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504 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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How to Build a $5m Media Business Into a $20m Flywheel
6 november 2025 · 1 uur 31 min
Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Overcoming Risks from a Lender’s Perspective - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3WxDKAs
Topics in Clayton’s interview:
Hire for your skill gaps
Flying around the country to meet investors
Asking for warm introductions
Selling investors on his strategic vision
What to look for in a media company
Direct relationships with advertisers vs. programmatic ads
Rebuilding the sales team over and over
Riding the wave of the mortgage industry
Maintaining the magic of annual events
Selling print ads differs from selling digital ads
References and how to contact Clayton:
LinkedIn
HousingWire
Nathan Gregory on Acquiring Minds: Business-Buyer Fit in a 42-Year-Old Media Biz
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 -
Timing is Everything: Buying a $30m Tutoring Business
3 november 2025 · 1 uur 57 min
Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
Investor-Backed Search and SBA: Buy Bigger, Keep Control - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4qABMgn
Overcoming Risks from a Lender’s Perspective - Thu Nov 6th - https://bit.ly/4qDoJdV
Topics in Jared & Dave’s interview:
Jared buying Dave’s tutoring business
Dave’s motivation to sell
Choosing to work with Search Fund Accelerator
Their agreement to “assume positive intent”
Why Dave didn’t sell to private equity
How the in-person business survived Covid
Bookkeeper quit right after transition
“Other people’s money is scarier than a PG”
Competing with AI in the future
How it feels to sell your company
References and how to contact Jared & Dave:
Dave Serwitz LinkedIn
Jared Lenner LinkedIn
Grade Potential Tutoring
Marc Anderegg on Acquiring Minds: So Much Fun: The Buyer of Choice in a Fragmented Industry
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 channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years
30 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 37 min
Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TODAY! - http://bit.ly/47CVZui
Topics in Shaun’s interview:
Staying in corporate was the riskier choice
Calling 1200 businesses during his search
Going back to school to learn more about acquisition
Acquiring with his partner, Robert Wolf
Raising $6m from outside investors
Leaning on his professional network
Choosing his investors carefully
Acquiring in his mid-40’s
Long-term hold strategy
Acquiring 3 businesses in succession
References and how to contact Shaun:
LinkedIn
Mitten Fluidpower
FLN-MAR
Frank Murken Products
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 a Wide Moat in a Consolidating Industry
27 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - Thu Oct 30 - http://bit.ly/43tlhIP
Topics in Ania’s interview:
Rushing to get a deal closed before giving birth
Using her people skills to connect with sellers
Searching only in the Eastern US
Buying an AED sales and service company
Myths about AEDs
Figuring out the best pricing model
Lack of competition in the industry
Dealing with “Mom brain”
Willingness to say “I don’t know”
Stickiness of customers
References and how to contact Ania:
Linkedin
Life Support Systems
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 -
From €4 Million, to Zero, to €12 Million
23 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 35 min
Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic. Lees meer
Topics in Ivona’s interview:
Doing business in a post-Soviet culture
Determination to acquire in the Czech Republic
Buying a business as a married couple
Getting into exhibition services right before Covid
Losing all revenue at onset of Covid
Pivoting to virtual events
Finding work for their carpenters and metalsmiths
Aggressively re-negotiating their loan with the bank
Buying back the seller note at a huge discount
Surviving Covid and doubling EBITDA
References and how to contact Ivona:
Ivona Butcher
Corbin Butcher
Beire
Adam Rao on Acquiring Minds: Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years
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 -
Building Trust as New Owner of a $3m Business
20 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education. Lees meer
Topics in Ruchik’s interview:
India > Australia > US immigration
Discovery of the wonders of multiple arbitrage
Receiving the deal from another searcher
Paying a $20k finder’s fee
Buying a fabrics and upholstery workroom
Learning how to manage a blue-collar workforce
Mishandling employee relationships
Taking feedback from his managers
Earning the employees’ trust
His plan for growth in a fragmented industry
References and how to contact Ruchik:
LinkedIn
Window 25
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
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Buying a $1.6m Business for the Inventory Value
16 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one. Lees meer
Topics in Danyelle’s interview:
Working in her family’s asphalt business
Learning about ETA from a masterclass
Hiring a coach for the search process
Buying a business for the price of inventory + working capital
The seller was running it remotely
Raising prices and salaries after acquisition
Dealing with an obstinate commercial landlord
Moving 14,000 sq ft of inventory to a new warehouse
Hiring her mom as the bookkeeper
“F*** your mood. Follow the plan.”
