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From Midnight Deliveries to $28m Holdco (in 6 Years)
28 mei 2024 · 1 uur 37 min
Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones. Lees meer
Topics in Colin’s interview:
Finding his first business (and business partner) on Craigslist
Delivering auto parts in the middle of the night
Buying a turnaround silk florals business
When his clothing business doubled in revenue overnight
Day-to-day logistics of running diverse businesses
Acquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learning
Importance of working capital in seasonal businesses
Pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companies
Asking advice for the future of his holdco
Finding and managing talent across diverse businesses
References and how to contact Colin:
LinkedIn
Twitter
colin@circlecitycapitalgroup.com
Circle City Capital Group
Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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Finding a Great Business in Cow Country
23 mei 2024 · 1 uur 28 min
Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale. Lees meer
Topics in Cody interview:
Bypassing business school
Cashing out his 401(k) without using ROBS
Buying a food safety and testing lab
The moat of licensing requirements
His advantage over much larger competitors
Adjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings report
Finding investors on Twitter
Personally guaranteeing the seller note
How he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDA
Putting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
References and how to contact Cody:
LinkedIn
Twitter/X
cody@splitmountaincapital.com
Sierra Dairy Laboratory
Dino Sawaya
Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory
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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Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years
20 mei 2024 · 1 uur 25 min
Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime. Lees meer
Topics in Jeff interview:
Switching from high finance to music schools
Buying his first music school as a side project
Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions
Acquiring a music school every month
Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling
Comparing profitability of music vs. dance
Importance of general managers in scaling
Implementing apps to streamline operations
Other industries with roll-up potential
Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide
References and how to contact Jeff:
LinkedIn
Ensemble Performing Arts
Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy
16 mei 2024 · 1 uur 30 min
Jarett Berke told his intermediary "no restaurants" but changed his tune when he saw what a great business Lou's was. Lees meer
Topics in Jarett’s interview:
Finding a business through an accountant
Why restaurants are a tough business
Comparing military service to running a restaurant
Buying a restaurant with exceptional margins
Learning every job in the restaurant
Pivoting to delivery during Covid
Doing a stock deal instead of an asset purchase
Reinvesting by adding tables and renovating
60% growth in 6 years
What he likes about the restaurant business
References and how to contact Jarett:
LinkedIn
Lou’s Restaurant
jarett@lousrestaurant.com
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses
13 mei 2024 · 1 uur 36 min
Scott Walton bought 2 barely-profitable blue collar companies, changed the culture, unlocked growth & hired a president. Lees meer
Topics in Scott’s interview:
Acquiring with a partner
Solving their recruitment problem
Doubling revenue in 18 months
His 3-step LOI strategy
Incentivizing good customer service
Improving their company culture
Challenges after acquisition
Financing without the SBA
Creative deal structuring
His thoughts on buying small
References and how to contact Scott:
LinkedIn
scott.walton@matrixmechanical.ca
Home Service Expert Podcast
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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
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Holdco Origin Story: The Bumpy Road to $3m EBITDA
9 mei 2024 · 1 uur 42 min
4 acquisitions, 3 years after the first deal, and 2 dishonest sellers before Chandra Rao went full-time in his holdco. Lees meer
Topics in Chandra’s interview:
Learning from due diligence mistakes
Losing $300k in the first year
Challenges with payment terms and working capital
True value of a seller note
One of his partners embezzled from the companyFppp
Choosing a conventional loan over SBA
The electrical contracting and fiber optic cabling businesses
6x growth in 4 years
Juggling a roll-up and a W-2
A seller who committed fraud
References and how to contact Guest:
LinkedIn
chandra@millermn.com
Miller Utilities
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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The Allure of Buying a Marketplace Business
6 mei 2024 · 1 uur 29 min
Zach Smith bought a 30-year-old membership business that connects patients with dentists to return it to former glory. Lees meer
Topics in Zach’s interview:
His exit from Uber
Difficulty of starting a marketplace business
When spreadsheets meet reality
Buying a shrinking business
Going with a stock sale instead of asset sale
Current problems with dental insurance plans
How American Dental Care differs from insurance
The view from the bottom of the J curve
His plan to grow all sides of the marketplace
Forgoing an SBA/bank loan
References and how to contact Zach:
LinkedIn
Twitter
American Dental Care
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
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
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How an American Bought a Canadian Business
2 mei 2024 · 1 uur 34 min
Most first-timers shy away from buying across borders. Not Christi Loucks, whose Canadian acquisition did $550k of SDE. Lees meer
Topics in Christi’s interview:
Buying a business for personal fulfillment
Painful broken deals
Challenges of buying a cross-border business in Canada
The positive role emotions play in dealmaking
Losing (and regaining) 55% of her clients after transition
The line between cold outreach and spam
Constant change in the tech industry
Unexpected expenses after transition
Planning for her maternity leave
Her husband’s return to a corporate job
References and how to contact Christi:
LinkedIn
Revenue Accelerator
Neil Bearden
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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Selling $100k of Dog Training… Per Day
29 april 2024 · 1 uur 43 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Garth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with very sticky revenue & great business-buyer fit.
