Acquiring Minds - PodcastSaver

Acquiring Minds

Description

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

Episodes

2026 / 11 / 5

Growing a GC from $1m to $14m, Remotely

Jason Leisey bought a two-truck federal contractor in Las Vegas from New Jersey, two months before COVID hit.Register for the webinar: Franchisor Diligence 101 for Searchers - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 11 / 2

When the Business Is Just You: A $650k Garage Biz

Marco Hsu took over a Porsche upgrade maker run by one person, and now faces the same limits its founder did.Register for the webinar: Franchisor Diligence 101 for Searchers - Thu Nov 5 -...

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2026 / 10 / 29

Run It for 6 Months Before You Buy It

Jeff Thompson took over an unprofitable elevator company as GM, with a pre-agreed right to buy it in pieces.Topics in Jeff’s interview:Why elevator companies attract private equityTurning operational chaos...

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2026 / 10 / 26

Zero to One, Then 1 to 4 by Acquisition

Rahib Diwan started a short-term rental company, then bought another one 3x its size without having to use more cash.Topics in Rahib interview:From healthcare to short-term rentalsBuilding the business from...

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2026 / 10 / 22

Buying a 138-Year-Old Navy Bell Maker

Jon Hyatt was under LOI on a dental practice when a late-night Craigslist search turned up one he couldn't resist.Register for the webinar: Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to...

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2026 / 10 / 19

Take Over the Business Before You Buy It

Elias Youssef stepped into an unprofitable plumbing company as its GM, grew it 6x, then got an SBA loan to buy it.Register for the webinar: Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to...

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2026 / 10 / 15

Buying a 1-Product Business, Building It to a Big Exit

Jay Boren bought a tiny grease tool business run out of a living room, then grew it into a brand with 250 products.Register for the webinar:The Small Things That Sink First-Year Owners - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 10 / 12

Side Hustle Acquisition to $5m in Revenue

Brendan Guerin was 21 when he and 3 friends bought a dog daycare on the side. Today: 6 Midwest locations.Register for the webinars: Debt Financing Your Deal (SBA & Independent Sponsor) - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 10 / 8

The Roll-Up with No Investors & No Clock

Tyler Hoffman has bought 4 telecom companies with no outside equity, and works 15 hours a week to get to $50m.Topics in Tyler’s interview:Lessons from being fired repeatedlyFinding and acquiring Metro...

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2026 / 10 / 5

$33m Holdco: Teddy Bears to Insurance Claims

Colin King and his 50/50 partner have paid themselves little since 2018, reinvesting profits back into their businesses. Topics in Colin’s interview:Growing Circle City Capital’s business portfolioDon’t call...

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2026 / 10 / 1

The $150k Hiding in the Business He Bought

Patrick Dunphy acquired a low-seven-figure interpreter agency, then halved its collection times in year one.Topics in Patrick’s interview:From Army aviation to business ownershipWhy Patrick chose ownership...

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2026 / 9 / 28

How to Buy a $2.1m Business Without the SBA

Jack Rauch left politics for a niche Florida business no bank would finance. He's doubled revenue twice since.Register for the webinar: Sizing an SBA Loan to the Cash Flow - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 9 / 24

Buying a $7.3m Golf Course with No Money Down

Kyle Holmes spent 8 years running Quail Ridge for its investor owners. Then they asked if he wanted to buy it.Register for the webinars:Protect the Business: How to Diligence Insurance Pre-Close - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 9 / 21

Buying a $12.5m Contractor to Create 1,000 Jobs

Manolo Diaz Corrada came home to Puerto Rico to build for decades and keep the wealth from leaving the island.Register for the webinars: Working Capital: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 9 / 17

Losing a $1m SDE Business to Bankruptcy

Morli Desai bought an e-commerce brand with an SBA loan. Three years later: liquidation, Chapter 11, and gratitude.Register for the webinars:Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to Independent Sponsors - TODAY!!...

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2026 / 9 / 14

$340k to $1.3m of Earnings in 14 Months

Rob Brooks bought a $1.9m Sarasota HVAC shop, then ignored the advice to wait 90 days before changing it.Register for the webinar: Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to Independent Sponsors - Thu, Sep 17 -...

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2026 / 9 / 10

Buy a Business with Your Tax Bill

Adam Whelchel paid himself instead of the IRS, putting $35k down on an escape room doing $365k with room to grow.Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 9 / 7

First-Timer Buys a $15m Business in Distress

Mike Bourgeois bought an HVAC company bleeding $3m a year, all cash and no SBA, then cut $1.4m of costs in 2 weeks.Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - Thu, Sep 10 -...

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2026 / 9 / 3

An Engineer's Mini Berkshire: 2 Auto Shops in 1 Year

Sujith Shankar left 25 years in corporate to buy cash-flowing businesses: a $1.2m repair shop and a $2m body shop.Topics in Sujith interview:How Rivian layoffs changed everythingFalling down the Warren...

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2026 / 8 / 31

Right-Tail Outcome for a Husband & Wife Search Fund

Courtney and Jonathan Dunn bought a fast-growing SaaS at 3-4x ARR, doubled it, then merged for a life-changing exit.Register for the webinar: Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 8 / 27

The Ferrari of Signage: $9.5m Pipeline in 6 Months

Andrew Sova and Alex Clark revived sales at a 40-year-old sign manufacturer, the first acquisition of their holdco.Register for the webinars:New SBA Rules: What Business Buyers Need to Know - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 8 / 24

40 Schools to 130: The Roll-Up 2 Years Later

Jeff Homer returns with an update: revenue past $100m, a new dance division, and 50% growth expected this year. Register for the webinars:Licenses & Regulatory Issues When Buying a Business - TOMORROW! -...

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2026 / 8 / 20

From $700k Purgatory to $3m: A Mosquito Joe Update

Neil Finneran returns 3 years after buying a business so small it barely paid him a salary — now on pace for $800k.Register for the webinars: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 8 / 17

3 Years, $80k In: An Honest Update

Jesse Sunquist put a GM in charge and stepped back to 5 hours a week — proud of the experience, restless about the outcome.Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug...

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2026 / 8 / 13

$400k Profit Fixing Church Pews

Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one.Register for the webinar:Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 8 / 10

Surviving a 2-Month Revenue Freeze in Year 1

Chibunna Chimezie's seller left $15k in the account. His post-acquisition liquidity is the only reason he made it. Register for the webinar:Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 -...

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2026 / 8 / 6

Second-Time CEO Buys a $30m Title Company

Randy Rempp turned around a $17m insurance business as a rookie CEO, then used that track record to raise a search fund. Register for the webinar: The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs -...

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2026 / 8 / 3

Acquiring Isn't Always a One-Way Door

Gabriel Cruz Avila bought a $1.4M remodeling business, weathered a divorce and burnout, then sold it two years later. Register for the webinar: The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - Thu,...

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2026 / 7 / 30

How 1 SBA Loan Brought Down 2 Businesses

Edgar Galindo and his partner bought 2 businesses with SBA loans. Now he's facing the consequences of shuttering both.Topics in Edgar’s interview:Construction background in his family business“Google-funded...

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2026 / 7 / 27

60% Concentration That Killed an Exit

Raj Mahajan bought a salon software business, tripled it to $11M ARR. Then his biggest customer launched a competitor.Register for the webinar:Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 7 / 23

Product-Market Fit in the Trades: 4x in 2.5 Years

Patrick Beal left tech to buy an HVAC business with 90% seller financing, no SBA. He's on track to hit $3.5m this year. Register for the webinar: Working Capital: One of ETA’s Most Expensive Mistakes -...

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2026 / 7 / 20

No SBA, No Investors: The Liquidity Access Line

Brian Jungles bought a $400k direct mail business in Atlanta and skipped SBA by pledging his portfolio as collateral.Register for the webinars:Don't Rush: How to Prepare for a Quality of Earnings Report -...

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2026 / 7 / 16

Acquiring a $7m Niche Marketing Agency with 50 Employees

Rob Belk networked his way to "the most caffeinated guy in town" searching for a local business — then found it online. Register for the webinars:From Working IN the Business to ON the Business: How Owners...

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2026 / 7 / 13

Escaping the J-Curve in a $700k SDE Ecom Business

Chris Farkas endured a 7-week fetal position moment when he finally found a website bug that had cost him $500k in sales.Register for the webinar:From Working IN the Business to ON the Business: How Owners...

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2026 / 7 / 9

Never Worked Harder, Never Been Happier

After 25 years in corporate, Gina Rosen bought a jewelry wholesaling business with $635k in sales — now on track to $1m.Register for the webinar: Finance Essentials Before You Close - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 7 / 6

Career Consultant Who Bought a 7-Figure Manufacturer

Buying a metal fabricator with $1m in earnings pivoted Paul Callahan into the new entrepreneurial chapter of his career.Register for the webinar: Finance Essentials Before You Close - Thu, Jul 9 -...

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2026 / 7 / 2

(replay) Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years

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 schoolsBuying his first music...

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2026 / 7 / 2

(replay)Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years

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 schoolsBuying his first music...

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2026 / 6 / 29

Growing a $5m Metal Business 40% in Year 1

Caleb Standafer believed in manufacturing and wanted to spend his career there. A multi-year pivot and ETA got him in.Topics in Caleb’s interview:Moving from tech to manufacturingManufacturing is important...

