Acquiring Minds

Niklas James started off as a self-funded searcher, but evolved into being an independent sponsor of 7 acquisitions. Topics in Niklas’s interview:Why he returned the funds raised for his traditional search fundHow the painful challenges of his first acquisition set him up for success on later dealsWhy SaaS isn’t as sexy as it seemsEvolution from self-funded searcher to independent sponsorDefinition of an independent sponsorWhy HVAC is so attractiveGrowing his home services businessWhat type of person should consider independent sponsorshipThe difference between searchers and independent sponsorsThe difference between a holdco and independent sponsorshipLinks and how to contact Niklas:niklas.james@gmail.comLinkedInMcGuireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceBuy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:The Self-Funded Search Conference (Sep 30 & Oct 1 in Dallas)Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Martin Bispels updates us on the DTC ecommerce business he bought in 2020 and had grown to almost $2m/yr one year later. Topics in Martin’s interview:Using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)Building and managing a great remote teamWhy he doesn’t sell on AmazonThe difference between buying and shoppingOpportunities for bolt-on productsMarks of a good ecommerce businessThe power of story to differentiate your productMoving his supplier from China to VietnamFinding a good 3PLKeeping the founder in the businessLinks and how to contact Martin:Martin@upperparkdiscgolf.comLinkedInUpper Park Disc GolfCarro appFrangiosa FarmsKeith Linebach: 8 Figure Exit, 2 Years After Buying the BusinessGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Derek Turner has done both a traditional search fund and self-funded. We hear both stories & explore the differences. Topics in Derek’s interview:The advantages of a geographically-focused searchHis method for pitching business owners doing cold outreachChallenges within the laser van businessBeing a good soldier vs being a suckerThe downside of growthThe perils of buying from unpleasant ownersHow the company grew with no marketingHiring a GM to run the businessWhy have a board with a self-funded acquisitionWhy self-funded search feels different than traditional search fundsLinks and how to contact Derek:TwitterLinkedInRoll-a-ShieldDerek’s Twitter thread “When does a ‘good soldier’ become a ‘sucker’?”Derek’s thread on traditional search (being a CEO) vs. self-funded search (being an owner)With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:Search Investment GroupGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

2 previous guests, Mike Botkin & Adrian Pinto, are joining forces to grow a landscaping empire throughout the Southeast. Topics in Adrian and Mike’s interview:Adrian and Mike meeting through Acquiring MindsWhy it was difficult for Adrian to get a line of credit for his businessMike’s holding company acquired Adrian’s landscaping companyThe pros and cons of buying assets vs. stockHow an SBA loan can hamper growth in some situationsWhy Mike says acquisition is a talent gameHow they structured their acquisitionAdrian’s role as CEO post-acquisitionHow rolling equity can benefit the sellerMike’s holdco origin storyLinks and how to contact Adrian and Mike:Mike’s LinkedIn & TwitterAdrian’s LinkedIn & TwitterAdrian's recent episode: How to 2x Sales in a Service Business You BuyOneOutdoorGeorgia ScapesWith SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:Search Investment GroupGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

With no finance background, Kevin Bibelhausen learned to raise money from investors & buy a 20-year-old fabric business. Topics in Kevin’s interview:His health crisis that led to a career changeLosing funding at the last minuteRaising $800k in 5 weeksAutomating his money-raise process with investorsThe value of being active on TwitterAcquiring a $8m business using very little of his own moneyThe ideal number of investorsWhat attracted Kevin to Heritage FabricsManaging working capital with a long sales cycleHis investment fund, Fruition CapitalLinks and how to contact Kevin:LinkedInTwitterFruition CapitalSam Rosati’s Investor ListNick Haschka’s episodes on Acquiring Minds:How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years6 Ways Buying a Business Has Changed Since 2016HBR Guide to Buying a Small BusinessLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition Lab Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Alex Michael was seeking to acquire not just a business, but freedom. One year later, he reports back on how it's going. Topics in Alex’s interview:Top line growth in the last yearHow he diligenced Wallaroo WalletsHow he uses Amazon PPC adsThe limitations of an Amazon FBA businessAn expensive lesson about traffic diversificationLaunching new productsHaving his family involved in his businessLiving life on his own termsHis unconventional thoughts on productivityThe topics he writes onLinks and how to contact Alex:LinkedInQuietLightAlex’s SubstackWallaroo WalletsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with A-players who can run your business remotely:More StaffingConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

How Austin Smoak raised money from investors to buy a very profitable roofing business that he found on BizBuySell. Topics in Austin's interview:How Goldman Sachs prepared him for business ownershipPassively owning franchisesWhy he recommends local brokers over proprietary searchFinding “business-buyer fit”His plan to scale via roll-upHis philosophy on change managementPros and cons of being funded by a family officeThe scope of his residential roofing businessThe roofing industry in FloridaHow he uses digital marketingLinks and how to contact Austin:LinkedInGrove Oaks CapitalAxialWhy Should White Guys Have All the Fun?: How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire by Reginald Lewis and Blair S. WalkerGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

Entrepreneur Jérôme Bouillon shares his experience of buying and scaling up a home care agency, including his cold calling strategy, the benefits of buying a franchise, and the importance of seeing employees as customers. He also discusses the differences between home care and home healthcare, the challenges of scaling up in the industry, and the qualities of a strategic operator.

Heather Shattuck-Heidorn was a tenure-tracked professor, but wanted out. Buying a business offered freedom & security. Topics in Heather’s interview:What she loved about academiaWhy she initially resisted franchisesHow she found a custom closet franchiseBeing her husband’s employerHer thoughts on capitalismHow small business ownership differs from academiaWhat she likes about owning a franchiseHow she grows her business organicallyLearning to communicate with her employeesHer fetal position momentLinks and how to contact Heather:heather.sh@tailoredcloset.comHBR Guide to Buying a Small Business by Richard S. RubackThe Power of Flexing by Susan AshfordBuy Then Build by Walker DeibelHome Franchise ConceptsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Having only ever managed a few people when he bought his business, Alex Glasner shares how the trial by fire is going. Topics in Alex's interview:The difference between searching and operatingThe challenge of improving processesHow rapid growth affected the companyRunning the business with a partnerHow the economy impacts his industryHaving the British government as his sole customerIdealism and disillusionment in helping professionsWhy he hasn’t acquired a second businessWhy the first 2 years are hardHow he has improved as a managerLinks and how to contact Alex:Alex@workpays.co.ukLinkedInWorkpaysAlex’s first appearance on Acquiring MindsConnect with A-players who can run your business remotely:More StaffingGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter