Nick Bryant

The SMB Investor

Business EN ↓ 32 episodes

Forget startups. Forget climbing the corporate ladder. The real path to wealth? Owning profitable small businesses. Hosted by Sean Smith and Nick Bryant, The SMB Investor dives into how investors, operators, and dealmakers are building wealth through small business acquisitions, syndicates, and holding companies. We talk to the pros—fund managers, investors, searchers, and service providers—who are making SMB investing the next big asset class. Whether you want to invest, operate, or build your own holding company, this podcast is your playbook.

Author

Nick Bryant

Episodes

Ep. 7 How to Finance SMB Acquisitions: SBA, SBIC & Debt Strategies | Zach Pavlosky & Sean Smith 22.04.2025 24:49

In this episode, Sean Smith interviews Zach Pavlovsky from Cerebro Capital, who has led over $850M in debt financing for lower middle market acquisitions. They discuss the landscape of SBA, bank, and SBIC financing, and what searchers and sponsors need to consider when negotiating loan terms. A must-listen for anyone navigating SMB acquisitions and looking to understand how lenders assess deals an...

Ep. 6 Investing in Hidden Gems: How to Evaluate Trade Businesses 07.04.2025 30:26

What makes blue-collar businesses some of the most valuable and overlooked opportunities for private investors? In this episode, John Bartlett (Founder of Brentwood Growth) joins Sean Smith to share over three decades of experience in trade services M&A. From roofing and janitorial to fencing and pool service, John breaks down why these sectors are gaining institutional attention—and how opera...

5. Scaling Through Strategic Acquisitions | Bob Wang & Sean Smith 02.04.2025 18:35

How can entrepreneurs use acquisitions to unlock growth and scale more effectively? In this episode, Bob Wang (Founder of T-Up Advisors) joins Sean Smith to explore how small business owners can leverage inorganic growth to overcome operational challenges, reduce customer concentration, and boost enterprise value ahead of a successful exit to private equity. From common pitfalls like overleveragin...

4. Elliott Holland - Key Things to Look Out For in the Quality of Earnings (QoE) Report 21.03.2025 29:29

How can investors avoid costly mistakes when buying a small business? In this episode, Elliott Holland (Founder of Guardian Due Diligence) joins Sean Smith to break down the importance of Quality of Earnings (QOE) in small and mid-sized business acquisitions. From identifying hidden risks to avoiding financial fraud, Elliott shares his expertise in helping buyers make informed decisions and mini...

3. Building Communities for SMB Success - Rand Larson 19.03.2025 15:01

What helps small business owners thrive in such a challenging ecosystem? In this episode, Rand Larson (Founder of SMB Community) joins Sean Smith to share his experience in building support networks for entrepreneurs in the small business acquisition space. From the loneliness of business ownership to the importance of a smooth transition with sellers, we explore key challenges and the solutions t...

2. How to Think About SMB Investing- Jason Ehrlich 03.03.2025 40:09

Why do some search funds fail while others thrive? In this episode, Jason Ehrlich (Managing Partner at Fruition Capital) joins Sean Smith to break down the key differences between self-funded searchers, independent sponsors, and traditional search funds. Learn what makes a successful SMB investor and how to avoid common pitfalls in small business acquisitions.

1. Building a SMB Portfolio with Grant Hensel 01.03.2025 29:19

In this conversation, Sean Smith and Grant Hensel discuss the intricacies of small business investing, focusing on the value of small businesses, the importance of empathy in investing, and the key qualities to look for in searchers. They explore the challenges of investment decision-making, risk management, and the structuring of deals, including the differences between independent sponsors and...