Topics in Garth’s interview:
Searching for 5 years
Benefiting from the SBA looking at calendar-year financials (not TTM)
Top Dog’s unique business model
Why this business should be bought, not built
His relationship to a dog training franchise
Impact of outcome-based pricing
Purposely hiring less-experienced sales people
How Top Dog differs from online marketing
Expanding to industries outside of dog training
His passion project: ski huts
References and how to contact Garth:
Garth@topdogsalescenter.com
LinkedIn
Top Dog Sales Center
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA
25 april 2024 · 1 uur 45 min
Robert Graham & Aaron Blick's first acquisition did $1.2m SDE. Four years later, their roll-up generates $15m in EBITDA. Lees meer
Topics in Robert & Aaron’s interview:
Going from lifelong friends to business partners
Impact of private equity on industry roll-ups
Running their companies remotely
A competing business poaching employees
Financial shocks after taking ownership
Why they believe in buying big
Necessity of hiring presidents to operate their businesses
Company presidents guaranteeing the SBA loan
Blending SBA loans with a roll-up model
How buyer-seller power dynamics shift after purchase
References and how to contact Robert & Aaron:
Episode #149 Home Care Business: How to Buy and 2x an Agency
Episode #218 Taking the Plunge into Extreme Ownership
Robert Graham LinkedIn
Aaron Blick LinkedIn
Robert Graham Twitter
Pillar Health Group
SIG Partners
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away
22 april 2024 · 1 uur 31 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
John Murphy pushed through divorce, $500k debt, and a bad broken deal to finally buy a 60-year-old business doing $8m.
Topics in John’s interview:
Losing a deal one week before closing
Value of peer groups
How real estate compares to business ownership
Taking over a company before the deal closed
Unforseen transition expenses
Carl Allen’s business buying course
Leaving his W-2 to search for a business
Value of joining industry associations
Restructuring his workforce to increase margins
Buying a company with a management layer
References and how to contact John:
LinkedIn
Dave Cole Decorators
John@dcd-inc.com
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
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The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions
18 april 2024 · 1 uur 44 min
Reid Tileston bought a business that relied on $800k trucks, capex he came to love for the fat margins they produced. Lees meer
Topics in Reid’s interview:
Working on the business instead of in it
Writing a book about acquisition
People are the worst and best part of business
Power of feedback and relationships for business owners
The company’s slow temp-to-hire process
Getting his CDL to be hands-on
Moving paper processes to the cloud
Pros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership Program
Personally testing field service management tech
Risks of informing employees of a business sale
References and how to contact Reid:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Grit It Done by Reid Tileston
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
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Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire
15 april 2024 · 1 uur 59 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Rafael Quinn shares the story & principles behind buying 3 businesses in Panama then raising $28m to buy more in the US.