References and how to contact Danyelle:
LinkedIn
Decorus Home Staging
Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro on Acquiring Minds: Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue
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 -
Buying 2 Rivals to Create a Dominant Leader
13 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 46 min
When his deal died the first time, Kyle Poll was devastated. But then it came back around, larger and more interesting. Lees meer
Topics in Kyle’s interview:
Skills he learned on his 2-year Mormon mission
Growing Gympass from $10m to $100m
Aiming for happiness at work and home
Earning the respect of brokers
Watching his deals die and being outbid
Q of E that drastically lowered the business value
Emotional rollercoaster of full-time search
Completing his acquisition as CEO with equity
Finding investors who would bet on growth
Merging 2 rival companies
References and how to contact Kyle:
LinkedIn
GetOutPass
The Mormon Way of Doing Business by Jeff Benedict
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 -
Trades Over Tech: Buying an Appliance Repair Business
9 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/46MlUhC
Topics in Brian’s interview:
Being an entrepreneurial kid
Moving from IT to blue-collar
Getting value from SMBootcamp
“Riches are in the niches”
Satisfaction of developing people
Not all SBA lending is the same
“Billionaires do business with billionaires”
Tactfully bringing about change
Continuing the commission-based compensation model
Replacing old tech in the business
References and how to contact Brian:
LinkedIn
PGM Service
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 -
Acquisition Unlock: €210m in 5 Years
6 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/42jGpB2
Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - Thu Oct 9th - https://bit.ly/48wqcMP
Topics in Nick’s interview:
10 years in the Irish Defense Forces
His app idea that ultimately failed
Pivoting his failed business into Mail Metrics
Successfully competing against larger print companies
7 years of slow growth
Acquiring 2 large companies simultaneously
Hiring a tutor to teach him basic finance
Buying one business in Ireland and one in the UK
Borrowing at a very high interest rate
Increasing revenue by $12m in one year
References and how to contact Nick:
LinkedIn
Mail Metrics
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 -
$60m Roll-Up That Started With an SBA Acquisition
2 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off. Lees meer
Register for the webinars:
The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/481yThO
How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - Tue Oct 7th - https://bit.ly/48FjAvq
Topics in Brian and Onu’s interview:
Forming a partnership in business school
Searching for 2.5 years
Closing on their first business while still in school
Bootstrapping their first acquisition
Sacrifice and long commute the first year
Willingness to “be bad at something”
Complexity of niche/time-sensitive freight
Athletic grit carried them through acquisition challenges
Learning to pitch to investors
5 acquisitions in less than 5 years
References and how to contact Brian and Onu:
Brian LinkedIn
Onu LinkedIn
HTL Freight
Webinar: Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up
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 -
Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 Years
29 september 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working. Lees meer
Register for the webinar:
The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - Thu Oct 2nd - https://bit.ly/46E2uv8
Topics in Aizik’s interview:
There is endless opportunity in home services
His goal of $1 billion in revenue
Advantage of his youthful energy
Going all-in on digital advertising
Small business = big problems
Founder Mode theory
Organic growth over acquisitions
Your must earn your right to diversify
Winning on Google with reviews
Hiring overseas for auditing and marketing
References and how to contact Aizik:
LinkedIn
John Wilson on Acquiring Minds: Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m
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 -
Family Offices for Searchers: A Primer
25 september 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors. Lees meer
Topics in James’s interview:
What is a family office?
Family office capital sustains private markets
You may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffs
Private, insular nature of family offices
How to network with family offices
When it makes sense to exit to a family office
Long-term holds are a good fit
Playing defense and offense within family offices
Family offices do not need to raise capital
Family offices may be friendlier to smaller deals
References and how to contact James:
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 -
Deciding to Exit After 2 Years of Ownership
22 september 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/48lptOc
Jack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision.