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2026 / 6 / 25

How to 4x EBITDA in 3 Years Without Growing Sales

Ned Tomasevic navigated an early crisis then grew EBITDA to $6m and exited at over 8x, four turns higher than he'd paid.Register for the webinar: Transferable Skills: Crafting Your Resume for SBA Lenders -...

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2026 / 6 / 22

Leaving $700s/Yr to Buy an Underperforming Printing Business

Dominick Smith left a lucrative track in PE to pursue a path that offered more meaning. Buying a business has delivered.Register for the webinars: Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 6 / 18

From Software to Concrete Cutting (and $1.4m of SDE)

When the owner refused a seller note in the $6m transaction to sell his business, Tom McCormick had to get creative.Register for the webinar: Understanding a Quality of Earnings Analysis: What's Included and...

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2026 / 6 / 15

Good Bones: Saving a $3m Business in Decline

Despite his love of operations, Himmat Singh intended to own his acquisition passively. Then the lead sales guy quit.Register for the webinar: Understanding a Quality of Earnings Analysis: What's Included and...

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2026 / 6 / 11

How to Buy a $20m Business as a First-Timer

When Alan Turkus found a business with a mission, he knew he'd found the right fit for the final chapter of his career.Topics in Alan’s interview:Background in book publishingPost-MBA career in techTaking a...

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2026 / 6 / 8

How to De-Risk the Personal Guarantee

Brendan Burdette and Ryan Conner have launched personal guarantee insurance to enable more — and stronger — SBA buyers.Register for the webinar: Score It or Skip It: A Framework for Fast Deal Evaluation -...

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2026 / 6 / 4

The Origin Story of a Compounder ($80m and Counting)

Greg Shapiro & Zach Cooper-Vastola are building a long-term, compounding business they see as the anti-PE of the trades. Register for the webinar:Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real...

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2026 / 6 / 1

Started as SBA Searcher, Built to a PE Fund

The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power.Register for the webinar: Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals...

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2026 / 5 / 28

Buying $1.5m of Earnings Without an SBA Loan

As a South African in the US, Justus Luttig had to get creative to search then buy 2 trades businesses at the same time.Register for the webinar: New $10m Limit for SBA Loans: What You Need to Know - TODAY!!...

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2026 / 5 / 25

The Magic of Low Multiple + Growth

David Graf went after a business that had sat on the market, acquiring $750k of EBITDA for 2.7x. It's going well.Register for the webinars: Negotiating Working Capital in SMB Acquisitions - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 5 / 21

Rolling Up an Industry with 1.5x Multiples

Truc Nguyen has acquired 2 nail salons, an overlooked but fragmented industry where businesses trade at low multiples.Register for the webinar:Negotiating Working Capital in SMB Acquisitions - Tue, May 26 -...

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2026 / 5 / 18

The Origins and Future of a 9-Figure SMB Holdco

Gant Elmore and Matt Moldenhauer each bought $2m businesses they built over years. Today their holdco does over $200m. Register for the webinar:Revenue Recognition & Quality of Revenue in SMB Deals -...

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2026 / 5 / 14

Too Good to Be True: Year 1 in a $700k SDE Business

Zack Mutnik thought he bought a $1.5m electrical contracting business for 2.3x. The numbers weren't what they seemed.Register for the webinar:Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence -...

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2026 / 5 / 11

How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition

Alicia Powers wanted to buy a general contractor but understood the risks in such businesses and negotiated accordingly.Register for the webinar: Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence -...

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2026 / 5 / 7

Buying Small to Build for the Long Term ($300k SDE)

Brendan Duebner's goal is to build a healthy, long-term business of 20-40 people. Buying a $1.2m MSP was his first step.Topics in Brendan’s interview:Learning to lead in the ArmySummer internship with Josh...

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2026 / 5 / 4

A $800k Business to Start, $60m Portfolio Today

Andrew Blazenko has made 6 acquisitions over the last ten years. Pairing businesses with operators is key to his model.Topics in Andrew’s interview:Background as a business brokerWanted the exit joy for...

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2026 / 4 / 30

Buying Then Losing a $2.1m HVAC Business

Dan Burnside thought he got a great deal on an $800k SDE business. Instead he'd bought bad faith and years of struggle.Register for the webinar: Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to Get Banks on Board - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 4 / 27

From $1m to $25m in 6 Years

Jeff Flannery is a great example of how franchising complements ETA, having rolled up 17 units since starting in 2019.Register for the webinars: Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price...

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2026 / 4 / 23

The Searchers Building a $10m EBITDA Powerhouse

Nicolás Lulli bought a document storage business in Peru. 6 years later, it is a $25m leader in the Andean region.Register for the webinar: Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price...

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2026 / 4 / 20

Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer

Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey.Topics in Greg’s interview:Fifteen years learning systems at Sysco FoodsFailed startup...

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2026 / 4 / 16

How Business-Buyer Fit Led to 2.2x and No PG

Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business.Register for the webinar: Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 4 / 13

Buying a Business to Balance Ambition and Kids

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: Your First Finance Hires After Buying a Business - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 4 / 9

A Search Fund Journey to $350m

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:The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner -...

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2026 / 4 / 6

"Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business

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: What Type of Franchise Is Right for You? - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 4 / 2

From Small Acquisition to $30m Industry Leader

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:Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition...

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2026 / 3 / 30

How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years

Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.Register for the webinars: Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 3 / 26

Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years

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:What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+...

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2026 / 3 / 23

40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business

Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.Register for the webinar:What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions...

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2026 / 3 / 19

Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business

After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.Register for the webinar:How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business -...

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2026 / 3 / 16

A $6.5m Business Worth Flying To

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: Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA Loans - Tue March 17th -...

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2026 / 3 / 12

Bricklayer to Blue-Collar Empire

After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.Register for the webinars: From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - TODAY -...

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2026 / 3 / 9

No SBA Loan and $75k Out of Pocket

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: From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - Thu March...

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2026 / 3 / 5

Growing Profits 30% in the First 1.5 Years

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-timeHis “now or never” moment...

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2026 / 3 / 2

Second Time's the Charm as Owner of a $4m Business

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 operationsDivorce as a catalyst for...

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2026 / 2 / 26

Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide

Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states.Register for the webinar: SMB Cybersecurity: Why Operators Need a Risk Assessment -...

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2026 / 2 / 23

Year 1 in a $300k SDE Services Business

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: Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) -...

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2026 / 2 / 19

How to 4x a Small Manufacturer

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: Red Flags That Kill or Reshape Deals - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 2 / 16

Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold

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: Red Flags That Kill or Reshape Deals - Feb 19th -...

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2026 / 2 / 12

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 spaceJoining Ben Kelly’s acquisition...

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2026 / 2 / 9

$20m Net Worth After 25 Years Buying Businesses

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:Why Deal Flow Isn’t Your Biggest Problem - TOMORROW! -...

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2026 / 2 / 5

SBA Deal Structuring to Manage Risk in a Cyclical Industry

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 labsSpending all his...

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2026 / 2 / 2

$250k SDE Acquisition: Limited Downside, Big Upside

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 RecessionAversion...

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2026 / 1 / 29

The Late 40s Pivot Into Business Buying

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 corporationMid-career...

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2026 / 1 / 26

The First Steps to a Family Holdco

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 acquisitionTaking...

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2026 / 1 / 22

Buying a Platform with an SBA Loan

Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big.Register for the webinar:What You’re Really Paying: Net Working Capital & Net Debt...

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2026 / 1 / 19

The Contrarian Bet on a Digital Agency

George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures.Register for the webinars: Which Franchise Industries Make Sense in 2026? - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 1 / 15

Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business

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:From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay...

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2026 / 1 / 12

Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)

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:DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI - TOMORROW!! -...

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2026 / 1 / 8

$14.5m Exit After 5 Years

Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited for 7x.Register for the webinar: How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 1 / 8

8-Figure Exit After 5 Years

Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE.Register for the webinar: How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! -...

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2026 / 1 / 5

Complexity Hides Fragility: Losing a $20m Business

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: How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - Jan 8th -...

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2025 / 12 / 31

Buying Small to Then Buy Larger ($1m SDE)

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&LHis toughest...

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2025 / 12 / 29

Passion & Profit in an American Pastime

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 careerConnecting with a...

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2025 / 12 / 18

How to Buy a Generational Brand with $20m in Sales

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 MoserLeading a furniture...

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2025 / 12 / 15

Reward for 17-Month Deal: $1.8m of EBITDA

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: What Killed Deals in 2025 - TOMORROW!! -...

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2025 / 12 / 11

The 7-Year Collapse of an SBA Acquisition

Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die businessRegister for the webinar: How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition -...

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2025 / 12 / 8

SBA Acquisition to $9m Cash Exit in 5 Years

Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exitRegister for the webinars: How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) -...

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2025 / 12 / 4

ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years

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: How to Run the SBA Deal Race - TODAY!! -...

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2025 / 12 / 1

Buying for $600k, Selling for $35m

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: How to Run the SBA Deal Race - Dec 4th -...

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2025 / 11 / 26

When a $2.8m Acquisition Is More Like Zero-to-One

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 businessMeeting...

