Acquiring Minds

How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors

Sale-leaseback and asset-based lending enabled Carlo Santelli to acquire and own 100% of a $3.5m EBITDA manufacturer.

Topics in Carlo’s interview:

  • Applying 3x to Columbia before getting in
  • Leaving a finance career to buy a business
  • Why he only buys proprietary, not through brokers
  • Maintaining deal momentum when a seller is very busy
  • The power of asset-based lending
  • The power of a successful sale leaseback
  • Being comfortable learning as you go
  • How he thinks about risk
  • Closing on 4 businesses this year
  • His ambitious goal for next year

References and how to contact Carlo:

  • LinkedIn
  • carlo.santelli@gmail.com
  • Cortina Capital Partners

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

  • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

  • Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

  • Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

  • See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
  • Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
  • Follow Will on Twitter

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