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504 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Buying Then Losing a $2.1m HVAC Business
30 april 2026 · 1 uur 53 min
Dan Burnside thought he got a great deal on an $800k SDE business. Instead he'd bought bad faith and years of struggle. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to Get Banks on Board - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sO0MAt
Topics in Dan’s interview:
Buying in a small, rural area
Discovering seller fraud after acquisition
Key employee leaves and starts competing business
Working to integrate himself into the community
HVAC techs resisted technology changes
Wife and kids unhappy in the new place
Getting his Master Mechanical Contractor license
Customers not paying their invoices
Hiring challenges in rural areas
Bankruptcy and his new AI venture
References and how to contact Dan:
LinkedIn
Jan Roll on Acquiring Minds: 21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE Business
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
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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From $1m to $25m in 6 Years
27 april 2026 · 1 uur 56 min
Jeff Flannery is a great example of how franchising complements ETA, having rolled up 17 units since starting in 2019. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price Adjustments - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4u9KyD6
Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to Get Banks on Board - Thu, Apr 30 - https://bit.ly/3OpzRgx
Topics in Jeff’s interview:
Difference between a practice and a business
18 years of running a procurement recruiting firm
Acquiring a failing Hand and Stone location
Improving the franchisee playbook
Ask franchisees for the actual profit margins
Mastering the business from the bottom up
Working 100-hour weeks for years
Implementing enrollment fees
Running spas in California through Covid
Building an inbound and outbound offshore call center
References and how to contact Jeff:
LinkedIn
jflannery@purpleeaglespas.com
Hand & Stone
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
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.
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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The Searchers Building a $10m EBITDA Powerhouse
23 april 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Nicolás Lulli bought a document storage business in Peru. 6 years later, it is a $25m leader in the Andean region. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price Adjustments - Tue, Apr 28 - https://bit.ly/490Ms0q
Topics in Nicolás’s interview:
First employee at Relay Investments search fund
Launched Peru’s first search fund, Colca Capital
Covid lockdowns erased profits almost overnight
Rebuilding the business into a tight submarine
From $0 EBITDA to $5m in one year
Shifted focus toward acquisitions for faster growth
Records storage is a real estate business
Invests in other searchers to pay it forward
The cradle-to-grave strategy in records management
Building a searcher community in Peru
References and how to contact Nicolás:
LinkedIn
Colca Capital
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.
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
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Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer
20 april 2026 · 1 uur 32 min
Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey. Lees meer
Topics in Greg’s interview:
Fifteen years learning systems at Sysco Foods
Failed startup revealed builder, not founder path
Helped scale trucking roll-up through industry consolidation
Revisiting his “heck no” pile
Invests in timeless blue-collar essential industries
Late-40s searches benefit from life experience
Spouse alignment essential before risking family security
His wife’s perspective on the process
Growth comes from removing operational friction
His wife’s perspective on the process
References and how to contact Greg:
LinkedIn
Hirsch Ventures
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
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How Business-Buyer Fit Led to 2.2x and No PG
16 april 2026 · 1 uur 34 min
Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4smYdoQ
Topics in Joseph’s interview:
Trading a mid–six-figure salary for business ownership
Wanting to “build his own ladder” instead of climbing someone else’s
Buying a medical equipment distribution and service company
Designing and outfitting hospital operating rooms
45% net margins on $2M in revenue
Raising service prices 20–50% in his first six weeks
Navigating “lumpy” project-based revenue cycles
Structuring a $1.35M deal with seller financing
Putting only $120K down with no personal guarantee
A post-closing banking freeze that forced him to cover payroll
References and how to contact Joseph:
LinkedIn
Surgical Specialties of Georgia
Iris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home
Brian Hartman on Acquiring Minds: The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business