Topics in Jack and Sam’s interview:
Jack’s motivation to own something and take a risk
You are always buying a job
Linking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcamp
Buying a business far from his family
Realizing that he didn’t want to operate a lifestyle business
Difficulties of growing in a tourist town
Selling the business to Perimeter Solutions Group
Joining the leadership of Perimeter Solutions Group
Continuously question your why
Getting in the game unlocks opportunities
References and how to contact Jack and Sam:
Sam Rosati LinkedIn
Jack Saville LinkedIn
Perimeter Solutions Group
Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2
Sarah Chiles and Matthew Ferguson on Acquiring Minds: Geography as Moat: Building a Hometown Holdco
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
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So Much Fun: The Buyer of Choice in a Fragmented Industry
18 september 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
Register for the webinars: Lees meer
Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/41WmQym
Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/4nrvvkD
Mark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again.
Topics in Mark’s interview:
Raising a search fund himself
Being the “world’s worst searcher”
Acquiring a 16-location childcare network
Pressure of running an essential business
The unsolved staffing conundrum
Screening for culture
Underestimating the cost of new locations
Earning a high-integrity reputation
Growing through acquisition
Selling the business twice
References and how to contact Mark:
LinkedIn
Little Sprouts
A.J. Wasserstein
David M. Dodson
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 -
From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit
15 september 2025 · 2 uur 10 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu Sep 18th - https://bit.ly/4mbU9EI
Jerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out.
Topics in Jerod’s interview:
Challenging upbringing in foster care
Adaptability as a survival skill
Joining the investment club in college
Getting his MBA from Harvard Business School
Learning about ETA from Rick and Royce
Searching only in Seattle by cold calling
Buying HVAC before it was cool
Value of being there every day
Exiting for $90 million-ish
His nightmare second acquisition
References and how to contact Jerod:
LinkedIn
Olympic Holdings Investments
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 -
The Flywheel of Buying Businesses in a Single Region
11 september 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLG
Doug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.
Topics in Doug’s interview:
Having one foot in academia, one in business
Place-based private equity model
Delivering returns while elevating Western Michigan
Competitive advantage through building local trust
“Find the operator, find the deal” philosophy
Investing in searchers with one-on-one education
The tide is shifting to long-term hold strategy
Western Michigan students intern at portfolio companies
5 elements of his private equity model
Plenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operators
References and how to contact Doug:
LinkedIn
Sleeping Giant Capital
Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy
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 -
Hiring a CEO to Run Things (and Get Life Back)
8 september 2025 · 1 uur 50 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - Thu Sep 11th - https://bit.ly/4pcznI8
Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.
Topics in Jeremy’s interview:
Buying a business at age 27
Rocky first day as owner
Living 1.5 hours from the business
Employees wanting him present every day
Taking too long to fire an employee
Watching sales drop dangerously low
Facing resistance from employees
Learning to balance empathy with boundaries
Hiring a great sales leader
Installing a CEO to run the day-to-day
References and how to contact Jeremy:
LinkedIn
Summit Mountain Coatings
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 -
A Few Hours Per Week, a Few States Away
4 september 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5
Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.
Topics in Brett’s interview:
His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up close
Involving his wife as a sounding board
Buying a business a plane ride away
Proactively negotiating for a seller note
“Shut up and let them do a little more talking”
Using ROBS to fund a 30% down payment
Getting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple
13-week cashflow forecast is critical
Delegating management to the local team
Deciding whether to grow the business or acquire again
References and how to contact Brett:
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 -
The Joy & Pain of Buying a Tech Business
1 september 2025 · 1 uur 43 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6L
Felipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.
Topics in Felipe’s interview:
Imperfect information in the lower middle market
Pivoting from investing to operating
Finding a partner with complementary strengths
How he defines success during search
AI threats to traditional SaaS businesses
Testing for seller motivation
Valuation based on revenue
Aggressively reinvesting in the business
Pros and cons of being an AI company
Economics of sharing deals for a finder’s fee
References and how to contact Felipe:
LinkedIn
Beecker
Relay Investments
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 -
$2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers
28 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
About fall conferences: Lees meer
Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference
2025 Buy Then Build Summit
McguireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference
M &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount)
Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.
