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Acquiring Minds: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Will Smith
Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business.
Latest Episodes
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- 3 days ago1h 11m
Losing a $1m SDE Business to Bankruptcy
Morli Desai bought an e-commerce brand with an SBA loan. Three years later: liquidation, Chapter 11, and gratitude.Register for the webinars:Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to Independent Sponsors - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4r81edBWorking Capital: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing - Tue, Sep 22 - https://bit.ly/4gZWFxhTopics in Morli’s interview:Acquiring a skincare brandWhy she felt confident in the companyEarly red flags she minimizedAmazon shipping disasterRising cost per click8-12% customer retention rateUnique challenges of ecommerceNegotiating multiple loan deferralsStress of the personal guaranteeFiling subchapter V bankruptcyReferences and how to contact Morli:LinkedInMorli’s first Acquiring Minds episode: How to Buy a $4m E-com Business with an SBA LoanGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 6 days ago1h 31m
$340k to $1.3m of Earnings in 14 Months
Rob Brooks bought a $1.9m Sarasota HVAC shop, then ignored the advice to wait 90 days before changing it.Register for the webinar: Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to Independent Sponsors - Thu, Sep 17 - https://bit.ly/3VqwuZuTopics in Rob’s interview:Choosing an industry where he had an edgeBuying smaller to reduce debt riskUnderstanding prepaid customer obligationsUsing ChatGPT to learn HVACMaking changes immediately after acquisitionInheriting a GM and long-tenured employeesDigitizing operations and increasing accountabilityTransforming a blame culture into a problem-solving cultureAdding weekly employee training sessionsPracticing radical honesty with customersReferences and how to contact Rob:LinkedInGary AirGrant HenselJack Carr on Acquiring Minds: Back from the Brink When Everybody Quits Day 1Get 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 MindsThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 1 weeks ago1h 7m
Buy a Business with Your Tax Bill
Adam Whelchel paid himself instead of the IRS, putting $35k down on an escape room doing $365k with room to grow.Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4hVeKikTopics in Adam’s interview:Built a $1.5M accounting firmBusiness brokerage opened the acquisition doorWanted a business his daughter could appreciateAn escape room caught his attentionFixed costs created massive operating leverageBought the business for roughly $220KPut about $35K into the dealBusiness acquisition as a tax strategyRe-engaged customers and local businessesPlans to double capacity to 20%References and how to contact Adam:LinkedInAxis Accounting & TaxJeff Homer on Acquiring Minds: 1 Music School to $100m in RevenueAdam’s slides Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 1 weeks ago1h 23m
First-Timer Buys a $15m Business in Distress
Mike Bourgeois bought an HVAC company bleeding $3m a year, all cash and no SBA, then cut $1.4m of costs in 2 weeks.Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - Thu, Sep 10 - https://bit.ly/4zKAGTNTopics in Mike’s interview:Led major Air Force medical practiceFound a search partner with complementary skill setsBet on distressed businesses with liquidation valueFound a deal through veteran ETA SlackSpeed beat the highest bidImmediately cut $1.4M in annualized expensesRaised gross margins from 7% to 49%Shifted from silos to teamworkEmphasis on ongoing staff trainingHis goal of being a capital allocator/investorReferences and how to contact Mike:LinkedInCardinal Heating & AirBook: The Compounders: From Small Acquisitions to Giant Shareholder ReturnsThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet 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 MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 2 weeks ago1h 45m
An Engineer's Mini Berkshire: 2 Auto Shops in 1 Year
Sujith Shankar left 25 years in corporate to buy cash-flowing businesses: a $1.2m repair shop and a $2m body shop.Topics in Sujith interview:How Rivian layoffs changed everythingFalling down the Warren Buffett rabbit holeWhy auto repair beat real estateFunding a deal without an SBA loanRunning a business while keeping a W-2Winning over skeptical employees after closingPlanning a mini Berkshire HathawayIs EV adoption really a threat?Buying a second business just months laterCollision shops vs. repair shopsReferences and how to contact Sujith:LinkedInThe Billionaire Who Wasn’t by Conor O’CleryEdgar Galindo on Acquiring Minds: How 1 SBA Loan Brought Down 2 BusinessesContact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 2 weeks ago1h 43m
Right-Tail Outcome for a Husband & Wife Search Fund
Courtney and Jonathan Dunn bought a fast-growing SaaS at 3-4x ARR, doubled it, then merged for a life-changing exit.Register for the webinar: Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4gXkwPtTopics in Jonathan & Courtney’s interview:Their background in oil & gasTurning down an offer from AppleImproving their investor pitchTraveling extensively to searchAcquiring a niche healthcare software company Using all equity, no debt, for the dealUsing an earn-out to resolve valuation disagreements Having a baby during the acquisition processThe hire they wish they’d made sooner Advice for couples considering building a business together.References and how to contact Jonathan & Courtney:Jonathan’s LinkedInCourtney’s LinkedInCerboNed Tomasevic spelling on Acquiring Minds: How to 4x EBITDA in 3 Years Without Growing SalesGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet 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 MindsGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Connect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 3 weeks ago1h 58m
The Ferrari of Signage: $9.5m Pipeline in 6 Months
Andrew Sova and Alex Clark revived sales at a 40-year-old sign manufacturer, the first acquisition of their holdco.Register for the webinars:New SBA Rules: What Business Buyers Need to Know - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4hGNwMiArchitecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - Tue, Sep 1 - https://bit.ly/4qc7dxxTopics in Andrew & Alex’s interview:Meeting at BCGPartnership provided accountability and motivationLooking for direct-impact rolesPrioritizing speed with brokered searchTheir vision to build a holdcoWinsor Fireform makes uniquely durable signageEmployee growth = key success metricSeller chose buyers based on trust, not priceCustomers include parks, transit systems, and stadiumsLong negotiation over working capitalReferences and how to contact Andrew and Alex:Andrew Sova’s LinkedInAlex Clark’s LinkedInNovo FoundryCayne CrossingWinsor FireformPioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
- 3 weeks ago1h 18m
1 Music School to $100m in Revenue
Jeff Homer returns 2 years later: 130 locations across music and dance, and a 100x return for his early investors.Register for the webinars:Licenses & Regulatory Issues When Buying a Business - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4ccatTWNew SBA Rules: What Business Buyers Need to Know - Thu, Aug 27 - https://bit.ly/4c3b6zjArchitecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - Tue, Sep 1 - https://bit.ly/4zdTbj2Topics in Jeff’s interview:Building a music school roll-upScaling through monthly acquisitionsExpanding into dance schoolsBack-office value creationTransitioning from operator to CEOBuilding middle managementAvoiding private equity pitfalls100x return for early investorsConstant travel as CEOFuture vision for EnsembleReferences and how to contact Jeff:LinkedInEnsembleJeff’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy 40 Businesses in 4 YearsWebinar:Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-UpGet 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 MindsThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
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About Acquiring Minds
Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business.
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