The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:
The Acquisition Lab
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying a Business to Balance Ambition and Kids
13 april 2026 · 1 uur 46 min
Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Your First Finance Hires After Buying a Business - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3OvsNic
Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - Thu, Apr 16 - https://bit.ly/3PYIhf8
Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:
Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
Built custom AI app for operations tracking
Bought a job first, business later
References and how to contact Ana Lia:
LinkedIn
Kelly Green
Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on how the new SBA rules affect her
Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on the pre- and post-closing gap in understanding her business
Gabe Perez on Acquiring Minds: One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away
Darryl Lindie on Acquiring Minds: Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business
Nick Haschka on Acquiring Minds: How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
A Search Fund Journey to $350m
9 april 2026 · 1 uur 30 min
Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4va4hUm
Topics in Jenna’s interview:
Investment banking during the 2008 crisis
Launching a traditional search fund with her brother
Golden Retrievers led to an acquisition
Acquiring a $100 million company
Financial risk of being a “price taker”
Expanding through M&A
Software “Trojan Horse” strategy
How they decide which states to expand to
Managing a 25% staff turnover rate
Realities of home care and compliance incidents
References and how to contact Jenna:
LinkedIn
Abound Health
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
"Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business
6 april 2026 · 1 uur 53 min
Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM). Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
What Type of Franchise Is Right for You? - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/48gn6eH
The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner - Thu, Apr 9 - https://bit.ly/4m7lSZ7
Topics in Joseph’s interview:
Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
The laundromat that started it all
Running an “oh sh*t” business
Construction seasonality in Chicago
Last-minute GM retirement before closing
Running the business while still working his W-2 job
The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner
References and how to contact Joseph:
LinkedIn
A&A LinkedIn
A&A Equipment and Supply Co.
Articles by Joseph:
From Spreadsheets to Steel-Toed Boots: Lessons from the First Few Months as an Entrepreneur
Small Businesses are Small for a Reason: What It Really Takes to Modernize a 40-Year-Old Distribution Business
The Real Work Begins: Midway Through My First Year as a Business Owner
Top 10 lessons from my first year of owning a business
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
From Small Acquisition to $30m Industry Leader
2 april 2026 · 1 uur 41 min
It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4d9F2en
Topics in Robin’s interview:
Upbringing in the meat industry
Early career in investment banking and M&A
Her 4-year search for a business
Always visit the competitors
Critique of the 2-year search clock
"Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
Her 3 non-negotiables
Turning around the gift basket business
Solving their storage problem
The payoff and price of high ambition
References and how to contact Robin:
LinkedIn
Baskits
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:
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
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How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years
30 maart 2026 · 1 uur 54 min
Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4bAIbTj
Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - Thu, Apr 2 - https://bit.ly/4rUHngL
Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:
Childhood friends turned business partners
Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
Consolidating units within the Meineke system
Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital
References and how to contact Jack and Jake:
Jack Foster’s LinkedIn
Jake McLaughlin’s LinkedIn
Meineke
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
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Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years
26 maart 2026 · 1 uur 27 min
Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions- TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4m4gsy5
Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - Tue, Mar 31 - https://bit.ly/4uW6rXG
Topics in Corey’s interview:
His 20-year career in HVAC
Failed buyout of the family business
Simultaneous launch and acquisition
Buying a truck and a phone number
Build-to-sell philosophy
Growth through online marketing
Waiting too long to hire managers
Taking vacations no matter what
Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