Topics in Daniel’s interview:
His experience in the film industry
Launching a Latino media brand
Searching for a fun business
Acquiring an indoor playground
LA demographics are perfect for this business
High initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA margins
Candeeland Kids’ unique franchising structure
Surprisingly low maintenance costs
Teenage hourly labor
Adding an arcade to his location
References and how to contact Daniel:
LinkedIn
Candeeland Kids Downey
Shell Zhang on Acquiring Minds: Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring Business
Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2
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 -
Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue
25 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
About fall conferences: Lees meer
Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference
2025 Buy Then Build Summit
McguireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference
M &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount)
Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration.
Topics in Kyle and Jake’s interview:
Leaving a “cushy sales job” to buy a business
Doing no due diligence on the first acquisition
Cons of property management
Trading property management for janitorial
Buying very small cleaning businesses
Losing faith in SBA loan underwriters
Educating sellers about valuation
Seller financing on all 7 deals
Support from previous owners
No more acquisitions for now
References and how to contact Kyle and Jake:
Kyle Boyden LinkedIn
Rainier Cleaning Solutions
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 -
4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business
21 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/4oB4zAk
Bryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency.
Topics in Bryan’s interview:
Losing everything in a startup at 41
Discovering his personal talents
Using a buy-side advisor
Ups and downs of search
Importance of meeting the owner
Buying an in-person creative agency
The “Superbowl winning” team at Extra Credit Projects
Talking to clients about price
Buying a business at 58
The “Stoopid Framework” he invented
References and how to contact Bryan:
LinkedIn
Extra Credit Projects
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
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
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 and Building a Xerox Dealer to $30m
18 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/3UrzG3F
Jeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return.
Topics in Jeff’s interview:
Feeling a calling to lead
Leaving a high-paying job to search
You have to check the character box
Acquiring a Xerox dealership
Spending the first 90 days building relationships
3 buckets of growth
Learning to rely on great employees
Challenges of scaling
Growing revenue from $5m to $30m
Exiting and becoming an investor
References and how to contact Jeff:
LinkedIn
Masked Rider Capital
JD Hasley on Acquiring Minds: How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1
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
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 -
A Searcher’s Second Act: Building a $25m Holdco
14 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 37 min
Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one: Lees meer
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
After success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020.
Topics in Eric’s interview:
Accepting investment from Rick and Royce
Acquiring through traditional search
Commitment to community banks
Ups and downs of the oil and gas industry
“You gotta tell your story to anyone who’s listening”
Emotional challenges of downsizing
Shared services vs. decentralization
Recruiting patient capital for a long-term hold
Why $1m SDE is the target size for holdco acquisitions
Evolving from operator to investor
References and how to contact Eric:
LinkedIn
TXE Capital
Rick & Royce on Acquiring Minds: The 2 Professors Who Helped Start the ETA Movement
Reid Pennebaker
ETA Circle - Houston
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
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 -
2 Years to $40m: The Anatomy of a High-Velocity Roll-up
11 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one: Lees meer
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
When Luis Reyes bought a small fire safety business, he saw an opportunity. 24 acquisitions later, he's at $8m EBITDA.
Topics in Luis’s interview:
Luis’s early career
Launching a roll-up strategy in Spain
Identifying consolidation opportunities
First acquisitions in poultry distribution and fire safety
Building and leading a team for a high-velocity, high-volume roll-up
Integrating operational-complex businesses at scale
Leveraging AI in fire safety
Spain’s capital markets
Adapting acquisition criteria
Goal for the platform
References and how to contact Luis:
LinkedIn
IBV
Minds Capital Podcast
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
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 -
From 16 Years in Corporate to a $1m SDE Acquisition
7 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - TODAY - https://bit.ly/3UH3w45
After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he discovered ETA, he knew he'd found it.
