The Ryan Bakke Show Why I Bought a $2 5M Accounting Firm in LA
Jul 14, 2025
Discover the journey of acquiring a $2.5 million accounting firm in Los Angeles. Explore the contrast between organic growth and the faster, scalable benefits of acquisition. Hear how the speaker shifted mindsets on firm ownership and the true challenges of growing a business. Learn about the costs of hiring versus the advantages of established teams. Plus, gain insights into the valuation uplift from acquisitions and the dynamics of trust and culture in business.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ryan Bakke's Organic Growth Journey
- Ryan Bakke grew his accounting business organically to $3 million in three years without buying firms.
- He visited an LA firm to assess its culture, team, and operations before deciding on acquisition.
Organic Growth Hit a Ceiling
- Ryan felt his organic reach was nearly maxed out and harder to grow due to market fear and more online competition.
- Acquisition offered a quicker, more scalable growth path than continuing with organic methods alone.
Master Both Growth Arguments
- To argue effectively for buying firms, understand the benefits and drawbacks of both organic growth and acquisitions.
- Knowing both sides deeply is key to making informed growth decisions and winning any debate.
