Simon Plummer: Mastering operational excellence and small business acquisitions

Ever received a cold email that actually made an impact? Today’s guest did just that. 

Hi, Jason Andrew here, and this is Stark Naked Numbers – the podcast that strips down the numbers of business, investing, and wealth creation to help you become a better entrepreneur and investor, and ultimately build your net worth.

Today, I’m joined live in the studio by Simon Plummer, someone who shares a career trajectory similar to mine: an accountant-turned-business owner with a passion for helping other aspiring business owners.

Simon is honestly one of the most exceptional people I’ve met. We talk about building his operating and leadership chops at Johns Lyng Group, a $billion insurance building company he helped scale; to starting a tech startup, through to acquiring a boring brick tool manufacturing business.

In this chat we unpack the art of cold emailing, creative ways to generate deal flow for business acquisitions, lessons learned from starting and operating businesses, and key insights for anyone considering buying into a small business.

Alrighty, let’s get started.

Links:

To keep up with Simon, follow him on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Stark Naked Numbers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your pods.  

Want the secrets the other accountants won’t give you? Follow Jason Andrew on LinkedIn.

To learn more about uncovering your financials, unlocking your cash and unleashing your cash, visit starknakednumbers.com.

Show Notes:

(01:22) - Simon’s ‘killer’ cold email

(06:53) - Inside Johns Lyng Group (JLG)

(14:33) - Equity incentives and subsidiary ownership at JLG

(21:42) - Simon’s investment in JLG at just 25

(24:35) - The biggest learning curve of Simon’s career

(35:56) - Exit and transition to a new business idea 

(41:33) - How Simon cherry picked his dream business

(59:08) - What’s next for Simon

(01:01:09) - Simon’s key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs