Acquiring Minds Will Smith

Robert Graham & Aaron Blick's first acquisition did $1.2m SDE. Four years later, their roll-up generates $15m in EBITDA.
Topics in Robert & Aaron’s interview:
Going from lifelong friends to business partnersImpact of private equity on industry roll-upsRunning their companies remotelyA competing business poaching employeesFinancial shocks after taking ownershipWhy they believe in buying bigNecessity of hiring presidents to operate their businessesCompany presidents guaranteeing the SBA loanBlending SBA loans with a roll-up modelHow buyer-seller power dynamics shift after purchaseReferences and how to contact Robert & Aaron:
Episode #149 Home Care Business: How to Buy and 2x an AgencyEpisode #218 Taking the Plunge into Extreme OwnershipRobert Graham LinkedInAaron Blick LinkedInRobert Graham TwitterPillar Health GroupSIG PartnersGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRWork with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSJohn 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 closingValue of peer groupsHow real estate compares to business ownershipTaking over a company before the deal closedUnforseen transition expensesCarl Allen’s business buying courseLeaving his W-2 to search for a businessValue of joining industry associationsRestructuring his workforce to increase marginsBuying a company with a management layerReferences and how to contact John:
LinkedInDave Cole DecoratorsJohn@dcd-inc.comLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition LabGet 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 Twitter

Reid Tileston bought a business that relied on $800k trucks, capex he came to love for the fat margins they produced.
Topics in Reid’s interview:
Working on the business instead of in itWriting a book about acquisitionPeople are the worst and best part of businessPower of feedback and relationships for business ownersThe company’s slow temp-to-hire processGetting his CDL to be hands-on Moving paper processes to the cloudPros and cons of an Employee Stock Ownership ProgramPersonally testing field service management techRisks of informing employees of a business saleReferences and how to contact Reid:
LinkedInTwitterGrit It Done by Reid TilestonWork with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital AdvisoryLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSRafael 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 PanamaBuying his first business Panama from a billboard adHow to buy a business with an operatorHow he decided to build a holdcoSelf-identity as investor vs. entrepreneur3-year dry spell not buying any businessesBeing in "search mode" your whole careerBreaking his own rule by buying a restaurantWhy he turned his sights to the USHow to raise $28m & structure a holdcoWhy buy a furniture retailerReferences and how to contact Guest:
TwitterLinkedInAthens PizzaHickory ParkAlternative HoldingsGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet 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 Twitter

The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths.
Topics in Christian’s interview:
His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisisQualities of a top salespersonBusiness acquisition as a way out of a miserable careerShopping around for an SBA loanChoosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknessesDifficulty in hiring for constructionBouncing back and growing after Covid lossesRed flags he ignored when acquiring his second businessHow his finance background benefited himHis $100 million goalReferences and how to contact Christian:
LinkedInResolute ServicesWork with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet 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 Twitter

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSPatrick 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 oneIntricacies of trash disposal pricingNiches within trash servicesCompetition and cooperation in trash servicesThe first question you should ask when considering a trash businessWhy he regrets not hiring a managerHiring for dangerous, strenuous jobs4xing revenue through customer service and Google adsThe cycle of building and selling a trash businessBuying a business without an MBAReferences and how to contact Patrick:
LinkedInGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter