Acquiring Minds

Entrepreneur Matt Drndak shares his journey of doubling earnings in a parts business through strategic growth plans and patience. Topics include losing everything in the Great Recession, leveraging service to stand out from competitors, and doubling revenue in 3 years. He also discusses capturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videos and implementing EOS for future success.

Colin King shares his journey from buying a small unpleasant business on Craigslist to building a diverse portfolio with businesses in apparel, decor, financial training, and more. Topics include delivering auto parts at night, acquiring remote businesses, managing talent, and the importance of working capital in seasonal industries. Insightful discussions on strategic acquisitions, diverse business growth, e-commerce complexities, and recruiting managers for a holding company.

Cody Agee shares his journey of buying a recession-resistant food testing lab, bypassing business school and using 401(k) funds. He discusses pricing based on earnings reports, finding investors on Twitter, and the benefits of personally guaranteeing seller notes. Additionally, he talks about the importance of licensing requirements, EBITDAR vs. EBITDA, and utilizing an enterprise resource planning system.

Entrepreneur Jeff Homer discusses transitioning from high finance to acquiring and scaling music schools. Topics include artist's aversion to selling, profitability of music vs. dance, importance of general managers, using apps for operations, and potential in other industries. He shares insights on acquiring a music school every month, raising growth equity, and the challenges and rewards of business consolidation and scaling.

Jarett Berke, an entrepreneur who initially avoided restaurants, shared insights on buying Lou's Restaurant: finding businesses through accountants, tough restaurant industry, military service parallels, exceptional margins, stock deal purchase, business growth strategies, and the appeal of the restaurant business.

Entrepreneur Scott Walton shares insights on acquiring low-SDE businesses, doubling revenue, and improving company culture. Topics include recruiting strategies, financing without the SBACreative, creative deal structuring, and challenges post-acquisition. Scott aims to build a $10m platform from blue-collar companies.

Experienced entrepreneur Chandra Rao discusses challenges with dishonest sellers, financial struggles, navigating payment terms, and partnering issues. He shares insights on due diligence mistakes, embezzlement, conventional loans vs. SBA, and exponential business growth in electrical contracting and fiber cabling. Rao reflects on juggling a roll-up, dealing with fraud, and the complexities of acquisitions and financing in the construction industry.

Entrepreneur Zach Smith discusses buying a 30-year-old dental membership business, exit from Uber, challenges of marketplace businesses, current issues with dental insurance plans, and his strategy to grow all sides of the marketplace.

Christi Loucks shares her experience buying a Canadian business, discussing personal fulfillment, challenges of cross-border acquisitions, losing clients post-transition, unexpected expenses, planning for maternity leave, and the constant changes in the tech industry.

Garth Fasano shares his 5-year journey to finding a business with unique revenue model and great fit. Topics include: SBA financials, Top Dog's model, impact of outcome-based pricing, hiring strategies, and expanding to new industries.