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
19 snips
Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 45min
Rolling-Up to $15m EBITDA
Robert Graham and Aaron Blick discuss their journey from a $1.2m SDE acquisition to a $15m EBITDA business. Topics include private equity impact on industry roll-ups, running businesses remotely, financial shocks post-acquisition, hiring presidents, blending SBA loans with roll-up model, and shifting power dynamics after purchase.
Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 31min
The Double Life of Owning a Business 2.5 Hours Away
John Murphy shares his story of overcoming divorce and debt to purchase a 60-year-old business. Topics include the value of peer groups, real estate vs. business ownership, unexpected transition expenses, and restructuring the workforce for increased margins.
20 snips
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 44min
The Gritty, High-Capex Road to Millions
Entrepreneur Reid Tileston shares his journey after acquiring a business with expensive trucks. He discusses topics like working on the business, feedback, relationships, slow temp-to-hire process, transitioning paper processes to the cloud, risks of informing employees about a business sale, and personally testing tech for field service management.
7 snips
Apr 15, 2024 • 1h 59min
Watching Warren: How to Build a Mini-Berkshire
Rafael Quinn shares his journey buying businesses in Panama & raising $28m to buy more in the US by selling everything on Craigslist, deciding to build a holdco, breaking his own rule buying a restaurant, turning sights to the US, structuring a holdco, and raising $28m.
37 snips
Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 53min
Getting Unstuck by Buying a Business
Christian Bateson, entrepreneur who turned a construction services business into a $7.5m venture, discusses the 2008 financial crisis, qualities of top salespeople, choosing business acquisition, difficulties in hiring for construction, post-Covid growth, ignoring red flags in acquisitions, and the benefits of a finance background.
14 snips
Apr 8, 2024 • 1h 55min
Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit
Entrepreneur Patrick Norris shares insights on buying and growing a trash business, discussing the intricacies of trash disposal pricing, niches within the industry, hiring challenges, customer service strategies, and the cycle of building and selling a business. He highlights the benefits of acquiring over starting a business, regretting not hiring a manager, and scaling operations for success.
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 31min
Roofing + Florida = Path to $100m
Entrepreneur Matt Jackson shares his journey of scaling a roofing business in Florida to $100m. Topics include: using ROBS for financing, insurance companies driving demand for roofs, standing out in the roofing industry, and vision for organic growth.
Apr 1, 2024 • 1h 21min
Rather Than Retire, Buy a Business
Maurice Thomas shares his journey of buying an electrical contractor after age 60, emphasizing values-first approach, challenges of hiring, and importance of knowing oneself. He discusses politics in the workplace, coaching employees, and creating incentives aligned with company goals.
22 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 37min
$700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money Down
25-year-old entrepreneur Andrew Stordeur shares how he purchased a furniture manufacturer without personal capital. Topics include IPO plans, financing without SBA, seller notes, direct-to-consumer sales, and being a sole breadwinner. Stordeur's strategy to increase sales faster than Amazon and his decision not to buy with a partner.
Mar 25, 2024 • 1h 24min
The Birth of a Roll-Up
Stephen Olmon & Collin Trimble discuss their roll-up strategy in the alarm industry, valuation based on recurring revenue, challenges in educating lenders, utilizing holdbacks, adapting business models post-acquisition, and the importance of clear customer communication.
