
  • Growth isn’t free
  • Running a fully remote team
  • Trying to change the world by 9:00 am

Topics in Jayme Moylan’s interview:

  • Her 15 years working for Lodging Source
  • Being blindsided by the acquisition
  • Uncertainty over who to answer to while the seller was still there
  • Figuring out how to interact with Dan

References and how to contact Dan and Jayme:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Dan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key number-two.

Topics in Dan Angel’s interview:

  • Leaving his dream career at a hedge fund
  • Coming in a little too hot as the new owner
  • Adding 3 offshore employees
  • Growth isn’t free
  • Running a fully remote team
  • Trying to change the world by 9:00 am

Topics in Jayme Moylan’s interview:

  • Her 15 years working for Lodging Source
  • Being blindsided by the acquisition
  • Uncertainty over who to answer to while the seller was still there
  • Figuring out how to interact with Dan

References and how to contact Dan and Jayme:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7097 Register for the webinar: 

Dan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key number-two.

Topics in Dan Angel’s interview:

  • Leaving his dream career at a hedge fund
  • Coming in a little too hot as the new owner
  • Adding 3 offshore employees
  • Growth isn’t free
  • Running a fully remote team
  • Trying to change the world by 9:00 am

Topics in Jayme Moylan’s interview:

  • Her 15 years working for Lodging Source
  • Being blindsided by the acquisition
  • Uncertainty over who to answer to while the seller was still there
  • Figuring out how to interact with Dan

References and how to contact Dan and Jayme:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE Business 21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE Business full 1cd27242-5367-473e-939a-d22849098c44 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jan-roll-victoria-renovations Register for the webinar: 

Jan Roll bought a $6m residential contractor, a harrowing experience he calls one giant ambiguous ball of figure-it-out.

Topics in Jan's interview:

  • Contracting means learning 25-30 trades
  • Margin of safety in a residential construction business
  • Value of paying vendors immediately
  • Engendering trust in a low-trust industry
  • Revenues dropping 25% in first year of ownership
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Pitfalls in contractor licensing
  • The harm in not having an employee agreement with a business partner
  • How to diligence a business partner (or can you?)
  • How SEO & digital marketing supercharged leads

References and how to contact Jan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Jan Roll bought a $6m residential contractor, a harrowing experience he calls one giant ambiguous ball of figure-it-out.

Topics in Jan's interview:

  • Contracting means learning 25-30 trades
  • Margin of safety in a residential construction business
  • Value of paying vendors immediately
  • Engendering trust in a low-trust industry
  • Revenues dropping 25% in first year of ownership
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Pitfalls in contractor licensing
  • The harm in not having an employee agreement with a business partner
  • How to diligence a business partner (or can you?)
  • How SEO & digital marketing supercharged leads

References and how to contact Jan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5069 Register for the webinar: 

Jan Roll bought a $6m residential contractor, a harrowing experience he calls one giant ambiguous ball of figure-it-out.

Topics in Jan's interview:

  • Contracting means learning 25-30 trades
  • Margin of safety in a residential construction business
  • Value of paying vendors immediately
  • Engendering trust in a low-trust industry
  • Revenues dropping 25% in first year of ownership
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Pitfalls in contractor licensing
  • The harm in not having an employee agreement with a business partner
  • How to diligence a business partner (or can you?)
  • How SEO & digital marketing supercharged leads

References and how to contact Jan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Niche Holdco with $2m in Earnings How to Build a Niche Holdco with $2m in Earnings full dccc0fa5-18b3-422b-98c9-fba70fe1ab2a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-kopp-enduring-investment Register for the webinar:

In 2019, Matt Kopp bought a supplier to elementary schools with $350k SDE. 6 years later, he has a portfolio of them.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Business buying market in Australia
  • Eliminating interruptions at work
  • Tracking email open rates to improve his outreach
  • Buying a science class supplier
  • Challenge of selling to schools without a relationship 
  • Overcoming people problems during transition
  • Weathering Covid lockdowns
  • Forming an education holdco
  • Beating out private equity for his last acquisition 
  • Selling to private equity after growing the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

In 2019, Matt Kopp bought a supplier to elementary schools with $350k SDE. 6 years later, he has a portfolio of them.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Business buying market in Australia
  • Eliminating interruptions at work
  • Tracking email open rates to improve his outreach
  • Buying a science class supplier
  • Challenge of selling to schools without a relationship 
  • Overcoming people problems during transition
  • Weathering Covid lockdowns
  • Forming an education holdco
  • Beating out private equity for his last acquisition 
  • Selling to private equity after growing the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6327 Register for the webinar:

In 2019, Matt Kopp bought a supplier to elementary schools with $350k SDE. 6 years later, he has a portfolio of them.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Business buying market in Australia
  • Eliminating interruptions at work
  • Tracking email open rates to improve his outreach
  • Buying a science class supplier
  • Challenge of selling to schools without a relationship 
  • Overcoming people problems during transition
  • Weathering Covid lockdowns
  • Forming an education holdco
  • Beating out private equity for his last acquisition 
  • Selling to private equity after growing the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Hiding in Plain Sight on BizBuySell: $800k SDE for 2x Hiding in Plain Sight on BizBuySell: $800k SDE for 2x full 3844f0c5-c71a-4747-aa91-578ac0a3b24b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joseph-ziolkowski-woodland-face-veneer Register for the webinar:

Joe Ziolkowski found the deal of a lifetime — a $10m manufacturing business — by expanding his filters on BizBuySell.


Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Investing with a friend in real estate
  • Backing out of a Mr. Rooter deal
  • Acquiring a restoration business
  • Dealing with insurance in restoration
  • Making a bad operations hire
  • Selling the business at a profit after 6 months
  • Acquiring a wood veneer manufacturing company
  • Getting a great deal on both businesses
  • Seller’s daughter staying on as VP
  • Why it’s impossible to start a wood veneer business

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Joe Ziolkowski found the deal of a lifetime — a $10m manufacturing business — by expanding his filters on BizBuySell.


Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Investing with a friend in real estate
  • Backing out of a Mr. Rooter deal
  • Acquiring a restoration business
  • Dealing with insurance in restoration
  • Making a bad operations hire
  • Selling the business at a profit after 6 months
  • Acquiring a wood veneer manufacturing company
  • Getting a great deal on both businesses
  • Seller’s daughter staying on as VP
  • Why it’s impossible to start a wood veneer business

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5883 Register for the webinar:

Joe Ziolkowski found the deal of a lifetime — a $10m manufacturing business — by expanding his filters on BizBuySell.


Topics in Joe’s interview:

  • Investing with a friend in real estate
  • Backing out of a Mr. Rooter deal
  • Acquiring a restoration business
  • Dealing with insurance in restoration
  • Making a bad operations hire
  • Selling the business at a profit after 6 months
  • Acquiring a wood veneer manufacturing company
  • Getting a great deal on both businesses
  • Seller’s daughter staying on as VP
  • Why it’s impossible to start a wood veneer business

References and how to contact Joe:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a $100m Holdco: The Power of ESOPs How to Build a $100m Holdco: The Power of ESOPs full 985e4ec9-cff5-4c30-b125-b16b2c2717ff https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-fredericks-empowered-ventures Register for the webinar:

With 300 employees across 5 companies, the holdco that Chris Fredericks is building has an uncommon feature at its core.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • What is an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)?
  • Finding purpose and meaning at work
  • Concept of dignity at work
  • What ESOP employees do and don’t vote on
  • Using an internal podcast to communicate about employee ownership
  • Mitigating risks in ESOPs
  • Employee reactions to being acquired
  • Selling employees on the ESOP concept
  • His role as investor, not operator
  • Keeping a bad hire for too long

References and how to contact Chris:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

With 300 employees across 5 companies, the holdco that Chris Fredericks is building has an uncommon feature at its core.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • What is an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)?
  • Finding purpose and meaning at work
  • Concept of dignity at work
  • What ESOP employees do and don’t vote on
  • Using an internal podcast to communicate about employee ownership
  • Mitigating risks in ESOPs
  • Employee reactions to being acquired
  • Selling employees on the ESOP concept
  • His role as investor, not operator
  • Keeping a bad hire for too long

References and how to contact Chris:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5939 Register for the webinar:

With 300 employees across 5 companies, the holdco that Chris Fredericks is building has an uncommon feature at its core.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • What is an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)?
  • Finding purpose and meaning at work
  • Concept of dignity at work
  • What ESOP employees do and don’t vote on
  • Using an internal podcast to communicate about employee ownership
  • Mitigating risks in ESOPs
  • Employee reactions to being acquired
  • Selling employees on the ESOP concept
  • His role as investor, not operator
  • Keeping a bad hire for too long

References and how to contact Chris:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Reinvent a $1m Candle Manufacturer How to Reinvent a $1m Candle Manufacturer full 9f7454da-c069-41bf-8019-59fd8f6e9514 https://acquiringminds.co/podcast-episodes/adam-goldberg-seracon Register for the webinar:

Adam Goldberg had to adapt his corporate approach after buying a nearly-closed manufacturer whose sales were down 80%.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Building & exiting a wholesale costume jewelry business
  • Deciding he was too young to retire
  • Acquiring a small, distressed candle business
  • Never go into business with friends
  • Mistakes in over-hiring
  • Trying to be an absentee owner
  • Apologizing to his team
  • Why he prefers small business to corporate
  • Expanding beyond candles
  • Carving out their brand story

References and how to contact Adam:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Adam Goldberg had to adapt his corporate approach after buying a nearly-closed manufacturer whose sales were down 80%.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Building & exiting a wholesale costume jewelry business
  • Deciding he was too young to retire
  • Acquiring a small, distressed candle business
  • Never go into business with friends
  • Mistakes in over-hiring
  • Trying to be an absentee owner
  • Apologizing to his team
  • Why he prefers small business to corporate
  • Expanding beyond candles
  • Carving out their brand story

References and how to contact Adam:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5163 Register for the webinar:

Adam Goldberg had to adapt his corporate approach after buying a nearly-closed manufacturer whose sales were down 80%.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Building & exiting a wholesale costume jewelry business
  • Deciding he was too young to retire
  • Acquiring a small, distressed candle business
  • Never go into business with friends
  • Mistakes in over-hiring
  • Trying to be an absentee owner
  • Apologizing to his team
  • Why he prefers small business to corporate
  • Expanding beyond candles
  • Carving out their brand story

References and how to contact Adam:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Stars Align After 4 Broken Deals Stars Align After 4 Broken Deals full 0c76f5d4-6fde-46ea-ae9c-06de96c9b3f3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/keegan-dum-egenuity-driverse Register for the webinar: 

Keegan Dum wound down his search fund after 2 years without a deal, but he went on to acquire & create a great outcome. 

Topics in Keegan’s interview:

  • Choosing traditional search
  • No deal after 2 years of searching
  • Selling the business after 18 months
  • Finding a business on his own through consulting
  • Role of software in car washes & auto shops
  • Renegotiating terms with previous investors
  • Low churn for you means low churn for your competitors
  • The “always on” nature of running an essential business
  • Spreadsheet vs reality of operating the business
  • Profitable exit after 18 months

References and how to contact Keegan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Keegan Dum wound down his search fund after 2 years without a deal, but he went on to acquire & create a great outcome. 

Topics in Keegan’s interview:

  • Choosing traditional search
  • No deal after 2 years of searching
  • Selling the business after 18 months
  • Finding a business on his own through consulting
  • Role of software in car washes & auto shops
  • Renegotiating terms with previous investors
  • Low churn for you means low churn for your competitors
  • The “always on” nature of running an essential business
  • Spreadsheet vs reality of operating the business
  • Profitable exit after 18 months

References and how to contact Keegan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4762 Register for the webinar: 

Keegan Dum wound down his search fund after 2 years without a deal, but he went on to acquire & create a great outcome. 

Topics in Keegan’s interview:

  • Choosing traditional search
  • No deal after 2 years of searching
  • Selling the business after 18 months
  • Finding a business on his own through consulting
  • Role of software in car washes & auto shops
  • Renegotiating terms with previous investors
  • Low churn for you means low churn for your competitors
  • The “always on” nature of running an essential business
  • Spreadsheet vs reality of operating the business
  • Profitable exit after 18 months

References and how to contact Keegan:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense full 02227f81-01bd-42ab-ae67-ff1ada0e0c84 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ken-eyjolfson-mr-liquidator Register for the webinar: 

Ken Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700 5-star reviews. 

Topics in Ken’s interview:

  • 8 years with the Soccer Shots franchise
  • Spending too long searching for the perfect deal
  • Buying a discount mattress retailer
  • How the Canadian mattress industry works
  • Buying from a “shady seller”
  • Getting the lowest wholesale mattress prices
  • Starting with a large Facebook following
  • Expanding through pop-up shops
  • Private equity acquiring mattress companies
  • Financing without the SBA

References and how to contact Ken:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Ken Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700 5-star reviews. 

Topics in Ken’s interview:

  • 8 years with the Soccer Shots franchise
  • Spending too long searching for the perfect deal
  • Buying a discount mattress retailer
  • How the Canadian mattress industry works
  • Buying from a “shady seller”
  • Getting the lowest wholesale mattress prices
  • Starting with a large Facebook following
  • Expanding through pop-up shops
  • Private equity acquiring mattress companies
  • Financing without the SBA

References and how to contact Ken:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5179 Register for the webinar: 

Ken Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700 5-star reviews. 

Topics in Ken’s interview:

  • 8 years with the Soccer Shots franchise
  • Spending too long searching for the perfect deal
  • Buying a discount mattress retailer
  • How the Canadian mattress industry works
  • Buying from a “shady seller”
  • Getting the lowest wholesale mattress prices
  • Starting with a large Facebook following
  • Expanding through pop-up shops
  • Private equity acquiring mattress companies
  • Financing without the SBA

References and how to contact Ken:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No FedEx & Fencing: A Pivot into Ownership FedEx & Fencing: A Pivot into Ownership full bfac87e5-1559-4c27-a022-f37a360f8972 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-obrien-fedex-professional-fence Register for the webinar:

After his foray into SMB ownership went well with FedEx routes, Matt O'Brien bought & doubled a $2.5m fencing business. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Buying and expanding FedEx routes
  • Nuances of buying a FedEx route
  • Selling his routes at peak value during Covid
  • Acquiring a commercial fencing business
  • Keeping the seller’s son on as president
  • Injecting more money for working capital
  • Impact of equipment on debt
  • Trucking acquisition that failed
  • Where he finds high quality employees
  • Private equity in the fencing industry

References and how to contact Matt:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

After his foray into SMB ownership went well with FedEx routes, Matt O'Brien bought & doubled a $2.5m fencing business. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Buying and expanding FedEx routes
  • Nuances of buying a FedEx route
  • Selling his routes at peak value during Covid
  • Acquiring a commercial fencing business
  • Keeping the seller’s son on as president
  • Injecting more money for working capital
  • Impact of equipment on debt
  • Trucking acquisition that failed
  • Where he finds high quality employees
  • Private equity in the fencing industry

References and how to contact Matt:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5332 Register for the webinar:

After his foray into SMB ownership went well with FedEx routes, Matt O'Brien bought & doubled a $2.5m fencing business. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Buying and expanding FedEx routes
  • Nuances of buying a FedEx route
  • Selling his routes at peak value during Covid
  • Acquiring a commercial fencing business
  • Keeping the seller’s son on as president
  • Injecting more money for working capital
  • Impact of equipment on debt
  • Trucking acquisition that failed
  • Where he finds high quality employees
  • Private equity in the fencing industry

References and how to contact Matt:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It) Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It) full 977c2932-00ae-41f2-8f85-e18f6c82c81c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jared-benoff-vacationeeze You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.

Topics in Jared’s interview:

  • His 9.5 year stint at Twitter/X
  • Helping his dad with the family business
  • Buying his parents’ destination wedding business
  • Evolution of travel agencies
  • His dad’s successful YouTube videos
  • Advantages of buying the family business
  • Standing out with customer service
  • The pain of 4-star reviews
  • Working with a loan broker
  • Buying for 2x SDE

References and how to contact Jared:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.

Topics in Jared’s interview:

  • His 9.5 year stint at Twitter/X
  • Helping his dad with the family business
  • Buying his parents’ destination wedding business
  • Evolution of travel agencies
  • His dad’s successful YouTube videos
  • Advantages of buying the family business
  • Standing out with customer service
  • The pain of 4-star reviews
  • Working with a loan broker
  • Buying for 2x SDE

References and how to contact Jared:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4691 You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.

Topics in Jared’s interview:

  • His 9.5 year stint at Twitter/X
  • Helping his dad with the family business
  • Buying his parents’ destination wedding business
  • Evolution of travel agencies
  • His dad’s successful YouTube videos
  • Advantages of buying the family business
  • Standing out with customer service
  • The pain of 4-star reviews
  • Working with a loan broker
  • Buying for 2x SDE

References and how to contact Jared:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Deciding to Start, Not Buy, a Small Business Deciding to Start, Not Buy, a Small Business full 66c0e0da-0e05-440c-a796-93355ecfdb2a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kevin-moyer-golden-home-access Initially drawn to buying a business, Kevin Moyer instead decided to start a project-based blue collar business instead.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Is the franchise fee worth it?
  • Buying 3 de novo Smash My Trash territories
  • His appreciation for reversible decisions
  • A small business is an extension of the owner
  • Recurring revenue is overrated
  • Simple is nice, but complexity is a moat
  • Starting a business with his friend
  • Advantages of having a business partner
  • Resiliency of physical world businesses
  • Simplicity of a binary outcome business

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Initially drawn to buying a business, Kevin Moyer instead decided to start a project-based blue collar business instead.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Is the franchise fee worth it?
  • Buying 3 de novo Smash My Trash territories
  • His appreciation for reversible decisions
  • A small business is an extension of the owner
  • Recurring revenue is overrated
  • Simple is nice, but complexity is a moat
  • Starting a business with his friend
  • Advantages of having a business partner
  • Resiliency of physical world businesses
  • Simplicity of a binary outcome business

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4802 Initially drawn to buying a business, Kevin Moyer instead decided to start a project-based blue collar business instead.

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • Is the franchise fee worth it?
  • Buying 3 de novo Smash My Trash territories
  • His appreciation for reversible decisions
  • A small business is an extension of the owner
  • Recurring revenue is overrated
  • Simple is nice, but complexity is a moat
  • Starting a business with his friend
  • Advantages of having a business partner
  • Resiliency of physical world businesses
  • Simplicity of a binary outcome business

References and how to contact Kevin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Multinational How to Buy a Multinational full 3d565759-dcb3-4c44-8b81-92ddcb1f1da9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-salmen-umecc Register for the webinar: 

Seeking a fit with his industrials experience, Adam Salmen bought an 8-figure business with locations around the world.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Looking beyond “arts and crafts” businesses
  • Partnering with Novastone to search and acquire
  • Acquiring a multinational industrial company
  • China's dominance in steel production
  • Tariffs and the steel industry
  • Crowdfunding attempt that failed
  • Don’t buy a PowerPoint presentation
  • False summits in business ownership
  • Being inspired by Naval Ravikant
  • Putting your name on a business

References and how to contact Adam:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov.
Produced by Pam Cameron.

]]> Register for the webinar: 

Seeking a fit with his industrials experience, Adam Salmen bought an 8-figure business with locations around the world.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Looking beyond “arts and crafts” businesses
  • Partnering with Novastone to search and acquire
  • Acquiring a multinational industrial company
  • China's dominance in steel production
  • Tariffs and the steel industry
  • Crowdfunding attempt that failed
  • Don’t buy a PowerPoint presentation
  • False summits in business ownership
  • Being inspired by Naval Ravikant
  • Putting your name on a business

References and how to contact Adam:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov.
Produced by Pam Cameron.

]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5097 Register for the webinar: 

Seeking a fit with his industrials experience, Adam Salmen bought an 8-figure business with locations around the world.

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Looking beyond “arts and crafts” businesses
  • Partnering with Novastone to search and acquire
  • Acquiring a multinational industrial company
  • China's dominance in steel production
  • Tariffs and the steel industry
  • Crowdfunding attempt that failed
  • Don’t buy a PowerPoint presentation
  • False summits in business ownership
  • Being inspired by Naval Ravikant
  • Putting your name on a business

References and how to contact Adam:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov.
Produced by Pam Cameron.

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Lessons from 24 Acquisition Nightmares Lessons from 24 Acquisition Nightmares full e4424805-975c-45eb-bf09-4d1b1b1c5347 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jed-morris-buyer-beware Register for the webinar:

After his acquisition failed, Jed Morris connected with dozens of others who'd experienced the same. There are patterns.

Topics in Jed’s interview:

  • Pivoting from Air Force to tech
  • Interning for the company he bought
  • Acquiring 2 landscaping companies a few weeks apart
  • Insurance cost increased 30% after acquisition
  • Pros and cons of long-term employees
  • Misjudging his employability 
  • Going out of business
  • His upcoming book about business failure
  • What bankruptcy really looks like
  • Top 3 reasons businesses fail

References and how to contact Jed:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

After his acquisition failed, Jed Morris connected with dozens of others who'd experienced the same. There are patterns.

Topics in Jed’s interview:

  • Pivoting from Air Force to tech
  • Interning for the company he bought
  • Acquiring 2 landscaping companies a few weeks apart
  • Insurance cost increased 30% after acquisition
  • Pros and cons of long-term employees
  • Misjudging his employability 
  • Going out of business
  • His upcoming book about business failure
  • What bankruptcy really looks like
  • Top 3 reasons businesses fail

References and how to contact Jed:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7025 Register for the webinar:

After his acquisition failed, Jed Morris connected with dozens of others who'd experienced the same. There are patterns.

Topics in Jed’s interview:

  • Pivoting from Air Force to tech
  • Interning for the company he bought
  • Acquiring 2 landscaping companies a few weeks apart
  • Insurance cost increased 30% after acquisition
  • Pros and cons of long-term employees
  • Misjudging his employability 
  • Going out of business
  • His upcoming book about business failure
  • What bankruptcy really looks like
  • Top 3 reasons businesses fail

References and how to contact Jed:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Tech Sales to Forklift Repair From Tech Sales to Forklift Repair full adaf5234-160c-4f36-adc8-a5a07d275f81 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shaugn-lindley-r-r-lift Register for the webinar:

Recently laid off and a baby on the way, Shaugn Lindley pivoted into SMB ownership by buying a business with $550k SDE.

Topics in Shaugn’s interview:

  • Getting laid off from tech
  • Reaching out to 600 local landscaping companies
  • Finding a mentor through Acquiring Minds
  • Why he decided against landscaping
  • Acquiring a forklift repair business
  • The importance of follow up
  • Being the second best option
  • Challenge of hiring technicians
  • Standing out from the competition
  • Getting the business listed on Google

References and how to contact Shaugn:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Recently laid off and a baby on the way, Shaugn Lindley pivoted into SMB ownership by buying a business with $550k SDE.

Topics in Shaugn’s interview:

  • Getting laid off from tech
  • Reaching out to 600 local landscaping companies
  • Finding a mentor through Acquiring Minds
  • Why he decided against landscaping
  • Acquiring a forklift repair business
  • The importance of follow up
  • Being the second best option
  • Challenge of hiring technicians
  • Standing out from the competition
  • Getting the business listed on Google

References and how to contact Shaugn:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5853 Register for the webinar:

Recently laid off and a baby on the way, Shaugn Lindley pivoted into SMB ownership by buying a business with $550k SDE.

Topics in Shaugn’s interview:

  • Getting laid off from tech
  • Reaching out to 600 local landscaping companies
  • Finding a mentor through Acquiring Minds
  • Why he decided against landscaping
  • Acquiring a forklift repair business
  • The importance of follow up
  • Being the second best option
  • Challenge of hiring technicians
  • Standing out from the competition
  • Getting the business listed on Google

References and how to contact Shaugn:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a Beloved Brand from a Tiny, Dying Business Building a Beloved Brand from a Tiny, Dying Business full 944ad7ca-3618-4f73-902a-cda7498e367d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/harley-sitner-peace-vans Register for:


Harley Sitner bought a struggling VW van repair shop for $100k in 2013. Today it's an 8-figure business and brand.

Topics in Harley’s interview:

  • His career in software
  • First business acquisition: West Coast Nurseries
  • Harley buys a VW Camper Van
  • "I'd rather hug 100 people than serve a billion"
  • Irrational passion of VW van owners
  • Overpaying for a failing auto repair shop
  • VW Van culture
  • The value of the brand
  • Building 6 different lines of business
  • The app he's developing for VW owners

References and how to contact Harley:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for:


Harley Sitner bought a struggling VW van repair shop for $100k in 2013. Today it's an 8-figure business and brand.

Topics in Harley’s interview:

  • His career in software
  • First business acquisition: West Coast Nurseries
  • Harley buys a VW Camper Van
  • "I'd rather hug 100 people than serve a billion"
  • Irrational passion of VW van owners
  • Overpaying for a failing auto repair shop
  • VW Van culture
  • The value of the brand
  • Building 6 different lines of business
  • The app he's developing for VW owners

References and how to contact Harley:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4846 Register for:


Harley Sitner bought a struggling VW van repair shop for $100k in 2013. Today it's an 8-figure business and brand.

Topics in Harley’s interview:

  • His career in software
  • First business acquisition: West Coast Nurseries
  • Harley buys a VW Camper Van
  • "I'd rather hug 100 people than serve a billion"
  • Irrational passion of VW van owners
  • Overpaying for a failing auto repair shop
  • VW Van culture
  • The value of the brand
  • Building 6 different lines of business
  • The app he's developing for VW owners

References and how to contact Harley:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Appeal (and Risk) of Buying a Consulting Firm The Appeal (and Risk) of Buying a Consulting Firm full 7edfe081-43ae-4edb-b83e-a0d60e60e742 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-munsee-hales-engineering Register for:


Industry outsider Nick Munsee bought a traffic engineering firm for a good price, carefully de-risking the acquisition.

Topics in Nick's interview:

  • Managing from out of state
  • The white whale: a deal that almost happened
  • Lessons from a failed acquisition
  • Finding Hales Engineering
  • Understanding the traffic consulting business
  • Navigating lender challenges
  • Incentivizing key employees
  • Challenges in consulting business growth
  • Project-based revenue insights
  • The abrupt customer hand-off

References and how to contact Nick:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for:


Industry outsider Nick Munsee bought a traffic engineering firm for a good price, carefully de-risking the acquisition.

Topics in Nick's interview:

  • Managing from out of state
  • The white whale: a deal that almost happened
  • Lessons from a failed acquisition
  • Finding Hales Engineering
  • Understanding the traffic consulting business
  • Navigating lender challenges
  • Incentivizing key employees
  • Challenges in consulting business growth
  • Project-based revenue insights
  • The abrupt customer hand-off

References and how to contact Nick:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5461 Register for:


Industry outsider Nick Munsee bought a traffic engineering firm for a good price, carefully de-risking the acquisition.

Topics in Nick's interview:

  • Managing from out of state
  • The white whale: a deal that almost happened
  • Lessons from a failed acquisition
  • Finding Hales Engineering
  • Understanding the traffic consulting business
  • Navigating lender challenges
  • Incentivizing key employees
  • Challenges in consulting business growth
  • Project-based revenue insights
  • The abrupt customer hand-off

References and how to contact Nick:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Treat an Acquisition Like a Startup Why Treat an Acquisition Like a Startup full 3ae9ef0f-170f-487a-8281-91c0975f510b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sean-daly-ice-c-cool-mechanical Register for the webinars:

Day 1 changes? Yes please. Sean Daly brought a spirit of experimentation, iteration, and speed to a small HVAC business.

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Founding and exiting his own company
  • Going hard with cold outreach
  • Hiring an offshore assistant to source deals
  • Entrepreneurs are risk reducers
  • Building an offshore back of house team
  • Paying mostly in cash for the business
  • His decisive leadership style
  • ETA is sales
  • Treating his low-SDE business like a start-up
  • Failed experiment with outbound marketing

References and how to contact Sean:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars:

Day 1 changes? Yes please. Sean Daly brought a spirit of experimentation, iteration, and speed to a small HVAC business.

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Founding and exiting his own company
  • Going hard with cold outreach
  • Hiring an offshore assistant to source deals
  • Entrepreneurs are risk reducers
  • Building an offshore back of house team
  • Paying mostly in cash for the business
  • His decisive leadership style
  • ETA is sales
  • Treating his low-SDE business like a start-up
  • Failed experiment with outbound marketing

References and how to contact Sean:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5253 Register for the webinars:

Day 1 changes? Yes please. Sean Daly brought a spirit of experimentation, iteration, and speed to a small HVAC business.

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Founding and exiting his own company
  • Going hard with cold outreach
  • Hiring an offshore assistant to source deals
  • Entrepreneurs are risk reducers
  • Building an offshore back of house team
  • Paying mostly in cash for the business
  • His decisive leadership style
  • ETA is sales
  • Treating his low-SDE business like a start-up
  • Failed experiment with outbound marketing

References and how to contact Sean:

Attend SMBash in Dallas, April 2-4, to meet fellow business buyers, operators, and investors:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying in a Small Market, Building a Regional Powerhouse Buying in a Small Market, Building a Regional Powerhouse full b4ef8b8f-11a1-4026-adf7-5060f084bf68 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jonathan-bournigal-bunker Register for:

Jonathan Bournigal returned to his native Dominican Republic to buy a business. He found a small one and has 6x'd it.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Boomer-owned businesses vs family-run businesses
  • Avoiding the label of “tire kicker”
  • Searching in a country the size of Rhode Island
  • Why multiples are higher in the Dominican Republic
  • Selling when your life depends on it
  • Real estate: own or rent?
  • Venture capital vs. growth equity vs. LBO
  • Growing the business without debt
  • Pros and cons of dominating the market in a small country
  • How to structure investor terms in markets where exits are rare

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for:

Jonathan Bournigal returned to his native Dominican Republic to buy a business. He found a small one and has 6x'd it.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Boomer-owned businesses vs family-run businesses
  • Avoiding the label of “tire kicker”
  • Searching in a country the size of Rhode Island
  • Why multiples are higher in the Dominican Republic
  • Selling when your life depends on it
  • Real estate: own or rent?
  • Venture capital vs. growth equity vs. LBO
  • Growing the business without debt
  • Pros and cons of dominating the market in a small country
  • How to structure investor terms in markets where exits are rare

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6599 Register for:

Jonathan Bournigal returned to his native Dominican Republic to buy a business. He found a small one and has 6x'd it.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

  • Boomer-owned businesses vs family-run businesses
  • Avoiding the label of “tire kicker”
  • Searching in a country the size of Rhode Island
  • Why multiples are higher in the Dominican Republic
  • Selling when your life depends on it
  • Real estate: own or rent?
  • Venture capital vs. growth equity vs. LBO
  • Growing the business without debt
  • Pros and cons of dominating the market in a small country
  • How to structure investor terms in markets where exits are rare

References and how to contact Jonathan:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Holdco Foundation: Patiently How to Build a Holdco Foundation: Patiently full cb81ebeb-1686-4940-81ac-428a88f415d8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/barker-squire-craneworks Register for the webinar:

Barker Squire has grown his crane servicing business gradually over 6 years. Now he turns his attention to what's next.

Topics in Barker’s interview:

  • Leading teams in the Marine Corps
  • Getting a conventional loan instead of SBA
  • Keeping his ears open in seller meetings
  • Pros and cons of government contracts
  • Employees walking out
  • Staying safe in a dangerous job
  • The owner staying as an employee
  • Growing revenue 3x in 6 years
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • Promoting an employee to CEO

References and how to contact Barker:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:

Barker Squire has grown his crane servicing business gradually over 6 years. Now he turns his attention to what's next.

Topics in Barker’s interview:

  • Leading teams in the Marine Corps
  • Getting a conventional loan instead of SBA
  • Keeping his ears open in seller meetings
  • Pros and cons of government contracts
  • Employees walking out
  • Staying safe in a dangerous job
  • The owner staying as an employee
  • Growing revenue 3x in 6 years
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • Promoting an employee to CEO

References and how to contact Barker:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4809 Register for the webinar:

Barker Squire has grown his crane servicing business gradually over 6 years. Now he turns his attention to what's next.

Topics in Barker’s interview:

  • Leading teams in the Marine Corps
  • Getting a conventional loan instead of SBA
  • Keeping his ears open in seller meetings
  • Pros and cons of government contracts
  • Employees walking out
  • Staying safe in a dangerous job
  • The owner staying as an employee
  • Growing revenue 3x in 6 years
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • Promoting an employee to CEO

References and how to contact Barker:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Back from the Brink: When Everybody Quits Day 1 Back from the Brink: When Everybody Quits Day 1 full ceeac308-9216-4a2c-bbf1-33a945bc06b0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jack-carr-rapid-response-heating-and-cooling Register for the webinar:


24 hours into Jack Carr's ownership of a tiny HVAC business, disaster struck. Just 2.5 years later, it did $3m in sales.

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • All HVAC techs quit on the first day
  • Buying an HVAC business with no physical location
  • Why he feels like his 2x multiple was too high
  • Teaching himself HVAC skills via YouTube
  • How he prices a book of business
  • His process for retaining customers after acquisition
  • Value of a business owner community
  • How Google reviews keep the phone ringing
  • Understanding the risk of buying small
  • Listening to your employees without being held hostage

References and how to contact Jack:


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar:


24 hours into Jack Carr's ownership of a tiny HVAC business, disaster struck. Just 2.5 years later, it did $3m in sales.

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • All HVAC techs quit on the first day
  • Buying an HVAC business with no physical location
  • Why he feels like his 2x multiple was too high
  • Teaching himself HVAC skills via YouTube
  • How he prices a book of business
  • His process for retaining customers after acquisition
  • Value of a business owner community
  • How Google reviews keep the phone ringing
  • Understanding the risk of buying small
  • Listening to your employees without being held hostage

References and how to contact Jack:


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5333 Register for the webinar:


24 hours into Jack Carr's ownership of a tiny HVAC business, disaster struck. Just 2.5 years later, it did $3m in sales.

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • All HVAC techs quit on the first day
  • Buying an HVAC business with no physical location
  • Why he feels like his 2x multiple was too high
  • Teaching himself HVAC skills via YouTube
  • How he prices a book of business
  • His process for retaining customers after acquisition
  • Value of a business owner community
  • How Google reviews keep the phone ringing
  • Understanding the risk of buying small
  • Listening to your employees without being held hostage

References and how to contact Jack:


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Listen to Meeting of the Minds, our new sister podcast about independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy & Transform a 120-Year-Old Manufacturer How to Buy & Transform a 120-Year-Old Manufacturer full e0a1e3ea-2459-4174-949d-75b41ea15f40 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/lucas-philips-newark-auto Register for the webinars:

Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Lucas Philips bought a niche manufacturer with $200k SDE, aiming to make it an ecommerce/DTC business. It's working.

Topics in Lucas’s interview:

  • How his startup mindset influenced his acquisition
  • Buying a super-niche manufacturer at age 23
  • Motivating staff (or not) with $3/hr raises
  • Learning to fire and trust his instincts
  • Modernizing the business
  • Advantages of buying a business young
  • Anxiety issues post-acquisition
  • How bolt-ons have lengthened the J curve
  • Expanding into the Porsche market
  • Looking ahead to using AI

References and how to contact Lucas:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars:

Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Lucas Philips bought a niche manufacturer with $200k SDE, aiming to make it an ecommerce/DTC business. It's working.

Topics in Lucas’s interview:

  • How his startup mindset influenced his acquisition
  • Buying a super-niche manufacturer at age 23
  • Motivating staff (or not) with $3/hr raises
  • Learning to fire and trust his instincts
  • Modernizing the business
  • Advantages of buying a business young
  • Anxiety issues post-acquisition
  • How bolt-ons have lengthened the J curve
  • Expanding into the Porsche market
  • Looking ahead to using AI

References and how to contact Lucas:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6216 Register for the webinars:

Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Lucas Philips bought a niche manufacturer with $200k SDE, aiming to make it an ecommerce/DTC business. It's working.

Topics in Lucas’s interview:

  • How his startup mindset influenced his acquisition
  • Buying a super-niche manufacturer at age 23
  • Motivating staff (or not) with $3/hr raises
  • Learning to fire and trust his instincts
  • Modernizing the business
  • Advantages of buying a business young
  • Anxiety issues post-acquisition
  • How bolt-ons have lengthened the J curve
  • Expanding into the Porsche market
  • Looking ahead to using AI

References and how to contact Lucas:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Behind Every Great Searcher: A Wife's Journey with Search Behind Every Great Searcher: A Wife's Journey with Search full c34ff5ab-546b-49fe-a5c8-a27b4041c5bf https://acquiringminds.co/articles/cliff-nelson-christine-nelson-psychogeriatric-services Register for the webinars:


Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Cliff & Christine Nelson navigated him buying a big but remote business while she was pregnant, then a first-time mom.

Topics in Cliff and Christine’s interview:

  • Highs and lows of the 2-year search
  • Cliff quitting his job right before Covid
  • Becoming parents and closing on a business the same week
  • What Cliff liked about the traditional search model
  • Acquiring a business with 100 employees
  • Being alone in an unfamiliar city as a new mom
  • Christine getting very sick during the move
  • Feeling like a bad father and a bad CEO at the same time
  • Experiencing the J curve
  • “I wouldn’t live through it again, but I’m glad we did it.”

References and how to contact Cliff and Christine:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars:


Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Cliff & Christine Nelson navigated him buying a big but remote business while she was pregnant, then a first-time mom.

Topics in Cliff and Christine’s interview:

  • Highs and lows of the 2-year search
  • Cliff quitting his job right before Covid
  • Becoming parents and closing on a business the same week
  • What Cliff liked about the traditional search model
  • Acquiring a business with 100 employees
  • Being alone in an unfamiliar city as a new mom
  • Christine getting very sick during the move
  • Feeling like a bad father and a bad CEO at the same time
  • Experiencing the J curve
  • “I wouldn’t live through it again, but I’m glad we did it.”

References and how to contact Cliff and Christine:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6742 Register for the webinars:


Subscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:


Cliff & Christine Nelson navigated him buying a big but remote business while she was pregnant, then a first-time mom.

Topics in Cliff and Christine’s interview:

  • Highs and lows of the 2-year search
  • Cliff quitting his job right before Covid
  • Becoming parents and closing on a business the same week
  • What Cliff liked about the traditional search model
  • Acquiring a business with 100 employees
  • Being alone in an unfamiliar city as a new mom
  • Christine getting very sick during the move
  • Feeling like a bad father and a bad CEO at the same time
  • Experiencing the J curve
  • “I wouldn’t live through it again, but I’m glad we did it.”

References and how to contact Cliff and Christine:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Networking His Way to $800k SDE Networking His Way to $800k SDE full 1a61e564-d0b0-41a9-b33d-939d4a7689ed http://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-holley-b-dry-systems-ram-jack-louisville Register for the webinars:

It took Alex Holley a few months of daily meetings to find a $4.5m home services business in his local Louisville, KY.

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Networking through 100 meetings in 4 months
  • Buying 2 businesses at once
  • Learning how to run a crew
  • Going on jobs to learn about the work
  • Leaving consulting for blue-collar industry
  • Owning weather-dependent businesses
  • Taking on a friend as a silent partner
  • A close call with payroll the first week
  • Building rapport with the employees
  • Having a blast in home services

References and how to contact Alex:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> Register for the webinars:

It took Alex Holley a few months of daily meetings to find a $4.5m home services business in his local Louisville, KY.

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Networking through 100 meetings in 4 months
  • Buying 2 businesses at once
  • Learning how to run a crew
  • Going on jobs to learn about the work
  • Leaving consulting for blue-collar industry
  • Owning weather-dependent businesses
  • Taking on a friend as a silent partner
  • A close call with payroll the first week
  • Building rapport with the employees
  • Having a blast in home services

References and how to contact Alex:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4797 Register for the webinars:

It took Alex Holley a few months of daily meetings to find a $4.5m home services business in his local Louisville, KY.

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Networking through 100 meetings in 4 months
  • Buying 2 businesses at once
  • Learning how to run a crew
  • Going on jobs to learn about the work
  • Leaving consulting for blue-collar industry
  • Owning weather-dependent businesses
  • Taking on a friend as a silent partner
  • A close call with payroll the first week
  • Building rapport with the employees
  • Having a blast in home services

References and how to contact Alex:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy, Grow, Exit for a 24x Return in 3.5 Years Buy, Grow, Exit for a 24x Return in 3.5 Years full a94e8cc0-14fa-4bfe-af6b-486304442f06 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-edwards-affordable-flooring-warehouse-2 Register for the webinars:

Former guest Chris Edwards has sold the $1.7m flooring business he bought with $200k of his own money and an SBA loan.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Why he chose to sell his flooring business
  • Deciding not to rebrand
  • Owning and operating in a small, isolated town
  • A countertop acquisition that went south
  • How a holdco is different from running one business
  • Fetal positions and sleepless nights
  • Improving their customer service
  • Why he might build his next business from scratch
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • Growing EBITDA from $500k to $1.1M

References and how to contact Chris:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> Register for the webinars:

Former guest Chris Edwards has sold the $1.7m flooring business he bought with $200k of his own money and an SBA loan.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Why he chose to sell his flooring business
  • Deciding not to rebrand
  • Owning and operating in a small, isolated town
  • A countertop acquisition that went south
  • How a holdco is different from running one business
  • Fetal positions and sleepless nights
  • Improving their customer service
  • Why he might build his next business from scratch
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • Growing EBITDA from $500k to $1.1M

References and how to contact Chris:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4228 Register for the webinars:

Former guest Chris Edwards has sold the $1.7m flooring business he bought with $200k of his own money and an SBA loan.

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Why he chose to sell his flooring business
  • Deciding not to rebrand
  • Owning and operating in a small, isolated town
  • A countertop acquisition that went south
  • How a holdco is different from running one business
  • Fetal positions and sleepless nights
  • Improving their customer service
  • Why he might build his next business from scratch
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • Growing EBITDA from $500k to $1.1M

References and how to contact Chris:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:

  • Produced by Pam Cameron
  • Edited by Anton Rohozov
]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Lead a Trades Business Without Knowing the Trade How to Lead a Trades Business Without Knowing the Trade full 95de14f6-b0ad-4ed3-afd6-9203b19bb42c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/trip-biesanz-g-c-glass-mirror-construction Register for the webinars:


Industry-agnostic Trip Biesanz brought his sales skills to a glass fabrication & install business doing $3m in revenue.

Topics in Trip’s interview:

  • Being a franchisee for 7 years
  • Networking through MBBI and XPX
  • Working with Calder Capital to find a business
  • Narrowing down his search to construction
  • Value he saw in long-term employees
  • Managing cashflow in construction
  • Relying on his team in an unfamiliar trades business
  • Competitive nature of construction
  • Highs and lows of running a business
  • Franchising compared to owning an independent shop

References and how to contact Trip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Industry-agnostic Trip Biesanz brought his sales skills to a glass fabrication & install business doing $3m in revenue.

Topics in Trip’s interview:

  • Being a franchisee for 7 years
  • Networking through MBBI and XPX
  • Working with Calder Capital to find a business
  • Narrowing down his search to construction
  • Value he saw in long-term employees
  • Managing cashflow in construction
  • Relying on his team in an unfamiliar trades business
  • Competitive nature of construction
  • Highs and lows of running a business
  • Franchising compared to owning an independent shop

References and how to contact Trip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5067 Register for the webinars:


Industry-agnostic Trip Biesanz brought his sales skills to a glass fabrication & install business doing $3m in revenue.

Topics in Trip’s interview:

  • Being a franchisee for 7 years
  • Networking through MBBI and XPX
  • Working with Calder Capital to find a business
  • Narrowing down his search to construction
  • Value he saw in long-term employees
  • Managing cashflow in construction
  • Relying on his team in an unfamiliar trades business
  • Competitive nature of construction
  • Highs and lows of running a business
  • Franchising compared to owning an independent shop

References and how to contact Trip:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Move the Needle in a $600k SDE Trades Business How to Move the Needle in a $600k SDE Trades Business full 897d655f-ccfe-4ee7-8bd9-240b71f1156f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kirk-olson-mikes-fencing Register for the webinars:


7 months into ownership of a $2m fencing business, Kirk Olson is learning how to manage culture, tech, and cash flow.

Topics in Kirk’s interview:

  • Achieving financial independence, but deciding not to retire
  • Buying a business for a total life upgrade
  • Negotiating with very difficult sellers
  • Structuring real estate into the deal
  • Returning after the first deal died
  • Sales dropping after the transition 
  • Learning to calculate the cost of a job
  • Introducing a CRM and ditching the fax
  • Making Mike’s Fencing a great place to work
  • Turning on digital marketing

References and how to contact Kirk:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


7 months into ownership of a $2m fencing business, Kirk Olson is learning how to manage culture, tech, and cash flow.

Topics in Kirk’s interview:

  • Achieving financial independence, but deciding not to retire
  • Buying a business for a total life upgrade
  • Negotiating with very difficult sellers
  • Structuring real estate into the deal
  • Returning after the first deal died
  • Sales dropping after the transition 
  • Learning to calculate the cost of a job
  • Introducing a CRM and ditching the fax
  • Making Mike’s Fencing a great place to work
  • Turning on digital marketing

References and how to contact Kirk:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6073 Register for the webinars:


7 months into ownership of a $2m fencing business, Kirk Olson is learning how to manage culture, tech, and cash flow.

Topics in Kirk’s interview:

  • Achieving financial independence, but deciding not to retire
  • Buying a business for a total life upgrade
  • Negotiating with very difficult sellers
  • Structuring real estate into the deal
  • Returning after the first deal died
  • Sales dropping after the transition 
  • Learning to calculate the cost of a job
  • Introducing a CRM and ditching the fax
  • Making Mike’s Fencing a great place to work
  • Turning on digital marketing

References and how to contact Kirk:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring Business Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring Business full a96365c5-49db-4b64-873c-f865485a90b2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shell-zhang-nadas-italy Register for the webinars: 


When Shell Zhang recognized her own tolerance for risk she stepped off a linear path to buy a $600k SDE travel business.

Topics in Shell’s interview:

  • Buying a group tour business
  • Overcoming key-person risk
  • Going from a regional company to a national company
  • Avoiding “boring businesses”
  • Paying over asking price for the business
  • Why payment processors consider her business “high risk”
  • Starting from zero with online marketing
  • What her clients love about the business
  • Possible areas for growth
  • Her goal of redoing the website

References and how to contact Shell:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars: 


When Shell Zhang recognized her own tolerance for risk she stepped off a linear path to buy a $600k SDE travel business.

Topics in Shell’s interview:

  • Buying a group tour business
  • Overcoming key-person risk
  • Going from a regional company to a national company
  • Avoiding “boring businesses”
  • Paying over asking price for the business
  • Why payment processors consider her business “high risk”
  • Starting from zero with online marketing
  • What her clients love about the business
  • Possible areas for growth
  • Her goal of redoing the website

References and how to contact Shell:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6095 Register for the webinars: 


When Shell Zhang recognized her own tolerance for risk she stepped off a linear path to buy a $600k SDE travel business.

Topics in Shell’s interview:

  • Buying a group tour business
  • Overcoming key-person risk
  • Going from a regional company to a national company
  • Avoiding “boring businesses”
  • Paying over asking price for the business
  • Why payment processors consider her business “high risk”
  • Starting from zero with online marketing
  • What her clients love about the business
  • Possible areas for growth
  • Her goal of redoing the website

References and how to contact Shell:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How a Couple Left Tech to Buy a Business Together How a Couple Left Tech to Buy a Business Together full 76e2748a-f833-492f-b2da-9dd075a8c840 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ray-dana-chery-monsam-portable-sinks Register for the webinars: 


Ray & Dana Chery sensed a need for change in their careers. A 26-year-old portable sink manufacturer was the answer.

Topics in Dana and Ray’s interview:

  • Going all-in as a couple buying a business
  • How they beat out 50 other buyers
  • Moving from the finance world to manufacturing
  • Buying a portable sink manufacturer
  • How Ray applies his banking skills
  • Revamping the website and logo
  • Opportunities to sell to more school districts
  • Challenge of prioritizing tasks at the business
  • Their vision to grow the company to 8 figures
  • Wide variety of use cases for portable sinks

References and how to contact Dana and Ray:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinars: 


Ray & Dana Chery sensed a need for change in their careers. A 26-year-old portable sink manufacturer was the answer.

Topics in Dana and Ray’s interview:

  • Going all-in as a couple buying a business
  • How they beat out 50 other buyers
  • Moving from the finance world to manufacturing
  • Buying a portable sink manufacturer
  • How Ray applies his banking skills
  • Revamping the website and logo
  • Opportunities to sell to more school districts
  • Challenge of prioritizing tasks at the business
  • Their vision to grow the company to 8 figures
  • Wide variety of use cases for portable sinks

References and how to contact Dana and Ray:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4596 Register for the webinars: 


Ray & Dana Chery sensed a need for change in their careers. A 26-year-old portable sink manufacturer was the answer.

Topics in Dana and Ray’s interview:

  • Going all-in as a couple buying a business
  • How they beat out 50 other buyers
  • Moving from the finance world to manufacturing
  • Buying a portable sink manufacturer
  • How Ray applies his banking skills
  • Revamping the website and logo
  • Opportunities to sell to more school districts
  • Challenge of prioritizing tasks at the business
  • Their vision to grow the company to 8 figures
  • Wide variety of use cases for portable sinks

References and how to contact Dana and Ray:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Survive Buying into a Terrible Industry How to Survive Buying into a Terrible Industry full acef20bc-381b-40a5-8b0f-f2036633416e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ayo-phillips-operators-coach Register for the webinar: 


 •Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Months into his ownership, Ayo Phillips realized his industry was fatally flawed. He survived and 5 years later, exited.

Topics in Ayo’s interview:

  • Acquiring with funding from a family office
  • Buying a declining business in a competitive industry
  • Unethical practices within his industry
  • Being honest about your motivation to buy a business
  • Losing 19 employees who became competitors
  • Treating his business like a startup
  • Pivoting from countertops to driveways
  • The toll the business took on his family
  • Successfully exiting the business
  • His 16 Commandments of Search

References and how to contact Ayo:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Register for the webinar: 


 •Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Months into his ownership, Ayo Phillips realized his industry was fatally flawed. He survived and 5 years later, exited.

Topics in Ayo’s interview:

  • Acquiring with funding from a family office
  • Buying a declining business in a competitive industry
  • Unethical practices within his industry
  • Being honest about your motivation to buy a business
  • Losing 19 employees who became competitors
  • Treating his business like a startup
  • Pivoting from countertops to driveways
  • The toll the business took on his family
  • Successfully exiting the business
  • His 16 Commandments of Search

References and how to contact Ayo:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 7417 Register for the webinar: 


 •Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Months into his ownership, Ayo Phillips realized his industry was fatally flawed. He survived and 5 years later, exited.

Topics in Ayo’s interview:

  • Acquiring with funding from a family office
  • Buying a declining business in a competitive industry
  • Unethical practices within his industry
  • Being honest about your motivation to buy a business
  • Losing 19 employees who became competitors
  • Treating his business like a startup
  • Pivoting from countertops to driveways
  • The toll the business took on his family
  • Successfully exiting the business
  • His 16 Commandments of Search

References and how to contact Ayo:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Credits:
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The $50m Lifestyle Holdco The $50m Lifestyle Holdco full 22d1961a-8d39-4abb-9c4a-1d0a98651372 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/abhi-ravishankar-truss-one-partners Register for the webinars: 


 •Is It a Fair Multiple? The Art of Making Your Offer - Wed Jan 22 - https://bit.ly/4asGoxw
•Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Abhi Ravishankar & 3 partners devised a novel holdco structure to prioritize flexibility, cash flow, and the long term.

Topics in Abhi’s interview:

  • Going from BCG partner to small business buyer
  • Starting a holdco with 3 friends
  • Their primary and secondary partner model
  • Setting up contingency plans in their operating agreement
  • Goal of spending more time with family
  • Not taking on investors
  • Quickly learning about potential industries
  • Closing on a pool business in 6 weeks
  • 4 add-ons in 18 months
  • Acquiring 2 ShelfGenie franchise locations

References and how to contact Abhi:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars: 


 •Is It a Fair Multiple? The Art of Making Your Offer - Wed Jan 22 - https://bit.ly/4asGoxw
•Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Abhi Ravishankar & 3 partners devised a novel holdco structure to prioritize flexibility, cash flow, and the long term.

Topics in Abhi’s interview:

  • Going from BCG partner to small business buyer
  • Starting a holdco with 3 friends
  • Their primary and secondary partner model
  • Setting up contingency plans in their operating agreement
  • Goal of spending more time with family
  • Not taking on investors
  • Quickly learning about potential industries
  • Closing on a pool business in 6 weeks
  • 4 add-ons in 18 months
  • Acquiring 2 ShelfGenie franchise locations

References and how to contact Abhi:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6320 Register for the webinars: 


 •Is It a Fair Multiple? The Art of Making Your Offer - Wed Jan 22 - https://bit.ly/4asGoxw
•Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuP


Abhi Ravishankar & 3 partners devised a novel holdco structure to prioritize flexibility, cash flow, and the long term.

Topics in Abhi’s interview:

  • Going from BCG partner to small business buyer
  • Starting a holdco with 3 friends
  • Their primary and secondary partner model
  • Setting up contingency plans in their operating agreement
  • Goal of spending more time with family
  • Not taking on investors
  • Quickly learning about potential industries
  • Closing on a pool business in 6 weeks
  • 4 add-ons in 18 months
  • Acquiring 2 ShelfGenie franchise locations

References and how to contact Abhi:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to 4x a Contracting Business in 3 Years How to 4x a Contracting Business in 3 Years full d901f6f5-5872-4de1-91ab-99ca9b7c2b02 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-heath-stateline-products-pool-king Mike Heath bought a garage door installer from owners who didn't use email. He grew sales fast, but profits came harder.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Passing on a commercial cleaning business
  • Acquiring a garage door business with silent partners
  • Installing an operator on day one
  • Messy, unkempt books from the seller
  • Hitting a cashflow crisis
  • Bringing in a consultant and keeping her on full-time
  • Paying off the SBA loan early
  • Doubling their gross margin
  • Splitting revenue across 3 partners
  • Acquiring 2 pool businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mike Heath bought a garage door installer from owners who didn't use email. He grew sales fast, but profits came harder.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Passing on a commercial cleaning business
  • Acquiring a garage door business with silent partners
  • Installing an operator on day one
  • Messy, unkempt books from the seller
  • Hitting a cashflow crisis
  • Bringing in a consultant and keeping her on full-time
  • Paying off the SBA loan early
  • Doubling their gross margin
  • Splitting revenue across 3 partners
  • Acquiring 2 pool businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5617 Mike Heath bought a garage door installer from owners who didn't use email. He grew sales fast, but profits came harder.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Passing on a commercial cleaning business
  • Acquiring a garage door business with silent partners
  • Installing an operator on day one
  • Messy, unkempt books from the seller
  • Hitting a cashflow crisis
  • Bringing in a consultant and keeping her on full-time
  • Paying off the SBA loan early
  • Doubling their gross margin
  • Splitting revenue across 3 partners
  • Acquiring 2 pool businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors full f9f28aeb-8115-45d0-bb7f-6efdcb0ba711 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/carlo-santelli-triem-industries-stillwater-fasteners Sale-leaseback and asset-based lending enabled Carlo Santelli to acquire and own 100% of a $3.5m EBITDA manufacturer.

Topics in Carlo’s interview:

  • Applying 3x to Columbia before getting in
  • Leaving a finance career to buy a business
  • Why he only buys proprietary, not through brokers
  • Maintaining deal momentum when a seller is very busy
  • The power of asset-based lending
  • The power of a successful sale leaseback
  • Being comfortable learning as you go
  • How he thinks about risk
  • Closing on 4 businesses this year
  • His ambitious goal for next year

References and how to contact Carlo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sale-leaseback and asset-based lending enabled Carlo Santelli to acquire and own 100% of a $3.5m EBITDA manufacturer.

Topics in Carlo’s interview:

  • Applying 3x to Columbia before getting in
  • Leaving a finance career to buy a business
  • Why he only buys proprietary, not through brokers
  • Maintaining deal momentum when a seller is very busy
  • The power of asset-based lending
  • The power of a successful sale leaseback
  • Being comfortable learning as you go
  • How he thinks about risk
  • Closing on 4 businesses this year
  • His ambitious goal for next year

References and how to contact Carlo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5252 Sale-leaseback and asset-based lending enabled Carlo Santelli to acquire and own 100% of a $3.5m EBITDA manufacturer.

Topics in Carlo’s interview:

  • Applying 3x to Columbia before getting in
  • Leaving a finance career to buy a business
  • Why he only buys proprietary, not through brokers
  • Maintaining deal momentum when a seller is very busy
  • The power of asset-based lending
  • The power of a successful sale leaseback
  • Being comfortable learning as you go
  • How he thinks about risk
  • Closing on 4 businesses this year
  • His ambitious goal for next year

References and how to contact Carlo:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Bullseye: Buying a $1m SDE Business in a Hot Industry Bullseye: Buying a $1m SDE Business in a Hot Industry full da9111b4-5d15-485b-ba78-378652dcd995 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/peter-ciaverilla-sharons-heating-and-air-conditioning Pete Ciaverilla bought a $12m HVAC business, then grew earnings 50% in 3 years. His timing couldn't have been better.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Combining households with his parents while searching
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Funding less than 5% of the deal himself
  • Transitioning the seller’s family out of the business
  • Buying a company with 65 employees, $12M in revenue
  • Advantages of buying a bigger company
  • Balancing commercial and residential HVAC
  • Impact of seasonality on revenue
  • Why private equity likes HVAC
  • Feeling comfortable with taking on a large loan

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Pete Ciaverilla bought a $12m HVAC business, then grew earnings 50% in 3 years. His timing couldn't have been better.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Combining households with his parents while searching
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Funding less than 5% of the deal himself
  • Transitioning the seller’s family out of the business
  • Buying a company with 65 employees, $12M in revenue
  • Advantages of buying a bigger company
  • Balancing commercial and residential HVAC
  • Impact of seasonality on revenue
  • Why private equity likes HVAC
  • Feeling comfortable with taking on a large loan

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6873 Pete Ciaverilla bought a $12m HVAC business, then grew earnings 50% in 3 years. His timing couldn't have been better.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Combining households with his parents while searching
  • Using a buy-side advisor
  • Funding less than 5% of the deal himself
  • Transitioning the seller’s family out of the business
  • Buying a company with 65 employees, $12M in revenue
  • Advantages of buying a bigger company
  • Balancing commercial and residential HVAC
  • Impact of seasonality on revenue
  • Why private equity likes HVAC
  • Feeling comfortable with taking on a large loan

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Taking a Flower Shop from $600k to $9 Million Taking a Flower Shop from $600k to $9 Million full f2b5e4ca-9f00-4d43-97c9-8c21926bbed6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-jacobson-french-florist Michael Jacobson bought his uncle's barely-profitable 45-year-old flower shop in LA. In 4 years he's grown it 16x.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Revamping his uncle’s flower shop
  • Replacing the overpriced phone system
  • Building custom software for the floral industry
  • Why flower shops are hard to run
  • How “wire services” like 1-800 Flowers work
  • Switching to Google Ads for better ROI
  • Doubling revenue with a new website
  • Operating as a digital-first brand with physical locations
  • Becoming the French Florist franchise
  • Why he’s not interested in private equity money

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Michael Jacobson bought his uncle's barely-profitable 45-year-old flower shop in LA. In 4 years he's grown it 16x.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Revamping his uncle’s flower shop
  • Replacing the overpriced phone system
  • Building custom software for the floral industry
  • Why flower shops are hard to run
  • How “wire services” like 1-800 Flowers work
  • Switching to Google Ads for better ROI
  • Doubling revenue with a new website
  • Operating as a digital-first brand with physical locations
  • Becoming the French Florist franchise
  • Why he’s not interested in private equity money

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6621 Michael Jacobson bought his uncle's barely-profitable 45-year-old flower shop in LA. In 4 years he's grown it 16x.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Revamping his uncle’s flower shop
  • Replacing the overpriced phone system
  • Building custom software for the floral industry
  • Why flower shops are hard to run
  • How “wire services” like 1-800 Flowers work
  • Switching to Google Ads for better ROI
  • Doubling revenue with a new website
  • Operating as a digital-first brand with physical locations
  • Becoming the French Florist franchise
  • Why he’s not interested in private equity money

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Path to Becoming a Better Operator & Strategist The Path to Becoming a Better Operator & Strategist full bb37335b-43d9-4ddd-9d70-c595b37d2247 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tim-lahey-rhome-homerun-technology Tim Lahey has doubled the $1.6m company he bought, and buying small has prepared him well for the next phase of growth.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • Being inspired by Doug Cook
  • Looking for a “dusty, not rusty” business
  • Partnering with an M&A firm to search
  • Acquiring a home technology company
  • Getting bitten on a cashflow crunch
  • Handling customer complaints as the owner
  • Culture of small businesses
  • Changing too much too fast
  • Listening for what customers want
  • Challenges of buying small

References and how to contact Tim:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tim Lahey has doubled the $1.6m company he bought, and buying small has prepared him well for the next phase of growth.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • Being inspired by Doug Cook
  • Looking for a “dusty, not rusty” business
  • Partnering with an M&A firm to search
  • Acquiring a home technology company
  • Getting bitten on a cashflow crunch
  • Handling customer complaints as the owner
  • Culture of small businesses
  • Changing too much too fast
  • Listening for what customers want
  • Challenges of buying small

References and how to contact Tim:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5066 Tim Lahey has doubled the $1.6m company he bought, and buying small has prepared him well for the next phase of growth.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • Being inspired by Doug Cook
  • Looking for a “dusty, not rusty” business
  • Partnering with an M&A firm to search
  • Acquiring a home technology company
  • Getting bitten on a cashflow crunch
  • Handling customer complaints as the owner
  • Culture of small businesses
  • Changing too much too fast
  • Listening for what customers want
  • Challenges of buying small

References and how to contact Tim:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No First-Timer Buys 8-Figure Business 4 Hours Away First-Timer Buys 8-Figure Business 4 Hours Away full cbe8d10b-b115-4501-b40f-410afce8d841 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-molina-kleinman-realty Nick Molina on how he found, acquired, & plans to manage a 275-employee business in Minneapolis from his home in Miami.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Taking his first company public in 1998
  • His unwillingness to retire
  • The tremendous cost of start-ups
  • Which state he won’t do business in
  • Buying a business he doesn’t have to operate
  • Importance of listening in sales
  • Living in Miami while owning a business in Minneapolis
  • What makes a good property management business
  • Using a loan broker 
  • Appeal of keeping a business in his family

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Nick Molina on how he found, acquired, & plans to manage a 275-employee business in Minneapolis from his home in Miami.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Taking his first company public in 1998
  • His unwillingness to retire
  • The tremendous cost of start-ups
  • Which state he won’t do business in
  • Buying a business he doesn’t have to operate
  • Importance of listening in sales
  • Living in Miami while owning a business in Minneapolis
  • What makes a good property management business
  • Using a loan broker 
  • Appeal of keeping a business in his family

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 30 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5470 Nick Molina on how he found, acquired, & plans to manage a 275-employee business in Minneapolis from his home in Miami.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Taking his first company public in 1998
  • His unwillingness to retire
  • The tremendous cost of start-ups
  • Which state he won’t do business in
  • Buying a business he doesn’t have to operate
  • Importance of listening in sales
  • Living in Miami while owning a business in Minneapolis
  • What makes a good property management business
  • Using a loan broker 
  • Appeal of keeping a business in his family

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy Franchise Businesses, Then Sell to PE How to Buy Franchise Businesses, Then Sell to PE full fe9725d0-fb51-4515-bd9c-cfd2f16139fa https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alicia-miller-big-money-in-franchising-sylvan After buying then exiting a 12-unit franchise portfolio, Alicia Miller became expert on how to attract private equity.

Topics in Alicia’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate career to buy a franchise
  • Acquiring a portfolio of Sylvan Learning Centers
  • Turning around unprofitable locations
  • Her tips for negotiating an acquisition
  • How private equity has impacted franchising
  • Acquiring existing franchise locations vs. de novo development
  • Which brands attract private equity and why
  • New brands that are disrupting their industries
  • Why Subway has value despite closing locations
  • How emerging franchise brands change as they grow

References and how to contact Alicia:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> After buying then exiting a 12-unit franchise portfolio, Alicia Miller became expert on how to attract private equity.

Topics in Alicia’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate career to buy a franchise
  • Acquiring a portfolio of Sylvan Learning Centers
  • Turning around unprofitable locations
  • Her tips for negotiating an acquisition
  • How private equity has impacted franchising
  • Acquiring existing franchise locations vs. de novo development
  • Which brands attract private equity and why
  • New brands that are disrupting their industries
  • Why Subway has value despite closing locations
  • How emerging franchise brands change as they grow

References and how to contact Alicia:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 26 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4236 After buying then exiting a 12-unit franchise portfolio, Alicia Miller became expert on how to attract private equity.

Topics in Alicia’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate career to buy a franchise
  • Acquiring a portfolio of Sylvan Learning Centers
  • Turning around unprofitable locations
  • Her tips for negotiating an acquisition
  • How private equity has impacted franchising
  • Acquiring existing franchise locations vs. de novo development
  • Which brands attract private equity and why
  • New brands that are disrupting their industries
  • Why Subway has value despite closing locations
  • How emerging franchise brands change as they grow

References and how to contact Alicia:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Frustrated Searcher to $3.5m Owner to Holdco Builder From Frustrated Searcher to $3.5m Owner to Holdco Builder full b25be661-ced5-46a4-81dd-322096bbb962 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/simon-plummer-bt-engineering-arbor-permanent-owners Dismissed by brokers, Simon Plummer bought & grew a manufacturer 75% in 3 years. Today he's building a long-term holdco.

Topics in Simon’s interview:

  • Creating the “BizBuySell” of Australia
  • Buying a manufacturing business
  • Difficulty of acquisition in Australia
  • Running the machines himself for 18 months
  • Learning from his cashflow mistakes
  • Launching their brand in the UK, US, and Canada
  • How a bricklaying YouTuber skyrocketed sales
  • Finding and hiring a CEO
  • Anxiety of owning a small business
  • Building a long-term holding company

References and how to contact Simon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Dismissed by brokers, Simon Plummer bought & grew a manufacturer 75% in 3 years. Today he's building a long-term holdco.

Topics in Simon’s interview:

  • Creating the “BizBuySell” of Australia
  • Buying a manufacturing business
  • Difficulty of acquisition in Australia
  • Running the machines himself for 18 months
  • Learning from his cashflow mistakes
  • Launching their brand in the UK, US, and Canada
  • How a bricklaying YouTuber skyrocketed sales
  • Finding and hiring a CEO
  • Anxiety of owning a small business
  • Building a long-term holding company

References and how to contact Simon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5006 Dismissed by brokers, Simon Plummer bought & grew a manufacturer 75% in 3 years. Today he's building a long-term holdco.

Topics in Simon’s interview:

  • Creating the “BizBuySell” of Australia
  • Buying a manufacturing business
  • Difficulty of acquisition in Australia
  • Running the machines himself for 18 months
  • Learning from his cashflow mistakes
  • Launching their brand in the UK, US, and Canada
  • How a bricklaying YouTuber skyrocketed sales
  • Finding and hiring a CEO
  • Anxiety of owning a small business
  • Building a long-term holding company

References and how to contact Simon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Perils in Partnership: Plumbing Acquisition Gone Wrong Perils in Partnership: Plumbing Acquisition Gone Wrong full 1ea94ac0-82c4-4cb2-bfd0-346acdb421e4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/josh-key-plumbing-business-dallas-fort-worth Josh Key partnered with a master plumber from his church to acquire a plumbing business doing $1.25m. It ended badly.

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Buying a plumbing business with a partner
  • Quitting his job to go all-in
  • Inadequate due diligence on his partner
  • His partner’s wife getting involved in the business
  • Emotional outbursts and threats from his partner
  • Employees and clients leaving due to the partner
  • Closing the business and filing for bankruptcy
  • What he learned about due diligence
  • How his mindset is guided by his faith
  • What he wants to do next

References and how to contact Josh:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Josh Key partnered with a master plumber from his church to acquire a plumbing business doing $1.25m. It ended badly.

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Buying a plumbing business with a partner
  • Quitting his job to go all-in
  • Inadequate due diligence on his partner
  • His partner’s wife getting involved in the business
  • Emotional outbursts and threats from his partner
  • Employees and clients leaving due to the partner
  • Closing the business and filing for bankruptcy
  • What he learned about due diligence
  • How his mindset is guided by his faith
  • What he wants to do next

References and how to contact Josh:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5483 Josh Key partnered with a master plumber from his church to acquire a plumbing business doing $1.25m. It ended badly.

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Buying a plumbing business with a partner
  • Quitting his job to go all-in
  • Inadequate due diligence on his partner
  • His partner’s wife getting involved in the business
  • Emotional outbursts and threats from his partner
  • Employees and clients leaving due to the partner
  • Closing the business and filing for bankruptcy
  • What he learned about due diligence
  • How his mindset is guided by his faith
  • What he wants to do next

References and how to contact Josh:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Adjusting to Life in a Nocturnal Business (with $525k SDE) Adjusting to Life in a Nocturnal Business (with $525k SDE) full 153b6b2d-f493-4c2a-bd78-0b529427fc98 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tom-matter-dawson-matter-pro-duct-cleaning Tom & Dawson Matter bought a vent cleaning business operating out of a parking lot. The transition has been interesting.

Topics in Tom and Dawson’s interview:

  • Teaming up to acquire Pro Duct Cleaning
  • The nocturnal, detailed, messy nature of the work
  • Tom keeping his W-2 while Dawson runs operations
  • Maintaining a 42% margin
  • Learning to deal with angry customers
  • Upgrading the equipment and facilities
  • Hiring Dawson’s wife to help with operations
  • Switching from Google Calendar to a real CRM
  • Trouble communicating with employees
  • Chasing down payment from clients

References and how to contact Tom and Dawson:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tom & Dawson Matter bought a vent cleaning business operating out of a parking lot. The transition has been interesting.

Topics in Tom and Dawson’s interview:

  • Teaming up to acquire Pro Duct Cleaning
  • The nocturnal, detailed, messy nature of the work
  • Tom keeping his W-2 while Dawson runs operations
  • Maintaining a 42% margin
  • Learning to deal with angry customers
  • Upgrading the equipment and facilities
  • Hiring Dawson’s wife to help with operations
  • Switching from Google Calendar to a real CRM
  • Trouble communicating with employees
  • Chasing down payment from clients

References and how to contact Tom and Dawson:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 16 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5719 Tom & Dawson Matter bought a vent cleaning business operating out of a parking lot. The transition has been interesting.

Topics in Tom and Dawson’s interview:

  • Teaming up to acquire Pro Duct Cleaning
  • The nocturnal, detailed, messy nature of the work
  • Tom keeping his W-2 while Dawson runs operations
  • Maintaining a 42% margin
  • Learning to deal with angry customers
  • Upgrading the equipment and facilities
  • Hiring Dawson’s wife to help with operations
  • Switching from Google Calendar to a real CRM
  • Trouble communicating with employees
  • Chasing down payment from clients

References and how to contact Tom and Dawson:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How (and Why) to Buy an Electrical Business How (and Why) to Buy an Electrical Business full 5a509327-171c-4190-8f48-49f1b9290f78 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/fred-mcgill-bray-electrical-services Register for the webinar:

Fred McGill liked the trades and zeroed in on electrical. The $3.2m business he bought is likely to grow 25% in year 1.

Topics in Fred’s interview:

  • Founding a real estate start-up
  • Comparing rental income to small business
  • Acquiring an electrical company
  • Reassuring employees during transition
  • Learning how to hire electricians
  • Compensation in the electrical industry
  • Growth through digital marketing
  • Miscalculating working capital
  • Importance of making the phone ring
  • Helping searchers through Blue Collar Advisory

References and how to contact Fred:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:

Fred McGill liked the trades and zeroed in on electrical. The $3.2m business he bought is likely to grow 25% in year 1.

Topics in Fred’s interview:

  • Founding a real estate start-up
  • Comparing rental income to small business
  • Acquiring an electrical company
  • Reassuring employees during transition
  • Learning how to hire electricians
  • Compensation in the electrical industry
  • Growth through digital marketing
  • Miscalculating working capital
  • Importance of making the phone ring
  • Helping searchers through Blue Collar Advisory

References and how to contact Fred:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5724 Register for the webinar:

Fred McGill liked the trades and zeroed in on electrical. The $3.2m business he bought is likely to grow 25% in year 1.