Topics in Rafael's interview:
Selling everything on Craigslist to move to Panama
Buying his first business Panama from a billboard ad
How to buy a business with an operator
How he decided to build a holdco
Self-identity as investor vs. entrepreneur
3-year dry spell not buying any businesses
Being in "search mode" your whole career
Breaking his own rule by buying a restaurant
Why he turned his sights to the US
How to raise $28m & structure a holdco
Why buy a furniture retailer
References and how to contact Guest:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Athens Pizza
Hickory Park
Alternative Holdings
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business
11 april 2024 · 1 uur 53 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
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory
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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Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit
8 april 2024 · 1 uur 55 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Patrick Norris bought a small trash business doing $625k. Five years later and 4.5x bigger, a strategic got interested.
Topics in Patrick’s interview:
Why acquiring a trash business is easier than starting one
Intricacies of trash disposal pricing
Niches within trash services
Competition and cooperation in trash services
The first question you should ask when considering a trash business
Why he regrets not hiring a manager
Hiring for dangerous, strenuous jobs
4xing revenue through customer service and Google ads
The cycle of building and selling a trash business
Buying a business without an MBA
References and how to contact Patrick:
LinkedIn
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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
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Roofing + Florida = Path to $100m
4 april 2024 · 1 uur 31 min
Only after Matt Jackson bought a roofing business in the hurricane state did he realize just how big the opportunity is. Lees meer
Topics in Matt’s interview:
His experience with Acquira
Keeping the seller as an employee
Why he likes roofing despite drawbacks
How he satisfied his licensing requirement
Moats around spray foam roofing
Standing out in the roofing industry
His vision for organic growth
How insurance companies drive demand for new roofs
Using ROBS for financing
Why he won’t buy the ROBS ownership interest back from his 401k
References and how to contact Matt:
matt@usiroofing.com
LinkedIn
USI Roofing
The MLS-style site with for-sale businesses in Florida
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
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Rather Than Retire, Buy a Business
1 april 2024 · 1 uur 21 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
At age 63, Maurice Thomas wasn't ready to retire, so he bought an electrical contractor with $1m in earnings instead.
Topics in Maurice’s interview:
Buying a business after age 60
Learning the right amount of diligence to do before submitting an LOI
Importance of a target statement for searchers
His values-first approach to business
Importance for searchers to “know thyself”
Politics and religion in the workplace
Gratifying work of coaching employees
His succession plan
Challenge of hiring lead electricians
Creating incentives that align with company goals
References and how to contact Maurice:
LinkedIn
Maurice@MainLineElectric.net
Main Line Electrical
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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$700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down
28 maart 2024 · 1 uur 37 min
How Andrew Stordeur bought a 25-year-old furniture manufacturer in Alberta without having to use any of his own capital. Lees meer
Topics in Andrew’s interview:
Taking a startup to an IPO
Competition in the wood furniture space
Financing without the SBA
Advice for Canadian searchers
Getting a 35% seller note
His 100% financed deal
His plan to increase direct-to-consumer sales
Being the sole breadwinner for a family of 6
Deciding not to buy with a partner
How his company ships faster than Amazon
References and how to contact Andrew:
LinkedIn
Twitter
All Things Cedar
Village Wellth
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
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The Birth of a Roll-Up
25 maart 2024 · 1 uur 24 min
Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101 Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3IGEZWQ
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Stephen Olmon & Collin Trimble set out to roll up the alarm industry in Texas. Alarm Masters is their first acquisition.
Topics in Stephen and Collin’s interview:
All about the alarm, fire, & security industry
Their roll-up strategy
Moats in the form of risk and licensing requirements
Valuation based on monthly recurring revenue
Educating their lenders on industry practices
Using a holdback to mitigate attrition risk
Choosing to offer both installation and service
The supply of technicians in this industry
The value of Collin’s sales skills
Strategic questions they asked during due diligence
References and how to contact Stephen and Collin:
Stephen Olmon Twitter
Stephen Olmon LinkedIn
Collin Trimble Twitter
Collin Trimble LinkedIn
Alarm Masters
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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How to Identify & Buy a Great Residential Contractor
21 maart 2024 · 1 uur 20 min
Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101 Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3veZaYP
Alan Lochridge left a career in consulting to buy a 20-year-old $5.5m hardscaping contractor with strong fundamentals.