Exiting to private equity in under 4 years
References and how to contact Corey:
completeairquality@gmail.com
Cool By Design
Patrick Lange
Patrick Norris on Acquiring Minds: Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
23 maart 2026 · 1 uur 33 min
Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions - Thurs March 26th - https://bit.ly/4lT2ajG
Topics in Eric’s interview:
Navy SEAL career and retirement
Performing the basics at a high level
His tree service side hustle
Old school proprietary search
Buying an off-market paving company
Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
40% revenue growth in 13 months
Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
Using his military clearance to win jobs
References and how to contact Eric:
LinkedIn
Peninsula Paving
Hunter at Hanger Law
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business
19 maart 2026 · 1 uur 31 min
After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sa946l
Topics in Brian’s interview:
Career in investment banking/hedge funds
Closure of his firm
Pursuing small business as an asset class
Low multiples are fairly valued
Acquiring in manufacturing
Learning every operational function himself
Acquiring with no debt
Being away from his family M-F
His big mistake during Covid
Selling to his COO
References and how to contact Brian:
LinkedIn
His essay on the experience: Deco Manufacturing Summary and Lessons
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron
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A $6.5m Business Worth Flying To
16 maart 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA Loans - Tue March 17th - https://bit.ly/4luTdgd
How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - Thurs March 19th - https://bit.ly/4dnIwtD
Topics in Naveen’s interview:
Army experience as a tank mechanic
Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
Getting brokers to take him seriously
Searching for a business one plane hop away
Acquiring an aerial work platform business
Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
9-12 month sales cycle
Improving employee morale
Being away from his family during the week
References and how to contact Naveen:
LinkedIn
Bailey Cranes
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Bricklayer to Blue-Collar Empire
12 maart 2026 · 1 uur 35 min
After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - TODAY - https://bit.ly/46K82p5
Topics in Justin’s interview:
His early career as a stone mason
Growing his side jobs into a company
Liquidating his real estate investments
Focusing on masonry niches
Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
Recruiting managers based on work ethic
His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
Keeping company names the same after buying
The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies
References and how to contact Justin:
LinkedIn
Escajeda Holdings
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
No SBA Loan and $75k Out of Pocket
9 maart 2026 · 1 uur 25 min
After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - Thu March 12 - https://bit.ly/4ctCJCw
Topics in Megan’s interview:
Family background in pest control
Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
Starting out in traditional search
Investors declined to support a deal she loved
Pivoting to self-funded search
Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
Buying from a young seller
Managing 75 properties
Her profitable first year
References and how to contact Megan:
LinkedIn
Tato Corcoran’s recap episode: How to 4x a Small Manufacturer
Edward McDonnell on Acquiring Minds: Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
Matt Orley on Acquiring Minds: Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
Guesthouses
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Growing Profits 30% in the First 1.5 Years
5 maart 2026 · 1 uur 31 min
Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales. Lees meer
Topics in Jonathan’s interview:
Searching while working full-time
His “now or never” moment approaching 40
Restricting his search to Los Angeles
Over-equitizing the deal
Structuring a forgivable seller note
Accepting 60% ownership
Finding long-term hold investors
Buying from a non-retiring seller
Christian stewardship principles
Growing revenue 40%
References and how to contact Jonathan:
LinkedIn
AEK Technology
Phil Koller on Acquiring Minds: Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business
Shaun Stimpson on Acquiring Minds: Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Second Time's the Charm as Owner of a $4m Business
2 maart 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving. Lees meer
Topics in Joe’s interview:
Background in law and operations
Divorce as a catalyst for change
Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
Doing cleanup himself
His original growth thesis failed
Selling the cleanup business
His “Codie Sanchez phase”
Prioritizing geography in his search
Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
Building competitive advantage
References and how to contact Joe:
LinkedIn
joe@mallardsystems.com