Topics in Fred’s interview:

  • Founding a real estate start-up
  • Comparing rental income to small business
  • Acquiring an electrical company
  • Reassuring employees during transition
  • Learning how to hire electricians
  • Compensation in the electrical industry
  • Growth through digital marketing
  • Miscalculating working capital
  • Importance of making the phone ring
  • Helping searchers through Blue Collar Advisory

References and how to contact Fred:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End full 38bccba1-bf61-446b-b464-ee6a4945d392 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jordan-dubin-guild-garage-group Register for the webinar:

Jordan Dubin and his partners are rolling up a home services industry. They blew by their 5-year goal in the first year.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Partnering with his 2 friends
  • Hand writing 200 letters to potential sellers
  • Building a platform of garage door businesses
  • Maintaining local brands
  • Why private equity hasn’t picked over the industry yet
  • How they chose the garage door market
  • Building trust through honesty
  • Hitting $20 million EBITDA in the first year
  • Beachhead and tuck-in strategies
  • The role of timing in acquisition success

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:

Jordan Dubin and his partners are rolling up a home services industry. They blew by their 5-year goal in the first year.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Partnering with his 2 friends
  • Hand writing 200 letters to potential sellers
  • Building a platform of garage door businesses
  • Maintaining local brands
  • Why private equity hasn’t picked over the industry yet
  • How they chose the garage door market
  • Building trust through honesty
  • Hitting $20 million EBITDA in the first year
  • Beachhead and tuck-in strategies
  • The role of timing in acquisition success

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6266 Register for the webinar:

Jordan Dubin and his partners are rolling up a home services industry. They blew by their 5-year goal in the first year.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Partnering with his 2 friends
  • Hand writing 200 letters to potential sellers
  • Building a platform of garage door businesses
  • Maintaining local brands
  • Why private equity hasn’t picked over the industry yet
  • How they chose the garage door market
  • Building trust through honesty
  • Hitting $20 million EBITDA in the first year
  • Beachhead and tuck-in strategies
  • The role of timing in acquisition success

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying in a Huge but Overlooked Market Buying in a Huge but Overlooked Market full 973b3231-ff23-469b-86d8-5322a56c9ecc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jonathon-tupper-jsi-jobe-services-inc Register for the webinar:


Fragmentation & an enormous TAM drew Jonathon Tupper to buy a 30-year-old business in the asset-based lending industry.

Topics in Jonathon’s interview:

  • Moving from politics to investment management
  • Importance of liquidity
  • Factoring: a form of asset-based lending
  • What kinds of businesses benefit from factoring
  • Buying a factoring business
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan
  • Paying 2x EBITDA
  • Competing with banks and other lenders
  • Running a Houston business from Southern California
  • Challenge of hiring good employees

References and how to contact Jonathon:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:


Fragmentation & an enormous TAM drew Jonathon Tupper to buy a 30-year-old business in the asset-based lending industry.

Topics in Jonathon’s interview:

  • Moving from politics to investment management
  • Importance of liquidity
  • Factoring: a form of asset-based lending
  • What kinds of businesses benefit from factoring
  • Buying a factoring business
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan
  • Paying 2x EBITDA
  • Competing with banks and other lenders
  • Running a Houston business from Southern California
  • Challenge of hiring good employees

References and how to contact Jonathon:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4843 Register for the webinar:


Fragmentation & an enormous TAM drew Jonathon Tupper to buy a 30-year-old business in the asset-based lending industry.

Topics in Jonathon’s interview:

  • Moving from politics to investment management
  • Importance of liquidity
  • Factoring: a form of asset-based lending
  • What kinds of businesses benefit from factoring
  • Buying a factoring business
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan
  • Paying 2x EBITDA
  • Competing with banks and other lenders
  • Running a Houston business from Southern California
  • Challenge of hiring good employees

References and how to contact Jonathon:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Thrill & Validation of Becoming an Owner The Thrill & Validation of Becoming an Owner full 9e17f751-6d47-48a7-a48e-72efee639def https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-johnson-speedpro-raleigh-nw Register for the webinar:

 • Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4f0320C


Michael Johnson started searching in April. Today he's having the time of his life as owner of a $1.2m printing business.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Marine Corps experience in Iraq
  • Acquiring a vending machine
  • Frustration with his W-2 job
  • Acquiring a SpeedPro location
  • Ups and downs of negotiation and funding
  • Frustrating first day as owner
  • High demand for printing car wraps
  • Empowering employees to be autonomous
  • Hiring his wife to work in the business
  • What he loves about the franchise model

References and how to contact Michael:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:

 • Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4f0320C


Michael Johnson started searching in April. Today he's having the time of his life as owner of a $1.2m printing business.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Marine Corps experience in Iraq
  • Acquiring a vending machine
  • Frustration with his W-2 job
  • Acquiring a SpeedPro location
  • Ups and downs of negotiation and funding
  • Frustrating first day as owner
  • High demand for printing car wraps
  • Empowering employees to be autonomous
  • Hiring his wife to work in the business
  • What he loves about the franchise model

References and how to contact Michael:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5671 Register for the webinar:

 • Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4f0320C


Michael Johnson started searching in April. Today he's having the time of his life as owner of a $1.2m printing business.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Marine Corps experience in Iraq
  • Acquiring a vending machine
  • Frustration with his W-2 job
  • Acquiring a SpeedPro location
  • Ups and downs of negotiation and funding
  • Frustrating first day as owner
  • High demand for printing car wraps
  • Empowering employees to be autonomous
  • Hiring his wife to work in the business
  • What he loves about the franchise model

References and how to contact Michael:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Micro-Acquiring to $300k SDE on 5 Hours Per Week Micro-Acquiring to $300k SDE on 5 Hours Per Week full 2c235fb1-b84a-4c93-8289-0818da2372be https://acquiringminds.co/articles/link-moser-windhill-design Link Moser built a nearly-passive business portfolio by acquiring tiny web design & hosting shops on favorable terms.

Topics in Link’s interview:

  • Learning to build websites in the 90’s
  • Starting a web design/hosting business
  • Sending out letters to target businesses
  • Acquiring other digital marketing agencies nearby
  • Integrating the businesses he bought
  • Customer attrition rates during transition
  • Getting bored with passive income
  • Considering buying a traditional, non-digital business 
  • Willingness to sell his own business
  • Pros and cons of remote work

References and how to contact Link:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Link Moser built a nearly-passive business portfolio by acquiring tiny web design & hosting shops on favorable terms.

Topics in Link’s interview:

  • Learning to build websites in the 90’s
  • Starting a web design/hosting business
  • Sending out letters to target businesses
  • Acquiring other digital marketing agencies nearby
  • Integrating the businesses he bought
  • Customer attrition rates during transition
  • Getting bored with passive income
  • Considering buying a traditional, non-digital business 
  • Willingness to sell his own business
  • Pros and cons of remote work

References and how to contact Link:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5193 Link Moser built a nearly-passive business portfolio by acquiring tiny web design & hosting shops on favorable terms.

Topics in Link’s interview:

  • Learning to build websites in the 90’s
  • Starting a web design/hosting business
  • Sending out letters to target businesses
  • Acquiring other digital marketing agencies nearby
  • Integrating the businesses he bought
  • Customer attrition rates during transition
  • Getting bored with passive income
  • Considering buying a traditional, non-digital business 
  • Willingness to sell his own business
  • Pros and cons of remote work

References and how to contact Link:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No High Margin & Big Upside in Lice Treatment High Margin & Big Upside in Lice Treatment full ad0e85e6-5327-40dc-a89a-2ad382d4b500 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/derek-croft-licedoctors Derek Croft bought a $1m SDE business with a national footprint in an unusual niche. Just don't call him The Lice King.

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • Leaving Bain to search for a business
  • Acquiring LiceDoctors
  • Why it’s good for a profitable business to be imperfect 
  • Personal satisfaction from helping customers
  • Payroll emergency on day 2
  • Competition in the lice removal industry
  • High staff turnover despite good pay
  • Speeding up their response time
  • Raising public awareness of their service
  • His goal to double in 5 years

References and how to contact Derek:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Derek Croft bought a $1m SDE business with a national footprint in an unusual niche. Just don't call him The Lice King.

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • Leaving Bain to search for a business
  • Acquiring LiceDoctors
  • Why it’s good for a profitable business to be imperfect 
  • Personal satisfaction from helping customers
  • Payroll emergency on day 2
  • Competition in the lice removal industry
  • High staff turnover despite good pay
  • Speeding up their response time
  • Raising public awareness of their service
  • His goal to double in 5 years

References and how to contact Derek:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5867 Derek Croft bought a $1m SDE business with a national footprint in an unusual niche. Just don't call him The Lice King.

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • Leaving Bain to search for a business
  • Acquiring LiceDoctors
  • Why it’s good for a profitable business to be imperfect 
  • Personal satisfaction from helping customers
  • Payroll emergency on day 2
  • Competition in the lice removal industry
  • High staff turnover despite good pay
  • Speeding up their response time
  • Raising public awareness of their service
  • His goal to double in 5 years

References and how to contact Derek:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How 2 Entrepreneurs are Rolling Up a New Market How 2 Entrepreneurs are Rolling Up a New Market full 0d2cba14-2027-45c1-b7a7-908307943583 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/francisco-del-rio-diego-silva-prieto-latamvet Register for the webinars:

 • Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/3AMj6Fk


Francisco Del Rio & Diego Silva are 5 acquisitions into a venture to consolidate veterinary practices in Chile & beyond.

Topics in Francisco & Diego’s interview:

  • Vetting each other before partnering
  • Teaming up to roll up vet clinics in Chile
  • Pitching themselves to clinic owners
  • Searching during strict Covid lockdowns
  • Educating owners about business valuation
  • Understanding the seller’s perspective
  • Making variable compensation work
  • Teaching receptionists to use sales scripts
  • Finding investors and growing the business
  • Vision to expand to neighboring countries

References and how to contact Francisco & Diego:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

 • Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/3AMj6Fk


Francisco Del Rio & Diego Silva are 5 acquisitions into a venture to consolidate veterinary practices in Chile & beyond.

Topics in Francisco & Diego’s interview:

  • Vetting each other before partnering
  • Teaming up to roll up vet clinics in Chile
  • Pitching themselves to clinic owners
  • Searching during strict Covid lockdowns
  • Educating owners about business valuation
  • Understanding the seller’s perspective
  • Making variable compensation work
  • Teaching receptionists to use sales scripts
  • Finding investors and growing the business
  • Vision to expand to neighboring countries

References and how to contact Francisco & Diego:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6375 Register for the webinars:

 • Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/3AMj6Fk


Francisco Del Rio & Diego Silva are 5 acquisitions into a venture to consolidate veterinary practices in Chile & beyond.

Topics in Francisco & Diego’s interview:

  • Vetting each other before partnering
  • Teaming up to roll up vet clinics in Chile
  • Pitching themselves to clinic owners
  • Searching during strict Covid lockdowns
  • Educating owners about business valuation
  • Understanding the seller’s perspective
  • Making variable compensation work
  • Teaching receptionists to use sales scripts
  • Finding investors and growing the business
  • Vision to expand to neighboring countries

References and how to contact Francisco & Diego:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Become an Independent Sponsor How to Become an Independent Sponsor full e122423a-b8e5-4868-b4d2-767284c62fab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sam-rosati-perimeter-solutions-group-psg Register for the webinars: 

Sam Rosati & partners built the Sunbelt's largest commercial fencing contractor in 3 years. But the origins were modest.

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • His background in accounting and law
  • Being inspired by Chenmark and Brent Beshore
  • Acquiring Alpha Dumpsters with his brother
  • Birth of SMBash
  • Origin story of SMB Law
  • How an independent sponsor differs from a self-funded searcher
  • Investing in a commercial fencing business
  • The role of luck in success
  • Acquiring and consolidating fence businesses 
  • Partnering with private equity

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars: 

Sam Rosati & partners built the Sunbelt's largest commercial fencing contractor in 3 years. But the origins were modest.

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • His background in accounting and law
  • Being inspired by Chenmark and Brent Beshore
  • Acquiring Alpha Dumpsters with his brother
  • Birth of SMBash
  • Origin story of SMB Law
  • How an independent sponsor differs from a self-funded searcher
  • Investing in a commercial fencing business
  • The role of luck in success
  • Acquiring and consolidating fence businesses 
  • Partnering with private equity

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 14 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6199 Register for the webinars: 

Sam Rosati & partners built the Sunbelt's largest commercial fencing contractor in 3 years. But the origins were modest.

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • His background in accounting and law
  • Being inspired by Chenmark and Brent Beshore
  • Acquiring Alpha Dumpsters with his brother
  • Birth of SMBash
  • Origin story of SMB Law
  • How an independent sponsor differs from a self-funded searcher
  • Investing in a commercial fencing business
  • The role of luck in success
  • Acquiring and consolidating fence businesses 
  • Partnering with private equity

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The 2 Professors Who Helped Start the ETA Movement The 2 Professors Who Helped Start the ETA Movement full 33249b27-6968-4589-ab01-ca7dbdeb3255 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/rick-ruback-royce-yudkoff-hbr-guide-to-buying-a-small-business Register for the webinars:


The story behind "Rick & Royce", who've probably done more to grow entrepreneurship through acquisition than anyone.

Topics in Rick and Royce’s interview:

  • How they met in academia
  • Growth of their ETA class at Harvard
  • Unexpected success of their book
  • Satisfaction of changing students’ lives
  • Thoughts on their sons searching for businesses
  • Partner/family perspectives on search
  • Value of learning about failed acquisitions
  • How attitudes about small business have transformed
  • Using their podcast to educate about small business
  • Thoughts on pursuing wealth

References and how to contact Rick and Royce:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


The story behind "Rick & Royce", who've probably done more to grow entrepreneurship through acquisition than anyone.

Topics in Rick and Royce’s interview:

  • How they met in academia
  • Growth of their ETA class at Harvard
  • Unexpected success of their book
  • Satisfaction of changing students’ lives
  • Thoughts on their sons searching for businesses
  • Partner/family perspectives on search
  • Value of learning about failed acquisitions
  • How attitudes about small business have transformed
  • Using their podcast to educate about small business
  • Thoughts on pursuing wealth

References and how to contact Rick and Royce:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5524 Register for the webinars:


The story behind "Rick & Royce", who've probably done more to grow entrepreneurship through acquisition than anyone.

Topics in Rick and Royce’s interview:

  • How they met in academia
  • Growth of their ETA class at Harvard
  • Unexpected success of their book
  • Satisfaction of changing students’ lives
  • Thoughts on their sons searching for businesses
  • Partner/family perspectives on search
  • Value of learning about failed acquisitions
  • How attitudes about small business have transformed
  • Using their podcast to educate about small business
  • Thoughts on pursuing wealth

References and how to contact Rick and Royce:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Job to Build a Business Buying a Job to Build a Business full ce3301c2-6c00-4eaa-8315-766444fd388e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-railla-top-termite When he realized he was willing to do the work himself, Matthew Railla bought a $500k SDE termite inspection business.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His family’s culture of entrepreneurship
  • His background running a winery
  • Becoming a business broker
  • Buying his own listing
  • Buying a tough-to-sell business 
  • Getting an SBA loan using the new partial buyout rules
  • Crawling under houses himself to learn the trade
  • Seller agreeing to teach him for 2 years
  • The 3 branches of pest control
  • His plan to expand the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> When he realized he was willing to do the work himself, Matthew Railla bought a $500k SDE termite inspection business.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His family’s culture of entrepreneurship
  • His background running a winery
  • Becoming a business broker
  • Buying his own listing
  • Buying a tough-to-sell business 
  • Getting an SBA loan using the new partial buyout rules
  • Crawling under houses himself to learn the trade
  • Seller agreeing to teach him for 2 years
  • The 3 branches of pest control
  • His plan to expand the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4563 When he realized he was willing to do the work himself, Matthew Railla bought a $500k SDE termite inspection business.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His family’s culture of entrepreneurship
  • His background running a winery
  • Becoming a business broker
  • Buying his own listing
  • Buying a tough-to-sell business 
  • Getting an SBA loan using the new partial buyout rules
  • Crawling under houses himself to learn the trade
  • Seller agreeing to teach him for 2 years
  • The 3 branches of pest control
  • His plan to expand the business

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home full ad6b2368-1f3e-420d-b122-a473a50a9e7e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/iris-levine-the-porch-company Iris Levine bought a 30-year-old construction firm just steps from the rough Nashville neighborhood where she grew up.

Topics in Iris’s interview:

  • Working 3 jobs to pay for college
  • Background in high-growth startups
  • Forming her own acquisition mastermind group
  • Finding an unlisted business through a broker
  • Buying a porch construction company
  • Putting 5% down without outside investors
  • Choosing to forego a quality of earnings
  • Adding technology for project management
  • Motivation to find work-life flexibility
  • Possibility of expanding their offerings

References and how to contact Iris:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Iris Levine bought a 30-year-old construction firm just steps from the rough Nashville neighborhood where she grew up.

Topics in Iris’s interview:

  • Working 3 jobs to pay for college
  • Background in high-growth startups
  • Forming her own acquisition mastermind group
  • Finding an unlisted business through a broker
  • Buying a porch construction company
  • Putting 5% down without outside investors
  • Choosing to forego a quality of earnings
  • Adding technology for project management
  • Motivation to find work-life flexibility
  • Possibility of expanding their offerings

References and how to contact Iris:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4559 Iris Levine bought a 30-year-old construction firm just steps from the rough Nashville neighborhood where she grew up.

Topics in Iris’s interview:

  • Working 3 jobs to pay for college
  • Background in high-growth startups
  • Forming her own acquisition mastermind group
  • Finding an unlisted business through a broker
  • Buying a porch construction company
  • Putting 5% down without outside investors
  • Choosing to forego a quality of earnings
  • Adding technology for project management
  • Motivation to find work-life flexibility
  • Possibility of expanding their offerings

References and how to contact Iris:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Business to Build a Life Buying a Business to Build a Life full 3c0ae1b2-9daa-448e-80d3-64725760416e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dan-drake-industrial-applied-electric Register for the webinar: 


Seattle-based Dan Drake & his wife wanted to raise their kids in Bend, Oregon. Buying a business allowed them to do it.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His search in Bend, Oregon
  • Understanding negotiation tactics
  • Bundling the real estate with the business
  • His seller-financed deal
  • Renegotiating after sales dipped 20%
  • Pros and cons of having experienced staff
  • Explaining balloon payments
  • Giving back to Central Oregon
  • Meeting with top customers to understand their needs
  • Improving inventory management and website

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar: 


Seattle-based Dan Drake & his wife wanted to raise their kids in Bend, Oregon. Buying a business allowed them to do it.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His search in Bend, Oregon
  • Understanding negotiation tactics
  • Bundling the real estate with the business
  • His seller-financed deal
  • Renegotiating after sales dipped 20%
  • Pros and cons of having experienced staff
  • Explaining balloon payments
  • Giving back to Central Oregon
  • Meeting with top customers to understand their needs
  • Improving inventory management and website

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5210 Register for the webinar: 


Seattle-based Dan Drake & his wife wanted to raise their kids in Bend, Oregon. Buying a business allowed them to do it.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His search in Bend, Oregon
  • Understanding negotiation tactics
  • Bundling the real estate with the business
  • His seller-financed deal
  • Renegotiating after sales dipped 20%
  • Pros and cons of having experienced staff
  • Explaining balloon payments
  • Giving back to Central Oregon
  • Meeting with top customers to understand their needs
  • Improving inventory management and website

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying & Building a $60m Manufacturer Buying & Building a $60m Manufacturer full 9a46dce6-1655-4c29-a99f-2e1a9d9bdf04 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/gat-caperton-gat-creek Register for the webinar:


When, at age 29, Gat Caperton bought a furniture maker in his native West Virginia, he was also buying himself a career.

Topics in Gat’s interview:

  • Working for the legendary Sam Zell
  • Acquiring a furniture manufacturer in 1996
  • You’re better off with smart competitors than dumb competitors
  • Cutting his lead time in half the first year
  • Implementing lean manufacturing
  • Owning the business with his dad
  • China devastated US furniture manufacturing
  • Joining John Bassett to sue China for breaking trade laws
  • The evolution of “Made in America”
  • How to evaluate a furniture manufacturer

References and how to contact Gat:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:


When, at age 29, Gat Caperton bought a furniture maker in his native West Virginia, he was also buying himself a career.

Topics in Gat’s interview:

  • Working for the legendary Sam Zell
  • Acquiring a furniture manufacturer in 1996
  • You’re better off with smart competitors than dumb competitors
  • Cutting his lead time in half the first year
  • Implementing lean manufacturing
  • Owning the business with his dad
  • China devastated US furniture manufacturing
  • Joining John Bassett to sue China for breaking trade laws
  • The evolution of “Made in America”
  • How to evaluate a furniture manufacturer

References and how to contact Gat:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6766 Register for the webinar:


When, at age 29, Gat Caperton bought a furniture maker in his native West Virginia, he was also buying himself a career.

Topics in Gat’s interview:

  • Working for the legendary Sam Zell
  • Acquiring a furniture manufacturer in 1996
  • You’re better off with smart competitors than dumb competitors
  • Cutting his lead time in half the first year
  • Implementing lean manufacturing
  • Owning the business with his dad
  • China devastated US furniture manufacturing
  • Joining John Bassett to sue China for breaking trade laws
  • The evolution of “Made in America”
  • How to evaluate a furniture manufacturer

References and how to contact Gat:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 2 Years to Buy, Double & Exit a Medical Billing Firm 2 Years to Buy, Double & Exit a Medical Billing Firm full 8e5e8f94-6143-4b48-a3a4-3ed7959b0afb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nik-hulewsky-nikonomics-medical-billing-home-health Register for the webinars:


Nik Hulewsky bought a $3.2m medical billing company during peak Covid, anticipating a surge in demand. He was right.

Topics in Nik’s interview:

  • Tragedy that ignited his passion for hospice
  • Losing his job while his wife was in labor
  • Searching for a business to fit his skillset
  • Industry is more important than business
  • Margins in home health
  • Calculating return on brain damage
  • Learning firsthand about the J curve
  • Importance of relationship with the seller
  • Being in business with his brother-in-law
  • Advice for young entrepreneurs

References and how to contact Nik:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Nik Hulewsky bought a $3.2m medical billing company during peak Covid, anticipating a surge in demand. He was right.

Topics in Nik’s interview:

  • Tragedy that ignited his passion for hospice
  • Losing his job while his wife was in labor
  • Searching for a business to fit his skillset
  • Industry is more important than business
  • Margins in home health
  • Calculating return on brain damage
  • Learning firsthand about the J curve
  • Importance of relationship with the seller
  • Being in business with his brother-in-law
  • Advice for young entrepreneurs

References and how to contact Nik:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5218 Register for the webinars:


Nik Hulewsky bought a $3.2m medical billing company during peak Covid, anticipating a surge in demand. He was right.

Topics in Nik’s interview:

  • Tragedy that ignited his passion for hospice
  • Losing his job while his wife was in labor
  • Searching for a business to fit his skillset
  • Industry is more important than business
  • Margins in home health
  • Calculating return on brain damage
  • Learning firsthand about the J curve
  • Importance of relationship with the seller
  • Being in business with his brother-in-law
  • Advice for young entrepreneurs

References and how to contact Nik:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Small SDE, Big Upside: Buying a Business with 5 Employees Small SDE, Big Upside: Buying a Business with 5 Employees full 10d94566-eab9-45ee-99a5-b7dcee71bc93 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kristiana-laugen-pool-business-california Register for the webinars:


Kristiana Laugen left tech to buy a 40-year-old pool business with $300k SDE. Fast growth from a small base is the plan.

Topics in Kristiana’s interview:

  • Her career working for start-ups
  • Her desire to “eat what she kills”
  • Finding a business sooner than expected
  • Acquiring a commercial pool maintenance/repair business
  • How commercial pool maintenance differs from residential
  • Quickly firing all but one technician
  • Making changes in the first 90 days
  • Seller retained 5% equity
  • Using an app for routing efficiency
  • The numbers game of hiring

References and how to contact Kristiana:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Kristiana Laugen left tech to buy a 40-year-old pool business with $300k SDE. Fast growth from a small base is the plan.

Topics in Kristiana’s interview:

  • Her career working for start-ups
  • Her desire to “eat what she kills”
  • Finding a business sooner than expected
  • Acquiring a commercial pool maintenance/repair business
  • How commercial pool maintenance differs from residential
  • Quickly firing all but one technician
  • Making changes in the first 90 days
  • Seller retained 5% equity
  • Using an app for routing efficiency
  • The numbers game of hiring

References and how to contact Kristiana:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4994 Register for the webinars:


Kristiana Laugen left tech to buy a 40-year-old pool business with $300k SDE. Fast growth from a small base is the plan.

Topics in Kristiana’s interview:

  • Her career working for start-ups
  • Her desire to “eat what she kills”
  • Finding a business sooner than expected
  • Acquiring a commercial pool maintenance/repair business
  • How commercial pool maintenance differs from residential
  • Quickly firing all but one technician
  • Making changes in the first 90 days
  • Seller retained 5% equity
  • Using an app for routing efficiency
  • The numbers game of hiring

References and how to contact Kristiana:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Leaving Amazon to Buy a $3m Apparel Brand Leaving Amazon to Buy a $3m Apparel Brand full 6caa80e9-40c7-4c1e-a23f-485aba6e9487 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eric-bauer-turner-hat-company Register for the webinar:

Tech industry vet Eric Bauer wanted to build something for himself. Buying a hat brand across the country was the path.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Skills he acquired during 10 years at Amazon
  • Moving from Seattle to Alabama to buy a business
  • Red flags in business listings
  • Comparing BizBuySell and Axial for business search
  • Acquiring a hat distributor
  • Solving problems with hat sizing
  • Learning how to motivate his staff
  • Hiring difficulties
  • Inventory management complexities
  • Self-confidence as a business owner

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:

Tech industry vet Eric Bauer wanted to build something for himself. Buying a hat brand across the country was the path.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Skills he acquired during 10 years at Amazon
  • Moving from Seattle to Alabama to buy a business
  • Red flags in business listings
  • Comparing BizBuySell and Axial for business search
  • Acquiring a hat distributor
  • Solving problems with hat sizing
  • Learning how to motivate his staff
  • Hiring difficulties
  • Inventory management complexities
  • Self-confidence as a business owner

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6830 Register for the webinar:

Tech industry vet Eric Bauer wanted to build something for himself. Buying a hat brand across the country was the path.

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Skills he acquired during 10 years at Amazon
  • Moving from Seattle to Alabama to buy a business
  • Red flags in business listings
  • Comparing BizBuySell and Axial for business search
  • Acquiring a hat distributor
  • Solving problems with hat sizing
  • Learning how to motivate his staff
  • Hiring difficulties
  • Inventory management complexities
  • Self-confidence as a business owner

References and how to contact Eric:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Business Collapse After Going All-In Business Collapse After Going All-In full 401255ff-83f8-4343-8fe7-94c0daf49c0d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/justin-willess-construction-business Register for the webinars:


Justin Willess liquidated his 401k to buy a $8.5m construction business. He lost the business and may lose his house.

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Frustration with his consulting career
  • Buying a construction company
  • Construction landscape in Northern Virginia
  • Discovering cooked books after transition
  • Seller refused to release promised funds
  • Emptying his 401k to make payroll
  • Calm is contagious
  • Closing the business
  • What he learned from the failed acquisition
  • Why he wants to acquire again

References and how to contact Justin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Justin Willess liquidated his 401k to buy a $8.5m construction business. He lost the business and may lose his house.

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Frustration with his consulting career
  • Buying a construction company
  • Construction landscape in Northern Virginia
  • Discovering cooked books after transition
  • Seller refused to release promised funds
  • Emptying his 401k to make payroll
  • Calm is contagious
  • Closing the business
  • What he learned from the failed acquisition
  • Why he wants to acquire again

References and how to contact Justin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5950 Register for the webinars:


Justin Willess liquidated his 401k to buy a $8.5m construction business. He lost the business and may lose his house.

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Frustration with his consulting career
  • Buying a construction company
  • Construction landscape in Northern Virginia
  • Discovering cooked books after transition
  • Seller refused to release promised funds
  • Emptying his 401k to make payroll
  • Calm is contagious
  • Closing the business
  • What he learned from the failed acquisition
  • Why he wants to acquire again

References and how to contact Justin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business full 671131ba-5f9d-4b2d-847a-ccb8018ef250 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/greg-bruns-allied-hydromulch Register for the webinars:


As a banker Greg Bruns dealt with business owners, wanting what they had. When a friend bought a business, he saw a way.

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Leaving his banking career to buy a business
  • Big risks of doing an asset sale
  • How ownership is different than expected
  • Risks and benefits to buying small
  • Why erosion control matters to infrastructure
  • Being tied to the construction industry
  • Managing cashflow in a project-based business
  • How weather affects his bottom line
  • Involving his employees in business decisions
  • The good/bad of keeping the seller in the business

References and how to contact Greg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


As a banker Greg Bruns dealt with business owners, wanting what they had. When a friend bought a business, he saw a way.

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Leaving his banking career to buy a business
  • Big risks of doing an asset sale
  • How ownership is different than expected
  • Risks and benefits to buying small
  • Why erosion control matters to infrastructure
  • Being tied to the construction industry
  • Managing cashflow in a project-based business
  • How weather affects his bottom line
  • Involving his employees in business decisions
  • The good/bad of keeping the seller in the business

References and how to contact Greg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5584 Register for the webinars:


As a banker Greg Bruns dealt with business owners, wanting what they had. When a friend bought a business, he saw a way.

Topics in Greg’s interview:

  • Leaving his banking career to buy a business
  • Big risks of doing an asset sale
  • How ownership is different than expected
  • Risks and benefits to buying small
  • Why erosion control matters to infrastructure
  • Being tied to the construction industry
  • Managing cashflow in a project-based business
  • How weather affects his bottom line
  • Involving his employees in business decisions
  • The good/bad of keeping the seller in the business

References and how to contact Greg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Model for a 3-Way, Long-Term Holdco The Model for a 3-Way, Long-Term Holdco full 8194cb5d-b749-48d3-a0cf-978b348b1910 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/marc-nzojibwami-abl-imaging-group Register for the webinars:


Marc Nzojibwami and 2 partners bought a business in Calgary, with a plan to keep buying (and without investor capital).

Topics in Marc’s interview:

  • Early attempts at launching companies in university
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Their plan to build a holdco together
  • Acquiring a 40 year old sign shop
  • Financing their deal in Canada
  • Negotiating purchase price and seller note
  • One change they made immediately
  • Growing EBITDA 30% the first year
  • Challenges and benefits of partnerships
  • Searching full-time for his next acquisition

References and how to contact Marc:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Marc Nzojibwami and 2 partners bought a business in Calgary, with a plan to keep buying (and without investor capital).

Topics in Marc’s interview:

  • Early attempts at launching companies in university
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Their plan to build a holdco together
  • Acquiring a 40 year old sign shop
  • Financing their deal in Canada
  • Negotiating purchase price and seller note
  • One change they made immediately
  • Growing EBITDA 30% the first year
  • Challenges and benefits of partnerships
  • Searching full-time for his next acquisition

References and how to contact Marc:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4338 Register for the webinars:


Marc Nzojibwami and 2 partners bought a business in Calgary, with a plan to keep buying (and without investor capital).

Topics in Marc’s interview:

  • Early attempts at launching companies in university
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Their plan to build a holdco together
  • Acquiring a 40 year old sign shop
  • Financing their deal in Canada
  • Negotiating purchase price and seller note
  • One change they made immediately
  • Growing EBITDA 30% the first year
  • Challenges and benefits of partnerships
  • Searching full-time for his next acquisition

References and how to contact Marc:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Sell to Private Equity: Former Guest Has an Exit Why Sell to Private Equity: Former Guest Has an Exit full 7e269eb0-776a-4259-99b1-06706d24aba6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/taylor-wallace-paws-n-rec-tyler-oconnor-bird-golf-academy Register for the webinars:


Taylor Wallace & Tyler O'Connor return to discuss selling to private equity & the painful reality of managing people.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Evaluating the risk/reward of selling to private equity
  • Selling to private equity but not exiting
  • Good PE vs. bad PE
  • Transition to a corporate structure
  • Comparing outcomes with tech startups

References and how to contact Taylor:

Topics in Tyler’s interview:

  • Comparing his military service with business ownership
  • Unexpected hospitality aspect of the business
  • Being both CEO and the sales department
  • Delegating more to his general manager
  • Working capital in a seasonal business

References and how to contact Tyler:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Taylor Wallace & Tyler O'Connor return to discuss selling to private equity & the painful reality of managing people.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Evaluating the risk/reward of selling to private equity
  • Selling to private equity but not exiting
  • Good PE vs. bad PE
  • Transition to a corporate structure
  • Comparing outcomes with tech startups

References and how to contact Taylor:

Topics in Tyler’s interview:

  • Comparing his military service with business ownership
  • Unexpected hospitality aspect of the business
  • Being both CEO and the sales department
  • Delegating more to his general manager
  • Working capital in a seasonal business

References and how to contact Tyler:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5397 Register for the webinars:


Taylor Wallace & Tyler O'Connor return to discuss selling to private equity & the painful reality of managing people.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

  • Evaluating the risk/reward of selling to private equity
  • Selling to private equity but not exiting
  • Good PE vs. bad PE
  • Transition to a corporate structure
  • Comparing outcomes with tech startups

References and how to contact Taylor:

Topics in Tyler’s interview:

  • Comparing his military service with business ownership
  • Unexpected hospitality aspect of the business
  • Being both CEO and the sales department
  • Delegating more to his general manager
  • Working capital in a seasonal business

References and how to contact Tyler:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Turning Around a Blue Collar Business in Decline Turning Around a Blue Collar Business in Decline full 2b5388cc-c6c4-4a85-ace7-471128668ce4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/george-tibil-keith-fields-servicemaster-clean-buffalo George Tibil & Keith Fields bought a $1.1m janitorial business with falling revenues. 9 months later, sales are up 60%.

Topics in George and Keith’s interview:

  • Their dissatisfaction with the corporate ladder
  • Calling on Acquiring Minds guests for search advice
  • Acquiring a ServiceMaster Clean franchise location
  • What changed their minds about franchises
  • Firing their first employee before taking ownership
  • Cleaning all night when business was understaffed
  • Managing an immigrant-heavy workforce
  • Turning the culture around
  • 40% growth without outbound sales
  • Power of good partnerships

References and how to contact George and Keith:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> George Tibil & Keith Fields bought a $1.1m janitorial business with falling revenues. 9 months later, sales are up 60%.

Topics in George and Keith’s interview:

  • Their dissatisfaction with the corporate ladder
  • Calling on Acquiring Minds guests for search advice
  • Acquiring a ServiceMaster Clean franchise location
  • What changed their minds about franchises
  • Firing their first employee before taking ownership
  • Cleaning all night when business was understaffed
  • Managing an immigrant-heavy workforce
  • Turning the culture around
  • 40% growth without outbound sales
  • Power of good partnerships

References and how to contact George and Keith:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6025 George Tibil & Keith Fields bought a $1.1m janitorial business with falling revenues. 9 months later, sales are up 60%.

Topics in George and Keith’s interview:

  • Their dissatisfaction with the corporate ladder
  • Calling on Acquiring Minds guests for search advice
  • Acquiring a ServiceMaster Clean franchise location
  • What changed their minds about franchises
  • Firing their first employee before taking ownership
  • Cleaning all night when business was understaffed
  • Managing an immigrant-heavy workforce
  • Turning the culture around
  • 40% growth without outbound sales
  • Power of good partnerships

References and how to contact George and Keith:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When the Business Can't Be Saved: Resilience When the Business Can't Be Saved: Resilience full f702c622-b6bb-41db-8cc2-6943529c55c3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dustin-fusillo-atm-parts-service-nextatm Register for the webinars:

Dustin Fusillo bought a struggling ATM parts & services business. Unhappily, the decline continued under his ownership.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Starting a private school in Florida
  • Personal growth after divorce
  • Losing money in 3 business ventures
  • Reaching out to successful people for advice
  • Backing out of a bad deal after selling his home and moving
  • Buying a turnaround ATM business
  • Liquidating inventory to a competitor
  • Learning to manage anxiety and anger
  • Importance of an industry-specific accountant
  • His current role as a P&L manager

References and how to contact Dustin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

Dustin Fusillo bought a struggling ATM parts & services business. Unhappily, the decline continued under his ownership.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Starting a private school in Florida
  • Personal growth after divorce
  • Losing money in 3 business ventures
  • Reaching out to successful people for advice
  • Backing out of a bad deal after selling his home and moving
  • Buying a turnaround ATM business
  • Liquidating inventory to a competitor
  • Learning to manage anxiety and anger
  • Importance of an industry-specific accountant
  • His current role as a P&L manager

References and how to contact Dustin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4716 Register for the webinars:

Dustin Fusillo bought a struggling ATM parts & services business. Unhappily, the decline continued under his ownership.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Starting a private school in Florida
  • Personal growth after divorce
  • Losing money in 3 business ventures
  • Reaching out to successful people for advice
  • Backing out of a bad deal after selling his home and moving
  • Buying a turnaround ATM business
  • Liquidating inventory to a competitor
  • Learning to manage anxiety and anger
  • Importance of an industry-specific accountant
  • His current role as a P&L manager

References and how to contact Dustin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Appeal of Franchise Buying: $1m EBITDA in 2 Years The Appeal of Franchise Buying: $1m EBITDA in 2 Years full 689d206e-fe50-4ad4-b7e9-65dd51bc35be https://acquiringminds.co/articles/corey-robinson-batteries-plus Register for the webinars:


Corey Robinson bought 4 locations in the legacy franchise Batteries Plus. He quickly bought 8 more, growing to $10m/yr.

Topics in Corey interview:

  • Leaving the security of his corporate job
  • What he likes about Batteries Plus
  • Buying an expansion location for $100k cash
  • Changing the culture at one location
  • Remotely managing Texan teams from Iowa
  • An HVAC acquisition that went poorly
  • What he learned about making big changes
  • Operating an independent business compared to a franchise
  • The toll it took to spread himself over multiple industries
  • His current role as an investor in small business acquisitions

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Corey Robinson bought 4 locations in the legacy franchise Batteries Plus. He quickly bought 8 more, growing to $10m/yr.

Topics in Corey interview:

  • Leaving the security of his corporate job
  • What he likes about Batteries Plus
  • Buying an expansion location for $100k cash
  • Changing the culture at one location
  • Remotely managing Texan teams from Iowa
  • An HVAC acquisition that went poorly
  • What he learned about making big changes
  • Operating an independent business compared to a franchise
  • The toll it took to spread himself over multiple industries
  • His current role as an investor in small business acquisitions

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6963 Register for the webinars:


Corey Robinson bought 4 locations in the legacy franchise Batteries Plus. He quickly bought 8 more, growing to $10m/yr.

Topics in Corey interview:

  • Leaving the security of his corporate job
  • What he likes about Batteries Plus
  • Buying an expansion location for $100k cash
  • Changing the culture at one location
  • Remotely managing Texan teams from Iowa
  • An HVAC acquisition that went poorly
  • What he learned about making big changes
  • Operating an independent business compared to a franchise
  • The toll it took to spread himself over multiple industries
  • His current role as an investor in small business acquisitions

References and how to contact Corey:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Year Into a Garage Door Business with $350k SDE One Year Into a Garage Door Business with $350k SDE full ab459edc-7ecc-4ffb-a060-7a6b8727d7e8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brittney-orellano-radio-controlled-garage-door-gate Register for the webinars:

It was a revelation when Brittney Orellano heard about buying businesses. 6 months later, she'd done it herself.

Topics in Brittney’s interview:

  • Running a property management business while acquiring
  • Winning over the employees after transition
  • Unexpected costs of maintaining equipment
  • Cashflow problems led to layoffs in off-season
  • Getting used to project-based revenue
  • Putting an extra out-of-pocket $30k into the business
  • Using local service ads on Google through slow season
  • Being inspired by Codie Sanchez and Tommy Mello
  • Comparing startups with acquired businesses
  • Owning and operating a business with her husband

References and how to contact Brittney:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

It was a revelation when Brittney Orellano heard about buying businesses. 6 months later, she'd done it herself.

Topics in Brittney’s interview:

  • Running a property management business while acquiring
  • Winning over the employees after transition
  • Unexpected costs of maintaining equipment
  • Cashflow problems led to layoffs in off-season
  • Getting used to project-based revenue
  • Putting an extra out-of-pocket $30k into the business
  • Using local service ads on Google through slow season
  • Being inspired by Codie Sanchez and Tommy Mello
  • Comparing startups with acquired businesses
  • Owning and operating a business with her husband

References and how to contact Brittney:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 19 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4714 Register for the webinars:

It was a revelation when Brittney Orellano heard about buying businesses. 6 months later, she'd done it herself.

Topics in Brittney’s interview:

  • Running a property management business while acquiring
  • Winning over the employees after transition
  • Unexpected costs of maintaining equipment
  • Cashflow problems led to layoffs in off-season
  • Getting used to project-based revenue
  • Putting an extra out-of-pocket $30k into the business
  • Using local service ads on Google through slow season
  • Being inspired by Codie Sanchez and Tommy Mello
  • Comparing startups with acquired businesses
  • Owning and operating a business with her husband

References and how to contact Brittney:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying the Neighborhood Nursery (with $800k in Earnings) Buying the Neighborhood Nursery (with $800k in Earnings) full ab530b06-1c6c-442e-a50a-c8746325a046 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/rory-tyer-south-pleasantburg-nursery Register for the webinars:

Rory Tyer bought the nursery where he'd been a loyal customer. Today it generates not just cash for him, but peace.

Topics in Rory’s interview:

  • Searching by driving around
  • Advantage of buying in a high-growth area
  • Buying a business his kids would be proud of
  • Getting a “screaming deal” on a garden center
  • Negotiating an unlisted deal
  • Explaining deal structure to a seller
  • Challenges of staffing a business with seasonality
  • Decision to stay closed on Sundays
  • Insurance costs tripling after acquisition
  • Gardening as the antidote to screen fatigue

References and how to contact Rory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

Rory Tyer bought the nursery where he'd been a loyal customer. Today it generates not just cash for him, but peace.

Topics in Rory’s interview:

  • Searching by driving around
  • Advantage of buying in a high-growth area
  • Buying a business his kids would be proud of
  • Getting a “screaming deal” on a garden center
  • Negotiating an unlisted deal
  • Explaining deal structure to a seller
  • Challenges of staffing a business with seasonality
  • Decision to stay closed on Sundays
  • Insurance costs tripling after acquisition
  • Gardening as the antidote to screen fatigue

References and how to contact Rory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5559 Register for the webinars:

Rory Tyer bought the nursery where he'd been a loyal customer. Today it generates not just cash for him, but peace.

Topics in Rory’s interview:

  • Searching by driving around
  • Advantage of buying in a high-growth area
  • Buying a business his kids would be proud of
  • Getting a “screaming deal” on a garden center
  • Negotiating an unlisted deal
  • Explaining deal structure to a seller
  • Challenges of staffing a business with seasonality
  • Decision to stay closed on Sundays
  • Insurance costs tripling after acquisition
  • Gardening as the antidote to screen fatigue

References and how to contact Rory:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Control & Family: Drivers of a Self-Funded Search Control & Family: Drivers of a Self-Funded Search full 71a25b2f-17a1-4c4f-bbea-074c29afdc17 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-kelker-timberline-pallet Register for the webinars:

Acquiring a $2.5m pallet manufacturer was Michael Kelker's first step to building a legacy business for his family.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Self-funded vs. traditional vs. independent sponsorship
  • Carrying on his family legacy in manufacturing
  • His goal of having control over his work
  • Acquiring a custom pallet manufacturer
  • Getting the deal done during Covid
  • Challenges with the appraisal
  • Navigating the lumber price surge
  • Hiring a banker as CFO
  • Learning from his employees and customers
  • Optimism despite pallet industry downturn

References and how to contact Michael:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

Acquiring a $2.5m pallet manufacturer was Michael Kelker's first step to building a legacy business for his family.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Self-funded vs. traditional vs. independent sponsorship
  • Carrying on his family legacy in manufacturing
  • His goal of having control over his work
  • Acquiring a custom pallet manufacturer
  • Getting the deal done during Covid
  • Challenges with the appraisal
  • Navigating the lumber price surge
  • Hiring a banker as CFO
  • Learning from his employees and customers
  • Optimism despite pallet industry downturn

References and how to contact Michael:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 12 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5155 Register for the webinars:

Acquiring a $2.5m pallet manufacturer was Michael Kelker's first step to building a legacy business for his family.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Self-funded vs. traditional vs. independent sponsorship
  • Carrying on his family legacy in manufacturing
  • His goal of having control over his work
  • Acquiring a custom pallet manufacturer
  • Getting the deal done during Covid
  • Challenges with the appraisal
  • Navigating the lumber price surge
  • Hiring a banker as CFO
  • Learning from his employees and customers
  • Optimism despite pallet industry downturn

References and how to contact Michael:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a Portfolio of Nostalgia Restaurants Building a Portfolio of Nostalgia Restaurants full 5290c3d1-4c81-4a7d-98da-f19516854945 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jackson-speaks-cowgirl-kitchen-pizza-by-the-sea Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Topics in Jackson’s interview:

  • Fulfilling his dream of living on the beach
  • Transitioning from real estate to restaurants
  • Buying a nostalgic restaurant with his friend
  • Unique aspects of owning a business in a tourist town
  • Cashflow advantage in restaurants
  • Lack of competition for acquiring restaurants
  • Finding and installing an experienced operator
  • Evaluating a restaurant’s potential
  • Acquiring a second restaurant with 4 locations
  • Investing in equipment and technology that increases sales

References and how to contact Jackson:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Topics in Jackson’s interview:

  • Fulfilling his dream of living on the beach
  • Transitioning from real estate to restaurants
  • Buying a nostalgic restaurant with his friend
  • Unique aspects of owning a business in a tourist town
  • Cashflow advantage in restaurants
  • Lack of competition for acquiring restaurants
  • Finding and installing an experienced operator
  • Evaluating a restaurant’s potential
  • Acquiring a second restaurant with 4 locations
  • Investing in equipment and technology that increases sales

References and how to contact Jackson:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5468 Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Topics in Jackson’s interview:

  • Fulfilling his dream of living on the beach
  • Transitioning from real estate to restaurants
  • Buying a nostalgic restaurant with his friend
  • Unique aspects of owning a business in a tourist town
  • Cashflow advantage in restaurants
  • Lack of competition for acquiring restaurants
  • Finding and installing an experienced operator
  • Evaluating a restaurant’s potential
  • Acquiring a second restaurant with 4 locations
  • Investing in equipment and technology that increases sales

References and how to contact Jackson:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No White-Collar Sisters Buy a Blue-Collar Business White-Collar Sisters Buy a Blue-Collar Business full d51fe885-2f40-401b-b609-f122478af965 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/julie-hottinger-janna-hottinger-signature-woodworking Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Without backgrounds in business, Julie & Janna Hottinger have grown the $2.1m trades business they bought last year 50%.

Topics in Julie and Janna’s interview:

  • Being warned away from the asphalt industry
  • Sisters who bought a construction business
  • How the seller worked to ease the transition
  • Acquiring with no prior business experience
  • Slowly taking the all-paper business digital
  • Cash flow challenges as a subcontractor
  • Building trust with the existing team
  • Growing revenue by hiring more employees
  • How Covid affected commercial business spaces
  • Why industry trends aren’t always accurate

References and how to contact Julie and Janna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Without backgrounds in business, Julie & Janna Hottinger have grown the $2.1m trades business they bought last year 50%.

Topics in Julie and Janna’s interview:

  • Being warned away from the asphalt industry
  • Sisters who bought a construction business
  • How the seller worked to ease the transition
  • Acquiring with no prior business experience
  • Slowly taking the all-paper business digital
  • Cash flow challenges as a subcontractor
  • Building trust with the existing team
  • Growing revenue by hiring more employees
  • How Covid affected commercial business spaces
  • Why industry trends aren’t always accurate

References and how to contact Julie and Janna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 05 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4755 Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?


Without backgrounds in business, Julie & Janna Hottinger have grown the $2.1m trades business they bought last year 50%.

Topics in Julie and Janna’s interview:

  • Being warned away from the asphalt industry
  • Sisters who bought a construction business
  • How the seller worked to ease the transition
  • Acquiring with no prior business experience
  • Slowly taking the all-paper business digital
  • Cash flow challenges as a subcontractor
  • Building trust with the existing team
  • Growing revenue by hiring more employees
  • How Covid affected commercial business spaces
  • Why industry trends aren’t always accurate

References and how to contact Julie and Janna:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Leaving Corporate to Buy a $4m Manufacturer Leaving Corporate to Buy a $4m Manufacturer full 4c708c9d-0a11-4868-be39-40aec4775b9f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-dey-american-spray-technologies An engineer at heart, Mike Dey set his sights on buying a manufacturing business for the next stage of his career.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pivoting from aerospace engineering to business ownership
  • Selling his real estate investment to buy a business
  • Beware turning your passion into your income
  • Buying a business in his 40’s
  • How risky is business ownership?
  • The risk build-up model of valuing a business
  • Saying no to a friend’s investment
  • Buying a business bundled with real estate
  • Managing a blue collar workforce
  • Having to suddenly switch lenders

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> An engineer at heart, Mike Dey set his sights on buying a manufacturing business for the next stage of his career.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pivoting from aerospace engineering to business ownership
  • Selling his real estate investment to buy a business
  • Beware turning your passion into your income
  • Buying a business in his 40’s
  • How risky is business ownership?
  • The risk build-up model of valuing a business
  • Saying no to a friend’s investment
  • Buying a business bundled with real estate
  • Managing a blue collar workforce
  • Having to suddenly switch lenders

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6423 An engineer at heart, Mike Dey set his sights on buying a manufacturing business for the next stage of his career.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pivoting from aerospace engineering to business ownership
  • Selling his real estate investment to buy a business
  • Beware turning your passion into your income
  • Buying a business in his 40’s
  • How risky is business ownership?
  • The risk build-up model of valuing a business
  • Saying no to a friend’s investment
  • Buying a business bundled with real estate
  • Managing a blue collar workforce
  • Having to suddenly switch lenders

References and how to contact Michael:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Exited but Tired: 5 Years in a Hard Business Exited but Tired: 5 Years in a Hard Business full cbfbaa30-b140-430e-85c3-90163c6cf104 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-bauer-chris-hartman-american-scale-company Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


After 5 years of owning a scale business, Matt Bauer & Chris Hartman were burning out. Fortunately they'd created value.

Topics in Matt and Chris’s interview:

  • Two military buddies bought a scale business
  • Demanding grind of the industry
  • Downside of providing a mission-critical service
  • Building a sales team to grow the business
  • Challenges in training technicians
  • Attempting to acquire a competitor
  • Doubling earnings in 5 years
  • Deciding it was time to sell
  • Their 8-figure exit
  • Investing in a port-a-potty startup

References and how to contact Matt and Chris:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


After 5 years of owning a scale business, Matt Bauer & Chris Hartman were burning out. Fortunately they'd created value.

Topics in Matt and Chris’s interview:

  • Two military buddies bought a scale business
  • Demanding grind of the industry
  • Downside of providing a mission-critical service
  • Building a sales team to grow the business
  • Challenges in training technicians
  • Attempting to acquire a competitor
  • Doubling earnings in 5 years
  • Deciding it was time to sell
  • Their 8-figure exit
  • Investing in a port-a-potty startup

References and how to contact Matt and Chris:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5633 Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


After 5 years of owning a scale business, Matt Bauer & Chris Hartman were burning out. Fortunately they'd created value.

Topics in Matt and Chris’s interview:

  • Two military buddies bought a scale business
  • Demanding grind of the industry
  • Downside of providing a mission-critical service
  • Building a sales team to grow the business
  • Challenges in training technicians
  • Attempting to acquire a competitor
  • Doubling earnings in 5 years
  • Deciding it was time to sell
  • Their 8-figure exit
  • Investing in a port-a-potty startup

References and how to contact Matt and Chris:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Young Couple Starts a Family Business By Buying One Young Couple Starts a Family Business By Buying One full 113a79be-a09a-4984-8ce1-f29dd7e251c1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/young-couple-starts-a-family-business-by-buying-one Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Topics in Meredith & Michael’s interview:

  • Buying an employment screening company
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Strict industry regulations serve as a moat
  • Upgrading technology after acquisition
  • How the seller eased clients through the transition
  • Why they’re not worried about AI
  • Meredith’s growth as a manager
  • Buying a business as a young couple
  • Why this may be a difficult industry to roll up
  • Personal impact of owning a business

References and how to contact Meredith & Michael:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Topics in Meredith & Michael’s interview:

  • Buying an employment screening company
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Strict industry regulations serve as a moat
  • Upgrading technology after acquisition
  • How the seller eased clients through the transition
  • Why they’re not worried about AI
  • Meredith’s growth as a manager
  • Buying a business as a young couple
  • Why this may be a difficult industry to roll up
  • Personal impact of owning a business

References and how to contact Meredith & Michael:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> Mon, 26 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4804 Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Topics in Meredith & Michael’s interview:

  • Buying an employment screening company
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Strict industry regulations serve as a moat
  • Upgrading technology after acquisition
  • How the seller eased clients through the transition
  • Why they’re not worried about AI
  • Meredith’s growth as a manager
  • Buying a business as a young couple
  • Why this may be a difficult industry to roll up
  • Personal impact of owning a business

References and how to contact Meredith & Michael:


----- SPONSORS -----

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:


----- Connect with Acquiring Minds -----

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Investor Perspective on Self-Funded Search Investor Perspective on Self-Funded Search full 394e0126-ce78-4beb-b1e3-ce23f229ec83 https://smb-investor-roundtable-niklas-james-adam-borcz-niklas-james Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Niklas James, Adam Borcz, and Tony Cappeart reflect on terms, risk & reward of the still-young self-funded search model.

Topics in Search Investor Roundtable:

  • White collar buyers of blue collar businesses
  • Desirable traits for searchers
  • Balancing investor returns and personal gains
  • 3 common modeling mistakes
  • Role of put options in deals
  • How searchers sabotage their own deals
  • Realistic expectations for business growth
  • Hope is not a strategy
  • Operational experience trumps finance knowledge
  • Self-funded search terms

References and how to contact panelists:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Niklas James, Adam Borcz, and Tony Cappeart reflect on terms, risk & reward of the still-young self-funded search model.

Topics in Search Investor Roundtable:

  • White collar buyers of blue collar businesses
  • Desirable traits for searchers
  • Balancing investor returns and personal gains
  • 3 common modeling mistakes
  • Role of put options in deals
  • How searchers sabotage their own deals
  • Realistic expectations for business growth
  • Hope is not a strategy
  • Operational experience trumps finance knowledge
  • Self-funded search terms

References and how to contact panelists:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5137 Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Niklas James, Adam Borcz, and Tony Cappeart reflect on terms, risk & reward of the still-young self-funded search model.

Topics in Search Investor Roundtable:

  • White collar buyers of blue collar businesses
  • Desirable traits for searchers
  • Balancing investor returns and personal gains
  • 3 common modeling mistakes
  • Role of put options in deals
  • How searchers sabotage their own deals
  • Realistic expectations for business growth
  • Hope is not a strategy
  • Operational experience trumps finance knowledge
  • Self-funded search terms

References and how to contact panelists:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 5 Businesses Acquired with a Long-Term Hold Model 5 Businesses Acquired with a Long-Term Hold Model full ad5162a6-89f4-4e4c-8cf6-724568d0ba6c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ryan-sullivan-north-park-group Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Ryan Sullivan's group is buying businesses with investor capital, SBA loans & operating partners — but it's not a fund.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • “Moneyball approach” to buying businesses
  • Making a career change at 48
  • Why it’s hard to find a good business
  • Buying and holding manufacturing businesses
  • Operating a holdco with 5 partners
  • Generating returns from cash flows, not exits
  • How soon to make changes (and exceptions)
  • What he loves about having partners
  • Funding deals one at a time
  • Moving a business and retaining 100% of staff

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Ryan Sullivan's group is buying businesses with investor capital, SBA loans & operating partners — but it's not a fund.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • “Moneyball approach” to buying businesses
  • Making a career change at 48
  • Why it’s hard to find a good business
  • Buying and holding manufacturing businesses
  • Operating a holdco with 5 partners
  • Generating returns from cash flows, not exits
  • How soon to make changes (and exceptions)
  • What he loves about having partners
  • Funding deals one at a time
  • Moving a business and retaining 100% of staff

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5804 Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issues


Ryan Sullivan's group is buying businesses with investor capital, SBA loans & operating partners — but it's not a fund.

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • “Moneyball approach” to buying businesses
  • Making a career change at 48
  • Why it’s hard to find a good business
  • Buying and holding manufacturing businesses
  • Operating a holdco with 5 partners
  • Generating returns from cash flows, not exits
  • How soon to make changes (and exceptions)
  • What he loves about having partners
  • Funding deals one at a time
  • Moving a business and retaining 100% of staff

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market full fe9ed980-e127-4368-9989-e5aeefb1d39f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sba-lender-roundtable-lisa-forrest-matt-dolsky-brad-hettich 3 top players in SBA lending to the searcher ecosystem discuss what they're seeing in the market as of summer 2024.

Topics in SBA Lender Roundtable:

  • Role of personal guarantee in SBA loan
  • Why valuations remain high
  • Rising amount of equity in deals
  • How to find the right lender
  • Industries: what’s hot, what’s not
  • Financing for fast-growth businesses
  • Increase in forgivable seller notes
  • More re-trading in recent years
  • Importance of buyer-seller trust
  • SBA rule changes and their impact

References and how to contact panelists:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 3 top players in SBA lending to the searcher ecosystem discuss what they're seeing in the market as of summer 2024.

Topics in SBA Lender Roundtable:

  • Role of personal guarantee in SBA loan
  • Why valuations remain high
  • Rising amount of equity in deals
  • How to find the right lender
  • Industries: what’s hot, what’s not
  • Financing for fast-growth businesses
  • Increase in forgivable seller notes
  • More re-trading in recent years
  • Importance of buyer-seller trust
  • SBA rule changes and their impact

References and how to contact panelists:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 15 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4835 3 top players in SBA lending to the searcher ecosystem discuss what they're seeing in the market as of summer 2024.

Topics in SBA Lender Roundtable:

  • Role of personal guarantee in SBA loan
  • Why valuations remain high
  • Rising amount of equity in deals
  • How to find the right lender
  • Industries: what’s hot, what’s not
  • Financing for fast-growth businesses
  • Increase in forgivable seller notes
  • More re-trading in recent years
  • Importance of buyer-seller trust
  • SBA rule changes and their impact

References and how to contact panelists:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away full 8ac8516e-788c-4524-b370-eb50a419d9be https://acquiringminds.co/articles/gabe-kristen-perez-refrigerated-structures-of-new-england Gabe Perez sought a way out of corporate while Kristen sought a way back to working. Buying a $4m business offered both.

Topics in Gabe and Kristen's interview:

  • The role Acquiring Minds played in their acquisition
  • Acquiring a cold storage manufacturer
  • Paying a premium for a growing company
  • Buying a business three hours away
  • Risks of taking on big projects
  • Implementing video conferencing 
  • Impact of business ownership on their family
  • Keeping business and family time separate
  • Getting his lender comfortable with the business’s cyclicality
  • Their goal of creating a great workplace

References and how to contact Gabe & Kristen:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Gabe Perez sought a way out of corporate while Kristen sought a way back to working. Buying a $4m business offered both.

Topics in Gabe and Kristen's interview:

  • The role Acquiring Minds played in their acquisition
  • Acquiring a cold storage manufacturer
  • Paying a premium for a growing company
  • Buying a business three hours away
  • Risks of taking on big projects
  • Implementing video conferencing 
  • Impact of business ownership on their family
  • Keeping business and family time separate
  • Getting his lender comfortable with the business’s cyclicality
  • Their goal of creating a great workplace

References and how to contact Gabe & Kristen:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6174 Gabe Perez sought a way out of corporate while Kristen sought a way back to working. Buying a $4m business offered both.

Topics in Gabe and Kristen's interview:

  • The role Acquiring Minds played in their acquisition
  • Acquiring a cold storage manufacturer
  • Paying a premium for a growing company
  • Buying a business three hours away
  • Risks of taking on big projects
  • Implementing video conferencing 
  • Impact of business ownership on their family
  • Keeping business and family time separate
  • Getting his lender comfortable with the business’s cyclicality
  • Their goal of creating a great workplace

References and how to contact Gabe & Kristen:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No After 4 Years of Part-Time Searching, Success After 4 Years of Part-Time Searching, Success full f89ae843-278d-4506-9882-3836d61ff20d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/will-gano-bear-stewart Will Gano was rewarded for his persistence & vision when he bought an 8-figure, 125-year-old ingredients manufacturer.

Topics in Will Gano’s interview:

  • Getting experience in the food industry
  • Doing outreach while working full time
  • Hiring a buy-side broker to search for him
  • Going through years of “search purgatory”
  • Writing a personal letter with his LOI
  • Buying a food ingredient manufacturer
  • The upside of losing a major client before the transaction
  • Importance of food safety
  • Jumping through hoops for licensing
  • Influence from his late grandfather

References and how to contact Will Gano:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Will Gano was rewarded for his persistence & vision when he bought an 8-figure, 125-year-old ingredients manufacturer.

Topics in Will Gano’s interview:

  • Getting experience in the food industry
  • Doing outreach while working full time
  • Hiring a buy-side broker to search for him
  • Going through years of “search purgatory”
  • Writing a personal letter with his LOI
  • Buying a food ingredient manufacturer
  • The upside of losing a major client before the transaction
  • Importance of food safety
  • Jumping through hoops for licensing
  • Influence from his late grandfather

References and how to contact Will Gano:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 08 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4413 Will Gano was rewarded for his persistence & vision when he bought an 8-figure, 125-year-old ingredients manufacturer.

Topics in Will Gano’s interview:

  • Getting experience in the food industry
  • Doing outreach while working full time
  • Hiring a buy-side broker to search for him
  • Going through years of “search purgatory”
  • Writing a personal letter with his LOI
  • Buying a food ingredient manufacturer
  • The upside of losing a major client before the transaction
  • Importance of food safety
  • Jumping through hoops for licensing
  • Influence from his late grandfather

References and how to contact Will Gano:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy Fast: A Good Reason to Buy Small Buy Fast: A Good Reason to Buy Small full 65d75737-ca92-411b-90cf-ed01a6913767 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/rob-carpenter-merry-maids Rob Carpenter was eager to start operating, so it only took 90 days to start searching then buy a $200k SDE business.

Topics in Rob’s interview:

  • His background in AI and software development
  • His desire for a lower-stress lifestyle
  • Prioritizing speed in his business search
  • Changing his mind about franchises
  • Buying 3 Merry Maids territories
  • Digitizing processes in the business
  • How labor turnover affects customer turnover
  • Benefits of a negative cash cycle
  • Comparing startup culture with running a small business
  • Possibilities of bolt-ons in the future

References and how to contact Rob:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Rob Carpenter was eager to start operating, so it only took 90 days to start searching then buy a $200k SDE business.

Topics in Rob’s interview:

  • His background in AI and software development
  • His desire for a lower-stress lifestyle
  • Prioritizing speed in his business search
  • Changing his mind about franchises
  • Buying 3 Merry Maids territories
  • Digitizing processes in the business
  • How labor turnover affects customer turnover
  • Benefits of a negative cash cycle
  • Comparing startup culture with running a small business
  • Possibilities of bolt-ons in the future

References and how to contact Rob:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 05 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5275 Rob Carpenter was eager to start operating, so it only took 90 days to start searching then buy a $200k SDE business.

Topics in Rob’s interview:

  • His background in AI and software development
  • His desire for a lower-stress lifestyle
  • Prioritizing speed in his business search
  • Changing his mind about franchises
  • Buying 3 Merry Maids territories
  • Digitizing processes in the business
  • How labor turnover affects customer turnover
  • Benefits of a negative cash cycle
  • Comparing startup culture with running a small business
  • Possibilities of bolt-ons in the future

References and how to contact Rob:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Tangible & Collectible: Buying a Consumer Product Company Tangible & Collectible: Buying a Consumer Product Company full 7a3e169a-8728-4eff-abcc-f105e557129a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jeff-velker-retro-1951 Years after one venture ended in failure, Jeff Velker bought a $2.5m pen maker with a strong brand & devoted customers.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • His experience as a franchisee
  • Bankruptcy after the 2008 crash
  • The difference between buying a job and owning a business
  • Losing his favorite pen led him to a pen company
  • Appeal of pens in our digital age
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Negotiating with a seller who won’t go lower
  • Getting buy-in from spouses
  • The risks of having his manufacturer in Taiwan
  • His goal of $10M in 10 years

References and how to contact Jeff:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Years after one venture ended in failure, Jeff Velker bought a $2.5m pen maker with a strong brand & devoted customers.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • His experience as a franchisee
  • Bankruptcy after the 2008 crash
  • The difference between buying a job and owning a business
  • Losing his favorite pen led him to a pen company
  • Appeal of pens in our digital age
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Negotiating with a seller who won’t go lower
  • Getting buy-in from spouses
  • The risks of having his manufacturer in Taiwan
  • His goal of $10M in 10 years

References and how to contact Jeff:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4497 Years after one venture ended in failure, Jeff Velker bought a $2.5m pen maker with a strong brand & devoted customers.

Topics in Jeff’s interview:

  • His experience as a franchisee
  • Bankruptcy after the 2008 crash
  • The difference between buying a job and owning a business
  • Losing his favorite pen led him to a pen company
  • Appeal of pens in our digital age
  • Acquiring with 2 partners
  • Negotiating with a seller who won’t go lower
  • Getting buy-in from spouses
  • The risks of having his manufacturer in Taiwan
  • His goal of $10M in 10 years

References and how to contact Jeff:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No White Collar Roll-Up from $700k to $12m White Collar Roll-Up from $700k to $12m full fa7c1d21-4a3e-497a-9f66-523dcea1cdd1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jordan-evans-language-network Jordan Evans left tech & bought a tiny, decades-old language services business. 6 years later, revenue is 17x larger.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Acquiring his parents’ language services business
  • Spending 2 years preparing the deal
  • Overpaying for a 180k SDE business
  • Doubling the businesses through organic growth
  • Pros and cons of seller notes
  • “We’re buying a bucket of people and problems”
  • Bolting on language companies as a growth strategy
  • How fast they integrate newly acquired businesses
  • Opportunities for white-collar rollups
  • Growing from 4 to 42 employees

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jordan Evans left tech & bought a tiny, decades-old language services business. 6 years later, revenue is 17x larger.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Acquiring his parents’ language services business
  • Spending 2 years preparing the deal
  • Overpaying for a 180k SDE business
  • Doubling the businesses through organic growth
  • Pros and cons of seller notes
  • “We’re buying a bucket of people and problems”
  • Bolting on language companies as a growth strategy
  • How fast they integrate newly acquired businesses
  • Opportunities for white-collar rollups
  • Growing from 4 to 42 employees

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6397 Jordan Evans left tech & bought a tiny, decades-old language services business. 6 years later, revenue is 17x larger.

Topics in Jordan’s interview:

  • Acquiring his parents’ language services business
  • Spending 2 years preparing the deal
  • Overpaying for a 180k SDE business
  • Doubling the businesses through organic growth
  • Pros and cons of seller notes
  • “We’re buying a bucket of people and problems”
  • Bolting on language companies as a growth strategy
  • How fast they integrate newly acquired businesses
  • Opportunities for white-collar rollups
  • Growing from 4 to 42 employees

References and how to contact Jordan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reflections on 2 Years in the Knife Fight Reflections on 2 Years in the Knife Fight full 0ecbc46e-db35-4f9c-b1c5-13a0617c4c73 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brett-kennedy-atlanta-furniture-taxi Register for the webinar:


Brett Kennedy has doubled & strengthened the sub-$1 million moving business he bought — but it hasn't been without pain.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • Being raised in an entrepreneurial family
  • Buying Furniture Taxi, a moving company
  • Driving the truck himself when employees don’t show
  • Surprises the seller failed to mention
  • Good and bad of buying small
  • Daily stressors of running a small business
  • Hiring a GM
  • Doubling the business despite a shrinking market
  • Your employees are your customers
  •  The next company he wants to buy

References and how to contact Brett:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:


Brett Kennedy has doubled & strengthened the sub-$1 million moving business he bought — but it hasn't been without pain.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • Being raised in an entrepreneurial family
  • Buying Furniture Taxi, a moving company
  • Driving the truck himself when employees don’t show
  • Surprises the seller failed to mention
  • Good and bad of buying small
  • Daily stressors of running a small business
  • Hiring a GM
  • Doubling the business despite a shrinking market
  • Your employees are your customers
  •  The next company he wants to buy

References and how to contact Brett:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 25 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5915 Register for the webinar:


Brett Kennedy has doubled & strengthened the sub-$1 million moving business he bought — but it hasn't been without pain.

Topics in Brett’s interview:

  • Being raised in an entrepreneurial family
  • Buying Furniture Taxi, a moving company
  • Driving the truck himself when employees don’t show
  • Surprises the seller failed to mention
  • Good and bad of buying small
  • Daily stressors of running a small business
  • Hiring a GM
  • Doubling the business despite a shrinking market
  • Your employees are your customers
  •  The next company he wants to buy

References and how to contact Brett:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Scrappy Path of a One-Man Holdco The Scrappy Path of a One-Man Holdco full 6f2c28fd-5870-47c4-9ea4-3a21e1844673 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/the-scrappy-path-of-a-one-man-holdco Register for the webinar:


When Dustin Carreon reached a ceiling in his first small business, he used the profits to start buying other businesses.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Growing up in his parents’ scrapping business
  • Inheriting and growing Freelance Electronics
  • Learning the most from a difficult acquisition
  • Timing and luck matters
  • Key person risk in small-staff businesses
  • His mistake of expanding before establishing expectations
  • Cross-training employees as part of his holdco vision
  • An investor attitude compared with an entrepreneur attitude
  • Building a holdco without a college education
  • Challenge of writing down processes

References and how to contact Dustin:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinar:


When Dustin Carreon reached a ceiling in his first small business, he used the profits to start buying other businesses.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Growing up in his parents’ scrapping business
  • Inheriting and growing Freelance Electronics
  • Learning the most from a difficult acquisition
  • Timing and luck matters
  • Key person risk in small-staff businesses
  • His mistake of expanding before establishing expectations
  • Cross-training employees as part of his holdco vision
  • An investor attitude compared with an entrepreneur attitude
  • Building a holdco without a college education
  • Challenge of writing down processes

References and how to contact Dustin:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6239 Register for the webinar:


When Dustin Carreon reached a ceiling in his first small business, he used the profits to start buying other businesses.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

  • Growing up in his parents’ scrapping business
  • Inheriting and growing Freelance Electronics
  • Learning the most from a difficult acquisition
  • Timing and luck matters
  • Key person risk in small-staff businesses
  • His mistake of expanding before establishing expectations
  • Cross-training employees as part of his holdco vision
  • An investor attitude compared with an entrepreneur attitude
  • Building a holdco without a college education
  • Challenge of writing down processes

References and how to contact Dustin:

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a Holdco Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a Holdco full c469b7c2-8112-40da-bbe4-d43211777169 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-markley-prox-capital-group Register for the webinars:


How Adam Markley evaluated thousands of businesses for sale and bought a handful of his own (6 in his portfolio today).

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Using online courses to teach business acquisition
  • SBA loans vs. seller notes
  • Raising your potential with partnerships
  • His holdco of 6 diverse companies
  • How acquisitions in the UK and US differ
  • Power of personalized outreach
  • 2 main tracks to business acquisition
  • An operating partner who emptied the bank accounts
  • Working in a medical staffing agency before buying it
  • Looking at both on and off-market businesses

References and how to contact Adam:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


How Adam Markley evaluated thousands of businesses for sale and bought a handful of his own (6 in his portfolio today).

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Using online courses to teach business acquisition
  • SBA loans vs. seller notes
  • Raising your potential with partnerships
  • His holdco of 6 diverse companies
  • How acquisitions in the UK and US differ
  • Power of personalized outreach
  • 2 main tracks to business acquisition
  • An operating partner who emptied the bank accounts
  • Working in a medical staffing agency before buying it
  • Looking at both on and off-market businesses

References and how to contact Adam:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5253 Register for the webinars:


How Adam Markley evaluated thousands of businesses for sale and bought a handful of his own (6 in his portfolio today).

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Using online courses to teach business acquisition
  • SBA loans vs. seller notes
  • Raising your potential with partnerships
  • His holdco of 6 diverse companies
  • How acquisitions in the UK and US differ
  • Power of personalized outreach
  • 2 main tracks to business acquisition
  • An operating partner who emptied the bank accounts
  • Working in a medical staffing agency before buying it
  • Looking at both on and off-market businesses

References and how to contact Adam:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a $10m EBITDA Leader in a Fragmented Space Building a $10m EBITDA Leader in a Fragmented Space full d70e2df2-a99c-4e9d-af32-7417af40a99e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-haschka-dillan-ferguson-onpoint-generators Register for the webinars:


Nick Haschka & Dillan Ferguson are 5 months and 2 acquisitions into a roll-up targeting $50-60m revenue in 5 years.

