Think Big, Buy Small Where Are They Now? A Conversation with Nick Wheeler
Aug 25, 2025
Nick Wheeler, President of Tra-Cal and a self-funded search success story, shares his journey from early learning curves to confident leadership. He discusses tackling hiring challenges and emphasizes critical skills such as financial acumen and adaptability for small business management. Nick also reflects on the multifaceted role of a CEO and the impact of strong management on business success. Join them as they delve into the complexities of navigating a business acquisition and the importance of a solid recurring revenue model.
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Rebuilding The Team After Acquisition
- Nick inherited nine employees and ended up keeping only four while rebuilding the team to fit his vision.
- He more than doubled technician headcount and added a sales team to reduce owner dependence.
Invest In Talent To Scale
- Pay competitive wages and offer benefits to attract higher-quality talent from larger competitors.
- Accept a short-term expense and J-curve to build a stronger operating team for growth.
Learning Then Systematizing Changes Everything
- The first 90 days were intensive learning to document the seller's processes and identify hires and systems needed.
- After systematizing roles and processes, Nick could step back and focus on growth instead of daily operations.