Mallard Systems
Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: Shortening Your Search: Big 3 Little 2
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
26 februari 2026 · 1 uur 30 min
Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
SMB Cybersecurity: Why Operators Need a Risk Assessment - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4u2GO7d
Topics in Edward’s interview:
Mechanical engineering at Honda
Choosing traditional search for budget
Acquiring an indoor plant/landscaping business
Going in with no management experience
Digitizing the back office
Constantly repeating the company vision
Using EOS for efficient meetings
Growing to 8 branches in 5 states
Exiting and staying on as CEO
Searching for his next business in Virginia
References and how to contact Edward:
LinkedIn
Botanical Designs
am@monroehillgp.com
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Year 1 in a $300k SDE Services Business
23 februari 2026 · 1 uur 30 min
Scott Crosby weathered the challenges that come with buying a 4.5-employee services business, and Year 2 is looking up. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3OQhm4l
SMB Cybersecurity: Why Operators Need a Risk Assessment - Thu, Feb 26 - https://bit.ly/4bY1KWe
Topics in Scott’s interview:
His 2 major career-defining moments
20-hour days in film production
Risks of buying from younger owners
Economic development resource centers: a hidden gem
Looking for business-buyer fit
Using an analysis tool he found on TikTok
First-time buyer mistakes
Replacing nearly the entire staff
Underestimating the stress of ownership
Modernizing dusty operations
References and how to contact Scott:
LinkedIn
scottallencrosby@gmail.com
American Services St. Louis
Scott’s interview prep sheet
Buy the deal analyzer spreadsheet
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
How to 4x a Small Manufacturer
19 februari 2026 · 1 uur 14 min
Tato Corcoran returns with updates on her ownership of a sink maker that had just $400k in revenue when she bought it. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Red Flags That Kill or Reshape Deals - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4rsjvla
Topics in Tato’s interview:
Growing her top line revenue
Finding a mentor at Starbucks
Creating an employee handbook
Reconfiguring the factory with new equipment
How she implements extreme ownership
Profit First accounting
Being tied to the real estate market
Goals for her real estate portfolio
Being a woman in manufacturing
When she may be open to selling
References and how to contact Tato:
LinkedIn
Brandt Molded Marble
Tato's first interview: When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold
16 februari 2026 · 1 uur 22 min
Don Grigg reflects on the different outcomes for 2 businesses he bought in his 30s, one of which became his life's work. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Red Flags That Kill or Reshape Deals - Feb 19th - https://bit.ly/468vw6W
Topics in Don’s interview:
Discovering his passion for manufacturing
Searching for “small, broken companies” to acquire
Closing on 2 businesses within 6 months
How plastics recycling works
Scaling his plastics recycling business
Private equity is a poor fit for small business
Exiting his business felt like losing family
His son and daughter’s acquisition
Value of family businesses
Entrepreneurship through acquisition as your life’s work
References and how to contact Don:
LinkedIn
Native Watercraft
Bonafide Kayaks
Enough by John C. Bogle
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
How to Own 20% of Multiple SMBs
12 februari 2026 · 1 uur 55 min
In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions. Lees meer
Topics in Evan’s interview:
Entering the Airbnb space
Joining Ben Kelly’s acquisition group
Buying a commercial cleaning business
Being a remote “workaholic”
Realizing he bought a business in distress
First year in survival mode
Getting a team of great managers in place
His “Equity in Kind” partner model
Enjoying search more than operations
Building a holding company
References and how to contact Evan:
LinkedIn
Quality Cleaning Service
Gail Hamilton Azodo on Acquiring Minds: Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 Years
Meridian Peak Capital
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
$20m Net Worth After 25 Years Buying Businesses
9 februari 2026 · 1 uur 37 min
He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Why Deal Flow Isn’t Your Biggest Problem - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4ah8L1E
Topics in Paul’s interview:
Background in Big Six accounting
Buying the first business he looked at
Partnering with his brother
Downsizing his lifestyle in the beginning
Underestimating working capital needs
Detailed partnership agreements
You are not smarter than the seller
Pivoting to remodeling after 2008 crash
Acquisition vs startup success rates
His BizBuyPro community
References and how to contact Paul:
LinkedIn
paul@bizbuypro.com
Kiplinger Today Newsletter
Confessions of a Millionaire
Gobundance
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