Topics in Nick and Dillan interview:

  • How Nick and Dillan met on Twitter
  • The future of reliance on generators
  • Serving both residential and commercial customers
  • Separating the business into service and installation teams
  • Doubling the number of employees
  • Atmospheric river caused a crisis 3 weeks after acquisition
  • Being a leader is different than being an employer
  • Developing their own software
  • Where they find their technicians
  • Comparing the risk of an asset purchase and a stock purchase

References and how to contact Nick and Dillan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Nick Haschka & Dillan Ferguson are 5 months and 2 acquisitions into a roll-up targeting $50-60m revenue in 5 years.

Topics in Nick and Dillan interview:

  • How Nick and Dillan met on Twitter
  • The future of reliance on generators
  • Serving both residential and commercial customers
  • Separating the business into service and installation teams
  • Doubling the number of employees
  • Atmospheric river caused a crisis 3 weeks after acquisition
  • Being a leader is different than being an employer
  • Developing their own software
  • Where they find their technicians
  • Comparing the risk of an asset purchase and a stock purchase

References and how to contact Nick and Dillan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5094 Register for the webinars:


Nick Haschka & Dillan Ferguson are 5 months and 2 acquisitions into a roll-up targeting $50-60m revenue in 5 years.

Topics in Nick and Dillan interview:

  • How Nick and Dillan met on Twitter
  • The future of reliance on generators
  • Serving both residential and commercial customers
  • Separating the business into service and installation teams
  • Doubling the number of employees
  • Atmospheric river caused a crisis 3 weeks after acquisition
  • Being a leader is different than being an employer
  • Developing their own software
  • Where they find their technicians
  • Comparing the risk of an asset purchase and a stock purchase

References and how to contact Nick and Dillan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying & Growing a Business While Keeping a Day Job Buying & Growing a Business While Keeping a Day Job full 56d29a37-219b-4a75-b5ed-52236836be86 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dominick-blue-air-asap-pure-air-san-diego Register for the webinars:

How Dominick Blue bought an air duct cleaning business and took it into HVAC services, all while retaining his W-2.

Topics in Dominick’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while acquiring companies
  • Mistakes he made during diligence
  • Revamping service offerings
  • Looking for “diamond in the rough” leaders
  • Expanding from air duct cleaning into HVAC
  • His fetal position moment
  • Being ghosted by his bank
  • Buying a business while expecting a baby
  • Advantage of selling directly to consumers
  • Drawing from his training in the U.S. Marines

References and how to contact Dominick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

How Dominick Blue bought an air duct cleaning business and took it into HVAC services, all while retaining his W-2.

Topics in Dominick’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while acquiring companies
  • Mistakes he made during diligence
  • Revamping service offerings
  • Looking for “diamond in the rough” leaders
  • Expanding from air duct cleaning into HVAC
  • His fetal position moment
  • Being ghosted by his bank
  • Buying a business while expecting a baby
  • Advantage of selling directly to consumers
  • Drawing from his training in the U.S. Marines

References and how to contact Dominick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 11 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6872 Register for the webinars:

How Dominick Blue bought an air duct cleaning business and took it into HVAC services, all while retaining his W-2.

Topics in Dominick’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while acquiring companies
  • Mistakes he made during diligence
  • Revamping service offerings
  • Looking for “diamond in the rough” leaders
  • Expanding from air duct cleaning into HVAC
  • His fetal position moment
  • Being ghosted by his bank
  • Buying a business while expecting a baby
  • Advantage of selling directly to consumers
  • Drawing from his training in the U.S. Marines

References and how to contact Dominick:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy as Search Fund, Keep as Long-Term Owner Buy as Search Fund, Keep as Long-Term Owner full 82e10292-2eb8-40a3-9c51-1ff68a837947 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/juan-aguilar-paltus-capital-puertas-globales Register for the webinars:

By doubling a $3m EBITDA business Juan Aguilar bought with traditional search fund terms, he is able to hold it forever.

Topics in Juan’s interview:

  • Huge challenge of buying a business in Central America
  • Buying a door manufacturer in Guatemala
  • Implementing EOS
  • Moving his focus from “how” to “who”
  • Raising prices 25%
  • Focusing on service, quality, and volume
  • Finding a CEO to replace him
  • Having a liquidity event without exiting the business
  • Transitioning towards a permanent capital model
  • Plan for a holdco

References and how to contact Juan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:

By doubling a $3m EBITDA business Juan Aguilar bought with traditional search fund terms, he is able to hold it forever.

Topics in Juan’s interview:

  • Huge challenge of buying a business in Central America
  • Buying a door manufacturer in Guatemala
  • Implementing EOS
  • Moving his focus from “how” to “who”
  • Raising prices 25%
  • Focusing on service, quality, and volume
  • Finding a CEO to replace him
  • Having a liquidity event without exiting the business
  • Transitioning towards a permanent capital model
  • Plan for a holdco

References and how to contact Juan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6635 Register for the webinars:

By doubling a $3m EBITDA business Juan Aguilar bought with traditional search fund terms, he is able to hold it forever.

Topics in Juan’s interview:

  • Huge challenge of buying a business in Central America
  • Buying a door manufacturer in Guatemala
  • Implementing EOS
  • Moving his focus from “how” to “who”
  • Raising prices 25%
  • Focusing on service, quality, and volume
  • Finding a CEO to replace him
  • Having a liquidity event without exiting the business
  • Transitioning towards a permanent capital model
  • Plan for a holdco

References and how to contact Juan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No It Really Happened: 100% Financing for an $8m Business It Really Happened: 100% Financing for an $8m Business full 347b7f4c-ca0a-4fff-a107-d6e6e6d9a7b1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/renan-cortez-syndicate-building-solutions Register for the webinars:


We caution against thinking you can find it: 100% seller financing. But Renan Cortez did — and on a sizable business.

Topics in Renan’s interview:

  • His background as an Army medic
  • Learning about acquisition via Codie Sanchez
  • Using a virtual assistant to search for a business
  • Negotiating a 100% seller note
  • Feeling motivated by philanthropy
  • Spending too much money too fast after transition
  • Getting a bridge loan to make payroll
  • Rebranding the restoration company
  • Raising capital for growth
  • His large roll-up vision

References and how to contact Renan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


We caution against thinking you can find it: 100% seller financing. But Renan Cortez did — and on a sizable business.

Topics in Renan’s interview:

  • His background as an Army medic
  • Learning about acquisition via Codie Sanchez
  • Using a virtual assistant to search for a business
  • Negotiating a 100% seller note
  • Feeling motivated by philanthropy
  • Spending too much money too fast after transition
  • Getting a bridge loan to make payroll
  • Rebranding the restoration company
  • Raising capital for growth
  • His large roll-up vision

References and how to contact Renan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 04 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5846 Register for the webinars:


We caution against thinking you can find it: 100% seller financing. But Renan Cortez did — and on a sizable business.

Topics in Renan’s interview:

  • His background as an Army medic
  • Learning about acquisition via Codie Sanchez
  • Using a virtual assistant to search for a business
  • Negotiating a 100% seller note
  • Feeling motivated by philanthropy
  • Spending too much money too fast after transition
  • Getting a bridge loan to make payroll
  • Rebranding the restoration company
  • Raising capital for growth
  • His large roll-up vision

References and how to contact Renan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Turning $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors) Turning $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors) full 32eedbff-e6b6-4a4b-84a1-d6ca1e7fc4d1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/garrison-snell-snell-ventures Register for the webinars:


Garrison Snell enjoyed a modest exit at age 24. By 30, he'd parlayed that into a holdco with $9m EBITDA and a mission.

Topics in Garrison’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a recording artist marketing agency
  • His objective to do the most good for the most people
  • Early ventures into real estate
  • Buying and quickly selling a restaurant
  • Acquiring in the manufacturing space
  • Understanding and applying Porter’s 5 Forces
  • Advantage of being a low-cost, essential supplier
  • Recent leadership challenges at a new acquisition
  • Building an indefinite holding company
  • Power of a community-minded small business

References and how to contact Garrison:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register for the webinars:


Garrison Snell enjoyed a modest exit at age 24. By 30, he'd parlayed that into a holdco with $9m EBITDA and a mission.

Topics in Garrison’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a recording artist marketing agency
  • His objective to do the most good for the most people
  • Early ventures into real estate
  • Buying and quickly selling a restaurant
  • Acquiring in the manufacturing space
  • Understanding and applying Porter’s 5 Forces
  • Advantage of being a low-cost, essential supplier
  • Recent leadership challenges at a new acquisition
  • Building an indefinite holding company
  • Power of a community-minded small business

References and how to contact Garrison:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6442 Register for the webinars:


Garrison Snell enjoyed a modest exit at age 24. By 30, he'd parlayed that into a holdco with $9m EBITDA and a mission.

Topics in Garrison’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a recording artist marketing agency
  • His objective to do the most good for the most people
  • Early ventures into real estate
  • Buying and quickly selling a restaurant
  • Acquiring in the manufacturing space
  • Understanding and applying Porter’s 5 Forces
  • Advantage of being a low-cost, essential supplier
  • Recent leadership challenges at a new acquisition
  • Building an indefinite holding company
  • Power of a community-minded small business

References and how to contact Garrison:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Candid Reflections on 7 Years of SMB Ownership Candid Reflections on 7 Years of SMB Ownership full 9b5e3b87-a80f-4da9-ae6d-d769a0514e4e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dan-verboski-leons-signs Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


7 years ago Dan Verboski bought a sign business with $650k in earnings. He's doubled it, but ownership has taken a toll.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • Background in the Marines and retail
  • Buying a sign company in Tyler, Texas
  • Culture clashes and problem employees
  • Selling off his real estate to keep the business going
  • How he learned to fire faster
  • Building a new company culture
  • Making personal changes to recover from burnout
  • Standing out by answering the phone
  • What he would do differently next time
  • His growth as a leader

References and how to contact Dan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


7 years ago Dan Verboski bought a sign business with $650k in earnings. He's doubled it, but ownership has taken a toll.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • Background in the Marines and retail
  • Buying a sign company in Tyler, Texas
  • Culture clashes and problem employees
  • Selling off his real estate to keep the business going
  • How he learned to fire faster
  • Building a new company culture
  • Making personal changes to recover from burnout
  • Standing out by answering the phone
  • What he would do differently next time
  • His growth as a leader

References and how to contact Dan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6171 Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


7 years ago Dan Verboski bought a sign business with $650k in earnings. He's doubled it, but ownership has taken a toll.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • Background in the Marines and retail
  • Buying a sign company in Tyler, Texas
  • Culture clashes and problem employees
  • Selling off his real estate to keep the business going
  • How he learned to fire faster
  • Building a new company culture
  • Making personal changes to recover from burnout
  • Standing out by answering the phone
  • What he would do differently next time
  • His growth as a leader

References and how to contact Dan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Announcing: Minds Capital Announcing: Minds Capital full 1fb65bf6-8129-40ad-95bc-455da9b16894 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/minds-capital-niklas-james-max-lummis-will-smith Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


Will Smith has partnered with Niklas James & Max Lummis in a fund to invest in searcher & independent sponsor deals.

Topics in this episode:

  • Why raise a fund?
  • How a fund comes together
  • What it was like to raise money from LPs for a blind pool
  • Why a business might be great for a searcher but not an investor
  • How different investors have different needs
  • Why small acquisitions are hard for a fund to invest in
  • Value of community in a fund
  • Minds Capital’s process to assess deals
  • Evaluating deal strengths systematically
  • “Best deal of the month” filter

References and how to contact Niklas, Max and Will:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


Will Smith has partnered with Niklas James & Max Lummis in a fund to invest in searcher & independent sponsor deals.

Topics in this episode:

  • Why raise a fund?
  • How a fund comes together
  • What it was like to raise money from LPs for a blind pool
  • Why a business might be great for a searcher but not an investor
  • How different investors have different needs
  • Why small acquisitions are hard for a fund to invest in
  • Value of community in a fund
  • Minds Capital’s process to assess deals
  • Evaluating deal strengths systematically
  • “Best deal of the month” filter

References and how to contact Niklas, Max and Will:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 24 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4076 Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once


Will Smith has partnered with Niklas James & Max Lummis in a fund to invest in searcher & independent sponsor deals.

Topics in this episode:

  • Why raise a fund?
  • How a fund comes together
  • What it was like to raise money from LPs for a blind pool
  • Why a business might be great for a searcher but not an investor
  • How different investors have different needs
  • Why small acquisitions are hard for a fund to invest in
  • Value of community in a fund
  • Minds Capital’s process to assess deals
  • Evaluating deal strengths systematically
  • “Best deal of the month” filter

References and how to contact Niklas, Max and Will:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Work IN the Business You Buy (Not Just On It) Why Work IN the Business You Buy (Not Just On It) full 296426d7-e74c-42dd-bbd6-6831f61d4ae4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/colin-gates-mastercraft-coatings Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--


Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--


Before acquiring a commercial painting business doing around $2m, Colin Gates worked on a crew as one of its painters.

Topics in Colin's interview:

  • Aggressively saving while working in private equity
  • Recurring revenue is BS
  • Don’t sweat getting the perfect purchase price
  • Working as a painter for a month before buying
  • Managing prima donna employees
  • His strategy of constantly bidding jobs and hiring 
  • Putting in a project manager and a GM
  • Why he stopped requiring deposits
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Importance of cash flow in keeping a business going

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--


Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--


Before acquiring a commercial painting business doing around $2m, Colin Gates worked on a crew as one of its painters.

Topics in Colin's interview:

  • Aggressively saving while working in private equity
  • Recurring revenue is BS
  • Don’t sweat getting the perfect purchase price
  • Working as a painter for a month before buying
  • Managing prima donna employees
  • His strategy of constantly bidding jobs and hiring 
  • Putting in a project manager and a GM
  • Why he stopped requiring deposits
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Importance of cash flow in keeping a business going

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5341 Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--


Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--


Before acquiring a commercial painting business doing around $2m, Colin Gates worked on a crew as one of its painters.

Topics in Colin's interview:

  • Aggressively saving while working in private equity
  • Recurring revenue is BS
  • Don’t sweat getting the perfect purchase price
  • Working as a painter for a month before buying
  • Managing prima donna employees
  • His strategy of constantly bidding jobs and hiring 
  • Putting in a project manager and a GM
  • Why he stopped requiring deposits
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Importance of cash flow in keeping a business going

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 3x Revenue Despite Turnover, Hangovers & Threats 3x Revenue Despite Turnover, Hangovers & Threats full 7dc8f904-4619-4107-a86a-5cb5a834db20 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jd-beck-mountain-valley-plumbing-and-hvac Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--

Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--

JD Beck transformed a small (and small-town) plumbing business, took it into a larger market, and tripled it in a year.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Buying a tiny plumbing business
  • Bringing operations into the 21st Century
  • Learning from hiring mistakes
  • Expanding through further acquisition
  • Raising prices and employee pay
  • Making sacrifices to run the business
  • Competitive landscape in home services
  • Home services pricing models
  • Your reputation determines the talent you attract

References and how to contact JD:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--

Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--

JD Beck transformed a small (and small-town) plumbing business, took it into a larger market, and tripled it in a year.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Buying a tiny plumbing business
  • Bringing operations into the 21st Century
  • Learning from hiring mistakes
  • Expanding through further acquisition
  • Raising prices and employee pay
  • Making sacrifices to run the business
  • Competitive landscape in home services
  • Home services pricing models
  • Your reputation determines the talent you attract

References and how to contact JD:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6833 Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Once

--

Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation company.

--

JD Beck transformed a small (and small-town) plumbing business, took it into a larger market, and tripled it in a year.

Topics in JD’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Buying a tiny plumbing business
  • Bringing operations into the 21st Century
  • Learning from hiring mistakes
  • Expanding through further acquisition
  • Raising prices and employee pay
  • Making sacrifices to run the business
  • Competitive landscape in home services
  • Home services pricing models
  • Your reputation determines the talent you attract

References and how to contact JD:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 1 Business vs. Many: Deciding to Roll Up 1 Business vs. Many: Deciding to Roll Up full c121570e-d0bf-4b54-a5e8-95150a1dd267 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/elliott-edge-palmer-velonex-technologies Elliott Edge started as a searcher looking for a single business, then pivoted to a roll-up. He's 7 acquisitions in.

Topics in Elliot’s interview:

  • His philosophy on submitting LOI’s
  • Acquiring a managed service provider amidst Covid
  • His wife’s role in the acquisition
  • Value of an MBA in acquiring a business
  • Quickly going remote when Covid hit
  • Building trust with employees
  • How soon and fast to make changes
  • Creating more value through roll-ups
  • Integrating new acquisitions into the roll-up
  • His belief in continuous change

References and how to contact Elliot:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Elliott Edge started as a searcher looking for a single business, then pivoted to a roll-up. He's 7 acquisitions in.

Topics in Elliot’s interview:

  • His philosophy on submitting LOI’s
  • Acquiring a managed service provider amidst Covid
  • His wife’s role in the acquisition
  • Value of an MBA in acquiring a business
  • Quickly going remote when Covid hit
  • Building trust with employees
  • How soon and fast to make changes
  • Creating more value through roll-ups
  • Integrating new acquisitions into the roll-up
  • His belief in continuous change

References and how to contact Elliot:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5986 Elliott Edge started as a searcher looking for a single business, then pivoted to a roll-up. He's 7 acquisitions in.

Topics in Elliot’s interview:

  • His philosophy on submitting LOI’s
  • Acquiring a managed service provider amidst Covid
  • His wife’s role in the acquisition
  • Value of an MBA in acquiring a business
  • Quickly going remote when Covid hit
  • Building trust with employees
  • How soon and fast to make changes
  • Creating more value through roll-ups
  • Integrating new acquisitions into the roll-up
  • His belief in continuous change

References and how to contact Elliot:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 2 Welders and a Shop... to $3.8m in Sales 2 Welders and a Shop... to $3.8m in Sales full 3464d9ef-b7c6-4af9-84cf-7d0d536c7a13 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matthew-pohl-welding-rewild-group Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Matt Pohl & his wife bought a small welding business with extreme key person risk. They 4x'd the business in 2 years.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Starting, growing and selling his own business
  • Acquiring a welding business with his wife
  • Learning how to hire welders
  • The difficulties of hiring through a staffing agency
  • Transient nature of welders
  • Growing while maintaining margins
  • Stress of running a business
  • Comparing zero-to-one to acquisition
  • Cashflow management in a project-based business
  • Using ReWild’s methods to grow the business

References and how to contact Guest:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Matt Pohl & his wife bought a small welding business with extreme key person risk. They 4x'd the business in 2 years.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Starting, growing and selling his own business
  • Acquiring a welding business with his wife
  • Learning how to hire welders
  • The difficulties of hiring through a staffing agency
  • Transient nature of welders
  • Growing while maintaining margins
  • Stress of running a business
  • Comparing zero-to-one to acquisition
  • Cashflow management in a project-based business
  • Using ReWild’s methods to grow the business

References and how to contact Guest:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6241 Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Matt Pohl & his wife bought a small welding business with extreme key person risk. They 4x'd the business in 2 years.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Starting, growing and selling his own business
  • Acquiring a welding business with his wife
  • Learning how to hire welders
  • The difficulties of hiring through a staffing agency
  • Transient nature of welders
  • Growing while maintaining margins
  • Stress of running a business
  • Comparing zero-to-one to acquisition
  • Cashflow management in a project-based business
  • Using ReWild’s methods to grow the business

References and how to contact Guest:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Bankrupt 117-Year-Old Manufacturer Buying a Bankrupt 117-Year-Old Manufacturer full 4827d38d-6d9f-49d8-b37e-693d72c9ab38 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jens-grudno-dovo Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Despite having no experience in manufacturing, Jens Grudno jumped when he heard about a failing straight-razor business.

Topics in Jens’s interview:

  • Buying a bankrupt razor manufacturer
  • Embracing risk in German business culture
  • Cleaning out and moving a 116-year old business
  • Another company poaching their clients
  • Pitfalls to avoid when buying a business
  • Developing a new, innovative product
  • Operating a company six hours from home
  • Comparing start-ups to acquisition
  • Value of going where there's less competition
  • The craft of manufacturing

References and how to contact Jens:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Despite having no experience in manufacturing, Jens Grudno jumped when he heard about a failing straight-razor business.

Topics in Jens’s interview:

  • Buying a bankrupt razor manufacturer
  • Embracing risk in German business culture
  • Cleaning out and moving a 116-year old business
  • Another company poaching their clients
  • Pitfalls to avoid when buying a business
  • Developing a new, innovative product
  • Operating a company six hours from home
  • Comparing start-ups to acquisition
  • Value of going where there's less competition
  • The craft of manufacturing

References and how to contact Jens:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7037 Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Despite having no experience in manufacturing, Jens Grudno jumped when he heard about a failing straight-razor business.

Topics in Jens’s interview:

  • Buying a bankrupt razor manufacturer
  • Embracing risk in German business culture
  • Cleaning out and moving a 116-year old business
  • Another company poaching their clients
  • Pitfalls to avoid when buying a business
  • Developing a new, innovative product
  • Operating a company six hours from home
  • Comparing start-ups to acquisition
  • Value of going where there's less competition
  • The craft of manufacturing

References and how to contact Jens:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rolling Up EBITDA and Rents with Auto Repair Shops Rolling Up EBITDA and Rents with Auto Repair Shops full 9b7694ad-2e1b-4374-8364-a2778ad9aec7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/stephen-quindlen-paul-west-hart-blue-wrench-auto-repair Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Stephen Quindlen & Paul Westhart have found powerful multipliers that could yield huge returns in an unlikely industry.

Topics in Stephen and Paul’s interview:

  • Acquiring auto repair shops
  • Retaining talent by adding employee benefits
  • Fleet vs. passenger car business
  • Almost losing a foreman on day one
  • Why they love the Mountain West
  • Recruiting California workers to Idaho
  • Innovative real estate and business acquisition strategy
  • Offering quality service and strong warranties
  • Executing the SBA 504’s Green Loan strategy
  • Limitations of the SBA 7(a) loan for roll-ups

References and how to contact Stephen and Paul:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Stephen Quindlen & Paul Westhart have found powerful multipliers that could yield huge returns in an unlikely industry.

Topics in Stephen and Paul’s interview:

  • Acquiring auto repair shops
  • Retaining talent by adding employee benefits
  • Fleet vs. passenger car business
  • Almost losing a foreman on day one
  • Why they love the Mountain West
  • Recruiting California workers to Idaho
  • Innovative real estate and business acquisition strategy
  • Offering quality service and strong warranties
  • Executing the SBA 504’s Green Loan strategy
  • Limitations of the SBA 7(a) loan for roll-ups

References and how to contact Stephen and Paul:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 03 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7014 Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)


Stephen Quindlen & Paul Westhart have found powerful multipliers that could yield huge returns in an unlikely industry.

Topics in Stephen and Paul’s interview:

  • Acquiring auto repair shops
  • Retaining talent by adding employee benefits
  • Fleet vs. passenger car business
  • Almost losing a foreman on day one
  • Why they love the Mountain West
  • Recruiting California workers to Idaho
  • Innovative real estate and business acquisition strategy
  • Offering quality service and strong warranties
  • Executing the SBA 504’s Green Loan strategy
  • Limitations of the SBA 7(a) loan for roll-ups

References and how to contact Stephen and Paul:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 3 Years Later, Climbing Out of the J Curve 3 Years Later, Climbing Out of the J Curve full 5c54a2fe-9f81-4b76-b78e-82fae54f16a7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-drndak-dhs-equipment Matt Drndak bought a parts business with a plan to grow it. It worked — he's doubled earnings. But it's taken patience.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Losing everything in the Great Recession
  • His experience in franchises
  • Buying an online store for construction equipment parts
  • Leveraging service to stand out from competitors
  • Determining the value of the inventory
  • Serving customers with low computer literacy
  • Non-mechanic buying a mechanical parts business
  • Capturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videos
  • Doubling revenue in 3 years
  • Implementing EOS for future success

References and how to contact Matt:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Matt Drndak bought a parts business with a plan to grow it. It worked — he's doubled earnings. But it's taken patience.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Losing everything in the Great Recession
  • His experience in franchises
  • Buying an online store for construction equipment parts
  • Leveraging service to stand out from competitors
  • Determining the value of the inventory
  • Serving customers with low computer literacy
  • Non-mechanic buying a mechanical parts business
  • Capturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videos
  • Doubling revenue in 3 years
  • Implementing EOS for future success

References and how to contact Matt:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 30 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4875 Matt Drndak bought a parts business with a plan to grow it. It worked — he's doubled earnings. But it's taken patience.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Losing everything in the Great Recession
  • His experience in franchises
  • Buying an online store for construction equipment parts
  • Leveraging service to stand out from competitors
  • Determining the value of the inventory
  • Serving customers with low computer literacy
  • Non-mechanic buying a mechanical parts business
  • Capturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videos
  • Doubling revenue in 3 years
  • Implementing EOS for future success

References and how to contact Matt:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Midnight Deliveries to $28m Holdco (in 6 Years) From Midnight Deliveries to $28m Holdco (in 6 Years) full 5f55ee5b-9916-4593-9df1-0468e7e93583 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/colin-king-usa-brands-circle-city-capital-group Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones.

Topics in Colin’s interview:

  • Finding his first business (and business partner) on Craigslist
  • Delivering auto parts in the middle of the night
  • Buying a turnaround silk florals business
  • When his clothing business doubled in revenue overnight
  • Day-to-day logistics of running diverse businesses
  • Acquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learning
  • Importance of working capital in seasonal businesses
  • Pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companies
  • Asking advice for the future of his holdco
  •  Finding and managing talent across diverse businesses

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones.

Topics in Colin’s interview:

  • Finding his first business (and business partner) on Craigslist
  • Delivering auto parts in the middle of the night
  • Buying a turnaround silk florals business
  • When his clothing business doubled in revenue overnight
  • Day-to-day logistics of running diverse businesses
  • Acquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learning
  • Importance of working capital in seasonal businesses
  • Pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companies
  • Asking advice for the future of his holdco
  •  Finding and managing talent across diverse businesses

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 28 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5845 Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones.

Topics in Colin’s interview:

  • Finding his first business (and business partner) on Craigslist
  • Delivering auto parts in the middle of the night
  • Buying a turnaround silk florals business
  • When his clothing business doubled in revenue overnight
  • Day-to-day logistics of running diverse businesses
  • Acquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learning
  • Importance of working capital in seasonal businesses
  • Pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companies
  • Asking advice for the future of his holdco
  •  Finding and managing talent across diverse businesses

References and how to contact Colin:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Finding a Great Business in Cow Country Finding a Great Business in Cow Country full 223ab72d-e2c1-4ce4-b2f6-a2b925962eff https://acquiringminds.co/articles/cody-agee-sierra-dairy-laboratory Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale.

Topics in Cody interview:

  • Bypassing business school
  • Cashing out his 401(k) without using ROBS
  • Buying a food safety and testing lab
  • The moat of licensing requirements
  • His advantage over much larger competitors
  • Adjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings report
  • Finding investors on Twitter
  • Personally guaranteeing the seller note
  • How he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDA
  • Putting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

References and how to contact Cody:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale.

Topics in Cody interview:

  • Bypassing business school
  • Cashing out his 401(k) without using ROBS
  • Buying a food safety and testing lab
  • The moat of licensing requirements
  • His advantage over much larger competitors
  • Adjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings report
  • Finding investors on Twitter
  • Personally guaranteeing the seller note
  • How he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDA
  • Putting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

References and how to contact Cody:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 23 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5263 Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale.

Topics in Cody interview:

  • Bypassing business school
  • Cashing out his 401(k) without using ROBS
  • Buying a food safety and testing lab
  • The moat of licensing requirements
  • His advantage over much larger competitors
  • Adjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings report
  • Finding investors on Twitter
  • Personally guaranteeing the seller note
  • How he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDA
  • Putting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

References and how to contact Cody:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years full 565b2854-c4b7-4a31-ad58-b87c8b1ada96 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jeff-homer-ensemble-performing-arts Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

Topics in Jeff interview:

  • Switching from high finance to music schools
  • Buying his first music school as a side project
  • Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions
  • Acquiring a music school every month
  • Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling
  • Comparing profitability of music vs. dance
  • Importance of general managers in scaling
  • Implementing apps to streamline operations
  • Other industries with roll-up potential
  • Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide

References and how to contact Jeff:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

Topics in Jeff interview:

  • Switching from high finance to music schools
  • Buying his first music school as a side project
  • Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions
  • Acquiring a music school every month
  • Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling
  • Comparing profitability of music vs. dance
  • Importance of general managers in scaling
  • Implementing apps to streamline operations
  • Other industries with roll-up potential
  • Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide

References and how to contact Jeff:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 20 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5108 Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

Topics in Jeff interview:

  • Switching from high finance to music schools
  • Buying his first music school as a side project
  • Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions
  • Acquiring a music school every month
  • Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling
  • Comparing profitability of music vs. dance
  • Importance of general managers in scaling
  • Implementing apps to streamline operations
  • Other industries with roll-up potential
  • Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide

References and how to contact Jeff:

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy full 1387f6d2-767a-4047-9af5-f8b7450cfa75 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jarett-berke-lous-restaurant-and-bakery Jarett Berke told his intermediary "no restaurants" but changed his tune when he saw what a great business Lou's was.

Topics in Jarett’s interview:

  • Finding a business through an accountant
  • Why restaurants are a tough business
  • Comparing military service to running a restaurant
  • Buying a restaurant with exceptional margins
  • Learning every job in the restaurant
  • Pivoting to delivery during Covid
  • Doing a stock deal instead of an asset purchase
  • Reinvesting by adding tables and renovating
  • 60% growth in 6 years
  • What he likes about the restaurant business

References and how to contact Jarett:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jarett Berke told his intermediary "no restaurants" but changed his tune when he saw what a great business Lou's was.

Topics in Jarett’s interview:

  • Finding a business through an accountant
  • Why restaurants are a tough business
  • Comparing military service to running a restaurant
  • Buying a restaurant with exceptional margins
  • Learning every job in the restaurant
  • Pivoting to delivery during Covid
  • Doing a stock deal instead of an asset purchase
  • Reinvesting by adding tables and renovating
  • 60% growth in 6 years
  • What he likes about the restaurant business

References and how to contact Jarett:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 16 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5413 Jarett Berke told his intermediary "no restaurants" but changed his tune when he saw what a great business Lou's was.

Topics in Jarett’s interview:

  • Finding a business through an accountant
  • Why restaurants are a tough business
  • Comparing military service to running a restaurant
  • Buying a restaurant with exceptional margins
  • Learning every job in the restaurant
  • Pivoting to delivery during Covid
  • Doing a stock deal instead of an asset purchase
  • Reinvesting by adding tables and renovating
  • 60% growth in 6 years
  • What he likes about the restaurant business

References and how to contact Jarett:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses full 5d565100-e77e-4e6d-ada9-8ea48baaf967 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/scott-walton-matrix-mechanical-group Scott Walton bought 2 barely-profitable blue collar companies, changed the culture, unlocked growth & hired a president.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Acquiring with a partner
  • Solving their recruitment problem
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His 3-step LOI strategy
  • Incentivizing good customer service
  • Improving their company culture
  • Challenges after acquisition
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Creative deal structuring
  • His thoughts on buying small

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Scott Walton bought 2 barely-profitable blue collar companies, changed the culture, unlocked growth & hired a president.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Acquiring with a partner
  • Solving their recruitment problem
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His 3-step LOI strategy
  • Incentivizing good customer service
  • Improving their company culture
  • Challenges after acquisition
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Creative deal structuring
  • His thoughts on buying small

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5764 Scott Walton bought 2 barely-profitable blue collar companies, changed the culture, unlocked growth & hired a president.

Topics in Scott’s interview:

  • Acquiring with a partner
  • Solving their recruitment problem
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His 3-step LOI strategy
  • Incentivizing good customer service
  • Improving their company culture
  • Challenges after acquisition
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Creative deal structuring
  • His thoughts on buying small

References and how to contact Scott:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Holdco Origin Story: The Bumpy Road to $3m EBITDA Holdco Origin Story: The Bumpy Road to $3m EBITDA full 405bba21-bcaf-4f65-aab0-a0841372ff8c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chandra-rao-miller-companies 4 acquisitions, 3 years after the first deal, and 2 dishonest sellers before Chandra Rao went full-time in his holdco.

Topics in Chandra’s interview:

  • Learning from due diligence mistakes
  • Losing $300k in the first year
  • Challenges with payment terms and working capital
  • True value of a seller note
  • One of his partners embezzled from the companyFppp
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA
  • The electrical contracting and fiber optic cabling businesses
  • 6x growth in 4 years
  • Juggling a roll-up and a W-2
  • A seller who committed fraud

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 4 acquisitions, 3 years after the first deal, and 2 dishonest sellers before Chandra Rao went full-time in his holdco.

Topics in Chandra’s interview:

  • Learning from due diligence mistakes
  • Losing $300k in the first year
  • Challenges with payment terms and working capital
  • True value of a seller note
  • One of his partners embezzled from the companyFppp
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA
  • The electrical contracting and fiber optic cabling businesses
  • 6x growth in 4 years
  • Juggling a roll-up and a W-2
  • A seller who committed fraud

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 09 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6134 4 acquisitions, 3 years after the first deal, and 2 dishonest sellers before Chandra Rao went full-time in his holdco.

Topics in Chandra’s interview:

  • Learning from due diligence mistakes
  • Losing $300k in the first year
  • Challenges with payment terms and working capital
  • True value of a seller note
  • One of his partners embezzled from the companyFppp
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA
  • The electrical contracting and fiber optic cabling businesses
  • 6x growth in 4 years
  • Juggling a roll-up and a W-2
  • A seller who committed fraud

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Allure of Buying a Marketplace Business The Allure of Buying a Marketplace Business full 99bf9da4-d996-4b49-b800-87410cbd6070 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/zach-smith-american-dental-care-partners Zach Smith bought a 30-year-old membership business that connects patients with dentists to return it to former glory.

Topics in Zach’s interview:

  • His exit from Uber
  • Difficulty of starting a marketplace business
  • When spreadsheets meet reality
  • Buying a shrinking business
  • Going with a stock sale instead of asset sale
  • Current problems with dental insurance plans
  • How American Dental Care differs from insurance
  • The view from the bottom of the J curve
  • His plan to grow all sides of the marketplace
  • Forgoing an SBA/bank loan

References and how to contact Zach:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Zach Smith bought a 30-year-old membership business that connects patients with dentists to return it to former glory.

Topics in Zach’s interview:

  • His exit from Uber
  • Difficulty of starting a marketplace business
  • When spreadsheets meet reality
  • Buying a shrinking business
  • Going with a stock sale instead of asset sale
  • Current problems with dental insurance plans
  • How American Dental Care differs from insurance
  • The view from the bottom of the J curve
  • His plan to grow all sides of the marketplace
  • Forgoing an SBA/bank loan

References and how to contact Zach:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 06 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5319 Zach Smith bought a 30-year-old membership business that connects patients with dentists to return it to former glory.

Topics in Zach’s interview:

  • His exit from Uber
  • Difficulty of starting a marketplace business
  • When spreadsheets meet reality
  • Buying a shrinking business
  • Going with a stock sale instead of asset sale
  • Current problems with dental insurance plans
  • How American Dental Care differs from insurance
  • The view from the bottom of the J curve
  • His plan to grow all sides of the marketplace
  • Forgoing an SBA/bank loan

References and how to contact Zach:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How an American Bought a Canadian Business How an American Bought a Canadian Business full 5ca961e3-6dd1-4465-9ccb-b0db845a2783 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/christi-loucks-revenue-accelerator Most first-timers shy away from buying across borders. Not Christi Loucks, whose Canadian acquisition did $550k of SDE.

Topics in Christi’s interview:

  • Buying a business for personal fulfillment
  • Painful broken deals
  • Challenges of buying a cross-border business in Canada
  • The positive role emotions play in dealmaking
  • Losing (and regaining) 55% of her clients after transition
  • The line between cold outreach and spam
  • Constant change in the tech industry
  • Unexpected expenses after transition
  • Planning for her maternity leave
  • Her husband’s return to a corporate job

References and how to contact Christi:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Most first-timers shy away from buying across borders. Not Christi Loucks, whose Canadian acquisition did $550k of SDE.

Topics in Christi’s interview:

  • Buying a business for personal fulfillment
  • Painful broken deals
  • Challenges of buying a cross-border business in Canada
  • The positive role emotions play in dealmaking
  • Losing (and regaining) 55% of her clients after transition
  • The line between cold outreach and spam
  • Constant change in the tech industry
  • Unexpected expenses after transition
  • Planning for her maternity leave
  • Her husband’s return to a corporate job

References and how to contact Christi:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 02 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5650 Most first-timers shy away from buying across borders. Not Christi Loucks, whose Canadian acquisition did $550k of SDE.

Topics in Christi’s interview:

  • Buying a business for personal fulfillment
  • Painful broken deals
  • Challenges of buying a cross-border business in Canada
  • The positive role emotions play in dealmaking
  • Losing (and regaining) 55% of her clients after transition
  • The line between cold outreach and spam
  • Constant change in the tech industry
  • Unexpected expenses after transition
  • Planning for her maternity leave
  • Her husband’s return to a corporate job

References and how to contact Christi:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Selling $100k of Dog Training… Per Day Selling $100k of Dog Training… Per Day full ad423b89-021c-4ad6-9830-04ec0f762a2a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/garth-fasano-top-dog-sales-center Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Garth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with very sticky revenue & great business-buyer fit.

Topics in Garth’s interview:

  • Searching for 5 years
  • Benefiting from the SBA looking at calendar-year financials (not TTM)
  • Top Dog’s unique business model
  • Why this business should be bought, not built
  • His relationship to a dog training franchise
  • Impact of outcome-based pricing  
  • Purposely hiring less-experienced sales people
  • How Top Dog differs from online marketing
  • Expanding to industries outside of dog training
  • His passion project: ski huts

References and how to contact Garth:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Garth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with very sticky revenue & great business-buyer fit.

Topics in Garth’s interview:

  • Searching for 5 years
  • Benefiting from the SBA looking at calendar-year financials (not TTM)
  • Top Dog’s unique business model
  • Why this business should be bought, not built
  • His relationship to a dog training franchise
  • Impact of outcome-based pricing  
  • Purposely hiring less-experienced sales people
  • How Top Dog differs from online marketing
  • Expanding to industries outside of dog training
  • His passion project: ski huts

References and how to contact Garth:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6180 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Garth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with very sticky revenue & great business-buyer fit.

Topics in Garth’s interview:

  • Searching for 5 years
  • Benefiting from the SBA looking at calendar-year financials (not TTM)
  • Top Dog’s unique business model
  • Why this business should be bought, not built
  • His relationship to a dog training franchise
  • Impact of outcome-based pricing  
  • Purposely hiring less-experienced sales people
  • How Top Dog differs from online marketing
  • Expanding to industries outside of dog training
  • His passion project: ski huts

References and how to contact Garth:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA full 8f8c49d7-5fa1-4ffc-bf3a-7b4ced223c1c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/robert-graham-aaron-blick-pillar-health-group Robert Graham & Aaron Blick's first acquisition did $1.2m SDE. Four years later, their roll-up generates $15m in EBITDA.

Topics in Robert & Aaron’s interview:

  • Going from lifelong friends to business partners
  • Impact of private equity on industry roll-ups
  • Running their companies remotely
  • A competing business poaching employees
  • Financial shocks after taking ownership
  • Why they believe in buying big
  • Necessity of hiring presidents to operate their businesses
  • Company presidents guaranteeing the SBA loan
  • Blending SBA loans with a roll-up model
  • How buyer-seller power dynamics shift after purchase

References and how to contact Robert & Aaron:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Robert Graham & Aaron Blick's first acquisition did $1.2m SDE. Four years later, their roll-up generates $15m in EBITDA.

Topics in Robert & Aaron’s interview:

  • Going from lifelong friends to business partners
  • Impact of private equity on industry roll-ups
  • Running their companies remotely
  • A competing business poaching employees
  • Financial shocks after taking ownership
  • Why they believe in buying big
  • Necessity of hiring presidents to operate their businesses
  • Company presidents guaranteeing the SBA loan
  • Blending SBA loans with a roll-up model
  • How buyer-seller power dynamics shift after purchase

References and how to contact Robert & Aaron:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6277 Robert Graham & Aaron Blick's first acquisition did $1.2m SDE. Four years later, their roll-up generates $15m in EBITDA.

Topics in Robert & Aaron’s interview:

  • Going from lifelong friends to business partners
  • Impact of private equity on industry roll-ups
  • Running their companies remotely
  • A competing business poaching employees
  • Financial shocks after taking ownership
  • Why they believe in buying big
  • Necessity of hiring presidents to operate their businesses
  • Company presidents guaranteeing the SBA loan
  • Blending SBA loans with a roll-up model
  • How buyer-seller power dynamics shift after purchase

References and how to contact Robert & Aaron:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away full ed795820-bd91-435e-8040-164826ba4198 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-murphy-dave-cole-decorators Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


John Murphy pushed through divorce, $500k debt, and a bad broken deal to finally buy a 60-year-old business doing $8m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing a deal one week before closing
  • Value of peer groups
  • How real estate compares to business ownership
  • Taking over a company before the deal closed
  • Unforseen transition expenses
  • Carl Allen’s business buying course
  • Leaving his W-2 to search for a business
  • Value of joining industry associations
  • Restructuring his workforce to increase margins
  • Buying a company with a management layer

References and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


John Murphy pushed through divorce, $500k debt, and a bad broken deal to finally buy a 60-year-old business doing $8m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing a deal one week before closing
  • Value of peer groups
  • How real estate compares to business ownership
  • Taking over a company before the deal closed
  • Unforseen transition expenses
  • Carl Allen’s business buying course
  • Leaving his W-2 to search for a business
  • Value of joining industry associations
  • Restructuring his workforce to increase margins
  • Buying a company with a management layer

References and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5470 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


John Murphy pushed through divorce, $500k debt, and a bad broken deal to finally buy a 60-year-old business doing $8m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing a deal one week before closing
  • Value of peer groups
  • How real estate compares to business ownership
  • Taking over a company before the deal closed
  • Unforseen transition expenses
  • Carl Allen’s business buying course
  • Leaving his W-2 to search for a business
  • Value of joining industry associations
  • Restructuring his workforce to increase margins
  • Buying a company with a management layer

References and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions full 7255d312-c08e-4479-ba8d-18103097b773 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/reid-tileston-giddings-hawkins Reid Tileston bought a business that relied on $800k trucks, capex he came to love for the fat margins they produced.

Topics in Reid’s interview:

  • Working on the business instead of in it
  • Writing a book about acquisition
  • People are the worst and best part of business
  • Power of feedback and relationships for business owners
  • The company’s slow temp-to-hire process
  • Getting his CDL to be hands-on 
  • Moving paper processes to the cloud
  • Pros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership Program
  • Personally testing field service management tech
  • Risks of informing employees of a business sale

References and how to contact Reid:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Reid Tileston bought a business that relied on $800k trucks, capex he came to love for the fat margins they produced.

Topics in Reid’s interview:

  • Working on the business instead of in it
  • Writing a book about acquisition
  • People are the worst and best part of business
  • Power of feedback and relationships for business owners
  • The company’s slow temp-to-hire process
  • Getting his CDL to be hands-on 
  • Moving paper processes to the cloud
  • Pros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership Program
  • Personally testing field service management tech
  • Risks of informing employees of a business sale

References and how to contact Reid:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6258 Reid Tileston bought a business that relied on $800k trucks, capex he came to love for the fat margins they produced.

Topics in Reid’s interview:

  • Working on the business instead of in it
  • Writing a book about acquisition
  • People are the worst and best part of business
  • Power of feedback and relationships for business owners
  • The company’s slow temp-to-hire process
  • Getting his CDL to be hands-on 
  • Moving paper processes to the cloud
  • Pros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership Program
  • Personally testing field service management tech
  • Risks of informing employees of a business sale

References and how to contact Reid:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire full ba88058f-ec55-4a2a-a938-4a6064e386d9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/rafael-quinn-alternative-holdings Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Rafael Quinn shares the story & principles behind buying 3 businesses in Panama then raising $28m to buy more in the US.

Topics in Rafael's interview:

  • Selling everything on Craigslist to move to Panama
  • Buying his first business Panama from a billboard ad
  • How to buy a business with an operator
  • How he decided to build a holdco
  • Self-identity as investor vs. entrepreneur
  • 3-year dry spell not buying any businesses
  • Being in "search mode" your whole career
  • Breaking his own rule by buying a restaurant
  • Why he turned his sights to the US
  • How to raise $28m & structure a holdco
  • Why buy a furniture retailer

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Rafael Quinn shares the story & principles behind buying 3 businesses in Panama then raising $28m to buy more in the US.

Topics in Rafael's interview:

  • Selling everything on Craigslist to move to Panama
  • Buying his first business Panama from a billboard ad
  • How to buy a business with an operator
  • How he decided to build a holdco
  • Self-identity as investor vs. entrepreneur
  • 3-year dry spell not buying any businesses
  • Being in "search mode" your whole career
  • Breaking his own rule by buying a restaurant
  • Why he turned his sights to the US
  • How to raise $28m & structure a holdco
  • Why buy a furniture retailer

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7121 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Rafael Quinn shares the story & principles behind buying 3 businesses in Panama then raising $28m to buy more in the US.

Topics in Rafael's interview:

  • Selling everything on Craigslist to move to Panama
  • Buying his first business Panama from a billboard ad
  • How to buy a business with an operator
  • How he decided to build a holdco
  • Self-identity as investor vs. entrepreneur
  • 3-year dry spell not buying any businesses
  • Being in "search mode" your whole career
  • Breaking his own rule by buying a restaurant
  • Why he turned his sights to the US
  • How to raise $28m & structure a holdco
  • Why buy a furniture retailer

References and how to contact Guest:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business full ea5e51b4-27d8-472e-beed-173b3a66039b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/christian-bateson-resolute-services The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6760 The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.

Topics in Christian’s interview:

  • His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
  • Qualities of a top salesperson
  • Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
  • Shopping around for an SBA loan
  • Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
  • Difficulty in hiring for construction
  • Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
  • Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
  • How his finance background benefited him
  • His $100 million goal

References and how to contact Christian:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit full d83895aa-2a3a-44dd-81ab-38aa44ef9457 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/patrick-norris-mr-trashman Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Patrick Norris bought a small trash business doing $625k. Five years later and 4.5x bigger, a strategic got interested.

Topics in Patrick’s interview:

  • Why acquiring a trash business is easier than starting one
  • Intricacies of trash disposal pricing
  • Niches within trash services
  • Competition and cooperation in trash services
  • The first question you should ask when considering a trash business
  • Why he regrets not hiring a manager
  • Hiring for dangerous, strenuous jobs
  • 4xing revenue through customer service and Google ads
  • The cycle of building and selling a trash business
  • Buying a business without an MBA

References and how to contact Patrick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Patrick Norris bought a small trash business doing $625k. Five years later and 4.5x bigger, a strategic got interested.

Topics in Patrick’s interview:

  • Why acquiring a trash business is easier than starting one
  • Intricacies of trash disposal pricing
  • Niches within trash services
  • Competition and cooperation in trash services
  • The first question you should ask when considering a trash business
  • Why he regrets not hiring a manager
  • Hiring for dangerous, strenuous jobs
  • 4xing revenue through customer service and Google ads
  • The cycle of building and selling a trash business
  • Buying a business without an MBA

References and how to contact Patrick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6907 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Patrick Norris bought a small trash business doing $625k. Five years later and 4.5x bigger, a strategic got interested.

Topics in Patrick’s interview:

  • Why acquiring a trash business is easier than starting one
  • Intricacies of trash disposal pricing
  • Niches within trash services
  • Competition and cooperation in trash services
  • The first question you should ask when considering a trash business
  • Why he regrets not hiring a manager
  • Hiring for dangerous, strenuous jobs
  • 4xing revenue through customer service and Google ads
  • The cycle of building and selling a trash business
  • Buying a business without an MBA

References and how to contact Patrick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Roofing + Florida = Path to $100m Roofing + Florida = Path to $100m full 031f568f-ef62-4c12-80d0-cb914e9b3f0a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-jackson-usi-roofing Only after Matt Jackson bought a roofing business in the hurricane state did he realize just how big the opportunity is.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His experience with Acquira
  • Keeping the seller as an employee
  • Why he likes roofing despite drawbacks
  • How he satisfied his licensing requirement
  • Moats around spray foam roofing
  • Standing out in the roofing industry
  • His vision for organic growth
  • How insurance companies drive demand for new roofs
  • Using ROBS for financing
  • Why he won’t buy the ROBS ownership interest back from his 401k

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Only after Matt Jackson bought a roofing business in the hurricane state did he realize just how big the opportunity is.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His experience with Acquira
  • Keeping the seller as an employee
  • Why he likes roofing despite drawbacks
  • How he satisfied his licensing requirement
  • Moats around spray foam roofing
  • Standing out in the roofing industry
  • His vision for organic growth
  • How insurance companies drive demand for new roofs
  • Using ROBS for financing
  • Why he won’t buy the ROBS ownership interest back from his 401k

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5457 Only after Matt Jackson bought a roofing business in the hurricane state did he realize just how big the opportunity is.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • His experience with Acquira
  • Keeping the seller as an employee
  • Why he likes roofing despite drawbacks
  • How he satisfied his licensing requirement
  • Moats around spray foam roofing
  • Standing out in the roofing industry
  • His vision for organic growth
  • How insurance companies drive demand for new roofs
  • Using ROBS for financing
  • Why he won’t buy the ROBS ownership interest back from his 401k

References and how to contact Matt:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rather Than Retire, Buy a Business Rather Than Retire, Buy a Business full 4f7055f4-5b81-44af-81d5-6053ef40b90f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/maurice-thomas-main-line-electrical Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


At age 63, Maurice Thomas wasn't ready to retire, so he bought an electrical contractor with $1m in earnings instead.

Topics in Maurice’s interview:

  • Buying a business after age 60
  • Learning the right amount of diligence to do before submitting an LOI
  • Importance of a target statement for searchers
  • His values-first approach to business
  • Importance for searchers to “know thyself”
  • Politics and religion in the workplace
  • Gratifying work of coaching employees
  • His succession plan
  • Challenge of hiring lead electricians
  • Creating incentives that align with company goals

References and how to contact Maurice:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


At age 63, Maurice Thomas wasn't ready to retire, so he bought an electrical contractor with $1m in earnings instead.

Topics in Maurice’s interview:

  • Buying a business after age 60
  • Learning the right amount of diligence to do before submitting an LOI
  • Importance of a target statement for searchers
  • His values-first approach to business
  • Importance for searchers to “know thyself”
  • Politics and religion in the workplace
  • Gratifying work of coaching employees
  • His succession plan
  • Challenge of hiring lead electricians
  • Creating incentives that align with company goals

References and how to contact Maurice:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4856 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


At age 63, Maurice Thomas wasn't ready to retire, so he bought an electrical contractor with $1m in earnings instead.

Topics in Maurice’s interview:

  • Buying a business after age 60
  • Learning the right amount of diligence to do before submitting an LOI
  • Importance of a target statement for searchers
  • His values-first approach to business
  • Importance for searchers to “know thyself”
  • Politics and religion in the workplace
  • Gratifying work of coaching employees
  • His succession plan
  • Challenge of hiring lead electricians
  • Creating incentives that align with company goals

References and how to contact Maurice:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No $700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down $700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down full 3e7cfdd4-b5ae-4a6f-9568-8d40a76692a4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-stordeur-all-things-cedar How Andrew Stordeur bought a 25-year-old furniture manufacturer in Alberta without having to use any of his own capital.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Taking a startup to an IPO
  • Competition in the wood furniture space
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Advice for Canadian searchers
  • Getting a 35% seller note
  • His 100% financed deal
  • His plan to increase direct-to-consumer sales
  • Being the sole breadwinner for a family of 6
  • Deciding not to buy with a partner
  • How his company ships faster than Amazon

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Andrew Stordeur bought a 25-year-old furniture manufacturer in Alberta without having to use any of his own capital.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Taking a startup to an IPO
  • Competition in the wood furniture space
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Advice for Canadian searchers
  • Getting a 35% seller note
  • His 100% financed deal
  • His plan to increase direct-to-consumer sales
  • Being the sole breadwinner for a family of 6
  • Deciding not to buy with a partner
  • How his company ships faster than Amazon

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5834 How Andrew Stordeur bought a 25-year-old furniture manufacturer in Alberta without having to use any of his own capital.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Taking a startup to an IPO
  • Competition in the wood furniture space
  • Financing without the SBA
  • Advice for Canadian searchers
  • Getting a 35% seller note
  • His 100% financed deal
  • His plan to increase direct-to-consumer sales
  • Being the sole breadwinner for a family of 6
  • Deciding not to buy with a partner
  • How his company ships faster than Amazon

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Birth of a Roll-Up The Birth of a Roll-Up full 9d20da4c-cc30-4c74-866a-6345f57cf64f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/stephen-olmon-collin-trimble-alarm-masters Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Stephen Olmon & Collin Trimble set out to roll up the alarm industry in Texas. Alarm Masters is their first acquisition.

Topics in Stephen and Collin’s interview:

  • All about the alarm, fire, & security industry
  • Their roll-up strategy
  • Moats in the form of risk and licensing requirements
  • Valuation based on monthly recurring revenue
  • Educating their lenders on industry practices
  • Using a holdback to mitigate attrition risk
  • Choosing to offer both installation and service
  • The supply of technicians in this industry
  • The value of Collin’s sales skills
  • Strategic questions they asked during due diligence

References and how to contact Stephen and Collin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Stephen Olmon & Collin Trimble set out to roll up the alarm industry in Texas. Alarm Masters is their first acquisition.

Topics in Stephen and Collin’s interview:

  • All about the alarm, fire, & security industry
  • Their roll-up strategy
  • Moats in the form of risk and licensing requirements
  • Valuation based on monthly recurring revenue
  • Educating their lenders on industry practices
  • Using a holdback to mitigate attrition risk
  • Choosing to offer both installation and service
  • The supply of technicians in this industry
  • The value of Collin’s sales skills
  • Strategic questions they asked during due diligence

References and how to contact Stephen and Collin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5061 Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Stephen Olmon & Collin Trimble set out to roll up the alarm industry in Texas. Alarm Masters is their first acquisition.

Topics in Stephen and Collin’s interview:

  • All about the alarm, fire, & security industry
  • Their roll-up strategy
  • Moats in the form of risk and licensing requirements
  • Valuation based on monthly recurring revenue
  • Educating their lenders on industry practices
  • Using a holdback to mitigate attrition risk
  • Choosing to offer both installation and service
  • The supply of technicians in this industry
  • The value of Collin’s sales skills
  • Strategic questions they asked during due diligence

References and how to contact Stephen and Collin:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Identify & Buy a Great Residential Contractor How to Identify & Buy a Great Residential Contractor full 90bc18e0-e88e-45a4-8ef1-8c0d5e4339d9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alan-lochridge-the-stone-man Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101


Alan Lochridge left a career in consulting to buy a 20-year-old $5.5m hardscaping contractor with strong fundamentals.

Topics in Alan’s interview:

  • Years of searching before acquiring
  • Understanding the ROBS financing strategy
  • Reiterating company values weekly
  • His day-to-day role as owner
  • Restructuring to do more with fewer people
  • Embracing digital marketing and CRM tools
  • Why he’s so comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Advantage of a negative cash conversion cycle
  • Pros and cons of using subcontractors
  • Getting his general contractor’s license

References and how to contact Alan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101


Alan Lochridge left a career in consulting to buy a 20-year-old $5.5m hardscaping contractor with strong fundamentals.

Topics in Alan’s interview:

  • Years of searching before acquiring
  • Understanding the ROBS financing strategy
  • Reiterating company values weekly
  • His day-to-day role as owner
  • Restructuring to do more with fewer people
  • Embracing digital marketing and CRM tools
  • Why he’s so comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Advantage of a negative cash conversion cycle
  • Pros and cons of using subcontractors
  • Getting his general contractor’s license

References and how to contact Alan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4778 Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101


Alan Lochridge left a career in consulting to buy a 20-year-old $5.5m hardscaping contractor with strong fundamentals.

Topics in Alan’s interview:

  • Years of searching before acquiring
  • Understanding the ROBS financing strategy
  • Reiterating company values weekly
  • His day-to-day role as owner
  • Restructuring to do more with fewer people
  • Embracing digital marketing and CRM tools
  • Why he’s so comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Advantage of a negative cash conversion cycle
  • Pros and cons of using subcontractors
  • Getting his general contractor’s license

References and how to contact Alan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reward for a Brutal Transition: 3 Hours/Week with 2x EBITDA Reward for a Brutal Transition: 3 Hours/Week with 2x EBITDA full 00b4b878-4768-4996-9352-bcddbb8bbcee https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dan-tagliatela-stutz-driveway-cleaning Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Despite an overwhelming transition, today Dan Tagliatela has 17x'd his initial investment and delegated the day-to-day.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His background in investing
  • What margins indicate about a business
  • Return on assets as a quality metric
  • Acquiring a pavement sealing company
  • Geographic density advantage of the business
  • His goal to double volume over 10 years
  • Replacing the antiquated robocall machine
  • Stress of learning and upgrading at the same time
  • Buying a window cleaning company
  • The Goldilocks approach to management

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Despite an overwhelming transition, today Dan Tagliatela has 17x'd his initial investment and delegated the day-to-day.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His background in investing
  • What margins indicate about a business
  • Return on assets as a quality metric
  • Acquiring a pavement sealing company
  • Geographic density advantage of the business
  • His goal to double volume over 10 years
  • Replacing the antiquated robocall machine
  • Stress of learning and upgrading at the same time
  • Buying a window cleaning company
  • The Goldilocks approach to management

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6731 Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Despite an overwhelming transition, today Dan Tagliatela has 17x'd his initial investment and delegated the day-to-day.

Topics in Dan’s interview:

  • His background in investing
  • What margins indicate about a business
  • Return on assets as a quality metric
  • Acquiring a pavement sealing company
  • Geographic density advantage of the business
  • His goal to double volume over 10 years
  • Replacing the antiquated robocall machine
  • Stress of learning and upgrading at the same time
  • Buying a window cleaning company
  • The Goldilocks approach to management

References and how to contact Dan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m full 148fbbb4-5e1a-4748-9a26-187227ab6aab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-wilson-the-wilson-companies John Wilson bought & grew a very small plumbing business 26x over the last 7 years, and today has plans to reach $100m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Growing up in his family’s home services business
  • Taking over the business at 23
  • Acquiring a turnaround to grow his business
  • His first time doing layoffs
  • Using CertainPath’s model to grow
  • Tripling his ad spend during Covid
  • Why he believes in buying small
  • His take on installing an operator
  • His plan to get to $100M
  • The taxonomy of blue collar businesses

References and how to contact John:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> John Wilson bought & grew a very small plumbing business 26x over the last 7 years, and today has plans to reach $100m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Growing up in his family’s home services business
  • Taking over the business at 23
  • Acquiring a turnaround to grow his business
  • His first time doing layoffs
  • Using CertainPath’s model to grow
  • Tripling his ad spend during Covid
  • Why he believes in buying small
  • His take on installing an operator
  • His plan to get to $100M
  • The taxonomy of blue collar businesses

References and how to contact John:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 7560 John Wilson bought & grew a very small plumbing business 26x over the last 7 years, and today has plans to reach $100m.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Growing up in his family’s home services business
  • Taking over the business at 23
  • Acquiring a turnaround to grow his business
  • His first time doing layoffs
  • Using CertainPath’s model to grow
  • Tripling his ad spend during Covid
  • Why he believes in buying small
  • His take on installing an operator
  • His plan to get to $100M
  • The taxonomy of blue collar businesses

References and how to contact John:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Unlocking Growth in a Business, Average Age 55 Unlocking Growth in a Business, Average Age 55 full b8d3a1e4-34e6-4bf0-9c93-0a95eb2013fc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/danny-fields-steve-reis-holland-supply-company Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Danny Fields & Steve Reis bought a decades-old utility supplier seemingly ripe for growth. It was harder than it looked.

Topics in Danny and Steve’s interview:

  • Their shared background in the military
  • Educating their investors about oil and gas
  • Dramatically increasing their cold outreach response rate
  • Buying a business with $1M+ in revenue per employee
  • Delaying growth to build relationships
  • The pros and cons of having a workforce near retirement
  • Acquiring product lines and building a manufacturing company
  • Daily stress of running a business
  • Importance of buying a growing business
  • The future of renewable energy

References and how to contact Danny & Steve:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Danny Fields & Steve Reis bought a decades-old utility supplier seemingly ripe for growth. It was harder than it looked.

Topics in Danny and Steve’s interview:

  • Their shared background in the military
  • Educating their investors about oil and gas
  • Dramatically increasing their cold outreach response rate
  • Buying a business with $1M+ in revenue per employee
  • Delaying growth to build relationships
  • The pros and cons of having a workforce near retirement
  • Acquiring product lines and building a manufacturing company
  • Daily stress of running a business
  • Importance of buying a growing business
  • The future of renewable energy

References and how to contact Danny & Steve:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6702 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Danny Fields & Steve Reis bought a decades-old utility supplier seemingly ripe for growth. It was harder than it looked.

Topics in Danny and Steve’s interview:

  • Their shared background in the military
  • Educating their investors about oil and gas
  • Dramatically increasing their cold outreach response rate
  • Buying a business with $1M+ in revenue per employee
  • Delaying growth to build relationships
  • The pros and cons of having a workforce near retirement
  • Acquiring product lines and building a manufacturing company
  • Daily stress of running a business
  • Importance of buying a growing business
  • The future of renewable energy

References and how to contact Danny & Steve:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Bought Tiny, Grew to $4m Bought Tiny, Grew to $4m full 085df44b-d57f-4570-88a2-496f08f91d10 https:/acquiringminds.co/articles/chad-fondriest-darby-creek-trading SBA lender Chad Fondriest got the itch to get in the game himself & bought a couple's hobby business doing just $150k.

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while running the business
  • Quadrupling revenue in 2 years
  • Getting listed on Wayfair
  • Tradeoffs of selling on Amazon
  • High importance of inventory management 
  • Explosive growth during Covid
  • How he estimated market size
  • Difficulty of competing in ecommerce
  • Forecasting trends a year in advance
  • Grief and joy of managing creatives

References and how to contact Chad:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> SBA lender Chad Fondriest got the itch to get in the game himself & bought a couple's hobby business doing just $150k.

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while running the business
  • Quadrupling revenue in 2 years
  • Getting listed on Wayfair
  • Tradeoffs of selling on Amazon
  • High importance of inventory management 
  • Explosive growth during Covid
  • How he estimated market size
  • Difficulty of competing in ecommerce
  • Forecasting trends a year in advance
  • Grief and joy of managing creatives

References and how to contact Chad:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5969 SBA lender Chad Fondriest got the itch to get in the game himself & bought a couple's hobby business doing just $150k.

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Keeping his W-2 while running the business
  • Quadrupling revenue in 2 years
  • Getting listed on Wayfair
  • Tradeoffs of selling on Amazon
  • High importance of inventory management 
  • Explosive growth during Covid
  • How he estimated market size
  • Difficulty of competing in ecommerce
  • Forecasting trends a year in advance
  • Grief and joy of managing creatives

References and how to contact Chad:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business full 7e52ad5b-28ef-42b9-8031-c5cf429e5859 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tato-corcoran-brandt-molded-marble Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6292 Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.

Topics in Tato’s interview:

  • Connecting with sellers through direct mail
  • Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
  • Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
  • How she solved her labor issue
  • Being a single woman in a male industry
  • Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
  • Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
  • Raising prices 40% without losing customers
  • The difference between good growth and bad growth
  • Doubling top line revenue

References and how to contact Tato:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Front Lines of a Crisis The Front Lines of a Crisis full 77fd6a40-c834-4371-bb07-287fa1ad7ce2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/russ-hadlock-the-autoglass-clinic-and-mobile-radio 14 months ago, Russ Hadlock bought an auto glass business with $2.3m in sales. Today he is struggling to keep it alive.

Topics in Russ’s interview:

  • Inventing the Peloton handlebar tray
  • His life-changing exit from his company
  • Looking for stability and safety through acquisition
  • Fear of buying a company that was too big to operate
  • Expenses skyrocketing after transition
  • Impact of asset purchase on rent and insurance costs
  • Layoffs and belt tightening
  • Renegotiating his SBA loan
  • Consolidating locations as a Hail Mary
  • Need to get a job while still owning the business

References and how to contact Russ:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 14 months ago, Russ Hadlock bought an auto glass business with $2.3m in sales. Today he is struggling to keep it alive.

Topics in Russ’s interview:

  • Inventing the Peloton handlebar tray
  • His life-changing exit from his company
  • Looking for stability and safety through acquisition
  • Fear of buying a company that was too big to operate
  • Expenses skyrocketing after transition
  • Impact of asset purchase on rent and insurance costs
  • Layoffs and belt tightening
  • Renegotiating his SBA loan
  • Consolidating locations as a Hail Mary
  • Need to get a job while still owning the business

References and how to contact Russ:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5842 14 months ago, Russ Hadlock bought an auto glass business with $2.3m in sales. Today he is struggling to keep it alive.

Topics in Russ’s interview:

  • Inventing the Peloton handlebar tray
  • His life-changing exit from his company
  • Looking for stability and safety through acquisition
  • Fear of buying a company that was too big to operate
  • Expenses skyrocketing after transition
  • Impact of asset purchase on rent and insurance costs
  • Layoffs and belt tightening
  • Renegotiating his SBA loan
  • Consolidating locations as a Hail Mary
  • Need to get a job while still owning the business

References and how to contact Russ:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit) How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit) full b32ae1be-909d-4c09-97e8-e84334f7f5cb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ben-rizzo-hadfield-elevator Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
  • Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
  • Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
  • Quickly making changes after transition
  • Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
  • Surviving the challenges of Covid
  • Doubling the business and selling to private equity
  • Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
  • Buying a healthy business for his next venture
  • Competing with private equity for acquisitions

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
  • Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
  • Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
  • Quickly making changes after transition
  • Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
  • Surviving the challenges of Covid
  • Doubling the business and selling to private equity
  • Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
  • Buying a healthy business for his next venture
  • Competing with private equity for acquisitions

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5803 Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
  • Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
  • Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
  • Quickly making changes after transition
  • Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
  • Surviving the challenges of Covid
  • Doubling the business and selling to private equity
  • Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
  • Buying a healthy business for his next venture
  • Competing with private equity for acquisitions

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Saying No to Home Services, Yes to B2B Media Saying No to Home Services, Yes to B2B Media full 134b9779-3acc-436a-8322-0f82c2a3eeb2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nathan-gregory-autobody-news Nathan Gregory left the music industry to buy Autobody News, a business that could benefit from his experience in media. 

Topics in Nathan’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a beer koozie brand
  • Managing brand partnerships for pop stars
  • Educating himself on business acquisition
  • Pivoting away from home services
  • Buying a media company with a partner
  • Why print media isn’t dead 
  • His audience-first approach
  • Commitment vs passion for the industry
  • Serving a hybrid workforce
  • The business model for trade publications

References and how to contact Nathan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Nathan Gregory left the music industry to buy Autobody News, a business that could benefit from his experience in media. 

Topics in Nathan’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a beer koozie brand
  • Managing brand partnerships for pop stars
  • Educating himself on business acquisition
  • Pivoting away from home services
  • Buying a media company with a partner
  • Why print media isn’t dead 
  • His audience-first approach
  • Commitment vs passion for the industry
  • Serving a hybrid workforce
  • The business model for trade publications

References and how to contact Nathan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4798 Nathan Gregory left the music industry to buy Autobody News, a business that could benefit from his experience in media. 

Topics in Nathan’s interview:

  • Building and exiting a beer koozie brand
  • Managing brand partnerships for pop stars
  • Educating himself on business acquisition
  • Pivoting away from home services
  • Buying a media company with a partner
  • Why print media isn’t dead 
  • His audience-first approach
  • Commitment vs passion for the industry
  • Serving a hybrid workforce
  • The business model for trade publications

References and how to contact Nathan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 8 Figs or Bust: Transitioning a Big Plumbing Business 8 Figs or Bust: Transitioning a Big Plumbing Business full f594ebb0-84ab-4448-aa22-e776b5d0c61b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/peter-debaptiste-joe-cole-plumbing Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Peter deBaptiste bought a 35-person plumbing business with 2 very technical, hands-on owners 1 hour away from his house.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Building operational skills in a start-up
  • Acquiring Joe Cole Plumbing
  • His disappointing first day as owner
  • Buying from 2 co-owners
  • Surprises in employee turnover
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • What he likes about the plumbing business
  • The complexities of working capital in construction
  • Why he recommends holding off on strategy
  • Underestimating his salary needs

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Peter deBaptiste bought a 35-person plumbing business with 2 very technical, hands-on owners 1 hour away from his house.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Building operational skills in a start-up
  • Acquiring Joe Cole Plumbing
  • His disappointing first day as owner
  • Buying from 2 co-owners
  • Surprises in employee turnover
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • What he likes about the plumbing business
  • The complexities of working capital in construction
  • Why he recommends holding off on strategy
  • Underestimating his salary needs

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6675 Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:


Peter deBaptiste bought a 35-person plumbing business with 2 very technical, hands-on owners 1 hour away from his house.

Topics in Peter’s interview:

  • Building operational skills in a start-up
  • Acquiring Joe Cole Plumbing
  • His disappointing first day as owner
  • Buying from 2 co-owners
  • Surprises in employee turnover
  • Losing clients to a former employee
  • What he likes about the plumbing business
  • The complexities of working capital in construction
  • Why he recommends holding off on strategy
  • Underestimating his salary needs

References and how to contact Peter:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Fire, Covid, Exit: 5 Years in a $12m Events Business Fire, Covid, Exit: 5 Years in a $12m Events Business full 2f191045-4970-407b-9cdd-417c58c65980 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/will-wright-peerless-events-and-tents Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Will Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into opportunity.

Topics in Will’s interview:

  • Benefits of a traditional search fund
  • Feeling like a “wartime president”
  • His brutal first year as owner
  • Value of a strong company culture
  • Scrambling to fulfill contracts after a large warehouse fire
  • Layoff and salary cuts during Covid
  • Building and strengthening the business during Covid
  • Creating an incentive strategy for employees
  • Texas as an attractive place for business
  • How sailing prepared him for leading people

References and how to contact Will Wright:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Will Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into opportunity.

Topics in Will’s interview:

  • Benefits of a traditional search fund
  • Feeling like a “wartime president”
  • His brutal first year as owner
  • Value of a strong company culture
  • Scrambling to fulfill contracts after a large warehouse fire
  • Layoff and salary cuts during Covid
  • Building and strengthening the business during Covid
  • Creating an incentive strategy for employees
  • Texas as an attractive place for business
  • How sailing prepared him for leading people

References and how to contact Will Wright:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6349 Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Will Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into opportunity.

Topics in Will’s interview:

  • Benefits of a traditional search fund
  • Feeling like a “wartime president”
  • His brutal first year as owner
  • Value of a strong company culture
  • Scrambling to fulfill contracts after a large warehouse fire
  • Layoff and salary cuts during Covid
  • Building and strengthening the business during Covid
  • Creating an incentive strategy for employees
  • Texas as an attractive place for business
  • How sailing prepared him for leading people

References and how to contact Will Wright:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Taking a Blue Collar Biz from $900k to $2.4m in Earnings Taking a Blue Collar Biz from $900k to $2.4m in Earnings full 0d22d34d-ce60-4fdc-ab15-dede4f971ded https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-borcz-delta-installation-group Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Adam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4 years. 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Adam’s experience working for a fundless sponsor
  • Pros & cons of having the federal government as a customer
  • Doubling his work force in a “tough labor market”
  • Why overhead doesn't need to scale with labor force
  • Doing nothing for the first six months as owner
  • Why he invests in traditional search funds
  • Personal risk and work involved in self-funded search
  • Being on the right side of the SBA loan
  • Tying profit sharing to gross profit
  • Adam's decision to hold the business indefinitely

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Adam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4 years. 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Adam’s experience working for a fundless sponsor
  • Pros & cons of having the federal government as a customer
  • Doubling his work force in a “tough labor market”
  • Why overhead doesn't need to scale with labor force
  • Doing nothing for the first six months as owner
  • Why he invests in traditional search funds
  • Personal risk and work involved in self-funded search
  • Being on the right side of the SBA loan
  • Tying profit sharing to gross profit
  • Adam's decision to hold the business indefinitely

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 12 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5652 Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business


Adam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4 years. 