Topics in Alan’s interview:
Years of searching before acquiring
Understanding the ROBS financing strategy
Reiterating company values weekly
His day-to-day role as owner
Restructuring to do more with fewer people
Embracing digital marketing and CRM tools
Why he’s so comfortable with project-based revenue
Advantage of a negative cash conversion cycle
Pros and cons of using subcontractors
Getting his general contractor’s license
References and how to contact Alan:
LinkedIn
alan@stonemanrocks.com
The Stone Man
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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
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Reward for a Brutal Transition: 3 Hours/Week with 2x EBITDA
18 maart 2024 · 1 uur 52 min
Register here for the webinar, Working Capital 101 Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3IFObuB
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Despite an overwhelming transition, today Dan Tagliatela has 17x'd his initial investment and delegated the day-to-day.
Topics in Dan’s interview:
His background in investing
What margins indicate about a business
Return on assets as a quality metric
Acquiring a pavement sealing company
Geographic density advantage of the business
His goal to double volume over 10 years
Replacing the antiquated robocall machine
Stress of learning and upgrading at the same time
Buying a window cleaning company
The Goldilocks approach to management
References and how to contact Dan:
LinkedIn
Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter
Competitive Advantage by Michael Porter
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
-
Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26m
14 maart 2024 · 2 uur 6 min
John Wilson bought & grew a very small plumbing business 26x over the last 7 years, and today has plans to reach $100m. Lees meer
Topics in John’s interview:
Growing up in his family’s home services business
Taking over the business at 23
Acquiring a turnaround to grow his business
His first time doing layoffs
Using CertainPath’s model to grow
Tripling his ad spend during Covid
Why he believes in buying small
His take on installing an operator
His plan to get to $100M
The taxonomy of blue collar businesses
References and how to contact John:
Owned and Operated (his podcast)
The Wilson Companies
Twitter
John’s tweet thread breaking down homes services business
CertainPath
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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
-
Unlocking Growth in a Business, Average Age 55
11 maart 2024 · 1 uur 52 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Danny Fields & Steve Reis bought a decades-old utility supplier seemingly ripe for growth. It was harder than it looked.
Topics in Danny and Steve’s interview:
Their shared background in the military
Educating their investors about oil and gas
Dramatically increasing their cold outreach response rate
Buying a business with $1M+ in revenue per employee
Delaying growth to build relationships
The pros and cons of having a workforce near retirement
Acquiring product lines and building a manufacturing company
Daily stress of running a business
Importance of buying a growing business
The future of renewable energy
References and how to contact Danny & Steve:
Danny Fields' LinkedIn
Steve Reis' LinkedIn
Holland Supply Company
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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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Bought Tiny, Grew to $4m
7 maart 2024 · 1 uur 39 min
SBA lender Chad Fondriest got the itch to get in the game himself & bought a couple's hobby business doing just $150k. Lees meer
Topics in Chad’s interview:
Keeping his W-2 while running the business
Quadrupling revenue in 2 years
Getting listed on Wayfair
Tradeoffs of selling on Amazon
High importance of inventory management
Explosive growth during Covid
How he estimated market size
Difficulty of competing in ecommerce
Forecasting trends a year in advance
Grief and joy of managing creatives
References and how to contact Chad:
Darby Creek Trading
chad@darbycreektrading.com
Twitter
LinkedIn
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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
-
When You Buy a Glorified Job, Not a Business
4 maart 2024 · 1 uur 45 min
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: Lees meer
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer.
