

Acquiring Minds
Will Smith
Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business.
Also on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds
Sign up for episode summaries at:
https://acquiringminds.co
Also on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds
Sign up for episode summaries at:
https://acquiringminds.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 47min
White Collar Roll-Up from $700k to $12m
Jordan Evans, a former tech professional, shares his journey of transforming a small family-run language services business into a $12 million powerhouse in just six years. He discusses the challenges of acquiring the business from his parents and the importance of thorough preparation and creative financing. Evans highlights the value of strategic growth through acquisitions and organic expansion, while navigating family dynamics and team integration. He also addresses the effects of AI technology on the industry and opportunities awaiting those willing to invest.

Jul 25, 2024 • 1h 39min
Reflections on 2 Years in the Knife Fight
Brett Kennedy shares challenges and successes of doubling a moving business. Talk about surprises from the seller, benefits of buying small, and daily stressors. Discusses hiring a GM, employee-customer relationship, and plans for the next acquisition. Touches on emotional struggles, business growth, and potential future acquisitions in Atlanta.

8 snips
Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 44min
The Scrappy Path of a One-Man Holdco
Dustin Carreon shares his journey from a scrapping business to acquiring multiple businesses. He discusses key learnings from tough acquisitions, the importance of timing and luck, and the challenge of building a holdco. Topics include cross-training employees, balancing staff numbers, and growing a business without a college education

26 snips
Jul 18, 2024 • 1h 28min
Getting Reps: Helping Others Look at Deals Led to a Holdco
Adam Markley shares insights on evaluating businesses for acquisition, utilizing online courses, financing options, holdco structure, UK vs. US acquisitions, personalized outreach, partnerships, and operating partners in diverse industries. He talks about transitioning from accounting to acquisitions, success stories from the Acquisition Lab, educating students in acquisitions, personalized letter writing strategy, acquisitions in digital marketing and manufacturing, and navigating growth within a Holdco model.

Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 25min
Building a $10m EBITDA Leader in a Fragmented Space
Nick Haschka and Dillan Ferguson discuss their journey of forming a $50-60m revenue roll-up in 5 years, focusing on serving residential and commercial customers, developing software, and overcoming challenges like an atmospheric river crisis post-acquisition. They highlight the importance of leadership, strategic growth, operational changes, and navigating challenges in the generator industry.

22 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 1h 55min
Buying & Growing a Business While Keeping a Day Job
Entrepreneur Dominick Blue shares his journey of buying an air duct cleaning business, expanding into HVAC while keeping his W-2 job. He discusses mistakes in diligence, revamping services, finding leaders, ghosted by bank, advantage of selling direct, and his personal and business challenges.

Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 51min
Buy as Search Fund, Keep as Long-Term Owner
Juan Aguilar shares his journey of buying a $3m EBITDA business in Central America, implementing EOS, raising prices by 25%, finding a CEO replacement, and transitioning towards a permanent capital model. He discusses succession planning, navigating business transformation, and dividend recapitalization for long-term growth strategies.

58 snips
Jul 4, 2024 • 1h 37min
It Really Happened: 100% Financing for an $8m Business
Renan Cortez, an entrepreneur, secured 100% seller financing for an $8m business after learning about acquisition via Codie Sanchez and using a virtual assistant. Topics include negotiating seller note, securing bridge loan, rebranding the company, raising capital for growth, and his large roll-up vision.

26 snips
Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 47min
Turning $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors)
Entrepreneur Garrison Snell shares his journey from a small recording artist marketing agency to a $38m holdco. Topics include early ventures in real estate, acquiring in manufacturing, leadership challenges, community-minded business, and applying Porter's 5 Forces.

9 snips
Jun 27, 2024 • 1h 43min
Candid Reflections on 7 Years of SMB Ownership
Ex-Marine Dan Verboski shares insights on buying a sign company & doubling its earnings, overcoming culture clashes, firing faster, building new company culture, personal changes post-burnout, standing out by answering phone calls, and growing as a leader in SMB ownership journey.