The Game-Changing Strategy of Acquisition: An Interview with Walker Deibel - ⁠Walker Deibel⁠ | Horizon Search 21

4 snips

Aug 18, 2023

Walker Deibel, an expert in acquisition entrepreneurship, discusses the game-changing strategy of acquisition. Only 4% of companies hit the 1 million revenue mark, with a mere 0.5% reaching 5 million. Baby boomers dominate the business landscape, and 48% of US companies face a transition due to owner retirements. The ETA model needs revamping to handle these massive transitions. Tech advancements influence ETA's trajectory, and decisiveness is key with determining acquisition potential within 48 hours. Stability is assured with pay and benefits remaining unchanged post-acquisition. Deibel shares his pivot from starting businesses to acquiring them and mentoring through Acquisition Lab.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Education, Buying, and Selling Businesses

01:38 • 11min

The Changing Landscape of ETA and the Potential for Growth

12:49 • 6min

Building a Well-Aligned Board

18:37 • 10min

The Journey of Becoming an Author and Writing a Best-Selling Book

28:48 • 5min

Walker Deibel is an expert in the field of acquisition entrepreneurship, having purchased not one but seven successful businesses over the span of a decade. Through his journey, he realized that buying companies can be a more viable and profitable option than starting from scratch. He's also the author of a best-selling book on the subject and the founder of Acquisition Lab, an acquisition accelerator. Get ready to learn from Walker's expertise as he shares the strategies, challenges, and rewards of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned entrepreneur, you’re certain to find value in Walker’s insights.

TL;DL Highlights

Only 4% of companies hit the 1 million revenue mark, with a mere 0.5% reaching 5 million.
Baby boomers dominate the business landscape, owning businesses that represent 48% of the US economy.
An impending wave: 48% of US companies face a transition due to owner retirements.
The ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) model needs revamping to handle these massive business transitions.
Despite the allure of ideal businesses, search funds admit that perfect companies are rare.
Tech advancements influence ETA's trajectory.
Decisiveness is key: The speaker determines a company's acquisition potential within 48 hours.
Stability message to employees: Pay, benefits, and vacation remain unchanged post-acquisition.
The speaker's pivot: From starting businesses to acquiring them, now even mentoring through Acquisition Lab.
For businesses earning over a million in revenue, the speaker endorses the EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization) for peer advice and networking.
Expertise spotlight: The speaker specializes in guiding first-time acquisitions.

Connect

Interested in learning about entrepreneurship and innovation from thought leaders around the world? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter and checking out our other content: https://horizonsearch.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Recommended Resources (Affiliate)

Castmagic (https://get.castmagic.io/horizonsearch) has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts.
Experience seamless recording with Riverside.fm, (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=horizon-search) where high-quality audio and video are recorded locally on each participant's computer, eliminating the common issues of internet connectivity. Say goodbye to stutters and delays, and enjoy a smooth recording experience.