Topics in Adam’s interview:

  • Adam’s experience working for a fundless sponsor
  • Pros & cons of having the federal government as a customer
  • Doubling his work force in a “tough labor market”
  • Why overhead doesn't need to scale with labor force
  • Doing nothing for the first six months as owner
  • Why he invests in traditional search funds
  • Personal risk and work involved in self-funded search
  • Being on the right side of the SBA loan
  • Tying profit sharing to gross profit
  • Adam's decision to hold the business indefinitely

References and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No First-Timer Turns $20k into $900k in 19 Months First-Timer Turns $20k into $900k in 19 Months full 8022531d-4853-497f-b47e-b1088fb8302c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-patrick-wedding-catering-venue-colorado Only after taking a second look at a small wedding catering & venue business did Nick Patrick recognize an opportunity. 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked only one box
  • Getting past major key person risk
  • Nick's fear of lacking operational experience
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan or investors
  • Learning to lead and handle conflict
  • Operational intensity of a wedding catering business
  • Cash flow advantages due to up-front deposits
  • Improvements he made to the business
  • Realizing he won’t be able double business
  • Selling the business for a healthy profit

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Only after taking a second look at a small wedding catering & venue business did Nick Patrick recognize an opportunity. 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked only one box
  • Getting past major key person risk
  • Nick's fear of lacking operational experience
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan or investors
  • Learning to lead and handle conflict
  • Operational intensity of a wedding catering business
  • Cash flow advantages due to up-front deposits
  • Improvements he made to the business
  • Realizing he won’t be able double business
  • Selling the business for a healthy profit

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 08 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5614 Only after taking a second look at a small wedding catering & venue business did Nick Patrick recognize an opportunity. 

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked only one box
  • Getting past major key person risk
  • Nick's fear of lacking operational experience
  • Acquiring without an SBA loan or investors
  • Learning to lead and handle conflict
  • Operational intensity of a wedding catering business
  • Cash flow advantages due to up-front deposits
  • Improvements he made to the business
  • Realizing he won’t be able double business
  • Selling the business for a healthy profit

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Model Works: Reflections of a Plumbing Business Buyer The Model Works: Reflections of a Plumbing Business Buyer full 75604186-ab26-4128-b435-a27bece222b5 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/doug-johns-mr-rooter-2 Doug Johns reflects on his balance sheet, lifestyle, and new identity as business owner after 9 quarters in the seat. 

Topics in Doug’s interview:

  • His wife's involvement in the business
  • Working 60 hours a week 
  • His experience with ROBS structure and buyout
  • Slowdown in home services industry
  • Why he loves owning & operating
  • When & why to raise your prices
  • Moving to a small town in a metro area
  • Integration of business into daily life
  • Fierce competition in home services
  • Great benefit of franchises: in-network peer groups

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Doug Johns reflects on his balance sheet, lifestyle, and new identity as business owner after 9 quarters in the seat. 

Topics in Doug’s interview:

  • His wife's involvement in the business
  • Working 60 hours a week 
  • His experience with ROBS structure and buyout
  • Slowdown in home services industry
  • Why he loves owning & operating
  • When & why to raise your prices
  • Moving to a small town in a metro area
  • Integration of business into daily life
  • Fierce competition in home services
  • Great benefit of franchises: in-network peer groups

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 05 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5672 Doug Johns reflects on his balance sheet, lifestyle, and new identity as business owner after 9 quarters in the seat. 

Topics in Doug’s interview:

  • His wife's involvement in the business
  • Working 60 hours a week 
  • His experience with ROBS structure and buyout
  • Slowdown in home services industry
  • Why he loves owning & operating
  • When & why to raise your prices
  • Moving to a small town in a metro area
  • Integration of business into daily life
  • Fierce competition in home services
  • Great benefit of franchises: in-network peer groups

References and how to contact Doug:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $4m Business (with 80% Recurring Revenue) Buying a $4m Business (with 80% Recurring Revenue) full 6eb0279e-1a42-4fc9-b896-35aa0cf3be43 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-young-bay-business-group Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy.

  • How his father’s failed business influenced him
  • Being rejected by a search accelerator
  • Starting an accounting firm while searching
  • 18 months of dead deals before acquisition
  • Role of luck in business success
  • Role of his wife 
  • How accounting practices are valued and priced
  • Red flags to look for during diligence
  • Role of PASBA in shaping accounting practices
  • His advice for searchers looking at accounting practices

References and how to contact Michael:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy.

  • How his father’s failed business influenced him
  • Being rejected by a search accelerator
  • Starting an accounting firm while searching
  • 18 months of dead deals before acquisition
  • Role of luck in business success
  • Role of his wife 
  • How accounting practices are valued and priced
  • Red flags to look for during diligence
  • Role of PASBA in shaping accounting practices
  • His advice for searchers looking at accounting practices

References and how to contact Michael:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 01 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5255 Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy.

  • How his father’s failed business influenced him
  • Being rejected by a search accelerator
  • Starting an accounting firm while searching
  • 18 months of dead deals before acquisition
  • Role of luck in business success
  • Role of his wife 
  • How accounting practices are valued and priced
  • Red flags to look for during diligence
  • Role of PASBA in shaping accounting practices
  • His advice for searchers looking at accounting practices

References and how to contact Michael:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Taking the Plunge into Extreme Ownership Taking the Plunge into Extreme Ownership full 9cfcb8e1-8eba-4e32-bcf8-a4e6ad703c73 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/morgan-mccauley-helios-home-health Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


At his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both.

Topics in Morgan’s interview:

  • His experience working in a family office
  • Investing 2 months in a deal that died
  • Trade-off between equity and salary in traditional search
  • Geographical search in South Florida
  • Challenges with healthcare regulations
  • Why Robert Graham didn’t like the deal
  • The decision to invest in business growth
  • Learning curve in the highly regulated home care industry
  • Investing in business growth vs aggressively paying down debt
  • Evaluating the lifetime value of clients

References and how to contact Morgan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


At his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both.

Topics in Morgan’s interview:

  • His experience working in a family office
  • Investing 2 months in a deal that died
  • Trade-off between equity and salary in traditional search
  • Geographical search in South Florida
  • Challenges with healthcare regulations
  • Why Robert Graham didn’t like the deal
  • The decision to invest in business growth
  • Learning curve in the highly regulated home care industry
  • Investing in business growth vs aggressively paying down debt
  • Evaluating the lifetime value of clients

References and how to contact Morgan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 29 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6242 Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


At his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both.

Topics in Morgan’s interview:

  • His experience working in a family office
  • Investing 2 months in a deal that died
  • Trade-off between equity and salary in traditional search
  • Geographical search in South Florida
  • Challenges with healthcare regulations
  • Why Robert Graham didn’t like the deal
  • The decision to invest in business growth
  • Learning curve in the highly regulated home care industry
  • Investing in business growth vs aggressively paying down debt
  • Evaluating the lifetime value of clients

References and how to contact Morgan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Finding a Good Business After 2+ Years of Searching Finding a Good Business After 2+ Years of Searching full 82544d84-c0f8-4514-928b-75388e0c90a8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ryan-doyle-jeffs-pool-spa-service Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Ryan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline. 

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Value of a thorough quality of earnings investigation
  • Why “stupid good margins” are a bad sign
  • Buying a residential pool business in the Golden Isles of Georgia
  • Being ghosted by his bookkeeper after transition
  • His intern who stepped in after the bookkeeper disappeared
  • Why Ryan’s business doesn’t do pool construction
  • What he likes about seasonality
  • His plan to own the Georgia coast
  • His WhatsApp search support “pod”

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Ryan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline. 

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Value of a thorough quality of earnings investigation
  • Why “stupid good margins” are a bad sign
  • Buying a residential pool business in the Golden Isles of Georgia
  • Being ghosted by his bookkeeper after transition
  • His intern who stepped in after the bookkeeper disappeared
  • Why Ryan’s business doesn’t do pool construction
  • What he likes about seasonality
  • His plan to own the Georgia coast
  • His WhatsApp search support “pod”

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5465 Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Ryan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline. 

Topics in Ryan’s interview:

  • Lessons learned from a failed deal
  • Value of a thorough quality of earnings investigation
  • Why “stupid good margins” are a bad sign
  • Buying a residential pool business in the Golden Isles of Georgia
  • Being ghosted by his bookkeeper after transition
  • His intern who stepped in after the bookkeeper disappeared
  • Why Ryan’s business doesn’t do pool construction
  • What he likes about seasonality
  • His plan to own the Georgia coast
  • His WhatsApp search support “pod”

References and how to contact Ryan:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Business to 20x a Real Estate Empire Buying a Business to 20x a Real Estate Empire full 588f470c-ea16-4680-b117-0d1d7b2491f1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brandon-laughridge-north-terrace-property-management Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Buying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio. 

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Why he changed his mind about service businesses
  • Modernizing and professionalizing a property management business
  • Growing from 12 to 25 employees
  • The pain of owning a business with no pricing power
  • Setting boundaries with clients around service offerings
  • Pros and cons of property management
  • How SMB owners can incentivize Google reviews
  • The myth of “passive income” in real estate
  • Managing tenant relationships
  • Who should buy a property management business (and who shouldn’t)

References and how to contact Brandon:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Buying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio. 

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Why he changed his mind about service businesses
  • Modernizing and professionalizing a property management business
  • Growing from 12 to 25 employees
  • The pain of owning a business with no pricing power
  • Setting boundaries with clients around service offerings
  • Pros and cons of property management
  • How SMB owners can incentivize Google reviews
  • The myth of “passive income” in real estate
  • Managing tenant relationships
  • Who should buy a property management business (and who shouldn’t)

References and how to contact Brandon:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6829 Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:


Buying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio. 

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Why he changed his mind about service businesses
  • Modernizing and professionalizing a property management business
  • Growing from 12 to 25 employees
  • The pain of owning a business with no pricing power
  • Setting boundaries with clients around service offerings
  • Pros and cons of property management
  • How SMB owners can incentivize Google reviews
  • The myth of “passive income” in real estate
  • Managing tenant relationships
  • Who should buy a property management business (and who shouldn’t)

References and how to contact Brandon:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 4 Acquisitions In, Holdco Builder's Goal is £150m 4 Acquisitions In, Holdco Builder's Goal is £150m full 090cc773-e634-4875-986a-88454a181e6d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sam-turner-advantos Holdco entrepreneur Sam Turner shares his vision to build the leading platform for independent M&E businesses in the UK. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • Importance of patience and flexible timelines
  • Getting through fetal position moments
  • Balancing diversification and integration
  • Gurus in the business buying space
  • Lessons from his first acquisition
  • Change management in blue collar businesses
  • Increasing holdco revenue target from £60m to £150m
  • Extending his 5-year plan to 10 years
  • His vision to improve the lives of 30,000 people
  • Shared services among his four businesses

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Holdco entrepreneur Sam Turner shares his vision to build the leading platform for independent M&E businesses in the UK. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • Importance of patience and flexible timelines
  • Getting through fetal position moments
  • Balancing diversification and integration
  • Gurus in the business buying space
  • Lessons from his first acquisition
  • Change management in blue collar businesses
  • Increasing holdco revenue target from £60m to £150m
  • Extending his 5-year plan to 10 years
  • His vision to improve the lives of 30,000 people
  • Shared services among his four businesses

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4594 Holdco entrepreneur Sam Turner shares his vision to build the leading platform for independent M&E businesses in the UK. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • Importance of patience and flexible timelines
  • Getting through fetal position moments
  • Balancing diversification and integration
  • Gurus in the business buying space
  • Lessons from his first acquisition
  • Change management in blue collar businesses
  • Increasing holdco revenue target from £60m to £150m
  • Extending his 5-year plan to 10 years
  • His vision to improve the lives of 30,000 people
  • Shared services among his four businesses

References and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 14 Months from Searcher to $5.5m EBITDA 14 Months from Searcher to $5.5m EBITDA full 9c472efc-5e3b-43cc-8ad1-a899f94f6b3a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/luis-aguilar-cys-linen Luis Aguilar found a $1.5m SDE commercial laundry business on BizBuySell, then a second acquisition followed quickly. 

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Geographical search in Florida
  • Working with SIG (Search Investment Group) to raise capital
  • Pitching investors and overcoming rejection
  • Negotiating a dead deal back to life
  • Acquiring a linen rental business
  • Second order effects of raising employee wages
  • Learning all the jobs in the business
  • Mental weight of being the chief decision maker
  • Doing a second big acquisition in the first year
  • Increasing profit in both businesses

References and how to contact Luis:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Luis Aguilar found a $1.5m SDE commercial laundry business on BizBuySell, then a second acquisition followed quickly. 

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Geographical search in Florida
  • Working with SIG (Search Investment Group) to raise capital
  • Pitching investors and overcoming rejection
  • Negotiating a dead deal back to life
  • Acquiring a linen rental business
  • Second order effects of raising employee wages
  • Learning all the jobs in the business
  • Mental weight of being the chief decision maker
  • Doing a second big acquisition in the first year
  • Increasing profit in both businesses

References and how to contact Luis:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6288 Luis Aguilar found a $1.5m SDE commercial laundry business on BizBuySell, then a second acquisition followed quickly. 

Topics in Luis’s interview:

  • Geographical search in Florida
  • Working with SIG (Search Investment Group) to raise capital
  • Pitching investors and overcoming rejection
  • Negotiating a dead deal back to life
  • Acquiring a linen rental business
  • Second order effects of raising employee wages
  • Learning all the jobs in the business
  • Mental weight of being the chief decision maker
  • Doing a second big acquisition in the first year
  • Increasing profit in both businesses

References and how to contact Luis:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Shutting Down After a 4-Year Struggle Shutting Down After a 4-Year Struggle full b27cc551-0b5d-4b12-928b-d193e78a04bc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/philip-blackett-cemetery-services Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


The cemetery services biz Philip Blackett bought in 2019 was finally squeezed to insolvency & shuttered 2 months ago.

Topics in Philip's interview:

  • Searching locally due to having twins
  • Buying a cemetery management business
  • The downside of flat monthly billing
  • Increasing expenses straining his bottom line
  • Covid deaths affecting his customers
  • Working a second job for a year
  • Unforeseen weather challenges
  • Taking high-interest loans to keep the business going
  • Importance of a support system
  • His decision to close the business

References and how to contact Philip:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


The cemetery services biz Philip Blackett bought in 2019 was finally squeezed to insolvency & shuttered 2 months ago.

Topics in Philip's interview:

  • Searching locally due to having twins
  • Buying a cemetery management business
  • The downside of flat monthly billing
  • Increasing expenses straining his bottom line
  • Covid deaths affecting his customers
  • Working a second job for a year
  • Unforeseen weather challenges
  • Taking high-interest loans to keep the business going
  • Importance of a support system
  • His decision to close the business

References and how to contact Philip:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5314 Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


The cemetery services biz Philip Blackett bought in 2019 was finally squeezed to insolvency & shuttered 2 months ago.

Topics in Philip's interview:

  • Searching locally due to having twins
  • Buying a cemetery management business
  • The downside of flat monthly billing
  • Increasing expenses straining his bottom line
  • Covid deaths affecting his customers
  • Working a second job for a year
  • Unforeseen weather challenges
  • Taking high-interest loans to keep the business going
  • Importance of a support system
  • His decision to close the business

References and how to contact Philip:

Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Big $7m Trade School Buying a Big $7m Trade School full 74b6c41b-45ac-4ef7-b6ea-09b00c2aff7c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tyrel-sulzer-bob-boniface-transtech Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


In a world of tight labor supply, Tyrel Sulzer & Bob Boniface saw the benefits of buying a school that trains truckers.

Topics in Tyrel and Bob’s interview:

  • Choosing to do a partnered search
  • Why they chose a traditional search fund
  • Interviewing prospective investors
  • Potential in blue collar businesses
  • The future of trade schools
  • Buying a CDL school
  • The demand for CDL training
  • Job opportunities for graduates of their CDL school
  • High turnover in long-haul trucking
  • Competition in the CDL training industry

References and how to contact Tyrel and Bob:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

]]> Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


In a world of tight labor supply, Tyrel Sulzer & Bob Boniface saw the benefits of buying a school that trains truckers.

Topics in Tyrel and Bob’s interview:

  • Choosing to do a partnered search
  • Why they chose a traditional search fund
  • Interviewing prospective investors
  • Potential in blue collar businesses
  • The future of trade schools
  • Buying a CDL school
  • The demand for CDL training
  • Job opportunities for graduates of their CDL school
  • High turnover in long-haul trucking
  • Competition in the CDL training industry

References and how to contact Tyrel and Bob:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

]]> Mon, 08 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5804 Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:


In a world of tight labor supply, Tyrel Sulzer & Bob Boniface saw the benefits of buying a school that trains truckers.

Topics in Tyrel and Bob’s interview:

  • Choosing to do a partnered search
  • Why they chose a traditional search fund
  • Interviewing prospective investors
  • Potential in blue collar businesses
  • The future of trade schools
  • Buying a CDL school
  • The demand for CDL training
  • Job opportunities for graduates of their CDL school
  • High turnover in long-haul trucking
  • Competition in the CDL training industry

References and how to contact Tyrel and Bob:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Moving to a Small Town to Buy an SMB Moving to a Small Town to Buy an SMB full 65cbf7ce-2f5a-4899-b481-a8c58f770d36 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-mahony-bailey-heating-and-air When he bought an HVAC business in east Tennessee, John Mahony moved in next door & became a member of the community.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Moving from Nashville to rural Appalachia
  • His vision to build a holding company
  • Buying an HVAC business in a small town
  • Transferring skills he learned in the Marines
  • Hiring veterans for their leadership capabilities
  • Learning about HVAC through ride-alongs
  • Changes he made after transition
  • Revenue growth and increasing headcount
  • Cyclicality of HVAC revenue
  • Preserving traditions from the previous owners

References and how to contact John:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> When he bought an HVAC business in east Tennessee, John Mahony moved in next door & became a member of the community.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Moving from Nashville to rural Appalachia
  • His vision to build a holding company
  • Buying an HVAC business in a small town
  • Transferring skills he learned in the Marines
  • Hiring veterans for their leadership capabilities
  • Learning about HVAC through ride-alongs
  • Changes he made after transition
  • Revenue growth and increasing headcount
  • Cyclicality of HVAC revenue
  • Preserving traditions from the previous owners

References and how to contact John:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 04 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6013 When he bought an HVAC business in east Tennessee, John Mahony moved in next door & became a member of the community.

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Moving from Nashville to rural Appalachia
  • His vision to build a holding company
  • Buying an HVAC business in a small town
  • Transferring skills he learned in the Marines
  • Hiring veterans for their leadership capabilities
  • Learning about HVAC through ride-alongs
  • Changes he made after transition
  • Revenue growth and increasing headcount
  • Cyclicality of HVAC revenue
  • Preserving traditions from the previous owners

References and how to contact John:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Appeal of Buying a Food Product Business The Appeal of Buying a Food Product Business full 5e3de174-6193-4da3-81ec-f7bde8f6f0e9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/pat-lazure-flavor-crisp Pat Lazure explains why Flavor-Crisp, a food product business that uses co-packers, was such a great business to buy. 

Topics in Pat’s interview:

  • Doing a “spouse-funded” search
  • Starting a shear-sharpening business while searching
  • Growth, churn, & margins in his shear-sharpening business
  • Why he wanted to buy  a breading and batter mix company so badly
  • Similarities between food businesses & dropshipping businesses
  • The role of co-packers in the food industry
  • Challenges & risks in his food business
  • Psychology of having an SBA loan
  • Reflections on owning 2 small businesses
  • The value of BizBuySell’s Insight Report

References and how to contact Pat:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Pat Lazure explains why Flavor-Crisp, a food product business that uses co-packers, was such a great business to buy. 

Topics in Pat’s interview:

  • Doing a “spouse-funded” search
  • Starting a shear-sharpening business while searching
  • Growth, churn, & margins in his shear-sharpening business
  • Why he wanted to buy  a breading and batter mix company so badly
  • Similarities between food businesses & dropshipping businesses
  • The role of co-packers in the food industry
  • Challenges & risks in his food business
  • Psychology of having an SBA loan
  • Reflections on owning 2 small businesses
  • The value of BizBuySell’s Insight Report

References and how to contact Pat:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 02 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6044 Pat Lazure explains why Flavor-Crisp, a food product business that uses co-packers, was such a great business to buy. 

Topics in Pat’s interview:

  • Doing a “spouse-funded” search
  • Starting a shear-sharpening business while searching
  • Growth, churn, & margins in his shear-sharpening business
  • Why he wanted to buy  a breading and batter mix company so badly
  • Similarities between food businesses & dropshipping businesses
  • The role of co-packers in the food industry
  • Challenges & risks in his food business
  • Psychology of having an SBA loan
  • Reflections on owning 2 small businesses
  • The value of BizBuySell’s Insight Report

References and how to contact Pat:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue bonus 4f472918-79a7-48d6-8dab-51c1612ca574 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sam-turn-hvac-advantos Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. (Rebroadcast from August 2022.) 

Topics in Sam's interview:

  • How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
  • Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
  • Why HVAC?
  • Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
  • Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
  • The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
  • Deal structure for his first acquisition
  • Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
  • White collar people buying blue collar businesses

Reach Sam at:

  • sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. (Rebroadcast from August 2022.) 

Topics in Sam's interview:

  • How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
  • Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
  • Why HVAC?
  • Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
  • Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
  • The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
  • Deal structure for his first acquisition
  • Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
  • White collar people buying blue collar businesses

Reach Sam at:

  • sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 28 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5335 Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. (Rebroadcast from August 2022.) 

Topics in Sam's interview:

  • How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
  • Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
  • Why HVAC?
  • Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
  • Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
  • The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
  • Deal structure for his first acquisition
  • Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
  • White collar people buying blue collar businesses

Reach Sam at:

  • sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business bonus 1da03fb1-af56-407e-b922-0c291a976d9a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/doug-johns-mr-rooter How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. (Rebroadcast from September 2022.) 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. (Rebroadcast from September 2022.) 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5129 How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. (Rebroadcast from September 2022.) 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a $350m Holdco of Farms Building a $350m Holdco of Farms full a83c63dd-55a2-4d5b-9cad-6e902f58bb0c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jack-mccarthy-gold-leaf-farming Jack McCarthy has acquired 27 pistachio & almond farms from retiring owners, with a plan to build & hold for decades. 

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • Jack’s fascination with overlooked businesses
  • Gold Leaf’s unique business model
  • Appeal of farmland as a safe and attractive asset
  • How farms are valued
  • How specialty crops compare to row crops
  • What makes a farm high quality
  • Using technology to farm efficiently
  • Incentivizing farm managers
  • Converting conventional farms to organic
  • Long-term nature of agriculture

References and how to contact Jack:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jack McCarthy has acquired 27 pistachio & almond farms from retiring owners, with a plan to build & hold for decades. 

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • Jack’s fascination with overlooked businesses
  • Gold Leaf’s unique business model
  • Appeal of farmland as a safe and attractive asset
  • How farms are valued
  • How specialty crops compare to row crops
  • What makes a farm high quality
  • Using technology to farm efficiently
  • Incentivizing farm managers
  • Converting conventional farms to organic
  • Long-term nature of agriculture

References and how to contact Jack:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

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]]> Thu, 21 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6223 Jack McCarthy has acquired 27 pistachio & almond farms from retiring owners, with a plan to build & hold for decades. 

Topics in Jack’s interview:

  • Jack’s fascination with overlooked businesses
  • Gold Leaf’s unique business model
  • Appeal of farmland as a safe and attractive asset
  • How farms are valued
  • How specialty crops compare to row crops
  • What makes a farm high quality
  • Using technology to farm efficiently
  • Incentivizing farm managers
  • Converting conventional farms to organic
  • Long-term nature of agriculture

References and how to contact Jack:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Factory Life: Buying a Manufacturer with $1m SDE Factory Life: Buying a Manufacturer with $1m SDE full 4b5f8b80-fd7e-4eef-9801-b4c3f08938a3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ben-jasper-plastic-bag-manufacturer Ben Jasper made a change at age 40, acquiring a plastic bag manufacturer with 10 people & a daily start time of 4:30am. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Managing a portfolio of $500 million on Wall Street
  • Leaving finance to prioritize family
  • Buying a plastic bag manufacturer
  • Starting his work day at 3:30 AM
  • His intense 2-month initiation
  • Creating a manual and financial model to manage the business
  • Challenges of maintaining old machinery
  • Understanding his employees' personal values
  • Long-term vision to hire an operator
  • Negative revenue growth in the manufacturing industry

References and how to contact Ben:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Ben Jasper made a change at age 40, acquiring a plastic bag manufacturer with 10 people & a daily start time of 4:30am. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Managing a portfolio of $500 million on Wall Street
  • Leaving finance to prioritize family
  • Buying a plastic bag manufacturer
  • Starting his work day at 3:30 AM
  • His intense 2-month initiation
  • Creating a manual and financial model to manage the business
  • Challenges of maintaining old machinery
  • Understanding his employees' personal values
  • Long-term vision to hire an operator
  • Negative revenue growth in the manufacturing industry

References and how to contact Ben:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 18 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5512 Ben Jasper made a change at age 40, acquiring a plastic bag manufacturer with 10 people & a daily start time of 4:30am. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Managing a portfolio of $500 million on Wall Street
  • Leaving finance to prioritize family
  • Buying a plastic bag manufacturer
  • Starting his work day at 3:30 AM
  • His intense 2-month initiation
  • Creating a manual and financial model to manage the business
  • Challenges of maintaining old machinery
  • Understanding his employees' personal values
  • Long-term vision to hire an operator
  • Negative revenue growth in the manufacturing industry

References and how to contact Ben:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Scaling Sweaty Services with a Brokerage Model Scaling Sweaty Services with a Brokerage Model full dc28e051-136c-4014-8749-d9b5a59bea00 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eddy-zakes-earth-development Eddy Zakes has 2x'd revenue and 4x'd headcount at the snow removal brokerage he bought with a traditional search fund. 

Notes from the conversation with Eddy:

  • His highly-personal outreach approach
  • Earth Development’s unusual business model
  • Negotiating with an anxious seller
  • Acquiring during Covid
  • How being close to a target business changes rapport building
  • Buying a highly seasonal business
  • Operating across multiple states
  • Convincing a key employee to stay
  • Risk of customers taking relationships off the platform
  • Quadrupling staff to add management and redundancy

References and how to contact Eddy:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Eddy Zakes has 2x'd revenue and 4x'd headcount at the snow removal brokerage he bought with a traditional search fund. 

Notes from the conversation with Eddy:

  • His highly-personal outreach approach
  • Earth Development’s unusual business model
  • Negotiating with an anxious seller
  • Acquiring during Covid
  • How being close to a target business changes rapport building
  • Buying a highly seasonal business
  • Operating across multiple states
  • Convincing a key employee to stay
  • Risk of customers taking relationships off the platform
  • Quadrupling staff to add management and redundancy

References and how to contact Eddy:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5095 Eddy Zakes has 2x'd revenue and 4x'd headcount at the snow removal brokerage he bought with a traditional search fund. 

Notes from the conversation with Eddy:

  • His highly-personal outreach approach
  • Earth Development’s unusual business model
  • Negotiating with an anxious seller
  • Acquiring during Covid
  • How being close to a target business changes rapport building
  • Buying a highly seasonal business
  • Operating across multiple states
  • Convincing a key employee to stay
  • Risk of customers taking relationships off the platform
  • Quadrupling staff to add management and redundancy

References and how to contact Eddy:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 2.5 Years from Buying to Exiting 2.5 Years from Buying to Exiting full 4590cb92-ccd7-481b-a713-d6a8549f9a60 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brian-lee-shields-hill-co Brian Lee Shields bought a barely-profitable property management business intending to improve, grow, & hold it forever. 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Importance of energy vs talent 
  • Brian's partner and their complementary roles
  • Buying property management companies
  • Improving their net promoter score (NPS)
  • Building a culture of completion rate measurement
  • Relocating positions and outsourcing
  • Importance of trust in property management
  • Successfully transitioning to a remote-first business
  • Deciding to sell the business
  • His burnout and recovery

References and how to contact Brian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Brian Lee Shields bought a barely-profitable property management business intending to improve, grow, & hold it forever. 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Importance of energy vs talent 
  • Brian's partner and their complementary roles
  • Buying property management companies
  • Improving their net promoter score (NPS)
  • Building a culture of completion rate measurement
  • Relocating positions and outsourcing
  • Importance of trust in property management
  • Successfully transitioning to a remote-first business
  • Deciding to sell the business
  • His burnout and recovery

References and how to contact Brian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 6274 Brian Lee Shields bought a barely-profitable property management business intending to improve, grow, & hold it forever. 

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Importance of energy vs talent 
  • Brian's partner and their complementary roles
  • Buying property management companies
  • Improving their net promoter score (NPS)
  • Building a culture of completion rate measurement
  • Relocating positions and outsourcing
  • Importance of trust in property management
  • Successfully transitioning to a remote-first business
  • Deciding to sell the business
  • His burnout and recovery

References and how to contact Brian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business full 69b0ce15-2d4b-4fc4-a67a-45a7d66b5e86 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/darryl-lindie-aa-thrifty-sign-and-awning-new-majority-capital Darryl Lindie did a geo-constrained search in Rhode Island to acquire a sign business with $650k of SDE & 25 employees. 

Topics in Darryl’s interview:

  • His background in the Navy
  • How getting an MBA might slow you down
  • Searching in a small geographic radius
  • Buying a signage company
  • Valuing a business with a lot of cash transactions
  • Getting comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Mistakes in due diligence
  • Improving the culture in 100 days
  • Hiring a supplier to be his GM
  • Raising a fund for New Majority Capital

References and how to contact Darryl:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Darryl Lindie did a geo-constrained search in Rhode Island to acquire a sign business with $650k of SDE & 25 employees. 

Topics in Darryl’s interview:

  • His background in the Navy
  • How getting an MBA might slow you down
  • Searching in a small geographic radius
  • Buying a signage company
  • Valuing a business with a lot of cash transactions
  • Getting comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Mistakes in due diligence
  • Improving the culture in 100 days
  • Hiring a supplier to be his GM
  • Raising a fund for New Majority Capital

References and how to contact Darryl:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5165 Darryl Lindie did a geo-constrained search in Rhode Island to acquire a sign business with $650k of SDE & 25 employees. 

Topics in Darryl’s interview:

  • His background in the Navy
  • How getting an MBA might slow you down
  • Searching in a small geographic radius
  • Buying a signage company
  • Valuing a business with a lot of cash transactions
  • Getting comfortable with project-based revenue
  • Mistakes in due diligence
  • Improving the culture in 100 days
  • Hiring a supplier to be his GM
  • Raising a fund for New Majority Capital

References and how to contact Darryl:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Power of Conviction in Buying a Business The Power of Conviction in Buying a Business full 4c13852b-9acc-403e-b65f-e039b0a969d3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-barnes-professional-touch-laundry-service Matt Barnes bought a $400k SDE linen laundry business, channeling his conviction at big decision points along the way. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Doing a narrow geographic search
  • Pros and cons of door-to-door proprietary outreach to sellers
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Getting emotionally invested in deals
  • His values-based reason for acquiring a business
  • The business sustaining fire damage before purchase
  • Buying a commercial laundry business
  • Niches within the laundry industry
  • Realities of being an owner-operator
  • How hard work builds character

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Matt Barnes bought a $400k SDE linen laundry business, channeling his conviction at big decision points along the way. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Doing a narrow geographic search
  • Pros and cons of door-to-door proprietary outreach to sellers
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Getting emotionally invested in deals
  • His values-based reason for acquiring a business
  • The business sustaining fire damage before purchase
  • Buying a commercial laundry business
  • Niches within the laundry industry
  • Realities of being an owner-operator
  • How hard work builds character

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 04 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5062 Matt Barnes bought a $400k SDE linen laundry business, channeling his conviction at big decision points along the way. 

Topics in Matt’s interview:

  • Doing a narrow geographic search
  • Pros and cons of door-to-door proprietary outreach to sellers
  • Importance of having his wife on board
  • Getting emotionally invested in deals
  • His values-based reason for acquiring a business
  • The business sustaining fire damage before purchase
  • Buying a commercial laundry business
  • Niches within the laundry industry
  • Realities of being an owner-operator
  • How hard work builds character

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 3 Perspectives: A Panel on Buying Small Businesses 3 Perspectives: A Panel on Buying Small Businesses full 1512c481-5683-45e8-9f53-54790bd2dc5c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-haschka-george-goates-corey-veverka-eo-silicon-valley Recording of a live panel hosted by EO Silicon Valley with Acquiring Minds host Will Smith moderating. 

Topics discussed:

  • 3 stories of buying businesses
  • What the search, due diligence, transition was like for each of the 3 entrepreneurs
  • Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship vs. entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA)
  • The napkin math of a business acquisition with an SBA loan
  • Moving from white collar to blue collar environments
  • Is there a "type" who buys a business?
  • Graduating from buying your 1st business to your 2nd, 3rd, and beyond
  • How buying a first business can quickly lead to more acquisition opportunities
  • Inorganic growth vs. organic growth
  • What being an investor in search deals looks like
  • Scariest moment from each entrepreneur's journey
  • Question: How do you think about due diligence?
  • Question: Does the softness in the macro M&A market affect activity in search?
  • Question: Thoughts on roll-ups.

References and how to contact George, Corey, or Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Recording of a live panel hosted by EO Silicon Valley with Acquiring Minds host Will Smith moderating. 

Topics discussed:

  • 3 stories of buying businesses
  • What the search, due diligence, transition was like for each of the 3 entrepreneurs
  • Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship vs. entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA)
  • The napkin math of a business acquisition with an SBA loan
  • Moving from white collar to blue collar environments
  • Is there a "type" who buys a business?
  • Graduating from buying your 1st business to your 2nd, 3rd, and beyond
  • How buying a first business can quickly lead to more acquisition opportunities
  • Inorganic growth vs. organic growth
  • What being an investor in search deals looks like
  • Scariest moment from each entrepreneur's journey
  • Question: How do you think about due diligence?
  • Question: Does the softness in the macro M&A market affect activity in search?
  • Question: Thoughts on roll-ups.

References and how to contact George, Corey, or Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5985 Recording of a live panel hosted by EO Silicon Valley with Acquiring Minds host Will Smith moderating. 

Topics discussed:

  • 3 stories of buying businesses
  • What the search, due diligence, transition was like for each of the 3 entrepreneurs
  • Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship vs. entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA)
  • The napkin math of a business acquisition with an SBA loan
  • Moving from white collar to blue collar environments
  • Is there a "type" who buys a business?
  • Graduating from buying your 1st business to your 2nd, 3rd, and beyond
  • How buying a first business can quickly lead to more acquisition opportunities
  • Inorganic growth vs. organic growth
  • What being an investor in search deals looks like
  • Scariest moment from each entrepreneur's journey
  • Question: How do you think about due diligence?
  • Question: Does the softness in the macro M&A market affect activity in search?
  • Question: Thoughts on roll-ups.

References and how to contact George, Corey, or Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Escaping Golden Handcuffs by Buying a Business Escaping Golden Handcuffs by Buying a Business full 143b9de8-e8a1-4db0-9838-05089b62b764 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/gretchen-roberts-red-bike-advisors While not a CPA herself, a clear list of buying criteria led Gretchen Roberts to acquire a 16-person accounting firm. 

Topics in Gretchen’s interview:

  • Overcoming mental blocks about leaving a good job
  • Using her marketing skills for proprietary search
  • Acquiring an accounting firm without accounting experience
  • Building rapport and trust with the team
  • Changing the business’s name
  • Being comfortable managing a remote team
  • Balancing business ownership and family
  • Her plan to recruit accountants through part-time roles
  • What makes her accounting firm stand out
  • Buying based on revenue instead of SDE

References and how to contact Gretchen:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> While not a CPA herself, a clear list of buying criteria led Gretchen Roberts to acquire a 16-person accounting firm. 

Topics in Gretchen’s interview:

  • Overcoming mental blocks about leaving a good job
  • Using her marketing skills for proprietary search
  • Acquiring an accounting firm without accounting experience
  • Building rapport and trust with the team
  • Changing the business’s name
  • Being comfortable managing a remote team
  • Balancing business ownership and family
  • Her plan to recruit accountants through part-time roles
  • What makes her accounting firm stand out
  • Buying based on revenue instead of SDE

References and how to contact Gretchen:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 27 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5766 While not a CPA herself, a clear list of buying criteria led Gretchen Roberts to acquire a 16-person accounting firm. 

Topics in Gretchen’s interview:

  • Overcoming mental blocks about leaving a good job
  • Using her marketing skills for proprietary search
  • Acquiring an accounting firm without accounting experience
  • Building rapport and trust with the team
  • Changing the business’s name
  • Being comfortable managing a remote team
  • Balancing business ownership and family
  • Her plan to recruit accountants through part-time roles
  • What makes her accounting firm stand out
  • Buying based on revenue instead of SDE

References and how to contact Gretchen:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 7 Takeaways from 200 Episodes 7 Takeaways from 200 Episodes full 1a613d03-e2b2-4c8e-8fdb-31b13865cd4d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/will-smith-acquiring-minds Acquiring Minds host Will Smith reflects on 200 episodes, tells the podcast backstory, and teases what's coming in 2024. 

Topics in today’s episode with Will:

  • Essential lessons from 200 interviews with acquisition entrepreneurs
  • How Acquiring Minds got started
  • Is Will going to search for a business to buy?
  • Plans for Acquiring Minds in 2024

References and how to contact Will:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Acquiring Minds host Will Smith reflects on 200 episodes, tells the podcast backstory, and teases what's coming in 2024. 

Topics in today’s episode with Will:

  • Essential lessons from 200 interviews with acquisition entrepreneurs
  • How Acquiring Minds got started
  • Is Will going to search for a business to buy?
  • Plans for Acquiring Minds in 2024

References and how to contact Will:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 1517 Acquiring Minds host Will Smith reflects on 200 episodes, tells the podcast backstory, and teases what's coming in 2024. 

Topics in today’s episode with Will:

  • Essential lessons from 200 interviews with acquisition entrepreneurs
  • How Acquiring Minds got started
  • Is Will going to search for a business to buy?
  • Plans for Acquiring Minds in 2024

References and how to contact Will:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Cash Flows Over Exits: Buying for the Long Term Cash Flows Over Exits: Buying for the Long Term full 0c5bf3ca-2bfd-4666-9070-b102bf7d99a2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mark-olivito-paverart Sensing untapped potential, Mark Olivito paid cash for a project-based construction business with less than $100k SDE. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked all the wrong boxes
  • Why he “overpaid” to acquire PAVERART
  • What attracted him to the business
  • His passion for building a successful blue-collar business
  • Glamorization of entrepreneurship
  • The importance of showing up and “eating last”
  • The trades as a lucrative alternative to college
  • Mental health challenges in small business ownership
  • Building resiliency before trying to grow
  • His advice for those interested in buying a business

References and how to contact Mark:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sensing untapped potential, Mark Olivito paid cash for a project-based construction business with less than $100k SDE. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked all the wrong boxes
  • Why he “overpaid” to acquire PAVERART
  • What attracted him to the business
  • His passion for building a successful blue-collar business
  • Glamorization of entrepreneurship
  • The importance of showing up and “eating last”
  • The trades as a lucrative alternative to college
  • Mental health challenges in small business ownership
  • Building resiliency before trying to grow
  • His advice for those interested in buying a business

References and how to contact Mark:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 20 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5595 Sensing untapped potential, Mark Olivito paid cash for a project-based construction business with less than $100k SDE. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Buying a business that checked all the wrong boxes
  • Why he “overpaid” to acquire PAVERART
  • What attracted him to the business
  • His passion for building a successful blue-collar business
  • Glamorization of entrepreneurship
  • The importance of showing up and “eating last”
  • The trades as a lucrative alternative to college
  • Mental health challenges in small business ownership
  • Building resiliency before trying to grow
  • His advice for those interested in buying a business

References and how to contact Mark:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Skip the SBA: Buying a $4m Biz with a Conventional Loan Skip the SBA: Buying a $4m Biz with a Conventional Loan full 40cdaa07-a59f-4655-a944-0e35d2c2499a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ben-bryer-meyer-gage Ben Bryer worked with a financial backer to find & buy a 65-year-old niche manufacturing business without an SBA loan. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Spending $150K and 18 months on dead deal
  • The emotional toll of a failed deal
  • Freelancing to partially fund his search
  • Buying a pin gage manufacturer
  • What attracted Ben to the business
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA loan
  • Building relationships with lending partners
  • Tech debt as a liability
  • The benefits of having long-term employees
  • Importance of time allocation

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Ben Bryer worked with a financial backer to find & buy a 65-year-old niche manufacturing business without an SBA loan. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Spending $150K and 18 months on dead deal
  • The emotional toll of a failed deal
  • Freelancing to partially fund his search
  • Buying a pin gage manufacturer
  • What attracted Ben to the business
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA loan
  • Building relationships with lending partners
  • Tech debt as a liability
  • The benefits of having long-term employees
  • Importance of time allocation

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 16 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4535 Ben Bryer worked with a financial backer to find & buy a 65-year-old niche manufacturing business without an SBA loan. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Spending $150K and 18 months on dead deal
  • The emotional toll of a failed deal
  • Freelancing to partially fund his search
  • Buying a pin gage manufacturer
  • What attracted Ben to the business
  • Choosing a conventional loan over SBA loan
  • Building relationships with lending partners
  • Tech debt as a liability
  • The benefits of having long-term employees
  • Importance of time allocation

References and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Doing It His Way: First-Timer Buys 2 at Once Doing It His Way: First-Timer Buys 2 at Once full 1cebf729-01ed-4924-be88-41bd48abc3fb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-okhravi-epoxy-coating-towing-south-florida Mike Okhravi left a cushy tech career to buy a towing business & a flooring business — and within 30 days of each other. 

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • Why he passed on the Search Fund Accelerator
  • His philosophy on taking more risk by moving fast
  • Signs of a motivated seller
  • Buying a 4-person garage flooring business
  • Surprises after acquiring the business
  • Why profit dips post-acquisition
  • Discarding the “searcher rules”
  • What he loves about the towing business
  • Operating 2 businesses at once (including one 3 hours away)
  • Getting back up after business failures

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mike Okhravi left a cushy tech career to buy a towing business & a flooring business — and within 30 days of each other. 

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • Why he passed on the Search Fund Accelerator
  • His philosophy on taking more risk by moving fast
  • Signs of a motivated seller
  • Buying a 4-person garage flooring business
  • Surprises after acquiring the business
  • Why profit dips post-acquisition
  • Discarding the “searcher rules”
  • What he loves about the towing business
  • Operating 2 businesses at once (including one 3 hours away)
  • Getting back up after business failures

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5683 Mike Okhravi left a cushy tech career to buy a towing business & a flooring business — and within 30 days of each other. 

Topics in Mike’s interview:

  • Why he passed on the Search Fund Accelerator
  • His philosophy on taking more risk by moving fast
  • Signs of a motivated seller
  • Buying a 4-person garage flooring business
  • Surprises after acquiring the business
  • Why profit dips post-acquisition
  • Discarding the “searcher rules”
  • What he loves about the towing business
  • Operating 2 businesses at once (including one 3 hours away)
  • Getting back up after business failures

References and how to contact Mike:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Upside & Downside of Search, from a 20-Year Veteran The Upside & Downside of Search, from a 20-Year Veteran full 9fc39743-7edd-41f3-82c9-a50147fdfbe7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kent-weaver-granite-point-partners A fireside chat with veteran searcher & investor Kent Weaver recorded at the Self-Funded Search Conference in Dallas. 

Topics in Kent's interview:

  • Kent's history: his search & how he evolved into an investor in searchers
  • How the first 2 or 3 years post-acquisition are different in a self-funded search vs. a traditional search fund
  • How traditional search feels different today vs. its early days
  • What is a "3am business"?
  • The power of choosing a quality industry to buy a business in
  • The power of high quality revenue
  • The power of strong unit economics
  • The power of you as CEO
  • Ingredients of a good search CEO
  • How to handle it if the business you buy fails?
  • 2 stories of search failures
  • Staying too long in a bad business
  • When buying a business, dream bigger. No artificial ceiling.
  • Thinking beyond your first deal: what doing a search does for your career

References and how to contact Kent:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> A fireside chat with veteran searcher & investor Kent Weaver recorded at the Self-Funded Search Conference in Dallas. 

Topics in Kent's interview:

  • Kent's history: his search & how he evolved into an investor in searchers
  • How the first 2 or 3 years post-acquisition are different in a self-funded search vs. a traditional search fund
  • How traditional search feels different today vs. its early days
  • What is a "3am business"?
  • The power of choosing a quality industry to buy a business in
  • The power of high quality revenue
  • The power of strong unit economics
  • The power of you as CEO
  • Ingredients of a good search CEO
  • How to handle it if the business you buy fails?
  • 2 stories of search failures
  • Staying too long in a bad business
  • When buying a business, dream bigger. No artificial ceiling.
  • Thinking beyond your first deal: what doing a search does for your career

References and how to contact Kent:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 09 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3078 A fireside chat with veteran searcher & investor Kent Weaver recorded at the Self-Funded Search Conference in Dallas. 

Topics in Kent's interview:

  • Kent's history: his search & how he evolved into an investor in searchers
  • How the first 2 or 3 years post-acquisition are different in a self-funded search vs. a traditional search fund
  • How traditional search feels different today vs. its early days
  • What is a "3am business"?
  • The power of choosing a quality industry to buy a business in
  • The power of high quality revenue
  • The power of strong unit economics
  • The power of you as CEO
  • Ingredients of a good search CEO
  • How to handle it if the business you buy fails?
  • 2 stories of search failures
  • Staying too long in a bad business
  • When buying a business, dream bigger. No artificial ceiling.
  • Thinking beyond your first deal: what doing a search does for your career

References and how to contact Kent:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Passion, Meet EBITDA: The Joy of Buying an Art Gallery Passion, Meet EBITDA: The Joy of Buying an Art Gallery full 1bfdf819-2c5b-4412-940e-0700af7540c0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sean-moore-fascination-street-fine-art Sean Moore looked at a handful of businesses, but a fine art gallery with over $1m SDE won the art collector's heart. 

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Pulling $1M out of his 401k to buy an art gallery
  • How his gallery brings in $1M in SDE
  • The ecommerce aspect of the gallery
  • The additional revenue stream of a frame shop
  • Opportunities to improve the gallery website
  • His peer group that supported his search
  • Choosing a passion business over a “boring” one
  • Forming a connection with the seller
  • Using ROBS for acquisitions
  • Negotiating earnest money with the seller

References and how to contact Sean:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sean Moore looked at a handful of businesses, but a fine art gallery with over $1m SDE won the art collector's heart. 

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Pulling $1M out of his 401k to buy an art gallery
  • How his gallery brings in $1M in SDE
  • The ecommerce aspect of the gallery
  • The additional revenue stream of a frame shop
  • Opportunities to improve the gallery website
  • His peer group that supported his search
  • Choosing a passion business over a “boring” one
  • Forming a connection with the seller
  • Using ROBS for acquisitions
  • Negotiating earnest money with the seller

References and how to contact Sean:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5981 Sean Moore looked at a handful of businesses, but a fine art gallery with over $1m SDE won the art collector's heart. 

Topics in Sean’s interview:

  • Pulling $1M out of his 401k to buy an art gallery
  • How his gallery brings in $1M in SDE
  • The ecommerce aspect of the gallery
  • The additional revenue stream of a frame shop
  • Opportunities to improve the gallery website
  • His peer group that supported his search
  • Choosing a passion business over a “boring” one
  • Forming a connection with the seller
  • Using ROBS for acquisitions
  • Negotiating earnest money with the seller

References and how to contact Sean:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Growing EBITDA from $750k to $2m: Time to Sell? Growing EBITDA from $750k to $2m: Time to Sell? full 4cdc8fa1-54e1-4dc9-804f-44f92271d451 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-hubbard-express-custom-trailers-2 John Hubbard returns to share how "chasing EBITDA over revenue" has benefited the trailer fabricator he bought in 2021. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing largest customer (25% of revenue)
  • Earning $2m EBITDA on $6m revenue vs. $25m revenue
  • Don't chase revenue, chase EBITDA
  • Mentally transitioning from buyer of a business to the seller of it
  • Why he's thinking about selling
  • Selling vs. hiring an operator & holding
  • How difficult finding a good operator is
  • Appreciating how precious it is when you have a business doing well
  • The appeal of investing in other search deals
  • 3 points about leadership in SMB

References and how to contact John:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> John Hubbard returns to share how "chasing EBITDA over revenue" has benefited the trailer fabricator he bought in 2021. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing largest customer (25% of revenue)
  • Earning $2m EBITDA on $6m revenue vs. $25m revenue
  • Don't chase revenue, chase EBITDA
  • Mentally transitioning from buyer of a business to the seller of it
  • Why he's thinking about selling
  • Selling vs. hiring an operator & holding
  • How difficult finding a good operator is
  • Appreciating how precious it is when you have a business doing well
  • The appeal of investing in other search deals
  • 3 points about leadership in SMB

References and how to contact John:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3874 John Hubbard returns to share how "chasing EBITDA over revenue" has benefited the trailer fabricator he bought in 2021. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • Losing largest customer (25% of revenue)
  • Earning $2m EBITDA on $6m revenue vs. $25m revenue
  • Don't chase revenue, chase EBITDA
  • Mentally transitioning from buyer of a business to the seller of it
  • Why he's thinking about selling
  • Selling vs. hiring an operator & holding
  • How difficult finding a good operator is
  • Appreciating how precious it is when you have a business doing well
  • The appeal of investing in other search deals
  • 3 points about leadership in SMB

References and how to contact John:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a SaaS Business with an SBA Loan How to Buy a SaaS Business with an SBA Loan full 4c71d579-fa57-4ad2-9201-ee3224cf7502 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-swiler-lanteria It CAN be done. Andrew Swiler acquired a SaaS business with $650k SDE using an SBA loan (and while living in Spain). 

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Why he preferred buying a SaaS business to an ecommerce one
  • Key trait to being a successful acquisition entrepreneur
  • Downside protection in a SaaS business
  • The appeal of the Microsoft ecosystem
  • Deferred revenue (and explaining it to a seller)
  • Buying a SaaS business as a non-technical person
  • How a SaaS business is valued
  • History of Lanteria, the business Andrew bought
  • Terms of the deal
  • Strategy of building a portfolio of B2B SaaS businesses
  • Pros & cons of holding company structure
  • Pros & cons of fund structure

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> It CAN be done. Andrew Swiler acquired a SaaS business with $650k SDE using an SBA loan (and while living in Spain). 

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Why he preferred buying a SaaS business to an ecommerce one
  • Key trait to being a successful acquisition entrepreneur
  • Downside protection in a SaaS business
  • The appeal of the Microsoft ecosystem
  • Deferred revenue (and explaining it to a seller)
  • Buying a SaaS business as a non-technical person
  • How a SaaS business is valued
  • History of Lanteria, the business Andrew bought
  • Terms of the deal
  • Strategy of building a portfolio of B2B SaaS businesses
  • Pros & cons of holding company structure
  • Pros & cons of fund structure

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 30 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5911 It CAN be done. Andrew Swiler acquired a SaaS business with $650k SDE using an SBA loan (and while living in Spain). 

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

  • Why he preferred buying a SaaS business to an ecommerce one
  • Key trait to being a successful acquisition entrepreneur
  • Downside protection in a SaaS business
  • The appeal of the Microsoft ecosystem
  • Deferred revenue (and explaining it to a seller)
  • Buying a SaaS business as a non-technical person
  • How a SaaS business is valued
  • History of Lanteria, the business Andrew bought
  • Terms of the deal
  • Strategy of building a portfolio of B2B SaaS businesses
  • Pros & cons of holding company structure
  • Pros & cons of fund structure

References and how to contact Andrew:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Boom, Bust, Boom: Buying a Whiplash Business Boom, Bust, Boom: Buying a Whiplash Business full f8278930-1231-4f3c-8958-6c4f2992dd14 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chandler-reed-get-green-noi-smbootcamp-smbash Chandler Reed reflects on buying a project-based business in 2021, seeing sales soar, then crash, then surge again. 

Topics in Chandler’s interview:

  • His unconventional entrance into the search space
  • Buying a commercial lighting contractor
  • Incentivizing the sole employee to stay on
  • The challenges of managing people
  • The ups and downs of project-based revenue
  • How interest rates affected his deal flow
  • Involvement with Sam Rosati’s boot camp
  • Choosing a business based on desired lifestyle
  • Pros and cons of subcontracting
  • His preference for digital over physical businesses

References and how to contact Chandler:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chandler Reed reflects on buying a project-based business in 2021, seeing sales soar, then crash, then surge again. 

Topics in Chandler’s interview:

  • His unconventional entrance into the search space
  • Buying a commercial lighting contractor
  • Incentivizing the sole employee to stay on
  • The challenges of managing people
  • The ups and downs of project-based revenue
  • How interest rates affected his deal flow
  • Involvement with Sam Rosati’s boot camp
  • Choosing a business based on desired lifestyle
  • Pros and cons of subcontracting
  • His preference for digital over physical businesses

References and how to contact Chandler:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 26 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4990 Chandler Reed reflects on buying a project-based business in 2021, seeing sales soar, then crash, then surge again. 

Topics in Chandler’s interview:

  • His unconventional entrance into the search space
  • Buying a commercial lighting contractor
  • Incentivizing the sole employee to stay on
  • The challenges of managing people
  • The ups and downs of project-based revenue
  • How interest rates affected his deal flow
  • Involvement with Sam Rosati’s boot camp
  • Choosing a business based on desired lifestyle
  • Pros and cons of subcontracting
  • His preference for digital over physical businesses

References and how to contact Chandler:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Partnering with an Operator to Buy a Business Partnering with an Operator to Buy a Business full 6e32aa8e-c047-4932-94f1-e5705fef2b2d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/landon-mance-nevada-tree Landon Mance bought a $1.7m tree business alongside a minority partner who's operated the business full-time from Day 1. 

Topics in Landon’s interview:

  • Crossing paths with a financial criminal
  • Buying a tree service business with his friend as operator
  • Where “follow your passion” falls short
  • Why the business had high margins at acquisition
  • Negotiating with the sellers over Zoom
  • Burning through the capex budget in 90 days
  • The importance of putting everything in the contract
  • His operator’s equity stake in the company
  • Continuing to run his financial planning business
  • His 5-8 year vision for the company

References and how to contact Landon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Landon Mance bought a $1.7m tree business alongside a minority partner who's operated the business full-time from Day 1. 

Topics in Landon’s interview:

  • Crossing paths with a financial criminal
  • Buying a tree service business with his friend as operator
  • Where “follow your passion” falls short
  • Why the business had high margins at acquisition
  • Negotiating with the sellers over Zoom
  • Burning through the capex budget in 90 days
  • The importance of putting everything in the contract
  • His operator’s equity stake in the company
  • Continuing to run his financial planning business
  • His 5-8 year vision for the company

References and how to contact Landon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 23 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5948 Landon Mance bought a $1.7m tree business alongside a minority partner who's operated the business full-time from Day 1. 

Topics in Landon’s interview:

  • Crossing paths with a financial criminal
  • Buying a tree service business with his friend as operator
  • Where “follow your passion” falls short
  • Why the business had high margins at acquisition
  • Negotiating with the sellers over Zoom
  • Burning through the capex budget in 90 days
  • The importance of putting everything in the contract
  • His operator’s equity stake in the company
  • Continuing to run his financial planning business
  • His 5-8 year vision for the company

References and how to contact Landon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner full cffde092-4f7c-4e93-b845-381b88aca19b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/neil-finneran-mosquito-joe Neil Finneran had worked in hedge funds & as a CFO when the opportunity to buy a pest control business presented itself. 

Topics in Neil’s interview:

  • His career pivot from finance to mosquito spraying
  • Buying a business in mid-life
  • The value of a supportive spouse
  • Hiring, firing and incentivizing blue collar employees
  • Importance of retaining customers in a recurring revenue business
  • What he likes about being part of a franchise
  • The view from 6 months of ownership
  • The advantage of knowing how to do the work himself
  • Competitors in the pest control space
  • Deciding how much to spend on marketing

References and how to contact Neil:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Neil Finneran had worked in hedge funds & as a CFO when the opportunity to buy a pest control business presented itself. 

Topics in Neil’s interview:

  • His career pivot from finance to mosquito spraying
  • Buying a business in mid-life
  • The value of a supportive spouse
  • Hiring, firing and incentivizing blue collar employees
  • Importance of retaining customers in a recurring revenue business
  • What he likes about being part of a franchise
  • The view from 6 months of ownership
  • The advantage of knowing how to do the work himself
  • Competitors in the pest control space
  • Deciding how much to spend on marketing

References and how to contact Neil:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 19 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4519 Neil Finneran had worked in hedge funds & as a CFO when the opportunity to buy a pest control business presented itself. 

Topics in Neil’s interview:

  • His career pivot from finance to mosquito spraying
  • Buying a business in mid-life
  • The value of a supportive spouse
  • Hiring, firing and incentivizing blue collar employees
  • Importance of retaining customers in a recurring revenue business
  • What he likes about being part of a franchise
  • The view from 6 months of ownership
  • The advantage of knowing how to do the work himself
  • Competitors in the pest control space
  • Deciding how much to spend on marketing

References and how to contact Neil:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE full 68d85068-06da-4ef3-b479-2b766ed8a0e3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jesse-sunquist-mosquito-joe A year into his search Jesse Sunquist realized he needed to lower his SDE floor to find a business to buy in his market. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Being motivated by achieving job flexibility
  • Why he initially resisted franchises
  • Buying 2 Mosquito Joe territories 
  • What he loves about his franchisor
  • Dealing with customer complaints
  • Managing tricky situations with employees
  • Calculating potential earnings in a territory
  • Change management in a seasonal business
  • Operational improvements he made
  • Buying at the $300k SDE level

References and how to contact Jesse:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> A year into his search Jesse Sunquist realized he needed to lower his SDE floor to find a business to buy in his market. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Being motivated by achieving job flexibility
  • Why he initially resisted franchises
  • Buying 2 Mosquito Joe territories 
  • What he loves about his franchisor
  • Dealing with customer complaints
  • Managing tricky situations with employees
  • Calculating potential earnings in a territory
  • Change management in a seasonal business
  • Operational improvements he made
  • Buying at the $300k SDE level

References and how to contact Jesse:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5013 A year into his search Jesse Sunquist realized he needed to lower his SDE floor to find a business to buy in his market. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Being motivated by achieving job flexibility
  • Why he initially resisted franchises
  • Buying 2 Mosquito Joe territories 
  • What he loves about his franchisor
  • Dealing with customer complaints
  • Managing tricky situations with employees
  • Calculating potential earnings in a territory
  • Change management in a seasonal business
  • Operational improvements he made
  • Buying at the $300k SDE level

References and how to contact Jesse:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No When Buying Small Goes Right (3x Growth) When Buying Small Goes Right (3x Growth) full 87d632c9-6259-468f-9491-d1871034ff97 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/george-vallone-nuveldys-apartment-turnover-services George Vallone returns to share how he has grown revenue 3x in 2.5 years and laid a foundation for multi-city expansion. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • His incentive program to ensure quality from contractors
  • How quality gives him pricing power
  • Sales process for apartment turnover services
  • How geographic expansion could track his existing client relationships
  • Headcount & revenue growth at Nuveldy’s
  • Hiring a VP of operations
  • The power of being in a growing market
  • Building custom tech
  • Expanding to new geographies organically rather than acquiring a business there
  • How difficult it is to work in property management

References and how to contact George:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> George Vallone returns to share how he has grown revenue 3x in 2.5 years and laid a foundation for multi-city expansion. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • His incentive program to ensure quality from contractors
  • How quality gives him pricing power
  • Sales process for apartment turnover services
  • How geographic expansion could track his existing client relationships
  • Headcount & revenue growth at Nuveldy’s
  • Hiring a VP of operations
  • The power of being in a growing market
  • Building custom tech
  • Expanding to new geographies organically rather than acquiring a business there
  • How difficult it is to work in property management

References and how to contact George:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2748 George Vallone returns to share how he has grown revenue 3x in 2.5 years and laid a foundation for multi-city expansion. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • His incentive program to ensure quality from contractors
  • How quality gives him pricing power
  • Sales process for apartment turnover services
  • How geographic expansion could track his existing client relationships
  • Headcount & revenue growth at Nuveldy’s
  • Hiring a VP of operations
  • The power of being in a growing market
  • Building custom tech
  • Expanding to new geographies organically rather than acquiring a business there
  • How difficult it is to work in property management

References and how to contact George:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $3m Candle Manufacturer That Had No Books Buying a $3m Candle Manufacturer That Had No Books full ba35da55-78f6-487f-b869-c46af235047f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chad-hildebrant-a-candle-co Chad Hildebrant knew the best deals have hair on them. The trick is finding the right hair, turning red flags green. 

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Buying a business that was not financeable
  • Getting a 60% seller note
  • Reconstructing 3 years of financial records
  • Deal fatigue during negotiations
  • Burning himself out in the first quarter post-transition
  • 3 explanations for chaos in a business
  • Comparing management to parenting
  • The 3 types of candle makers
  • How he generates new sales
  • The importance of having friends who are operators

References and how to contact Chad:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chad Hildebrant knew the best deals have hair on them. The trick is finding the right hair, turning red flags green. 

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Buying a business that was not financeable
  • Getting a 60% seller note
  • Reconstructing 3 years of financial records
  • Deal fatigue during negotiations
  • Burning himself out in the first quarter post-transition
  • 3 explanations for chaos in a business
  • Comparing management to parenting
  • The 3 types of candle makers
  • How he generates new sales
  • The importance of having friends who are operators

References and how to contact Chad:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 09 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6189 Chad Hildebrant knew the best deals have hair on them. The trick is finding the right hair, turning red flags green. 

Topics in Chad’s interview:

  • Buying a business that was not financeable
  • Getting a 60% seller note
  • Reconstructing 3 years of financial records
  • Deal fatigue during negotiations
  • Burning himself out in the first quarter post-transition
  • 3 explanations for chaos in a business
  • Comparing management to parenting
  • The 3 types of candle makers
  • How he generates new sales
  • The importance of having friends who are operators

References and how to contact Chad:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying $1m+ Ice Cream Shops to Expand Nationally Buying $1m+ Ice Cream Shops to Expand Nationally full 30c12267-464e-4565-b8a5-d04e895ed3fb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shawn-allard-novel-ice-cream-phoenix Shawn Allard didn't want a food business, but an ice cream shop with good margins & a local following changed his mind. 

Topics in Shawn’s interview:

  • Realizing he’s not a zero-to-one guy
  • More reps = more reward
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously at age 26
  • Why he was comfortable “buying small”
  • Buying a local ice cream business
  • Horror stories of food and beverage
  • Keeping his W-2 after buying the business
  • His vision to open more locations
  • The value of brand and reputation
  • Learning the business before making changes

References and how to contact Shawn:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Shawn Allard didn't want a food business, but an ice cream shop with good margins & a local following changed his mind. 

Topics in Shawn’s interview:

  • Realizing he’s not a zero-to-one guy
  • More reps = more reward
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously at age 26
  • Why he was comfortable “buying small”
  • Buying a local ice cream business
  • Horror stories of food and beverage
  • Keeping his W-2 after buying the business
  • His vision to open more locations
  • The value of brand and reputation
  • Learning the business before making changes

References and how to contact Shawn:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5243 Shawn Allard didn't want a food business, but an ice cream shop with good margins & a local following changed his mind. 

Topics in Shawn’s interview:

  • Realizing he’s not a zero-to-one guy
  • More reps = more reward
  • Getting brokers to take him seriously at age 26
  • Why he was comfortable “buying small”
  • Buying a local ice cream business
  • Horror stories of food and beverage
  • Keeping his W-2 after buying the business
  • His vision to open more locations
  • The value of brand and reputation
  • Learning the business before making changes

References and how to contact Shawn:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy and 3x a Project-Based Business in Just 2 Years Buy and 3x a Project-Based Business in Just 2 Years full 8752d478-bd12-4258-8ce1-0278ff5bcc41 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/johannes-hock-dfw-turf-solutions In 2021, Johannes Hock bought an artificial turf installer business doing $5m. It's on track to exceed $15m in 2023. 

Topics in Johannes’s interview:

  • Comparing opportunities in private equity vs search
  • Sources of deal flow beyond BizBuySell
  • Mapping multiples to months for better perspective
  • Acquiring an artificial turf company
  • The luxury of finding a business with a GM
  • How to value and finance a fast-growing business
  • Tracking data from day one of ownership
  • How weather affects his cash flow
  • Unexpected costs of sales commissions
  • Benefits of having a partner in search

References and how to contact Johannes:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> In 2021, Johannes Hock bought an artificial turf installer business doing $5m. It's on track to exceed $15m in 2023. 

Topics in Johannes’s interview:

  • Comparing opportunities in private equity vs search
  • Sources of deal flow beyond BizBuySell
  • Mapping multiples to months for better perspective
  • Acquiring an artificial turf company
  • The luxury of finding a business with a GM
  • How to value and finance a fast-growing business
  • Tracking data from day one of ownership
  • How weather affects his cash flow
  • Unexpected costs of sales commissions
  • Benefits of having a partner in search

References and how to contact Johannes:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5926 In 2021, Johannes Hock bought an artificial turf installer business doing $5m. It's on track to exceed $15m in 2023. 

Topics in Johannes’s interview:

  • Comparing opportunities in private equity vs search
  • Sources of deal flow beyond BizBuySell
  • Mapping multiples to months for better perspective
  • Acquiring an artificial turf company
  • The luxury of finding a business with a GM
  • How to value and finance a fast-growing business
  • Tracking data from day one of ownership
  • How weather affects his cash flow
  • Unexpected costs of sales commissions
  • Benefits of having a partner in search

References and how to contact Johannes:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy the Business Where You Work How to Buy the Business Where You Work full 2f7325ee-5bda-4edf-ad14-188401543560 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/corey-veverka-tvs Corey Veverka acquired the business where he had worked for years, mitigating his risk & removing the need for a search. 

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • Corey bought a business without doing a search
  • Accepting that buying a $5m business can be "normal"
  • How Corey felt about buying a business for millions of dollars
  • Educating the owner about SBA loans
  • Convincing his wife & partner to do the deal
  • Learning to think like an owner (increasing his financial goals)
  • How Corey's risk was mitigated by buying the business where he worked
  • How much they've grown the business
  • Takeaways for people who want to buy the business where they work
  • Why being a business owner is "life amplified"

References and how to contact Corey:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Corey Veverka acquired the business where he had worked for years, mitigating his risk & removing the need for a search. 

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • Corey bought a business without doing a search
  • Accepting that buying a $5m business can be "normal"
  • How Corey felt about buying a business for millions of dollars
  • Educating the owner about SBA loans
  • Convincing his wife & partner to do the deal
  • Learning to think like an owner (increasing his financial goals)
  • How Corey's risk was mitigated by buying the business where he worked
  • How much they've grown the business
  • Takeaways for people who want to buy the business where they work
  • Why being a business owner is "life amplified"

References and how to contact Corey:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 28 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3813 Corey Veverka acquired the business where he had worked for years, mitigating his risk & removing the need for a search. 

Topics in Corey’s interview:

  • Corey bought a business without doing a search
  • Accepting that buying a $5m business can be "normal"
  • How Corey felt about buying a business for millions of dollars
  • Educating the owner about SBA loans
  • Convincing his wife & partner to do the deal
  • Learning to think like an owner (increasing his financial goals)
  • How Corey's risk was mitigated by buying the business where he worked
  • How much they've grown the business
  • Takeaways for people who want to buy the business where they work
  • Why being a business owner is "life amplified"

References and how to contact Corey:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The $295m Search Fund Exit The $295m Search Fund Exit full e22d2fd6-6408-46f0-ac53-92feb69ca98c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sandy-paige-explora-biolabs Sandy Paige struggled to raise a search fund as a mid-career executive, then grew EBITDA by 7x and exited for 9 figures. 

Topics in Sandy’s interview:

  • Delaying search due to timing
  • Hurdles he overcame to raise funds
  • Why he chose traditional search
  • How he got a good deal on purchase price
  • Renting space to animal research labs
  • Importance of hiring the right senior team
  • Similarities between his company and WeWork
  • Terrifying risks with the real estate dynamics
  • Advice for searchers over 40
  • Selling to competitor Charles River Laboratories

References and how to contact Sandy:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sandy Paige struggled to raise a search fund as a mid-career executive, then grew EBITDA by 7x and exited for 9 figures. 

Topics in Sandy’s interview:

  • Delaying search due to timing
  • Hurdles he overcame to raise funds
  • Why he chose traditional search
  • How he got a good deal on purchase price
  • Renting space to animal research labs
  • Importance of hiring the right senior team
  • Similarities between his company and WeWork
  • Terrifying risks with the real estate dynamics
  • Advice for searchers over 40
  • Selling to competitor Charles River Laboratories

References and how to contact Sandy:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5431 Sandy Paige struggled to raise a search fund as a mid-career executive, then grew EBITDA by 7x and exited for 9 figures. 

Topics in Sandy’s interview:

  • Delaying search due to timing
  • Hurdles he overcame to raise funds
  • Why he chose traditional search
  • How he got a good deal on purchase price
  • Renting space to animal research labs
  • Importance of hiring the right senior team
  • Similarities between his company and WeWork
  • Terrifying risks with the real estate dynamics
  • Advice for searchers over 40
  • Selling to competitor Charles River Laboratories

References and how to contact Sandy:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Hiring a General Manager & Buying Business #2 Hiring a General Manager & Buying Business #2 full 6243078d-e691-4b23-a245-81ac74d40d1f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shane-ehrsam-north-texas-trailers-brandon-adams-philadelphia-dry-ice Shane Ehrsam & Brandon Adams return to discuss hiring a GM, buying business #2, the rewards of SMB life & managing envy. 

Topics in Shane’s interview:

  • Most professionally rewarding year of his life
  • Gratification of making a positive impact on your employees
  • Introducing new benefits for employees: 401k, health insurance, bonuses
  • Growing revenue even after COVID demand recedes
  • Not a “searcher-friendly” business
  • Reality of bumpy revenue in retail
  • Owning a business bought as a stock sale rather than asset sale
  • Dealing with envy in search
  • Identifying what is important to you in your journey to buy a business

References and how to contact Shane:

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Magic of hiring a GM (when it works)
  • How to decide when it’s time to hire a GM
  • Improving the lives of employees
  • How they’ve improved their hiring for blue-collar roles
  • When to buy a second business
  • Professionalizing a business “being run like a South Philly pizza shop”
  • Get in the arena and doors will open

References and how to contact Brandon:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Shane Ehrsam & Brandon Adams return to discuss hiring a GM, buying business #2, the rewards of SMB life & managing envy. 

Topics in Shane’s interview:

  • Most professionally rewarding year of his life
  • Gratification of making a positive impact on your employees
  • Introducing new benefits for employees: 401k, health insurance, bonuses
  • Growing revenue even after COVID demand recedes
  • Not a “searcher-friendly” business
  • Reality of bumpy revenue in retail
  • Owning a business bought as a stock sale rather than asset sale
  • Dealing with envy in search
  • Identifying what is important to you in your journey to buy a business

References and how to contact Shane:

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Magic of hiring a GM (when it works)
  • How to decide when it’s time to hire a GM
  • Improving the lives of employees
  • How they’ve improved their hiring for blue-collar roles
  • When to buy a second business
  • Professionalizing a business “being run like a South Philly pizza shop”
  • Get in the arena and doors will open

References and how to contact Brandon:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4267 Shane Ehrsam & Brandon Adams return to discuss hiring a GM, buying business #2, the rewards of SMB life & managing envy. 

Topics in Shane’s interview:

  • Most professionally rewarding year of his life
  • Gratification of making a positive impact on your employees
  • Introducing new benefits for employees: 401k, health insurance, bonuses
  • Growing revenue even after COVID demand recedes
  • Not a “searcher-friendly” business
  • Reality of bumpy revenue in retail
  • Owning a business bought as a stock sale rather than asset sale
  • Dealing with envy in search
  • Identifying what is important to you in your journey to buy a business

References and how to contact Shane:

Topics in Brandon’s interview:

  • Magic of hiring a GM (when it works)
  • How to decide when it’s time to hire a GM
  • Improving the lives of employees
  • How they’ve improved their hiring for blue-collar roles
  • When to buy a second business
  • Professionalizing a business “being run like a South Philly pizza shop”
  • Get in the arena and doors will open

References and how to contact Brandon:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Leaving a Big Salary in DC for Small Business in Wyoming Leaving a Big Salary in DC for Small Business in Wyoming full f573d761-24af-4545-8ed0-38f524d4365b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eric-hayes-rocky-mountain-reclamation Eric Hayes was an accomplished executive in the DC area with 5 kids when he decided to buy a business in Laramie, WY. 