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2025 / 11 / 24

When to Buy a Large Consumer Business

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 friendBuying a business he was a...

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2025 / 11 / 20

The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA

From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually.Register for the webinar: What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like -TODAY!! -...

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2025 / 11 / 17

Buy Well, Exit Better: A $67m Win in 4 Years

Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit.Register for the webinar: What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like - Nov 20th -...

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2025 / 11 / 13

Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 Years

Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build.Register for the webinar:Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - TODAY -...

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2025 / 11 / 10

Why Choose Ownership Over Being a CEO

After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own.Register for the webinar:Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - Nov 13th -...

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2025 / 11 / 6

How to Build a $5m Media Business Into a $20m Flywheel

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:Overcoming Risks from a Lender’s Perspective - TODAY! -...

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2025 / 11 / 3

Timing is Everything: Buying a $30m Tutoring Business

Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business.Register for the webinars: Investor-Backed Search and SBA: Buy Bigger, Keep Control -...

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2025 / 10 / 30

Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years

Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast.Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TODAY! -...

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2025 / 10 / 27

Buying a Wide Moat in a Consolidating Industry

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: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - Thu Oct 30 -...

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2025 / 10 / 23

From €4 Million, to Zero, to €12 Million

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 cultureDetermination to acquire...

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2025 / 10 / 20

Building Trust as New Owner of a $3m Business

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 immigrationDiscovery of the...

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2025 / 10 / 16

Buying a $1.6m Business for the Inventory Value

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 businessLearning about...

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2025 / 10 / 13

Buying 2 Rivals to Create a Dominant Leader

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 missionGrowing Gympass...

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2025 / 10 / 9

Trades Over Tech: Buying an Appliance Repair Business

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: Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - TODAY! -...

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2025 / 10 / 6

Acquisition Unlock: €210m in 5 Years

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: How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - TOMORROW! -...

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2025 / 10 / 2

$60m Roll-Up That Started With an SBA Acquisition

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: The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and...

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2025 / 9 / 29

Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 Years

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: The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and...

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2025 / 9 / 25

Family Offices for Searchers: A Primer

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...

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2025 / 9 / 22

Deciding to Exit After 2 Years of Ownership

Register for the webinar: Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/48lptOcJack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted...

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2025 / 9 / 18

So Much Fun: The Buyer of Choice in a Fragmented Industry

Register for the webinars: Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/41WmQymEmployee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/4nrvvkDMark Anderegg...

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2025 / 9 / 15

From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit

Register for the webinar: Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu Sep 18th - https://bit.ly/4mbU9EIJerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private...

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2025 / 9 / 11

The Flywheel of Buying Businesses in a Single Region

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLGDoug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire...

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2025 / 9 / 8

Hiring a CEO to Run Things (and Get Life Back)

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - Thu Sep 11th - https://bit.ly/4pcznI8Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year...

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2025 / 9 / 4

A Few Hours Per Week, a Few States Away

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being...

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2025 / 9 / 1

The Joy & Pain of Buying a Tech Business

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6LFelipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT...

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2025 / 8 / 28

$2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers

About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a...

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2025 / 8 / 25

Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue

About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a...

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2025 / 8 / 21

4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business

Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/4oB4zAkBryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning...

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2025 / 8 / 18

Buying and Building a Xerox Dealer to $30m

Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/3UrzG3FJeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a...

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2025 / 8 / 14

A Searcher’s Second Act: Building a $25m Holdco

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:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessAfter success as a traditional searcher,...

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2025 / 8 / 11

2 Years to $40m: The Anatomy of a High-Velocity Roll-up

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:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessWhen Luis Reyes bought a small fire...

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2025 / 8 / 7

From 16 Years in Corporate to a $1m SDE Acquisition

Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - TODAY - https://bit.ly/3UH3w45After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he...

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2025 / 8 / 4

Building a $25m FedEx Route Empire from $100k Equity

Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - Thu Aug 7 - https://bit.ly/45i7eGeAvery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3...

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2025 / 7 / 31

Buying a $200m Franchisor (Not Units, the Whole System)

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:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessTyler & Zach Gordon's search for an...

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2025 / 7 / 28

A $10m Acquisition for Freedom and Family

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:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessAnica John bought a print-on-demand...

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2025 / 7 / 24

You’ve Been Served: Buying a $1.3m Process-Serving Company

Register for the webinar:Working Capital for SMB Acquisitions - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4kQcGGjAt a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving...

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2025 / 7 / 21

One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M

Register for the webinars:The Math & Logic of Deal Making - July 22nd - https://bit.ly/459kJJnWorking Capital for SMB Acquisitions - July 24th - https://bit.ly/4lBEhftEnrique Rodriguez bought a...

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2025 / 7 / 17

From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business

Register for the webinar:Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4kwHlbwYan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found...

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2025 / 7 / 14

Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership

Register for the webinar:Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4lo4SwuAccomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub...

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2025 / 7 / 10

From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month

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 businessFocusing on selling...

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2025 / 7 / 7

Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years

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 companiesAcquiring with a business...

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2025 / 7 / 3

Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit

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 industrySlow renovation...

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2025 / 6 / 30

New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kMatt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m...

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2025 / 6 / 26

From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kA friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI...

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2025 / 6 / 23

The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kBrian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to...

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2025 / 6 / 19

Unpacking Nick Huber's $52m Deal to Buy Somewhere.com

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kWith no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing...

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2025 / 6 / 19

How a First-Timer Pulled Off a $52m Acquisition

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kWith no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing...

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2025 / 6 / 16

The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit

Register for the webinars:DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI - Jun 17th - https://bit.ly/441EocMHow to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://acquiringminds.co/hiringKevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a...

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2025 / 6 / 12

Hometown Holdco: Geography as Moat

Register for the webinar:SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/3FGQIqBSarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native...

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2025 / 6 / 9

Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA

Register for the webinar:SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/4jG0FSVAfter Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2...

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2025 / 6 / 5

How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/43PpR4RChristine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as...

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2025 / 6 / 2

How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/44XWwX3JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all...

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2025 / 5 / 29

The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to Ownership

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 6th - https://bit.ly/43q0JQRKin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a...

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2025 / 5 / 26

Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency

Register for the webinar:Buy a Business, Not a Fantasy: Addressing This Month’s 7 Most Common Buyer Concerns - Wed May 28th - https://bit.ly/43u7otoWhen Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship,...

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2025 / 5 / 22

Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - TODAY May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4jgfQSYCovid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier....

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2025 / 5 / 19

Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - Thu May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4kj566XDevin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than...

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2025 / 5 / 15

How to Use an SBA Loan to Roll Up from $6m to $140m

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4mays9pMichael Davidov bought a home care agency with an SBA loan. 6 years later, he's grown & acquired to $140m in...

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2025 / 5 / 12

How 1 Couple Bought 2 Businesses

Register for the webinar:How to Use a Buy-Side Advisor to Buy a Business - Thu June 5th - https://bit.ly/3H4mduTThe original plan was for Lindsay Buckheit to buy a business. As husband Kevin Black got...

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2025 / 5 / 8

How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller

Register for the webinar:Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - TODAY May 8th - https://bit.ly/4jFLpX2Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money &...

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2025 / 5 / 5

Turning a $250k Investment into $7m+

Register for the webinar:Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - Thu May 8 - https://bit.ly/4m7VH47Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they...

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2025 / 5 / 1

Buying a Remote, 20-Year-Old Business with $900k of SDE

Register for the webinar: Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1 - https://bit.ly/4jreo0UDan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key...

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2025 / 4 / 28

21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE Business

Register for the webinar: Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1 - https://bit.ly/4k8HKBdJan Roll bought a $6m residential contractor, a harrowing experience he calls one giant ambiguous ball of...

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2025 / 4 / 24

How to Build a Niche Holdco with $2m in Earnings

Register for the webinar:Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1st - https://bit.ly/3RWj0QhIn 2019, Matt Kopp bought a supplier to elementary schools with $350k SDE. 6 years later, he has a portfolio of...

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2025 / 4 / 21

Hiding in Plain Sight on BizBuySell: $800k SDE for 2x

Register for the webinar:Should You Buy a Business? A Live Panel with Lab Members - Wed Apr 23rd - https://bit.ly/3EBvXvNJoe Ziolkowski found the deal of a lifetime — a $10m manufacturing business — by...

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2025 / 4 / 17

How to Build a $100m Holdco: The Power of ESOPs

Register for the webinar:Licenses & Regulatory Issues in Acquisitions - Thu April 17th - https://bit.ly/4i7vsY5With 300 employees across 5 companies, the holdco that Chris Fredericks is building has an...

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2025 / 4 / 14

How to Reinvent a $1m Candle Manufacturer

Register for the webinar:Licenses & Regulatory Issues in Acquisitions - Thu April 17th - https://bit.ly/3G9vf9FAdam Goldberg had to adapt his corporate approach after buying a nearly-closed manufacturer whose...

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2025 / 4 / 10

Stars Align After 4 Broken Deals

Register for the webinar: 5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Fri Apr 11 - https://bit.ly/4ljGigoKeegan Dum wound down his search fund after 2 years without a deal, but he went on to acquire & create a...

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2025 / 4 / 7

When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense

Register for the webinar: 5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Fri Apr 11 - https://bit.ly/4ji2UMuKen Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700...

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2025 / 4 / 3

FedEx & Fencing: A Pivot into Ownership

Register for the webinar:5 Steps to the Business Buying Process - Thu April 10th - https://bit.ly/41RC4oNAfter his foray into SMB ownership went well with FedEx routes, Matt O'Brien bought & doubled a $2.5m...

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2025 / 3 / 31

Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It)

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/XHelping his dad with the...

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2025 / 3 / 27

Deciding to Start, Not Buy, a Small Business

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...

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2025 / 3 / 24

How to Buy a Multinational

Register for the webinar: How to Reduce Surprises with Operational Diligence - Wed Mar 26 - https://bit.ly/4hxp0tj Seeking a fit with his industrials experience, Adam Salmen bought an 8-figure business with...

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2025 / 3 / 20

Lessons from 24 Acquisition Nightmares

Register for the webinar:How to Reduce Surprises with Operational Diligence - Wed March 26 - https://bit.ly/4igNOqzAfter his acquisition failed, Jed Morris connected with dozens of others who'd experienced...

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2025 / 3 / 17

From Tech Sales to Forklift Repair

Register for the webinar:How to Reduce Surprises with Operational Diligence - Web March 26 - https://bit.ly/4kVYn3URecently laid off and a baby on the way, Shaugn Lindley pivoted into SMB ownership by buying...

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2025 / 3 / 13

Building a Beloved Brand from a Tiny, Dying Business

Register for:Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu March 13th - https://bit.ly/41vg9SLThe live Q&A with Harley on March 27th - https://bit.ly/43vYX24Harley Sitner bought a struggling VW...

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2025 / 3 / 10

The Appeal (and Risk) of Buying a Consulting Firm

Register for:Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu March 13 - https://bit.ly/3F6dasGThe live Q&A with Nick on March 25th: https://bit.ly/3DoZfgDIndustry outsider Nick Munsee bought a...

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2025 / 3 / 6

Why Treat an Acquisition Like a Startup

Register for the webinars:5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu March 6 - https://bit.ly/3QEgIoAEmployee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu March 13 - https://bit.ly/4koXrFbLive Q&A...

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2025 / 3 / 3

Buying in a Small Market, Building a Regional Powerhouse

Register for:Live Q&A with Jonathan Bournigal - Thu March 19 - https://bit.ly/41lwPwcWebinar: 5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu March 6 - https://bit.ly/41m0o0iJonathan Bournigal returned to his...

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2025 / 2 / 27

How to Build a Holdco Foundation: Patiently

Register for the webinar:5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu March 6 - https://bit.ly/435spfeBarker Squire has grown his crane servicing business gradually over 6 years. Now he turns his attention...

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2025 / 2 / 24

Back from the Brink: When Everybody Quits Day 1

Register for the webinar:First 100 Days: Survive & Thrive as a New Business Owner - Wed Feb 26 - https://bit.ly/4hFqGle24 hours into Jack Carr's ownership of a tiny HVAC business, disaster struck. Just 2.5...

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2025 / 2 / 20

How to Buy & Transform a 120-Year-Old Manufacturer

Register for the webinars:Using a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business - Thu Feb 20 - https://bit.ly/3QjGZYRFirst 100 Days: Survive & Thrive as a New Business Owner - Wed Feb 26 - https://bit.ly/4hCxC2GSubscribe...

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2025 / 2 / 17

Behind Every Great Searcher: A Wife's Journey with Search

Register for the webinars:Using a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business - Thu Feb 20 - https://bit.ly/3X1BqSQSubscribe to the new podcast, Meeting of the Minds:On YouTubeSpotify & Apple links coming soon!Cliff &...

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2025 / 2 / 13

Networking His Way to $800k SDE

Register for the webinars:Legal Aspects of Debt Financing - Thu Feb 13 - https://bit.ly/4aOwtlMUsing a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business - Thu Feb 20 - https://bit.ly/4hQbn9eIt took Alex Holley a few months of...

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2025 / 2 / 10

Buy, Grow, Exit for a 24x Return in 3.5 Years

Register for the webinars:Legal Aspects of Debt Financing - Thu Feb 13 - https://bit.ly/414vOtcUsing a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business - Thu Feb 20 - https://bit.ly/42I4dPYFormer guest Chris Edwards has sold...

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2025 / 2 / 6

How to Lead a Trades Business Without Knowing the Trade

Register for the webinars:5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu Feb 6 - https://bit.ly/4aNHmEzLegal Aspects of Debt Financing - Thu Feb 13 - https://bit.ly/3PXBEX6Industry-agnostic Trip Biesanz...

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2025 / 2 / 3

How to Move the Needle in a $600k SDE Trades Business

Register for the webinars:5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu Feb 6 - https://bit.ly/3En1vFuLegal Aspects of Debt Financing - Thu Feb 13 - https://bit.ly/3EjjOex7 months into ownership of a $2m...

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2025 / 1 / 30

Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring Business

Register for the webinars: Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/4hlhlic5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu Feb 6 - https://bit.ly/3QautetWhen Shell Zhang recognized her...

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2025 / 1 / 27

How a Couple Left Tech to Buy a Business Together

Register for the webinars: Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/4heHi355 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Thu Feb 6 - https://bit.ly/4h7HOQjRay & Dana Chery sensed a need for...

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2025 / 1 / 23

How to Survive Buying into a Terrible Industry

Register for the webinar: •Legal Preparation for Your Search - Thu Jan 30 - https://bit.ly/3CbswuPMonths into his ownership, Ayo Phillips realized his industry was fatally flawed. He survived and 5 years...

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2025 / 1 / 20

The $50m Lifestyle Holdco

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/3CbswuPAbhi Ravishankar...

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2025 / 1 / 16

How to 4x a Contracting Business in 3 Years

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 businessAcquiring a...

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2025 / 1 / 13

How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors

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 inLeaving a finance...

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2025 / 1 / 9

Bullseye: Buying a $1m SDE Business in a Hot Industry

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 searchingUsing a...

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2025 / 1 / 6

Taking a Flower Shop from $600k to $9 Million

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 shopReplacing the overpriced phone...

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2025 / 1 / 2

The Path to Becoming a Better Operator & Strategist

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 CookLooking for a “dusty, not rusty”...

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2024 / 12 / 30

First-Timer Buys 7-Figure SDE Business 4 Hours Away

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 1998His unwillingness to...

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2024 / 12 / 30

First-Timer Buys 8-Figure Business 4 Hours Away

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 1998His unwillingness to...

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2024 / 12 / 26

How to Buy Franchise Businesses, Then Sell to PE

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 franchiseAcquiring a...

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2024 / 12 / 23

From Frustrated Searcher to $3.5m Owner to Holdco Builder

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 AustraliaBuying a manufacturing...

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2024 / 12 / 19

Perils in Partnership: Plumbing Acquisition Gone Wrong

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 partnerQuitting his job to go...

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2024 / 12 / 16

Adjusting to Life in a Nocturnal Business (with $525k SDE)

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 CleaningThe...

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2024 / 12 / 12

How (and Why) to Buy an Electrical Business

Register for the webinar:Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/3VtCvC1Fred McGill liked the trades and zeroed in on electrical. The $3.2m business he bought is likely to grow 25% in...

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2024 / 12 / 9

First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End

Register for the webinar:Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4igqBVQJordan Dubin and his partners are rolling up a home services industry. They blew by their 5-year goal in the...

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2024 / 12 / 5

Buying in a Huge but Overlooked Market

Register for the webinar:Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/41ivxUlFragmentation & an enormous TAM drew Jonathon Tupper to buy a 30-year-old business in the asset-based lending...

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2024 / 12 / 2

The Thrill & Validation of Becoming an Owner

Register for the webinar: • Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4f0320CMichael Johnson started searching in April. Today he's having the time of his life as owner of a $1.2m...

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2024 / 11 / 27

Micro-Acquiring to $300k SDE on 5 Hours Per Week

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’sStarting a web...

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2024 / 11 / 25

High Margin & Big Upside in Lice Treatment

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 businessAcquiring LiceDoctorsWhy...

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2024 / 11 / 21

Buying Blue Collar (But Automated & Asset Light)

Register for the webinars: • Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/4ftXfl8Carley Mitus bought a home inspection business doing $380k SDE that runs leans & requires only 10 hours per...

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2024 / 11 / 18

How 2 Entrepreneurs are Rolling Up a New Market

Register for the webinars: • Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/3AMj6FkFrancisco Del Rio & Diego Silva are 5 acquisitions into a venture to consolidate veterinary practices in Chile &...

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2024 / 11 / 14

How to Become an Independent Sponsor

Register for the webinars: Where Searchers Go Wrong - Thu Nov 14 - https://bit.ly/3O0im2aLegal Office Hours: Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 21 - https://bit.ly/3O3zqo2Sam Rosati & partners built the...

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2024 / 11 / 11

The 2 Professors Who Helped Start the ETA Movement

Register for the webinars:Where Searchers Go Wrong - Thu Nov. 14 - https://bit.ly/40HZtZKLegal Office Hours: Understanding the Waterfall - Thu Nov 24 - https://bit.ly/4hEzVThThe story behind "Rick & Royce",...

