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 busines
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 portfolio Don’t call them private equity Why Colin stopped wanting operational roles Why critical mass matters for holdcos He still earn less than operators Holdco strategy versus industry-specific rollups The fox versus hedgehog framework Learning through hands-on operating experience Why chasing money can make things harder Costly mistakes and failed acquisitions References and how to contact Colin:…
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 ownership Why Patrick chose ownership over corporate success Three years searching while working full-time Turning red flags into acquisition opportunities Why intrinsic value matters beyond financial returns Building a scalable, contractor-driven service business Structuring an SBA acquisition without seller financing Cutting payment times in half through better invoicing Preserving trust through a quiet ownership…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4hrFwge Topics in Jack’s interview: From the White House to entrepreneurship Discovering an overlooked private provider niche Customers helped save the business How private inspections accelerate construction projects Expanding beyond the seller's tiny territory Navigating licensing requirements without industry experience Financing the deal without SBA backing Raising prices and finding…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4xvNj2E Sizing an SBA Loan to the Cash Flow - Tue, Sep 29 - https://bit.ly/4y1Xr4a Topics in Kyle’s interview: Growing up in a golf family Running Quail Ridge before becoming an owner Being approached about buying the golf course Golf’s boom, recession, and post-COVID resurgence Michigan’s surprisingly strong golf market Revenue from golf, dining, events, and driving…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4yJUdSX Protect the Business: How to Diligence Insurance Pre-Close - Thu, Sep 24 - https://bit.ly/4rlZei3 Topics in Manolo’s interview: Building a career across engineering, business, and law Fighting Puerto Rico’s brain drain Launching a self-funded search in a tiny market Why traditional search fund investor passed on Puerto Rico Finding an acquisition through family…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4r81edB Working Capital: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing - Tue, Sep 22 - https://bit.ly/4gZWFxh Topics in Morli’s interview: Acquiring a skincare brand Why she felt confident in the company Early red flags she minimized Amazon shipping disaster Rising cost per click 8-12% customer retention rate Unique challenges of ecommerce Negotiating multiple loan deferrals…
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 - https://bit.ly/3VqwuZu Topics in Rob’s interview: Choosing an industry where he had an edge Buying smaller to reduce debt risk Understanding prepaid customer obligations Using ChatGPT to learn HVAC Making changes immediately after acquisition Inheriting a GM and long-tenured employees Digitizing operations and increasing accountability Transforming a blame culture into a problem-solving…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4hVeKik Topics in Adam’s interview: Built a $1.5M accounting firm Business brokerage opened the acquisition door Wanted a business his daughter could appreciate An escape room caught his attention Fixed costs created massive operating leverage Bought the business for roughly $220K Put about $35K into the deal Business acquisition as a tax strategy Re-engaged customers and local…
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 - https://bit.ly/4zKAGTN Topics in Mike’s interview: Led major Air Force medical practice Found a search partner with complementary skill sets Bet on distressed businesses with liquidation value Found a deal through veteran ETA Slack Speed beat the highest bid Immediately cut $1.4M in annualized expenses Raised gross margins from 7% to 49% Shifted from silos to teamwork Emphasis on ongoing staff…
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 everything Falling down the Warren Buffett rabbit hole Why auto repair beat real estate Funding a deal without an SBA loan Running a business while keeping a W-2 Winning over skeptical employees after closing Planning a mini Berkshire Hathaway Is EV adoption really a threat? Buying a second business just months later Collision shops vs. repair shops References and how to contact Sujith: LinkedIn The Billionaire Who Wasn’t by…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4gXkwPt Topics in Jonathan & Courtney’s interview: Their background in oil & gas Turning down an offer from Apple Improving their investor pitch Traveling extensively to search Acquiring a niche healthcare software company Using all equity, no debt, for the deal Using an earn-out to resolve valuation disagreements Having a baby during the acquisition process The hire they wish…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4hGNwMi Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - Tue, Sep 1 - https://bit.ly/4qc7dxx Topics in Andrew & Alex’s interview: Meeting at BCG Partnership provided accountability and motivation Looking for direct-impact roles Prioritizing speed with brokered search Their vision to build a holdco Winsor Fireform makes uniquely durable signage Employee growth = key success metric…
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! - https://bit.ly/4ccatTW New SBA Rules: What Business Buyers Need to Know - Thu, Aug 27 - https://bit.ly/4c3b6zj Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - Tue, Sep 1 - https://bit.ly/4zdTbj2 Topics in Jeff’s interview: Building a music school roll-up Scaling through monthly acquisitions Expanding into dance schools Back-office value creation Transitioning from operator to CEO Building…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4qg4P9k Licenses & Regulatory Issues When Buying a Business - Tue, Aug 25 - https://bit.ly/4wTADDf Topics in Neil’s interview: Neil’s previous appearance on Acquiring Minds His background in hedge funds Pain of buying small Managing labor and no-shows Implementing a hybrid-pay model for techs The acquisition that tripled his revenue Christmas lights services in the off season…
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 13 - https://bit.ly/4wPHY6R Topics in Jesse’s interview: Buying a business for flexibility Geographical search in New Jersey Lowering his minimum SDE threshold to $300K Acquiring 2 Mosquito Joe territories His plan to build wealth through franchise roll-ups Modest growth followed by shrink How other owners handle the off-season Taking a W2 with the intent to sell Inability to find a…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4z0fkBx Topics in Greyson’s interview: Founding software startups ETA as a path to stability Getting his education with Acquisition Lab Finding business brokers through Google Maps Uncovered niche church pew restoration business Competitor closure created significant growth opportunity Church visit reinforced acquisition decision Hired bilingual ops manager to bridge…
