Acquiring Minds

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

Andrew Sieve saw his life implode after COVID. Buying a highly profitable 40-year-old restaurant turned things around. Topics in Andrew’s interview: Andrew’s family history of owning and operating restaurantsWhy he prefers smaller restaurantsThe tragedies of 2020 that led to him exiting his family’s businessMoving from Minneapolis to Colorado to start overHow a chance meeting led to him buying a restaurantHow they achieved a smooth transition What factors make restaurants difficult businessesThe risks in acquiring an institutional legacy restaurantHow he funded his acquisition through a community bankHis vision for the next 5 yearsLinks and how to contact Andrew:LinkedInBigger Pockets Real EstateBigger Pockets MoneyConnect 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 channel Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn Follow Will on Twitter

Paul Quirk, owner of Amber Home Improvements and host of the Buy and Build podcast, shares insights from his unique journey of acquiring a UK window and door business while living in Switzerland. He discusses the key differences between UK and US acquisitions, detailing strategies for sourcing deals and navigating financing options. Paul also reflects on the digital marketing challenges businesses face and how he revamped his company's processes. His experiences commuting between countries highlight the balance of work and family life in entrepreneurship.

Shortly after his first interview in June, Jason Andrews sold his business to a strategic buyer for a life-changing sum. Topics in Jason's interview:Jason's recent exit of the group purchasing organization (GPO) he acquired in 2016How he had grown the business 50-60% without increasing staffThe downside of buying a super-niche businessThe advantages of acquiring a bigger businessHow his sales background influenced the way he restructured the companyWhy he says “don’t pay down your debt too fast”How he finds support in a local business leader groupThe fun part of running his businessWhy you may need to reconsider your growth modelWhat’s on his post-exit bucket listJason's original appearance on Acquiring Minds:Buying a High 7 Figure Business with a Buy-Side AdvisorReferences and how to reach Jason:Jason's TwitterJason's LinkedInBuilt to Sell by John WarrillowOverhaul 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 channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Chirag Shah applied systems from his days as a product manager to find & acquire a dog-training business with $600k SDE. Topics from Chirag's interview:Chirag’s background as a small business underwriterHis experience in the Acquisition LabHow a virtual assistanct and a Notion database helped narrow his searchHis decision to buy a Sit Means Sit franchiseWhy 2021 was a banner year for dog trainingHow franchises compare in terms of flexibilityHow much he pays in monthly franchise feesThe dog training method Sit Means Sit usesWhy Austin, Texas, is a prime location for dog trainingHow Profit First influences his practicesReferences and how to contact Chirag:Sit Means SitProfit FirstTwitterLinkedInRegister for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:SMBashLearn 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

Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas locations, teaches how to acquire an empire with seller financing for retiring owners. Topics from Brian's interview:How Brian’s family got him into owning Midas franchisesWhat makes the auto repair industry uniqueWhat kind of person would enjoy running a franchiseQuestions to ask before buying a franchiseHow seller financing is different with franchiseesService franchises vs retail franchisesHow to approach buying a franchiseHow a franchise broker can help youWhat makes a good operatorWhy buying small isn’t always badReferences & how to contact Brian:Brian Beers TwitterBrian Beers LinkedInBusiness with Beers PodcastGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamRegister for a live gathering of SMB, Micro-PE, and ETA owners, operators and investors:SMBashConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter