Acquiring Minds

Bruce Vann returns to update us on his manufacturing business, and a thesis around the roll-up of window blinds stores. Topics in Bruce Vann’s interview:Buying a stage curtain/shades businessProfitability of the businessTheir curtain and shades productsAcquiring a blinds companyIntegrating his businessesBruce’s vision for expansionThe possibilities for search in window treatmentsThe feast or famine nature of the businessThe long sales cycleInvesting in a ribbon weight machineBruce’s advice to searchersLinks and how to contact Bruce:Bvann@luxout.com LuXout Stage CurtainsConnect with A-players who can run your business remotely:More StaffingGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit AspenHRConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

John Ikalowych shares his traumatic journey of going all-in to buy a hail-repair business, then having to shut it down. Topics in John Ikalowych’s interview:John’s background in commercial bankingBuying a car hail repair businessLosing half his staff just months after acquisitionThe disaster that tanked their financesPivoting from B2C to B2BShutting down the businessHow the business failure changed himClosing a business with a personal guaranteeJohn’s advice to searchersThe importance of peer supportLinks and how to contact John:LinkedIn303-704-2461Entrepreneurs’ OrganizationLearn 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 channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

Morli Desai left corporate to scratch her entrepreneurial itch, using an SBA loan to buy an ecommerce biz with $1m SDE. Topics in Morli Desai’s interview:Leaving her corporate job at 40Joining the Acquisition LabPurchasing an ecommerce businessHow to approach brokersTransitioning an ecommerce businessPurchasing an Australian entityMarketing with PPCAssessing risk in ecommerceProprietary vs brokered searchInventory management in ecommerceLinks and how to contact Morli:LinkedIn4,000 weeks by Oliver BurkemanSam Harris’s appQuiet LightMarket Watch by CenturicaJoe Mcaleer of Multifunding, LLCJoel AnkneyAmaira Natural SkincareOverhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:EversiteConnect 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

Pawel Kosicki learned about buying small businesses in July. By January, he'd bought one himself with 7 figures of SDE. Topics in Pawel Kosicki’s interview:Pawel’s background in engineeringValuation of a home theater/automation companyClosing on his very first LOIFinancing a deal in CanadaHis philosophy on risk in businessThe seller staying on as an employeeMitigating risk in a project-based businessHis plans to grow the businessProjected growth in the home automation industryAdvice for Canadian searchersReferences and how to contact Pawel:LinkedInpawel@oakvillesightandsound.caSieva Kozinski Twitter threadOakville Sight and SoundGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

Damon Chlarson takes a job in tech sales, despite having improved the business he bought & surviving a tough year. Topics in Damon’s interview:Damon bought Pacific Insulation Supply, an online wholesalerDifficulties in scaling the insulation business. Overview of sales in the first year Getting a regular W-2 job again New systems he put in place at the business Training his sales teamThe challenges of working from homeHow he runs a business with bipolar disorderFluctuation in demand for home renovations Managing a sales team in the PhilippinesDamon's original appears on Acquiring Minds:Nailing the Trifecta: B2B + Remote + Scalable - Acquiring MindsLinks and how to contact Damon:Pacific Insulation SupplyTwitterLearn 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

Brenden Van Buren is growing his fencing business, despite the industry's notorious cyclicality & project-based revenue. Topics in Brenden’s interview:Brenden’s family history in the construction businessCo-founding Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs The pros and cons of having a pipeline when starting searchWhy the perfect relationship is better than the perfect businessThe risks associated with construction companiesAcquiring Pro Max Fence SystemsHow he doubled sales in 4.5 yearsThe top mistakes searchers make regarding time management and communicationsThe advantages of proprietary searchSelf-funded vs. traditional searchReferences and how to contact Brenden:Pacific LakeBringing Down the HouseGenerational Transfer EntrepreneursPro Max Fence SystemsLinkedInOverhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:EversiteConnect 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

Justin Turner returns with details on 2 new acquisitions by his holdco Traction, plus updates on the existing 4 portcos. Topics in Justin’s interview:Justin helps run investment firm Traction Capital PartnersHow Traction is different from Private EquityThe risks of buying into a franchise networkHow he bought one of his vendorsLessons learned from buying 6 businessesDriving sales in a disaster restoration business Doubling revenue in 5 years for a Fire Department supply business Facing the post-Covid economic downturnRising competition for acquiring a businessTrends in the blue and white collar labor marketJustin's original appears on Acquiring Minds:How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)Links and How to Contact Justin:LinkedIn TwitterTraction CPGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

Michael Arrieta's holdco has made 3 acquisitions since 2020. Sales & culture, not tech, have proven to be the key levers. Topics in Michael’s interview:       How he built the holding company Garden CityWhy he is drawn to service businessesHis experience with fast-growth startups in Silicon ValleyHow he almost doubled EBITDA in less than a yearThe mistakes he made with his first acquisitionThe 3 ways he finds companies to buyHow he improves workplace culture in the service industryHow Garden City adds value to their companiesHow to carefully add new technology after acquisitionWhy he is recruiting searchers to run businessesReferences and how to contact Michael:Michael Arrieta's TwitterMichael Arrieta's LinkedInExcellence Wins by Horst SchulzeBrent Beshore's TwitterGarden CityConnect with A-players who can run your business remotely:More StaffingOverhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:EversiteConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

After a rollercoaster year in his appliance repair business, John Schooler returns with scars, wisdom, and optimism. Topics in John’s interview:John bought an appliance repair business 14 months agoHow he runs a repair business without having repair skillsThe disaster that took away 20% of revenue overnightWhy running a business is harder than a marathonThe pros and cons of working with home warranty companiesWhat he would do differently from day oneWhat he learned about retaining employeesHis role in day-to-day operationsHis system for training techniciansJohn's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:Buying a Business & Having a BlastLinks and how to contact John:TwitterLinkedInAppliance ProfessionalTwitter thread mentionedReg ZellerOverhaul your website with ongoing support & unlimited edits, all for a flat monthly fee:EversiteGet 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

Andrew Hitchings bought a $250k SDE cooling biz. It has grown 3x and will now fund a 2nd acquisition, with more to come. Topics in Andrew’s Interview:Andrew and his wife bought a home ventilation business in April 2020How 7 months on a motorcycle prepared them for running a business togetherHis history in the Army, business school, and McKinsey & CompanyHow his business partner Max improved employee trainingWhy he looks at the P&L every dayExpanding their seasonal business to a year-round businessHow they mitigated the risk of buying a business with a single employeeThree things a business owner should focus onWhy they hire for character, not experienceHis strategy for building a holdcoReferences and how to contact Andrew:LinkedInHis partner: Marcela FernandezHis other partner: Max WilliamsColorado Home ServicesHBR Guide to Buying a Small BusinessGreg AmbrosiaChenmarkConnect with A-players who can run your business remotely:More StaffingLearn 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