SBA Deal Structuring to Manage Risk in a Cyclical Industry
5 februari 2026 · 1 uur 44 min
Andrew Kurzrok connected with his seller over his manufacturing background, leading to a successful deal and transition. Lees meer
Topics in Andrew’s interview:
Background in science and national labs
Spending all his time traveling for work
Wanting to stop traveling when his son was born
Studying management at Yale
Gaining management experience before searching
Making a “no” list
Success with cold calling business owners
Putting down 25% equity
Regional moat of sheet metal
His “crawl, walk, run” approach to operations
References and how to contact Andrew:
LinkedIn
Hopewell Sheet Metal Manufacturing
Heather Endresen’s working capital webinar: Working Capital for SMB Acquisitions
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
$250k SDE Acquisition: Limited Downside, Big Upside
2 februari 2026 · 1 uur 14 min
Sensing untapped potential, Ville-Matias Vilén bought a sub-million manufacturer with good IP and global distribution. Lees meer
Topics in Ville’s interview:
Desire to “eat what he kills”
1990’s Finnish Recession
Aversion to solving people problems
Acquiring a cattle brush manufacturer
Funding his deal in Finland
Patents as a moat
Relocating the manufacturing 5 hours away
Sharing ownership with his family’s company
Goal to grow 5x in 5 years
Long-term holdco vision
References and how to contact Ville:
LinkedIn
FinnEasy
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
The Late 40s Pivot Into Business Buying
29 januari 2026 · 1 uur 36 min
Despite success in corporate, Jarom Wren wanted more freedom, so he traded 5 figures of salary for 7 figures of revenue. Lees meer
Topics in Jarom’s interview:
Realizing he was renting himself to a corporation
Mid-career risk assessment
Searching for a digital business
Choosing the lowest cost Q of E
“Deals want to die”
Risks of a 4-year old e-com business
Offering education as well as DIY products
Deciding against using ROBS
Buying 70% of the company
His first year report card
References and how to contact Jarom:
LinkedIn
Vanlife Outfitters
Harley Sitner on Acquiring Minds: Building a Beloved Brand from a Tiny, Dying Business
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
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
-
The First Steps to a Family Holdco
26 januari 2026 · 1 uur 35 min
Family planning and entrepreneurship converged as Linh & Leo Van Deibel bought their first (and not last) business. Lees meer
Topics in Linh & Leo’s interview:
Making the case for business acquisition
Taking family planning into account
Searching in the UK as a non-citizen
Being taken seriously as an Asian woman
Their goal of building a holdco
Thousands of meetings with sellers
Search is a numbers game
Brutal IVF process
Giving up on acquiring SaaS
Buying an engineering consulting firm
References and how to contact Linh & Leo:
Linh Van Deibel LinkedIn
Leo Deibel LinkedIn
Their acquisition, Infrastructure Design Solutions
Linh Tran on Acquiring Minds: The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying a Platform with an SBA Loan
22 januari 2026 · 1 uur 42 min
Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
What You’re Really Paying: Net Working Capital & Net Debt Explained - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/49WI4Ao
Topics in Jacob’s interview:
Recommending markets of 50k-100k people
Scraping BizBuySell listings
Reaching out to 200 potential investors
Raising $1 million equity in 2 weeks
Advantages/disadvantages of searching under 30
Moving across the country for the transition
Flying home on weekends
Growing to reduce customer concentration
His responsibility to employees
Growing 50% in 2 years
References and how to contact Jacob:
Jacob’s YouTube channel
Floors Galore
LinkedIn
Jordan Dubin on Acquiring Minds: First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
The Contrarian Bet on a Digital Agency
19 januari 2026 · 1 uur 44 min
George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Which Franchise Industries Make Sense in 2026? - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4jQCN0U
What You’re Really Paying: Net Working Capital & Net Debt Explained - Jan 22nd - https://bit.ly/49mgU5Y
Topics in George’s interview:
Turning around an Amazon seller’s agency
Acquiring 2 small ecommerce businesses
Loving the customers more than the product
Selling his camping equipment business
Acquiring an SEO agency
Extreme difficulty getting a loan
Big banks aren’t always better
Choosing cold calling despite challenges
Industry knowledge is overrated
Being a “recovering, type-A control freak”
References and how to contact George:
LinkedIn
Grant and Julia Hensel on Acquiring Minds: Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business
15 januari 2026 · 1 uur 24 min
Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4r5RsI3
Topics in Philip’s interview:
Preferred working in a small company
His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA
Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Importance of having his wife on board
Paused search due to upcoming second child
