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Acquiring Minds
Description

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

Episodes
  • 2025 / 9 / 15
    From SBA Loan to High 8-Figure Exit

    Register for the webinar: Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu Sep 18th - https://bit.ly/4mbU9EIJerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private...

  • 2025 / 9 / 11
    The Flywheel of Buying Businesses in a Single Region

    Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLGDoug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire...

  • 2025 / 9 / 8
    Hiring a CEO to Run Things (and Get Life Back)

    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/4pcznI8Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year...

  • 2025 / 9 / 4
    A Few Hours Per Week, a Few States Away

    Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being...

  • 2025 / 9 / 1
    The Joy & Pain of Buying a Tech Business

    Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6LFelipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT...

  • 2025 / 8 / 28
    $2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers

    About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a...

  • 2025 / 8 / 25
    Stacking Small Acquisitions to $5m in Revenue

    About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a...

  • 2025 / 8 / 21
    4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business

    Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/4oB4zAkBryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning...

  • 2025 / 8 / 18
    Buying and Building a Xerox Dealer to $30m

    Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/3UrzG3FJeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a...

  • 2025 / 8 / 14
    A Searcher’s Second Act: Building a $25m Holdco

    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 BusinessAfter success as a traditional searcher,...

  • 2025 / 8 / 11
    2 Years to $40m: The Anatomy of a High-Velocity Roll-up

    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 BusinessWhen Luis Reyes bought a small fire...

  • 2025 / 8 / 7
    From 16 Years in Corporate to a $1m SDE Acquisition

    Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - TODAY - https://bit.ly/3UH3w45After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he...

  • 2025 / 8 / 4
    Building a $25m FedEx Route Empire from $100k Equity

    Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - Thu Aug 7 - https://bit.ly/45i7eGeAvery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3...

  • 2025 / 7 / 31
    Buying a $200m Franchisor (Not Units, the Whole System)

    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 BusinessTyler & Zach Gordon's search for an...

  • 2025 / 7 / 28
    A $10m Acquisition for Freedom and Family

    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 BusinessAnica John bought a print-on-demand...

  • 2025 / 7 / 24
    You’ve Been Served: Buying a $1.3m Process-Serving Company

    Register for the webinar:Working Capital for SMB Acquisitions - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4kQcGGjAt a low point in life, Raj Kankaria was served papers. But he liked the business and bought a process-serving...

  • 2025 / 7 / 21
    One Year, 3x Revenue, and a Clear Path to $15M

    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...

  • 2025 / 7 / 17
    From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business

    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...

  • 2025 / 7 / 14
    Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership

    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...

  • 2025 / 7 / 10
    From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month

    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...

  • 2025 / 7 / 7
    Reviving a Covid-Crushed Business: $0 to $6M in 3 Years

    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...

  • 2025 / 7 / 3
    Scaling a Tiny Acquisition to a PE-Backed Exit

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 30
    New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 26
    From Stalled Search to $750k SDE: The Power of Speed

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 23
    The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 19
    How a First-Timer Pulled Off a $52m Acquisition

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 19
    Unpacking Nick Huber's $52m Deal to Buy Somewhere.com

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 16
    The $60k Acquisition that Grew to a $77m Exit

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 12
    Hometown Holdco: Geography as Moat

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 9
    Evolving a Legacy Business to $3.2m EBITDA

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 5
    How to Build $7.5m in Net Worth by Buying a B&B

    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...

  • 2025 / 6 / 2
    How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1

    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...

  • 2025 / 5 / 29
    The Entrepreneur Awakens: Pivoting from Tech to Ownership

    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...

  • 2025 / 5 / 26
    Quitting Consulting to Buy a $1m SDE Agency

    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,...

  • 2025 / 5 / 22
    Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid-7 Figures Revenue

    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....

  • 2025 / 5 / 19
    Buying $5m of Revenue with $50k of Equity

    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...

  • 2025 / 5 / 15
    How to Use an SBA Loan to Roll Up from $6m to $140m

    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...

  • 2025 / 5 / 12
    How 1 Couple Bought 2 Businesses

    Register for the webinar:How to Use a Buy-Side Advisor to Buy a Business - Thu June 5th - https://bit.ly/3H4mduTThe original plan was for Lindsay Buckheit to buy a business. As husband Kevin Black got...

  • 2025 / 5 / 8
    How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller

    Register for the webinar:Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - TODAY May 8th - https://bit.ly/4jFLpX2Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money &...

  • 2025 / 5 / 5
    Turning a $250k Investment into $7m+

    Register for the webinar:Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - Thu May 8 - https://bit.ly/4m7VH47Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they...

  • 2025 / 5 / 1
    Buying a Remote, 20-Year-Old Business with $900k of SDE

    Register for the webinar: Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1 - https://bit.ly/4jreo0UDan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key...

  • 2025 / 4 / 28
    21 Months to Stability Buying a $1.2m SDE Business

    Register for the webinar: Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1 - https://bit.ly/4k8HKBdJan Roll bought a $6m residential contractor, a harrowing experience he calls one giant ambiguous ball of...

  • 2025 / 4 / 24
    How to Build a Niche Holdco with $2m in Earnings

    Register for the webinar:Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1st - https://bit.ly/3RWj0QhIn 2019, Matt Kopp bought a supplier to elementary schools with $350k SDE. 6 years later, he has a portfolio of...

  • 2025 / 4 / 21
    Hiding in Plain Sight on BizBuySell: $800k SDE for 2x

    Register for the webinar:Should You Buy a Business? A Live Panel with Lab Members - Wed Apr 23rd - https://bit.ly/3EBvXvNJoe Ziolkowski found the deal of a lifetime — a $10m manufacturing business — by...

  • 2025 / 4 / 17
    How to Build a $100m Holdco: The Power of ESOPs

    Register for the webinar:Licenses & Regulatory Issues in Acquisitions - Thu April 17th - https://bit.ly/4i7vsY5With 300 employees across 5 companies, the holdco that Chris Fredericks is building has an...

  • 2025 / 4 / 14
    How to Reinvent a $1m Candle Manufacturer

    Register for the webinar:Licenses & Regulatory Issues in Acquisitions - Thu April 17th - https://bit.ly/3G9vf9FAdam Goldberg had to adapt his corporate approach after buying a nearly-closed manufacturer whose...

  • 2025 / 4 / 10
    Stars Align After 4 Broken Deals

    Register for the webinar: 5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Fri Apr 11 - https://bit.ly/4ljGigoKeegan Dum wound down his search fund after 2 years without a deal, but he went on to acquire & create a...

  • 2025 / 4 / 7
    When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense

    Register for the webinar: 5 Stages of the Business Buying Process - Fri Apr 11 - https://bit.ly/4ji2UMuKen Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700...

  • 2025 / 4 / 3
    FedEx & Fencing: A Pivot into Ownership

    Register for the webinar:5 Steps to the Business Buying Process - Thu April 10th - https://bit.ly/41RC4oNAfter his foray into SMB ownership went well with FedEx routes, Matt O'Brien bought & doubled a $2.5m...

  • 2025 / 3 / 31
    Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It)

    You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.Topics in Jared’s interview:His 9.5 year stint at Twitter/XHelping his dad with the...