Topics in Jesus’s interview:
Childhood in Mexico and Canada
Family history of entrepreneurship
Buying a Canadian garment repair business
Low capex, high labor costs
Structuring his deal without the SBA
Mitigating the risk of high customer concentration
Value of a high-quality deal team
Higher closing costs in Canada
Paying 5% interest on his loan
Answering the call of entrepreneurship
References and how to contact Jesus:
LinkedIn
Gear re-Store
Vail Resorts
Patagonia
Scott Walton on Acquiring Minds: Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses
Andrew Stordeur on Acquiring Minds: $700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down
Yan Vinarskiy on Acquiring Minds: From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business
Marc Nzojibwami on Acquiring Minds: The Model for a 3-Way, Long-Term Holdco
Haifeng Hu of Bennett Jones
Kevin Yu of MNP
Joey Tai of Crete Capital
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 -
Building a $25m FedEx Route Empire from $100k Equity
4 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - Thu Aug 7 - https://bit.ly/45i7eGe
Avery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3 years later, he has 240 trucks and $600k weeks.
Topics in Avery’s interview:
Pivoting from real estate to FedEx routes
Ups and downs of Covid
Expanding his fleet
Running his logistics business remotely
Everything hinges on weekly deposits
What makes a route lucrative (or costly)
No marketing or sales. Just operations.
Resale value of a FedEx route
Demanding nature of the business
“If you’re good, the world will compensate you.”
References and how to contact Avery:
LinkedIn
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 a $200m Franchisor (Not Units, the Whole System)
31 juli 2025 · 1 uur 51 min
Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one: Lees meer
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
Tyler & Zach Gordon's search for an overlooked industry with good prospects led to a franchise system of thrift stores.
Topics in Tyler & Zach’s interview:
Zach and Tyler’s backgrounds in franchising
Looking for career fulfillment
Formulating a search strategy
Focusing on overlooked industries
Discovering thrift store franchising
Evaluating franchise opportunities
Transitioning from franchisee to franchisor
Structuring the acquisition and partnership
Focusing their marketing on vendors
Prioritizing franchisee success and future growth
References and how to contact Tyler & Zach:
Tyler’s LinkedIn
Zach’s LinkedIn
Horizon Point Capital
tyler@bcfranchise.com
zach@bcfranchise.com
Uptown Cheapskate Franchise
Kid to Kid Franchise
Buy a Franchise Portfolio: How to Choose a Brand
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 -
A $10m Acquisition for Freedom and Family
28 juli 2025 · 1 uur 26 min
Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one: Lees meer
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
Anica John bought a print-on-demand business to have more time with her kids without compromising her career ambitions.
Topics in Anica’s interview:
Experience at Amazon, WalMart, and Disney Streaming
Choosing entrepreneurship over returning to office
Buying a publishing company for indie authors
High capex = moat
Diversity of their genres and clientele
Resurrecting a dead deal
How DiggyPOD stacks up to Amazon KDP
Carefully planning tech upgrades
Award-winning customer service
Running a business from out of state
References and how to contact Anica:
LinkedIn
anica@anicajohn.com
DiggyPOD
rejigg
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 -
You’ve Been Served: Buying a $1.3m Process-Serving Company
24 juli 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Working Capital for SMB Acquisitions - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4kQcGGj
At a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving company.
Topics in Raj’s interview:
From investment banking to process server
What he liked about process serving
Buying the company from his boss
Building industry relationships
What TV gets wrong about process serving
Technology in process serving
Making changes on day one
Communicating unpopular changes to employees
Trading a high salary for ownership
Vision for business growth
References and how to contact Raj:
LinkedIn
Lone Star Attorney Service
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 -
One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M
21 juli 2025 · 1 uur 34 min
Register for the webinars: Lees meer
The Math & Logic of Deal Making - July 22nd - https://bit.ly/459kJJn
Working Capital for SMB Acquisitions - July 24th - https://bit.ly/4lBEhft
Enrique Rodriguez bought a project-based construction business (gasp) with $1.4m in revenue. One year later it's at $4m.
Topics in Enrique’s interview:
17 years in project-based construction
Getting his MBA and electrician’s license
Buying too small for an SBA loan
Bringing a machine gun to a knife fight
Injecting his own money during the J-curve
Doing his own quality of earnings
His wife and father’s roles in the business
Disagreement with Walker Diebel
Assertiveness in managing employees
Celebrating milestones with his team
References and how to contact Enrique:
LinkedIn
MAC General
The ReWild Group
Matthew Pohl on Acquiring Minds: 2 Welders and a Shop... to $3.8m in Sales
Justin Willess
Justin Willess on Acquiring Minds: Business Collapse After Going All-In
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 -
From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business
17 juli 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4kwHlbw
Yan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.