Bought Roman Enterprises, an automotive paint distributor
Inherited exactly 1 employee
Did door-to-door sales to learn market
Managed customer and supplier concentration risk
Drew perseverance from grandfather’s Holocaust survival
References and how to contact Philip:
LinkedIn
Roman Enterprises
Ben Jasper on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a Manufacturer with $1m in Cash Flow
Jerod Pierce on Acquiring Minds: From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
12 januari 2026 · 1 uur 25 min
Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3YtLIvp
From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - Jan 15th - https://bit.ly/4qJ1Xk5
Topics in Matt’s interview:
Investment properties as a side hustle
Evolving short-term rental ecosystem
Difficult transition with the seller
Influence of Airbnb on customer expectations
Importance of clear communication
Rolling up property management companies
Concentrating on one region of the country
Difference between urban and rural markets
Launching a membership program
Putting the brand first when making decisions
References and how to contact Matt:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Red Cottage
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
8-Figure Exit After 5 Years
8 januari 2026 · 1 uur 20 min
Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3KW7aWL
Topics in Adam’s interview:
Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner
Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing
Focusing on EBITDA over revenue
A construction mistake that cost the company dearly
Parsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar”
Advantages of being in a high-growth geographical area
Improving customer service to stand out
Exiting after 5 years
Adrenaline rush of sharing his payday with employees
How it feels to be a millionaire
References and how to contact Adam:
LinkedIn
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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Complexity Hides Fragility: Losing a $20m Business
5 januari 2026 · 1 uur 34 min
Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - Jan 8th - https://bit.ly/4snUKHY
Topics in Joe’s interview:
His blue collar, military background
Volunteering without pay for a consulting company
Ultimately rejecting the tech industry
Finding his search partner at business school
Seeking out a complex business
Doing traditional search, on his wife’s advice
Acquiring a home health adjacent company
Post-close cash crisis
Losing a key sales rep
Fatal “pen stroke risk”
References and how to contact Joe:
LinkedIn
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying Small to Then Buy Larger ($1m SDE)
31 december 2025 · 1 uur 43 min
The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition. Lees meer
Topics in Joe’s interview:
Leaving corporate for a chance to manage P&L
His toughest pitch was to his wife
Acquiring a 3D design firm
Pivoting hard during Covid
Hiring a manager with a design background
Acquiring a branding agency
Difference between branding and marketing
Retainer model for recurring revenue
Offering less than listing price
His hand-off relationship with his businesses
References and how to contact Joe:
LinkedIn
Point B Communications
SONNY+ASH
Mike Curry on Acquiring Minds: It’s All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your Acquisition
Johannes Hock on Acquiring Minds: Buy and 3x a Project Based Business in Just 2 Years
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Passion & Profit in an American Pastime
29 december 2025 · 1 uur 51 min
Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses. Lees meer
Topics in Mike’s interview:
His professional bowling career
Connecting with a bowling-specific broker
Economic role of league bowlers
The decline of bowling in America
Traditional bowling vs Bowlero
Buying a traditional, older bowling alley
Running leaner to pay down debt
Employee resistance to change
Success with online bookings
His goal of managing remotely
References and how to contact Mike:
LinkedIn
Tenpins & More
Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam
Carlo Santelli on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors
Webinar: Using a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business
24 december 2025 · 1 uur 45 min
Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer. Lees meer
Topics in Tato’s interview:
Connecting with sellers through direct mail
Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach
Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor
How she solved her labor issue
Being a single woman in a male industry
Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees
Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months
Raising prices 40% without losing customers
The difference between good growth and bad growth
Doubling top line revenue
References and how to contact Tato:
Linkedin
tatohomes@gmail.com
The direct mail piece Tato used to reach business owners
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.com
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
-
Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business
