Acquiring Minds

Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it. Register for the webinar: From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4r5RsI3 Topics in Philip’s interview: Preferred working in a small company His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad Importa...

Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in. Register for the webinars: DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI -  TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3YtLIvp From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - Jan 15th - https://bit.ly/4qJ1Xk5 Topics in Matt’s interview: Investment properties as a side hustle Evolving short-term re...

Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE. Register for the webinar:  How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3KW7aWL Topics in Adam’s interview: Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing Focusing on EBITDA over revenue A construc...

Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast. Register for the webinar:  How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - Jan 8th - https://bit.ly/4snUKHY Topics in Joe’s interview: His blue collar, military background Volunteering without pay for a consulting company Ultimately rejecting the tech industry Finding his sear...

The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition. Topics in Joe’s interview: Leaving corporate for a chance to manage P&L His toughest pitch was to his wife Acquiring a 3D design firm Pivoting hard during Covid Hiring a manager with a design background Acquiring a branding agency Difference between branding and marketing Re...

Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses. Topics in Mike’s interview: His professional bowling career Connecting with a bowling-specific broker Economic role of league bowlers The decline of bowling in America Traditional bowling vs Bowlero Buying a traditional, older bowling alley Running leaner to pay down debt Employe...

Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer. Topics in Tato’s interview: Connecting with sellers through direct mail Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor How she solved her labor issue Being a single woman in a male industry Learning Spanish to communicate with her employee...

The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths. Topics in Christian’s interview: His front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis Qualities of a top salesperson Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career Shopping around for an SBA loan Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses Difficulty in hir...

Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one. Topics in Philip’s interview: Chenmark’s acquisition of Thomas Moser Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman Chenmark’s hold-forever intention Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture Long tenure of craftsmen Commitment to world-class quality Getting away from offering...

Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same. Register for the webinar:  What Killed Deals in 2025 - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/44r1pH5 Topics in Robert’s interview: Influence of his late father The “go bigger” search philosophy Appeal of the home health care industry 17-month acquisition process Choosing to operate “in the...

Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business Register for the webinar:  How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3XysjZB Topics in Scott’s interview: Wishing he had listened to his gut The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration Managing highly skilled primadonnas  Employee th...

Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit Register for the webinars:  How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rBI4Nb How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - Dec 11th - https://bit.ly/4owBkNW Topics in Andy’s interview: His experience as an Army intelligence officer...

Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected. Register for the webinars:  How to Run the SBA Deal Race - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3Xh3WQb How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - Dec 9th - https://bit.ly/44Gylv1 Topics in Steve’s interview: Experience working for WalMart corporate Searching while working full t...

Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE. Register for the webinar:  How to Run the SBA Deal Race - Dec 4th - https://bit.ly/44whqv6 Topics in Jake’s interview: Building a nest egg before leaving his job Fallout from his father’s failed businesses Calculating the value of a business losing money Disliking the bureaucracy...

Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt. Topics in Dave’s interview: Leaving tech to buy a white collar business Meeting with 120 owners while searching Buying a business he initially passed on Risks of family members as employees Financial surprises after the transition Losing 23% of revenue when clients left...

Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of. Topics in Taylor’s interview: Being Co-CEO with his best friend Buying a business he was a customer of Acquiring a business in his hometown Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker Keeping his call center in Texas “Set it and forge...

From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually. Register for the webinar:  What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like -TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3LYM4H2 Topics in Linh’s interview: The "Three Rs" search criteria Being an undercover owner for 18 months Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs Struggling with work-life balance Imple...

Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit. Register for the webinar:  What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like - Nov 20th - https://bit.ly/47YbVXj Topics in Greg’s interview: Challenges of searching in New York Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search Strategy of cold email outreach Acquiring at age 26 Partn...

Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build. Register for the webinar: Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4p4J2Q7 Topics in Gail’s interview: Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble Her vision to run her own company Life changing power of hearing aids Switching her search from Vision to Audiology C...

After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own. Register for the webinar: Financing Your Deal: SBA vs. Non-SBA - Nov 13th - https://bit.ly/47OQpUA Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview: Katherine’s early CEO experience Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership Acquiring without a traditional bank loan Convi...

Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life. Register for the webinar: Overcoming Risks from a Lender’s Perspective -  TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3WxDKAs Topics in Clayton’s interview: Hire for your skill gaps Flying around the country to meet investors Asking for warm introductions Selling investors on his strategic vision W...

Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business. Register for the webinars:  Investor-Backed Search and SBA: Buy Bigger, Keep Control - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4qABMgn Overcoming Risks from a Lender’s Perspective - Thu Nov 6th - https://bit.ly/4qDoJdV Topics in Jared & Dave’s interview: Jared buying Dave’s tutoring busine...

Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast. Register for the webinar:  Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TODAY! - http://bit.ly/47CVZui Topics in Shaun’s interview: Staying in corporate was the riskier choice Calling 1200 businesses during his search Going back to school to learn more about acquisition Acquiring w...

Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it. Register for the webinar:  Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - Thu Oct 30 - http://bit.ly/43tlhIP Topics in Ania’s interview: Rushing to get a deal closed before giving birth Using her people skills to connect with sellers Searching only in the Eastern US Buying an AED sales a...

Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic. Topics in Ivona’s interview: Doing business in a post-Soviet culture Determination to acquire in the Czech Republic Buying a business as a married couple Getting into exhibition services right before Covid Losing all revenue at onset of Covid Pivoting to virtual events Finding work...