Acquiring Minds

The podcast discusses the appeal of buying a food product business, including topics such as starting a business while searching, similarities between food and dropshipping businesses, the role of co-packers in the food industry, challenges and risks in the food business, the psychology of having an SBA loan, and reflections on owning multiple small businesses.

Sam Turner shares his experience and strategies in building a holdco of HVAC businesses in the UK. He discusses the benefits of buying small businesses over real estate, the value in acquiring businesses in a fragmented industry, and the challenges and goals of his acquisitions. Turner also explores the differences between the HVAC market in the US and UK, and the considerations involved in acquiring businesses with new construction or maintenance revenue. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of developing people and managing performance in the success of his holdco.

Overcoming reservations about being a franchisee, benefits of franchising, B2B sales process, appeal of home service businesses, managing people, sophisticated funnels, financing challenges with high growth, using ROBS, importance of DSCR, tips for choosing an SBA lender, value of face-to-face meetings in acquisition process

Jack McCarthy discusses his acquisition of 27 pistachio & almond farms, the appeal of farmland as an asset, using technology to farm efficiently, converting farms to organic, and the long-term nature of agriculture. They also explore the challenges in the farming industry, the impact of debt on investment, investment opportunities in agriculture, and the importance of hiring great talent and building a positive company culture.

Ben Jasper shares his journey of leaving finance to buy a plastic bag manufacturer, starting work at 3:30 AM, challenges of maintaining old machinery, understanding employees' values, hiring an operator, negative revenue growth in manufacturing industry

Eddy Zakes shares his success in scaling a snow removal brokerage and the challenges of acquiring a highly seasonal business. Topics include unique business model, acquiring during Covid, negotiating with anxious seller, convincing key employee to stay, managing across multiple states, and quadrupling staff for better management and redundancy.

Brian Lee Shields, entrepreneur and property management business buyer, shares insights on improving net promoter score, creating a culture of completion rate measurement, transitioning to a remote-first business, and the decision to sell the business. He also discusses the importance of energy, talent, and trust in property management, as well as his experience with burnout and recovery.

Darryl Lindie shares his journey of buying a business after being inspired in the Navy, finding a suitable business in Rhode Island, dealing with a rocky transition, and the realities of small business ownership. The chapter explores the role of virtual professionals in business operations. Discussions on two books about overlooked CEOs and an inspiring lawyer turned entrepreneur. The speaker discusses their decision to choose self-funding and their search for a business to acquire in Rhode Island. The importance of improving work culture is also emphasized.

Matt Barnes shares his journey of buying a linen laundry business, emphasizing the importance of conviction in decision-making. He discusses the strategy of door-to-door outreach, getting emotionally invested in deals, and the realities of being an owner-operator. The podcast also explores the growth opportunities in the laundry industry and the philosophy of building a services business with the intention of selling it.

Panel discussion on buying small businesses, covering topics such as different acquisition stories, transition challenges, financing options, the transition from white collar to blue collar environments, the type of individuals who buy businesses, moving from first to multiple acquisitions, inorganic versus organic growth, investor search deals, scariest moments, due diligence, the impact of macro M&A market softness on search activity, thoughts on roll-ups, and the importance of due diligence in acquiring small businesses.