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Walking away from a C-level career to buy a small business
  • Difficulty raising equity
  • How “smiling and dialing” investors paid off
  • Willingness to take “key man risk”
  • Negotiating a premium for his operations experience
  • The business of restoring native ecosystems 
  • Costs to serve customers across the Mountain West
  • Learning to communicate with his foremen
  • Uncertainty of project-based business
  • Life in a small town vs. life in a big city

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Eric Hayes was an accomplished executive in the DC area with 5 kids when he decided to buy a business in Laramie, WY. 

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Walking away from a C-level career to buy a small business
  • Difficulty raising equity
  • How “smiling and dialing” investors paid off
  • Willingness to take “key man risk”
  • Negotiating a premium for his operations experience
  • The business of restoring native ecosystems 
  • Costs to serve customers across the Mountain West
  • Learning to communicate with his foremen
  • Uncertainty of project-based business
  • Life in a small town vs. life in a big city

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5616 Eric Hayes was an accomplished executive in the DC area with 5 kids when he decided to buy a business in Laramie, WY. 

Topics in Eric’s interview:

  • Walking away from a C-level career to buy a small business
  • Difficulty raising equity
  • How “smiling and dialing” investors paid off
  • Willingness to take “key man risk”
  • Negotiating a premium for his operations experience
  • The business of restoring native ecosystems 
  • Costs to serve customers across the Mountain West
  • Learning to communicate with his foremen
  • Uncertainty of project-based business
  • Life in a small town vs. life in a big city

References and how to contact Eric:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Seller's View of a Searcher Buying His Business Seller's View of a Searcher Buying His Business full 2a95c3c2-044e-4b93-8b6c-6f62ac323ea4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/peter-wild-carlos-laconi-boston-tree-preservation Peter Wild fielded offers to buy his business for years but sold only after being introduced to the searcher community. 

Topics in Peter & Carlos’ interview:

  • The psychology of a seller
  • Recognizing the business as “searcher friendly”
  • Finding the right individual to buy the business
  • History of the organic tree health industry
  • Why this sale was a “reverse search fund”
  • Upgrading to Salesforce from a 40-year-old custom database
  • Upgrading to digital contracts from paper
  • Why he wouldn’t sell to a strategic
  • Overcoming skepticism about selling to a “searcher”
  • The owner’s life as a proxy for whether to buy a business

Listen to Part 1 of this story:

References and how to contact Peter & Carlos:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Peter Wild fielded offers to buy his business for years but sold only after being introduced to the searcher community. 

Topics in Peter & Carlos’ interview:

  • The psychology of a seller
  • Recognizing the business as “searcher friendly”
  • Finding the right individual to buy the business
  • History of the organic tree health industry
  • Why this sale was a “reverse search fund”
  • Upgrading to Salesforce from a 40-year-old custom database
  • Upgrading to digital contracts from paper
  • Why he wouldn’t sell to a strategic
  • Overcoming skepticism about selling to a “searcher”
  • The owner’s life as a proxy for whether to buy a business

Listen to Part 1 of this story:

References and how to contact Peter & Carlos:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5322 Peter Wild fielded offers to buy his business for years but sold only after being introduced to the searcher community. 

Topics in Peter & Carlos’ interview:

  • The psychology of a seller
  • Recognizing the business as “searcher friendly”
  • Finding the right individual to buy the business
  • History of the organic tree health industry
  • Why this sale was a “reverse search fund”
  • Upgrading to Salesforce from a 40-year-old custom database
  • Upgrading to digital contracts from paper
  • Why he wouldn’t sell to a strategic
  • Overcoming skepticism about selling to a “searcher”
  • The owner’s life as a proxy for whether to buy a business

Listen to Part 1 of this story:

References and how to contact Peter & Carlos:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a 45-Year-Old Industry Pioneer Buying a 45-Year-Old Industry Pioneer full 922c526a-9a8b-4ca0-9b0d-6a99d514b86d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/don-gourley-boston-tree-preservation After a successful military career, Don Gourley saw buying a business as the best means to "lead a unit" as a civilian. 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Having a “plan Z” as a searcher
  • Importance of being crystal clear about what you want to buy
  • His rigorous approach to a geographic search
  • How to recruit & manage 10+ interns
  • Cultivating brokers
  • About Boston Tree Preservation
  • Digital transformation — is it actually that valuable?
  • How to take over from a founder-visionary
  • Why buying a business is such a good fit for veterans
  • Having the seller pay for the Q of E

References and how to contact Don:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> After a successful military career, Don Gourley saw buying a business as the best means to "lead a unit" as a civilian. 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Having a “plan Z” as a searcher
  • Importance of being crystal clear about what you want to buy
  • His rigorous approach to a geographic search
  • How to recruit & manage 10+ interns
  • Cultivating brokers
  • About Boston Tree Preservation
  • Digital transformation — is it actually that valuable?
  • How to take over from a founder-visionary
  • Why buying a business is such a good fit for veterans
  • Having the seller pay for the Q of E

References and how to contact Don:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5019 After a successful military career, Don Gourley saw buying a business as the best means to "lead a unit" as a civilian. 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Having a “plan Z” as a searcher
  • Importance of being crystal clear about what you want to buy
  • His rigorous approach to a geographic search
  • How to recruit & manage 10+ interns
  • Cultivating brokers
  • About Boston Tree Preservation
  • Digital transformation — is it actually that valuable?
  • How to take over from a founder-visionary
  • Why buying a business is such a good fit for veterans
  • Having the seller pay for the Q of E

References and how to contact Don:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy a Franchise Portfolio: How to Choose a Brand Buy a Franchise Portfolio: How to Choose a Brand full 9e0cc77d-39eb-4266-94e5-ceb25280a035 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/aj-wasserstein-michael-horowitz-peter-mistretta AJ Wasserstein, Peter Mistretta & Mike Horowitz distill the selection of a franchise brand into 10 essential criteria. 

Topics in today’s interview with A.J., Michael, and Peter:

  • Why you should (and should not) buy into a franchise system
  • Likelihood of becoming a billionaire, centi-millionaire, or deca-millionaire by acquiring franchise businesses
  • The importance of defining what success looks like to you
  • “Blind” evaluation of a franchise system
  • How to evaluate a brand & system
  • How to evaluate a franchisor
  • Assessing demographics of existing franchisee base
  • The importance of store-level economics
  • Can you even break into the franchise system?
  • “X factor” and unmasking a brand after your analysis

References and how to contact A.J., Michael, and Peter:

Acquiring Minds episodes referred to:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> AJ Wasserstein, Peter Mistretta & Mike Horowitz distill the selection of a franchise brand into 10 essential criteria. 

Topics in today’s interview with A.J., Michael, and Peter:

  • Why you should (and should not) buy into a franchise system
  • Likelihood of becoming a billionaire, centi-millionaire, or deca-millionaire by acquiring franchise businesses
  • The importance of defining what success looks like to you
  • “Blind” evaluation of a franchise system
  • How to evaluate a brand & system
  • How to evaluate a franchisor
  • Assessing demographics of existing franchisee base
  • The importance of store-level economics
  • Can you even break into the franchise system?
  • “X factor” and unmasking a brand after your analysis

References and how to contact A.J., Michael, and Peter:

Acquiring Minds episodes referred to:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6171 AJ Wasserstein, Peter Mistretta & Mike Horowitz distill the selection of a franchise brand into 10 essential criteria. 

Topics in today’s interview with A.J., Michael, and Peter:

  • Why you should (and should not) buy into a franchise system
  • Likelihood of becoming a billionaire, centi-millionaire, or deca-millionaire by acquiring franchise businesses
  • The importance of defining what success looks like to you
  • “Blind” evaluation of a franchise system
  • How to evaluate a brand & system
  • How to evaluate a franchisor
  • Assessing demographics of existing franchisee base
  • The importance of store-level economics
  • Can you even break into the franchise system?
  • “X factor” and unmasking a brand after your analysis

References and how to contact A.J., Michael, and Peter:

Acquiring Minds episodes referred to:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rocky Transition: How to Survive, Then Thrive Rocky Transition: How to Survive, Then Thrive full 69ee7b7a-2ff0-46f9-9617-51d5f2ff817a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-jones-foundation-repair Collapsing sales, unhelpful sellers, and a GM who quit. But 1 year later, Chris Jones is contemplating acquisition #2. 

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Buying a foundation repair business
  • Finding discrepancies in QuickBooks 
  • His chaotic transition to CEO
  • The GM leaving to start a competing company
  • A dispute over money the seller owed
  • Burning through cash the first winter
  • Restructuring roles in the business
  • Improvements in sales numbers
  • Possibly acquiring a second business
  • Optimism about the future of the company

References and how to contact Chris:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Collapsing sales, unhelpful sellers, and a GM who quit. But 1 year later, Chris Jones is contemplating acquisition #2. 

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Buying a foundation repair business
  • Finding discrepancies in QuickBooks 
  • His chaotic transition to CEO
  • The GM leaving to start a competing company
  • A dispute over money the seller owed
  • Burning through cash the first winter
  • Restructuring roles in the business
  • Improvements in sales numbers
  • Possibly acquiring a second business
  • Optimism about the future of the company

References and how to contact Chris:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5481 Collapsing sales, unhelpful sellers, and a GM who quit. But 1 year later, Chris Jones is contemplating acquisition #2. 

Topics in Chris’s interview:

  • Buying a foundation repair business
  • Finding discrepancies in QuickBooks 
  • His chaotic transition to CEO
  • The GM leaving to start a competing company
  • A dispute over money the seller owed
  • Burning through cash the first winter
  • Restructuring roles in the business
  • Improvements in sales numbers
  • Possibly acquiring a second business
  • Optimism about the future of the company

References and how to contact Chris:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No First-Time Buyer Recipe for Success: Action & Small Steps First-Time Buyer Recipe for Success: Action & Small Steps full f812e046-7d8f-425c-8dec-82ad2503194e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/conner-pera-the-print-authority Connor Pera shares how taking incremental steps led to buying his first business much sooner than expected. 

Topics in Connor’s interview:

  • Trade-offs of a part-time search
  • Importance of taking action
  • Competition in the web-to-print industry
  • Pros and cons of an SBA loan
  • The appeal of managing people
  • His mistake of not accounting for working capital adjustments
  • Feeling anxious before closing
  • Transitioning to ownership and fatherhood at the same time
  • The importance of knowing oneself
  • The value of his business school education

References and how to contact Connor:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Connor Pera shares how taking incremental steps led to buying his first business much sooner than expected. 

Topics in Connor’s interview:

  • Trade-offs of a part-time search
  • Importance of taking action
  • Competition in the web-to-print industry
  • Pros and cons of an SBA loan
  • The appeal of managing people
  • His mistake of not accounting for working capital adjustments
  • Feeling anxious before closing
  • Transitioning to ownership and fatherhood at the same time
  • The importance of knowing oneself
  • The value of his business school education

References and how to contact Connor:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4213 Connor Pera shares how taking incremental steps led to buying his first business much sooner than expected. 

Topics in Connor’s interview:

  • Trade-offs of a part-time search
  • Importance of taking action
  • Competition in the web-to-print industry
  • Pros and cons of an SBA loan
  • The appeal of managing people
  • His mistake of not accounting for working capital adjustments
  • Feeling anxious before closing
  • Transitioning to ownership and fatherhood at the same time
  • The importance of knowing oneself
  • The value of his business school education

References and how to contact Connor:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Unlocking Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business Unlocking Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business full ed0780e1-5fb0-4722-80fd-1fc9f73273c1 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/josh-medow-mercury Josh Medow brought a mindset to his search that he would reshape whatever business he bought into a high-growth company. 

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Calling over 1,000 business owners during search
  • Buying a business with no money down
  • How EOS transformed his business
  • His 10-20 year outlook
  • Comparing his military experience with business leadership
  • Laser focusing on one target market
  • Building their own SaaS tool for their customers
  • His most transformational leadership hire
  • What matters to him more than money
  • His plan to IPO

References and how to contact Josh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Josh Medow brought a mindset to his search that he would reshape whatever business he bought into a high-growth company. 

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Calling over 1,000 business owners during search
  • Buying a business with no money down
  • How EOS transformed his business
  • His 10-20 year outlook
  • Comparing his military experience with business leadership
  • Laser focusing on one target market
  • Building their own SaaS tool for their customers
  • His most transformational leadership hire
  • What matters to him more than money
  • His plan to IPO

References and how to contact Josh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5150 Josh Medow brought a mindset to his search that he would reshape whatever business he bought into a high-growth company. 

Topics in Josh’s interview:

  • Calling over 1,000 business owners during search
  • Buying a business with no money down
  • How EOS transformed his business
  • His 10-20 year outlook
  • Comparing his military experience with business leadership
  • Laser focusing on one target market
  • Building their own SaaS tool for their customers
  • His most transformational leadership hire
  • What matters to him more than money
  • His plan to IPO

References and how to contact Josh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Startup Founder to Buying a Small Business From Startup Founder to Buying a Small Business full 376fbcbe-b571-4e29-9304-ab6ecb4f4e0b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tim-ericson-short-term-copier Tim Ericson brings lessons from 13 years as a startup founder to the $4m printer rental company he recently bought.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • His experience in a VC-backed startup
  • Searching for a remote-friendly business
  • Using his sales skills to find a business
  • Buying Short-Term Copier 
  • The types of customers they serve
  • Comfort running a remotely-managed, multi-city business
  • His vision to double the business 
  • Installing an operations manager
  • Boring is the new sexy
  • Investing in other searchers’ deals

References and how to contact Tim:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 


]]> Tim Ericson brings lessons from 13 years as a startup founder to the $4m printer rental company he recently bought.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • His experience in a VC-backed startup
  • Searching for a remote-friendly business
  • Using his sales skills to find a business
  • Buying Short-Term Copier 
  • The types of customers they serve
  • Comfort running a remotely-managed, multi-city business
  • His vision to double the business 
  • Installing an operations manager
  • Boring is the new sexy
  • Investing in other searchers’ deals

References and how to contact Tim:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 


]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4962 Tim Ericson brings lessons from 13 years as a startup founder to the $4m printer rental company he recently bought.

Topics in Tim’s interview:

  • His experience in a VC-backed startup
  • Searching for a remote-friendly business
  • Using his sales skills to find a business
  • Buying Short-Term Copier 
  • The types of customers they serve
  • Comfort running a remotely-managed, multi-city business
  • His vision to double the business 
  • Installing an operations manager
  • Boring is the new sexy
  • Investing in other searchers’ deals

References and how to contact Tim:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 


]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Small Business to Build for Decades Buying a Small Business to Build for Decades full e1a6520d-52dc-413b-a307-ca0484cab2d8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/august-felker-oberle-risk-strategies August Felker did a search fund, then later a self-funded search so he could own & build his business for years to come.

Topics in August’s interview:

  • Buying a business without an MBA
  • How cold calling led to his first deal
  • Buying an “elevator asset business”
  • Early lessons in leadership
  • What he loved about traditional search
  • The resiliency of the insurance industry
  • The normalcy of 3-year earnouts 
  • Self-funding his second deal
  • His vision for building a brand
  • The niche of working with searchers

References and how to contact August:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> August Felker did a search fund, then later a self-funded search so he could own & build his business for years to come.

Topics in August’s interview:

  • Buying a business without an MBA
  • How cold calling led to his first deal
  • Buying an “elevator asset business”
  • Early lessons in leadership
  • What he loved about traditional search
  • The resiliency of the insurance industry
  • The normalcy of 3-year earnouts 
  • Self-funding his second deal
  • His vision for building a brand
  • The niche of working with searchers

References and how to contact August:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4480 August Felker did a search fund, then later a self-funded search so he could own & build his business for years to come.

Topics in August’s interview:

  • Buying a business without an MBA
  • How cold calling led to his first deal
  • Buying an “elevator asset business”
  • Early lessons in leadership
  • What he loved about traditional search
  • The resiliency of the insurance industry
  • The normalcy of 3-year earnouts 
  • Self-funding his second deal
  • His vision for building a brand
  • The niche of working with searchers

References and how to contact August:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Holdco Entrepreneurs: A Peek Behind the Curtain Holdco Entrepreneurs: A Peek Behind the Curtain full 66ffa1f1-4842-4ed7-af0e-9dd53ffb4bb6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kelcey-lehrich-holdco-survey-holdcoconf HoldCoConf co-founder Kelcey Lehrich shares key findings from a survey of 100+ holdco operators about their businesses. 

Topics in Kelcey’s interview:

  • How HoldCoConf started
  • Why holdcos are so popular
  • Arguments against holdcos
  • The “everything tastes like chicken” layer of business
  • Surprising survey results
  • What becomes possible at $50M in revenue
  • Hiring leadership in holdcos
  • Debating centralized vs decentralized models
  • Use of global hiring
  • Concerns about a recession

References and how to contact Kelcey:

12 previous Acquiring Minds interviews with holdco entrepreneurs:

  1. From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco
  2. One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue
  3. Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue
  4. Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting)
  5. Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years
  6. Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date)
  7. How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)
  8. 7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses
  9. 5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly
  10. How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco
  11. Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform
  12. How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> HoldCoConf co-founder Kelcey Lehrich shares key findings from a survey of 100+ holdco operators about their businesses. 

Topics in Kelcey’s interview:

  • How HoldCoConf started
  • Why holdcos are so popular
  • Arguments against holdcos
  • The “everything tastes like chicken” layer of business
  • Surprising survey results
  • What becomes possible at $50M in revenue
  • Hiring leadership in holdcos
  • Debating centralized vs decentralized models
  • Use of global hiring
  • Concerns about a recession

References and how to contact Kelcey:

12 previous Acquiring Minds interviews with holdco entrepreneurs:

  1. From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco
  2. One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue
  3. Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue
  4. Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting)
  5. Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years
  6. Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date)
  7. How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)
  8. 7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses
  9. 5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly
  10. How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco
  11. Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform
  12. How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2485 HoldCoConf co-founder Kelcey Lehrich shares key findings from a survey of 100+ holdco operators about their businesses. 

Topics in Kelcey’s interview:

  • How HoldCoConf started
  • Why holdcos are so popular
  • Arguments against holdcos
  • The “everything tastes like chicken” layer of business
  • Surprising survey results
  • What becomes possible at $50M in revenue
  • Hiring leadership in holdcos
  • Debating centralized vs decentralized models
  • Use of global hiring
  • Concerns about a recession

References and how to contact Kelcey:

12 previous Acquiring Minds interviews with holdco entrepreneurs:

  1. From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco
  2. One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue
  3. Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue
  4. Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting)
  5. Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years
  6. Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date)
  7. How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)
  8. 7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses
  9. 5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly
  10. How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco
  11. Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform
  12. How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Non-Financial Reason to Buy a Business A Non-Financial Reason to Buy a Business full 20648cf0-aa3c-4ab3-b255-07e22cb19770 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-akers-stl-communications Nick Akers had a vision for supportive, employee-first leadership. Buying a business enables him to realize this vision.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • His background as an inventor
  • How the TV show Succession mirrors real life
  • Why he chose Swiss search accelerator Novastone
  • What motivates him more than money
  • His focus on building a positive company culture
  • The MSP industry and its appeal for searchers
  • His plan for bolt-ons in the MSP industry
  • The importance of cash flow and working capital
  • His first 2 months as CEO
  • Why he likes having investors

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Nick Akers had a vision for supportive, employee-first leadership. Buying a business enables him to realize this vision.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • His background as an inventor
  • How the TV show Succession mirrors real life
  • Why he chose Swiss search accelerator Novastone
  • What motivates him more than money
  • His focus on building a positive company culture
  • The MSP industry and its appeal for searchers
  • His plan for bolt-ons in the MSP industry
  • The importance of cash flow and working capital
  • His first 2 months as CEO
  • Why he likes having investors

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 14 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4680 Nick Akers had a vision for supportive, employee-first leadership. Buying a business enables him to realize this vision.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • His background as an inventor
  • How the TV show Succession mirrors real life
  • Why he chose Swiss search accelerator Novastone
  • What motivates him more than money
  • His focus on building a positive company culture
  • The MSP industry and its appeal for searchers
  • His plan for bolt-ons in the MSP industry
  • The importance of cash flow and working capital
  • His first 2 months as CEO
  • Why he likes having investors

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:


Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:


Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Postmortem of a Broken Deal Postmortem of a Broken Deal full d7fcced3-2244-4bb9-aec2-6f2094beefdb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-wheeler Nick Wheeler reflects on investing countless hours to buy a beautiful business, only to have the seller kill the deal.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Finding a commercial landscaping business
  • Winning the sellers’ trust
  • How he interpreted early red flags 
  • Lessons learned about due diligence
  • Conflict with sellers over working capital
  • Why the deal fell apart
  • The financial cost of the broken deal 
  • The emotional cost of the broken deal
  • How brokers can help (or hurt) your deal
  • What Nick is most grateful for

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Nick Wheeler reflects on investing countless hours to buy a beautiful business, only to have the seller kill the deal.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Finding a commercial landscaping business
  • Winning the sellers’ trust
  • How he interpreted early red flags 
  • Lessons learned about due diligence
  • Conflict with sellers over working capital
  • Why the deal fell apart
  • The financial cost of the broken deal 
  • The emotional cost of the broken deal
  • How brokers can help (or hurt) your deal
  • What Nick is most grateful for

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3262 Nick Wheeler reflects on investing countless hours to buy a beautiful business, only to have the seller kill the deal.

Topics in Nick’s interview:

  • Finding a commercial landscaping business
  • Winning the sellers’ trust
  • How he interpreted early red flags 
  • Lessons learned about due diligence
  • Conflict with sellers over working capital
  • Why the deal fell apart
  • The financial cost of the broken deal 
  • The emotional cost of the broken deal
  • How brokers can help (or hurt) your deal
  • What Nick is most grateful for

References and how to contact Nick:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Joys & Pain of Owning a $10m City Bus Business The Joys & Pain of Owning a $10m City Bus Business full 71aa40f0-d552-43b4-9a0b-37e629ec7a71 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/george-goates-rtw-management George Goates bought a small shuttle business that he's grown 4x in 8 years, partly by running buses for municipalities. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Buying a transport/bussing company
  • Pivoting into operating city buses
  • Importance of relationships in securing contracts
  • Impact of Covid
  • Government corruption in urban transit
  • Promotion opportunities for his employees 
  • Nasty cost of doing business in bussing: frivolous lawsuits
  • Potential for inorganic growth through acquisitions
  • Different niches within transport
  • Relevance of a finance background in his business

References and how to contact George:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> George Goates bought a small shuttle business that he's grown 4x in 8 years, partly by running buses for municipalities. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Buying a transport/bussing company
  • Pivoting into operating city buses
  • Importance of relationships in securing contracts
  • Impact of Covid
  • Government corruption in urban transit
  • Promotion opportunities for his employees 
  • Nasty cost of doing business in bussing: frivolous lawsuits
  • Potential for inorganic growth through acquisitions
  • Different niches within transport
  • Relevance of a finance background in his business

References and how to contact George:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 07 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4837 George Goates bought a small shuttle business that he's grown 4x in 8 years, partly by running buses for municipalities. 

Topics in George’s interview:

  • Buying a transport/bussing company
  • Pivoting into operating city buses
  • Importance of relationships in securing contracts
  • Impact of Covid
  • Government corruption in urban transit
  • Promotion opportunities for his employees 
  • Nasty cost of doing business in bussing: frivolous lawsuits
  • Potential for inorganic growth through acquisitions
  • Different niches within transport
  • Relevance of a finance background in his business

References and how to contact George:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How (and Why) to Buy a B2B Services Business How (and Why) to Buy a B2B Services Business full e7b56b74-e0b8-4786-bd81-b205c28feac5 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sajama-mitta-cdms Sajama Mitta wanted to make strategic decisions at the head of an organization. Buying her own business was the answer. 

Topics in Sajama’s interview:

  • Using her investing background to evaluate businesses
  • Buying an environmental health and safety consulting company
  • How the founders made themselves replaceable 
  • How they keep their clients in compliance with regulations
  • The fragmented nature of the industry and opportunities for growth
  • How California compares to other states on regulations
  • The problems she enjoys solving
  • The importance of team empowerment and employee satisfaction
  • Shifting the quality of revenue and focusing on recurring projects
  • The technical knowledge she has gained since buying CDMS

References and how to contact Sajama:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sajama Mitta wanted to make strategic decisions at the head of an organization. Buying her own business was the answer. 

Topics in Sajama’s interview:

  • Using her investing background to evaluate businesses
  • Buying an environmental health and safety consulting company
  • How the founders made themselves replaceable 
  • How they keep their clients in compliance with regulations
  • The fragmented nature of the industry and opportunities for growth
  • How California compares to other states on regulations
  • The problems she enjoys solving
  • The importance of team empowerment and employee satisfaction
  • Shifting the quality of revenue and focusing on recurring projects
  • The technical knowledge she has gained since buying CDMS

References and how to contact Sajama:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4167 Sajama Mitta wanted to make strategic decisions at the head of an organization. Buying her own business was the answer. 

Topics in Sajama’s interview:

  • Using her investing background to evaluate businesses
  • Buying an environmental health and safety consulting company
  • How the founders made themselves replaceable 
  • How they keep their clients in compliance with regulations
  • The fragmented nature of the industry and opportunities for growth
  • How California compares to other states on regulations
  • The problems she enjoys solving
  • The importance of team empowerment and employee satisfaction
  • Shifting the quality of revenue and focusing on recurring projects
  • The technical knowledge she has gained since buying CDMS

References and how to contact Sajama:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 16 Months to Exit: Cleaning Up in Street Sweeping 16 Months to Exit: Cleaning Up in Street Sweeping full bd0b238b-2eaf-4f2c-9862-1e70a994727b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/manvendra-manny-saxena-street-sweeping Manny Saxena quickly bought 3 street-sweeping businesses to become the largest player in NorCal. A big PE fund noticed. 

Topics in Manny’s interview:

  • The importance of maintaining a strong pipeline during search
  • Why he chose a street-sweeping business during COVID
  • The transition into running a blue-collar business and motivating the team
  • Why he recommends in-person conversations with sellers
  • Advice for other immigrants in business
  • The importance of attitude and soft skills in hiring
  • Managing long-term contracts in an inflationary environment
  • The decision to sell the business to a private equity firm
  • The pros and cons of having a union presence
  • His ongoing roll-up strategy in the solar industry

References and how to contact Manny:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Manny Saxena quickly bought 3 street-sweeping businesses to become the largest player in NorCal. A big PE fund noticed. 

Topics in Manny’s interview:

  • The importance of maintaining a strong pipeline during search
  • Why he chose a street-sweeping business during COVID
  • The transition into running a blue-collar business and motivating the team
  • Why he recommends in-person conversations with sellers
  • Advice for other immigrants in business
  • The importance of attitude and soft skills in hiring
  • Managing long-term contracts in an inflationary environment
  • The decision to sell the business to a private equity firm
  • The pros and cons of having a union presence
  • His ongoing roll-up strategy in the solar industry

References and how to contact Manny:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5994 Manny Saxena quickly bought 3 street-sweeping businesses to become the largest player in NorCal. A big PE fund noticed. 

Topics in Manny’s interview:

  • The importance of maintaining a strong pipeline during search
  • Why he chose a street-sweeping business during COVID
  • The transition into running a blue-collar business and motivating the team
  • Why he recommends in-person conversations with sellers
  • Advice for other immigrants in business
  • The importance of attitude and soft skills in hiring
  • Managing long-term contracts in an inflationary environment
  • The decision to sell the business to a private equity firm
  • The pros and cons of having a union presence
  • His ongoing roll-up strategy in the solar industry

References and how to contact Manny:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Buy a Digital Service Business Why Buy a Digital Service Business full 60013099-8a08-4535-9c8c-1a4edc1d0495 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/karl-hughes-the-podcast-consultant Karl Hughes recently bought a podcast production agency & explains why "productized service" businesses are attractive. 

Topics in Karl’s interview:

  • Starting a super-niche content marketing business
  • The benefits of productizing a service
  • Saying no to the wrong revenue
  • What he learned about using cold outreach to find sellers
  • Acquiring a podcast production company with his partner
  • What he likes about digital businesses
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • The small changes he made immediately
  • Why buying small was the right move for him
  • Cashflow management in digital businesses

References and how to contact Karl:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Karl Hughes recently bought a podcast production agency & explains why "productized service" businesses are attractive. 

Topics in Karl’s interview:

  • Starting a super-niche content marketing business
  • The benefits of productizing a service
  • Saying no to the wrong revenue
  • What he learned about using cold outreach to find sellers
  • Acquiring a podcast production company with his partner
  • What he likes about digital businesses
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • The small changes he made immediately
  • Why buying small was the right move for him
  • Cashflow management in digital businesses

References and how to contact Karl:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 27 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5500 Karl Hughes recently bought a podcast production agency & explains why "productized service" businesses are attractive. 

Topics in Karl’s interview:

  • Starting a super-niche content marketing business
  • The benefits of productizing a service
  • Saying no to the wrong revenue
  • What he learned about using cold outreach to find sellers
  • Acquiring a podcast production company with his partner
  • What he likes about digital businesses
  • His vision to build a holdco
  • The small changes he made immediately
  • Why buying small was the right move for him
  • Cashflow management in digital businesses

References and how to contact Karl:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building an ATM Empire Building an ATM Empire full 7705ae73-5df8-46c1-8a20-1a5f60e8c213 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mitchell-sorkin-the-atm-guy Mitchell Sorkin started by buying 3 ATMs in 2021. Today he has over 140 machines and is targeting $5m EBITDA in 3 years. 

Topics in Mitchell’s interview:

  • The difference between arbitrage and building a business
  • Mitchell's journey to acquiring 140 ATM machines
  • How to evaluate an ATM route
  • Revenue and margins in the ATM business
  • Challenges with SBA financing
  • His most controversial Twitter thread
  • Future plans to raise a fund
  • 3 ways to profit in the ATM business
  • Dealing with theft
  • How people underestimate ATMs

References and how to contact Mitchell:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mitchell Sorkin started by buying 3 ATMs in 2021. Today he has over 140 machines and is targeting $5m EBITDA in 3 years. 

Topics in Mitchell’s interview:

  • The difference between arbitrage and building a business
  • Mitchell's journey to acquiring 140 ATM machines
  • How to evaluate an ATM route
  • Revenue and margins in the ATM business
  • Challenges with SBA financing
  • His most controversial Twitter thread
  • Future plans to raise a fund
  • 3 ways to profit in the ATM business
  • Dealing with theft
  • How people underestimate ATMs

References and how to contact Mitchell:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4623 Mitchell Sorkin started by buying 3 ATMs in 2021. Today he has over 140 machines and is targeting $5m EBITDA in 3 years. 

Topics in Mitchell’s interview:

  • The difference between arbitrage and building a business
  • Mitchell's journey to acquiring 140 ATM machines
  • How to evaluate an ATM route
  • Revenue and margins in the ATM business
  • Challenges with SBA financing
  • His most controversial Twitter thread
  • Future plans to raise a fund
  • 3 ways to profit in the ATM business
  • Dealing with theft
  • How people underestimate ATMs

References and how to contact Mitchell:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Life-Changing Potential of Buying a Business The Life-Changing Potential of Buying a Business full 2b86fa80-16e5-4e10-8e3b-5ba891be2a4f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-munn-bakari-akil-bruce-vann-elliott-holland Chris Munn, Bakari Akil, and Bruce Vann reflect on being Black men who bought businesses & why this path is so powerful. 

Topics in this interview:

  • What inspires and motivates them as business owners
  • The three necessary factors for capitalism to work
  • Unclaimed opportunities for minority businesses
  • The impact of entrepreneurship on family and future generations
  • Changing your mentality to lead a company effectively
  • Being “buttoned up” vs. being authentic
  • Dealing with sellers who want to talk U.S. politics
  • Overcoming challenges and persisting in the face of adversity
  • The limitations of “climbing the ladder” in a W2
  • Why now is the best time for Black people to buy businesses

References and how to contact:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chris Munn, Bakari Akil, and Bruce Vann reflect on being Black men who bought businesses & why this path is so powerful. 

Topics in this interview:

  • What inspires and motivates them as business owners
  • The three necessary factors for capitalism to work
  • Unclaimed opportunities for minority businesses
  • The impact of entrepreneurship on family and future generations
  • Changing your mentality to lead a company effectively
  • Being “buttoned up” vs. being authentic
  • Dealing with sellers who want to talk U.S. politics
  • Overcoming challenges and persisting in the face of adversity
  • The limitations of “climbing the ladder” in a W2
  • Why now is the best time for Black people to buy businesses

References and how to contact:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4592 Chris Munn, Bakari Akil, and Bruce Vann reflect on being Black men who bought businesses & why this path is so powerful. 

Topics in this interview:

  • What inspires and motivates them as business owners
  • The three necessary factors for capitalism to work
  • Unclaimed opportunities for minority businesses
  • The impact of entrepreneurship on family and future generations
  • Changing your mentality to lead a company effectively
  • Being “buttoned up” vs. being authentic
  • Dealing with sellers who want to talk U.S. politics
  • Overcoming challenges and persisting in the face of adversity
  • The limitations of “climbing the ladder” in a W2
  • Why now is the best time for Black people to buy businesses

References and how to contact:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco full 2b47ef9b-8497-4dff-a416-f8c512386fd5 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matt-huggins-peak-group-companies Matt Huggins bought a small water & cable utility doing $200k/year. 15 years later, his holdco is on track for $20m/yr. 

Topics in this interview:

  • Matt's decision to step off the academic track
  • Matt's career as a professional online poker player
  • Transitioning from poker to small business
  • Acquiring a utilities company for a group of condos
  • The surprising complexity of running a utilities company
  • Starting a manhole lining business 
  • The stability and diversity of the water industry
  • Acquiring businesses from retiring owners without needing capital
  • The value of a fractional CFO
  • The reward of helping employees

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Matt Huggins bought a small water & cable utility doing $200k/year. 15 years later, his holdco is on track for $20m/yr. 

Topics in this interview:

  • Matt's decision to step off the academic track
  • Matt's career as a professional online poker player
  • Transitioning from poker to small business
  • Acquiring a utilities company for a group of condos
  • The surprising complexity of running a utilities company
  • Starting a manhole lining business 
  • The stability and diversity of the water industry
  • Acquiring businesses from retiring owners without needing capital
  • The value of a fractional CFO
  • The reward of helping employees

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5118 Matt Huggins bought a small water & cable utility doing $200k/year. 15 years later, his holdco is on track for $20m/yr. 

Topics in this interview:

  • Matt's decision to step off the academic track
  • Matt's career as a professional online poker player
  • Transitioning from poker to small business
  • Acquiring a utilities company for a group of condos
  • The surprising complexity of running a utilities company
  • Starting a manhole lining business 
  • The stability and diversity of the water industry
  • Acquiring businesses from retiring owners without needing capital
  • The value of a fractional CFO
  • The reward of helping employees

References and how to contact Matt:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly 5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly full d9614348-e2c2-4835-893d-a409d2a99bbc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chase-murdock-decada-group Holdco entrepreneur Chase Murdock buys very small businesses with potential for rapid growth & decades of staying power. 

Topics in Chase’s interview:

  • Starting a custom suit company with $750
  • Decata Group's “car wash integration process” for acquisitions
  • Workshop SLC’s 5x growth in the first year of acquisition
  • Getting out of the “small business death zone” ASAP
  • The knife fight of acquiring and growing small businesses 
  • The #1 ingredient in company building
  • Maslow’s hierarchy of business needs
  • What surprised him about the trades industry
  • Conviction in the ability to 5x a business in 5 years
  • The intellectual challenge of building a holdco

Links and how to contact Chase:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Holdco entrepreneur Chase Murdock buys very small businesses with potential for rapid growth & decades of staying power. 

Topics in Chase’s interview:

  • Starting a custom suit company with $750
  • Decata Group's “car wash integration process” for acquisitions
  • Workshop SLC’s 5x growth in the first year of acquisition
  • Getting out of the “small business death zone” ASAP
  • The knife fight of acquiring and growing small businesses 
  • The #1 ingredient in company building
  • Maslow’s hierarchy of business needs
  • What surprised him about the trades industry
  • Conviction in the ability to 5x a business in 5 years
  • The intellectual challenge of building a holdco

Links and how to contact Chase:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 10 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5318 Holdco entrepreneur Chase Murdock buys very small businesses with potential for rapid growth & decades of staying power. 

Topics in Chase’s interview:

  • Starting a custom suit company with $750
  • Decata Group's “car wash integration process” for acquisitions
  • Workshop SLC’s 5x growth in the first year of acquisition
  • Getting out of the “small business death zone” ASAP
  • The knife fight of acquiring and growing small businesses 
  • The #1 ingredient in company building
  • Maslow’s hierarchy of business needs
  • What surprised him about the trades industry
  • Conviction in the ability to 5x a business in 5 years
  • The intellectual challenge of building a holdco

Links and how to contact Chase:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years full ff727ecb-b015-42a0-b2ff-b4804de91d03 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/amir-haboosheh-snowball-industries Amir Haboosheh was drawn to the double-opportunity in acquiring home services businesses: the financial, and the impact. 

Topics in Amir’s interview:

  • Why Amir wasn’t interested in a digital business
  • Offering blue collar employees shares in the company
  • Snowball’s plan for going public
  • Snowball’s playbook for operating businesses
  • How to hire a good GM for your business
  • How to incentivize operators
  • Acquiring a marketing company
  • Why SDE isn’t everything
  • How Anderson Air doubled revenue in 3 years
  • Retaining the brands post-acquisition

Links and how to contact Amir:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Amir Haboosheh was drawn to the double-opportunity in acquiring home services businesses: the financial, and the impact. 

Topics in Amir’s interview:

  • Why Amir wasn’t interested in a digital business
  • Offering blue collar employees shares in the company
  • Snowball’s plan for going public
  • Snowball’s playbook for operating businesses
  • How to hire a good GM for your business
  • How to incentivize operators
  • Acquiring a marketing company
  • Why SDE isn’t everything
  • How Anderson Air doubled revenue in 3 years
  • Retaining the brands post-acquisition

Links and how to contact Amir:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 06 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5556 Amir Haboosheh was drawn to the double-opportunity in acquiring home services businesses: the financial, and the impact. 

Topics in Amir’s interview:

  • Why Amir wasn’t interested in a digital business
  • Offering blue collar employees shares in the company
  • Snowball’s plan for going public
  • Snowball’s playbook for operating businesses
  • How to hire a good GM for your business
  • How to incentivize operators
  • Acquiring a marketing company
  • Why SDE isn’t everything
  • How Anderson Air doubled revenue in 3 years
  • Retaining the brands post-acquisition

Links and how to contact Amir:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Don't Overlook HR Diligence: 3 Items to Check Don't Overlook HR Diligence: 3 Items to Check full da9730de-b9c6-491b-879d-d773c29147e8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mark-sinatra-aspen-hr Mark Sinatra returns to explain what to diligence from an HR perspective when buying your business. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Top 3 things to diligence in your acquisition when it comes to HR
  • How industry associations can be a source of deal flow (once you're already acquired)
  • "Book of business" acquisitions
  • Best type to execute add-on acquisitions
  • How to prioritize what to integrate in an add-on acquisition
  • How to recover from losing a big customer
  • Value of personality profiling tools in hiring

Links and how to contact Mark:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mark Sinatra returns to explain what to diligence from an HR perspective when buying your business. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Top 3 things to diligence in your acquisition when it comes to HR
  • How industry associations can be a source of deal flow (once you're already acquired)
  • "Book of business" acquisitions
  • Best type to execute add-on acquisitions
  • How to prioritize what to integrate in an add-on acquisition
  • How to recover from losing a big customer
  • Value of personality profiling tools in hiring

Links and how to contact Mark:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2447 Mark Sinatra returns to explain what to diligence from an HR perspective when buying your business. 

Topics in Mark’s interview:

  • Top 3 things to diligence in your acquisition when it comes to HR
  • How industry associations can be a source of deal flow (once you're already acquired)
  • "Book of business" acquisitions
  • Best type to execute add-on acquisitions
  • How to prioritize what to integrate in an add-on acquisition
  • How to recover from losing a big customer
  • Value of personality profiling tools in hiring

Links and how to contact Mark:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2 How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2 full 6aa07c54-1915-4721-8d14-cfa6f18aa602 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sam-rosati-pursuant Sam Rosati shares a framework to clarify your search criteria & reduce the months it takes to find a business to buy. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • The reason search takes so long 
  • How to speed up your search process
  • Underwriting criteria of SBA lenders
  • Knowing how to kill a deal
  • Considering the fit of the searcher as CEO
  • Understanding SBA loan framework
  • Importance of recurring or repeating revenue
  • Opportunities and risks in buying small
  • Managing criteria to get enough deals in the pipeline
  • Common mistakes searchers make

Links and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sam Rosati shares a framework to clarify your search criteria & reduce the months it takes to find a business to buy. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • The reason search takes so long 
  • How to speed up your search process
  • Underwriting criteria of SBA lenders
  • Knowing how to kill a deal
  • Considering the fit of the searcher as CEO
  • Understanding SBA loan framework
  • Importance of recurring or repeating revenue
  • Opportunities and risks in buying small
  • Managing criteria to get enough deals in the pipeline
  • Common mistakes searchers make

Links and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3260 Sam Rosati shares a framework to clarify your search criteria & reduce the months it takes to find a business to buy. 

Topics in Sam’s interview:

  • The reason search takes so long 
  • How to speed up your search process
  • Underwriting criteria of SBA lenders
  • Knowing how to kill a deal
  • Considering the fit of the searcher as CEO
  • Understanding SBA loan framework
  • Importance of recurring or repeating revenue
  • Opportunities and risks in buying small
  • Managing criteria to get enough deals in the pipeline
  • Common mistakes searchers make

Links and how to contact Sam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Secret to $25m Success The Secret to $25m Success full 411fbadf-8d31-4802-8002-5398433f4932 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/james-bloom-excel-mechanical-contractors James Bloom has 8x'd a small mechanical contractor he bought only 4 years ago, despite it being a competitive industry. 

Topics in James’s interview:

  • How his background in M&A informed his due diligence process
  • How he ensured a smooth transition
  • Commercial HVAC vs. residential HVAC
  • Why he funded growth out of his own pocket
  • Reducing his weekly work hours from 100 to 60
  • How his business differentiates itself in the construction industry
  • Growing his staff from 8 to 80
  • Growing revenue from $3M to $25M
  • Working with unions
  • Bringing in outside capital to grow

Links and how to contact James:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> James Bloom has 8x'd a small mechanical contractor he bought only 4 years ago, despite it being a competitive industry. 

Topics in James’s interview:

  • How his background in M&A informed his due diligence process
  • How he ensured a smooth transition
  • Commercial HVAC vs. residential HVAC
  • Why he funded growth out of his own pocket
  • Reducing his weekly work hours from 100 to 60
  • How his business differentiates itself in the construction industry
  • Growing his staff from 8 to 80
  • Growing revenue from $3M to $25M
  • Working with unions
  • Bringing in outside capital to grow

Links and how to contact James:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6107 James Bloom has 8x'd a small mechanical contractor he bought only 4 years ago, despite it being a competitive industry. 

Topics in James’s interview:

  • How his background in M&A informed his due diligence process
  • How he ensured a smooth transition
  • Commercial HVAC vs. residential HVAC
  • Why he funded growth out of his own pocket
  • Reducing his weekly work hours from 100 to 60
  • How his business differentiates itself in the construction industry
  • Growing his staff from 8 to 80
  • Growing revenue from $3M to $25M
  • Working with unions
  • Bringing in outside capital to grow

Links and how to contact James:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No What Buying Small Is Like When Crises Happen What Buying Small Is Like When Crises Happen full ef83d494-681b-4119-9201-68d6c18ee38b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/monte-marcum-filta 3 days into Monte Marcum's acquisition of an established franchise, key equipment breaks. Then the crises kept coming. 

Topics in Monte’s interview:

  • Buying 2 existing & adjacent franchise businesses at once
  • How Filta’s customer pricing is structured
  • Why commercial kitchens love his business
  • Combining two businesses
  • Equipment starts breaking on day three
  • Monte’s series of fetal position moments
  • What exactly is hard about running a business
  • How one rockstar employee guided him through a season of crisis
  • The biggest risk of buying small
  • The importance of a support system

Links and how to contact Monte:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 3 days into Monte Marcum's acquisition of an established franchise, key equipment breaks. Then the crises kept coming. 

Topics in Monte’s interview:

  • Buying 2 existing & adjacent franchise businesses at once
  • How Filta’s customer pricing is structured
  • Why commercial kitchens love his business
  • Combining two businesses
  • Equipment starts breaking on day three
  • Monte’s series of fetal position moments
  • What exactly is hard about running a business
  • How one rockstar employee guided him through a season of crisis
  • The biggest risk of buying small
  • The importance of a support system

Links and how to contact Monte:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4686 3 days into Monte Marcum's acquisition of an established franchise, key equipment breaks. Then the crises kept coming. 

Topics in Monte’s interview:

  • Buying 2 existing & adjacent franchise businesses at once
  • How Filta’s customer pricing is structured
  • Why commercial kitchens love his business
  • Combining two businesses
  • Equipment starts breaking on day three
  • Monte’s series of fetal position moments
  • What exactly is hard about running a business
  • How one rockstar employee guided him through a season of crisis
  • The biggest risk of buying small
  • The importance of a support system

Links and how to contact Monte:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Self-Funded Search vs. Independent Sponsorship Self-Funded Search vs. Independent Sponsorship full 4ca659e7-41d6-4227-a7d3-dab03161c3ae https://acquiringminds.co/articles/niklas-james-siddis-group Niklas James started off as a self-funded searcher, but evolved into being an independent sponsor of 7 acquisitions. 

Topics in Niklas’s interview:

  • Why he returned the funds raised for his traditional search fund
  • How the painful challenges of his first acquisition set him up for success on later deals
  • Why SaaS isn’t as sexy as it seems
  • Evolution from self-funded searcher to independent sponsor
  • Definition of an independent sponsor
  • Why HVAC is so attractive
  • Growing his home services business
  • What type of person should consider independent sponsorship
  • The difference between searchers and independent sponsors
  • The difference between a holdco and independent sponsorship

Links and how to contact Niklas:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Niklas James started off as a self-funded searcher, but evolved into being an independent sponsor of 7 acquisitions. 

Topics in Niklas’s interview:

  • Why he returned the funds raised for his traditional search fund
  • How the painful challenges of his first acquisition set him up for success on later deals
  • Why SaaS isn’t as sexy as it seems
  • Evolution from self-funded searcher to independent sponsor
  • Definition of an independent sponsor
  • Why HVAC is so attractive
  • Growing his home services business
  • What type of person should consider independent sponsorship
  • The difference between searchers and independent sponsors
  • The difference between a holdco and independent sponsorship

Links and how to contact Niklas:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6179 Niklas James started off as a self-funded searcher, but evolved into being an independent sponsor of 7 acquisitions. 

Topics in Niklas’s interview:

  • Why he returned the funds raised for his traditional search fund
  • How the painful challenges of his first acquisition set him up for success on later deals
  • Why SaaS isn’t as sexy as it seems
  • Evolution from self-funded searcher to independent sponsor
  • Definition of an independent sponsor
  • Why HVAC is so attractive
  • Growing his home services business
  • What type of person should consider independent sponsorship
  • The difference between searchers and independent sponsors
  • The difference between a holdco and independent sponsorship

Links and how to contact Niklas:

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Bumpy Reality of Buying an Ecommerce Business The Bumpy Reality of Buying an Ecommerce Business full ac3f4716-1bc0-4a61-a9f7-e25f27a5cab8 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/martin-bispels-upper-park-disc-golf-2 Martin Bispels updates us on the DTC ecommerce business he bought in 2020 and had grown to almost $2m/yr one year later. 

Topics in Martin’s interview:

  • Using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
  • Building and managing a great remote team
  • Why he doesn’t sell on Amazon
  • The difference between buying and shopping
  • Opportunities for bolt-on products
  • Marks of a good ecommerce business
  • The power of story to differentiate your product
  • Moving his supplier from China to Vietnam
  • Finding a good 3PL
  • Keeping the founder in the business

Links and how to contact Martin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Martin Bispels updates us on the DTC ecommerce business he bought in 2020 and had grown to almost $2m/yr one year later. 

Topics in Martin’s interview:

  • Using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
  • Building and managing a great remote team
  • Why he doesn’t sell on Amazon
  • The difference between buying and shopping
  • Opportunities for bolt-on products
  • Marks of a good ecommerce business
  • The power of story to differentiate your product
  • Moving his supplier from China to Vietnam
  • Finding a good 3PL
  • Keeping the founder in the business

Links and how to contact Martin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3185 Martin Bispels updates us on the DTC ecommerce business he bought in 2020 and had grown to almost $2m/yr one year later. 

Topics in Martin’s interview:

  • Using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
  • Building and managing a great remote team
  • Why he doesn’t sell on Amazon
  • The difference between buying and shopping
  • Opportunities for bolt-on products
  • Marks of a good ecommerce business
  • The power of story to differentiate your product
  • Moving his supplier from China to Vietnam
  • Finding a good 3PL
  • Keeping the founder in the business

Links and how to contact Martin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Owner vs CEO: 2 Approaches to Buying a Business Owner vs CEO: 2 Approaches to Buying a Business full 7c5d6452-8412-40a5-9c21-d20699837891 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/derek-turner-roll-a-shield Derek Turner has done both a traditional search fund and self-funded. We hear both stories & explore the differences. 

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • The advantages of a geographically-focused search
  • His method for pitching business owners doing cold outreach
  • Challenges within the laser van business
  • Being a good soldier vs being a sucker
  • The downside of growth
  • The perils of buying from unpleasant owners
  • How the company grew with no marketing
  • Hiring a GM to run the business
  • Why have a board with a self-funded acquisition
  • Why self-funded search feels different than traditional search funds

Links and how to contact Derek:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Derek Turner has done both a traditional search fund and self-funded. We hear both stories & explore the differences. 

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • The advantages of a geographically-focused search
  • His method for pitching business owners doing cold outreach
  • Challenges within the laser van business
  • Being a good soldier vs being a sucker
  • The downside of growth
  • The perils of buying from unpleasant owners
  • How the company grew with no marketing
  • Hiring a GM to run the business
  • Why have a board with a self-funded acquisition
  • Why self-funded search feels different than traditional search funds

Links and how to contact Derek:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5115 Derek Turner has done both a traditional search fund and self-funded. We hear both stories & explore the differences. 

Topics in Derek’s interview:

  • The advantages of a geographically-focused search
  • His method for pitching business owners doing cold outreach
  • Challenges within the laser van business
  • Being a good soldier vs being a sucker
  • The downside of growth
  • The perils of buying from unpleasant owners
  • How the company grew with no marketing
  • Hiring a GM to run the business
  • Why have a board with a self-funded acquisition
  • Why self-funded search feels different than traditional search funds

Links and how to contact Derek:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Acquiring Minds Guest Buys Another One Acquiring Minds Guest Buys Another full 6f9883eb-9af4-461c-8595-9a04cf0ff17f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adrian-pinto-georgia-scapes-mike-botkin-oneoutdoor 2 previous guests, Mike Botkin & Adrian Pinto, are joining forces to grow a landscaping empire throughout the Southeast. 

Topics in Adrian and Mike’s interview:

  • Adrian and Mike meeting through Acquiring Minds
  • Why it was difficult for Adrian to get a line of credit for his business
  • Mike’s holding company acquired Adrian’s landscaping company
  • The pros and cons of buying assets vs. stock
  • How an SBA loan can hamper growth in some situations
  • Why Mike says acquisition is a talent game
  • How they structured their acquisition
  • Adrian’s role as CEO post-acquisition
  • How rolling equity can benefit the seller
  • Mike’s holdco origin story

Links and how to contact Adrian and Mike:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 2 previous guests, Mike Botkin & Adrian Pinto, are joining forces to grow a landscaping empire throughout the Southeast. 

Topics in Adrian and Mike’s interview:

  • Adrian and Mike meeting through Acquiring Minds
  • Why it was difficult for Adrian to get a line of credit for his business
  • Mike’s holding company acquired Adrian’s landscaping company
  • The pros and cons of buying assets vs. stock
  • How an SBA loan can hamper growth in some situations
  • Why Mike says acquisition is a talent game
  • How they structured their acquisition
  • Adrian’s role as CEO post-acquisition
  • How rolling equity can benefit the seller
  • Mike’s holdco origin story

Links and how to contact Adrian and Mike:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3810 2 previous guests, Mike Botkin & Adrian Pinto, are joining forces to grow a landscaping empire throughout the Southeast. 

Topics in Adrian and Mike’s interview:

  • Adrian and Mike meeting through Acquiring Minds
  • Why it was difficult for Adrian to get a line of credit for his business
  • Mike’s holding company acquired Adrian’s landscaping company
  • The pros and cons of buying assets vs. stock
  • How an SBA loan can hamper growth in some situations
  • Why Mike says acquisition is a talent game
  • How they structured their acquisition
  • Adrian’s role as CEO post-acquisition
  • How rolling equity can benefit the seller
  • Mike’s holdco origin story

Links and how to contact Adrian and Mike:

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Raising $800k to Buy an $8m Business as a First-Timer Raising $800k to Buy an $8m Business as a First-Timer full bec4763c-f72e-464e-baa8-58cd220782fa https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kevin-bibelhausen-heritage-fabrics With no finance background, Kevin Bibelhausen learned to raise money from investors & buy a 20-year-old fabric business. 

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • His health crisis that led to a career change
  • Losing funding at the last minute
  • Raising $800k in 5 weeks
  • Automating his money-raise process with investors
  • The value of being active on Twitter
  • Acquiring a $8m business using very little of his own money
  • The ideal number of investors
  • What attracted Kevin to Heritage Fabrics
  • Managing working capital with a long sales cycle
  • His investment fund, Fruition Capital

Links and how to contact Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> With no finance background, Kevin Bibelhausen learned to raise money from investors & buy a 20-year-old fabric business. 

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • His health crisis that led to a career change
  • Losing funding at the last minute
  • Raising $800k in 5 weeks
  • Automating his money-raise process with investors
  • The value of being active on Twitter
  • Acquiring a $8m business using very little of his own money
  • The ideal number of investors
  • What attracted Kevin to Heritage Fabrics
  • Managing working capital with a long sales cycle
  • His investment fund, Fruition Capital

Links and how to contact Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5078 With no finance background, Kevin Bibelhausen learned to raise money from investors & buy a 20-year-old fabric business. 

Topics in Kevin’s interview:

  • His health crisis that led to a career change
  • Losing funding at the last minute
  • Raising $800k in 5 weeks
  • Automating his money-raise process with investors
  • The value of being active on Twitter
  • Acquiring a $8m business using very little of his own money
  • The ideal number of investors
  • What attracted Kevin to Heritage Fabrics
  • Managing working capital with a long sales cycle
  • His investment fund, Fruition Capital

Links and how to contact Kevin:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No It Worked: Buying an Ecom Business to Gain Freedom It Worked: Buying an Ecom Business to Gain Freedom full f431ed5a-efdb-4f24-b233-370077419cae https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-michael-wallaroo-wallets Alex Michael was seeking to acquire not just a business, but freedom. One year later, he reports back on how it's going. 

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Top line growth in the last year
  • How he diligenced Wallaroo Wallets
  • How he uses Amazon PPC ads
  • The limitations of an Amazon FBA business
  • An expensive lesson about traffic diversification
  • Launching new products
  • Having his family involved in his business
  • Living life on his own terms
  • His unconventional thoughts on productivity
  • The topics he writes on

Links and how to contact Alex:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Alex Michael was seeking to acquire not just a business, but freedom. One year later, he reports back on how it's going. 

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Top line growth in the last year
  • How he diligenced Wallaroo Wallets
  • How he uses Amazon PPC ads
  • The limitations of an Amazon FBA business
  • An expensive lesson about traffic diversification
  • Launching new products
  • Having his family involved in his business
  • Living life on his own terms
  • His unconventional thoughts on productivity
  • The topics he writes on

Links and how to contact Alex:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 01 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2161 Alex Michael was seeking to acquire not just a business, but freedom. One year later, he reports back on how it's going. 

Topics in Alex’s interview:

  • Top line growth in the last year
  • How he diligenced Wallaroo Wallets
  • How he uses Amazon PPC ads
  • The limitations of an Amazon FBA business
  • An expensive lesson about traffic diversification
  • Launching new products
  • Having his family involved in his business
  • Living life on his own terms
  • His unconventional thoughts on productivity
  • The topics he writes on

Links and how to contact Alex:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy Big: How to Acquire a $3m EBITDA Roofing Business Buy Big: How to Acquire a $3m EBITDA Roofing Business full 6bf44c8f-5845-4cae-817a-7b4b7851b616 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/austin-smoak-grove-oaks-capital How Austin Smoak raised money from investors to buy a very profitable roofing business that he found on BizBuySell. 

Topics in Austin's interview:

  • How Goldman Sachs prepared him for business ownership
  • Passively owning franchises
  • Why he recommends local brokers over proprietary search
  • Finding “business-buyer fit”
  • His plan to scale via roll-up
  • His philosophy on change management
  • Pros and cons of being funded by a family office
  • The scope of his residential roofing business
  • The roofing industry in Florida
  • How he uses digital marketing

Links and how to contact Austin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Austin Smoak raised money from investors to buy a very profitable roofing business that he found on BizBuySell. 

Topics in Austin's interview:

  • How Goldman Sachs prepared him for business ownership
  • Passively owning franchises
  • Why he recommends local brokers over proprietary search
  • Finding “business-buyer fit”
  • His plan to scale via roll-up
  • His philosophy on change management
  • Pros and cons of being funded by a family office
  • The scope of his residential roofing business
  • The roofing industry in Florida
  • How he uses digital marketing

Links and how to contact Austin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 30 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2915 How Austin Smoak raised money from investors to buy a very profitable roofing business that he found on BizBuySell. 

Topics in Austin's interview:

  • How Goldman Sachs prepared him for business ownership
  • Passively owning franchises
  • Why he recommends local brokers over proprietary search
  • Finding “business-buyer fit”
  • His plan to scale via roll-up
  • His philosophy on change management
  • Pros and cons of being funded by a family office
  • The scope of his residential roofing business
  • The roofing industry in Florida
  • How he uses digital marketing

Links and how to contact Austin:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Home Care Business: How to Buy & 2x an Agency Home Care Business: How to Buy & 2x an Agency full 08a8e3f1-00b8-426a-b007-3d602e5040c4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jerome-bouillon-visiting-angels Jérôme Bouillon bought a home care agency doing $500k/yr in 2018. Today it exceeds $1m and he's added a second location. 

Topics in Jerome’s interview:

  • His cold calling strategy
  • Buying a Visiting Angels franchise
  • Seeing his employees as his customers
  • The changes he made immediately to employee benefits
  • Why he stopped penny-pinching in the business
  • Why it’s important to know how to work in the business
  • Margins in home care
  • Home care vs. home healthcare
  • How to scale up in this industry
  • The benefits of a franchise

Links and how to contact Jérôme:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jérôme Bouillon bought a home care agency doing $500k/yr in 2018. Today it exceeds $1m and he's added a second location. 

Topics in Jerome’s interview:

  • His cold calling strategy
  • Buying a Visiting Angels franchise
  • Seeing his employees as his customers
  • The changes he made immediately to employee benefits
  • Why he stopped penny-pinching in the business
  • Why it’s important to know how to work in the business
  • Margins in home care
  • Home care vs. home healthcare
  • How to scale up in this industry
  • The benefits of a franchise

Links and how to contact Jérôme:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 25 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4090 Jérôme Bouillon bought a home care agency doing $500k/yr in 2018. Today it exceeds $1m and he's added a second location. 

Topics in Jerome’s interview:

  • His cold calling strategy
  • Buying a Visiting Angels franchise
  • Seeing his employees as his customers
  • The changes he made immediately to employee benefits
  • Why he stopped penny-pinching in the business
  • Why it’s important to know how to work in the business
  • Margins in home care
  • Home care vs. home healthcare
  • How to scale up in this industry
  • The benefits of a franchise

Links and how to contact Jérôme:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Overworked & Underpaid: Buying a Business to Escape Overworked & Underpaid: Buying a Business to Escape full cb20f3bd-4162-4bac-849f-696d0a94e71a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/heather-shattuck-heidorn-the-tailored-closet Heather Shattuck-Heidorn was a tenure-tracked professor, but wanted out. Buying a business offered freedom & security. 

Topics in Heather’s interview:

  1. What she loved about academia
  2. Why she initially resisted franchises
  3. How she found a custom closet franchise
  4. Being her husband’s employer
  5. Her thoughts on capitalism
  6. How small business ownership differs from academia
  7. What she likes about owning a franchise
  8. How she grows her business organically
  9. Learning to communicate with her employees
  10. Her fetal position moment

Links and how to contact Heather:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Heather Shattuck-Heidorn was a tenure-tracked professor, but wanted out. Buying a business offered freedom & security. 

Topics in Heather’s interview:

  1. What she loved about academia
  2. Why she initially resisted franchises
  3. How she found a custom closet franchise
  4. Being her husband’s employer
  5. Her thoughts on capitalism
  6. How small business ownership differs from academia
  7. What she likes about owning a franchise
  8. How she grows her business organically
  9. Learning to communicate with her employees
  10. Her fetal position moment

Links and how to contact Heather:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5347 Heather Shattuck-Heidorn was a tenure-tracked professor, but wanted out. Buying a business offered freedom & security. 

Topics in Heather’s interview:

  1. What she loved about academia
  2. Why she initially resisted franchises
  3. How she found a custom closet franchise
  4. Being her husband’s employer
  5. Her thoughts on capitalism
  6. How small business ownership differs from academia
  7. What she likes about owning a franchise
  8. How she grows her business organically
  9. Learning to communicate with her employees
  10. Her fetal position moment

Links and how to contact Heather:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Learning to Lead: From Searcher to Boss of 140 Learning to Lead: From Searcher to Boss of 140 full 75dc74ff-d963-4093-96df-4027255830ed https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-glasner-workpays-2 Having only ever managed a few people when he bought his business, Alex Glasner shares how the trial by fire is going. 

Topics in Alex's interview:

  • The difference between searching and operating
  • The challenge of improving processes
  • How rapid growth affected the company
  • Running the business with a partner
  • How the economy impacts his industry
  • Having the British government as his sole customer
  • Idealism and disillusionment in helping professions
  • Why he hasn’t acquired a second business
  • Why the first 2 years are hard
  • How he has improved as a manager

Links and how to contact Alex:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Having only ever managed a few people when he bought his business, Alex Glasner shares how the trial by fire is going. 

Topics in Alex's interview:

  • The difference between searching and operating
  • The challenge of improving processes
  • How rapid growth affected the company
  • Running the business with a partner
  • How the economy impacts his industry
  • Having the British government as his sole customer
  • Idealism and disillusionment in helping professions
  • Why he hasn’t acquired a second business
  • Why the first 2 years are hard
  • How he has improved as a manager

Links and how to contact Alex:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3250 Having only ever managed a few people when he bought his business, Alex Glasner shares how the trial by fire is going. 

Topics in Alex's interview:

  • The difference between searching and operating
  • The challenge of improving processes
  • How rapid growth affected the company
  • Running the business with a partner
  • How the economy impacts his industry
  • Having the British government as his sole customer
  • Idealism and disillusionment in helping professions
  • Why he hasn’t acquired a second business
  • Why the first 2 years are hard
  • How he has improved as a manager

Links and how to contact Alex:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Uber Driver to 7-Figure Exit in 3 Years Uber Driver to 7-Figure Exit in 3 Years full d7385359-6b51-4633-bc1d-286087ed9723 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ben-bortner-the-pool-man-of-key-west Ben Bortner couch-surfed, drove Uber, and racked up credit card debt while finding a pool business to buy. It went well. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Buying a pool service business, putting in only $100 of his own money for equity
  • Changes he made to employee compensation (and why)
  • Acquiring a second pool business
  • Why Ben became certified to do pool maintenance himself
  • How Ben improved company culture
  • Why he didn’t want to hire a GM
  • Selling his company to Pool Troopers
  • Launching a fund for self-funded searchers
  • The type of searcher he wants to fund
  • What a self-funded deal looks like

Links and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Ben Bortner couch-surfed, drove Uber, and racked up credit card debt while finding a pool business to buy. It went well. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Buying a pool service business, putting in only $100 of his own money for equity
  • Changes he made to employee compensation (and why)
  • Acquiring a second pool business
  • Why Ben became certified to do pool maintenance himself
  • How Ben improved company culture
  • Why he didn’t want to hire a GM
  • Selling his company to Pool Troopers
  • Launching a fund for self-funded searchers
  • The type of searcher he wants to fund
  • What a self-funded deal looks like

Links and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 15 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5041 Ben Bortner couch-surfed, drove Uber, and racked up credit card debt while finding a pool business to buy. It went well. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • Buying a pool service business, putting in only $100 of his own money for equity
  • Changes he made to employee compensation (and why)
  • Acquiring a second pool business
  • Why Ben became certified to do pool maintenance himself
  • How Ben improved company culture
  • Why he didn’t want to hire a GM
  • Selling his company to Pool Troopers
  • Launching a fund for self-funded searchers
  • The type of searcher he wants to fund
  • What a self-funded deal looks like

Links and how to contact Ben:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Surviving the Nightmare: Sales Plunge 95% Surviving the Nightmare: Sales Plunge 95% full 6d2ade31-eefa-4376-88cb-b67d73e14ce4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jesse-safir-abg-print 9 months after Jesse Safir bought a printing biz, Covid cratered it. 3 years later, sales are nearing pre-Covid levels. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Finding ABG Printing by sending direct mail
  • The value of having a “forgettable” business
  • Renegotiating his deal before acquisition
  • The changes he made in the first 9 months
  • Cutting 80% of his staff during COVID
  • Managing cash flow after revenue plunged 95%
  • Staffing post-COVID
  • How their printing projects have diversified
  • The landscape of the printing industry
  • Jesse’s vision for a holdco

Links and how to contact Jesse:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 9 months after Jesse Safir bought a printing biz, Covid cratered it. 3 years later, sales are nearing pre-Covid levels. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Finding ABG Printing by sending direct mail
  • The value of having a “forgettable” business
  • Renegotiating his deal before acquisition
  • The changes he made in the first 9 months
  • Cutting 80% of his staff during COVID
  • Managing cash flow after revenue plunged 95%
  • Staffing post-COVID
  • How their printing projects have diversified
  • The landscape of the printing industry
  • Jesse’s vision for a holdco

Links and how to contact Jesse:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 11 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4353 9 months after Jesse Safir bought a printing biz, Covid cratered it. 3 years later, sales are nearing pre-Covid levels. 

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

  • Finding ABG Printing by sending direct mail
  • The value of having a “forgettable” business
  • Renegotiating his deal before acquisition
  • The changes he made in the first 9 months
  • Cutting 80% of his staff during COVID
  • Managing cash flow after revenue plunged 95%
  • Staffing post-COVID
  • How their printing projects have diversified
  • The landscape of the printing industry
  • Jesse’s vision for a holdco

Links and how to contact Jesse:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Raise Money from Investors to Buy a Business How to Raise Money from Investors to Buy a Business full 63dd10f0-1b61-4df8-bea0-40be2d84a06d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/smbash-panel-how-to-raise-money-from-investors 2 searchers, Kaustubh Deo & Kevin Bibelhausen, share how they found investors to provide money to buy their businesses. 

Topics in Kevin and Kaustubh’s interview:

  • How Twitter helps searchers learn and network
  • How Kevin found investors after his funding fell through
  • How they selected investors
  • What a good pitch meeting looks like
  • How they communicate with investors post-acquisition
  • The power of superconnectors when raising funds
  • The size of their cap tables
  • How they organized their contacts while pitching investors
  • How to get the most equity in your business
  • The most gratifying and stressful parts of running their businesses

Links and how to contact Kevin and Kaustubh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> 2 searchers, Kaustubh Deo & Kevin Bibelhausen, share how they found investors to provide money to buy their businesses. 

Topics in Kevin and Kaustubh’s interview:

  • How Twitter helps searchers learn and network
  • How Kevin found investors after his funding fell through
  • How they selected investors
  • What a good pitch meeting looks like
  • How they communicate with investors post-acquisition
  • The power of superconnectors when raising funds
  • The size of their cap tables
  • How they organized their contacts while pitching investors
  • How to get the most equity in your business
  • The most gratifying and stressful parts of running their businesses

Links and how to contact Kevin and Kaustubh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 08 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2912 2 searchers, Kaustubh Deo & Kevin Bibelhausen, share how they found investors to provide money to buy their businesses. 

Topics in Kevin and Kaustubh’s interview:

  • How Twitter helps searchers learn and network
  • How Kevin found investors after his funding fell through
  • How they selected investors
  • What a good pitch meeting looks like
  • How they communicate with investors post-acquisition
  • The power of superconnectors when raising funds
  • The size of their cap tables
  • How they organized their contacts while pitching investors
  • How to get the most equity in your business
  • The most gratifying and stressful parts of running their businesses

Links and how to contact Kevin and Kaustubh:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $5m Business & Hire an Operator to Run It How to Buy a $5m Business & Hire an Operator to Run It full 18a98264-57ad-4ad4-85c2-5944b407211f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/matthew-saskin-east-coast-towing It CAN be done: Matthew Saskin recently acquired a big towing business, hiring an operator to run it from day 1. 

Topics in Matthew Saskin’s interview:

  • Why he chose a towing company
  • Putting in an operator from day one
  • Improvements he made right away
  • Why he kept his day job (and how he manages it)
  • His COO’s compensation package
  • What is phantom equity (and how it’s different from true equity)
  • How real estate investment is different from SMB ownership
  • The landscape of the towing industry
  • Revenue streams for towing companies
  • How they recruit drivers

Links and how to contact Matthew:

  • Matt's business plan. We decided not to link to it directly. Email Matt to request a copy, and he'll share it with you directly 👇👇
  • msaskin@eastcoasttowing.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • East Coast Towing

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> It CAN be done: Matthew Saskin recently acquired a big towing business, hiring an operator to run it from day 1. 

Topics in Matthew Saskin’s interview:

  • Why he chose a towing company
  • Putting in an operator from day one
  • Improvements he made right away
  • Why he kept his day job (and how he manages it)
  • His COO’s compensation package
  • What is phantom equity (and how it’s different from true equity)
  • How real estate investment is different from SMB ownership
  • The landscape of the towing industry
  • Revenue streams for towing companies
  • How they recruit drivers

Links and how to contact Matthew:

  • Matt's business plan. We decided not to link to it directly. Email Matt to request a copy, and he'll share it with you directly 👇👇
  • msaskin@eastcoasttowing.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • East Coast Towing

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 01 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5579 It CAN be done: Matthew Saskin recently acquired a big towing business, hiring an operator to run it from day 1. 

Topics in Matthew Saskin’s interview:

  • Why he chose a towing company
  • Putting in an operator from day one
  • Improvements he made right away
  • Why he kept his day job (and how he manages it)
  • His COO’s compensation package
  • What is phantom equity (and how it’s different from true equity)
  • How real estate investment is different from SMB ownership
  • The landscape of the towing industry
  • Revenue streams for towing companies
  • How they recruit drivers

Links and how to contact Matthew:

  • Matt's business plan. We decided not to link to it directly. Email Matt to request a copy, and he'll share it with you directly 👇👇
  • msaskin@eastcoasttowing.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • East Coast Towing

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Opportunity in Carve-Outs (and Uncle Sam) The Opportunity in Carve-Outs (and Uncle Sam) full c9abe51a-d8b7-4435-a574-a7ea2def806d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/caroline-chapdelaine-northstar-photonics Caroline Chapdelaine seized opportunity when a biomed company needed to sell a $2m unit that made special defense tech. 

Topics in Caroline’s interview:

  • About the defense contracting industry
  • Buying a business in the defense industry (and why it’s hard)
  • Buying a carve-out business
  • The unusual terms of a carve-out deal
  • Unforeseen costs after purchasing a carve-out
  • The benefits of having partners
  • Assessing the strategic value of your business to its customers
  • Running out of money months after purchase
  • Getting an SBA loan against her business assets
  • Remotely running a California business from Utah

Links and how to contact Caroline:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Caroline Chapdelaine seized opportunity when a biomed company needed to sell a $2m unit that made special defense tech. 

Topics in Caroline’s interview:

  • About the defense contracting industry
  • Buying a business in the defense industry (and why it’s hard)
  • Buying a carve-out business
  • The unusual terms of a carve-out deal
  • Unforeseen costs after purchasing a carve-out
  • The benefits of having partners
  • Assessing the strategic value of your business to its customers
  • Running out of money months after purchase
  • Getting an SBA loan against her business assets
  • Remotely running a California business from Utah

Links and how to contact Caroline:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4195 Caroline Chapdelaine seized opportunity when a biomed company needed to sell a $2m unit that made special defense tech. 

