The SMB Deal Hunter Podcast

How She Runs a $246K/yr Business Without Quitting Her Job

September 14, 2026·56 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Want help buying a business? https://smbdealhunter.link/pro-ytSubscribe to the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter (250,000+ subscribers): https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz/In this episode, Deborah breaks down why AI pushed her to start looking for a business of her own, how she and her husband closed on an $887K bath and kitchen remodeling company after 15 lenders turned her down, and what the first three months of actually owning it looked like.◼️ The 18% drop in revenue that made 15 lenders in a row say no, and what she found when she pushed the seller for the real reason◼️ Why she had ruled out franchises completely, and the one that changed her mind◼️ How she put the down payment together, and the move that kept a lien off her house◼️ Why the day she took over was one of the worst days for the people already working there◼️ The two hours she spent building an AI setup that cut her proposal time in halfFollow Helen:Twitter: https://x.com/HelenGuo_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-guo-06674523/

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