Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
  • 5.0 (1)
  • 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. 9 hr ago

    3 Years, $80k In: An Honest Update

    Jesse Sunquist put a GM in charge and stepped back to 5 hours a week — proud of the experience, restless about the outcome. Register for the webinar:  Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wPHY6RTopics in Jesse’s interview: Buying a business for flexibilityGeographical search in New JerseyLowering his minimum SDE threshold to $300KAcquiring 2 Mosquito Joe territoriesHis plan to build wealth through franchise roll-upsModest growth followed by shrinkHow other owners handle the off-seasonTaking a W2 with the intent to sellInability to find a buyerHiring a great GM to run itReferences and how to contact Jesse: LinkedInMosquito JoeJesse’s previous interviews on Acquiring Minds:#1 Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time #2 A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE Neil Finneran on Acquiring Minds: How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB OwnerThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabGet 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 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

    3 Years, $80k In: An Honest Update

  2. 4 days ago

    $400k Profit Fixing Church Pews

    Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one. Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4z0fkBxTopics in Greyson’s interview: Founding software startupsETA as a path to stabilityGetting his education with Acquisition LabFinding business brokers through Google MapsUncovered niche church pew restoration businessCompetitor closure created significant growth opportunityChurch visit reinforced acquisition decisionHired bilingual ops manager to bridge communicationStolen truck fiascoRevenue up 50%, margins pressured by investmentsReferences and how to contact Greyson: LinkedInWorship Interiors GroupContact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.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

    $400k Profit Fixing Church Pews

  3. 10 Aug

    Surviving a 2-Month Revenue Freeze in Year 1

    Chibunna Chimezie's seller left $15k in the account. His post-acquisition liquidity is the only reason he made it.  Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wUCNSYTopics in Chibunna’s interview: His family’s immigration story from NigeriaInterest in how American healthcare worksLearning to manage risk in business schoolAcquiring a service provider for veteransGovernment shutdown meant no revenue first 2 monthsPost-acquisition liquidity for the winChallenges veterans face back homeAnswering the after-hours phone himselfHis journey from banking to behavioral healthInvestment from New Majority CapitalReferences and how to contact Chibunna: LinkedInVeterans RoomNew Majority CapitalGet 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

    Surviving a 2-Month Revenue Freeze in Year 1

  4. 6 Aug

    Second-Time CEO Buys a $30m Title Company

    Randy Rempp turned around a $17m insurance business as a rookie CEO, then used that track record to raise a search fund.  Register for the webinar:  The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4yGEhSeTopics in Randy’s interview: From insurance lawyer to business operatorLeading 300 employees at age 29Why ownership beats being the hired gunSwitching to a traditional search fundInvestors bet on operators, not deal findersRiver guides unlock industries and warm introductionsInside the $31 million acquisition structureWhy every CEO needs a strong CFOThe F-reorg that saved the dealRefinancing to return capital and fuel growthReferences and how to contact Randy: LinkedInMeridian Title CorporationYoung Presidents Organization (YPO) Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.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

    Second-Time CEO Buys a $30m Title Company

  5. 3 Aug

    Acquiring Isn't Always a One-Way Door

    Gabriel Cruz Avila bought a $1.4M remodeling business, weathered a divorce and burnout, then sold it two years later.  Register for the webinar:  The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - Thu, Aug 6 - https://bit.ly/4pY7VOXTopics in Gabriel’s interview: Lessons learned from his dad’s businessGetting bored in the oil and gas industryJoining ETA Circle in HoustonLeaning on his warehouse management experienceAcquiring a tile and marble companyFailing to dig deep into historical revenueUsing technology to eliminate 2 admin rolesNegative working capital in home remodelsGoing through a divorceBurnout led to selling the businessReferences and how to contact Gabriel: gabriel.cruz.avila@gmail.comLinkedInKaty Tile & MarbleETA CircleGet 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

    Acquiring Isn't Always a One-Way Door

  6. 30 Jul

    How 1 SBA Loan Brought Down 2 Businesses

    Edgar Galindo and his partner bought 2 businesses with SBA loans. Now he's facing the consequences of shuttering both. Topics in Edgar’s interview: Construction background in his family business“Google-funded search”Wanted flexibility to start a familyAustin-only geographic search Found partner through SearchfunderFirst deal: Austin landscaping companyBuying a second business within 6 monthsMaking quick changes to the businessUndisclosed liabilities and customer-stealing employeesClosing both businesses and facing bankruptcyReferences and how to contact Edgar: LinkedInWork 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

    How 1 SBA Loan Brought Down 2 Businesses

  7. 27 Jul

    60% Concentration That Killed an Exit

    Raj Mahajan bought a salon software business, tripled it to $11M ARR. Then his biggest customer launched a competitor. Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4frQstmTopics in Raj’s interview: Wanting to move “from coach to quarterback”Buying a niche point-of-sale software companyConverting to cloud-based SaaSGrowing recurring revenue from $4 to $11 millionEstablishing a headquarters for the remote companyA failed exit to private equityHis biggest customer stealing his softwareEmotional turmoil of Covid + lawsuitChoosing to protect his teamLessons learned from good and bad yearsReferences and how to contact Raj: LinkedInJaan CapitalLessons for New Operators - 2020The 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

    60% Concentration That Killed an Exit

  8. 23 Jul

    Product-Market Fit in the Trades: 4x in 2.5 Years

    Patrick Beal left tech to buy an HVAC business with 90% seller financing, no SBA. He's on track to hit $3.5m this year.  Register for the webinar:  Working Capital: One of ETA’s Most Expensive Mistakes - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4f8pSGYTopics in Patrick interview: Entrepreneurship in his familyZoom fatigue from remote workSearching in Northeast OhioFinding a business through his networkMeeting with the seller for almost a yearStructuring 10% down, 90% seller noteUnderestimating working capital needsKeeping his W-2 until the business grewQuadrupling revenue in 2 yearsWorking on getting his HVAC licenseReferences and how to contact Patrick: LinkedInTemperature Control MaintenanceLinh Tran on Acquiring Minds: The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDASteve Carroll on Acquiring Minds: ETA Unicorn:  $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 YearsDownload 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

    Product-Market Fit in the Trades: 4x in 2.5 Years
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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
    485
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
  • Show Website
    Acquiring Minds

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