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2024 / 11 / 7

Buying a Job to Build a Business

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 entrepreneurshipHis background running...

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2024 / 11 / 4

$6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home

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 collegeBackground in high-growth...

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2024 / 10 / 31

Buying a Business to Build a Life

Register for the webinar: How to Run a 2-Year Search in 2 Months - Nov 1 - https://bit.ly/48sjkh9Seattle-based Dan Drake & his wife wanted to raise their kids in Bend, Oregon. Buying a business allowed them...

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2024 / 10 / 28

Buying & Building a $60m Manufacturer

Register for the webinar:How to Run a 2-Year Search in 2 Months - Friday, Nov 1 - https://bit.ly/3YEN9YEWhen, at age 29, Gat Caperton bought a furniture maker in his native West Virginia, he was also buying...

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2024 / 10 / 24

2 Years to Buy, Double & Exit a Medical Billing Firm

Register for the webinars:Cap Tables 101: How Capital Structure Works When Buying a Business - Thu Oct 24 - https://bit.ly/3UihUQGHow to Run a 2-Year Search in 2 Months - Friday Nov 1 -...

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2024 / 10 / 21

Small SDE, Big Upside: Buying a Business with 5 Employees

Register for the webinars:Cap Tables 101: How Capital Structure Works When Buying a Business - Thu Oct 24 - https://bit.ly/4dR5CWqHow to Run a 2-Year Search in 2 Months - Friday Nov 1 -...

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2024 / 10 / 17

Leaving Amazon to Buy a $3m Apparel Brand

Register for the webinar:Cap Tables 101: How Capital Structure Works When Buying a Business - Thu Oct 24 - https://bit.ly/3zTykbcTech industry vet Eric Bauer wanted to build something for himself. Buying a...

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2024 / 10 / 14

Business Collapse After Going All-In

Register for the webinars:Due Diligence Office Hours - Wed Oct 16 - https://bit.ly/4h3R74oCap Tables 101: How Capital Structure Works When Buying a Business - Thu Oct 24 - https://bit.ly/3zT8sMAJustin Willess...

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2024 / 10 / 10

Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business

Register for the webinars:Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/3TYdVZ8Due Diligence Office Hours - Wed Oct 16 - https://bit.ly/3BznZl0As a banker Greg Bruns dealt with business owners,...

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2024 / 10 / 7

The Model for a 3-Way, Long-Term Holdco

Register for the webinars:Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/47TzaBcMarc Nzojibwami and 2 partners bought a business in Calgary, with a plan to keep buying (and without investor...

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2024 / 10 / 3

Why Sell to Private Equity: Former Guest Has an Exit

Register for the webinars:Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/4gQqKP5Taylor Wallace & Tyler O'Connor return to discuss selling to private equity & the painful reality of managing...

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2024 / 9 / 30

Turning Around a Blue Collar Business in Decline

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...

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2024 / 9 / 26

When the Business Can't Be Saved: Resilience

Register for the webinars:Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/4dhSAAXHow to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 -...

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2024 / 9 / 23

The Appeal of Franchise Buying: $1m EBITDA in 2 Years

Register for the webinars:Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/4grubvDHow to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 -...

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2024 / 9 / 19

One Year Into a Garage Door Business with $350k SDE

Register for the webinars:Due Diligence Office Hours - Thu Sept 19 - https://bit.ly/3B2oF29How Much to Budget for a Self-Funded Search - Fri Sept 20 - https://bit.ly/4e4FWpVLegal Office Hours (Deal Structure...

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2024 / 9 / 16

Buying the Neighborhood Nursery (with $800k in Earnings)

Register for the webinars:Due Diligence Office Hours - Thu Sept 19 - https://bit.ly/4d27MSAHow Much to Budget for a Self-Funded Search - Fri Sept 20 - https://bit.ly/4gk4XPHLegal Office Hours (Deal Structure...

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2024 / 9 / 12

Control & Family: Drivers of a Self-Funded Search

Register for the webinars:Thu Sept 12 - How Big a Business Should You Buy? - https://bit.ly/3XmtR8vThu Sept 19 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/4ghprZbFri Sept 20 - How Much to Budget for a...

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2024 / 9 / 9

Building a Portfolio of Nostalgia Restaurants

Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?https://bit.ly/4cSC6isTopics in Jackson’s interview:Fulfilling his dream of living on the beachTransitioning from real estate to...

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2024 / 9 / 5

White-Collar Sisters Buy a Blue-Collar Business

Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?https://bit.ly/4dPunmCWithout backgrounds in business, Julie & Janna Hottinger have grown the $2.1m trades business they bought last year...

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2024 / 9 / 3

Leaving Corporate to Buy a $4m Manufacturer

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 ownershipSelling...

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2024 / 8 / 29

Exited but Tired: 5 Years in a Hard Business

Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issueshttps://bit.ly/4dWmPxVAfter 5 years of owning a scale business, Matt Bauer & Chris Hartman were burning out. Fortunately they'd...

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2024 / 8 / 26

Young Couple Starts a Family Business By Buying One

Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issueshttps://bit.ly/3ySUJ7RTopics in Meredith & Michael’s interview:Buying an employment screening companyThe seller staying on as an...

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2024 / 8 / 22

Investor Perspective on Self-Funded Search

Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issueshttps://bit.ly/3YQP2lpNiklas James, Adam Borcz, and Tony Cappeart reflect on terms, risk & reward of the still-young self-funded...

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2024 / 8 / 19

5 Businesses Acquired with a Long-Term Hold Model

Register here for the webinar, Legal Office Hours: Common Legal Diligence Issueshttps://bit.ly/46OH4LNRyan Sullivan's group is buying businesses with investor capital, SBA loans & operating partners — but...

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2024 / 8 / 15

SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market

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 loanWhy valuations remain...

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2024 / 8 / 12

One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away

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...

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2024 / 8 / 8

After 4 Years of Part-Time Searching, Success

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 industryDoing outreach...

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2024 / 8 / 5

Buy Fast: A Good Reason to Buy Small

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 developmentHis desire for a...

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2024 / 8 / 1

Tangible & Collectible: Buying a Consumer Product Company

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 franchiseeBankruptcy after the 2008...

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2024 / 7 / 29

White Collar Roll-Up from $700k to $12m

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 businessSpending 2...

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2024 / 7 / 25

Reflections on 2 Years in the Knife Fight

Register for the webinar:How (and Why) to Choose a Franchise as an Acquisition Entrepreneur - https://bit.ly/4fa3CKBBrett Kennedy has doubled & strengthened the sub-$1 million moving business he bought — but...

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2024 / 7 / 22

The Scrappy Path of a One-Man Holdco

Register for the webinar:How (and Why) to Choose a Franchise as an Acquisition Entrepreneur - https://bit.ly/3WwZqNRWhen Dustin Carreon reached a ceiling in his first small business, he used the profits to...

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2024 / 7 / 18

Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a Holdco

Register for the webinars:Search Investor Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4cvUOwVOvercoming Common Deal Sticking Points - https://bit.ly/4cD9z17How (and Why) to Choose a Franchise as an...

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2024 / 7 / 15

Building a $10m EBITDA Leader in a Fragmented Space

Register for the webinars:Search Investor Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4cCMyuZOvercoming Common Deal Sticking Points - https://bit.ly/3LkCpr3How (and Why) to Choose a Franchise as an...

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2024 / 7 / 11

Buying & Growing a Business While Keeping a Day Job

Register for the webinars:SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4bydwTeDue Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3WbVpxTSearch Investor Roundtable: State of the Market -...

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2024 / 7 / 8

Buy as Search Fund, Keep as Long-Term Owner

Register for the webinars:SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4eTZ8YnDue Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3WbAs6hSearch Investor Roundtable: State of the Market -...

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2024 / 7 / 4

It Really Happened: 100% Financing for an $8m Business

Register for the webinars:Thu July 11 - SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4eJqUXBFri July 12 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3VPQf9pWe caution against thinking you can...

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2024 / 7 / 1

Turning $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors)

Register for the webinars:Thu July 11 - SMB Investor Roundtable - https://bit.ly/3XSdIcGFri July 12 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3W1zQA6Garrison Snell enjoyed a modest exit at age 24. By 30,...

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2024 / 6 / 27

Candid Reflections on 7 Years of SMB Ownership

Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Oncehttps://bit.ly/3KJnYwg7 years ago Dan Verboski bought a sign business with $650k in earnings. He's doubled it, but ownership has...

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2024 / 6 / 24

Announcing: Minds Capital

Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Oncehttps://bit.ly/3KH9RaSWill Smith has partnered with Niklas James & Max Lummis in a fund to invest in searcher & independent...

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2024 / 6 / 20

Why Work IN the Business You Buy (Not Just On It)

Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Oncehttps://bit.ly/3Rto4Mc--Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation...

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2024 / 6 / 17

3x Revenue Despite Turnover, Hangovers & Threats

Register here for the webinar, How to Buy a Business & Hire an Operator at Oncehttps://bit.ly/3RuI018--Get Remediation Company CIM - Request the NDA to get the CIM of the Midwestern niche remediation...

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2024 / 6 / 13

1 Business vs. Many: Deciding to Roll Up

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’sAcquiring a managed service...

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2024 / 6 / 10

2 Welders and a Shop... to $3.8m in Sales

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)https://bit.ly/3VeWF1BMatt Pohl & his wife bought a small welding business with extreme key person risk. They 4x'd the business...

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2024 / 6 / 6

Buying a Bankrupt 117-Year-Old Manufacturer

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)https://bit.ly/3yCQaOwDespite having no experience in manufacturing, Jens Grudno jumped when he heard about a failing...

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2024 / 6 / 3

Rolling Up EBITDA and Rents with Auto Repair Shops

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)https://bit.ly/4538koZStephen Quindlen & Paul Westhart have found powerful multipliers that could yield huge returns in an...

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2024 / 5 / 30

3 Years Later, Climbing Out of the J Curve

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 RecessionHis experience in...

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2024 / 5 / 28

From Midnight Deliveries to $28m Holdco (in 6 Years)

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...

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2024 / 5 / 23

Finding a Great Business in Cow Country

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 schoolCashing out his 401(k) without using...

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2024 / 5 / 20

Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years

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 schoolsBuying his first music...

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2024 / 5 / 16

When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy

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 accountantWhy restaurants are a...

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2024 / 5 / 13

Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses

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 partnerSolving their recruitment...

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2024 / 5 / 9

Holdco Origin Story: The Bumpy Road to $3m EBITDA

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 mistakesLosing $300k in the...

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2024 / 5 / 6

The Allure of Buying a Marketplace Business

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 UberDifficulty of starting a marketplace...

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2024 / 5 / 2

How an American Bought a Canadian Business

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 fulfillmentPainful broken...

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2024 / 4 / 29

Selling $100k of Dog Training… Per Day

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSGarth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with...

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2024 / 4 / 25

Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA

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...

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2024 / 4 / 22

The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSJohn Murphy pushed through divorce, $500k debt, and a bad broken deal to...

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2024 / 4 / 18

The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions

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 itWriting a book about...

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2024 / 4 / 15

Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSRafael Quinn shares the story & principles behind buying 3 businesses in...

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2024 / 4 / 11

Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business

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 crisisQualities...

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2024 / 4 / 8

Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSPatrick Norris bought a small trash business doing $625k. Five years...

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2024 / 4 / 4

Roofing + Florida = Path to $100m

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 AcquiraKeeping the seller as an...

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2024 / 4 / 1

Rather Than Retire, Buy a Business

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSAt age 63, Maurice Thomas wasn't ready to retire, so he bought an...

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2024 / 3 / 28

$700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down

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 IPOCompetition in the wood furniture...

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2024 / 3 / 25

The Birth of a Roll-Up

Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101https://bit.ly/3IGEZWQGet $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code...

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2024 / 3 / 21

How to Identify & Buy a Great Residential Contractor

Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101https://bit.ly/3veZaYPAlan Lochridge left a career in consulting to buy a 20-year-old $5.5m hardscaping contractor with strong fundamentals.Topics in Alan’s...

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2024 / 3 / 18

Reward for a Brutal Transition: 3 Hours/Week with 2x EBITDA

Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101https://bit.ly/3IFObuBGet $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code...

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2024 / 3 / 18

Reward for a Brutal Transition: $760k EBITDA on 3 Hours/Week

Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101https://bit.ly/3IFObuBGet $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code...

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2024 / 3 / 14

Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m

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 businessTaking over...

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2024 / 3 / 11

Unlocking Growth in a Business, Average Age 55

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSDanny Fields & Steve Reis bought a decades-old utility supplier seemingly...

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2024 / 3 / 7

Bought Tiny, Grew to $4m

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 businessQuadrupling revenue...

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2024 / 3 / 4

When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSTato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months...

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2024 / 2 / 29

The Front Lines of a Crisis

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 trayHis life-changing exit...

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2024 / 2 / 26

How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit)

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 PittsburghSourcing deals through...

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2024 / 2 / 22

Saying No to Home Services, Yes to B2B Media

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 brandManaging brand...

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2024 / 2 / 19

8 Figs or Bust: Transitioning a Big Plumbing Business

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Businesshttps://bit.ly/3SUJhzQGet $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter...

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2024 / 2 / 15

Fire, Covid, Exit: 5 Years in a $12m Events Business

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Businesshttps://bit.ly/3uwHx6yWill Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into...

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2024 / 2 / 12

Taking a Blue Collar Biz from $900k to $2.4m in Earnings

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Businesshttps://bit.ly/3SAWZXdAdam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4...

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2024 / 2 / 8

First-Timer Turns $20k into $900k in 19 Months

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 boxGetting past major...

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2024 / 2 / 5

The Model Works: Reflections of a Plumbing Business Buyer

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 businessWorking 60 hours a...

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2024 / 2 / 1

Buying a $4m Business (with 80% Recurring Revenue)

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:https://bit.ly/4263xl0It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy.How his...

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2024 / 1 / 29

Taking the Plunge into Extreme Ownership

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:https://bit.ly/3U52srPAt his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both.Topics in...

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2024 / 1 / 25

Finding a Good Business After 2+ Years of Searching

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:https://bit.ly/3SsxKrtRyan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline. Topics in...

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2024 / 1 / 22

Buying a Business to 20x a Real Estate Empire

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI:https://bit.ly/492E8ehBuying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio. Topics in...

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2024 / 1 / 18

4 Acquisitions In, Holdco Builder's Goal is £150m

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 timelinesGetting through...

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2024 / 1 / 16

14 Months from Searcher to $5.5m EBITDA

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 FloridaWorking with SIG (Search...

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2024 / 1 / 11

Shutting Down After a 4-Year Struggle

Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:https://acquiringminds.co/webinars/how-to-model-a-self-funded-sba-acquisitionThe cemetery services biz Philip Blackett...

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2024 / 1 / 8

Buying a Big $7m Trade School

Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition:https://acquiringminds.co/webinars/how-to-model-a-self-funded-sba-acquisitionIn a world of tight labor supply, Tyrel...

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2024 / 1 / 4

Moving to a Small Town to Buy an SMB

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 AppalachiaHis vision to build a...

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2024 / 1 / 2

The Appeal of Buying a Food Product Business

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” searchStarting a shear-sharpening...

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2023 / 12 / 28

Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue

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...

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2023 / 12 / 26

Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business

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....

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2023 / 12 / 21

Building a $350m Holdco of Farms

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 businessesGold Leaf’s unique...

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2023 / 12 / 18

Factory Life: Buying a Manufacturer with $1m SDE

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 StreetLeaving...

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2023 / 12 / 14

Scaling Sweaty Services with a Brokerage Model

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 approachEarth...

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2023 / 12 / 11

2.5 Years from Buying to Exiting

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...

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2023 / 12 / 7

Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business

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 NavyHow getting an MBA might slow you...

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2023 / 12 / 4

The Power of Conviction in Buying a Business

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 searchPros and cons of door-to-door...

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2023 / 11 / 30

3 Perspectives: A Panel on Buying Small Businesses

Recording of a live panel hosted by EO Silicon Valley with Acquiring Minds host Will Smith moderating. Topics discussed:3 stories of buying businessesWhat the search, due diligence, transition was like for...

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2023 / 11 / 27

Escaping Golden Handcuffs by Buying a Business

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 jobUsing her...

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2023 / 11 / 22

7 Takeaways from 200 Episodes

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...

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2023 / 11 / 20

Cash Flows Over Exits: Buying for the Long Term

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 boxesWhy he...

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2023 / 11 / 16

Skip the SBA: Buying a $4m Biz with a Conventional Loan

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 dealThe emotional toll of...

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2023 / 11 / 13

Doing It His Way: First-Timer Buys 2 at Once

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 AcceleratorHis philosophy...

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2023 / 11 / 9

The Upside & Downside of Search, from a 20-Year Veteran

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...

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2023 / 11 / 6

Passion, Meet EBITDA: The Joy of Buying an Art Gallery

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 galleryHow his...

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2023 / 11 / 2

Growing EBITDA from $750k to $2m: Time to Sell?

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...

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2023 / 10 / 30

How to Buy a SaaS Business with an SBA Loan

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 oneKey...

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2023 / 10 / 26

Boom, Bust, Boom: Buying a Whiplash Business

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 spaceBuying a...

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2023 / 10 / 23

Partnering with an Operator to Buy a Business

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 criminalBuying a tree...

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2023 / 10 / 19

How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner

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 sprayingBuying a...

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2023 / 10 / 16

A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE

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 flexibilityWhy he...

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2023 / 10 / 12

When Buying Small Goes Right (3x Growth)

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...

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2023 / 10 / 9

Buying a $3m Candle Manufacturer That Had No Books

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 financeableGetting a 60% seller...

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2023 / 10 / 5

Buying $1m+ Ice Cream Shops to Expand Nationally

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 guyMore reps = more...

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2023 / 10 / 2

Buy and 3x a Project-Based Business in Just 2 Years

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 searchSources...

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2023 / 9 / 28

How to Buy the Business Where You Work

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 searchAccepting...

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2023 / 9 / 25

The $295m Search Fund Exit

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 timingHurdles he overcame to raise...

