Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co

  1. How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition

    2 HRS AGO

    How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition

    Alicia Powers wanted to buy a general contractor but understood the risks in such businesses and negotiated accordingly. Register for the webinar:  Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence - Thu, May 14 - https://bit.ly/4wqiYU3Topics in Alicia’s interview: Air Force construction experienceCorporate job at an elevator companyLeading a shower remodeling startupLayoff motivated her toward acquisitionWhy franchising isn’t for herAcquiring a small construction businessGetting her general contractor licenseSpecializing in home additions/ADUsTailwinds in the San Diego areaSurprisingly long sales cycleReferences and how to contact Alicia: LinkedInPrice BuildersGet 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

    1hr 17min
  2. Buying Small to Build for the Long Term ($300k SDE)

    4 DAYS AGO

    Buying Small to Build for the Long Term ($300k SDE)

    Brendan Duebner's goal is to build a healthy, long-term business of 20-40 people. Buying a $1.2m MSP was his first step. Topics in Brendan’s interview: Learning to lead in the ArmySummer internship with Josh MedowCold calling is unpleasant but effectiveLiving and acquiring in the Bay AreaWorking in the business before closingSigns of seller integrity85% seller note with no personal guaranteeImplementing EOS himselfChoosing to only hire localHis mission of building a tribeReferences and how to contact Brendan: LinkedInIT Total CareJosh Medow on Acquiring Minds: How to Unlock Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business You BuyAbhi Ravishankar on Acquiring Minds: The $50m Lifestyle HoldcoWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

    1hr 24min
  3. A $800k Business to Start, $60m Portfolio Today

    4 MAY

    A $800k Business to Start, $60m Portfolio Today

    Andrew Blazenko has made 6 acquisitions over the last ten years. Pairing businesses with operators is key to his model. Topics in Andrew’s interview: Background as a business brokerWanted the exit joy for himselfDanger of low barrier to entryFinding great operators to run his businessesBusiness acquisition requires repsExecutive in Residence programRequiring operators to invest in the businessDifficulty of raising equity in CanadaShipping costs as a natural moatLiving as a “gentleman of leisure” References and how to contact Andrew: LinkedInProSafeEterna EquityTrueFoamThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.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 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

    1hr 6min
  4. Buying Then Losing a $2.1m HVAC Business

    30 APR

    Buying Then Losing a $2.1m HVAC Business

    Dan Burnside thought he got a great deal on an $800k SDE business. Instead he'd bought bad faith and years of struggle. Register for the webinar:   Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to Get Banks on Board - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sO0MAtTopics in Dan’s interview: Buying in a small, rural areaDiscovering seller fraud after acquisitionKey employee leaves and starts competing businessWorking to integrate himself into the communityHVAC techs resisted technology changesWife and kids unhappy in the new placeGetting his Master Mechanical Contractor licenseCustomers not paying their invoicesHiring challenges in rural areasBankruptcy and his new AI ventureReferences and how to contact Dan: LinkedInJan Roll on Acquiring Minds: 21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE BusinessGet 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 MindsThe 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

    1hr 53min
  5. From $1m to $25m in 6 Years

    27 APR

    From $1m to $25m in 6 Years

    Jeff Flannery is a great example of how franchising complements ETA, having rolled up 17 units since starting in 2019. Register for the webinars:  Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price Adjustments - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4u9KyD6Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to Get Banks on Board - Thu, Apr 30 - https://bit.ly/3OpzRgxTopics in Jeff’s interview: Difference between a practice and a business18 years of running a procurement recruiting firmAcquiring a failing Hand and Stone locationImproving the franchisee playbookAsk franchisees for the actual profit marginsMastering the business from the bottom upWorking 100-hour weeks for yearsImplementing enrollment feesRunning spas in California through CovidBuilding an inbound and outbound offshore call centerReferences and how to contact Jeff: LinkedInjflannery@purpleeaglespas.comHand & StoneDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.comWork 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.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

    1hr 56min
  6. The Searchers Building a $10m EBITDA Powerhouse

    23 APR

    The Searchers Building a $10m EBITDA Powerhouse

    Nicolás Lulli bought a document storage business in Peru. 6 years later, it is a $25m leader in the Andean region. Register for the webinar:  Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price Adjustments - Tue, Apr 28 - https://bit.ly/490Ms0qTopics in Nicolás’s interview: First employee at Relay Investments search fundLaunched Peru’s first search fund, Colca CapitalCovid lockdowns erased profits almost overnightRebuilding the business into a tight submarineFrom $0 EBITDA to $5m in one yearShifted focus toward acquisitions for faster growthRecords storage is a real estate businessInvests in other searchers to pay it forwardThe cradle-to-grave strategy in records managementBuilding a searcher community in PeruReferences and how to contact Nicolás: LinkedInColca CapitalGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.  Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta. The 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

    1hr 8min
  7. Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer

    20 APR

    Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer

    Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey. Topics in Greg’s interview: Fifteen years learning systems at Sysco FoodsFailed startup revealed builder, not founder pathHelped scale trucking roll-up through industry consolidationRevisiting his “heck no” pileInvests in timeless blue-collar essential industriesLate-40s searches benefit from life experienceSpouse alignment essential before risking family securityHis wife’s perspective on the processGrowth comes from removing operational frictionHis wife’s perspective on the processReferences and how to contact Greg: LinkedInHirsch VenturesGet 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 MindsDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

    1hr 32min
  8. How Business-Buyer Fit Led to 2.2x and No PG

    16 APR

    How Business-Buyer Fit Led to 2.2x and No PG

    Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business. Register for the webinar:  Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4smYdoQTopics in Joseph’s interview: Trading a mid–six-figure salary for business ownershipWanting to “build his own ladder” instead of climbing someone else’sBuying a medical equipment distribution and service companyDesigning and outfitting hospital operating rooms45% net margins on $2M in revenueRaising service prices 20–50% in his first six weeksNavigating “lumpy” project-based revenue cyclesStructuring a $1.35M deal with seller financingPutting only $120K down with no personal guaranteeA post-closing banking freeze that forced him to cover payrollReferences and how to contact Joseph: LinkedInSurgical Specialties of GeorgiaIris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood HomeBrian Hartman on Acquiring Minds: The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree BusinessThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business: Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

    1hr 34min
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Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co

Information

  • Creator
    Will Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    459
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
  • Show Website
    Acquiring Minds

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