Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

Bill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley
  • 4.8 (252)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Jump into the world of business acquisitions with hosts Bill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley. We review real businesses for sale in each episode, providing expert insights, strategies, and tips to make savvy business moves like the pros. Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in buying and selling businesses.

  1. 1D AGO

    The $1.3M Drive-In That Could Make You the Most Popular Person in Town

    In this episode the hosts evaluate a 75-year-old drive-in restaurant in rural North Carolina generating $370K in cash flow, debating whether the steady profits and real estate make it a great lifestyle business—or a job you can never truly escape. Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/own-the-legendary-city-drive-in-the-front-porch-of-spruce-pine-nc/2489437/ Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter 💰 Sponsored by: CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.com Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/ Key Highlights: - $1.3M asking price including real estate valued near $900K - $370K cash flow with potential SBA financing requiring as little as 5% down - 75-year-old local institution with strong community reputation and events revenue - Limited growth upside—business likely to remain stable but not scale dramatically - Biggest risk: dependency on the local town’s population and seasonal demand Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    38 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Daycare Center for Sale Analysis | $200K EBITDA Business

    In this episode the hosts analyze a seemingly simple daycare acquisition that reveals a deeper risk: the business may be viable, but the real estate value and neighborhood demographics could make the daycare itself economically irrational to keep running. Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/profitable-child-daycare-center-near-oklahoma-city/2476097/ Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter 💰 Sponsored by: Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner. FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/  This episode breaks down a daycare center near Oklahoma City listed for $1.875M with approximately $600K in revenue and $200K in cash flow, including the real estate. At first glance, the numbers look straightforward—but the conversation quickly shifts to the underlying economics of owning service businesses tied to specific locations. The hosts highlight that much of the purchase price may be driven by land value rather than business performance, making this more of a real estate deal than an operating company. Key Highlights: - Asking Price: $1.875M including real estate; Cash Flow: ~$200K - Licensed capacity for 82 students but currently only 66 enrolled, raising demographic risk concerns - Real estate likely represents the majority of the deal’s value rather than the operating business - Regulatory limits (staff ratios, square footage rules) structurally constrain growth potential - Creative financing idea: buy the business first, lease the property, and negotiate an option to purchase later Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    37 min

  3. MAY 5

    $11M Trailer Dealership: Great Business or Sketchy Add-Backs?

    In this episode the hosts dissect a Midwest trailer dealership priced at $5–7M and uncover a financial cliffhanger—questionable add-backs and heavy inventory requirements that may be masking weak true profitability. Business Listing – https://mail.mixmax.com/m/R8B9vgpovo59ao3bC Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr 💰 Sponsored by: Capital Pad CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.com Acquisition Lab Acquisition Lab provides a structured, hands-on program for aspiring business buyers, offering deal support, community, and proven frameworks for sourcing, diligence, and closing acquisitions. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous! This episode analyzes a Midwest trailer dealership generating roughly $11.4M in revenue but only $354K in reported EBITDA, with an asking price between $5M and $7M. At first glance, the valuation appears unusually high—around 14x earnings—until the hosts discover additional financial details suggesting the owner may be taking large shareholder distributions that distort the reported profit numbers. Key Highlights: - $11.4M revenue, $354K EBITDA, asking $5M–$7M (≈14x multiple) - Large inventory requirements likely driving valuation and financing complexity - Possible hidden earnings via shareholder distributions - Commodity product with steady demand but limited differentiation - Requires deep diligence on accounting practices and working capital Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    32 min

  4. MAY 1

    The Fastest-Growing Factory You Can Buy Online

    In this episode the hosts break down a high-margin American manufacturing business selling industrial coating ovens—and explore whether its explosive growth and low multiple signal opportunity or hidden risk. Business Listing – https://Quiet Light.com/listings/18828343/ Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter 💰 Sponsored by: Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/ FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/  This episode dives into a fast-growing U.S. manufacturing company that produces powder coating and Cerakote curing ovens used in industries ranging from hobbyist workshops to major industrial players like aerospace and defense contractors. The business generates approximately $4.8 million in revenue and $2.7 million in EBITDA, an eye-catching 57% margin, and is listed for roughly $11 million, or about 4x earnings—a surprisingly modest multiple given the growth trajectory. Key Highlights: - $4.8M revenue / $2.7M EBITDA with ~57% margins - Asking price around $11M (≈4x EBITDA) - Manufacturing facility located in a rural U.S. region requiring on-site leadership - Growth driven primarily by organic search and minimal advertising spend - Financing structure may require SBA + pari passu loan combination Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    40 min

