Think Big, Buy Small

CEO Success in Operating Small Business Acquisitions

60 snips
Oct 27, 2025
Michael Aubrey, an adept operator and investor, shares his journey from a searcher to a successful leader in small business acquisitions. He reveals the importance of direct customer engagement and how it shapes strategic change. Aubrey discusses the hurdles of building a national salesforce and the necessity of hiring the right talent. His insights on compensation models and company culture highlight how CEOs can foster growth and accountability. Packed with valuable lessons, his hands-on approach to operations offers a refreshing perspective on leadership.
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ANECDOTE

Searcher Origin And First Acquisition

  • Michael grew up around entrepreneurship watching his father build a parking-lot business from scratch.
  • He joined a partnered search in 2007, endured the 2008–09 downturn, and bought StatLab when down to $17,000.
INSIGHT

Regionality Driven By Sales Limits

  • The prior owners kept StatLab regional because they avoided hiring and managing a national salesforce.
  • Limited territory and shipping costs, not product fit, explained the geographic concentration.
ANECDOTE

Massive Shipping Model Saved Cash

  • Michael and his partner modelled shipping in exhaustive detail and cut costs about $1M.
  • They reinvested those savings into building a national salesforce.
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