Topics in Caroline’s interview:

  • About the defense contracting industry
  • Buying a business in the defense industry (and why it’s hard)
  • Buying a carve-out business
  • The unusual terms of a carve-out deal
  • Unforeseen costs after purchasing a carve-out
  • The benefits of having partners
  • Assessing the strategic value of your business to its customers
  • Running out of money months after purchase
  • Getting an SBA loan against her business assets
  • Remotely running a California business from Utah

Links and how to contact Caroline:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting) Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting) full 0bb2eeb9-5448-4b60-a652-c9a1e9031a1d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/reg-zeller-canekast Despite dire warnings against it, Reg Zeller bought a foundry. He's since bought 6 more & sees a clear path to $100m/yr. 

Topics in Reg Zeller’s interview:

  • Why he bought a foundry (against everyone’s advice)
  • The famous fetal position story
  • The importance of a peer group
  • His journey from one acquisition to a holdco
  • Why searchers should spend 2 years operating the business they buy
  • Reg’s plan to get to $100 million
  • How to eliminate key man risk
  • How Reg found his rockstar COO
  • Opportunities in non-manufacturing spaces
  • The opportunities in onshoring

Links and how to contact Reg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Despite dire warnings against it, Reg Zeller bought a foundry. He's since bought 6 more & sees a clear path to $100m/yr. 

Topics in Reg Zeller’s interview:

  • Why he bought a foundry (against everyone’s advice)
  • The famous fetal position story
  • The importance of a peer group
  • His journey from one acquisition to a holdco
  • Why searchers should spend 2 years operating the business they buy
  • Reg’s plan to get to $100 million
  • How to eliminate key man risk
  • How Reg found his rockstar COO
  • Opportunities in non-manufacturing spaces
  • The opportunities in onshoring

Links and how to contact Reg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 24 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6267 Despite dire warnings against it, Reg Zeller bought a foundry. He's since bought 6 more & sees a clear path to $100m/yr. 

Topics in Reg Zeller’s interview:

  • Why he bought a foundry (against everyone’s advice)
  • The famous fetal position story
  • The importance of a peer group
  • His journey from one acquisition to a holdco
  • Why searchers should spend 2 years operating the business they buy
  • Reg’s plan to get to $100 million
  • How to eliminate key man risk
  • How Reg found his rockstar COO
  • Opportunities in non-manufacturing spaces
  • The opportunities in onshoring

Links and how to contact Reg:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to 2x Sales in a Service Business You Buy How to 2x Sales in a Service Business You Buy full d007a54c-5a99-4729-a741-f7fb127d3299 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adrian-pinto-georgia-scapes-2 Adrian Pinto returns to reflect on his 1.5 years as owner of a landscaping business that he's grown from $3m to $6m/yr. 

Topics in Adrian’s interview:

  • Buying and growing Georgia Scapes
  • Growth through acquisition in landscaping 
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His B2B sales process
  • Competition in landscaping
  • Commercial vs residential landscaping
  • Maintenance work vs project work
  • Due diligence for a landscaping company
  • Beyond EBITDA: evaluating size of business to buy
  • Risks in acquiring a landscaping business

Links and how to contact Adrian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Adrian Pinto returns to reflect on his 1.5 years as owner of a landscaping business that he's grown from $3m to $6m/yr. 

Topics in Adrian’s interview:

  • Buying and growing Georgia Scapes
  • Growth through acquisition in landscaping 
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His B2B sales process
  • Competition in landscaping
  • Commercial vs residential landscaping
  • Maintenance work vs project work
  • Due diligence for a landscaping company
  • Beyond EBITDA: evaluating size of business to buy
  • Risks in acquiring a landscaping business

Links and how to contact Adrian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 20 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4039 Adrian Pinto returns to reflect on his 1.5 years as owner of a landscaping business that he's grown from $3m to $6m/yr. 

Topics in Adrian’s interview:

  • Buying and growing Georgia Scapes
  • Growth through acquisition in landscaping 
  • Doubling revenue in 18 months
  • His B2B sales process
  • Competition in landscaping
  • Commercial vs residential landscaping
  • Maintenance work vs project work
  • Due diligence for a landscaping company
  • Beyond EBITDA: evaluating size of business to buy
  • Risks in acquiring a landscaping business

Links and how to contact Adrian:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Portfolio of 20 Franchise Locations How to Build a Portfolio of 20 Franchise Locations full 07456647-b095-476e-a027-9f8faed10003 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-horowitz-wingstop Michael Horowitz was looking to buy an independent business when a different path opened up. Today he owns 20 Wingstops. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pros and cons of searching within franchises
  • Why Michael was attracted to QSR’s (quick service restaurants)
  • Buying 7 Wingstop locations in Ohio
  • Writing an operating agreement for 3 co-owners
  • Development agreements with franchises
  • Operating QSR’s during Covid
  • Opening and closing a ghost kitchen
  • Daily operations of owning 20 Wingstop locations
  • Motivating hourly restaurant employees 
  • Michael’s advice for searchers considering QSR’s

Links and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Michael Horowitz was looking to buy an independent business when a different path opened up. Today he owns 20 Wingstops. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pros and cons of searching within franchises
  • Why Michael was attracted to QSR’s (quick service restaurants)
  • Buying 7 Wingstop locations in Ohio
  • Writing an operating agreement for 3 co-owners
  • Development agreements with franchises
  • Operating QSR’s during Covid
  • Opening and closing a ghost kitchen
  • Daily operations of owning 20 Wingstop locations
  • Motivating hourly restaurant employees 
  • Michael’s advice for searchers considering QSR’s

Links and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5619 Michael Horowitz was looking to buy an independent business when a different path opened up. Today he owns 20 Wingstops. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:

  • Pros and cons of searching within franchises
  • Why Michael was attracted to QSR’s (quick service restaurants)
  • Buying 7 Wingstop locations in Ohio
  • Writing an operating agreement for 3 co-owners
  • Development agreements with franchises
  • Operating QSR’s during Covid
  • Opening and closing a ghost kitchen
  • Daily operations of owning 20 Wingstop locations
  • Motivating hourly restaurant employees 
  • Michael’s advice for searchers considering QSR’s

Links and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Life as an Operator: Leaving PE to Buy a $2m Tree Business Life as an Operator: Leaving PE to Buy a $2m Tree Business full 28a44e73-e2b4-40b6-b5ff-292ed1556a2e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kaustubh-deo-blooma-tree-experts Kaustubh Deo reflects on his first year as the owner of a tree business versus his former life in NYC private equity. 

Topics in Kaustubh’s interview:

  • Buying a tree service business
  • Buyer’s vs seller’s discretionary earnings
  • Reflecting on 13 months as a business owner
  • Possibility for roll-ups
  • Being an outsider in the tree industry
  • Change management
  • His thoughts on holdcos
  • Measuring success for his business
  • Life as a business owner vs. life in private equity
  • His advice for searchers

Links and how to contact Kaustubh:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Kaustubh Deo reflects on his first year as the owner of a tree business versus his former life in NYC private equity. 

Topics in Kaustubh’s interview:

  • Buying a tree service business
  • Buyer’s vs seller’s discretionary earnings
  • Reflecting on 13 months as a business owner
  • Possibility for roll-ups
  • Being an outsider in the tree industry
  • Change management
  • His thoughts on holdcos
  • Measuring success for his business
  • Life as a business owner vs. life in private equity
  • His advice for searchers

Links and how to contact Kaustubh:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4727 Kaustubh Deo reflects on his first year as the owner of a tree business versus his former life in NYC private equity. 

Topics in Kaustubh’s interview:

  • Buying a tree service business
  • Buyer’s vs seller’s discretionary earnings
  • Reflecting on 13 months as a business owner
  • Possibility for roll-ups
  • Being an outsider in the tree industry
  • Change management
  • His thoughts on holdcos
  • Measuring success for his business
  • Life as a business owner vs. life in private equity
  • His advice for searchers

Links and how to contact Kaustubh:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco full 2e68b817-ff44-49cd-aa10-25ea5408f993 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adam-duggins-new-page-capital Adam Duggins had 650 meetings to find his first business in 2013, not expecting he'd buy 3 more over the next 10 years. 

Topics in Adam Duggins’s interview:

  • Meeting with 650 people (in person!) during his search
  • How Adam found his partner & structured their ownership
  • How Adam became a holdco without meaning to
  • How motivating blue collar workers versus white collar careerists is different
  • Why Adam prefers working with blue collar versus white collar
  • Buying businesses in overlooked geographies
  • A bit about each of Adam's 4 businesses: steel fabrication, commercial HVAC, Jet-Hot, boiler services
  • What to love about businesses in the construction industry
  • Stability vs. growth
  • Early mistakes as an owner

Links and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Adam Duggins had 650 meetings to find his first business in 2013, not expecting he'd buy 3 more over the next 10 years. 

Topics in Adam Duggins’s interview:

  • Meeting with 650 people (in person!) during his search
  • How Adam found his partner & structured their ownership
  • How Adam became a holdco without meaning to
  • How motivating blue collar workers versus white collar careerists is different
  • Why Adam prefers working with blue collar versus white collar
  • Buying businesses in overlooked geographies
  • A bit about each of Adam's 4 businesses: steel fabrication, commercial HVAC, Jet-Hot, boiler services
  • What to love about businesses in the construction industry
  • Stability vs. growth
  • Early mistakes as an owner

Links and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6390 Adam Duggins had 650 meetings to find his first business in 2013, not expecting he'd buy 3 more over the next 10 years. 

Topics in Adam Duggins’s interview:

  • Meeting with 650 people (in person!) during his search
  • How Adam found his partner & structured their ownership
  • How Adam became a holdco without meaning to
  • How motivating blue collar workers versus white collar careerists is different
  • Why Adam prefers working with blue collar versus white collar
  • Buying businesses in overlooked geographies
  • A bit about each of Adam's 4 businesses: steel fabrication, commercial HVAC, Jet-Hot, boiler services
  • What to love about businesses in the construction industry
  • Stability vs. growth
  • Early mistakes as an owner

Links and how to contact Adam:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Feast or Famine: How to Grow a Niche Manufacturing Biz Feast or Famine: How to Grow a Niche Manufacturing Biz full fcdb9661-1f01-49b9-8edb-cc6147a75001 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/bruce-vann-luxout-stage-curtains-2 Bruce Vann returns to update us on his manufacturing business, and a thesis around the roll-up of window blinds stores. 

Topics in Bruce Vann’s interview:

  • Buying a stage curtain/shades business
  • Profitability of the business
  • Their curtain and shades products
  • Acquiring a blinds company
  • Integrating his businesses
  • Bruce’s vision for expansion
  • The possibilities for search in window treatments
  • The feast or famine nature of the business
  • The long sales cycle
  • Investing in a ribbon weight machine
  • Bruce’s advice to searchers

Links and how to contact Bruce:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Bruce Vann returns to update us on his manufacturing business, and a thesis around the roll-up of window blinds stores. 

Topics in Bruce Vann’s interview:

  • Buying a stage curtain/shades business
  • Profitability of the business
  • Their curtain and shades products
  • Acquiring a blinds company
  • Integrating his businesses
  • Bruce’s vision for expansion
  • The possibilities for search in window treatments
  • The feast or famine nature of the business
  • The long sales cycle
  • Investing in a ribbon weight machine
  • Bruce’s advice to searchers

Links and how to contact Bruce:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2628 Bruce Vann returns to update us on his manufacturing business, and a thesis around the roll-up of window blinds stores. 

Topics in Bruce Vann’s interview:

  • Buying a stage curtain/shades business
  • Profitability of the business
  • Their curtain and shades products
  • Acquiring a blinds company
  • Integrating his businesses
  • Bruce’s vision for expansion
  • The possibilities for search in window treatments
  • The feast or famine nature of the business
  • The long sales cycle
  • Investing in a ribbon weight machine
  • Bruce’s advice to searchers

Links and how to contact Bruce:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Navigating Failure: Buying a $5m+ Business that Collapses Navigating Failure: Buying a $5m+ Business that Collapses full e7828ad7-05d7-4eb3-b15c-0f2cdcdca71d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-ikalowych-hailco John Ikalowych shares his traumatic journey of going all-in to buy a hail-repair business, then having to shut it down. 

Topics in John Ikalowych’s interview:

  • John’s background in commercial banking
  • Buying a car hail repair business
  • Losing half his staff just months after acquisition
  • The disaster that tanked their finances
  • Pivoting from B2C to B2B
  • Shutting down the business
  • How the business failure changed him
  • Closing a business with a personal guarantee
  • John’s advice to searchers
  • The importance of peer support

Links and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> John Ikalowych shares his traumatic journey of going all-in to buy a hail-repair business, then having to shut it down. 

Topics in John Ikalowych’s interview:

  • John’s background in commercial banking
  • Buying a car hail repair business
  • Losing half his staff just months after acquisition
  • The disaster that tanked their finances
  • Pivoting from B2C to B2B
  • Shutting down the business
  • How the business failure changed him
  • Closing a business with a personal guarantee
  • John’s advice to searchers
  • The importance of peer support

Links and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5279 John Ikalowych shares his traumatic journey of going all-in to buy a hail-repair business, then having to shut it down. 

Topics in John Ikalowych’s interview:

  • John’s background in commercial banking
  • Buying a car hail repair business
  • Losing half his staff just months after acquisition
  • The disaster that tanked their finances
  • Pivoting from B2C to B2B
  • Shutting down the business
  • How the business failure changed him
  • Closing a business with a personal guarantee
  • John’s advice to searchers
  • The importance of peer support

Links and how to contact John:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Single Mom, 2 Kids, and a $4m Business Single Mom, 2 Kids, and a $4m Business full d59382ff-1532-4d86-8e53-144992f6dcac https://acquiringminds.co/articles/morli-desai-amaira-natural-skincare Morli Desai left corporate to scratch her entrepreneurial itch, using an SBA loan to buy an ecommerce biz with $1m SDE. 

Topics in Morli Desai’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate job at 40
  • Joining the Acquisition Lab
  • Purchasing an ecommerce business
  • How to approach brokers
  • Transitioning an ecommerce business
  • Purchasing an Australian entity
  • Marketing with PPC
  • Assessing risk in ecommerce
  • Proprietary vs brokered search
  • Inventory management in ecommerce

Links and how to contact Morli:

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Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Morli Desai left corporate to scratch her entrepreneurial itch, using an SBA loan to buy an ecommerce biz with $1m SDE. 

Topics in Morli Desai’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate job at 40
  • Joining the Acquisition Lab
  • Purchasing an ecommerce business
  • How to approach brokers
  • Transitioning an ecommerce business
  • Purchasing an Australian entity
  • Marketing with PPC
  • Assessing risk in ecommerce
  • Proprietary vs brokered search
  • Inventory management in ecommerce

Links and how to contact Morli:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 30 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5034 Morli Desai left corporate to scratch her entrepreneurial itch, using an SBA loan to buy an ecommerce biz with $1m SDE. 

Topics in Morli Desai’s interview:

  • Leaving her corporate job at 40
  • Joining the Acquisition Lab
  • Purchasing an ecommerce business
  • How to approach brokers
  • Transitioning an ecommerce business
  • Purchasing an Australian entity
  • Marketing with PPC
  • Assessing risk in ecommerce
  • Proprietary vs brokered search
  • Inventory management in ecommerce

Links and how to contact Morli:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 6 Months from Twitter Inspiration to $2m Business Owner 6 Months from Twitter Inspiration to $2m Business Owner full af7e1ace-3411-43e6-bf5b-2dfc75fe6a5e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/pawel-kosicki-oakville-sight-and-sound Pawel Kosicki learned about buying small businesses in July. By January, he'd bought one himself with 7 figures of SDE. 

Topics in Pawel Kosicki’s interview:

  • Pawel’s background in engineering
  • Valuation of a home theater/automation company
  • Closing on his very first LOI
  • Financing a deal in Canada
  • His philosophy on risk in business
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Mitigating risk in a project-based business
  • His plans to grow the business
  • Projected growth in the home automation industry
  • Advice for Canadian searchers

References and how to contact Pawel:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Pawel Kosicki learned about buying small businesses in July. By January, he'd bought one himself with 7 figures of SDE. 

Topics in Pawel Kosicki’s interview:

  • Pawel’s background in engineering
  • Valuation of a home theater/automation company
  • Closing on his very first LOI
  • Financing a deal in Canada
  • His philosophy on risk in business
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Mitigating risk in a project-based business
  • His plans to grow the business
  • Projected growth in the home automation industry
  • Advice for Canadian searchers

References and how to contact Pawel:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5189 Pawel Kosicki learned about buying small businesses in July. By January, he'd bought one himself with 7 figures of SDE. 

Topics in Pawel Kosicki’s interview:

  • Pawel’s background in engineering
  • Valuation of a home theater/automation company
  • Closing on his very first LOI
  • Financing a deal in Canada
  • His philosophy on risk in business
  • The seller staying on as an employee
  • Mitigating risk in a project-based business
  • His plans to grow the business
  • Projected growth in the home automation industry
  • Advice for Canadian searchers

References and how to contact Pawel:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Back to a W-2: When Business Ownership Isn't the Way Back to a W-2: When Business Ownership Isn't the Way full 7cc54021-49b3-4585-9547-94fa3a79a649 http://acquiringminds.co/articles/damon-chlarson-pacific-insulation-supply-2 Damon Chlarson takes a job in tech sales, despite having improved the business he bought & surviving a tough year. 

Topics in Damon’s interview:

  • Damon bought Pacific Insulation Supply, an online wholesaler
  • Difficulties in scaling the insulation business. 
  • Overview of sales in the first year 
  • Getting a regular W-2 job again 
  • New systems he put in place at the business 
  • Training his sales team
  • The challenges of working from home
  • How he runs a business with bipolar disorder
  • Fluctuation in demand for home renovations 
  • Managing a sales team in the Philippines

Damon's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact Damon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Damon Chlarson takes a job in tech sales, despite having improved the business he bought & surviving a tough year. 

Topics in Damon’s interview:

  • Damon bought Pacific Insulation Supply, an online wholesaler
  • Difficulties in scaling the insulation business. 
  • Overview of sales in the first year 
  • Getting a regular W-2 job again 
  • New systems he put in place at the business 
  • Training his sales team
  • The challenges of working from home
  • How he runs a business with bipolar disorder
  • Fluctuation in demand for home renovations 
  • Managing a sales team in the Philippines

Damon's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact Damon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2225 Damon Chlarson takes a job in tech sales, despite having improved the business he bought & surviving a tough year. 

Topics in Damon’s interview:

  • Damon bought Pacific Insulation Supply, an online wholesaler
  • Difficulties in scaling the insulation business. 
  • Overview of sales in the first year 
  • Getting a regular W-2 job again 
  • New systems he put in place at the business 
  • Training his sales team
  • The challenges of working from home
  • How he runs a business with bipolar disorder
  • Fluctuation in demand for home renovations 
  • Managing a sales team in the Philippines

Damon's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact Damon:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy and 2x a Subcontractor Business How to Buy and 2x a Subcontractor Business full e1358f19-67cb-424e-8704-7b2970f8168a http://acquiringminds.co/articles/brenden-van-buren-pro-max-fence-systems Brenden Van Buren is growing his fencing business, despite the industry's notorious cyclicality & project-based revenue. 

Topics in Brenden’s interview:

  • Brenden’s family history in the construction business
  • Co-founding Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs 
  • The pros and cons of having a pipeline when starting search
  • Why the perfect relationship is better than the perfect business
  • The risks associated with construction companies
  • Acquiring Pro Max Fence Systems
  • How he doubled sales in 4.5 years
  • The top mistakes searchers make regarding time management and communications
  • The advantages of proprietary search
  • Self-funded vs. traditional search

References and how to contact Brenden:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Brenden Van Buren is growing his fencing business, despite the industry's notorious cyclicality & project-based revenue. 

Topics in Brenden’s interview:

  • Brenden’s family history in the construction business
  • Co-founding Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs 
  • The pros and cons of having a pipeline when starting search
  • Why the perfect relationship is better than the perfect business
  • The risks associated with construction companies
  • Acquiring Pro Max Fence Systems
  • How he doubled sales in 4.5 years
  • The top mistakes searchers make regarding time management and communications
  • The advantages of proprietary search
  • Self-funded vs. traditional search

References and how to contact Brenden:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 20 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4973 Brenden Van Buren is growing his fencing business, despite the industry's notorious cyclicality & project-based revenue. 

Topics in Brenden’s interview:

  • Brenden’s family history in the construction business
  • Co-founding Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs 
  • The pros and cons of having a pipeline when starting search
  • Why the perfect relationship is better than the perfect business
  • The risks associated with construction companies
  • Acquiring Pro Max Fence Systems
  • How he doubled sales in 4.5 years
  • The top mistakes searchers make regarding time management and communications
  • The advantages of proprietary search
  • Self-funded vs. traditional search

References and how to contact Brenden:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue full 850346b2-7c7f-46cc-9b8c-ac9734da790a http://acquiringminds.co/articles/justin-turner-traction-capital-2 Justin Turner returns with details on 2 new acquisitions by his holdco Traction, plus updates on the existing 4 portcos. 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Justin helps run investment firm Traction Capital Partners
  • How Traction is different from Private Equity
  • The risks of buying into a franchise network
  • How he bought one of his vendors
  • Lessons learned from buying 6 businesses
  • Driving sales in a disaster restoration business 
  • Doubling revenue in 5 years for a Fire Department supply business 
  • Facing the post-Covid economic downturn
  • Rising competition for acquiring a business
  • Trends in the blue and white collar labor market

Justin's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and How to Contact Justin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Justin Turner returns with details on 2 new acquisitions by his holdco Traction, plus updates on the existing 4 portcos. 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Justin helps run investment firm Traction Capital Partners
  • How Traction is different from Private Equity
  • The risks of buying into a franchise network
  • How he bought one of his vendors
  • Lessons learned from buying 6 businesses
  • Driving sales in a disaster restoration business 
  • Doubling revenue in 5 years for a Fire Department supply business 
  • Facing the post-Covid economic downturn
  • Rising competition for acquiring a business
  • Trends in the blue and white collar labor market

Justin's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and How to Contact Justin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3183 Justin Turner returns with details on 2 new acquisitions by his holdco Traction, plus updates on the existing 4 portcos. 

Topics in Justin’s interview:

  • Justin helps run investment firm Traction Capital Partners
  • How Traction is different from Private Equity
  • The risks of buying into a franchise network
  • How he bought one of his vendors
  • Lessons learned from buying 6 businesses
  • Driving sales in a disaster restoration business 
  • Doubling revenue in 5 years for a Fire Department supply business 
  • Facing the post-Covid economic downturn
  • Rising competition for acquiring a business
  • Trends in the blue and white collar labor market

Justin's original appears on Acquiring Minds:

Links and How to Contact Justin:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture full 731fcdff-9678-42d1-bfb4-29c80d5f7287 http://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-arrieta-garden-city Michael Arrieta's holdco has made 3 acquisitions since 2020. Sales & culture, not tech, have proven to be the key levers. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:       

  • How he built the holding company Garden City
  • Why he is drawn to service businesses
  • His experience with fast-growth startups in Silicon Valley
  • How he almost doubled EBITDA in less than a year
  • The mistakes he made with his first acquisition
  • The 3 ways he finds companies to buy
  • How he improves workplace culture in the service industry
  • How Garden City adds value to their companies
  • How to carefully add new technology after acquisition
  • Why he is recruiting searchers to run businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Michael Arrieta's holdco has made 3 acquisitions since 2020. Sales & culture, not tech, have proven to be the key levers. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:       

  • How he built the holding company Garden City
  • Why he is drawn to service businesses
  • His experience with fast-growth startups in Silicon Valley
  • How he almost doubled EBITDA in less than a year
  • The mistakes he made with his first acquisition
  • The 3 ways he finds companies to buy
  • How he improves workplace culture in the service industry
  • How Garden City adds value to their companies
  • How to carefully add new technology after acquisition
  • Why he is recruiting searchers to run businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 13 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4711 Michael Arrieta's holdco has made 3 acquisitions since 2020. Sales & culture, not tech, have proven to be the key levers. 

Topics in Michael’s interview:       

  • How he built the holding company Garden City
  • Why he is drawn to service businesses
  • His experience with fast-growth startups in Silicon Valley
  • How he almost doubled EBITDA in less than a year
  • The mistakes he made with his first acquisition
  • The 3 ways he finds companies to buy
  • How he improves workplace culture in the service industry
  • How Garden City adds value to their companies
  • How to carefully add new technology after acquisition
  • Why he is recruiting searchers to run businesses

References and how to contact Michael:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Honeymoon, Darkness, then Light Honeymoon, Darkness, then Light full 75fe5608-e369-45a9-8994-055445d41bb9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-schooler-appliance-professional After a rollercoaster year in his appliance repair business, John Schooler returns with scars, wisdom, and optimism. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • John bought an appliance repair business 14 months ago
  • How he runs a repair business without having repair skills
  • The disaster that took away 20% of revenue overnight
  • Why running a business is harder than a marathon
  • The pros and cons of working with home warranty companies
  • What he would do differently from day one
  • What he learned about retaining employees
  • His role in day-to-day operations
  • His system for training technicians

John's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact John:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> After a rollercoaster year in his appliance repair business, John Schooler returns with scars, wisdom, and optimism. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • John bought an appliance repair business 14 months ago
  • How he runs a repair business without having repair skills
  • The disaster that took away 20% of revenue overnight
  • Why running a business is harder than a marathon
  • The pros and cons of working with home warranty companies
  • What he would do differently from day one
  • What he learned about retaining employees
  • His role in day-to-day operations
  • His system for training technicians

John's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact John:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2687 After a rollercoaster year in his appliance repair business, John Schooler returns with scars, wisdom, and optimism. 

Topics in John’s interview:

  • John bought an appliance repair business 14 months ago
  • How he runs a repair business without having repair skills
  • The disaster that took away 20% of revenue overnight
  • Why running a business is harder than a marathon
  • The pros and cons of working with home warranty companies
  • What he would do differently from day one
  • What he learned about retaining employees
  • His role in day-to-day operations
  • His system for training technicians

John's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

Links and how to contact John:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform full 082978a3-638b-40f3-baad-485a4655b603 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-hitchings-colorado-home-services Andrew Hitchings bought a $250k SDE cooling biz. It has grown 3x and will now fund a 2nd acquisition, with more to come. 

Topics in Andrew’s Interview:

  • Andrew and his wife bought a home ventilation business in April 2020
  • How 7 months on a motorcycle prepared them for running a business together
  • His history in the Army, business school, and McKinsey & Company
  • How his business partner Max improved employee training
  • Why he looks at the P&L every day
  • Expanding their seasonal business to a year-round business
  • How they mitigated the risk of buying a business with a single employee
  • Three things a business owner should focus on
  • Why they hire for character, not experience
  • His strategy for building a holdco

References and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Andrew Hitchings bought a $250k SDE cooling biz. It has grown 3x and will now fund a 2nd acquisition, with more to come. 

Topics in Andrew’s Interview:

  • Andrew and his wife bought a home ventilation business in April 2020
  • How 7 months on a motorcycle prepared them for running a business together
  • His history in the Army, business school, and McKinsey & Company
  • How his business partner Max improved employee training
  • Why he looks at the P&L every day
  • Expanding their seasonal business to a year-round business
  • How they mitigated the risk of buying a business with a single employee
  • Three things a business owner should focus on
  • Why they hire for character, not experience
  • His strategy for building a holdco

References and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5199 Andrew Hitchings bought a $250k SDE cooling biz. It has grown 3x and will now fund a 2nd acquisition, with more to come. 

Topics in Andrew’s Interview:

  • Andrew and his wife bought a home ventilation business in April 2020
  • How 7 months on a motorcycle prepared them for running a business together
  • His history in the Army, business school, and McKinsey & Company
  • How his business partner Max improved employee training
  • Why he looks at the P&L every day
  • Expanding their seasonal business to a year-round business
  • How they mitigated the risk of buying a business with a single employee
  • Three things a business owner should focus on
  • Why they hire for character, not experience
  • His strategy for building a holdco

References and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Neighborhood Institution How to Buy a Neighborhood Institution full a10cd6be-f64f-4b77-aba6-e7b0775d8946 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-sieve-restaurant-owner Andrew Sieve saw his life implode after COVID. Buying a highly profitable 40-year-old restaurant turned things around. 

Topics in Andrew’s interview: 

  • Andrew’s family history of owning and operating restaurants
  • Why he prefers smaller restaurants
  • The tragedies of 2020 that led to him exiting his family’s business
  • Moving from Minneapolis to Colorado to start over
  • How a chance meeting led to him buying a restaurant
  • How they achieved a smooth transition 
  • What factors make restaurants difficult businesses
  • The risks in acquiring an institutional legacy restaurant
  • How he funded his acquisition through a community bank
  • His vision for the next 5 years

Links and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Andrew Sieve saw his life implode after COVID. Buying a highly profitable 40-year-old restaurant turned things around. 

Topics in Andrew’s interview: 

  • Andrew’s family history of owning and operating restaurants
  • Why he prefers smaller restaurants
  • The tragedies of 2020 that led to him exiting his family’s business
  • Moving from Minneapolis to Colorado to start over
  • How a chance meeting led to him buying a restaurant
  • How they achieved a smooth transition 
  • What factors make restaurants difficult businesses
  • The risks in acquiring an institutional legacy restaurant
  • How he funded his acquisition through a community bank
  • His vision for the next 5 years

Links and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> Thu, 02 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3677 Andrew Sieve saw his life implode after COVID. Buying a highly profitable 40-year-old restaurant turned things around. 

Topics in Andrew’s interview: 

  • Andrew’s family history of owning and operating restaurants
  • Why he prefers smaller restaurants
  • The tragedies of 2020 that led to him exiting his family’s business
  • Moving from Minneapolis to Colorado to start over
  • How a chance meeting led to him buying a restaurant
  • How they achieved a smooth transition 
  • What factors make restaurants difficult businesses
  • The risks in acquiring an institutional legacy restaurant
  • How he funded his acquisition through a community bank
  • His vision for the next 5 years

Links and how to contact Andrew:

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds: 

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy & Operate a Plane Ride Away How to Buy & Operate a Plane Ride Away full 9996da13-70ef-4986-9f37-4e1cab4ee3b9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/paul-quirk-amber-home-improvements Paul Quirk acquired a $800k EBITDA window & door business in the UK, continuing to live with his family in Switzerland. 

Topics in Paul's interview:

  • Paul’s experience with JP Morgan in Geneva
  • 3 biggest differences between acquisition in the UK vs the US
  • The variety of ways Paul reached out to businesses during search
  • His decision to start the Buy and Build podcast
  • How he decided to buy a window/door installation business
  • The changes he made to the company’s processes
  • Why he redesigned the company’s finance team
  • Pros and cons of a “first day speech”
  • His weekly commute between Geneva and Norwich, UK
  • The future of his own podcast

References and how to reach Paul:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Paul Quirk acquired a $800k EBITDA window & door business in the UK, continuing to live with his family in Switzerland. 

Topics in Paul's interview:

  • Paul’s experience with JP Morgan in Geneva
  • 3 biggest differences between acquisition in the UK vs the US
  • The variety of ways Paul reached out to businesses during search
  • His decision to start the Buy and Build podcast
  • How he decided to buy a window/door installation business
  • The changes he made to the company’s processes
  • Why he redesigned the company’s finance team
  • Pros and cons of a “first day speech”
  • His weekly commute between Geneva and Norwich, UK
  • The future of his own podcast

References and how to reach Paul:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5827 Paul Quirk acquired a $800k EBITDA window & door business in the UK, continuing to live with his family in Switzerland. 

Topics in Paul's interview:

  • Paul’s experience with JP Morgan in Geneva
  • 3 biggest differences between acquisition in the UK vs the US
  • The variety of ways Paul reached out to businesses during search
  • His decision to start the Buy and Build podcast
  • How he decided to buy a window/door installation business
  • The changes he made to the company’s processes
  • Why he redesigned the company’s finance team
  • Pros and cons of a “first day speech”
  • His weekly commute between Geneva and Norwich, UK
  • The future of his own podcast

References and how to reach Paul:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Recent Guest Exits for 8 Figures Recent Guest Exits for 8 Figures full 8474a8f1-46d8-4b9c-9cec-4d60948e62e6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jason-andrews-groupsource-exit Shortly after his first interview in June, Jason Andrews sold his business to a strategic buyer for a life-changing sum. 

Topics in Jason's interview:

  • Jason's recent exit of the group purchasing organization (GPO) he acquired in 2016
  • How he had grown the business 50-60% without increasing staff
  • The downside of buying a super-niche business
  • The advantages of acquiring a bigger business
  • How his sales background influenced the way he restructured the company
  • Why he says “don’t pay down your debt too fast”
  • How he finds support in a local business leader group
  • The fun part of running his business
  • Why you may need to reconsider your growth model
  • What’s on his post-exit bucket list

Jason's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

References and how to reach Jason:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Shortly after his first interview in June, Jason Andrews sold his business to a strategic buyer for a life-changing sum. 

Topics in Jason's interview:

  • Jason's recent exit of the group purchasing organization (GPO) he acquired in 2016
  • How he had grown the business 50-60% without increasing staff
  • The downside of buying a super-niche business
  • The advantages of acquiring a bigger business
  • How his sales background influenced the way he restructured the company
  • Why he says “don’t pay down your debt too fast”
  • How he finds support in a local business leader group
  • The fun part of running his business
  • Why you may need to reconsider your growth model
  • What’s on his post-exit bucket list

Jason's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

References and how to reach Jason:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2077 Shortly after his first interview in June, Jason Andrews sold his business to a strategic buyer for a life-changing sum. 

Topics in Jason's interview:

  • Jason's recent exit of the group purchasing organization (GPO) he acquired in 2016
  • How he had grown the business 50-60% without increasing staff
  • The downside of buying a super-niche business
  • The advantages of acquiring a bigger business
  • How his sales background influenced the way he restructured the company
  • Why he says “don’t pay down your debt too fast”
  • How he finds support in a local business leader group
  • The fun part of running his business
  • Why you may need to reconsider your growth model
  • What’s on his post-exit bucket list

Jason's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:

References and how to reach Jason:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reward for Being Systematic: $2m Dog Training Business Reward for Being Systematic: $2m Dog Training Business full c3f9bca7-37b7-489b-bf79-3a08ed05278b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chirag-shah-sit-means-sit-austin Chirag Shah applied systems from his days as a product manager to find & acquire a dog-training business with $600k SDE. 

Topics from Chirag's interview:

  • Chirag’s background as a small business underwriter
  • His experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • How a virtual assistanct and a Notion database helped narrow his search
  • His decision to buy a Sit Means Sit franchise
  • Why 2021 was a banner year for dog training
  • How franchises compare in terms of flexibility
  • How much he pays in monthly franchise fees
  • The dog training method Sit Means Sit uses
  • Why Austin, Texas, is a prime location for dog training
  • How Profit First influences his practices

References and how to contact Chirag:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chirag Shah applied systems from his days as a product manager to find & acquire a dog-training business with $600k SDE. 

Topics from Chirag's interview:

  • Chirag’s background as a small business underwriter
  • His experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • How a virtual assistanct and a Notion database helped narrow his search
  • His decision to buy a Sit Means Sit franchise
  • Why 2021 was a banner year for dog training
  • How franchises compare in terms of flexibility
  • How much he pays in monthly franchise fees
  • The dog training method Sit Means Sit uses
  • Why Austin, Texas, is a prime location for dog training
  • How Profit First influences his practices

References and how to contact Chirag:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4152 Chirag Shah applied systems from his days as a product manager to find & acquire a dog-training business with $600k SDE. 

Topics from Chirag's interview:

  • Chirag’s background as a small business underwriter
  • His experience in the Acquisition Lab
  • How a virtual assistanct and a Notion database helped narrow his search
  • His decision to buy a Sit Means Sit franchise
  • Why 2021 was a banner year for dog training
  • How franchises compare in terms of flexibility
  • How much he pays in monthly franchise fees
  • The dog training method Sit Means Sit uses
  • Why Austin, Texas, is a prime location for dog training
  • How Profit First influences his practices

References and how to contact Chirag:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Roll Up Legacy Franchises (to $36m/yr) How to Roll Up Legacy Franchises (to $36m/yr) full deeec473-1c1f-40a8-953a-b1d0883aa6ab https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brian-beers-midas Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas locations, teaches how to acquire an empire with seller financing for retiring owners. 

Topics from Brian's interview:

  • How Brian’s family got him into owning Midas franchises
  • What makes the auto repair industry unique
  • What kind of person would enjoy running a franchise
  • Questions to ask before buying a franchise
  • How seller financing is different with franchisees
  • Service franchises vs retail franchises
  • How to approach buying a franchise
  • How a franchise broker can help you
  • What makes a good operator
  • Why buying small isn’t always bad

References & how to contact Brian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas locations, teaches how to acquire an empire with seller financing for retiring owners. 

Topics from Brian's interview:

  • How Brian’s family got him into owning Midas franchises
  • What makes the auto repair industry unique
  • What kind of person would enjoy running a franchise
  • Questions to ask before buying a franchise
  • How seller financing is different with franchisees
  • Service franchises vs retail franchises
  • How to approach buying a franchise
  • How a franchise broker can help you
  • What makes a good operator
  • Why buying small isn’t always bad

References & how to contact Brian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 16 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4584 Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas locations, teaches how to acquire an empire with seller financing for retiring owners. 

Topics from Brian's interview:

  • How Brian’s family got him into owning Midas franchises
  • What makes the auto repair industry unique
  • What kind of person would enjoy running a franchise
  • Questions to ask before buying a franchise
  • How seller financing is different with franchisees
  • Service franchises vs retail franchises
  • How to approach buying a franchise
  • How a franchise broker can help you
  • What makes a good operator
  • Why buying small isn’t always bad

References & how to contact Brian:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Using $100k to Buy a 7-Figure Dream Business Using $100k to Buy a 7-Figure Dream Business full ad2f8594-1581-4cf0-8574-824d791319aa https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tyler-oconnor-bird-golf-academy Tyler O'Connor bought a 20-year-old golf school he found on BizBuySell doing mid-7 figures with 35% margins. 

Topics in Tyler's interview:

  • Why Tyler decided to buy a business
  • How he got his wife on board with buying a business
  • The two books he recommends to every searcher
  • Why he decided against buying a “boring” business
  • The one worry that kept him up at night
  • Why he had to decline an investor at the last minute
  • Why he bought his first LOI: Bird Golf Academy
  • His advice about who to invest with
  • Why he prefers older employees in his business
  • The perks of owning a golf business

Links & how to contact Tyler:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tyler O'Connor bought a 20-year-old golf school he found on BizBuySell doing mid-7 figures with 35% margins. 

Topics in Tyler's interview:

  • Why Tyler decided to buy a business
  • How he got his wife on board with buying a business
  • The two books he recommends to every searcher
  • Why he decided against buying a “boring” business
  • The one worry that kept him up at night
  • Why he had to decline an investor at the last minute
  • Why he bought his first LOI: Bird Golf Academy
  • His advice about who to invest with
  • Why he prefers older employees in his business
  • The perks of owning a golf business

Links & how to contact Tyler:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3770 Tyler O'Connor bought a 20-year-old golf school he found on BizBuySell doing mid-7 figures with 35% margins. 

Topics in Tyler's interview:

  • Why Tyler decided to buy a business
  • How he got his wife on board with buying a business
  • The two books he recommends to every searcher
  • Why he decided against buying a “boring” business
  • The one worry that kept him up at night
  • Why he had to decline an investor at the last minute
  • Why he bought his first LOI: Bird Golf Academy
  • His advice about who to invest with
  • Why he prefers older employees in his business
  • The perks of owning a golf business

Links & how to contact Tyler:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No One Year Later: 60% Growth + 2 More Acquisitions One Year Later: 60% Growth + 2 More Acquisitions full eb661626-d043-41db-b420-e38e6becf4b3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/patrick-dichter-appletree-business-services-2 Patrick Dichter returns to update us on a productive first year as CEO of a bookkeeping business he bought in late 2021. 

Topics in Patrick's interview:

  • How Patrick acquired a bookkeeping business without an accounting background
  • Three factors that led to 60% revenue increase in year one
  • Why there’s a shortage of accountants and how that affects his business
  • What makes tax prep difficult to offshore 
  • Which kind of firms to “stay the f*** away” from 
  • Why rollups don’t work in accounting
  • How he turns tax prep clients into year-round clients
  • Acquisition vs organic growth
  • The one thing he wishes he’d done differently
  • Why he advocates buying small

Links & how to reach Patrick:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Patrick Dichter returns to update us on a productive first year as CEO of a bookkeeping business he bought in late 2021. 

Topics in Patrick's interview:

  • How Patrick acquired a bookkeeping business without an accounting background
  • Three factors that led to 60% revenue increase in year one
  • Why there’s a shortage of accountants and how that affects his business
  • What makes tax prep difficult to offshore 
  • Which kind of firms to “stay the f*** away” from 
  • Why rollups don’t work in accounting
  • How he turns tax prep clients into year-round clients
  • Acquisition vs organic growth
  • The one thing he wishes he’d done differently
  • Why he advocates buying small

Links & how to reach Patrick:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2193 Patrick Dichter returns to update us on a productive first year as CEO of a bookkeeping business he bought in late 2021. 

Topics in Patrick's interview:

  • How Patrick acquired a bookkeeping business without an accounting background
  • Three factors that led to 60% revenue increase in year one
  • Why there’s a shortage of accountants and how that affects his business
  • What makes tax prep difficult to offshore 
  • Which kind of firms to “stay the f*** away” from 
  • Why rollups don’t work in accounting
  • How he turns tax prep clients into year-round clients
  • Acquisition vs organic growth
  • The one thing he wishes he’d done differently
  • Why he advocates buying small

Links & how to reach Patrick:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Key Moments from 3 Entrepreneurs Who Bought Businesses Key Moments from 3 Entrepreneurs Who Bought Businesses full 1723ed6a-02d0-4994-b7cd-be83a551d305 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/cassi-niekamp-morli-desai-anne-ristic Multiple perspectives today as Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab moderates a panel with 3 women who bought businesses. 

Topics from the panel:

  • Cassie Niekamp bought the first company she looked at: a 40-year old fencing company
  • How she dealt with a $200k valuation gap
  • What went well with the transition and what didn’t go well
  • Anne Ristic left a 30-year career in law to buy a business
  • How her collaborative leadership style has served her
  • Why it’s okay if you don’t have all the skills you need
  • Morli Desai purchased an e-commerce skincare business
  • Her difficulty getting sellers to talk to her
  • How joining Acquisition Lab made all the difference in her search
  • Advice from all the guests about successful acquisition

References and how to contact the panelists:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Multiple perspectives today as Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab moderates a panel with 3 women who bought businesses. 

Topics from the panel:

  • Cassie Niekamp bought the first company she looked at: a 40-year old fencing company
  • How she dealt with a $200k valuation gap
  • What went well with the transition and what didn’t go well
  • Anne Ristic left a 30-year career in law to buy a business
  • How her collaborative leadership style has served her
  • Why it’s okay if you don’t have all the skills you need
  • Morli Desai purchased an e-commerce skincare business
  • Her difficulty getting sellers to talk to her
  • How joining Acquisition Lab made all the difference in her search
  • Advice from all the guests about successful acquisition

References and how to contact the panelists:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:40:32 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3106 Multiple perspectives today as Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab moderates a panel with 3 women who bought businesses. Multiple perspectives today as Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab moderates a panel with 3 women who bought businesses. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Former Searcher Opts to Franchise Instead Former Searcher Opts to Franchise Instead full 8b9fd17f-3258-41d1-b074-ef3aa06448fa https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jacob-lee-scenthound Jacob Lee signed up for 10 locations in the Scenthound franchise after deciding it was a better opportunity than search. 

Topics in Jacob's interview:

  • Why starting franchise locations makes more sense than buying a business
  • Return on equity in franchising vs. search
  • Getting over pride when choosing to franchise
  • How Jacob selected Scenthound from 4,000 franchise options
  • Other franchises Jacob considered
  • How to analyze a franchise opportunity (especially a young one)
  • All about Scenthound - concept, numbers, fees
  • Franchising compounds
  • How to build 10 units over 4 years (plus the 2 key hires that make it possible)
  • Using SBA loans in franchising

References & how to reach Jacob:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jacob Lee signed up for 10 locations in the Scenthound franchise after deciding it was a better opportunity than search. 

Topics in Jacob's interview:

  • Why starting franchise locations makes more sense than buying a business
  • Return on equity in franchising vs. search
  • Getting over pride when choosing to franchise
  • How Jacob selected Scenthound from 4,000 franchise options
  • Other franchises Jacob considered
  • How to analyze a franchise opportunity (especially a young one)
  • All about Scenthound - concept, numbers, fees
  • Franchising compounds
  • How to build 10 units over 4 years (plus the 2 key hires that make it possible)
  • Using SBA loans in franchising

References & how to reach Jacob:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5440 Jacob Lee signed up for 10 locations in the Scenthound franchise after deciding it was a better opportunity than search. Jacob Lee signed up for 10 locations in the Scenthound franchise after deciding it was a better opportunity than search. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Manufacturing Opportunity: Look Where Others Aren't Manufacturing Opportunity: Look Where Others Aren't full 414c6d6c-fcf6-44cd-afb0-38169867b1ec https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jules-brenner-american-sheet-metal Jules Brenner searched for 2.5 years before buying a manufacturer with great tailwinds and a path to $100m in revenue. 

Topics in Jules' interview:

  • Jules's background in mechanical engineering & California startups
  • Starting out with Searchfunder.com
  • The difficulty of searching during COVID
  • The 4 tiers of manufacturing companies
  • What type of manufacturing business to buy
  • His deal with an architectural lighting manufacturer that fell through
  • Sam Rosati's role as an advisor
  • What Jules was doing wrong in his search
  • The real purpose of a broker
  • How sellers always gets what they want
  • Acquiring and growing American Sheet Metal

Resources and how to reach Jules:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jules Brenner searched for 2.5 years before buying a manufacturer with great tailwinds and a path to $100m in revenue. 

Topics in Jules' interview:

  • Jules's background in mechanical engineering & California startups
  • Starting out with Searchfunder.com
  • The difficulty of searching during COVID
  • The 4 tiers of manufacturing companies
  • What type of manufacturing business to buy
  • His deal with an architectural lighting manufacturer that fell through
  • Sam Rosati's role as an advisor
  • What Jules was doing wrong in his search
  • The real purpose of a broker
  • How sellers always gets what they want
  • Acquiring and growing American Sheet Metal

Resources and how to reach Jules:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4610 Jules Brenner searched for 2.5 years before buying a manufacturer with great tailwinds and a path to $100m in revenue. Jules Brenner searched for 2.5 years before buying a manufacturer with great tailwinds and a path to $100m in revenue. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive) How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive) bonus 8e45ec0c-87a6-471d-8e6b-6b7df59e80c6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG1gz1fttsk Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.)

Themes from Sarah's interview:

  • The formula for estimating the value of a salon or beauty business
  • What to do when sellers overestimate the worth of their company
  • Where to cut costs after you’ve made an acquisition 
  • Underestimating the importance of company culture
  • The stress of owning and managing a retail business
  • The process of exiting a business you’ve acquired

Reach Sarah at:

  • Sarah dot Romer at gmail dot com

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Original episode page & show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.)

Themes from Sarah's interview:

  • The formula for estimating the value of a salon or beauty business
  • What to do when sellers overestimate the worth of their company
  • Where to cut costs after you’ve made an acquisition 
  • Underestimating the importance of company culture
  • The stress of owning and managing a retail business
  • The process of exiting a business you’ve acquired

Reach Sarah at:

  • Sarah dot Romer at gmail dot com

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Original episode page & show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3296 Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying Franchises: A Primer for Searchers Buying Franchises: A Primer for Searchers full 3bcdd08c-874b-477e-a888-01c683be5afd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/wolf-of-franchises Twitter-famous Wolf of Franchises on why & how you should buy existing franchise businesses, including lots of examples. 

Themes from the conversation with Wolf:

  • Pros/cons of acquiring an existing franchise business
  • Why buy 1 franchise business (even if SDE is just $100k)
  • Opportunity & perils of rolling up franchises
  • If you can grow from 1 to 2 locations, magic
  • How to assess health of a franchise brand
  • Breaking into mature franchises as an acquisition entrepreneur
  • 4 mature franchise brands Wolf likes (plus 1 he hates)
  • Why to avoid food franchises
  • How to gauge risk of new franchise brands
  • Avoid these 2 common mistakes made by franchisees

Links & how to reach the Wolf:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Twitter-famous Wolf of Franchises on why & how you should buy existing franchise businesses, including lots of examples. 

Themes from the conversation with Wolf:

  • Pros/cons of acquiring an existing franchise business
  • Why buy 1 franchise business (even if SDE is just $100k)
  • Opportunity & perils of rolling up franchises
  • If you can grow from 1 to 2 locations, magic
  • How to assess health of a franchise brand
  • Breaking into mature franchises as an acquisition entrepreneur
  • 4 mature franchise brands Wolf likes (plus 1 he hates)
  • Why to avoid food franchises
  • How to gauge risk of new franchise brands
  • Avoid these 2 common mistakes made by franchisees

Links & how to reach the Wolf:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4142 Twitter-famous Wolf of Franchises on why & how you should buy existing franchise businesses, including lots of examples. Twitter-famous Wolf of Franchises on why & how you should buy existing franchise businesses, including lots of examples. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $3m Course Business (Whose Founder is the Face) Buying a $3m Course Business (Whose Founder is the Face) full 377bd618-750c-4f54-9844-3a2b2c37015b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dom-wells-onfolio-2 Online course businesses have dazzling margins but a key weakness. Dom Wells explains how to acquire one & make it work. 

Topics from the interview with Dom:

  • Opportunity for acquisition entrepreneurs to buy a course business
  • What to look for when acquiring a course
  • The role a course founder's personal story plays
  • How to ease the founder's face out of the brand
  • Why faces of successful students of the course are actually more valuable
  • How courses can charge so much ($500 and more)
  • Buying underperforming Udemy courses
  • Importance of marketing funnels to a course business
  • Ongoing development costs of a course (vs. SaaS)

Links & how to contact Dom:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Online course businesses have dazzling margins but a key weakness. Dom Wells explains how to acquire one & make it work. 

Topics from the interview with Dom:

  • Opportunity for acquisition entrepreneurs to buy a course business
  • What to look for when acquiring a course
  • The role a course founder's personal story plays
  • How to ease the founder's face out of the brand
  • Why faces of successful students of the course are actually more valuable
  • How courses can charge so much ($500 and more)
  • Buying underperforming Udemy courses
  • Importance of marketing funnels to a course business
  • Ongoing development costs of a course (vs. SaaS)

Links & how to contact Dom:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2199 Online course businesses have dazzling margins but a key weakness. Dom Wells explains how to acquire one & make it work. Online course businesses have dazzling margins but a key weakness. Dom Wells explains how to acquire one & make it work. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Wine Business: 5x Growth in a Tough but Fun Industry The Wine Business: 5x Growth in a Tough but Fun Industry full 614305c0-da5d-4f1b-bb18-90293ac6a7c6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/david-page-post-trellis David Page bought a Bay Area wine business in 2010, against the advice of colleagues. 12 years later, it's 5x larger. 

Topics in David's interview:

  • Don't avoid "buying a job"... because you ARE buying a job
  • Buying a business before "search" was well known
  • Buying a circus business (almost)
  • Humble, scrappy beginnings after acquiring
  • Buying in cash, no loan
  • Inevitable surprises you find post-acquisition
  • Brutal first 6 months
  • The niche of private wine grape growing
  • Growing 5x since acquisition
  • How to keep employees happy

References & how to reach David:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> David Page bought a Bay Area wine business in 2010, against the advice of colleagues. 12 years later, it's 5x larger. 

Topics in David's interview:

  • Don't avoid "buying a job"... because you ARE buying a job
  • Buying a business before "search" was well known
  • Buying a circus business (almost)
  • Humble, scrappy beginnings after acquiring
  • Buying in cash, no loan
  • Inevitable surprises you find post-acquisition
  • Brutal first 6 months
  • The niche of private wine grape growing
  • Growing 5x since acquisition
  • How to keep employees happy

References & how to reach David:

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]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4338 David Page bought a Bay Area wine business in 2010, against the advice of colleagues. 12 years later, it's 5x larger. David Page bought a Bay Area wine business in 2010, against the advice of colleagues. 12 years later, it's 5x larger. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 1 Year Later as Buyer of a $1m EBITDA Business 1 Year Later as Buyer of a $1m EBITDA Business full 23248ff5-d14a-4372-a655-2d3d67e08595 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-williams-system-six-2 Chris Williams was a guest in 2021, just after his acquisition. He returns to share how it's going now, 14 months later. 

Topics from Chris's interview:

  • System Six's growth in the first 14 months
  • What Chris wishes he had done differently during transition
  • Hiring challenges and how to hire from within
  • How he has learned sales
  • Why he likes to serve searcher-acquired businesses
  • The first step in being a great workplace
  • Traditional vs. self-funded search
  • Why revenue growth does not always equal EBITDA growth
  • Pricing challenges in the bookkeeping industry
  • Does more investors mean more help & guidance?

References & how to reach Chris:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chris Williams was a guest in 2021, just after his acquisition. He returns to share how it's going now, 14 months later. 

Topics from Chris's interview:

  • System Six's growth in the first 14 months
  • What Chris wishes he had done differently during transition
  • Hiring challenges and how to hire from within
  • How he has learned sales
  • Why he likes to serve searcher-acquired businesses
  • The first step in being a great workplace
  • Traditional vs. self-funded search
  • Why revenue growth does not always equal EBITDA growth
  • Pricing challenges in the bookkeeping industry
  • Does more investors mean more help & guidance?

References & how to reach Chris:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2000 Chris Williams was a guest in 2021, just after his acquisition. He returns to share how it's going now, 14 months later. Chris Williams was a guest in 2021, just after his acquisition. He returns to share how it's going now, 14 months later. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Wealth Potential of Self-Funded Search The Wealth Potential of Self-Funded Search full 9c3fdb39-8aca-4207-9823-8a8a410f59fd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/robert-graham-jordan-carter-sig-search-investment-group Key findings from SIG's new study on self-funded search: financial outcomes, deal costs & terms, search lengths & more. 

Topics from the interview with SIG:

  • What is the self-funded search study & why it matters
  • Effect of self-funded search on entrepreneurs' net worths
  • Search performance: how many acquisitions saw EBITDA shrink, maintain, or grow 
  • How much is too much to pay for legal fees & due diligence
  • The pros and cons of a seller note
  • Why you don’t need an MBA to acquire a business
  • Value of a good relationship with a seller
  • How long search takes, on average
  • Why acquisition will only get more competitive in the future
  • Drawback of a private equity background
  • What critics get wrong about self-funded search
  • Methodology & shortcomings of the study

Download the study:

Links, References, and Contacts:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Key findings from SIG's new study on self-funded search: financial outcomes, deal costs & terms, search lengths & more. 

Topics from the interview with SIG:

  • What is the self-funded search study & why it matters
  • Effect of self-funded search on entrepreneurs' net worths
  • Search performance: how many acquisitions saw EBITDA shrink, maintain, or grow 
  • How much is too much to pay for legal fees & due diligence
  • The pros and cons of a seller note
  • Why you don’t need an MBA to acquire a business
  • Value of a good relationship with a seller
  • How long search takes, on average
  • Why acquisition will only get more competitive in the future
  • Drawback of a private equity background
  • What critics get wrong about self-funded search
  • Methodology & shortcomings of the study

Download the study:

Links, References, and Contacts:

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2023 05:26:02 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4505 Key findings from SIG's new study on self-funded search: financial outcomes, deal costs & terms, search lengths & more. Key findings from SIG's new study on self-funded search: financial outcomes, deal costs & terms, search lengths & more. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No (Part 2) 8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years (Part 2) 8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years full 2059b582-cca5-4d60-98aa-697f00c9101a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhW_80Kgz4 How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. (This is the second part of a 2-part interview.) 

Themes from the interview with Bradley & Logan:

  • Buying, growing, and selling a local service business for $20m+
  • Why landscaping still has lots of opportunity
  • How to transform a project-based business into a recurring-revenue business
  • How to build a sales function in a local service business
  • Why building a sales function is better for growth than acquiring tuck-ins
  • How to convert 25% of sales opportunities
  • Working capital as oxygen
  • White-glove service in a blue-collar industry
  • Why you should build a credit department
  • What it's like to sell to a publicly-traded corporation

Links & how to reach Bradley & Logan

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. (This is the second part of a 2-part interview.) 

Themes from the interview with Bradley & Logan:

  • Buying, growing, and selling a local service business for $20m+
  • Why landscaping still has lots of opportunity
  • How to transform a project-based business into a recurring-revenue business
  • How to build a sales function in a local service business
  • Why building a sales function is better for growth than acquiring tuck-ins
  • How to convert 25% of sales opportunities
  • Working capital as oxygen
  • White-glove service in a blue-collar industry
  • Why you should build a credit department
  • What it's like to sell to a publicly-traded corporation

Links & how to reach Bradley & Logan

Overhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:

Register for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4733 How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. (This is the second part of a 2-part interview.) How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. (This is the second part of a 2-part interview.) entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years 8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years full 8d1c4e04-5114-4bdb-9fc0-9e88b135cf32 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/bradley-roofner-logan-brown-wle How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. 

Themes from the interview with Bradley & Logan:

  • Buying, growing, and selling a local service business for $20m+
  • Why landscaping still has lots of opportunity
  • How to transform a project-based business into a recurring-revenue business
  • How to build a sales function in a local service business
  • Why building a sales function is better for growth than acquiring tuck-ins
  • How to convert 25% of sales opportunities
  • Working capital as oxygen
  • White-glove service in a blue-collar industry
  • Why you should build a credit department
  • What it's like to sell to a publicly-traded corporation

Links & how to reach Bradley & Logan

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. 

Themes from the interview with Bradley & Logan:

  • Buying, growing, and selling a local service business for $20m+
  • Why landscaping still has lots of opportunity
  • How to transform a project-based business into a recurring-revenue business
  • How to build a sales function in a local service business
  • Why building a sales function is better for growth than acquiring tuck-ins
  • How to convert 25% of sales opportunities
  • Working capital as oxygen
  • White-glove service in a blue-collar industry
  • Why you should build a credit department
  • What it's like to sell to a publicly-traded corporation

Links & how to reach Bradley & Logan

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3955 How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. How Bradley Roofner & Logan Brown transformed a tough, project-based landscaping biz into a recurring revenue machine. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions bonus 706d37c9-7f87-4711-bdac-ecfa61cd6bc4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/neil-saxon-psychotherapy-group A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) 

Themes from Neil's interview:

  • Growing a mental health practice from $615k/year to $2M. 
  • How working in your acquired business (not on it) can save you
  • Owning a business with your spouse
  • Equipment leasing as a solution to keeping overhead costs low 
  • To sue or not to sue (the seller, post-acquisition)
  • Preferring businesses for sale rather than cold outreach to owners
  • When to sell a fast-growing business

Reach Neil at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) 

Themes from Neil's interview:

  • Growing a mental health practice from $615k/year to $2M. 
  • How working in your acquired business (not on it) can save you
  • Owning a business with your spouse
  • Equipment leasing as a solution to keeping overhead costs low 
  • To sue or not to sue (the seller, post-acquisition)
  • Preferring businesses for sale rather than cold outreach to owners
  • When to sell a fast-growing business

Reach Neil at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3470 A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. (This is a rebroadcast from November 2021.) entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small bonus 8c679f73-ae1e-4081-8138-5f32e5aad2d4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jd-klein-minuteman-press-franchise JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. (This is a rebroadcast from December 2021.) 

Themes from JD's interview:

  • Running a strong-growth, low-margin business
  • Selling your house to make ends meet
  • Why very small businesses come with higher risk
  • Acquirers should hire a financial planner
  • Pivoting your strategy when uncontrollable roadblocks emerge
  • Pros & cons of the printing industry for acquirers
  • Personal victories vs. financial victories

Reach JD at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. (This is a rebroadcast from December 2021.) 

Themes from JD's interview:

  • Running a strong-growth, low-margin business
  • Selling your house to make ends meet
  • Why very small businesses come with higher risk
  • Acquirers should hire a financial planner
  • Pivoting your strategy when uncontrollable roadblocks emerge
  • Pros & cons of the printing industry for acquirers
  • Personal victories vs. financial victories

Reach JD at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4211 JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. (This is a rebroadcast from December 2021.) JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. (This is a rebroadcast from December 2021.) entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No State of the Pod, 2022 State of the Pod, 2022 bonus e4b70abf-d95a-4943-8032-360fe3dad959 https://share.transistor.fm/s/24af83f8 Acquiring Minds will start publishing twice per week. Host Will Smith explains the rationale for this decision. 

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Acquiring Minds will start publishing twice per week. Host Will Smith explains the rationale for this decision. 

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 314 Acquiring Minds will start publishing twice per week. Host Will Smith explains the rationale for this decision. Acquiring Minds will start publishing twice per week. Host Will Smith explains the rationale for this decision. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Dream Fulfilled: Buying a $2m, 50-Year-Old Business Dream Fulfilled: Buying a $2m, 50-Year-Old Business full a96e5668-20bb-4773-ac37-93f14f4cb146 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/fraser-voll-regional-janitorial-services-rjs When Fraser Voll first learned about buying businesses, he couldn't stop reading about it. That passion paid dividends. 

Topics in Fraser's interview:

  • What working for a boutique M&A advisory taught him about buying businesses
  • Anatomy of a self-funded search deal WITHOUT an SBA loan
  • How to get a good multiple (3x) on a $600-800k EBITDA business
  • What Fraser bought: revenue, margins, price, terms, etc.
  • Getting comfortable with high customer concentration
  • How to de-risk buying a business whose revenue doubled in prior 2 years
  • How to structure an earnout
  • Janitorial industry: how to achieve high margins, retain labor, and more
  • Search in Canada
  • Why small business became more attractive than software

Links & how to reach Fraser:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> When Fraser Voll first learned about buying businesses, he couldn't stop reading about it. That passion paid dividends. 

Topics in Fraser's interview:

  • What working for a boutique M&A advisory taught him about buying businesses
  • Anatomy of a self-funded search deal WITHOUT an SBA loan
  • How to get a good multiple (3x) on a $600-800k EBITDA business
  • What Fraser bought: revenue, margins, price, terms, etc.
  • Getting comfortable with high customer concentration
  • How to de-risk buying a business whose revenue doubled in prior 2 years
  • How to structure an earnout
  • Janitorial industry: how to achieve high margins, retain labor, and more
  • Search in Canada
  • Why small business became more attractive than software

Links & how to reach Fraser:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5266 When Fraser Voll first learned about buying businesses, he couldn't stop reading about it. That passion paid dividends. When Fraser Voll first learned about buying businesses, he couldn't stop reading about it. That passion paid dividends. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Bitcoin Mining Facility Buying a Bitcoin Mining Facility full 6e0d479d-0f70-4c47-971a-12d15a4c4a4c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-koerner-mining-syndicate Chris Koerner acquired a bitcoin mining facility he found on BizBuySell for $750k and now employees 11 people. 

Topics in Chris's interview:

  • Bitcoin mining 101
  • Challenge of finding real estate to host bitcoin miners
  • Economics & ROI of bitcoin mining
  • Using BizBuySell to find bitcoin mining facilities
  • Price & deal terms to acquire a bitcoin mining facility in Texas
  • The business of hosting bitcoin miners
  • Why it's difficult to buy miners
  • The business of reselling bitcoin miners
  • How the crypto winter has affected profitability
  • Crazy story of partnering with the late John McAfee

Links & how to reach Chris:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Chris Koerner acquired a bitcoin mining facility he found on BizBuySell for $750k and now employees 11 people. 

Topics in Chris's interview:

  • Bitcoin mining 101
  • Challenge of finding real estate to host bitcoin miners
  • Economics & ROI of bitcoin mining
  • Using BizBuySell to find bitcoin mining facilities
  • Price & deal terms to acquire a bitcoin mining facility in Texas
  • The business of hosting bitcoin miners
  • Why it's difficult to buy miners
  • The business of reselling bitcoin miners
  • How the crypto winter has affected profitability
  • Crazy story of partnering with the late John McAfee

Links & how to reach Chris:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4340 Chris Koerner acquired a bitcoin mining facility he found on BizBuySell for $750k and now employees 11 people. Chris Koerner acquired a bitcoin mining facility he found on BizBuySell for $750k and now employees 11 people. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date) Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date) full fd6c967f-0224-4e31-80f8-a5c941a3bff9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/trevor-boehm-saturn-five Trevor Boehm shares how Saturn Five started as a venture studio but found buying small businesses a better model. 

Topics in Trevor's interview:

  • First rule of holdcos: Do No Harm
  • Benefits of buying businesses in a single geography
  • What makes for a good owner-operator?
  • How Saturn Five finds operators
  • Loneliness as owner-operator of a small business
  • Great hack for new owner-operators
  • Why "boring" businesses aren't boring
  • Advice to someone considering buying a small business
  • Advice to entrepreneurs wanting to build a holdco
  • Who is Saturn Five (and why you haven't heard of them)

Links & how to contact Trevor:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Trevor Boehm shares how Saturn Five started as a venture studio but found buying small businesses a better model. 

Topics in Trevor's interview:

  • First rule of holdcos: Do No Harm
  • Benefits of buying businesses in a single geography
  • What makes for a good owner-operator?
  • How Saturn Five finds operators
  • Loneliness as owner-operator of a small business
  • Great hack for new owner-operators
  • Why "boring" businesses aren't boring
  • Advice to someone considering buying a small business
  • Advice to entrepreneurs wanting to build a holdco
  • Who is Saturn Five (and why you haven't heard of them)

Links & how to contact Trevor:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4004 Trevor Boehm shares how Saturn Five started as a venture studio but found buying small businesses a better model. Trevor Boehm shares how Saturn Five started as a venture studio but found buying small businesses a better model. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 6 Months to Buy a Business with $1m+ in EBITDA 6 Months to Buy a Business with $1m+ in EBITDA full c100d188-dc3c-4117-8eb7-d4d511efd7ff https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shane-ehrsam-north-texas-trailers Shane Ehrsam went full-time in his search & used systematic broker outreach to buy a great business in his local market. 

Topics in Shane's interview:

  • Why he didn't acquire a franchise resale
  • Shane's experience in the Acquisition Lab, Walker Deibel's program to buy a business
  • Why talking to other searchers is so important before beginning your own search
  • Mechanics of his broker outreach
  • Importance of cold calling brokers
  • Buying a business in stock (vs. the more traditional asset purchase)
  • All about the dealership business
  • Full standby note — what is it?
  • Day 1 experience
  • How being an SMB owner feels different than life in corporate

Links & how to reach Shane:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Shane Ehrsam went full-time in his search & used systematic broker outreach to buy a great business in his local market. 

Topics in Shane's interview:

  • Why he didn't acquire a franchise resale
  • Shane's experience in the Acquisition Lab, Walker Deibel's program to buy a business
  • Why talking to other searchers is so important before beginning your own search
  • Mechanics of his broker outreach
  • Importance of cold calling brokers
  • Buying a business in stock (vs. the more traditional asset purchase)
  • All about the dealership business
  • Full standby note — what is it?
  • Day 1 experience
  • How being an SMB owner feels different than life in corporate

Links & how to reach Shane:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5152 Shane Ehrsam went full-time in his search & used systematic broker outreach to buy a great business in his local market. Shane Ehrsam went full-time in his search & used systematic broker outreach to buy a great business in his local market. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Business to Escape the Middle Class Buying a Business to Escape the Middle Class full 0e03de7a-3119-486a-95d5-9d352b5d0a39 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jordan-novgrod-lt-engineering Jordan Novgrod sold his house, tapped his 401k, and went all-in to buy an $800k SDE business he found on BizBuySell. 

Topics in Jordan's interview:

  1. Finding a great business on BizBuySell
  2. Blogging the search process
  3. Key rule of thumb on SDE
  4. Importance of buyer-seller chemistry
  5. Machine shop businesses - pros & cons
  6. Transferring key relationships post-sale
  7. Day 1 speech
  8. How Jordan built rapport with his new employees

Links & how to reach Jordan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jordan Novgrod sold his house, tapped his 401k, and went all-in to buy an $800k SDE business he found on BizBuySell. 

Topics in Jordan's interview:

  1. Finding a great business on BizBuySell
  2. Blogging the search process
  3. Key rule of thumb on SDE
  4. Importance of buyer-seller chemistry
  5. Machine shop businesses - pros & cons
  6. Transferring key relationships post-sale
  7. Day 1 speech
  8. How Jordan built rapport with his new employees

Links & how to reach Jordan:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4601 Jordan Novgrod sold his house, tapped his 401k, and went all-in to buy an $800k SDE business he found on BizBuySell. Jordan Novgrod sold his house, tapped his 401k, and went all-in to buy an $800k SDE business he found on BizBuySell. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $2.3m Business with $100k in Cash + Your 401k How to Buy a $2.3m Business with $100k in Cash + Your 401k full ae32938a-b2e8-4539-a8c6-57b4f0abf8db https://acquiringminds.co/articles/burk-adams-pc-enclosures Burk Adams tapped his 401k to buy a business that reinvented his career, gave him back time, and catapulted his wealth. 

Topics in Burk's interview:

  • Using your 401k to buy a business with ROBS
  • Buying a business being the most impactful thing he's done in his life
  • Realities of a C corp vs. LLC
  • Teaching his kids acquisition entrepreneurship
  • How it seems easier to have bought a business in 2015 than now
  • The feeling of giant SBA loan repayments every month
  • His business acquisition being a full send
  • How he thought about the failure risk
  • Why he liked PC Enclosures
  • Acquisition price & numbers
  • Buying a $2.6m business while only having $100k in cash
  • Revenue numbers
  • Handling the brutal first 6 months (and how it was healthy for the future)
  • What's worse: depression or panic?
  • Strong growth in the last few years
  • How to think about one-off purchase vs. recurring revenue businesses
  • How to think about buying a manufacturing business
  • Small business ownership vs. being a consultant
  • 2 new businesses that have come out of his acquisition

Links & how to reach Burk:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Burk Adams tapped his 401k to buy a business that reinvented his career, gave him back time, and catapulted his wealth. 

Topics in Burk's interview:

  • Using your 401k to buy a business with ROBS
  • Buying a business being the most impactful thing he's done in his life
  • Realities of a C corp vs. LLC
  • Teaching his kids acquisition entrepreneurship
  • How it seems easier to have bought a business in 2015 than now
  • The feeling of giant SBA loan repayments every month
  • His business acquisition being a full send
  • How he thought about the failure risk
  • Why he liked PC Enclosures
  • Acquisition price & numbers
  • Buying a $2.6m business while only having $100k in cash
  • Revenue numbers
  • Handling the brutal first 6 months (and how it was healthy for the future)
  • What's worse: depression or panic?
  • Strong growth in the last few years
  • How to think about one-off purchase vs. recurring revenue businesses
  • How to think about buying a manufacturing business
  • Small business ownership vs. being a consultant
  • 2 new businesses that have come out of his acquisition

Links & how to reach Burk:

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Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 15 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5660 Burk Adams tapped his 401k to buy a business that reinvented his career, gave him back time, and catapulted his wealth. Burk Adams tapped his 401k to buy a business that reinvented his career, gave him back time, and catapulted his wealth. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Survive Buying a Bad Business How to Survive Buying a Bad Business full 8daa08d4-850e-41db-bf88-f0674582c6f3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/judd-lorson-acquisition-entrepreneur It looked like a dream: $2m EBITDA, recurring, large market. Only after Judd Lorson bought it did he learn the truth. 

Topics in Judd's interview:

  • Searchfund accelerator pros & cons
  • Understanding investors' role in your acquisition
  • Importance of 100% transparency with employees (even pre-acquisition)
  • Debt collection business pros & cons
  • Discovery that he's acquired a bad business
  • Managing hostility with sellers
  • What is the proper attitude for buying a business?
  • How to resign as CEO the right way

Links & how to reach Judd:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> It looked like a dream: $2m EBITDA, recurring, large market. Only after Judd Lorson bought it did he learn the truth. 

