The Acquisition of a Remarkable Recurring Revenue Business
Feb 10, 2025
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In this discussion, Jenn Braus, CEO of Systems Design West, shares her inspiring journey from process engineer to business owner. She highlights the benefits of recurring revenue in her new venture. Jenn reflects on the challenges of the acquisition process and the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, especially as a woman in the field. The conversation also delves into customer retention strategies, adaptable service during the pandemic, and the importance of aligning personal values with business acquisitions for true job satisfaction.
Jenn Braus emphasizes the significant benefits of recurring revenue in building a sustainable business model and customer loyalty.
The emotional challenges of the acquisition search process highlight the importance of persistence and networking in entrepreneurship.
Successfully transitioning into a strategic leadership role requires adaptability and a balance between professional growth and personal well-being.
Deep dives
Journey to Entrepreneurship
Jen Brous transitioned from being a process engineer to a general manager after realizing that engineering was not her true calling. Despite her parents advising her against pursuing engineering, she earned degrees in the field but ultimately found her passion in leadership and management roles within a large corporation. Experiencing the bureaucracy of larger companies made her eager to affect change in a more nimble setting. This desire led her to Harvard Business School, where she discovered entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), ultimately sparking her journey toward owning and running her own business.
The Search Process
Searching for a business to acquire proved to be a challenging and often discouraging experience for Jen. Most days involved receiving rejections as she navigated through numerous listings and dealt with brokers who did not always understand her vision. However, it was through networking that she discovered Systems Design West, a business that aligned with her criteria despite being smaller than she initially preferred. This experience highlighted the emotional toll that the search process can take, particularly for someone who thrives on achieving success.
Value of Recurring Revenue
Systems Design West specializes in providing EMS billing services, which generates a strong recurring revenue stream from its established customer base. Jen emphasized the importance of customer service in maintaining high retention rates, stating that clients appreciate the prompt and effective service they receive. By building trust and rapport, the company has been able to grow through referrals, enhancing its already solid reputation within the industry. This focus on customer satisfaction has been vital in ensuring the stability and growth of the business.
Managing Growth and Operations
Upon taking over Systems Design West, Jen’s initial focus was on understanding the existing operations and learning from the management team. She took a cautious approach, recognizing that the business was already successful, and spent her first six months gathering insights before implementing changes. As the business has grown, she has successfully transitioned towards a more strategic role, empowering others to take on operational responsibilities. This evolution exemplifies how a business leader can adapt their management style as the company expands, allowing for sustained growth and innovation.
Balancing Work and Life
Jen attributes her success not only to her business acumen but also to her ability to create a balanced lifestyle as a CEO. By structuring her work environment to prioritize flexibility, she effectively manages her family life alongside her professional responsibilities. This approach allows her to engage in personal interests while maintaining her focus on business growth. Jen's dedication to high standards and organizational skills illustrates how effective time management can create a rewarding career without sacrificing personal well-being.
After a brokered search, Jenn Braus became CEO at Systems Design West, a company that provides customized ambulance billing, emergency medical services billing, and accounting services to fire and rescue organizations, and one that Rick and Royce believe is “the perfect recurring revenue business.” In this episode, we learn about the beauty of recurring revenue (and how it differs from repeating revenue), and also about the many other attributes of SDW that made the business an awesome acquisition, along with one red flag that gave Jenn pause in her journey towards becoming an acquisition entrepreneur. Furthermore, they discuss why Jenn disliked the search process but loves being CEO; her experience of a very short transition period; the benefits of medium customer switching costs; why SDW was a great fit for Jenn, both professionally and personally; and how walking the ETA path allowed Jenn to create for herself the world in which she wants to live.
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