22 december 2025 · 1 uur 55 min
The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths. Lees meer
Topics in Christian’s interview:
His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis
Qualities of a top salesperson
Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career
Shopping around for an SBA loan
Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses
Difficulty in hiring for construction
Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses
Red flags he ignored when acquiring his second business
How his finance background benefited him
His $100 million goal
References and how to contact Christian:
LinkedIn
Resolute Services
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
-
How to Buy a Generational Brand with $20m in Sales
18 december 2025 · 1 uur 17 min
Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one. Lees meer
Topics in Philip’s interview:
Chenmark’s acquisition of Thomas Moser
Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman
Chenmark’s hold-forever intention
Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture
Long tenure of craftsmen
Commitment to world-class quality
Getting away from offering discounts
Building talent through their woodworker school
Running a company with a strong legacy behind it
Downside to owning your manufacturing
References and how to contact Philip:
LinkedIn
Thos. Moser
Chenmark
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Reward for 17-Month Deal: $1.8m of EBITDA
15 december 2025 · 1 uur 37 min
Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
What Killed Deals in 2025 - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/44r1pH5
Topics in Robert’s interview:
Influence of his late father
The “go bigger” search philosophy
Appeal of the home health care industry
17-month acquisition process
Choosing to operate “in the weeds” of the business
Leading with high expectations
Focusing on increasing sales
Achieving 15% growth in 8 months
Working capital dynamics in home care
Investing in employees
References and how to contact Robert:
LinkedIn
Aizik Zimerman on Acquiring Minds: Founder Mode for ETA $6m to $25m in 3 Years
Morgan McCauley on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a $2.5m Home Care Business
Devin Fitzgerald on Acquiring Minds: Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity
Robert Graham & Aaron Blick on Acquiring Minds: How to Build a Roll-Up to $60m Revenue
Jérôme Bouillon on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy & Double a Home Care Agency
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
The 7-Year Collapse of an SBA Acquisition
11 december 2025 · 1 uur 39 min
Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3XysjZB
Topics in Scott’s interview:
Wishing he had listened to his gut
The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration
Managing highly skilled primadonnas
Employee theft
Losing key employees
Long sales cycles and fixed quotes
Forced Covid shutdown
Razor and blade business model
Facing aggressive creditors
Filing Chapter 7
References and how to contact Scott:
LinkedIn
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
SBA Acquisition to $9m Cash Exit in 5 Years
8 december 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rBI4Nb
How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - Dec 11th - https://bit.ly/4owBkNW
Topics in Andy’s interview:
His experience as an Army intelligence officer
When in doubt, do the dirtiest job
The military concept of “left seat, right seat” training
Searching from the public library
Veterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadership
Rewards of leading young men
Gaining warm leads in new markets
His team’s competitive edge
Exiting his business to run for mayor of Denver
Investing in self-funded searchers
References and how to contact Andy:
LinkedIn
Search Fund Secondaries Group
Andy’s webinar: Liquidity Options for Search Investors
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years
4 december 2025 · 1 uur 42 min
Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
How to Run the SBA Deal Race - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3Xh3WQb
How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - Dec 9th - https://bit.ly/44Gylv1
Topics in Steve’s interview:
Experience working for WalMart corporate
Searching while working full time
Myth of passive income
Large dead deal costs from a failed acquisition
Partnering with his childhood friend
Underestimating working capital needs
100-hour weeks away from his family
Rapidly scaling through M&A
Beware owners who leave quickly
Achieving $1 billion in revenue in 5 years
References and how to contact Steve:
LinkedIn
Kelso Industries
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying for $600k, Selling for $35m
1 december 2025 · 1 uur 41 min
Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
How to Run the SBA Deal Race - Dec 4th - https://bit.ly/44whqv6
Topics in Jake’s interview:
Building a nest egg before leaving his job
Fallout from his father’s failed businesses
Calculating the value of a business losing money
Disliking the bureaucracy of large companies
