Navigating Personal and Financial Risk in Entrepreneurship
Sep 29, 2023
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Tim Lahey, CEO of r:Home, discusses personal risk assessment in entrepreneurship, acquisition process, challenges of scaling a service-oriented business, and the value of industry knowledge. He reflects on personal growth and learning experiences in ETA, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs.
Personal risk assessment is crucial in entrepreneurship through acquisition, weighing both financial and personal risks involved.
Scaling a service-oriented business can be challenging, and prioritizing high-quality service can drive growth and lead to successful integration.
Deep dives
Tim's Journey to Entrepreneurship
Tim's journey to becoming an entrepreneur started with a career in finance and a desire to be his own boss. After attending an event where he learned about leaving his job and buying a business, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship. Tim made a self-assessment of the risks involved and recognized that he was willing to take on the challenges that came with being an entrepreneur. He cold-called someone he had heard speak at the event and began the journey of acquiring a business.
Evaluating Financial and Personal Risks
When considering the risks associated with entrepreneurship, Tim looked at the financial risk of leaving a solid career and the personal risk of being tested in new and unfamiliar ways. He weighed the factors of personal guarantees and the underwriting process associated with the Small Business Administration (SBA) funding. Tim recognized that there would always be some level of risk, but he felt comfortable with the level of personal and financial risk he was taking on.
Finding the Right Business and Financing
Tim embarked on a search to find the right business to acquire. He interviewed business brokers and eventually worked with a small to middle market mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm. Tim set geographical filters to focus on companies in the greater Chicago area, and he received approval for an SBA loan for an acquisition up to $6 million in enterprise value. After evaluating various industries, Tim narrowed his focus to the home technology sector, ultimately acquiring Home Run Technology and renaming it Our Home.
Growth Strategies and Lessons Learned
Tim initially believed that scaling service would drive growth for Our Home. However, he discovered that while service was crucial, it was challenging to scale due to the specialized skills required by technicians. Tim adjusted his growth thesis to prioritize delivering high-quality service, which led to referrals and subsequent projects. As he considered future acquisitions, Tim realized the importance of a strong company culture and decided to delay further acquisitions to ensure a thoughtful and successful integration. He shifted the company's strategy towards intelligent lighting and motorized shades, identifying potential partnerships with residential electricians and lighting fixture specialists.
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Tim Lahey, CEO of r:Home, a technology concierge company, who shares his journey into entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) from a finance career. He stresses the significance of personal risk assessment in ETA and discusses his acquisition process, including location and size criteria. Tim highlights the challenges of scaling a service-oriented business and the importance of company culture. He advocates for patience in business growth and emphasizes the value of industry knowledge. Tim reflects on the personal growth and learning experiences that come with ETA, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace the journey and its rewards.
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