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 - https://bit.ly/4wUCNSY Topics in Chibunna’s interview: His family’s immigration story from Nigeria Interest in how American healthcare works Learning to manage risk in business school Acquiring a service provider for veterans Government shutdown meant no revenue first 2 months Post-acquisition liquidity for the win Challenges veterans face back home Answering the after-hours phone himself…
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 - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4yGEhSe Topics in Randy’s interview: From insurance lawyer to business operator Leading 300 employees at age 29 Why ownership beats being the hired gun Switching to a traditional search fund Investors bet on operators, not deal finders River guides unlock industries and warm introductions Inside the $31 million acquisition structure Why every CEO needs a strong CFO…
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, Aug 6 - https://bit.ly/4pY7VOX Topics in Gabriel’s interview: Lessons learned from his dad’s business Getting bored in the oil and gas industry Joining ETA Circle in Houston Leaning on his warehouse management experience Acquiring a tile and marble company Failing to dig deep into historical revenue Using technology to eliminate 2 admin roles Negative working capital in home remodels…
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 search” Wanted flexibility to start a family Austin-only geographic search Found partner through Searchfunder First deal: Austin landscaping company Buying a second business within 6 months Making quick changes to the business Undisclosed liabilities and customer-stealing employees Closing both businesses and facing bankruptcy References and how to contact Edgar: LinkedIn Work with an…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4frQstm Topics in Raj’s interview: Wanting to move “from coach to quarterback” Buying a niche point-of-sale software company Converting to cloud-based SaaS Growing recurring revenue from $4 to $11 million Establishing a headquarters for the remote company A failed exit to private equity His biggest customer stealing his software Emotional turmoil of Covid + lawsuit Choosing to…
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 - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4f8pSGY Topics in Patrick interview: Entrepreneurship in his family Zoom fatigue from remote work Searching in Northeast Ohio Finding a business through his network Meeting with the seller for almost a year Structuring 10% down, 90% seller note Underestimating working capital needs Keeping his W-2 until the business grew Quadrupling revenue in 2 years Working on…
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 - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/3T4OQOJ Working Capital: One of ETA’s Most Expensive Mistakes - Thu, Jul 23 - https://bit.ly/3T1aELe Topics in Brian’s interview: Leaving his corporate career at Adobe Finding a business through his network Acquiring for $400k cash Getting a personal line of credit through his bank Direct mail is still effective Growth is a lot of work Humbling experience of…
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 Make the Transition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4aKP3fY Don't Rush: How to Prepare for a Quality of Earnings Report - Tue, Jul 21 - https://bit.ly/4feY1DP Topics in Rob’s interview: Geographic search in the Triad of North Carolina Networking with local business owners Finding a business through Axial Buying a marketing and consumer research agency His choice to stay out of the weeds…
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 Make the Transition - Thu, Jul 16 - https://bit.ly/4vRBhk8 Topics in Chris’s interview: Going through Acquisition Lab First deal fell through on Christmas Eve Acquiring an ecommerce business with a warehouse Buying inventory he didn’t want The marketing agencies that hurt his business Business almost tanked due to website glitch Doing $10k in sales per day Hardship of traveling every…
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!! - https://bit.ly/4fcxTdK Topics in Gina’s interview: Leaving corporate for more family time Decoupling her salary from her value Acquiring the supplier for her side gig Her mistake with buying inventory Keeping her corporate job the first year Going full time in the business to focus on sales Standing out by making sales calls in-person Operating a highly seasonal business How tariffs have affected her…
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 - https://bit.ly/4eMaUow Topics in Paul’s interview: M&A, integrations, and private equity experience COVID Zoom fatigue sparked career pivot Atlanta’s crowded deal market challenges Hiring buy-side help while still working Pursuing full ownership without outside investors Navigating two simultaneous LOIs carefully Choosing SBA 504 over 7(a) financing for the real estate Acquiring a high capex…
Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime. Topics in Jeff interview: Switching from high finance to music schools Buying his first music school as a side project Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions Acquiring a music school every month Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling Comparing profitability of music vs. dance Importance of general managers in scaling Implementing apps to streamline operations Other industries with roll-up potential Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide References…
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 manufacturing Manufacturing is important for our country 7 years operating before searching The manufacturing concept of “going to Gemba” His 4-year part-time search Taking time weekly to develop his leaders Partnering with his dad Modernizing 1970s technology Managing 75% customer concentration Renegotiating payment terms with his largest customer References and how to contact Caleb: LinkedIn Springfield Tool & Die Get…
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 - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4v3KOnf Topics in Ned’s interview: Being the first American in his family Utilizing 20 interns for outreach Acquiring with help from a search fund Post-closing discovery led to lawsuit Stress shows up in your body first Getting guidance from his coach and mentors Reducing shrink from 20% to 3% Quadrupling EBITDA in 3 years Taking a year off after exiting His new…
About Acquiring Minds
Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co
Acquiring Minds is a English business podcast from Will Smith. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