Topics in Yan’s interview:
Using a buy-side broker to search and close
Being inspired to take on a large deal
Trade-offs of independent sponsor economics
Board dynamics and governance
Building a pitch deck
Refining his investor pitch
Expanding the business model
Managing 2 separate businesses
References and how to contact Yan:
LinkedIn
Floorguard
Calder Capital
Niklas James on Acquiring Minds: Self-Funded Search vs. Independent Sponsorship
Mike Okhravi on Acquiring Minds: Doing It His Way: First-Timer Buys 2 at Once
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
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 -
Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership
14 juli 2025 · 1 uur 40 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4lo4Swu
Accomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.
Topics in Marci’s interview:
Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO
2 reasons she likes project work
Comparing HR consulting and PEO business models
Acquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financing
Leveraging associations and networks for client growth
Building a strong team for high-touch HR service
Growth in fractional HR work
Becoming the leading HR firm for the pest control industry
How AI can be useful for human resources
Ease of hiring in HR
References and how to contact Marci:
LinkedIn
marci@seay.us
Seay HR
Seay HR ETA for Searchers
Iris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home
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
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 -
From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month
10 juli 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights. Lees meer
Topics in Ryan’s interview:
Transferring from military to business
Focusing on selling one service
Underestimating working capital needs
The business tanked after acquisition
Rescuing the company by fixing his sales process
Properly incentivizing for the outcome he wants
Learning digital marketing himself
Cost per acquisition metric
Where he finds good sales guys
Expanding his territory by buying a competitor
References and how to contact Ryan:
LinkedIn
Rhino Shield
$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff by Alex Hormozi
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
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 -
Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years
7 juli 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Adam Rao took a chance on an exhibit production business that had generated zero revenue in 15 months. It's gone well. Lees meer
Topics in Adam’s interview:
Discovering impact companies
Acquiring with a business partner
Buying a distressed business during Covid
Getting 100% seller financing
Inheriting an angry, dysfunctional staff
A brutal first 9 months
Acquiring an add-on with an SBA loan
His role as the visionary
Achieving stability by merging companies
Reducing waste in a high-waste industry
References and how to contact Adam:
adam.rao@triple20.co
LinkedIn
Triple20
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
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 -
Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit
3 juli 2025 · 1 uur 50 min
Phil Miller turned a tiny pet shop doing $100k in sales into a regional pet boarding brand — and the ideal PE platform. Lees meer
Topics in Phil’s interview:
Pivoting from real estate to the pet industry
Slow renovation creating a financial mess
Delegation is the key to growth
The real cost of a cheap turnaround
Building a pet resort brand
Accelerating growth with Store Capital
Why franchising is a poor option in his industry
Dealing with tire-kicking searchers
Partnering with private equity
Emotional rollercoaster of combining cultures
References and how to contact Phil:
LinkedIn
Pawville
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Taylor Wallace - first appearance on Acquiring Minds: Buying Doggy Daycares After 10 Years in Tech
Taylor Wallace - second appearance on Acquiring Minds:Why Sell to Private Equity: Former Guest Has an Exit
Store Capital
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 -
New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence
30 juni 2025 · 1 uur 57 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5k
Matt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m manufacturing holdco.
Topics in Matt & Kevin’s interview:
Searching for a wife and a business
Overcoming the fear of uncertainty
Locally searching in St. Petersberg, FL
Long term payoff of bringing donuts
Quickly growing through marketing
Using Pinterest to stoke demand for their product
Introducing the Searcher in Residence concept
Trade-offs and benefits for the SIR and owner
Additional acquisitions in manufacturing
Running the holdco with Traction
References and how to contact Matt & Kevin:
Matt’s LinkedIn
Kevin’s LinkedIn
Sunrise Yacht Products
JJ Plastics
Custom Quality Covers
Traction by Gino Wickman
Kevin's one-pager
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 -
From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed
26 juni 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5k
A friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI 2 weeks later.
