Acquiring Minds

Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business

Oct 10, 2024

Greg Bruns, a former banker turned entrepreneur, shares his journey into the world of business ownership with Allied Hydro Mulch, an erosion control company. He discusses the challenges of transitioning careers and reveals the unexpected realities of ownership. Topics include the critical importance of erosion control to infrastructure and the impact of weather on finances. Greg also highlights the intricacies of cash flow in project-based businesses and the benefits of involving employees in decision-making.

01:33:04

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Episode guests

Greg Bruns

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Quick takeaways

Greg Bruns transitioned from banking to owning a hydro-mulching business, inspired by local entrepreneurs and seeking personal fulfillment.

Managing cash flow proved complex for Greg as project payment delays exposed vulnerabilities in his new business's financial stability.

Building relationships with employees and clients is crucial for Greg, as he aims to establish credibility while honoring the previous owner's legacy.

Deep dives

Transition from Banking to Business Ownership

Greg Bruns reflects on his journey from a successful banking career to owning a small hydro-mulching business. While he admired local entrepreneurs and their achievements, he felt like a supporting character in their stories. After years of exposure to various businesses as a banker, he decided to pursue ownership himself, inspired by a friend's success in business acquisition. Now, having transitioned to entrepreneurship, he feels fulfilled, having taken the most crucial first step toward his dream.

Roller Coaster Experience of Buying a Business

03:11

Hidden Challenges of Asset Sales in Business Acquisition

03:00

SBA Loan Approval Challenges for Project-Based Businesses

04:12

Intro

5min

From Loss to Legacy: A Journey into Entrepreneurship

10min

Insights from the M&A Launchpad Conference and Reflections on Business Ownership

3min

Navigating Success in Blue-Collar Enterprises

22min

Understanding Financial Margins and Securing Financing in Business Acquisition

3min

Securing Loans and Overcoming Challenges

5min

Passion for Green Spaces and Business Acquisition Success

2min

Navigating Acquisition and Cash Flow in Business

17min

Navigating Construction Leadership

25min

Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/3TYdVZ8
Due Diligence Office Hours - Wed Oct 16 - https://bit.ly/3BznZl0

As a banker Greg Bruns dealt with business owners, wanting what they had. When a friend bought a business, he saw a way.

Topics in Greg’s interview:

Leaving his banking career to buy a business
Big risks of doing an asset sale
How ownership is different than expected
Risks and benefits to buying small
Why erosion control matters to infrastructure
Being tied to the construction industry
Managing cashflow in a project-based business
How weather affects his bottom line
Involving his employees in business decisions
The good/bad of keeping the seller in the business

References and how to contact Greg:

LinkedIn
Twitter
greg@alliedhydromulch.com
Allied Hydromulch

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

The Acquisition Lab

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter

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Acquiring Minds

Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Transition from Banking to Business Ownership

Challenges in the First Months of Business

The Learning Curve of Cash Flow Management

Navigating Relationships with Employees and Clients

Advantages and Drawbacks of the Asset Sale

The Potential for Growth and Diversification

Roller Coaster Experience of Buying a Business

Hidden Challenges of Asset Sales in Business Acquisition

SBA Loan Approval Challenges for Project-Based Businesses

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
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Discover
highlights

Acquiring Minds

Margins in Mulch: Buying a $1m Erosion Control Business

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Transition from Banking to Business Ownership

Challenges in the First Months of Business

The Learning Curve of Cash Flow Management

Navigating Relationships with Employees and Clients

Advantages and Drawbacks of the Asset Sale

The Potential for Growth and Diversification

Roller Coaster Experience of Buying a Business

Hidden Challenges of Asset Sales in Business Acquisition

SBA Loan Approval Challenges for Project-Based Businesses

Get the Snipdpodcast app

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Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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highlights

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moment

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