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The SMB Deal Hunter Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Helen Guo
Every week, Helen Guo interviews successful acquisition entrepreneurs, independent sponsors, and investors who have acquired businesses. Learn how to buy a business rather than starting one from scratch from those who have done it themselves.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago41 min
He Left Apple to Buy a $1.3M Tech Repair Business
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Ben breaks down how he left Apple after 13 years to buy 3 tech repair stores in Silicon Valley, how his 401k covered the 10% down payment, and what his first 45 days as an owner actually looked like.◼️ The below-asking offer the seller turned down, and how it came back months later◼️ Why the loan he owes the seller shrinks every hour his team works for customers who prepaid the last owner◼️ How a neighborhood repair business runs gross margins above 70%◼️ The client CEO who pushed to cut their IT contract before Ben even closed, and what he did about it◼️ Why the last owner ran it from LA, and why Ben makes a 70-mile commute to be in the stores almost every dayFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- 2 weeks ago53 min
How This 29-Year-Old Owns a $1.8M/yr HVAC Business (After Private Equity)
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Henry breaks down why he left real estate private equity at 29 to buy a 21-year-old HVAC company making about $1.8M a year in cash flow, how he won the deal without being the highest bidder, and what his first 2 months as an owner actually look like.◼️ The pitch that won over the seller, built around what was on the table over 6 months versus 6 years◼️ Why his $4.7M loan was too big to be simple for a government-backed small business loan and too small for most big banks, and what he'd do differently◼️ How he bought a business in a trade he can't get licensed in anytime soon, and the question every lender kept asking him◼️ Why maintenance plans that bring in just $175 to $350 a year are the key to making his company worth more◼️ The 2 things that mattered more to him than the industry, and the one kind of business he'd never buyFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- 3 weeks ago1h 5m
How This Couple Runs a $1.3M/yr Physical Therapy Business (Neither Is a Therapist)
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Irving and Evgeniia break down how they bought a physical therapy clinic earning $1.3M a year in East Texas, why neither of them had to be a therapist to own it, and what it took to rebuild it in their first year.◼️ The 3 weeks they had to replace the seller, their only therapist, after he walked out, and how they found the one who's still with them today◼️ How revenue fell 50% in their first 6 months, and what they changed to grow it 15% past the previous owner's numbers◼️ The paychecks written by hand and the referrals stuffed in drawers, and why Irving's 20 years of corporate habits became their biggest advantage◼️ How a husband and wife take turns between the clinic and the kids, 4 hours apart◼️ What they'd check before closing if they did it again, and why Irving tells new buyers to ask the seller to carry more of the loanFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- 3 weeks ago27 min
From Corporate Finance to a $1.1M/yr Tent Rental Business (With His Wife)
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Alex breaks down how he went from 10+ years in corporate finance to buying a $1.1M/yr tent rental business with his wife, how they came up with the 10% down, and what his first 2 months as an owner have actually looked like.◼️ Why he spent 2 months spinning his wheels with brokers, and what finally got him unstuck◼️ Why the sellers picked him over another event rental company that made a similar offer◼️ The 50-year-old printing business he got serious about first, and why he walked away◼️ How a tent bought once for up to $100K can bring in about $15K in a single weekend◼️ Why he's holding off on paying himself, even though the business can already cover his old salaryFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- 4 weeks ago20 min
How to Get Your First SBA Loan in 2026 (New Rules + Full Course)
Want help buying a business? https://go.smbdealhunter.xyz/bb43896dSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (270,000+ subscribers): https://go.smbdealhunter.xyz/c68d98dbIn this video, I break down how to actually get an SBA 7(a) loan to buy a business in 2026: the 9 steps from having no lender to closing, plus every rule that just changed.◼️ The one step where almost every first-time buyer loses their deal, and how to avoid it◼️ How little of your own cash you actually need to put in now◼️ The question a lender will ask that ends your call on the spot if you get it wrong◼️ What one buyer did when her bank killed the financing the seller had agreed to, a day before closing◼️ The rules that changed on October 1st, and which deals they now stop from ever happeningFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- Oct 12, 202634 min
How He Went From Losing His Job to a $425K/yr Business
Want help buying a business? https://go.smbdealhunter.xyz/4e1d6feaSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (250,000+ subscribers): https://go.smbdealhunter.xyz/5bdd1597In this episode, Justin breaks down how he went from losing his job to owning a $425K/yr landscaping company, why he first passed on it as too expensive, and how he bought it for $1.2M after his first deal died at the finish line.◼️ How the business he couldn't afford came back on the market the same day his first deal fell apart◼️ How he kept his paycheck after handing in his notice for a deal that never closed◼️ How he bought a 40-year-old company with 10% down, and got the seller to wait 2 years for his first payment◼️ How he fit 15 to 20 hours a week of searching around a full-time job and being a single dad half the week◼️ Why he isn't paying himself yet, and the businesses he wants to add over the next 10 yearsFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- Oct 9, 202633 min
How She Bought a $290K/yr Chimney Business (Ex-Airbnb & Twitter)
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Victoria breaks down why she left in-house roles at Airbnb and Twitter behind to buy a 30-year-old stove and chimney business near Lake Tahoe, how she got the seller to finance most of the deal, and what happened when she modernized a business that still ran on paper.◼️ Why the seller's contractor license scared off most buyers, and how she solved it◼️ What made her willing to buy a business she calls "super high risk" at a price under 2x what it earns in a year◼️ The list of 5,000 past customers the old owner never advertised to, and what happened after one email◼️ The interview with another business buyer that convinced her to hire a technician on day 1◼️ How she and her wife split the work while she keeps her film production company runningFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
- Oct 5, 202640 min
How He Put $70k Down to Buy a Business Cashflowing $400K/yr
Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (265,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Michael breaks down how he went from losing his job to buying a marketing agency he'd never worked in, closing an off-market deal, and using AI to make the business more profitable.◼️ Marketing agencies weren't even on his list, so what did he see in the books that convinced him to buy one anyway?◼️ One seller was sure he'd never have the money. Hear the deadline he gave them that finally got the deal done.◼️ He bought a $1.6M business with about $70K of his own cash down (much harder under today's SBA rules), and the sellers agreed to wait 2 years to get paid. He explains how the deal came together.◼️ His team said one website job would take 2 more weeks. The accountant finished it in 2 days with AI.◼️ Revenue is down, but profit is up 35% to 40% this year. He walks through what changed inside the agency.Follow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/
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About The SMB Deal Hunter Podcast
Every week, Helen Guo interviews successful acquisition entrepreneurs, independent sponsors, and investors who have acquired businesses. Learn how to buy a business rather than starting one from scratch from those who have done it themselves.
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