Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
  • 4.8 (285)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated 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. Leaving $700s/Yr to Buy an Underperforming Printing Business

    6h ago

    Leaving $700s/Yr to Buy an Underperforming Printing Business

    Dominick Smith left a lucrative track in PE to pursue a path that offered more meaning. Buying a business has delivered. Register for the webinars:  Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3Qx1g0WTransferable Skills: Crafting Your Resume for SBA Lenders - Thu, Jun 25 - https://bit.ly/4uOEqQDTopics in Dominick’s interview: Leaving a lucrative job in his late 20’sDodging bullets with due diligenceRenegotiating purchase priceManaging white collar vs blue collar employeesWasting money on ineffective marketingLearning budgeting and frugalityAdvantages of staying in the weedsAggressively pursuing new businessDiscovering and fixing poor website speedsHis intent to sell the businessReferences and how to contact Dominick: LinkedInPrintmoz.comHeather Endresen at Viso Business CapitalBrendan O’Brien at Huntington BankAizik Zimmerman on Acquiring Minds: Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 YearsGet 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 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

    1h 26m
  2. From Software to Concrete Cutting (and $1.4m of SDE)

    4d ago

    From Software to Concrete Cutting (and $1.4m of SDE)

    When the owner refused a seller note in the $6m transaction to sell his business, Tom McCormick had to get creative. Register for the webinar:  Understanding a Quality of Earnings Analysis: What's Included and Why - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/43sZcKnTopics in Tom’s interview: From IBM executive to acquisition entrepreneurBuilding banker relationships to source better dealsClosing on his first LOIConsulting agreement replaced traditional seller note “I wish I would've started this path 15 years ago.”Winning seller’s trust through shared valuesUsing ROBS to buy a larger companyA costly lesson about accounts receivable valuationPrioritizing keeping the blue collar workforce happy“I am so much happier now.”References and how to contact Tom: LinkedInQuality Cutting & CoringThe ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

    1h 38m
  3. Good Bones: Saving a $3m Business in Decline

    Jun 15

    Good Bones: Saving a $3m Business in Decline

    Despite his love of operations, Himmat Singh intended to own his acquisition passively. Then the lead sales guy quit. Register for the webinar:  Understanding a Quality of Earnings Analysis: What's Included and Why - Thu, Jun 18 - https://bit.ly/4vhhY3tTopics in Himmat’s interview: Operating a business for a billionaire in IndiaRan traditional search, closed zero acquisitionsTargeted recession-proof home care opportunitiesBecame CEO of elder care company he couldn’t acquireGrew EBITDA 4x through operational cleanup and systemsSold company to private equity, remaining CEOLife-changing exit from elder care companyLanded printing acquisition through relationshipsPrefers operating to financial modelingStructuring a screaming deal on a printing businessReferences and how to contact Himmat: LinkedInEPI-ColorspaceCircle of LifeWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet 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

    1h 49m
  4. How to Buy a $20m Business as a First-Timer

    Jun 11

    How to Buy a $20m Business as a First-Timer

    When Alan Turkus found a business with a mission, he knew he'd found the right fit for the final chapter of his career. Topics in Alan’s interview: Background in book publishingPost-MBA career in techTaking a career break to raise his sonFrom co-op cashier to co-CEOSeeking security through business ownershipAcquiring a home health and hospice franchiseRaising equity from search investorsRetaining a little over 50% ownershipStructuring with 2 forgivable seller notesThe advantage of buying a bigger businessReferences and how to contact Alan: LinkedInInterim Healthcare of Twin CitiesElliott Edge on Acquiring Minds: 1 Business vs Many: Deciding to Roll UpGrant Hensel of Entrepreneurial CapitalJacob Hall of Kando CapitalPROX Capital GroupConnect 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

    1h 31m
  5. How to De-Risk the Personal Guarantee

    Jun 8

    How to De-Risk the Personal Guarantee

    Brendan Burdette and Ryan Conner have launched personal guarantee insurance to enable more — and stronger — SBA buyers. Register for the webinar:  Score It or Skip It: A Framework for Fast Deal Evaluation - Thu, Jun 11 - https://bit.ly/3Q1D9qMTopics in Brendan & Ryan’s interview: Psychological weight of the personal guaranteeBuilding a personal guarantee insurance productTaking the risk from a 10 to a 5Sequence of events after defaultTargeting mid to late career operatorsPremiums decrease over timeBalancing risk between unequal partnersSolving the seller rollover conflictPhilosophy of “skin in the game”How they hope this affects ETA ecosystemReferences and how to contact Brendan & Ryan: Brendan Burdette’s LinkedInRyan Conner’s LinkedInPersonal Guarantee Insurance Get 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

    1h 11m
  6. The Origin Story of a Compounder ($80m and Counting)

    Jun 4

    The Origin Story of a Compounder ($80m and Counting)

    Greg Shapiro & Zach Cooper-Vastola are building a long-term, compounding business they see as the anti-PE of the trades. Register for the webinar:Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals - TODAY - https://bit.ly/49sKF4H Topics in Greg and Zach’s interview: Founders combined technical and financial expertiseShifted from SaaS to long-term ownershipAcquired century-old Manhattan HVAC companyHigh cost and complexities of New York marketAvoided SBA limits to scale acquisitionsWhat “Anti-PE” means to themDigitization takes longer than you thinkLiving lean on low salariesPredicting HVAC roll-up market shakeout aheadInfluence and investment from Will ThorndikeReferences and how to contact Greg and Zach: HickoryGreg Shapiro LinkedInZach Cooper-Vastola LinkedInWill ThorndikeSteve Carroll on Acquiring Minds: ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 YearsGet 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

    1h 25m
  7. Started as SBA Searcher, Built to a PE Fund

    Jun 1

    Started as SBA Searcher, Built to a PE Fund

    The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power. Register for the webinar:  Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals - Thu, June 4 - https://bit.ly/4vnGP5uTopics in Joe’s interview: Background in management consultingInspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad to own assetsJoining an early cohort of the Acquisition LabSearching is more fun with a partnerFirst deal died 10 days before closingDiscovering employees had never been paid overtimeTotal office staff turnover in first 4 monthsAcquiring 4 diverse businessesLaunching a $25M equity fund with 5 partnersIt’s all about the peopleReferences and how to contact Joe: LinkedInBlueline VenturesWho by Geoff Smart and Randy StreetRich Dad, Poor Dad by Richard T. KiyosakiGet 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 MindsDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

    1h 46m
  8. Buying $1.5m of Earnings Without an SBA Loan

    May 28

    Buying $1.5m of Earnings Without an SBA Loan

    As a South African in the US, Justus Luttig had to get creative to search then buy 2 trades businesses at the same time. Register for the webinar:  New $10m Limit for SBA Loans: What You Need to Know - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4v3zKXhTopics in Justus’s interview:  Growing up on a cattle ranch in South AfricaDisillusioned with the venture capital bubblePerception of white collar work as “the dream”Meeting successful owners of blue-collar businessesBig deal failure on his birthdayStructuring a deal without the SBAChallenges of searching on an H1B visaMerging an HVAC with a plumbing businessThe magic happens when you leave your deskAcquiring during the slow seasonReferences and how to contact Justus: LinkedInCopeland Home ServicesThe 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 TeamDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR: From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

    1h 23m
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
285 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    471
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
  • Show Website
    Acquiring Minds

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