Joining his friend to run a distressed company
Employee war stories
Changing the service they offered
Achieving 60% margins
Boosting customer retention
Selling the company for 11x earnings
References and how to contact Jake:
LinkedIn
Mission Support Partners
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
When a $2.8m Acquisition Is More Like Zero-to-One
26 november 2025 · 1 uur 15 min
Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt. Lees meer
Topics in Dave’s interview:
Leaving tech to buy a white collar business
Meeting with 120 owners while searching
Buying a business he initially passed on
Risks of family members as employees
Financial surprises after the transition
Losing 23% of revenue when clients left
Accountants do not like change
Recruiting top talent
Importance of listening to employees
Transferring his zero-to-one skills
References and how to contact Dave:
Proven
LinkedIn
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
When to Buy a Large Consumer Business
24 november 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of. Lees meer
Topics in Taylor’s interview:
Being Co-CEO with his best friend
Buying a business he was a customer of
Acquiring a business in his hometown
Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market
How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker
Keeping his call center in Texas
“Set it and forget it” model
“Listening tour” in the first 100 days
Adopting the EOS model
Higher leverage deal structure
References and how to contact Taylor:
LinkedIn
Energy Ogre
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.com
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA
20 november 2025 · 1 uur 54 min
From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like -TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3LYM4H2
Topics in Linh’s interview:
The "Three Rs" search criteria
Being an undercover owner for 18 months
Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs
Struggling with work-life balance
Implementing value-based pricing
80% rule for delegation
Why he doesn’t want to exit
Fostering deep employee loyalty
Corporate philanthropy and legacy
What money can’t buy
References and how to contact Linh:
info@apexfundgroup.com
LinkedIn
Apex Fund Group
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buy Well, Exit Better: A $67m Win in 4 Years
17 november 2025 · 1 uur 36 min
Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like - Nov 20th - https://bit.ly/47YbVXj
Topics in Greg’s interview:
Challenges of searching in New York
Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search
Strategy of cold email outreach
Acquiring at age 26
Partnering with a friend
Significant challenges of running a tour operator
Digital marketing did not move the needle
Direct mail was the silver bullet
Partnering with universities and religious groups
Exiting after 4 years
References and how to contact Greg:
LinkedIn
Footbridge Partners
Katherine & Rahul on Acquiring Minds: Why Choose Ownership Over Being a CEO
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 Years
13 november 2025 · 1 uur 56 min
Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4p4J2Q7
Topics in Gail’s interview:
Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble
Her vision to run her own company
Life changing power of hearing aids
Switching her search from Vision to Audiology
Consequences of untreated hearing loss
Financing through hearing aid manufacturers
Cross-licensing her providers in multiple states
Addressing the Audiologist shortage
Intentionally acquiring where she does not live
Find what “brings the flies to the honey”
References and how to contact Gail:
LinkedIn
Real Hearing USA
Bruce Vann on Acquiring Minds: How to Grow a Manufacturing Business
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.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 of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
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
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Why Choose Ownership Over Being a CEO
10 november 2025 · 1 uur 27 min
After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - Nov 13th - https://bit.ly/47OQpUA
Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview:
Katherine’s early CEO experience
Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership
Acquiring without a traditional bank loan
Convincing the seller to do a seller note
Paying the seller note with float from advance bookings
Rahul built custom software to increase margins
Searching nights and weekends while at their W-2s
Affordability of living in the midwest
Vision of acquiring and integrating more travel businesses
Learning to delegate and enjoying free time
References and how to contact Katherine and Rahul:
Katherine’s LinkedIn
Rahul’s LinkedIn
Affinity Travel Co.
Shell Zhang on Acquiring Minds: Buying a Not Boring Business with $600k SDE
Jared Benoff on Acquiring Minds: Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It)
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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron