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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3 Years Later, Climbing Out of the J Curve
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 EquipmentGet 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 -
From Midnight Deliveries to $28m Holdco (in 6 Years)
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 GroupGet 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 -
Finding a Great Business in Cow Country
Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale.
Topics in Cody interview:
Bypassing business schoolCashing out his 401(k) without using ROBSBuying a food safety and testing labThe moat of licensing requirementsHis advantage over much larger competitorsAdjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings reportFinding investors on TwitterPersonally guaranteeing the seller noteHow he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDAPutting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) systemReferences and how to contact Cody:
LinkedInTwitter/Xcody@splitmountaincapital.comSierra Dairy LaboratoryDino SawayaWork 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 -
Art of the Roll-Up: 40 Businesses in 4 Years
Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Topics in Jeff interview:
Switching from high finance to music schoolsBuying his first music school as a side projectRaising growth equity after first 2 acquisitionsAcquiring a music school every monthArtists’ negative predisposition toward sellingComparing profitability of music vs. danceImportance of general managers in scalingImplementing apps to streamline operationsOther industries with roll-up potentialRolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwideReferences and how to contact Jeff:
LinkedInEnsemble Performing ArtsLearn 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 -
When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy
Jarett Berke told his intermediary "no restaurants" but changed his tune when he saw what a great business Lou's was.
Topics in Jarett’s interview:
Finding a business through an accountantWhy restaurants are a tough businessComparing military service to running a restaurantBuying a restaurant with exceptional marginsLearning every job in the restaurantPivoting to delivery during CovidDoing a stock deal instead of an asset purchaseReinvesting by adding tables and renovating60% growth in 6 yearsWhat he likes about the restaurant businessReferences and how to contact Jarett:
LinkedInLou’s Restaurantjarett@lousrestaurant.comGet 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 -
Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE Businesses
Scott Walton bought 2 barely-profitable blue collar companies, changed the culture, unlocked growth & hired a president.
Topics in Scott’s interview:
Acquiring with a partnerSolving their recruitment problemDoubling revenue in 18 monthsHis 3-step LOI strategyIncentivizing good customer serviceImproving their company cultureChallenges after acquisitionFinancing without the SBACreative deal structuringHis thoughts on buying smallReferences and how to contact Scott:
LinkedInscott.walton@matrixmechanical.caHome Service Expert PodcastGet 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