Acquiring Minds Will Smith

Elliott Edge started as a searcher looking for a single business, then pivoted to a roll-up. He's 7 acquisitions in.
Topics in Elliot’s interview:
His philosophy on submitting LOI’sAcquiring a managed service provider amidst CovidHis wife’s role in the acquisitionValue of an MBA in acquiring a businessQuickly going remote when Covid hitBuilding trust with employeesHow soon and fast to make changesCreating more value through roll-upsIntegrating new acquisitions into the roll-upHis belief in continuous changeReferences and how to contact Elliot:
Recording of the The Anatomy of an LOI webinar with Sam RosatiLinkedInVelonex TechnologiesSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessWork with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)
https://bit.ly/3VeWF1B
Matt Pohl & his wife bought a small welding business with extreme key person risk. They 4x'd the business in 2 years.
Topics in Matt’s interview:
Starting, growing and selling his own businessAcquiring a welding business with his wifeLearning how to hire weldersThe difficulties of hiring through a staffing agencyTransient nature of weldersGrowing while maintaining marginsStress of running a businessComparing zero-to-one to acquisitionCashflow management in a project-based businessUsing ReWild’s methods to grow the businessReferences and how to contact Guest:
mpohl@rewildgroup.comLinkedInThe Rewild GroupSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessLearn 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

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)
https://bit.ly/3yCQaOwDespite having no experience in manufacturing, Jens Grudno jumped when he heard about a failing straight-razor business.
Topics in Jens’s interview:
Buying a bankrupt razor manufacturerEmbracing risk in German business cultureCleaning out and moving a 116-year old businessAnother company poaching their clientsPitfalls to avoid when buying a businessDeveloping a new, innovative productOperating a company six hours from homeComparing start-ups to acquisitionValue of going where there's less competitionThe craft of manufacturingReferences and how to contact Jens:
j.grudno@dovo.comLinkedInTwitterDOVO OnlineSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessRegister for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:
Self-Funded Search ConferenceLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition LabGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:
Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The DO's & DON'Ts of the LOI (legal office hours)
https://bit.ly/4538koZStephen Quindlen & Paul Westhart have found powerful multipliers that could yield huge returns in an unlikely industry.
Topics in Stephen and Paul’s interview:
Acquiring auto repair shopsRetaining talent by adding employee benefitsFleet vs. passenger car businessAlmost losing a foreman on day oneWhy they love the Mountain WestRecruiting California workers to IdahoInnovative real estate and business acquisition strategyOffering quality service and strong warrantiesExecuting the SBA 504’s Green Loan strategyLimitations of the SBA 7(a) loan for roll-upsReferences and how to contact Stephen and Paul:
Stephen Quindlen - LinkedInPaul Westhart - LinkedInstephen.quindlen@bluewrench.compaul.westhart@bluewrench.comBlue WrenchSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessWork 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 TeamRegister for the Self-Funded Search Conference, September 13th - 15th in Dallas:
Self-Funded Search ConferenceConnect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Matt Drndak bought a parts business with a plan to grow it. It worked — he's doubled earnings. But it's taken patience.
Topics in Matt’s interview:
Losing everything in the Great RecessionHis experience in franchisesBuying an online store for construction equipment partsLeveraging service to stand out from competitorsDetermining the value of the inventoryServing customers with low computer literacyNon-mechanic buying a mechanical parts businessCapturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videosDoubling revenue in 3 yearsImplementing EOS for future successReferences and how to contact Matt:
LinkedInTwitterDHS EquipmentSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessGet 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

Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones.
Topics in Colin’s interview:
Finding his first business (and business partner) on CraigslistDelivering auto parts in the middle of the nightBuying a turnaround silk florals businessWhen his clothing business doubled in revenue overnightDay-to-day logistics of running diverse businessesAcquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learningImportance of working capital in seasonal businessesPros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companiesAsking advice for the future of his holdco Finding and managing talent across diverse businessesReferences and how to contact Colin:
LinkedInTwittercolin@circlecitycapitalgroup.comCircle City Capital GroupSmithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:
Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork 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