Topics in Judd's interview:

  • Searchfund accelerator pros & cons
  • Understanding investors' role in your acquisition
  • Importance of 100% transparency with employees (even pre-acquisition)
  • Debt collection business pros & cons
  • Discovery that he's acquired a bad business
  • Managing hostility with sellers
  • What is the proper attitude for buying a business?
  • How to resign as CEO the right way

Links & how to reach Judd:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 5221 It looked like a dream: $2m EBITDA, recurring, large market. Only after Judd Lorson bought it did he learn the truth. It looked like a dream: $2m EBITDA, recurring, large market. Only after Judd Lorson bought it did he learn the truth. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying Doggy Daycares After 10 Years in Tech Buying Doggy Daycares After 10 Years in Tech full ffcd0407-004c-4c9b-893a-a15763e6951e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/taylor-wallace-paws-n-rec Taylor Wallace was over tech. He acquired a small business and with it a renewed sense of impact (and opportunity). 

Topics in Taylor's interview:

  • Tech burnout
  • Working in tech vs. running a small business
  • Buying indy vs. franchise
  • Injecting tech-industry best practices & ambition into small business
  • How do friends in tech respond to his foray into doggy daycares?
  • Going from digital nomad to brick-and-mortar business owner in Tampa
  • Increasing doggy daycare capacity 2x
  • Will more than 2x revenue by next year
  • What he paid (roughly) for 1st and 2nd acquisitions
  • Growth strategy
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Doggy daycare business - should you do it?

Links & how to reach Taylor:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Taylor Wallace was over tech. He acquired a small business and with it a renewed sense of impact (and opportunity). 

Topics in Taylor's interview:

  • Tech burnout
  • Working in tech vs. running a small business
  • Buying indy vs. franchise
  • Injecting tech-industry best practices & ambition into small business
  • How do friends in tech respond to his foray into doggy daycares?
  • Going from digital nomad to brick-and-mortar business owner in Tampa
  • Increasing doggy daycare capacity 2x
  • Will more than 2x revenue by next year
  • What he paid (roughly) for 1st and 2nd acquisitions
  • Growth strategy
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Doggy daycare business - should you do it?

Links & how to reach Taylor:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4219 Taylor Wallace was over tech. He acquired a small business and with it a renewed sense of impact (and opportunity). Taylor Wallace was over tech. He acquired a small business and with it a renewed sense of impact (and opportunity). entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Would They Do It Again? 1 Year Later with 5 Early Guests Would They Do It Again? 1 Year Later with 5 Early Guests full 0b495242-3cb9-4cf3-abdb-48b28f5f2aa7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/acquiring-minds-100th-episode Episode 100! To celebrate, 5 early guests come back to share how things are going at their acquisitions, 1 year later. 

  • 2:48 - Chris Edwards acquired a flooring business
  • 18:15 - Philippe Vanderhoydonck, a B2B media business in the pets industry
  • 35:49 - Cassi Niekamp, a fencing business
  • 1:02:12 - Andrew Pierno is buying multiple small SaaS businesses
  • 1:25:54 - Mike Botkin bought a small landscaping business and has quickly parlayed that into becoming a player in the landscaping industry

Links to guests' previous episodes:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Episode 100! To celebrate, 5 early guests come back to share how things are going at their acquisitions, 1 year later. 

  • 2:48 - Chris Edwards acquired a flooring business
  • 18:15 - Philippe Vanderhoydonck, a B2B media business in the pets industry
  • 35:49 - Cassi Niekamp, a fencing business
  • 1:02:12 - Andrew Pierno is buying multiple small SaaS businesses
  • 1:25:54 - Mike Botkin bought a small landscaping business and has quickly parlayed that into becoming a player in the landscaping industry

Links to guests' previous episodes:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6358 Episode 100! To celebrate, 5 early guests come back to share how things are going at their acquisitions, 1 year later. Episode 100! To celebrate, 5 early guests come back to share how things are going at their acquisitions, 1 year later. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Seasonal Biz: Buy Another for Low Season How to Buy a Seasonal Biz: Buy Another for Low Season full 4f3f7588-fe5b-403f-b0b4-82e59a41a1fa https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-harbin-venango-awning Andrew Harbin first bought an awning business, then bought a fencing franchise to keep his crew working through summer. 

Topics in Andrew's interview:

  • Should you buy a seasonal business?
  • Buying a second business to offset seasonality of first business
  • Twitter thread that opened his eyes to building wealth by buying  a business
  • Buying a business that is for sale by owner
  • Revenue + SDE of the awning business he acquired
  • Growth he's achieved in first years of ownership
  • How the awning business works (revenue sources, staffing, org chart)
  • Buying a $300-400k SDE business
  • Why hiring temps for seasonal businesses is unappealing
  • Fencing business: buying vs. starting from scratch vs. starting a franchise
  • Pros/cons of franchises
  • Big Jerry's fencing franchise
  • Tips for entrepreneurs considering buying a fencing business
  • Nature of stress in SMB vs. corporate
  • Loneliness of being a small business owner

Links & how to reach Andrew:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Andrew Harbin first bought an awning business, then bought a fencing franchise to keep his crew working through summer. 

Topics in Andrew's interview:

  • Should you buy a seasonal business?
  • Buying a second business to offset seasonality of first business
  • Twitter thread that opened his eyes to building wealth by buying  a business
  • Buying a business that is for sale by owner
  • Revenue + SDE of the awning business he acquired
  • Growth he's achieved in first years of ownership
  • How the awning business works (revenue sources, staffing, org chart)
  • Buying a $300-400k SDE business
  • Why hiring temps for seasonal businesses is unappealing
  • Fencing business: buying vs. starting from scratch vs. starting a franchise
  • Pros/cons of franchises
  • Big Jerry's fencing franchise
  • Tips for entrepreneurs considering buying a fencing business
  • Nature of stress in SMB vs. corporate
  • Loneliness of being a small business owner

Links & how to reach Andrew:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3929 Andrew Harbin first bought an awning business, then bought a fencing franchise to keep his crew working through summer. Andrew Harbin first bought an awning business, then bought a fencing franchise to keep his crew working through summer. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How a $40k Acquisition Led to a Franchise Empire How a $40k Acquisition Led to a Franchise Empire full e09ab97a-dcd8-49e8-97a8-f5174b89de5b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/james-temple-mathnasium James Temple & his mother acquired a struggling Mathnasium franchise in 2009. Today, they do $7m across 19 locations. 

Topics in James' interview:

  • Buying vs. starting a franchise location
  • Is rolling up easier in a franchise system?
  • Turning around underperforming franchise locations
  • How to assess the risk of a franchise system
  • 3 criticisms of franchises that MBA student always have
  • Numbers behind his first acquisition
  • Growing to 19 franchise locations in 13 years
  • How a 19-unit franchise business is structured & operated
  • Evaluating franchise opportunities from a risk-adjusted perspective
  • Revenue range of Mathnasium franchises
  • Mathnasium fees
  • What exactly do you get from a franchisor for the franchise fee?
  • Passion and purpose — is it necessary?
  • Franchise consultants (and how they are incentivized)
  • How to start investigating opportunities if you're interested in a particular franchise

Links & how to reach James:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> James Temple & his mother acquired a struggling Mathnasium franchise in 2009. Today, they do $7m across 19 locations. 

Topics in James' interview:

  • Buying vs. starting a franchise location
  • Is rolling up easier in a franchise system?
  • Turning around underperforming franchise locations
  • How to assess the risk of a franchise system
  • 3 criticisms of franchises that MBA student always have
  • Numbers behind his first acquisition
  • Growing to 19 franchise locations in 13 years
  • How a 19-unit franchise business is structured & operated
  • Evaluating franchise opportunities from a risk-adjusted perspective
  • Revenue range of Mathnasium franchises
  • Mathnasium fees
  • What exactly do you get from a franchisor for the franchise fee?
  • Passion and purpose — is it necessary?
  • Franchise consultants (and how they are incentivized)
  • How to start investigating opportunities if you're interested in a particular franchise

Links & how to reach James:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4664 James Temple & his mother acquired a struggling Mathnasium franchise in 2009. Today, they do $7m across 19 locations. James Temple & his mother acquired a struggling Mathnasium franchise in 2009. Today, they do $7m across 19 locations. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Selling a Business for 5x a Year After Buying It Selling a Business for 5x a Year After Buying It full 7e445c1a-4c78-417e-80fd-e42400c006cd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sumana-sanjeeva-ecommerce Sumana Sanjeeva got into ecommerce by chance. 3 years later, she's acquired 4 ecom businesses & sold one for over $5m. 

Topics from Sumana's interview:

  • Brick & mortar vs ecommerce businesses
  • Best type of ecommerce to buy for a first-timer
  • Buying an ecommerce business knowing very little about it
  • Learning quickly how to sell on Amazon
  • Finding an ecommerce business on BizBuySell
  • Terms of her deal
  • One decision that made the business thrive during COVID
  • Selling to aggregators
  • Talking to 14 of them
  • Terms of her sale
  • Cash flow issues with a growing ecommerce business
  • Her 3 new ecommerce acquisitions
  • Focusing exclusively on FBA
  • Running in-person learning center franchises

How to reach Sumana:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sumana Sanjeeva got into ecommerce by chance. 3 years later, she's acquired 4 ecom businesses & sold one for over $5m. 

Topics from Sumana's interview:

  • Brick & mortar vs ecommerce businesses
  • Best type of ecommerce to buy for a first-timer
  • Buying an ecommerce business knowing very little about it
  • Learning quickly how to sell on Amazon
  • Finding an ecommerce business on BizBuySell
  • Terms of her deal
  • One decision that made the business thrive during COVID
  • Selling to aggregators
  • Talking to 14 of them
  • Terms of her sale
  • Cash flow issues with a growing ecommerce business
  • Her 3 new ecommerce acquisitions
  • Focusing exclusively on FBA
  • Running in-person learning center franchises

How to reach Sumana:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 04 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5736 Sumana Sanjeeva got into ecommerce by chance. 3 years later, she's acquired 4 ecom businesses & sold one for over $5m. Sumana Sanjeeva got into ecommerce by chance. 3 years later, she's acquired 4 ecom businesses & sold one for over $5m. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Ups and Downs of Buying Small (and Keeping a Job) Ups and Downs of Buying Small (and Keeping a Job) full f2273998-cd90-40aa-9929-ff3c75d5ebda https://acquiringminds.co/articles/toni-kononova-write-my-wrongs Toni Kononova bought a ghostwriting business for $500k to experiment with buy-then-build while limiting her downside. 

Topics in Toni's interview:

  • What to love about a ghostwriting & editing business
  • The business of self-publishing
  • What is "vanity press"?
  • Why a terrible website can be OK
  • Getting close on a small B2B SaaS business
  • Lowering her SDE criteria
  • Numbers & terms of her acquisition
  • De-risking an acquisition
  • Buying a business while having a full-time job
  • Why keeping her full-time job helped get the loan
  • Running the acquisition as a side hustle
  • Employee turnover & sales decline during transition
  • The popularity of search among Silicon Valley workers
  • Search in Russia

Links & how to get in touch with Toni:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Toni Kononova bought a ghostwriting business for $500k to experiment with buy-then-build while limiting her downside. 

Topics in Toni's interview:

  • What to love about a ghostwriting & editing business
  • The business of self-publishing
  • What is "vanity press"?
  • Why a terrible website can be OK
  • Getting close on a small B2B SaaS business
  • Lowering her SDE criteria
  • Numbers & terms of her acquisition
  • De-risking an acquisition
  • Buying a business while having a full-time job
  • Why keeping her full-time job helped get the loan
  • Running the acquisition as a side hustle
  • Employee turnover & sales decline during transition
  • The popularity of search among Silicon Valley workers
  • Search in Russia

Links & how to get in touch with Toni:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Thu, 29 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4236 Toni Kononova bought a ghostwriting business for $500k to experiment with buy-then-build while limiting her downside. Toni Kononova bought a ghostwriting business for $500k to experiment with buy-then-build while limiting her downside. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time full fee28e52-890f-423e-be27-f2547598c765 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jesse-sunquist-full-time-searcher Frustrated searchers: this episode is for you. Jesse Sunquist shares 4 lessons from a year of hunting for a business. 

Topics in Jesse's interview:

  • What he learned going from part-time to full-time searching
  • Why brokers prefer working with full-time searchers
  • "Spouse-funded" searcher
  • How TRULY difficult it is to get your first deal done
  • Embrace change when it comes to your search criteria
  • How personal each searcher's journey is
  • The perils of comparing your search to others'
  • The temptation to buy (very) small
  • Opening your mind to acquiring a franchise
  • Isolation & loneliness during search and how to counteract it
  • The importance of just getting started
  • Over-investing in your tech stack, website, LLC formation, etc. is procrastination

How to reach Jesse and other links:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Frustrated searchers: this episode is for you. Jesse Sunquist shares 4 lessons from a year of hunting for a business. 

Topics in Jesse's interview:

  • What he learned going from part-time to full-time searching
  • Why brokers prefer working with full-time searchers
  • "Spouse-funded" searcher
  • How TRULY difficult it is to get your first deal done
  • Embrace change when it comes to your search criteria
  • How personal each searcher's journey is
  • The perils of comparing your search to others'
  • The temptation to buy (very) small
  • Opening your mind to acquiring a franchise
  • Isolation & loneliness during search and how to counteract it
  • The importance of just getting started
  • Over-investing in your tech stack, website, LLC formation, etc. is procrastination

How to reach Jesse and other links:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2821 Frustrated searchers: this episode is for you. Jesse Sunquist shares 4 lessons from a year of hunting for a business. Frustrated searchers: this episode is for you. Jesse Sunquist shares 4 lessons from a year of hunting for a business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Not Just a Young Man's Game: Acquiring at 60 Not Just a Young Man's Game: Acquiring at 60 full 949b39df-f3fd-4489-be06-449e961d08e4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/anne-ristic-agency-employment-services When most people would be considering retirement, Anne Ristic started a new chapter of her career by buying a business. 

Topics in Anne's interview:

  • Deciding to buy a business at age 60
  • How Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired her to buy a business
  • How she budgeted her target acquisition size
  • Raising money from banks for an acquisition in Canada
  • Canadian banks' familiarity with search
  • About AES, the business she bought
  • Growth potential for PEO in Canada
  • How much industry research she did
  • How she envisions growing AES
  • Meeting the managers during the transaction process
  • Nuances to search in Canada
  • communEtA, the student-run investment group 
  • Being a woman when buying a business

Reach Anne at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links:

]]> When most people would be considering retirement, Anne Ristic started a new chapter of her career by buying a business. 

Topics in Anne's interview:

  • Deciding to buy a business at age 60
  • How Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired her to buy a business
  • How she budgeted her target acquisition size
  • Raising money from banks for an acquisition in Canada
  • Canadian banks' familiarity with search
  • About AES, the business she bought
  • Growth potential for PEO in Canada
  • How much industry research she did
  • How she envisions growing AES
  • Meeting the managers during the transaction process
  • Nuances to search in Canada
  • communEtA, the student-run investment group 
  • Being a woman when buying a business

Reach Anne at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links:

]]> Tue, 20 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3432 When most people would be considering retirement, Anne Ristic started a new chapter of her career by buying a business. When most people would be considering retirement, Anne Ristic started a new chapter of her career by buying a business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business full 71425cfc-45cf-4afb-aa3c-be2c749294ea https://acquiringminds.co/articles/doug-johns-mr-rooter How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5048 How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Appeal of Lead Gen Businesses (Especially Old Ones) The Appeal of Lead Gen Businesses (Especially Old Ones) full 825c3783-6dfe-4f54-a1f0-4a5a87ef6a97 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jaime-arias-patients4you A primer on lead gen businesses from Jaime Arias, who bought a 14-year-old biz that generates online leads for dentists. 

Topics in Jaime's interview:

  • Choosing self-funded over a traditional search fund
  • Buying tiny sites on Flippa
  • The opportunity with "old" internet businesses
  • 3 types of sellers on Flippa
  • Using BuiltWith to generate proprietary outreach list
  • About Patients4you
  • Lowering acquisition targets from $750k - $1m cash flow to $200k - $400k
  • "Rank & Rent" model for local lead gen
  • What are you really buying with a lead gen business?
  • Lead brokers
  • SEO vs. PPC for lead gen
  • Isn't Google Ads too competitive already for local lead gen?
  • Getting comfortable with Google algorithm risk
  • Why Patients4you is an agency more than a lead gen website
  • Deal terms
  • Using BizBuySell for digital businesses
  • Centurica
  • How he's growing Patients4you
  • Slow feedback loop of local lead gen businesses

Reach Jaime at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> A primer on lead gen businesses from Jaime Arias, who bought a 14-year-old biz that generates online leads for dentists. 

Topics in Jaime's interview:

  • Choosing self-funded over a traditional search fund
  • Buying tiny sites on Flippa
  • The opportunity with "old" internet businesses
  • 3 types of sellers on Flippa
  • Using BuiltWith to generate proprietary outreach list
  • About Patients4you
  • Lowering acquisition targets from $750k - $1m cash flow to $200k - $400k
  • "Rank & Rent" model for local lead gen
  • What are you really buying with a lead gen business?
  • Lead brokers
  • SEO vs. PPC for lead gen
  • Isn't Google Ads too competitive already for local lead gen?
  • Getting comfortable with Google algorithm risk
  • Why Patients4you is an agency more than a lead gen website
  • Deal terms
  • Using BizBuySell for digital businesses
  • Centurica
  • How he's growing Patients4you
  • Slow feedback loop of local lead gen businesses

Reach Jaime at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Wed, 07 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4355 A primer on lead gen businesses from Jaime Arias, who bought a 14-year-old biz that generates online leads for dentists. A primer on lead gen businesses from Jaime Arias, who bought a 14-year-old biz that generates online leads for dentists. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue full 8269aa03-3ba6-46d9-804d-9910e2933b9f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sam-turn-hvac-advantos Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. 

Topics in Sam's interview:

  • How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
  • Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
  • Why HVAC?
  • Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
  • Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
  • The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
  • Deal structure for his first acquisition
  • Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
  • White collar people buying blue collar businesses

Reach Sam at:

  • sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. 

Topics in Sam's interview:

  • How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
  • Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
  • Why HVAC?
  • Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
  • Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
  • The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
  • Deal structure for his first acquisition
  • Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
  • Buying small vs. buying big
  • Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
  • White collar people buying blue collar businesses

Reach Sam at:

  • sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5173 Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Rolling Up Real Estate Appraisal Firms Rolling Up Real Estate Appraisal Firms full 5fab9f75-9b2f-4336-b558-5b82978fdc7f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kevin-swenson Kevin Swenson shares his story of buying a $3m real estate appraisal firm as a platform to roll up the fragmented space. 

Topics from Kevin's interview:

  • Why the real estate appraisal industry?
  • How to add value as the entrepreneur doing a roll-up
  • Roll-up dynamics
  • Appraisal businesses vs. appraisal management companies
  • Story of his acquisition, the platform business
  • The "Your Sure Thing" philosophy
  • Buying in an industry where you DON'T have experience
  • The nature of real estate service businesses
  • How to mitigate risk when buying a real estate service business
  • Acquisition opportunities in real estate services beyond appraisal
  • How it's going since the real estate market slowed
  • Pivoting a roll-up strategy to react to the market

Reach Kevin at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Kevin Swenson shares his story of buying a $3m real estate appraisal firm as a platform to roll up the fragmented space. 

Topics from Kevin's interview:

  • Why the real estate appraisal industry?
  • How to add value as the entrepreneur doing a roll-up
  • Roll-up dynamics
  • Appraisal businesses vs. appraisal management companies
  • Story of his acquisition, the platform business
  • The "Your Sure Thing" philosophy
  • Buying in an industry where you DON'T have experience
  • The nature of real estate service businesses
  • How to mitigate risk when buying a real estate service business
  • Acquisition opportunities in real estate services beyond appraisal
  • How it's going since the real estate market slowed
  • Pivoting a roll-up strategy to react to the market

Reach Kevin at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 23 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3253 Kevin Swenson shares his story of buying a $3m real estate appraisal firm as a platform to roll up the fragmented space. Kevin Swenson shares his story of buying a $3m real estate appraisal firm as a platform to roll up the fragmented space. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Growing an Ecommerce Acquisition 13x in 4 Months Growing an Ecommerce Acquisition 13x in 4 Months full f249d368-deb1-4045-8c32-bb528d0ab33e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ramon-van-meer-alpha-paw Ramon Van Meer bought an ecommerce business doing $30k/mo. A few tweaks & months later, it was up to $400k per month. 

Topics in Ramon's interview:

  • What to look for in an underperforming ecommerce business
  • How to quickly improve an ecommerce business
  • The effect of turning on paid advertising
  • The true nature of running an ecommerce business
  • The power of niches
  • User experience buying a digital business versus an offline business
  • Who should buy versus build
  • How to make money in content
  • Growing a content site from scratch to a $9m sale in 2.5 years
  • The dangerous temptation of buying too many businesses
  • Buying a YouTube channel
  • Decline of a YouTube channel business immediately after acquiring it
  • SBA loan for a YouTube channel acquisition
  • Buying a SaaS business

Reach Roman at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Ramon Van Meer bought an ecommerce business doing $30k/mo. A few tweaks & months later, it was up to $400k per month. 

Topics in Ramon's interview:

  • What to look for in an underperforming ecommerce business
  • How to quickly improve an ecommerce business
  • The effect of turning on paid advertising
  • The true nature of running an ecommerce business
  • The power of niches
  • User experience buying a digital business versus an offline business
  • Who should buy versus build
  • How to make money in content
  • Growing a content site from scratch to a $9m sale in 2.5 years
  • The dangerous temptation of buying too many businesses
  • Buying a YouTube channel
  • Decline of a YouTube channel business immediately after acquiring it
  • SBA loan for a YouTube channel acquisition
  • Buying a SaaS business

Reach Roman at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4405 Ramon Van Meer bought an ecommerce business doing $30k/mo. A few tweaks & months later, it was up to $400k per month. Ramon Van Meer bought an ecommerce business doing $30k/mo. A few tweaks & months later, it was up to $400k per month. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Flower Power: Buying a Rose Distributor Primed for Growth Flower Power: Buying a Rose Distributor Primed for Growth full ca1b66e8-6363-4822-a9b0-1b04140c831e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jason-cline-kauai-isle-flowers Jason Cline left corporate at age 50 to buy a flower distribution business (in cash). SDE is up 3x after just one year. 

Topics in Jason's interview:

  • Pivoting from 20+ years in corporate to SMB ownership
  • 3 criteria for what business to buy
  • Buying a business in cash (no SBA loan)
  • The business of flower distribution
  • Selling to big retailers like 7-Eleven & Circle K
  • How to detect growth potential in a distribution business
  • 2 ways to retain drivers in distribution/route businesses
  • Distribution businesses are really car businesses
  • Scan-based trading
  • 2 key techniques Jason used to transition successfully into the business
  • Working "in" the business for the first 6 months
  • Testing changes
  • The numbers behind flower distribution
  • Ideal size of SDE for target business
  • What's more important than SDE
  • Jason's growth since acquisition and plans for expansion

Reach Jason at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Jason Cline left corporate at age 50 to buy a flower distribution business (in cash). SDE is up 3x after just one year. 

Topics in Jason's interview:

  • Pivoting from 20+ years in corporate to SMB ownership
  • 3 criteria for what business to buy
  • Buying a business in cash (no SBA loan)
  • The business of flower distribution
  • Selling to big retailers like 7-Eleven & Circle K
  • How to detect growth potential in a distribution business
  • 2 ways to retain drivers in distribution/route businesses
  • Distribution businesses are really car businesses
  • Scan-based trading
  • 2 key techniques Jason used to transition successfully into the business
  • Working "in" the business for the first 6 months
  • Testing changes
  • The numbers behind flower distribution
  • Ideal size of SDE for target business
  • What's more important than SDE
  • Jason's growth since acquisition and plans for expansion

Reach Jason at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5229 Jason Cline left corporate at age 50 to buy a flower distribution business (in cash). SDE is up 3x after just one year. Jason Cline left corporate at age 50 to buy a flower distribution business (in cash). SDE is up 3x after just one year. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Brutal Search Rewarded with Success After 3+ Years A Brutal Search Rewarded with Success After 3+ Years full fcca184d-583b-492a-b453-b0454a13d94a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jordan-carter-b-a-search-investment-group Jordan Carter started as a part-time, generalist searcher. 3+ years later, he bought a biz doing $2.4m with 40% margins. 

Topics in Jordan's interview:

  • Part-time vs. full-time searching
  • Consulting in order to generate income while searching
  • Misconceptions about how easy it is to find a business to buy
  • How much cash Jordan saved for his self-funded search
  • Generalist vs. industry-specific search
  • Using interns for search
  • Value of speaking with owners (even if they don't want to sell)
  • Optimal percentage of time to devote to deal sourcing
  • Accessing equity capital
  • Adding value to a super niche business you're completely new to
  • Growing a business 40% in 2 years after acquisition
  • Buying a grant-writing business
  • The pain of losing an LOI

Reach Jordan at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Jordan Carter started as a part-time, generalist searcher. 3+ years later, he bought a biz doing $2.4m with 40% margins. 

Topics in Jordan's interview:

  • Part-time vs. full-time searching
  • Consulting in order to generate income while searching
  • Misconceptions about how easy it is to find a business to buy
  • How much cash Jordan saved for his self-funded search
  • Generalist vs. industry-specific search
  • Using interns for search
  • Value of speaking with owners (even if they don't want to sell)
  • Optimal percentage of time to devote to deal sourcing
  • Accessing equity capital
  • Adding value to a super niche business you're completely new to
  • Growing a business 40% in 2 years after acquisition
  • Buying a grant-writing business
  • The pain of losing an LOI

Reach Jordan at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 02 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4978 Jordan Carter started as a part-time, generalist searcher. 3+ years later, he bought a biz doing $2.4m with 40% margins. Jordan Carter started as a part-time, generalist searcher. 3+ years later, he bought a biz doing $2.4m with 40% margins. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy a SaaS Business in 2022: How to Compete in a Hot Market Buy a SaaS Business in 2022: How to Compete in a Hot Market full eacedefa-86d5-4379-a3aa-906908d1ff82 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/thomas-smale-fe-international A deep-dive into the market for SaaS businesses with Thomas Smale, founder of leading SaaS brokerage FE International. 

Topics in Thomas's interview:

  • Pros & cons of SaaS
  • SaaS valuations
  • SaaS vs. ecommerce
  • Competing with private equity for SaaS deals
  • Using an SBA loan to buy a SaaS business
  • Micro-SaaS
  • First-time buyers doing a career pivot by acquiring a business
  • Most common mistake among first-time buyers
  • Passive nature of online businesses
  • SaaS products unlikely to go zero?
  • Acquisition strategy: converting on-premise software to cloud
  • Proprietary outreach to find SaaS sellers
  • How economic climate is affecting SaaS valuations & multiples
  • Ecommerce valuations & multiples
  • Young ecommerce businesses - dangerous?
  • Advice for first-timer buyers

Reach Thomas at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> A deep-dive into the market for SaaS businesses with Thomas Smale, founder of leading SaaS brokerage FE International. 

Topics in Thomas's interview:

  • Pros & cons of SaaS
  • SaaS valuations
  • SaaS vs. ecommerce
  • Competing with private equity for SaaS deals
  • Using an SBA loan to buy a SaaS business
  • Micro-SaaS
  • First-time buyers doing a career pivot by acquiring a business
  • Most common mistake among first-time buyers
  • Passive nature of online businesses
  • SaaS products unlikely to go zero?
  • Acquisition strategy: converting on-premise software to cloud
  • Proprietary outreach to find SaaS sellers
  • How economic climate is affecting SaaS valuations & multiples
  • Ecommerce valuations & multiples
  • Young ecommerce businesses - dangerous?
  • Advice for first-timer buyers

Reach Thomas at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 26 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 5188 A deep-dive into the market for SaaS businesses with Thomas Smale, founder of leading SaaS brokerage FE International. A deep-dive into the market for SaaS businesses with Thomas Smale, founder of leading SaaS brokerage FE International. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Leaving Apple to Buy a Real Estate Business with 150+ Agents Leaving Apple to Buy a Real Estate Business with 150+ Agents full e9160e45-1f79-4c0e-988c-8cf920a202d6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kinza-azmat-wta-realty Kinza Azmat arrived in the US at age 6, speaking little English. Today she's the new owner of a thriving RE brokerage. 

Topics from Kinza's interview:

  • Becoming a business broker to learn acquisition & access deal flow
  • Thinking that finding a business to buy would be easy
  • How business brokerages generate deal flow
  • Financial & location criteria of her search
  • Unlocking deal flow by expanding geographic criteria
  • Dealing with gender, racial, and other biases in sellers
  • Tying seller note to business performance
  • The business of apartment locators
  • Competitive moats for apartment locators
  • Rebranding
  • Small business owner life vs. corporate cog life
  • Getting your spouse on board
  • Pregnant as a new owner
  • Type D and Type F reorganization
  • Following (and breaking) the Asian-American pattern
  • America as land of opportunity

Reach Kinza at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Kinza Azmat arrived in the US at age 6, speaking little English. Today she's the new owner of a thriving RE brokerage. 

Topics from Kinza's interview:

  • Becoming a business broker to learn acquisition & access deal flow
  • Thinking that finding a business to buy would be easy
  • How business brokerages generate deal flow
  • Financial & location criteria of her search
  • Unlocking deal flow by expanding geographic criteria
  • Dealing with gender, racial, and other biases in sellers
  • Tying seller note to business performance
  • The business of apartment locators
  • Competitive moats for apartment locators
  • Rebranding
  • Small business owner life vs. corporate cog life
  • Getting your spouse on board
  • Pregnant as a new owner
  • Type D and Type F reorganization
  • Following (and breaking) the Asian-American pattern
  • America as land of opportunity

Reach Kinza at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4369 Kinza Azmat arrived in the US at age 6, speaking little English. Today she's the new owner of a thriving RE brokerage. Kinza Azmat arrived in the US at age 6, speaking little English. Today she's the new owner of a thriving RE brokerage. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 7 Findings from the New Data on Self-Funded Searches 7 Findings from the New Data on Self-Funded Searches full 48f6a216-4cb6-4c66-a717-50d7314ff7de https://acquiringminds.co/articles/lisa-forrest-live-oak-bank-2 Lisa Forrest shares key findings from a survey of 49 entrepreneurs who bought a business after a self-funded search. 

The findings discussed were based on these questions:

  • How did you find your deal?
  • Did you conduct a full-time search?
  • How long did you search before you found the deal you closed on?
  • Do you think your acquisition price valuation was fair?
  • How long did it take you to discuss valuation with the seller?
  • Did you have a competitive deal process where multiple buyers were vying for the LOI?
  • What do you think the critical success factors were in sourcing and closing your deal?
  • Did you go up or down market compared to your original expectations?

Reach Lisa at:

  • lisa DOT forrest AT liveoak DOT bank
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

  • The report will be published at Live Oak Bank's search fund resources page... but not for 2 weeks.
  • If you can't wait, email Lisa at the address above👆 and she'll get you the raw data now.
]]> Lisa Forrest shares key findings from a survey of 49 entrepreneurs who bought a business after a self-funded search. 

The findings discussed were based on these questions:

  • How did you find your deal?
  • Did you conduct a full-time search?
  • How long did you search before you found the deal you closed on?
  • Do you think your acquisition price valuation was fair?
  • How long did it take you to discuss valuation with the seller?
  • Did you have a competitive deal process where multiple buyers were vying for the LOI?
  • What do you think the critical success factors were in sourcing and closing your deal?
  • Did you go up or down market compared to your original expectations?

Reach Lisa at:

  • lisa DOT forrest AT liveoak DOT bank
  • LinkedIn

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

  • The report will be published at Live Oak Bank's search fund resources page... but not for 2 weeks.
  • If you can't wait, email Lisa at the address above👆 and she'll get you the raw data now.
]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 1747 Lisa Forrest shares key findings from a survey of 49 entrepreneurs who bought a business after a self-funded search. Lisa Forrest shares key findings from a survey of 49 entrepreneurs who bought a business after a self-funded search. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Chenmark Bought a Boat Tour Business Why Chenmark Bought a Boat Tour Business full e28b2d39-fe8e-4dc1-a031-41596ef32794 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/trish-higgins-chenmark Seasonal. Nonrecurring. Key person risk. Trish Higgins recounts how Chenmark got excited about an unlikely acquisition. 

Topics in Trish's interview:

  • Building a holdco versus taking a job in private equity
  • What Chenmark does, why it's special
  • Chenmark's founders' goals: impact, interestingness, financial
  • Why isn't the holdco model taught in business schools?
  • The story of Cap'n Fish Cruises
  • Unit economics of a boat tour business
  • Is seasonality really so bad?
  • Managing seasonality
  • Are boat tour businesses attractive generally?
  • Finding differentiation in a crowded industry
  • Bait & tackle shop framework
  • Chenmark's second boat tour acquisition
  • How Chenmark approaches learning an industry where they've acquired a business

Reach Trish at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Seasonal. Nonrecurring. Key person risk. Trish Higgins recounts how Chenmark got excited about an unlikely acquisition. 

Topics in Trish's interview:

  • Building a holdco versus taking a job in private equity
  • What Chenmark does, why it's special
  • Chenmark's founders' goals: impact, interestingness, financial
  • Why isn't the holdco model taught in business schools?
  • The story of Cap'n Fish Cruises
  • Unit economics of a boat tour business
  • Is seasonality really so bad?
  • Managing seasonality
  • Are boat tour businesses attractive generally?
  • Finding differentiation in a crowded industry
  • Bait & tackle shop framework
  • Chenmark's second boat tour acquisition
  • How Chenmark approaches learning an industry where they've acquired a business

Reach Trish at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4466 Seasonal. Nonrecurring. Key person risk. Trish Higgins recounts how Chenmark got excited about an unlikely acquisition. Seasonal. Nonrecurring. Key person risk. Trish Higgins recounts how Chenmark got excited about an unlikely acquisition. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Weird & Wonderful World of Vending The Weird & Wonderful World of Vending full ba9e747c-baec-4a3f-88bd-94bfbee4a733 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ujwal-velagapudi-byron Ujwal Velagapudi acquired a multimillion dollar vending empire with thousands of machines & 7 figures of cash flow. 

Themes from Ujwal's interview:

  • Big vending businesses vs. small
  • Building a big vending business by acquiring small routes
  • Economics of vending
  • Logistics of vending
  • Tiny acquisitions to build confidence & experience
  • Differentiating yourself as a buyer on MicroAcquire
  • Using phantom equity to hire general manager
  • Benefiting from OnlyFans growth
  • Working with a dishonest seller
  • Buying an online business
  • Buying an FBA business
  • Buying a small gym
  • Buying a historic neighborhood sports bar
  • Buying downmarket commercial real estate
  • Using Craigslist for acquisition of businesses & real estate

Reach Ujwal at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Ujwal Velagapudi acquired a multimillion dollar vending empire with thousands of machines & 7 figures of cash flow. 

Themes from Ujwal's interview:

  • Big vending businesses vs. small
  • Building a big vending business by acquiring small routes
  • Economics of vending
  • Logistics of vending
  • Tiny acquisitions to build confidence & experience
  • Differentiating yourself as a buyer on MicroAcquire
  • Using phantom equity to hire general manager
  • Benefiting from OnlyFans growth
  • Working with a dishonest seller
  • Buying an online business
  • Buying an FBA business
  • Buying a small gym
  • Buying a historic neighborhood sports bar
  • Buying downmarket commercial real estate
  • Using Craigslist for acquisition of businesses & real estate

Reach Ujwal at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 6429 Ujwal Velagapudi acquired a multimillion dollar vending empire with thousands of machines & 7 figures of cash flow. Ujwal Velagapudi acquired a multimillion dollar vending empire with thousands of machines & 7 figures of cash flow. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Don't Be Tempted: 8 Signs of a Bad Business Don't Be Tempted: 8 Signs of a Bad Business full 6da0fb4d-3abf-4c82-95d7-a1e6bf068c5d https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ryan-doyle-heather-endresen-live-oak-bank A lender and a searcher explain how to quickly identify a business you should NOT buy, saving you months of wasted time. 

Themes from Ryan & Heather's interview:

  • Killer #1: Valuation
  • Killer #2: Stupid Margins
  • Killer #3: Going Too Small
  • Killer #4: Bolt-on vs. Platform
  • Killer #5: Competing with Private Equity
  • Killer #6: Geography
  • Killer #7: Red Flags
  • Killer #8: Needs to Support Leverage

Links & mentions:

Reach Ryan at:

Reach Heather at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> A lender and a searcher explain how to quickly identify a business you should NOT buy, saving you months of wasted time. 

Themes from Ryan & Heather's interview:

  • Killer #1: Valuation
  • Killer #2: Stupid Margins
  • Killer #3: Going Too Small
  • Killer #4: Bolt-on vs. Platform
  • Killer #5: Competing with Private Equity
  • Killer #6: Geography
  • Killer #7: Red Flags
  • Killer #8: Needs to Support Leverage

Links & mentions:

Reach Ryan at:

Reach Heather at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 28 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3993 A lender and a searcher explain how to quickly identify a business you should NOT buy, saving you months of wasted time. A lender and a searcher explain how to quickly identify a business you should NOT buy, saving you months of wasted time. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Acquire & Grow an FBA Business How to Acquire & Grow an FBA Business full 2ee8c387-1eb5-4739-bea8-512932d6720e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-michael-wallaroo Alex Michael bought a wallet brand doing $650k on Amazon. Alex delves into how FBA works & what the growth levers are. 

Themes from Alex's interview:

  • Why ecommerce?
  • Difficulty competing to buy an ecommerce business
  • Process of a ecommerce acquisition with a Quiet Light listing
  • Anatomy of the first call with a seller
  • How to be a good buyer
  • What to say to a seller in a competitive environment
  • Diligencing an ecommerce business
  • Cost breakdown of an FBA business
  • Supply chain risk in ecommerce
  • Promoting an FBA business on Amazon
  • Amazon's PPC flywheel
  • ACoS and TACoS
  • Daily ad spend, net margins, revenue, SDE
  • Platform risk with FBA businesses
  • Adding a Shopify store to diversify distribution

Reach Alex at:

**** Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Alex Michael bought a wallet brand doing $650k on Amazon. Alex delves into how FBA works & what the growth levers are. 

Themes from Alex's interview:

  • Why ecommerce?
  • Difficulty competing to buy an ecommerce business
  • Process of a ecommerce acquisition with a Quiet Light listing
  • Anatomy of the first call with a seller
  • How to be a good buyer
  • What to say to a seller in a competitive environment
  • Diligencing an ecommerce business
  • Cost breakdown of an FBA business
  • Supply chain risk in ecommerce
  • Promoting an FBA business on Amazon
  • Amazon's PPC flywheel
  • ACoS and TACoS
  • Daily ad spend, net margins, revenue, SDE
  • Platform risk with FBA businesses
  • Adding a Shopify store to diversify distribution

Reach Alex at:

**** Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 21 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3547 Alex Michael bought a wallet brand doing $650k on Amazon. Alex delves into how FBA works & what the growth levers are. Alex Michael bought a wallet brand doing $650k on Amazon. Alex delves into how FBA works & what the growth levers are. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Good News for Ecommerce Buyers Good News for Ecommerce Buyers full 3aa1daf8-ec02-457d-b5b5-3d13092a2912 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/joe-valley-quiet-light Multiples for ecom businesses jumped 50% since 2018, but Quiet Light's Joe Valley says that trend is about to reverse. 

Themes from Joe's interview:

  • The ecommerce buying mania of 2021
  • 2 pieces of advice for acquisition entrepreneurs looking at ecommerce
  • How ecommerce multiples will change
  • How ecommerce deal terms will change
  • Seller financing in ecommerce
  • Future of the ecommerce aggregators
  • History of the ecommerce aggregators

Reach Joe at:

**** Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Multiples for ecom businesses jumped 50% since 2018, but Quiet Light's Joe Valley says that trend is about to reverse. 

Themes from Joe's interview:

  • The ecommerce buying mania of 2021
  • 2 pieces of advice for acquisition entrepreneurs looking at ecommerce
  • How ecommerce multiples will change
  • How ecommerce deal terms will change
  • Seller financing in ecommerce
  • Future of the ecommerce aggregators
  • History of the ecommerce aggregators

Reach Joe at:

**** Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3469 Multiples for ecom businesses jumped 50% since 2018, but Quiet Light's Joe Valley says that trend is about to reverse. Multiples for ecom businesses jumped 50% since 2018, but Quiet Light's Joe Valley says that trend is about to reverse. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Search Success in a Small City: $500k SDE, 95% Recurring Search Success in a Small City: $500k SDE, 95% Recurring full 743df782-d96f-4ac4-8610-d16b25393d21 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/james-maxwell-commercial-cleaning How James Maxwell & his partner found a 22-year-old janitorial biz & successfully installed a GM in a city of 100,000. 

Themes from James' interview:

  • Searching in a small market
  • Choosing NOT to outsource due diligence
  • Janitorial business pros & cons
  • Partnered search
  • What deal flow looks like in a 100k city
  • Hiring a general manager
  • Does an MBA help with buying a business?
  • Why self-funded over traditional?

Reach James at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> How James Maxwell & his partner found a 22-year-old janitorial biz & successfully installed a GM in a city of 100,000. 

Themes from James' interview:

  • Searching in a small market
  • Choosing NOT to outsource due diligence
  • Janitorial business pros & cons
  • Partnered search
  • What deal flow looks like in a 100k city
  • Hiring a general manager
  • Does an MBA help with buying a business?
  • Why self-funded over traditional?

Reach James at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Tue, 14 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4267 How James Maxwell & his partner found a 22-year-old janitorial biz & successfully installed a GM in a city of 100,000. How James Maxwell & his partner found a 22-year-old janitorial biz & successfully installed a GM in a city of 100,000. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Get Good Deals from Brokers How to Get Good Deals from Brokers full 9a933920-68e1-479f-b28e-339d854239b4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/clint-fiore-texas-business-buyers Business broker Clint Fiore explains how to most effectively work with brokers to find good businesses to buy. 

Themes from Clint's interview:

  • Brokers' pet peeves about acquisition entrepreneurs...
  • ...and how to avoid them
  • Most important thing you communicate to a broker
  • Life cycle of a business for sale
  • Searcher branding
  • The reality of the "silver tsunami"
  • Seller psychology
  • The master skill right now for buying businesses

Reach Clint at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Business broker Clint Fiore explains how to most effectively work with brokers to find good businesses to buy. 

Themes from Clint's interview:

  • Brokers' pet peeves about acquisition entrepreneurs...
  • ...and how to avoid them
  • Most important thing you communicate to a broker
  • Life cycle of a business for sale
  • Searcher branding
  • The reality of the "silver tsunami"
  • Seller psychology
  • The master skill right now for buying businesses

Reach Clint at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4205 Business broker Clint Fiore explains how to most effectively work with brokers to find good businesses to buy. Business broker Clint Fiore explains how to most effectively work with brokers to find good businesses to buy. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No What Searchers Can Learn from Big PE What Searchers Can Learn from Big PE full b63fcf1f-abbe-4f8e-af03-0d8b267a175e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-mears-brydon-group Alex Mears draws on years of experience at Carlyle & Blackstone to support and invest in searchers (70 & counting). 

Themes from Alex's interview:

  • The most valuable businesses of all
  • Attractiveness (or not) of home service businesses
  • Seller integrity
  • When to require speaking with key employees
  • Thesis-driven search
  • Search accelerators
  • New accelerator The Brydon Group
  • Alex's pivot to entrepreneurship: why now?

Reach Alex at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Alex Mears draws on years of experience at Carlyle & Blackstone to support and invest in searchers (70 & counting). 

Themes from Alex's interview:

  • The most valuable businesses of all
  • Attractiveness (or not) of home service businesses
  • Seller integrity
  • When to require speaking with key employees
  • Thesis-driven search
  • Search accelerators
  • New accelerator The Brydon Group
  • Alex's pivot to entrepreneurship: why now?

Reach Alex at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Thu, 02 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4065 Alex Mears draws on years of experience at Carlyle & Blackstone to support and invest in searchers (70 & counting). Alex Mears draws on years of experience at Carlyle & Blackstone to support and invest in searchers (70 & counting). entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Big Business with a Buy-Side Advisor How to Buy a Big Business with a Buy-Side Advisor full 7689238c-bfb1-4ef3-8838-871564964af2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jason-andrews-groupsource Jason Andrews paid $250k to a buy-side advisor to help find & acquire his first business — and would 100% do it again. 

Themes from Jason's interview:

  • Paying a premium for a good business
  • Working with a buy-side advisor: price, value, what they do
  • Speaking to 30 sellers
  • Buying a business in your 40s
  • Taking a big swing
  • Where he invested his time during due diligence
  • Whether he was "buying a job"
  • The consulting agreement he structured with the previous owners
  • Buying big or buying small
  • Going from corporate to small business
  • Pros & cons of group purchasing organizations (GPOs)

Reach Jason at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Jason Andrews paid $250k to a buy-side advisor to help find & acquire his first business — and would 100% do it again. 

Themes from Jason's interview:

  • Paying a premium for a good business
  • Working with a buy-side advisor: price, value, what they do
  • Speaking to 30 sellers
  • Buying a business in your 40s
  • Taking a big swing
  • Where he invested his time during due diligence
  • Whether he was "buying a job"
  • The consulting agreement he structured with the previous owners
  • Buying big or buying small
  • Going from corporate to small business
  • Pros & cons of group purchasing organizations (GPOs)

Reach Jason at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Register here for the live session with Chelsea Wood of the Acquisition Lab:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3987 Jason Andrews paid $250k to a buy-side advisor to help find & acquire his first business — and would 100% do it again. Jason Andrews paid $250k to a buy-side advisor to help find & acquire his first business — and would 100% do it again. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 7 Common Mistakes Across 250 Searchers 7 Common Mistakes Across 250 Searchers full b3cf8777-faae-40a1-a8e8-729724f8bf55 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chelsea-wood-acquisition-lab Chelsea Wood has worked with 250+ business buyers & identifies 7 challenges that commonly interfere with their success. 

Themes from Chelsea's interview:

  • The irrational need to be an expert on every part of your acquisition‍
  • Incessant need for more, more, MORE information
  • ‍Good ol' imposter syndrome
  • ‍You don't brand yourself
  • ‍You're too rigid
  • ‍You're too loose, get desperate
  • You don't put in the effort for deal flow

Reach Chelsea at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Chelsea Wood has worked with 250+ business buyers & identifies 7 challenges that commonly interfere with their success. 

Themes from Chelsea's interview:

  • The irrational need to be an expert on every part of your acquisition‍
  • Incessant need for more, more, MORE information
  • ‍Good ol' imposter syndrome
  • ‍You don't brand yourself
  • ‍You're too rigid
  • ‍You're too loose, get desperate
  • You don't put in the effort for deal flow

Reach Chelsea at:

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 23 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2817 Chelsea Wood has worked with 250+ business buyers & identifies 7 challenges that commonly interfere with their success. Chelsea Wood has worked with 250+ business buyers & identifies 7 challenges that commonly interfere with their success. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Acquiring a Business in Florida, Living in California Acquiring a Business in Florida, Living in California full c2dd2a22-1023-4cb1-95b7-9bccde6bb9c2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-munn-the-fairfield-company How Chris Munn runs his first acquisition, a $800k cleaning business in Tampa, while being based in LA. 

Themes from Chris’s interview:

  • Real estate vs. small business acquisition
  • The importance of getting reps — modeling deals as practice for the real thing
  • Running an acquired business remotely
  • Buying a business that’s too small
  • Being an African-American man and dealing with “pattern matching” from banks
  • How Chris gained 30k followers in six months

Reach Chris at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> How Chris Munn runs his first acquisition, a $800k cleaning business in Tampa, while being based in LA. 

Themes from Chris’s interview:

  • Real estate vs. small business acquisition
  • The importance of getting reps — modeling deals as practice for the real thing
  • Running an acquired business remotely
  • Buying a business that’s too small
  • Being an African-American man and dealing with “pattern matching” from banks
  • How Chris gained 30k followers in six months

Reach Chris at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 16 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3809 How Chris Munn runs his first acquisition, a $800k cleaning business in Tampa, while being based in LA. How Chris Munn runs his first acquisition, a $800k cleaning business in Tampa, while being based in LA. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Buy a Small Manufacturing Business Why Buy a Small Manufacturing Business full 8aae8909-a69d-40a6-b81e-b8fba5b85161 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/john-hubbard-express-custom-trailers Ex-cop John Hubbard bought a $5m trailer manufacturing biz from an absentee owner & expects to grow to $12m by 2024. 

Themes from John’s interview:

  • Learning how to run a business, hands-on, before acquiring one
  • Transferring military skills to business acquisition
  • Raising money on Searchfunder.com
  • Asking “dumb questions” to learn quickly
  • Choosing self-funded over a traditional search fund to achieve the lifestyle he wanted
  • Firing half his customers in the first month of ownership
  • Why your search shouldn’t ignore manufacturing businesses

Reach John at:

  • By email: john at blue cord capital dot com
  • On LinkedIn: John Hubbard

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Ex-cop John Hubbard bought a $5m trailer manufacturing biz from an absentee owner & expects to grow to $12m by 2024. 

Themes from John’s interview:

  • Learning how to run a business, hands-on, before acquiring one
  • Transferring military skills to business acquisition
  • Raising money on Searchfunder.com
  • Asking “dumb questions” to learn quickly
  • Choosing self-funded over a traditional search fund to achieve the lifestyle he wanted
  • Firing half his customers in the first month of ownership
  • Why your search shouldn’t ignore manufacturing businesses

Reach John at:

  • By email: john at blue cord capital dot com
  • On LinkedIn: John Hubbard

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 09 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2926 Ex-cop John Hubbard bought a $5m trailer manufacturing biz from an absentee owner & expects to grow to $12m by 2024. Ex-cop John Hubbard bought a $5m trailer manufacturing biz from an absentee owner & expects to grow to $12m by 2024. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying Digital Businesses in 2022 Buying Digital Businesses in 2022 full 36cef966-8536-4e07-a39e-3cd896281da2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dom-wells-onfolio Digital business buyer Dom Wells shares where he looks for opportunities today in the shifting sands of online business. 

Themes from Dom's interview:

  • Affiliate, e-commerce, and SaaS businesses and each one's pros/cons
  • Online course and content businesses
  • Where Dom sees opportunities in digital acquisition
  • How to source deals
  • Leading brokerages of digital businesses
  • Flippa & MicroAcquire
  • How to approach the digital space as an outsider

Connect with Dom:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Digital business buyer Dom Wells shares where he looks for opportunities today in the shifting sands of online business. 

Themes from Dom's interview:

  • Affiliate, e-commerce, and SaaS businesses and each one's pros/cons
  • Online course and content businesses
  • Where Dom sees opportunities in digital acquisition
  • How to source deals
  • Leading brokerages of digital businesses
  • Flippa & MicroAcquire
  • How to approach the digital space as an outsider

Connect with Dom:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 02 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3062 Digital business buyer Dom Wells shares where he looks for opportunities today in the shifting sands of online business. Digital business buyer Dom Wells shares where he looks for opportunities today in the shifting sands of online business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Lessons from a Founder Who Then Started Acquiring Lessons from a Founder Who Then Started Acquiring full 5e313649-7d4e-41d2-aeb4-a0252184ab36 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-loftus-connors-landscaping Mike Loftus started his landscaping business from scratch, then began buying others to accelerate growth to $4m/yr. 

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Growing a landscaping business organically from the ground up
  • Acknowledging your weaknesses and handing them off as soon as you can
  • The advantages familiarity with technology bring despite a lack of experience
  • Finding acquisition opportunities through unconventional methods
  • The importance of recurring revenue in landscaping
  • The potential exit opportunities for landscaping owners

Connect with Mike:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mike Loftus started his landscaping business from scratch, then began buying others to accelerate growth to $4m/yr. 

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Growing a landscaping business organically from the ground up
  • Acknowledging your weaknesses and handing them off as soon as you can
  • The advantages familiarity with technology bring despite a lack of experience
  • Finding acquisition opportunities through unconventional methods
  • The importance of recurring revenue in landscaping
  • The potential exit opportunities for landscaping owners

Connect with Mike:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3437 Mike Loftus started his landscaping business from scratch, then began buying others to accelerate growth to $4m/yr. Mike Loftus started his landscaping business from scratch, then began buying others to accelerate growth to $4m/yr. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Self-Funded Search vs. Traditional Search Funds Self-Funded Search vs. Traditional Search Funds full 40a35bbe-c0fb-4df1-be9d-bc7442568858 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/self-funded-search-vs-traditional-search-funds Lively debate between Greg Geronemus & Robert Graham about the 2 most common models searchers use to acquire a business. 


Covered in the debate:

  • Quick definitions of each model
  • How the economics differ
  • Why are traditional search fund terms so fixed?
  • CEO vs. Owner
  • Accountability, governance, boards, mentoring
  • Flexibility & optionality
  • Relative risk of both models
  • Probability of close
  • Probability of success
  • Assembling the board as a self-funded searcher
  • Is either model preferable for particular industry targets?
  • Who is your model not for?

Connect with the debaters on LinkedIn:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Lively debate between Greg Geronemus & Robert Graham about the 2 most common models searchers use to acquire a business. 


Covered in the debate:

  • Quick definitions of each model
  • How the economics differ
  • Why are traditional search fund terms so fixed?
  • CEO vs. Owner
  • Accountability, governance, boards, mentoring
  • Flexibility & optionality
  • Relative risk of both models
  • Probability of close
  • Probability of success
  • Assembling the board as a self-funded searcher
  • Is either model preferable for particular industry targets?
  • Who is your model not for?

Connect with the debaters on LinkedIn:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 18 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3526 Lively debate between Greg Geronemus & Robert Graham about the 2 most common models searchers use to acquire a business. Lively debate between Greg Geronemus & Robert Graham about the 2 most common models searchers use to acquire a business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 8 Figure Exit, 2 Years After Buying the Business 8 Figure Exit, 2 Years After Buying the Business full b7108713-6a58-4c5f-9dcc-3d0415938899 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/keith-leimbach-smash-my-trash-laundromats How Keith Leimbach paid 6 figures for a business he saw on QuietLight, then exited for 8 figures two years later.

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3r6P1bD *** 

Themes from Keith’s interview:

  • The difference between buying and starting a business
  • It’s never “just add marketing,” even when it seems like it is
  • Growth by creating new products that customers are telling you they want
  • Not being afraid to outsource or delegate
  • Why Amazon FBA businesses aren’t for everyone
  • The Smash My Trash franchise
  • Building laundromats from scratch
  • Keith’s near-death plane crash

Connect with Keith:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> How Keith Leimbach paid 6 figures for a business he saw on QuietLight, then exited for 8 figures two years later.

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3r6P1bD *** 

Themes from Keith’s interview:

  • The difference between buying and starting a business
  • It’s never “just add marketing,” even when it seems like it is
  • Growth by creating new products that customers are telling you they want
  • Not being afraid to outsource or delegate
  • Why Amazon FBA businesses aren’t for everyone
  • The Smash My Trash franchise
  • Building laundromats from scratch
  • Keith’s near-death plane crash

Connect with Keith:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4408 How Keith Leimbach paid 6 figures for a business he saw on QuietLight, then exited for 8 figures two years later. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3r6P1bD *** How Keith Leimbach paid 6 figures for a business he saw on QuietLight, then exited for 8 figures two years later. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3r6P1bD *** entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 2 Common Risks in Search & How to Mitigate Them 2 Common Risks in Search & How to Mitigate Them full 0488082f-cb20-4231-b18f-7a7217cddb6a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/elliott-holland-guardian-due-diligence-2 Due diligence expert Elliott Holland looks at industry & owner/seller risk, and exactly what you can do to address them. 

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3NGoSKa *** 

How to reach Elliott:

]]> Due diligence expert Elliott Holland looks at industry & owner/seller risk, and exactly what you can do to address them. 

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3NGoSKa *** 

How to reach Elliott:

]]> Thu, 07 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 1620 Due diligence expert Elliott Holland looks at industry & owner/seller risk, and exactly what you can do to address them. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3NGoSKa *** Due diligence expert Elliott Holland looks at industry & owner/seller risk, and exactly what you can do to address them. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3NGoSKa *** entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $4m HVAC Business (at Age 24) How to Buy a $4m HVAC Business (at Age 24) full c04cd43e-23e6-4a7d-baf0-41614694bce4 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/gundwolf-hvac-business-affiliate-marketing After big success with affiliate marketing online, @Gundwolf sought to acquire & build a more durable business. 

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3tXHIEH *** 

Themes from @Gundwolf’s interview:

  • Appeal of durable offline businesses vs. online marketing businesses
  • Getting up at 4am to work 4 hours before going to day job
  • Achieving success in the affiliate marketing world
  • @Gundwolf’s personal philosophy of goals
  • Not being taken seriously as a 24-year-old
  • Protracted acquisition process
  • The importance of the buyer-seller relationship
  • Earning credibility among blue-collar crews
  • Challenges when both buyer & seller are doing their first acquisition

Reach @Gundwolf at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> After big success with affiliate marketing online, @Gundwolf sought to acquire & build a more durable business. 

*** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3tXHIEH *** 

Themes from @Gundwolf’s interview:

  • Appeal of durable offline businesses vs. online marketing businesses
  • Getting up at 4am to work 4 hours before going to day job
  • Achieving success in the affiliate marketing world
  • @Gundwolf’s personal philosophy of goals
  • Not being taken seriously as a 24-year-old
  • Protracted acquisition process
  • The importance of the buyer-seller relationship
  • Earning credibility among blue-collar crews
  • Challenges when both buyer & seller are doing their first acquisition

Reach @Gundwolf at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3878 After big success with affiliate marketing online, @Gundwolf sought to acquire & build a more durable business. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3tXHIEH *** After big success with affiliate marketing online, @Gundwolf sought to acquire & build a more durable business. *** Register for live episode here: https://bit.ly/3tXHIEH *** entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No What to Love About HVAC Acquisitions What to Love About HVAC Acquisitions full 5535dfc7-3d71-4a10-a38b-351e289d8560 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nathan-lenahan-barts-heating-air Nathan Lenahan acquired an HVAC company with ~$1.2m in revenue for $400k. He's aiming to double sales in 2022 to $2.72m. 

Themes from Nathan’s interview:

  • The appeal of HVAC over other businesses in the trades
  • All the numbers behind Nathan's acquisition
  • Benefits of “buying small” in the SMB acquisition world
  • High professional satisfaction for skilled trades 
  • Acquiring an HVAC business without industry knowledge
  • The importance of first-rate customer care
  • Leveraging multiple acquisitions to create a platform for easier home ownership

Reach Nathan Lenahan at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Nathan Lenahan acquired an HVAC company with ~$1.2m in revenue for $400k. He's aiming to double sales in 2022 to $2.72m. 

Themes from Nathan’s interview:

  • The appeal of HVAC over other businesses in the trades
  • All the numbers behind Nathan's acquisition
  • Benefits of “buying small” in the SMB acquisition world
  • High professional satisfaction for skilled trades 
  • Acquiring an HVAC business without industry knowledge
  • The importance of first-rate customer care
  • Leveraging multiple acquisitions to create a platform for easier home ownership

Reach Nathan Lenahan at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

]]> Mon, 28 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2778 Nathan Lenahan acquired an HVAC company with ~$1.2m in revenue for $400k. He's aiming to double sales in 2022 to $2.72m. Nathan Lenahan acquired an HVAC company with ~$1.2m in revenue for $400k. He's aiming to double sales in 2022 to $2.72m. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How & When to Make Changes at Your Acquisition How & When to Make Changes at Your Acquisition full ef773d2e-15d7-49a5-9014-ece30e52baf7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/eta-mit-summit-2022 This is the rebroadcast of a panel that Acquiring Minds recently moderated at the annual ETA Summit at MIT. 


MIT's panel description:


"First do no harm, then pull on the growth levers." Should you wait to make changes? Or take every opportunity you see? How and when should you make changes to your team or to your organizations that will help you get the most out of your organization?


Speakers:

  • Trish Higgins - Partner, Chenmark Holdings; CEO, Cap’n Fish Holdings. Trish Higgins is a founding partner at Chenmark Holdings, a Portland, Maine based firm focused on the acquisition and long-term ownership of small businesses throughout North America. Outside of work, Trish can be found spending quality time with her husband and business partner, James, and their two kids.
  • Markus Scott - CEO, EyeQ Monitoring. Markus Scott is currently the CEO of EyeQ Monitoring, an AI-enabled surveillance and business intelligence technology company located in Atlanta, GA. He acquired the business in 2015 after raising a search fund at Kellogg in 2013. Prior to Kellogg, he worked in middle market private equity and played football at the University of Florida. He is married with two small kids, Ava (8) and AJ (7), and enjoys coaching, spearfishing and bourbon in his downtime.
  • Kush Das - CEO, Ennoble Care. Former healthcare consultant, healthcare lawyer, and EMS provider with value-based and community-based care experience. Kush acquired Ennoble Care in 2021.
]]> This is the rebroadcast of a panel that Acquiring Minds recently moderated at the annual ETA Summit at MIT. 


MIT's panel description:


"First do no harm, then pull on the growth levers." Should you wait to make changes? Or take every opportunity you see? How and when should you make changes to your team or to your organizations that will help you get the most out of your organization?


Speakers:

  • Trish Higgins - Partner, Chenmark Holdings; CEO, Cap’n Fish Holdings. Trish Higgins is a founding partner at Chenmark Holdings, a Portland, Maine based firm focused on the acquisition and long-term ownership of small businesses throughout North America. Outside of work, Trish can be found spending quality time with her husband and business partner, James, and their two kids.
  • Markus Scott - CEO, EyeQ Monitoring. Markus Scott is currently the CEO of EyeQ Monitoring, an AI-enabled surveillance and business intelligence technology company located in Atlanta, GA. He acquired the business in 2015 after raising a search fund at Kellogg in 2013. Prior to Kellogg, he worked in middle market private equity and played football at the University of Florida. He is married with two small kids, Ava (8) and AJ (7), and enjoys coaching, spearfishing and bourbon in his downtime.
  • Kush Das - CEO, Ennoble Care. Former healthcare consultant, healthcare lawyer, and EMS provider with value-based and community-based care experience. Kush acquired Ennoble Care in 2021.
]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3226 This is the rebroadcast of a panel that Acquiring Minds recently moderated at the annual ETA Summit at MIT. This is the rebroadcast of a panel that Acquiring Minds recently moderated at the annual ETA Summit at MIT. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Shut Out by Industry Brokers, an Entrepreneur Finds a Way Shut Out by Industry Brokers, an Entrepreneur Finds a Way full cfee235f-bd0f-420a-aa13-e23401531afd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/patrick-dichter-appletree-business-services Having witnessed the power of clean books, Patrick Dichter was driven to buy a $1.2m bookkeeping & accounting business. 

Themes from Patrick’s interview:

  • The appeal of bookkeeping for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Seeing the power of clean books to transform a small business
  • Messaging used to reach out to owners of accounting & bookkeeping firms
  • Definition of bookkeeping vs. accounting
  • What it’s like to acquire a bookkeeping business when you’re not a CPA
  • Industry- and geography-specific search
  • Building a proprietary search funnel

Reach Patrick Dichter at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Having witnessed the power of clean books, Patrick Dichter was driven to buy a $1.2m bookkeeping & accounting business. 

Themes from Patrick’s interview:

  • The appeal of bookkeeping for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Seeing the power of clean books to transform a small business
  • Messaging used to reach out to owners of accounting & bookkeeping firms
  • Definition of bookkeeping vs. accounting
  • What it’s like to acquire a bookkeeping business when you’re not a CPA
  • Industry- and geography-specific search
  • Building a proprietary search funnel

Reach Patrick Dichter at:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Links & mentions:

]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3490 Having witnessed the power of clean books, Patrick Dichter was driven to buy a $1.2m bookkeeping & accounting business. Having witnessed the power of clean books, Patrick Dichter was driven to buy a $1.2m bookkeeping & accounting business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Business Using Tactics from B2B Tech Sales How to Buy a Business Using Tactics from B2B Tech Sales full e33333e1-73f3-4f7b-8f85-3411dbec63b3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/george-vallone-nuveldys George Vallone unpacks how he used cold outreach to find an off-market cleaning biz doing $1m and buy it for 2x EBITDA. 

Themes from George’s interview:

  • Prioritizing recurring revenue in the search criteria
  • The importance of messaging when approaching business owners
  • Using a funnel approach in the search
  • The differences between residential cleaning and commercial cleaning
  • The economics of apartment turnover
  • Using customer service as a marketing tool
  • Getting a good deal by betting big
  • How to avoid cash flow crunch during transition

Reach George at:

]]> George Vallone unpacks how he used cold outreach to find an off-market cleaning biz doing $1m and buy it for 2x EBITDA. 

Themes from George’s interview:

  • Prioritizing recurring revenue in the search criteria
  • The importance of messaging when approaching business owners
  • Using a funnel approach in the search
  • The differences between residential cleaning and commercial cleaning
  • The economics of apartment turnover
  • Using customer service as a marketing tool
  • Getting a good deal by betting big
  • How to avoid cash flow crunch during transition

Reach George at:

]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4066 George Vallone unpacks how he used cold outreach to find an off-market cleaning biz doing $1m and buy it for 2x EBITDA. George Vallone unpacks how he used cold outreach to find an off-market cleaning biz doing $1m and buy it for 2x EBITDA. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Transatlantic Search for a $1m+ EBITDA Business Transatlantic Search for a $1m+ EBITDA Business full e4a818da-2595-4bda-b7ee-818e44396dd0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/alex-glasner-workpays Before embarking on his search, Alex Glasner interviewed 50 searchers & uncovered 2 key attitudes necessary for success. 

Themes from Alex’s interview:

  • Wanting to run a business, but not knowing where to start
  • Learning from people whose searches failed
  • The importance of moving quickly with sellers
  • Buying a mission and not just a job
  • The value of being decisive in a search
  • Merging proprietary and brokered search styles
  • Pausing to understand the business before making another acquisition

Reach Alex at:

  • alex at workpays dot co dot uk
]]> Before embarking on his search, Alex Glasner interviewed 50 searchers & uncovered 2 key attitudes necessary for success. 

Themes from Alex’s interview:

  • Wanting to run a business, but not knowing where to start
  • Learning from people whose searches failed
  • The importance of moving quickly with sellers
  • Buying a mission and not just a job
  • The value of being decisive in a search
  • Merging proprietary and brokered search styles
  • Pausing to understand the business before making another acquisition

Reach Alex at:

  • alex at workpays dot co dot uk
]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2717 Before embarking on his search, Alex Glasner interviewed 50 searchers & uncovered 2 key attitudes necessary for success. Before embarking on his search, Alex Glasner interviewed 50 searchers & uncovered 2 key attitudes necessary for success. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a 20-Year-Old Online Business Buying a 20-Year-Old Online Business full 3b9e1cc2-a688-449e-a88c-650611748849 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dave-bramlett-resume-writing-group Looking to buy a part-time online biz as he neared retirement, Dave Bramlett found it in a resume service doing $1.5m. 

Themes from Dave's interview:

  • Making a career of buying small businesses
  • Buying a functioning business allows for immediate cash flow
  • Finding businesses on BizBuySell
  • Bring in the experts for due diligence
  • Maintaining a positive relationship with the seller
  • Know your strengths as a buyer
  • Always be open to new businesses for sale

Reach Dave at:

  • dave at resume writing group dot com
]]> Looking to buy a part-time online biz as he neared retirement, Dave Bramlett found it in a resume service doing $1.5m. 

Themes from Dave's interview:

  • Making a career of buying small businesses
  • Buying a functioning business allows for immediate cash flow
  • Finding businesses on BizBuySell
  • Bring in the experts for due diligence
  • Maintaining a positive relationship with the seller
  • Know your strengths as a buyer
  • Always be open to new businesses for sale

Reach Dave at:

  • dave at resume writing group dot com
]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 1991 Looking to buy a part-time online biz as he neared retirement, Dave Bramlett found it in a resume service doing $1.5m. Looking to buy a part-time online biz as he neared retirement, Dave Bramlett found it in a resume service doing $1.5m. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 6 Months in the Truck: Buying an Ice Delivery Biz 6 Months in the Truck: Buying an Ice Delivery Biz full 3dafa119-1de0-41a6-97ce-d68a03fcb7ea https://acquiringminds.co/articles/brandon-adams-philadelphia-dry-ice Brandon Adams bought a $850k EBITDA ice delivery company only to discover he'd be doing deliveries himself for 6 months. 

Themes from Brandon's interview:

  • Doing a local proprietary search
  • Identifying brokers you can trust
  • Managing purchase price after an anomalous year
  • The silver lining of a due diligence oversight
  • Being a great leader as a new owner
  • The appeal of owning businesses in various industries

Reach Brandon at:

  • brandon at k4inv dot com
]]> Brandon Adams bought a $850k EBITDA ice delivery company only to discover he'd be doing deliveries himself for 6 months. 

Themes from Brandon's interview:

  • Doing a local proprietary search
  • Identifying brokers you can trust
  • Managing purchase price after an anomalous year
  • The silver lining of a due diligence oversight
  • Being a great leader as a new owner
  • The appeal of owning businesses in various industries

Reach Brandon at:

  • brandon at k4inv dot com
]]> Mon, 28 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3437 Brandon Adams bought a $850k EBITDA ice delivery company only to discover he'd be doing deliveries himself for 6 months. Brandon Adams bought a $850k EBITDA ice delivery company only to discover he'd be doing deliveries himself for 6 months. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Nailing the Trifecta: B2B + Remote + Scalable Nailing the Trifecta: B2B + Remote + Scalable full 310ce198-b443-4515-95ba-800e8642b148 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/damon-chlarson-pacific-insulation-supply Damon Chlarson had 3 key criteria, and he found them in an insulation supplier doing $380k EBITDA and selling for $1.1m. 

Themes from Damon’s interview:

  • Defining your acquisition criteria 
  • Finding your niche in the market
  • Imagining yourself doing the job before buying the business
  • Tapping into people’s talents
  • Mental health and business success
  • Finding opportunities in times of crisis
  • Looking back and growing ambition

Reach Damon at:

]]> Damon Chlarson had 3 key criteria, and he found them in an insulation supplier doing $380k EBITDA and selling for $1.1m. 

Themes from Damon’s interview:

  • Defining your acquisition criteria 
  • Finding your niche in the market
  • Imagining yourself doing the job before buying the business
  • Tapping into people’s talents
  • Mental health and business success
  • Finding opportunities in times of crisis
  • Looking back and growing ambition

Reach Damon at:

]]> Tue, 22 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2931 Damon Chlarson had 3 key criteria, and he found them in an insulation supplier doing $380k EBITDA and selling for $1.1m. Damon Chlarson had 3 key criteria, and he found them in an insulation supplier doing $380k EBITDA and selling for $1.1m. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Overcoming a Career Rut by Buying a Business Overcoming a Career Rut by Buying a Business full e67bd868-68ac-4309-bec7-cd5abaa64dfd https://acquiringminds.co/articles/bruce-vann-luxout-stage-curtains Frustrated after losing 3 jobs, Bruce Vann used savings to acquire a 25-employee, 7-figure curtain manufacturer for 2x. 

Themes from Bruce’s interview:

  • Paying 2x for a growing 70-year-old business
  • Buying a business to pull out of a career rut
  • Why finding a business is like a full court shot
  • The need for persistence
  • Abandoning a proprietary search because of seller overvaluations
  • Chasing down leads and not becoming complacent
  • The importance of documenting business processes in case of sudden staff departures
  • Dealing with uneasy staff during the transition period
  • The experience of acquiring a business as a Black man in the U.S.

Reach Bruce at:

  • bvann at luxout dot com
]]> Frustrated after losing 3 jobs, Bruce Vann used savings to acquire a 25-employee, 7-figure curtain manufacturer for 2x. 

Themes from Bruce’s interview:

  • Paying 2x for a growing 70-year-old business
  • Buying a business to pull out of a career rut
  • Why finding a business is like a full court shot
  • The need for persistence
  • Abandoning a proprietary search because of seller overvaluations
  • Chasing down leads and not becoming complacent
  • The importance of documenting business processes in case of sudden staff departures
  • Dealing with uneasy staff during the transition period
  • The experience of acquiring a business as a Black man in the U.S.

Reach Bruce at:

  • bvann at luxout dot com
]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3210 Frustrated after losing 3 jobs, Bruce Vann used savings to acquire a 25-employee, 7-figure curtain manufacturer for 2x. Frustrated after losing 3 jobs, Bruce Vann used savings to acquire a 25-employee, 7-figure curtain manufacturer for 2x. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Building a Blue Collar Empire Building a Blue Collar Empire full 835b7944-5039-4c15-b123-12862e39791e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/adrian-pinto-georgia-scapes After seeing 9-figure businesses built through acquisition, Adrian Pinto bought a landscaping biz to build one himself. 