  5. APR 28

    Buying a CEO Networking Club Franchise – $1M Business Breakdown

    In this episode the hosts evaluate a $1M networking club franchise promising passive income—but debate whether it’s a legitimate community business or just a dressed-up social club selling access. Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/ceo-life-an-exclusive-club-for-leaders-los-angeles/2459780/ Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter 💰 Sponsored by: FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/  Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner. This week’s deal is a Los Angeles-based chapter of a CEO networking club called “CEO Life,” listed for $1 million with reported $1.4 million in revenue and $576,000 in EBITDA. The business model centers on recurring membership fees from entrepreneurs and executives who attend monthly events, networking sessions, and global trips. The twist: buyers aren’t purchasing a traditional company—they’re buying the rights to operate a local franchise chapter. Key Highlights: - $1M asking price for a networking club franchise established in 2023 - Reported $1.4M revenue and $576K EBITDA from recurring membership fees - Business success depends heavily on recruiting and community management skills - Revenue is sensitive to economic downturns and member churn - Major risk: franchisor incentives may prioritize selling franchises over delivering member value Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    36 min

  6. APR 24

    The $10M “AI Anti-Aging Bed” That Might Be Too Weird to Be Real

    In this episode the hosts analyze a bizarre AI-powered therapeutic bed business with strong profits but questionable positioning, confusing pricing, and a whiff of pseudo-science risk. Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/amazing-anti-aging-bed-ai-driven-may-qualify-for-e2-visa/2455345/ Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter 💰 Sponsored by: Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/ Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous! This week’s deal features an unusual medical wellness business selling AI-enabled therapeutic beds to spas and clinics. The company generates roughly $3.2 million in revenue and $1.1 million in EBITDA, with patented technology and a showroom/warehouse operation in Orlando. But the listing raises eyebrows immediately—starting with a $10 million asking price that mysteriously drops to $7 million just a few paragraphs later. Key Highlights: - $3.2M revenue / $1.1M EBITDA with only 7 employees - Asking price confusion: $10M headline vs. $7M later in the listing - Product targets medical spas using patented therapeutic bed technology - Seller motivation: debt payoff rather than retirement or growth strategy - Major risk: unclear product differentiation in an extremely competitive market Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    29 min

  7. APR 21

    This Franchise Cleans Fryer Oil… But Is It Profitable?

    In this episode the hosts debate a commercial kitchen oil filtration franchise that most liked for its recurring revenue potential, while one host strongly opposed it due to small market size, customer churn risk, and dependence on struggling restaurants. Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr 💰 Sponsored by: CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.com FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ This episode examines a franchise opportunity in the commercial kitchen services industry: a business that filters and recycles cooking oil for restaurants using proprietary mobile filtration equipment. The concept is simple but operationally intensive—technicians visit restaurants regularly to extend the life of fryer oil, reducing costs for customers while creating recurring service revenue. Entry costs to start a territory are roughly $130K–$150K, and average single-territory operators generate around $300K–$430K in annual revenue across roughly two to three service vans. Key Highlights: - Startup investment roughly $130K–$150K per territory - Average single territory revenue $300K–$430K with 2–3 vans - Estimated 20–25% net margins after normalization - Key risk: reliance on restaurants with high failure and churn rates - Split verdict: most hosts thumbs-up, one strong thumbs-down Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    41 min

  8. APR 17

    Would You Buy This Healthcare SaaS? (Birth Tracking App)

    In this episode the hosts analyze a tiny niche SaaS serving midwives and doulas with 80% margins but conclude the $400K price is too high given zero growth, easy replication risk, and limited market traction. Business Listing – https://app.acquire.com/startup/RTfV2nUkg3XOxCPzFPRUN7GKFAa2/aU5FsXh9pf75NQvT63vk?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-__J2ejVpNV5NSbl0JZGv6SN2zobtE4lJuz0guU2Pa_fDdYC8WCuGawNjZ86ZKUmpIGKH8h9919jxo5VypE2V6ZIeXKPw&_hsmi=409176559&utm_content=409176559&utm_source=hs_email Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them. Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=template HubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr 💰 Sponsored by: Acquisition Lab Acquisition Lab is a hands-on training and support community for aspiring business buyers. Members get structured guidance on sourcing deals, performing diligence, and closing acquisitions—plus access to experienced mentors and a network of fellow operators navigating the same journey. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous! FRANZY Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ This episode explores a niche HIPAA-compliant SaaS platform designed for midwives, doulas, and OB-GYN providers to track pregnancy and birth data. The business generates approximately $139K in annual recurring revenue and about $97K in profit, boasting unusually high margins near 80% due to its lean operating structure. The asking price is $400K, representing roughly 4.1x profit or 2.9x revenue. Key Highlights Section: - $139K ARR, $97K profit, asking $400K (~4.1x earnings) - Extremely high margins (~80%) but zero growth since launch - Niche customer base of ~100 midwives and doulas - Major risk: easy product replication using modern AI tools - Falls into a “no-man’s land” size—too big for a hobby, too small for a full-time operator Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox Advertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    24 min
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4.8
out of 5
252 Ratings

About

Jump into the world of business acquisitions with hosts Bill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley. We review real businesses for sale in each episode, providing expert insights, strategies, and tips to make savvy business moves like the pros. Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in buying and selling businesses.

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