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
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of 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 Front Lines of a Crisis
29 februari 2024 · 1 uur 37 min
14 months ago, Russ Hadlock bought an auto glass business with $2.3m in sales. Today he is struggling to keep it alive. Lees meer
Topics in Russ’s interview:
Inventing the Peloton handlebar tray
His life-changing exit from his company
Looking for stability and safety through acquisition
Fear of buying a company that was too big to operate
Expenses skyrocketing after transition
Impact of asset purchase on rent and insurance costs
Layoffs and belt tightening
Renegotiating his SBA loan
Consolidating locations as a Hail Mary
Need to get a job while still owning the business
References and how to contact Russ:
Twitter
LinkedIn
AutoGlass Clinic & Mobile Radio
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
Steed - book your free session
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit)
26 februari 2024 · 1 uur 37 min
Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years. Lees meer
Topics in Ben’s interview:
His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
Quickly making changes after transition
Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
Surviving the challenges of Covid
Doubling the business and selling to private equity
Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
Buying a healthy business for his next venture
Competing with private equity for acquisitions
References and how to contact Ben:
Hartwood Point
LinkedIn
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
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
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-
Saying No to Home Services, Yes to B2B Media
22 februari 2024 · 1 uur 20 min
Nathan Gregory left the music industry to buy Autobody News, a business that could benefit from his experience in media. Lees meer
Topics in Nathan’s interview:
Building and exiting a beer koozie brand
Managing brand partnerships for pop stars
Educating himself on business acquisition
Pivoting away from home services
Buying a media company with a partner
Why print media isn’t dead
His audience-first approach
Commitment vs passion for the industry
Serving a hybrid workforce
The business model for trade publications
References and how to contact Nathan:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Autobody News
Acquira
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
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Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
8 Figs or Bust: Transitioning a Big Plumbing Business
19 februari 2024 · 1 uur 51 min
Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3SUJhzQ
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS
Peter deBaptiste bought a 35-person plumbing business with 2 very technical, hands-on owners 1 hour away from his house.
Topics in Peter’s interview:
Building operational skills in a start-up
Acquiring Joe Cole Plumbing
His disappointing first day as owner
Buying from 2 co-owners
Surprises in employee turnover
Losing clients to a former employee
What he likes about the plumbing business
The complexities of working capital in construction
Why he recommends holding off on strategy
Underestimating his salary needs
References and how to contact Peter:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Joe Cole Plumbing
Episode with Peter's friend, Morgan McCauley:
Taking the Plunge into Extreme OwnershipLearn 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:
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-
Fire, Covid, Exit: 5 Years in a $12m Events Business
15 februari 2024 · 1 uur 46 min
Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3uwHx6y
Will Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into opportunity.
Topics in Will’s interview:
Benefits of a traditional search fund
Feeling like a “wartime president”
His brutal first year as owner
Value of a strong company culture
Scrambling to fulfill contracts after a large warehouse fire
Layoff and salary cuts during Covid
Building and strengthening the business during Covid
Creating an incentive strategy for employees
Texas as an attractive place for business
How sailing prepared him for leading people
References and how to contact Will Wright:
Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia
LinkedIn
Peerless Events and Tents
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Taking a Blue Collar Biz from $900k to $2.4m in Earnings
12 februari 2024 · 1 uur 34 min
Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3SAWZXd
Adam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4 years.
Topics in Adam’s interview:
Adam’s experience working for a fundless sponsor
Pros & cons of having the federal government as a customer
Doubling his work force in a “tough labor market”
Why overhead doesn't need to scale with labor force
Doing nothing for the first six months as owner
Why he invests in traditional search funds
Personal risk and work involved in self-funded search
Being on the right side of the SBA loan
Tying profit sharing to gross profit
Adam's decision to hold the business indefinitely
References and how to contact Adam:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Delta Installation Group
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
First-Timer Turns $20k into $900k in 19 Months
8 februari 2024 · 1 uur 34 min
Only after taking a second look at a small wedding catering & venue business did Nick Patrick recognize an opportunity. Lees meer
Topics in Nick’s interview:
Buying a business that checked only one box
Getting past major key person risk
Nick's fear of lacking operational experience
Acquiring without an SBA loan or investors
Learning to lead and handle conflict
Operational intensity of a wedding catering business
Cash flow advantages due to up-front deposits
Improvements he made to the business
Realizing he won’t be able double business
Selling the business for a healthy profit
References and how to contact Nick:
Nick's Linktree: http://linktr.ee/nick.patrick
Invest Like the Best
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
The Model Works: Reflections of a Plumbing Business Buyer
5 februari 2024 · 1 uur 35 min
Doug Johns reflects on his balance sheet, lifestyle, and new identity as business owner after 9 quarters in the seat. Lees meer
Topics in Doug’s interview:
His wife's involvement in the business
Working 60 hours a week
His experience with ROBS structure and buyout
Slowdown in home services industry
Why he loves owning & operating
When & why to raise your prices
Moving to a small town in a metro area
Integration of business into daily life
Fierce competition in home services
Great benefit of franchises: in-network peer groups
References and how to contact Doug:
LinkedIn
Doug John’s first appearance 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
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
Steed - book your free session
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Buying a $4m Business (with 80% Recurring Revenue)
1 februari 2024 · 1 uur 28 min
Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: Lees meer
https://bit.ly/4263xl0
It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy.