Themes from Adrian’s interview:

  • Buying a $3-5M landscaping business with 15-20% margins
  • Paying 3x, but rapid growth making it more like 2x
  • What a buy-side advisor is and when it might make sense to work with one
  • How COVID helped his search process
  • Why doing his own search was less stressful than a traditional search would have been
  • The excitement versus the reality of acquiring bolt-ons to your platform business
  • Beginning with the idea of building a strong base for future growth (chassis concept)
  • Waiting & observing for months before introducing changes to company processes

Reach Adrian at:

]]> After seeing 9-figure businesses built through acquisition, Adrian Pinto bought a landscaping biz to build one himself. 

Themes from Adrian’s interview:

  • Buying a $3-5M landscaping business with 15-20% margins
  • Paying 3x, but rapid growth making it more like 2x
  • What a buy-side advisor is and when it might make sense to work with one
  • How COVID helped his search process
  • Why doing his own search was less stressful than a traditional search would have been
  • The excitement versus the reality of acquiring bolt-ons to your platform business
  • Beginning with the idea of building a strong base for future growth (chassis concept)
  • Waiting & observing for months before introducing changes to company processes

Reach Adrian at:

]]> Mon, 07 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4300 After seeing 9-figure businesses built through acquisition, Adrian Pinto bought a landscaping biz to build one himself. After seeing 9-figure businesses built through acquisition, Adrian Pinto bought a landscaping biz to build one himself. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses 7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses full 0321c0d3-8595-4710-8e34-83c9738b2cdc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chenmark-james-higgins-palmer-higgins The 3 founders of Chenmark left promising corporate careers to pursue a multi-decade path of acquiring small businesses. 

Themes from the interview with James & Palmer Higgins:

  • Why the Chenmark founders decided to do this
  • Lessons learned from 30+ acquisitions
  • How the founding thesis is performing 7 years in
  • The value of an "extreme delayed gratification muscle"
  • Intellectual stimulation in corporate life vs. small business
  • Buying big vs. buying small
  • How has competition in search evolved over the last 5 years
  • Chenmark’s diversification strategy

Other recommend podcasts where Chenmark has appeared:

Subscribe to: Chenmark’s Weekly Thoughts.

]]> The 3 founders of Chenmark left promising corporate careers to pursue a multi-decade path of acquiring small businesses. 

Themes from the interview with James & Palmer Higgins:

  • Why the Chenmark founders decided to do this
  • Lessons learned from 30+ acquisitions
  • How the founding thesis is performing 7 years in
  • The value of an "extreme delayed gratification muscle"
  • Intellectual stimulation in corporate life vs. small business
  • Buying big vs. buying small
  • How has competition in search evolved over the last 5 years
  • Chenmark’s diversification strategy

Other recommend podcasts where Chenmark has appeared:

Subscribe to: Chenmark’s Weekly Thoughts.

]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4539 The 3 founders of Chenmark left promising corporate careers to pursue a multi-decade path of acquiring small businesses. The 3 founders of Chenmark left promising corporate careers to pursue a multi-decade path of acquiring small businesses. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far) How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far) full 32b977bd-2b61-497b-9ecc-ffcc4e26e08e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/justin-turner-traction-capital With 4 acquisitions since starting in 2018, Justin Turner explains how his team is building a permanent equity holdco. 

Themes from Justin’s interview:

  • The appeal of holding on to companies for a longer period
  • Why buying a $4-5M business might be easier than buying a $1M one
  • Letting the seller relationship develop naturally
  • Why paving companies make great acquisitions
  • Waiting to finalize the equity until after the deal is in hand
  • Setting acquisitions up in a holdco structure

Reach Justin at:

  • j turner at traction cp dot com
]]> With 4 acquisitions since starting in 2018, Justin Turner explains how his team is building a permanent equity holdco. 

Themes from Justin’s interview:

  • The appeal of holding on to companies for a longer period
  • Why buying a $4-5M business might be easier than buying a $1M one
  • Letting the seller relationship develop naturally
  • Why paving companies make great acquisitions
  • Waiting to finalize the equity until after the deal is in hand
  • Setting acquisitions up in a holdco structure

Reach Justin at:

  • j turner at traction cp dot com
]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2669 With 4 acquisitions since starting in 2018, Justin Turner explains how his team is building a permanent equity holdco. With 4 acquisitions since starting in 2018, Justin Turner explains how his team is building a permanent equity holdco. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Business & Having a Blast Buying a Business & Having a Blast full 5002eaf9-379d-468c-9ef8-15097fb4f6ca https://acquiringminds.co/articles/fundof1-appliance-repair @Fundof1 was searching for a business in a tight geography, and found a great fit in a $760k appliance repair company. 

Themes from John’s interview:

  • Buying a $760k appliance repair company
  • How to balance very specific search criteria
  • Choosing a steady industry
  • Walking into a business with an established sense of community
  • Deciding between using investors or not
  • Focusing on improving the business rather than day-to-day operations
  • Remembering to have fun
  • Building trust with employees who don’t work in the office

Reach John at:

]]> @Fundof1 was searching for a business in a tight geography, and found a great fit in a $760k appliance repair company. 

Themes from John’s interview:

  • Buying a $760k appliance repair company
  • How to balance very specific search criteria
  • Choosing a steady industry
  • Walking into a business with an established sense of community
  • Deciding between using investors or not
  • Focusing on improving the business rather than day-to-day operations
  • Remembering to have fun
  • Building trust with employees who don’t work in the office

Reach John at:

]]> Tue, 18 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2748 @Fundof1 was searching for a business in a tight geography, and found a great fit in a $760k appliance repair company. @Fundof1 was searching for a business in a tight geography, and found a great fit in a $760k appliance repair company. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Manufacturer with 1 Good Employee & 2000 SKUs Buying a Manufacturer with 1 Good Employee & 2000 SKUs full b8521c09-cbe5-49d5-808c-0f5dd896022e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/josh-paulson-quality-cage Knowing zero about manufacturing, Josh Paulson found purpose when he bought a small & struggling producer of pet cages. 

Themes from Josh's interview:

  • Owning the business saved his life
  • What manufacturing is like
  • Firing all but 1 employee (who spoke little English)
  • Reducing the product line from 2000 SKUs
  • Rebuilding a business with limited resources

Reach Josh at:

]]> Knowing zero about manufacturing, Josh Paulson found purpose when he bought a small & struggling producer of pet cages. 

Themes from Josh's interview:

  • Owning the business saved his life
  • What manufacturing is like
  • Firing all but 1 employee (who spoke little English)
  • Reducing the product line from 2000 SKUs
  • Rebuilding a business with limited resources

Reach Josh at:

]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3014 Knowing zero about manufacturing, Josh Paulson found purpose when he bought a small & struggling producer of pet cages. Knowing zero about manufacturing, Josh Paulson found purpose when he bought a small & struggling producer of pet cages. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Key to a Profitable Liquor Store The Key to a Profitable Liquor Store full b11ba79e-f94a-43c1-9e8d-bef5167bbc53 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/devin-wanzor-liquor-store Devin Wanzor went from a corporate gig with 50 employees to buying a $3M liquor store and playing golf 3 times a week. 

Themes from Devin's interview:

  • What makes Devin's liquor store so profitable
  • The major risk involved in acquiring a liquor store
  • The self-image shift from corporate manager to liquor store owner
  • Boosting revenue with an easy price cleanup
  • Maintaining a 15-hour workweek

Reach Devin at:

]]> Devin Wanzor went from a corporate gig with 50 employees to buying a $3M liquor store and playing golf 3 times a week. 

Themes from Devin's interview:

  • What makes Devin's liquor store so profitable
  • The major risk involved in acquiring a liquor store
  • The self-image shift from corporate manager to liquor store owner
  • Boosting revenue with an easy price cleanup
  • Maintaining a 15-hour workweek

Reach Devin at:

]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 1854 Devin Wanzor went from a corporate gig with 50 employees to buying a $3M liquor store and playing golf 3 times a week. Devin Wanzor went from a corporate gig with 50 employees to buying a $3M liquor store and playing golf 3 times a week. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No It's All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your Acquisition It's All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your Acquisition full fdf4893b-a962-4b1b-90e4-216d1e244b72 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-curry-apex-physics-partners Mike Curry bought a business only to struggle for years as its new CEO. He shares the lessons that unlocked 2x growth. 

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) isn’t just for MBAs
  • Buying a business is art and science
  • The perks of the traditional search fund model
  • Building a strong community of fellow entrepreneurs
  • Becoming CEO of an established company
  • Earning your employees’ trust
  • The need for diverse business leaders

Reach Mike at:

  • mcurry at apex physics dot com

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mike Curry bought a business only to struggle for years as its new CEO. He shares the lessons that unlocked 2x growth. 

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) isn’t just for MBAs
  • Buying a business is art and science
  • The perks of the traditional search fund model
  • Building a strong community of fellow entrepreneurs
  • Becoming CEO of an established company
  • Earning your employees’ trust
  • The need for diverse business leaders

Reach Mike at:

  • mcurry at apex physics dot com

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3053 Mike Curry bought a business only to struggle for years as its new CEO. He shares the lessons that unlocked 2x growth. Mike Curry bought a business only to struggle for years as its new CEO. He shares the lessons that unlocked 2x growth. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small full 489455d0-b842-45f7-a067-c3062326c7cb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jd-klein-minuteman-press-franchise JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. 

Themes from JD's interview:

  • Running a strong-growth, low-margin business
  • Selling your house to make ends meet
  • Why very small businesses come with higher risk
  • Acquirers should hire a financial planner
  • Pivoting your strategy when uncontrollable roadblocks emerge
  • Pros & cons of the printing industry for acquirers
  • Personal victories vs. financial victories

Reach JD at:

]]> JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. 

Themes from JD's interview:

  • Running a strong-growth, low-margin business
  • Selling your house to make ends meet
  • Why very small businesses come with higher risk
  • Acquirers should hire a financial planner
  • Pivoting your strategy when uncontrollable roadblocks emerge
  • Pros & cons of the printing industry for acquirers
  • Personal victories vs. financial victories

Reach JD at:

]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 4045 JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Choosing Laundromats over Real Estate Choosing Laundromats over Real Estate full ea992327-a7eb-4914-a1db-a7e6d88de0b7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/geoff-oliver-spinnerz Geoff Oliver bought 2 laundromats in rural Texas. He shares his numbers & what to consider when acquiring a laundromat. 

Themes from Geoff's interview:

  • How working as an SBA lender lit a fire for acquisitions
  • Looking for a real estate investment and finding a great business instead
  • What makes laundromats competitive
  • Self service vs. full serve
  • Why quality of laundromat equipment can matter more than earnings
  • Understanding your customers’ preferences before making changes
  • The growth potential of asset-heavy businesses
  • The appeal of “zombiemats”
  • How to hire a manager for your laundromat

Reach Geoff at:

]]> Geoff Oliver bought 2 laundromats in rural Texas. He shares his numbers & what to consider when acquiring a laundromat. 

Themes from Geoff's interview:

  • How working as an SBA lender lit a fire for acquisitions
  • Looking for a real estate investment and finding a great business instead
  • What makes laundromats competitive
  • Self service vs. full serve
  • Why quality of laundromat equipment can matter more than earnings
  • Understanding your customers’ preferences before making changes
  • The growth potential of asset-heavy businesses
  • The appeal of “zombiemats”
  • How to hire a manager for your laundromat

Reach Geoff at:

]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3077 Geoff Oliver bought 2 laundromats in rural Texas. He shares his numbers & what to consider when acquiring a laundromat. Geoff Oliver bought 2 laundromats in rural Texas. He shares his numbers & what to consider when acquiring a laundromat. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 5 Takeaways from Harvard's ETA Conference 5 Takeaways from Harvard's ETA Conference full 6dacb168-ce8e-468d-9a0e-4c83446e9f14 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/michael-ledecky-harvard-business-school Harvard's acquisition entrepreneurship conference took place last week. Organizer Michael Ledecky shares 5 takeaways. 

Themes from Michael's interview:

  • Buy a good business in a great industry
  • 4+1 Model for searching
  • 3 industries for acquisition entrepreneurs to consider
  • Mental health in search
  • Women in search
  • Thai Lee, acquisition entrepreneur who became a billionaire
  • Diversifying paths of search
  • Predictions for search in 2022 & 2023

Tons of names & resources cited in this episode. Here they all are:

]]> Harvard's acquisition entrepreneurship conference took place last week. Organizer Michael Ledecky shares 5 takeaways. 

Themes from Michael's interview:

  • Buy a good business in a great industry
  • 4+1 Model for searching
  • 3 industries for acquisition entrepreneurs to consider
  • Mental health in search
  • Women in search
  • Thai Lee, acquisition entrepreneur who became a billionaire
  • Diversifying paths of search
  • Predictions for search in 2022 & 2023

Tons of names & resources cited in this episode. Here they all are:

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2136 Harvard's acquisition entrepreneurship conference took place last week. Organizer Michael Ledecky shares 5 takeaways. Harvard's acquisition entrepreneurship conference took place last week. Organizer Michael Ledecky shares 5 takeaways. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Lessons from 14 Years in Search Lessons from 14 Years in Search full 53467763-0293-4187-8b28-19e17f168c61 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mark-sinatra-eta-equity Having searched, acquired, and exited a business himself starting back in 2007, today Mark Sinatra invests in searchers. 

Themes from Mark's interview:

  • Running a traditional search fund
  • How search has changed over the last 15 years
  • The challenge of staying optimistic during a traditional search
  • The capacity of small and mid-sized companies to absorb change
  • Client management during a recession
  • Dealing with clients’ attachment to familiar processes
  • What a search investor looks for in searchers
  • Importance of bringing a deal to investors sooner than later

Reach Mark at:

]]> Having searched, acquired, and exited a business himself starting back in 2007, today Mark Sinatra invests in searchers. 

Themes from Mark's interview:

  • Running a traditional search fund
  • How search has changed over the last 15 years
  • The challenge of staying optimistic during a traditional search
  • The capacity of small and mid-sized companies to absorb change
  • Client management during a recession
  • Dealing with clients’ attachment to familiar processes
  • What a search investor looks for in searchers
  • Importance of bringing a deal to investors sooner than later

Reach Mark at:

]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2344 Having searched, acquired, and exited a business himself starting back in 2007, today Mark Sinatra invests in searchers. Having searched, acquired, and exited a business himself starting back in 2007, today Mark Sinatra invests in searchers. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No What to Acquire: 3 Hot Sectors for Business Buyers What to Acquire: 3 Hot Sectors for Business Buyers full 9181c504-f815-4d9d-b51f-d77859c48f1e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/casey-clark-cultivate-advisors Casey Clark talks hot industries, identifying growth potential in a business for sale, and avoiding common SMB pitfalls. 

Themes from Casey's interview:

  • Choosing the right industry for you
  • 3 hot industries for acquisition  
  • Acquisition opportunity checklist
  • How to convince a seller to let you speak with management
  • The “propeller” methodology
  • 3 common traps for small business owners

Reach Casey at:

]]> Casey Clark talks hot industries, identifying growth potential in a business for sale, and avoiding common SMB pitfalls. 

Themes from Casey's interview:

  • Choosing the right industry for you
  • 3 hot industries for acquisition  
  • Acquisition opportunity checklist
  • How to convince a seller to let you speak with management
  • The “propeller” methodology
  • 3 common traps for small business owners

Reach Casey at:

]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 1845 Casey Clark talks hot industries, identifying growth potential in a business for sale, and avoiding common SMB pitfalls. Casey Clark talks hot industries, identifying growth potential in a business for sale, and avoiding common SMB pitfalls. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying the Family Business & Growing 4x During COVID Buying the Family Business & Growing 4x During COVID full 20854b57-fe38-4321-87d8-7919e4db0274 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mark-litton-howard-medical Resisting at first, Mark Litton eventually realized that buying the family biz was the perfect path to entrepreneurship. 

Themes from Mark's interview:

  • Buying a business from a family member
  • Redefining “real” entrepreneurship
  • Structuring a deal with 100% financing
  • Understanding the business’s numbers before you buy
  • Getting through struggles in your first year
  • Recession-proofing your business
  • Free resources for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs

Reach Mark at:

]]> Resisting at first, Mark Litton eventually realized that buying the family biz was the perfect path to entrepreneurship. 

Themes from Mark's interview:

  • Buying a business from a family member
  • Redefining “real” entrepreneurship
  • Structuring a deal with 100% financing
  • Understanding the business’s numbers before you buy
  • Getting through struggles in your first year
  • Recession-proofing your business
  • Free resources for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs

Reach Mark at:

]]> Tue, 30 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3174 Resisting at first, Mark Litton eventually realized that buying the family biz was the perfect path to entrepreneurship. Resisting at first, Mark Litton eventually realized that buying the family biz was the perfect path to entrepreneurship. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Hire an Attorney for Your Acquisition How to Hire an Attorney for Your Acquisition full 0943e10d-2f84-429e-afb1-cbf92cde9992 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/smb-attorney Learn how to find a lawyer for your deal, how much you'll spend, what to look for, and how to avoid suing the seller. 

Themes from the interview with @SMB_Attorney:

  • Absolutely necessary: a good lawyer
  • What to look for
  • References? Reviews? Hmm, difficult
  • What you'll pay
  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate price
  • Do they need to be in the same location as your deal?
  • You don’t want to sue
  • Indemnification: Get familiar with it

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Learn how to find a lawyer for your deal, how much you'll spend, what to look for, and how to avoid suing the seller. 

Themes from the interview with @SMB_Attorney:

  • Absolutely necessary: a good lawyer
  • What to look for
  • References? Reviews? Hmm, difficult
  • What you'll pay
  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate price
  • Do they need to be in the same location as your deal?
  • You don’t want to sue
  • Indemnification: Get familiar with it

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 2153 Learn how to find a lawyer for your deal, how much you'll spend, what to look for, and how to avoid suing the seller. Learn how to find a lawyer for your deal, how much you'll spend, what to look for, and how to avoid suing the seller. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions full 0acf792b-c509-40bb-8b3b-2c4887b5a277 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/neil-saxon-psychotherapy-group A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. 

Themes from Neil's interview:

  • Growing a mental health practice from $615k/year to $2M. 
  • How working in your acquired business (not on it) can save you
  • Owning a business with your spouse
  • Equipment leasing as a solution to keeping overhead costs low 
  • To sue or not to sue (the seller, post-acquisition)
  • Preferring businesses for sale rather than cold outreach to owners
  • When to sell a fast-growing business

Reach Neil at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. 

Themes from Neil's interview:

  • Growing a mental health practice from $615k/year to $2M. 
  • How working in your acquired business (not on it) can save you
  • Owning a business with your spouse
  • Equipment leasing as a solution to keeping overhead costs low 
  • To sue or not to sue (the seller, post-acquisition)
  • Preferring businesses for sale rather than cold outreach to owners
  • When to sell a fast-growing business

Reach Neil at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 22 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3322 A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Argument for Self-Funded Search The Argument for Self-Funded Search full 366bd435-f73a-4fd0-a646-b55d58696acb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jordan-carter-robert-graham-search-investment-group Jordan Carter & Robert Graham argue for self-funded search over traditional search funds or the "buy small" approach.

Themes from the interview with Jordan & Robert:

  • Self-Funded Over Traditional
  • Buy Bigger
  • Turning $200k into $4M+
  • How Much Money You'll Need
  • Be Prepared to Move
  • No Deal Experience? No Problem
  • What Makes a Good Searcher

Reach Jordan & Robert on LinkedIn:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Jordan Carter & Robert Graham argue for self-funded search over traditional search funds or the "buy small" approach.

Themes from the interview with Jordan & Robert:

  • Self-Funded Over Traditional
  • Buy Bigger
  • Turning $200k into $4M+
  • How Much Money You'll Need
  • Be Prepared to Move
  • No Deal Experience? No Problem
  • What Makes a Good Searcher

Reach Jordan & Robert on LinkedIn:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 15 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3970 Jordan Carter & Robert Graham argue for self-funded search over traditional search funds or the "buy small" approach. Jordan Carter & Robert Graham argue for self-funded search over traditional search funds or the "buy small" approach. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive) How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive) full 02498049-dbe3-4318-bae1-9ebd17ab5b51 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/sarah-romer-bella-salon Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life.

Themes from Sarah's interview:

  • The formula for estimating the value of a salon or beauty business
  • What to do when sellers overestimate the worth of their company
  • Where to cut costs after you’ve made an acquisition 
  • Underestimating the importance of company culture
  • The stress of owning and managing a retail business
  • The process of exiting a business you’ve acquired

Reach Sarah at:

  • Sarah dot Romer at gmail dot com

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life.

Themes from Sarah's interview:

  • The formula for estimating the value of a salon or beauty business
  • What to do when sellers overestimate the worth of their company
  • Where to cut costs after you’ve made an acquisition 
  • Underestimating the importance of company culture
  • The stress of owning and managing a retail business
  • The process of exiting a business you’ve acquired

Reach Sarah at:

  • Sarah dot Romer at gmail dot com

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500 Will Smith Will Smith 3132 Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Starter Acquisition: Buying a $25k Business Starter Acquisition: Buying a $25k Business full 9b7b760e-3785-4522-af3e-65cb70db52c2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/neil-granberry-nashville-bubble-ball Neil Granberry bought a bubble ball business to prove himself as an entrepreneur while pursuing an MBA at the same time.

Themes from Neil’s interview:

  • The advantages of a small starter business as a first acquisition
  • Looking past media hype that paints billionaire startup founders as the only entrepreneurs
  • The value of a customer list
  • The beauty of acquiring a small business that is already profitable
  • Taking a hard look at a company’s books to negotiate a better sale price
  • Delegating operations to trusted employees to better position yourself for a sale later on

Reach Neil at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Neil Granberry bought a bubble ball business to prove himself as an entrepreneur while pursuing an MBA at the same time.

Themes from Neil’s interview:

  • The advantages of a small starter business as a first acquisition
  • Looking past media hype that paints billionaire startup founders as the only entrepreneurs
  • The value of a customer list
  • The beauty of acquiring a small business that is already profitable
  • Taking a hard look at a company’s books to negotiate a better sale price
  • Delegating operations to trusted employees to better position yourself for a sale later on

Reach Neil at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 04 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2172 Neil Granberry bought a bubble ball business to prove himself as an entrepreneur while pursuing an MBA at the same time. Neil Granberry bought a bubble ball business to prove himself as an entrepreneur while pursuing an MBA at the same time. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Stay Open to the Many Flavors of Search Stay Open to the Many Flavors of Search full 3418b330-2071-4ba3-9075-199aed7e89c2 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-williams-system-six Thanks to changing his search from traditional to self-funded, Chris Williams bought a $1m EBITDA bookkeeping business.

Themes from Chris's interview:

  • Traditional versus alternative search fund models
  • The advantages of self-funded search (if you can afford it)
  • The appeal of bookkeeping businesses
  • How to stand out to potential sellers who have heard it all before
  • The first six months after acquisition

Reach Chris at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thanks to changing his search from traditional to self-funded, Chris Williams bought a $1m EBITDA bookkeeping business.

Themes from Chris's interview:

  • Traditional versus alternative search fund models
  • The advantages of self-funded search (if you can afford it)
  • The appeal of bookkeeping businesses
  • How to stand out to potential sellers who have heard it all before
  • The first six months after acquisition

Reach Chris at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 01 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3425 Thanks to changing his search from traditional to self-funded, Chris Williams bought a $1m EBITDA bookkeeping business. Thanks to changing his search from traditional to self-funded, Chris Williams bought a $1m EBITDA bookkeeping business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No From Search Misery to Successful CEO From Search Misery to Successful CEO full 3d32117d-f78f-4ce2-bd7d-21967cf8ed47 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/steve-divitkos-microdea Steve Divitkos shares tips from his acquisition, from the solitude of search to the delicate balance of being a new CEO.

Themes from Steve's interview:

  • The full lifecycle of a traditional search
  • The biggest myth about entrepreneurship
  • Surviving the search process
  • Why he bought Microdea
  • Managing relationships with the sellers (the price of peace)
  • What to do in your first two weeks as CEO 
  • Why you should diagnose before you prescribe

Reach Steve at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Steve Divitkos shares tips from his acquisition, from the solitude of search to the delicate balance of being a new CEO.

Themes from Steve's interview:

  • The full lifecycle of a traditional search
  • The biggest myth about entrepreneurship
  • Surviving the search process
  • Why he bought Microdea
  • Managing relationships with the sellers (the price of peace)
  • What to do in your first two weeks as CEO 
  • Why you should diagnose before you prescribe

Reach Steve at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 28 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2884 Steve Divitkos shares tips from his acquisition, from the solitude of search to the delicate balance of being a new CEO. Steve Divitkos shares tips from his acquisition, from the solitude of search to the delicate balance of being a new CEO. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a 45 Year Old Software Business Buying a 45 Year Old Software Business full 70987b73-54b9-45ff-a40c-0f58523ed80a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jason-budd-metasystems A podcast exposed Jason Budd to buying businesses. After 10 years in corporate, he'd found his path to entrepreneurship.

Themes from Jason's interview:

  • How Jason found the right business with the help of a mentor and a podcast
  • Due diligence when it comes to finances and staff
  • Keeping your options open in case a sale falls through
  • Technical understanding of your acquired business
  • What the history of an established business can tell you
  • Getting to know the stories of the people who will work for you
  • Being the project manager of your own deal

Reach Jason at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> A podcast exposed Jason Budd to buying businesses. After 10 years in corporate, he'd found his path to entrepreneurship.

Themes from Jason's interview:

  • How Jason found the right business with the help of a mentor and a podcast
  • Due diligence when it comes to finances and staff
  • Keeping your options open in case a sale falls through
  • Technical understanding of your acquired business
  • What the history of an established business can tell you
  • Getting to know the stories of the people who will work for you
  • Being the project manager of your own deal

Reach Jason at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 25 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2838 A podcast exposed Jason Budd to buying businesses. After 10 years in corporate, he'd found his path to entrepreneurship. A podcast exposed Jason Budd to buying businesses. After 10 years in corporate, he'd found his path to entrepreneurship. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy Landscaping Businesses How to Buy Landscaping Businesses full 7609e385-03f6-4e41-99e4-fc052100056c https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-botkin-justins-superior-lawn-care Closing on his 2nd acquisition in 10 months, Mike Botkin just became Central Florida's largest landscaping business.

Themes from Mike's interview:

  • Acquiring a second landscaping business
  • Dropping customers to grow 
  • Developing a playbook for operating a landscaping business
  • Treating your employees right
  • Downsides of SBA loans and traditional search funds
  • The invaluable resource of keeping the previous owner in the biz
  • Viewing landscaping from a logistics perspective
  • Why landscaping businesses are great acquisitions

Reach Mike at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Closing on his 2nd acquisition in 10 months, Mike Botkin just became Central Florida's largest landscaping business.

Themes from Mike's interview:

  • Acquiring a second landscaping business
  • Dropping customers to grow 
  • Developing a playbook for operating a landscaping business
  • Treating your employees right
  • Downsides of SBA loans and traditional search funds
  • The invaluable resource of keeping the previous owner in the biz
  • Viewing landscaping from a logistics perspective
  • Why landscaping businesses are great acquisitions

Reach Mike at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 21 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2804 Closing on his 2nd acquisition in 10 months, Mike Botkin just became Central Florida's largest landscaping business. Closing on his 2nd acquisition in 10 months, Mike Botkin just became Central Florida's largest landscaping business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Anatomy of a Search: 40 Interns, 25 Months, 20 Offers Anatomy of a Search: 40 Interns, 25 Months, 20 Offers full 7c296ad3-71d7-49f5-ab77-34d6ddc61259 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/jessica-markowitz-paragon-legal Jessica Markowitz used a traditional search fund to search for & ultimately buy a great business. But the road was long.

Themes from Jessica's interview:

  • Acquiring a business through a traditional search fund
  • Leveraging an army of interns to power the search
  • Search fund partnership with a close friend 
  • Maintaining a good relationship with a business owner even after they decline you
  • Running a legal services company without a law degree

Reach Jessica at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Jessica Markowitz used a traditional search fund to search for & ultimately buy a great business. But the road was long.

Themes from Jessica's interview:

  • Acquiring a business through a traditional search fund
  • Leveraging an army of interns to power the search
  • Search fund partnership with a close friend 
  • Maintaining a good relationship with a business owner even after they decline you
  • Running a legal services company without a law degree

Reach Jessica at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Sun, 17 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3063 Jessica Markowitz used a traditional search fund to search for & ultimately buy a great business. But the road was long. Jessica Markowitz used a traditional search fund to search for & ultimately buy a great business. But the road was long. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Choose Your Lender When Buying a Business How to Choose Your Lender When Buying a Business full 56bc2e67-2a92-4e30-aa7e-af1f8c7afb99 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/lisa-forrest-live-oak-bank There are many lenders out there eager to finance your acquisition. SBA loan expert Lisa Forrest explains how to choose.

Themes from Lisa's interview:

  • Working with lenders to secure an SBA loan
  • Choosing the right lender for you
  • How to prepare for your SBA loan conversation
  • Getting an SBA loan for SaaS and eCommerce businesses
  • How business owners can plan ahead for a cash crunch
  • Why now is a great time for buyers

Reach Lisa at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> There are many lenders out there eager to finance your acquisition. SBA loan expert Lisa Forrest explains how to choose.

Themes from Lisa's interview:

  • Working with lenders to secure an SBA loan
  • Choosing the right lender for you
  • How to prepare for your SBA loan conversation
  • Getting an SBA loan for SaaS and eCommerce businesses
  • How business owners can plan ahead for a cash crunch
  • Why now is a great time for buyers

Reach Lisa at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 14 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2834 There are many lenders out there eager to finance your acquisition. SBA loan expert Lisa Forrest explains how to choose. There are many lenders out there eager to finance your acquisition. SBA loan expert Lisa Forrest explains how to choose. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No The Poetry of Buying a Blue Collar Business The Poetry of Buying a Blue Collar Business full 3cd53a6f-e346-4d29-bee0-e7ab4730c829 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/shannon-jones-halstatt-legacy-partners Shannon Jones explains how acquisition entrepreneurs should navigate the realities of buying a blue collar business.

Themes from Shannon's interview:

  • Killing relations with a blue collar seller by being too "quant"
  • Importance of vulnerability when negotiating
  • How to know if a blue collar business is in an industry that’s right for you
  • Managing blue collar employees and common pitfalls
  • Transitioning as a new owner of a blue collar business
  • When is the right time to make changes as a new owner?

Reach Shannon at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Shannon Jones explains how acquisition entrepreneurs should navigate the realities of buying a blue collar business.

Themes from Shannon's interview:

  • Killing relations with a blue collar seller by being too "quant"
  • Importance of vulnerability when negotiating
  • How to know if a blue collar business is in an industry that’s right for you
  • Managing blue collar employees and common pitfalls
  • Transitioning as a new owner of a blue collar business
  • When is the right time to make changes as a new owner?

Reach Shannon at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 11 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3483 Shannon Jones explains how acquisition entrepreneurs should navigate the realities of buying a blue collar business. Shannon Jones explains how acquisition entrepreneurs should navigate the realities of buying a blue collar business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No What You Don’t Understand About Buying a Small Business What You Don’t Understand About Buying a Small Business full fab92e7a-f32b-48ba-882a-b741f56728e0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/elliott-holland-guardian-due-diligence Due diligence expert Elliott Holland shares the top things he wishes he’d known when he first started buying businesses.

Themes from Elliott's interview:

  • Started the due diligence firm he wished he’d had himself
  • For LOIs, don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good
  • Early information on an acquisition is +/- 40% correct (and that might be OK)
  • The information you get post-LOI is what matters
  • Don’t be surprised if the seller doesn’t trust you right away

Reach Elliott at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Due diligence expert Elliott Holland shares the top things he wishes he’d known when he first started buying businesses.

Themes from Elliott's interview:

  • Started the due diligence firm he wished he’d had himself
  • For LOIs, don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good
  • Early information on an acquisition is +/- 40% correct (and that might be OK)
  • The information you get post-LOI is what matters
  • Don’t be surprised if the seller doesn’t trust you right away

Reach Elliott at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 07 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2743 Due diligence expert Elliott Holland shares the top things he wishes he’d known when he first started buying businesses. Due diligence expert Elliott Holland shares the top things he wishes he’d known when he first started buying businesses. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 6 Ways Buying a Business Has Changed Since 2016 6 Ways Buying a Business Has Changed Since 2016 full d434d119-529b-4691-9733-56239e2ad129 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-haschka-the-wright-gardner Nick Haschka shares what's changed in the market since acquiring his first small business in 2016. (Hint: it’s harder.)

Themes from Nick's interview:

  • The rise and fall of the “silver tsunami”
  • Private equity’s pivot from hands-off to getting dirty
  • MBAs jump into the acquisition arena
  • The labors of labor shortages
  • Why B2C is beating B2B 
  • Saying yes to no-code

Reach Nick at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Nick Haschka shares what's changed in the market since acquiring his first small business in 2016. (Hint: it’s harder.)

Themes from Nick's interview:

  • The rise and fall of the “silver tsunami”
  • Private equity’s pivot from hands-off to getting dirty
  • MBAs jump into the acquisition arena
  • The labors of labor shortages
  • Why B2C is beating B2B 
  • Saying yes to no-code

Reach Nick at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 04 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 1603 Nick Haschka shares what's changed in the market since acquiring his first small business in 2016. (Hint: it’s harder.) Nick Haschka shares what's changed in the market since acquiring his first small business in 2016. (Hint: it’s harder.) entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Medical Billing Business How to Buy a Medical Billing Business full fb5d3370-8e7a-4071-a82a-e6d67c5f8b62 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/curt-neider-illuminate-billing-advocates Less than a year after acquiring a $1m medical billing business, Curt Neider is already looking for his second deal.

Themes from Curt's interview:

  • Buying a medical billing company doing ~$1 million/year
  • The appeal of medical billing businesses
  • Becoming a certified professional biller to understand the business
  • How Curt immediately improved operations
  • Separate line of credit for working capital (not rolled into SBA loan)
  • Acquiring with a partner
  • "Altruistic kicker" of buying a business that helps people
  • Second acquisition less than a year after the first

Reach Curt at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Less than a year after acquiring a $1m medical billing business, Curt Neider is already looking for his second deal.

Themes from Curt's interview:

  • Buying a medical billing company doing ~$1 million/year
  • The appeal of medical billing businesses
  • Becoming a certified professional biller to understand the business
  • How Curt immediately improved operations
  • Separate line of credit for working capital (not rolled into SBA loan)
  • Acquiring with a partner
  • "Altruistic kicker" of buying a business that helps people
  • Second acquisition less than a year after the first

Reach Curt at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2735 Less than a year after acquiring a $1m medical billing business, Curt Neider is already looking for his second deal. Less than a year after acquiring a $1m medical billing business, Curt Neider is already looking for his second deal. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Investing Like an 1880s Businessman Investing Like an 1880s Businessman full 5211c374-c61d-44d6-8a9d-928806828a9b https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-finn-g64-ventures-arborbridge Key lessons for acquisition entrepreneurs from Andrew Finn, who has grown a service business & acquired SaaS businesses.

Themes from Andrew's interview:

  • Opportunity in sub $1m EBITDA businesses
  • SaaS vs. services business
  • Grooming an operator to extract yourself from the business
  • What makes a good SaaS acquisition
  • Your acquisition journey — just start
  • Jumping from labor to capital
  • Capital Camp

Reach Andrew at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Key lessons for acquisition entrepreneurs from Andrew Finn, who has grown a service business & acquired SaaS businesses.

Themes from Andrew's interview:

  • Opportunity in sub $1m EBITDA businesses
  • SaaS vs. services business
  • Grooming an operator to extract yourself from the business
  • What makes a good SaaS acquisition
  • Your acquisition journey — just start
  • Jumping from labor to capital
  • Capital Camp

Reach Andrew at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:47:32 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3002 Key lessons for acquisition entrepreneurs from Andrew Finn, who has grown a service business & acquired SaaS businesses. Key lessons for acquisition entrepreneurs from Andrew Finn, who has grown a service business & acquired SaaS businesses. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Using Investors to Buy a Business with SBA Using Investors to Buy a Business with SBA full abde08f0-04a7-43ff-86f5-0df27f87e209 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/steve-ressler Don't have the 10-20% cash to buy a business with SBA? Search investor Steve Ressler explains how to attract investors & structure the deal.

Themes from Steve's interview:

  • The 4 flavors of search
  • Choosing the right investors
  • SBA loan math
  • Raising the 10%
  • Buying a business in an industry you don't know
  • Setting investor expectations
  • Common mistakes to avoid

Reach Steve at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Don't have the 10-20% cash to buy a business with SBA? Search investor Steve Ressler explains how to attract investors & structure the deal.

Themes from Steve's interview:

  • The 4 flavors of search
  • Choosing the right investors
  • SBA loan math
  • Raising the 10%
  • Buying a business in an industry you don't know
  • Setting investor expectations
  • Common mistakes to avoid

Reach Steve at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:12:58 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3174 Don't have the 10-20% cash to buy a business with SBA? Search investor Steve Ressler explains how to attract investors & structure the deal. Don't have the 10-20% cash to buy a business with SBA? Search investor Steve Ressler explains how to attract investors & structure the deal. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Growing a Flippa Business to $2 Million Growing a Flippa Business to $2 Million full b305bc51-f05d-48c4-8104-8b7e6c2c47b7 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/martin-bispels-upper-park-disc-golf Sales had dropped to zero when Martin Bispels acquired Upper Park Disc Golf. A year later, they are nearing $2 million.

Themes from Martin's interview:

  • Buying a business on Flippa
  • What Martin asks himself every day to be a good CEO
  • Criteria used to identify a business to buy
  • Hiring the seller of the business
  • True cost of buying a business
  • Making a detailed plan before acquiring the business
  • Building a team before acquiring the business

Reach Martin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Sales had dropped to zero when Martin Bispels acquired Upper Park Disc Golf. A year later, they are nearing $2 million.

Themes from Martin's interview:

  • Buying a business on Flippa
  • What Martin asks himself every day to be a good CEO
  • Criteria used to identify a business to buy
  • Hiring the seller of the business
  • True cost of buying a business
  • Making a detailed plan before acquiring the business
  • Building a team before acquiring the business

Reach Martin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:33:17 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3128 Sales had dropped to zero when Martin Bispels acquired Upper Park Disc Golf. A year later, they are nearing $2 million. Sales had dropped to zero when Martin Bispels acquired Upper Park Disc Golf. A year later, they are nearing $2 million. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build a Portfolio of Micro SaaS Businesses How to Build a Portfolio of Micro SaaS Businesses full c5214e54-9069-4d99-93ad-11a2d10f3769 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/andrew-pierno-xo-capital Hard-won lessons about buying micro SaaS businesses from Andrew Pierno, who has acquired 3 and plans to buy many more.

Themes from Andrew's interview:

  • Breakdown of the XO Capital portfolio
  • How to source micro SaaS acquisitions
  • Micro SaaS due diligence
  • Paying for operators
  • The appealing product roadmap of tiny software vs. large
  • Bottlenecks of the tiny model
  • Whether moving upmarket make sense
  • Wins so far
  • MicroAcquire & Flippa

Reach Andrew at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Hard-won lessons about buying micro SaaS businesses from Andrew Pierno, who has acquired 3 and plans to buy many more.

Themes from Andrew's interview:

  • Breakdown of the XO Capital portfolio
  • How to source micro SaaS acquisitions
  • Micro SaaS due diligence
  • Paying for operators
  • The appealing product roadmap of tiny software vs. large
  • Bottlenecks of the tiny model
  • Whether moving upmarket make sense
  • Wins so far
  • MicroAcquire & Flippa

Reach Andrew at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:43:18 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 4316 Hard-won lessons about buying micro SaaS businesses from Andrew Pierno, who has acquired 3 and plans to buy many more. Hard-won lessons about buying micro SaaS businesses from Andrew Pierno, who has acquired 3 and plans to buy many more. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Making a Career of Buying Businesses Making a Career of Buying Businesses full a13539f5-9195-42db-bc6b-29d67c2e639e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/pete-seligman Pete Seligman stepped off a comfortable corporate path to buy a small business in 2013. He's since acquired 4 more.

Themes from Pete's interview:

  • Why Pete exited the corporate track to acquire a company
  • How risky is acquiring a business?
  • Role of passion when deciding which business to buy
  • Role of industry experience when deciding which business to buy
  • How long it takes to succeed in acquisition entrepreneurship
  • The type of person who should buy a company

Reach Pete at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Pete Seligman stepped off a comfortable corporate path to buy a small business in 2013. He's since acquired 4 more.

Themes from Pete's interview:

  • Why Pete exited the corporate track to acquire a company
  • How risky is acquiring a business?
  • Role of passion when deciding which business to buy
  • Role of industry experience when deciding which business to buy
  • How long it takes to succeed in acquisition entrepreneurship
  • The type of person who should buy a company

Reach Pete at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3529 Pete Seligman stepped off a comfortable corporate path to buy a small business in 2013. He's since acquired 4 more. Pete Seligman stepped off a comfortable corporate path to buy a small business in 2013. He's since acquired 4 more. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $1m Coffee Biz After Years of Starting from Scratch Buying a $1m Coffee Biz After Years of Starting from Scratch full 48f767ca-ddf8-4b00-82b3-abaf013215a0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/casey-allen-barista-warrior After years of struggling to launch products from scratch, Casey Allen pivoted to buy a $1.7m coffee supplies business.

Themes from Casey's interview:

  • Struggling for years to launch products from scratch
  • The benefits of acquiring a company instead
  • Buying an e-commerce business as COVID sales take off
  • Buying a 24-year-old content site with 12 million annual visitors
  • Content vs. e-commerce
  • Advice for acquirers who have $10k, $50k, or $250k in cash to buy a business

Reach Casey at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> After years of struggling to launch products from scratch, Casey Allen pivoted to buy a $1.7m coffee supplies business.

Themes from Casey's interview:

  • Struggling for years to launch products from scratch
  • The benefits of acquiring a company instead
  • Buying an e-commerce business as COVID sales take off
  • Buying a 24-year-old content site with 12 million annual visitors
  • Content vs. e-commerce
  • Advice for acquirers who have $10k, $50k, or $250k in cash to buy a business

Reach Casey at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 02 Sep 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2775 After years of struggling to launch products from scratch, Casey Allen pivoted to buy a $1.7m coffee supplies business. After years of struggling to launch products from scratch, Casey Allen pivoted to buy a $1.7m coffee supplies business. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Top 3 Pitfalls When Buying an Online Business Top 3 Pitfalls When Buying an Online Business full 637b61a6-fdef-4fd9-95dc-9d80d1a09f97 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/ahmed-raza-rapid-diligence Due diligence pro Ahmed Raza on the 3 key things to evaluate when buying a business in e-commerce, SaaS, or content.

Themes from Ahmed's interview: 

  • 3 things to evaluate in an e-commerce business you might buy 
  • 3 things to evaluate in a SaaS business you might buy 
  • 3 things to evaluate in a content/affiliate business you might buy 

Reach Ahmed at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Due diligence pro Ahmed Raza on the 3 key things to evaluate when buying a business in e-commerce, SaaS, or content.

Themes from Ahmed's interview: 

  • 3 things to evaluate in an e-commerce business you might buy 
  • 3 things to evaluate in a SaaS business you might buy 
  • 3 things to evaluate in a content/affiliate business you might buy 

Reach Ahmed at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:14:22 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2786 Due diligence pro Ahmed Raza on the 3 key things to evaluate when buying a business in e-commerce, SaaS, or content. Due diligence pro Ahmed Raza on the 3 key things to evaluate when buying a business in e-commerce, SaaS, or content. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Why Plumbing Companies Make Awesome Acquisitions Why Plumbing Companies Make Awesome Acquisitions full c48c6d51-0544-48e3-b1ef-9eb4d21b7737 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/charles-barr-dimartino-plumbing Charles Barr just acquired DiMartino Plumbing. He considered HVAC & electrical as well but plumbing was the sweet spot.

Themes from Charles’ interview:

  • Buying a small business as a path to wealth
  • Why plumbing?
  • Why he decided against HVAC & electrical
  • Numbers on the business & his deal
  • Why he’s getting his plumbing license

Reach Charles at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Charles Barr just acquired DiMartino Plumbing. He considered HVAC & electrical as well but plumbing was the sweet spot.

Themes from Charles’ interview:

  • Buying a small business as a path to wealth
  • Why plumbing?
  • Why he decided against HVAC & electrical
  • Numbers on the business & his deal
  • Why he’s getting his plumbing license

Reach Charles at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 26 Aug 2021 11:54:42 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3477 Charles Barr just acquired DiMartino Plumbing. He considered HVAC & electrical as well but plumbing was the sweet spot. Charles Barr just acquired DiMartino Plumbing. He considered HVAC & electrical as well but plumbing was the sweet spot. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying an Online Side Hustle (for Less than $5k) Buying an Online Side Hustle (for Less than $5k) full 4b5f2c75-bcb8-472c-bbc1-cda36ab536e6 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/vivian-chen-modern-innkeeper Vivian Chen bought an abandoned online business for almost nothing, then grew it to $5k/mo — while keeping her day job.

Themes from Vivian’s episode:

  • Years of false starts before deciding to acquire
  • Advice to side hustlers
  • Parallels between buying an online business & real estate investing
  • When to go full time
  • Knowing yourself is key to your journey as an acquisition entrepreneur
  • It takes longer than you expect...
  • …so get started

Reach Vivian at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Vivian Chen bought an abandoned online business for almost nothing, then grew it to $5k/mo — while keeping her day job.

Themes from Vivian’s episode:

  • Years of false starts before deciding to acquire
  • Advice to side hustlers
  • Parallels between buying an online business & real estate investing
  • When to go full time
  • Knowing yourself is key to your journey as an acquisition entrepreneur
  • It takes longer than you expect...
  • …so get started

Reach Vivian at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2278 Vivian Chen bought an abandoned online business for almost nothing, then grew it to $5k/mo — while keeping her day job. Vivian Chen bought an abandoned online business for almost nothing, then grew it to $5k/mo — while keeping her day job. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Survive Acquiring a $3.5m Flooring Business How to Survive Acquiring a $3.5m Flooring Business full 7fa2eecf-6264-463f-9758-0b5e13c6b71f https://acquiringminds.co/articles/chris-edwards-affordable-flooring-warehouse Chris Edwards' first 6 months as new owner has been a “bloody knife fight.” But things are looking up, with the business projected to profit $750k this year.

Themes from Chris’s interview: 

  • Chris’s advice for new owners (be a shock absorber) 
  • What made Chris a competitive buyer 
  • Solo buyer vs. having a partner 
  • How to implement changes as a new owner (hint: slowly) 
  • High stress, high stress, high stress…less stress 
  • “The worst decision he’d ever made”? 

Reach Chris at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Chris Edwards' first 6 months as new owner has been a “bloody knife fight.” But things are looking up, with the business projected to profit $750k this year.

Themes from Chris’s interview: 

  • Chris’s advice for new owners (be a shock absorber) 
  • What made Chris a competitive buyer 
  • Solo buyer vs. having a partner 
  • How to implement changes as a new owner (hint: slowly) 
  • High stress, high stress, high stress…less stress 
  • “The worst decision he’d ever made”? 

Reach Chris at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 19 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3009 Chris Edwards' first 6 months as new owner has been a “bloody knife fight.” But things are looking up, with the business projected to profit $750k this year. Chris Edwards' first 6 months as new owner has been a “bloody knife fight.” But things are looking up, with the business projected to profit $750k this year. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Acquiring an $8m Distressed E-Commerce Biz Acquiring an $8m Distressed E-Commerce Biz full 56cb3862-4de7-4bf8-8c08-efcfe5fb8046 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-brown-brute-force Brute Force thrived during COVID, but 2021 hit hard. Sales plunged 60% in one month. Mike Brown bought it to fix it.

Themes from Mike’s interview: 

  • Why Mike was "acquisition curious" and what made him pull the trigger
  • Betting on yourself 
  • Unsexy local businesses vs. e-commerce 
  • How the iOS privacy updates are affecting e-commerce 
  • How Mike handled sales collapsing 60% from May to June 
  • Adversity making you -- or your business -- stronger (h/t Jocko Willink)

Reach Mike at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Brute Force thrived during COVID, but 2021 hit hard. Sales plunged 60% in one month. Mike Brown bought it to fix it.

Themes from Mike’s interview: 

  • Why Mike was "acquisition curious" and what made him pull the trigger
  • Betting on yourself 
  • Unsexy local businesses vs. e-commerce 
  • How the iOS privacy updates are affecting e-commerce 
  • How Mike handled sales collapsing 60% from May to June 
  • Adversity making you -- or your business -- stronger (h/t Jocko Willink)

Reach Mike at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2666 Brute Force thrived during COVID, but 2021 hit hard. Sales plunged 60% in one month. Mike Brown bought it to fix it. Brute Force thrived during COVID, but 2021 hit hard. Sales plunged 60% in one month. Mike Brown bought it to fix it. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a $1.2m Fencing Business & Earning Trust Quickly Buying a $1.2m Fencing Business & Earning Trust Quickly full 3b73a39a-8845-4542-9bcd-0233626b323e https://acquiringminds.co/articles/cassi-niekamp-bowden-fence Cassi Niekamp didn't know anything about fencing when she acquired Bowden Fence. But she turned this to her advantage.

Themes from Cassi’s interview: 

  • Bringing a student’s mind to your acquisition 
  • Using vulnerability to earn trust 
  • Doubling production in 60 days 
  • Building rapport with the seller 
  • Buying the first business you see 

Reach Cassi at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Cassi Niekamp didn't know anything about fencing when she acquired Bowden Fence. But she turned this to her advantage.

Themes from Cassi’s interview: 

  • Bringing a student’s mind to your acquisition 
  • Using vulnerability to earn trust 
  • Doubling production in 60 days 
  • Building rapport with the seller 
  • Buying the first business you see 

Reach Cassi at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2874 Cassi Niekamp didn't know anything about fencing when she acquired Bowden Fence. But she turned this to her advantage. Cassi Niekamp didn't know anything about fencing when she acquired Bowden Fence. But she turned this to her advantage. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Making $100k/mo by Buying Websites Making $100k/mo by Buying Websites full ef13d243-cebf-45b5-8c31-1dd4e3701cc9 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-gardon-careercloud-rejoin-media Mike Gardon bought websites to be his own boss. His best acquisition does $100k/mo — and he bought it for 5 figures.

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Why buying a website is better than building from scratch
  • SEO & affiliate websites
  • Opportunity for smaller buyers of affiliate sites
  • Thinking about your websites like a financial portfolio
  • The importance of a foundation business

Reach Mike at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mike Gardon bought websites to be his own boss. His best acquisition does $100k/mo — and he bought it for 5 figures.

Themes from Mike’s interview:

  • Why buying a website is better than building from scratch
  • SEO & affiliate websites
  • Opportunity for smaller buyers of affiliate sites
  • Thinking about your websites like a financial portfolio
  • The importance of a foundation business

Reach Mike at: 

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:41:40 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2634 Mike Gardon bought websites to be his own boss. His best acquisition does $100k/mo — and he bought it for 5 figures. Mike Gardon bought websites to be his own boss. His best acquisition does $100k/mo — and he bought it for 5 figures. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy an E-Commerce Business: Tips from an Aggregator Buy an E-Commerce Business: Tips from an Aggregator full c57dfeb1-4ed0-45a4-9590-dc5b7b58f528 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tcm-digital-golan-manor 5 tactics to boost sales of acquired e-commerce businesses — and other insights from e-commerce aggregator TCM Digital.

Key themes from Golan's interview:

  • There is still plenty of room for solopreneurs to made good e-commerce acquisitions.
  • Prices of e-commerce businesses have gone up, but still good value there.
  • 5 tactics TCM uses to quickly boost sales of the e-commerce businesses they acquire.
  • TCM Digital is an e-commerce aggregator based in Tel Aviv that has acquired 28 e-commerce businesses to date.

Reach Golan Manor at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> 5 tactics to boost sales of acquired e-commerce businesses — and other insights from e-commerce aggregator TCM Digital.

Key themes from Golan's interview:

  • There is still plenty of room for solopreneurs to made good e-commerce acquisitions.
  • Prices of e-commerce businesses have gone up, but still good value there.
  • 5 tactics TCM uses to quickly boost sales of the e-commerce businesses they acquire.
  • TCM Digital is an e-commerce aggregator based in Tel Aviv that has acquired 28 e-commerce businesses to date.

Reach Golan Manor at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2610 5 tactics to boost sales of acquired e-commerce businesses — and other insights from e-commerce aggregator TCM Digital. 5 tactics to boost sales of acquired e-commerce businesses — and other insights from e-commerce aggregator TCM Digital. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No €5m a Year by Acquiring Translation Agencies €5m a Year by Acquiring Translation Agencies full e7a2956c-f331-4218-b83f-ae636dc025dc https://acquiringminds.co/articles/cedric-sigoire-deman-translations How an outsider started with little money and bought 12 translation agencies in 6 years, aiming to reach €5m in revenue.

Key themes from Cédric's interview:

  • Acquired a translation agency in 2015 that was doing about €1.5m annually.
  • He had little of his own money at that time and took a large loan to make the acquisition happen.
  • 6 years later, he's acquired 11 more agencies and is aiming to reach €5m in annual revenue by the end of 2021.

Reach Cédric Sigoire at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> How an outsider started with little money and bought 12 translation agencies in 6 years, aiming to reach €5m in revenue.

Key themes from Cédric's interview:

  • Acquired a translation agency in 2015 that was doing about €1.5m annually.
  • He had little of his own money at that time and took a large loan to make the acquisition happen.
  • 6 years later, he's acquired 11 more agencies and is aiming to reach €5m in annual revenue by the end of 2021.

Reach Cédric Sigoire at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 03 Aug 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2812 How an outsider started with little money and bought 12 translation agencies in 6 years, aiming to reach €5m in revenue. How an outsider started with little money and bought 12 translation agencies in 6 years, aiming to reach €5m in revenue. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Build an E-Commerce Acquisition Company How to Build an E-Commerce Acquisition Company full d6e0bd58-264a-4b85-8472-374613096884 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/kelcey-lehrich-365-holdings With 6 e-commerce acquisitions and counting, Kelcey Lehrich has built 365 Holdings rapidly over the last 4 years.

Key themes from Kelcey's interview:

  • E-commerce as a path for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Other businesses Kelcey likes for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Business-buyer fit
  • Personal guarantees

Reach Kelcey Lehrich at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> With 6 e-commerce acquisitions and counting, Kelcey Lehrich has built 365 Holdings rapidly over the last 4 years.

Key themes from Kelcey's interview:

  • E-commerce as a path for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Other businesses Kelcey likes for acquisition entrepreneurs
  • Business-buyer fit
  • Personal guarantees

Reach Kelcey Lehrich at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 29 Jul 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2197 With 6 e-commerce acquisitions and counting, Kelcey Lehrich has built 365 Holdings rapidly over the last 4 years. With 6 e-commerce acquisitions and counting, Kelcey Lehrich has built 365 Holdings rapidly over the last 4 years. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Acquiring a $280k SaaS on MicroAcquire Acquiring a $280k SaaS on MicroAcquire full 8ee7ad02-c61a-4375-a7e7-093bffde7728 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/spencer-scott-median An early buyer on MicroAcquire, Spencer Scott acquired a SaaS for $280k. He analyzed the deal like a rental property.

Key points from Spencer's story:

  • He wasn't looking seriously for an acquisition but saw an opportunity and grabbed it: Median.
  • The tech is what impressed him most. He couldn't believe the product was a small indy SaaS built by a couple developers.
  • Median was selling for about 4x revenue, which was $75k ARR.
  • Spencer learned the hard way to include teeth in an acquisition letter of intent.

Reach Spencer Scott at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> An early buyer on MicroAcquire, Spencer Scott acquired a SaaS for $280k. He analyzed the deal like a rental property.

Key points from Spencer's story:

  • He wasn't looking seriously for an acquisition but saw an opportunity and grabbed it: Median.
  • The tech is what impressed him most. He couldn't believe the product was a small indy SaaS built by a couple developers.
  • Median was selling for about 4x revenue, which was $75k ARR.
  • Spencer learned the hard way to include teeth in an acquisition letter of intent.

Reach Spencer Scott at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:11:29 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2178 An early buyer on MicroAcquire, Spencer Scott acquired a SaaS for $280k. He analyzed the deal like a rental property. An early buyer on MicroAcquire, Spencer Scott acquired a SaaS for $280k. He analyzed the deal like a rental property. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buy a Septic Business & Make $3m ARR Buy a Septic Business & Make $3m ARR full b843119d-b37f-4eba-b5f5-d1bf3900d322 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/dan-spracklin-gray-brothers Dan Spracklin acquired a septic pumping business doing $1M annually, then grew it to $3M and margins to 30% in 2 years.

Key points from Dan's story:

  • Gray Brothers was a septic pumping business founded in 1929, run by Dan Spracklin's father-in-law.
  • It was generating about $1m per year in revenues from 22,000 customers. Septic pumping companies typically have margins of 10-15%.
  • Dan & his wife added adjacent septic services to Gray Brothers and improved operations. Within 2 years, they'd pushed revenues to $3m and margins to 30-35%.
  • Septic pumping is a great lifestyle business for existing owners: low customer churn, high barriers to entry, recession proof.
  • It's difficult for entrepreneurs to start a new pumping businesses, so best to buy out a retiring owner if you can find one.

Reach Dan Spracklin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Dan Spracklin acquired a septic pumping business doing $1M annually, then grew it to $3M and margins to 30% in 2 years.

Key points from Dan's story:

  • Gray Brothers was a septic pumping business founded in 1929, run by Dan Spracklin's father-in-law.
  • It was generating about $1m per year in revenues from 22,000 customers. Septic pumping companies typically have margins of 10-15%.
  • Dan & his wife added adjacent septic services to Gray Brothers and improved operations. Within 2 years, they'd pushed revenues to $3m and margins to 30-35%.
  • Septic pumping is a great lifestyle business for existing owners: low customer churn, high barriers to entry, recession proof.
  • It's difficult for entrepreneurs to start a new pumping businesses, so best to buy out a retiring owner if you can find one.

Reach Dan Spracklin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 22 Jul 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2430 Dan Spracklin acquired a septic pumping business doing $1M annually, then grew it to $3M and margins to 30% in 2 years. Dan Spracklin acquired a septic pumping business doing $1M annually, then grew it to $3M and margins to 30% in 2 years. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Pivoting to Swag in 7 Acquisitions Over 8 Years Pivoting to Swag in 7 Acquisitions Over 8 Years full ec12541f-3693-44c5-9703-bbf60f9ded39 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/grossman-marketing-group-ben-grossman Two brothers took over a 110-year-old business in a stagnating industry. 7 acquisitions later, the future is bright.

Key points from Ben's story:

  • Ben Grossman & his brother pivoted their 110-year-old family business from printing to promotional products.
  • The strategy was executed by acquisition: 7 of them from 2013 through 2021.
  • Ben discusses the importance of treating sellers well to build a list of happy sellers that he can show future sellers as a reference.
  • He explains how he uses suppliers to source leads on potential acquisitions.
  • He also explains how to effectively work with business brokers.

Reach Ben Grossman at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Two brothers took over a 110-year-old business in a stagnating industry. 7 acquisitions later, the future is bright.

Key points from Ben's story:

  • Ben Grossman & his brother pivoted their 110-year-old family business from printing to promotional products.
  • The strategy was executed by acquisition: 7 of them from 2013 through 2021.
  • Ben discusses the importance of treating sellers well to build a list of happy sellers that he can show future sellers as a reference.
  • He explains how he uses suppliers to source leads on potential acquisitions.
  • He also explains how to effectively work with business brokers.

Reach Ben Grossman at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:39:07 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2194 Two brothers took over a 110-year-old business in a stagnating industry. 7 acquisitions later, the future is bright. Two brothers took over a 110-year-old business in a stagnating industry. 7 acquisitions later, the future is bright. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No 5 Lessons from Acquiring a $2m Portfolio of Websites 5 Lessons from Acquiring a $2m Portfolio of Websites full 7db8d514-730d-49bf-a5cf-e42fb44ba925 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/paul-lemley-runnerclick-com How an online entrepreneur teamed with a family office to acquire & grow a portfolio of 15 websites for over $2 million.

Key points from Paul's story:

  • Paul Lemley teamed with a family office to source, acquire, and grow a portfolio of websites.
  • They ultimately acquired 15 sites across 3 acquisitions, spending between $2 and $3 million in total.
  • Paul highlights 5 lessons from this recent foray into the website deal world.

Reach Paul Lemley at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> How an online entrepreneur teamed with a family office to acquire & grow a portfolio of 15 websites for over $2 million.

Key points from Paul's story:

  • Paul Lemley teamed with a family office to source, acquire, and grow a portfolio of websites.
  • They ultimately acquired 15 sites across 3 acquisitions, spending between $2 and $3 million in total.
  • Paul highlights 5 lessons from this recent foray into the website deal world.

Reach Paul Lemley at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2582 How an online entrepreneur teamed with a family office to acquire & grow a portfolio of 15 websites for over $2 million. How an online entrepreneur teamed with a family office to acquire & grow a portfolio of 15 websites for over $2 million. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Ski Resort (at Age 22) How to Buy a Ski Resort (at Age 22) full d46f6a77-7297-4cdc-b02c-cc66a1bd6ccb https://acquiringminds.co/articles/rick-schmitz-nordic-mountain Rick Schmitz was an inexperienced 22-year-old with no money when he acquired a run-down ski resort and turned it around.

Key points from Rick's story:

  • Rick Schmitz was a 22-year-old graduating senior uninterested in pursuing a career in finance.
  • He saw a small ski resort for sale in his native Wisconsin. It had been on the market (and losing money) for 5 years.
  • Negotiated the original list price down from $1m to $625k.
  • Most banks rejected him outright for a loan, but gradually he cobbled together the purchase price.
  • 17 years later, Rick has acquired and operates 2 other resorts in the upper Midwest.

Reach Rick Schmitz at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Rick Schmitz was an inexperienced 22-year-old with no money when he acquired a run-down ski resort and turned it around.

Key points from Rick's story:

  • Rick Schmitz was a 22-year-old graduating senior uninterested in pursuing a career in finance.
  • He saw a small ski resort for sale in his native Wisconsin. It had been on the market (and losing money) for 5 years.
  • Negotiated the original list price down from $1m to $625k.
  • Most banks rejected him outright for a loan, but gradually he cobbled together the purchase price.
  • 17 years later, Rick has acquired and operates 2 other resorts in the upper Midwest.

Reach Rick Schmitz at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2021 03:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2101 Rick Schmitz was an inexperienced 22-year-old with no money when he acquired a run-down ski resort and turned it around. Rick Schmitz was an inexperienced 22-year-old with no money when he acquired a run-down ski resort and turned it around. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a Landscaping Business & Boost Profits Quickly How to Buy a Landscaping Business & Boost Profits Quickly full 60cd4ba0-ffe8-48a4-85a3-28bfcc20d1c3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/mike-botkin-b-b-landscaping In just 9 months, Mike Botkin decided to acquire a business, negotiated a great deal, and dramatically improved profits.

Key points from Mike's story:

  • B & B Landscaping was generating around $800k in annual revenues.
  • Acquired it for 2x of SDE.
  • Paid 50% cash up front, then the remaining 50% was seller financed with a 4-year loan at zero interest.
  • Turns out a third of customer accounts are unprofitable, costing the business money & weighing down margins terribly. Money-losing customers are let go, and prices raised for many others.
  • In 9 months, acquisition entrepreneur Mike Botkin has the idea to buy a small business, negotiates a great deal, learns the business, and boosts profits dramatically.

Reach Mike Botkin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> In just 9 months, Mike Botkin decided to acquire a business, negotiated a great deal, and dramatically improved profits.

Key points from Mike's story:

  • B & B Landscaping was generating around $800k in annual revenues.
  • Acquired it for 2x of SDE.
  • Paid 50% cash up front, then the remaining 50% was seller financed with a 4-year loan at zero interest.
  • Turns out a third of customer accounts are unprofitable, costing the business money & weighing down margins terribly. Money-losing customers are let go, and prices raised for many others.
  • In 9 months, acquisition entrepreneur Mike Botkin has the idea to buy a small business, negotiates a great deal, learns the business, and boosts profits dramatically.

Reach Mike Botkin at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2519 In just 9 months, Mike Botkin decided to acquire a business, negotiated a great deal, and dramatically improved profits. In just 9 months, Mike Botkin decided to acquire a business, negotiated a great deal, and dramatically improved profits. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years full fcb230c5-8250-420c-92e8-d436b24066c5 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/nick-haschka-the-wright-gardener Nick Haschka left a Silicon Valley career and bought an office plant service in 2017, then acquired 9 more through 2021.

Key points from Nick's story:

  • The Wright Gardner was doing $1-2m in annual revenue, with margins in the 20% range.
  • Acquired the business in 2017 for ~3x of SDE.
  • Used SBA for 65-70% of the purchase price, 15% seller financing, and cash for the rest.
  • Four months after acquisition, SBA banker came to them with another indoor plant services business looking to sell. Acquired that business, plus 8 others since then.
  • Acquired businesses average a couple hundred thousand dollars in annual revenue, though some as small as $100k. All asset purchases.

Reach Nick Haschka at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Nick Haschka left a Silicon Valley career and bought an office plant service in 2017, then acquired 9 more through 2021.

Key points from Nick's story:

  • The Wright Gardner was doing $1-2m in annual revenue, with margins in the 20% range.
  • Acquired the business in 2017 for ~3x of SDE.
  • Used SBA for 65-70% of the purchase price, 15% seller financing, and cash for the rest.
  • Four months after acquisition, SBA banker came to them with another indoor plant services business looking to sell. Acquired that business, plus 8 others since then.
  • Acquired businesses average a couple hundred thousand dollars in annual revenue, though some as small as $100k. All asset purchases.

Reach Nick Haschka at:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tue, 06 Jul 2021 19:15:08 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2448 Nick Haschka left a Silicon Valley career and bought an office plant service in 2017, then acquired 9 more through 2021. Nick Haschka left a Silicon Valley career and bought an office plant service in 2017, then acquired 9 more through 2021. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Acquire Your First Business in 3 Months How to Acquire Your First Business in 3 Months full 66dba2aa-285c-4950-b69c-a3771529be20 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/philippe-vanderhoydonck-pets-international How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months.

Reach Philippe Vanderhoydonck at:

Key points from Philippe's acquisition:

  • PETS International is a 30-year-old trade publication that publishes 6 magazines and hosts 2 conferences per year
  • Generates 20-35% margins on low-seven-figure revenues
  • Opportunity is to expand online presence and product offering
  • Acquired for low seven figures, a 3x multiple of annual earnings
  • Acquisition went very quickly, only about 10 weeks

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months.

Reach Philippe Vanderhoydonck at:

Key points from Philippe's acquisition:

  • PETS International is a 30-year-old trade publication that publishes 6 magazines and hosts 2 conferences per year
  • Generates 20-35% margins on low-seven-figure revenues
  • Opportunity is to expand online presence and product offering
  • Acquired for low seven figures, a 3x multiple of annual earnings
  • Acquisition went very quickly, only about 10 weeks

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3272 How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months. How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $800k Clinical Trials Firm & Grow It to $3m How to Buy a $800k Clinical Trials Firm & Grow It to $3m full 64df0e26-6ecb-4251-87bb-cbfd25f79bc0 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/scott-whitt-triad-clinical-trials How former management consultant Scott Whitt acquired and grew a small clinical trials business into the millions.

Key points from Scott's acquisition:

  • Triad was generating $850k in revenues & large 70% margins
  • Scott acquired it in 2015 for 3.5x earnings
  • Used ROBS for part of the acquisition financing
  • Grew revenues to $3m in 5 years
  • Predicts business can grow to $6-7m

Reach Scott Whitt:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> How former management consultant Scott Whitt acquired and grew a small clinical trials business into the millions.

Key points from Scott's acquisition:

  • Triad was generating $850k in revenues & large 70% margins
  • Scott acquired it in 2015 for 3.5x earnings
  • Used ROBS for part of the acquisition financing
  • Grew revenues to $3m in 5 years
  • Predicts business can grow to $6-7m

Reach Scott Whitt:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3633 How former management consultant Scott Whitt acquired and grew a small clinical trials business into the millions. How former management consultant Scott Whitt acquired and grew a small clinical trials business into the millions. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Buying a Manufacturer for Just the Value of Assets Buying a Manufacturer for Just the Value of Assets full dfe4a492-cb66-45c2-b6f5-014e985021ca https://acquiringminds.co/articles/tyler-deike-blackhawk-fiberwerx Tyler Deike bought a small manufacturer for the cost of property & equipment, making the business itself almost free.

Key points from Tyler's acquisition:

  • Blackhawk Fiberwerx was doing $500k in sales with $100k in profit
  • Seller was a retiring and overwhelmed 80-year-old
  • Tyler couldn't due-diligence the deal to death — had to "cross fingers and dive in"
  • Huge margin of safety. Business was selling for the combined value of its assets, so if business collapsed Tyler could recoup loan by selling assets.
  • SBA wouldn't make a loan without soil testing the land, so Tyler got a loan from a small regional bank

Reach Tyler Deike:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Tyler Deike bought a small manufacturer for the cost of property & equipment, making the business itself almost free.

Key points from Tyler's acquisition:

  • Blackhawk Fiberwerx was doing $500k in sales with $100k in profit
  • Seller was a retiring and overwhelmed 80-year-old
  • Tyler couldn't due-diligence the deal to death — had to "cross fingers and dive in"
  • Huge margin of safety. Business was selling for the combined value of its assets, so if business collapsed Tyler could recoup loan by selling assets.
  • SBA wouldn't make a loan without soil testing the land, so Tyler got a loan from a small regional bank

Reach Tyler Deike:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 1907 Tyler Deike bought a small manufacturer for the cost of property & equipment, making the business itself almost free. Tyler Deike bought a small manufacturer for the cost of property & equipment, making the business itself almost free. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No How to Buy a $2m Dying Business Then Sell It for 5X How to Buy a $2m Dying Business Then Sell It for 5X full 051d8777-b2ab-404f-9e21-960a57c6ace3 https://acquiringminds.co/articles/how-to-buy-a-2m-dying-business-then-selling-it-for-5x Mike Yarmo bought a struggling distributor & turned it into a local powerhouse in a different niche — then sold for 5x.

Key points from Mike's acquisition:

  • Owner was disengaged, retiring, and looking to sell his food distribution company
  • Company was 25 years old but had terrible margins
  • Mike & team acquired for low 7 figures, or ~2x earnings
  • Pivoted the company, grew aggressively over next few years
  • Sold 5 years later for 5x earnings, and 5x original acquisition price

Reach Mike Yarmo:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Mike Yarmo bought a struggling distributor & turned it into a local powerhouse in a different niche — then sold for 5x.

Key points from Mike's acquisition:

  • Owner was disengaged, retiring, and looking to sell his food distribution company
  • Company was 25 years old but had terrible margins
  • Mike & team acquired for low 7 figures, or ~2x earnings
  • Pivoted the company, grew aggressively over next few years
  • Sold 5 years later for 5x earnings, and 5x original acquisition price

Reach Mike Yarmo:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 3052 Mike Yarmo bought a struggling distributor & turned it into a local powerhouse in a different niche — then sold for 5x. Mike Yarmo bought a struggling distributor & turned it into a local powerhouse in a different niche — then sold for 5x. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No Doubling Revenue 6 Months after Acquisition Doubling Revenue 6 Months after Acquisition full 5e9701be-6185-4337-8bc2-807d1a2e7c0a https://acquiringminds.co/articles/doubling-revenue-6-months-after-acquisition How a 9-month search was rewarded by the discovery of 2 tiny e-commerce companies primed for growth.

Key points from Justin's acquisitions:

  • Acquired first company for $160k, or about 3x earnings
  • Generated $200k in revenues during first 6 months
  • Represented more than a 3x year-over-year increase
  • Acquired 2nd co with 100% seller financing
  • Plans to 10x both cos value in 3 years

Reach Justin Harris:

Justin's two acquisitions:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> How a 9-month search was rewarded by the discovery of 2 tiny e-commerce companies primed for growth.

Key points from Justin's acquisitions:

  • Acquired first company for $160k, or about 3x earnings
  • Generated $200k in revenues during first 6 months
  • Represented more than a 3x year-over-year increase
  • Acquired 2nd co with 100% seller financing
  • Plans to 10x both cos value in 3 years

Reach Justin Harris:

Justin's two acquisitions:

Official episode page & full show notes at AcquiringMinds.co:

]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Will Smith Will Smith 2442 How a 9-month search was rewarded by the discovery of 2 tiny e-commerce companies primed for growth. How a 9-month search was rewarded by the discovery of 2 tiny e-commerce companies primed for growth. entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, online business, SMB, acquire, acquisition No