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2023 / 9 / 21

Hiring a General Manager & Buying Business #2

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 lifeGratification...

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2023 / 9 / 18

Leaving a Big Salary in DC for Small Business in Wyoming

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...

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2023 / 9 / 14

Seller's View of a Searcher Buying His Business

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 sellerRecognizing the business...

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2023 / 9 / 11

Buying a 45-Year-Old Industry Pioneer

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 searcherImportance of being crystal...

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2023 / 9 / 7

Buy a Franchise Portfolio: How to Choose a Brand

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)...

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2023 / 9 / 5

Rocky Transition: How to Survive, Then Thrive

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 businessFinding discrepancies in...

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2023 / 8 / 31

First-Time Buyer Recipe for Success: Action & Small Steps

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 searchImportance of taking actionCompetition...

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2023 / 8 / 28

Unlocking Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business

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 searchBuying a...

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2023 / 8 / 24

From Startup Founder to Buying a Small Business

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 startupSearching for a...

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2023 / 8 / 21

Buying a Small Business to Build for Decades

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 MBAHow cold calling led to his...

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2023 / 8 / 17

Holdco Entrepreneurs: A Peek Behind the Curtain

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 startedWhy holdcos are so popularArguments...

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2023 / 8 / 14

A Non-Financial Reason to Buy a Business

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 inventorHow the TV show Succession...

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2023 / 8 / 10

Postmortem of a Broken Deal

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 businessWinning the sellers’...

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2023 / 8 / 7

The Joys & Pain of Owning a $10m City Bus Business

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 companyPivoting into operating...

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2023 / 8 / 3

How (and Why) to Buy a B2B Services Business

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 businessesBuying...

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2023 / 7 / 31

16 Months to Exit: Cleaning Up in 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...

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2023 / 7 / 27

Why Buy a Digital Service Business

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 businessThe benefits...

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2023 / 7 / 24

Building an ATM Empire

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...

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2023 / 7 / 20

The Life-Changing Potential of Buying a Business

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 ownersThe three...

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2023 / 7 / 17

How One Tiny Acquisition Grew Into a Holdco

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 trackMatt's career as...

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2023 / 7 / 10

5x in 5 Years: Buying Small to Grow Quickly

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 $750Decata Group's “car...

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2023 / 7 / 6

Snowball Effect: Getting to $45m in 3 Years

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 businessOffering...

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2023 / 7 / 3

Don't Overlook HR Diligence: 3 Items to Check

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 HRHow industry...

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2023 / 6 / 29

How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2

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...

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2023 / 6 / 26

The Secret to $25m Success

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...

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2023 / 6 / 22

What Buying Small Is Like When Crises Happen

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 onceHow...

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2023 / 6 / 20

Self-Funded Search vs. Independent Sponsorship

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...

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2023 / 6 / 15

The Bumpy Reality of Buying an Ecommerce Business

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...

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2023 / 6 / 12

Owner vs CEO: 2 Approaches to Buying a Business

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 searchHis method...

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2023 / 6 / 8

One Acquiring Minds Guest Buys Another

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...

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2023 / 6 / 5

Raising $800k to Buy an $8m Business as a First-Timer

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 changeLosing funding...

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2023 / 6 / 1

It Worked: Buying an Ecom Business to Gain Freedom

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 yearHow he diligenced Wallaroo...

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2023 / 5 / 30

Buy Big: How to Acquire a $3m EBITDA Roofing Business

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 ownershipPassively...

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2023 / 5 / 25

Home Care Business: How to Buy & 2x an Agency

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 strategyBuying a Visiting Angels...

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2023 / 5 / 22

Overworked & Underpaid: Buying a Business to Escape

Heather Shattuck-Heidorn was a tenure-tracked professor, but wanted out. Buying a business offered freedom & security. Topics in Heather’s interview:What she loved about academiaWhy she initially resisted...

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2023 / 5 / 18

Learning to Lead: From Searcher to Boss of 140

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 operatingThe challenge of...

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2023 / 5 / 15

Uber Driver to 7-Figure Exit in 3 Years

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...

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2023 / 5 / 11

Surviving the Nightmare: Sales Plunge 95%

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 mailThe value of...

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2023 / 5 / 8

How to Raise Money from Investors to Buy a Business

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...

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2023 / 5 / 1

How to Buy a $5m Business & Hire an Operator to Run It

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 companyPutting in an operator from...

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2023 / 4 / 27

The Opportunity in Carve-Outs (and Uncle Sam)

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 industryBuying a business...

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2023 / 4 / 24

Fetal Position to Foundry Holdco ($30m & Counting)

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...

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2023 / 4 / 20

How to 2x Sales in a Service Business You Buy

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 ScapesGrowth through acquisition...

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2023 / 4 / 17

How to Build a Portfolio of 20 Franchise Locations

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 franchisesWhy Michael...

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2023 / 4 / 13

Life as an Operator: Leaving PE to Buy a $2m Tree Business

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 businessBuyer’s vs seller’s...

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2023 / 4 / 10

From Determined Searcher to $75m Accidental Holdco

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...

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2023 / 4 / 6

Feast or Famine: How to Grow a Niche Manufacturing Biz

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 businessProfitability of...

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2023 / 4 / 3

Navigating Failure: Buying a $5m+ Business that Collapses

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 bankingBuying a car...

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2023 / 3 / 30

Single Mom, 2 Kids, and a $4m Business

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 40Joining the Acquisition...

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2023 / 3 / 27

6 Months from Twitter Inspiration to $2m Business Owner

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 engineeringValuation of a home...

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2023 / 3 / 23

Back to a W-2: When Business Ownership Isn't the Way

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...

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2023 / 3 / 20

How to Buy and 2x a Subcontractor Business

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...

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2023 / 3 / 16

One Year Later: Holdco Grows to $75m in Total Revenue

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...

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2023 / 3 / 13

How to Build a Holdco Around Company Culture

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 CityWhy...

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2023 / 3 / 9

Honeymoon, Darkness, then Light

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 agoHow he...

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2023 / 3 / 6

Growing a Small 1st Acquisition into a Holdco Platform

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...

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2023 / 3 / 2

How to Buy a Neighborhood Institution

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...

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2023 / 2 / 27

How to Buy & Operate a Plane Ride Away

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 Geneva3 biggest...

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2023 / 2 / 23

Recent Guest Exits for 8 Figures

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...

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2023 / 2 / 20

Reward for Being Systematic: $2m Dog Training Business

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 underwriterHis...

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2023 / 2 / 16

How to Roll Up Legacy Franchises (to $36m/yr)

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 franchisesWhat...

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2023 / 2 / 13

Using $100k to Buy a 7-Figure Dream Business

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 businessHow he got his wife on board with...

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2023 / 2 / 9

One Year Later: 60% Growth + 2 More Acquisitions

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...

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2023 / 2 / 6

Key Moments from 3 Entrepreneurs Who Bought Businesses

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...

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2023 / 2 / 2

Former Searcher Opts to Franchise Instead

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...

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2023 / 1 / 31

Manufacturing Opportunity: Look Where Others Aren't

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...

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2023 / 1 / 26

How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive)

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...

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2023 / 1 / 24

Buying Franchises: A Primer for Searchers

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...

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2023 / 1 / 19

Buying a $3m Course Business (Whose Founder is the Face)

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...

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2023 / 1 / 17

The Wine Business: 5x Growth in a Tough but Fun Industry

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...

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2023 / 1 / 12

1 Year Later as Buyer of a $1m EBITDA Business

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 monthsWhat Chris...

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2023 / 1 / 10

The Wealth Potential of Self-Funded Search

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...

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2023 / 1 / 5

(Part 2) 8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years

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 &...

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2023 / 1 / 3

8-Figure Exit: How to Buy, Transform & Sell in 3.5 Years

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...

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2022 / 12 / 29

Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions

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...

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2022 / 12 / 27

A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small

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...

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2022 / 12 / 22

State of the Pod, 2022

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:Oberle Risk...

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2022 / 12 / 20

Dream Fulfilled: Buying a $2m, 50-Year-Old Business

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...

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2022 / 12 / 13

Buying a Bitcoin Mining Facility

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 101Challenge of finding real estate to host bitcoin...

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2022 / 12 / 6

Birth of a Holdco (with 15 Acquisitions to Date)

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 HarmBenefits of buying businesses in...

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2022 / 11 / 29

6 Months to Buy a Business with $1m+ in EBITDA

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 resaleShane's experience...

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2022 / 11 / 22

Buying a Business to Escape the Middle Class

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:Finding a great business on BizBuySellBlogging the search...

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2022 / 11 / 15

How to Buy a $2.3m Business with $100k in Cash + Your 401k

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 ROBSBuying a business...

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2022 / 11 / 8

How to Survive Buying a Bad Business

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 & consUnderstanding investors' role...

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2022 / 11 / 1

Buying Doggy Daycares After 10 Years in Tech

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 burnoutWorking in tech vs. running a small businessBuying...

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2022 / 10 / 25

Would They Do It Again? 1 Year Later with 5 Early Guests

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 business18:15 - Philippe Vanderhoydonck, a B2B...

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2022 / 10 / 18

How to Buy a Seasonal Biz: Buy Another for Low Season

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...

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2022 / 10 / 11

How a $40k Acquisition Led to a Franchise Empire

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 locationIs rolling up easier in...

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2022 / 10 / 4

Selling a Business for 5x a Year After Buying It

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 businessesBest type of...

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2022 / 9 / 29

Ups and Downs of Buying Small (and Keeping a Job)

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 businessThe...

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2022 / 9 / 27

Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time

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 searchingWhy...

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2022 / 9 / 20

Not Just a Young Man's Game: Acquiring at 60

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 60How Ruth Bader Ginsburg...

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2022 / 9 / 7

The Appeal of Lead Gen Businesses (Especially Old Ones)

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 fundBuying...

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2022 / 8 / 23

Rolling Up Real Estate Appraisal Firms

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...

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2022 / 8 / 16

Growing an Ecommerce Acquisition 13x in 4 Months

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 businessHow...

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2022 / 8 / 9

Flower Power: Buying a Rose Distributor Primed for Growth

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 ownership3...

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2022 / 8 / 2

A Brutal Search Rewarded with Success After 3+ Years

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 searchingConsulting in order to...

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2022 / 7 / 26

Buy a SaaS Business in 2022: How to Compete in a Hot Market

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 SaaSSaaS valuationsSaaS vs....

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2022 / 7 / 19

Leaving Apple to Buy a Real Estate Business with 150+ Agents

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...

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2022 / 7 / 15

7 Findings from the New Data on Self-Funded Searches

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...

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2022 / 7 / 12

Why Chenmark Bought a Boat Tour Business

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 equityWhat...

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2022 / 7 / 6

The Weird & Wonderful World of Vending

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. smallBuilding a big vending...

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2022 / 6 / 28

Don't Be Tempted: 8 Signs of a Bad Business

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: ValuationKiller #2: Stupid...

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2022 / 6 / 21

How to Acquire & Grow an FBA Business

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...

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2022 / 6 / 20

Good News for Ecommerce Buyers

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 20212 pieces of advice for...

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2022 / 6 / 14

Search Success in a Small City: $500k SDE, 95% Recurring

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 marketChoosing NOT to outsource due...

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2022 / 6 / 7

How to Get Good Deals from Brokers

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...

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2022 / 6 / 2

What Searchers Can Learn from Big PE

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 allAttractiveness (or not) of...

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2022 / 6 / 1

How to Buy a Big Business with a Buy-Side Advisor

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 businessWorking with a buy-side...

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2022 / 5 / 23

7 Common Mistakes Across 250 Searchers

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...

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2022 / 5 / 16

Acquiring a Business in Florida, Living in California

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 acquisitionThe importance of getting reps —...

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2022 / 5 / 9

Why Buy a Small Manufacturing Business

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...

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2022 / 5 / 2

Buying Digital Businesses in 2022

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...

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2022 / 4 / 25

Lessons from a Founder Who Then Started Acquiring

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...

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2022 / 4 / 18

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 modelHow the economics differWhy are...

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2022 / 4 / 11

8 Figure Exit, 2 Years After Buying the Business

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...

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2022 / 4 / 7

2 Common Risks in Search & How to Mitigate Them

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...

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2022 / 4 / 4

How to Buy a $4m HVAC Business (at Age 24)

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...

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2022 / 3 / 28

What to Love About HVAC Acquisitions

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...

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2022 / 3 / 24

How & When to Make Changes at Your Acquisition

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...

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2022 / 3 / 21

Shut Out by Industry Brokers, an Entrepreneur Finds a Way

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...

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2022 / 3 / 14

How to Buy a Business Using Tactics from B2B Tech Sales

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 criteriaThe...

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2022 / 3 / 7

Transatlantic Search for a $1m+ EBITDA Business

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...

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2022 / 3 / 3

Buying a 20-Year-Old Online Business

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 businessesBuying a...

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2022 / 2 / 28

6 Months in the Truck: Buying an Ice Delivery Biz

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 searchIdentifying brokers you...

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2022 / 2 / 22

Nailing the Trifecta: B2B + Remote + Scalable

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...

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2022 / 2 / 14

Overcoming a Career Rut by Buying a Business

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 businessBuying a...

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2022 / 2 / 7

Building a Blue Collar Empire

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%...

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2022 / 1 / 31

7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses

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...

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2022 / 1 / 24

How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)

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...

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2022 / 1 / 18

Buying a Business & Having a Blast

@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 companyHow to balance very...

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2022 / 1 / 13

Buying a Manufacturer with 1 Good Employee & 2000 SKUs

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 lifeWhat manufacturing is...

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2022 / 1 / 10

The Key to a Profitable 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 profitableThe major risk...

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2022 / 1 / 3

It's All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your Acquisition

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...

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2021 / 12 / 16

Choosing Laundromats over Real Estate

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...

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2021 / 12 / 13

5 Takeaways from Harvard's ETA Conference

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 industry4+1 Model for...

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2021 / 12 / 9

Lessons from 14 Years in Search

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 fundHow search has changed...

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2021 / 12 / 6

What to Acquire: 3 Hot Sectors for Business Buyers

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 you3 hot industries for...

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2021 / 11 / 30

Buying the Family Business & Growing 4x During COVID

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 memberRedefining “real”...

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2021 / 11 / 23

How to Hire an Attorney for Your Acquisition

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 lawyerWhat to...

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2021 / 11 / 15

The Argument for Self-Funded Search

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 TraditionalBuy...

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2021 / 11 / 4

Starter Acquisition: Buying a $25k Business

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...

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2021 / 11 / 1

Stay Open to the Many Flavors of Search

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 modelsThe...

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2021 / 10 / 28

From Search Misery to Successful CEO

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 searchThe biggest myth...

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2021 / 10 / 25

Buying a 45 Year Old Software Business

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...

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2021 / 10 / 21

How to Buy Landscaping Businesses

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 businessDropping customers to...

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2021 / 10 / 17

Anatomy of a Search: 40 Interns, 25 Months, 20 Offers

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...

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2021 / 10 / 14

How to Choose Your Lender When Buying a Business

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 loanChoosing the...

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2021 / 10 / 11

The Poetry of Buying a Blue Collar Business

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...

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2021 / 10 / 7

What You Don’t Understand About Buying a Small Business

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...

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2021 / 10 / 4

6 Ways Buying a Business Has Changed Since 2016

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...

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2021 / 9 / 28

How to Buy a Medical Billing Business

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/yearThe...

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2021 / 9 / 24

Investing Like an 1880s Businessman

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 businessesSaaS vs. services...

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2021 / 9 / 21

Using Investors to Buy a Business with SBA

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 searchChoosing the...

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2021 / 9 / 14

Growing a Flippa Business to $2 Million

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 FlippaWhat Martin asks himself every...

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2021 / 9 / 9

How to Build a Portfolio of Micro SaaS Businesses

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 portfolioHow to source micro...

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2021 / 9 / 6

Making a Career of Buying Businesses

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 companyHow...

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2021 / 9 / 2

Buying a $1m Coffee Biz After Years of Starting from Scratch

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 scratchThe...

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2021 / 8 / 30

Top 3 Pitfalls When Buying an Online Business

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...

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2021 / 8 / 26

Why Plumbing Companies Make Awesome Acquisitions

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 wealthWhy...

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2021 / 8 / 23

Buying an Online Side Hustle (for Less than $5k)

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 acquireAdvice to...

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2021 / 8 / 19

How to Survive Acquiring a $3.5m Flooring Business

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...

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2021 / 8 / 16

Acquiring an $8m Distressed E-Commerce Biz

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...

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2021 / 8 / 12

Buying a $1.2m Fencing Business & Earning Trust Quickly

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...

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2021 / 8 / 10

Making $100k/mo by Buying Websites

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 scratchSEO &...

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2021 / 8 / 5

Buy an E-Commerce Business: Tips from an Aggregator

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...

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2021 / 8 / 3

€5m a Year by Acquiring Translation Agencies

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...

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2021 / 7 / 29

How to Build an E-Commerce Acquisition Company

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 entrepreneursOther...

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2021 / 7 / 27

Acquiring a $280k SaaS on MicroAcquire

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...

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2021 / 7 / 22

Buy a Septic Business & Make $3m ARR

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,...

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2021 / 7 / 20

Pivoting to Swag in 7 Acquisitions Over 8 Years

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...

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2021 / 7 / 15

5 Lessons from Acquiring a $2m Portfolio of Websites

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,...

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2021 / 7 / 13

How to Buy a Ski Resort (at Age 22)

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...

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2021 / 7 / 8

How to Buy a Landscaping Business & Boost Profits Quickly

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...

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2021 / 7 / 6

How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years

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...

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2021 / 5 / 27

How to Acquire Your First Business in 3 Months

How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months.Reach Philippe Vanderhoydonck at:LinkedInHis acquisition, PETS InternationalKey points...

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2021 / 5 / 20

How to Buy a $800k Clinical Trials Firm & Grow It to $3m

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%...

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2021 / 4 / 16

Buying a Manufacturer for Just the Value of Assets

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...

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2021 / 4 / 9

How to Buy a $2m Dying Business Then Sell 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...

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2021 / 4 / 1

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 earningsGenerated $200k...

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