How his father’s failed business influenced him
Being rejected by a search accelerator
Starting an accounting firm while searching
18 months of dead deals before acquisition
Role of luck in business success
Role of his wife
How accounting practices are valued and priced
Red flags to look for during diligence
Role of PASBA in shaping accounting practices
His advice for searchers looking at accounting practices
References and how to contact Michael:
michael@bay-biz.com
LinkedIn
PASBA
Patrick Dichter
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Taking the Plunge into Extreme Ownership
29 januari 2024 · 1 uur 44 min
Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3U52srP
At his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both.
Topics in Morgan’s interview:
His experience working in a family office
Investing 2 months in a deal that died
Trade-off between equity and salary in traditional search
Geographical search in South Florida
Challenges with healthcare regulations
Why Robert Graham didn’t like the deal
The decision to invest in business growth
Learning curve in the highly regulated home care industry
Investing in business growth vs aggressively paying down debt
Evaluating the lifetime value of clients
References and how to contact Morgan:
LinkedIn
How to Buy & Double a Home Care Agency | Jérôme Bouillon Interview
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
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Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Finding a Good Business After 2+ Years of Searching
25 januari 2024 · 1 uur 31 min
Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: Lees meer
https://bit.ly/3SsxKrt
Ryan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline.
Topics in Ryan’s interview:
Lessons learned from a failed deal
Value of a thorough quality of earnings investigation
Why “stupid good margins” are a bad sign
Buying a residential pool business in the Golden Isles of Georgia
Being ghosted by his bookkeeper after transition
His intern who stepped in after the bookkeeper disappeared
Why Ryan’s business doesn’t do pool construction
What he likes about seasonality
His plan to own the Georgia coast
His WhatsApp search support “pod”
References and how to contact Ryan:
Twitter
Turner Point Capital
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Buying a Business to 20x a Real Estate Empire
22 januari 2024 · 1 uur 54 min
Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: Lees meer
https://bit.ly/492E8eh
Buying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio.
Topics in Brandon’s interview:
Why he changed his mind about service businesses
Modernizing and professionalizing a property management business
Growing from 12 to 25 employees
The pain of owning a business with no pricing power
Setting boundaries with clients around service offerings
Pros and cons of property management
How SMB owners can incentivize Google reviews
The myth of “passive income” in real estate
Managing tenant relationships
Who should buy a property management business (and who shouldn’t)
References and how to contact Brandon:
My First Million podcast
Brian Shields' recent episode on Acquiring Minds: 2.5 Years from Buying to Exiting
Twitter
North Terrace Property Management
brandon@northterrace.com
Brandon’s popular Twitter thread from 2020
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
Steed - book your free session
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
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-
4 Acquisitions In, Holdco Builder's Goal is £150m
18 januari 2024 · 1 uur 17 min
Holdco entrepreneur Sam Turner shares his vision to build the leading platform for independent M&E businesses in the UK. Lees meer
Topics in Sam’s interview:
Importance of patience and flexible timelines
Getting through fetal position moments
Balancing diversification and integration
Gurus in the business buying space
Lessons from his first acquisition
Change management in blue collar businesses
Increasing holdco revenue target from £60m to £150m
Extending his 5-year plan to 10 years
His vision to improve the lives of 30,000 people
Shared services among his four businesses
References and how to contact Sam:
LinkedIn
sam.turner@advantos.com
Empire Builder: The Road to a Billion by Adam Coffey
Sam’s first interview with Acquiring Minds: Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
14 Months from Searcher to $5.5m EBITDA
16 januari 2024 · 1 uur 45 min
Luis Aguilar found a $1.5m SDE commercial laundry business on BizBuySell, then a second acquisition followed quickly. Lees meer
Topics in Luis’s interview:
Geographical search in Florida
Working with SIG (Search Investment Group) to raise capital
Pitching investors and overcoming rejection
Negotiating a dead deal back to life
Acquiring a linen rental business
Second order effects of raising employee wages
Learning all the jobs in the business
Mental weight of being the chief decision maker
Doing a second big acquisition in the first year
Increasing profit in both businesses
References and how to contact Luis:
LinkedIn
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
Steed - book your free session
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
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-
Shutting Down After a 4-Year Struggle
11 januari 2024 · 1 uur 29 min
Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition: Lees meer
https://acquiringminds.co/webinars/how-to-model-a-self-funded-sba-acquisition
The cemetery services biz Philip Blackett bought in 2019 was finally squeezed to insolvency & shuttered 2 months ago.