Topics in Grania’s interview:
Operating a business in Ecuador
Emotional ups and downs during the search process
Keeping her search private in the beginning
Sending LOIs as quickly as possible
Acquiring a commercial printing business in Miami
Managing the deal process, debt consolidation, and equity structuring
Translating her day one speech to Spanish on the fly
Losing key employees after transition
Why she recommends buying all the accounts payable
Building a long-term legacy for her daughters
References and how to contact Grania:
LinkedIn
Associated Photo & Imaging
Tripp Lawson and Mike McCoy at Viking Mergers
Joe Spina and Taylor Gorman at Cullen and Dykman
AppleTree
Josh Richman at NewCo Risk
Aspen HR
Jared Johnson of First Internet Bank
Search Fund Coalition
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 -
The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business
23 juni 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5k
Brian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.
Topics in Brian’s interview:
Picking up the phone is crucial
Growing so fast the wheels nearly came off
Hiring top-tier managers and ops staff early
Managing cash flow and receivables through growth
Expanding via acquisition, starting in Dallas
Ensuring safety for employees
Partnering with another Acquiring Minds guest
Aiming for $55–70M in revenue by 2030
Buying a business with baby #3 on the way
How landscaping is different from tree service
References and how to contact Brian:
LinkedIn
Northside Tree
brian@northsidetreeprofessionals.com
Webinar with Brian: Should You Buy a Business?
Adrian Pinto and Mike Botkin on Acquiring Minds: One Acquiring Minds Guest Buys Another
Adrian Pinto #2: Building a Blue Collar Empire
Adrian Pinto #1: How to 2x Sales in a Service Business You Buy
Will Gano on Acquiring Minds: After 4 Years of Part-Time Searching, Success
John Wilson on Acquiring Minds: Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m
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 -
How a First-Timer Pulled Off a $52m Acquisition
19 juni 2025 · 1 uur 45 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5k
With no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing offshoring agency.
Topics in Nick’s interview:
Origin of the Sweaty Startup guy
Nick’s role in Support Shepherd’s growth
Backstory of the Support Shepherd deal
How Nick structured incentives to make it worthwhile
What turned off investors
Inbound leads collapsing in year 1
Is building a Twitter following worth it?
Big changes to the business since acquisition
The value (or not) of distribution
Annual cost and org chart of Nick’s media team
Why write a book
References and how to contact Nick:
LinkedIn
nick@sweatystartup.com
Sweaty Startup by Nick Huber
Somewhere.com
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 -
The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit
16 juni 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
Register for the webinars: Lees meer
DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI - Jun 17th - https://bit.ly/441EocM
How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://acquiringminds.co/hiring
Kevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a truck" business for radon mitigation. 10 years later it was a multi-state franchise.
Topics in Kevin’s interview:
Finding ways to earn money as a kid
Bouncing back from early career setbacks
The Wall Street Journal ad that changed everything
Turning around a bankrupt concrete business
Building and scaling a radon mitigation company
Using franchising to manage growth and quality control
3 questions that transformed his life
Transitioning into the role of an independent sponsor
Investing in people instead of public markets
How he teaches his kids to value money
References and how to contact Kevin:
LinkedIn
Sier Capital 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 -
Hometown Holdco: Geography as Moat
12 juni 2025 · 1 uur 42 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/3FGQIqB
Sarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native Aspen.
Topics in Sarah & Matthew’s interview:
Backgrounds in engineering and VC
Preserving local fabric by buying businesses
The “tackle shop” nature of businesses in small towns
Seasonality in a small resort town
Gaining the respect of employees
Vision of a hometown holdco
Crisis management when their operator left
Modernizing and restructuring the auto repair business
Finding out what each employee wants
Long-term commitment to Aspen
References and how to contact Sarah & Matthew:
Sarah’s LinkedIn
Matthew’s LinkedIn
Aspen Total Automotive
Shop Fix Academy
STM Holdings
Adam Markley on Acquiring Minds: Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a Holdco
Cassi Niekamp on Acquiring Minds: Buying a $1.2m Fencing Business & Earning Trust Quickly
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
Producer by Pam Cameron -
Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA
9 juni 2025 · 1 uur 23 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/4jG0FSV
After Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2 years.
