Acquiring Minds

Afleveringen

1. Buying a 138-Year-Old Navy Bell Maker

   22 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 25 min

   Afspelen
   Jon Hyatt was under LOI on a dental practice when a late-night Craigslist search turned up one he couldn't resist. Lees meer

   Register for the webinar:

   Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to Close - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4s1pAWV

   Topics in Jon’s interview:

   Using Facebook groups for industry research

   Why labor became a search constraint

   The abandoned dental roll-up thesis

   Discovering E.J. Willis on Craigslist

   Falling for a 138-year-old heritage brand

   Buying a tiny business

   Navigating an asset purchase and carve-out

   Selling bells to defense shipbuilders

   Building direct-to-consumer bell demand

   Reviving forgotten products and company history

   References and how to contact Jon:

   LinkedIn

   E.J. Willis Co.

   The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

   The Acquisition Lab

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

   Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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

   Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

2. Take Over the Business Before You Buy It

   19 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 20 min

   Afspelen
   Elias Youssef stepped into an unprofitable plumbing company as its GM, grew it 6x, then got an SBA loan to buy it. Lees meer

   Register for the webinar:

   Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to Close - Thu, Oct 22 - https://bit.ly/4B7XVHU

   Topics in Elias’s interview:

   Dropping out of community college

   Stacking cash as an appliance salesman

   Early real estate joint ventures

   Breaking even on an assisted living acquisition

   Seeking out HVAC mentorship

   The brutality of cold calling

   Operating before buying

   Majority equity is majority work

   Buying is easy. Running it is the hard part.

   Getting out of operations

   References and how to contact Elias:

   LinkedIn

   Frost and Flow

   Elias’s announcement of Kyle’s acquisition

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

   Pioneer Capital Advisory

   Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

   Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

   Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:

   Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

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

   15 oktober 2026 · 2 uur 7 min

   Afspelen
   Jay Boren bought a tiny grease tool business run out of a living room, then grew it into a brand with 250 products. Lees meer

   Register for the webinar:

   The Small Things That Sink First-Year Owners - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3VAOWiq

   Topics in Jay’s interview:

   Choosing Vermont over Silicon Valley

   Solving geography through ETA

   Discovering LockNLube through Tuck

   Turning a grease coupler into opportunity

   Navigating a hostile South African supplier

   Buying LockNLube as an intern

   Structuring a heavily seller-financed acquisition

   Expanding from one SKU to 250

   Scaling through digital advertising and Amazon

   Exiting LockNLube and staying through integration

   References and how to contact Jay:

   LinkedIn

   LockNLube

   Jarrett Burke on Acquiring Minds: When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy

   Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:

   Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com

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

   Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

   Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

   Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

4. Side Hustle Acquisition to $5m in Revenue

   12 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 22 min

   Afspelen
   Brendan Guerin was 21 when he and 3 friends bought a dog daycare on the side. Today: 6 Midwest locations. Lees meer

   Register for the webinars:

   Debt Financing Your Deal (SBA & Independent Sponsor) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rRpQaY

   The Small Things That Sink First-Year Owners - Thu, Oct 15 - https://bit.ly/4idBtVx

   Topics in Brendan’s interview:

   He bought his first doggy daycare at 21

   The first acquisition was a deliberate starter deal

   Four partners split ownership and responsibilities.

   The $1.1M deal included real estate

   EBITDA margins approached 50% before rent

   Buying real estate protects long-term business control

   Midwest real estate makes their model work

   Covid unexpectedly supercharged dog daycare demand

   Brendan eventually left finance to operate full-time

   Today, Argos spans six Midwest locations

   References and how to contact Brendan:

   LinkedIn

   brendan@argospartners.com

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

   Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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

   Pioneer Capital Advisory

   The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

   The Acquisition Lab

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

5. The Roll-Up with No Investors & No Clock

   8 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 42 min

   Afspelen
   Tyler Hoffman has bought 4 telecom companies with no outside equity, and works 15 hours a week to get to $50m. Lees meer

   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:

   LinkedIn

   Hoffman Capital

   Metro Wireless

   Jeff Homer’s webinar: Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up

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

   Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

   The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

   The Acquisition Lab

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

   Pioneer Capital Advisory

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

6. $33m Holdco: Teddy Bears to Insurance Claims

   5 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 2 min

   Afspelen
   Colin King and his 50/50 partner have paid themselves little since 2018, reinvesting profits back into their businesses. Lees meer

   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:

   colin@circlecitycapitalgroup.com

   LinkedIn

   Colin King’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Build a $28m Holdco (in 6 Years)

   Circle City Capital Group

   Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

   Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

   Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:

   Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com

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

   Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

7. The $150k Hiding in the Business He Bought

   1 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 30 min

   Afspelen
   Patrick Dunphy acquired a low-seven-figure interpreter agency, then halved its collection times in year one. Lees meer

   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 transition

   Growing through new markets and government contracts

   References and how to contact Patrick:

   LinkedIn

   JS Languages

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

   Pioneer Capital Advisory

   Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

   Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

   Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:

   Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

8. How to Buy a $2.1m Business Without the SBA

   28 september 2026 · 1 uur 28 min

   Afspelen
   Jack Rauch left politics for a niche Florida business no bank would finance. He's doubled revenue twice since. Lees meer

   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 unexpected growth

   Doubling revenue during each ownership year

   Joining industry leadership to reduce regulatory risk

   References and how to contact Jack:

   LinkedIn

   Tew & Taylor

   The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

   The Acquisition Lab

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

   Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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

   Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

9. Buying a $7.3m Golf Course with No Money Down

   24 september 2026 · 1 uur 30 min

   Afspelen
   Kyle Holmes spent 8 years running Quail Ridge for its investor owners. Then they asked if he wanted to buy it. Lees meer

   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 range

   Improving Quail Ridge before buying the business

   Valuing land worth more than operations

   Negotiating from $6.5 million to $7.3 million

   Financing with SBA, conventional, and seller debt

   References and how to contact Kyle:

   LinkedIn

   Quail Ridge Golf Club

   Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:

   Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com

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

   Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

   Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

   Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

   Connect with Acquiring Minds:

   See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

   Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

   Follow Will on Twitter

   Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

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

    21 september 2026 · 1 uur 31 min

    Afspelen
    Manolo Diaz Corrada came home to Puerto Rico to build for decades and keep the wealth from leaving the island. Lees meer

    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 connections

    Navigating SBA financing challenges in Puerto Rico

    Using reputation as a due diligence tool

    Betting on Puerto Rico’s infrastructure boom

    Using backlog to underwrite acquisition risk

    Structuring a deal with seller financing

    References and how to contact Manolo:

    LinkedIn

    Bonneville Group

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

    Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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

    Pioneer Capital Advisory

    The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

    The Acquisition Lab

    Connect with Acquiring Minds:

    See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel

    Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn

    Follow Will on Twitter

    Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

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