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PODCAST

Acquiring Minds

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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

93:32

One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/21

Register for the webinars:The Math & Logic of Deal Making - July 22nd - https://bit.ly/459kJJnWorking Capital for SMB Acquisitions - July 24th - https://bit.ly/4lBEhftEnrique Rodriguez bought a project-based construction business (gasp) with $1.4m in revenue. One year later it's at $4m.Topics in Enrique’s interview:17 years in project-based constructionGetting his MBA and electrician’s licenseBuying too small for an SBA loanBringing a machine gun to a knife fightInjecting his own money

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123:18

From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/17

Register for the webinar:Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4kwHlbwYan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.Topics in Yan’s interview:Using a buy-side broker to search and closeBeing inspired to take on a large dealTrade-offs of independent sponsor economicsBoard dynamics and governanceBuilding a pitch deckRefining his investor pitchHostility from sellers after

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99:56

Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/14

Register for the webinar:Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4lo4SwuAccomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.Topics in Marci’s interview:Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO2 reasons she likes project workComparing HR consulting and PEO business modelsAcquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financingLeveraging associations and networks for client growthBuilding a

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91:46

From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/10

By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights.Topics in Ryan’s interview:Transferring from military to businessFocusing on selling one serviceUnderestimating working capital needsThe business tanked after acquisitionRescuing the company by fixing his sales processProperly incentivizing for the outcome he wantsLearning digital marketing himselfCost per acquisition metricWhere he finds good sales guysExpanding his

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81:43

Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/07

Adam Rao took a chance on an exhibit production business that had generated zero revenue in 15 months. It's gone well.Topics in Adam’s interview:Discovering impact companiesAcquiring with a business partnerBuying a distressed business during CovidGetting 100% seller financingInheriting an angry, dysfunctional staffA brutal first 9 monthsAcquiring an add-on with an SBA loanHis role as the visionaryAchieving stability by merging companiesReducing waste in a high-waste industryReferences and

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110:22

Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/07/03

Phil Miller turned a tiny pet shop doing $100k in sales into a regional pet boarding brand — and the ideal PE platform.Topics in Phil’s interview:Pivoting from real estate to the pet industrySlow renovation creating a financial messDelegation is the key to growthThe real cost of a cheap turnaroundBuilding a pet resort brandAccelerating growth with Store CapitalWhy franchising is a poor option in his industryDealing with tire-kicking searchersPartnering with private equityEmotional

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116:48

New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/30

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kMatt Brunnig hired aspiring SMB owner Kevin Peer for special projects, strategy & more at his $3m manufacturing holdco.Topics in Matt & Kevin’s interview:Searching for a wife and a businessOvercoming the fear of uncertaintyLocally searching in St. Petersberg, FLLong term payoff of bringing donutsQuickly growing through marketingUsing Pinterest to stoke demand for their

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81:32

From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/26

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kA friend pressed Grania Michel to change her search as if she had to close in 4 months. She was under LOI 2 weeks later.Topics in Grania’s interview:Operating a business in EcuadorEmotional ups and downs during the search processKeeping her search private in the beginningSending LOIs as quickly as possibleAcquiring a commercial printing business in MiamiManaging the deal process, debt

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88:20

The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/23

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kBrian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.Topics in Brian’s interview:Picking up the phone is crucialGrowing so fast the wheels nearly came offHiring top-tier managers and ops staff earlyManaging cash flow and receivables through growthExpanding via acquisition, starting in DallasEnsuring safety for

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104:53

Unpacking Nick Huber's $52m Deal to Buy Somewhere.com

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/19

Register for the webinar:How to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://bit.ly/406jR5kWith no PE background, Nick Huber had to learn quickly as he raised money to acquire a fast-growing offshoring agency.Topics in Nick’s interview:Origin of the Sweaty Startup guyNick’s role in Support Shepherd’s growthBackstory of the Support Shepherd dealHow Nick structured incentives to make it worthwhileWhat turned off investorsInbound leads collapsing in year 1Is building a Twitter

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71:11

The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/16

Register for the webinars:DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI - Jun 17th - https://bit.ly/441EocMHow to Offshore in a Blue Collar Business - July 1st - https://acquiringminds.co/hiringKevin Ramsier bought a "guy in a truck" business for radon mitigation. 10 years later it was a multi-state franchise.Topics in Kevin’s interview:Finding ways to earn money as a kidBouncing back from early career setbacksThe Wall Street Journal ad that changed everythingTurning around a bankrupt concrete

