Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
  • 4.8 (296)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Daily

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. 3d ago

    Run It for 6 Months Before You Buy It

    Jeff Thompson took over an unprofitable elevator company as GM, with a pre-agreed right to buy it in pieces. Topics in Jeff’s interview: Why elevator companies attract private equityTurning operational chaos into repeatable processesEmpowering employees to solve technical problemsImproving pricing and expanding customer revenueStructuring a staged, three-year business acquisitionAligning incentives between buyer and sellersBuilding trust through transparency and fair dealingGrowing revenue beyond $8 million annuallyUsing hire-to-acquire to reduce acquisition riskFinding new acquisition opportunities in elevator servicesReferences and how to contact Jeff: LinkedIncareers@charterelevator.comBen Rizzo on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy, Double & Exit a Turnaround (as a First-Timer)Mike Bourgeois on Acquiring Minds: First-Timer Buys a $15m Business in DistressElias Youssef on Acquiring Minds: Take Over the Business Before You Buy ItGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsContact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Run It for 6 Months Before You Buy It

  2. 6d ago

    Zero to One, Then 1 to 4 by Acquisition

    Rahib Diwan started a short-term rental company, then bought another one 3x its size without having to use more cash. Topics in Rahib interview: From healthcare to short-term rentalsBuilding the business from scratchChoosing Nashville as the marketLuxury properties as a nicheValuing the property management businessFinancing through an SBA expansion loanSellers retaining 20% equityPreserving property-owner relationshipsUnexpected customer churn after acquisitionRebuilding operations and booking momentumReferences and how to contact Rahib: LinkedInVisit Nashville NowMatt Orley on Acquiring Minds: Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)Megan McGee on Acquiring Minds: No SBA Loan and $75k Out of PocketGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: 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 TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Zero to One, Then 1 to 4 by Acquisition

  3. Oct 22

    Buying a 138-Year-Old Navy Bell Maker

    Jon Hyatt was under LOI on a dental practice when a late-night Craigslist search turned up one he couldn't resist. Register for the webinar:  Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to Close - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4s1pAWVTopics in Jon’s interview: Using Facebook groups for industry researchWhy labor became a search constraintThe abandoned dental roll-up thesisDiscovering E.J. Willis on CraigslistFalling for a 138-year-old heritage brandBuying a tiny businessNavigating an asset purchase and carve-outSelling bells to defense shipbuildersBuilding direct-to-consumer bell demandReviving forgotten products and company historyReferences and how to contact Jon: LinkedInE.J. Willis Co.The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or 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 TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Buying a 138-Year-Old Navy Bell Maker

  4. Oct 19

    Take Over the Business Before You Buy It

    Elias Youssef stepped into an unprofitable plumbing company as its GM, grew it 6x, then got an SBA loan to buy it. Register for the webinar:  Structuring LOIs: Competitive Enough to Win, Bankable Enough to Close - Thu, Oct 22 - https://bit.ly/4B7XVHUTopics in Elias’s interview: Dropping out of community collegeStacking cash as an appliance salesmanEarly real estate joint venturesBreaking even on an assisted living acquisitionSeeking out HVAC mentorshipThe brutality of cold callingOperating before buyingMajority equity is majority workBuying is easy. Running it is the hard part.Getting out of operationsReferences and how to contact Elias: LinkedIn Frost and FlowElias’s announcement of Kyle’s acquisitionWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Take Over the Business Before You Buy It

  5. Oct 15

    Buying a 1-Product Business, Building It to a Big Exit

    Jay Boren bought a tiny grease tool business run out of a living room, then grew it into a brand with 250 products. Register for the webinar: The Small Things That Sink First-Year Owners - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3VAOWiqTopics in Jay’s interview: Choosing Vermont over Silicon ValleySolving geography through ETADiscovering LockNLube through TuckTurning a grease coupler into opportunityNavigating a hostile South African supplierBuying LockNLube as an internStructuring a heavily seller-financed acquisitionExpanding from one SKU to 250Scaling through digital advertising and AmazonExiting LockNLube and staying through integrationReferences and how to contact Jay: LinkedInLockNLubeJarrett Burke on Acquiring Minds: When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to BuyContact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Connect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Buying a 1-Product Business, Building It to a Big Exit

  6. Oct 12

    Side Hustle Acquisition to $5m in Revenue

    Brendan Guerin was 21 when he and 3 friends bought a dog daycare on the side. Today: 6 Midwest locations. Register for the webinars:  Debt Financing Your Deal (SBA & Independent Sponsor) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rRpQaYThe Small Things That Sink First-Year Owners - Thu, Oct 15 - https://bit.ly/4idBtVxTopics in Brendan’s interview: He bought his first doggy daycare at 21The first acquisition was a deliberate starter dealFour partners split ownership and responsibilities.The $1.1M deal included real estateEBITDA margins approached 50% before rentBuying real estate protects long-term business controlMidwest real estate makes their model workCovid unexpectedly supercharged dog daycare demandBrendan eventually left finance to operate full-timeToday, Argos spans six Midwest locationsReferences and how to contact Brendan: LinkedInbrendan@argospartners.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    Side Hustle Acquisition to $5m in Revenue

  7. Oct 8

    The Roll-Up with No Investors & No Clock

    Tyler Hoffman has bought 4 telecom companies with no outside equity, and works 15 hours a week to get to $50m. Topics in Tyler’s interview: Lessons from being fired repeatedlyFinding and acquiring Metro WirelessFilling experience gaps with charismaFinancing the $4.5 million acquisitionNavigating a difficult ownership transitionDiscovering hidden operational problems post-close Losing half of earnings — and survivingRebuilding Metro Wireless through operational improvements3 tuck-in acquisitionsBalancing business growth with personal autonomyReferences and how to contact Tyler: LinkedInHoffman CapitalMetro WirelessJeff Homer’s webinar: Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-UpGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value): Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    The Roll-Up with No Investors & No Clock

  8. Oct 5

    $33m Holdco: Teddy Bears to Insurance Claims

    Colin King and his 50/50 partner have paid themselves little since 2018, reinvesting profits back into their businesses.  Topics in Colin’s interview: Growing Circle City Capital’s business portfolioDon’t call them private equityWhy Colin stopped wanting operational rolesWhy critical mass matters for holdcosHe still earn less than operatorsHoldco strategy versus industry-specific rollupsThe fox versus hedgehog frameworkLearning through hands-on operating experienceWhy chasing money can make things harderCostly mistakes and failed acquisitionsReferences and how to contact Colin: colin@circlecitycapitalgroup.com LinkedInColin King’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Build a $28m Holdco (in 6 Years)Circle City Capital GroupGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comGet 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 TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

    $33m Holdco: Teddy Bears to Insurance Claims
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4.8
out of 5
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    506
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
  • Show Website
    Acquiring Minds

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