Topics in Philip's interview:
Searching locally due to having twins
Buying a cemetery management business
The downside of flat monthly billing
Increasing expenses straining his bottom line
Covid deaths affecting his customers
Working a second job for a year
Unforeseen weather challenges
Taking high-interest loans to keep the business going
Importance of a support system
His decision to close the business
References and how to contact Philip:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Business Wealth Without Risk
Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today:
Steed - book your free session
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Buying a Big $7m Trade School
8 januari 2024 · 1 uur 35 min
Watch the recording of our webinar on Financial Modeling a Self-Funded SBA Acquisition: Lees meer
https://acquiringminds.co/webinars/how-to-model-a-self-funded-sba-acquisition
In a world of tight labor supply, Tyrel Sulzer & Bob Boniface saw the benefits of buying a school that trains truckers.
Topics in Tyrel and Bob’s interview:
Choosing to do a partnered search
Why they chose a traditional search fund
Interviewing prospective investors
Potential in blue collar businesses
The future of trade schools
Buying a CDL school
The demand for CDL training
Job opportunities for graduates of their CDL school
High turnover in long-haul trucking
Competition in the CDL training industry
References and how to contact Tyrel and Bob:
TransTech
Bob Boniface LinkedIn
Tyrel Sulzer LinkedIn
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
-
Moving to a Small Town to Buy an SMB
4 januari 2024 · 1 uur 40 min
When he bought an HVAC business in east Tennessee, John Mahony moved in next door & became a member of the community. Lees meer
Topics in John’s interview:
Moving from Nashville to rural Appalachia
His vision to build a holding company
Buying an HVAC business in a small town
Transferring skills he learned in the Marines
Hiring veterans for their leadership capabilities
Learning about HVAC through ride-alongs
Changes he made after transition
Revenue growth and increasing headcount
Cyclicality of HVAC revenue
Preserving traditions from the previous owners
References and how to contact John:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
The Appeal of Buying a Food Product Business
2 januari 2024 · 1 uur 41 min
Pat Lazure explains why Flavor-Crisp, a food product business that uses co-packers, was such a great business to buy. Lees meer
Topics in Pat’s interview:
Doing a “spouse-funded” search
Starting a shear-sharpening business while searching
Growth, churn, & margins in his shear-sharpening business
Why he wanted to buy a breading and batter mix company so badly
Similarities between food businesses & dropshipping businesses
The role of co-packers in the food industry
Challenges & risks in his food business
Psychology of having an SBA loan
Reflections on owning 2 small businesses
The value of BizBuySell’s Insight Report
References and how to contact Pat:
LinkedIn
Rock Paper Shears
Flavor-Crisp
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:
More Staffing
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in Revenue
28 december 2023 · 1 uur 29 min
Sam Turner is 3 acquisitions into a 5-year plan to buy HVAC businesses across the UK that together cash flow £6m/yr. (Rebroadcast from August 2022.) Lees meer
Topics in Sam's interview:
How the businesses he buys are run and by whom
Buying without the benefit of an SBA loan
Why HVAC?
