Acquiring Minds

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...

Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education. Topics in Ruchik’s interview: India > Australia > US immigration Discovery of the wonders of multiple arbitrage Receiving the deal from another searcher Paying a $20k finder’s fee Buying a fabrics and upholstery workroom Learning how to manage a blue-collar workforce Mishand...

Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one. Topics in Danyelle’s interview: Working in her family’s asphalt business Learning about ETA from a masterclass Hiring a coach for the search process Buying a business for the price of inventory + working capital The seller was running it remotely Raising prices and salaries afte...

When his deal died the first time, Kyle Poll was devastated. But then it came back around, larger and more interesting. Topics in Kyle’s interview: Skills he learned on his 2-year Mormon mission Growing Gympass from $10m to $100m Aiming for happiness at work and home Earning the respect of brokers Watching his deals die and being outbid Q of E that drastically lowered the business value Emotional...

Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue. Register for the webinar:  Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/46MlUhC Topics in Brian’s interview: Being an entrepreneurial kid Moving from IT to blue-collar Getting value from SMBootcamp “Riches are in the niches” Satisfaction of developing pe...

Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures. Register for the webinars:  How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/42jGpB2 Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - Thu Oct 9th - https://bit.ly/48wqcMP Topics in Nick’s interview: 10 years in the Irish Defense Forces His app idea that ult...

Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off. Register for the webinars:  The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - TODAY! -  https://bit.ly/481yThO How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - Tue Oct 7th - https://bit.ly/48FjAvq Topics in Brian and Onu’s interview: Forming a partnership i...

Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working.  Register for the webinar:  The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - Thu Oct 2nd -  https://bit.ly/46E2uv8 Topics in Aizik’s interview: There is endless opportunity in home services His goal of $1 billion in revenue Advantage of his youthful energ...

James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors. Topics in James’s interview: What is a family office? Family office capital sustains private markets You may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffs Private, insular nature of family offices How to network with family offices When it makes sense to exit to a family office L...

Register for the webinar:  Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/48lptOc Jack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision. Topics in Jack and Sam’s interview: Jack’s motivation to own something and take a risk You are always buying a job Linking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcamp Buying a busi...

Register for the webinars:  Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/41WmQym Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/4nrvvkD Mark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again.  Topics in Mark’s interview: Raising a search fund himself Being the “world’s wor...

Register for the webinar:  Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu Sep 18th - https://bit.ly/4mbU9EI Jerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out. Topics in Jerod’s interview: Challenging upbringing in foster care Adaptability as a survival skill Joining the investment club in college Getting his MBA f...

Register for the webinar:  Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLG Doug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building. Topics in Doug’s interview:  Having one foot in academia, one in business Place-based private equity model Delivering returns while el...

Register for the webinar:  Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - Thu Sep 11th - https://bit.ly/4pcznI8 Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve. Topics in Jeremy’s interview: Buying a business at age 27 Rocky first day as owner Living 1.5 hours from the business Employee...

Register for the webinar:  Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5 Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well. Topics in Brett’s interview: His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up close Involving his wife as a sounding board Buying a business a...

Register for the webinar:  Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6L Felipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt. Topics in Felipe’s interview:  Imperfect information in the lower middle market Pivoting from investing to operating Finding a partner with complementary...

About fall conferences:  Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference 2025 Buy Then Build Summit McguireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference M &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount) Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus. Topics in Daniel’s interview: His experience in the film ind...

About fall conferences:  Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference 2025 Buy Then Build Summit McguireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference M &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount) Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration. Topics in Kyle and Jake’s interview: Leaving a “cus...

Register for the webinar: Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/4oB4zAk Bryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency. Topics in Bryan’s interview: Losing everything in a startup at 41 Discovering his personal talents Using a buy-side advisor Ups and downs of search Importance of meeting the...

Register for the webinar: Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/3UrzG3F Jeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return. Topics in Jeff’s interview: Feeling a calling to lead Leaving a high-paying job to search You have to check the character box Acquiring a Xerox dealership Spending the first 9...

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one: Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business After success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020. Topics in Eric’s interview: Accepting investment from Rick and Royce Acquiring through traditional search Commitme...