Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
  • 4.8 (209)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED DAILY
Acquiring Minds

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. Perils in Partnership: Plumbing Acquisition Gone Wrong

    2 DAYS AGO

    Perils in Partnership: Plumbing Acquisition Gone Wrong

    Josh Key partnered with a master plumber from his church to acquire a plumbing business doing $1.25m. It ended badly. Topics in Josh’s interview: Buying a plumbing business with a partnerQuitting his job to go all-inInadequate due diligence on his partnerHis partner’s wife getting involved in the businessEmotional outbursts and threats from his partnerEmployees and clients leaving due to the partnerClosing the business and filing for bankruptcyWhat he learned about due diligenceHow his mindset is guided by his faithWhat he wants to do nextReferences and how to contact Josh: josh@castlekeyholdings.comLinkedInWork 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 TeamLearn 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

    1h 31m
  2. Adjusting to Life in a Nocturnal Business (with $525k SDE)

    5 DAYS AGO

    Adjusting to Life in a Nocturnal Business (with $525k SDE)

    Tom & Dawson Matter bought a vent cleaning business operating out of a parking lot. The transition has been interesting. Topics in Tom and Dawson’s interview: Teaming up to acquire Pro Duct CleaningThe nocturnal, detailed, messy nature of the workTom keeping his W-2 while Dawson runs operationsMaintaining a 42% marginLearning to deal with angry customersUpgrading the equipment and facilitiesHiring Dawson’s wife to help with operationsSwitching from Google Calendar to a real CRMTrouble communicating with employeesChasing down payment from clientsReferences and how to contact Tom and Dawson: Pro Duct Cleaninginfo@pdcleaning.comDan Tagliatela on Acquiring Minds: Reward for a Brutal Transition: $760k EBITDA on 3 Hours/WeekGeorge Vallone on Acquiring Minds: When Buying Small Goes Right (3x Growth)Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business: Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or email hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet 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

    1h 35m
  3. How (and Why) to Buy an Electrical Business

    DEC 12

    How (and Why) to Buy an Electrical Business

    Register for the webinar: Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/3VtCvC1Fred McGill liked the trades and zeroed in on electrical. The $3.2m business he bought is likely to grow 25% in year 1. Topics in Fred’s interview: Founding a real estate start-upComparing rental income to small businessAcquiring an electrical companyReassuring employees during transitionLearning how to hire electriciansCompensation in the electrical industryGrowth through digital marketingMiscalculating working capitalImportance of making the phone ringHelping searchers through Blue Collar AdvisoryReferences and how to contact Fred: LinkedInTwitterBray Electrical Servicesfred@bluecollaradvisory.comLearn 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 AdvisoryGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or email 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 Twitter

    1h 35m
  4. First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End

    DEC 9

    First Acquisition in March, $200m by Year End

    Register for the webinar: Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4igqBVQJordan Dubin and his partners are rolling up a home services industry. They blew by their 5-year goal in the first year. Topics in Jordan’s interview: Partnering with his 2 friendsHand writing 200 letters to potential sellersBuilding a platform of garage door businessesMaintaining local brandsWhy private equity hasn’t picked over the industry yetHow they chose the garage door marketBuilding trust through honestyHitting $20 million EBITDA in the first yearBeachhead and tuck-in strategiesThe role of timing in acquisition successReferences and how to contact Jordan: LinkedInGuild Garage GroupGet 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 TeamGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business: Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

    1h 44m
  5. Buying in a Huge but Overlooked Market

    DEC 5

    Buying in a Huge but Overlooked Market

    Register for the webinar: Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/41ivxUl Fragmentation & an enormous TAM drew Jonathon Tupper to buy a 30-year-old business in the asset-based lending industry. Topics in Jonathon’s interview: Moving from politics to investment managementImportance of liquidityFactoring: a form of asset-based lendingWhat kinds of businesses benefit from factoringBuying a factoring businessAcquiring without an SBA loanPaying 2x EBITDACompeting with banks and other lendersRunning a Houston business from Southern CaliforniaChallenge of hiring good employeesReferences and how to contact Jonathon: LinkedInJobe Services Inc.jonathont@jsifactoring.com Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or email hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business: Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

    1h 21m
  6. The Thrill & Validation of Becoming an Owner

    DEC 2

    The Thrill & Validation of Becoming an Owner

    Register for the webinar:  • Where Searchers Go Wrong, Part 2 - Thu Dec 12 - https://bit.ly/4f0320C Michael Johnson started searching in April. Today he's having the time of his life as owner of a $1.2m printing business. Topics in Michael’s interview: Marine Corps experience in IraqAcquiring a vending machineFrustration with his W-2 jobAcquiring a SpeedPro locationUps and downs of negotiation and fundingFrustrating first day as ownerHigh demand for printing car wrapsEmpowering employees to be autonomousHiring his wife to work in the businessWhat he loves about the franchise modelReferences and how to contact Michael: LinkedInThe one-pager Michael used during outreachSpeedPro NW RaleighDominick Blue on Acquiring Minds: Buying & Growing a Business While Keeping a Day JobJesse Safir on Acquiring Minds: Surviving the Nightmare: Sales Plunge 95%Dan Verboski on Acquiring Minds: Candid Reflections on 7 Years of SMB OwnershipJarett Berke on Acquiring Minds: When a Restaurant is a Great Business to BuyAdam Markley on Acquiring Minds: Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a HoldcoGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamLearn 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

    1h 35m
  7. Micro-Acquiring to $300k SDE on 5 Hours Per Week

    NOV 27

    Micro-Acquiring to $300k SDE on 5 Hours Per Week

    Link Moser built a nearly-passive business portfolio by acquiring tiny web design & hosting shops on favorable terms. Topics in Link’s interview: Learning to build websites in the 90’sStarting a web design/hosting businessSending out letters to target businessesAcquiring other digital marketing agencies nearbyIntegrating the businesses he boughtCustomer attrition rates during transitionGetting bored with passive incomeConsidering buying a traditional, non-digital business Willingness to sell his own businessPros and cons of remote workReferences and how to contact Link: LinkedInWindhill DesignGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or email hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet 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

    1h 27m
  8. High Margin & Big Upside in Lice Treatment

    NOV 25

    High Margin & Big Upside in Lice Treatment

    Derek Croft bought a $1m SDE business with a national footprint in an unusual niche. Just don't call him The Lice King. Topics in Derek’s interview: Leaving Bain to search for a businessAcquiring LiceDoctorsWhy it’s good for a profitable business to be imperfect Personal satisfaction from helping customersPayroll emergency on day 2Competition in the lice removal industryHigh staff turnover despite good paySpeeding up their response timeRaising public awareness of their serviceHis goal to double in 5 yearsReferences and how to contact Derek: LinkedInLiceDoctorsETA CircleWork with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business: Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherLearn 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

    1h 38m
See All (314)

4.8
out of 5
209 Ratings

About

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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    314
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
  • Show Website
    Acquiring Minds

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