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101:59

Geography as Moat: Building a Hometown Holdco

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/12

Register for the webinar:SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/3FGQIqBSarah Chiles & Matthew Ferguson left careers in VC to buy the only auto repair shop for 35 miles in their native Aspen.Topics in Sarah & Matthew’s interview:Backgrounds in engineering and VCPreserving local fabric by buying businessesThe “tackle shop” nature of businesses in small townsSeasonality in a small resort townGaining the respect of employeesVision of a hometown holdcoCrisis

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83:03

Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/09

Register for the webinar:SBA Loans 101 + Program Updates - Jun 12th - https://bit.ly/4jG0FSVAfter Evan Stewart found his footing in his printing business, he pushed it from $1.8m to $3.2m EBITDA in under 2 years.Topics in Evan’s interview:Experience in the Acquisition Lab6 months of imposter syndromeEarning the right to be heardChanges in direct mail printing technologyStanding out amongst fierce competitionHis wife joining the businessMoving his family to be closer to the businessAccepting

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89:29

How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/05

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/43PpR4RChristine Traylor is bringing entrepreneurial ambition to a business often dismissed as a side gig for retireesTopics in Christine’s interview:Pivoting from international development to business ownerAcquiring a historic B&B in Dupont Circle A seller who refused to negotiate on priceLiving on site with her family at the B&BCalculating the value of the real

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81:41

How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/06/02

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 5th - https://bit.ly/44XWwX3JD Hasley bought an upscale frame shop doing $600k. One year later, he's returned all his equity & grown it to $900k.Topics in JD’s interview:Finding his business on broker’s own websiteBuying a retail frame shopWhy DFW is a great location for a frame shopLearning to do the framing himselfStanding out by answering email quicklyGetting customers to pay in full up

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108:27

The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to...

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/05/29

Register for the webinar:How to Outsource Your Search: Understanding Buy-Side Advisory - Jun 6th - https://bit.ly/43q0JQRKin Sio first tried real estate as he explored a path out of tech, but buying a business was his ultimate destination.Topics in Kin’s interview:Immigrating from ChinaPivoting from tech to entrepreneurshipWanting more flexibility to care for familyDeciding against using ROBSRunning his Hawaiian business from SeattlePlans to expand to the mainlandBuilding and maintaining a

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87:48

Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/05/26

Register for the webinar:Buy a Business, Not a Fantasy: Addressing This Month’s 7 Most Common Buyer Concerns - Wed May 28th - https://bit.ly/43u7otoWhen Julia Hensel decided to pursue entrepreneurship, husband Grant helped her find a remote business with a great team.Topics in Grant & Julia’s interview:Julia’s background at BCGGrant’s many zero-to-one businessesKey lessons learned from failed LOIs Why they avoided SBA loansThe acquisition of Lexigate and what made it the right

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104:15

Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/05/22

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - TODAY May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4jgfQSYCovid forced Scott Alexander to pivot & rebuild the marketing agency he'd acquired just one year earlier. It worked.Topics in Scott’s interview:Buying a digital marketing agencyDisappointment with the sellerUnderstanding customer churnPost-transition surprises with bookkeepingTurning around a bad company cultureWartime CEO vs Peacetime CEORevenue devastated during CovidRebranding and

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71:07

Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/05/19

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - Thu May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4kj566XDevin Fitzgerald bought two businesses after one sentence changed his life: It's easier to buy revenue than create it.Topics in Devin’s interview:Business is just solving problemsIt’s easier to buy revenue than create itLosing 8 months to a dead dealBuying 2 declining businessesTurning around a bad work cultureHerding sellers to the finish lineHow the new SBA rules affected his second

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89:48

How to Use an SBA Loan to Roll Up from $6m to $140m

Acquiring Minds ·

2025/05/15

Register for the webinar:Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-Up - May 22nd - https://bit.ly/4mays9pMichael Davidov bought a home care agency with an SBA loan. 6 years later, he's grown & acquired to $140m in revenue.Topics in Michael’s interview:His “other side of the table” moment in private equityPartnering to buy a home health agencyDigitizing a pen and paper businessSeeing his employees as customersNarrowly avoiding a payroll disasterGoing slow to go fastRapid growth through additional

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395 results

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