Why buying small business is more appealing than real estate
Harbour Club with Jeremy Harbour
The value in acquiring businesses in a highly-fragmented industry
Deal structure for his first acquisition
Sam's goal for revenue/EBITDA/multiple and his own wealth
Buying small vs. buying big
Buying an HVAC with mostly new construction vs. maintenance revenue
White collar people buying blue collar businesses
Reach Sam at:
sam DOT turner AT advantos DOT com
LinkedIn
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great Business
26 december 2023 · 1 uur 25 min
How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. (Rebroadcast from September 2022.) Lees meer
Topics in Doug's interview:
Buying a franchise vs. independent business
Opening your mind to a franchise
The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
Running a search like a B2B sales process
The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
Loving, rather than running from, managing people
Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
ServiceTitan
Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
The numbers of Doug's deal
The exact multiple is way less important than you think
Using ROBS to buy the business
Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
Going to meet a seller face to face
Reach Doug at:
doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
LinkedIn
Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:
More Staffing
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Building a $350m Holdco of Farms
21 december 2023 · 1 uur 44 min
Jack McCarthy has acquired 27 pistachio & almond farms from retiring owners, with a plan to build & hold for decades. Lees meer
Topics in Jack’s interview:
Jack’s fascination with overlooked businesses
Gold Leaf’s unique business model
Appeal of farmland as a safe and attractive asset
How farms are valued
How specialty crops compare to row crops
What makes a farm high quality
Using technology to farm efficiently
Incentivizing farm managers
Converting conventional farms to organic
Long-term nature of agriculture
References and how to contact Jack:
Linkedin
jack@goldleaf.ag
Gold Leaf
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Factory Life: Buying a Manufacturer with $1m SDE
18 december 2023 · 1 uur 32 min
Ben Jasper made a change at age 40, acquiring a plastic bag manufacturer with 10 people & a daily start time of 4:30am. Lees meer
Topics in Ben’s interview:
Managing a portfolio of $500 million on Wall Street
Leaving finance to prioritize family
Buying a plastic bag manufacturer
Starting his work day at 3:30 AM
His intense 2-month initiation
Creating a manual and financial model to manage the business
Challenges of maintaining old machinery
Understanding his employees' personal values
Long-term vision to hire an operator
Negative revenue growth in the manufacturing industry
References and how to contact Ben:
LinkedIn
Benjamin Ross Group
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:
More Staffing
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Scaling Sweaty Services with a Brokerage Model
14 december 2023 · 1 uur 25 min
Eddy Zakes has 2x'd revenue and 4x'd headcount at the snow removal brokerage he bought with a traditional search fund. Lees meer
Notes from the conversation with Eddy:
His highly-personal outreach approach
Earth Development’s unusual business model
Negotiating with an anxious seller
Acquiring during Covid
How being close to a target business changes rapport building
Buying a highly seasonal business
Operating across multiple states
Convincing a key employee to stay
Risk of customers taking relationships off the platform
Quadrupling staff to add management and redundancy
References and how to contact Eddy:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Earth Development Inc.
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
2.5 Years from Buying to Exiting
11 december 2023 · 1 uur 45 min
Brian Lee Shields bought a barely-profitable property management business intending to improve, grow, & hold it forever. Lees meer
Topics in Brian’s interview:
Importance of energy vs talent
Brian's partner and their complementary roles
Buying property management companies
Improving their net promoter score (NPS)
Building a culture of completion rate measurement
Relocating positions and outsourcing
Importance of trust in property management
Successfully transitioning to a remote-first business
Deciding to sell the business
His burnout and recovery
References and how to contact Brian:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Traction by Gino Wickman
High Output Management by Andy Grove
On the Nature of Long-term Holds: Why Entrepreneurs Should Embrace this Strategy
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:
More Staffing
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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-
Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business
7 december 2023 · 1 uur 26 min
Darryl Lindie did a geo-constrained search in Rhode Island to acquire a sign business with $650k of SDE & 25 employees. Lees meer
Topics in Darryl’s interview:
His background in the Navy
How getting an MBA might slow you down
Searching in a small geographic radius
Buying a signage company
Valuing a business with a lot of cash transactions
Getting comfortable with project-based revenue
Mistakes in due diligence
Improving the culture in 100 days
Hiring a supplier to be his GM
Raising a fund for New Majority Capital
References and how to contact Darryl:
LinkedIn
darryl@newmajoritycapital.com
New Majority Capital
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?: How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire
The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success
Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
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