Topics in Evan’s interview:
Experience in the Acquisition Lab
6 months of imposter syndrome
Earning the right to be heard
Changes in direct mail printing technology
Standing out amongst fierce competition
His wife joining the business
Moving his family to be closer to the business
Accepting investment from friends and family
Putting a lien on his house to get the loan
Buying into a shrinking industry
References and how to contact Evan:
LinkedIn
Direct One
Alex Holley on Acquiring Minds: Networking His Way to $800k SDE
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 -
How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B
5 juni 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/43PpR4R
Christine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as a side gig for retirees
Topics in Christine’s interview:
Pivoting from international development to business owner
Acquiring a historic B&B in Dupont Circle
A seller who refused to negotiate on price
Living on site with her family at the B&B
Calculating the value of the real estate
Raising 2 small children in their business
Long, frustrating buying process
Combining SBA, conventional loan and seller note
Difficulty in hiring an innkeeper
Standing out amongst the hospitality competition
References and how to contact Christine:
LinkedIn
christine@swannhouse.com
Swann House
Instagram
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 -
How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1
2 juni 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/44XWwX3
JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all his equity & grown it to $900k.
Topics in JD’s interview:
Finding his business on broker’s own website
Buying a retail frame shop
Why DFW is a great location for a frame shop
Learning to do the framing himself
Standing out by answering email quickly
Getting customers to pay in full up front
50% growth in the first year
Online marketing to drive revenue
How frame shops scale
Empowering employees to implement change
References and how to contact JD:
LinkedIn
hasley@uptownframe.com
Uptown Frame
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 -
The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to Ownership
29 mei 2025 · 1 uur 48 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 6th - https://bit.ly/43q0JQR
Kin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a business was his ultimate destination.
Topics in Kin’s interview:
Immigrating from China
Pivoting from tech to entrepreneurship
Wanting more flexibility to care for family
Deciding against using ROBS
Running his Hawaiian business from Seattle
Plans to expand to the mainland
Building and maintaining a company culture
Converting seller hours to human hours
Managing hotel room pricing
How culture influences risk taking
References and how to contact Kin:
LinkedIn
Lights On
Doug Johns on Acquiring Minds: Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great 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
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 -
Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency
26 mei 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Buy a Business, Not a Fantasy: Addressing This Month’s 7 Most Common Buyer Concerns - Wed May 28th - https://bit.ly/43u7oto
When Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship, husband Grant helped her find a remote business with a great team.
Topics in Grant & Julia’s interview:
Julia’s background at BCG
Grant’s many zero-to-one businesses
Key lessons learned from failed LOIs
Why they avoided SBA loans
The acquisition of Lexigate and what made it the right fit
Standing out in a competitive process
Is AI destroying SEO?
Meeting clients and employees before purchase
Transitioning from BCG to business ownership
Leading a mostly Romanian team
References and how to contact Grant & Julia:
Julia’s LinkedIn
Grant’s LinkedIn
Lexigate
Nonprofit Megaphone
Entrepreneurial Capital
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
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
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron -
Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue
22 mei 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - TODAY May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4jgfQSY
Covid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier. It worked.
Topics in Scott’s interview:
Buying a digital marketing agency
Disappointment with the seller
Understanding customer churn
Post-transition surprises with bookkeeping
Turning around a bad company culture
Wartime CEO vs Peacetime CEO
Revenue devastated during Covid
Rebranding and redirecting the company
Using Facebook for medical sales
Marketing Agency 101
References and how to contact Scott:
LinkedIn
Jason Andrews on Acquiring Minds: How I Bought & Sold a Healthcare Business for 8 Figures
Scott@jairusmarketing.com
Jairus Marketing
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 $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity
19 mei 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
Register for the webinar: Lees meer
Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - Thu May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4kj566X
Devin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than create it.
Topics in Devin’s interview:
Business is just solving problems
It’s easier to buy revenue than create it
Losing 8 months to a dead deal
Buying 2 declining businesses
Turning around a bad work culture
Herding sellers to the finish line
How the new SBA rules affected his second acquisition
Honoring his grandmother’s memory
Bringing high energy to work
The gift of getting to choose your team
References and how to contact Devin:
LinkedIn
RML Service Group
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
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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