Acquiring Minds Will Smith
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- Business
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
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How an American Bought a Canadian Business
Most first-timers shy away from buying across borders. Not Christi Loucks, whose Canadian acquisition did $550k of SDE.
Topics in Christi’s interview:
Buying a business for personal fulfillmentPainful broken dealsChallenges of buying a cross-border business in CanadaThe positive role emotions play in dealmakingLosing (and regaining) 55% of her clients after transitionThe line between cold outreach and spamConstant change in the tech industryUnexpected expenses after transitionPlanning for her maternity leaveHer husband’s return to a corporate jobReferences and how to contact Christi:
LinkedInRevenue AcceleratorNeil BeardenGet 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 -
Selling $100k of Dog Training… Per Day
Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th:
https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSGarth Fasano searched part time for 5 years before finding a target with very sticky revenue & great business-buyer fit.
Topics in Garth’s interview:
Searching for 5 yearsBenefiting from the SBA looking at calendar-year financials (not TTM)Top Dog’s unique business modelWhy this business should be bought, not builtHis relationship to a dog training franchiseImpact of outcome-based pricing Purposely hiring less-experienced sales peopleHow Top Dog differs from online marketingExpanding to industries outside of dog trainingHis passion project: ski hutsReferences and how to contact Garth:
Garth@topdogsalescenter.comLinkedInTop Dog Sales CenterLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition LabWork 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 -
Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA
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 -
The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away
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 -
The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions
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 -
Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire
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