Episode notes
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…
Acquiring Minds
by Will Smith · English · Business
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
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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! - 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…
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20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
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!! - 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…
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17 Aug 2026 · 59 min
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 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…
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10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
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 - 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…
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6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
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 - 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…
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3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
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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…
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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 repeatedly Finding and acquiring Metro Wireless Filling experience gaps with charisma Financing the $4.5 million acquisition Navigating a difficult ownership transition Discovering hidden operational problems post-close Losing half of earnings — and surviving Rebuilding Metro Wireless through operational improvements 3 tuck-in acquisitions Balancing business growth with personal autonomy References and how to contact Tyler:…
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$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 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:…
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1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
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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…
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